Sibling Love

Someone is over the moon with her new baby brother!  

Gwen was thrilled to meet Nathan in the hospital, she welcomed him from the second she saw him.  In the first few days he was home, any time he would cry, Gwen would calmly walk over and sing to him.  It's like she knew it was her job as Big Sis.  As she's gotten more used to the crying, she doesn't sing to him quite as much.  But if I'm slow to get to him now, she'll either make sure I know he's crying, or she'll go over to him and try to calm him down herself "It's ok, Nay-fen"- sometimes trying to shove the pacifier into his face (which we're working on).  She's still excited to see him in the morning, and if she doesn't see him right away will always ask where he is.  We're so lucky to have such a loving little girl, and I'm sure "Nayf" (as she so lovingly calls him sometimes now) will be the same to his sister.  

Lovin the Summer Sun

We've been having a lot of outdoor playdates lately and it's made me wonder what the heck we're going to do when the weather turns colder!  Oh well, for now, things have been great - we're loving sprawling out on blankets with yummy picnic lunches and great friends to play with.

my happy girl

Ava and Gwen taking a break from browsing at a craft fair in Gloucester

there was a great playground at the park where the craft fair took place

Swinging with Ava

Picnic lunch with Reese

A relaxing afternoon with Ava and Callie

Pre-Hurricane Irene party with the nursing group babies!

Hurricane Irene's a-coming, so we'll have to spend the next few days hunkering down indoors.  See ya after the storm!

Big Girl Stuff

Last week, we went out to eat, and normally we'd simply pull the stroller up to the table but she's gotten to the point where she needs to be entertained, so the stroller wasn't cutting it because she sat so low in it.   We decided to try out the restaurant high chair instead (which was probably slightly overdue), and it was a HUGE success.  She loved being up at our level.

Yesterday we headed to the grocery store.  Usually if I have big shopping to do, I'll wear her in the Baby Bjorn while pushing the cart around.  If it's just a quick trip, we'll use our Uppababy Vista, with it's lovely, ginormous basket.  Today I decided to put her in the cart and she was loving every second of being pushed around in it.  Her arms were out the whole time and she kept twisting her body all around to check out her surroundings.

Gwen has tried out the infant swing before, but today was her first time without an insert to keep her upright.  As soon as I put her in it, she put her hands down in front of her and flopped forward (I probably shouldn't laugh at these things, right?).  So I made a little adjustment, and she was able to stay upright.  Not too sure how she felt about it...I'm thinking she may have inherited her daddy's aversion to rides...

 

I'm so proud of my big girl :)

Long Island Summer

On Wednesday, Anne, Gwen, Jackson, and I drove down to Long Island for a nice, extended visit.  I've been looking forward to spending more than just a few days there, and we had some really nice weather.  It was the longest time that Gwen has been away from Justin, so we missed him and he missed us, but we got in some regular FaceTime sessions.  The week was full of visits with friends, afternoons at the pool and beach.  Anne, Andrea, Jess and I even took little G on her first wine tasting!

FaceTime with daddy

napping with Grammy on the deck

With Andrea and Jess before we took Gwen on her first wine tasting!

at Paumanok Vineyards

Anne with her friends from CMHS class of '98

We can't wait for the next trip - this time with daddy :)

Reason # 1,041...

...this is Justin's child:

Put a dozen toys in front of her and she'll go for the book every time.

Long Island Visit

We visited Long Island the weekend before the 4th and had a great time!  We got in some fun adult time when we went out to dinner with Andrea, Michael, Jess, and Garth on Friday night.  Unfortunately, we didn't break out the camera until the drive home, and well, I'll spare you those pics..lol

It was pretty rainy for a good part of the time we were there, which was a bummer because with (3) bathing suits, cover ups, swim diapers, sun hats, sunglasses, and a sun tent in tow for Gwen, I was planning this whole beach/pool weekend.   We were originally going to leave on Sunday, but I made a last minute decision to stay behind a couple extra days with Gwen and Jackson because it was SUCH a gorgeous day on Sunday.  We ended up getting in a great pool day and beach day too.  Here are some pics from the long weekend:

Justin with Gwen on the ferry on our way to LI.   She actually loved it, she was doing her happy screeches for a good part of the ride.

my cute family, enjoying time at my parents' house

Gwen napping on my old baby blanket <3

Andrea, Michael and Jess came over for a visit and Gwen fell asleep on Aunt Dre

my parents backyard oasis, in progress, but already amazing

with Aunt Jessy

Gwen's first visit to Cupsogue! 

 with Aunt Dre

she hung out in the sun tent, it was really hot and sunny that day

the girls

"christening" Gwen in the cool Atlantic

hah! what a cutie <3 

napping with Grampy on the new deck

Gwen with Grandpa

A good friend of mine who I haven't seen in years came by with her son, Pat

chillin on the hammock

she kept breathing in really deeply because it was cold

giving her a bath after her first swim in the pool

check out these wrinkly tootsies!

lunch on the deck :)

We had such a fun time, and can't wait to go back at the end of July with Aunt Annie!! :)