Mother's Day and Japan Day Race

My first mother's day was spent running a race, strolling through the Conservatory in Central Park, having the boys clean the house (let's be honest right away, that is every Sunday) and getting lots of hugs.

For mother's day we had beautiful weather, which I appreciated even more since I had a race.  We headed to the usual starting spot over by the Mall and while I zipped around the park Dan and Jaime hung out.

I almost bailed on this race.  I just did not feeling like running a race that morning.  Laying around being lazy and sipping coffee was sounding nice.  But of course I am glad I ran it.  It was a perfect morning for a race - 57 degrees, mostly cloudy, light breeze.  I had a very good run with a respectable time and was one race closer to guaranteed marathon entry.

Then we headed home for a nap and shower and then back out for the long walk to the Conservatory.

Jaime was giving these awesome hugs at this time, he would give you the biggest squeeze that he could and squish his face right into your cheek. It was so sweet.

On the way home we stopped by a playground for little bit...

And then after the long walk home we were totally done.  Jaime goofed around and kept us smiling.

Jaime helped with the cleaning... he loves to vacuum.

And then it was time to get ready for the next day.  It was a perfectly lovely little mother's day.

A failed attempt at portraits

I had the idea for a framed portrait of Jaime for mother's day presents for the grandma's.  We haven't given them nice prints so no better time.  BUT finding a photographer here has been a challenge.  So I attempted DIY portraits and it failed.  Taking this type of picture of Jaime is difficult to say the least... the minute the camera is in front of my face he stops looking at me and I really wanted one with strong eye contact.

One Saturday morning it was nice and pretty out so after breakfast we threw some clothes on and ran out to try to get to some pictures at Bethesda Fountain before it was over run by tourist and harsh lighting.

And then the circus began.  Since Jaime was so easily distracted by anything surrounding him (dude can zero in a spec of dust in flash) Dan decided to 'help' entertain Jaime... that didn't work as then he would be looking off at where ever Dan was doing his silly dad routine.

Or he would try to start climbing things or crawling off...

Then we went under the bridge as the sun was already getting higher and harsher and some women start cooing at Jaime and chatting while I am trying to take his photo (I have like 20 of him looking off in their direction and flirting).

And then you could see that the brisk morning was making him cold by his red nose and rosy cheeks.

So back home we went up central park west.

I felt very defeated by this project so it ended there. And I hope that Jaime doesn't hate me someday for not having real portraits taken of his cute baby days.  But as I am writing this post many months later... I am loving these photos as while they may not be perfect he looks so very cute and little to me.  So maybe it wasn't a total fail.

An afternoon walk to the Mall in Central Park

I warned you, we lived in Central Park in May and June.  Expect many more posts of this nature.  The Mall is one of my favorite spots.  It is just pure NYC and everytime I end up there I feel a little bit of love for New York.  It was neat in the late winter/early spring with the bare trees but early spring was my favorite with the fresh new little leaves letting in loads of warm light.

On the way there you pass on of the many open fields that people flock to and soak up the sun.

And then you find yourself walking the mall and having one of those moments were there is no where else you would rather be...

And lucky me, I get to share these experiences with my favorites...

Afer this we had waffles with nutella and strawberry from the Wafels & Dinges truck... ahhhmazing.  And picked up cookies from Milk Bar for an evening movie watching treat.

A May afternoon on a blanket in Central Park

I am going to totally be honest - living a little over a block away from Central Park has completely been a huge factor in how much I have enjoyed living in NYC.  If we didn't live near CP I am not sure I would be as content.  May was amazing.  Suddenly everything was green and still blooming and just beautiful.  May through June for us was about Central Park.

The first weekend of May we had a sunshine filled day so after lunch we packed up and headed to Summit Rock, the highest natural elevation point in Central Park. 

We layed out our blanket under a tree and enjoyed the loveliness. Jaime was very grabby at this point.  He was no longer content to hang out with whatever toy you gave him... not a chance.  He would much rather crawl up on you and get whatever you have.

He was not so sure about the grass.  It felt weird.  It looked weird.  It just didn't seem natural...

What is this? Pictures with mom that aren't a selfie?  Whaaaat?!

More figuring out this grass stuff... this time from the safety of the blanket.

Our spot could not have been prettier.

It was a perfectly lovely afternoon.

April Randoms

April was a good month.  The city transformed into this beautiful place with loads of blossoms, fresh green grass and warmer spring light.  We tried to get out a bit and of course also enjoyed some family chill time at home.

Jaime grew up a ton.  The transformation each month is amazing to watch. We have so much fun together.

To kick off the month we had the nine month appointment.  I found myself in role of working mom waiting for the nanny to arrive at the Tribeca pedi office which is decorated quite trendy.  It was a little bizarre and not how I picture myself.  Aren't women with nanny's working in the financial district supposed to be making loads of money and have corner offices and be perfectly dressed?  Well I guess not.  Jaime of course was deemed healthy and received his vaccines... which lead to extra snuggles that night. 

I love my mornings with my bug.  I get ready in between playing with Jaime and feeding him breakfast.  We read books, stack blocks, etc until his nanny arrives.  I appreciate the one on one time.  The mornings used to be pretty calm but now they are anything but as he buzzes around the room, tries to climb things, gets into the bathroom, etc.  It is nonstop action.

It was so nice to see all of the buds and blossoms arrive to cheer things up.  There were even blossoms peeking in through the scaffolding.  Our neighborhood became so pretty that I was just smitten with living here.  

While we had lots of fun out walking around and exploring the city, we had lots of fun at home too.  This kid is just a joy to spend time with.  He is always ready to have fun.  I love that he will sit and read books by himself and that likes avocado on toast and that he is so quick to smile.

More on the blossoms.  The cherry trees here are amazing.  They have totally different varieties from what we had in the midwest.  They are everywhere and they are beautiful.

April was filled with good stuff.