Just Joseph & Ada

More Twinning

2012-01-26T17:46:00.000-08:00

Ada : Joseph

2012-01-23T17:08:00.000-08:00

My second all-time favorite picture of Ada. Can you tell I've only been taking pictures of the baby lately?

Bath Time

2012-01-22T14:50:00.000-08:00

Twins

2012-01-21T18:32:00.000-08:00

Friend Kathryn took this of Ada at two (?) months old. With a little less chub (and smaller ears) it could be the same child.

Sleeping Babe

2012-01-20T14:37:00.000-08:00

I recognize that profile...

2012-01-18T08:09:00.000-08:00

My favorite picture of Ada. Cape May last summer.

2 Weeks

2012-01-16T08:47:00.000-08:00

2 weeks old

New stats
Height: 21 1/4 inches , 95 %
Weight: 7.12 lbs, 25 %

Doctor Monkey

2012-01-15T08:49:00.000-08:00

Ada is obsessed with the doctor set she got for Christmas.

The Story of JoMo

2012-01-15T07:22:00.000-08:00

Guest post by Kyle

Joseph is already a week and a half old…hard to believe. So far he’s a super mellow kid–hardly any crying, sleeps long stretches during the night, generally content to just hang out and look around. Corinne and I are amazed at how easy he’s been so far, and that extends to his birth as well.

Corinne was uncomfortable but not in unbearable pain late monday night when she went into labor. When we finally decided to head into the hospital, the doctors didn’t really take her seriously because she was so stoic about the whole thing.

(*a side note about Corinne: She will be sure to let you know about paper cuts, stubbed toes, mild headaches etc. But when she’s in real discomfort, she turns inward and goes completely calm. This is surely a sign of intense inner strength, and it makes doctor evaluations difficult.)

By the time the docs got around to checking her out, they discovered that we needed to get moving or the baby would be born in the triage ward. An hour later, Joseph was born, Tuesday morning at 5:49am. It took three pushes.

It’s been fairly smooth sailing since then. The whole family was home on Wednesday afternoon, sleeping soundly in their own beds. Corinne’s mom came Thursday, and has been a huge help with Joseph and Ada, especially since I’ve been working long hours this week to support my team at the Consumer Electronics Show.

We’re anxious to see how tiny Joseph changes in the coming weeks. We’ve been told that babies start to show personality after two or three weeks, but I’m hoping he stays just the way he is now: a happy, adorable little lump.

Before and After

2012-01-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

before and after

And thank goodness! I've never been so excited to "eject an infant from my womb".

Copycat

2012-01-10T07:36:00.000-08:00

Family

2012-01-09T05:21:00.000-08:00

He had his first doctor's appointment today. He's been around for almost a week. That seems so old.

Weight: 7.1 lbs

Height: 20 inches

He's well on his way to living up to Ada's awesome baby fatness.

2012-01-08T12:52:00.000-08:00

Yep. Looking like a newborn...

Baby's Second Outing

2012-01-07T14:11:00.000-08:00

60 degrees here in NYC today. Glorious.

Ada and Joseph

2012-01-06T16:06:00.000-08:00

She played it pretty cool at the hospital.

More interest in the iPad than the baby

She warmed up for about 2 seconds

Some help from Nana

Big sister

He Made It

2012-01-04T15:27:00.001-08:00

Joseph Smart Monson

1/3/2012 at 5:44am

6.14 lbs, 19.5 inches long

I'm going to leave the other details to Kyle.

The Belly (Over) Documented

2012-01-02T10:16:00.000-08:00

So putting these up makes me feel really vain--but when your sweet friend takes pictures of you, you're kind of obligated to post them? Right? Right? Thank you again Lesley, for managing to take the ever-elusive, non-cheesy maternity picture.

I think I'm actually coming out about even though, considering the fact that I don't have a single picture documenting my pregnancy with Ada (well, minus that one of me at 38 weeks in a bikini on the beach). I might have to pass some of these off someday as my first pregnancy. Or just tell her "I looked pretty much the same with you, minus the bangs and the lines around my mouth".

6 +/- more days to go!!

2011-12-31T20:38:00.001-08:00

I'm not sure if I ever posted this video, but as my sister Jessie pointed out "this adorable video of my adorable niece laughing at a balloon has over a HUNDRED hits and only 90 of them are from me!"

