Monday, March 31, 2014

Eckford Street Studio

Williamsburg, 2014


Over the weekend we went to a very cool open house at the Eckford Street Studio, an art space for kids that's near McCarren Park in Greenpoint.

We haven't done many art projects with Axel, mainly because I had no idea where to start and I am kind of terrified of letting him loose in our apartments with, say, finger paint. But it was really fun to see what he got up to when he was allowed free reign with some sponge brushes and pain. He loved it!

And I love that the classes at Eckford Street aren't too forced. After we signed up for French playgroup last fall (a mild disaster), I was sort of put off too many organized activities for a while. Axel at 14 months old was definitely not ready for "circle time," and I felt pretty exhausted by spending 45 minutes trying to corral him into something he just wasn't up to.

Fortunately, the art classes here are really free flowing and we're loving it so far. Kristin, the teacher, really gets what a 19 month old is and is not capable of, which is a big help. So nice to have a place where he can make a mess and I don't have to say "No!"

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Boys' Room

Williamsburg, 2014


Axel's been playing more and more in his room lately, and I realized it's been a long time since I last posted photos.

He still sleeps in his crib (while Oscar is in our room in a bassinet), but I figure sometime around his second birthday or the early fall we'll try the twin bed. He's already comfortable reading books there and pretending to go "night night" and it's quite low to the ground, so we could probably make the switch earlier, but I'm not really ready to have him independently mobile at night just yet.

It may be a while away, but I love the idea of Axel and Oscar sharing this room.

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Rainy Saturday

Williamsburg, 2014

And we are drowning in babies. Cute babies, but still. Axel's been busily drawing (with some assistance) and loved his morning swimming lesson...

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

11211 Love

Williamsburg, 2014


Some tidbits of neighborhood news:

My favorite Soho bookstore, McNally Jackson, is opening in Williamsburg this fall! And now that Idlewild is here, all my book-ish wishes have been fulfilled.

Marlowe & Sons expanded its shopping section into a cute little shop called Marlowe Goods, which you reach by walking through the restaurant's pastry kitchen. And there's a new children's shop, Pink Olive, coming to Bedford Avenue.

The frequently maligned L train just got voted the best (ok, well, the cleanest) in the city.

Urban Outfitters is opening a "concept store" called Space Ninety 8 here soon. I'd roll my eyes except that it seems like they are supporting local designers and the building looks pretty cool from the outside so far.

We're getting a bunch of new restaurants...Parm, The Gorbals, and Max, not to mention the gazillion new spots on and around Franklin Avenue I haven't tried yet. Plus this fancy new gym.

Then again, someone wants $1.7 million for a one bedroom loft, hahahahaha. What is this, Tribeca?

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

A Year

Axel, 2014


It dawned on me that today marks a year since Axel's surgery. Other than a scar under his hair, you'd never know, and to be honest I don't think about it all that much on a day to day basis. Even so, grateful for good doctors and good health.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Oscar: Three Weeks Old

Oscar, 2014


Little Oscar! Keeping us on our toes...I remember Axel at three weeks old being a tough customer, actually. Mainly it's the evenings and nights that are a challenge. He'll eat then screech, eat then screech, eat then screech. Lots of swaddling and rocking and shushing going on here.

Today I gave him some gripe water for his tummy, since digestive angst seems to be at the root of most of his fussiness, followed by a warm bath and coconut oil massage. That seemed to mellow him out, but we'll see. Once all the hysteria tires him out, he'll sleep for up to four hours at a time, which isn't bad for such a brand new human.

He has such a hopeful little face when he's awake and looking around. And Axel seems to feel more relaxed about his little brother now since he's gotten such a lot of attention from us. He'll bring me Oscar's pacifier or his head support pillow which is very cute.

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Saturday

Brooklyn, 2014


We took the ferry down to Dumbo today for an action packed Saturday at Jane's Carousel and the Main Street playground. Miraculously, both boys slept in the stroller while we had a civilized lunch at Superfine and checked out GQ's pop up market. Then we headed to Frolic for one of Axel's little friend's 2nd birthday party. Axel jumped around in a bouncy castle for the first time and was pretty exhausted by the time we got home, saying "Milk", and "Night Night" pretty much as soon as we got to our door.

