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.

Orlando Love

As we get ready to move to Maitland, I feel compelled to take a minute to show my appreciation for The City Beautiful. Recently, I picked Reid up from his school and walked with him to Lake Eola, where we enjoyed strolling around the lake and pointing out squirrels and birds. While there, I made a promise to myself that I will give Reid opportunities throughout his childhood to know and love Orlando - especially downtown Orlando and College Park and all of the other areas that Andy and I have grown to love over the past seven years as Orlando residents.

I have lived in Orlando since my return from law school in 2010. During my first year out of law school, I lived at Uptown Place off Orange Avenue. Next, Andy and I lived in 1 Eola South in Thornton Park for about 3 years. Now, and for a few weeks more, we live in College Park. Although our zip code slightly changed between moves, we have lived in or very near downtown Orlando for the majority of our dating/engaged/married lives. So it should come as no surprise that Orlando holds a very special place in my heart. Even when we move to Maitland, we will continue to work in downtown Orlando and Reid will continue to attend daycare in downtown Orlando. Still, we will no longer be Orlando residents - a truth that is very bittersweet for me. From crossing the threshold of our apartment near Lake Eola as a married couple to buying our first home together in College Park to bringing Finn home right before my 30th birthday party and then carefully introducing newborn Reid to Finn and his (forever) first home in October 2015 - Orlando will always have a piece of my heart. Because of the many memories we have created in Orlando, "The City Beautiful" will always be beautiful to us.

Reid Plays Hooky from School...

Recently, I stayed home from work to spend the day with Reid because he was sickly with a fever the day before. I thought I would spend the day lounging on the couch with a sick Reid, in between attempts to feed him and ensure that he drink his milk and water. However, as the day progressed, I realized that Reid may have faked me out ! Reid ate and drank to his heart's content as we took on a myriad of adventures on our day "off."  I think quality mommy/son time was exactly what we both needed! Here is a glimpse of our day:


Peek-a-boo with Finn. And repeat.

 

Publix + balloon + toddler Reid = happiness

 

What is even better than a Publix balloon? Blueberries and yogurt, of course!

 



Someone learned how to stick his tongue out...

 

 

Although he looks a little unsure here, BBL had a great time with his older cousins at the park. He especially enjoyed observing a rogue squirrel.

Hanging out at the park with a firm grasp on his snack!

 

 

Rogue squirrel patrol on the job.

 

Baby model strikes again!



Who is a bad influence on who? 

Reid lost his clothes while exploring how water works with the help of his water toy. In his defense, it was hot!