Weekend with Dad

I'm guest posting tonight because Elizabeth and I spent the weekend alone together as Lauren traveled to Michigan to attend her grandfather's funeral. We were very sorry for Lauren and her family and wish we could have attended. But we know everyone was better off with Elizabeth running around Atlanta rather than Saginaw.

Our fun-filled weekend included a dinner date Friday night, a birthday party Saturday morning, not one trip but TWO trips to the park (Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning) and playtime outside in the back yard. Elizabeth is really growing up and seems to understand when we tell her certain instructions (i.e., "Go get your bunny!"; "Where are your eggs (her new favorite toy)?"; and "Do you want some milk?"). That said, she seems to be selectively ignorant when hearing certain other instructions these days (i.e., "Get off the hearth."; "Stop pulling on the drapes."; "Don't touch that!") Oh well, she's still pretty cute.

We definitely missed Lauren but we had a fantastic time alone together. Here are a few pictures of our big weekend. My apologies that you have to settle for iPhone pictures. I don't know how to operate Lauren's camera.

It's the weekend!!!

Big girl sitting in chair with no seat belt at the birthday party:

Gnawing on some pizza:

While she appears alert, she passed out for a nap ten minutes after this picture was taken:

WHEEEEE!!!!!! We spent the afternoon at the park. We would both like to point out that temperatures in Atlanta were in the mid-sixties this weekend.

And, as you can see, the skies were clear and blue. I took this right before she climbed this hill by herself to get to the playground.

Back to our own backyard with our own ball:

Thanks for a perfect weekend, ESB. Love, Dad.

Growing Girl

Elizabeth is growing like a weed these days. She just had her fifteen month appointment, at which she weighed in at 21 pounds, 10 ounces (25th percentile) and measured 31 inches (70th percentile). This was the first doctor visit where she clearly remembered being there (and not liking it) before, and she threw a pretty decent tantrum in the exam room. Dr. K says we can expect the eighteen month appointment to be worse - I think Dad will be taking her to that one!

Migrating South

When the snow day described below turned into a snow week and we couldn't take being housebound any longer, we got on a plane and headed down to Siesta Key for a much needed respite from the snow and ice. (Yes, I realize how ironic it is that a Michigan native requires such a respite after only five days of snow and ice.) It wasn't warm enough for the beach, but with sunny skies and temperatures in the 60's, we were able to spend most of the weekend outside. Activities included a trip to Mote Marine (and meeting up with one of Lauren's best friends from high school), several meals outside on patios, scoping out the various playgrounds that Sarasota has to offer, and a shopping trip to St. Armands Circle. Elizabeth was a big hit with all of the old people senior citizens around Siesta Key, so much so that one generous couple even paid for our dinner (unbeknowst to us, until the waitress told us we were settled up) because Elizabeth reminded them of their grandchild. How nice is that?

Thanks to Grammy and Grandpa for letting us take over the condo for the weekend!

A note about the photos posted below: a certain self-proclaimed photography student in this family forgot to charge the battery on her dSLR before we left town, and didn't bring a charger with her. Therefore, the photos below are all from our iPhones. Actually, we think they are pretty decent for camera phone shots.

Mote Marine photo op:


Elizabeth says, "Those ribs are bigger than me!" Dinner at Blu Smoke Island Grill in Siesta Key Village (the meal to which we were unwittingly treated):


Elizabeth-sized ice cream:


Yum!


Hitting the playground:






We are suckers for a touristy photo op (this one is Phillippi Creek Village Oyster Bar, home of the famous grouper sandwich of "I wouldn't say no to a grouper sandwich" fame):


When Elizabeth did this at the Lilly Pulitzer store on St. Armands Circle.....


...the least we could do was take home this little number!


"Put me on that plane!" Elizabeth is ready to head home at the end of a great weekend.

I'd Say This is Accurate

Snow Day

Well, so much for pooh-poohing the weathermen around here; they got it right this time. Atlanta had several inches of snow fall last night, which was then covered in about an inch of ice from freezing rain. For the first time I can remember, everything in the city is closed, including both of our offices and daycare. I think we are likely to be snowed in again tomorrow. The temperature is not supposed to get above freezing before then and the city's three salt trucks haven't quite made it to every neighborhood just yet. I talked about cabin fever yesterday, but we are all about to go a little stir crazy today. If we are home again tomorrow, we are really going to have to get creative!

The 'hood:


Couch potato:


Getting some fresh air:


I'm freezing!

Sunday Outing

It is freezing in Atlanta today, with a forecast for snow and ice tonight, but Elizabeth was experiencing some cabin fever this morning and needed to get out. We decided to check out the Children's Museum downtown. We thought Elizabeth might be a little too young to enjoy it, but they had plenty of fun things for her to do, and she loved running around and checking out the various exhibits. After the museum, we stopped for lunch at Moe's and then headed home for nap time.

Just this week, Elizabeth has transitioned to a one-nap schedule, so she's up all morning and then takes one long nap after lunch. On Saturday, she slept two and a half hours. The thing we really like about the new schedule is having more time in the mornings to get out and do things without having to be home from 10am - noon for a nap.

More and more these days, John and I comment on how big Elizabeth is getting and that we can't believe how quickly she grew out of being a baby and into being a toddler. We just love being able to take her to do fun activities and watching her run around with other kids. It's great to live in a city where there are so many fun things for kids to do and we look forward to taking advantage of all of those things.

Here are a few photos from our outing. Elizabeth wasn't interested in smiling for the camera, although she was interested in smiling at every new person she saw.

Collecting blocks:





Picking up balls from the ball pit:


Playing cars and trucks:


Tending to the garden:


Building a tower with Dad:


Grocery shopping:

Happy New Year!

Everyone enjoys a long weekend, but we couldn't have asked for a better long weekend than this: spending time with good friends, beautiful weather, and football. Well, we could have asked for better football, but I guess you can't have it all.

New Year's Eve began with breakfast with our good friends who were in town from New York, followed by a visit to the park on a sunny, 65 degree day. Elizabeth hadn't been to this park since she learned to walk, and we were amazed at how she ran around and climbed on toys and had a great time. That night, Elizabeth's future best friend, 3 month-old Lyla, came over with her parents for a tame but fun New Years Eve, complete with PF Changs takeout and parents who were in bed at 11pm.

Saturday was a rainy day full of football. Elizabeth donned her Michigan cheerleader uniform and did her best to cheer on the Wolverines. Unfortunately, it didn't work out. She's cute, but she's no miracle worker.

On Sunday morning, we met friends who were in town from DC for brunch and made a second visit to the park since it was another nice day.

All in all, it was a great weekend, and we are looking forward to 2011!

Swings!








Ready, set....


Go!


Busy playground:


Just out for a walk:


Hanging out with Dad:




Would you like some tea before the game?


Let's Go Blue!