I won’t lie, January was hard. Bitterly cold, jet lagged baby, sick family over and over again, plus a case of the blues that just wouldn’t budge. I’ve been struggling to find room for myself again now that Eloise is getting older and doesn’t need me quite so much. I’ve been feeling time slipping by me in all directions. In Eloise’s little face as it slims and grows, in my friends’ careers as they get promoted and start their own businesses. I’ve been feeling torn in a way I never thought possible between choosing myself or choosing to spend my time with Eloise.
It’s a fine line to walk. I love hearing every word for the first time, seeing every new trick she throws out daily. I also feel like I’ve been living my life entirely for someone else, and that I’ve completely lost myself.
So what’s the answer? I’m trying hard to get some freelance and part-time work going that I can do with some short babysitting stints for Eloise, and during her naps. So far it’s going well, but it’s also hard! Hard to focus, hard to spend all my free time working rather than resting up for the next tornado Eloise. It’s better than the alternative though, and I still get to spend most of the week with my crazy, wilful, adorable toddler.
We decided to fly to Hawaii for Christmas and meet my family there instead of flying back to Australia. I booked us a three-bedroom suite at a resort in Ko Olina, right on the waterfront.
The flight was brutal – 10 hours straight. Eloise napped just once and then was awake for 12 hours straight.
It’s a miracle, she’s asleep!
The resort and beach were so beautiful. Ko Olina was a little piece of paradise. We spent most days walking around the beaches, swimming in the ocean and pools.
Checking out the beach for the first time since she was four months old in Sydney.Pure joy.Ocean!Walking by the beach with Daddy.Beach with my Cheese.Decided she loves the beach.Hey beach baby!
We also did the toddler dolphin experience at Dolphin Quest. It was wonderful to meet dolphins with Eloise. It totally blew her mind. She was fascinated by them, and has been saying “dolph!” and pointing to pictures of them since.
Dolphins!View from the balcony.Sunset.
One thing I really wanted to do was the Disney character breakfast at Aulani. It was so much fun! A decent buffet breakfast with a great omelet station, Minnie Mouse and Goofy wandering around to the tables for meet and greets and photo ops. Every so often, “Auntie” would strike up music and sing cute Hawaiian-y songs, handing out instruments and leading the kids in a parade around the restaurant. Eloise was in absolute heaven.
Disney breakfast at Aulani resort.
Alec and I had a few hours to ourselves one day so went for a drive to Mokule’ia Beach, where Lost was filmed. It was stunning – a pure white sand beach with almost no one in site for miles.
Mokule’ia Beach, Oahu
We also went on an easy hike one day with Tim and Michele up to Diamond Head. It had an amazing view of Honolulu.
View from Diamond Head.
I also got up super early one morning to see Pearl Harbour with Michele. It was a sobering experience to be there and see the sunken Arizona ship.
Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbour.
Even though I get really sea sick pretty much just by looking at boats, I thought it would be a fun idea to get on a boat and go snorkelling and whale watching. True to form, I felt ill the entire time, but we did see about 10 Humpback whales.
Humpback whales spotting.
We went for a stroll through Waimea Valley. It was really beautiful – a little too manicured, but some amazing plants.
Crazy antics.Waimea Valley.
We also went on the Ranch and Movie tour at Kualoa Ranch, where a lot of movies and TV shows have been filmed. I loved the tour – especially seeing where Jurassic Park was filmed for the famous scene with the log below.
Jurassic Park filming location, Kualoa Ranch.
It was really strange being somewhere other than in Warwick Farm for Christmas morning. It was really lovely, but also really strange! My first Christmas not in Warwick Farm in my life so far. We had breakfast at the neighbouring Marriott resort, followed by present opening and relaxing.
Christmas morning with my baby.Christmas palm tree.Family shot, Christmas Day.
What a wonderful trip! It was so great to see my family all together. Hawaii is paradise – can’t wait to go back again.
Elegant dining – with kids? Absolutely possible at Maialino; kids and babies are made to feel very welcome. Despite not having a kids’ menu, the staff offered several suggestions for meals they could make for the 11-month-old babies we had dining with us. We chose the pasta with a butter sauce – and no-one even batted an eye at the piles of pasta thrown on the floor. Sorry about that, Maialino – next time perhaps spaghetti noodles are not the best idea for babies with minimal hand-eye coordination.
Cheese loves the specially-made pasta.Alexis and Baby J multi-tasking.We made it!
Highchairs: Yes. Stroller storage: Yes, for strollers that fold up. Easy access: Yes. Change tables: No, but the restrooms are in the lobby of the Gramercy Park Hotel, which are large and have space for diaper changes. Kids’ menu: No, but they will cook custom dishes for kids on request. Kids-friendly rating: ♥♥♥–
For Alec’s first Father’s Day, we wanted to try a restaurant near Central Park. Landmarc at the Time Warner Center is right on the edge of Central Park, at Columbus Circle, so it’s the perfect location if you want to dine and then stroll or play.
With Dad and the spoon.
Landmarc features standard breakfast and brunch food, like omelettes, pancakes and egg dishes. I found them to be a bit over priced (a basic omelette starts at $18), you do get to eat lunch with a killer view of the park and Columbus Circle.
A real family restaurant, there are always lots of kids dining at Landmarc – which will be obvious as soon as you arrive and see all of the strollers parked outside. Be sure to reserve your table in advance via Open Table.
Last bite: Solid food, great view, and you’re right on Central Park!
