Teething Bites!

If this look is any indication of what the past few days have been like, it's spot on!
Serenity NOW!
Coughing and Crying!
There is an actual tear here!

It's been a rough few days around these parts, Kajsia is teething (MOLARS SUCK!). Starting Friday, she got cranky and just cried with lapses into inconsolable screams. Temperatures up to 102, she just quit eating and even going to the playground didn't help. It hasn't stopped, other than a dose here and there of Infant Motrin. Sleep, what's that? I saw every hour on the clock throughout the weekend and of course it was the one weekend where we were supposed to get an extra hour of sleep! What is a mom (30 weeks pregnant) to do?

Today we started out the morning on a decent note... she was not in the best of moods, but she wasn't screaming. She got into my bow box and shrowded herself with organza while she read. I guess it's the new substitute for a blankie! Our little bookworm was content for the first time in 5 days and then she finally went down for a morning nap. I snapped these pics quickly for blackmail later on. Good thing we don't remember what teething was like. This afternoon, she was our happy, go lucky little girl... she's back and I'm so grateful!

Stella McCartney for GapKids

Stella McCartney is on sale NOW!!!! If you or anyone you know are expecting, this is wait list worthy stuff for gifts and for the holidays. From what I hear, more is in the stores... check out this darling stuff!


hi-top sneakers

skinny jeans (check out the zippers at the ankles)

duck boots

pea coat

corduroy flutter top

She is the daughter of a famous Beatle, a fabulous fashion designer, mother of 3, eco-friendly and has a collaberation with Adidas for workout wear for women.

In her new endeavor, she's teamed up with GapKids for a special line in select stores starting today! I'm a huge fan... love the hi-top sneaks, the duck boots, skinny jeans and the cashmere leopard print sweater dress. Prices are $14-$100, it's on line and in a few stores here in NYC. Sizes from infant to 8 years old, both boys and girls.

Check it out...http://www.gap.com/

Harlem Halloween

Happy Halloween from a spooky stoop in Harlem!

She is so excited for the treats... look at those eyes?

Waving Hi before the party gets started...

Fam at the ward Halloween Party... she was not a big fan and it was hot!

A giraffe is loose on Lenox!

My baby got BACK!

At the ward party... she hated all the scary painted faces and any masks wigged her out.

This was the closest we could get to Africa with the Wildlife Photographer and his subject, the Giraffe! (it's in our lobby!)

Being such a sport with a 102 temperature... teething sucks! But at least animal crackers and chocolate help ease the pain!

We talked about going to New Mexico, but we were there last year. We talked about going to CT, but I wanted to stay in the city. Today we started our own Halloween tradition... Trick-or-Treating on Lenox Avenue! All the businesses are open and hand out candy to all the little ones (and big ones too!). It was a great family event where we could ooh and ahh over each other's little creations... everything from power rangers, princesses and witches to lions and giraffes. Our favorite stop was at Grandma's Place. It's a cute mom n' pop toyshop that I highly recommend on 120th right around the corner from Settepanni's. They had a huge panda outside welcoming all the kids into the store, treats for the kids and then Tonnie's bitesize cupcakes for the adults. It was so good, Tage took me for a real size cupcake after Kajsia fell asleep. I'll blog about that shop another day, so delish!

Kajsia was a giraffe, thanks in part to Nana. She loved it and was the cutest one on the block! She had so much junk in her trunk that it almost made walking difficult and it was just a little big, so she couldn't really see when her head was on. With a temperature of 102, teething and on a 30 minute nap we went to the ward halloween party and then took her trick-or-treating. WE've been practicing saying "treat", but had yet to get it out. So, Boo was the next best thing with blowing kisses as her thank you's to each vendor.

Tage's first attempt was to be a wildlife hunter, but hindsight is 20/20. Perhaps running around in Harlem with a fake gun on his back would have caused a disturbance. Hence, the PC and gentler decision of being a wildlife photographer. Only problem is most of the pictures taken were with my camera, so he didn't have one around his neck. He was the most handsome photographer today!

