Mini maestro

I spent most of Christmas Eve trying to figure out how to get out of the horrible dress mom made me wear- everyone said I looked super cute, but I was just plain itchy! But, then I discovered the piano. It's so cool- when I hit the keys, it makes noise. Hopefully in about six years I can sign up for some lessons and learn how to play melodies.

So they say it's your birthday...

I had quite an eventful first birthday. First, mom and dad woke me up really early. We got into a taxi, drove to La Guardia airport, and flew all the way across the country. I totally loved the plane ride- I looked out the windows, took naps, and played with the flight attendants. They even let me use their special phone!



Good thing I had some cake over the weekend... After so much activity, I sort of didn't have the energy to blow out my birthday candles. But at least Grammy and Gramps picked out a restaurant with comfy benches- I just curled up and went to sleep. Mommy and the rest of the family ate my cake. Thanks guys!

My birthday, part I

I celebrated part one of my birthday this weekend with my parents and Great Grammy and Fa in Wilmington- it was pretty special. I got to have more chocolate than I have ever had in my short life. And let me tell you, I am already trying to figure out how I can get my hands on some more...

Static electricity

The other day my dad and I discovered that it is quite easy to get my hair to stand on end.  As you can see, the resulting look is quite amusing.  I'm totally cute with spikes, right?!

My buddy Camille

Granddaddy and Mimi have a very large polar bear and she lives in their house and her name is Camille.  The last time I saw her I was a bit too small to full appreciate her.  But during this visit I was mobile, so I was able to crawl right up to her and investigate (I am very brave and inquisitive).  I discovered that she was very nice and would give me kisses if I pulled on her fur.  We had an awesome time together, until she decided to leap over my head.  Granddaddy was very scared and kept her on a leash after that; but for the record, I was NOT scared, I thought it was so cool!!

Happy Thanksgiving

My first Thanksgiving!  Mom kept asking me if I was ready for turkey- as you can see, I lived up to my rep as a good eater.  I saw that gorgeous bird and immediately knew exactly what to do; I grabbed a knife off of the dinner table and got ready to dig in.

Turns out I rather enjoy the sides as well; the dressing, sweet potatoes, and rolls, I mean, I had it all.  Delicious!  My Mimi is a great cook.  Then I took a nap.  I have this Thanksgiving thing down!

Picture Day: A star is born!

Say cheese!  Today was picture day at school and luckily, mommy had the day off so she could give me a bath and fix my hair before I went in (dad sometimes has a very creative ideas of what constitutes an ensemble).  I loved posing for the camera-- I am born to be a star!

Chocoholic

I recently discovered the most amazing substance known to womankind- CHOCOLATE. Yes, it is amazing! It comes it crinkly, colorful wrappers. I love the sound it makes! Before the trick-or-treaters came I tipped over our candy pumpkin and went to town. Boy was that fun! Mom was not happy, but she let me play for a little bit while she took a picture. Apparently, chocolate tastes good too, but mom won't let me eat any yet. She said maybe for my first birthday. So I'll keep you posted.

Happy Halloween!

I had a very busy Halloween-- I went to school, got into the chocolate (more on that later), partied in the lobby of my apartment building, and helped mom and dad with the trick-or-treaters. Hopefully next year I will be one of the trick-or-treaters. For now, I am content to dress up and play with candy wrappers.

Pumpkin patch

This weekend I went to my first Halloween party- what a crazy holiday. First, mom and dad dressed me up in a goofy costume. Then they let me crawl around in a field full of pumpkins! There was music, food (noodles!), and a haunted house. My costume was kind of hard to crawl around in, total bummer. But for the most part I enjoyed the party-- I can't wait until next year when I get to eat candy!

I don't play

Mom tells me her students in the BX insist on wearing their hoodies up all day long-- apparently it's a street thang. So I decided to try it out-- don't I look tough? I'm totally gansta-- don't mess...

