Swings, Strolls, Surf spots and Special Guests

How in the world is Ila already 3 weeks old? Time is flying - except at night when it seems to drag on for days now that she is in the cry all night phase - which all of you assure us will pass. Hope you're right. One thing we know for sure: Ila has a great set of strong, healthy lungs. She is also able to say the word "Mom". Early, we know! Actually she clearly shouts "MMMooouumm!" when her crying has really taken off. She may not actually be calling for Mary, but it does give us a nice bit of humor in the wee hours when we are nearing the ends of our ropes. Speaking of those fraying ropes, Tuesday night when the lack of sleep was testing our limits we found ourselves online ordering the huge Fisher Price infant swing that we swore we'd avoid. Next day shipping? Hell yes! Chris, a.k.a Mr. anti-plastic baby stuff, placed the order. Needless to say we had very high hops for the swing. To our delight it is doing the trick most of the time. It is proving to be the best baby purchase yet.



The nights are one story but in the day she is quite the spectacular little baby. Last weekend we spent our days taking long strolls around Brooklyn.



We explored the new Brooklyn Bridge Park which is full of the coolest playgrounds we have ever seen! "The Valley of Swings" and "Slide Mountain" among others. We are so excited to take Ila there in the spring when she can hold her head up and play!



This past week was Mary and Ila's first week home together with no family in town during the day. You might be wondering what this duo has been up to. Mornings are spent by Ila eating while Mary cooks vicariously through Food Network chefs. Afternoons are spent taking long walks around the neighborhood to such destinations as Macy's and Union Market, strolling the shops on Montague street, dreaming of buying a brownstone in Brooklyn Heights and gazing at beautiful handmade baby dresses at the Brooklyn's Women's Guild. These two are going to make great shopping partners, especially when Ila stops crapping her pants and screaming like a banchee whenever Mary is trying is trying to make a purchase. Needless to say, she is getting good at feeding and changing in dressing rooms, restaurants and parks.



Since cooking is proving quite a challenge with an infant in the mix we have some wonderful friends who have formed a meal train bringing us delicious food and spending time getting to know the baby. First to come was Aimee with great food from our favorite Italian neighborhood spot. We were so delirious from lack of sleep that we forgot to pull out the camera. We promise to post Aimee at a later date. Next was Mike & Joanna with an incredible roasted chicken in tow. We know they were quite pleased with Ila but hope that Mike won't make Joanna move away to the 'burbs to start a family too soon! We need her in the city!



Mid-week we had a very special visitor - Lucy the doula! After an hour of recapping the birth Ila was over it and would not make a pleasant face for the camera. We know she loved seeing Lucy and we did too! We hope that Lucy will always be a part of Ila's life.



The next visitors were our longtime friends Cory & Emily. Emily was shaking with excitement to meet Ila when she arrived! They brought us an exceptional lobster macaroni and cheese and our favorite Jersey Shore ice cream.



Today we were visited by Matt, Lindsay & baby Georgia who brought a meal of meatballs, sauce and fresh salad. Ila was in a fussy mood but we know she and Georgia will grow to be quite a cute pair together!





On Saturday we rented a zip-car and took a day trip to Rockaway beach to check out the surf spots and give Ila her first glimpse at the Atlantic Ocean. She fell sound asleep as soon as we approached the boardwalk likely because she listens to the sound of the ocean through her Dozy Dolphin each night. She's learning young that nothing is better than a good nap on the beach!



We didn't envision Rockaway to be a picturesque beach - and that it was not. It was more like a trip to a coastal version of war-torn Russia. Guess that's why the town offers free ocean front parking? Our family enjoyed the excursion none the less.