Hats Off To a Great Week!

While I would love to say we are all healthy (the cough still coming out of Valentino rattles the house) I can say we are all out of the house and on the upswing of feeling better. Valentino was home sick for an unprecedented week,  and this morning no cough or fever was stopping him from going back to work. I have to say while I enjoyed his company,  I am happy to have my office back. Last week he dominated the computer and house. Even though he was sick he was still working between naps...conference calls and phone calls all day. Essentially this meant I needed to adjust my schedule to meet his. We managed just fine but I ended up sacrificing my blog duties. So hats off, to dare I say a healthy and productive week! 

Big Kiss,

Jenny

Both photos of the girls were taken yesterday at brunch...on our outing to Hudson NY.

Nursing It!

Hi there! Sorry for the radio silence,  but I have been playing nurse for the past few days. Last week Stella was sick. Then Sunday Valentino and I both got sick. We took turns sleeping all day long. Monday I was better but Valentino still was sick. Tuesday Valentino was sick...Wednesday...and still today. He is at the doctor now. Yesterday his assistant came by and brought his laptop so he could work from home...the look on her face when she saw him laying horizontal was priceless...I must admit it is strange to see Valentino so weak and vulnerable...since I have known him he has maybe taken one sick day, maybe. Hopefully he gets better quick. Even though I am kind of enjoying his 'softer side'.

Have A Healthy Weekend!

Valentino and Isabel on their way to work this morning.

Stella is sick. Just took her to the doctor. She is demanding water but each time I give her a sip it comes right back up. This has been going on since she woke up at 5am (we are talking alllllllll daaaaaay loooooooong). Ok, she had a break at 11am-1230pm when she took a nap. Of course Isabel did not have school today (it was Professional Development Day)...so Valentino took her to work! I am so thankful that he did. Thank You Valentino!

Last night while we were at dinner together he said something I would like to share. When talking about the trials and tribulations that we have gone through,  he said that it is 'not what happens to you in life that matters it is how you handle it.' I know such a simple piece of advice (and advice that he has offered before) but somehow it really resonated with me last night.

Have a Happy Weekend! 

Spring is a New Beginning!

How cute is this book, Spring is A New Beginning. I found it tucked away on our shelf yesterday,  and thought I would share a few passages with you in honor of the first day of spring.  I especially like the last line of the book "Spring Brings an End to Winter and a Fresh Beginning." I second that! Good riddance Jack Frost!

Rock Chalk Jayhawk

I'm not a big sports enthusiast,  but when March Madness comes around I can't help but get excited for my Alma Mater, The University of Kansas. Usually a number one seed, this year the Kansas Jayhawks are number two....but that's ok...they still will take it to the top!

Living in Brooklyn there are a ton of KU alumni around... and for the games we get together at a local bar here in Williamsburg,  to cheer and sing our haunting chant "Rock Chalk Jayhawk." Last year I took Valentino with me and even he got Jayhawk fever...he stuck out like a sore thumb though, amid all the blue and red,  in his all black attire and Italian accent!

Hear the Rock Chalk Chant here.

P.S Warren Buffet is offering 1 Billion Dollars to the person who fills out a perfect bracket! 

P.P.S James Naismith, the creator of Basketball was from Kansas! 

School Photos

Attitude!

A little late in the game (pictures were taken in the fall),  but I finally ordered and received Isabel's school photos. Stomping Ground does such a great job trying to stray away from the traditional school photo...bringing out the individuality of each child in a modern and fresh way. Just look at that pose. She kills me!--And take a look back at my school photos...most of my school photos catch me with a giant cold sore! And the hair...oh the hair!

Pre-Kindergarden

Kindergarden...cute.

Holy Hair and Cold Sore!

Perm!

Drink of the Leprechans?

In lieu of drinking green beer this weekend I took my first wheat grass shot! Have you ever tried it? Supposedly one ounce of juice equals 2lbs of fruits and vegetables! The benefits are tremendous...I can't believe I hadn't tried it before!  I was told to swish it around in my mouth for 5-10 seconds to let the enzymes help digest it...It didn't take bad at all...I even felt a little buzz after!

On the Wallkill

Isabel and Tala on the Wallkill River last summer.

I have been feeling so great lately! Running 3-5 miles a day, sticking to my resolution to not drink alcohol , and spending more time doing things for myself! For instance...Last night I met an old friend for dinner in the city...oysters and lobster rolls. Yum! It was nice to catch up with Rubely (she and I were roommates between my breakup with my longtime college boyfriend Aaron and Valentino...as a matter of fact she was instrumental in me getting together with Valentino as she was constantly encouraging me to go out with him)!  Now she is engaged and getting married next January!
***
And tonight...yep, you guessed it...we're driving upstate to enjoy some countryside.  Maybe we'll visit our friends who live on the Wallkill River (their view is incredible...we have property envy) and I might even begin the preliminary stages of creating my raised bed garden! Hope you have a great weekend!

73 Questions with Sarah Jessica Parker!

Still working on that play date with SJP...but until then,  these 73 questions from Vogue will have to do! Love the fast pace of the interview and her house is aaahhmazing!...do you think she had any idea of the questions beforehand? I know I would have fumbled after the first few!

Her living area I presume.

A Spin on your Day!