Needless to say, it will be an early night for all of us.

Friday, March 21, 2014

This Guy

Axel, 2014


Yesterday I pumped a bottle for Oscar so our nanny could look after him while I took Axel on a solo outing to the playground and then give him his bath at home.

We had so much fun...he was really chatty and sweet to the other kids and clearly in a very good mood after getting some one-on-one attention from his mama. It felt great to be able to get on the ground with him and go down the slide and pick him up and do all those things that were pretty tough in my last trimester. I'd been feeling really guilty at how much I wasn't able to do recently, and it's been a challenge when I've had to nurse and Axel has looked at me, thoroughly unimpressed.

Mostly, of course, Axel has been a real trooper about the big changes around here and hasn't shown any resentment towards the new baby. He has had a lot of uncharacteristic meltdowns when Will or I leave, though, and it's pretty sad. I think because he's just 19 months old, I underestimated how much he'd feel affected by a little sibling.

We're very luck to have help at home, and my plan was always that once Oscar could take a bottle, I'd carve out more time to hang out with Axel. Now that the weather is getting better, there are plenty of adventures to be had.

We are definitely getting into toddler territory though. This morning, when Will was trying to feed Axel oatmeal, he put his hand over his mouth and said "Cookie!" on repeat. So, there's that.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Lately

Williamsburg, 2014


Playground, coffee, playground, coffee, baby peach fuzz, stay up all night, repeat! Life is good, even if we are rather bleary eyed around here.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Book Club

Oscar, 2014


This snail book does not have an especially riveting plot, but Oscar was intrigued nonetheless...

Monday, March 17, 2014

Oscar: Two Weeks Old

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A two week-old (and one day!) Oscar is sleeping away next to me as a type...

Other than some bouts of serious gas that lead to bouts of major fussiness (sorry to overshare, Oscar), he's been a pretty easy customer. I am sure it helps that every grunt and gasp doesn't make us panic.

It can definitely feel like desperate times when both babies are crying, but when they are both content or sleeping, we feel like we are rocking this parenting thing. I don't want to jinx us by saying that things are easier than I imagined them to be, so I'll hold that thought for the moment. But Will headed back to work today and it didn't feel entirely overwhelming. The only hitch is that Axel has gotten used to having his papa around at home for two weeks and was not pleased when he left this morning. But compared to a very energetic toddler, looking after a portable, still very sleepy newborn is an entirely different thing.

Here's a peek back at Axel at two weeks old.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Etc.

Williamsburg, 2014


The first part of Will's paternity leave is wrapping up, which is a bit eeek-ish, but then again we're faring pretty well around here.

Oscar has gotten back up to his birth weight and is now a sturdy 8 lbs. 4 oz., which is good news. He's been pretty ravenous for the last few nights but at least I know all the eating is taking us in the right direction.

It's frigid again in New York today but we did have one beautiful hint of spring on Tuesday and we've done more walking in the past week than I've done in months. I am starting to feel like myself again.

Monday, March 10, 2014

Stroll

Williamsburg, 2014


Okay, it wasn't exactly tropical out, but with the clocks changing, it seemed like a good opportunity for a walk. Axel was pretty mesmerized by the dogs and boats and ducks and lapping water.

Not a bad place to live, I'd say.

Oscar: One Week Old


Oscar, 2014


One week in! Oscar's hair is still a lovely shade of chestnut, but seems to be growing in blonde. I am not sure if it's a fluke yet, but the last three nights he's been a really good sleeper...I even got one four hour stretch last night, and woke up before he did. He's also been very game about being schlepped to Axel's playdates and playground outings, where we feel like the double stroller looks like a tank.

I can't believe we have two little boys!

Axel has been very sweet so far and says "Why you crying?" to Oscar when he gets cranky or tries to hand us diapers when he needs changing.

Getting out the door takes some coordination, but we're figuring it out day by day. And here's a peek back at Axel at one week old.
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