Picassa in the making

*Photography tip, from someone not quite qualified to give photography tips ~

shooting on an angle is really "in" and can add interest or a playful feel to a photograph. But sometimes, like here, it just makes your subject look like he's going to slide off the page! But I couldn't help but to keep this face.

I would like to thank, very much, the man or woman who created washable crayons. You my friend are a genius.

just because

(it's his fish face)

walking

At 15 months, Charlie had been taking steps for nearly half a year, but only when we asked him to. The child is so extremely cautious that we wondered if he would ever do it on his own. Of course, like most of his age, he finally did.

To capture the milestone, I thought I would take him to a local field in front of a pretty bridge and let him kick a ball and run around gleefully as I snapped beautiful portraits. As usual, the images in my head didn't quite make it to the camera. Charlie had an idea of his own ~ the playground. So off he ran, and off we followed.

For a split second I was discouraged. I was not going to get those "perfect" little shots that I really wanted. Then I laughed. Was this my first silly little lesson of letting go of my plans and letting him follow his own? The first of many, I'm sure.

*Or for you a little less sentimental than I......yeah, he's a kid, and there was a playground in sight. What did I expect?!

bello giorno

lovely day.
It began at the Bronx Zoo.

Although Charlie seemed genuinely intrigued by the tigers, monkeys and sea lions, he also seemed equally excited about the pigeons and ducks on the sidewalk; yet the trip was worth it. He at least has finally seen the animals that we have been making him imitate for months now, and Bryan and I loved watching the baby giraffe darting around the adult giraffes in the field. What a weird, quirky, seemingly out of place, and yet beautiful animal!

If I were an animal these days I think I would be a giraffe (the quirky and out of place part). Arthur Avenue ("Little Italy") is only a block away so we headed there after Charlie was done. We have been wanting to go for a while, for both the cultural experience as well as for the fabulous groceries. Bryan's Italian co-workers always talk about authentic mozzarella, prosciutto, and sausages and the best places to find each ~ on Arthur. It did not disappoint. We came home with bags of the goodness and promptly dug in.

dried sausages of many kinds....everywhere. even the ceilings

and cheese. lots of cheese.

We didn't eat these, hand-rolled cigars, but I did enjoy watching a woman sneak pieces to chew on as she rolled.
Now, what to do with all these Italian delicacies that I've never had in my kitchen before?

our city pool

As much of a pool as you can get living in the city:

but to him, size didn't matter.

Only time. It was too short.
Bryan and I had fun too, trying to make as much as we can out of our 'backyard'. We just try and pretend that this isn't there.
(it's not ours by the way!)
and thank you grandmama for the pool - he loves it.

so nice

a basket of chilton county peaches and blueberries from your backyard, toys for charlie, babysitting, dinner, a yankees game, a picnic and a hike, a walk along the sound, many walks around town, ice cream, laughing - lots of laughing, good conversation...

but most of all just being together.

will you guys come back and stay with us every month?

31

I hope Bryan always remembers this year's birthday, because I don't think I will ever be able to top it.

His parents and brother came to visit for the week, which would have been wonderful enough, but we were also treated to dinner and a babysitter (Liz - thank you again!!) while we enjoyed a Yankees game without child.

There just happened to be 31 regular season games left before the original stadium is torn down. Fitting.

I've never liked the Yankees, but I couldn't help but to be swept away ~ and found myself cheering for them. There truly was something in the air. To top it off, a Wii was waiting at home, which was played through the wee hours of the night. Wish I had a picture~ there was much laughter as well through the wee hours of the night!

a blueberry mess

In honor of my mother-in-law, who says these are her favorite pictures ever of Charlie ~

If you are a grandparent, you must close your eyes for this last picture ~ it hasn't been mailed yet.

Cheesy, I know, but the grandparents will love it.

Speaking of cheesy, is there another, better, more hip/"now" word for it? Every time i use it i feel so, well, cheesy - but i can't for the life of me think of another fitting word.

a post on, baseball?

