I look back at Lucas’s baby/toddlerhood with such fondness. We spent so much time just hanging out, him and I. We would head out with no real plan and spend our days in parks, playing, and exploring the city. It’s much harder to get that one on one time with Lillie and so I have been savoring our mornings together especially now that the weather is warming up. Waking up, getting dressed, and heading to Central Park. I pack a few toys in the stroller, some snacks, and that’s really all we need until it’s time to pick Lucas up from school. Also, how much better are naps under the breeze and shade of the trees? Just saying.
On the first official day of 2017 we headed out to Central Park for a family day. We also got to test drive our new Bugaboo Donkey Weekender. The weather was perfect. The sun was shining and the park was full of New Yorker’s excited to welcome the new year.
I love being part of the Bugaboo family. You can see our previous collaborations here and here. Lillie has been riding in her Bugaboo since birth and I am a life long Bugaboo mama. I was beyond excited when we received the Donkey Weekender. It is a real dream come true. The stroller comes with a detachable side luggage bag which can hold up to 20 pounds and the under seat basket is incredibly roomy. We carry a ton (A TON) of stuff when we head out for the day with both kiddos – snacks, more snacks, ninja turtles, pokemon, pacifiers, diapers, wipes, change of clothes, etc. etc. – so I can’t even begin to tell you how amazing it is to have ample room to store all of our things. Often times we make additional stops at the grocery store/market/florist, and having everything fit into our stroller is essential especially since we walk everywhere (New Yorkers here!).
Ivan is not a stroller man by any means. In fact he is pretty indifferent as I’m the one who primarily uses our stroller on a daily basis. When he put the Weekender together (which was incredibly easy btw!) the first thing he said was “wow, this is a good looking stroller”. Then as we were strolling through the park he turned to me and said “this thing rides like a dream”. He also made a few comments on how beautifully the wheels turned! I can’t make this stuff up haha! This means a lot coming from a man who has no real opinion on baby gear as long as I like it and the kids are happy. Bugaboo, you are winning big time over here in the Vargas house!
If I’m being honest, I was a bit nervous about the size of the stroller and how it would fit in our little apartment. BUT. It’s only .4″ wider than the Bugaboo Cameleon and fits perfectly in our small hallway. I’m in love with the colors of the stroller (the handle bars are a cognac faux leather and they are absolutely beautifulllll). The side bag can also be used solo for travel which I think is awesome and perfect for quick overnight family trips. Another great perk is that eventually the stroller can be converted into a side-by-side duo or twin stroller. It’s a classic, gorgeous stroller that can be used for years and years to come. It’s incredibly important to me that my kids ride in a well made, durable stroller. It doesn’t hurt that all of bugaboo’s strollers are also aesthetically beautiful. We take out our stroller everyday and use it for daily errands, school picks ups, and adventures. It also needs to ride well in all weather conditions (rain or snow, NYC schools really ever close!) and get Lillie and I to school pick up. Bugaboo checks all these requirements for my family and I can’t imagine ever choosing another stroller.
You can check out the Weekender here for more details and purchasing info. Happy New Year!
Happy birthday my sweet Sol! I can’t believe a year has passed. I remember the night my water broke like it was yesterday – it was a full moon and our girl was ready to meet the world. Some days I sit and stare at her perfect, round face and I whisper to myself..“my daughter”. She came into our lives at the perfect time. We asked for her. We prayed for her. She completes our family in a way that is utterly divine and magical. Because of her we are complete. My beautiful Vargas clan.
We celebrated this milestone with a party in Central Park with all of our loved ones and family. I couldn’t have asked for anything better – everyone who loves and cares for our girl was there and I truly felt like the luckiest mama in the world. How amazing is it to be surrounded by a group of people that truly love your children?
While we were in Mexico I completely switched gears on my original party plans (I was going for a rainbows and unicorns theme which I still think is adorable!) and decided a Frida inspired fiesta was more fit for my princesa. I am so glad I did because I was thrilled with how everything turned out! My dear friend Chloe is the most amazing chef and baker and has been doing Lucas’s birthday cakes for the past 4 years. I spoke to her about my vision for Sol and what she created was more than I could have ever imagined. Inspired by Frida Kahlo’s floral crowns, the cake consisted of two tiers. The rose layer was a traditional tres leches cake with cinnamon buttercream. The teal layer layer was a chile spiced chocolate cake with Mexican dark chocolate ganache. She recently launched an indie food publication, Technique, which reads like a cookbook and is focussed on ingredient integrity and sustainability. It’s available now on the app store..it’s free and amazing!!! The decor (balloons, place settings, banners, goodie bags..) are all from Little Lulubel. It’s my go to party site and has everything you could ever need or dream of for every party theme under the sun!