Highchairs: Yes. Stroller storage: Yes. Stroller parking outside the front of the restaurant (inside the Time Warner Center), or you can bring in small foldable strollers with you. Easy access: Yes. Change tables: Yes. Kids’ menu: Yes.
Landmarc
10 Columbus Circle, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10019
Phone: (212) 823 6123
Delicious organic, vegan food – that even the fussiest carnivore will enjoy. Welcome to Cafe Blossom.
Vegan BLT sandwich.
Alec took me to Cafe Blossom for my first Mother’s Day. It was the perfect location for a special outing – unique (and cruelty-free!) dishes, made with flair and obvious love.
Baby greens and flowers salad.
I was pleasantly surprised at how baby-friendly Cafe Blossom was. They couldn’t have been more accommodating, or friendly towards us and Cheese.
Trying out a healthy fry.
Cheese loved the (healthy!) fries, while I was enamoured with every dish on the menu. Usually I only get a choice of one or two vegetarian items, so to have an entire menu of dishes that I can eat is such happiness.
Fruit crumble.
Cafe Blossom take reservations – which I would strongly recommend, especially on weekends.
Happy first mother’s day to me!
Last bite: If you’re vegetarian, vegan, or just love delicious food, check out Cafe Blossom. Be sure to try our favourite dishes, the BLT and fruit crumble.
Highchairs: Yes. Stroller storage: Minimal. Bring a small, fold up stroller or carrier. Easy access: Yes. Change tables: No. Kids’ menu: No.
Cafe Blossom
41 Carmine St, New York 10014
(Btwn Bedford & Bleecker St)
Phone: (646) 438 9939
Not only is the food at this famous establishment delicious, the staff is also more than accommodating towards babies. While we were initially trepidatious about bringing the babies to Balthazar, the staff checked our strollers and sat us down quickly.
Little Cheese enjoying Balthy.
The ever-helpful staff brought us bread for the babes to chew on, baked freshly in the Balthazar Bakery, gave kids spoons to play with (which then then spent a considerable amount of time picking up again off the floor …), and a little crayon kit to draw with.
The bread basket – fresh bread and pastries from the Balthazar bakery.
Brunch at Balthazar means fresh bread and pastries, best ordered in the bread basked and shared with a group, and one of their delicious egg dishes.
Scrambled eggs in puff pastry with asparagus
I always order the same thing – the scrambled eggs in puff pastry with asparagus (it actually comes with mushrooms as well, but I request it without the shrooms as I’m a bad vegetarian and hate mushrooms. It’s one of Balthazar’s signature brunch dishes for a good reason – perfectly cooked eggs and asparagus in flaky puff pastry. Yum!
The only downside we experienced was that the tables are tightly packed, making it hard to squeeze in with a highchair. Get to know your neighbours well! Reservations (a few weeks in advance if possible) are recommended to avoid waiting, particularly on weekends.
Highchairs: Yes. Stroller storage: Yes. Easy access: Yes (no stairs). Change tables: No (they do have ample bench space in the restrooms however and are more than happy for babies to changed there). Kids’ menu: No.
Balthazar
80 Spring Street
(b’ween Broadway and Crosby)
New York, NY
Reservations: +1 (212) 965 1414
For our little girl’s first birthday, we threw a party at Jane’s Carousel, Dumbo. We were blessed with a gorgeous day, with everything coming together beautifully for our little baby’s big day.
For our little girl’s first birthday, we threw a party at Jane’s Carousel, Dumbo. We were blessed with a gorgeous day, with everything coming together beautifully for our little baby’s big day.
My little baby is now 1, and no longer a baby. I can’t call her a toddler yet, I still think of her as my little, tiny baby.
What a big month we’ve had, finishing with her first birthday. She was sick for a few weeks, with her first stomach flu as well as a nasty cold.
We had a lot of fun though, and ate at delicious places like Public, Balthazar, Gramercy Park Hotel, Brooklyn Farmacy, Artisanal, One Girl Cookie.
We also went swimming at the YMCA where Eloise loved being in the water after some initial hesitation.
Our dear friend Lisa Maher visited us this month from Sydney. Together we went to Governor’s Island to see the jazz festival and Central Park.
Developmental
First steps! Eloise started to let go and take solo steps – 3 or 4 at a time. She is more confident cruising around the furniture, using the the walker or holding onto our hands. She charges across the floor while holding onto our hands in particular.
New sounds: Eloise is making new noises (like nanana) and high pitched shrieking.
Following directions: Eloise is getting really great at understanding what we’re saying. She does things like comes when we call her, stops when we say no.
She also shakes her head emphatically for no, nods for yes, points at things she wants very clearly, even the door when she wants to go out. She loves looking at pictures and points to people, so we tell her who everyone is in the photos.
So curious. She loves looking at everything, pointing at things that she wants to know more about.
Waving at everyone. She’s so friendly and social.
Clapping when she’s happy.
Babbling happily in gibberish.
Giving us hugs! So great.
Bouncing up and down to music.
Food
The girl loves to eat! She loves things like goats cheese, milkshakes, fruit, goldfish crackers, grilled cheese sandwiches. I have cut out the midday breastfeed, replacing it with more food and cows milk.
She really loves anything we’re eating and drinking, and loves to drink out of my giant Camelbak.
Wants to feed herself. Doesn’t like being spoon fed very often anymore.
Sleep We had some sleep regression while Eloise was teething or sick, but generally she has settled into a routine where she sleeps from 6:30 or 7pm till around 5:45 – 6:45am.
