Author: Reagan
We made a little time for touring NYC while my family was here. We didn’t have much time, and I was stressed about 100 things (sorry family!), but we did make it out a few times! After Pip’s birthday visit on Saturday, we journied out to central park and Times Sq. My little brother (it makes me laugh to call him little, he is massive.) just finished up a 2 year mission in Mexico City, and he says that the NYC subways put Mexico City’s subways to shame, in a bad way. Our subways are old and falling apart and expensive. And you’ll definitely see a rat. I forget sometimes that that isn’t normal for most metros. Gross.
We were all having a lovely central park stroll..walking around, looking on to the beautiful Bethesda Fountain, when we were suddenly caught in a life threatening downpoor. Luckily we were able to find shelter in the Bandshell and hung out there listening to street performers until the rain let up. I love the bandshell because it always reminds me of Breakfast at Tiffany’s. You know, the cracker jack scene..I really love that movie and it never ever gets old.
The good thing about life threatening rain, is that when it lets up, you have the park to yourself!
We headed down to Times Sq for a quickie peak and then had dinner at Shake Shack. But not before we looked on in wonder.
I love this city so much that I even still like Times Square. Most New Yorkers don’t admit liking it, or maybe they really just don’t like it, but I think it’s a pretty cool place, and I’m happy to take you there if you’re visiting. Espesh if you take me to a show! Wink!
PS, are Jesse and I not each other’s spitting image? Except his eyes are brown. I also look like my dad. And weren’t they cute in their Atlanta Braves gear? Awww.
(off for our trip today! what am I doing on the blob?)
Author: Jake
Early Sunday, Reagan and I took her family to Liberty Island. It was the first time that we had ever been there. We aimed to make it on the first boat over to the Statue of Liberty and nearly made it. We did eventually make it over to the island, but because we took a later boat over, we couldn’t spend very much time there (because we were meeting one of Reagan’s sister’s at Piper’s house). Anyway, Reagan’s fam went up into the statue pedestal. Reagan and I couldn’t go, since we had prohibited items (large umbrellas and an iPad). So we did what anyone would do and had a mini photo shoot. Hahaha.
Liberty Island is pretty awesome, but I’m not sure if it is worth all of the hassle to get over there. Here is one more pic.
Europe tomorrow.
Author: Reagan
We did a little party for Pip yesterday, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to get the pictures up and posted before we leave tomorrow. I do want to post a few more pictures from our visit with her on Saturday, though.
Pippy got some new sunglasses from her Grandma Beth (Jake’s mom), and since she likes to wear sunglasses suddenly, they were the perfect gift. They fit her perfectly and she kept them on, only pulling them up now and again to either get a better look at something, or show her surprise.
We went outside to lay in the grass, it was the only sort of sunny day we’ve had in a week and a half! I felt pretty lucky that the rain didn’t start until the late afternoon, so we were able to see this flower girl outside in her pretty, sunny dress. It’s the perfect dress, I got it from Pumpkin. Her shoes are from a thrift shop and I made her flower halo. Inspired by this!
We had a lot of family in town for the occasion. My mom, my dad, my brother Jesse and my Auntie Gail. It’s pretty special that Pip has had family in town every year for her birthday.
(Piper is still anti grass, BTW)
My little brother, Jesse, hasn’t seen Piper Jane since she was 8 months old. She is totally different of course. When she was 8 months old, she hadn’t even learned how to sit on shoulders yet, and she was just barely teaching herself how to tap things! Now she is an expert at each. If she ever decides to teach a class, she’s the type that can charge whatever she wants. She’s that good.
My Auntie Gail came all the way from Albuquerque, NM to meet Pip. This was a very big deal which Piper Jane caught on to, so she dealt out the snuggs left and right. (always the crowd pleaser)
After playing outside for a while, we came inside to get Pip’s sensitive eyes out of the sun. We went to the cafeteria, because Piper Jane likes the big windows, and she for the life of her couldn’t figure out how Grandma got on the other side!
The cafeteria is empty on the weekends, so Pip was able to explore it. She saw these Italian chef statues and was immediately obsessed. It was one of those things where she was really afraid of them and didn’t want to get too close, but she also didn’t want to leave them. We walked away and Piper Jane had a meltdown. She was pulling me to go back, she was stomping and she was refusing to walk anywhere unless it was back to the cafeteria. What a weirdsie, that girl.
