Day 16: Max's new trick.

Max is a thoughtful kid.

When you ask him a question ("Where's the blue circle?") he will concentrate long and hard, staring at all of the colorful shapes in front of him before finally making his choice.

And when you read to him, he looks at the pages, as if he's following along (which we know he isn't, but it's rather funny to watch him).

Max studies his surroundings and watches everything that we do.

He has this little barn with sounds and songs and things to touch and play with. One of the things is a light switch that turns the barn light on and off (with a sing-song voice that narrates "Light ON!" and "Light OFF!").

So we knew it was only a matter of time, before he discovered that if he stood at the end of his crib, he could do this:

I found him like this when I went to get him up from his nap on Sunday, a look of pure mischief on his face, while he giggled hysterically at his ability to turn the light on and off, on and off, on and off.

It's very possible he's sending SOS codes to the house in front of us. I imagine he's communicating things like: "Send a baba!" and "I pooped!"

And that little munchkin didn't forget, since this morning I was watching as his monitor screen would light up and then go dark, with his little body standing at the edge of the crib, big grin on his face.

Looks like we have a new game!

Day 15: NaBloPoMo halfway point! Let's break out the bundt pan to celebrate.

I wrote earlier in the month about National Housewife Day, because it was, well, ridiculous.

And the silliness continues as we move through November. I'm wondering if by the time they got to November and were coming up with things to celebrate they were just running out of stuff?

I imagine a small committee in a room jotting down all of the national 'days' for the calendar year. There are fast food wrappers lying around (National Fast Food Day is tomorrow, coincidentally) and there are big post-it note pages up all over the walls with scribbles on them.

Guy 1: "What they hell month are we on?"
Guy 2: "November."
Guy 1, looking down at his fleece: "Umm, how about National Zipper Day?"
Guy 2, rolling his eyes: "National Zipper Day is April 29th. What else ya got?"
Guy 1, thinking: "How about National Paperclip Day? Everyone loves paperclips."
Guy 2: "Yeah, I KNOW they do. That's why National Paperclip Day is May 29th. Come on...think!"
Guy 1: "National Dust Bunny Day?"
Guy 2: "National Dust Bunny Day? Who they hell would celebrate that?"

I will say, I'm sad I didn't do any celebrating yesterday, because it was both National Pickle Day and National Spicy Guacamole Day, two of my most favorite things.

So instead, I share with you the national holidays for today, November 15th:

National Bundt Pan Day. Considering I don't bake, changes are nil that I will be dusting off the old bundt pan to celebrate.

National Philanthropy Day. This one is kind of nice. Today, when I was at the store trying to juggle my purchases in my arms and push Max in his stroller (because they didn't have any hand baskets), I was in line at the register and dropped about half the stuff I was carrying. The elderly man behind me bent down to help me pick it up (while his 10 year old grandson stood by and watched). I thought that was very nice of this gentleman. It seems he celebrated today. And I only gave that kid a dirty look instead of saying something rude, so in a way, I celebrated, too.

National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day. Not happening. Next!

National Spicy Hermit Cookie Day. It's that whole no baking thing. And what the heck is a hermit cookie? And are they that popular that they come in a spicy version?

National Raisin Bran Cereal Day. So now brands are getting in on this National Days action? No go here, too, since I HATE raisins.

America Recycles Day. I would think this national day would be in April on Earth Day, but I guess recycling is important every day of the year. And I totally plan to put my empty wine bottle in the recycle bin tonight.

Apparently, today can also be National Snarky Blog Day.

Who knew?

Day 14: I'm a horrible friend-maker.

We joined Gymboree.

Primarily, we joined so that Max could get some exercise and maybe even start walking.

We're also hoping to broaden Max's social horizons. He spends all day with his loving Grandmas and could stand to hang around with other kids. He at least needs a kid to rip a toy out of his hand or something...teach him to fend for himself.

We're a few weeks in, and so far Max seems to be enjoying himself. Thought it's very possible we're paying to have Max roll a ball by himself on a mat instead of at home on our living room floor.

It's a pretty low key environment (socks, mats, rhyming songs), however I find myself with crazy anxiety when we go. 

Am I supposed to make friends with the other Moms?

I am SO bad at making new friends. All I keep thinking is:

Will we have anything in common besides this Gymboree class?

I am, like, ten years older than all the other Moms here.

Do I have to pretend to gush over her child, who is dripping snot all over the   magic box toys and pushing Max out of her way?

Why is she so skinny?


Horrible, right?

Is it a mandatory that when you have a kid that you have to make Mom Friends with the mothers of similarly-aged kids? 

The prospect of new Mom Friends is intimidating. What if she's a bitch? What if she believes in breast feeding until kindergarten? What if she doesn't drink? 

