Tom ColicchiYUM

I'm going to dedicate one entry to Tom Colicchio this year because last night we had one of the best dining experiences of all time: TOM TUESDAY DINNER, where Tom works out the menu, prepares the food with his team and is there to plate and expedite from the open kitchen. They serve ten courses, and what's cool is that you don't know what you're going to eat until you sit down. Thanks to Lauren, who works with Alex (I love you, Lauren!!), we were able to secure one of the very limited tables in the space; they only serve 32 people once a week. It's one of the hardest reservations in NYC, not to mention this is the last meal Tom will be doing for a while b/c his wife is expecting the first week of August. Anyway, the meal was so special and amazing. I forgot to take pictures of the first two courses, but I got the rest (although they don't allow flash photography so the pics below each item don't do any justice)! Here was the menu. Mmm. Incredible.

OLIVE OIL POACHED HALIBUT

Zucchini & Lemon Thyme

POTTED TUNA

Soffritto & Chiles

ROASTED LOBSTER

Porcinis

SOFT SHELL CRAB

Linguini & Tomato Basil

SAUTEED FOIS GRAS

Brooks Cherries & Bitter Greens

ROASTED VEAL

Summer Vegetables & Tomato Emulsion

SQUAB

Apricot Chutney, Chanterelles & Wild Spinach

AUSTRALIAN WAYGU

Peas, Crispy Shallot, Radish

CUCUMBER MINT SPRITZER

Watermelon Granita

ALMOND POUNDCAKE

Tarragon & Nectarine

Baby Royalty

Grace enjoyed some park time, followed by lunch at Yorkville Diner, This afternoon Uncle Zman came to play in the park, and Grace had fun feeding him and making him chase her. Here are a couple of shots of Alex and Grace on our walk home. Every time we leave the park, we walk right by The Carlyle, where there are often paparazzi steaking out the entrance. They're not just there for Princess Grace, either; this week Prince William was in town. Week 83 Album.

Pretty in Pink

This morning Daddy played golf so Grace and I went to the gym and then Three Guys for lunch, followed by a visit to the park. After a nice nap, Grandma came to visit, and we all went back to the park for a stroll. Tonight Alex and I headed back to the park (again!) for Libby & Chris' beautiful wedding.

Getting So Big

Some new things Gracie is really into include: calling "Mommy/Daddy, come" when she wants us to come where she is; doing headsteads (all that yoga I did when she was pregnant must have something to do with it or maybe she actually got something from me?!); telling us to make her animals "run" and watching us animate them; counting things in Spanish, especially things in twos ("uno, dos" she says while pointing); saying "hiiiiii" and giving hugs and kisses when she wants to say she's sorry; taking care of Elmo (putting him in her stroller, putting her bib on him and telling him to eat, letting him ride on her toys); and giving us lots of commands in general. She's really chatty these days.

Pop

Today I noticed a difference in the belly. I'm 17 weeks now and look the way I did at around 21 weeks the first time.

Maya Visits

Maya came by this morning to hang out, and Grace was happy to see her. (Mostly.) We think that Grace might measuring Maya's thigh circumference in the middle picture.

Hooray for Tuesday

Today Grace went to play at the gym, which she loves. Then we went to Storytime and Free to Be Under Three. What a great day!

Things that Crack G Up

Rolling around in her crib and Aunt Katie making Dora act out silly stuff.

Family-Filled Sunday

This morning we went to visit GG and Grandma in NJ, and Grace had a blast playing with one of Daddy's old toys - a Fisher-Price Barn. After playing for a bit and lunch at Mom's, we headed back to NYC and went straight to the park. Grace enjoyed some of my Mega Missle popsicle (the popsicle won, btw - as you can see in the pics. Grace sported a blue goatee and tie-dye dress this afternoon), played in the dirt, met a dog, kissed my belly and more. She even got to hang out with Aunt Meredith and Jason for the walk home. Aunt Katie came by tonight to play and babysit. Week 82 Album.

Cool Cat

Dana Visits

Grace finally met Dana, who was in from LA for the weekend. So nice

Gracie Goes to Greenwich

Visiting Daddy at work is fun! This afternoon cousin Maya came to visit.

Camera Smile

If you ask Grace to smile for the camera, this is what she does. It's very sweet, but it's not her ususal big grin. Another nice day in NYC - lots of activity and fun, followed by a visit from Mom-mom and Julie. Daddy was home early enough to read G books before bathtime too!

Busy Bee

Gracie had a great day - gym, storytime, Free to Be, a nice nap, a visit from Grandma and dinner out with "Ma" and "T" at EJs.

Gracie the Explorer

Grace is obsessed with Dora and saying "WOW!" Here she is in her new outfit from Mom-mom. Week 81 Album.

Good Times

Another easy, breezy day in Villanova. Multiple swims in the pool, a hula hoop contest and DJ, a 4th of July BBQ, carrot cake cupcakes and lots and lots of attention. Grace was in heaven.

More Fun in Philly

This morning Grace was happy to wake up in Villanova and got her day started right - a little Dora, a nice breakfast, house exploration and a lot of turning all the lights and fans on and off. She also practiced a few of her new sentences: "fan on now," "fan off please" and "eat now please." Then we hit the club for a dip and met Grandpa and Daddy for lunch after their golf game.

This afternoon Grace explored the yard, the gardens, the neighbors' properties and more. She was most amused with the watering can, though.

Tonight we left Grace with my parents so we could go to Sola for dinner to celebrate our anniversary. It was so nice!

Fourth Anniversary

We drove to Philly this morning, and Gracie fell asleep in the car at 11:21 am. We could NOT believe it; she hasn't napped than early since she was 8 or 9 months. It was awesome because she slept almost the whole way, and then before we knew it, we were at Mom-mom and Grandpa's. We ate a nice lunch and went to the club, where Alex and I were married exactly 4 years earlier to the day. We were sure to take a few shots in front of the entrance with Grace, where our wedding photographer had captured some great pics on our wedding day. I wish I could do a side-by-side, but I don't have the proofs handy in digital.

Anyway, Grace was so excited to swim, too excited. She threw herself into the center of the kiddie pool so fast, she went under (horrible, scary moment), and I jumped in after her in full clothing and split my knee open on the filter at the bottom (horrible, painful moment). Grace continued to be dangerous and fearless, but since I was stuck on a lawn chair, Mom-mom had the pleasure of saving Gracie's life all afternoon. And Grace loved it - they swam, slid down the slide, played peekaboo, counted to ten in English and Spanish (I have to get video of this) and ate snacks. This afternoon Grace enjoyed exploring my parent's house, deck and [plucking their] beautiful flowers. Tonight Mom-mom surprised us with our favorite: Carvel!!