She’s been saying both a lot lately… makes my heart melt!
Month: December 2023
Eloise’s First Steps
She did it! We walked out to the hallway to get ready to leave, and Eloise just began trying to stand up on her own. So, we sat down and started recording. She was so incredibly persistent, standing up and squatting down over and over again. Until…
Christmas 2023
It was a magical Christmas season and a beautiful Christmas Day! We opened gifts, had cinnamon rolls for breakfast, and went to Soho House for Christmas dinner.
Not a creature was stirring…
One of my favorite moments of the holiday season… Santa has come, but everyone is sound asleep.
Christmas Eve
We had a magical Christmas Eve, complete with the traditions we enjoyed before the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020. We attended church at Trinity and then went to dinner at Balthazar. When we came home, we changed into Christmas pajamas and put out cookies for Santa. Gigi got to open her first Christmas gift, a Nutcracker ornament I picked up for her at Lincoln Center earlier in the week.
The walk to Trinity
My dad got some pics of us on the way to church…
Advent Calendar 2023
Once again, Gigi’s advent calendar has really enriched our holiday season: we have sung carols, read The Polar Express and The Night Before Christmas, decorated, put together Christmas puzzles, made (and eaten) treats, wrapped gifts, drank The Best Hot Chocolate in the World and more.
This year, I put her calendar on a string of garland hung in Gigi’s window. Gigi loved crawling up each day to find the exciting activity she’d be doing. So very sweet.
Goodbye, Lucy!
Gigi has so enjoyed Lucy’s company since she returned to our home in late November. Every morning Lucy returns, Gigi races to find her, and sometimes will spend a few moments speaking to her in a hushed tone. Sometimes sharing her Christmas wishes, but mostly chatting to Lucy about how much she loves her and is glad she’s her elf. What a joyful addition to our home at Christmastime. Gigi has been dreading saying goodbye, so sweet Lucy made sure to go out with a bang. Her last night with us, she left Gigi a sweet message. We will miss you, Lucy, and we are already looking forward to seeing you next year!
Visions of Sugarplums
Christmas Cookies
Subtitle: The year I doubled the butter and no other ingredients
Yep, it was a pasty, gooey mess. Not the right texture, not the right butter. So I pulled out the butter package and revisited the simple math I’d done, only to realize I’d doubled the butter. Fortunately, we had enough of everything else to double the remaining ingredients, and it was smooth sailing from there. Gigi measured all of the ingredients, mixed everything, rolled the dough, and then cut the shapes from the dough. She’s such a good baker. I imagine she’ll be leading the charge in the next year or two!
Cookies for Santa!
Gigi’s really taking charge this year! So proud of my girl and grateful for our happy traditions!
I accidentally doubled the butter, so we now have TWO batches of cookies! Santa is going to be stuffed!
Dunkin’ Donuts
Gigi’s dream came true: a Dunkin’ Donuts opened on the block next to ours. She can now have donuts anytime she wants… she is thrilled.
Annual Nutcracker Date – 2024!
Gigi and I had a magical time celebrating our annual holiday tradition! We had a special dinner at The Smith, and then walked across the street to Lincoln Center to see The Nutcracker. Gigi took her annual picture with the snowflakes, and then we enjoyed our favorite treats — M&Ms and champagne — before going into the theater. This year was extra special because our friends, Shannon and Jason, and their sweet girls, Lily and Josie, were at the same show. It was so nice to see them there.
Rockefeller Center
My mom and I decided to squeeze in a trip to FAO Schwarz before she headed back home, so we hopped on the subway and went uptown to Rockefeller Center. When we got there, we realized the rain had driven the crowds away, and we were able to snap this picture of the Christmas tree!
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
After Gigi’s long weekend of performing, we came home and cozied up to watch the original cartoon version of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” It was a fun end to a great weekend!
Gigi Makes Three 