I'm hoping one day I'll get there, and it will happen naturally. And we'll both be like, "Ugh, I'm so horrible at this! But look how much our kids like each other!"

And we'll look at our matching Tory Burch shoes and laugh, and then she'll pull a bottle of red out of her diaper bag, we'll settle the kids on the playground and then we'll get to know each other.

Day 13: My Stitch Fix Review

In case you haven't heard of Stitch Fix, it's an online-based personal styling service  that sends you 5 clothing items/accessories in the mail that hopefully you love. Pay for what you keep, send back what you don't like with no charge.

Your selections are made by their stylists based on your profile, which includes questions, likes/dislikes of clothing styles, your sizing and style, etc. Plus, you can send notes to your stylist with the types of items you're looking for, or what you'd like to see more of in your wardrobe.

Stitch Fix is a brilliant idea, really.

I know some women who signed up because they hate shopping, and with Stitch Fix, they never have to step foot in a store.

Others started Stitch Fix because they don't have time to shop; it's so much easier just having clothes shipped to your door without spending any time in a store.

For me, I wanted in on the fun.

I like shopping. In fact, I'm pretty good at it. But I don't have the luxury of time on weekends to shop for myself that I once did. Most of my shopping is done online at a handful of my 'go-to' stores.

What I liked about Stitch Fix was I would have access to clothing from smaller, lesser-known design boutiques, and some stuff is made especially for Stitch Fix. So the chances of you bumping into someone at work or at a party with the same blouse/skirt/dress as you, is pretty rare.

My first Fix was about a month ago. And while I liked almost everything they sent, I returned everything. Some items didn't fit right, and some items fit really well but I didn't love the color. Even though I returned everything, I was still really excited about getting my next Fix.

That Fix came this past week.

I REALLY liked this Fix. I could tell that my stylist listened to what I wanted (jeans!), and used my Stitch Fix Pinterest board as inspiration.

Item: Tarlee Faux Fur Vest. 

It is the softest thing ever, in a versatile cream color with leather trim. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.

Verdict: KEEPING IT. (In fact, I've already worn it!)

Item: Rilo Button-Up Blouse.

This blouse was black with a gold print. It fit really well, which never happens with me and my short body. However, I have a few black blouses in my closet.

Verdict: RETURNING.

Item: Devora Dress

What I love about this dress is that I wouldn't have picked it out for myself, as the lace sleeves would have turned me off (and the cobalt blue is not a color I usually buy for myself). It fits pretty well, but I'm having the bare legs/covered legs internal debate.

Verdict: STILL DECIDING. I want to try this on one more time, just to be sure.

Item: Lurline Scoop Neck Blouse

This blouse is a petite size (yay!) and fit pretty well overall. The only issue was that the scoop neck + the pleats = over zealous 'girls'.

Verdict: RETURNING.

Item: Loren Bootcut Jean

Jeans and pants are always in my note to my stylist because as a pear-shaped petite girl, it's damn near impossible to find jeans that fit. I've exhausted all the stores I normally shop at so I'm hoping that there's a pair by a designer I've never heard of out there for me. I loved everything about these jeans: cut and color. They were just a TAD too tight. 

Verdict: RETURNING. (However, I did ask my stylist to send these to me in my next Fix in the next size up!)

Overall, I'm keeping the vest and probably the dress. So in my eyes, this Fix was a success.

You simple place items you'd like to return in the pre-paid envelope they pack in your box. You only pay for what you keep, and you're never charged a penny to get your Fix. You can even choose how often you get your Fix sent to you: monthly, bi-monthly, etc. AND, you get to choose the price range you're comfortable with for items, so your stylist is always picking items within your budget.

Plus, it's FUN! Who doesn't love getting a box of clothes in the mail - especially one where every piece is a surprise!

I'm already looking forward to next month!

Day 12: Confessions of a PTA Wanna Be

Is that not right???

A few days ago friends and I were talking about our kids, and how hard it is for working mothers to be involved in their school activities.

I'm not there yet, but I know that when Max is of school age, I'm going to want to be involved. Plus, my Type A personality makes me a perfect fit for the PTA!

All of this thinking made me declare to my friends: "I want to be a room mother!"

To which they responded, "You're cray cray."

Now, I grew up in the 70s, when every class had a 'Room Mother'. The Room Mother was the mom of one of the kids who would come to our classroom, armed with cupcakes and coloring books, and spend the day with us. Sometimes she'd lead a game, help set up and celebrate a birthday, or partake in story time. Room Mothers wore many hats. Plus, it was always just cool when your mom showed up in your classroom.