I decided a few days ago to be a little irreverent. I bought a nun costume and thought my 7 1/2 month belly could be an ironic, but hilarious addition. When I brought it home, Tage was leary. However, after some encouragement from friends I donned the outfit and was pleasantly surprised by the huge fan fare. Random people stopped us to take pics all afternoon, many asked for blessings and the barbershop around the corner the guys on the stoop started saying, "In the name of the father, and the son..." while making the sign of the cross. I blessed them all with a good haircut and a Happy Halloween~ They all got a kick out of it and then as we were leaving, he said, it's a new generation of nuns, huh? I think it was my best costume yet, thanks lil' guy for helpin' mom out this Halloween!

The Changing of the Leaves

The red tree at night... a pretty amazing shot taken by Tage!

Our "growing" family in front of Grandma Wright's amazing red tree! I'm 29 weeks in this pic.

Grandma with Kajsia! This tree is such a vibrant red, it really doesn't look real! It was given to Grandma by her mom, Grandma Lusk and it has turned into a spectacular sight.

This is from the front porch of the home... the perfect blend of green, yellow and red.

Out the back window of the car, winding down the streets of Old Lyme. I'd move there in a heartbeat, but I love the city way to much!

There is nothing more beautiful than fall on the Northeast Coast. Even though last Saturday was raining, it didn't damper the drive to CT. The trees were at the end of high peak season and every color in the autumnal palette was present. Here are a few shots taken in the car, out of the car and the best is Grandma Wright's tree in the front yard.

Here's a few shots!

Tea, The Cutest Clothing Catalog

I'm always on the lookout for something different or new. I got this catalog in the mail and felt it was important enough to blog about it. It's called "tea" for little citizens of the world. As far as style, it's Anthropologie meets Japan. Ages newborn to 8 years and is for both genders.

Darling dresses, cute japanamation prints for boys and the pj's are my fav!

Check it out:

teacollection.com or phone for a catalog at 866-374-8747

1 year ago

Her 1 year birthday dinner at Ottomanelli's tonight! Happy Birthday our little love muffin!

Kajsia opens her eyes to NYC!

Look at those lil things...

Awwwww... in the nursery. There were 22 babies born that night and she was the only one who slept. I actually had her brought into my room to stay the night so she didn't have to hear all the noise.

Just the beginning.

Vic with Kajsia. Best of friends...

Lynne with Kajsia... best of friends (even if she is a bosox fan!). Introduced me to Tage, Kajsia is named after her!

This was one of the most amazing moments of my life! Holding her for the first time.

Tage kissing Kajsia... I love this!

What... she's ours?

Already looks like her dad!

Kajsia's grand entrance! Check out that hair... dark brown. Now she's blonde!

The dreaded Pit!

Tage pretending to be asleep... he has no idea how long the process is going to take and I had just been hooked up to PIT!

Gosh don't the guys have it easy?

Here comes the contractions!

We are officially checked in and have IV! That was actually one of the more painful things of the event.

Yes, it was exactly one year ago, Sept 21st. My dad and brother flew to town for the final Yankee game and the closing of the house that Ruth built. Sunday we went for hot wings and waffle fries at Atomic Wings on 2nd and 59th. We dropped them off at the subway station only to see them red eyed from the tears and tired at about 2am.

Monday Sept 22nd:

5am - got up to get them ready for their airplane flight
5:30am - got Troy to the first cab, in the elevator he announced they were having a baby!

5:45 am- got Dad in his cab

7am - got ready for the shoot with my mother in law.
8am - headed into the subway for the meatpacking district to the salon we were shooting at.

9am - announced to my sweet assistant, Hillary and my photo director Elaine that I'd probably have to leave mid-mango b/c Kajsia was coming!
10am - did the fitting with the five ladies, including my mother in law.

11:45am - made Tage take me for my last meal at Pinkberry, original with raspberries and coconut flakes.
NOON - we checked into NYU

2pm - sono to make sure my so called "small" baby was ok

3pm - hooked up to pitosin

5pm - moved to the labor/delivery room

6pm - contractions killing, begging for epidural

7pm - epidural... ahhh the blessed relief. What we hoped would be naptime, since Dr. Maldonado said it probaby wouldn't happen till midnight.

