Rockin' It Baby Style

After our afternoon at the Arboretum, Wyatt, William and I went over to Jeff, Karen and Alexander's house. Jeff is a talented drummer and he plays in the band Pleasant Grove. Naturally, Alexander has a mini drum set and he was nice enough to let Wyatt try it out. Wyatt loves to bang on things, and you can see that he was givin' it all he's got.

Fall Fun

Stephanie, Wyatt, Karen and Alexander

Contemplating Gourds

The Pumpkin House

What is it about babies and pumpkins? Why do all parents feel the need to find a patch of pumpkins, plop their tots down in them and take pictures? It's such a cliche, but dammit, it's just so hard not to! We spent a lovely October afternoon at the Dallas Arbortetum with our friend Karen and her son Alexander. And yes, we took lots of pumpkin pictures.

Flying with Friends

The Set Up

The Balacing Act

The Hold Steady

The Breakdown

The Aftermath

Upon leaving New York, we stopped in Maryland to visit one of my oldest and dearest friends, Megan and her family. We had a fun time and Wyatt has a new fan in his life - Alaina. Her daddy is Irish and therefore she's always saying cute things like "Mommy, can I hold the wee baby Wyatt?" or if we slept in late-ish, we'ed hear a small wispering voice outside our door saying, "Mommy, when is the wee baby Wyatt going to wake up?" So cute. They have a nice, big, backyard with thick, green grass. This is a very fun thing for a baby from New York City. The photos above show an airplane ride that went awry. Not to worry, though, everyone landed safely.

Oh, These are the People in Your Neighborhood

Gettin' Alex Kisses

Orchard Street Regulars

One, the Dog, Danny, Alex and Wyatt

                                      

Wyatt, Teresa and Katherine in Front of 72 Orchard Street 

This is the street that Wyatt was born on - Orchard Street. Where he's spent the first ten months of his life. And these are the people (and animals)  that he saw nearly everyday, right outside his front door. There is the adorable Alex. She works for DJ Honda, the Japanese hip-hop DJ who occupies the storefront next door to 72 Orchard Street. She walks his dogs, One and Boy, everyday and if you need to know about anything going on in the neighborhood, she's the person to ask. Then, there's Danny. He's sort of the mayor of Orchard Street. He's our Super, plus he does odd jobs for lots of people on the street, walks dogs, sells stuff, you name it and, oh yeah - he's also the guy to go to if you want an apartment on Orchard Street. He's always got the low - down. Abdulio, the Chilean carpenter, works for our ladlord, Joe, and can fix or build anything you need him to - fast. Next, there is Teresa. My stylist partner-in-crime and good friend. We started assisting some of the same stylists when I moved to New York back in '00 and we slowly started moving up the ranks together, always helping each other out. She's one of the sweetest people I know. She moved into our building a couple of years ago. The day Wyatt was born, I was so excited to be going into labor that I went downstairs to chat with her and didn't come back up to our apartment for another three hours. Katherine is her dear friend and who is moving to L.A. and then Austin, TX about the same time we're moving. 

Sacked Out at Jazz Fest in the East Village

On our way home on a Sunday afternoon, we happened upon the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in Thompkins Square Park. We found out one thing that day: Wyatt finds Be Bop to be very tiring.

Eatin' Cheerios (and Leaves) in Central Park

"Mmmmm....leaves and Cheerios, what a great taste sensation!"

"No really, Finn, you've got to try this!"

Finn says, "All right then, lemme have 'em."

"No way, man. Go find your own," says Wyatt

"Okay, then. Whatever."

On one of our last days in New York, Wyatt and I took a little time out to hit the last Bowery Babes picnic in Central Park. These pictures were taken just before the gathering dispanded.

Bye-Bye, Babycakes!

