meet baby allegra. she’s not mine, but she’s proving to be a charming next door neighbour* so far.

aren’t babies lovely? so soft and radiant and nice-smelling and kitten-like (this one makes little mewing sounds that melt the heart instantly) and snuggly and photogenic… oh yes, i’m enjoying our new neighbour* quite a bit.

(*i got to indulge in that fabulous English spelling of neighbour since both of allegra’s parents are from england. they also say fabulous English things like “trousers” and “telly” and “torch”, which sound imminently more refined to my ear than “pants”, “tv”, and “flashlight”. sigh. i really need to renew my passport and take a trip across the sea… ah, but i digress.)

i received the most wonderful, unexpected treat of an early birthday gift in the mail yesterday (coincidentally, from another special person that speaks real authentic british english! i do so love that…) and it lifted my spirits and brought me out of the stress-induced funk i was cultivating earlier in the week. hooray for generosity and for people that fill your mailbox at just the perfect moment and for friends and joy. and hooray for being grateful and knowing that i am so unbelievably blessed.

also: hooray for cats that let themselves look like this just so my kid can have a good time. he should’ve known this was coming after he let the kids use him as “patient dizzy” when they were playing doctor’s office last week. today he was “baby dizzy”, and although he looks a little non-plussed, that bib is actually quite slimming.

and hey, while i’m hooray-ing and bringing out the cute and happy: hooray for $7-per-dozen bodega roses and pictures that take me back to special memories and good celebrations

and of course: hooray for happiness and family and letting her sit on daddy’s shoulders as she makes her way through the city, listening to the beatles and the ramones on the ipod

hooray for friends and the spirit of the season and the little reminders that on these busy busy days you can only do your best. no more, no less.

and that’s quite a lot.

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