Surf's up

We finally made it to the beach today to cap off a wonderful Memorial Day weekend with the family. Since mom hasn't been feeling great, we decided to head out later in the day just to give everyone enough time to rest up. It was a good plan since Elisa enjoyed her morning out shopping with her grandpa, aunt and cousin and we still had time for a long nap and bite of lunch at home. Then we hit the waves at Onslow Beach on base at Camp Lejeune and it seemed that the crowds were mostly leaving as we pulled in this afternoon. Elisa still has no fear of the ocean and would charge right out there in the waves if she wasn't restrained. It's crazy to watch her complete fearlessness. Please, child, have SOME fear. I swear. Was I like this? Was Nacho? I wish I knew. But then again, I'm pretty sure Elisa is cut from a different cloth all together. She giggles and shrieks while kicking up water and seems to like the sand in her toes as much as her mama. I can't wait til she's even bigger and can really frolic in the water. It's going to be so much fun. We didn't get in and swim with her today but we had a nice time just getting our feet wet. Hopefully the next beach time we can splash around with Papa. We missed him (and the extra set of hands) today.

Family time

Our week in North Carolina coincided with Nacho's attempt to visit Spain to see his uncle who has recently been through surgery. We flew down here last Tuesday and Nacho made it over to Madrid on Friday morning which means we'll be apart for a good 10 days or so while we're both off visiting family. It's hard for me to know that Elisa spends days and days away from him, since I know how much she loves her Papa but we've been very lucky that she seems to transition to his comings and goings with relative ease. She doesn't cry when he leaves and she always welcomes him home with a big smile and hugs. For Nacho too, the absences are tough and he often remarks on her changes after just a few nights away from home. It's easy to see all the new things she is doing when you have those fresh eyes.

Mia plays photographer with my camera and gets a good shot.

Elisa practices her rodeo show with Mia's stuffed animal.
Elisa chases after her cousin shouting "Go! Go!" and running wildly.

Grandma enjoys some quiet time with her two girls as Elisa devours a quart of blueberries.
Band Hero gives us all a chance to express ourselves although Elisa takes center stage with her crazy tired dancing.

Finally, a tired girl collapses in the lap of her cousin.

For my sister's family, the absence of Mark during his third deployment overseas is more than a casual nuisance. It's been a hole in their family for five months now. The good news is that he is due home some time in August so they are over the halfway point and counting down the weeks. But soon after, they will be off on a new adventure to California so we are glad to be here now to enjoy their last summer in North Carolina. Spending time together makes missing Nacho and Mark a bit easier, I think. There is a sense of unity in this group and that was all too apparent as we played Band Hero last night in Jordan's room. Taking turns singing and playing guitar while we all shouted out lyrics was a good way to bond. Nothing like Grandma's rendition of the classic ballad "American Pie" to ensure that these youngins know their folk rock. Yes, family time is important. It reinforces all those bonds that are there when we need them most.

Waterworld

Seeing Elisa splash around in the backyard pool at Grandma's house today proved once and again that the kid likes water. She took a little time to get used to the depth and size of it, but then she started to kick and walk through the water. She even mastered the art of lounging in an inner tube (after copying her cousin Mia's cool demeanor). It was a nice distraction on a hot afternoon and I think Elisa might be pestering us again soon to let her play. She didn't mind going without a diaper and only once did I feel like she might be letting something slip when she playfully shouted "pee pee!" as she poured water slowly from a cup. Um, yeah. So, we've been talking more about the potty lately and she's been following me in nearly every trip to watch me pee. She wants to actually see me pee which makes for good viewing, folks. The fact that she thought of pee pee as she poured water kind of made me laugh and then it made me check for a warm current near my feet. Ah, yes, the things we do for love. But I really hope Elisa develops a fondness for all things aquatic. I remember swimming and making up games in the pool every summer and just practicing my underwater Olympics ballet routines as a kid. Yes, it was a sport I improvised. I so wanted to be a mermaid that I guess that was close enough. Now I just hope this girl is part mermaid too. That way we can swim together some day and look for fish off the coast or just jump in the waves. Water is so freeing. What's not to like?

Rain, rain go away

I was glad to be out of the city yesterday when I heard about the 90+ degree temps and knew our A/C units were still sitting in the closets. At least here in NC, we're enjoying some cooler weather. And rain. Did I mention the rain? I have to say it didn't really ruin the day since we were inside while princess napped for 3 hours anyway. But the way it comes pouring down and goes softly away, then comes again, well, it can be exhausting to watch the rinse and repeat all day long. Just when you think it's gone, there it is again. So we played in the yard for a few minutes before the misty rain returned and Elisa loved sloshing through the grass. This city girl definitely loves her outdoors. And I have to admit, it was nice to be able to let her out in the yard without packing up snacks, drinks and the stroller with everything we might need for a run to the park. Opening the back door was so much easier.

Summer begins...

