Even RAPPERS make more money than the president... that's what I don't understand

This cracked me up.

Aside from the title, my other favorite comment was probably this:
"The white house party and the black house party"

[taken from the daily what.]

three quarters of a year.

Oh. my. goodness. How did my teeny tiny baby get to be a moving, babbling, functioning 8 month old? I know, I know, everyone tells you it moves fast. But, It moves fast. Each day is so amazing because so many things are new to you. Discovery is your thing. This month, so much has happened developmentally. I can't keep track of it all.

Little bear,  in the past month you started to clap, to crawl [army style and now sort of half crawl], to wave, and got two teeth! You are also infinitely attached to me which I have to admit, is really cute. Sometimes tiring, but always cute. And you crawl to me and wrap your arm around me for a hug when you need one (you are so my daughter, mama always loves hugs). You love food. All food. I even shared a piece of my quesadilla with you on our road trip to New York. You have tried all kinds of things and I've yet to see you turn something down. You squeal with delight when daddy gets home from work. Mama returned to work part time and you act like you just won the lottery when I walk through the door. Best thing ever. You love water, both drinking and playing in it, but unlike a few months ago when you wanted to take a long evening bath, now when you are finished you reach to us and put your arms up. You're babbling up a storm and ma ma ma ma is your fav thing to say (duh, we are BFF). You are communicating with us in all these new ways. You went from a helpless newborn to a determined baby. You're my little buddy now; always exploring something new together.

Best of all baby girl, you are just such a cool little person. You're laid back yet curious. You're observant but vocal. So far, you most certainly have the best of both me and daddy combined. I couldn't love you more. I couldn't be more thankful for you.  When I close my eyes at night, the last thing I picture in my head is your smile. Life is certainly more of a challenge since you got here, but it's also so much more fun. I can't help but wonder what new adventures will come in the last 1/4 of year one.

Happy 8 months, S!

PS I wonder how long you will smell like a "baby" and if it ever goes away or if when it's your kid they always smell like a baby. I could drink you in all day long.

Saratoga Springs

Long weekend trip to upstate New York.
Survived (2) six hour car trips with a 7 month old.
Wedding number... five of the season.
Gorgeous venue, delish food.
Another couple ties the knot.
Brunch & naps.
Hiked Saratoga National Park
Explored downtown Saratoga Springs parks.
Enjoyed Saratoga gorgeous lake views.
Family time.
Tons of photography.
Lunches out with the babies.
Celebrated anniversary.
Best anniversary dinner at an 8 table, menu on the wall place, Mio Posto.
Amazing fall foliage.
Sweet, sweet vacation.
Next up: Florida in November.

hanging on the deck at sunset.

lunch on the go.

Let me touch that water, mama!

happytwoyears, husband.

*Fine, I'm 2 days late. We were on vacation.

Two years. Sometimes when I close my eyes I can imagine myself breathing in that cool fall day of our wedding. I can hear the laughter (and tears) that echoed in the bridal suite prepping for what would be one of the absolute greatest and most nostalgic days of my life. I can remember the way that satin dress fit like a glove, and how my dad's face lit up when he saw me for the first time in my gown. I can very clearly imagine my husband-to-be at the end of that aisle, soft smile, eyes bright, waiting for me to stand beside him and promise we'd continue to stand beside each other the rest of our lives.

Wedding Day.

We spent our first anniversary at Winterthur, dinner at Moro, and staying at Hotel Dupont sleeping in and grabbing room service breakfast wearing bathrobes. Fast forward a year. We spent the day with Sienna in upstate New York. Lunch out with the family and a stroll in the park where we showed S ducks and leaves and snapped photographs to preserve the memories of year two, and took a quick walk around the lake later in the day before sunset. Grandma and Grandpa put Sienna to bed, and we ended our evening with an amazing dinner at an eight table restaurant sans baby. Not quite the indulgent first anniversary, but every bit as sweet.

In the past year we've seen a lot. Visited friends in NYC and Philly in the fall. Lots of time OB's office through the fall and winter, of course. We took advantage of non-baby travel to Connecticut in the early winter. Showered wonderfully by the best friends and family we could imagine being surrounded by. Christmas had a new meaning. New life has never been such a close to home idea.  We woke up early and drove to see K + H open presents. New Years. Parenting classes (hilarious). Celebrated the idea of our niece Stella being on her way.  February 20, we learned what it means to be parents together. And while I realize there were another seven months in our year two, that moment, that day, deserves a bit of sit and let it sink in. Because, I never knew how much I would fall in love all over again. Not just with my daughter, but with my husband. He is everything anyone would ever hope a father would be. Loving, kind, even-tempered, calm, and brilliantly full of life when he's with S. And the time he puts in with her is legendary. He sees her in the mornings, he sees her at night. And if he misses a bed time, he's always the first one in her room in the morning. My husband, it turns out, is a dream come true father. The next few months slipped through our fingers. Sleepless nights, food ordered at the last minute when we are starving because we forgot to eat dinner, and a whole lot of love from our family... We celebrated St. Patrick's Day for the first time without my grandpa on hand to give us an Irish blessing, dressing S in green and hoping he'd be proud. The months began to fade and we fell back into the swing of things. Easter in Yardley. Half Marathon for J & Em. Union games. Broad Street Run. First mother's day. Visits with great grandparents. Memorial day at the beach. Weddings. Weddings. Weddings. Bridal showers. BBQs with friends. More trips to visit family. Back to fall. Trip to Seattle. More weddings. Trip to Saratoga Springs. And BAM- 2 years is gone in the blink of an eye.

I love you (x52) , Jamie. For being the best damn husband (and dad) I know. You'll always be my favorite.

2nd anniversary. Lake Saratoga.