August 26, 2010

Ellie at 7 months

Yes, for those of you who keep track of such things, you are correct - Ellie is actually just over 8 months old now.  But I never shared her big photo shoot for month 7, and believe me - you'll be glad I didn't let you miss this cuteness.

If you will recall, 6 month Eleanor was all about sitting up.  Well now she has a new trick to show you.

Go ahead Ellie, show them.

No, actually her trick is not giving inquisitive looks - though she is good at that too.




It's crawling!  She can really scoot with the best of them now.  This new mobile Ellie is much harder to photograph, but super fun to watch.  She finds something she wants and she really goes for it!  Here are a few more things about Eleanor at 7 months: 

She still has the most beautiful deep eyes I've ever seen.

She remains a wee little thing - barely in the third percentile.
She spends most of her day chasing fuzz balls around the apartment.
She would gladly eat paper and fuzz all day if I let her.
She smiles at EVERYONE.
Seriously, we can't get anywhere on time because strangers stop me on the street to play with her.
Her favorite song is still Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
She loves to go swimming at the public pool.

And she has a new favorite toy!
Goodbye bendy straw, hello tiny-stuffed-creature-from-Ikea-with-the-most-ridiculously-large-tags.
He's the little guy being crushed underneath her in this photo.

Eleanor is obsessed with tags, so this toy is really the best thing ever.
She examines him carefully.
  She relishes his absurdly tag-y physique.
She chews on his perfectly squishy head.
On rare occasions I find her thinking intently about just how much force it would really take to rip his head from his teeny tiny body.
But usually she's content to just frolic with him.
Sometimes she likes to pose for a commemorative photo with him.
The issues surrounding why he dresses in purple and white polka dots and carries a purse will have to be addressed in a separate post.

He has tags - and that's enough for her.

And just as a public service announcement, 7 month old Ellie and I would like to remind you that it's never too early to start reading to your child.
A bookworm already - warms my heart.

August 18, 2010

Dear Ever Changing Water Temperature,

Really, it's not funny anymore.
Sure, it was cute at first - one of the quirks of our apartment in the big city.
Showers used to be adventurous.
Now they are arduous.

If you want to be hot, be hot!
I'd prefer you not be cold, but at least it would be consistent.
The back and forth - it's too much for my heart.
(and my hinder)

I'm serious this time.
Stop it!

Love,
Whitney


August 17, 2010

NYC Bucket List

There are so many things to do in this city.  So many things, in fact, that it becomes quite overwhelming.  To be perfectly honest, most days I don't even leave the apartment.  I simply enjoy my 5th floor view of Washington Heights and it doesn't really feel like I live in New York City.

 In case you are confused, this is not the view from my apt.

To ensure we don't waste all of our time in this amazing city, Joe and I have compiled a bucket list of items to do.  Here is a list of future adventures - experiences we're determined to have before we leave.  I'll keep you updated on each one we accomplish - photos and all.


Go to a Yankees game
Visit the flower market - nothing better than a street full of flowers and bringing some home to my table
Peruse the Brooklyn Flea Market
Tour Ellis Island
Get buns of steel - the 5 flights to our apartment should guarantee this 
Visit the Botanical Gardens in Brooklyn 
Drink frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity
Gain a greater understanding of Islam and Judaism
See as many museums as possible (and multiple times): MOMA, Met, Whitney, Natural History, Guggenheim, Dia:Beacon, and other museums yet to be discovered by us.
Can you tell how serious I am about the museum thing?
Really.  I'm serious.
Go ice skating at Rockefeller Center
Eat a lot of good Polish food
Do a lot of pleasure reading courtesy of the public library
Walk across Brooklyn Bridge 
Buy something fancy for each of us - something we probably shouldn't buy, but will always remember how special it is because we paid way too much for it in NYC.
Cruise Coney Island - I make no promises about riding anything.  Big chicken.
Continue my photography project about Deaf Culture - look into that interpreting certificate
See Wicked on Broadway - we'd like to see other shows as well, but this is THE one that cannot be missed
Rent a boat and paddle around in Central Park

These are the main attractions for us. As you can see, some of them have already been accomplished. I'm sure we could add a million other things to the list - and actually we'd love your input.  Especially you locals - what are some things we cannot miss during our New York experience?  Please submit suggestions in the comments.  We will consider each of them and possibly update the list.

Now I feel excited about living here.  This list is all about making it happen!