Leap Year

Dear Julius Caesar and Sosigenes,

In honor of your invention, see below for examples of how I lept today.  Please bear with me, as I'm only a few weeks old, and there's only so much I can do at this point. 

1. My heart lept every time I saw Moms coming to feed me.

2. I lept in my Momaroo, twice.

3. I lept straight into Dad's arms for a little flying action and a nap.

I'm glad my birthyear is marked by this fun quirk.  Let's leap again in four years' time and see how far I've come.

Hope you're enjoying the afterlife,

JYK

Don Ciccio!!!

Dear Don Ciccio,

Why has Dad started referring to me by your name?

Don Ciccio - The Original

Don Ciccio - 2.0

I don't see it!

JYK

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Dear Readers,

As this post's title implies, it is indeed another beautiful day in NYC.  So, I thought it would be a nice treat to take you along on a small tour of our 'hood.  Consider this the first of its kind; since there's so much to see, it's best if we save some for other posts.  Plus, this early on, I can only make it so far before I start bothering Moms for one thing or another.

First, lemme pull on my sweater and shoes, just like a certain someone:

My neighborly mentor.

Ready to head out.  (Gocco sweater n cord shorts; Zara shirt, tights n shoes)

Today, we'll explore the 'hood from the new pier in what I'll call "A View from the Pier."

Southwest

First, off to the left, we have my home, which is directly in front of Rockefeller Park.  Some of Popie and Popo's best trees live in that park.  Mom and Dad are also known to play righteous games of wiffle ball there.  Dad also calls it the Flesh Pot in Summer months...  Moving right along, we have Lady Liberty, one of the first sights Abuela saw when entering this country for the first time.  Ellis Island is of course also nearby.  Off to the Southwest is Newark, NJ (aka Brick City), birthplace of my dear mother.  Directly across from our pad is Jersey City, where one used to be able to buy a mean churro right off the street.  All of this is of course lovingly hugged by the historic 

Southeast

Further East, we have a set of notable old and new skyscrapers.  Furthest East is the New York by Gehry building, which is just finalizing construction, and looks like this sleek pile of twisted metal.  Even it can't compare to its neighbor: the Woolworth Building.  Mom's favorite building is the first skyscraper and was the tallest building in the world when it opened in 1913.  Coincidentally, its  neighbor to the West is the World Trade Center, site of the once tallest buildings in the world, will now be home to the still under construction One World Trade, which gets prettier by the day.  Watching over all of this is the newcomer to the 'hood, Goldman Sachs, which moved in just before I was born.  In their shadows rests Stuyvesant High, where Mom hopes I'll be lucky enough to go, should we still live in NYC.

That's all for now, folks.  I feel a diaper change coming on.

Stay tuned for our next tour,

JYK



Indian Summer

Dear Abuelo,

I had a great time hanging out with you today!  Thanks for spending your precious day off with me and mom.  I wish I was in a better mood, but seeing those yummy oysters at North End Grill just made me crazy jealous. Mom really appreciated you cutting up her food and feeding her while she fed me.  You're such a helpful abuelo!

On our walk along the river, I really got to appreciate the beauty of New York winters...  Why is Mom laughing?  Isn't 52 degrees and sunny the norm here?

Anyway, I'm also glad I got to bring you to Sarabeths, my favorite hang out in our neighboring 'hood.  It's got the best changing table and kid watching in Tribeca.

Abuelo and me taking in the post-nap scene at Sarabeth's Tribeca. (Tia Sisi's sweater, Pili Carrera knit shorts)

Keep it cool,

JYK

Here's the Beef

Dear Chelsea Market,

You're awesome!  After brunch, I put on my shades and we headed out for your hallowed halls.

If Dad finds out I messed with his shades, he's gonna kill me!  (Tia Sisi's jacket)

On this trip, my main goal was to take Dad to one of my favorite places, Dickson's Farmstand Meats, seeing as he loves steak n all.  