Ada's Third Christmas

2011-12-25T17:48:00.000-08:00

It was pretty low-key and bittersweet knowing that my entire family was gathered in Utah without me. I suppose a baby is worth it though...
Ada had a good time until she got bored midway through opening presents. Favorite present? Gumby. Hands down.

My Kid Really Could Paint That

2011-12-16T16:54:00.000-08:00

Ada Hates Santa

2011-12-10T17:12:00.000-08:00

Glad we didn't bother taking her to ABC Carpet & Home to see the REAL Santa. The ward Christmas party was our dry run and she failed. Kid's got a good memory. She hated him last year too (evidence. OMG--she was so small).

I'm a Scrooge

2011-12-09T15:06:00.000-08:00

So I've always known that I was a bit of a Scrooge, but you know what made me realize that I might just be the biggest Scroogie McScroogerson ever? The NY Botanical Garden Train Show. Everyone RAVES about this during the holidays. I just. don't. get. it.
We made the trek up there on Thursday morning. Even with half-off tickets it was lame. Sorry guys. I know this makes me the least festive person ever. Just not sure that it was so "spectacular" to warrant an hour trip up there to stand in line with a million school children and gray-hairs just for the "great authentic NYC experience" of seeing an earthy miniature of the city with a few trains running through it. I guess I just prefer the city under-hyped and uncrowded (the lengths I will go to avoid a crowd do not need to be documented. It's embarrassing).
(and I know--there comes a time when you just have to suck-it-up to make your kid happy. Check back with me next year).
My poor kids!!
Luckily Kyle doesn't feel the same way...

I had the wrong lens to get a decent picture, but you get the idea.

This is how a 2 yr old Decorates a Christmas Tree

2011-12-04T14:08:00.000-08:00

And how about how this is our first Christmas tree (after almost 9 years of marriage)?
It's almost like we're growing up...

2011-12-01T18:30:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty sure that I was more entertained by this than Ada was...

In Utero

2011-11-28T13:03:00.000-08:00

Kyle snapped a few pics of me the other day. I wasn't going to share any maternity pictures, but I really really love how some of these turned out. I realize they are all pretty similar, but I like them for slightly different reasons. And there's only one that defies my "no belly cradling" rule. At least I'm not looking down at it lovingly...
Taken at 34 weeks.

Ada Goes Iceskating

2011-11-25T13:11:00.000-08:00

And what we learned: She's way too young. Try again in a year. This kid is not easily intimidated.

It was a bust but Ada grinned the whole time.

Chasing pigeons on our walk home through Central Park.

Ada's First Bday Party

2011-11-23T06:48:00.001-08:00

Well...the first one she's ever actually attended. May's third.

How cute are those binocs? Those five little girls dressed up as princesses ain't bad either.

Piano Jam

2011-11-16T13:05:00.000-08:00

Here's Ada at music class today.
She put on quite the show for her dad (who took the morning off. Hurray!). Faux shyness, crazy antics and a couple of micro-tantrums over NOTHING.
And not surprisingly, Ada was the only child to immediately scramble up right beside her teacher and bang away during their "jam session" on the piano.

She Doesn't Quite Get the Concept...

2011-11-12T17:15:00.000-08:00

Books

2011-11-04T17:09:00.001-07:00

You guys have no idea how sick of this book I am. Ada has to read it EVERY SINGLE TIME we sit down to read books. Which is approximately 3 or 4 times a day. I've taken to hiding it from her to keep my sanity.

Also, for any of you raising NYC kids--I found this great ABC book at Strand last month. It's a book about "seeing" New York City. The concept is that typical ABC books "didn't take into account that city kids have a different visual vocabulary...ABC NYC is a tribute to our great city, as seen through the eyes of its children".
You know...like yarmulkes, skyscrapers, newstands, taxis, the subway--not your typical suburban fair.

Brilliant.

Pigs and Monkeys

2011-11-03T10:15:00.001-07:00

Ada likes to watch movies with her appropriate animal friends.

Babe and Curious George (one of the worst movies ever. Ugh), of course.

Halloween In The City

2011-10-31T17:09:00.000-07:00

This is what Halloween looks like in NYC...

a little party we had at playgroup in the morning.

trick-or-treating along Broadway. In the broad daylight.

Then we headed over to 95th Street for a more authentic feel. The street closes off and residents decorate their brownstone stoops.
We were home by 7pm. Done and done. It was wild.

