Life's a Beach!

So it's been a fun July so far! Started off with a great quick trip to Fire Island - Josie and I solo'd over on the ferry, and spent a great two days with Roger, Jaxi, Manny and Jake. Then it was off to the Berkshires for a fun 4th weekend with Anne, Lew, Hilary and Delila. The weather didn't cooperate much, but we still had a great time.

We held our third annual Summer BBQ (I guess officially Josie's second!) with lots of friends old and new. Josie was quite a trooper and Jeff was as always a terrific grill-master.

Josie has lots of new tricks... repeating sounds, finally boosting up on her knees and scootching backwards, and bouncing thanks to a new jumpy-exersaucer from Jen and Bella. She continues to love Music class, big-girl baths and "swimming" in her little baby pool. She also has a hilarious trick where she pretends to feed us and fakes us out (see video!)

Lots of new pics in the gallery... hope everyone is staying cool!

June boom!

Lots to report this month! Sorry it's been awhile, but it's been a busy June here in the Davidson-Rothman household. We kicked off the month with a great visit with the Roger Rothmans in Lewisburg PA. Sadly, we forgot to take a single photo - but Josie took her first "swim" in the Lewisburg Swim Club baby pool, and less thrilling, her first doody in a swim diaper. Ick. But we had a great time.

The next week Beth (do I always talk about myself in the third person? That's annoying) was off to Washington, on her first work trip for EMILY's List's Conference. She got to see Madeleine Albright speak, say hello to Sen. Stabby and Gov. Jenny G, and meet lots of the great new candidates. Also got to reune with old friends like Britt, Jeanne, Martha, Karen P., Jen Maranzano, etc. Josie did great with Daddy and her new friend Cynthia. Mommy returned tired but very fired up about the election and excited to see Josie's 2nd tooth right next to the first!

Daddy had his first father's day, with a cool new Ipod player and a BBQ with Anne, Lew, Hilary, Todd, Grandma and the girls. We also got out to dinner with Rosemary and Doug and their friends Sally and Steve at the River Club in Nyack. The following weekend it was off to the Berkshires where Anne and Lew graciously lent us their house for the annual Cornell Boys Reunion. The kids all got along fabulously, Josie took a swim in the big kids pool and learned to CLAP, which was very exciting.

What's new with Josie the Posie? She loves music and while she can't crawl, the girl already has dance moves, including an Elvis Pelvis maneuver, swinging arms, and clapping. She loves Music class and often "sings" loudly and imitates the teacher, especially during her favorite song, "Jumping Josie." She is talking up a storm (no words yet, stay tuned) and is generally a pretty funny kid. Lots of new photos both in Josie 6.23 and The Berks!

Tooth or Dare!

It's been a busy May around the Davidson-Rothman house! We had a wonderful Mother's Day - brunch at the River Cafe in Piermont with Jen, Jeremy and Bella, during which Josie proudly sank right into my hand... her first tooth! While I love her gummy smile, this monu-dental occasion was welcomed... as also the end of the Screamy Phase!! My wonderful gift was a massage and facial at a spa in Nyack.

Josie and I were then off to Michigan for a week - she did fabulously on the plane, though she showed NO interest in napping and only wanted to crawl all over me and the person next to us. Thankfully it was a short and uneventful flight. We had a wonderful week, which included a party at my parents' house to introduce Josie to everyone, a fun birthday dinner with Eugenie, and a great get-together with Annie and Amy and all the kids. Isabella has already grown into such a little lady, and Elizabeth, who amazingly was born on the same day as Josie, is adorable. Amy's children, Lindsey and Luke, are also growing fast. And great at sharing toys and snack puffs! On the way home we stopped at the outlet mall for some much-needed shopping. We took Josie to meet Great-Gramma Harriet and her Great Aunt Peggy, and topped off the visit with some Cottage Inn Pizza! Of course. Josie is already missing her Gram, but we had a wonderful visit.

Memorial Day weekend was busy as well! We spent much of the weekend working in the yard, planting and raking and trimming. We went to a great BBQ at Jen and Jeremy's. Sunday we had a delicious dinner at Travis and Neil's, and Monday we had a fun day in the park with Anne and Lew, Hilary and Todd and the girls, ending with a night of grilling with our new next door neighbors. Lots of new photos in the gallery!

I scream, you scream, Josie screams... ALL THE TIME

Click here to see McScreamy! So, this post is a bit overdue but it's been crazy! Gram and Pops visited for Passover. Anne made a wonderful dinner and Lew led a great service on 1st night, and Jeff outdid himself 2nd night with a very thoughtful Seder about freedoms in America, and those which we might take for granted. Josie miraculously napped through the haggadah and woke up to eat! She was a really good sport. Along with the doting grandparents we were joined by Lezlee, Rob and River, Doug, Andres, and Travis and Neil. It was a great time and a tradition that gets better every year.

The day AFTER everyone left, however, Miz Jo started a new habit of shrieking at bloodcurdling decibels when she is happy, mad, tired, hungry, when she sees a dog, when the sun is in her eyes, at everything, nothing, no pattern whatsoever. It's great. I can only guess it is somehow linked to teething... we are waiting for those first little suckers to pop through. She's a chatty little monkey, lots of dadas, blah blahs, ya yas, etc. She sits very well and eats VERY well. She had her first call-the-pediatrician in the night projectile vomiting episode which was a little scary. But she was fine All in all she continues to be funny and great!

Things have gotten even busier since I started working part-time last week. Our new babysitter does great with Josie and Josie seems to do great with her! It's a nice balance.

SO I promise to be back soon with more video. We have to shoot some more! We do have lots of new pics.