Some Advice

Here are a few little life lessons that Zoe doesn't quite understand yet-- I trust she will understand them later, but it will be a bit too late.

1.  You don't want to eat my shoe.  Seriously, it has New York City all over it.  Matter of fact, I probably shouldn't even bring them in my house, but you really don't want it in your mouth.

2.  Hurling your body head first off the couch or the bed is NOT the best way to show that you are ready to play on the floor.  Since so far your dad and I have caught you each time you've done this, I'm not sure the best way to teach you this lesson.  But I promise there are better ways.

3.  Even though we pretend otherwise, you are not really in a contest with us and you do not win anything if you drop or break our dishes.  The points we've said we give you are not real and we aren't tracking them.  So, really, you don't need to try so hard to get to every dish we set out.  (Although when you somehow grabbed my coffee cup and spilled the coffee without dropping the cup or getting coffee on either of us, you really did earn a triple score!).

4.  Putting everything in your mouth is not a good idea.  See number one, but also include electrical devices, mail, the playset at the playground, and most things you can reach in the bathroom.

5.  People don't walk around with their tongue hanging out.  It really does look weird.

6.  There are actually things in the world that are funnier than peek-a-boo.  I kid you not! (Although, to be perfectly honest, I can't quite think of any since you came around.  Peek-a-boo is a lot funnier than I realized...)

Santas

We did a little Santa tour today.  I wasn't planning to get Zoe's picture with Santa, but at the Dekalb Market I saw that there was a free "Santa-Box" where you could take your own- I had my camera, so it was perfect.  Santa was a young guy, of unable to be determined ethnicity, who spoke to the three-year-olds ahead of me in casual hipster slang  ("Come on in, little dude....").   Zoe was a fan- she sat on his lap with no problem.


Santa number two was down the street at Awedacity, a boutique near my house.  Here we were buying sale earrings while waiting for Santa to "arrive down the chimney" aka dressing room.  Everyone in the shop was directing all santa narration at Zoe, as if she were following it all.  An Eastern European photographer arrived right before Santa showed his face-- he was thrilled about "black santa" and said he had searched Manhattan, unable to find another black santa anywhere.  He took loads of pictures of Zoe waiting (while she was calm)-- I should have gotten his name.  Her calm shattered on Santa's lap-- their photographer was doing free prints, and he snapped one right before I did so we have a stone faced print, with these more emotional versions.

One of the reasons I love that we are raising Zoe in Brooklyn is that diversity will be such a normal part of her world...starting with her first Santa(s).

Just Sayin'

When I'm out and about with Zoe, people regularly stop me to say how cute my baby is.  But can I be honest with you?  Do you know what that makes me think?  What the heck is wrong with the ones who don't?  Seriously, do you not see this baby? She is flippin' adorable!

Thanks.

 

Over the long and wonderful weekend, I found myself reading some information about the writer who wrote this op ed, among other things.  I read some pieces of her blog, and an article, and cried ugly tears that Zoe thought was laughing.  It was nice to realize she doesn't know the sound of me crying-- she was laughing at me, but I forgave her.

Reading about this mother and what she faces on a daily basis was humbling and inspiring.  I hate to sound trite or to trivialize her experience by saying it made me take stock of what I am grateful for, but reading it you can't help but realize that even those things that may be stressers in your daily life aren't so bad.  So, in the spirit of thanks and giving, some things I am grateful for:

* My still-for-now- toothless baby's gummy smile, which she flashes repeatedly while doing her new trick of clapping.  Remarkably, she wakes up with this smile, which makes 5:30 am just a little easier on me.
* My husband who makes me egg sandwiches almost every day, and sends me off to work with a packed lunch and a little bag of too many almonds.
*Our families, who we truly honestly would happily receive any member as a houseguest-- I know everyone cannot say that is true!
*Delicious food. And red wine.
*Surprisingly sunny and warm November days.  And swings.

I looked back on this blog and saw that last year at this time I mentioned how strange it would be to have a 9 month old at our Thanksgiving dinner.  And here we were, with a 9 month old tasting mashed potatoes.  So much fun with friends near and far (yeah Sharon and Gerald for traveling to see us!).  I realized I didn't really take pictures of dinner itself, but here are some of the weekend.  As you can see-- Aaron is still bearded!  Happy Thanksgiving.

Fuzzy Face

To Beard....Or Not To Beard?

 Aaron has the kind of beard right now that elicits random comments from strangers (i.e. the only bearded TSA agent at La Guardia yelling out "Nice beard, buddy" as we went through security).  He initially grew it for Zoe- she likes to rub his face. 

Sometimes I really like it and other times I find it funny-- for our friend's wedding, in a suit, I thought he looked a little bit like the cavemen guys from the geico commercials....or maybe just like he should be occupying Wall Street...  However, he maintains it very well and it is a soft accessory that he always has on!  I think I am split 50/50--  What do you think?  Beard, or no beard?  Cast your vote.

grandbaby

Grandma and Grandaddy, Nana and Grandpa, Zoe loves visiting with you!

checking you out

On Grandaddy's Knee

Sightseeing with Grandma

Telling Secrets?

All Smiles!

Pop!  (or, want my toy?)

Day Trips

Subway-ing Around Town

This post was written during my school's October break (I wrote it a couple weeks ago and am adding pictures today-- we just went on Zoe's first snow walk so I can't believe the clothes we were in just a couple weeks ago!).   I worked the middle part of the week but was able to take two 3 day weekends-- I'm pretty sure that the three day work week would be the answer to all problems, but I'm not so sure how to market it for the extended day, extended year charter school.

