I still remember the first walking trip I took with Peanut. The afternoon I arrived home from the hospital, after being sequestered for four days I needed to get out. I enlisted my mom, who had taken the day off of work to help me. I got the stroller prepared. I packed a diaper bag.

And I mean packed.

Two hundred wipes, three outfits and just possibly twenty diapers. Just on the off chance that we encountered a diaper explosion or ginormous spit-up or mid-March Typhoon and were stranded at Starbuck’s for three days.

Keep in mind that our destination was around, oh, four blocks away.

The prepared parent. The (over) prepared parent.

As time went on, I modified my routine slightly. But I’d always make sure to have clothes, snacks, wipes and diapers (later, undies). The possibility of departing with anything less seemed virtually impossible.

Until today.

We left this house this afternoon with naught but a scooter and wallet. Peanut was determined on riding to the market (just over a mile away) for bananas. It was a gorgeous day and the timing seemed right for testing our our first long trip without a stroller. As I walked two feet behind Peanut, it occurred to me how much things have changed over the last two months, in particular.

I’m now the mother of a little girl.

Not a baby.

Weather.

Soaking, dripping, bone-chilling weather.

Terrible weather.

Not in her world.

It crept up on us, really. Last night, when we were surfing on Gilt for children’s items. My husband noticed a pair of Thomas the Train rain boots. They were on back order (of course. Why wouldn’t they be?). Still, as Jerry and I gazed at those little galoshes through the computer screen, we realized it wasn’t even certain whether she’d like them anymore. You see, over the last two months or so, Peanut’s interests have developed and diversified to the point where she loves so many things – including her stuffed dog (Corey), her blue scooter, and even princess band-aids (something I never would have anticipated).  It’s not just about trains, anymore (like it once was).

She’s beginning to grow up.

Of course, there are so many things that are wonderful about this little girl who’s changing before my eyes. She’s sweet, loving, and (dare I say) slightly more reasonable than ever before. I can explain things to her. I can have a conversation with her. And she’s smart. And she’s curious. And she’s funny.

When she says “I love you so much” my heart explodes with a mixture of pride and warmth and admiration at the person she’s becoming.

But she’ll never again be that Peanut whose entire life revolves around trains.

Like so many other things in parenting (in life!), It’s a moment I’m trying to capture and remember – only now that I realize how fleeting it was.

Like so many other things in parenting.

It’s bittersweet.

I usually hate Valentine’s Day. It’s kind of akin to New Year’s, in my book. The reservations, the overpriced prix fixe meals, the expectation.

Still, it’s incredible how having an (almost) 3 year old changes your perspective on (almost) everything.

Happy Valentine’s Day.

Love,

Last Friday I was picking up Peanut at pre-school, chatting with a few mothers before the littles were dismissed. School’s been going well and we’ve been feeling great about it all, generally. I started talking to one mom, in particular, about what the kids had been up to that week.

“Did you send in something for show and tell that starts with the letter ‘N’?”

I stared at her blankly.

“Didn’t you read the letter?” she asked? “The letter advised parents to send in something for show and tell that started with the letter ‘N’ or ‘O’”.

Did I mention I had been feeling really awesome about handling everything in my life and not forgetting anything important?

Yeah. Back to “the letter”.

You see, Peanut’s school send home these notes weekly. They update parents on the happenings at school, including books that have been covered, and general goings on.  I read them (mostly), except when I’m unpacking her folder and backpack from the previous day 5 minutes before we leave (um, sometimes). I clearly hadn’t read this one. Obviously. Or Peanut would have had something for the letter ‘N’ and ‘O’ and I think I would have even thrown in a ‘P’ to be keen.

Her first show and tell. EVER. And I missed it.

Fail.

Not the first, probably not the last. I know I’m not alone here, too. But still.

Fail. And a little reminder to never get too comfortable with all that school paperwork (does it ever end?!)

Let’s just say we’re prepped and ready for Wednesday.

Yesterday afternoon I took Peanut skating for the very first time, at Wollman rink in Central Park as part of Big City Moms Winterfest. Skating is something I’ve been doing for what feels like ever; as a child growing up in Canada my dad would clear a stretch of ice on the lake behind our house and we’d hold informal hockey games. After moving to Connecticut at the age of thirteen we tried to maintain our winter sports (like any self-respecting Canuck).