Ada as Elvis. Again

2011-10-28T10:47:00.000-07:00

Yes. We're going the lazy route. But hey. I had to glue all of those rhinestones on by hand. Not worth it unless you make them wear it two years in a row, right?. And this baby boy? He'll probably be Elvis next year. Suck it Kyle.
(I found out last week that Megan had a Bedazzler all along. MEGAN!!!)

And OMG. Ada has changed so much in one year. Check it.

Duets

2011-10-24T16:53:00.001-07:00

Ada loves to play music with her Dad. I accidentally stopped recording, not realizing that she just wanted to switch instruments (hence the two videos).

Fall Festivities

2011-10-22T17:21:00.000-07:00

Not our pumpkin and not our dad, but hey! We're being festive! And we just might even take her trick-or-treating...

Thank you, Robert--for paying attention to our child so we didn't have to.

Ada on a Scooter

2011-10-18T18:48:00.000-07:00

We were originally going to get her one for her birthday--due to her obsession with everyone else's on the playground. Then we decided we should wait until she'd be more trustworthy on it (you know, the whole scooting out into traffic issue). But then we found a deal we couldn't pass up, so here she is, in heaven. I see this thing getting annoying very quickly.

Oh. And a vote. Kyle says that helmet isn't gender-neutral. I bought it specifically because I thought it was. Hmmmm.

Adventureland

2011-10-18T07:52:00.000-07:00

Kyle took the day off yesterday. It made me want to watch this movie again.

Ada was hilarious. That little roller coaster below? Ada was the smallest one on it by a lot (Kyle was the tallest) and she had to do it 5 times--smiled like a fool the whole time.

I had to include a pic of Kyle riding a carousel horse (it made my day). The lonely swing.

This is why there're so few pictures of me on this blog. Through the fence, Kyle? Really?

On the ferris wheel (which still creeps me out) and waiting in line.

We finished the day off right at the outlet mall, a huge Crewcuts haul and of course, dinner at a chain restaurant.

Randoms

2011-10-08T12:55:00.000-07:00

My Mom's been here all week (she left yesterday. Boo). We did a lot of stuff (Jean Georges, How to Succeed in Business, Max Brenner, Bronx Zoo, Ren Faire, shopping, shopping, shopping, Momofuku Milk Bar, Shake Shack, eating, eating, eating). Here are a few pics not documenting any of that.

A Glimpse In the Future

2011-10-08T12:43:00.000-07:00

Ada looks about 20 here. I can imagine her sitting outside of a cafe with a scarf around her neck, casually propping her head up with her hand (though her wrist will probably be a bit more slender by then). And I swear we don't put lipstick on this kid.

First Haircut

2011-10-07T14:24:00.000-07:00

Yep. We've made it this long. I wanted to cut bangs, but the lovely hairstylist pointed out what a terrible idea that would be, thanks to her cowlick and two crowns (genes inherited from me. lucky girl). So we went with sort of a side bang in an attempt to keep her super-fine baby hair out of her face for two seconds. It seems to have worked a little bit. No after picture--but just imagine her hair looking basically the same as it did before.

Ren Faire!

2011-10-02T17:14:00.000-07:00

Honestly, it was kind of a bust--just a bunch of people selling crap. We did get a few prime pics though. Especially the beauty below...

It took her about 5 seconds to join the kiddie mosh pit gathered in front of the Irish dancers. She always has to be in on the action.

Ada Planking

2011-09-28T15:28:00.000-07:00

Hahahahahahahaha.

Debut

2011-09-24T11:13:00.000-07:00

Since I've had a few requests and also because this blog will eventually have to be renamed "All About Ada and Her Unnamed Boy Sibling", he might as well make his debut on here a bit early.

Belly shots... meh...not my favorite thing...

Finally starting to pop. 25 weeks.

2011-09-22T16:36:00.000-07:00

Proof of how much time Ada has been spending with boys.

Puzzle Time

2011-09-15T14:40:00.000-07:00

It's always interesting to watch Ada figure out a new puzzle for the first time.

Also of developmental note--Ada apparently knows her colors and ABCs (as of a month ago)? News to me. It's amazing how kids can just pick this stuff up on their own.

Bath Time

2011-09-12T17:12:00.000-07:00

West Side County Fair

2011-09-10T17:15:00.000-07:00

We need to get this kid to an actual amusement park STAT.

High-fiving the stilt walkers.

Being helped out of a ride like royalty by 2 adults--her dream. Car ride.

Kiddy ferris wheel. First time around with an old co-worker's daughter. Second time around with Simon (making him nervous with her attempted escape).

