Nonstop Fun & Friends

This morning Grace went to her final Music Together session with Penelope and had a blast. Since we missed Brody in class, we stopped by his house to say hi, and Grace jumped her heart out in his jumperoo. She is always particulary happy around his mommy, who snapped a bunch of smiley pictures.

Grace was all about hanging with her friends today, so much so that she refused to nap in her crib and demanded a nap date with 5 week old Harrison Langer. What a handsome boy. Taryn had double fans blowing on him, which kept him cool and showed off his amazing head of hair. In the late afternoon Grace took a walk and played with her friend Caroline in Central Park.

When we got home, Aunt Meredith was here to play with Grace and capture this video of her hysterically laughing over a game of scarf peekaboo.

Tonight I went to dinner with Gracie's favorite aunts: Meredith, Dina and Katie. Soon enough Grace will be joining for Girls' Night.

Kissy Face

Took a couple of videos of Grace today. The first is some footage of her understanding that I want her to perform a "trick"...but not understanding what exactly I want her to do. In the video, I ask her for kisses, and she tries really hard to please until she gets it right: smiling, clapping, speaking, clapping again and then, finally, kissing.

The second video is Grace cracking up over a game of Peek-a-boo. Who knew babies could laugh themselves to tears?

Today Grace hung out with Carolina while I worked. In the afternoon, she made sure nothing was hiding under the carpet, briefly hung out with Max and took a walk to the pet store.

Penn Baby Playtime

Today we went to the UWS for a Penn baby playdate. Grace hung out with (L to R) Sam & Henry Schiffman (who are twin posing in the pic!), Miller Fishback, Charlie Winter and Hayes & Isla (Nicolai) Murphy. What fun! Grace did really well on the walk there and back. Tonight Aunt Katie came over to play, and Nikki & George Meyer stopped by in time for Gracie's bath. In developmental news, Grace is kissing up a storm, smack-smack-smacking all the time. She's also rocking on to her knees a ton and splatting onto her belly.

Tie-Dye Tummy Time

These days Gracie gets frustrated on her belly for two reasons: i) she doesn't love being on her belly and ii) she moves backwards when she wants to be moving forward. This afternoon Grace took a stroll with Charlie.

Back in NYC

Grace had a great morning in Philly and was sad to leave, but she was definitely happy to get home tonight. Here is a little baby back for you all to enjoy. Isn't she delicious?

Club House, White House

We left Philly for Leila & Nathan's wedding in DC, and Gracie stayed with Mom-mom and Grandpa in Philly. Grandma came in to play today, too! Gracie learned so much; by the end of her stay, she knew the meaning of "clap hands" and "where is the fan?" They went to Radnor Valley CC and Grace enjoyed swimming in the pool, floating in her raft and hanging out with other kids. While she was lounging at the club, we were at The White House for a special tour of the West Wing with Jeremy Katz. It was incredible - from the Oval Office to the Press Room. Amazing. More pics of that and of Grace are posted in the Week 33 Album.

Hanging Out

This afternoon Grace and I went to the park and hit the swings. Daddy got back from California, which was great, and then we headed to Philly to drop Gracie off with Mom-mom and Grandpa for the weekend.

Baby CSI

Today we went to Music Together with Brody and Penelope. Afterwards, we all went to Luke's for lunch. In the afternoon, we met up with the Fishbacks for some Rockin with Andy at Kidville.

Since Daddy is away in SF, we wanted to be sure to post some good videos from the day. As you'll see, Grace has discovered the letter B. We're getting lots of BaBaBas and BuhBuhBuhs. (This video runs a bit long.)

You'll also see that Grace is practicing her soccer skills so she can grow up and be like her friend Keegan Markgraf's mom, Kate - who is co-captain of the US Women's Soccer Team. Talk about a real deal soccer mom.

This third video is hilarious and very, very typical of Grace; she loves to play games and is so curious, always trying to figure out how everything works. Hence, the Baby CSI nickname.

BDay Dinner & Drinks

Meredith, Rachel and I went to Stanton Social for a little birthday dinner. It was awesome. My cousin Brett and his gfriend, Emily, came to meet up too. Good times.

Bubble Head

Grace had a great time at Little Maestros this afternoon. She was more interested in the bubbles than she usually is. I love when they land gently on her head and rest there. This afternoon cousin JoJo came by to visit.

Everything & The Bathroom Sink

Today we ran some errands, took a few walks and met up with Liz and Charlie in the afternoon. Gracie loves hanging with the Winters and squealed with delight for 45 minutes today during our playdate. Rocky, their maltese, might be her favorite thing in the world. Tonight before bed, Gracie enjoyed playing on the kitchen floor, in the bathroom sink and in the bath. Check out her very first, very mini mohawk.

Early Talker

When Grace went down for her morning nap today, she kept calling "Mama, Mama" and it was tough. A few days ago, I thought the word Mama was music to my ears...but today, it was painful. At least I know she vaguely understands what it means! Yes, I really believe she does. How cute is she in her new Nantucket red T from Grandma?

Super Sunday

Today we played, went to the club, had lunch and took a dip. We totally wore Gracie out before hitting the road. The girls napped the whole way back to NYC while Daddy drove home. Happy Anniversary, Mom-mom & Grandpa. Thanks for having us this weekend!

Taste of Philly

Gracie had the best day. She woke up and played with Mom-mom, Grandpa and Aunt Meredith. While Mom-mom and Aunt Meredith were playing a color game with Grace, she said the word "Blue" very clearly, repeating after them. We were all stunned. SHOCKED. We also got a lot of "Mama"s today, too. In the afternoon, Grace hit Radnor Valley Country Club.

She was so excited to see where Mommy and Daddy got married, but she was most excited to take a dip in the baby pool, watch the other children and gnaw on a pretzel. After snoozing in the shade, she woke up and played happily in the grass the rest of the day. She didn't have one unhappy second! Here is the link to GVG's Week 32 Album.

Baby Talk

Grace has been saying "Hi" and imitating the hi sound, but she also has been practicing Mmmm and Ma sounds. Today, she flat out said "Mama" - I couldn't believe it! This afternoon we went to play in the park, and it was hot. Tonight we put Grace to bed in her car seat and hit the road to visit Mom-mom and Grandpa in Philly.

Fun Thursday

After Music Together class today, Grace and I met up with Ali Lee for lunch. In the late afternoon, we hung out with Grace's friend Andrew in Carl Schurz Park.

Looking Older

This afternoon Grace and I took a stroll with Jill (Rothkopf) Steinberg and learned that she's expecting in February! After Grace's nap, we went to a big kid Little Maestros class - Grace was in such awe of the big kids that she didn't even realize she was in class. Tonight she tried a few blueberries (the guts of the fruit, not the skin) and enjoyed them while she watched her new video from Grandma. Here are a few shots from today. Doesn't she look a little older?

Rockin with Daddy

Tonight we had our last Rockin with Andy session, and the Daddies joined. Gracie and Alex had a blast, as did the Schiffman boys. To make an already great day even better, Grace got some amazing news: she's going to have a new friend next year - our friends Meryl & Joey are expecting. Woohoo!

Down on the Corner

In the afternoon, Grace and I went for walk and met up briefly with the Winters and Packles. On our way, we ran into Bara on the street. 79th and Madison was a popular corner today.