Weekend in Lake Placid

We headed up to Lake Placid this weekend to visit Nonno. We took the kids on a couple boat rides where Griffin shared his cookies with Nonno, went fishing (but the fish were "sleeping"), and tried to take some photos with the real camera - which Griffin loved.

What a beautiful weekend to be on the water, in the woods!

ps - Louise kills me with this bow hat. Thanks Aunt Les:)

Louise is 8 months old!

Geez time sure does fly! Especially when you've got a little tub-a-lub at home growing out of onesies and pjs at a rapid pace. (So rapid that her Mama often can't keep up & she sports her big brother's football pajamas - oops. And who cares. Girls like football too.) 

Louise turned eight months old this week, and I can hardly believe eight months has passed since we were pinching ourselves that she was a she! I remember my late mother-in-law telling me that you can't believe it's possible to love the next child as much as the first, but you do. I never doubted I'd love our second child as much as Griffin, but I guess I wasn't prepared to be bowled over all over again by that love. That my heart could stretch in a new different direction for this new different little person. I love this little girl more than anything. She's my little tubby angel, and I tear up every time I think of how lucky I am to have her in my life & how much pure joy she brings me with every adorable smile. 

Here are eight recent pics of little Louise for her eight amazing months of life.

Weekend in Photos: An All Kids Weekend

I had the kids all to myself this weekend, and I decided I'd test my Mom skills by taking them to places we've never been before. First up - Governor's Island. Or in our case, all the playgrounds that distracted us from even getting on the ferry to Governors Island. The only thing that took Griff away from this awesome "spiderweb" contraption was the Ample Hills Ice Cream stand. Then, just before we got to the ferry dock, with chocolate ice cream dripping down his chin and arms, we passed the most incredible water playground - "The Water Lab." As soon as we laid eyes on this magical spot, the ferry didn't stand a chance. We were there for hours & I already can't wait to go back. 

We also hung out under the Manhattan Bridge, threw rocks into the water & played at the nearby playground. New playgrounds are like new little worlds, and I get so stupidly happy seeing Griffin explore these new-to-him spaces. 

At the end of one day, while enjoying his good boy treat (the carrot I dangle in front of him all day long), he says, "Mommy take a picture of my mad face" (above) and I say, "Okay, but now show me your happy face." (below)

Mommy had both mad & happy faces this weekend too. They looked just like this.

Sorry I didn't take any pics of you, Louise. Mommy loves you for being so portable & easy-going :)

Brother Sister (Quick) Hug

The other evening, we returned home from an early bird dinner, and Griffin surprised us by asking if he could hold Louise. We said 'Of course!' and quickly put them both on the couch, where he sweetly embraced her & gave her a little kiss on the head. Our hearts burst. Not ten seconds later, he says, "Okay, I'm done." 

Fleeting, but precious. :)

Girls Weekend

I had Louise all to myself this past weekend, and it was such a treat. The heat wave finally broke (thank goodness!) so we went for a few longs walks - in Prospect Park and in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. I also took her into the pool for the first time! I forgot how noisy and bustling indoor pools can be - especially at open swim times, I guess. She had on her serious face, so we sat on the edge of the pool observing all the kids splashing and laughing. I eventually got in with her & she didn't totally hate it - a success I think! I have to say, I think 6 months might be my favorite age. I think I say that at every stage, but right now, there's no talking back, she's got pretty easy food requirements, and she loves  smiling. In some ways, it feels like she was born yesterday & I was pinching myself that she was here and that she was a she! But now of course I can't imagine life without miss Louise. I love this little big girl.

Peek-a-Boo

Oh, hi.

xo,
Griff & Lou

So Big

Last week, Griffin officially turned two and a half, and today, Louise is three months. When I was little, I used to smile & laugh awkwardly when people who hadn't seen me in a while would say, "You've grown so much!" or "You're so big!" "When did you get so big?!" But now I get it. They couldn't help themselves. These little people grow so fast!

This is my last week of "maternity leave" and the temperatures are soaring into the seventies!!! so I'm excited to get outside with Louise. Griffin has brought home all sorts of germs this winter, so I'm really looking forward to the much warmer weather and hopefully way less colds.

[Above, Griffin playing with the snaps on Louise's shirt. Louise looking at me like: "Umm, yo, you gonna tell him my shirt's not a toy?!"]

Checking In at 9 Weeks

Wheeeeew.

Louise was 9 weeks old yesterday, and I can finally say that we are slooooowly coming back to life. (I want to add like a hundred more o's in that "slowly", but you probably wouldn't be able to read it as a word. Just so you know.)

Griffin gave his little sister the gift of germs at five weeks old. Which was really fun for Mom & Dad. She visited the ER twice, had her first x-ray and was put on antibiotics to prevent the fluid in her lungs from harboring any bacteria. It was a pretty trying & scary time - sucking mucus from her nostrils, keeping her upright, visiting the doctor. But we got through it, sleep-deprived and over-caffinated.

And now I'm thrilled to say we're out of those deep dark woods. Our healthy little chunkster is the happy little girl we started seeing glimmers of at four weeks - smiling, eating, sleeping, pooping, burping. All those things babies do best. Makes me so happy to see her thriving after being so fragile there for a while.

So that's the update from here. More (happy & healthy ones) to come. A photo above from the weekend, where Louise fell asleep in my arms waiting for her bath. Pretty good little life, Miss Louise. Your Mommy loves you, even though you scared the bejesus out of her.