MUSTACHES AND TIGERS, OH MY

10.29.2013

Last Sunday was full of adventure. We got all dressed up in our Sunday best – tiger leggings and mustache loafers, clearly. To Brooklyn we went for a family dinner, beers, good laughs, and lots and lots of chasing after a toddler who shall remain nameless. I love our little trips to Brooklyn. There’s something so magical about that borough (hint hint Ivan ;). Little pockets filled with mom and pop shops, outdoors cafes, and rows upon rows of the loveliest brownstones. Lucky for us we happen to have loved ones that reside in one of those beautiful brownstones so we can visit as often as we’d like. Before heading inside to join everyone, we took our time walking, letting Lucas explore and check out all the pumpkins for sale. We ended the night with very full tummies and happy hearts. My favorite way to bid adieu to the weekend.

STREET FAIR!

09.18.2013

Saturday night Lucas and I took a bubble bath and practiced the alphabet by drawing on the tiles with washable crayons. We put on our pajamas and Lucas waited by my feet while I warmed up his milk. Off to the couch we went to snuggle under our favorite blanket, the one covered in milk stains that gets softer with every wash. Fifteen minutes later I carried a limp, sleeping toddler to his crib and cleaned off the drool puddle that had formed on my chest. Just our typical nightly routine. Then Lucas decided that routine is boring. Dull! For the birds I tell ya! He woke up at 1am happy as a clam and ready to party. We boogied until 4am. I’ll spare you the details and just say that we all woke up Sunday not so refreshed and a little cranky.

Nothing beats the morning grumps better than a street fair. Lucky for us there was one two blocks from our apartment, because ya know, like I said, we were sleepy – and sleepy = lazy. We ate grilled corn, gyros, and mozzarepas (the best darn things ever). Lucas skipped and trotted (yes, he trots) his way through the whole fair and even tried his hand at hula hooping. I see a dance future for this boy! Also, against my better judgment, I let Lucas into a bouncy house. To be fair I asked the attendant if he was big enough and she gave me an enthusiastic yes. There were also about three other kids inside the same size as Lucas. As he sat there staring at me, not bouncing, my heart jumped with every kid who flew past him. One minute later I collected my son, all toddler parts intact. Lesson learned. Mom fail aside, it was a mighty fine Sunday for this little family.

top c/o little boogaweezin | leggings c/o sweet luka mo | sneakers from little vida

AN AFTERNOON AT THE PIER

09.09.2013

Sunday mama slept in. Oh yes she did! After the boys took a mid-morning nap (which by the way is just about the sweetest thing ever) and I had some coffee, we got the show on the road and headed down to Riverside. There was a little fair going on with treats and rides for the kiddos. To be honest I was expecting more of an old fashioned carnival but Lucas had a great time nonetheless. His favorite ride was the little car which was about 15 seconds of fun. If you happened to be there, we were the parents with a screaming kid trying to cut the line for more turns. This boy has a full blown obsession with cars! The swings were also pretty fun and that view – sigh – sometimes New York, you take my breath away. Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

UPTOWN BABY

08.25.2013

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 !).

FOURTH OF JULY

07.05.2013

Wednesday night we left the hustle and bustle of NYC to spend the fourth in a different kind of chaos: the Hamptons! This is Lucas’s 2nd time in the hammies and he loves it. Why shouldn’t he? Sun, sand, amazing food, awesome company, and a big ol’ house to run around in and let loose. I used to come to the Hamptons every summer as a silly 20-something and it’s pretty surreal coming back with my baby boy. It’s a totally different experience with Lucas (sayonara night clubs!) but he sure knows how to show his mama a good time. We drove up in the evening, collapsed, and woke up Thursday refreshed (sort of. I was golden after 2 cups of coffee. 2 years later and I don’t think I will ever be a morning person) and ready for some fourth of July action.

A TRIP TO THE ISLAND

06.18.2013

Finally! Over the 9 days we spent in Puerto Rico I took over 500 photos. I’m a little bit of a camera nut 😉 Each day we spent on our incredible island was better than the last. I know Lucas won’t remember much of this trip but I hope when he is old enough to look back on the pictures he will understand the magnitude of love that we shared on this trip. I plan to make this a yearly trip – nothing would make me happier than to watch him nurture the bond with his family as well as instill a love so great with this beautiful island where his ancestors are from.

