We wish we were camping right now! Every year Danny's family has a week-long reunion campout near Hawley Lake in Arizona. It's a nice retreat from the heat with lots of good ol' camping activities. We are sad we have to miss it this year. So in honor, I thought I would post some pictures of Merrick's first time camping.

Look at how chubby and round and bald he was!

3 minutes later...asleep.

I have this exact picture of me from my first time camping.

{Mom can you send that to me?!}

Saturday Morning

Our morning consisted of teaching Merrick how to ride a bike!

He was all set to race around Central Park like Danny. Now if he could only keep pedaling while he turns.

A Baby Update

I realize I haven't said too many details about this pregnancy so far. And that's because there's not much to tell except for how excited we are to be having another baby!!! I don't want to jinx myself but its been a pretty easy pregnancy. Baby Girl is due October 12th which seems so far away but that puts me at almost 27 weeks. We don't have a name picked out just yet but there is no way I am putting myself through the stress of what happened with Merrick. i AM going to the hospital with one name for her. I read that most babies are active at night when you are trying to relax and fall asleep. Not her. She is up bright and early kicking me each morning. It's the one time of day that I can count on being kicked and punched by her in several locations at once. Merrick finds it pretty funny to put his hand on my belly and push back when she is kicking us. Speaking of him, he is pretty excited that it's a girl. To him this means he has to share some of his toys but not all of them. It will be interesting to see how he interacts with her and the inevitable invasion of pink in our house! My cravings have been minimal but I do love cereal, chocolate milk, toast, fruit and string cheese. I seem to eat those things all the time! I still have my belly button...maybe for a few more weeks. The thought of it grosses me out every time. I am also starting to feel awkward when I try and stand. It takes a little extra effort to get up or reach for things. All I know is that Baby Girl can't get here soon enough! I wonder who she will look like?!

Happy Birthday Merrick

This kid turned 4 on Saturday! I still can't believe how fast four years have gone by. Merrick has the best personality and says the funniest things. I'm lucky I get to spend so much time with him.  For his birthday he got to choose what we did and one place to eat. His choice was goofy golfing at Pier 25 and Subway for lunch. Of course it happened to be the hottest day yet this summer so Danny and I offered him every bribe we could think of to wait a couple days to go but alas...we went and had fun!
Yesterday we had a little party at the park with friends to celebrate! He really wanted a Lightning McQueen party so I met him halfway with a racing theme. We had a few races around the grass complete with trophies for the winners, some Cars inspired snacks and then we played in the water for a while. He told me it was his best birthday yet so thanks everyone!!
Oh and you'll have to ask him what all his presents were because he can explain in detail what they are...I can't.

Happy Birthday Merrick Lane!

Rachel has been to New York before so I didn't feel the pressure to take her all over. We did this and that but mostly relaxed and took the kids to the park. That's my kind of visitor!

Times Square

Little man on the street

Favorite thing to do is dig in the sand together.

...and chase the ball!

3rd room in the house is under the blanket.
Sorry Addie, its the best we could do!

Addie comes to visit

My sister Rachel and her family came to visit us last week. Sadly, I didn't get any pictures of her whole family while they were here but you know I took lots of this little lady! Having Addie here reminded me of when we first moved to NYC and the stroller went everywhere with us. I think Rachel got quite the arm workout hauling her up and down the subway stairs. On Monday, we had a picnic is Central Park and I think we picked the best possible day to go. Warm in the sun, cool in the shade and not too many people! We grabbed some Levain bakery cookies and sandwiches and enjoyed being outside. I love having family stay with us!

It's a...

I think most of those who actually read my blog already know but we found out last month that the little babe is a....GIRL!!! Now that I've had time to grasp the fact that its a girl I am pretty excited. I'm not going to lie, at first it scared me {but i'll save that for another post}. I think its customary to go shopping right after you find out so this was my official first purchase for her :)