MoMa Mia... My First: Trip to the MoMa

Dear Diego,

I had an adventurous day with Moms and Dad peepin' your exhibition at the MoMa.  You sure can draw, and all over the walls... How do you get away with it?  Moms was also super excited to show me the first cubist painting by a dude named Picasso.  He's Spanish, just like half of me, even though my Godfather to be insists he's French.  What's that about?

Mom (excited) and me (not so much) on our way to visit Diego.  Sculpture garden's in the background.

When we made it to your gallery, there was tons of security, but Moms desperately wanted some record of my having been there, so she made Dad do this:

Clandestine snapshot in the Diego exhibit.  Dad got yelled at for having his camera out.

My favorite part was getting to see the sketches and pictures of your Rockefeller Centrer mural that was destroyed over the portrait of Lenin.  You were such a rebel, and chubby, just like me. But, you were married to Frida Kahlo?!  That's super cool!  We saw some of her paintings on the fifth floor.  She loves monkeys!  

After your extensive exhibit, we refueled at the Cafe, which Dad especially needed.

See what I mean?

Seems like Moms was the only one not power napping.

A short rest later, I was ready to go!

She sure loves hugging me.  How you like my hat? Abuelo says it looks like a baturro, an Aragonese hat.

So off we went in search of Picassos...

Is this a Picasso?

Is this a Picasso?

No luck in the beginning, but sure enough, we finally found him!  Mom says I needed a picture with the Demoiselles d'Avignon, regardless of how many security guards chase us.  But thankfully, my cuteness came to the rescue, and they looked the other way, just this one time.  We made sure the flash was off, and Voila!

Dad, me and the Hiz-adies.  "Hellloooo Ladies!"

 That Picasso guy sure seems like he had the life!  Mom says he was a Communist, just like you.  I'm going to have to look into that as soon as I can Google.

Once we were done with Picasso, Dad gave me a flying tour of the remaining painting and sculptures.  Bird's eye view is definitely the way to go when viewing priceless works of art!

And that was that!  My first visit to the MoMa and my first viewing of your work.  What a good time!

Mom says when I'm old enough, we can go to your home country to see your actual originals on real walls.  I can't wait!

Til Mexico City,

JYK

My First: Ducks Indoctrination

Dear Chip Kelly,

Dad's told me a lot about you, starting while I was in Mom's tummy.  So, today he was very excited that she finally let him dress me.  Of course, he opted for the sweet sweet Ducks jersey that Auntie Joan Claire and Uncle Dave gifted me.

Dressed up and ready to go, we proceeded to Win the Day...

Dad, super psyched to take me out and throw the ball around. (Nike Ducks onsie, Zara suspender jeans n white onsie)

Mom, getting schooled on how to Win the Day.

Training began in earnest once we made it outside... 

High and tight, just like my Daddy taught me!

Now I can't wait til football season starts.  Til then, we'll keep the spirit alive and continue to WTD every day!!!

GO DUCKS!!!

JYK

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

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

My First: Family Portrait

Dear Mom & Dad,

Looking good... for the early morning.

Love ya,

JYK

My First: Trip to the Met

Dear Met,

You sure are HUGE!  Especially to a tiny little guy like me.  Nonetheless, after clocking in at a sweet 8 lbs at Dr. Oliveira's, Abuela, Mom and I celebrated by going for a walk through Central Park and heading to the Met.

On Dad's recommendation, we headed for the Medieval room on this trip, but there were plenty of interesting things to see and people to meet along the way.  Several kind ladies stopped to remark how impressed they were to see me there at such a young age.  It's never too early, ladies!

Abuela n me in front of the Temple of Dendur's crocodile pond.

Mom n me checkin' out the stone gates.

Abuela thought this pic would be hilarious.  She's all, "Ahh!  Don't eat the baby!"  Then we got kicked out... (Tia Sisi sweater/hat set, Zara cords n tights, Garvalin shoes)

And exiled to the very place we were looking for.  I almost got run over.  I was all, "Watch it fellas, baby comin' through!"

I asked this dude for directions to the nearest changing table.

And on the way, I had to save my Moms from these dudes mackin' on her.  "Step aside, she's a married lady!"

What an adventure!  A day filled with danger and intrigue.  

We'll be back! 