I was a little weepy putting this post together. It feels like time is flying by and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it but alas I guess that is part of the parenting gig. We made it! One year raising two miraculous kiddos. There’s been lots of bumps and tears along the way but truly when I look back at the past twelve months all I can do is smile. You tend to forget the nights you thought would never end and what sticks around in our core memory are the cuddles, the kisses, and all the love. So much love. Happy first year around the Sun my Sol.
We had the best Monday. Ivan had the day off so we spent the morning being lazy (rotating naps, hanging out in our pjs..). It was supposed to pour all day but the weather had a change of heart and instead the day was absolutely beautiful. Warm and breezy. Mid-afternoon we decided to head to the park and just chill out on our favorite lawn before heading out to dinner. I packed up our diaper bag, snacks, and the kids new favorite toys from Rose & Rex.
Lillie is obsessed with her Horse & Carriage and has been playing with it for weeks. Pushing it around while she crawls as well as chewing on it and banging it around when she gets excited ;). It doesn’t hurt that it’s absolutely beautiful and is one of the few toys that I actually don’t mind leaving out in the living room. Lucas also loves to put his Ninja Turtles inside the carriage..so basically wins all around for both kids. The Treasure Hunter’s Kit is amazing. It includes a treasure map, notepad/pencil, a magnifying glass, and Lucas’s favorite – treasuressss (gold coins, pyrite, and mica). He spent the afternoon writing down “notes” and collecting goodies to put in his treasure box. Rose & Rex has an amazingly curated toy selection and you can also shop by activity and age level, which I love.
The kids both had an amazing afternoon as did Ivan and I. We left the park just as the breeze was picking up and we made it to one of our favorite local restaurants just as we were all reaching “hangry” type levels. I enjoyed a glass of rosé after nursing Lillie and we chowed down before getting the kids ready for bed. A perfect Monday. xx
Spring in NYC. Pretty much the best (after Fall of course ;). As soon as that warm breeze hits the air, I am itching to be out of the house every day. My very favorite place to go with the kids is Central Park. The Conservatory in particular is absolutely stunning with it’s fountains, gardens, and maze-like pathways which Lucas loves to run through. I got to have a play date there last week with H&M, Heymama, and one of my very best friends in the world (since we were 11 you guys!). Pretty sweet! Viviana, the babies, and I all wore H&M and just walked around the park. It was perfect. I’m obsessed with this seasons selects at H&M (that red dress is my absolute fave and it was only $20. I mean…) and they have always been my go-to for staples for the entire family.
The best part of the afternoon was watching our little girls kiss and interact and of course seeing all the beautiful blossoms popping up. There is nothing better than beautiful, pink covered trees. Trust me on this!
Heymama asked Viviana and I to take a little friendship quiz and it was so much fun. You can read our answers below:
Nicole
+ What do you love most about your friend?
She’s incredibly loyal and the most amazing mother to her three girls.
+ What do you think she appreciates most about you?
Our ability to get together at any point and pick up right where we left off.
+ Her favorite thing about you is?
My honesty and our trust in each other.
+ Best memory of you and your kids together?
The day she came with her daughters to visit me the day Lucas was born. To see her children hold my baby was a surreal, perfect moment.
+ How are your parenting styles different?
I actually think we are pretty similar in that we both have similar approaches and are pretty traditional. I think she might have the disciplining thing down to a science and I’m still learning!
+ Best piece of parenting advice she’s ever given you?
Patience and how to discipline with love.
+ How would she describe herself in three words?
Funny, strong, loving
+ How does she react to her kids tantrums?
Viviana has the patience of a saint and is able to be firm yet remain incredibly calm.
+ Name her favorite tv show? Favorite guilty pleasure tv show?
Sex and the City. Any of the Housewives.
+ Funniest thing she’s ever done?
We have so many hilarious moments that we’ve shared. We’ve been friends for 20 years (crazy!) so we have been through it all together.
+ If you spend a date together with your kids, what would she want to do most?
Take the kids out to explore NYC. We’d go to the Central Park Zoo and then eat authentic Chinese food.
+ If your friend could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Fiji!
+ Most perfect day for your friend “sans kids”?
A day at the spa then out for dinner, dancing, and drink with her girlfriends. A mama can dream!
+ What’s a guilty pleasure she wouldn’t want to admit?
