what a summer

We've had intense heat and humidty (the heat I've experienced growing up in Vegas, but the humidity...my god. I wouldn't wish that upon my worst enemy).  We had a earthquake a few days ago (wtf!) and now a hurricane is headed this way?  Where did we move - hell?

Sometimes it feels like it must be hell, having to endure the turmoils.  I'm not going to go on about eveything we've been thru, but I will highlight some of the key things.  Our rent being raised substantially by our greedy ass slumlord; Bedbugs (our neighbors had them and not us!); Cochraches; Ants; Mice; and Leaking Ceiling(s). Granted, things could be much worse - but being that I have never really had to directly deal with any of the mentioned, it was a bit jarring.   We are moving ahead and not looking back! Fingers crossed that the road ahead is much less bumpy.

Summertime has been lots of fun. We had a steady stream of vistors and it was fun entertaining and sightseeing.  We started off with friends from OC meeting us in Boston  (I LOVE Boston! So easy to get around with a kid) And then Bootsie visited us for 2 weeks (which came and went to fast). We went up to Hudson, NY for Memorial Day weekend (D had to stay behind and work unfort.). Then the B family came and invaded NYC!  It was tons of fun and Max sure enjoyed having all his cousins, aunt, uncles and grandparents here.  We all made a trip to Cape Cod (Wellfleet) for a week and throughly enjoyed ourselves at the beaches and ponds.  Even took Max out in a canoe on the pond. I want to go back.  After the B clan left, we had our dear friend D from London visit us for the week.  We got to go see Florence + Machine at Summerstage (and got to hang out backstage, which was rather fun!) D and I took Max to practically every museum in NYC.  

We now have no more vistors, so Max and I have been keeping busy doing other things (playdates, music classes, park, zoo, etc).

I am embarking on one of the most difficult journeys on Monday - traveling to San Francisco, with a 30 lbs, 3 foot tall Lap Infant (that means I didn't have to pay for his seat!)  Kids can fly for free up until 2 years of age. Max is not 2 until January.  We will see how the trip there is.  I can always buy a ticket for the flight back if need be.  I'm sure it will be fine. I'm looking forward to seeing my mom, family and doing some serious thrift shopping while gorging myself on authentic Mexican food.

(Here's Max in his first pair of Alexander McQueen boots - which will of course be hand-me-downs and vintage by the time he fits in them!)

x

ok Ok...its been too long my dear friend

I feel as though I am letting NYC defeat me.  We've battled lots of things - incliment weather, bad drivers, bugs, and all the assholes out there.  Now we are being forced out of our apartment as our asshole landlord is raising our monthly rent 22%. wtf.  I'm ready to throw in the towel.

Sorry for the "Debbie Downer" posting here.  Let me try to highlight the good things.  Max and I have made lots of friends here.  We have been able to lots of fun things with me not working.  Playing in the park, going to the zoo, and lunching with friends.  It has been really nice. Lots of people have come and visit, so we get to play tour guide, which is always fun as it usually means lots of drinking and eating.

We have visitors thru the end of June, so I am going to put off the inevitable until then (ie. moving)

Why hello there...I haven't seen you in awhile!

The spring is coming - I can feel it.  I haven't had to wear that hideous puffer coat, gloves and beanie in weeks and its been nice. Max and I have actually made it to the park 3 times in the past week - and he's really been enjoying himself.   I wonder if its possible that babies, errr toddlers, can grow an inch when they sleep?? Cause I swear (!) that I got Max out of his crib the other morning and he was a lot longer and heavier than whn I put his there the night before.  His jambos (Trademarked Ralph Roberts) are getting snug and they are 18 months and some are already 2T (that means 24 months, or 2 years old for those of you non-breeders)

We have been spending lots of time with Auntie M, which has been great. Max really loves to see her and she wears him out - which momma and daddy like :) The lil man has been sleeping like a champ and this recent Daylight Savings change didn't mess him up too bad. In fact, it worked an advantage for us - as he's been sleeping in til almost 9 am!! [knocking on wood, while crossing my fingers]  He was previously getting up at 6:30 am, which wasn't so bad as daddy would get up and hang out with him, letting the madre sleep.  Madre loves her sleep.  However, now that Max is snoozing in longer, it leaves little time for daddy to hang out with him in the AM.

Ok he's up from a nap - Promise to be back again soon

x

Lazy Days are here to stay...

For some reason, I can not motivate myself.  I blame this damn cold weather.  Yesteday, I worked up enough steam to take Max out for a walk, hoping to get him out of the stroller and let him run around a bit.  We went to J.J. Byrne but the park was all covered in remnants of snow and ice.  Plus it was freezing cold out, with a bitter wind.  We retreated back home. 

What parking IS worth in Park Slope...

So, I belong to the somewhat 'infamous' Park Slope Parents group. And they are infamous due to the sheer size of the group - and that some people just are haters. PSP has a platform for people to post Classified Ads - Shoes, Baby Gear, Baby Clothes, Real Estate, but a Parking spot? Yes, today a "mom" posted an ad for her parking spot...For Sale.  Anyways, I'm not going to tell you more - just let you see the actual ad...

Yes, you read right - $60,000 for a parking spot. Yes, its not unheard of Parking Spots for sale. Its just that, in this neighborhood, which is known for their beautiful Brownstones (which DO NOT have garages), it was just amazing to me that someone is selling a actual spot. As we don't have a car here, I can not know firsthand how difficult parking really is in this neighborhood.  I have heard that its not too bad though.   But would I be willing to pay 60k for the luxury of parking in the same indoor spot everyday. Hell yes.

In SF, when we bought our condo we could have bought another spot in our garage, at the time 3 years ago,  for $40k.  There was a shitload of street parking in our neighborhood and we didnt have two cars, so there was no need for a second parking spot.  So $60k for a parking spot in Park Slope seems like a pretty damn good deal.  Would I want this to happen to my car?