Fine Arts and Martial Arts

Susannah got back in touch with her city roots this past weekend. Grandma Moonpie and Grandpa Moonshine (aka John Collins) came to visit and we hit the streets like seasoned New Yorkers. Subway rides, restaurants, museums--it's what all the 8-week-olds are doing.


Susannah told us she was dying to see the Picassos at MoMA.














Then she got hungry.



















The rest of us ate at the Cowgirl Hall of Fame in the West Village. Susannah woke up only long enough to say Howdy.










Finally, on Monday night, while dad cooked dinner, there was some time for Ninja training with mommy.

Dad's Favorite Maine Pic

Sorry, just one more. Dad couldn't resist posting his favorite photo yet. Susannah takes her first swim! (Special thanks to Lauren for the fine photography).

Maine Montage

Susannah was the chillest baby for miles this past weekend at our friends' place in southern Maine. Richard and Carly were great to have us up considering they are about to have their first child - a boy - in September. This is the third year that they have played host to this ragamuffin group of childhood, high school and college friends. With the next generation here or on the way, this year was a little more low key. (no tequila for Beth this year, heheheh)




























Susannah showed the dudes that maybe babies aren't so intimidating after all. (They still look a little scared in this photo, but it was early in the weekend).















She got in on one of the first of many girl talk sessions.















She napped while mom and dad played dock ball. It's a cross between cricket and baseball and requires a flotation device and several pitchers of beer.















She was happy to let soon-to-be dad Richard have some hands-on practice.


And she had her first swim! She was hesitant at first, but then took a liking to it. Her dad was so excited and proud. And by the way, is that the cutest little fanny in the world or what?


Thanks for a great weekend, Richard and Carly! Next year's all about baby dock ball.

Susannah likes Maine

Susannah is trying to figure out if she is a city girl or a country girl. Right now we suspect she is leaning toward the latter.

GUESS WHO SLEPT FROM 10:30PM TO 5:30AM?!

Susannah did! People, it was a beautiful, beautiful thing.

I took this photo yesterday. Now that she is becoming such a--as my sister would say--cheeky monkey, she can wear some of the cute clothes you guys have bought her.

Looks like a good time for Ben to....














.....sneak out for a BIKE RIDE!

Kidney Update #2

So, as some of you know, on Monday we had another appointment with our urologist, who we like very much. She looked at the latest sonogram of Susannah's kidneys and was concerned. The right one had gotten a little worse. It is complicated, but in short she told us that this is a strange case because they don't look very good on a sonogram, yet seem to pass every test that measures kidney function. Nonetheless, she thought we should postpone our August vacation plans in case Susannah would have to have surgery.

This was of course very disconcerting, and we began to prepare ourselves. We thought: at least we were getting it over with, and it is for the best. But today we were surprised when she called to tell us that, after sharing the information and films with her colleagues to get their opinions, she had decided to wait another couple of months to see how things progress before making the decision to operate. Her colleagues opined that since the kidneys were functioning relatively well, there was no need to rush to the O.R. We will go back again in three weeks for another sonogram and take it from there. It is likely that we will still have to go through with the procedure, but we could also be surprised.

Overall, we are happy that we can enjoy a surgery-free summer, and that our doc was thoughtful enough to get a couple of additional opinions. We feel like we are in good hands - thank goodness for that. And, as usual, Susannah is insouciant about the whole matter.

Susannah's Big Holiday Weekend

Although Susannah didn't catch any fireworks, aside from some kids with sparklers out on the street, she still had a nice weekend with a few firsts.



Started off pretty routine: reading the paper with Dad.


















A walk in Prospect Park, which included a public diaper change.













Then it was time for a new adventure - her very first subway ride!














Hitting streets of Mom and Dad's old 'hood: the Upper West Side. (those familiar with Ben's baby pictures will recognize this expression).


















Final destination: Pat's 60th birthday party, where she wined, dined, schmoozed and snoozed. Happy birthday Pat!

Grandma Takes Susannah to the Spa

Grandma Moonpie is in town and created a day spa for Susannah in our kitchen sink.















She was treated to her first shampoo, followed by warm water compresses with the soft touch of New York City tap water.











Then she was moisturized and wrapped in a heated towel (ok it wasn't heated but it was clean).















As you can see, all this attention was utterly relaxing.