'more' and 'water'

Charles has learned the sign for 'more'. It warms my heart every time his little hands make the sign! He understands a few other signs too ('water', 'duck', 'eat', 'milk', 'phone' ) but isn't yet able to sign them himself. The first few times he wanted to sign 'more' while standing at the coffee table he couldn't figure out how to do it while holding on at the same time. Soon he learned to sit down, sign, and then stand back up. Now he just leans on his elbows and does the sign for more. What a pro!

check him out here

Pot+Wooden Spoon=Happy Baby

Hot Time, Summer In The CIty

The last two days have brought record temps to NYC. Yesterday it was 100 degrees and Tuesday was 102 but it's been almost touching the hundred mark since the Fourth of July. Add on to that some humidity and no AC and you've got yourself a recipe for misery.
We do have a small window unit in our bedroom however which has now become our oasis, refuge, eden, haven and general happy place. Even with the heat outside it sometimes feels better to be out, rather than in our apartment, where at lease there is a breeze. Tuesday we visited a friend at a cafe (with air conditioning) and then returned some things to Target (again, AC). That night we had some friends over for ice cream and Phase Ten which proved to be a slight distraction from the heat. The cards got sticky quick from the moisture in the air and on our skin.
Yesterday we braved the heat and headed into the city to meet my aunts for lunch. It was well worth it!   My Aunts were here in NY from Georgia and Maryland just for the day really. They took a bus in from Baltimore and were going to see a show last night and go on a tour around the city today before heading back. We met them at the hotel in the city and walked to Junior's for lunch. Aunt Jean met Charles when were were at her place for Thanksgiving this year but it was the first time my Aunt Ellie got to meet him which was really cool.

We had a great time catching up over lunch and then headed out into Times Square. After walking a few blocks and seeing some sights we turned around and went back to the hotel to cool off in the AC before saying goodbye and heading back to Brooklyn. Thank you Aunt Jean and Aunt Elise for a lovely afternoon! 

After getting of the train in Brooklyn as we were walking home we saw a few people stopped on the corner looking down the street. Hmm.. wondering what they were all looking at we stopped and looked too. This is what we saw. 

That's right. A manhole on fire. Or more likely, a fire under the street coming up through the manhole?

There were a few people with their phones out taking pictures but who knows if anyone had called 911. It is very common in our neighborhood for people to just stop and stare/watch something but not take any action. So I called 911 and told them it looked as though a manhole was on fire. Shortly after we heard the firetruck sirens approaching. The firemen went in teams to the businesses on either side of the street and I overheard one say that they needed to check the gas under the buildings/street to see if there was a leak or something.

We didn't wait around to find out what was wrong or see them put out the fire. We were headed back to our 'oasis'. 

Thoughts of a Friday Morning

* can't wait for Chris to come home tomorrow! 
* hoping a week without running wont effect me too much when I start up again tomorrow..
* wish I had a jogging stroller
* need to go to Circus Fruits and get stuff for Sunday
* mmm Fourth of July flag cake!! yum!
* bummed that the fireworks are on the Hudson River again this year instead of the East River. boo
* I should mop the floors again
* wonder if the washing machine is working..
* loving that I didn't need the AC on last night
* will Charles take his morning nap? 
* my baby boy is so cute :)
* any news on the Jacob Wetterling search?
* going to the park in three hours
* I heard Maroon 5 in concert when they were just a cover band for... who was it again?? Matchbox 20?? 
* Charles is the cutest kid ever, oh man I love him!

To Dad:

Happy 60th Birthday!!!

Much love to you from all of us!

A Tribute To My Baby Daddy

Happy First Father's Day Chris, 

You are simply amazing. Charles and I love you very much and are blessed to have you in our lives.

More Fun With Paper

A few months ago I found these great plastic trays in the dollar section at Target. (I love the dollar section) They were great just they way were but since I had recently fallen in love with a great paper store, called Paper Presentation, I decided I would try to make them a little more unique with the idea that I would hang them on the wall in our kitchen. 

I bought three trays

And a bunch of different paper patterns

Gotta love the Mod Podge. I am predicting this will become my BFF as I continue to do crafts with paper. 

I narrowed down my paper selection and decided on these three patterns for the trays. I am planning to paint a wall in the kitchen orange and will hang them up on that wall. 

I rubbed a pencil on the back of the tray to outline the shape of the bottom where the paper will go. Then I pressed it onto the back of the paper so I could cut it out.

After cutting the paper I simply glued it on. I found that it was best to apply the Mod Podge directly to the tray first and then lay the paper down. This helped eliminate bubbles or uneven placement. Then I brushed the Mod Podge all over the paper to the edges so it met the tray and 'sealed' it on, wiping off any access. It dries clear so no big deal if there was a little on the tray. Mod Podge is great that way. 

And here they are! I love how they turned out and can't wait to paint the kitchen and hang them up!