On the move

Well, I finally took my first steps this weekend, while I was visiting my parents' Alma Mater in Lancaster, PA. I guess I was inspired by all of the beautiful fall foliage and the collegial atmosphere! I had a great time, I even got to discuss campaign finance reform with some of my mom's old gov professors, and meet my mom and dad's teammates from the swim team. I also got a new F&M sweatshirt, and a "future fummer" button!

The one and only-

Cheerios! I love them. It is the best cereal for self feeding (or so I'm told). Everyday, mommy picks me up from school and we come home and have an after school snack together- usually I pick Cheerios and bananas! I especially love to play with the box, as you can see- yellow is a beautiful, eye catching color.

Toy toys toys!

Here is am sitting amidst all my toys- I like to climb into the tub so I can be surrounded by all my beautiful possessions. My toys of the moment are blocks (mommy bought them as a present for being so good about getting my 9 month shots). I am a very spoiled girl indeed.

Dolly Louise

Back in the day my mommy had a dolly named Louise- and she taught her to swim in the bathtub and the pool. Great Grammy gave me my own Dolly Louise shortly after I was born- and now I am old enough to appreciate her. While I have yet to teach her how to swim (that's something I still need to learn), I do enjoy giving her bottles and throwing her around the apartment.

Happy Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day everyone!  In honor of this, "labor" holiday, I spent a lot of time in the Bronx with my mom, helping her set up her classroom for Tuesday, when all the kids are back in school.  I especially enjoyed playing with all of the books in her library.  Dad even read some of them to me-- I can't wait to be in 7th grade!  It seems like it will be tons of fun, reading all those great books!!

Climbing around

I'm like a little monkey these days- I climb up into everything. Mom is exhausted from running around after me! Here I am after climbing into my Oeuf chair. Unfortunately, I still haven't figured out the art of climbing out of the chair. But don't worry, that's next on my list. I'll keep you posted...

Miss Piggy

On Friday, a huge box came in the mail and guess what?  It was addressed to little ol' me!  Dad helped me unpack it, and then, after playing with the box for a while, I discovered another present inside the box- Mom says it is a piggy bank.  I can save up money in it when I get old enough to earn an allowance!  Plus, it's the greatest color in the world- PINK.  Very exciting!  Thank you Auntie Ellen and Uncle Greg for my piggy bank.  I will have to find you both and give you a big kiss next time I'm in Virginia!!!

Peek-a-boo!

My new favorite game is peek-a-boo! Whenever mommy and daddy are sitting in a chair, I crawl up to say hi. Sometimes I even say Momma or Dadda. I just love standing up!

It's just like beef jerkey!

Like any good New York girl, I like my handbags. Whenever my parents have a visitor, I immediately sink my gums into all available leather goods. This particular piece belongs to my Aunt 'chelle. Good thing she's a sport about me eating her Coach wristlet (yet another example of my innocent good looks getting me out of trouble!)

The Slammer

Who needs sleep when the world is so interesting? My parents do not agree, and are always trying to put me to sleep in jail, er, I mean, my crib. I've already broken out once (thank goodness I landed on my butt), but now mom and dad have made it more difficult for me to climb out- that's okay, because I am growing and getting stronger everyday, so soon I will be ready to make my escape. I can already see above the bars- soon I will be free!

Choo-choo

In hopes of distracting me (from magazines, books, cameras, cell phones, remote controls, etc.) my parents purchased me a new toy. As you can see, I love to play the part of train conductor! Choo-Choo! Too bad it only temporarily distracted me from all the other interesting items in the apartment . . .

Just call me Popeye!

I am such a good eater- I even love to eat green things, like peas and broccoli (as long as they are warmed up for me). Here I am after eating some spinachy goodness mom made for me. As you can see, green veggies are quite enjoyable. My (temporary) babysitter Emily said that I should pass that info onto Auntie Satrum. So here goes: Eat your greens Auntie Satrum (and I don't mean green M&Ms!!!)

Stand by me

I am such a big girl. Despite several bumps and bruises, I have mastered standing tall. As you can see, I am able to reach into my toy basket at will. As I've said before, I love to be the master of my own destiny. I can't wait til next week, when I start preschool. I'm going to show all those other babies a thing or two!

