NYC 2014 - Day 1

Our first day in NYC we headed down to the Brooklyn Pier. We were lucky enough to spend our time in NYC staying at our friends, the Walkers' house in Brooklyn. They were the best hosts anyone could ever wish for. Plus look at that cute Rudy child of theirs. Waking up to that lock of curls was a perk!

Brooklyn Pier is awesome and has playgrounds, exercise parks, basketball courts and turf fields-all with this amazing backdrop

and this view. What more could you want!?

 We hung out on the pier for a while, playing on the swings...

And just taking in being in NYC

 We made our way down the pier to the bridge. A lot of people were out enjoying the beautiful summer day!

We made our way to the infamous Shake Shack. MmmmmMmmm. Their custard was amazing on the hot summer day...or any day for that matter!

View from our table in Shake Shack-right at the base of Brooklyn Bridge

Jayne was a bit less enthused about Shake Shack. She chose to nap instead :)

From Shake Shack we headed across the Brooklyn Bridge. I just had to keep pinching myself reminding myself that I was actually there-walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. It wasn't the movies, I was in NYC. Thanks Phil for taking me to the city! :)

Across the bridge, then we headed to Ground Zero.

This place is very sobering. I just kept replaying the events of 9/11 in my mind over and over and imagined what it would've been like to be in the city, let alone in that area. 

Jayne was born on 9/11/13 so it was special to have her visit with us. We love having a new life and something happy to remember that day by.

Very humbling and gives you a new perspective on life.

The new One World Trade Center is amazing. Its huge and majestic-standing where so many lost their lives.

Work it Clark!

Later that night Phil, Jayne & I headed out to take in Times Square in all its night-time glory. Miss Jayne was all smiles... 

We made our way by Rockefeller Center... 

...Rockefeller Building...

...past Radio City Music Hall...

...and then arrived at Times Square 

Jayne was enamored with screens and lights.

I was amazed by it all too! I couldn't believe it was so late at night. By the looks of the place, you'd think it was the middle of the day...a very busy day! While in Times Square we visited Toys R Us, the Disney Store, the M&M store and finished off at a frozen yogurt shop

We were tired by then and made our way back to the Walkers to rest up for day 2!

Jayne - 11 months

I cannot believe we have an 11 month old! We have loved every second with her, seeing her learn, seeing her personality develop and giving her lots and lots of kisses! :)  With a cute face like hers, how could you resist!?

Jayne's 11 month stats

• Pulling herself up to a standing position on anyone/anything. She's determined to get up and works hard at it!
• Said her first (recognizable) words. She says "Dada", "Mumumumum (mom)", "shhhh" and "bye bye" while waving
• Went on her first plane ride  
• Crawling on all fours with ease, but still sometimes opts for the belly crawl
• Eats just about everything now and says please (signing) to ask for it
• When we tell her no-no, or she knows she's not supposed to do something, she'll shake her head no
• Loves playing with her buddy Koda. We ask where he is and she'll look around for him. She'll do the same when we ask where Mommy/Daddy is.

Wearing her NYC souvenir

I asked her to smile for the camera and she gave me these cheesy smiles. She knows what the camera is!

In NYC, we walked into FAO Schwartz and I handed her this dog to keep her occupied. It was love at first sight and we left the store with the dog still in her arms. She loves him!

Happy 11 months baby girl! We love you!!

Hogle Zoo 2014

We took Jayne on her first trip to the zoo on Saturday. My cousin Candace, David & Aria were kind enough to invite us to go with them. We all had a lot of fun together. Candace was smart and suggested we get there early to beat the heat and the crowds.

Good morning sunshiiiiiine!

There is so much to do at the zoo. I haven't been since I was in Jr. High probably and they've really upgraded things since (only been a million years, I know, but still). A lot of things are really new and its impressive what they've done!

Jayne loved this giant water globe near the entrance. She just stood there and played with it for a long time. That grin never left her face!

Aria showing Jayne how to play

Jayne was pointing at the animals all day and would give us big smiles when she saw them.

We visited the sea lions, otters and polar bears (my favorite!)... 

...saw a cute baby elephant...

...chilled with the lions...

...and rode the carousel a few times. 

Jayne has learned to wave and loved saying hello while on her wild kangaroo ride. 

Even though it was an early morning, Jayne was in such a happy mood. When I'd get out the camera and she'd see it, she'd give me these cheesers...

 -She's happy in these pictures, believe it or not :) -

Jayne has a thing for water, no matter what form- giant water globes, pools, fountains, you name it! She had so much fun at the zoo's splash pad. 

This fountain kept getting her in the face but Jayne just kept swatting at it and bouncing up and down while reaching for more.

We ended our visit with the classic train ride. 

And no trip to the zoo is complete without a drink/picture with the lion's mouth drinking fountain. I have one of these gems of my own in my baby photo album. 

That's a wrap!

Jayne loved it, we loved it, and we loved spending time with Candace, David and Aria. Thanks guys!

Jayne - 10 months

This little mini is not so mini anymore! She's growing so quickly and learning new things every day. We love having her around, seeing her personality more and more, and just spending time with her.

Jayne's 10 month stats

• Such a ham. She gets people's attention and knows it. Her favorite audience is the grocery store baggers-she'll give them a smile and then turn around, then peek back and start over again. She's mastered the cheesy grin.
• Can sit herself up from a laying down/crawling position
• Plays with her toys with her feet. Without fail, she'll get to a toy, roll over gently and then hold it with her feet. Even reads books that way too. She's a little monkey.
• Often shakes her head to dance or to say no, or to be silly (hard to interpret which one she's going for)
• Four teeth total-top middle and bottom middle
• Pulls up onto her knees and straightens her arms mid-crawl but likes her belly for moving
• Loves to make a kissing noise. Sometimes she'll suck in her puckered lips for a long time, really concentrating on getting a good "smacking" noise. Its funny to watch!
• Wants to eat anything and everything including mom and dad's food. She does great with baby cups with straws
• Growing long and tall-94th percentile
• Love textures-she falls asleep continually pinching the tiny fibers on the back of her blankets. She's always brushing her fingers on everything 
• Great at mimicking any sounds we make now-giggling, coughing, clearing our throats. She thinks she's so clever every time and gives us big grins

Happy 10 months Miss Jayne!