Monthly Archives: October 2015

Year One

desmond, i’ve been meditating all day on what it feels like for you to turn one. as my mind wanders, there’s just a distilled stream of moments and dynamics.

this morning a year ago, i walked out to the car to quickly change shirts (we’d been at the hospital for a few days) before your mother went into labor. in the dark, there was both quiet peace and the intensity of hundreds or thousands of birds squawking away in the trees. after you were born, and the room settled to darkness again as your mother slept, it was just you and me. there was both elated peace of holding you and the first learning of how to soothe your cries.

in the years to come, we’ll be soft, we’ll be loud, we’ll be:

“i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart)i am never without it(anywhere i go you go, my dear;and whatever is done by only me is your doing,my darling)” –e.e. cummings

One year ago today, this joyful, curious, active, determined creature came bursting into our lives. If it’s possible, we love him more & more every day.

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Just the four of us in Elmwood park for a picnic and birthday cupcake.

Long Island

The trip to New York started out a bit groggy. Des did not sleep very well the night before and had not yet had a nap when dad picked him up at daycare for lunch. Result: the first instance of Des eating while sleeping. Bags were quickly loaded though and it was off to the airport.

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Des really seemed to enjoy looking out the window with dad during takeoff and inflight.

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After several delays to an already long layover in Chicago, the connecting flight was finally in the air. Des was a champ with all the travel, with each leg coinciding with nap time or bed time. He didn’t even flinch during the rough landing into LaGuardia.

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Our friend Katie graciously picked us up at the airport and we were soon off to their new house in Huntington Station. Des slept as the rest of us stayed up late and caught up.

The next morning we took a leisurely stroll to a neighborhood bakery for the first of many bagels on our trip. Later in the afternoon, we drove up with some of Katie & Stephen’s friends to Northport.

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Des decides that “head first” is the new preferred technique for slides.

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All smiles for his Sunday morning bagel

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Des and dad getting some fresh air in the front yard

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It was humbling to see Katie’s theatrical training allow her to whiz through Dr. Seuss’ tounge-tying Fox in Sox with nary a stumble. Mom and dad are still practicing.

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Later in the afternoon everyone hiked up to Jayne’s Hill, the tallest point on Long Island. The poem Paumanok by Walt Whitman is inscribed on a boulder marking the peak. Des napped in his carrier with his hat shading him a la Indiana Jones.

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A pit stop at the park on the way back to the house for Adelaide to run off some energy

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Back in January or February, Des really didn’t like getting into his carseat. Of many random songs dad sung to soothe him, Day-O somehow struck a calming chord. One of the daily rituals has now been singing Day-O while leaving the house in the morning. Dad pulled it out for bedtime tonight, featuring Katie:

The next morning we were up early and joining Katie on her commute into the city. Des was fascinated with the Long Island Rail Road. At Atlantic Terminal, we transferred to the subway for Brooklyn, Katie continued on into Manhattan.

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New York

We quickly dropped our bags off at the hotel and walked east to Prospect Park. We’re greeted at the northern edge by the Grand Army Plaza and Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Arch.

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Mom and dad picnic (more bagels and lox) aside Bailey Fountain while Des takes a morning nap.

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Des relaxing on the Long Meadow in Prospect Park. The park was designed by the same two architects that created Central Park. It is said that they preferred their second park, and it’s easy to see why. Impressive, rolling green space, tree-lined paths and seemingly endless hiking trails.

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At first, Des seemed pretty excited about the carousel in Children’s Corner.

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As the ride accelerated to truly a surprising speed, he was less than enthused.

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While Omaha is quite spoiled with the Henry Doorly Zoo, visiting other zoos is still enjoyable. We made our way over to the Prospect Park Zoo. Not a lot going on, but we watched the monkeys dance.

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Des and dad hanging out on the streets of Brooklyn while mom pops into a shop for some better walking shoes.

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We check into the hotel for nap time before mom has to attend an evening kickoff event for the conference. We all ride the subway up to Court St. where we kiss mom goodbye and walk over to Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Lots of people gathered to watch the sunset. After a few pictures, we head over to Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. The strawberry ice cream was the first cold treat Des has ever liked. For good reason- it was sublime.

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Watching the boats pass as the sun sets.

