Brooklyn Snow

 We snapped a few photos on the way to the pediatrician's office yesterday.  I love how pretty Brooklyn looks on the day after a big snowstorm, before all the dirt and grit ruins the snow. 

6 Month Update

We had Zadie's 6 month check up today.  It was my favorite visit to the pediatrician to date.  We talked about all the great foods we can give to our little Z and had tons of questions answered.

Q:  Can babies be allergic to cats and dogs?
A:  No.  Babies don't develop allergies until they are two years old.  Looks like we get to keep Iz for another 2 years without worry.  Yay!

Q:  Can we feed her beans, yogurt, hummus, oil, butter, spices, citrus?
A:  Yes.  We are SO excited to start making some more interesting food for Zadie.  Don't worry, we'll be careful not to overdo it.  We are going to start small, maybe make a little carrot ginger puree.

Q:  How often should we feed Zadie?
A:  The goal is to feed her three times a day, but start with two.  Tomorrow morning Zadie and I are going to share some greek yogurt for breakfast.  I think she's going to love it. 

6 Month Stats
Weight:  14 lb 2 oz - 14 percentile (what a skinny mini!  doctor gold said it's okay, but we're going to start feeding her solids twice a day starting tomorrow)
Height:  28.3 inches - 97 percentile
Head Size:  41.9 cm - 31 percentile

She now enjoys playing by herself. 

She taught herself to sit up on her own.  She's so very proud of herself.  I love it. 

She made her way to the edge of the rug, sat up, and smiled. 

Then she discovered her sock.  She played with this thing for 25 minutes, I kid you not.  She was laughing up a storm and so was I.

She played with this thing for 25 minutes, I kid you not.  She was laughing up a storm and so was I.

Eco-Friendly Boxes Arrived Today

I'm so happy I found these great storage boxes for Zadie's room.  They are perfect for storing toys, 100% recyclable, and 100% biodegradable.  Kids can also sit on them.  They hold up to 100 lbs.  Now, if I can only convince the cat these aren't for her. 

Snowy Day

Another snowy day in New York.  I'm sipping coffee and watching the snow fall while our little dove naps.  It's pretty much a perfect winter morning.  We're expecting 6 to 8 inches today, hopefully our pediatrician's appointment won't be canceled. 

A Fear Comes True

I have a lot of fears when it comes to Zadie.  Fear of her swallowing something she shouldn't, fear of her not getting a good education, fear of her getting her heart broken one day, and many many more.  Well, today, one of my fears came true.  Zadie rolled off the bed onto our hardwood floor.  I screamed, Zadie screamed, but I think my scream may have been louder.  I had just taken her out of her warm bunting and the baby bjorn and had her on the bed.  I left her there for a split second while I hung her bunting up in her nursery.  I heard her hit the floor.  I ran over in a flash and scooped her up in my arms even before she started crying.  Poor little thing.  I was so angry at myself for leaving her and letting this happen.  She is okay.  Not even a bump on her head, but my god, it could have been so much worse.  I held her for as long as she wanted - all day.  She snuggled against my chest, she cooed, smiled and even laughed.  I think I needed it more that she did.  My little dove, I promise to never leave you on the bed alone again.  That's a pinky swear. 

6 Months Old

Dear Zadie,
Six months ago today I held you in my arms for the first time and instantly fell madly in love and became a new woman - a mother.  I view the world through different eyes, I love more, I care more, I have more strength, hope, and optimism.   You're an amazing little girl, sweet Zadie and I love you with all my heart.  Happy 6 month birthday baby girl. 

Awesome stuff you are doing right now

You smile ALL THE TIME.  You wake up smiling, you smile at everyone you meet, you smile when your Daddy or Mommy walk into the room, you smile when you eat, and even when you bathe.  Every smile melts my heart.  I never get tired of them.  Ever.  I dream, hope, pray that you stay this happy.  Forever. 

You squeak, giggle, coo, and huff & puff when you're excited, my little dove.  It's so funny and adorable.  What a silly girl you are.

You love to roll all over the place.  You're not quite crawling yet, but you still manage to get where you want to be.  You roll, spin, kick, push, but no real crawling.  This week, you love to go under the coffee table.  I move you away, and in two minutes, you go back again.  You certainly are a determined little girl. 

You are eating like a pro.  You've had green beans, sweet potatoes, sweet peas, rice cereal, and avocado.  You like them all, but really love the sweet potatoes the most.

You love to be out and about so we take you all around the city.  You've been to the MoMA, the Brooklyn Museum of Art, the International Center of Photography, The National Museum of the American Indian, The Morgan Library, The Botanical Garden in DC, The Baltimore Aquarium, The Brooklyn Historical Society,  The Fashion Institute of Technology, The New Museum, The Menil Collection, The Rothko Chapel, and a few art openings.  At this rate, you could be an art critic by the time you're four. 

