Simms Visits New York City - Part TWO

Part two....
Other NYC highlights included spending time with cousin Foram and cousin Kalu, Priyam and their kids, Mili (6 yrs) and Ruhi (9 months).   Loved spending time with the family!

Simms meets baby Ruhi and Mili in Central Park

Greg and Foram's awesome roommate, Nami

Simms and Ruhi spent most of their time pulling up grass and trying to eat it.

Foram, Greg, Priyam, Ruhi (back row)

Joy, Simms, Kalu, Mili (front row)

Simms  loved hanging out with Foram. 

I must convince her to move closer to MS. And by "closer," I mean move in with us. 

Here's Simmers giving Foram a kiss.

(I know, it looks like he's trying to eat her nose, but this is simply his way of kissing.)

 Another couple of days of training with Nami and Foram, and Simms would be walking

 They also taught him how to use a phone.
He's practicing this task using an empty  pack of chewing gum.
 You can expect a phone call from him soon...

A tasty brunch at Cafe Joul, a quaint French bistro.

 Simms was happy to reunite with Gita, Anu's sister. He hasn't seen her since last Christmas in Jackson.

You may remember from a previous post that Simms is rather small for his age (5th percentile in weight).  Knowing that I'd be surrounded by a fleet of pediatricians (Anu, Chloe, Lisette), I brought along his growth charts for review. Based on his current weight, eating behavior, growth chart, frequent vomiting/spitting up, etc. they all unanimously agreed that he probably has Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD).  Sister-in-law Michelle is an expert with GERD since poor Turtle (and poor parents) suffered with it for a year or more. I'm sure she has many words of wisdom. I'll be scheduling an appointment with his regular pediatrician this week for a follow-up. 

Simms's NYC Pediatricians:  Dr. Anu, Dr. Lisette, and Dr. Chloe.

What a lucky guy to have a whole team of  pediatricians! 

Sunday, we went to Brooklyn to visit friends, Jamie and Sabrina.  Jamie was celebrating his annual birthday party at Prospect Park.  It was a beautiful day filled with fun and friends. Everyone had a blast.

Sabrina and Jamie (on far right) are the proud new parents of Daniella, born in March

 Baby Dani (L), Ravi (M) and Simms (R)

Notice the relative sizes. Dani and Ravi are 4 months old. Simms is 12 months old.

 (I never noticed how small Simms was until I saw him alongside other babies!)

Looking out of the plane window on the flight back to Jackson.

What a great trip to the Big Apple. We can't wait to visit again.  The next time we go, we'll have TWO little boys with us!

Simms Visits New York City - Part ONE

Greg, Simms and I took a five day trip to NYC to visit friends and family. It was great fun! Simms is a terrific traveler. As long as he has books, a few toys, and some milk - he's a happy fella.

 It was ridiculously hot in the Big Apple. I'm talking sweltering Mississippi type of hot.  It seemed a bit unfair to travel so far north only to find 100 degree weather up there. Did we bring it with  us from the south?!

 We stayed with our friends, Chris and Anu, who live in the Upper East Side. We were thrilled to finally  meet their new baby boy, Ravi, who is 4 months old. (scroll up to the upper right of this page and you'll notice that he's one of the adorable baby models on my etsy page).  He's such a sweet, cuddly baby.  And Anu is a super fantastic momma.

Simms's new best friend, Ravi

Anu had Ravi laughing hysterically. How adorable is that face? 

Ravi and momma Anu on the playmat

Despite the sweltering heat, we still managed to get out and about and visited the Museum of Natural History, Central Park, Zoo, etc.  Unfortunately, it was too hot for some of the zoo animals to be out (Polar Bears, Snow Leopard), but we had a great time seeing the penguins and watching the sea lions feed.  

 Greg strolling Simms through the Mall in Central Park. Beautiful American Elm tree canopy.

The Central Park Zoo. We all look at bit exhausted from the heat, don't we?

Sea Lions eagerly awaiting  their lunch. They put on a great show for their audience.

Chris, Anu and Ravi's first trip to the zoo

 To combat the heat, we grabbed some italian gelato. Simms was sacked out from the big day.

Friday afternoon was spent at The Museum of Natural History. The Dinosaur Fossil Halls are some of our favorite exhibits in the museum.  The Museum is  home to the world's largest collection of vertebrate fossils (1 million specimens). One unique feature is that the fossils are arranged according to evolutionary relationships (rather than chronologically), to illustrate the physical characteristics between specimens. It reminds me of the cladograms that Greg creates for his Biology classes.