I'm kicking myself for not getting a pic of Ada earlier this week during a short break in the rain--splashing in ankle-deep puddles, shirtless, with her 3 boyfriends.

Ada in Constant Motion

2011-09-06T19:32:00.000-07:00

Carousolar

2011-09-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

We did this last Thursday.

Ada was mad when I tried to snap pics of her after the ride was over. Then she was mad when she had to get off. Then she was mad that she couldn't get right back on. Then she was mad in line. Then she was mad when it was over again and it was time to go home. 2 year olds...

Labor Day Weekend

2011-09-03T16:01:00.000-07:00

We are keeping it pretty low key and enjoying the partially empty city. This morning we headed to Central Park, wandered through the Shakespeare Garden, around The Ramble, across the boat pond and then to a playground we'd never been to before. Exciting stuff.

Shakespeare Garden

I wish I knew these people (the ones in the boat) so I could send them this picture.

Snack break

Little girl, big field. Kyle had to go fetch her.

Copycat

Girly (for once)

2011-08-31T16:14:00.000-07:00

Hey Mom--this one's for you.

She twirled. She wore it while watching Wall E/Monsters Inc. She had to put it on after her bath. She tried to wear it to bed.

2011-08-21T16:46:00.001-07:00

Ada has been a bit stuffed-animal obsessed as of late. This is how she prefers to sleep (minus the open eyes).

Nope,none of these are posed (obviously).

This Afternoon: In Pictures

2011-08-20T18:30:00.001-07:00

Walking around the Great Lawn.

Little girl, big stroller

More Bigfoot walking

Water break, after devouring the entire Waffle Truck

It's so nice on the rare occasions Kyle's around to do the chasing on the playground.

Honing her fine-motor skills at dinner

The end.

2 Year Appointment

2011-08-18T09:32:00.000-07:00

From this morning. FYI--that's the best cup with a straw I've been able to find. It actually doesn't leak (ALL of the other kinds do).

New stats
Height: 35.5 inches, 90%
Weight: 26 pounds, 25%

Lucky girl gets to stay on whole milk.

2011-08-16T17:09:00.000-07:00

I guess this is what 2 year olds do with stickers.
Note to self: they come off like band aids.

2011-08-15T09:31:00.000-07:00

Just a random leftover from Idaho.

Pier 6

2011-08-12T15:12:00.001-07:00

We got back into the swing of things by heading to the new Brooklyn Bridge Park at Pier 6 this morning.

Walking along the promenade. Ava, Ella and Ada.

And we are now regressing to pictures of the back of Ada's head.

Those rocks? Not the best for a child intent on climbing every structure in her path.

Outtakes

2011-08-11T09:58:00.000-07:00

We finally made it home last night. Ada has turned from the worst traveler into the best traveler. I'm happy about this development. It means no more knots in my stomach the week leading up to our future flights.
Our last day in Idaho we had Jessie try and take some family photos. She tried her best (and thank you!), but there was too much working against her (harsh light, crazy Ada). We don't have a single family picture. Not one. I think we'll have to break down and actually pay someone to do it. Someone with LOTS of experience keeping a freakishly busy toddler's attention. Good luck to that future person.

Long story short...we only have outtakes.

Finally

2011-08-08T19:25:00.001-07:00

Kyle finally arrived yesterday. Just in time to celebrate Ada's birthday (again). I would say she was fairly excited to see him.

2011-08-07T10:08:00.000-07:00

I like this one too. Both taken by Jessie.

She's 2

2011-08-05T19:41:00.001-07:00

In Kyle's words "How can she only be 2? It seems like she's been here forever".
So true.

This was just a mini-celebration. We'll do more when Kyle finally gets here on Sunday (Yay!!).

Yellowstone National Park

2011-08-05T14:21:00.000-07:00

12 hours, 99% of it pleasant--thank you iPad.

This, folks, is why you put a leash on your kid. Also, something I learned--a small child in leash is cuter than a regular child.

Unexpected side-effect of hanging out with millions of American tourists, all furiously snapping pictures of each other--Ada just out of the blue started posing for pictures. "Cheese" and everything. I DID NOT TEACH HER THAT. Nor did anyone I'm related to. I need to make this very clear.

Multiple buffalo sightings.

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Hard to capture the magnitude.

More child on a leash (completely justified).

Annie and Ada on Yellowstone Lake.

