Going Native

Bebe Bird in Babiators sunglasses, $19.99 &  yellow Native shoes, $30. 

This summer we traded in Bebe Birds oh so famous Crocs from years past for bright crayon yellow Miller Native slip ons.  Native, inspired by classic shoe silhouettes using the lightest materials.  They are the perfect summer shoe providing style and comfort for Bebe Birds summer shoe needs.  Now, you simply can't miss this kid when he 's running around the Brooklyn playgrounds, the countryside or is beach bound.  These water resistant shoes are made up of tiny holes that allow his feet to breath and air to flow.    

Bebe Bird in his Native shoes at Brooklyn Forest School

This summer Bebe Birds yellow Native slip ons have gotten a lot of admirers.  One being a hip Hipster who owns our local (and my favorite) coffee shop Roots Cafe, Jamie, who took notice.  After complementing Bebe Bird, Jamie turns to me and says, "You know, I had a pair of Natives. I loved them. They were really comfortable and looked cool too." That comment got me thinking and believing I too will buy a pair of Native slip ons and I too will look as hip & stylish as Jamie. After the whole boot/stitches incident I need a good closed toe summer shoe.  And seriously if the hip Hipster can pull it off so can I....... errr Maybe? Then, I remember the comment my friend made of Bebe Bird and his Crocs in this post.  Are Native shoes like Crocs?  Have I been out of the fashion industry far too long that my perspective is now skewed.  The more I think about it, though, the more I find myself daydreaming about these bad boys.  I really want those camo Crocs Natives.  It's a good thing they are out of stock otherwise they would be in the mail on it's way to my Brooklyn doorstep.  I silently question myself, wondering if I've crossed a new threshold in style.  The threshold of Momdom.  But, I don't care.  That's the best part.  Not one bit.  So, I'll continue to browse the out of stock selections hoping that soon...oh so soon they become available. That way, I can rock them silly!  Until then it will Bebe Bird getting all the compliments.  

Hanging outside a Brooklyn Art Gallery opening in his Ugly Kid Clothing shorts and Native shoes

Native comes in a variety of styles for children and adults. They offer slip ons, boots and sandals.  Prices range from $30-$90.

Catching Firelfies

Catching Fireflies in his BKLYN Yard T-shirt with His Grandma

Last week I experienced one of my most beautiful days.  There was nothing significant or insignificant that had happened. It wasn't an earth shaking/ground breaking kind of a day.  It was calm. It was uneventful. It was simply lovely.

The day before, my youngest brother had left to start his medical school rotations across the country.  It was his new begining after a year long hiatus from school and the hustles and bustles of life due to  a serious illness that had taken over his existence. In June of 2012 he had developed a blood clot in a major vein that migrated into his lower intestines. It was life threatening.  He was living in Mexico at the time attending medical school.  I wrote this post last year to chronicle our experience.

His illness was another example of "what difference a year makes".  "We came full circle" my mom commented several times before seeing her youngest off .  The year before, while in Mexico, she and I were busy shuttling back and forth from the hospital to the hotel daily with Bebe Bird in tow for almost a month.  When we departed Mexico we took with us some uncertainty regarding my brothers health & recovery. That uncertainty lingered with us until he made a trip back to the States to seek medical treatment.  In December he had a final surgery that placed him on the road to recovery leaving us all grateful. Now, a year later we are priveleged to see him off with confidence.  He seems wiser, is healthier & even more focused to be on the journey he is on.  It was a peaceful departure.

And that peace joined us the following day in my mother's backyard in the countryside of NJ.   We sat on the patio with  the leaves of the tall tree tops shading us as Bebe Bird ran around naked in the sprinklers.  My stepdad was busy blowing bubbles.  My mother and I sipping iced tea.  We were breathing easier then we had the year before.  We spent the evening collecting apples from the apple tree and watching fireflies light up the evenings summer sky.  And maybe, just maybe, fireflies are gentle reminders that there will be little flickers of light to help sustain you in even the darkest of times.

Apple Picking in Grandma's Yard

Granny's Apples

Soaking in the Sun

It's been quiet in these here parts (the blog) but the ebb & flow of  life has been constant.  I can't really explain the hush.  Perhaps it's the boots fault, or Papa Birds newly broken arm.  Or, it could be more family time less writing time, less me time & summer time.

The Graduate in his Egg by Susan Lazar Shirt, Babiators shades & Native shoes

Bebe Bird just "graduated" from his first year of nursery school.  I couldn't be prouder! Truly. We are free for summer.  Free! He's been going to bed by 9pm these days.  The horror!  But how can you miss out on the firefly catching, extra sun having kind of days.  Not us. It takes a toll though.  I'm wiped out by 9pm.  And with every promise to Papa B that I will in fact stay up for a movie night jaunt. I find my eyes growing heavy mid-way through.

