Introducing Miss Awesome.

All good indeed!

I know today is Wednesday, but it's kinda not Hump Day because of Labor Day and I haven't posted since last Hump Day, so how about I share a little something special today and tomorrow I'll give you some fun links to break up the week?! Cool? Cool.

So... Introducing Merry Meri's newest project, Miss Awesome*:

Affectionately dubbed Awesomesauce by Dr. H and I throughout my pregnancy, lil A entered the world on November 28, 2016 and has been living up to her awesome moniker ever since. I could write forever about the infinite joy that becoming a mom has brought me and the beautiful soul that is my daughter... Being a mom ROCKS and having Miss Awesome as my newest co-adventurer has been (1) so much fun and (2) great for Dr. H, who no longer has to accompany me to every museum, amusement park, hiking trail and food truck I seek to enjoy (when they're tiny they're so portable!) Awesome loves to travel, eat, smile and observe and I try to fill her universe with interesting, exciting, engaging and beautiful experiences. In short, we make an excellent team.

I have a long mental list of future posts about motherhood, from my experiences with birth, breastfeeding and being a workforce mom (all moms are working moms!) to thoughts on dressing a little girl and what to do when your kid sh*ts in the tub (laugh, you have to laugh) but this is not and will not be a mommy-blog. I'll try to keep the topics diverse and sprinkle adventures in parenting throughout because hey, ya gotta write what you know. So that's the new big news, now back to our regularly scheduled Merry Meri (also Mommy) programming.

* I made a decision back in 2011 (sooo long ago!) not to share pictures of Dr. H's or my faces on this blog and I feel pretty strongly about sticking to that policy for Miss Awesome (at least for now). Her punim is very adorable though, I promise :)

Travels and Headline News

Wanderlust 4 Eva

Hello hello and welcome back to the merriest corner of the internet! After a little hiatus from blogging for some friend-filled travel and celebrations last week, I'm back to tell you where I've been lately and why you need to go there too.

First, Charleston, SC. Have you been? I visited Charleston over Labor Day weekend, staying at a rented house on Isle of Palms (one of the beach communities just outside downtown Charleston) and had an absolute blast. Charleston has beautiful homes, lovely beaches and a down south chill vibe that made it an excellent vacation destination (including for our family's little kiddos). I highly recommend renting a house near the beach (with a pool, it gets HOT!) and letting your days be a relaxing mix of beach, golf, swimming and the occasional trip into town for shopping (Charleston has awesome shopping of the boutique and designer variety) and eating (we went to Hominy Grill one night and loved everything from the shrimp and grits to the pie for dessert). There was a ton of history and exploring we didn't get to do this trip, but I guess that just means I need to go back!! A short flight from NYC, consider Charleston for your next family vacation, romantic getaway or even a bachelorette or girls trip destination!

View from Munjoy Hill, where our rental house was.

Second, Maine... Like the whole state, but this time around, specifically Portland. I have now vacationed in Maine twice (Bar Harbor last time) and I think it might be my exact-opposite-of-NYC-can-I-have-a-home-here-too favorite destination. Portland is another short trip from NYC (just a 50 minute flight) and the crisp air, gorgeous ocean/bay views and out of this world seafood make it the most refreshing place on the planet to visit. Again we rented a house (sensing a theme here!?) and I fell in love with everything from our multi-story old house, to paddleboarding on the bay, outrageously good lobster mac HERE and the general adorableness of a small city meant for exploring and enjoying on foot. I've already got plans to be back in Maine next summer and  I think this is a tradition I could get used to!!

And finally, HAVE YOU HEARD THE NEWS!? Thanks to an "I-just-opened-my-eyes-and-saw-your-email" from my beloved (parent)thetically speaking, I learned this morning that the royals are expecting another bundle of joy. While I wish first and foremost for Kate and Will a healthy bitty baby, I wish secondly for myself and the world for a little princess because after closely following George's adorable clothing swagger, I'd love to see what a royal lady baby would do. Congrats to the parents-to-be!!

For the Kiddos

Melt my freakin heart...

With friends makin babies at a somewhat more regular pace lately (here they come!) I've been exposed to more and more kiddo paraphernalia, inspiration and apparel of the absolutely adorable variety. So here for all you Mommy, Sister, Auntie or beloved Friend types is the next installment of "For the Kiddos"!

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, a beloved (and adorably illustrated) kids book for this tiny generation is part of a series!! I never knew, but I think I will be gifting several Pigeon books in the future, including his newest bath time adventure.

