Wildwood Days

Dear Quinn,
Last weekend, Grammy and Pop-Pop invited us to join them down the shore, so we took you to Wildwood to see the ocean for the very first time.  I'm so happy that you got to see the place where it all started for our little family, because that is where I met your Daddy. 

You are so lucky that your grandparents have a beach house!  They had it all ready for you.  They brought down a high chair, toys, a stroller and the pack and play (which Pop-Pop made up all comfy for you.)  Grammy stocked the kitchen with all the stuff you like to eat (bananas, avocados, peach flavored puffs!) and even had brand new clothes hanging in the closet. They love you so much, Quinn!  I couldn't count how many times they said how happy they were to have you there.

Here are some pictures from our fun weekend!

Thank you Grammy and Pop-Pop!!

Dancin' with my music ball!

Slept through the night in my seashore bed!

Storytime with Grammy

Mommy, Daddy and Quinn

Center of attention

Hello Pop-Pop? It's the Elephant - may I speak with Quinn?

It's for you

Quinn sees the ocean

A little apprehensive

The next day...

I love the beach!

Quinn's First Vacation

Dear Quinn,
We've been home for awhile, and you have not given me a chance to update your blog!

We have been so busy these past couple of weeks.  You were sick with a stomach bug, and then it was time for your Daddy and I to go to Mexico for Aunt Lauren's wedding.

For five days and four nights, you stayed at your Grammy and Pop-Pop's house.  They had the whole house set up for you - a crib, high chair, stroller, toys, food, diapers...the works! You had all the comforts of home while enjoying the quiet atmosphere of the suburbs. 

We missed you sooooo much, but we knew that you were having a great time with your grandparents and getting lots of special attention.  I was worried about how you would behave, but Grammy reported that you were a very good girl, despite the fact that you got two new teeth! 

You loved hanging out on the deck, exploring Pop-Pop's garden, watching the birds, sitting on the porch swing - and most especially playing in the pink clamshell pool that Pop-Pop got for you. You even took a bath in the very same sink where Grammy used to bathe Daddy when he was a baby. 

We are so happy that you are close to your grandparents and so grateful that they are always willing to watch you.

Daddy and I had a wonderful vacation and it would not have been possible without them. (Thank you, Grammy and Pop-Pop!) 

Here are some pictures of your vacation, courtesy of Pop-Pop's camera: 

Enjoying the pool in my new bee bathing suit!

Watching all the action from the front porch

Help me stand up, Grammy!

Lots of friends came over to visit me!

Playing with Pop-Pop!

THANK YOU so much for taking care of me!

Father's Day!

Dear Quinn,
You had another big weekend - this time to celebrate Father's Day.  All the men in your life wanted to spend time with you.

Here you are hanging out at Grammy and Pop-Pop's house on Saturday.  

Wearing my Charleston shirt- thanks, Grammy!

Destroying Pop-Pop's father's day cards: 
I ate this one...

'Dropped this one between the slats of the deck - sorry, Pop-Pop!

The boys

Feeling grass for the first time... ewww!!

This is more like it

Thanks for the cool toy!

Noticing Pop-Pop's beer (about two seconds before you knocked it over)

On Sunday, we woke up early and came downstairs to let Daddy sleep.  You "helped" me straighten up the apartment and decorate the mantle in honor of Dad.

You were so excited to give Daddy the present you made for him...

It's a book all about thanking Daddy for everything he does for you.

Here he is reading it to you:

Here's a look inside the book:

Daddy, I want to thank you for....

I got your Daddy a present too - and wrote him a letter to thank him for being such a wonderful dad.

Later that day, we went to Mom-Mom and Pop Daddy's house for a barbeque.  Pop-Daddy loved his presents too!

And Uncle Robbie was there!

I'm not ready to be flipped, Aunt Lauren!

Quinn, you are so very lucky to have two grandfathers who love you, as well as the world's best daddy.  You should know this about that cold winter day when we first found out about you.   After I told your Daddy and the shocking news of your existence was sinking in, I watched his face for a reaction.  His reaction was this: he became a father.  It's true!  Right in that moment, our family became his number one priority - and ever since that day he has done everything in his power to support us, protect us and make us happy.  Most importantly, he absolutely adores you. 

You may sometimes have trouble remembering this as you grow up, but I want you to know that he always has your best interest at heart - and everything he does is because of how much he loves you.

One last thing to mention in this post: Your daddy ended his first Father's Day up in your room with a toolbox while you and I slept in our bed.  He refused to let you sleep even one night in your crib after we discovered that it needed to be lowered.

A Daddy's job is never done!  

Thanks for fixing my crib - I love you, Daddy!