Nothing like a last minute decision to embark on yet another adventure right in our backyard. Last week Dakota and I joined her Aunt Eva and cousin Emily to spend the morning at Kinder Farm Park.
After spending a few days in New York, we stopped off in Philadelphia for a few days as we worked our way back home (in truth Dakota generally can’t do more than a couple hours in the car without getting upset so it made the drive home easier).
Lookout world! This girl is ON. THE. MOVE. We are in serious baby-proofing mode as we realize all the drawers, sharp-edged tables, untethered vent registers, loose cords, and bowls of cat food that are at just the right height to entice our little one. Just as expected, the poor cats are chased relentlessly all day long but they are both being pretty good sports about it.
We couldn’t let the first year of Dakota’s life go by without her first trip to New York City! So we planned a short trip to introduce her to the bustle of the city plus several friends she hadn’t had the chance to meet yet.
Our little 8-month old is bursting with energy! Despite her best efforts she hasn’t quite mastered crawling yet, but she’ll roll clear across any room in just a few seconds when she’s after something. Nothing excites her more than her newfound mobility and independence.
Alex’s birthday gift to me this year was a little family weekend getaway in the Shenandoah Valley. Since February is so cold we waited until warmer months to plan our trip. We stayed in a quaint, secluded cabin just a quarter mile from the Shenandoah River. Although we weren’t completely off the grid, it was nice to be mostly unplugged enjoying each other’s company — just the three of us.
Seven months in and our giggly girl is bursting with more joy than ever. Dakota babbles all day long, pronouncing her consonants with ease. She’s sprouted her first two teeth and her new favorite foods are zucchini, acorn squash and apples. Oh, and we have a crazy cat lady in the making.
Over the past several months I’ve come to understand the insurmountable love and sacrifice required to raise a child, a humbling lesson I’m certain I will continue to appreciate as the years fly by.
Today marks one year of marriage for Alex and me — an incredible year that has turned our lives upside down and inside out in all the best ways. In honor of our anniversary, we wanted to share some photos from our small backyard wedding.
