Baby Mama's take Brooklyn

I am so fortunate to have a great group of Mama friends here in the city. We get together at least once a week and either just have a play group or trek out for diff. adventures.

For this adventure, we decided to walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, grab some pizza at the delicious Grimadlie's and hang out at the newly formed Brooklyn Bridge Park. It was a beautiful day, and it is just so much fun to see the kids beginning to interact with each other as well as their environment (it was the first time J felt grass underneath her bare feet.)


J's first swing ride with the Brooklyn Bridge in the background. She nestled right in and was quite content just chomping on her hands

The 5 babies hanging on the blanket ( J is in the flower hat) (Avery in white, Alberto, Grant & Rasheam)

Headed back across the bridge, back to the Manhattan side

Strolling through the city

There are certain days that really make you love living in the city. Saturday was one of those. We packed up J and strolled uptown, stopping along the way for brunch(es), visiting with friends and family, shopping and enjoying the beautiful day! The weather was perfect and we enjoyed just listening, watching and absorbing.

Our first brunch stop. We all enjoyed a bite to eat (and check out J's bare feet- have to love the warm weather!)

A family shot! Burton was SO excited to be allowed on Chris's lap and to be apart of what was going on (his tail was wagging out of control!)

5 months- The things that we love

At 5 months, here are some things about J that cause our hearts to flutter and our smiles to grow:

Open mouthed Kisses: She leans her body towards you with her mouth wide open because she wants a kiss! Super cute!!

- Her new fascination with hitting. She has recently realized her own strength and enjoys batting the bottle away from her mouth, and then immediately screaming for it to get back in

- Burton is now her BFF. I will walk out of the kitchen to find her mouth wide open and Burton's tongue licking up all the deliciousness inside (yup, it's a gross as it sounds)

- Her fascination with hanging upside down. Whether it's feeding her or holding her in the front pack, J loves to hang backwards and look up. It's cute, but unfortunately, the step right after that is to throw up everything she's just eaten (insert Burton getting really excited for his snack)
- Grabs Feet: at about 5 1/2 months, J began to grab at her feet (thanks to Grandpa D who taught her the finer details of foot grabbing!). We gave her a week, and that foot promptly found it's way into her mouth.

- Waking She now wakes up happy from 90% of her naps and night time sleeping. It makes it much easier to tell if she's slept long enough, or if she needs to go back down

- Sleeping: J has been sleeping through the night for about a month now. And by "the night" I mean the full night- down by 6:30-7pm, up around 6-6:30am.... (hear our sighs of relief....!)

- Laughing: Her laugh is right there... she has been trying out a few but hasn't settled on one...

-Happy Dance: This is my favorite. I love when she starts to do the happy dance when someone gets her up from a nap. She wiggles her whole body in different directions and gives a huge smile!

- Her increased ability to listen to books being read. The brighter the colors, the better the story

- She loves just to sit on our laps and watch the world. We know this is a short lived time period, so we treasure those snuggle moments.

Let her toungue hang down

J's newest discovery is her tongue, and she likes to show it to everyone.... everywhere. It has become very difficult to get a picture of her without it being prominently displayed! But for us, it just adds to the amusement of having a 5 month old.

There it is, for all to see!

J in her friend's hot-rod... of course, sporting the tongue!

Taking it for a spin...!

First weekend apart

My mom and sister came in this weekend to celebrate my mom's (un-named but big and important) birthday. The boys took the kids (Billy had Logan and Chris took J and Burton out to his mom's house for the weekend). It was a great weekend that included all sorts of fun things- chocolate factories, spas, parks, farmer's markets, and lots of walking and talking!

Unexpectedly, it was very hard for me to be away from J for so long. I suppose I had this image in my head of this strong mother who would enjoy the time apart for her child because it will only make our time together more special. But I was more like the mother who started to tear up whenever I saw a little one around- and there are a lot of kids in the city! However I did decide that if Chris and I were ever to go away for a long weekend or even a week without the kids, it would have to be to an adults vacation spot. It's just way to difficult to see other children now, without having mine in my arms.

Across the woods, at Grandma and Grandpa's, they had a great time as well. Burton adores having the freedom to run around, and his "cousin" Zoe is always a good playmate. J continues to be a bit particular about who is holding her and we're hoping that she will grow out of this... quickly. The last thing we wanted was a child who only wants to be held by us. A friend of mine had a good perspective on this though. A child is "supposed" to only start getting particular about who is holding them around 7-8 months. So, as she put it, it shows great character strength that at this young age, J already knows what she wants and has such a strong opinion that she makes a fuss...... a great, positive way of looking at it (although hear our inner groaning !)

Better and better

They say that with each stage things just keep on getting better, and they couldn't be more right. Each day with Jocelyn is just more amazing then the last. She continues to amaze and humor us with her smiles, coos and just general being. As the weather gets warmer, we are able to get outside a lot more often, which has been amazing!

J enjoying her first trip down the slide!

A visit with Lil D and Karter. D is 8 1/2 months prego, so she was getting practice handling two kids!

Our little love dove!

Out for a walk on a beautiful spring day!

In my arms...

Today I picked Jocelyn up and I rocked her. I felt her breath go in and out, I felt her little heart beating and I just rocked. Her warmth filled up my arms and she slowly fell into sleep. Her precious little eyes closed and her breathing became deeper. She truly is a miracle.

Easter

Donlan Family Photo!
J with her Great-Aunt Claire

Down at the Doggie Beach

Keeping her head nice and toasty!

Central Park

Chris took off 2 days this week so we could have some family time. We used the first day to head up to Central Park and enjoy the early spring weather!

While walking in central Park we came upon a small snack shack that serves Knishes and Beer- Only in NY!

Our little Munchkin! In short sleeves for one of the first times

She loves gnawing on Sofies's ear

walking around Central Park

Crazy Daddy!