To be able to visit all of the Major League Baseball stadiums at some point in life is a dream of Bryan's. He has knocked a few off of his list, and Charlie and I were happy to help him 'check' Shea Stadium (it didn't hurt that he got free tickets from a co-worker) this weekend.

I have a post 'written' in my head of not only the differences of living here, but also the similarities. For instance, we have already been asked several times if we were Mets or Yankees fans. Evidently we must be one or the other. Sound familiar?

We decided to take the train to the game. Charlie loved it~ most of the time. I didn't realize that it was not only a 30 min ride to Grand Central, but then a switch and 30 more minutes to Queens. Should have packed some toys. The poor child ate his weight in Goldfish.



It was pretty cool, even for me, to see one of the oldest MLB stadiums. I think people were smaller when it was built - the aisles and seats were tiny. Maybe it's the hotdogs.


Billy Wagner. I know, for most people who would read my blog~who? But Bryan was excited to see one of "his guys" from his fantasy baseball league.

We didn't expect to stay the whole game - we knew what was in store. Charlie loved it, as much as any one year old could.

The quite underwhelming apple (it pops up after a home run ~ trademark of the Mets). Can you find it? With everything else these days being replaced with something bigger and better, I hope they keep it (there is actually a petition out to 'save the apple').

Notice my boys outfits here.....

and now here.......

and now me......

Yeah. If we were in Seaside FL we would have fit in just fine. But in NYC, not so much. Bryan and I have this ridiculous habit of unintentionally matching. We didn't notice we were wearing the same thing until we got on the train. I was just happy that we didn't dress Charlie in white and khaki that morning.

Fast forward....on the way back from the game Charlie pees....everywhere (because his sorry parents forgot to change him during the game), and guess what spare outfit was packed for him? We had a 'layover' in Grand Central Station and received a few stares, and smirks.

curls

to cut, or not to cut?

Charlie, I am so sorry that you have been mistaken for a girl so often these days. It's the curls, I know, but I just can't bring myself to do away with them just yet. Hope we can just wink among ourselves a little longer as we hear "oh, she is so cute!".

And about that wink pictured, it isn't just coincidence, it is one of his favorite things to do these days. It melts me. I'm already imagining a few years down the road......"oh mom, it was an accident. wink, wink". Or, "come on mom, let me stay out past curfew - just tonight. wink".

one tired baby

I had planned on writing about all his new endeavors this morning - first steps and new words - but baby woke up needy, weepy and sleepy. makes for a sleepy mommy too. I'd rather take a nap.

Room with a view

As much as we love our new place, we do not have a "view", from any window really. In the back it's a dumpster, from the bedrooms its an alley (where we can watch our car get blocked in all day), the dining room is the brick of the building next door (although if you open the window you can hear some really interesting conversations going on the restaurant patio below).

Yesterday I was struck by our new view, if only for a moment. I was reminded of how the Lord makes all things new. Nothing escapes His glory - the dirty, the mundane, the insignificant, the ugly.......all things will be made new. It brought much hope to my day, and I pray He will show me this again on the days I can only see what is right in front of me and not the underneath, the behind, the reason, the grand scheme...... His glory.

I partied like it was my birthday

Mornings here so far have been dreamy. Charlie is still somewhat on Central time, so he sleeps until 8-8:30. Not to say B and I don't wake before then. This new city life comes with a built in alarm clock - the hustle and bustle of cars and people, the bus making its stops in front of our place every 30 minutes, the garbage truck that visits the alley right next to our bedroom window twice a week, the delivery trucks backing into the alley (beep......beep.......beep....)......

But back to the dreamy part. After we all eat breakfast we take a little walk down the block to Bryan's car (or sometimes the bus, just paint the man green) to say good-bye. Charlie and I then run (or walk) our errands. The Italian market for meat and cheese, the produce stand, the dry cleaners, the post office, Trader Joe's, the library......all while saying hello to the other moms and their babies, petting the dogs being walked, and watching (trying not to stare) and listening to all the diverse people around us. We make it back to the apartment just in time for Charlie's nap.

