Beach & Zoo

We've really been enjoying the nice weather (when it's not raining...) and the winding down of Joseph's semester. We've been to the BBG a few more times, Prospect Park Zoo, and yesterday we took our first trip of the summer to Coney Island beach. I love being able to get out of our normal daily routine and do something different.

Some of my sewing projects are featured here as well. I made Matthew's shorts (both pictures) and my skirt.

And, I'm just over 27 weeks along with the girl. I feel great and can't believe she will be here in 3 months!

2

Matthew is 2! We had some friends over on Sunday night for cake and ice cream. On Monday we opened presents and played with his new toys.

He is a great little boy and we love being his parents.
Happy Birthday Matthew! We love you!

one, two, three, go!

Matthew can count to two. Well, he skips one and goes right to two. He counts things by pointing at them and saying "two, two, two". And he can say go. Here he is riding his truck and helping Joseph count.

Lately

• Joseph is busy: finishing up his first year of dental school - only 4 weeks left!
• Catlin is busy: sewing, sewing, and sewing! and planning matthew's birthday celebration.
• Matthew is busy: playing, throwing tantrums, learning the alphabet, imitating everything we do, and preparing to turn 2 in less than a week!

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

We live within walking distance of the beautiful Brooklyn Botanic Garden. We have been there a handful of times, and it is always incredible, no matter what season it is. Right now the cherry blossoms are just starting to come out, and the magnolia trees are in full bloom. Here are some pictures from last fall and this spring:

cherry blossoms & magnolia trees

celebrity path with names of famous people from brooklyn

japanese garden

Easter

Have a wonderful Easter weekend!

Happy April

• Robin was here for a couple of days last week. We walked around Park Slope, the Upper East Side, and Union Square, and ate at the Shake Shack. We are glad she likes to come and visit us!
• Matthew will be 2 in less than a month. He has so much energy and loves to be able to run around. He is hilarious.
  
• I am about 22 weeks along with little sister. I feel great and everything is going really well.
• We are so excited that spring is here! We have had some great weather and love to be able to go on walks and play at the park. Joseph is really busy with school, but he still finds some time to teach Matthew how to play ball.
  

Little Sister

I had my 20 week ultrasound this afternoon. We found out we are having a girl! We are very exited for Matthew to have a little sister. I think she looks just like Matthew did in his ultrasound pictures. Will she have red hair, too?

Philadelphia

We spent a few days in Philadelphia this week during Joseph's spring break. We saw so many things and had a wonderful time.

first view of Philadelphia --- Love Park

City Hall --- Benjamin Franklin Memorial in the Franklin Institute (which is awesome!)

Benjamin Franklin's grave site --- Elfreth's Alley (the oldest continually inhabited residential street in the country)

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Washington Square --- Independence Hall

Statue of Rocky outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art (the steps he ran up in the movie) --- Logan Square

George Washington Memorial --- Liberty Bell

The weather was beautiful and the trip was just the right length. I love that we live so close to so many things. Where should we go next?

Musicians

There are street/subway musicians everywhere in NYC. Most are pretty amateur and don't sound all that super. But we have seen some great performances while waiting for the subway or walking through a park. Here are two of the best we have seen:

My favorite is probably the awesome mariachi band that came onto the subway one day not long after we moved here. {three men in costume with a guitar, upright bass, and harmonica, playing and singing "La Bamba"} Matthew and I had the biggest smiles on our faces - I couldn't believe it was actually happening! It was the best subway ride into Manhattan we have ever had!

Books

These are the last few books I have read. I enjoyed them all, and would recommend any of them. I spend my time reading at night when Joseph is studying. I love having some time to relax after Matthew is in bed.

I think I'm going to take a little break from reading for the next couple of weeks. There are a lot of other projects, responsibilities, and things to think about that could use some of my attention.

Check out my goodreads link on the sidebar to see what I have read (and how I rate it) during the last couple of years.