A Tribute to Great Grammy

This photo is a tribute to my Great Grammy- she wanted to see a picture of me and mommy in the Hamptons with me wearing the bicycle dress. Here you go Great Grammy! I LOVE YOU!

Up and at 'em

I'm trying to stand up now, thank you very much. I figured out how to pull myself up on things, and stand for a few moments. There have been a few bumps and bruises along the way, but it's okay, cause I'm tough. I'm ready to start walking- boy then mom and dad are really going to be in trouble!

The Future's so bright

I gotta wear shades... check out the cool sunglasses Aunt Dimps and Uncle Stefan bought me. I really like them- now I don't cry when the sun shines on my face! They are totally the best gift givers! Now I can lounge in the pool all day long...

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th of July everyone! Hope you are having as much fun celebrating our nation's bday as I am... I am in Southhampton with my family again. We are having a blast, although we wish the weather was nicer. I've been taking in the sand and surf. I'll be back with a full report soon. The waves out here are sweet. Cowabunga dude!

Swimming, swimming

I got back in the pool the other day in Southhampton and I wasn't sure how to feel about it. First, I tried to crawl on the floor of the pool . . . that didn't work out so well. Still I was okay, until mom dunked me. Boy, I did not like that! I cried and had to go hang out with dad for a while. If mom tries anymore funny stuff, I'm going to be mad. Doesn't she know I can't breathe under the water?!

Whew!

Well, this week has been totally exhausting.  Mom is going to grad school, so she has been running around like crazy.  Me, I've been hanging out with my great grammy and fa, and dad.  They sure do keep me busy- it's amazing how much energy these guys have at 75!!  As you can see, sometimes I just pass out, even with all the action going on around me.

Making new friends

Today, Mom and I went to her friend Erin's baby shower, and I got to meet all of the girls she and dad swam with at F&M.  Plus I got to meet Abigail, who is almost two years old and the daughter of one of my dad's classmates.  Boy was she cool- she kept calling me "baby!" and bringing me toys.  I could get used to that kind of treatment!  She also had some really great shoes- as you can see I'm very interested in foot ware.  I had a wonderful time meeting everybody- I only wish they did not live so far away!

Reading hour

Well, I'm not really reading yet, but I am very interested in books (I guess it's in my blood, my mom being an English major and all).  I love to look at the pictures and chew on the pages.  Paper is delicious- I can't get enough of it!  Here I am glancing through my Who Loves Baby? book- it has pictures of all my favorite people in it.

Sitting Up

Besides crawling, it's my favorite thing- it's so great to finally see the world right side up.  I especially like sitting up on the couch, watching baseball with dad, or in between my Great Grammy and Fa, as I am in this picture.  

Straight from Denver...

it's my godmother, Michelle.  She just came to visit last weekend, and boy, she's just the greatest.  She fed me pears, pushed me around in my stroller, and even carried me for about twenty blocks when I decided I did not want to be in the Bugaboo anymore (and I fell asleep in her arms, awww).  It's a bummer she lives so far away- luckily she is a trouper about taking the red-eye out to see me whenever an important life event arises.  I can see why mommy calls Michelle her BFF.

Before you walk...

... you have to crawl.  Or so I'm told.  And since I'd like to be the master of my own destiny, I'm working really hard on the crawling thing.  I'm also rolling around alot; it's fun, plus the world looks so different when everything is spinning!  Here's an example of how happy my daddy makes me- he caught me in the act.

Holy moly

So I am now a baptized Christian.  Apparently, this is a big deal.  My parents had a big party, and invited all our friends and family to celebrate.  There was even a cake.  Exciting stuff.  My gown was not at all comfy, but I was a good girl all through church (good thing I'm a morning person).  And I liked getting my hair wet...  Here's a pic of me with my parents and godparents.

The Dollhouse

This is my mommy's dollhouse.  Someday, if I'm a good girl, it will be mine.  Great Fa made it for my mommy when she was seven years old- it is so beautiful, I love to touch the shingles and the gingerbread!  The dollhouse lives in Virginia at Graddaddy and Grams' house.  It's such a special treat to see it when I visit!