So..4. Can you believe it? 4 is just crazy. Next thing you know, she’ll be practicing carwheals and kissing boys.
Author: Reagan
Piper Jane turned 4 on Saturday.
Sweet girl is so grown up, she doesn’t know what to do with herself.
I guess she’ll just have to be silly like always!
Author: Jake
Saturday evening, we took a stroll in Central Park. Not long after we entered the park, there was a micro burst, followed by some awesome evening light. Above: Reagan flipping her hair around; Below: from behind.
Reagan, her parents, brother and aunt at the bandshell:
When I said awesome evening light, I wasn’t foolin’ Reagan wasn’t too happy about posing for these shots, but seriously, check out the light.
One more of the light–
Finally, the obligatory Times Square visit. Reagan was expressing her amazement of all of the sites.
Tomorrow: pack for Europe.
Author: Jake
Saturday was Piper’s birthday. I can’t really even believe it, she turned 4. We headed up to her house bright and early, and arrived just as she was waking up. Reagan dressed her in her new little yellow dress and flowery crown (that Reagan made, btw). She was also rocking some new little sunglasses from her grandma b-holt. The weather was phenomenal for hanging around outside. So we sat out on the lawn and chatted/played for a while. When it started to get overcast, we took PJ inside and played with her until she was all tuckered out. It was a really fun time. It was especially cool to have her Baker grandparents and her uncle Jesse in town, as well as her great aunt Gail, who Piper met for the first time. There are a boat load of photos below. There are even more over here.
Author: Jake
I’m so glad that this work week is finally coming to a close. Reagan’s family has arrived for all of the birthday festivities. Although, I think that we are going to keep it relatively low key compared to previous years. Just having family here to celebrate with, is enough of a party.
Last night I shot an installation by Brian Dettmer at a gallery in Chelsea. The dude carves up books (above) to make sculptures. Here are a few more images from the exhibit-
Happy Friday!
Author: Reagan
While doing some walking therapy on Friday, Pip’s PT suggested going to the playground. I’ve been wanting to do this for a really long time, but they have to lock the playground on the weekends, and it is much too much for me to handle without Jake there. So, since I had Pip’s PT to help, that problem was solved.
One of my favorite things about trying new things with Pip, is the confused/concerned looks she gives me. While going down the slide, Piper Jane seemed to have the following thoughts circling through her mind….”what kind of mother does this?”, “i’m not certain, but this slopey thing is a bit of a risk”, “i want my pink blankie” and “my mother is crazy. “.
Pip spent the whole 15 minutes just studying the place and looking hilarious while doing it. I love her more every day. Because every day she shows more personality and more spirit. I spend most of my time with her imagining what she is thinking and how she is making sense of the world, and the one thing I know, is that it is better/funnier/cuter/sillier/deeper than my most wild imagination.
Did you ever see a cuter Little Miss Pip sitting on a tuffet?
~I apologize for the terrible photos. they were completely overexposed, and this was the best I could do with the editing. This is why it is always better when Jake is the one taking photos.
Author: Jake
First of all, the weather was basically heaven. This fact makes it sting a bit more that I was feeling under the weather for the entire weekend (and still am today). But I’ll take the beautiful weather, sick or not. We went kind of crazy with the photos this weekend. I’m not really sure why. Above: walking to our car to go visit PJ on Saturday. Below: Piper got her hair did.
Sunday was, of course, mothers’ day. So I started off the day taking Reagan to the Donut Plant, on the LES. They have some seriously crazy donuts there. Reagan, was going nuts. I won’t say how many she ordered (and ate, hehe).
Walking back to the car, Reagan saw these rubber bouncy horse-like things hanging from a Chinatown bodega awning and asked if we could get one for Piper.
We picked the green one. Piper was pretty stoked about her little horse. I think that she is still getting used to it. But she definitely appreciates both the practical fun aspect, as well as the humor.
After she had a chance to give her green pony a ride or two, we packed up and headed outside.
And just when you thought this post couldn’t get any more photo-heavy, here is one more fave from the weekend (ps, plenty more over here).
Author: Jake
These are shots of just a few of the awesome mothers who have been a part of my life.
Happy Mothers’ Day!
