10 Months: Another Opinionated One

At ten months old, Aiyana is showing she has a big personality and a strong voice. Not unlike her big sister. She adamantly prefers standing to sitting, gets very angry (and loud) when her big sister takes a toy from her, still screams when Mommy turns her back on her, and screeches when she doesn't get more mozzarella cheese quickly enough. But on a sweeter note, she smiles at strangers, wraps her arms around Mommy like a baby koala, and looks cuter than ever with her big teeth.

And when Mommy told me it was Aiyana's ten month birthday, I immediately took out my cupcakes and "made her a birthday."

I guess Aiyana's not the only sweet one :)

Happy Ten Month Birthday, Baby Sister! xo Zadia

Virginia Is For Lovers

We're in Virginia, and Virginia is for lovers!

Ysabella loves her little cousin.

I love my baby sister.

Poppy loves me.

And we all love to swing.

Ysabella and I love to mimic each other.

 

And apparently, so do Anthony and Aiyana!

 

The Beach: Take Two

Even though we spent a week in Cape Cod back in July, we spent less than two hours on the beach. That's because I had a melt down on the beach on the first day of vacation, so Mommy and Daddy thought maybe the beach wasn't really my thing. But since Mommy's such a beach bum (and would like her kids to be also), she decided to give me another chance to enjoy the sand and the waves. 

For a girl that dislikes grass on her feet, can't stand dirt on her hands, and hates water in her face, the trip to Long Beach could have been another disaster. But to everyone's surprise, I quite liked the beach the second time around. I was still skeptical about the water, but I had no problem finding other ways to amuse myself.

And Aiyana? A beach lover, just like her Mommy. She was fearless in the water.

Was completely unphased by how messy commando crawling in the sand was.

And learned how good a smashed peanut butter and jelly sandwich tastes on a hot day.

No More Pigeons!

The whole family was still in NYC on Saturday, so once the rain let up, we hiked it up to the Bronx Zoo. I waited all summer to see the giraffes and the monkeys, but things didn't exactly go as planned. Within ten minutes of being at the zoo, and while escaping a harmless pigeon, I fell flat on my face. Yup. Bloody lip, chipped tooth, and boo boos on the thumb that I so enthusiastically suck. It was not a good start to our zoo day.

It could have been a disaster of a day, but luckily Mommy spotted a theater at the zoo showing a Dora video in 4D! 

DORA and VIDEO was all I had to hear to perk up.We sat front and center--chipped tooth, swollen lip, blood-stained clothes and all.

We did still manage to see the giraffes, but it paled in comparison to seeing Dora on a big screen.

So the zoo trip didn't exactly go as planned, but it was still a fun family outing.

The important thing, of course, is that I made my fist visit to the dentist, and she says my tooth is just fine. Oh, and guess what video I was watching during my exam? DORA!

Three Day Weekend

Nona, Poppy, Uncle Cory, Aunt Kacey, and our cousins Ysabella and Anthony all came to NYC this past weekend. We kids got along famously, which was especially helpful since there were four adults and four kids staying in our apartment. Despite the tight accommodations and potential for disaster, the cousins really played well together.

With four kids' naps to consider, it was best to stay local on Thursday and Friday. So we played in the "backyard."

 On the roof terrace.

And we read lots, and lots, and LOTS of books. (Probably because it means I can cuddle up to someone, have my DogBunny, and suck my thumb--all of which I LOVE.)

Daddy took Friday off, making it a three day weekend for him too, and we had an impromptu picnic in nearby Fort Greene Park.

And somehow with the many moods, schedules, and big-family craziness, we still managed an adorable picture of the grandchildren.

(Pictures of our family field trip to the Bronx Zoo to follow...)

9.5 Months: Toothy and Curly

Big developments in the fast few weeks. 

1. Aiyana has two visible teeth (one top, one bottom) and two more about to make an appearance. 

2. My first steps were at 9.5 months, and Mommy and Daddy think Aiyana's are any day now too. 

3. Oh, and is that a curl in Aiyana's hair? Curls run in the family, it seems.

My Backyard

Some days we don't even leave the apartment, and it's okay because we have a little slice of heaven right outside our door. I've been calling it "my backyard" and it's my favorite place to play lately. I especially like to take my baby dolls out there so they "can feel the grass on their feet."

My friendAlec also likes to take my babies out for some fresh air.

And judging by Aiyana's expression, I think she also enjoys a little grass between her tiny toes.