Gramercy Adventure

Grace and I went to visit Aunt Dina and Maya today, and it was a lot of fun. Grace had a blast hanging with her cousin, chasing kitties, reading books and eating pizza. This afternoon Gracie and Charlie had Music with Brett; they learned to play the accordion and the steel drum and enjoyed lots of bubbles.

Strutting Her Stuff

Today Grace got her first shearling coat on Madison Avenue. I just couldn't resist this jacket, which is a little big but should fit next season too. Grace immediately wanted to put it on and strut her stuff. She looked like a little celebrity practicing her moves: begging the paparazzi to stop flashing photos in her face, walking with a bounce in her step, swaying her hips from side to side and covering up to hide her identity. LOL. When I tried to take the coat off, she shook her head no and said "on, on, on." I'm glad she likes it!

Pink Suede Shoes

This morning Grace woke up early and couldn't fall back asleep - but wanted to desperately. She cried for "agua" and "mi-me" (sleep) and so I cuddled her up in her rocking chair. When she fell asleep on me, which I did not expect to happen, I moved to the bed in her room and went back down with her. She hasn't slept on me like that since she was a newborn! Alex took this picture from the door before he left for work. When Grace finally got up for the day, we went to class and then came back and tried on Gracie's new driving mocs from Grandma.

Grace Gleser, Queen of Sheba

Uncle Teddy sometimes calls Grace - and Aunt Dina, too, I think - Queen of Sheba. Well, here is Grace reclining like a queen while I fan her face. What a life!

Rocking Out

Jackson and Penelope came over this afternoon. Here is a shot of Grace and Jackson rocking out.

GVG Style File: How to Wear a Hat

One of Grace's new favorite two word combos is "on top." She loves to put things on top of her head, tell us she's doing so and "Ha-ha-ha-choo" them off. This morning, she dug her hat out of her diaper bag, said "on top" and pulled it on. Here she is proudly displaying her success and laid-back, baby-chic style. She totally styled herself in this shot. Look familiar? Here is an image InStyle ran of Colin Farrell in 2003. Who wore it better? Pssh. Like I even need to ask. Week 66 Album.

First Pair of Little Black Pants

Grace went to visit Maya today and had a blast at Aunt Dina and Uncle Teddy's. Here is the album. This afternoon Grace went to Music with Brett at Charlie's house and hung out with Aunt Katie and Zoe until bedtime.

Another Good Day

Grace had an awesome day. Besides enjoying the warm weather, she went out to breakfast with Max and Ayla, had storytime with Suzanne, ate lunch with Max, took a nap, went to the park, had dinner and went to the park AGAIN with George. She was begging to go to bed tonight.

Kiss Me, I'm Irish

It's going to be hard to break the news to Grace that we're not Irish; she fit in well and had way too much fun at the St. Patrick's Day parade today. She loved the marching bands and baton twirlers and waved back at everyone who waved at her. Today we went to class, played with Daddy, went to lunch with Max and Brody, napped, hit the parade, played in the park, had a nice dinner and saw Daddy again before before bedtime. Today was one of those great days where meals, play, activities and naps all worked as well as they could have; it's a very rare day so I appreciated every minute.

Sunday

This morning Grace snuggled up for some storytime before we left to eat at EJs and head back to the hospital to see Maya. When we arrived, I swear that Grace was annoyed that Grandma wasn't there!

Meeting Maya

Today was awesome. We got up and went straight the the hospital. Here is the play-by-play of Meeting Maya. Grace already has a nickname - "Aya" - for her. Maya is absolutely beautiful, and Dina and Teddy are total naturals. This afternoon while Grace napped, Grandma (Debbie Gleser) and I did a little analysis of who we think Maya looks like. Teddy is on the L, and Maya is on the R.

It looks like she has Teddy's nose and upper lip - and that the rest is Wizmur. What you can't see here is Maya's cleft chin, which looks like Dina's. We need a picture of baby Dina to post with the line-up. Stay tuned. This afternoon Grace enjoyed playing with Grandma and GG Bess. Week 66 Album.

Cousin Maya is Born

Grace became a cousin today, and Alex and I are now Aunt Leslie and Uncle Alex! Maya Anna Gleser was born this afternoon at 4:55 p.m. What exciting news! Grace practiced pushing her stroller around in preparation, and I've been practicing keeping it together for when we visit tomorrow. I've been really emotional about this news, even more so than when Grace was born. It's strange. I think the reason for this is because when we had Grace, it felt surreal. I'd never been that happy in my life about anything before. That, combined with shock (that we had a baby) and adrenaline, made it different. In this case, I've been able to really digest Maya's birth and its importance. We are so happy for Dina and Teddy!!

Funky Monkey

Grace was SO grumpy when she woke up from her very short afternoon nap. Even though Charlie and Penelope came by to play, she just couldn't get out of her funk.

Dinner at Charlie's

Hanging with Henley

Purim 'N Pink

Grace enjoyed her Diller-Quaile class this morning - she loves music! This afternoon we went to our Y playgroup and then headed to temple with Olivia to celebrate Purim. Livi and Gracie had a great time together. It's hard to believe this picture was at the same event a year ago. Last year Grace fell asleep during the concert, had to be fully supported and was totally bald. This year, she was standing on her own, rocking out to the tunes and imitating the singers waving their hands in the air.

15 Months Old

Gracie enjoyed Sunday morning with The Mannings. Aunt E, Uncle Keith and Cousin Greer came over for brunch, and Grace had the time of her life. She didn't want them to leave and followed them down in the elevator and out to the street! It was another nice day so we enjoyed some time in the park. Here are a couple of photos from tonight.

Spring Day in March

Kelly and Tara Finucane came by for a visit this morning, and Grace was happy to see them. We went to the Langers for brunch, and Gracie enjoyed the afternoon with her buddy Harrison - they had a blast swinging, sliding, drawing with chalk and exhausting themselves in general at John Jay Park. After Grace's nap, Aunt Katie came by for a visit. She was in town for Uncle Zman's bday...speaking of which: Happy Birthday, Uncle Zachary! Week 65 Album.

Beautiful Day

Grace enjoyed an early morning playdate with Max, storytime, a nap and a special visit from Cousin JoJo. It was warm this afternoon so we went for a swing in the park.

Pajama Jammie Jam

It's a pajama party for us every day until around 9:00 a.m., except for Mondays (when we're out the door by 8:30 a.m.) and over the weekend (when we lounge until brunch). There is something really special this part of the day - the way we play, the mood, the calm, everything.

Hanging with Her Homeboyz

Grace has been really interested in emptying this bin and climbing inside. When she's in the mood to sit there, she insists on being there. If I try to help her out and redirect her play, she climbs right back in. It's funny. This afternoon she hung out with her boys, Charlie and Max. If I had to guess what she's thinking in the group shot? "Oh no you didn't..."