3 months old!

Miss Rory has finally gotten into the routine of sleeping between the hours of 8:30p and 5a (with the exception of the past two nights so if this email doesn't make sense you know why). She dreams big and smiles throughout the night. She wakes up each morning with a smile as well, and we sing our "good morning Rory" song. She lets mom and dad get ready for work and drifts into her first nap just when grandma or the nanny come to the house. Speaking of nannies, she loves Robyn. Robyn is smart - she sends me pictures and videos all day so I don't have a freak attack. And then, I come home to a full journal entry of what the girls did for the day. A happy mommy is a happy household. And of course I don't even need to worry on the days my mom hangs with Rory (she even CLEANS guys!) We've done a lot this month! Rory went pottery painting, she went to the nail salon, baby yoga, and even went to her first bar (I was competing in a chilli cook off, we weren't playing beer pong or anything.) She now eats up to 3oz at a time and is trying to sit up! She's in the 99th percentile for height and weight - we have an Amazonian woman ladies and gentlemen! She reaches for the paci and wiggles it back in her mouth, and assists with holding the bottle. She rubs her eyes when she's sleepy and chews on her hand when she's hungry. We think she might be teething as well, so next month might be REAL FUN. She's desperately trying to be heard in this world - oohing and aahing as much as she can. Her favorite noise is "gooooooo" and she has the raspiest little giggle. Daddy is really the only one who can get her to laugh! We are almost done reading Peter Pan and will be starting Little Women shortly! This month we spent some time watching home videos during snow days, which was nice. It's actually the only screen time we've allowed Rory - how else will she get to know the people she's named after? Rory became a big cousin this month, welcoming Soren Wasserman into the world! She's excited for all the OTHER cousins that are on the way!!!! What a brood we will have! She also traveled to Greenwich (to meet her cousin Lucie) and Westchester (for her great grandparents anniversary)! She even got to go to her friend Sydney's first birthday party! She's EAGERLY awaiting the arrival of her long distance boyfriend in Florida, but in the meantime has had some serious quality time with her big cousin Paige, her BFF Rissa and her two boyfriends Ryno and Spenc. Going back to work has been unbelievably hard, but there's nothing as special as coming home to a little munchkin who loves you and forgives you for leaving all day. The bonus is I get to watch her have the same reaction when her daddy walks in as well. Much Love, Marnie & Evan

Sometimes, you just head-butt your own puke

Photo Shoot

Our Modern Family

New Mommy Friends

People always said that you'll meet new mommies when you have kids, and I never really put that much thought into it. I have so many friends, who has room for more?!?!! Well let me tell you...you do. You have room for friends that you can commiserate with about explosive poops, and puking across the room and yelling at your spouse because you don't get enough sleep. They are the people who don't mind that you show them 100 pictures of your kid, and in return get to brag about their baby being able to hold their head up. They understand when you're about to SNAP, and when you really DO need that glass of wine. It takes the pressure off of your other friends - sure they are there for you 24/7 and WANT to hear about the good, the bad and the ugly - but it's not fair to dump it all on them. They are the friends who want to snuggle and spoil and pinch your baby. They want to hear how they are progressing and how you are doing. They want the cliff notes version. I'm so grateful to have these new people in my life - it helps me keep my good friends even closer, and open my heart up to new people.

The Reality of Going Back to Work...

Here I sit, 20 days before I go back to work from my Maternity Leave. 20 days to soak up my 9 week old baby girl before it’s back to the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, the rude baristas, the pushy commuters and the long hours. Ten to twelve weeks. That’s how long we get in America to have hands on 24/7 with our babies before we leave them in someone else’s arms for ten hours or more a day. I sit here staring at her with a lump in my throat and a pang in my stomach, was it worth it? What was the point of the top communication school in the country; to bust my ass in high school to get in, and bust my ass in college to maintain a high GPA? Was it to get the internships where I work with celebrities, famous puppets and travel for the Olympics? What was the point of the six years I’ve dedicated to my company, clocking in the most insane hours, helping create amazing television shows and having a work ethic that is envied; when all I want to do is find a work situation that allows me to apply myself, while also do the job I’ve always wanted, mom. I don’t want to give it up; I’ve worked too hard. I’m too passionate about what I do. But how can I leave this new human who fills my entire being and has brought meaning to my life? I work for a company that prides itself on being in the top 100 companies for working moms. They offer a room for women to pump in (you must find time on the schedule) and have an emergency daycare that you can use up to 10 times. The website even states that 90% of employees use a flextime schedule and 85% of employees telecommute. When I had this conversation with my bosses, neither were an option. I’m being granted a one day a week telecommute for three months to honor a deal I struck with my previous boss before I left for MAT and survived a huge round of layoffs. That doesn’t work for me. I would have fought for a higher salary for my promotion and considered other opportunities while pregnant. I have an hour and a half commute door to door both ways from where I live. I’m also reporting into LA based teams – and can’t be expected to stay at the office until it’s past her bedtime (which I’ll probably miss anyway). I’ve even worked my entire maternity leave, which was my decision. I didn’t want to miss a beat. And I was able to manage; I am able to manage. I’ve missed two phone calls in three months, and it was to interview nannies. In this age of technology, there needs to be some flexibility. I take my work home with me every night. I sleep next to my phone and never leave an email unanswered. There needs to be a balance. I will never miss a concert, ballet recital or soccer game. I don’t care how many times I’m threatened to be fired. 9 weeks. How can she have been inside my body for 9 months and this is all the time I get with her? She’s just starting to recognize my songs, she’s just starting to smile at her daddy, she’s just starting to trust us. She’s just getting to know us. It's just not fair.

Mommyhood is....

Searching the entire fucking house for that funky smell...

2014 A BRAND NEW START - 2 months old!

Wow, how cool is it to be two months old and already stretch between two years? Our lady has blossomed so much in these two months - already at 13.4 lbs and 24 inches. She holds her head up on her own, smiles and coos and recognizes some family members. She's such a joy to wake up to every morning and to see before I close my eyes each night. She LOVES the bath - she kicks her legs and would stay in there all day. She's starting to try and roll - and even kicked her way sideways in the crib. Now if only she'd sleep through the night....