Oh man... so efficient, looks adorable and no more cutting up sandwiches into tiny pieces!! Click HERE to purchase the Fun Bites Squares from Amazon and be sure to browse all the other adorable shapes they sell! (Pin it here)

So apparently "balance bikes" are all the rage these days. I see them all over NYC and one of my favorite chic mamma bloggers over at Lady and Prince is always raving about her kids' Strider Bikes. The goal is apparently to work on balance first (even as young as 2!) then get to the pedaling later. HERE is a great roundup of all the best (at least in Babble's opinion!) balance bikes on the market.

I could see this "go fishing" DIY being perfect for distracting your little one on a long line, an airplane or just on any boring afternoon. Small enough to tuck in your purse and very do-able from a craft standpoint, click HERE for the full instructions from Doodle Craft.

Is there anything more adorable than a plush rocker?! I think not (says the auntie who purchased a pastel cow and airplane for her niece and nephew respectively!) I love these adorable rockers as new baby gifts because they're unique and will last a while (first as decor in the room, then as a ride on toy for 2-3 years). Plus, Wayfair.com has an amazing selection at very reasonable prices HERE.

* A little something for the Mama's:

- I typically read Copy Cat Chic for the amazing save-on-decor advice, but when Reichel, Mom of 2 shared this post about her favorite maternity/breast feeding friendly clothes, I took note.  boob (yup that's really the name) looks chic and flattering and the price point is somewhere perfectly between very reasonable (Old Navy Maternity) and absurd (Hatch Collection)

* And even some great reads for Dad:

- On making the most of your paternity leave

- Advice for new Dad's from my favorite Dad blogger (yes I have a favorite Dad blogger:)

* Some good reading:

- An interesting theory on why babies cry at night

- Why isn't the baby industry working harder to revolutionize the breast pump!?

- A very interesting (but LONG) article about "The Overprotected Kid"

- Just in time for summer road trips, a book of kid friendly adventures in the Hudson Valley.

Lastly, THIS little girl's reaction to finding out her mother is pregnant literally brought tears to my eyes.

For previous "For the Kiddos" posts, click HERE.

Hump Day Distractions

Happy Allergy Season!

And then it was springtime and Merry Meri awoke, so puffy and stuffy from her allergies that she almost resented the beautiful blooming flowers... almost:) Anybody else suddenly TOTALLY socked in the face by seasonal allergies this week!? While I invest in a lifetime supply of Zyrtec and debate life in a bubble, here are some delightful distractions from around the web. Enjoy!

* I'm either ridiculously on trend or ridiculously typical. I prefer to think the former.

* Shut up with this beautiful/adorable/royal perfection. (those cheeks, I can't even!!)

* This kid is the man.

* I hate myself for desperately wanting to eat THIS. It looks So. Damn. Good.

* And obviously I'll be having some Wonuts for dessert (#FatKidForLife)

* "Condom truck tips, spills load"... and other brilliantly cringe worthy headlines!

* I absolutely love THIS story. Totally worth five minutes of your time. (via exPress-o)

* Brooklyn is in bloom!! Track the cherry blossoms HERE.

* I still love Queen Bey, but THIS made me un-follow her Instagram account.

* I could stare at pictures of this adorable duo all. day. long.

* This is in fact that cutest party ever.

Reflecting.

Beginnings and Endings.

This past week, something very poignant happened... a beautiful old woman I knew left the earth and an adorable baby girl joined it. The two events occurred within 24 hours of one another and I was struck by just how circle of life-y it made me feel. Because the universe can be incredibly confusing at times, challenging us, delivering struggles and causing pain, but this was amazingly clear: sometimes the universe must do out with the old and in with the new. And both events were uniquely beautiful - celebrating the end of 97 years of life and adoring the first few hours of another. It's rare to have things like this coincide so exactly, but on some other-worldly level, Mollie's departure and Marie's arrival seem very much a sign that the universe is in fact thinking of us and asking us to keep the faith. I'm going to try to remember that.

Have a wonderful weekend my merry friends!

Hump Day Distractions

Current mind state.

Today is Hump Day. I am ready to get over the hump. Seriously. Is it Friday yet!?

* An adorable way to make your Easter table extra awesome.

* Taking a little joy in discovering that NYC isn't actually the worst value in the country.

* If you've been following the Malaysia flight 370 news, here's an interesting summary of plausible theories.

* Could 100% streak free windows actually be possible!?

* Sports can be so much more than "just a game" (endure the pre-roll for a quick "joyful tears" moment).

* Practical Information: This family owned shop comes highly recommended for designer bag repairs.