Bebe Bird Taking in Summer in his Brooklyn Yard Tee & Native shoes

While some mama's and papa's are busy signing their little birds up for activities & the like to occupy and entertain their wee ones I've opted out of (most) organized activities.  Instead, we are spreading our wings and embracing the freedom that accompanies summer.  If truth be told I'm a freedom loving chic.  I struggle with the idea of "feeling" tied down-Not the actual being tied down just the feeling of it. I get claustrophobic. This even spills into my loving-You see, Papa Bird and I aren't even married.  Committed? Indeed! Been together for many years...like in the "teens" kind of years.  Married? Nope.  And we're both happy & content this way.  As a child the freedom of summer was always fully embraced by the Keating clan.  With 3 brothers and a sister adventures always filled our summer days.  There were countless of bike rides with neighborhood friends trying to recreate our own "real life" version of the Goonies.  There were pool jaunts and sprinkler runs, there were family vacations up and down the East coast (God Bless my parents).  I embrace summer and am grateful I am able to bask in the glory of freedom with my own child this year.

I know times like these won't last forever.  Ever since Bebe Bird was new to the nest and motherhood began to settle in I began taking mental snapshots of little moments that make up our days. I try to soak it all in.  I try to soak in all the motherhood moments that will one day fill my present with my pasts.

The Boys

My own grandparents would often reminisce about the 'ol days when they were busy parenting my own mother. What a joyous experience it was for them.  I know that I will one day do the same.  I'll sit on my rocker, a little old lady, and spend my time reliving these days...my nows, with Bebe Birds bebe birds.  I am soaking in all the bed time stories, and the extra requests for "mo milk." I'm soaking in the hand holdings & diaper bums.  I soak in the wee hours of the morning when Bebe Bird tip toes into our room and whispers "Mama" at the edge of the bed.  I soak him in.  His belly laughs and dancey faces.  I soak in the early morning snuggles when my my arms are around Bebe Bird and my feet are touching the cat's fur at the edge of the bed while Papa Bird places his hand on my hips as he peacefully sleeps next to us.  And I pause to soak it all in.  We are all here. My future memories are in the here and now. This is my "remember whens".  Please, don't get me wrong, there are times (and lots of them) that I'm completely exhausted, a little overwhelmed and incredibly feisty but more then anything my life is full of cherished unshakable moments.  And for that my gratitude for this life runneth over.

Our Little Fam-Minus Our Handsome Cat

Getting Ugly with 3 Men and a Baby

Ugly up those kids of yours by dressing them in one of Norway's coolest imports, Ugly Children's Clothing (UCC) , winner of several national awards for their designs in innovative children's fashion.  UCC first launched in the fall of 2006 after one gentleman Aleksander couldn't find any cool clothing for his business partner, André's, new baby boy Jesper.  "Together we already owned a company making radio commercials.  The company's name was The Worlds Strongest Man so, l thought it would be cool to print that  on a onesie and give it as a present to the newborn" explains Aleksander.  After creating the onesie and feeling that there was very little hip clothing  out there for babies and kids they decided to create a company designed to challenge the market & see if there was room for alternative ideas in children's fashion.

From left to right: Ugly Children's Clothing cotton onesie appx. $52 & beach set, $65

And challenge they did.  Aleksander and Andre recruited a brilliant graphic designer Eivind who came on board and helped build the image of the brand.  The first collection included a series of baby onesies with some funny & daring statements printed on them like Son of a Motherfucker,  My Real Dads in Prison and Fuck Yoga.  The new business partners came up with the name Ugly Children's Clothing to address the fact that they believe many people take parenting so seriously they forget the charm & irony in it.  It wasn't until they were tipped off from a local retailer that noticed many tourists visiting Norway found little Scandinavian clothing to bring back home to their little ones.  The trio found opportunity in this tip and dove into the world of Scandinavian knits, which the brand has become known for.  Their Marius©® by Ugly collection in wool launched in 2010 and won the national award for design excellence .  And let's not forget the nostalgic pieces we love so much, such as the 1970's like gym shorts, track suit  & tube socks or classic pieces like Grand Dad's ribbed onesie, rain gear & socks.

A few of the pieces from the Marius©® by Ugly collection

As for the future of  Ugly Children's Clothing one can expect to see their timeless Scandanavian knitwear along with some exciting new pieces launching in Spring/Summer 2014.  To get your kids dressed in this unique and well made brand visit Ugly Children's Clothing to find a store nearest you or buy online.  They offer free shipping world wide. Even cooler, right?!?! Prices range from approximately $22-$145 USD. "Our mantra is to make clothing with timeless design that can last generations, and make the world more fun for both the children wearing them and their parents."

Bebe Bird sprortin' his Ugly's (gym shorts & headband) to the playground