Morning Playtime

If you could see me huddled in the corner, desperately clutching my cup of coffee, you'd have an accurate representation of our house at 5:30am...

Grandma and Governors Island

My mom's in town, and today we hit Governors Island for the second Jazz Age Lawn Party of the year. After a crazy adventure actually finding each other on the island (apparently it helps if the ferry drops you off at your intended location), we had a pretty relaxing afternoon watching the lovely people wander around in their fancy outfits. The highlight of the day may have been finding Water Taxi Beach, which we will be visiting again very soon. Sand? Beer? Plastic multi-color palm trees? How can you go wrong?

Big News in the Tiny Apartment

When Brian and I started this blog we purposely chose not to call it "Ellie's Blog" or something similar. Our thinking was that we didn't know how long we would continue to update with just baby news, and that as our life and interests expanded we didn't want to worry about having a blog name that might not quite reflect reality.

I love it when a plan comes together. Suffice it to say that the Tiny Apartment is about to get a whole lot tinier.

Ellie's going to be a Big Sister! (That sound you hear is my head exploding.)

Introducing Baby #2...

Due March 14, 2011.

We Survived!

After what can only be described as the Week From Hell, Ellie slept through the night last night, woke with a smile, and drank her bottle this morning. Hello, light at the end of the tunnel? Nice to meet you!

Fun Weekend, Then Not So Fun

So, this weekend we all went down to Pennsylvania to visit with Brian's friend Kara, her husband Ken, and their two little girls Maggie and Lucy. Seriously, check out how cute these two are:

On Sunday we went to Longwood Gardens and spent a few hours wandering the greenhouses and checking out the enormous lily pads and plants that move when you touch them. Apparently they grow like weeds and I think they're plotting to take over the world.

We knew Ellie wasn't at her best on Sunday, and chalked it up to teething and traveling. But by the time we got home Sunday night she was officially sick. Fever, crying, not eating, not sleeping, the whole enchilada. A doctor's visit on Monday brought a diagnosis of Mouth/Hand/Foot Disease, which essentially means she's miserable for a week and then will be better. But for that week she is contagious, and distraught, and can't be in daycare. Poor Monkey...She's so unhappy and uncomfortable and I hate that I can't snap my fingers and make her all better.

I've stayed home with her yesterday and today, and Brian will stay home with her tomorrow. Then we'll flip for Thursday. And hopefully Little E will be feeling better by then. It breaks my heart to see her so miserable...

Creepy Carousels

I love carousels, I really do, and who hasn't fantasized about their carousel horse coming to life and taking off across fields and meadows a la Mary Poppins? But after a lifetime of Lost Boys, Something Wicked This Way Comes, and Strangers On A Train, I can't help being a bit creeped out by them too. Creeped out in an enjoyable way, I guess, but backwards time machines, vampire hangouts, and murderous runaways have definitely tinged their innocence.

Still, I put on my brave cap today and took Ellie on her first carousel ride today. I think she dug it.

P.S. This post should be accompanied by this music. Enjoy.
"To The Shock of Miss Louise" from The Lost Boys Soundtrack

Bathing Beauty

First Pigtails

I took a sick day today but still sent E to daycare so I could catch up on some much needed sleep. This is how she came home. Some things are just too ridiculous.

DimSum and Chocolate Cake

Dad, Kathy, and Genny came to visit on Sunday, so we hooked up with Mei-Lam, Ron, Emily and Jason for DimSum in Sunset Park. Hot damn, I love me some DimSum. Ellie was a total trooper and ate everything off Brian's chopsticks. Being too young to wonder what you're eating is a real advantage. She even made the usually taciturn waiters crack a smile...

Then it was back to the Tiny Apartment for chocolate birthday cake for dad and Kathy. Ellie was very impressed and would like chocolate cake for breakfast. Every day. Me too.

Dance Party

...Brian's off at 6 Flags (more flags, more fun!), so Ellie and I are left to our own devices. Apparently this is what happens. I think she's auditioning to be a Knicks dancer.

Nobody Puts Baby in the Corner*

*except Baby, apparently...

Getting stuck in corners is the tragic byproduct of only knowing how to crawl backwards.

Franken-Fish

A picture just because this shirt cracks me up. Thanks, Amy!

We were chilling in the backyard this morning taking some pictures of the crazy tree that's blooming back there. (It's amazing how much time you have in the morning when someone gets up at 4am.) I don't know what kind of tree it is, but someday, when we have a house of our own? I want one.

Mountain House Girls Weekend

This weekend I left Ellie and Brian in Brooklyn and headed to the Catskills with Lucy, Jeanine, and Melissa. Melissa has this amazing Mountain House with an outdoor hot tub, fire pit, 4-wheeler, and the most fabulous views. Sure, I missed the family, but it's good to get away. We hit the local farmers' market and pretty much cooked all weekend. Yep, nothing to complain about here!