Truth be told, I think I’ve spent the better part of the past 5 years trying to be comfortable in my own skin. I never felt like my pictures were where I wanted them to be, so, in some strange way, playing with different identities was a way of trying to access some part of myself that I was comfortable with. And, this year in particular, we’ve been going through a lot of transition.

But, you know what? Something funny happened. I was looking at my work over the past years, and I started to realize that I was quite happy being where I was. My point of view became much more clear, and I was happy with what the pictures had to say. And as the year progressed, I felt better and better about it. Sure, I’ll eternally be a student, and I’ll always want to improve, but the 5 West name is me. It’s my lifeblood, my career, my passion, and the thing I’m committed to, so that’s what I’m going with it. I’m happy to be home.

Working with Benny was a blast. He’s not only super cute, but he has massively strong legs. When we put him down on his tummy, he would actually crawl forward! And he wouldn’t stop! The pictures came out great, and though Max’s shirts didn’t quite survive the session, I think the images are well worth it.

When I reached out to Jessi Walter of Cupcake Kids! about featuring her lovely kitchen studio on our blog I had mixed reasons for why I wanted to do a spotlight. The first being that I absolutely love her idea for Cupcake Kids! and wanted to share it with you guys and the second reason was that I really wanted some cooking lessons.

Walking into the Cupcake Kids! kitchen studio was like stepping back into my childhood with my sister and her easy bake oven but one million times better.  The kitchen studio is the only one in Manhattan designed just for kid chefs.  It’s outfitted with pops of fun colors, canisters filled with sprinkles and other yummy ingredients, a wonderful kitchen and of course a kid friendly workspace.  Cupcake kids offers so much more than just baking cupcakes with lessons for foods both savory and sweet.  The day we visited, Jessi was teaching the class to make soft pretzels.

Jessi, a graduate of Harvard University and former Wall Street executive, decided to pursue her passion for working with children after spending countless weekends baking with her boyfriend’s nieces.  Soon Cupcake Kids! was born offering hands-on cooking classes, private classes, school trips, and birthday parties.  Group classes are available in summer and holiday camps and also during the school year with semester classes.  A full schedule of the classes can be found at http://www.cupcakekids.com/classes.html

I’m not gonna lie. A newborn session is a lot of work, both for the parents and the photographer. But when you’re the parent and the photographer, well, that just takes it to a whole new level. I keep telling everyone they should come in for a newborn session. And I understand how hard it is to muster the energy, much less coordinate everything in those first two weeks after a child is born. But it’s worth it. They just will not look like that ever again, and as cute as children become, that look they have as infants is funny and adorable in a special way. Of course, at the end of the session, I said to Katya “Wow, that was exhausting. Was it worth it?” Yeah, it was.

Evan and Katya, Then and Now

With the birth of my daughter Keira last week (check out the photo essay on the Stale*Bread blog, it seemed like a good time for some reflection. I can’t quite believe that Evan was ever that small. Keira’s head nearly fits in the palm of my hand, and she looks so fragile. Meanwhile, Evan is running around, jumping, playing, and frolicking. When Keira cried in his presence for the first time, he tried to console her. “Don’t cry,” he said gently. I was so touched. I love him so much. How did he get so big?

‘

We recently sat down with Holly Mitchell, Executive Director of MomPrep, at their fabulous spa-like oasis for moms (and dads too) in the Upper East Side. MomPrep offers a full curriculum of Childbirth Education, Pre & Postpartum Support Groups as well as Pre & Postnatal Fitness Classes…it is the answer to every mom’s & moms-to-be needs because they can find high quality information and instructors all under one roof!

MomPrep is the go-to “school” with some 20 classes going on at any given time, including one of their most popular classes: “A-Z of Childbirth & Parenting 101 Crash Course” which is a 3-Hour intensive on childbirth.

The classes aren’t limited to just first time mommies. Many are 2nd time moms looking to change something this time around whether it be the birthing process, freshening up on their CPR, getting information on organic food alternatives, or improving their children’s sleep habits. We saw Diana (images below) from Smooth Parenting in action while we were there.

For the downtown moms that cannot make it to the UES location, MomPrep is now offering their classes at Citibabes as well. A full schedule of their classes can be found on their website www.momprepnyc.com.

I was so excited to meet Shari Vilchez-Blatt, Founder and Director of Karma Kids Yoga, and to observe a Mom & Baby class. This class is designed to get back in shape while strengthening the bond between mommy and infant through the combination of yoga and play.

Shari believes that yoga for children all comes down to playing, using your imagination, and having fun. Children are born with an awareness of their body that is very different from adults, making yoga is a natural form of learning self-exploration for them. As they get older the Shari’s programs change and evolve, and she is constantly developing new ways to engage her students and keep them interested.

One of Shari’s favorite age groups is the toddler age group, which consists of new walkers through 3 years. She loves the age because the children “will do the best they can and try anything…[They] clap after they complete an activity.” After the first year, children’s skills develop faster and faster, and she loves seeing how quickly they grow.

Karma Kids Yoga offers classes for the expectant mother, families, and yoga for children 6 weeks and up.

Karma Kids Yoga is located at 104 West 14th Street. You can give them a call at 646-638-1444 or find them online at www.karmakidsyoga.com for class descriptions and schedules.