Great memories.

Today I discovered that “skating” is a very loose term with respect to toddlers. Crawling on ice might be a more appropriate description. We made four laps (or perhaps 200 – at least that’s what it felt like). Of course, she was very pleased with herself. And the truth is, she really did a respectable job. Slightly nervous at the beginning, but by the end of our last turn, she actually pushed my hand away.

After a good two hours she left the rink with a new sense of self confidence, joy, and appreciation for a different sport.

As well as a blister.

Great memories.

Last weekend we decided to send Peanut away with her GiGi and Pops for a little overnight visit. Yes, you heard me. Over. Night. (Overnight!)

The sleepover. A most efficient use of grandparents everywhere.

She was utterly thrilled, of course. You see, my parents make any visit an absolute party, filled with cupcakes, glow sticks, and multiple miles of choo-choo track. Of course there’s always a paradox in dropping Peanut off – I’m generally thrilled to have a moment of silence but spend the next 5 hours asking for photo updates so I can see exactly what she’s up to. I enjoy the break but am just so curious during those moments when we’re apart – it’s like a little mystery I love to peek in on.

Jerry and I spent Sunday afternoon visiting friends, shopping, and walking the city on possibly one of the coldest days yet. Still, New York rarely shuts down; it’s one of the most wonderful things about this place. Even the streets and restaurants were just busy.

We ate dinner (during which we talked about Peanut – eh).

Then picked her up Monday morning, after sleeping in until the (extremely late) hour of 8am. Which, in all reality felt like 2pm (the sad state of affairs that is our life). And she missed us. And I missed her.

And it felt good to get her back.

Time apart.

It’s a good thing.

Over the past several months I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to work for an incredible company; GoGirl Finance. GoGirl Finance was founded by Caryn Effron in the hopes of getting women talking about money.

Finances have got to be one of the most difficult things to discuss. As women we talk about almost everything – childbirth, raising kids, relationships – and often money is just a tough topic to broach. But it’s so important.

Last Monday GoGirl Finance held its first live event at the fabulous Warren-Tricomi Salon on Madison Avenue, co-hosted by personal finance expert Manisha Thakor. It was a night of beauty and conversation about financial health. Manisha is one of those people who has an easy way about her, and is able to address tough topics in a manner that’s just so accessible.

Over the course of the evening, she spoke about some of the things that are relevant to women of all ages; money and relationships, saving for the future, estate planning and insurance, and what to do if you’re self-employed. I loved how she was able to put planning into perspective – her philosophy is that by taking care of your money, you’re respecting yourself. And when the “financial” part of your life is in order, it’s easy to achieve “MoneyZen” – “a simple path to find financial peace of mind”.

For a full recap of the event, hop on over to GoGirl Finance, or check out these posts by some of the other fabulous bloggers who attended this event: Glamamom, A Mommy In the City, Ramshackle Glam, Mommy Delicious, and Momtrends.

A big thanks to Manisha for opening my eyes to some of those oh-so-important financial topics.

Being money saavy is sexy!

Is it really January? Because it feels like April.

I’m in denial that it may actually get cold (at some point).

But we’re currently loving this.

xo

I’ve taken a much needed break from social media this Christmas. It’s actually been almost nine days since I’ve last written here – although I’m sure it barely made a ping on the blogosphere. Still. There’s something so refreshing about stepping back once in a while, don’t you agree? Particularly when we’re all so connected.

Yesterday, I spent a quiet New Year’s Eve with my family. One of the best parts of parenthood is being able to gracefully bow out of events that are positively annoying. I detest the fanfare surrounding NYE, and always have. Enter Peanut. The difficulty in finding a sitter/impossible logistics of getting anywhere means I haven’t really had to celebrate New Year’s (out) in around three years.

Bliss.

Mild temperatures actually permitted a trip to the park yesterday afternoon. It was standing room only – I think every parent in our neighborhood had the same thought. Peanut spent most of her time trailing some older children, and (I believe) trying to get their attention. At one point she overheard the (possibly 4 year old?) girl she was shadowing refer to her as a “baby”. “Not a baby,” Peanut responded, “a big girl”.

Her wish for the new year: to be perceived as something grown up.

We all have goals we want to achieve – large, or seemingly small.

I feel that 2012 will be the year to do it.


Everything.