We took a series of day trips, two outside the city thanks to the use of my friend Tracy's car, and one just via subway to Manhattan.  I love living in New York where there is always something new to see, but getting outside of the city has undeniable perks, so this week was the best of both worlds.

Family Portrait

Dia Beacon:
We started with a trip to Dia Beacon, which is a huge contemporary art museum in Beacon, New York, less than two hours outside of the city.  The space was fantastic, as was most of the art.  It was almost all large scale works, and the space itself was huge and open.  I'm not sure what it says about me that walking through the museum all I could think was that the space itself would be the most amazing place to throw a party.  Something about living in New York for so long makes you respond to large, open spaces in a new way-- I think we liked the museum itself as much as the art.

Most of the pieces were fantastic- my favorites were Richard Serra and Sol Lewitt.  I'm actually not sure how to define the art on display-- contemporary is supposed to be since WWII, and modern ended in the 70's (according to wikipedia- I just looked that up), and this art is all post-1960.  But it was large scale and interesting and displayed really well-- all in all, worth the drive.

 

Galleries in Chelsea:

Our weekday subway trip was Friday, where Zoe and I joined Aaron and his friends for gallery browsing in Chelsea (and a trip for crepes and cookies at Chelsea Market!).  This doesn't really count as a trip, since they do this weekly, and it was only to Manhattan, but it felt leisurely and vacation-ish to me on my day off.  Zoe perked up for some of the exhibits- she is going to have to end up with either an extreme love of art or an aversion to it altogether, I imagine.

I love this picture!

Winery- Upstate New York:

And Sunday we spent my birthday at Warwick Winery, one of my favorite ways to spend a day outside of the city.  This was Zoe's second trip to the winery-- art and wine, she's a lucky baby.  The fall is the best time to go, however-- there is apple picking and seeing the start of the leaves changing upstate is really beautiful.

All in all, three lovely day trips and a pretty nice week.  Where's your favorite place to spend a day on your own or with your family?

Fall in the City

 

It felt like fall in the city for the first time this weekend.  This meant Zoe and I got to pull out our fall wardrobe- Zoe in outfits for the first time ever (and her hand knit hat from Karen!), and for me the first time my fall clothes fit in over a year, so that was exciting for me.  I think that fall is my favorite season in New York (I hesitate only because as much as I love it, the fact that it comes means winter is coming, which is a drawback I can't avoid).

Mom made me take off my dress for this meal!

 Zoe is starting to eat solid food....slowly.  She is not a fan of much except apple sauce and sweet potato so far.  She is a fan of covering her hands and face in whatever we are trying...and then burying her face in the chair so that we are sure to get crusty food there for later.

 Aaron's sister Stephanie and her boyfriend Rishi came to visit this weekend and we had perfect cool weather for walking around the city.  Zoe took them to her garden to see the familiar sights.

 (Aaron got me this dress as a "just because" present-- I wore it into the store he bought it from today and the lady there couldn't believe he picked it out on his own.  Good job, Aaron!)

 Zoe seems to be noticing more and more these days.  She laughs at dogs, pictures of babies, and her face in the mirror.  We are so lucky to have such amazing places to take her on walks and to visit on a regular basis.

 Steph and Rishi went to see the Michigan game at a bar in DUMBO (don't worry, Dad, Zoe didn't wear blue) and we went for a walk in the ever growing Brooklyn Bridge park.  Zoe and I checked out the newly renovated carousel that I'm sure she'll get to enjoy soon. 

 

We then went into Manhattan and went for a walk on the highline...a place I discovered late, but don't worry, if you visit me in the next year it will be where we go together!!  Plus a stop afterwards at Chelsea market for some yummy food or Jacques Torres chocolate chip cookies!!

I have been working hard lately, and lots of confusion comes with the long hours for me, which I will save for discussion for another time.  But in my downtime with my family I try to make up for it, and this weekend I think we did a good job.   Come and visit us and we'll take fun pictures with you, too!

I can totally stand on my own, see!

Gettin' Around (soon)

Trying to Crawl

Zoe is 6 months old, and the days of leaving her on the couch cushion are officially over!  I have a feeling she'll be moving around with intention soon-- for now, she does a combination of rolling and scooting on her back to get herself off of the play mat or wedged into the corner of her crib.  Sometimes she rolls a little further than expected!

Aaron takes Zoe around pretty often in the stroller, decked out as you see below.   Apparently she gets noticed on the street on a regular basis. Her sock toys are a hit with the neighbors.

Fun Socks!

 As for sitting up, she can do it with some help, but since her above all favorite toy is still her foot she generally reaches for them and topples immediately after sitting.  I try to explain to her that people don't shove their feet in their mouth but she thinks I am mistaken.

Pre-topple

I have been working a whole lot lately, so my time with Zoe has been limited.  However, I've learned that Zoe is easy as can be to travel around with right now, and I have a feeling that won't be the case for long.  So, I snap her in the ergo and off we go-- to the laundromat or the farmers' market, the park or the garden, whenever I can.  She can eat, sleep and snuggle in there, so it is my favorite way to get around.

Sleeping Soundly

And for those of you that worry about Zoe being too much of a city girl, rest assured that she spends more time in the grass than I would assume most babies do!  She may have grass stains soon, as she gets more mobile, but her outdoor time is frequent!

Laying on Daddy

Super-Zoe