* Have you heard about "midi skirts"? Supposedly all the rage this spring. Hoping THIS one suits my hips and booty.

* Dad doing cute/funny things with his baby? swoon.

* So apparently Carrie and Ferris Bueller live in my DREAM HOUSE (also, cool questionnaire)

* These food maps are SO freakin cool!

* Are you obsessed with Disney's Frozen? (Don't be embarrassed, you know you are!!!) Well in any case, this fan theory seems so plausible that my head just about exploded.

For the Kiddos

Hey kiddo!

After spending 4 days in Atlanta with my beyond delightful 3 year old niece and brand spankin new little nephew, I have developed a severe case of baby brain. Not to be confused with "want a baby" brain, my baby brain is just a constant state of kid-filled daydreams which get me super excited for the day when Dr. H and I decide to start a family (because from what I can tell, having a family is awesome:) To hold me over until that day, (and to share all the ideas and info I've been hoarding for it!) here's the latest installment of "For the Kiddos". Enjoy!

I'm absolutely in love with the adorable shirts and leggings available in the Spoon x Chogre Etsy shop! Made of organic cotton and covered in colorful, unique prints, I can't wait to have a tiny human to dress in these shirts!

Want a craft activity for your toddler that doubles as an adorable gift? How about you "send a hug"!? The perfect way to send love to far away relatives, this 3 ingredient craft (paper + scissors + markers/crayons) is sure to be a hit with your kiddo as well. (Original post HERE.)

Pretty much the coolest way to store your kids Legos. Ever. (Also, an excuse to eat Cheese Balls!)

Toddler proof your doors for the cost of 1 pool noodle. It's all about improvising people!!!

Breakfast is always better with (smiling) monsters! Turning morning oatmeal into an adorable treat using THIS simple step-by-step tutorial. You've probably already got everything you need except the edible marker (and I think every kitchen should probably have an edible marker:)

Parental Reading.
Here are a few kiddo-related books I've recently heard very good things about around the web:

* How to Have Your Second Child First: 100 Things That Are Good to Know... the First Time Around

* All Joy and No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenthood (not how parents effect kids, how kids effect parents)
* Real Food For Mother and Baby (a book about just giving your kids all the good stuff you're eating).

And here are a few interesting articles that got me thinking:

* Comparing American parenting techniques to those in other countries (REALLY fascinating)
* Why Finnish babies sleep in cardboard boxes.

* 7 Secrets to raising happy kids? Sure, why not!!?
* 10 common mistakes parents make - a REALLY interesting look at what parents do now and how it may impact the long term health and well being of their kids. 

Plus, a few things you just might need to buy:

* Must have baby items according to Cup of Jo.

* The perfect high chair solution for apartments dwellers and others without a ton of space.

* Got a little one waking you up before the sun!? Maybe this "ok to wake" clock is the solution?!

Hump Day Distractions

Haha!

A winter weather hello and happy hump day to you my friends! NYC is a snowy wonderland again and though it makes getting around a bit tougher and slower, I have to say... I love it. If it's going to be cold, might as well have snow (says the girl with no driveway to shovel or car to skid around!) I'm trying my best to enjoy the sparkling white before it all turns muddy grey. For those of you relaxing at home as well as the tortured ones who had to schlep to work, here are some distractions to get you over the hump!

* What a brilliant idea for all those broken Forever 21 purchases that I can't seem to throw away!

* Ever wonder what the best (aka, most popular) movie to be filmed in your state is?

* I've always loved American Eagle undies (and jeans, and accessories!) but THIS gives me another reason to be a fan.

* This baby has excellent musical taste (worth waiting through the pre-roll!)

* Some tips for staying fit when you work 10+ hours days.

* I am a HUGE sucker for J Crew's color palate (jane green! bright blue! popping pink!) so  I found THIS video about their color creation process super fascinating.

* Dear shoes. I need you.

* If you love Disney World even half as much as I do, you've gotta check out these secret factoids!

* Oh men.

For the Kiddos

Tiny & Sweet

It's been a while since my last "For the Kiddos" post (HERE), so I'm excited to share some of the latest awesome, adorable and miniature(!) goodies I've collected around the web!! From clothing and gifts for new mamas to nursery decor, here's a merry meri dose of kiddo excellence for you.

Rock the ridiculous leggings

With cooler temps comes a chance to rock some of the coolest leggings! We adults may not be able to get away with mustached legs or rows of animals, but our favorite little ones certainly can. Check out the awesome mustache pair above from Seed Heritage HERE and find the adorable animal print (and so many other hipster baby prints like THIS and adorable apparel items like THIS) from Fable Baby HERE. 