Superdad heroically pries open a baby-eating clam to save Simms! Good work, Greg!

I better get used to holding two little boys. These guys gave me some good practice.







Pregnancy Pals!

I'm so thrilled to have a pregnancy pal!  My best friend from high school, Susie, is pregnant with the exact same due date as me.  Not only that, but she's carrying TWIN GIRLS!  Double happiness!


18 weeks pregnant and growing by the day...
(Counting fetuses, there are 5 of us in this picture!)


Friday night, Susie and Sam babysat Simms while Greg and I went to go see our friend's band play at Hal and Mals. Our buddy, Stig, is currently touring with his Asheville band, Delia Low. If you haven't heard their music, listen here.  It's fantastic! Their new album, "Ravens and Crows" will be released August 2nd.  It's one you need for your collection.

Susie and Sam are naturals with kiddos.

Clearly, he didn't miss me and Greg that much while we were away.
In fact, he cried when Susie and Sam left...

Hi-Tech Baby

Simms has been busy working on the laptop, making phone calls, and playing "wheels on the bus" on Greg's iPhone.  Don't be surprised if you get a call or email from him soon...

Checking emails. Reading BBC News. Twittering about what he ate for breakfast.

Looking at photos on his favorite blogs

We're Having Another Boy!

Yesterday, I had my 18 week sonogram and it looks like Simms is getting a baby brother!  We're super excited!

Looks like he's waving his hand. Hi!

Profile photo

Simms and Roscoe's Joint Birthday Party (The First of Many...)

This weekend, we had a joint birthday celebration for Roscoe (who turned 2) and Simms (who turned 1).  My mom and my aunt, Tita Aida, cooked up a spectacular filipino meal. (Tita Aida came all the way from Bremerton, Washington to celebrate with the boys).  We also had a surprise visit from our Texas cousins (Lalu, Depal, Shikha, Sheilly, Ryan) who drove all the way from Fort Worth to celebrate.  Several of the photos below were taken by my talented cousin,  Depal.  And Michelle, Mariane and Mia drove down from Cleveland, MS to join the festivities. What lucky boys to be surrounded by such wonderful friends and family!  Thanks to all our friends and family for making this such a special day!

Photo by Depal Parikh
This is the same banner from Simms's birthday dinner last weekend. Just added on to it.

Photo by Depal Parikh
Can't believe our baby Simms is one year old already (sniff. tear.)

 

Photo by Depal Parikh

Simms refused to wear his bday hat, so I took one for the team



Lola Nora baked and decorated special birthday cakes for each of the boys.
Roscoe's was a layered yellow chiffon cake filled with fruit on the inside.  Delicious.

Simms's cake was a chocolate cake layered with raspberry filling.
It was tough to decide which to eat, so I had one piece of each. Why choose?



I think Roscoe likes his cake.

 Tita Aida made her famous carioca, a Filipino dessert made of rice flour and macapuno.

 Ooey gooey fried balls of dough dipped in sugary caramel goodness. How can one resist?

Nora made homemade empanandas and eggrolls. Mmmm.



Photo by Depal Parikh
Nora's birthday was the following day, so Barry rounded up the troops to sing her Happy Birthday



                                                                                             Photo by Depal Parikh

HoneyB found a cozy place to nap in Pops arms. She was exhausted from all the partying.

I love how she is napping with her pink balloon. Who needs a security blanket?

Roscoe was thrilled about getting a Radio Flyer Tricycle.

Photo by Depal Parikh

Whoa cowboy -  where are your pants? The cowboy hat and boots were presents from our Texan cousins. Simms got a Texas Rangers onesie. 

Here are some of our awesome cousins who came all the way from Texas

 Friend Ryan (L), Lalu (M) and Depal (R)

Depal took several of the photos in this post. Thanks, Depal!

Infants, toddlers, and pregnant ladies were everywhere at this birthday party. Here is Nate and Sarah with their 11 week old twins, Eleanor and Griffin. HoneyB is in Grandma Barbara's arms still snoozing with her balloon.

Roscoe and Simms loved having their cousins at their party. Turtle was the oldest kiddo there and did an awesome job of playing with  (and tolerating!) all the younger tots. She pushed Simms around in a wooden wagon and he loved it. She also played in a kiddie pool with the a bunch of toddler boys. She's so good with little ones.