Yesterday, just because it was my birthday, I treated myself to tea at the local coffee shop. It would have been coffee if I didn't have a huge aversion for it, and there would have been something sweet involved if it weren't for the lack of desire for that as well (with Charlie I loved all things sweet., with this one I just want a hot meal every 2 hours. hmm.). Bryan then called to say he was treating me to lunch and dinner (the sweet man is very in tune with the fact that I know no one here yet, and that the way to my heart is through good food).

We went to the deli down the street for lunch and realized that the typical deli here is not what we are used to in the South. They are not geared for women meeting their girlfriends, but for business people running in for a quick sandwich. The decor usually consists of red socks paraphernalia turned upside down, and maybe newspaper clippings on the wall. The menu is as straightforward as the people behind the counter, and don't ask for sweet tea. Not to say the people aren't friendly though. The owner sat with us at our table and was as hospitable as any southerner I know - if you could get past her strong Bronx accent.

On the walk home Bryan bought me flowers, and we met Brando, the extremely over sized (fat) Lab that comes to work with its owner everyday, and decided to adopt him as our pet because he and Charlie loved each other so much.

After afternoon naps I decided I had been craving Thai long enough, and that is what I just had to have. I think I love Thai food so much because I can have sweet, sour, savory and spicy all in one bite. Party in my mouth! I was so happy that the place we went to had an authentic Northwestern Thai dish that I had almost every day while in Thailand (nearly 10 years ago) - papaya salad. Other places I have been to attempt something similar with cabbage, but it's not the same.

After a nice little walk in the cool NY night breeze we headed home.

A long post for just the happenings of a day, but it was my day, done just right, and I'd like to remember it that way. Thanks B.
And thanks to all of you who called, emailed, chatted and facebooked!

happy belated day, Pop

I can't say I suffered much during Bryan's travels. I had many babysitters at hand. Pop was one of Charlie's favorites. "Pop" was even one of his firsts words. Little does he know he is his namesake. And I like that.

uncelebrated but appreciated

Although yesterday was Father's Day, the only celebration was getting to have our first "normal" morning as a family in our new home. Normal as it may have been, those couple of hours were heaven.



All the preparation and anticipation of our move really made me think about "leaving and cleaving". I remember standing at the alter nearly 4 years ago, being so filled with joy and butterflies I couldn't say the words fast enough......I promise......love honor and cherish......obey......in sickness and in health......'til death do us part.......

I meant every utter. Towards the end of our walk back down the aisle as husband and wife we ran. Ran out the door. Ran towards the life together that awaited us.

Since then there has been times where my running comes to a pause. Not out of question, but of more full realization. You mean we aren't staying here in my cozy hometown in an owned home near my family and my closest friends? You mean I'm to truly GO where you go? You mean marriage isn't a simple skip, hop, and jump to bliss? I am thankful for the pause, because the answer has resonated so deeply in my heart.

YES! I'll go.

And joyfully. I am so thankful for the struggle it has been to say good-bye. It has made me realize that my husband is enough. He is my best friend, the one I want to be with all the time, always. You're still my favorite.

And, our son's favorite. I walk in the door and Charlie smiles. Bryan walks in the door and Charlie squeals, claps, and races to him. I know every child squeals when their Daddy comes home, but those squeals truly speak of what a loving, attentive, fun father he is.


I am humbled by his heart. his selflessness. his labor. his love.

Happy belated, uncelebrated, Father's Day.

a bit of news, a bit behind

Usually when I don't post in a while it means so much has gone on that I don't know where to start in writing about it. So here is the jist to get me started on the details.

I'm pregnant! thrilled. super tired. often sick. prematurally pooching at 10 weeks. due January 3.

We moved! sooner than we planned. love our new place. plenty of space, in the middle of a fabulous town. you should visit.