Thursday: Big Girl Bed
After Haze busted out of her crib last week, we figured it was time to transition to a big girl bed. We opted for the Jenny Lind from Land of Nod. It is just the sweetest thing imaginable.
The frame was delivered on Wednesday but the Mattress didn’t come until Thursday. (Side story - Before it arrived, Hazel seemed to think she wasn’t getting a mattress and laid her blankets on the wooden slats of the bed and whimpered. Come on Haze! When have we ever done you dirty like that?!)
Thursday night, was her first time sleeping in the twin bed. It was great sitting together leaning against the headboard reading her bedtime stories and when she let me tuck her in and promptly fell asleep, I began to think the whole thing was a bigger deal for me than it was for her…
That was until she woke up screaming bloody murder at about 3am.
I ran down to her room to find her standing on the floor with her head buried into the comforter folded at the foot of the bed. I think she had fallen out and isn’t quite tall enough to hoist herself back in. She was inconsolable.
I ended up climbing into bed with her (BIG MISTAKE - she wouldn’t let me out) and spent the next 4 hours singing her half-asleep versions of the Alright Song. This seemed like a very dangerous precedent to set, but I figured I could make an exception for her first night ever out of the crib.
I am happy to report her second night in the big girl bed went much better with no tears and no middle of the night freak-outs. Fingers crossed for night 3.
Milestones like this are the type of thing that I knew would happen someday, but I had NO clue how quickly they would come. I am starting to suspect that I will be feeling these exact same feelings as my girls start school, start driving, start dating, and so on.
What’s that saying…
The days (nights!) are long, but the years are short.
So So true
(image).
![Wednesday: Girls Night out with Book/Dining Club
You know how most book clubs joke that they are really more of a wine club - well apparently our book club just took it one step further…last Wednesday, we became a Modernist Cocktail Club. And a really fancy one at that.
As if she wasn’t already my favorite recent addition to the internets, Jamie organized an awesome night out for this group of 10 tumblrs: a corner booth at the Aviary. Awesome!
The Aviary team took exceptional care of us - the drinks kept coming, as did an impressive display of lollipops. We watched some nasty chick give this really old dude a lapdance (clean it up!). We got our server to celebrity endorse our Bookclub (wha?) but more than anything we got to spend time just catching up!
These girls have become very dear friends.
The night wrapped up with all 10 of us in the NEXT kitchen…which is pretty cool (and I’m sure more than a little overwhelming for the line cooks who were suddenly outnumbered by a bunch of chatty bloggers!)
Afterwards, Jamie & I headed back at her apartment for just one more glass of wine (cause that is what we needed!) and some girl talk (which I actually did need badly)
It was a great night. Much needed.Funny how good friends and multiple drinks make things better.
[Erin, Lauren, Katie, Natalie, Megan, Emily, Kelly,Jamie,Gwen]](http://24.media.tumblr.com/fbfd6a9de3d5af46d5ff34184c102214/tumblr_mkl9yhZA9K1qzugtto1_1280.jpg)
Wednesday: Girls Night out with Book/Dining Club
You know how most book clubs joke that they are really more of a wine club - well apparently our book club just took it one step further…last Wednesday, we became a Modernist Cocktail Club. And a really fancy one at that.
As if she wasn’t already my favorite recent addition to the internets, Jamie organized an awesome night out for this group of 10 tumblrs: a corner booth at the Aviary. Awesome!
The Aviary team took exceptional care of us - the drinks kept coming, as did an impressive display of lollipops. We watched some nasty chick give this really old dude a lapdance (clean it up!). We got our server to celebrity endorse our Bookclub (wha?) but more than anything we got to spend time just catching up!
These girls have become very dear friends.
The night wrapped up with all 10 of us in the NEXT kitchen…which is pretty cool (and I’m sure more than a little overwhelming for the line cooks who were suddenly outnumbered by a bunch of chatty bloggers!)
Afterwards, Jamie & I headed back at her apartment for just one more glass of wine (cause that is what we needed!) and some girl talk (which I actually did need badly)
It was a great night. Much needed.
Funny how good friends and multiple drinks make things better.
[Erin, Lauren, Katie, Natalie, Megan, Emily, Kelly,Jamie,Gwen]
Tuesday….or perhaps I should say TWOsday:
Happy 2nd Birthday Hazel.
We woke Z up with breakfast in bed…
(a candle in a doughnut) She got a total kick out of that!
And then while getting ready, I gave her her very own tube of chapstick to play with and pulled down my glitter heels to let her march around proudly. (It is amazing the little things that make a toddler feel special)
And then I headed off to work. It was a hard day. Mom guilt got the best of me and for the first time in a long time, I cried in the bathroom. (Lesson learned: Use PTO on your daughters’ bday.)
The day dragged on…forever.
But as impossible as it felt, 5:00 finally arrived.
And we rushed home to take the girls out for Birthday Dinner.
4 adults + 2 high chairs at Eduardos Enoteca (one of my favorite neighborhood joints!) The grown-up folk ordered cocktails….and Hazel got to have juice. It was delicious. Brussels Sprouts salad and an artichoke pizza that came out with a candle (that we brought along with us) burning in the middle.
There are only about a dozen tables in this tiny cafe - and everyone in the restaurant sang Happy Birthday to my girl. (Hazel’s first flash mob?) It felt like a party…or rather, it was a party.
We put extra bubbles in her nighttime bath and read her about 6 books before putting her to bed. I squeezed her tight and couldn’t help but think about the day she came into the world…and changed our life.
