AROUND AND AROUND

While in L.A., my sisters planned a lovely little day trip to the Griffith Park Carousel.  "We have carousel's in New York," I said, but they persisted.  So we packed up a picnic, complete with sparkling lemonade in glass bottles, and made our way to the center of the park. And lo and behold, it was marvelous new adventure.  Unlike the carousels here in the city in Dumbo or Bryant Park or Central Park, the Griffith Park Carousel was free of tourists, or really much of anyone at all.  Tucked away on a field behind a little forest it sat, looking regal as its century-old horses made their rounds.  Bunches of candy-colored balloons quietly twisted in the wind on the edge of the wrought iron fence, and creepy old accordion music drifted through the air each time it turned on.  It felt like it had been waiting there just for us.  I don't know what it is about carousels that makes them so ridiculously perfect, but as we bought our tickets my heart filled with excitement.  The kids each climbed upon their carefully chosen horses and waited while we hopped up with them and fastened the old leather straps around their waists.  The music started in, the horses began to wobble up and down, the world began to spin, and we were off!  With full bellies and faces full of wonder, Biet and her cousins flew around and around, slowly at first, and then faster and faster.  Soon we were holding on with all of our might, beaming ear to ear with the wind in our faces, and throwing up a hand to wave each time we saw baby Lucien on the sidelines. I could have stayed there all day.  I'm so grateful for these sisters of mine who never let me forget that we can adventure like kids regardless of how old we are. It was pure magic.

EMMY'S LAST DAY

Under overcast skies, we walked through the village.  Emmy, Gaby, Biet, and I made our way past the brick tenements and bare winter trees towards the park, stopping every few blocks to chat with a friend in passing. The city was sleepy and more quiet than usual, but for the first time since Emmy had arrived, the weather had warmed.  It was a lovely day for strolling Manhattan.  Standing outside of Puerto Rico Coffee Company, we ran into our old friend Paul, who was with Gaby and I on the first night that we met, and was the officiant who married us years later.  Biet held her Papa's hand, Emmy pushed the empty stroller, Paul joined us, and we all walked into the park and into Biet's favorite playground.  The abandoned playground was still covered in dew from the recent showers, but Biet didn't mind.  She wanted to climb and she wanted to swing, and a little water certainly wasn't going to stop her.  We enjoyed the quiet and the trees as our little girl frolicked.  Above us flew the two storied red-tailed hawks who call the park their home.  As the afternoon began to fade, we said goodbye to Paul and slowly walked back across the village to Bleecker street.  We knew this would be our last family walk through the city before Emmy flew back home in the morning.  Next time we see her she will have a new nephew to carry about.  We miss her already.

LADIES AT THE GUGGENHEIM

Biet visited the Guggenheim Museum for the first time the other day with her Aunt Emmy and her very pregnant Mama.  Once she got the hang of walking up the steep incline (there are no stairs at the Guggenheim, only one long spiraling white walkway which twirls gracefully around the walls all the way up to the ceiling), she was off and running.  I was startled (and nervous) about her enthusiasm at first, but this little girl made her Mama proud.  Since the museum was fairly empty, we had the chance to give her a bit of freedom to wander through the modern art pieces.  Surprisingly, she did really well when it came to not touching the artwork and to staying within a decent distance of me.  As the security guards quietly shifted and encircled us, keeping a keen eye on the slow-moving hugely pregnant woman with the loose toddler around the multi-million dollar artwork, I hoped dearly that my attempt at a nice afternoon and at teaching my daughter museum etiquette wouldn't result in a meltdown of chasing and screaming.  But little Biet happily perused the halls, laughing and observing and stopping every once in a while to nurse.  When I got tired and needed to sit for a while, Emmy would take over and show her a new exhibit, and everyone enjoyed themselves more than I had hoped for.  We may have just gotten lucky, but I'm hoping that this is the beginning of a new regular adventure destination for us.

And even after all of that walking, this baby boy is still staying snug in my belly.  Here we are, coming up on 41 weeks, and there's no sign of him yet.  I want to say thank you thank you thank you for all of the supportive and love-filled comments and emails over the past few days.  To know that so many people, all over the world, are thinking of this baby boy and wishing him a blessed journey into the world means more to me than words can say.

NYC MISSES YOU ALREADY

I loved this afternoon spent with my sisters in the West Village.  I really wish they lived closer so that we could wander around the city together more often. 

Come back sisters, we miss you! 

xx

WHAT A PARTY. WHAT A DAY.

A few babies, a few kids, a ton of friends, some family, some great music, homemade food, and a lovely little cake = a perfect party.  I really feel that Biet's first birthday party was a smash hit.  It was such a cheerful and relaxed afternoon.  All of our friends and family who came were nothing short of wonderful.  We listened to records and caught up with old friends, munched on tea sandwiches & watermelon & cookies fresh from the bakery, sipped our lemonade as the kids ran around the apartment, and sat back and enjoyed the afternoon.

I was a bit worried that we wouldn't have our home together in time for the party, having just moved a few weeks prior, but somehow it came together just enough. There may not have been curtains hung or pictures on the walls, but my sisters and I managed to pretty the place up so that no one really noticed (I am so grateful for those two lovely crafty ladies!).  On the morning of the party we found out that all of the streets around our apartment were closed for a big music festival in Prospect Park, and that traffic was backed up for hours all throughout Brooklyn!  It could have spelled disaster, but all of Biet's guests toughed it out and figured out how to make their way over.  It means so much to us that they went through all of that hassle for baby girl's birthday party (it really does. some of them traveled for hours. thank you so very much for making it out!).  By the time everyone arrived and the party got rolling, it was a couple of hours past when we had planned. But it ended up being a blast nonetheless.

Biet took turns opening gifts with her Mama and her Papa. Each present we unwrapped was so thoughtful- she has a slew of amazing new books and toys now.  She was ever so delicate blowing out her candle and tasting her cake. No baby face covered in frosting for this little girl, oh no! She preferred to dip one finger and one toe in the frosting, and that was it.  She was so funny. After the celebration, we walked through the neighborhood with a few friends and stopped in for coffee at a little cafe.  Nico lounged in the sun and a violinist played on the sidewalk outside. We thanked all of our friends for making the day so memorable and let Biet eat a chocolate croissant as the music drifted in through the open windows. It was such a nice way to wind down after all of the festivities.  It was a beautiful day (for a beautiful one-year-old girl).

LATE NIGHT CRAFTING PARTY

In prepartion for Biet's first birthday party, my sisters and I put our creative talents to work and whipped up some homemade decorations.  After the little ones went to sleep, we grabbed some fabric and paper and glue and glitter and turned our evening into a crafting party! All three of us love making things by hand, so it ended up being so much fun (especially after we added cheesecake and a couple episodes of Girls).   Fabric garlands, a cake-topper, drink stirrers, & paper flowers- we (well, actually mostly Lisa) ended up getting quite a lot done as the little ones slept.  I would spend every single day making pretty things with my sisters if I could. I really love those ladies.

THESE THREE

Both of my sisters are in town for a few days, along with my two nephews, Beckett & Dashiell, and I couldn't be happier. I truly love having my family so close, even if its just for little while. I finally got the chance to meet little Dashiell and to pinch his chubby cheeks.  I must say that he is one charming little chunk of a thing. Its so much fun to watch Biet interacting with her cousins.  A three-month-old, one-year-old, and a three-year-old all in the same house (along with two Mama's, one Papa, one Auntie, & one giant dog) is certainly going to make for an interesting weekend!

California part Seven: Family Portrait

{from when Emmy was still pregnant!}