Mainard flew in to NYC on Saturday for Monday's commencement ceremonies at Yale. We took him to the Boathouse for dinner. (Predictable, I know - but the setting is lovely.)
After dinner, a stroll through the park. Grandpa and the mom-to-be.
Mom and Dad arrived from Grand Rapids late Saturday evening. We took everyone to Norma's for brunch on Sunday morning. Hands down the best breakfast in New York. Delicious!
At 8+ months pregnant, Chloe is looking great. (Also makes me look much leaner than I am!)
We flew my brother Brian in for the festivities. Here he is at a classic Upper East Side preppy burger joint, J.G. Melons. Somehow we managed to get a great table outside on a beautiful Sunday evening.

Beautiful and bulging; isn't she lovely?

Ultrasound photo taken on April 30. Look at those lips! Wonder where he gets those?

Obligatory "photos at the park under a pretty tree" shots.


I'm in desperate need of a tan! Ugh!

Charlie being a bad boy. Charlie discovered that he could look out the window if he put his paws on the leather club chair. Chloe of course encouraged this behavior because "it's cute," and took this snapshot.
The first Sunday in May was absolutely gorgeous and we decided to spend a few hours in our backyard, Central Park. Charlie loves the park.
I think this picture was a mistake, but it captures the mood that afternoon.
So I'm not the only one who blinks when he get's his picture taken.
Isn't it a requirement that all pregnant women get their picture taken in front of a tree?

Chloe's cousins surprised her with a visit. She hadn't seen them in over 10 years. You can see the family resemblance, can't you?
Chloe with Ilyse's daughter Erin and Amy.
One of my favorite streets in Carnegie Hill. Such beauty in the heart of the city.
A view down 93rd St., my favorite residential street on the UES.

The Pope came to visit us here in NYC. He was staying on 72nd and Madison which meant that all of NYC's finest called our neighborhood home for three days. I kept unintentionally running in to him. Above are some of his fans with the Pope pendants.
You've got to have faith - he's in the back of the limo.
Gina, another Chicago transplant, stopped by for one of Chloe's famous Sunday morning breakfasts.
I took this shot on one of my morning walks with Charlie. We walk from our apartment on 67th up Madison to 96th Street in Carnegie Hill. NYC is a city of paradoxes. Here, on one of the most expensive streets in Manhattan, garbage is piled every morning for pick up. Luxury and filth, beauty and stink; that is Manhattan.
A random shot north on Madison. Take a look at "Clinger Extras" for a photo collection of all of the baby stores on Madison between 67th and 96th. Unfortunately, we can't afford any of them!

Yet another ultrasound - March 26. Our son dropped down to the 64th percentile in terms of size, but rebounded nicely by the April 16 checkup to the 75th percentile. Just how we like 'em, nice and chunky!
Everything's growing...
Springtime in NYC on Madison Ave. We've really been spoiled this winter with mild temperatures and almost no snow. The city's beautiful. The streets smell fresh yet filthy at the same time!
A random shot on our daily walk to work down Madison.
Chloe and Charlie walking me to work on an April morning.

Yet another trip to Chicago...
Our brand new condo in Chicago. In case you're wondering, it was staged, i.e., the furniture was brought in to help sell it. A shot here of the kitchen. It has two dishwasher drawers, a wine refrigerator, a microwave drawer, glass back splash, floor-to-ceiling cabinets, HUGE island, convection oven with professional range and side-by-side refrigerator. What do we love most? It's four times the size of our kitchen in NYC. Of course, this kitchen is not in NYC :-(
Part of our living room, including our gas-starting, wood-burning fireplace! Necessary on those frigid Chicago nights.
This alcove is set up as a dining room. We may convert it to a den with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves or a den/third bedroom.
Another shot of the kitchen. We love the extra space!

I love these shots for their sense of space and depth.
A rare night out with the beautiful and very-pregnant wife at Dos Caminos.
Our guest bathroom. The tub will be replaced with Jacuzzi-Whirpool prior to close.

Our new place has two and a half baths. Here is the powder room on the upper level.
Master bath with steam shower on the lower level.
Master bedroom with a glimpse of the master bath.
Our view. Classic Chicago greystones!
Another view of the master bedroom.

Ultrasound at 22 weeks

The hallowed halls of YLS and our 5+ month ultrasound. Next one is March 26.

Our favorite shots of Charlie over the last month, including him sleeping on my tennis shoe after a bath, his new friend the Newfoundland (200 lbs.), one of his many sticks and his backyard (Central Park).