HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE POPPYSEED

One evening, before motherhood had entwined itself through my heart, before we moved to Brooklyn, back when Gaby and I would regularly sit by the window of our tiny candlelit Manhattan apartment together, which was free of toddler laughter and baby squeals, and speak eagerly about the great unknown before us, I took a pregnancy test.

And hence little Biet became part of our existence. 

Each following week, we would excitedly read the updates which stated, "this week, you baby is the size of a ..." and the very first one told us that a magical little creature, just the size of a poppyseed, was growing in my belly.  The name stuck. 

We referred to Biet as "Poppyseed"until the day she was born.  When we finally revealed her name to friends and loved ones, it was a bit of a challenge to drop the moniker.  Now I practically never use the word, except when referring to a poppyseed muffin, but its something that I never want to forget.  

Two years have passed since our little poppyseed took her first breath and became Biet Luna.  Two ridiculously amazing, challenging, life-affirming years.  This little girl of mine is fast becoming a lady: a rambunctious spitfire glowing lady ready at any moment to take on an adventure, willing at every moment to give a compassionate kiss with all of the daughterly love in the world.  She changed me the moment she came into our lives.  She empowered us all. 

In celebration of her two years of life, we headed back to where it all began, to her birthplace and her favorite neighborhood downtown.  She roamed free on the streets, dirtying up her little hightop sneakers in many a park and swing set.  We let her wander into any playground we happened to pass along our way.  We met friends for dinner and she had pasta and kale salad and chocolate mousse to her heart's content.  As the sun was setting we found ourselves walking up Avenue A, so we dashed into Tompkins Square playground for one last jaunt before it closed up for the night.  Just before heading in, I quietly picked up a pint of ice cream and three little spoons from the corner store.  And after the slides had been slid down and the swings had been swung, we all four sat on a park bench under an old streetlamp amongst the trees and shared our late-night ice-cream treat.  Just then, fireworks began booming in the distance, their shooting sparks just visible above the buildings.  I told Biet the fireworks for for her.

And just as we were strolling home, thinking that the evening couldn't possibly get any more magical,  we stumbled upon a hippy dance party on the street.  Music filled the warm spring air from the back of bicycle-mounted boom boxes as the dancers twirled along the sidewalk.  We made it to the party just in time for the final song, Prince's Purple Rain. Biet hopped into my arms and we went to town.  I serenaded her, she did a jig on my shoulders.  We were the life of the party, I tell you.

With the last note of the song, the birthday revelry came to end, and we tiredly made our way home.  Biet was so happy.  It was such a fitting birthday for such a spirited girl.  Our little two-year-old poppyseed.  Happy Birthday Biet Luna.

**the winner of the Spring Giveaway is Lauren Toledo. Congratulations Lauren!**

AROUND AND AROUND

While in L.A., my sisters planned a lovely little day trip to the Griffith Park Carousel.  "We have carousel's in New York," I said, but they persisted.  So we packed up a picnic, complete with sparkling lemonade in glass bottles, and made our way to the center of the park. And lo and behold, it was marvelous new adventure.  Unlike the carousels here in the city in Dumbo or Bryant Park or Central Park, the Griffith Park Carousel was free of tourists, or really much of anyone at all.  Tucked away on a field behind a little forest it sat, looking regal as its century-old horses made their rounds.  Bunches of candy-colored balloons quietly twisted in the wind on the edge of the wrought iron fence, and creepy old accordion music drifted through the air each time it turned on.  It felt like it had been waiting there just for us.  I don't know what it is about carousels that makes them so ridiculously perfect, but as we bought our tickets my heart filled with excitement.  The kids each climbed upon their carefully chosen horses and waited while we hopped up with them and fastened the old leather straps around their waists.  The music started in, the horses began to wobble up and down, the world began to spin, and we were off!  With full bellies and faces full of wonder, Biet and her cousins flew around and around, slowly at first, and then faster and faster.  Soon we were holding on with all of our might, beaming ear to ear with the wind in our faces, and throwing up a hand to wave each time we saw baby Lucien on the sidelines. I could have stayed there all day.  I'm so grateful for these sisters of mine who never let me forget that we can adventure like kids regardless of how old we are. It was pure magic.

18/52

* A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013. * 

Biet:  blooms in the city like a little rose

Lucien: radiates the unwavering serenity of home