Bronx Zoo

It's no secret that on Wednesday's it's "suggested donation" at the Bronx Zoo. I wish someone would have told me a long time ago that means, pay whatever you want. A dollar to 10 cents, it doesn't matter they let you in. Last Wednesday we took the 2 train (and 5 flights of stairs down) to the Bronx Zoo. A warm sunny day provided 5 moms, 5 strollers and 9 kids with a roarin' good time!





Kajsia, Brannick and I near the gorilla's.


Who wants to see the monkey's when you can push buttons



madeline, chase, elliott, emmeline and kajsia stop for lunch

checkin out the turtles

what do you see?
Maybe she'll be a dentist someday?
Emmeline and Kajsia discuss the whereabouts of the Mandrill
Kajsia was speechless watching the gorilla's tickle each other fight. This wasn't anything like her Goodnight Gorilla book!


The gorilla is almost laughing...
How to speak Mandrill?


At the exit we circled the strollers for an honesty shot. Mom's are perspiring, the kids are cranky and our little walkers petitioned for piggy back rides... all the way back to the subway. Regardless of the zoo drama, we'll be back for more mommy torture in a couple of weeks and call it fun!

Just a Mom?

A long time ago right as I found out I was pregnant with Kajsia my mom sent me an email. I was working as the Fashion Director at a magazine and had the mindset of a career woman, I had planned on going back to work. Being a stay at home mom was something I had decided on, but the contents of the email have had lasting effects. You'll read the email below. In the meantime, here are a few pics of my precious angels... Brannick at 4 months and Kajsia at 19 months. The only shot of them happy!
She always wants to hold Brannick's hand!
He has the best belly laugh!
Oh yes, more tears!
My smiley guy...
Check those pearly whites!
I love this little man

You would have thought I was torturing the kid by asking her to smile.

He wasn't so happy either...

My beautiful Kajsia! (and props to aunt chelsea for the bow!)

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office,
was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

'What I mean is, ' explained the recorder,
'do you have a job or are you just a ...?'

'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman.

'I'm a Mom.'

'We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation,

'housewife' covers it,'
Said the recorder emphatically.


I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself

in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.
The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised,
efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like,
'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar.'

'What is your occupation?' she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know.
The words simply popped out.
'I'm a Research Associate in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations.'

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and
looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.
Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written,
in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire

'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest,
'just what you do in your field?'

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice,
I heard myself reply,
'I have a continuing program of research,
(what mother doesn't)
In the laboratory and in the field,
(normally I would have said indoors and out).
I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family)
and already have four credits (all daughters).
Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities,
(any mother care to disagree?)
and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).
But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers

and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.'

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she
completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career,
I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,
(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program,
testing out a new vocal pattern.
I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!
And I had gone on the official records as someone more

distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mom.'

Motherhood!

What a glorious career!
Especially when there's a title on the door.


Happy Mother's Day to all of you who work tirelessly on Mastering your little ones. Thank you to my sweet mom for all that she has taught me. I'm a better woman and am working on becoming the mother I want to be because of her daily examples. There isn't one regret that I left my fabulous career to watch Kajsia and Brannick! I love them and am grateful to Tage for working overtime to allow me to be home with them. Today, Elder Holland came to speak in our ward. The most important thing he said was that, "the closest you can get to understanding the Savior's love is that of a mother's!"

Tage Brannick's Arrival

Yes, this is long overdue considering he's 4 months today. However, here is the story of how Brannick came to join us that cold winter day! Here we are for our first family photo op.

The most handsome prince!
Tired for the camera.
Got Milk?
Sleep deprived parents got Dr. Pepper!
Catching flies!
Ahhhh, my new hunting buddy!
Kajsia wasn't to sure about it.
Warming up to the idea that what was in my belly is now real. The sweetest kisses a mother could ever hope for. Nana said she went home and kept asking for baby.

Is this thing for real?
Yep, I'm daddy's lil man and so happy to be here.
The wait is finally over and Brannick is welcomed to NYC, get your hands up!
Tage Brannick Wright (goes by Brannick, my great great great great grandfather) born 3:20pm on January 5th. All 7lbs 4 oz's of him!
Reading People magazine and catching up on the latest celeb dish and fashion is my preference of laboring... the only way to really be this calm when you are dilated to an 8....
An epidural... up close and personal for all you peeps that aren't so sure about it. There really is a way to "Enjoy Your Labor" - the book by Dr. Gilbert J. Grant, my Epidural Man at NYU hospital. Big shout out to the man that gives the greatest pain relief on earth!