Outside of Dickson's.  Photo credit New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/23/dining/reviews/23dinbriefs-2.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1330446036-n95GLYibP3Zxzc7AZu4bMA

I personally love it because it's a hip place to scope out meat and watch real butchers do their thing.

Dad n me watching real butchers do their thing.

Bonus: Turns out dad went to college with Mr. Jake Dickson, the owner with the most fortunate first name.  He was actually at the shop, so we got to say hi and found out he's opening a new shop in our neighboring 'hood at Franklin and Church.  Woo hoo!  Tribeca needs a hip butcher.  Now all we need is a hip fish market, and we'll be set.

 

Mr. Jake Dickson behind the counter, just like we saw him.  Oh, if only I had teeth!! Photo credit Edible Manhattan: http://www.ediblemanhattan.com/magazine/dont-call-him-a-butcher/

After Dickson's Karina and Abuela stopped at Fatty Witch for some brownies because they couldn't help themselves.  They shared the goodness all around, so I'll be gettin some later from Mom.  Can't wait!

Dad n me heading for the exit in said hallowed halls.

Til next time,

JYK

Dining with Celebrities

Dear Spiderman,

What were you doing at Cook Shop on Oscar day, Bro?  You let that hottie Gwen Stacey go all by herself?  Anyway, it was great seeing you.  Although, given what a good Samaritan you are, you should've clued Mom in on her open blouse instead of smirking at her the whole time.  At first she thought you were checking me out, thinking "What a cute baby!", as people usually do.  But when she got back to our table, we all pointed out that she forgot to button herself up after feeding me.  Doh!

Mom thanking me for saving her modesty, albeit a little too late.

You look great, and your friend should give my Aunt Karina a call.  She thinks he's smoking.  Hope you don't mind, but in true New York style, we were too cool to ask you for a picture, so we just squeezed you into one we pretended to take of ourselves.

Abuela, me and Dad reverse photobombing the back of Andrew Garfield's head.  Subtle, huh?

Keep up the good work,

JYK

PS. Emma, next time, call me.  I'll be your date, Sweetie.

Outfit of the Day?

Keep them in suspense.

Get it?  Zara suspender cords, polo onsie and knit tights

Dear Le Pain Quotidien at Riverhouse,

Dad says you have the cleanest bathroom he's seen in NYC.  Which is awesome because Moms only likes to take me to places that are "clean and airy," and I really enjoy your music selection, lighting and chai latte smells.  Just wait til I get some teeth.  I'm totally housing those pistachio tarts I've been eyeing!

The sweet life of a tiny dandy.  Jacket by Catimini, rest by Zara.

Keep it cool,

JYK

Off to Church

Dear Abuela,

We had fun in Church today, didn't we?

Abuela n moi in my nursery. Outfit by Zara

You sure are sneaky, holding me in your arms like that the whole time.  I'm surprised, but happy, that Moms allowed it.  Plus we could stay seated the whole time.  Ha!  You're a genius!

Love,

JYK

PS You did a great job not spilling anything on me at the Little Cupcake Bakeshop.  Way to go!!!

My, How I've Grown

Dear Grandparents,

Remember when this outfit was too big on me?  How you like me now?

Carters gown with Hippos!

Check out that belly,

JYK

6 Weeks!

Dear Family and Friends,

Time flies, huh?  Six weeks on this earth and counting.

Discovered this kick thing recently. Hi-YaH!

YAY!

JYK

Pequeño Angel

Queridos Tío Julito y Tía Rocío,

Que ganas tengo de conoceros y a mis primis, pero es que YA!  Especialmente ya que uno de mis trajes favoritos y regalo vuestro ya me está quedando pequeño.  El tiempo pasa demasiado rápido.

En mi nido

 Os queiro un montón y os mando mogollón de besos,

JYK

http://translate.google.com/?hl=en&tab=wT

Sweetest Dreams

Dear Moms,

You know the sweetest dreams happen at 4 AM.  Don't hate! Appreciate.  While Dad likes to think I'm smiling about California girls, you and I know better.

MILK!

Luv ya,

JYK

Happy Valentine's Day!

