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: