Growing up and stealing hearts all along the way

We are finally getting big full faced smiles! As Ila entered her sixth week of life she began smiling at us, showing her 2 dimples, mimicking our facial expressions and even cooing. The first time she gave Mary a full faced smile Mary cried with happiness. The tears of joy really confused Ila and she ended up crying too. Hysterically. That didn't end so well. It's hard to catch these smiles on film and there is nothing like having her smile right at you but here is a view from a relaxing bath which she seemed to enjoy.



We have continued to have many visitors. Joe Cicero, one of our Costa Rica travel companions, came up from VA and delighted in holding Ila. We spent a day with him, Cory, Emily and his wonderful girlfriend, Renee. Ila took her first stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge with this entourage.



Later in the week Sean & Allison returned as part of the meal train bringing huge burritos and their new puppy, Chewy. Be warned: this picture is overflowing with cuteness.



On Monday we got a phone call from Bing & Stacey - two of our oldest friends - saying that they were coming to the city later in the week. It would be both of their first times in NYC and they were coming with a list of foods to eat! Mary & Ila made it their mission to tour them around and check off the best of every food on their list: pizza, bagels, cheesecake, cookies, gyros, egg creams, milkshakes, pomme frites. The gyro on 53rd and 6th ended up being the item that sent Bing into ecstasy and will keep him coming back to the Big Apple. They went all over Manhattan and spent nearly a day in Central Park. Stacey took some incredible pictures of Ila that will be added here soon. In the mean time we are all on a diet to make up for those 3 days of absolute gluttony.



Another meal train arrived in the name of Claire, Mary's friend and co-worker. She arrived in an adorable outfit and brought lasagna and open arms for cuddling with Ila.



Not only did Ila hang out with our friends this week, she also got to meet some family. Mary's cousins, Christy & Becky, arrived from MA ready to meet their newest family member before going out to party in the big city.





Now were busy getting ready for Thanksgiving and soaking up the gorgeous fall weather.

Team Sweets!

Ila ventured to Park Slope, the Upper East Side & Harlem on Sunday to serve as the youngest member of "Team Sweets" cheering for Sue "Sweets" Capetz in the NYC Marathon. She got to meet two of Mary's closest college friends, Jeanne & Sue, and their husbands Brian & Chris. She also enjoyed being adored by Sue's very large family and watching Mary and Jeanne devour Sue's grandma's ginger cookies that they have dreamt about since their Flagler days.





She helped Sue Carbo-load on Saturday and rooted her to victory on Sunday. Speaking of rooting, never put a hungry baby in a baby wearing device. It will try to peck your chest off. Lesson learned. On a positive note we learned to nurse while wearing the wrap and while standing, walking, and boarding the train. LeLeche League would be proud! Can you tell what's going on in this picture?



Team Sweets had another junior member named Sydney, Sue's beautiful daughter and Ila's new friend.



Walking to the subway after a long day and searching for a place to change our unhappy child, we discovered that empty banks serve as quiet, warm and secure changing areas. Yes, your baby's bum could be on display for all passers-by to see but it's our little way of sticking it to the man for taking over every street corner the city. Next destination: the HSBC in the East Village that took over Max Brenner's restaurant.



Not only did Ila meet friends from Florida, she also met our friends Ben & Sonya for a lunch date. The couple was up from Va Beach enjoying a day in the city. Ila slept through the whole meal but awoke to cry through the pictures.

One Month Old!

One month old and swingin' away!

What did Grandpa Dye wish for on his birthday? Nothing other than another visit with his stunning granddaughter! He & Grandma Dye came up for the weekend just to hold Ila in their arms. They said they came to see us too but we know who the star of this family is now!Together, we explored the Valley of Swings and all the toy shops in the neighborhood. After all, Grandpa Dye needs inspiration for all of the woodworking projects he has already promised to Ila. Not only did Jerry have a birthday over the weekend but Ila turned 1 month old! She is starting to coo, smile and discover the world around her. It is truly a joy to see her grow.



You saw from the last post that Ila was a starfish for Halloween. Her adorable outfit was knitted by our cousin, Chelsea Dill. We took Ila to the Cobble Hill Halloween parade of kids in costumes and walked the neighborhood with her looking at all the great get-ups. We couldn't have dreamed of a better neighborhood for kids! There must have been a thousand trick or treaters roaming these blocks and all in fabulous costumes. Among our favorites was the family of MTA subway cars; the tiny monkey on his papa monkey's shoulders with a fresh banana; and the bee keeper, flower & tiny bumble bee family. We have to start planning our theme for next year.

In other news this week: Mary & Ila attended their first "new mom and baby group" in the neighborhood. They are meeting nice friends and hearing many great stories of life with a baby and tales of unwanted and unsolicited advice from strangers. Ila keeps loving her baths and we love to take pictures of her bathing. Here is one for you to enjoy!



Mary ventured into Manhattan for the first time in over a month to give her annual lecture to fashion business students. Meanwhile, Chris got to stay home with his baby. It was Mary's first time away from Ila and her first time on the subway without a preggo belly. Luckily it was not rush hour and she easily got a seat. In the month that she has been out of the field little has changed. Students still binge on dry cereal, place their faith in acai berries and believe that carbs will kill them. There is plenty of work yet to be done once she reluctantly returns.

Ila met our friend and fellow Tarheel, Sonya, who was in NYC on business from Ithica. We ordered pizza, heard about Sonya's long day on a farm for a pasture to table lamb roast and how she cooked the offal (pretty much everything but the eyeballs, though she has been known to make them into a mean curry) while she got all of her breastfeeding questions answered. Sonya designs nutrition programs including those to support breastfeeding families. So, all questions were more than welcome as Mary & Ila hope their input will shape future initiatives.



This week also included a book club night at our place where Ila got to meet several of our good friends. Ben was more than delighted to hold her while his FIANCE (so excited to put that in writing!) Erin opted for gazing at the little one.



Robbie & Robbie (yes, they are both named Robbie and get this - both of their last names start with P! It's really too perfect) delighted in Ila's company and she seemed to love them too! Ila is proving to be a great addition to the book club. After all there is yet to be a book that we all attempt to read or finish anyway!



One discovery that has been made this week is that whenever Chris changes Ila's diaper she never returns with her pants. If she was wearing a onsie or footie suit all buttons below the belly are left undone. It's become pretty comical but she might be getting too cold. It seems that Jamie had the solution even before we knew there would be an issue. Baby legs! These really are the greatest invention. It's a full leg warmer that fits nice and snug from the end of the diaper to the ankle. Perhaps they were invented by a dad like Chris who could not deal with pants and snaps? More likely it was by a mom who shakes her head in frustration every time she has to go and cover her babies bottom half! Either way we are loving the Baby Legs! Her she is modeling a pair: