Night #2

After her big night out, Grace slept in this morning! After breakfast, we went to the park to swing and play. When we came home, it was time for storytime with Suzanne. Ayla came over and joined Gracie for lunch; the girls played so nicely together. This afternoon Grace took a record-breaking 3.25 hour nap. When she woke up around 5pm, we went to the Cowan's for the second night. Grace had a lot of fun and another late night. She didn't go to sleep until 9pm tonight. Hopefully these two nights won't throw her off too much.

Night #1

Tonight we went to Aunt Myra's for the first night of Passover, which was possibly one of the most exciting nights of Grace's life to date. She got so much attention, enjoyed the amazing food (in particular: gefilte fish, chicken soup, brisket, lemon chicken, potatoes, matzah farfel/stuffing, fruit and more), sorting through Aunt Myra's cabinets and climbing in and out of her swivel chairs. What really made tonight different than all other nights? Grace stayed up until 10:30pm. And she was totally fine and in good spirits. Thanks, Aunt Myra, for a really delicious meal.

Future Fullback?

Grace went to the zoo this morning and fed the goats; they're still her favorite over the alpacas and sheep. She also likes the bunnies and kept asking to go in their cage. She is also saying please now - when she wants to eat something, read something, do something, etc. So I felt pretty bad saying no to her please about the bunnies. After Free to Be Under Three, she took a really long nap and woke up in a great mood.

During our shopping trip to Citarella this evening she asked "apple please," and I obliged. She did a pretty decent job eating it (she has three more teeth, molars, btw!) and then carried it around like a prized possession until bathtime. Despite numerous falls, the apple never touched the groumd or fell out of her hands. I think we might have a future football player here! According to Uncle Teddy, a fullback barrels through people and is strong and powerful. That sounds about right. Other possibilites include tailback or running back. When I asked Uncle Teddy who she might be like, here is what he said (he cracks me up): Barry Sanders if she is so quick that she can run on the sides of her feet, Emmit Smith if she is strong and durable, Thurman Thomas if she chokes in the big game or Herschel Walker if she can do 500 pushups and situps in a sitting. I wonder what position Cousin Maya will play?

Smushy Face, Kissy Face

Landmark Sunday

We went down to Madison Square Park for a Penn baby bagel picnic - Grace hung out with a bunch of newborns (not really - she mostly ran around the park) - Maya Gleser, Dylan Carey and Olivia Langsfeld. She enjoyed her bagel, followed around a group of 16 girls and fed the birds and squirrels. I love when she offers food to animals because she yells "eat, eat" at them, insisting they chow down, as if they were not planning to already. We couldn't believe these downtown animals; they came right up to us. Uptown animals play a little harder to get. Or maybe they're snobby...? LOL. Alex, Grace and I walked all the home - starting at the Flatiron Building on 23rd, passing the Empire State Building, cruising by Grand Central, walking by the boutiques on Madison...and finally arriving home at 75th. In the afternoon we took Grace to Central Park to play with her bud Charlie. So many NYC landmarks in one day!

Very Gleser Saturday

Grandma and Uncle Zman came to visit today, and in the afternoon we went to visit cousin Maya. Week 68 Album.

Park, Park, Park, Zoo!

It was another beautiful day so we went to the park and zoo this morning. Highlights included stalking some squirrels, watching the polar bears and feeding the goats, which she much prefers over the sheep and llamas. After a fun adventure, we went to Three Guys for lunch and the swings with Charlie and Liz. C and G were high-fiving, swinging and running around together. They've come a long way since this picture from 8 months ago. In the afternoon we went to Music with Brett, had dinner and went back to the park playground one last time. I think we're addicted to Central Park.

No Fooling Grace

Grace is understanding almost everything these days. For example, when I tell her it's time to change her diaper, she walks into her room. If she's holding a toy in her hand when I am putting on her jacket, she understands when I ask her switch the toy into the other hand to put the other arm in her coat. That said, she isn't always agreeable and helpful! Lately she's been answering no to a lot of my questions, and so I have to ask fewer yes/no questions. She's also expressed what she wants to eat lately - much more specifically. Lastly, if she decides she does or doesn't want to wear something, she's insistent...like her Snowmass hat from Grandpa!

Today Grace and I went to Jonathan Packles' bris (Max's new little bro), and Grace had so much fun, too much fun. Throughout the service, Grace was calling "baby," and afterwards she enjoyed the delicious breakfast and big, open space. Grace is now at the point when I put her down, she bolts off. And doesn't turn back. This afternoon we went to the park with Liz, Charlie, Jenny and Pipa and then had a late night playdate with Noah upstairs.

Grandma Sings A Book

Grandma and GG Bess came to visit this afternoon - what fun!

Awesome Sunday

Grace enjoyed brunch with Zachary (18 months) and Simon Manheimer (11 weeks) today. G and Z were a good match - Zachary likes to share food/toys/books and Grace likes to take. Even though she was a bit rough with him, they did enjoy a smooch and hug at one point. This afternoon Mom-mom and Grandpa visited, and Grace was thrilled to see them, read together and play. Tonight she stopped by George's apartment to play after dinner.

Daddy/Daughter Day

Grace and Daddy flew solo today and enjoyed lots of time at the park. They also enjoyed lunch out together. Week 67 Album.

Park Princess

It was such a nice day, we spent the afternoon in the park. Grace loves wandering around the park and going on the swings. Today she tasted a little of the sandbox. Literally.

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.