Grandparents & Anniversaries

What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life. And, most importantly, cookies. ~Rudolph Giuliani

Two Anniversaries are happening very soon. For four of our favorite people -- Anna's grandparents. Forty-seven years of bliss for Mimi and Papa and Forty-four for Grams and Opa. And what are the chances...they were married one day apart. So this Monday and Tuesday, we are wishing you much love on your very special Anniversaries and sending big hugs and kisses your way. xoxo

Visit with Grams and Opa

We spent a couple of days in New Hampshire. Anna and I drove up to visit with Grams and Opa and Aunt Li-li. Anna had a ball.

She was going a mile a minute and crawling (aka scooting) all over the place. She even got herself up on a rocker. And how proud she was. 

We strolled around the Boulders and downtown, had a delicious lunch at the Green Bean where Anna had another first --- chilled strawberry soup. And did baby likey? Oh yes...(and so did mommy.)

And I'm pretty sure her grandparents had fun with their grandbaby...

Nighty-night sweet pea...

  

The Ocean State

We had a chock-full weekend in Rhode Island. Saturday was our "girls" day. After stopping at the Attleboro Farmers Market for some blueberries, we sat by the river and took in the sights of downtown Providence. 

 

Then we headed to Goddard State Park in East Greenwich where Anna sampled her (and my!) first lemon slush from New England Lemonade and strolled along the beach. We dined Al fresco on Main Street and had ourselves an eggplant pizza. Anna met a lot of new friends - waving and smiling at fellow diners.

On Sunday, she went on her first carousel -- the Looff Carousel in Slater Memorial Park, Pawtucket, with her friend, Lucy.

Baby Steps

Anna is taking her first real steps. And yesterday...she crawled up the stairs - four big steps.

With a little help, she's pulling herself up, standing and cruising. The girl is on the move.

And today, my heart feels like it is about to explode...so many emotions are pouring out. Changes are here, and more are coming. She is exactly 11 months and 2 weeks old today. Her very First Birthday is around the corner. She is growing and developing and make amazing accomplishments...all in her little baby ways. I can't believe it's been a year since she arrived and rocked our world. Changing it forever. I remember it like yesterday. Our little bundle, swaddled and so tiny. I just want to squeeze her, hug her, kiss her and tell her how much I love her. How incredibly crazy I am about her. That I will always be here for her, for as long as I live. I hope she knows it, I hope she feels safe and protected, comforted and loved...everyday.

And then I read this...and it's exactly how I feel.

"You feed. You change. You snuggle. You pour your soul into them, hoping every internal thought and feeling of goodness and love seeps into every bone in their body, every cell in their frame so that they feel it...so that they know it...so that someday, when they are three and they are big and they are beginning the journey down the new road, they will be equipped with everything they could possibly need to thrive.

...and you just have to trust that you are doing your best and that for every mistake you make, there are a thousand more victories. And you grow in the fact that, in setting an example, in laying the foundation for your littles, you become better. You have to live what you want to teach them because the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, and I want my apples to be good and kind, giving and understanding. I want my apples to be strong and independent and yet sensitive and tender-hearted. Yes, I will be a strong tree--so strong indeed that my apples can roll further and further away from me, exploring their world, and they will know my presence, quietly and assuredly."

That Kelle Hampton, she nails it every time. And with tears streaming down my face, I dash upstairs to check on my own little and whisper I love you.

I love you, I love you...

I love your pudgy little hands...and pudgy little feet.

Your tiny little toes and baby button nose...

Bookworm

She still loves her books..all shapes and sizes. Board books and big books like this one.

and her very own Fairy Book...

Almost a year

Time has been flying by for us and our little one. Where is summer going --- it is suddenly August and we are now in her 12th month. Sigh...

She's been busy. Busy growing, playing, socializing and getting outdoors. She loves nature. I am a bit behind posting all our goings-on, so let me recap last week.

We had lunch seaside with Aunt Mandy (her godmother) and Uncle Alex. Both are here for the summer. Yay! And will be moving to Alex's turf, Vienna, in September. I don't like to think about it too much, but I know it's a great opportunity for Amanda and the best case scenario for the both of them. Newlyweds, it's been almost a year since they said their vows on the faraway island...it was such a magical day. And I couldn't be happier for them. They found true love from across the Atlantic...All my love to you both on your journey.

Anna was just 4 weeks at their wedding. Almost a year that we've had this little one in our lives. Like I said the time is flying, and if I think about it too much, I am on that emotional rollercoaster again.

But I regress. Back to her happenings...

Lunch with Amanda and Alex = good food, good drink and lots of laughs.

 

 

Anna had absolutely no problem sitting on our laps and smiling and giggling and staring at her fellow diners for over two hours. Pure bliss.

She loves her Aunty Mandy

And her Uncle Alex -- even if he does hold her funny.

That's ok, Aunty Mandy takey over..

Monday was a perfect day for the park. So we grabbed a blanket and chilled.

We spent Tuesday at Lucy's grandparent's pool in Cumberland. So fun for the girls, and really Lucy's g'parents couldn't be nicer --- serving fresh lemonade, cheese, crackers, pizzas and fruit...(Anna likey grapes! -- quartered, of course)

Mimi came down for a visit Wednesday. And Anna showed her her new play area with a large berber rug surrounded by her toys. She loved spending the day with Mimi and I was able to skip out for a much-needed hair appointment!

Thursday was playgroup at the little red schoolhouse in the morning and a playdate with Anna's friend, Asa.

Asa and his mummy and mommy came over for lunch and Anna was in her glory. She loves Asa.

  

And I'm pretty sure Asa digs her.

Friday was just too nice of a day to be indoors. So we packed up our things, grabbed lunch and drove down to Bristol, RI for a day by the water.

On the way down to Colt State Park, we stopped at a farm stand and got a bunch of fresh peaches, blueberries, corn and bread. We had a great stroll ride and she enjoyed chillin' and reading her baby bath book.

Friday was such a hit, that the three of us decided to head down to Bristol again on Saturday. This time, to Independence Park in town.

We grabbed lunch at this little fish market...

And ice cream cones here...

And we strolled...

Not sure what the two of them are staring at...but really, how cute.

Happy Summer! (I love this little house) - very appropriate as Bristol hosts the longest running Fourth of July parade in the country. Residents really get into it.

Sunday was another amazingly beautiful day...so we went for a nice long brisk walk on Blackstone Bike Path.

Now - here we are another week gone by...and I have to remind myself to breathe.

I find myself just staring at her, while she sleeps, plays...I see her little newborn face developing into a toddler's. She's pulling herself up on the couch, the chair, our legs, the sliders...and if we're lying next to her, climbs all over. She's scooting around like crazy, babbling constantly, and still razzing. I love the raspberries (more like helicopters taking off)...and waving - all the time. She points when she hears a plane fly by, birds chirping and every dog that passes by.

She is in love with life and so am I. If I think about it too much, I get teary-eyed even though I know I shouldn't. This won't last forever and she'll be off to school before we know it. So all we can do is soak it in and stop --- and watch. If I blink, I'm afraid I'll miss something. She'll be walking soon and her independence will continue to grow. Almost a year - only a year - and she's already got the biggest personality. So much changes the first year, and I want to be here for every moment.

I hope you are all having a great summer and soaking it all in --- whether it's your littles, your fur-kids, your family and friends --- your life. Life is to be lived - and to the fullest.

Just remember to breathe.

More fun stuff to come...I have video to post.