JYK

My First: Walk Outside

Dear Neighborhood,

It was fun getting to know you for the first time.  As a matter of fact, it was my first time outdoors, breathing outside air ever!  Finally, after a week of bad weather.

Me, cozy in my stroller, practicing my stick-up stance.

 I was pretty lucky that Popo and Popie were back from their trade show to push me along.  Popie already started teaching me about the trees in our 'hood and telling me stories about the fun we're going to have camping in Oregon.

Dad, Popo, One Popie n me in Rockefeller Park, ready to go.

Dad, Moms n me.  Yup, I'm in there, somewhere.

I love Rockefeller Park and can't wait to lounge on the grass this summer scoping the bikini clad ladies with Dad.  I can't wait to walk so I can go down the slide in Teardrop Park and play in all the jungle gyms on the new pier.  We also went to this cool Winter Garden that had real live palm trees growing inside and got a short bird's eye view of the World Trade Center construction site.  One World Trade sure is big, especially to a small guy like me. Mom says it'll get even bigger.  Wow!

Mom telling me all about the WTC, and me puttin' my arms in the air n wavin' 'em like I just don't care :)

Popie, Popo, Dad n me scopin' the view of the port from the Winter Garden.

Can't wait to see more!

JYK

Going Home

Dear Abuela,

Today I left the hospital and entered my home ouside of the womb for the first time ever.  For such a special occasion, Mom dressed me in the faldon you made and the sweater/hat/bootie set Great-Cousin Tinita made for me.  Despite Dad's reservations, I loved it and felt proud to embrace this Spanish tradition.

Julie's faldon; Tinita's sweater; Zara polo onsie

I especially loved that it turned out to be a practical outfit for fitting me in the car seat while keeping me warm against the winter winds.  It also facilitated diaper changing to the max.

Julie's faldon; Tinita's sweater, hat and booties; Zara polo onsie

Dad, vigilantly keeping me safe from crazy cab drivers.

Mom, smiling on the outside; worrying about my body temperature on the inside.

We arrived home safe and sound and kickin' it in style.  

Thanks for the threads!

JYK

How it all began

What Mom calls my moon.

Dear Readers,

So, this is how it all began.  Mom woke up at 5 AM to the party I was getting started in her belly.  She was pretty optimistic about the whole thing, dancing through the pain with the ipod while Dad, Popie and PoPo slept.  Keep in mind she looked like this at the time:

That's a whole lotta belly to be swinging around to Led Zeppelin's Immigrant Song and Enrique Iglesia's greatest hits, but we made a time of it.

By 10:30 AM Mom had enough of 3-1-1'ing it and the forewarned cab driver dropped Dad and her, kicking and screaming, at NY Presbyterian/ Weill Cornell's door.  Our astute OB, Dr. Jin took one look at Mom and calmly declared, "Oh, you don't look so comfortable," as she loudly writhed in pain on the bed. Dr. Jin also followed Dad's helpful "Pain is just weakness leaving your body" coaching by estimating a 6-7 PM delivery. Mom's natural birth plan freakout began in earnest, and sure enough, by 12:30 PM, just after her water broke (while Dad was off procuring himself what we assume was the yummiest sandwich ever), she called for the epidural...  I can still hear her screams now... The blessed anesthesiologist tapped her spine and chilled her the heck out stat.  It was smooth sailing from then on, as you can tell by Dad's composed demeanor:

By 4:00 PM Dr. Jin showed up to check on us a second time, just as Abuelo, Abuela, Popo and Popie arrived.  With her powers of OB deduction she announced I'd show up in 15 minutes, and so it was.  After two sets of three 10-second pushes, precisely at 4:15 PM, I popped out:

Not my most flattering moment, but you get the point... I was tiny with a big voice.

Mom was a hot mess.  I kept telling her, "Pull it together, woman!"

Me in Popie's arm. "Wuz up, my peeps?"

What we looked like zoomed out.

Abuelo and I getting to know each other.

Abuela and Mom joined in on the fun.

Me being introduced to Popo. She's pretty cool.

There's Popo next to Popie.  She approves!

Last, but not least, Mom and Dad checking out their most successful collaboration. Yup, all the cuteness they can handle in one tiny bundle, thankyouverymuch!

Til next time, faithful readers, as this is just the beginning,

JYK