Nothing cuter than babies in bathrobes

Perfect as a gift (totally unisex!) or for the little cutie you get to share bath time with each night, this hippo robe is sure to be a hit every time it gets put on. Super affordable via Overstock.com, get your Hippo HERE, or the equally adorable shark HERE.

Beary good breakfast idea!

So simple. So freaking cute.

Makes saying goodbye more fun!!

Never met a little kid that didn't love a silly rhyme.

Insta-cute

I can't think of a better way to kid-ify a room than with wall decals. Quirky, cute and completely not permanent, you can indulge your daughter's love of pink hearts or your son's obsession with space ships without worrying about the cost of re-doing the room when they grow out of it. Check out the awesome collection from Ferm Living HERE (I'd even consider those dots and triangles for quirky adult decor!)

Simple & Sweet.

And since it can't all be about the bambinos, how about this beautiful bracelet for mom? A recent awesome Etsy find, shopLUCA will personalize each bracelet in tiny font with the new baby's name and birth date. Dainty and sweet, these bracelets are the perfect way to add some pretty to a new mom's day and remind her of her bundle of joy!

Kate the Great

Smile and wave.

Let's all take a moment to discuss the utter perfection that is Kate Middleton. Ever since the morning I woke up early to watch a commoner become a princess (a feat which she executed with such stunning poise and grace that the whole world was in awe) I've been one of the many American admirers of Kate the great. Kate who shops at Top Shop and does her own cooking. Kate who accepted a highly scrutinized life in the public eye with little ability to build her image as she sees fit the way most celebrities are afforded.

Kate exudes elegance...

Lovely in lilac

And warmth...

Hug it out girl.

And so much love for her prince.

The look of love..

This week Kate managed to wow the world again, appearing less than 24 hours after GIVING BIRTH, looking ever the vision of beauty and emotional new motherhood. She even did women the world over a favor by showing off her post-baby bump, something many celebrities hide (eghm Kardashians) until they've dieted it away.

Beautiful Family.

So thank you Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, for living out the Disney dream with such perfection. Many congratulations on the birth of your son!!

And on a completely unrelated note, before you head out for the weekend, click HERE for images of true love that will tug at your heart strings. 

For the Kiddos.

Love those little tushies!

Confession: I have a "for my non-existant children" board on Pinterest. Allow me to explain... You see, with many of my friends now having kiddos of their own, my Pinterest homepage and Facebook news feed are bursting with baby/toddler goodness and there's just no way I'm going to remember it all when Dr. H and I are ready for bambinos of our own. So to make use of all the great ideas and information I've been collecting, I thought I'd start a little "For the Kiddos" column here on the blog. Just a few bits of kid goodness for all the Moms, Grandmas and #1 Aunties (eghm!!) out there looking for some info and inspiration. 

HaddonCo.

Want to have the most dapper little gentleman at the playground!? These adorable onesies are almost too cute for words and make an amazing baby gift which perfectly blends practical with unique. Click HERE to check out the entire HaddonCo collection on Etsy (25% off sale going on right now!)

A full set of chompers

Wondering when and where the teething is gonna happen? This chart has been approved by Sis (my brilliant personal Dentist) as accurate, so save it now and know exactly when it's time to stock up on teething rings!

Animals on parade!

How gorgeous is this puzzle? I almost want it for myself! Unisex colors, educational (it features upper case letters on one side and lower case on the other) and easy on the eyes, click HERE to purchase the animal parade from the MOMA store.

"Saturday"

I cannot get enough of Greg Abbott's collection of happy monsters and adorable animals. I think these prints would be adorable as decor in a little kiddos bedroom or playroom or for my fellow whimsical adults, Abbott's art comes on iPhone and iPad cases as well as pillows and totes. LOVE it.

Kid in a box.

People always joke that kids love the box more than the toys inside, but this bright idea takes box love to a whole new level. Stick your munchkin inside a big empty box with some crayons (and stickers!) and you get a break while they stay in one place and play happily (at least for a few minutes:)

"Woooo Baby!"

Lining up to take in the scenery?

I'm walking down a crowded Manhattan sidewalk, my recently purchased lunch in hand, when suddenly I hear "wooo baby". I look up. A middle aged man, likely employed in the construction industry (or just dresses like it?) gives me a huge smile and says "you're so beautiful baby." I pause for just a second, ignoring the beads of sweat on my forehead and the uncomfortable way my dress is sticking to my legs (oooh summer in the city) and smile right back at him. "Thank you!" I say. As I continue down the street he tells me that the view is even better from behind and I can't help but give a little courtesy grin over my shoulder as I head back to the office. My day has been made.