Waiting for Old Faithful with Nana.

There she goes.

In other news: Ada turned 2 today. Hopefully there will be pictures to come.

This Evening

2011-08-02T19:49:00.001-07:00

Here's Ada playing out in the yard this evening. I really did try hard to get rid of that eye booger, but Photoshop Elements wouldn't play nice.

And that's a real flower (straight from the garden). Not some abomination I picked up at a mall kiosk. We haven't been out West for that long.

Ride

2011-07-31T18:41:00.000-07:00

Gunner, Pop Pop, Ada

And yes--it made me slightly nervous.

And just because I can't get over how beautiful they are, another picture of the Tetons. Taken on our way up to Driggs.

We just got back to Idaho after 4 days in Heber (Utah), visiting my younger sister, Annie. One of the prettiest places on earth and I didn't take a single picture. Blast.

Boots

2011-07-24T19:21:00.000-07:00

Just trying to fit in...

Pioneer Day Parade

2011-07-23T19:16:00.000-07:00

Pioneer Day is the biggest thing to happen to St. Anthony. Bigger than Christmas. Bigger than every other holiday combined. It's HUGE.

Here we are at the parade. Ada was stuck in her stroller the whole time, so no great photo ops. That's better than being crushed by horses. Or a fire truck. Or a tractor. How about how there was a 5 year old girl on a skittish horse? On asphalt. With no helmet on? How about how this wasn't really surprising at all?

Waiting for it to start. Way too much anticipation in the crowd.

Ada's drugged-out, too much sugar face.

She made it through all fifty minutes. Thanks to lots of horse and candy being pummeled directly at our heads. Candy is a novelty to Ada so it did the trick.

Ok. End of boring post.

*oh geez. I forgot to mention the best part. A float that started out with Nephi, then the Founding Fathers signing the Declaration of Independence, ending with Joseph Smith. I think that about sums up Pioneer Day. So sad I didn't get a picture of it.

We Went To The Zoo

2011-07-22T18:56:00.000-07:00

And the only pics I have are of Ada on inanimate objects.

That is a pretty cool chicken though.

Except for this one Jessie took of Ada brushing a goat (and me being a creepy hoverer).

It was actually a pretty decent zoo considering it's located in a little tiny town. As Jon pointed out, they even had snow leopards (and there're only 10 in captivity. Slight under-exaggeration).

Strawberry Picking

2011-07-21T18:56:00.000-07:00

It's pretty low key around here, obviously.

Ada picking (and eating) strawberries with her Nana. Strawberries in the backyard!! That's one thing I could definitely get used to.

Also, Jessie's got a couple of good posts/pictures here and here.

Redneck

2011-07-20T14:44:00.000-07:00

Ada fitting right in with no shirt.

Even the playgrounds have tractors.

Ada and Gunner

2011-07-19T19:10:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty sure Ada now thinks she needs a dog. We caught her giving full-on open-mouthed kisses to Gunner yesterday. Yuck.

In other news: Ada went to her first movie ever today (Kung Fu Panda 2). I'm willing to spend $2 to satisfy my curiosity of how long Ada would be interested. Exactly 30 minutes--just like I predicted. Totally worth it.

Ada Tumbles

2011-07-18T14:48:00.000-07:00

I signed Ada up for a tumbling class while we are out here. It comes out to about $8 a class!! Where we are from they are $40--good deal. We tried to get her into a music class and swimming lessons as well, but it didn't pan out. Might as well take advantage of non-NYC prices.

The class is more structured than she's used to--so there was crying and tantrums during the "instructional" parts where the kids are supposed to sit in a circle and watch the instructor for directions. Hard hard hard for Ada. She just wanted to be up and doing all of the stuff immediately. It's so much fun having a kid that's up for anything, even being thrown into a giant pit of foam blocks (she gets lost in there at the very end).

Idaho

2011-07-17T15:17:00.000-07:00

The view out of my parent's front door. The Grand Tetons.

Walking with Pop Pop out to see the horses.

Too lazy to Photoshop out that pole.

Ada Kind of Rode a Horse

2011-07-16T08:27:00.000-07:00

Ada, Pop Pop and Newly--first introduction

It didn't take her long to literally jump onto his back. No fear, that kid.

Taking Quincy for a spin.

Ada now spends her time crying "neigh" over and over again at the back door, begging to go back out and ride.

FAO Schwartz

2011-07-09T17:28:00.000-07:00

Luckily she doesn't really know what candy is yet--otherwise this would have been a disaster.

