Trick-Or-Treating

In NYC, kids go trick-or-treating in their own buildings. They ride the elevator floor to floor and either ring bells or pick out candy from bowls placed outside doors. Tonight we had a very, very cute Wizard of Oz crew assembled here. Max the Tin Man, Jonathan the Cowardly Lion and Charlie the Scarecrow came over for pizza, stickers and trick-or-treating. I wasn't sure the kids would get the concept, but they did! And they did so right away. We had a blast riding the elevator (Grace started repeating "everybody in" and "everybody out"), ringing doorbells and raiding candy bins. Also, because we're turning the clocks back tonight, we let them stay up later than usual. I have a feeling Grace is going to ask to go for "more trick-or-treating" again very soon.

Halloween

This morning Aunt Meredith came over for an early morning playdate with Grace, and Grace couldn't have been happier to see her. They played so nicely together! Grace was entertained by all of the block building and reading. This afternoon we took Grace for her flu shot and then to the Immerman's apartment for a fun Halloween party. She was in heaven - between the treats, not having to nap and seeing all her big and little friends.

Pictured above with Andrew/Hansel (L) and Janelle and Lucas/Zoolander (R).

With Lucy Markus/Snow White and Zoe Goldstein/princess (L) and the table of treats (R).

With Gillian and Alan Kessler (L) and Dylan Levin (R).

Snuggling and Riding with Max

Gracie Meets Debbie

This morning Grace went to Parkbench and then to Dr. Michel's office with me. She loves going because whenever we visit, she gets to do stickers, watch Dora and eat jelly beans. Dr. Michel usually offers her something to play with, too, to distract her. Today it was a tape measure. After our consult, where Dr. Michel kept asking Grace what color bean she wanted, Grace said good-bye to her and clearly said, "I love you." It was too sweet. This afternoon Debbie came to visit, and Grace was very impressed with her finger trick.

Something funny and post-worthy: Grace calls the American Flag the Aunt Meredith Flag. She also just started confusing the word menorah with the name of Mom-mom and Grandpa's town Villanova.

There's No Place Like Home

Seriously. Grace spent all day inside because of the rain. When the weather finally let up, it was perfect timing for Grace to go to Charlie's Halloween party. She was happy to put on her costume, but she cried most of the time we were there and begged to come back home. Three heel clicks and a taxi ride later, we were home.

Our Little Artiste

Did Picasso paint in the nude as a child? I wonder. It was a rainy day so I stopped to pick up some watercolor paints for Grace. She loved it and experimented with all sorts of techniques - brushes, fingers and even her belly (she'd dunk her belly in the colors and then try to paint).

Weekend In Villanova

If you ask Grace where she lives, she'll tell you New York City. Now if you ask her where Mom-mom and Grandpa live, she tells you Villanova. She'll never forget it after the weekend she just had. Chuck E Cheese also lives there too, in case you were wondering. While Alex and I were in Napa this weekend, Grace hung out with her grandparents and had non-stop action and no formal naps. She was in heaven - the fall leaves, the deer, an Ethiopian feast with the Darge family, Chuck E Cheese, stickers, playdoh, fall folliage, Guitar with Grandpa and more. Alex and I were glad to be back in the Bay Area, too - so a good time was had all around. Week 97 Album.

Oh My Goodness

Grace had fun with Grandma tonight and picked up a new catch phrase.

Weekend Update

Grace was a bit Jekyl/Hyde this weekend. On Saturday afternoon I went to Jen Brillante's wedding, and despite Grace waking up to Mom-mom, Grandpa, Daddy, Aunt Katie, Grandma, Uncle Teddy, Aunt Dina and Maya she was not in a good mood. It might have had something to do with me being gone, but - in any case - it was a long afternoon for everyone. Today was easy breezy - brunch with the Leans, great nap, cuddly and happy afternoon, easy bedtime. Every day is different, I guess. Week 96 Album.

Tickle Me, Chrissie!

Today was cold and rainy. Grace and I hit the gym, went to music class and then came home and met Max for a play/lunchdate. Chrissie, Max's mom, had the kids in stitches - rolling, writhing and giggling nonstop. I am extremely grateful because who doesn't like their child to have fun and be happy? But I am even more grateful because Grace went down for her nap w/o a fight today! That never happens. This afternoon we went to visit Aunt Dina and Maya.

Grandma & Me

29 Weeks

Yesterday I went for my glucose screen and brought Grace. She was so good at the doctor's office - with the help of sticker books, food and a DVD machine - I couldn't believe it. The update: my measurements are exactly the same now as they were at this time for my last pregnancy, and I am just as anemic (one point diff't). Dr. Michel thought the baby looked like Grace in the sono, too. On the other hand, Dr. Michel thinks my face and skin look different this time. Haha. Yes, more blemishes this time. Awesome. Also different: the baby's heart rate is around 148, whereas Grace was around 168. This baby also moves around way more than Grace did. I am still sticking with my girl prediction. Growing Belly.

What Keeps Grace up at Night

Grace was up a lot last night. I heard her talking on and off from 1:30-4am. "Read books, Best Book Ever [Richard Scarry's Best Word Book Ever is a new fav]. Baby Coming Soon, New Baby Coming" were some of the things on her mind.

Fall Harvest

This morning we drove up to Wilkens Farm to go apple and pumpkin picking with Henley, Xabi and Sofia. Grace had a blast running around, choosing her pumkin (and trying to eat it like an apple), plucking apples from the trees and enjoying them right away and riding the tractor. "More riding," she screamed at the end of our ride. Grace was exhausted by the end of the day, although she still squeezed in a few bites of a hot donut. This afternoon we celebrated Ezra's bday, and afterwards Peppy Halpern came over to play and bathe. Week 95 Album.

Playing Nicely with Max

Naptime? Nah! Nakedtime? Oh Yeah.

I clearly spoke too soon about how well things were going. Grace didn't nap yesterday or today, and here is a picture of what she looked like when I went in to get her and give up this afternoon. No clothes, no blankets, no diaper. Awesome. She was very eager to get dressed once she came out to play, however, and insisted on wearing my belt this afternoon.