Toby says Night Night.

Alex and I usually put Toby to bed, but when we went out at dinner last week, our babysitter took this video of Toby saying goodnight. My heart swells whenever I hear his little voice--it's so magical to witness your child start to communicate! I can't wait to talk to him more as he grows, and hear what's going on in that little head. xoxo

Sleep well tonight, everyone!

P.S. Five more Toby videos, since I can't help it:)

Do you pee in front of your significant other?

Ok, we've talked about enough intimate stuff on Cup of Jo that I think I'll just go for it today and ask the big question: Do you pee in front of your significant other? My answer...
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Austin advice?

We're going to Austin!!! Our friends just moved there, so we're heading down for a weekend trip at the end of the month. (We figured we sneak in the trip before Toby turns two and we have to buy him plane seat.)

Everyone I know raves about Austin, and we can't wait to see it. Most of all, I'm excited to swim in Barton Springs, the 1,000-foot-long spring-fed natural pool. It looks incredible! (This monthly full-moon party would be a trip:)

Have you been to Austin? Do you live there? We'd be psyched for any recommendations! xoxo

P.S. Ten tips for traveling with a baby, and our guide to NYC.

(Photos by Budget Travel, MagazineUSA, Emily and Jack Archer)

A NYC weekend

New York City can feel so dark and dreary during the winter (puddles! gray buildings! umbrellas whacking you!) that it's always a restorative breath of fresh air when the sun comes back out. Everyone pours out of their cramped apartments, and the city comes alive. This weekend felt like summer, with blue skies and cool breezes. Hope you had a great one, and here are a few photos we snapped this weekend, if you'd like to see...
On Saturday, we rode bikes across the Brooklyn Bridge (this was the view from my bike seat!)...
We headed to the glorious Brooklyn Bridge Park in Dumbo. You can see the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridges jutting out from each side, and hear the subways rattling noisily across them every ten minutes. (Our friends got married in this park a few years ago, and they had to pause their ceremony whenever the subways clattered overhead:)
We chilled in the grass (and I showed off my newly orange toes:), while Toby ate raisins and gazed at the enormous historic carousel that opened last summer...
So, we decided to buy tickets (the attendants' T-shirts say "Pony Up $2!") and take a spin on the carousel.
As we climbed on, Toby suddenly got freaked out by the horses (he cried at first!) so we sat together on the sleigh. (Note the other freaked out baby sitting behind us:)
Look at the rad backdrops in these photos!
We met up with our friends and headed to a nearby playground to hang out...
Dumbo is such a spectacular neighborhood. (This was just a random view we had when we walked to the deli to buy a snack!)
The next day, we headed to the Transit Museum in Brooklyn Heights, which is chock full of vintage subway cars. Toby's head almost exploded.
Taking photos was tricky because he was so excited and giddy that he literally ran everywhere. Just ran!! A little boy's dream come true:)

Oh, New York, sometimes we forget how great you are in the winter, but then summer comes, and we feel guilty for ever complaining. We love you! xoxo

(Toby's plaid shirt at top by Pearls & Popcorn; overalls by Carters)

Accidental twins

Yesterday afternoon was sunny and gorgeous, so Toby and I met friends at Washington Square Park. Everything was going swimmingly...until I realized that I was dressed exactly--exactly--like my friend's four-year-old son. I sometimes tease myself for dressing like a ten-year-old boy, but I guess I was six years off. :)

P.S. I need to wear these wedges.

(Photo by my friend Ashley)

4 foolproof ways to make your baby laugh

What are your tried-and-true ways to make a baby laugh? What always works? Toby and I made a video about four things that crack him up. We hope you like it!

"When a new baby laughs for the first time a new fairy is born, and since there are always new babies, there are always new fairies." -- Peter Pan

Prat falls (aka pretending to trip) always seem to make babies laugh. The parenting book The Happiest Toddler on the Block explained that apparently babies love it because someone else finally looks like the idiot. Babies are always the shortest, slowest and clumsiest people in the room, so they love to feel like the smart one, for once. How cute is that?!
The video was kindly sponsored by mOmma, a brand of beautifully modern children's mealtime products, designed in Switzerland and made in Italy. Toby has used their sippy cup for the past six months (ever since he transitioned from his bottle), and it's the best sippy cup we've tried, hands down. It doesn't leak, is easy to use, is aesthetically pleasing, and can double as a ball to roll around while he's waiting for dinner. I've recommended it over and over to friends. So, I was thrilled when mOmma wanted to work together.

Plus, a giveaway: mOmma is also giving FIVE lucky winners FULL sets of all their products, including a diaper bag. For a chance to win, please visit the mOmma website and leave a comment below. (Also consider visiting them on Facebook or Twitter, and you can buy them here and find deals here). Five winners will be selected at random tomorrow. Good luck! Update: Our winners are Melisa R., Jenna K., Seana, Catherine A., Samantha S. Thanks for playing. xo
(Video sponsored by mOmma; video directed by my friend Steve Pappin "Son of Shark Pig," thanks to Elizabeth for letting us use her house (and for doing prat falls!); song by Elizabeth Mitchell; my beloved pink jeans are from J.Crew)

Do or don't: Vests

Vests used to confuse me. When would you wear one? I wondered. If it's cold, you want sleeves. If it's hot, you'll just wear your T-shirt. Although they looked cute, vests seemed random and unnecessary.
Until Alex got one. Now I totally get it.
Here's the funny magic of vests: Do you sleep cuddled under the covers, but always stick one leg out? Or keep the window open so your nose gets cold? So it feels both cozy and refreshing? That's what a vest feels like!!!

It's perfect for spring and fall days, or cool summer evenings. Tomboyish and laid-back. I love it. The vest we have is sold out, but this Barbour vest is similar; and also this Belstaff one is super chic. Have you ever worn a vest?
(My jeans are Emerson Fry and boots are Loeffler Randall)

How long do you wait to sleep with someone?

We've talked about everything from break-ups to breasts, so today let's talk about sex...
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