A Weekend to Remember

Reid, Andy, and I spent a wonderful weekend in Annapolis visiting with some of my old college friends recently. While there, Reid got in a lot of quality time with Lucy and Patrick ("Patty") Maher, and he was also able to meet and spend time with Wally Dalton, Tala Kiblawi, and Naji Kiblawi. We stayed at the Maher's townhouse (yay for pull-out couches and playrooms!) in Annapolis. On day one, my dearest friend, Lauren, picked us up from the airport and we made a pit stop at a delicious restaurant (yay for crab cakes!) for a quick lunch. Afterwards, we settled in at Lauren's house and then I accompanied Lauren to her children's daycare to pick them up. Later that evening, we all went out to eat at a German restaurant, which we followed up with a frozen yogurt adventure, much to Reid's delight. The next day, we shared a delicious crepe breakfast in downtown Annapolis (right outside the entrance to the naval academy) and walked around the pier. The kids especially loved throwing cheerios to the ducks. Later, after a nap, the Mahers and Laydens drove to Capitol Hill and spent time with Christine, Olivia, Ryan, Wally, Sara, Fadi, Tala, and Naji at a cookout hosted by the Daltons. The highlight of the cookout for the adults (besides spending time together) was the pork. The highlight of the cookout for the kids was backyard fun with the water house. Overall, it was a really nice day! On our last day, the Mahers and Laydens and Christine ate breakfast together (Panera takeout) and played for a while before meeting the Daltons at the local pool. The kids walked around the kiddie pool and played with toys while the adults sat in the shade and chatted. After Reid fell asleep and the Daltons and Christine left, we ordered food from the club house and ate by the pool. After a few more hours of quality time together, our time in Annapolis came to a close. What a weekend to remember!


P.S. I also remember the plane ride home (fidgeting, crying, etc.) but am hoping to forget it one day...

 

 

 

Rainy Day Fun

The afternoon rain showers have been in full force lately. Thankfully, we have cousins nearby (besides Gage- wish he lived closer!) to keep Reid entertained. I see lots of coloring, movie time, and laughter in Reid's summertime future...

 

 

 

 

 

Cheesin'

"Cheeeeeese" - Reid

Grandparent Love

My previous post inspired me to reflect on Reid's relationship with all of his grandparents. Reid is very lucky that all four of his grandparents play an active role in his life and have since day one. My pregnancy was announced during a birthday party for Grandpa Layden/Apa - we gave him a onesie that said "Baby of the Year" and a few bibs as birthday presents. Then, we invited the whole family over for a gender reveal. During the course of my pregnancy, every family member chipped in to some degree to ensure that our sweet home was all set up for BBL and that I was eating well and resting and feeling as supported as possible throughout my pregnancy. In their own ways, each of Reid's family members showed their love for Reid long before he was born. Now, the love Reid's grandparents (and cousins and aunts and uncles) have for him is even more palpable. I touched on some of the things he loves doing with Grandma and Grandpa in my previous post and how special his relationship is with my parents. Thankfully, he also has a special and close relationship with Andy's parents- Apa and Nee Nee (pronounced "Nay Nay" by BBL). He loves to read books with Nee Nee and listen to her songs, and he loves to go in the pool with Apa and play with him on the ground (with blocks, with cars, by climbing on him, etc.). The list goes on and on. We love you, Grandparents!

 

 

 

All Things BBL

My BBL is growing up! In a few days, he will be 20 months old - just 4 months away from 2! Simple math, yes, but the fact that I will have a 2 year old in the blink of an eye is crazy! It has been so much fun to watch Reid grow and learn new things every day, and I am hoping this blog will help me memorialize some of the special things he does. For just over one month, we have been living with my parents at their house, and it has been so nice for Reid (and us) to spend time with them. Every morning, Reid runs into the kitchen looking for Grandma and Grandpa, and he does the same when I bring him home from school in the afternoons. He especially loves sitting on Grandma's lap in the morning and eating her ezekial toast (with almond butter, honey, and chia seeds). Grandma is also his favorite playmate when it comes to playing in the backyard with balls, agua, and bubbles! He also loves playing with Grandpa - mimicking the way Grandpa fixes his hair and making Grandpa get off his recliner so he can steal it from him (and repeat)! Grandma and Grandpa left for North Carolina yesterday - we will really miss seeing them every day!


With the exception of last night (2 AM parties aren't like they were in my early 20's!) and two other nights (which I am hoping are flukes), Reid has adjusted very well to living with my parents. He has been sleeping well, eating well, and making everybody laugh with his endearing toddler antics. He is still obsessed with all things FRUIT, loves playing in the water (or "agua" as he insists on saying), lives for bubbles and balls (both of which he can say on repeat), enjoys dancing (especially to Wheels on the Bus, Twinkle Twinkle, Ring around the Rosy, and Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes), will point out body party (eyes, nose, mouth, ears, bellybutton/beebo, etc.) with great joy and enthusiasm, and gives the best hugs and kisses in the entire universe! He is also a climber- if you turn your back for a minute, you may find him sitting on a chair, the couch, or even a table. Apparently, he loves to show off his climbing skills at daycare, too - we were recently informed that he and his BFF Jack crawled IN the water tables during water day and proceeded to splash around with glee.  Also, one of Reid's newest joys is bubble baths. He has always enjoyed bath time, but he has really started to relish his time in the bath- swimming and splashing around.  He also loves "swimming" in the pool, especially when daddy or mommy throw him in the air (after he points to the sky saying "up, up, up," we cannot resist). Oh, and it would be a total mom-fail if I failed to mention his greatest loves (besides berries) - pacifiers (pa pa) and books! At bed time, he crawls into the rocking chair with a pa pa (or 3) in hand and a book. Lately, he has been laying on the bed next to the rocking chair so we can read him a book - sometimes he will even "read" the book to us!


Truthfully, the list of things that BBL enjoys is long and inspiring - he reminds me daily to seek joy in the seemingly mundane and normal moments I tend to take for granted.  He is funny, heartwarming, and loveable. Bring on month 20!

Happy Birthday, Dada!

Andy is a hands-on, special-kind-of-wonderful, fun, and loving dad ... who is getting older (but will always be younger than me- sigh). Happy (May 13th) Birthday, Dada !

Family pictures before heading out to dinner with the McLeods and Millers and then Matilda on Andy's birthday evening!

A Playdate With Friends

Shame on me for waiting so long to update the blog. Between moving out of our beloved Hazel home in early May, moving in with my parents, work, sicknesses, etc., time has slipped away from me. Rest assured, though, that we have been making wonderful memories and having lots of fun along the way. One of the things that Andy, Reid, and I all love to do is to meet up with friends and their babies for adult/child playdates. In early May, before we moved out of CP, we spent a Friday evening (not our first) at the Chapmans' house. The babies ran around the backyard, played in the water, ate spaghetti, etc., while the adults sipped on their respective beer or wine and watched the adorable kids run around. Reid is still at the age where he mostly plays on his own, but he will mimic what other kids are doing (sit at the table and eat, push things around the living room, etc.) and seems to enjoy playdates almost as much as we do. At this stage in my life, backyard/living room playdates are highly coveted and appreciated. They are (relatively) easy and a great way to catch up with friends.  I am so thankful for my friends and the little tribe we have formed together. I will miss living so close to most of them, but I am hoping I can lure them over to Maitland with the promise of pool parties. And lots of beer and wine.