Janis Joplin is so cool

Our friends Joan and Beth (the twins, aka Hoan and Betty, aka the egg) sent a care package to Rafi when he was first born. It was such an amazing gift: a veritable panoply of Lucky Brand baby clothes -- onesies, t-shirts, etc. We were anxious to dress him in these wonderful and oh-so-hip clothes, but alas they were sized for when he got bigger.

And now he's bigger. Here are two shots of him in his Janis Joplin t-shirt. Very cool.

First thanksgiving

Rafi spent his first Thanksgiving at the barn surrounded by family: grandmas, g-dad, aunts, cousin (one!), moms and dog (one!). We had a great time gathering in Pine Plains after being in NYC for the Macy's Thanksgiving parade and cousin Anna's special dance performance at the opening of the parade. We all had so much to give thanks for this year.

Rafi enjoyed his rice cereal, sweet potatoes, avocado and banana while we feasted on the traditional turkey and some traditional and not so traditional fixings (thanks to Gail and Di's long hours in the kitchen). We also had delicious coconut cake homemade by Gail for Anna's 11th birthday. Here are a few shots of the fun, including breakfast the morning after t-day and Anna and me after her performance.

Half-Year Birthday!

Happy birthday to Rafi!

We had a lovely day yesterday with a number of firsts to commemorate Rafi's six-month birthday: first snow flurries, first taste of bananas, first meal in his high-chair at the dining room table... And tonight we went out to celebrate: we had a family date of dinner and an opening reception at Mass MoCA for the new Jenny Holtzer installation. Rafi was riveted.

Here's a few shots of him in various states of calm and glee on his half-year birthday.

mi osito

Rafi and I have a Spanish lesson every morning over breakfast. It's been fun to brush up on my v-e-r-y broken but quickly returning Spanish (I did very well in high school and college, I'm recalling!)

Here is a shot of us going out for a brisk walk last weekend. Cute hood.

Tortia Hoan's Magical Bear

Our friend Joan is a wonder knitter and not only did she knit R the cutest sweater ever, but she also gave him his first stuffed animal -- a teddy bear she made by hand. Rafi loves it; here he is with it one morning after his bottle. It was hard to pick just one shot.

I should note that many have said it's time for a haircut for Rafael, but I will not have it. Someday I will give him a haircut (maybe not me -- I love him too much for that torture) but not anytime soon. I like his crazy locks. He looks very Elvis in these pics. In a good way.