Mathilda Takes Manhattan

Together again!  We just returned from a fantastic 5 day trip dragging Mathilda around on a tour of our east coast lives past.  She finally got to meet our NYC family!  As always, it is like we were never apart. Nostalgia mixed with optimism (or is that really what nostalgia is, after all?) had me feeling all happy, warm and lovey.  Gone are the days of hot new bars with drinks and hungover brunches. Yes, we were  part of the stroller pushing, coffee drinking, Brooklynites.  A dream come true!

We strolled the Highline in the non-humid sun (the weather gods smiled upon us for our New York visit) and Tilly got her first subway ride (rocked her right to sleep!).  "Late nights" with an infant meant bottles of wine and engrossing conversations (the state of friendships, love, the world- it was fantastic being with our like minded friends and family) in Jean-Yves' living room til 11pm when the exhausted parents had to turn in in preparation for multiple nighttime wakings. Our planned on-location NYC photo shoot never happened, but we'll make sure to get at least a few Washington Square arch shots the next time we are there (where the magic happens?).

Seeing how little having an infant changed our relationships reinforced how wonderful they (the relationships and the people in them) really are. And being back in New York tugged at me to lose a bit of the suburban in our urbansuburban life.  It would be hard to give up our backyard garden (and likely 3rd bedroom and dining room table!) but to be back in New York with our amazing friends and family, not to mention swirls on every corner- well, it's hard to resist the daydream.  I don't know if an analyst and speech-pathologist (PhD or not) could make it work as we'd want to in New York, but ohhh perchance to dream....

I have to send love- Anna and Andrea who keep me feeling normal with their motherly advice both pre and post-partum (and I finally got to meet their adorable children!), Bridgette who is single-handedly outfitting our child and will surely guide her liberal elitism! Nikki & Deena & Stefan- surrogate aunts and uncle does not begin to describe their love for our girl or my love for them.  The hospitality of Uncle Jean Aunt Melanie, Tati Stephanie and Uncle Chris (who will see her awake someday!).  I think (hope) we inspired Mike and Erin to jump on the baby bandwagon!  I wish we could have seen everyone, but we did well- more importantly, Mathilda did well.  Only a few meltdowns and minorly disrupted sleep patterns- we were so proud!

breakfast in Brooklyn- a perfectly named spot!

on the highline

smiles for Nikki!

She could belong to Deena & Jean!  much love for her bestie!

I love New York! move here Mommy!

Jean's place

Tilly was spoiled by our Brooklyn location.  We told her if she brings in the cash, we'll gladly move here!

After NYC we spent 2 hours in lower Manhattan traffic (ah yes! I remember something I don't love about New York- getting out on a holiday weekend) and finally made it to New Jersey where we spent the afternoon with the Yurcisin's and their adorable kids.  Infant photo shoot ensued!

afternoon photo-shoot in NJ with Harrison

Then it was on to Levittown, PA to spend a few days with Great-Grandmom Rehak and meet the family while celebrating my twin cousin's HS graduation.  She has now met and enchanted the entire Gillespie-Rehak family.

great-grandmom Rehak.  They were best friends!  Mathilda spent 30 minutes (no joke) telling her great-grandmother all about her NYC adventures

4 generations of women

I'm sure if someone had told my 91 year old grandmother back in 1940 that she would one day have a Haitian great-granddaughter she would have laughed in disbelief. I love musing about the world she has experienced. She is an awesome woman and was absolutely in LOVE with her great-granddaughter!  They were fast friends. Mathilda loved sitting on her lap and "talking" to her. I wish I had gotten it on video.

9pm on the PA turnpike

not in love with the long drive home, and needed an outdoor snuggle with Papa

We finally made it home Sunday night and little Tilly went right to sleep- happy to be in her own bed again.