Happy Birthday GG!

Mom asked me to make you a present for your birthday, so I got right to work.

I mean, what could be a better present than me? 

I knew you would think so too.

But Mom didn't think I would pack and ship very well. 

She said I should draw you a picture - on paper. 

So I worked really hard, all by myself. I didn't even want her to take the caps off of the markers. So it took much strength
and endurance.  

Mom was laughing so hard at me that I thought I would keep making my 'I'm trying really hard face', just for kicks. 

I do have a little Pop and Lacey in me you know. 

In the end, I think I did a pretty good job. Hope you like it! 

We love you! 

I love them

We returned last night from a wonderful 2 week stay in AL filled with weddings, time with loved family and greatly missed friends, babysitters, and even a beach vacation.  I have so much I could and want to post, but due to some much needed r & r from a long day of unpacking and laundry, most will have to wait. 

My family will be very upset that out of the hundred or so pictures I took while there, this is the first one posted. But this is just one reason I love and miss y'all so much!
Yes, this is their freezer, if you weren't quite certain. And being that this was taken only a couple of days after opening day, I'm sure the empty space will not last long. 

Brother

Most of you know by now that yes, we are having another boy! We are thrilled that Charlie will have a little playmate soon. 

Because I live far away from friends and family I am always asked how big I am. Well, here is a picture of us. 

I am six months now (24 weeks, but 6 months sounds so much further along right?).  Baby is extremely active, which I love. Ask me though if I feel that way though when he is more than 2 lbs. Other than atrocious heartburn, super-tiredness, the occaisional sciatic jolt, and pain under my right rib ~I feel great!

I love this little one so dearly already, and am amazed by the room in my heart to to love so much. 

Picassa in the making

*Photography tip, from someone not quite qualified to give photography tips ~

shooting on an angle is really "in" and can add interest or a playful feel to a photograph. But sometimes, like here, it just makes your subject look like he's going to slide off the page! But I couldn't help but to keep this face.

I would like to thank, very much, the man or woman who created washable crayons. You my friend are a genius.

just because

(it's his fish face)

walking

At 15 months, Charlie had been taking steps for nearly half a year, but only when we asked him to. The child is so extremely cautious that we wondered if he would ever do it on his own. Of course, like most of his age, he finally did.

To capture the milestone, I thought I would take him to a local field in front of a pretty bridge and let him kick a ball and run around gleefully as I snapped beautiful portraits. As usual, the images in my head didn't quite make it to the camera. Charlie had an idea of his own ~ the playground. So off he ran, and off we followed.

For a split second I was discouraged. I was not going to get those "perfect" little shots that I really wanted. Then I laughed. Was this my first silly little lesson of letting go of my plans and letting him follow his own? The first of many, I'm sure.

*Or for you a little less sentimental than I......yeah, he's a kid, and there was a playground in sight. What did I expect?!

bello giorno

lovely day.
It began at the Bronx Zoo.

Although Charlie seemed genuinely intrigued by the tigers, monkeys and sea lions, he also seemed equally excited about the pigeons and ducks on the sidewalk; yet the trip was worth it. He at least has finally seen the animals that we have been making him imitate for months now, and Bryan and I loved watching the baby giraffe darting around the adult giraffes in the field. What a weird, quirky, seemingly out of place, and yet beautiful animal!

If I were an animal these days I think I would be a giraffe (the quirky and out of place part). Arthur Avenue ("Little Italy") is only a block away so we headed there after Charlie was done. We have been wanting to go for a while, for both the cultural experience as well as for the fabulous groceries. Bryan's Italian co-workers always talk about authentic mozzarella, prosciutto, and sausages and the best places to find each ~ on Arthur. It did not disappoint. We came home with bags of the goodness and promptly dug in.

dried sausages of many kinds....everywhere. even the ceilings

and cheese. lots of cheese.

We didn't eat these, hand-rolled cigars, but I did enjoy watching a woman sneak pieces to chew on as she rolled.
Now, what to do with all these Italian delicacies that I've never had in my kitchen before?

our city pool

As much of a pool as you can get living in the city:

but to him, size didn't matter.

Only time. It was too short.
Bryan and I had fun too, trying to make as much as we can out of our 'backyard'. We just try and pretend that this isn't there.
(it's not ours by the way!)
and thank you grandmama for the pool - he loves it.

so nice

a basket of chilton county peaches and blueberries from your backyard, toys for charlie, babysitting, dinner, a yankees game, a picnic and a hike, a walk along the sound, many walks around town, ice cream, laughing - lots of laughing, good conversation...

but most of all just being together.

will you guys come back and stay with us every month?

31

I hope Bryan always remembers this year's birthday, because I don't think I will ever be able to top it.

His parents and brother came to visit for the week, which would have been wonderful enough, but we were also treated to dinner and a babysitter (Liz - thank you again!!) while we enjoyed a Yankees game without child.

There just happened to be 31 regular season games left before the original stadium is torn down. Fitting.

I've never liked the Yankees, but I couldn't help but to be swept away ~ and found myself cheering for them. There truly was something in the air. To top it off, a Wii was waiting at home, which was played through the wee hours of the night. Wish I had a picture~ there was much laughter as well through the wee hours of the night!

a blueberry mess

In honor of my mother-in-law, who says these are her favorite pictures ever of Charlie ~

If you are a grandparent, you must close your eyes for this last picture ~ it hasn't been mailed yet.

Cheesy, I know, but the grandparents will love it.

Speaking of cheesy, is there another, better, more hip/"now" word for it? Every time i use it i feel so, well, cheesy - but i can't for the life of me think of another fitting word.