Memorial Day weekend is always a great time to visit my family. Not only is it the official beginning of summer, but since my mom's birthday falls on the 30th, we usually get to hang out and celebrate with some quality beach time and good food. This year, we thought we would start a few days early, so we flew down to North Carolina yesterday. The gray skies and rain awaiting us didn't put a damper on our mood. In fact, Elisa was more than happy to run around in the rain with her cousin Mia. The girls are amazing together. Elisa cannot get enough of her cousin and never stops smiling in her presence. With more words in her vocabulary this time, she was able to communicate her wants a little better: "up" "here" "sit." And the hugs and delirious laughter was pretty funny to watch. We found out yesterday that it's very likely my sister's family will be moving in the fall to California for the remaining two years of Mark's Marine Corps service. While we know the time will fly and the move will be bittersweet, we are also excited for them to be together more as a family. They have waited so long and endured so much for this chance to be whole again. So for now, we are going to enjoy the first summer visit and soak up all the cousin time we can. Because you can never have enough.

Where to begin?

**Yes, that is Elisa licking her finger after wiping moisturizer on herself. Mmmmm, Kiehl's tastes good.

I love photographing Elisa when she's just running around the house or jumping on our bed. It's the downtime with her when I find myself really loving her personality. Of course, when I have to go somewhere or do something requiring a bit of time and/or patience, it can be a different story. No matter how much playtime we have some days, she still wants that undivided attention in the most inconvenient times. I try to distract her and sneak off to get whatever it is ready, but there are moments that we butt heads and my, oh my are those fun. I've been trying to talk through her tantrums lately by telling her what's up next, i.e. that we are going "to the park" or it's "time to eat" but she's not exactly getting those ideas. It's still usually easier when there is some immediate gratification like "snaaaack" or "baba." As we ran errands this afternoon, I thought I would reward our good behavior (yes, hers AND mine) with a little treat at my favorite bakery, La Marjolaine. As she waited in the stroller for the woman to wrap up our pastries, Elisa spied the dessert case and had a look. "Choc-ate!" she shouted. Um, yeah, that's my kid. She's got a vocabulary of 30 words and one of them is chocolate. Go figure.

Yo Gabba Gabba Live!

Did I mention I got tickets for the YGG show in October at Radio City Music Hall? Yeah, I'm a sucker.

Taking charge

Lately, I've been trying to incorporate Elisa in more activities around the house. As in, things I need to do anyway so why not let her help. I'll admit that sometimes it's just asking her to do the things I'm too lazy for (can you bring me the remote? can you put this paper in the trash?) but sometimes I actually try to let her work on something she might enjoy. So far, she loves washing her hands in the sink and rinsing the dishes for me. It's a win/win since both need to get clean. Now if I could only get her to do the laundry...

Brooklyn baby

Yesterday we popped out for a quick trip to Carroll Gardens in Brooklyn to do some shopping and maybe get a growler or two of beer (Nacho's latest fascination). It didn't take long to remind me why I love living in Queens. Brooklyn is, well, how do you describe it? Trendy? Popular? Too hip for its own good? For sure, the baby boom is overwhelming in some places. I thought our parks were crowded and then we ventured into one that left me almost hyperventilating it was so full. There were moms in skinny jeans with no trace of baby bulge competing for parking space with their SUV strollers. It was the baby-as-fashion-accessory kind of parenting that I've come to really loathe about this city. The strollers are designed more to accommodate mom's latte and shopping bags than the baby. And as much as I try to refrain from judging--I mean it is oddly fascinating to watch--I just don't feel a kindred spirit with these kinds of perfectly pedicured moms.

So why all this bitching? I guess it's easy to see how other people live when you are all sharing the same parks and sidewalks and markets. As much as I love city life, it is dense and there is no mistaking the fact that being a parent here is a new ball game. It's easy to make comparisons and to wonder if you are doing things right or if your kid is missing out. Nobody wants to feel their kid is getting the shaft. But when I come home to our neighborhood and I talk to my gaggle of Sunnymoms, I feel like we are so much closer to having the same values. It feels like these women are dealing with the same experiences and coming to the same solutions as I am. And there is no artifice. Finding that in New York City has been a salvation of sorts. It's what makes me thankful to enjoy my little day trips exploring other neighborhoods and glad to come home to Sunnyside where I know I have the space to be myself.

East Sidin' it

We played at the park early this morning, so after Elisa's nap we were ready to hit the city and enjoy the nearly 80 degree day. Nacho's two days off mean we almost have a "weekend" in the midst of the weekday hubbub which is great for eating out and enjoying a little family stroll through the Lower East Side. We also met up with my friend Marija who introduced us to a new coffee place (Gimme!) and in turn finally got to meet Elisa. I still remember the day I told Marija I was pregnant and we both laughed about how long it feels and yet the time has flown by. She's been living in the U.S. for several years now and I know New York is a better place for it. Marija is one of those people that empathizes with every pore of her being and she knows how to listen. I think we all need a friend like that. Plus, she's funny. And one of the most charismatic women I know. It's nice to talk to her and explore the city with someone who clearly loves it as much as I do.

