My Amazing Grace

Yesterday, you grabbed my face in both of your hands and planted about seven sloppy, wet kisses on me … and I think it was maybe one of the best moments ever.  

Living in NYC and away from our families - it’s impossible to spend every single holiday with them.  So, this year on Easter Sunday and Passover, it was just the three of us … so we put you in the cutest dress ever and wandered on over to one of our favorite neighborhood brunch spots.  

PS - it’s kind of hard to take a picture of you these days as you don’t stop moving!!  

Your dad has been working long hours with his new job, so you and I took an adventure to  join our crew in the Outer Banks!

You are quite a traveler!  We were delayed at the gate, which didn’t bother you at all - you took a snooze in the Baby Bjorn!  (you’re kind of too big for the baby carriers anymore, but  1. it’s easy for me to have my hands free to travel with bags of surprises for you and 2. I seriously love having you strapped to my chest)

We love to hang with Mackenzie and Gavin.  I think you squeal every time you see them!  This trip, we were able to spend some good quality time with them doing a lot of just hanging around…

Auntie Erin took you and Gav down to the ocean to search for shark teeth and shells, and when a wave came up on the shore and surprised us, you fell into the water (which you loved) and Erin had to scoop you up so fast!  

Then Erin gave me a great idea - bubbles in the bathtub - you love it!  (How did I not think of that?!)

You fully tried to say everyone’s name this trip, which is awesome and so exciting!  Your favorite for the week: Papa.  You say it almost in a whisper every time.  You loved when Papa showed you the big fish and a SHARK in the aquarium.

Could it be a picture with all three kiddies smiling?

The weather was pretty cold and windy almost the entire week, but we did get one fabulous day of sunshine on the beach!  

You were - as usual - a really awesome kid.  My first experience traveling completely alone with you … so thanks for that.  I had a great time, and you did, too!  We loved seeing Nina, Papa, Erin, Keen (for a day!), Kenzie, Gavin and The Pops.  (And the dogs, too!!  You loved those dogs!)  You showed everyone how smart and funny and easy going and awesome you are to be around.  With the exception of Gavin getting sick for one day, Spring Break ‘12 was perfect!  

And, when we pulled up to the building and your dad met us out front - you screamed with delight to see him after a whole week of being away.  :-)  

I love corned beef and cabbage - so much that on my birthday when I was a kid and I could have any dinner I wanted, I would ask for corned beef and cabbage :-)

We took a fast trip to Virginia for this occasion - you and I went early in the week and then your dad met us … in time for the food, of course!

A few highlights from the trip in the unseasonably warm weather…

When we say “hip, hip” — you say “HOORAY” and throw your arms over your head!