You sleep on your belly with your little butt up in the air, or on your side.  You also like to sleep in and usually get up around 8:15 or 8:30. 

You are a social little girl and do well with other babies. 

Nicknames

From Mommy - Honey Bear, Turtle Dove or dovie, Monkey, Sweetheart
From Daddy - Corporal Stinkington, Monkey Pot-Pie, Sweet little Muffin

Playing in her crib

Zadie playing with her current favorite toy.

Little Update

I decided I needed a return to the old me.  Hello dark hair and bangs - I've missed you!  It feels good to look like my old self again.  Little Z is wearing one of her new vintage dresses.  I just love how adorable she looks.  We were both in a good mood all day.  She napped for a while, we played, sang, read, danced around, took a long walk and met with a real estate agent.  For those of you who don't know, Doug accepted a job in New York City and will be moving to the city in February.  We are so excited!  We are helping him find an apartment.  So far, no luck, but I have a good feeling he'll find something just right. 

White Bean and Spinach Stew

I managed to cook another delicious meal last night.  Hooray!  This cooking thing isn't half bad after all.  I chose an easy recipe from a cooking blog my friend recommended, Smitten Kitchen.  It called for Swiss Chard, but I used spinach instead since it seemed less intimidating.  The stew was healthy, super easy, and fun to make. 

I topped it off with a fried egg (it called for a poached egg) and served it with a nice baguette from the local market.  

My very first apron.  I'm really taking this cooking resolution seriously.  

Zadie had some more sweet potatoes.  As you can see, she wasn't too thrilled about it. 

Oh So Cute

Posing for the camera

Smiles galore!  If you look closely, you can see her two bottom teeth.

Sweet Potato Puree

We bought some sweet potatoes from the local farmer's market and whipped up a sweet potato puree for little Z.  She didn't like it.  She was confused and annoyed and kept backing away from the spoon during her first feeding.  The second try was today and she did much better.  Even seemed to enjoy the taste, but she's still getting used to the texture.  I'm so proud of her.  She did such a great job. 

New Year's Resolutions

My New Year's resolutions are simple this year, learn how to cook and read more.  Now that I'm a 'stay at home' mother, it's time I learn how to cook.  My role as super housewife extraordinaire will finally be complete.   I will be cooking at least one meal per week in order to master the art.  This week was my first week and I made my own version of Rosemary Chicken.  I say my own version because I accidentally use Thyme instead of Rosemary.  Luckily, Thyme goes well with chicken.  It was very easy (a big thanks to Doug for recommending Marcella Hazan's recipe).  The chicken was accompanied by roasted brussel sprouts and a tossed salad.  Now, what to make next week?  I'm thinking stews, soups, or a pot pie.  Any suggestions?


As for reading, I thought I would have more time to read now that I'm home with Zadie.  Boy, was I wrong!  I used to read a book or three a month.  I have yet to complete a book since Zadie's been born.  Right now I'm reading Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro and am really enjoying it.  Also reading Nowhere Man by Aleksander Hemon.  This has been on my bedside table for a year.  And lastly, I'm in the middle of The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson.  I read this one in bed because it's on my iphone kindle which means I don't have to turn on the bedroom light.  Perfect for when I can't fall back asleep after feeding Zadie at 3am.  I have two other books I borrowed from friends that I'm dying to read too.  So, this will be a challenge.  A challenge I'm going to enjoy.  


What are you resolutions?  I would love to hear them.  


love,
j

Holiday Party

I held a little holiday get together/play date for the art lover moms I visit museums with.  It was delightful, but I learned a few things.  

• walking babies can and will get into everything you don't want them too
• we need to seriously babyproof our place - apparently hairbands around doorknobs do not work. 
• hardwood floors and babies aren't the greatest match.  we need a large rug, stat. 
• Zadie can sleep through anything when she's tired.  she missed the majority of the party

Linzer cookies, handmade by yours truly.  

the spread I provided - yes, that's the Homboldt Fog cheese you see in white.  I'm obsessed with it and use every occasion as an excuse to indulge in it's lusciousness. 

Christmas

We had an amazing Christmas, I mean AMAZING!  We spent a relaxing week in Baltimore at Chez Louise and Doug.  Zadie was a dream the entire time.  She smiled on cue, cooed, laughed and giggled, and looked as sweet as should could possibly look.  She makes Nate and I look like the best parents in the world.  Here are some of the highlights from our visit.

5 Months Old

Before the holidays, our little dove turned 5 months old and sprouted her first tooth.  It amazes me how different she is every month.  It makes me appreciate each and every tiny little moment I have with her all the more.  As you can see in the photo, she's a little grumpy here.  She got mad because I wouldn't let her eat the sign.