Yesterday I spent the day alone with Isabel. It was beautiful outside so naturally we went to the playground. As we walked there I looked down and had to laugh at the discrepancy between our outfits. I was wearing blue chinos tightly rolled, white t-shirt, leather jacket, and black leather boots. Isabel...long apple print dress, red cardigan, mary- janes. --She was the Sandra Dee to my Danny Zuko.

When we came home I decided to relish in her girliness and encouraged her to twirl for me...this is what I got! Enjoy!

P.S. Ouch!

'First Kiss'

Strangers first kiss? What can be more awkward and interesting than that. Amateur filmmaker Tatia Pileva,  captures this intensely intimate moment in a video First Kiss. The film which has been described as "a fruit salad of emotions! A little funny, awkward and touching"--had me both squirming and smiling all at the same time! 

Oh and Happy first days of Spring...(It's supposed to be 62 degrees here today)!

Photo Still from 'First Kiss' 

Valentino and my first kiss...well probably not... but it was one of our first!

NuNuNu Baby

This past weekend we celebrated baby Edin's birthday in New Jersey (Renee's baby #2). When I went shopping for her gift I fell in love with everything from NuNuNu Baby.  Designed by two mothers of young children, NuNuNu Baby offers an alternative to the typical teddy bears and fairies cliche. Their clean minimalist designs are both stylish and comfortable allowing parents to dress their kids in a fashion that reflects their own personal style. Take a look at some of my favorites from the collection below!

I bought this swim suit for Edin and also picked one up for Isabel!

Numbers bloomers

Numbers romper

I want this shirt! 

I mean...come on...

Tale of Two Cities!

Street Art in my neighborhood says it all!

Happy Friday! Here is a great story to start your weekend! Unbelievable... This man is defintely able to afford New York City now! Gentrificatiion, while always a hot button topic in NYC, is even hotter these days! With Spike Lee's rant about the gentrification in Fort Greene, to the Domino Sugar Factory rezoning controversy in my beloved Williamsburg, to the NPR headlines this week regarding the Bowery..."From Homeless to Hipster", NYC,  as the newly minted mayor Bill DeBlasio puts it...is currently the "Tale of Two Cities".

Perhaps, funny woman, Any Poehler sums it up best:

"There's something so romantic about being broke in New York. You gotta do it, You have to live there once without any money, and then you have to live there when you have money. Let me tell you, of the two, the latter is far better." -Amy Poehler

Stella at 18 months.

The other day someone asked me how old Stella was. When I told her almost 18 months she raved on about how her favorite baby stage was from 18-24 months. It made me stop and think about Stella and how her infancy is coming to a close. Since Stella most likely will be our last child each one of her firsts also signifies one of my lasts (this sums it up). It is a bittersweet feeling to know that she will be the last child I ever nurse...when I pack away her 12 months clothes there will be no need to save them like I did with Isabel, and that intoxicating sweet baby smell...well it is slowly being replaced by the smell of a sweet and sweaty toddler!

I love you Stella,  higher than the sky and deeper than the ocean!

Newborn 

18 months

A Lesson Learned.

Not sure how picture relates...just go with it.

Yesterday I learned a valuable (or should I say lucrative) lesson! After staring at the Bugaboo Donkey Stoller sitting in my hallway for months I was determined to sell it! We worked hard for it afterall...and what did I need a third stroller for? Since it was new and in the original box I knew Ebay would be my best bet. A little weary on how to use their system I decided to list it at a fixed price vs. the auction option. After a quick write-up and a few pictures (mainly of the unopened box)-- I had my first Ebay listing. I had a few inquiries, and then boom! It was sold! It took less than 24 hours! I couldn't believe my eyes when I clicked on my PayPal account and their was actual legit money there...and alot of it (these strollers ain't cheap)! After some fanagaling (I do have two kids to take care of) and this thing was HEAVY...I made my way over to the shipping center and realized another valuable lesson...never underestimate the cost of shipping. Yikes! It cost $180 to ship to California. Of course I wanted to email the buyer and request more money but that is against Ebay policy! I counted my blessings (and dollars left after Ebay's cut and PayPal's) geesh... and am already surveying my house for the next item to sell including my house!

P.S After checking our Bugaboo's website I realized our pictures are up from the photoshoot! Take a look if you want to see.

It's Fat Tuesday!

1955 Party Attendees (Getty Images)

Happy Mardi Gras everyone! Do you indulge or do anything special? Valentino is in Las Vegas (where everyday is Mardi Gras) for work --the most hedonistic I might get is taking Isabel for Chinese food after ballet class today. And since tomorrow marks the first day of Lent (the 40 days leading up to Easter) and I am always up for a good challenge,  I have decided to quit drinking for the duration! Yep...I am channeling my inner Catholic School Girl (I know she has to be in there somewhere) and gonna hang high (on life) but dry...for the next 40 days! How about you? Do you plan on giving anything up?

More Vintage Mardi Gras Photos Here.

First Lady Dances with Super Sprowtz!

First Lady, Michelle Obama, dances with Erica Eggplant!

Earlier this year I told you about the Super Sprowtz Organization that we are partners with. If this news is any indication, then this year is off to a great start!  From 2/24-3/21,  Super Sprowtz is on an 'Eat Your Super Powers' US tour! The first stop was Washington DC...and guess who danced with the Super Sprowtz? None other than the First Lady herself! A huge proponent of getting children to engage in healthy eating, First Lady, Michelle Obama, made an appearance at the first show and rallied with the vegetables...and you can see her enthusiasm in this clip here.

Keep up the good work SuperSprowtz team...we are rooting for you!