the best

This is my favorite season in Central Park, for obvious reasons ;)

May

Walker, 20 months old on May 1, running beneath the crabapple blossoms in Central Park.

Happy May, everyone!

Fun at Selima Optique

On Tuesday, I had a little time with Walker so I popped him into a sling and went downtown to pay a visit to one of our favorite shops, Selima Optique, to visit with our friends Angel and Selima and to try on fun frames. We cracked each other up making smoochy faces while we modeled different styles, and Walker looked dashing in a pair of Selima for Crewcuts frames. Later, he enjoyed balancing a cookie on his arm for the camera. That kid's a born performer and a total card ;)

PS: Thanks to Lynne, of Sakura Bloom, for making the trek with us and taking the cute photos, and thanks to Angel and Selima for letting us play!

PPS: Remember that project I mentioned? I can't wait to tell you more about it soon. Here's a little tidbit...Selima Optique will be hosting a launch party at their Bond Street store for the event in May! Stay tuned ;)

Werk

Our little ham.

December Photo Project, Day 13

I'm giving you a bonus photo today,

to make up for the day that I missed.

Also, because I couldn't decide

between the one that I took right before he noticed me,

and the one that I took right when he did ;)

First Haircut

The baby-mullet, as seen in the last two photos (before trim commenced), is no more! I am fighting off the feeling that my littlest baby is now a boy. He sure thinks he is ;)

Seems like just yesterday this guy was getting his first haircut. Sigh.

Let Them Smoosh Cake

Because, seriously, that is the best part:

And here's a little pic of the birthday cake

before the delicious destruction began:

The recipe is here, and the inspiration for the mini-bunting is here.

The perfect ending to a fun and loving day of celebration!

Thanks to everyone for all the sweet birthday comments :)

once around the sun

Photo by Liz Rubincam

Above: September 1, 2009

The following photos were taken on or around the first of each month

for the past year...

Happy Birthday, little man.

You are a strong and spirited soul,

with sly dimples and those knowing eyes.

SO tough and yet so sweet.

You have a great laugh.

You love:

your brother

splashing in water

hugging

playing the piano

tumbling

gnawing on gigantic hunks of fruit

basketball

drumming on things

meeting new people

nursing

walking

pouncing on me when I'm reading the newspaper

dancing on the bed

music

We love you more than you will ever know.

A year ago today...

...I was about to pop, and we were soon to meet W.

My, how this year has flown!

Walking

A little glimpse of his new skills! It has been an exciting month ;)

Eleven Months

Yesterday!

(Photos by Taro).

Photo Booth Fun

While J rode the rides, W and I popped into an old-fashioned photo booth :)

10 Months

9 Months

Happy nine-months, today, baby! It's hard to believe you've been out in the world now for as long as you were in my belly. You can do so many things already! You are such a little man!

Actually, it's even harder to believe you haven't always been around...because I can't imagine life without you!

XOXO, Mama.

8 months

This handsome little dude turned 8 months old yesterday! We had a picnic on the Christopher Street Pier with Joanna, then walked around the Village enjoying the sunshine and people watching. Today the fun continues -- we plan to spend some time in the park and strolling around the Upper West Side.

The awesome heart onesie was sent to us for review by the nice folks at the Scandinavian children's clothier, Vyssan Lull. It's by the line, Sture & Lisa, and is 100% eco and fair trade cotton. And 100% cute, of course!

Eight months in, the brothers continue to solidify their dynamic-duo superpowers. J wears a Sygryn Elephant shirt, also from Vyssan Lull.

Of course, this eight month milestone brings with it memories of the wonderful day W came into the world. We were safe. We were together. We were happy. We were home.

With all of the craziness concerning the loss of the choice of legal home birth in NYC, my heart aches for all the pregnant mamas that are out there right now, wondering what to do. I feel blessed that I had the chance to have two glorious home births, but also a little guilty that I didn't realize the tenuousness of that right, which has now been lost. I want to help restore every family's right to a home birth, but it is hard to know where to start. I've called and written, and signed the petition. I've blogged and tweeted, but I want to do more.

A NYC midwife, Kristen Leonard, sent this message out to encourage home birth supporters and it includes great information for taking concrete steps towards change:

Hi Everyone,
Many people are asking me, after having called the DOH and the
governor's office, what else they can do to help. The short term
solution is difficult but the long term solution is clear -
elimination of the requirement for a written practice agreement in
addition to licensure to practice. There is legislation that has been
introduced in both the State Assembly and Senate to do this. It is
called the Midwifery Modernization Act (MMA). We have sponsors in
both the Assembly and the Senate but the more sponsors and/or
supporters the more likely it is to pass. This is our moment to
really make sure this legislation is passed. Calling and writing your
legislators is crucial but making an appointment and meeting them in
their district offices to discuss the MMA will have even more impact.
If you have never done this, it is much easier than you imagine. They
are very happy to talk to constituents and hear their concerns. You
can find more information about the bill and talking points at
NYSALM.org and freeourmidwives.org. You can go to
http://www.nysenate.gov and to http://assembly.state.ny.us to find who your legislators are if you don't know. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do this! The legislators have specifically
said that they need to hear from consumers on this issue. Going into their offices and telling them your story can really make adifference!
Thanks for all of the support!
Kristen

I plan to follow Kristen's urging and meet with my local legislators. I've never done something like that before, but I've never felt this passionate about fighting for a specific right before, so the time is now! Let me know if you are interested in doing the same thing, and perhaps we could form a group of moms/families that can all go for the meetings together. There is strength in numbers. Leave a comment or email me if you're interested. XOXO, Leigh