Sabrina Loves Her Some Wyatt

Wyatt's Not Sure What to Make of His First Taste of (Vegan) Chocolate

Gettin' the Babycake Lovin' 

What can I say about Babycakes? This charming little cupcake shop opened around the corner from us a couple years back. We immediately fell in love with their tasty cupcakes (they're vegan, but William and I swear they're the best tasting cupcakes in Manhattan) and we also fell in love with the girls that run the place, Erin and Sabrina. I'd come in when I was pregnant, and they'd slip me an extra cupcake in my bag, which I would wolf down before I'd even make it back to the apartment. Places like this make New York special.  We went in one day in late August to say our good-byes. (notice Wyatt rockin' his Babycakes t-shirt) We love you, Babycakes!

After a Long Day in Central Park

Wyatt,  Christen and Michael chill out on the blue cookie monster rug after much birthday fun in Central Park. Even Wyatt is captivated by the spectacle of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Fun in Central Park at Katherine and Deb's B -Day

Hi!

Make Some Noise!

Wyatt and Aunt Christen

"Who Me? Well, Shucks."

On one of our last weekends in New York, our friend Katherine had a big, fun birthday party with her friend Deb on the northern most reaches of Central Park. Lot's of music was made, frisbees were thrown and much eating and drinking ensued. Plus, Wyatt was able to hang out with one of his most favorite people on the planet...his Aunt Christen. It was a great day.

Rooftop Pool Party at Finn's

Loungin' Poolside

Finn is "So Big!"

Hangin' With Their Moms

Finn, Your Pool is Cool!

Pajama Time!

Wyatt Thinks Frank's Hilarious!

Bowery Babes Picnics and Madison Square Park

Finn and Wyatt Rock Out at Madison Square Park

Wyatt, Finn and Emma Enjoy the Music

Lisa, Finn, Wyatt and Emma

Finn, Hunter, Celestine and Wyatt picnicing at Madison Square Park

Bubbles!

Wyatt and Mateo at the Picnic at Stuyvesant Park

Wyatt sez "Hello" to Varik and Neelam

The Boys Hanging Out

Wyatt Sez, "Finn, I want that ball!"

This post is basically a lumping together of all the Bowery Babes picnics Wyatt and I attended this August, plus the concerts that we went to at Madison Square Park.  

On Tuesdays and Thursday mornings, we would often meet up with Finn, Lisa and Emma and enjoy the bands that played in the park. Some were rockin', some were folky, some bands wore costumes and others were down right hokey! Oh no, please forgive me for that line. I'm a parent and sometimes that makes ME a little hokey! Anyway, Wyatt and Finn would bring their tambourines, maracas and egg shakers and jam right along. This was certainly one of the highlights of  summer.

Then starting in August, the Bowery Babes would have a picnic at different parks on Tuesdays around 10:30. We attended the ones at Stuyvesant Park, Madison Square Park and Central Park. It's so much fun watching all the babies interact. Wyatt loves to interact with other kids and I know he's going to miss that until we find a new group to hang with once we get settled in. It was fun for him and fun for me. Lot's of great people we're going to miss.

A Day at the Bronx Zoo

It's Been A Loooong Day at the Zoo

Looking for a Camel Hiding in the Grass

In the Babboon Section

Finn and Wyatt are 'Lil Buddies

Watching for Sea Lions

A couple of Wednesday's ago, Wyatt, William and I went to the zoo with Finn, Emma, Finn's caregiver, and new friends Hunter and Trudie. Wednesday is "pay what you want day" at the zoo, or as I like to call it, "free day". Well, we weren't the only ones who decided it would be fun to go to the zoo on this beautiful day in August. I guess a lot of families decided that there wen't too many free Wednesday's left before school starts, so we mingled with a crowd that exceeded the population of many medium sized college towns. But we had fun. We all enjoyed the monkey house and inside the childrens zoo we saw an otter up close and personal, prairie dogs, lambs, kangaroo and donkeys. There were lots of animals to see, but I think the babies were just as interested in watching all the little kids running around in gaggles, each with their day camp logo plastered on their matching, bright colored  t-shirts. By the time we left the zoo, all three were fast asleep. Zonked out in their strollers.