Random Obsessions

I'm starting a new category for this blog called Random Obsessions for all the little things that crowd my head every day. There will be no rhyme, reason or organization...much like my mind.

Faux Bois wallpaper by Nobilis

Napa Valley electric bike rentals from Change of Greenery

Snow leopard throw pillow by High Street Market

Keeping Cool

It seems like in the DC area, it's either unbearably hot or unbearably cold. Why can't we have milder weather once in a while? Right now we're suffering under the former, and there's little that we can do but sit at home, cooling ourselves down with ice cream.

Grace and Haagen Das, July 2011

The Princess and the Pea

I'm determined not to make the same mistake with Grace as I did with Sophie, and train her to eat vegetables right from the beginning. It's working out pretty well!

Birthday Brunch

We went to brunch today to celebrate my dad's birthday.  It was good, but chaos.  I was exhausted by the time it was over.  I think afterwards at home, I actually fell asleep with my eyes open for a couple of minutes while the kids were crawling all over me.  Unfortunately, there was little time to rest--it's Muuuunday tomorrow and work beckons!

My parents and their four grandchildren: Bodhi, Grace, Remy, and Sophie

I really need to start putting shoes on this girl.

Silky

Temperatures are near record highs this week all along the East Coast.  For those of us who have to don business-y attire and leave the comfort of our air conditioned homes every day that means we are sweltering beneath our blazers.  Well, how about an easy, breezy silk tee shirt from Blue Desert?  It's comfortable, but definitely still professional and chic enough to wear around the office.  I think I just cooled down 2 degrees.....

Black and White Inkblot, $88

Black Mirror Inkblot, $88

Bluegreen, $68

Coral Nightdrop, $72

Music Video

My cousin Ashley came down from New Jersey and has been spending the week watching Grace. Here's how she kills time.

Balmy

I am totally loving having my cousin Ashley stay over this week. She's been driving Sophie to school and helping babysit Grace in the afternoons. And not just that, she even takes pictures for me to post on my blog! I have to say, we are really lucky to have such great family.

Sophie at the fountain on a balmy summer evening, July 2011.

Happy Birthday Gracie!

Wooohoooooooo....my baby is one year old today!!  It's been a draining, tiring, tough, but wonderful year.  I can't imagine an easier baby.  Sleepless nights were rare, and she was a champion breastfeeder, decent eater, and all around happy and gentle kid.  Grace got sick quite a bit more often than Sophie did, but *knock on wood* nothing ever serious.  By now, Grace saying "mama", "baby", "helloo?" and "uh-oh".  I'm not sure if she knows what she's saying, but I think talking is just around the corner!  She's not quite walking unassisted yet, but loves practicing while holding our hands.  I'm kinda sad that she's growing out of babyhood, but at the same time excited about the fun times we have ahead of us.  We can't imagine our lives without her....she completes our family.

sweetest.baby.ever.
Grace at exactly 1 year old.

Busboys and Poets

Phamily ladies' lunch with Sophie, Remy, Michou, Jenny and Quynh

Afternoon Delight

OK, get your mind out of the gutter! For Sophie, this means...having a cakepop with her dad after school today.

Sophie and her "afternoon delight": Starbucks cakepop after school.

Gracie's 1st Birthday Party

We held Grace's first birthday party yesterday at the park--two weeks earlier than her actual birthday because so much of our family was able to be in town for the holidays. It was fun, but seriously hot outside. Thank goodness we had some shade and a beautiful view.  Add yummy BBQ and Phamily and the result is a perfect day!

Grace chose a mirror from the tray.  Does this mean she'll be beautiful, or vain?