Walking through the streets of the LES, I was really struck by how much art is all around us. It's an area of the city that I feel like I rediscover every time I pass through and that's part of the appeal. The old tenements are amazing, the little shops and cafes so welcoming and I never feel like an outsider there. We made an early dinner at La Esquina our last stop on the walk and by that time, Elisa was ready to get out and stroll some herself. Luckily, the plaza just opposite the food stand has a few benches to dine on and pigeons worth chasing. The perfect formula for eating in peace while a toddler roams. Well, almost. It did take a bit of chasing her down and I guess food wasn't high on her priorities tonight. But I enjoyed my dinner--a familiar favorite of chicken torta and roasted corn with a tamarind soda. And sometimes, that's all that matters.

Twenty One

Sometimes I don't know whether it makes sense to count in months anymore. Elisa turned 21 months old this week and it feels easier to just say she'll be two in August. August which is right around the corner now. I don't know if it's true for everyone, but summer always seems to fly by for me, and that feels especially pronounced now that I'm watching Elisa enjoy her first real summer as a kid. Last year was the summer that wasn't because minding a baby when all you want to do is sit and relax and have a beer, well, it just wasn't possible. The crawling thing really annoyed me after about two weeks, so I'm much happier thinking about Elisa running around all over the parks and backyards this year. Walking on grass is so much better than eating it. I also keep thinking that we'll be off to Spain soon, and then *blink* and it will be fall and then Christmas, and then...oh, my! I have to slow my brain down. It's going too fast.

Maybe it's just a day like today when I was absolutely living minute to minute and somehow enjoying that feeling of now, that it catches me by surprise. I'm seeing my daughter grow up. It's happening. And I'm here to make her laugh and watch her get mad, and see her try new food and hear her say new words. And oh, what words she's learning...we have favorite phrases now! "I got it" and "Catch it" and "All gone." It's like her brain is sprouting new leaves and I want to prune them all and keep them in my pocket to cherish them. It's sappy, but true. I sometimes challenge myself by going back and watching videos of her as a newborn, just to see if I'll still flinch at the thought of all that colicky turmoil. It was a dark time in my life. The darkest, if you must know. But out of that came so much light. And the cool thing is, it only gets brighter with time.

Rainy day madness

A tea party at 4 p.m. on a rainy day? Why yes, thank you very much! We spent most of the day bouncing off the walls, so this was a welcome chance to get out of the apartment and play with friends. The girls are really fun to watch with all their personalities (plus!) on display. Elisa didn't like Birdie tapping her on the head, so she waited about 3 minutes and then tapped her back. Vindictive much? I guess it's all par for the course, but I don't know whether to scold or laugh sometimes. At least Ella is the calm one. Even with her shrieking and clamoring for more "banana cake," she was happy to host and never got grabby. Elisa on the other hand has never met a toy that wasn't hers. Sigh. Of course they all wanted to hang out in the cozy kitchen instead of the roomy living room with all the toys. What is it about kids that they always flock to the one spot you want them out of? I guess it's nice to see that they all do it. And really, that's what playdates are about. Seeing that you are not alone in the craziness. Now that--and a cup of tea--I can savor.

Testing the limits

As promised, here are some pics of our delicious lunch in K-town today. We met up with Joon, a friend of mine from my last job, and it was great to see a familiar face and catch up on what we've missed. Six months have passed since I saw her and a lot has changed. We're both in new phases of our lives and it feels good to be free from the past. The relief was palpable. And the food! Did I mention it was all good and Elisa chomped away on mushrooms and broccoli? Yum. I wasn't brave enough for some of the entrees Joon suggested, but I've made a pact with Nacho that I will take him there and remember to order some of the dishes she described. I did try the little fried sardines and they were way salty and (as expected) pretty fishy. But it's nice to have the variety and Elisa sure wasn't missing out.

Afterwards, we wandered a bit and shopped in the heart of Herald Square. It's such a maddeningly busy area of town during the day that I felt almost like holing up inside the stores and not coming out until dark. But we were tempted back outside by the lure of Pinkberry just a block away, so off we went. I finally tried it topped with mochi (little gummy rice bits) that were divine. Elisa ate most of Joon's and mine too. Then she threw her spoon across the room. Ah, yeah. The temper. It reared it's head a few times today with fussy little outbursts, but I tried to keep rolling with things. It's hard to know when to draw the line sometimes, and when to just keep the momentum moving forward. As in, away from the drama she is creating. I worry that I'm too nonchalant about certain things, but sometimes the crazy toddler moment just passes and you realize it wasn't a "teaching moment" after all. I fully believe in the "pick your battles" approach to parenthood, but right now it's hard to know if these battles are part of a larger war I should be taking a stand against, or just the havoc that I should expect when this mostly non-verbal kid gets overly tired and cranked. Joon was great throughout and helped steer Elisa back to sanity when she was veering off course. And Elisa did manage to hang on for the ride home and was happy playing around for a little while. But by 7:00 p.m., she wanted her bed and nothing else. An early night to cap off the day of running around? Fine by me.