8:15pm - dilated to a 10. That was the shortest nap of my life!

9:16pm - Kajsia arrived! Tage cried...

9:22pm - my mom arrived from LGA!

11pm - left alone with my baby in a room with a roomate who spoke hardly any english, watched TV on decibal 10 and her baby screamed all night. What in the world am I supposed to do now?

2am - wishing it was visiting hours already, learning the ropes of breastfeeding. I liken it to having a mousetrap snapped onto your tata's. Nobody prepares you for that!

4am - Kajsia was an angel, full of hair and beautiful. Can't believe she is mine.

6am - Still in awe, that this is my kid. HOLY CRAP... we came with a suitcase to the hospital and now we're going to leave with a kid in a car seat. Talk about rocking your world.

8am - the Nastiest breakfast served to woman arrived. I couldn't eat! Are you kidding this is what you get after you give birth? It's like prison food. Still awaiting new dad and nana to come and visit.

9am - Kajsia is 12 hours old and dad and nana finally arrive to celebrate.

11am - Lynne came to visit... Kajsia Lynne Wright

3pm - Vic came to visit

What a great day and what a miracle. The entire year has flown by. I marveled at her when she just stared at me and cooed. Now she can say mama and dada. Hi and Bye! Nana and Papa! Gma and Gampa. What a horse, dog, cow and goose can say. She has amazed us with her angelic smile and has touched the hearts of many a stoop sitter here in Harlem. She has such a tender heart and loves to give hugs and kisses freely. She can show you where her bow goes and how to put her shoes on. She mastered climbing the couch this week and last week she opened our front door. Our little baby has turned into a toddler and we can't believe she's one. Kajsia has been the greatest creation we've ever witnessed and what a blessing in our lives. Nobody can truly explain to you the devotion you have for your own child, the unconditional love until you have your own. I'm grateful for an amazing husband who has worked tirelessly for us so that I could stay home and be with her every single day. Nothing, no amount of money, nor shoes and shopping or anything else could replace the time that I've been able to spend with her. In the beginning I was so so selfish because I thought I was going to have to go back to work. I hardly left the house or let anyone watch her. I just wanted to be there for everything... I'm so grateful I didn't have to go back! I did get to watch in awe, every moment. From rolling over to learning to sit up on her own, from crawling and cruising. We can't believe she is ours and we are so grateful to be her parents. Kajsia we love you! Happy Birthday to our love muffin!

San Gennarro Festival

After a long morning of people watching, playing at the park and eating pizza... she pooped out at Lombardi's.

Kajsia watching Elliot and Chase slide down and crawl back up! She decided she could too...

This slide was just her size.

Kajsia wanting to take the short-cut to the top of the slide

She has this new thing for taking her shoes off. It's a miracle I haven't lost a pair yet. Doesn't matter if it's velcro, slip ons, lace-less or lace-ups... I guess it's just a phase!

More San Gennaro decor down Mulberry street.

Lombardi's famous margarita pizza!

We are the amazing mom's of Harlem. Who in their right mind would take this many kids under the age of 3 out to lunch at Lombardi's? Of course, it's not even a thought. They all did great and the thin crust pizza was delish!

desserts galore, stuffed canolli's, chocolate covered canolli's, panna cotta, berry tarts...

nougat by the pound....

everything under the sea...

who wants a sausage?

pizza, fish, peppers...

pasta, stuffed artichoke, calzones, fried oreos, zeppolis...

I've wanted to go to this all week, so I set up a playdate. Brittany and son Ezra, Minde and son Chase, daughter Riley and Ashley and son Elliot and daughter Eleanor. So 4 adults and 6.5 kids trekked down to Mulberry street for entertainment, fun and food. Did I mention, we are the amazing mom's of Harlem!

This is the 82nd Annual San Gennarro Festival in Little Italy. It's an 11-day Feast dedicated to saluting the Patron Saint of Naples featuring religious processions and colorful parades, an opera night, all kinds of Italian food and vendors. If you ever want to try out, there is a cannoli eating contest, sanctioned by The International Federation of Competitive Eaters (who knew?).

We stopped at a playground to let the kids play!