Playgrounds in NY

I promised a few folks that we'd restart a blog chronicling our move to NYC. Here is my first effort.


Lots of things are different in NY, but playgrounds are largely the same. I was more nervous for my first visit to an NYC playground than Edmund. I wondered if parents even talk to each other-- or if it would be OK to talk to nannies. This was, after all, my life back in Oakland.

Edmund didn't even notice. I opened the gate and he ran for the sand, climbed up some stairs and started to follow a bigger kid up the ladder-- just like he did at Frog. I must say, Frog park is nicer and safer. The gaps in the swing bridge at the "West 68 Playground" would have Oakland parents up in arms. West 68 is actually closer to our apartment than Frog was to our house-- just a hop across CPW and a few steps into Central Park. We will get to know it well-- and hopefully a few parents and friends as lovely as those back in Oakland.

Summer in January: Pt Reyes Hike

Thanks to our friend Billy's invitation we ventured out of the East Bay on Sunday to explore (for the first time) Pt Reyes. Along for the trip were Billy & Kris (w/ Reed) and Molly and John (w/ Maya). Elizabeth and I are fortunate to have these Bay Area veterans to show us around.


Edmund is now just over six months and big enough to fit into our backpack carrier, which happened to be our first "baby" purchase upon learning that Edmund was on the way. He is also well into eating solid (not really solid) food.



After a cold Christmas and New Years (like it should be), we have been treated to some amazing summer like days of warmth and blue sky. Sunday on our hike it was around 70 degrees-- warm enough for a dip in Bass Lake- encouraged by a well placed (and somewhat secret) rope swing.

XMAS Day 2008

Christmas in the East Bay brought crisp weather and lots of fall colors. After opening presents at home, we made a short walk over to Miyo and Beko's for Christmas Brunch-- and we had an unexpected visitor.

Edmund held back his tears for Santa Bek0-- but the visit was not without some serious questions (see below). A special thanks to Elizabeth's friend Melia for the hand sewn wool sweater.

Reed, Kai and Edmund agreed to a limited photo shoot with strict distrubtion rights. These guys are already good friends.

Labor Day weekend in Newport Beach

Edmund's first airplane trip was a short hop from Oakland to Orange County. Edmund better enjoy flying-- he has a busy fall ahead of him with trips planned to Virginia and New Zealand. Luckily he hardly noticed the trip-- he woke up and found himself on the beach with the constant sound of waves crashing. We are spending the weekend at the Beach House, Carl's parent's house in Newport Beach.

Edmund has seemed bored by his parents recently and is much more interested in the buckets of attention he is receiving from his aunt and uncle (Brian and Dianne), his cousins (Max and Audrey) and his grandparents.


Someday soon he'll take notice of the fun to be had out on the beach-- but for now its still just the basics... sleep, eat, poop.

Moby Nap

We made it to Newport Beach and soon traveled down the boardwalk for some Mexican food and a nap. Hard life.

Edmund's Olympic Floor Routine

Edmund had a little extra energy this afternoon on his 7 week birthday, just one day after his grandparents from Virginia departed for home. He attempted a floor routine consisting of an aided walk, followed by some technical dance moves and a half roll. He gets a 7.5.




Here he is with a smile on his face, at least we think it is a smile!

A nap w/ Grandpa Styron

Edmund was spoiled by the presence of his grandparents from Virginia. Hopefully he will go back to sleeping on his less comfortable bed.