Cold Ones

I had a fantastic first Memorial Day!  Here I am with dad, uncle Adam, and my cousin, just kickin' back, enjoying some cold ones Weiss family style.  As you may or may not know, we Weiss babes love to teeth on beer bottles.

Cowboy Take Me Away

Sigh. So as I said in my last post my parents dragged me along to another wedding this weekend. But at least at this one there were lots of cute boys. I even met a cowboy- and he let me wear his hat!

Congrats to Erin & Rick

My mommy's friend from waaaay back, (eighth grade, when they both had braces!) Erin, got married this weekend, to a handsome firefighter named Rick Here we are at the rehearsal dinner. Thanks for having me ya'll (I'm practicing my southern).

Dad's birthday

Happy Birthday to dad! I'm loving the birthday candles- they are mesmerising!!

Pomp and Circumstance

Guess what?! No, I did not graduate from college, not yet anyway, but my uncle Benjamin did (and he let me borrow his nifty hat)! He receieved his Bachelor's degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. We are all so proud of him. Here is some video footage from the ceremony!

Going Bananas

I am now eating both rice cereal and bananas. I cannot get enough of them. I cry when mommy or gram take the spoon away. I eat them until I am super duper stuffed. I love eating like a big girl!

Happy Mother's Day!!

In honor of all you moms out there, here is a picture of my mommy and me on Mother's Day. She's pretty awesome, you know, giving me life and all. Hope all of you out there have a wonderful day!

My Southern Roots

This week I have really been getting in touch with my maternal roots here in Virginia- in addition to Granddaddy and Camille, I also have my Grams and my uncle Benjamin to hang out with- they are both super cool for different reasons.
Grams has been teaching me about shopping, emailing, and cooking (she's really good at all three). She has been giving me lots of baths and diaper changes. And oh yeah, Grams is awesome at getting me down for my naps.
Uncle Benjamin is a college student (at least for another week) so he has lots of really interesting ideas fresh in his mind. He makes funny faces and lets me pull his hair. He is also a boy (I'm really interested in boys- they fascinate me).

Granddaddy and Camille

Greetings from Richmond, VA!! My mommy and I flew down yesterday- boy, I sure have been on alot of planes in a short amount of time! This time, much to mom's dismay, I was not happy about it. But, I am happy to be in Virginia with my mom and my grandparents (they spoil me so!). I also got to meet Camille, my grandparent's new Great Pyrenees. She is a baby too, although she is so big you'd never know it! I think she is really funny, especially when she sniffs me (it tickles).

Orange Juice

I found this orange the other day, so I grabbed it and squeezed as hard as I could- I wanted to see some orange juice!  It didn't quite work out for me... and mom and dad ate the orange, and I was left with nothing!  Such a bummer- I really need to try and get this solid food thing down ASAP!

Happy Cinco de Mayo

This is my fairy princess cousin.  She loves me so much and gives me lots of hugs and kisses.  She is three years old today.  Our family celebrated Cinco de Mayo/her birthday with mexican food and margaritas.  Then everyone had cake, except for us babies (we had milk).

Down in Dixie

This weekend I hopped on a plane down to Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina for Jeb & Anna's wedding with my parents.  As you can tell, I really took advantage of the on flight entertainment (gotta love JetBlue).  I borrowed Dad's Bose headphones, which are almost bigger than my head.  Here are some other highlights from my first trip below the Mason-Dixon.

Here I am with the man of the hour, Jeb, enjoying some karaoke, pizza, and beer.

This is me at the rehearsal dinner with Lt. Hall, Anna's brother.  I just love a man in uniform; so many shiny things to look at!

I attempted to imbibe a bit at the rehearsal dinner.  The Delta brothers were very proud of me, and mom was very horrified.  She told me not until I'm 21, which is so unfair!

 

Me and Mom in our party dresses outside the church.

I was totally exhausted from the wedding weekend, so I passed out in dad's arms at the Sunday brunch.