Monday Night: Zagat’s 30 Under 30 party @ Nellcote.
I love this list!
(Great event but let the records show, John Shafer (GM at Next) belongs on that list. Consider this the launch of my campaign to get him there!)
I had a heck of a week…
Going through some unsettling personal stuff right now (which I suppose is why I haven’t been writing as much lately), but I have had the benefit of diversion to makes things significantly less lousy.
It was a packed week - which I wrapped up with PTO on Friday and a trip down to Durham for Easter with the H side. It was exactly what I needed.
April won’t likely be any quieter. I prefer it that way.
On Tuesday, I leave for a 4 day conference in Vegas
Followed by a weekend in St. Louis for a cousin’s wedding
And the week after that, a quick trip down to Miami to celebrate my p’s birthday!
In addition to that….
Take Your Kid to Work Day!
The March of Dimes walk with Simon and the Girls & some volunteering at 1871.
Music class & Game of Thrones starts back up.
Another visit to The Hunt
And a goal to make some more progress on the oh so daunting task of decorating a house!
But before April gets too far underway - a recap of some good times had recently….
The Easter prayers have been practiced and chocolate bunnies procured, but please tell me I am not the only one who still doesn’t have Easter dresses for her girls?! I guess my hold-up is that I want something super special just don’t want to spend the money on a frilly dress that they will likely never wear again….
And then I remembered:
I can borrow dresses for them from Borrow Baby Couture!
At half price!
And it is still not too late to get the dresses in time for the holiday!
Woot Woot!
Borrow Baby Couture is having a 50% off any rental Easter Sale! Be sure to order by end of day today and use code EASTER50 to get the dresses/discount in time.
They have some incredible pieces up from their new spring ‘14 collection (Are you kidding me with this dress and this one). Not to mention, you can now shop by Sister Outfits. (Z + Fee just hit the jackpot!)
Also, since this is shaping up to be Good New Wednesday - I ought to share that you can also BUY new and nearly new pieces at up to 80% off retail on Borrow Baby Couture’s private clearance site!
I have been in touch with the peeps behind Borrow Baby Couture since they launched last year and I’ve got to tell you - this company is run by just really nice people, the type of people you want to see succeed. Combine that (important) fact with their unique offering and beautiful (affordable) dresses - and you have a business that I enthusiastically endorse.
50% off any Rental through end of day today.
Seriously, check it out!
Disclaimer: This has been a sponsored posts, but all opinions are my own. And if you have been reading here for a while, you are probably well aware of my love for Borrow Baby Couture.
Hazel’s party was a hit.
It was special enough that she felt celebrated….but not so over the top that I felt stressed out.
More than anything though, it was an excuse to come together and let this little girl FEEL just how thankful we are for her.
After putting her down to bed on Sunday night, Hazel sang herself to sleep. Through the door I listened as my two year old sang “Happy Birthday to Hazel” over and over again. My heart swelled.
I know she won’t actually remember her second birthday when she is older, but I don’t see how she could possibly forget the love she felt.
And, in case you are interested…here are a few more glimpses of her party.
(photo credit to my mama)
Hazel was just beside herself with excitement when she opened the headphones Simon & I gave to her. I thought it was a decent gift (one that will be useful on our upcoming plane rides - Hazel has 2 big trips on the schedule this month), but I had no idea that she would be THIS excited!
Like Daddy, Like Daughter.
Between Papa Boom and Hazel’s sticky fingers, Felix got more than her fair share of icing! Lucky Girl.
This weekend Hazel had a party:
A Bookworm Birthday
A wonderful Sunday afternoon family gathering in our home to celebrate my big girl Hazel. Sandwiches from Bari (our favorite italian market in the city), some homemade desserts and a warm afternoon of hanging out.
We decorated the party with Hazel’s books - among other things. My girl & I spent a chunk of time Sunday morning collecting her favorite titles from various bookshelves around the house and putting them on display in our living room. This kept her quite busy - as she was very particular about which books got to come to the party.
She felt special having her books and her people all in one place…not to mention the new dress, big bows, happy birthday song sang just to her and literally, thousands of kisses.
We celebrated my daughter. I can’t think of many things I enjoy more!
Happy 2nd Birthday Hazel Jane. You are the brightest light and sweetest (big) girl I have ever known. I love you with every single inch of my heart.
Entry Point, 2012. Acrylic on birch, 40x40in. Private collection
[via: jameswyper]
I started a new book, Room by Emma Donoghue
The subject matter is tough but my friend recommended it by saying it was so good that he actually didn’t go out for St. Patty’s day festivities until like 4pm (which if you live in Chicago is like 8 hours after the debauchery typically kicks-off) because he couldn’t put the book down.
How about that for a ringing endorsement!
What are you guys reading? Anything good?
Hazel has reached a point in her language development where she can now tell you useful bits of information, like…
Hazel’s Shoes [are] Upstairs
Felix eat avocado [for] lunch
Papa Boom visit today
Felix is awake!
The only problem is that she often gets it wrong.
For instance - the avocado sat uneaten and Fee certainly wasn’t awake.
But when she nails it - I am so so impressed. It is really cool being a parent of a kiddo this age. She shocks me daily.
![Entry Point, 2012. Acrylic on birch, 40x40in. Private collection
[via: jameswyper]](http://25.media.tumblr.com/b46ea752da336fa1c7c55ef2ba6da443/tumblr_mbciq7qFVX1qzc7z8o1_r1_1280.jpg)