Lots of wine!
+ Who is your friends style icon?
Kate Moss
+ If she could be anyone for a day who would it be?
Sofia Vergara
Viviana
+ What do you love most about your friend?
Her ability to stop and take a second to capture all the beautiful moments life has to offer, because lets face it how many of us value the little details of every day life.
+ What do you think she appreciates most about you?
The fact that I am always honest with her, no matter how big or small the situation is, I will always give her an honest response.
+ Her favorite thing about you is?
Being able to text me at any time for an on the spot recipe!!
+ Best memory of you and your kids together?
The best memory of the kids together has to be when we surprised Lucas and picked him up from school one day. He was so happy to see us and the girls were so excited they were able to visit his school.
+ How are you parenting styles different?
It all sums up to city life vs the suburbs.
+ Best piece of parenting advice she’s given you?
Telling me not to give up on breastfeeding and encouraging me to keep going even when I felt i couldn’t continue.
+ How would she describe herself in three words?
Funny, Classy, Trendy
+ How does she react to her kids tantrums?
Even if she wanted to scream her head off you would never know, she is always super calm with them and some how seems to talk them into realizing they made a wrong choice.
+ Name her favorite tv show? Favorite guilty pleasure tv show?
Sex and the City. Love and Hip Hop.
+ Funniest thing she’s ever done?
We were at one of the saddest get togethers imaginable but you can always count on your bestie for a good laugh. Nicole was pumping and her milk was spilling out everywhere. She peeked out of the bedroom desperately looking for the first female in the room to come help her. She was soaked!
+ If you spend a date together with your kids, what would she want to do most?
Have a picnic in Central Park.
+ If your friend could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Dubai
+ Most perfect day for your friend “sans kids”?
Sleep in, wake up to fresh iced coffee in bed, followed by a lunch date with her closest girlfriends. Return home, take a nap, wake up and get ready for a low key dinner date with the hubs.
+ What’s a guilty pleasure that she wouldn’t want to admit?
One word: chocolate! Hahaha!
+ If your friend could have one wish what would it be?
To one day own a brownstone on the upper east side.
+ Who is your friend’s style icon?
Audrey Hepburn
+ If she could be anyone for a day who would it be?
Lillie Sol is 2 weeks young and she is already a true New Yorker. We have been to Central Park a handful of times already and I can attest to how much the fresh air and family time has done us all some good. Lillie and I sit in the shade and nurse/cuddle/nurse while Ivan and Lucas rough house. These family afternoons in the park have been such a gift and I’m not so secretly a bit sad about next week when Ivan goes back to work. In the mean time I’ll be soaking in these moments, my people, and of course our big ol’ backyard – hey Central Park! Looking good girl!
Lily Jade is an amazing diaper bag company and they were kind enough to send me their Elizabeth Bag which I am officially obsessed with. I love that it converts into a back pack and allows me to be hands free while wearing Lillie. There are also a ton of pockets perfect for organizing all those tiny baby bits and bobs and honestly it’s just plain beautiful.
Last Sunday was perfect. I woke up one day last week and decided I wanted to go row boating in Central Park. 29 years in this city and I had never been. I told Ivan that it was a “I need to cross this off my bucket list before I’m 30” kinda thing and he happily obliged. We woke up, walked to The Boat House, and got it done. It was magical and hilarious. Magical in only the way New York City can be. Sometimes it stops me in my tracks, this gorgeous city. Hilarious because rowing those boats are not easy and well, Ivan got a pretty decent work out with those oars. Those biceps are making me all sorts of school girl giddy 😉 Well worth it my love! Lucas had a blast until he didn’t. He lasted a solid 45 minutes on the boat before declaring “time to go home”. Well then.My boys sure know how to make this mama happy. Boating with the boys – the best.
“What did you do as a child to make the hours pass like minutes? Herein lies the key to your earthly pursuits.”
– Carl Jung
My free spirited boy. We took a stroll to Central Park and came across a group of little girls who were playing in the fountain. It started with toe dips then clothes started flying everywhere. I hesitantly stripped Lucas to his diaper so he could play. No less than one minute later I was being handed a soggy pull up from Lucas. For a moment I began to internally freak. Strangers staring! The fountain must be filthy! But then Lucas ran off with the adorable gang of giggling girls and he looked so happy. So free. My nerves softened and I was able to just enjoy the moment and allow Lucas to run and let it all hang out. Childhood is magic. Lucas is magic. What a perfect afternoon.
Bonnet from Petite Soul
