Home and Holidays

 

We sure did not get enough pictures with family when we were home in Michigan for the week of Christmas and New Years.  We had a wonderful time showing off Zoe to all of her relatives, though she was a bit more shy than her Aunt Julie would have preferred! 

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?)