                                So now I'm going to confess something... 

Girl's got ASSets!

I freakin love getting an unsolicited compliment  (a "cat call" as the more uncouth refer to them) on the street. While some ladies are put off by the crass nature of a man shouting at them in public, I can't think of anything more flattering than a random gentleman finding himself so struck by just the look of you that he has to exclaim out loud. Because Dr. H, for all his loveliness, is not prone to whistle at me on my way out the door in the morning and sometimes, an unexpected midday compliment is just the pick-me-up a lady needs to feel sassy and fly. So next time one of you girls garners a compliment from a passing gentleman on the street, grin right back and enjoy it... Is that man likely to be the one you bring home to meet mom and dad? Probably not, but he thinks you're sexy which I think makes him pretty brilliant! 

You go girl:)

Thinking Out loud

Baby love.

Recently I've been having conversations with fellow ambitious young women, all of whom are in the "years of the Baby Inquisition" and many of whom feel a desire to wait  a little longer before starting a family. The striking similarity in these conversations is a word that keeps coming up: selfish. "I want to be selfish for another year" or "I'm not done selfishly putting my own needs first". The word selfish is uttered with a pang of guilt or concern, like there's something wrong with feeling unprepared to jump on the baby train despite the ticking of biological clocks. (Even Destiny's Child isn't immune to feeling selfish!) So obviously this  got me thinking...

In a culture where women are finally being encouraged to chase their dreams, both personal and professional, in the same ways as men, it's no wonder that the uniquely female experience of pregnancy, followed by maternity leave and child-rearing is difficult for us lady folk to place. Is it really selfish to want to pursue your career goals without the additional responsibility of a child? Is it selfish to not want to share your husband's attention or affections, especially when many of today's women are getting married later in life than previous generations? These things feel pretty reasonable to me.

I often hear my generation's mothers and grandmothers speak wistfully about forgotten or never pursued careers and desires because of "the times". And while I have no life goal more important than my desire to raise healthy, happy children, as I read about "leaning in", "having it all" and "work/life balance", I find myself so confused and overwhelmed by problems and uncertainty that's it's hard not to yearn a bit for simpler times. This is not to say I want to go back to women in college getting their MRS. or women being shut out of certain career paths (hellllz no!) but our gender's social progress has created incredible competition between personal ambition and maternal instinct. With gender "norms" quickly becoming a thing of the past, I feel myself and other fabulous young ladies really struggling to avoid feeling guilty about whatever path we choose. 

I don't have answers to any of these questions, or even advice for people floating in this boat along with me, but I can help continue the conversation by talking about it. Because for me, thinking out loud is a way of leaning in to find balance and maybe someday, to have it all.

Hump Day Distractions

Seriously. Congrats.

Hellooooo my merry friends and welcome to the day we all pretend it's spring (at least until it starts raining tonight and snowing on Friday). Thank you January for this brief respite from your usual gloom and cold. I'll take it. Here to help you enjoy this glorious day are some delightful distractions. Happy humping!

* If only all conversations with your significant other were this forthright and honest.

* These dudes are awesome. Totally. Freakin. Awesome.

* Some more information about indoor gardening (must be very "in" right now!)

* THIS kid is without a doubt "creating something that will make the world more awesome". Way to go "Mr. President"

* Hey Sis. I think it's time you busted out your string box and made me one of THESE!!

* Jeff Bridges was a total babe in high school (and other blasts from celebrity past) 

* Baby it's true. A dog eating popcorn is hysterical.

Hump Day Distractions

What a grand reception!

Could this Wednesday be any more ick!? As if being only half way to Friday wasn't bad enough, here in NYC we're getting slammed with "it's too warm to snow, but too cold to be even remotely pleasant" precipitation. Where are sweatpants and Netflix when ya need em!? Here to get you over the hump is a hearty serving of awesome distractions... enjoy!

* What if your favorite celeb looked "just like us"?!

* In his defense, that pot could be a sexy turtle friend! (Brings new meaning to "Hump Day)

* I submitted to Strangers Project the other night when I stumbled upon its creator in Washington Square Park. Would you share your story?

* Pack your bags, we've go places to go!

* This is one of the greatest pranks EVER. Holy cow.

* I've discussed the impact of technology on love before. Do you think that courtship is dead?

* Now that I have a chalkboard wall in my living room, I need to beef up my drawing skills!

* Bubbles, a baby and her four legged friend. Smiles galore.