Birthday Pancakes

Hugo's party is Sunday so today candles arrived on his favorite food PANCAKES! Pardon the tired sick parents and their singing.

Two years ago today. . . .

Dear Hugo,

Two years ago today you came into our world. Here are a few things I don't want to forget...
My water broke in our friend Natasha's new minivan. Those New York City potholes are a doozy! Our doula Julia yelled "Mazel Tov!" and Daddy and Natasha shouted "Hooray!"

As we waited for a room in the hospital, we saw lots of mommies wanting to have their baby just in time for the New Year. I even remember one of those mommies wearing high heels telling her family, "false alarm." You my son were ready to arrive in time to give us a tax break for 2008!

Julia wanted mommy to do yoga in the hospital and you know what, after 3 days of labor I found myself in a warrior position.

It took so long for you to come out, even Daddy had to cry from exhaustion.

Dr. Margarita Olivares was just the right lady to help mommy and daddy. She was full of spunk and determination and left mommy feeling like a goddess!!

You came in the afternoon, but at night Daddy had to leave the hospital and the city was crowded with people reveling in the streets to countdown the New Year. It took Daddy 2 hours by subway to get home. Good thing Frida and Diego were waiting.

In the days after, friends and family brought food, flowers and gifts. We snuggled at home during some fierce winter storms. Eventually we'd venture out with you strapped to my chest, tucked in my long winter coat. We'd walk to the bakery and buy pistachio biscotti by the pound. Mommy and you were hungry!

We gave you various nicknames like "pterodactyl" for your screech and "little CEO" for your one hand waving-like declarations.

Hugo you brought and continue to bring so much joy to our lives.
Mommy, Daddy, Dash, Diego and especially Frida all love you so much.

Best birthday wishes,

Mommy

Ok people...I'm over it. Next stop, with any luck, slumberland.

Surly Baby

I am putting the whole house on alert...I am not a happy baby.

Blizzard 2010 video, with screaming child!

Pretty awesome blizzard in NYC yesterday. We attended a baptism and party Sunday evening, all within a mile of our apartment, and just getting around local streets was extremely challenging. Here's a quick video of the family coming home during the height of the storm. We made it back ok, but will soon have to dig out the car...boo!

The Morning After

There will be a lot of digging out in NYC.

Today's shoe shopping with the family

We braved the blizzard earlier today to pick up some shoes for a party we went to tonight.

Blizz-o-rama

I was just out shoveling...we are at about two feet and climbing. We were actually driving around in this nonsense.

Christmas Eve 2010

Mommy has a cold but the rest of the gang is in great spirits.

Dashiel was all about putting wrapping paper in his mouth.
Hugo is getting the idea, tear paper and SURPRISE! a toy inside!

Now we wait for Santa....

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Brown

Thanks for the mitts and other gifts.  Merry Christmas, talk to you tomorrow.

Merry Christmas from the Browns

To our friends, to our family; we wish you the happiest of holidays. You are in our hearts this Christmas.

Dashiel went to see Dr. Mike this morning. Checks in at 22# and 6 oz. Also, he is just under 30 inches. Dr. Mike was laughing at how big he is.

Santa's Most Adorable Elf

More pics to come... think slide show SOON!

Dance, dance underpants

Tub time punker

Mommy worked in a new hairstyle for Hugo during his bath this evening.

To know him is to love him

Dashiel is quite the boy. He is constantly talking and is very expressive. He makes da-da and ma-ma sounds and can raspberry his lips. He is 90% of the time pure joy, even when he wants you to drop everything and hold his 20+ lbs of love chub.

A you-would-not-believe-it moment: Dash and Hugo fit the same size 4 Pamper diaper.

And we thought Hugo was a big kid.

Getting a toddler to eat

Lately getting Hugo to eat is no easy task. One meal he'll love mozzarella, another he'll throw it to the ground screaming. He has become the king of finger foods, anything with a spoon requires tremendous patience. This video was totally spontaneous. We didn't think he'd like these straws, we thought we'd capture a tantrum, little did we know we have a new go-to-snack.

The missing ingredient

Dash is still not sleeping through the night consistently (feel pity for us, he's nearly 5-months-old). Mommy and Daddy would LOVE to eliminate that 4:30AM feeding. We're thinking the boy needs to eat A LOT more than he has been, just watch him.

I

New Trampoline!

Hugo can now get his bounce on! Sparing the mattress abuse.

Christmas Jammies

We have more of these wonderful photos in our holiday jammies...this is just a teaser...we'll post later.