Happy Halloween!

We spent Halloween in Cold Spring at Maggie and Danny's. Who knew Danny was such a Halloween nut! Their house was easily the spookiest on the block, complete with a giant spider on the roof, a creepy soundtrack, and one chicken who wasn't exactly thrilled with her costume. Maggie showed her team spirit as a San Francisco Giant, and Danny was a monk - in a comfy, warm Snuggie. He insisted he bought it just for the costume, but I'm pretty sure Maggie will be seeing it on the couch an awful lot.

Angelina Ballerina (aka Amy's daughter Rae!)

Ellie and Stayce at daycare's party on Friday.

Quick Jaunt to Philly

We hopped in Rhoda on Saturday afternoon to drive to Philadelphia and visit some of Brian's oldest friends. Neil and David live in a ridiculously adorable little row-house right downtown - it's practically nothing but a spiral staircase with large landings they call rooms. I love it. It also has a working fireplace, making me insanely envious. The house next door is for sale, and don't for a second think we didn't spend the weekend fantasizing about it.

We walked in Rittenhouse Square, had a snack at an outdoor cafe, ate a fantastic dinner cooked by Neil, and finished with cupcakes. Not a bad night at all. Today, we stopped outside of Philly to visit with Bri's Aunt Jan and Cousin Sienna. Mike and Sari came down with Leila and we watched the Eagles lose to Tennessee. Leila's adorableness singing the "Eagles Fight Song" made up for the loss.

"Escargot or oysters?" We went with both, of course.

Birthday Crown

We'll be properly celebrating Ellie's birthday in a week when we have the marathon party, but Aunt Robin and Aunt Jan are demanding a Birthday Crown picture. So, until then...

(The crown is courtesy of daycare; they rock.)

Mother's Helper

Meet Heather. Her mom is one of my closest friends, and I used to babysit for her when Heath was a wee munchkin. Now she's 12, in 7th grade, and going to be my Mother's Helper on Friday afternoons. This should make actually WORKING while I'm working from home much easier. And maybe I'll be able to make a nice Friday night dinner every once in a while. (A girl, and her husband, can dream.)

As for the fact that the baby I used to babysit is now old enough to babysit my baby? I don't know what you're talking about. I haven't aged a day.

Happy Birthday!

And just like that - a year is gone. Ellie turns one today. And I turn into a weepy sentimental mess. Wow. Just wow.

Without getting too maudlin...

Ellie, this has been the craziest, bestest, most sleep deprived, joyful, terrifying and wonderful year of our lives. Your smile melts my heart and your hugs wipe away the most difficult of days.

Next year this time you'll be two - walking and talking and bossing us all around. And your little brother will be old enough to sit up, which means you can start knocking him down. I can't wait to see what you do next.

Vermont Weekend

We went up to Vermont this weekend for Jeremy and Ashley's baby shower. Baby Bouchard is expected the day after Thanksgiving, and he's joining the best family ever. We can't wait to meet him!

Learning bad habits.

Ellie and her grandpa.

On the move at the shower.

Oh-so-handsome, and handy with a hammer, David Coburn.

And playing with her first Birthday Present. She turns one on Wednesday!

Sugar and Spice? Puppy Dog Tails?

If Baby #2 is cooperative, we MAY be able to find out today if Ellie's going to have a little brother or little sister. I'm so excited!

UPDATE!! Puppy dog tails it is. BOY! Ellie's going to have a little brother. This feels totally strange. I only know how to be a mother to Ellie, and, right now at least, she epitomizes GIRL. I know I'll figure it out, but a boy feels like a whole different ball game. A boy. Wow.

Lil' Pumpkin

Today was a perfect fall day, so we hopped in Rhoda (the new car has a new name!) and went up to Cold Spring to visit Maggie, Danny, and a pumpkin patch. Plus a "Halloween Tunnel of Doom," which was kinda light on the doom.

We also picked up a slew of mums and pumpkins to redo the backyard. So that's the project for tomorrow. Rip out the plants I neglected to water all summer and replace them with new plants I will neglect to water all fall. Sounds like a plan!

Anybody In There?

Happy Friday Everyone!

Smooch!

It's Thursday! And today's a long day, but then Auntie Lucy is babysitting E while Brian and I hit the Fall for Dance Festival. Shhhh....I have to work a panel before the show so I think we're going to ditch at intermission to get dinner together. It's an improvised Date Night - heck yeah.

Then it's Friday, which means Columbus Day Weekend! It's been a long couple of weeks, and we really earned these three days off. (Of course, Brian's office is open on Monday. DOH!) We're off to Cold Spring on Saturday to visit Maggie and go apple picking. Maybe we'll hit a pumpkin patch too. Yay for Fall!

Aunt Ruth and Uncle Larry

Last week Brian's Aunt Ruth and Uncle Larry came to town for a visit. Ellie wasn't feeling well, so she and I missed brunch, but Ruth and Larry stopped by the Tiny Apt for a quick hello. Ruth was one of Brian's mom's closest friends, so it was great to see her and introduce her to E.

Holy Developmental Spurt

It was just under a month ago that Ellie finally figured out how to crawl FORWARD. Since then, she's added standing, moderate cruising, holding her own bottle, and finally feeding herself. She's like a whole new baby! Or not-so-baby, which may be the point. Count down to her birthday continues. At this rate she should be walking and writing her graduate dissertation by then.

Our Newest Family Member

Brian went to New Jersey tonight, and is apparently driving this baby home. I'm trying not to be sentimental about retiring "Bessie," the '93 Ford Escort Brian's been driving since he graduated college. When we first started dating, his possession of a car in New York City was a serious check in the Plus Column (along with an air-conditioned apartment and Tivo). But all good things must come to an end. And anyway, the way we hold on to cars? Ellie may drive this one to college herself.

The new car seats 7! (And needs a name.) Who wants a ride to VT?