Chelsea Waterside Park

2011-07-06T17:08:00.000-07:00

A schlep but totally worth it. We will definitely be going back soon. Big plus--the new Doughnut Plant in Chelsea is on the way (I would highly recommend the salty peanut butter cake doughnut). Finish up with a pulled pork sandwich from RUB and I'd say it would make a decent day.

I didn't really get any great pictures, so I guess we'll go with quantity over quality today...

I hate it when parents lament over their kids growing up. That being said--Ada is looking so old in this picture. I think she's lost most (if not all) of her baby fat. Even her face is starting to thin out. And no more rolls on her upper thighs. Sad.

Ada and Simon

Jacob and Ada

watermelon break

He gave her the idea. Not sure what possesses a kid to pour water over a stranger child's head. She loved it.

Not-So-Happy 4th of July

2011-07-04T08:20:00.000-07:00

We had grand plans to be completely unselfish this morning and do something Ada would enjoy. Potluck breakfast in the park followed by a children's parade complete with fire truck at the end. She was even (accidentally) dressed for the occasion--this was the only bathing suit in her size at H&M two days ago.
She screamed the ENTIRE time. I have NO idea why.
We made it to two minutes of the parade just so I could get a picture of her. Kyle made sure that I got one of her crying as to accurately represent our ill-fated outing.

I think we all learned an important lesson today...

The Bubble Solution

2011-06-30T16:57:00.000-07:00

You know how 99.9% of bubbles are crap? Well....these are the solution. Available at Target, Walmart, Michael's, etc.
Thank me later.

Imagination Playground

2011-06-29T15:45:00.000-07:00

I read this article in The New Yorker while Ada was still a baby. I was all excited for her to grow up so we could go visit. Well...I have to say, it was a little bit of a letdown--sort of anti-climatic. Fascinating idea though. Here's an excerpt:

Imagination Playground is a breakthrough playspace concept conceived and designed by architect David Rockwell to encourage child-directed, unstructured free play. With a focus on loose parts, Imagination Playground offers a changing array of elements that allows children to constantly reconfigure their environment and to design their own course of play. Giant foam blocks, mats, wagons, fabric and crates overflow with creative potential for children to play, dream, build and explore endless possibilities.

Hmmm...maybe we can blame it on the beating sun and lack of shade? Or that famous architects should just stick with buildings? Or I had it too built up in my head for it to possibly hold up? Who knows. But Ada was definitely bored to death until they pulled out the blocks and turned on the water. Then she was good to go.

Where's Ada?

Yes--that is a 400 year old boat in the background.

Giant blocks.

It was fun to walk around our old neighborhood and see all the changes. Plus, eating lunch at my favorite pizza place helped the slight sting of disappointment.

Blueberries on the Beach + a Video

2011-06-28T13:27:00.000-07:00

We couldn't get her out of that dang water. It got old.

Cheap Art

2011-06-26T14:54:00.000-07:00

Photoshop people. This will be going up on one of our many blank walls.

Old Lady Ada

2011-06-25T17:56:00.000-07:00

Ada chilling on the beach house porch in Cape May.

Happy Faces

2011-06-22T11:51:00.000-07:00

This was us taking a break from the beach at the wild bird preserve over the weekend.

Ada was more interested in the rocks than anything else. Serious treasures.

A long road ahead. She of course walked the entire way.

She caught a glimpse of the ocean and threw an epic fit when she realized we weren't going swimming. Very appropriate for a quiet bird reserve.

Picturesque.

The long road back.

Pop-Up Piano

2011-06-21T17:10:00.000-07:00

High Line...Again...and Rainbow City

2011-06-21T11:29:00.001-07:00

Today was the perfect example of how no other city could possibly compare to NYC. We headed back to the High Line with a few friends to check out Phase 2.

there was more of this...

and this...

we stumbled upon a random (and kind of annoying) story time...

and finished up at Rainbow City (an art installation celebrating the new phase)...

Next up today? Tracking down a pop-up pian o in our neighborhood and letting Ada pound away.

Beat that.

Cape May

2011-06-20T14:57:00.000-07:00

Here's Ada looking slightly (but not too) sun-kissed.

We just got back from a long weekend in Cape May. It was nice, though as Kyle pointed out (while in for the night, watching a movie at the beach house at 8pm), "vacationing with kids kind of sucks".
More to come.

She Speaks!