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Back at the hotel, Des is clearly ready for bed.

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What do you do with your little one asleep so early? When you’re in New York, you can have anything you could ever fathom delivered right to you. Mom and dad have a sushi feast.

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New York, Pt 2

Dad had been preparing for solo mass transit commuting with a baby for some time before leaving. Armed with a new lightweight stroller, and waiting sufficiently for rush hour to pass, Des and Dad ventured out. We take the R train north to Whitehall/South Ferry and walk to Castle Clinton to get our tickets for the ferry.

Seeing the Statue of Liberty up close for the first time is breathtaking and timeless.

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Des and dad walked around the island and swapped taking pictures with a nice couple from Spain.

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Des was yearning for a nap, so it was back on to the ferry. The clouds were burning off and it turned out to be a gorgeous day.

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Once back onboard, Des was quickly lulled to sleep by the waves. The ferry stopped next at Ellis Island, but felt it was best to stay aboard (and asleep) back to New York.

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Dad strolled around for a bit in the park until Des woke up, surely having smelled the delicious falafel cart. After refueling on “New York City’s Finest Falafel,” headed north through the financial district.

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Paying our respects at the Word Trade Center Memorial. “When bad things happen, look for the good people.”

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Des is pretty excited about sitting on the bench and waiting for the train.

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Mom returned from her first full day, and after much deliberation among so many choices, opted for a latin restaurant in the Park Slope neighborhood. Empanadas, ceviche, fried green plantains, yucca- an enticing dinner experience not found at home.

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Even when traveling, there’s still a cup to put things in during bath time.

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New York, Pt 3

The day started out promising, but towards the post-rush departure time, it was evident Des was secretly yearning for a morning nap. No worries, the trip was going to go at Des’ speed.

After a long nap, we hustled up to midtown for an afternoon in Central Park. The zoo was a hotspot for kids, so we lunched while watching the sea lions swim around.

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I fear it may be several generations of projecting, but Des lit up watching the penguins zipping by.

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After exploring the main zoo, we walked over to the children’s zoo for some toddler-sized fun. Des meet llama.

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It was a beautiful fall day for a stroll around Central Park, even if it was a bit cloudy. Des posing on the edge of Gapstow Bridge.

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Before we headed back to Brooklyn, Des and dad walked up to Strawberry Fields to pay tribute to John Lennon.

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The final night we all took another long walk into Park Slope to a pizzaria. What better way to spend an evening in Brooklyn?

While mom had one last session to attend Thursday morning, Des and dad walked over to a new bagel place. We enjoyed our breakfast bounty at the nearby neighborhood playground.

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Maybe it was early in the morning, but Des opted for “feet first” this time.

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Back at the hotel, it was time to pack up. Des is ready to go!

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Little did we know, public transportation back to LaGuardia required a bus transfer. Nope, not gonna happen with luggage. We hailed an uberFAMILY ride (with carseat) on our phone, and within a few minutes, we were loading our bags into a new Toyota Highlander for a comfy ride back to the airport. Cheaper than a taxi, way less stress than transit.

Des traveled well on the return trip too, sleeping at all the right times. Of course there was a mildly dramatic start to the flight when Des triggered a TSA screening because dad inadvertently tried to sneak 8oz of water onto the plane via a sippy cup. He was ultimately too cute, the agent let him pass through security.

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In all, it was the absolute perfect experience to celebrate Des’ upcoming first birthday. Life will be full of adventures.

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October 5th, 2015

Des feeding Max a stick. Problem is, Max eats sticks.

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FaceTiming with mom while she’s at a conference in Nebraska City.

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Happiness is a pile of leaves

As dad was finishing up mowing and clearing the garden, Des came out to help with the last bit of raking. He crawled over, sat down, and almost instinctively began moving the leaves about.

Over the past few weeks, Des has come to loathe having his face washed. Sorry kid, no Pig-Pens in this house. Poor little man.

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Leaves on the soles of his shoes

Started off the morning with a solid nap while dad watch reruns of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. Getting awfully excited for our trip to NYC next week!

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Des is between sizes with his hand-me-down shoes, so in preparation for our trip, we went shoe shopping for the first time. Buckle up for safety.

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Our little big man in his new kicks

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