Dearest Readers,

I Love You,

JYK

Post Church Snack

Dear Aunt Karina,

Was great seeing you at Cafe Gitane today.  What a coincidence, you being in the neighborhood.  Although rumor has it that Moms picked St. Patrick's Old Cathedral partly because it's across the street from Gitane, where you guys often downed rose for hours (before pregnancy), so maybe it's not such a coincidence after all. I personally like it for the people watching and sunny window:

Peepin' the scene... Hellooo ladies!

Dad likes Gitane because of the literature and because he thinks it's a good place to keep a lookout for supermodels.

Let me know what your plan for this week is.  Maybe we can catch our usual at Minerva.

Holla',

JYK

Post Church Activity

Dear New Museum,

You rock!  Thanks for the comp and for only making Moms and Dad pay half price.  While they might not get you, I sure as heck do, all the way.  The magic carpet installation is dope; my personal fave.  It speaks to the fleeting nature of material possessions in an age of transcendentalism...

Me explaining it all to Moms.  She was pretty confused.

We finally ditched the security guards who chased us throughout the museum for taking pics at the top floor observation terrace and headed back down to the Birdbath Cafe, which is a kickin' spot to throw back a bottle, which the barista most generously warmed up.

Nice fingerless gloves, Dad!

A great experience all around.

I salute you with my best poo face.

Your fan,

JYK

PS.  Maybe one thing, which if you could add would be awesome: a changing table!  Just a helpful suggestion, mkay?

Age of Aquarius

Dear Abuela and Mom,

Happy belated birthdays!  I had a lot of fun celebrating with you and the rest of our family.  Getting to spend even more time with CJ and Catalina was one of my favorite parts.

Catalina checking keeping up with her email.    CJ modeling the latest in Cookie Monster wear.

But, I have to admit, one of my favoritist parts of the day was napping on Uncle John's belly.  I'm sure gonna miss it if he keeps hitting the gym.

Ahh! Heaven.

Me demonstrating my lung capacity to CJ and Catalina.  They were tres impressed.

CJ and Catalina getting a tour of my nursery.  The couch pulls out so we can have sleepovers, guys!

Me telling Abuelo about how much I love my changing table.  "I love it this much!"

Here's to many more birthday celebrations,

JYK

Morning Aerobics

Dear Jane Fonda,

Eat your heart out!

Gotta get the day started right...

And a 1, and a 2, and a kick and a punch...

PHEW!  That was tiring.  (Polo Ralph Lauren layette courtesy of NYP/ WC)

Be on the lookout for my pilates DVD, out next summer.

Peace,

JYK

Feelin Blue

Dear Tuesday,

Even though you were super sunny, I was still feeling blue.

(Tia Sisi's sweater/hat set)

See you next week,

JYK

Go Blue!

Dear Giants,

You have my permission, as a newly minted New Yorker, to go out there and kick some Patriot butt!  This is a difficult rivalry for me, since Moms met Dad at b-school in Boston.  So if it wasn't for Boston, I'd likely be two halves the man I am today in separate locations.  But, I am, therefore I <3 New York!

To psyche myself up for the game, I rocked to Madonna in the Momaroo.  I love that thing! 

(Janie n Jack jacket, shirt and shoes; Zara shorts, tights)

Dad n me before the big game.

GO BLUE!

JYK

My First: Family Portrait

Dear Mom & Dad,

Looking good... for the early morning.

Love ya,

JYK

Ery'body in the Whole Cell Block

Dear Elvis and Jack,

I wear this look in honor of you. Mom calls it Jailhouse Rock meets One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

As you can see from the picture below, I'm pretty hard core!

Me being hard core. (Zara head to toe)

Keepin' it real,

JYK

Watch Out!

Dear Egypt,

FYI, you may want to check your pyramids.  Looks like one of your mummies has escaped.

Psyche! It's just me dozin' in my swaddle n Moses basket.

Boo-yeah!

JYK

Jacobo de Cervantes

Dear Miguel,

Is it possible we could be twins who exist in two different eras?

You

Me

Think about it,

JYK