I Heart NY

Two weekends ago for my cousin's 50th birthday, we went to north NJ for a nice soiree and we got all gussied up, but the whole point of the weekend was to go away for the first time with PoppaWheel without BabyWheel. She stayed with my sis in law, and she had a BALL!  I did not blink twice as we hopped on the road after the party to a BnB in Brooklyn, Akwaaba. It was BEYOND. Do you hear me? BEYOND! OVER! LOVED IT!

From reservations to the check in (in which a hand written note with our names was left on the door) with instructions on what to do, every detail was just perfect.

We stayed in the Jumping the Broom Suite, and when we got there at around 11:30pm, there was a HOT bath drawn for us with soft jazz and candlelight.  We literally just stared at each other thinking we were in a dream together.  

I would go back there 100 times!

The next day, we walked about Park Slop, Brooklyn and went in and out of the shops all afternoon.  We had plans to stop at a quintessential Jersey diner, but we decided to eat at the Chip Shop, an English takeout place. We had fish and chips on a newspaper and fried reese's peanut butter cups. That was just too much!

Fastforward to V-Day last weekend, we went to a couples dinner for our church.  What a great time!  We reaffirmed our love for each other in a public setting by saying our vows as if it were 8 years ago. I can't believe I have been married to my best friend for almost 8 years!  We got to share some poetry that we wrote and if I had a copy of it, I would post it here, but it was str8 off the dome and plus I lost the paper I jotted some notes down on. :)

I love you, PoppaWheel. My life is sweeter because of you. You make me a better woman, friend and I love spending my life with you.

Happy Birdday!

Or at least, that's how you say it Baby Wheel. I love it when I mentioned your birthday was coming up, the first thing out of your mouth was "Daddy, I want cake" and then proceeded to blow out an imaginary candle. Man, how you've grown! You have changed my life in ways that only two other people have -- Jesus and Mommy. It's amazing to watch your change from a tiny infant to a full-fledged, energetic, smart, talkative, inquisitive, strong-willed, independent and loving toddler. You have no idea how severely your mother and I love you and what you mean to us.

Happy Birthday, my little chicky-monkey.

--PoppaWheel

2 Years With the Girl

How can I put 2 years of joy into words with BabyWheel?

First, I'd like to say, Happy Birthday Big Girl. Everyday with you is an adventure. I listen to your sense of humor, watch your pretty smile, smell your hair, play with your curls, look into your big brown eyes and I am in love all over again. We dance in circles and sing the Backyardigans song....You know what? We ACTUALLY do have the whole wide world in our yard to explore. Let's do it together ok?

I became your mom 2 years ago today. You alerted us that you were coming on the morning of Superbowl Sunday, 2007. It was 1:42am on February 5 when you came into this world, all bright eyed and bushy tailed.

You're still bright eyed, still bushy tailed and still my little one. You are getting so tall now, jumping in my lap, demanding to read a book. Now, you even read to me. Silly Sally still is your favorite book. You even sing songs that make sense. You only have to hear it once, and you sing it to the top of your lungs. Your most recent kick is "Staying Alive". I can't believe a 2 y/o knows the lyrics to a BeeGees song...and you sing it with passion, cocking your head back and swaying to the beat.

Oh, little girl...do you know the prayers I say to God for you? Now, you're even beginning to pray for yourself. You clasp your hands together, bow your head and yell AMMMMMMMMMMMMEEEN when you're done. I hope that you realize how much God loves you. You will learn that soon enough. I hope we can pass that along to you.

The world is changing. Things are good, but things can also be bad. May you always see the good in people, in situations, in Mommy and Daddy...everything. We have our first African American President. Of course, you know his name...Abak OOOOOOObama is how you say it. May there be hope in your future to be anything you want to be.

May your character be full of gratitude, graciousness and peace.

My love for you is overflowing like the tears that fall down my face as I think of you. I think right now Daddy is your superhero. You call his name in the middle of the night. Mommy is the one who comes with the juice, but Daddy is the one who saves the day!

You make the silliest faces and make us laugh all the time. You HATE sitting on the step when we ask you to sit there because you've done something you weren't supposed to. Really, you're sitting there less and less. Hmm, someone is getting a little more mature huh? You get so many stickers for going to the potty. Good job! I am going to be patient and wait until you're ready. I won't force the issue....pinky swear. K? But, we're in a recession and pullups are expensive, and you're a practical toddler right? :)

Thanks for going on vacations with us and sleeping in other beds in hotels. You even have started sleeping all the way through the night. You must be comfortable. You know your Mom Mom and Pop Pop and even know your cousins. That's pretty cool huh? You talk on the phone and ask for MeMe and want to blow out candles everywhere. You get shy around people, but it takes just a little while for you to warm up.

I look forward to every day that God allows us to be together. Let's keep having fun and learning and growing together. Happy Birthday.

I love you madly, deeply, with my whole heart. I am honored to show you the world.

Love,

Momma