It was a little easier getting back into the swing of things after we all returned from our big mid-July vacation, simply because of how much we had going on after we got back! A lot of jolly stuff, too... :)
Going back to the wonderful news that Maelee enjoyed announcing back in June:
And we had our sonogram appointment the morning we got back to NYC where we got to see this precious little life! Despite some pretty major exhaustion during the first trimester, the queasiness was thankfully mild and I'm feeling great now. Praise the Lord for baby #2 due in January!!!
Already sporting quite the "bump" this time around, even though with Maelee I was barely showing yet! Sigh... I was already about 20 weeks along the first time at this size. Can't complain, though, just thankful!
~14 weeks along
Also that next morning after our return, Maelee had the first of several "Power Playdates," a two hour drop-off crafts/play/story time at the "Museum of Motherhood" a few blocks away. It is such a win-win! She LOVES the play area and different themes, and I don't mind a little extra free time!
Sporting her super hero mask after her first "playdate."
Enjoying one of the city's many playground sprinklers on a hot day
A Saturday trip over to Governor's Island via ferry with some friends while daddy was at an ad board in the city
Nice views of city
Fun ringing the big bell!
Feeling brave enough to try this crazy fast ride after tackling the ones at Fun Land in Rehoboth!
Not too crazy about it afterward though... :) A little too fast!
Some ice cream after getting back onto the bigger island of Manhattan
It was a fun trip and we're excited to go back for more of the vintage French rides that are featured there later this summer!
Painting fun with daddy
(Each paper plate had to be "baked" in the play oven, like her ceramics that she made with Nana. And they were all "Mother's Day gifts-" so sweet!)
Enjoying some big band music in Carl Schurz with friends while daddy was in Atlanta for a meeting
With James after some mommy/daughter dancing :)
Then last weekend, we had a fun morning trip to the Museum of Natural History with pals, James & Ethan. We mainly checked out the dinosaurs, then had lunch outside afterward. The kids all did great!
Another big activity that started this past week was Maelee's first swim lessons! We were fortunate to have made it through the lottery system to get 6 lessons for free (!!!) but maybe not so fortunate because the days our lessons have been scheduled have also happened to be the COLDEST days of the summer! The very first class took place in cloudy, breezy 60 degree temp and practically turned poor Maelee completely off of the pool. These poor kids were literally shivering with purple lips! I couldn't believe it was still held. This past Tues wasn't much better and my sweet girl ended up just refusing to jump back in toward the end of class. I couldn't blame her. And tomorrow's class is forecast to be chilly and rainy. AARGH! Really hoping it does just storm at this point so they won't have to go in the water! We'll see... She does look awfully cute in her swim gear, though!
And, finally, loved this shot showing her excitement over pushing the little stroller at the grocery store!
It's been a pretty full month, and it doesn't look like the end of summer will slow down much. We are so thankful for what this city has to offer and for the fun our little family has in it.
Slideshow of more from July!
