DIA DE PADRE NUMERO 2

By the grace of god, our baby-chaperoned date on Father's Day turned out to be one of our most successful yet!  We timed it just right so that Biet fell asleep with a full belly on our walk to the restaurant, and she slumbered peacefully amidst the restaurant noise in her cushioned stroller wedged in between two tables.  We dressed up and had a three course meal at a charming farm-to-table restaurant, followed by an evening stroll.  I really couldn't have imagined a more perfect way to spend the day.

And on to the man of the hour, the Papa Bear, my Gaby.  We love you we need you we cherish you.  When you jump out of bed on three hours sleep when Biet calls for company in the wee morning hours, you shine.  When you get super excited to discover that Biet adores a new crazy dish you've invented (remember the watermelon-banana-spinach-eggs last week?), you shine.  When she falls asleep on your shoulder at the end of the day and you whisper to me "I love this. I love this so much!", you shine shine shine.  You shine as a Papa. You shine with Fatherhood. You are such a beautiful part of her life.

Our lives have changed so very much since last Father's Day.  Our lives have gotten so much bigger (alone with our hearts, and our dreams too).

Gaby and Biet- the two of you.. well oh my. 

There are no words.

Biet's sailor dress: c/o Little Vintage

A Father's Day Moonlight Picnic

Growing up, my Dad always told us three girls that the best gift he could receive on a holiday was something handmade by us. In lieu of a new shirt or tie, we would make Dad a painting or picture frame or home-cooked meal. That's just how we did holidays.

So for Biet's first Father's Day with her Papa, I contemplated making a little card for Gaby "signed" by her, but reconsidered. I want this to be her and her father's holiday. I want him to begin receiving cards as soon as she is big enough to make them. I want each year for his gift to be handmade, from the heart, & from her.
So instead of gifts, we celebrated with an all-day outing through the West Village that included a trip to the bakery, the record shop, & one of our favorite Italian dinner spots. Biet stayed strapped to her Papa the whole time.


Along the way, we spotted one of the street pianos (upright pianos placed in outdoor spaces all around NYC for public use by an amazing organization called Sing For Hope) and wandered over. A man sat down and started serenading Gaby & Biet, who both began dancing to the old-timey song, which started the whole street corner dancing, which elicited excited barking from Nico, which caused everyone to burst out laughing. Spontaneous corner dance parties: yet another reason why I love this city.



When we finally made it down Sullivan street to the restaurant, it was full (all 3 tables) & we were starving. So we ordered to-go & had a little moonlight picnic at the park instead. The air was summery warm and the city seemed so quiet as we dined alone in the park. It is a day I will not soon forget. And that memory is better than any card.

Dia de Padre #1

I love seeing Gaby as a father. I caught glimpses of it over the years with him & Nico, but seeing him & Biet melts my heart. She magnifies his best qualities. She looks just like him, and sounds just like him (yes she already has a tiny voice with which she sings in her sleep right along with her Papa) and hopefully she'll get his sense of humor too. I celebrate these things on his first official Father's Day. Happy Dia de Padre, Gaby. You make fatherhood look so cute. Xo