2011-06-16T09:51:00.000-07:00

Not really. Though contrary to what this video portrays, she really can say "taxi". Strange that she can say that but can't/won't say "daddy" (even though she could 6 months ago). She doesn't seem to be building her vocabulary--she'll pick stuff up for a few days and then never say it again. I'm afraid it's off to speech therapist we go unless she starts a rash of speech in the next two months. GO!!

Ada in Nolita

2011-06-13T13:00:00.000-07:00

But really just more pictures of her on a playground (though it was technically in Nolita). I think I'm going to be over this whole picture taking/blogging thing until Ada grows up a little. How do you take pictures of a kid in constant motion? It's not like you can get an interesting shot of her on a gritty NYC street corner (bc that is my ultimate photography goal. j/k)--she would just run into oncoming traffic. My options are limited--parks or playgrounds, where she can run wild and I can be that annoying mom with a camera around her neck. And forget about her EVER looking at the camera--it just doesn't happen. So...I'm over it for now.

Tuckered Out

2011-06-08T16:03:00.000-07:00

This is how you know Ada had another successfully active day. We've been spending all day, every day outside. Not sure what we are going to do tomorrow in the 100 degree heat...lots of sweating I guess.

Today

2011-06-04T16:05:00.000-07:00

This was us trying to chase down the Wafels and Dinges truck. It wasn't where it said it would be. I might have to send an angry email.

I took these in our den (i.e. no light), using our new bounce flash (thanks PJ!!). Still trying to figure it out.

Highline Revisited

2011-06-02T11:54:00.000-07:00

Besides the wind, it was a perfect day for this.

Simon and Ada

Making friends with older kids again. How do I prevent Ada from being a scavenger when everyone gives her food?

Umbrella

2011-06-01T18:07:00.000-07:00

I snapped these on my phone during our walk down Riverside Park (at 7:30am!!!) Apparently, Ada now wakes up at 6:30am. I'm hoping that this is a very short phase.

Bronx Zoo

2011-05-31T12:53:00.000-07:00

We were there Saturday morning. My favorite pictures from the day don't even have anything to do with the zoo. We'll just say the long subway ride to actual animal sightings ratio was fairly low.

Too.Many.Pictures

2011-05-28T19:14:00.000-07:00

Photo dump. I love too many of these.

On the way out of town. No worries--that's a pretzel.

She's hugging me! Her own idea! This is a big deal!! (crotch shot--but with a bathing suit, so I 'm not counting it).

So much for editing...

Kite On the Beach

2011-05-27T15:53:00.000-07:00

We went to the beach today. I took way too many pictures (and love most of them). The Hipstamatic is back due to me not wanting to commit camera murder (I've heard too many horror stories of cameras on the beach to risk it).

Hmmm....what else? We learned that we could totally do a beach vacation with Ada (Florida Keys-- here we come). I thought the day would be a disaster, but Ada enjoyed every second of it. Until it was time to leave. Epic fit, even though her legs were blue from the freezing cold water. Child would have gone swimming on her own if left to her own devices.

I've got a million more pictures. I'll try to be good at editing myself in the next post.

Ada--The Diviner

2011-05-26T12:32:00.000-07:00

She's surely calling down some hellfire and damnation. Or maybe just rain...

Touching stuff.

The typical camera angle--her running away from me for the millionth time.

So little.

Bronx Botanical Garden

2011-05-25T13:35:00.000-07:00

Beautiful, Beautiful (But maybe too big? The Brooklyn one is definitely more manageable). All Ada wanted to do was climb on rocks. Oh--and run away from me, laughing maniacally.

Ada of the skinned knees.

More pics to come.

2011-05-24T10:01:00.000-07:00

We've been super-boring. This is the best I've got.

Brilliant

2011-05-22T14:01:00.000-07:00

Kyle's former boss brought these over for Ada last night. Brilliant idea. There are so many little kid things I don't even know exist. Kind of daunting.

This is the best $15 we've spent in awhile (the Ikea special). We might need to expand her set soon.

Slides

2011-05-19T17:37:00.000-07:00

It didn't rain this afternoon. We made it outside. I took some pictures.
Also--Ada's nose is starting to change. I guess this is part of growing up?

More of Me

2011-05-18T17:17:00.000-07:00

Classic

Proof that my mother made giant babies (that grew up to be tiny humans)

My mother was/is gorgeous

Only my father could pull off that receding hairline (at like age 25!!)