Yesterday after a mid afternoon rain shower I took Lucas down to play. Now it must be said that I have just been diagnosed with a severe sinus infection and a fever. The culprits of why I’ve been feeling so run down. But a mama’s job is never done and toddlers don’t give a hoot if you’re sick so off we went to run a muck. Lucas is everything little boys are made of and was in his glory rolling around and getting filthy from head to toe. His little friend Alice taught him a few yoga moves (I mean, I die a little of cuteness overload every time I look at the photo of them doing the downward dog). Each time they leaned forward they dipped their heads into the puddle producing sopping wet, extra cute mullets. Lucas also took a few minutes to relax in the puddles. Ya know, really be one with nature. He also might have drank just a teeny bit of puddle water. It’s just rain. It’s just rain. Oy. It must be awesome to be a toddler, not a care in the world. An hour and two soppy diapers later, we all went home. Yesterday nature saved the day and Lucas slept like a rock (not like a baby). Till the next rain storm!
Sundays are not for rest – they are for celebrating with loved ones. Clearly! Yesterday we took a trip to Jersey (gasp) to get our birthday brunch on for our dear friend Ruby. The party took place at Lucas’s god mamas house (who we lovingly refer to as ‘nina’) and I was blown away. Ana created a variety of “bars”: popcorn, coffee, and my personal favorite – mimosas. No detail was overlooked. The affair was intimate, just our closest pals, and we had the best time. Lucas of course thought the party was for him and showed off his best dance moves as well as tried to eat the cake before the birthday girl. I don’t know where gets it from. Must be his daddy. And if you haven’t already noticed, my tootsies are on a summer strike. C’mon Fall. We are ready for you!
I woke up this morning with a chip on my shoulder. Pity party for one please. But when you have a family ain’t nobody got time for that am I right? Luckily I have an amazing hubby who took Lucas out for breakfast so I could wallow in my self pity. A shower and a large iced coffee later I was ready to spend the day with my boys. The weather is becoming rather Fall like (I might be making that up and I also might be the only New Yorker desperately waiting to wear cardigans) and I was so pleased to feel a breeze on my anti-summer stems.
We headed uptown to meet friends for sangria and an incredibly bad movie and decided to walk it. I mentioned it was breezy so there ya go. I have a love affair with Spanish Harlem. It’s where I went to elementary and junior high school and where my mother worked as a teacher for over 20 years. I love the colorful walls, the pre-war buildings, the chatter, the music, and damet the best cuchifritos in all of NYC. On the walk I had a piragua – basically a sno-cone – with tamarindo juice. The only flavor I will ever order. This was always my after school treat during the warmer months and it tastes like a slice of Puerto Rico.
So in a nutshell we had an amazing afternoon and I am blessed beyond measure for these boys of mine. I found this quote on pinterest (where else): “stop letting people who do so little for you control so much of your mind, feelings, and emotions.” Pity party over. I hope you all had a fantastic Saturday with people you love (or maybe some mama alone time. either one works !).
I absolutely love reading with Lucas. For a long time Lucas didn’t share my enthusiasm. He was much more interested in slamming books shut and chucking them as far as he could. Sometimes the dog would catch a swift blow to the head (sorry Humphrey!). As he is getting older, I find that he enjoys sitting with me and reading for longer periods of time. He of course loves book options that make noise, because well, donkey and pig sounds are pretty rad. One of my favorite books to read with Lucas is Buenas Noches, Luna – the spanish version of the classic Goodnight Moon.
My favorite time to read with Lucas is first thing in the morning and after bath time. He is a five star cuddler and these are his favorite times of the day to nuzzle up close to mama. We get nice and comfy under the blankets and read (there might also be some tickles and kiss giving going on). I truly believe reading with your kids is so very important. As I mentioned before Lucas really didn’t seem to enjoy reading with me for a long time. I have to admit I became a bit disheartened and couldn’t understand why he didn’t want to sit with mama and read books!
We’ve started venturing out the house sans stroller. I know, crazy right? A few weeks ago I would have never left without the stroller or carrier. Meltdowns have become a regular occurrence along with not wanting to hold mamas hand and having stroller back up was a necessity. Did I also mention it can sometimes take 10 minutes to walk one block? The past few days I’ve been winging it. Living life on the wild side! We are going to learn to hold mommy’s hand even if I mental breakdown in the process. But in all seriousness, I also wanted to slow down. Why am I in a rush? So what if it takes 10 minutes to walk from 89th to 90th st. These moments alone with Lucas are fleeting (I’ve started to research schools for Lucas and am terrified of my baby becoming a boy. Messy, emotional mama over here.)