This post is a bit of a photo dump. I narrowed down the images the best I could but there were so many favorites!

FOOTBALL IN THE PARK

06.03.2013

This is a recap of our seriously awesome day in the park last week. Better late than never, right? 😉 So back to the park. Central Park. Our beautiful backyard. Literally a hop, skip, and jump away from our little ol’ apartment. I can’t tell you how thankful I am to have this lush haven to explore with Lucas. It has been our saving grace on many a cranky afternoon. I am a Central Park ninja at this point – I have scouted out and know all the perfect nearby spots to let Lucas run free and fill his pockets with dirt (under close supervision of course 😉

Last week was no exception. I rounded up the boys and off we went. One of my dearest friends was celebrating her grandmas birthday via a Central Park soiree and we were invited to join the festivities. There was lots and lots of kiddos, amazing food, music, and balloons. What more could we ask for?

We were having such a blast that we didn’t even realize we were still out having fun during Lucas’s bath time. We packed up the stroller and gunned it home, desperately trying to make it back before the little mister passed out. Well not only did he pass out, he was catching those z’s while sitting upright in daddy’s arms! We paid for this later when we HAD to wake him up for a quick rinse before bed (there was actual dirt in his diaper). At least it made for a funny photo op and video. Always a good time with my boys!

PAPA

05.28.2013

When I met Ivan 10 years ago, we were just kids. High school buddies turned life long partners. He had wild curly hair, was thin as a bean pole, sported holes in his shirts with pride, and wore braces. I fell in love. Hard. I always knew he would be the father of my children. Every vision of a family I had included him. But nothing, and I mean nothing, can prepare you for the day the man of your dreams becomes a father.

When Lucas was born I fell in love all over again. This time through the eyes of my son. I am secretly proud that Lucas is a mamas boy, but it feel just as amazing knowing that he has a daddy that loves him to the moon and back. Ivan is an expert diaper changer, boo-boo kisser, and champion snuggler. He knows just where all the best tickle spots are, gives endless kisses a day, and knows the perfect songs to sing at bath time. They spend quality guy time together watching sports (hello NBA playoffs!), wrestling, hanging on the couch in undies and diapers, and playing video games.

Lucas is a lucky boy to have such an incredible papa and I am a blessed mama that gets to spend my life with these handsome boys.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A NYC TOURIST

05.19.2013

This week we had some lovely visitors. My two amazing aunties came from Florida and a family friend flew in from England. This meant exploring my hometown as a tourist, aka the folks I love to hate 😉 I am a born and bred New Yorker. This means I have learned to navigate the streets at a rapid pace, weaving in and out of the oh so lovely people staring in awe at the tall buildings with huge nikons hanging from their necks. I’m a master, even with a baby, stroller, and diaper bag in tow. Growing up in New York you tend to take the beauty of the city for granted. Having non-New Yorkers come visit allows you to slow down and take it all in. We spent the day navigating the city, walking at a slow pace, spent $8 on frozen yogurt (what the what? highway robbery!) – and yes – with our cameras gracefully dangling from our necks.

By the time we arrived home my feet were aching but my soul was happy. I gave Lucas a bottle of milk and he knocked out like a light. As he softly snored in my arms I kissed his head and smelled a combination of sunscreen, sweat, and Manhattan (we skipped bath time. I figured sleep was more important than a honey scented behind 😉 Sigh. Just when you think NYC can’t get any better, you take a ride on a water taxi and it knocks you right back off your feet.

WEDNESDAY ADVENTURES

05.16.2013

I woke up this morning exhausted and not quite sure where the day would take us. The weather forecast seemed a bit wonky but the house was a mess and neither Lucas or I wanted to stay indoors. Why clean when your backyard is quite literally a giant playground full of adventure. We decided to meet my mom at the Union Square farmers market and take it from there.

After browsing the market we ran into Whole Foods to grab some lunch. We found the perfect spot to eat right next to the fountain. Lucas ran around and chatted with some tourists, ya know, the usual. After filling our bellies we took the train to Columbus Circle to visit a friend with the most amazing view of the city. Seriously, I fall in love with New York all over again every time I step out onto her balcony.

Thanks NYC for yet another awesome day.

hat, coat, & jeans from zara kids // tank & cardigan from little vida // moccasins c/o freshly picked

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