Nature Walk

Who says you have leave to the city to get a taste of nature? All we have to do is step out onto our city block.

Mommy took us on a little nature walk this week so we could collect leaves for a school project. Aiyana especially loved it because she was stroller-free.

Our building doesn't have a stoop, but our neighbor's building does. I hope they don't mind that Aiyana is practicing climbing on theirs.

I found a dried, prickly berry thing. Mommy asked me to "hold it up," so I did exactly that. I held it high up above my head.

Oh I get it. She wanted me to hold it up for the camera, like this.

Hey Mom, look at the leaf I found!

And look at the project I made at school!

11.5 Months: Growing Together

It's pretty unbelievable that Aiyana will turn one in a couple of weeks.

Speaking of pretty. With that big smile, our little pumpkin is a sight for sore eyes.

 But Aiyana's not the only one growing. I can't believe I'm two-and-a-half now.

I'm 31 lbs and jumped from the 48th percentile in weight, to the 74th percentile.

The bigger we get, the more similar we look.

 And the more in love we are :)

Just Like Me

Aiyana likes to do everything just like her big sister.

She likes to wear Mommy's underwear around her neck.
(I still find this game fun!)

She's very interested in the potty, especially when I'm on it.
(But she prefers to throw toys in it and make a mess with the toilet paper.)

She usually walks around with something in each hand.
(How many times have you seen a picture of me without DogBunny or food in my hand?)

 She enjoys trying on hats hats (like someone else I know), but refuses to keep them on when she's outside.

And she insists on spoon feeding herself, because that's what her big sister does!

 

And by the way, when did Aiyana get so pudgy?

City Streets

Aiyana is walking confidently. So much so that she can be let loose on the big city streets. Watch out Brooklyn. Here she comes!!!

Hand Sanitizer

Daddy's Two-Day Birthday

Last Friday was Daddy's birthday and we had a very busy two-day celebration. Friday started with early morning birthday wishes, and ended with brick oven pizza and Italian micro brews. (Mommy and I also made Daddy an apple pie with the apples we picked at the orchard, but we didn't get a picture of it.)

We continued to celebrate Daddy's birthday on Saturday and took a family field trip to Coney Island.

The day was all about guilty pleasures. Like corn dogs. Everything tastes better on a stick, so I liked it a lot. Aiyana, not so much. But maybe that's because I was force feeding it to her.

 She did, however, enjoy her first taste of lemonade.

And I very much enjoyed eating my strawberry ice cream on the boardwalk.

And what's Coney Island without rides? Of course, I wanted to ride every one, but Mommy and Daddy had me choose a few favorites.

Aiyana went on few rides too (and loved them!) but she was just as happy showing off her walking and watching her big sister on the rides.

Th celebration wrapped up on Saturday night when Mommy made Daddy his favorite dinner, Fettuccine Alfredo. We were in bed by then, but we hear it was delicious!

 

Daddy, we hope you enjoyed your presents, your special foods, and your favorite girls. Happy Birthday. We love you!

xoxo

Baby Koala

Mommy calls Aiyana her little koala. She doesn't cuddle up to just anyone, but when she does, she holds on tight. It's the best feeling in the world.

Suburban Life

This post is a little past due, but there are some great pictures from our weekend in the Virginia suburbs. We stayed in Uncle Cory and Aunt Kacey's brand new house. 

With 3,000+ square feet to explore, plenty of outdoor space to discover, and our favorite cousins to play with, we were very entertained.

Aiyana's not happy on here.

Why pedal when Poppy can pull us?

It's like the stroller was made for baby Aiyana.

A contemplative moment.

Pushing Aiyana is fun as long as I remember to stand to the side.

Ysabella and I played together like champs.

"Mommy, I can please have my sunglasses?"

There were lots of cuddles and snuggles throughout the weekend.

All Aiyana needs is Mommy and her Lambie.

Aiyana never left Mommy's side (and Mommy didn't mind.)

Group hug.

Big squeeze.

There were a few tears.

Anthony, the bulldozer, and Aiyana, the drama queen.

Drama. Drama. Drama.

A single tear.

Either she hates broccoli or Mommy walked out of the room.

There was one pep talk.

"You just have to try to improve a little bit every day, Aiyana."

And there was lots of popcorn consumed (only in the burbs is there enough room for a commercial popper in the garage.)

I'll bet Anthony can pick up a lot more with those big paws.

Who needs dinner when you have popcorn?

And there was one rare opportunity for a family snapshot.

September 2012

And Thanks Ysabella, for reminding us why we came to Virginia in the first place. For the annual 40oz party. No, really.

Don't say "Cheese." Say "O.E."

But seriously. Awesome new house Uncle C and Aunt KC. Thanks for letting us sprawl out in your new pad. We love you! xo