Happy Birthday Daddy!

Dear Quinn,
We had our first party in the new house this past Sunday to celebrate Daddy's 34th birthday. We invited your Grammy and Pop-Pop, Uncle TJ and Aunt Rebecca, and some of Daddy's cousins with kids. You had SO MUCH FUN playing with your little cousins once-removed.

Here is a video of you singing Happy Birthday to Daddy before our guests arrived:

And here are some photos of party time:

 You and your BFF, Sarah:

Making gingerbread men

Grammy and Aunt Rita love seeing Daddy be a Daddy

"Happy Birthday to you..."

Grammy is giving you ice cream again!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Here's to many more celebrations in the new house!

All Moved In!

Dear Quinn,
I am so proud of you and the way you handled the transition to the new house!  After being sick on the day of the actual move, you spent the weekend at Mom Mom and Pop Daddy's so that your Daddy and I could get the house ready for you. By the time you arrived on Sunday night, your room was all set up and your toys and books had been unpacked. (Thanks to all four grandparents for providing much-needed babysitting so that we could get settled!)

You walked right in, explored for a little while and got right down to business playing with your toys and watching Frozen for the 800th time. You are starting to recognize the neighborhood and can even point out which house on the street is ours. Way to go, Quinn!

Yesterday was also your first day in your new daycare. You did great! The teachers said that you made it through the whole day without crying, and that they had never seen anything like it. Your daddy and I are so proud of your ability to adapt to new situations. You're the best, Quinn!

Here are some photos from our very busy last couple of weeks:

These three were sent to me by your teacher at your old school - they miss you very much!

Here you are enjoying the new house:

Modeling your new backpack!

 

Off to school on your first day!

Found a comfy spot to watch Frozen!

Quinn at Mom Mom's house

The Last Days of Queen Village

Dear Quinn,

Daycare was closed this past Tuesday, so we took the opportunity to check another park off the list before we move across the city.

Here you are enjoying Seger Playground: 

My first Merry-Go-Round experience

This place is awesome!

 

Wheee!!!

OK, that's enough

You requested that we stop at Starr Garden Playground on the way home, which we did because it was a beautiful autumn day: 

Just another day on South Street

We also took one last trip to Three Bears Park, but we had to leave early because someone wasn't sharing. You told me later that day, "We had to leave the park and you cried." Pronouns are not one of your strengths at the moment.

Let's put Frozen and Olaf to bed on Daddy's chest

Whatcha doin' Daddy?

Rainy Day Woman

Gettin' chilly!

2 Year Stats

Dear Quinn,
Although I am a couple weeks behind schedule, I wanted to share your latest stats while they are still fresh in my mind. At your two-year appointment with Dr. Christine, we learned that you are in the 96th percentile for weight and the 78th for height. You are such a big girl! You also received two shots in the chub of your upper thigh with no more than an, "ouch!" and a dirty look for the doctor.

I also had my monthly check-in with your teacher, who told me that you are, "truly the brightest student in the class." (Quotes from others do not count as bragging!) They are teaching you to count to 30 and to identify shapes such as trapezoids and octagons. Soon, it appears that you will surpass your mother both in height and mathematical ability, which is totally fine with me!

I couldn't be more proud of the little person you are becoming, and I  pray every day that you will continue to flourish in your new school, which you are officially scheduled to begin on December 1.

Here are your adorable school photos:

As well as some of your recent artwork:

The Big Move

Dear Quinn,
In a few short weeks, we'll be moving out of the little Queen Village apartment where we have lived for the past three years. As excited as I am to move into a newer, bigger house, leaving will be bittersweet. After all, this was the first place your Daddy and I lived together, and the only home you have ever known.

I'm going to miss strolling you down the cobblestone streets in Olde City to see the horses and the old cemeteries, or down to the river to see the boats. I'm going to miss being able to walk around the corner to a million different bars and restaurants, the buskers on South Street, and the little parks where we see all your friends.

But we aren't going very far - our new home is less than two miles away, in the area known as Graduate Hospital in Southwest Center City. We will be giving up a little of the convenience we are used to, but gaining (hopefully) a stronger sense of community. For you, this means attending a new school, and making new friends.

For over a year, your father and I have been searching for a house and trying to decide whether to move to the suburbs or not. The biggest factor in our discussions has been, and always will be, your well-being. After much consideration, we decided to stay in the city and bet on our new neighborhood. It will be a risk and an adventure, and one that wouldn't have been possible if you were not the awesome kid you have turned out to be.

We are fully confident that you can roll with the changes, make new friends and adapt happily to your new environment. For as long as it makes sense for our family, you are going to have a life in the big city. If anyone can handle it, it's you! 

Apartment for Rent!

My little packing helper

Trick-or-Treat!

Halloween 2014

Ready for Halloween parade at school!

Daddy came and surprised us both - you were so happy to see him!

Here you are trick-or-treating in Queen Village: 

Hi Mom.

Daddy is looking pretty handsome with a bug on his head

This lady was lowering her treat bucket from a window

Ship house, complete with working cannons

Trick-or-Treat!