Today we went down to our local pizza joint for lunch, walked four blocks down to the park, and 4 blocks back up for coffee and a nap. I held his hand as he carefully navigated the edge of the side walk like a balance beam. We sat down for a few pit stops and people watched. He stuck his little hand that is quickly losing its chub in between railings to collect pebbles. I watched him run in front me, his mullet flying in the breeze, checking back for mama every few seconds or so. We held hands into our building. I let him press the buttons in the elevator, which always makes him giggle and form the kind of grin that makes me think he knows he’s almost a big boy. It is so important to stop and enjoy our children. I find that I am most content at the end of the day when I know I took the time to soak up every moment with Lucas. Living life through our children is a gift. A privilege. It’s unrealistic and unfair to think that every day will be perfect, but I am trying to remind myself that when I can, it’s necessary to slow down. Another lesson learned from my toddler.
Brooklyn. How I love you so. Getting off the L train on Bedford Avenue we are always greeted with music, a sea of hipsters, and baby strollers. Yesterday afternoon we took the little mister to a barbecue before heading off to the bronx for a family dinner. Borough hoppers if you will. I was expecting to gush a bit more in this post but this morning (before I had any coffee) our toilet overflowed leaving me with a flooded bathroom, 10 wet towels, and 2 extra loads of laundry. So I’ll just let the photos speak for themselves. And by the way, that fun floral frock I’m wearing? It’s a $2 thrift find! I hope you all had a fab, flood-free weekend.
head wrap c/o iweartheheadress | dress (thrifted) | belt (my mamas closet) | bag (thrifted)
When mama is sick, nothing stops. You don’t get to snuggle under the covers and drink tea in peace. You don’t get to watch reruns of Sex in the City and feel sorry for yourself. Instead, you get to change diapers while wiping your snot on your forearm and you get to play hide and seek all the while feeling just a tad dizzy. Funny how life changes when you become a mommy. I’m still recovering from this dreaded summer cold but our daily routine continues. Trips to the park and snuggles from my boy. I can’t think of a better medicine than toddler kisses. They are just what the doctor ordered. Wishing you all a happy and healthy weekend.
I’ve written about and worked with Lindsey many times before. You can see our previous collaborations here and here. The lady is an artist. There’s no other way for me to describe her. She creates pure magic behind that lens of hers. A few weeks ago I had the privilege of having Lindsey photograph Lucas and I. This shoot was different then the others we have done together. It was just Lucas and I strolling around on the Upper West Side in our natural state. No fancy clothes or special locations scouted out. It was simply mama and son. Us.
During our mini-shoot, Lindsey made me feel completely at ease. Oh, there’s a photographer following my son and I? No big deal 😉 When Lucas became fussy she allowed me to take my time and calm him down. She continued to shoot even during these moments and some of those shots are my absolute favorite. Because they are real. Real moments that happen every day between my little guy and I. Yes, most of the time Lucas is a gem. But I also want to remember the moments that although now seem frustrating and hard, are all a part of what being a mother is all about. When I look at the photographs, I don’t think “Wow Lucas, you were being a real stinker. You were driving your mom crazy!”. Instead I see a mama comforting her son. I see Lucas melting in my arms because me, his mother, his first love, knows him like nobody else does. This my friends, is the beauty of photography. A moment frozen in time. What a beautiful thing that is.When I received the final copies of the images last week from Lindsey my heart skipped a beat. I felt overwhelmed with emotion. So much joy looking at these photographs. The pure innocence in my son and the unconditional love that we share. I thank you Lindsey, from the bottom of my heart, for giving me this gift.
You guys, I have something else to share. Lindsey is giving away a mini session to two lucky ducks! One person will win a package with a grand total value of $1,185! This includes a 30 minute shoot and all edited digital files. When you tag a friend they will a mini session and one 8×10 print – valued at $365. The best part? You have two years to book your shoot and you don’t have to live in NYC to enter. If you plan on visiting the big apple in the next few years or have a friend you’d like to enter on behalf of, get your entry game face on! The details are all on Instagram and the giveaway will be going on until Saturday. Good luck!
On Friday we took Lucas to the pier on Clearwater beach to play and burn some energy. The parks are filled with sand and are fantastic (especially now that he actually enjoys the sand ;). He loved the slides and of course following the big kids around. We took a walk to the water and watched the passerby’s and seagulls. Maybe they remind him of the pigeons back home! NYC we sorta miss you. Sorta. I thought that his Of One Sea tee would be absolutely perfect for a quick trip to the shore. The inspiration behind this amazing brand is the simplicity and beauty of nature. When I’m surrounded by water, that is when I am the most at peace. It seems to me that Lucas is following in his mamas footsteps.
Lucas and I are currently soaking up the sun in sunny Florida and visiting my aunties. I’ve been coming here since I was six months old. Lucas’s first trip down south was also when he was just six months. I guess you can say it’s a tradition of sorts. We’ve only been here 3 days but little man already knows the backyard like the back of his hand. All the small nooks, where to hide his treasures, and singing as he follows the trail to the shed. It’s quite a site to see him playing in the yard I explored as a young girl. Today we took a trip to Clearwater beach. My most favorite of all the beaches in the world. I’m sure you’ve heard me talk about how Lucas loathes sand. Well today was a big day for us. Off he went, barefoot and loving it! Talk about an exciting mommy moment. Now – pictures!
