Lately

Axel, 2015

It feels like Axel is growing up so much every day!

I love how intent he is about everything he does (though it does mean our walk home from school entails checking out every ATM machine, parking meter, and bike along the way.) So much to investigate, so little time...

Happy Fall

Williamsburg, 2015

The equinox is here! I think that's supposed to mean that we settle back into a routine here and start bringing out the decorative gourds and making soup, but mostly we've been dodging injuries, potty training, and trying to prepare for the added chaos coming down the road...

This pregnancy has been so different. Correction: medically speaking it's been the same, which is to say uneventful. I seem to be very fortunate in that regard.

The physical aspect of wrangling two young ones while pregnant, however, has been tough. Thank goodness for Will and his upper body strength. I do think the third baby (in under four years) is hard on your body; how can it not be?

But overall I feel more centered (and less anxious) about my pregnancy and about all the big questions of whether-or-not-and-just-how-much to work.

Even as my freelance ebbs and flows around my self-imposed maternity leaves, I've come to realize that it's a no brainer for me to keep plugging away with my career. A few years back I didn't know how I would approach things; whether full time made sense, whether I was doing enough or too little. But yes, work has been a grounding force in my life for the most part and I feel like we've gotten the hang of that. 

Of course, about twice a week, the kids do something terrifying that shakes my very foundations and I am back to square one, questioning all of the above. But having two rambunctious, accident-prone toddlers certainly distracts me from worries about the baby I'm carrying. 

And this is not to say I haven't been my usual pregnant self; tired, prickly, especially sensitive to every mood shift around me and not especially productive. I am also spacey and hazy and keep forgetting words for things, which is probably a sign that I should be winding things down, work-wise, for the newborn phase to come. 

Weekend

Williamsburg, 2015

The last drops of summer here in Brooklyn! And here I am, 28 weeks along, in my final trimester. Ahhh, that explains why I can't keep up with the tempo.

Weekend

Williamsburg, 2015

We spent the weekend close to home, checking out the Renegade Craft Fair in Greenpoint, where I got some very cute kids' pants by Petit Pilou.

There was also plenty of chasing other people's toys on the playground, grocery shopping, chicken roasting, and power streaming of Narcos (after the kids were asleep, obviously.)

Will obsessively cleaned the inside of the oven with baking soda and vinegar, while I obsessively threw out all the tiny toys with broken or missing pieces. We still have approximately 900 matchbox cars.

I think we are both hoping to recapture some sense of order in our lives and at home (and I'm trying to capitalize on what limited energy I have before I get too ginormously pregnant.)

On that front I am feeling well enough, most of the time, but even relatively short walks are doing a number on my hips, which is frustrating since I still have 12 weeks to go.

Axelisms

Axel, 2015

Among our back-to-reality errands this week: doctor's check ups. Axel was very excited about his. He is 37 inches tall and weighs 33 pounds.

He has been so expressive and grown up and sweet lately. I've been really proud of how he's handled the transition to school and as I've watched him interact on the playground and elsewhere. He seems to really understand the concept of making friends and I love how we can really have a conversation these days.

And he says the funniest things, like:

"I can't go to camp, I have too much work to do."

"It looks cute."
(When Will asked him if he liked his beard trim.)

"You forgot your baby."
(This summer, when we were a the beach and I turned my back on Oscar for a moment to get something from our beach bag.)

"This is amazing music."
(This summer, when his grandfather turned put some opera music on the Sonos.)

"You made a small boy very sad."
(Master of manipulation! When I insisted it was bedtime.)

"Mama, those shoes are not perfect."
(On my fashion choices.) 

Back to School

Williamsburg, 2015

First day of school for the year and I was very proud of this sociable little guy. He's gotten very grown up since this time last year!

Labor Day

Williamsburg, 2015

I am sort of in recovery mode, catching my breath after wrapping up a big work project on Friday. It all came together in the end, but this last week meant a lot of late nights at the office, rushed too-late dinners, and an overall sense that we were being pulled in too many directions at once.

This week is hectic in its own way, with the start of school, but I am hoping everything else settles down and we all get our fill of quiet nights at home and good nights of rest. We know we are sticking fairly close to home for the next six months or so, so I know we will have plenty of New York adventures just the same (our version of a quiet weekend never seems to be especially quiet.) But one of these days we'll get some down time, right? In five to seven years, perhaps?

Blog Thoughts

Williamsburg, 2015

I noticed the other day that I am approaching 1000 posts here and I've been posting for nearly four years.

While I haven't done as many service-y, "you need this for your six-month-old" or "how I introduced solids" type posts of late, I would like to spend a bit more time here, writing slightly more substantial posts.

I think in the early days I had some notions that I might turn this space into a lifestyle blog for Williamsburg parents, and an extension of my writing elsewhere. Yes, taking a peek at how other families do things is inherently interesting, even if the details aren't art directed, and hearing sage advice from other writers is heartening. I love reading those useful, curated posts by mothers who also happen to be stylists or magazine writers, just as I love to discover obscure European baby clothes labels I will never actually buy because there is no way I am letting my kids wear $175 cashmere sweaters. This fall, it's all about Zara kids over here.

But generally I just don't feel like doling out advice to anyone. However you are faring, good on you! I am not going to take pictures of the creative lunches I make for my kids, because yours are probably far better as it is, and while I love beautiful pictures, I don't want to spread the false notion that I have it all figured out.

As it is, I love having a chronicle of the kids' milestones, even just to share among family and friends. I love capturing some of the quirks of the neighborhood, and occasionally passing on notes about my favorite places, and pondering why city life is unexpectedly kid friendly. I am always happy to help point other local parents in the right direction of they are researching pre-natal yoga or baby music classes or wondering about random day trips within range of New York.

During the coming months, and over my upcoming maternity leave, I hope to expand on a bit of that, while still posting the usual snapshots from our life in Brooklyn, Maine, and beyond. I may even do a few more food and travel-related posts, while cleaning up my archives.

Don't worry, I am not going to start giving you a complex with scenes of Frida Kahlo-themed kids' birthday parties (you can go here for that.) But I do hope to write a little more.

Oscar: Eighteen Months Old

Oscar, 2015

Oscar, at eighteen months old, is a force to be reckoned with.

He babbles intently; he loves to perform; he feels things passionately. He most definitely does not consider himself to be a baby in any way.

While he can be a little rough with his brother (or the cat; poor Sealface), when you ask him to share he is so quick to do it, just as he is quick to dole out hugs and affection. He loves trying on shoes, absconding with his brother's scooter, and screeching.

He has two very slightly chipped front teeth and the broadest shoulders I've ever seen on a toddler, so he's looking a little like a miniature rugby player these days.

We love him so much, along with everything he adds to our family. And here is a look back at Axel at the same age.

Bonding

Williamsburg, 2015

In the last few weeks these guys have been starting to really play with one another (well, Oscar's always been obsessed with Axel, but Axel is now begrudgingly reciprocating the affection. Sometimes.)

I fact, I think this might be the closest they've ever been in a photo, blurry or not.

Axel is generally very patient and tolerant of Ozzy's abuse (hair pulling, etc.), and I keep overhearing him doling out instructions to obtuse games, or saying things like "Be careful, Oscar."

Likewise, Oscar is a big champion for his brother. When Axel was crying the other morning, during a time out, Oscar ran to him saying "Oh no!", and gave him a big kiss on the forehead.

There are still plenty of tears and turf wars but more often than not they seem to be figuring it all out, which is amazing to watch.