Ferrara's in Florida

Last Saturday night Philip surprised me with a mystery date. He scheduled a baby-sitter, pulled out the EZ Pass, and even packed a messenger bag with goodies. We left home after dark but I had no idea where we were headed. After driving through the Midtown Tunnel, he pulled onto 34th Street and parked the car between two barracades and the sidewalk. I was like, "Isn't this illegal?" but he had previously set it up. We got out of the car and went into a new luxury high rise where Philip had already alerted the security guard. Then we entered the building and took the elevator to the penthouse level. We got out on the top floor, climbed some stairs and there we were, on a garden roof deck that overlooked the center of midtown...all alone! We had a romantic dessert picnic under the city lights.

Yes, Sable's first tooth broke through her gums this week. It is a jagged little booger, not a straight edge like I imagined. The past five days have been full of all day moanings despite temporary relief with Orajel, ibuprofen and frozen apple juice wash cloths. Today I thought her tooth was bothering her so I took her to the pool. She LOVES being outside; love being an understatement. As soon as we stepped into the garden outside our apartment, she stopped crying so I knew it was cabin fever and not a toothache. The pool was unusually cold most likely due to the recent cool front and rain, but Sable didn't mind. She kicked and squealed and pranced around until I got tired of holding her. Once we sat on our towels, I put her face down. Sable wasted no time getting on her hands and knees into rocking position but then...right knee moved forward...then left knee moved forward...she crawled for the first time!

Saturday couldn't have been a more perfect day. A cloudless sky and 65 degree weather (that's August in NY for ya), we headed to DUMBO for a walk through the park under the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges. But before we left the house, we had some fun with the camera.

Last week as I was strolling Sable in the neighborhood, we walked past a lady being pushed by her husband in a wheelchair. She had a newborn baby, only 4 days old, on her lap! The baby was so tiny compared to Sable. Really, there was no comparison. It was like comparing a kitten and a moose. My little sweetheart is growing so fast!! (Check out her sun tanned arms and legs. Must be the Italian genes as I paint her with SPF 45) FOUR AND A HALF MONTHS ONE AND A HALF WEEKS

Sable is coming into her own...personality, that is. She started eating cereal on her 5 month bday and if I don't get the food to her mouth fast enough, she lets me know it. Same thing goes when I take a toy from her hand, especially my car keys. She thinks she owns them. On the other hand, she lights up with joy when her daddy gets home from work or when she plays with Mr. Lizard, her washcloth puppet, in the bath tub.

Today Sable had a playdate at Jones beach with Julia. They were heaven's little angels in the car both to and from Long Island. Our baby girls enjoyed themselves but as for us moms, it was fun in a different way. Unlike the days of laying out and surfing waves in the Atlantic, Amy and I resorted to sitting under the umbrella.

How to Be Popular with Friends and Family Rule #1: Have a Baby Sable's first visit to Louisiana was grand to say the least. Family and friends from Austin, Texas to Birmingham, Alabama and as far north as Indianapolis came to town. Sable loved the attention and Philip and I enjoyed reconnecting with relatives and friends, some whom we haven't seen in years. One week was just not enough time to meet up with everyone we wanted to see. I guess we'll just have to make another trip down South soon. *Warning: There are a lot of photos with this post

Yesterday we spent the afternoon in Brooklyn with Lamaze friends Amy and Julia. We picnicked on the waterfront then window shopped on Bedford.

Saturday night we enjoyed great company and good food with the Miranda's and DeGeus' in the garden at Pio Pio. We especially enjoyed our night as we knew it might be our last supper with our friends for a while.

The Little Thinker Barely Enough Hair for a Barette Holding My Head Up High

Today we hung out with our friend Larry Bates and it was Sable's first time meeting him. The weather was absolutely gorgeous--what seemed like 0% humidity, sunny, breezy and 75 degrees. After brunch with Larry and the Lopez family, we shopped in SoHo. Philip wanted to buy some Ray-Ban's and I almost opted out of the downtown trek but quickly realized I may not have the easy access to that unique neighborhood like I currently have. We actually had a really nice time, including Sable who smiled and "coo-ed" at the colorful sidewalk artwork and shop awnings.

Pascual and Heather were surprised when they came over for "lunch" today. Friends and family gathered to shower the couple with gifts and well wishes for their upcoming wedding. The Bride and Groom Newlyweds Colin and Sofia Sabe the Babe with Lauren Stella Bella with Anna

What was an attempt at a play date for our little girls Stella and Sable turned into a cry date. Things were going smoothly until we sat them next to each other in their Bumbos. One cried then the other and soon it was full-blown waterworks. A Baby Einstein video temporarily quieted the little ladies and enough for Solomon to join them in the TV fun.

Too busy for sleeping, these days when we are not out on the town, Sable happily plays with her new toys.