So that got me thinking...is 'Room Mother' even a relevant term anymore? These women are probably now referred to as the Chief Classroom Officer (the C.O.O. for short). Instead of cupcakes ("is there a nut product/refined sugar/red dye/gluten in there?") they come bearing kale chips, edamame and electrolyte-filled water.

The CCO's main uniform is yoga pants (rhinestone writing across the ass optional) and a zip-up hoodie. Contrary to how she's dressed, the CCO has never actually seen the inside of a gym.

Part of me thinks I'd be a fantastic Room Mother: I'm organized, I'm crazy efficient, and I'm a great brainstormer when it comes to problem-solving. I'd make crazy-fun snacks, and all the kids would want to hold my hands.

They'd call me 'Miss KK', and help me set out paper plates filled with almost-neon carrot sticks.

And it would be wonderful.


KK for (PTA) President!

Day 11: Move over, Mom Shoes.

I was a Sex and the City addict, and one of my favorite episodes was the one where Carrie is walking down the street and she suddenly stops at a store's front window, transfixed at the shoe display. She places her palm against the glass and seductively whispers, "Hello, Lover." to a gorgeous pair of heels.

I love that episode because I have that similar emotional reaction to beautiful shoes.

Well, at least I used to...before I had a baby.

Somehow, over the last year, I have turned into a flats girl. 

It started last year when I was on maternity leave; I was headed out wearing stylish wedge ankle booties, when I stepped the wrong way in a crevasse in the concrete of our driveway, twisting my ankle and going down hard on my knee...while carrying Max in his car seat. 

Yep. I fell carrying Max. 

Because I sacrificed my own bones and flesh to do everything to keep him undisturbed and upright, he was completely nonplussed by the incident. In fact, he didn't even know what happened. I, on the other hard, was ready to throw up and turn myself into DCF. 

What kind of a horrible mother falls while carrying her baby? 

Who but a selfish mom wears heels and put her baby's life at risk???

Pretty much ever since that day, I've traded my stilettos for flats. Comfort over fashion. 

Mom shoes.

If we're going out at night, I will put heels on only when I'm at the door, ready to walk out, and not a minute sooner.

But buried deep inside of me, there's a stiletto-wearing girl crying out to be let loose.

Which is why I couldn't resisting bringing these beauties into my life.

Vince Camuto Rowin

Red heels are tricky, and there's a fine line between streetwalker and sexy.

But these shoes are the most gorgeous color of red. The leather is soft and supple, with tiny textured scales. 

I cannot wait to wear these out to dinner.

Hear that, Mr. KK? 
Mama's got a new pair of shoes and needs a night out on the town.

Day 10: Restaurant Review: Kawa Ni in Westport

I've been hearing about Kawa Ni for months now. How it is truly fabulous and – as a self-proclaimed foodie – I MUST go.

I'm a fan of chef Bill Taibe from dining at The Whelk, so I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. (I'm sure I would have been a fan of Le Farm, too, but sadly in the 10 years I've worked down the street in Westport I never made it there before they closed the doors. Unforgivable, I know.)

Today, I finally had lunch at Kawa Ni.

My dining companions, Veronica and Anastasia (not their real names), had been before, so they lead the way in terms of the menu.

I was surprised at how tiny the place was, and could understand how it's impossible to get a table on weekend nights. I think I've seated more people in my dining room on Thanksgiving.

We started off by sharing a few small plates, and each ordered a lunch entrée. The food came out hot and was fresh and vibrant.

Our first dish was Chicken Karaage which was served with long chili sauce. The sauce had a great kick, and the chicken was crispy and juicy.

Next up was the Peekytoe Crab Rangoon with a carrot ginger dipping sauce. The rangoons were deep fried to perfection. Seriously, I didn't even need the dipping sauce with them. The insides were creamy and delicious.

I'm Italian, so if there's one thing I know about it's rice balls. This rice ball – the Onigiri – however, couldn't have been further from the arrancini of my childhood or have been more amazing. We tried the Pickled Farm Greens with pickled peanuts and cashews. The rice was the perfect amount chewey, the sauce creamy and the greens wilty. Delish!

There was no way I was going to this place and not getting noodles. I had the Turkey Ramen which was a braised leg, sofrito, egg over ramen in a broth that was so flavorful I wanted to pick up the bowl and drink it. And don't get me started on dishes that include an egg; they have me at hello.

Veronica and Anastasia (again, not their real names) both had the spicy miso. Anastasia's flushed face gave away the heat that was in the bowl. I had a quick taste and it was a welcomed punch of heat.

Four hours later and I'm STILL FULL.

That's the sign of a great lunch experience.

Believe the hype.

Go.

Now.

Kawa Ni

19 Bridge Square

Westport

www.kawaniwestport.com