Memorializing Memorial Day

You may not realize how amazing this photo is, but while mommy and Aunt Julie read "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish," Daisy and I coordinated thumb-sucking and twisting our mommies' hair. But that's not the amazing part. Over on the right, we actually memorialized Grandpa doing dishes. A moment to remember.


Badminton, anyone?


Grandpa hadn't put the steps into the lake yet, so daddy simply eased me in, one toe at a time...I can't remember the last time I was in the lake.


Oh, right. Last summer with Grandpa.


Then mommy and I painted the dock (an activity that evidently provided months of entertainment to her when she was a little girl). I don't think she realized that we were "painting" with water so when the sun shone it dried up our artwork. Shh...don't spoil her memories.

Cousins, Cousins, and More Cousins

I met lots more relatives at Brielle's naming, including Jordan, Jamie, and Sarah featured here.


Then BoMa, BoPa, Nana, mommy, daddy and I went off to Brooklyn to meet Anita, J.B., and Darla (more cousins, visiting from California!). I also finally met Dani and Reid, not featured here.


Daisy, dolly, and I colored out on the deck. None of us is a particularly good artist, but we enjoy expressing ourselves in crayon.

Happy Birthday, DaDa!!!

Daddy and I shared a fun-filled birthday. We had dinner with mommy, grandma and grandpa at The Boat Basin.

Then, after I went to bed, mommy and daddy invited some friends over for the best ice cream cake ever. I can't believe that daddy posed for this photo with our neighbor Ari instead of me. He's sleeping, has a pacie in his mouth so didn't help blow out the candles, and is too little to enjoy the oreo cookie crumbles in between the ice cream. Not to mention the "Brooklyn" onesie...what is he thinking? Meanwhile, I was enjoying my beauty rest.

Happy, Happy Birthday, D-a-a-ddy!!!!

I couldn't resist staying up until now to be the very first to wish my wonderful daddy the happiest of birthdays. I got him a special birthday balloon on my way home tonight in the hopes that he would let me play with it. Maybe tomorrow...

When You Come to a Fork...Take It

As the wise #8 in pinstripes said, "When you come to a fork in the road...Take it." Tonight I came to the first fork on my high chair and boy was I eager to take it - right out of mommy's hand!


As you can see, I have a bit of work to do, so I may just stick with making every food a finger-food, for now.

Life Has Its Ups and Downs

Every Mommy's Nightmare...My Exciting Adventure

Last week, after arriving home with mommy, as the doors were closing, I snuck between her legs to re-board our

Elevator!!! (By myself, with no food or beverage, only the diaper I was wearing, and not enough verticality to reach any buttons.)

Very long wait for mommy

As I rode DOWN,

Then UP

Only to come back DOWN to be

Reunited at last. I missed you, mommy, and won't do it again (at least until the opportunity next presents itself).

Be-Cousin I Said So

Tonight mommy, daddy, and I visited my newest cousin, Brielle Rose. She slept for a lot of our visit and I couldn't understand why she didn't get up to eat Turkish chicken with me. I can't wait until she grows up a little so we can play and go out to dinner together. Brian and Hara are excellent parents and I am sure Brielle will be spoiled appropriately rotten.


For the time being, though, at least she's got cool toys for me to play with.


BoMa and BoPa came down this weekend (for a 90th Birthday party in Jersey, but fortunately they stopped in to see little young me!). I think they were impressed by how mobile I've become, giving them quite a run for their money down Broadway.


Relatively speaking, I'm staying put, though. Noah and his parents are moving to North Carolina, so they invited us over for a going-away party. Fortunately he didn't call the five minute rule on his favorite chair.


What an exhausting weekend (don't mind the bed-head)!

These Are Thirteen of My Favorite Things

In honor of my thirteen-month birthday, I wanted to share some of the things I really enjoy these days:

1. Taking off my shoes and my socks and my shoes and my socks, and occasionally trying to put on mommy's shoes and socks
2. Telling people that "duck" says quack and cow says "moo"
3. Brushing my teeth (or at least walking around the house with my toothbrush in or near my mouth)
4. Rocking in my rocking chair, which I can get into and out of myself, thank you very much
5. Singing "E-I-E-I-O"
6. Taking books off my shelf though I'm not really interested in reading them
7. Eating Cheerios and bananas, frequently culminating in rubbing bananas in my hair
   
8. Trying to squeeze my body through the rails of our baby gate (mommy and daddy's only attempt at babyproofing)
9. Taking things to mommy, then to daddy, then back to mommy - you get the idea!
10. Combing my hair while mommy or daddy is brushing it
11. Waving at strangers and waitstaff in restaurants until they wave back, which they almost always do
    
12. Sucking my left thumb while twirling my hair with my right hand to let everyone know I'm sleepy
13. BATHTIME!!!

Oh, Mother!

I hope mommy had a great Mother's Day! We got to spend the entire day together, including an early breakfast, some shopping, and dinner with family.


Today was so much fun, I barely took a nap. That was good, since I was able to meet my newest friend and Sorin's baby brother, Rian. He seems like a great guy, but since no one offered me a chance to hold him, Sorin's doll had to suffice.


Happy Mother's Day to all of the other moms in my life, including BoMa, Grandma, Aunt Julie, Aunt Barbra, BoBo, and Nana. I love you!

Baby Loves "Baby Loves Disco"

Mommy and daddy took me to my first night club--during the daytime--for Baby Loves Disco, a dance party specifically for my demographic. It was so exciting getting past the velvet ropes, after being let in by my first bouncer.


The event was so popular, I'm not sure you can find me in this picture (it helps if you double click on it).


Afterward, my parents took my to Max Brenner's for what daddy said was the best milkshake of his life. (It was also the best milkshake of my life, but that doesn't take much). Afterward, I needed a bath, but I wish I could have taken it in this vat of dark chocolate.

Happy Birthday, Mommy!!

I have the best mommy ever. Here I am trying to sign "More time with mommy!"


I hope she has a great birthday.

Guys and Dolls

I spent this morning with two of my favorite guys: "Uncle" Josh and daddy.


Then we got dressed up...


...to attend my very first bris - Ari's. I was particularly excited to meet the mohel, who trained mommy for her Bat Mitzvah and officiated at Uncle Spencer and Aunt Julie's wedding. It made me especially happy to be a girl and just a guest, not the baby-of-honor (ouch!!).


Speaking of girls, I have a baby one of my own. Despite her age, I'm teaching her to drink from my straw-y cup. I don't know why she's having such trouble, but sometimes even I get confused and drink from the wrong side.

Having a (Wiffle) Ball!

Since mommy likes to celebrate her birthday for a whole week, daddy and I got things started by gathering friends and family to play wiffle ball at Chelsea Piers.


Oscar swung for the fences.


Nick and Steve made sure I got my body behind the ball.


And daddy was a force with whom to be reckoned behind the plate, leading his and mommy's team to a 7-4 victory.


Put me in coach, I'm ready to play!


Now remind me, which end is up?


Astrid just turned six months, so today was her first exposure to rice cereal and, apparently, to hops.


With these parents, I've hit a home run (even if they can't decide which team to root for)!!

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

I finally got to meet Baby Ari, my brand new downstairs neighbor. It's nice to have an eligible (and handsome) bachelor in the building at last!


We had fun eating Indian food with his mommy and daddy, though Ari is still pretty small and slept a lot. While waiting for him to get up and pay attention to me, I lounged in his big chair.


I hope on our next playdate he'll let me introduce him to our doormen, give him a tour of the mailboxes, and show him how to push my (elevator) buttons.