New Year's Eve

Gracie had fun hanging out with Mom-mom and Grandpa today. She especially loved the new polar bear scarf they brought.

Due Date

It's 11:30pm and, unless something drastic happens in the next 30 mins, this baby is going to be late like it's big sister. Looks like Baby 2.0 will not be sharing its bday with LeBron James and Tiger Woods.

First Trip to the Movies

Recently we've been trying to do as much special stuff with Grace as possible. For example, this morning I took her crosstown to the UWS for a storytime and singalong and then out to lunch. This afternoon, when she decided not to nap, I took her to the movies for the first time. Alvin and the Chipmunks was screening at the perfect time and only 10 blocks away...so we went. In a nutshell, the movie theater was scary and the content (PG - my fault for taking her!) inappropriate for a two year old. We left after 5 minutes. Above is a picture of a happy moment from the day: playing on her new computer from Grandma. Sometimes she's happiest just being at home!

Grandma Visits

Daddy cracked Grace and Grandma up today playing peek-a-boo with Giraffe in the doorway. Week 106 Album.

Grace Plays

...the maracas on her tambourine. She always plays with the same form, too.

Tutu Time

Grace danced around in her tutu all morning, wore it through the afternoon, insisted on napping in it, played at Charlie's house in it and more. She only agreed to take it off to get into the bath tonight.

Hiding

Grace likes when we build forts for her in the living room chairs.

Little Who?

Grace's hairdo in the bath tonight made her look like Susie Who from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

Snow SunDay

After the amazing downfall last night, NYC is now covered in the fluffiest, stickiest snow - perfect for playing. We took G to the park in her "snow bunny" suit, and she LOVED sledding. We even packed some hot chocolate to revive her, although I'm pretty sure we bundled her in enough layers for two children. Daddy pulled her most of the afternoon. She did try to pull the sled for a bit, but she was most interested in "more riding" and for poor Daddy to "run faster."

After our adventure, we couldn't get her out. Good thing 76th Street was closed for some contruction between Fifth and Madison. Not many kids get to ride a sled down such a pretty block...smack in the middle of the street. We took a lot of pictures; they're all posted in the Week 105 Album.

Pajama Drama

For the past several days, we've found Grace naked in her crib in the morning. She just doesn't want to be constrained by her pajamas. We think it's funny, and so does she apparently. Today we went to play with the Schiffman boys, and Grace had a blast. Afterwards we stopped by to see Henley, Sofia and Xabi. After about 30 minutes of play, it started to snow and we came back to the east side to nap and await Aunt Meredith and Jason's arrival. Great day.

Beary Cute

Grace was very happy to put on her hat that Mom-mom and Grandpa picked up in Scandanavia last year. When they first gave it to us, I thought it would never fit; it's seemed so big.

Grace delicately places raspberries on her fingers like thimbles before she eats them.

Top Chef

Grace always knows what she wants and is clear about it. Lately, she's been very funny about her food requests and has been experimenting with different flavor profiles and combinations. Some work really well (she put sliced turkey in an apple/prune puree one day, grapes in her yogurt on another), and others have failed and gone uneaten (I won't gross you out). She experiments with such enthusiasm and curiosity that we wouldn't be surprised if we have a future top chef on our hands.

Dr. Grace

...is what Grace was calling herself in this get up. She was using the flashlight to look - or, rather, poke - in my eyes and ears. She took her job very seriously.

Gleser Weekend

The Gleser/Manning crew came by on Saturday to shower Grace with presents and attention for her birthday, and Grace was in heaven. I actually think she might enjoy ripping open wrapping paper more than playing with the gifts. On Sunday we hung out with the Goldsteins and Langers and then went to Aunt Enid's for a Hanukkah party, where there were even more presents. Oh my! Grace didn't know what to do. She opened as many as she could as fast as she could, and quite a few that she opened were not hers. Everyone was so generous. Uncle Zman put it best when he said that we needed another apartment for all her new toys. She's a lucky girl. Week 104 Album.

Hanukkah

Having your birthday, where you blow out the candles, and Hanukkah, where you don't, in the same week can be very confusing to a two year old. Despite being thrilled about opening more presents, she was PO-ed, to say the least, about letting the candles burn down vs blowing them out.

Little Flirt

Grace has a few crushes - Jason, Aunt Meredith's boyfriend; Lars, her teacher at Free to Be; and Brett, her music playgroup teacher. Today we hosted playgroup, and when Brett comes to our apartment, Grace loves it. It's kind of like having Santa Claus - or Dora - in her own living room. She's in constant awe, follows all his directions, plays nicely and smiles for the entire time. It's easy to snap good pics when Brett is around. He's so good with the kids!

Grace Update

Grace is in the 75th percentile of two year old weight and height. She is 28.2 pounds and 35 inches tall. She didn't love her doctor visit, despite being excited about listening to hearts with a stethoscope and looking in ears beforehand, but she appreciated the Tweety Bird Band-Aid and lollipop she got on the way out.

Happy Birthday, Grace!

I can't believe that Grace is two. When I walked into her room this morning and wished her a Happy Birthday, she said, "No Happy Birthday." I guess she can't believe it either. Speaking of which, she has been insisting that she is one and not two years old. Guess she doesn't like the idea of aging.

Today she had a great day - Free to Be Under Three (her favorite class), pizza lunch out with Charlie with presents and an entire Crumbs cupcake with a candle (she loves to "get to blow out the candles"), a trip to Three Little Birds to play, a lollipop on the walk home, Daddy home from work early, more presents and a dish of ice cream with more candles. What a day! Does it get any better?

Aunt Meredith and Jason Visit

...and bring Gracie stickers for her birthday. She was in heaven!!

G2 at 37 Weeks

Today we got some amazing photos of the baby, who weighs in at 6 pounds, 4 ounces. That's what I weighed when I was born at 42 weeks! Grace was 6 pounds, 11 ounces when she was born at 41 weeks. This is definitely a big baby. Anyway, this Gleser definitely resembles Grace but isn't a clone like we originally thought. Here are Grace's 4D sono shots from 39 Weeks. We'll see how much they look alike in a few weeks. I have a feeling it's going to be a bit of a dejavu moment in the delivery room when they pass me a little Grace look-a-like.