Our Sleeping Beauty!

Not sure what this little Sleeping Beauty does during the night, but man, she must be up to something! This is exactly what she looked like this morning when I went in to get her up!

Yes, my day started with a smile...

Show Off!

Yeah, she is a show off!

One Determined Little Soul

So, Gabbie has become fascinated with the stairs. She is pretty good a maneuvering them as well. Not good enough that I am comfortable removing our gate, plus I like the ability to keep her confined to the upstairs. However, she is more and more determined to get where she wants to go. She is also becoming more innovated in figuring things out. So, here is her latest discovery... the 3 inch gap between our gate and the floor.

Now, keep in mind that we try to do her hair. She has also become more determined to pull out whatever we put in. Thus, they lovely crazy hair!

Oh, Gabbie, I have a feeling that you are going to give us a run for our money over! But I am up to the challenge, I think!

New York City!

So I left my baby in Baltimore and hopped on a train into New York City. I was going for work... DDI Facilitator Training. However, I made sure I also built in some fun. I met up with my niece, Sammy, on Sunday. She lives in Queens and is working in Manhattan. We had lunch, hit Wicked on Broadway, walked around New York and had dinner. It was a wonderful day and I so enjoyed catching up with Sammy!

We walked by Bryant Park and saw the white tents for Fashion Week! We tried to get in some celebrity sightings, but no luck! I wonder why they wouldn't let me in? Do you think my $20 Target jeans had something to do with it?

Most of my week was spent in a conference room in my hotel. I had training from 8:30 to 5:30 everyday. In addition to that, I had to prepare a 30 minute presentation each night to give the next day. So, I didn't have a lot of time to sight see. I did have dinner with Sammy on Monday night, which was wonderful! On Tuesday, I went to dinner with some of the group I was training with. We weren't going to go until 8:30, so I got out and walked around by myself. I found Rockefeller Plaza and I am pretty sure I spotted the church that Carrie spies Big attending with his mom (Sex and the City for those who have no clue what I am talking about).

The last morning I was there, I couldn't really sleep. So, I figured I could lay in my bed wishing I would fall asleep, or I could get up and go see Ground Zero. I figured with as often as I am in NYC, I best get up and go! So, I did. I have to tell you it was a really sad experience for me. I sat there and looked at this vast open pit, a construction site. I was sad because of what happened there in 2001. I kept playing the images I saw on the tv and realized I was standing on the same ground that it actually occurred. But even more, I was sad to think that 8 1/2 years later, we haven't done anymore with that site than leave it a big construction zone... with nothing built to commemorate those who died, to show that as a nation we can overcome, nothing. That was the saddest part to me. I think it is very symbolic of where we are at as a nation. We have become so divided, so political, so unwilling to compromise, we can't even come together to decide on a memorial for such a national tragedy... It really made an impact on me.

Now, off my political soap box.

I loved New York! The City Girl that lives inside me was very happy! We are planning a Girls Weekend there for 2011 and I cannot wait! This time, no work, just play! WAHOO!!!!

Baltimore!

Gabbie and I flew to Baltimore back on February 12 to go visit my sister Janet and her family. Our plane flew out at 5:30 Elko time and which means we woke Gabbie up at 4:00. She slept the entire flight to Salt Lake City plus about 2 hours on the flight to Baltimore. She did a great job! She melted down as we were waiting to de-board the plane, and a gentleman about 3 rows back said,"It's okay kid, I feel the same way!!" I have to admit, so did I. De-boarding the plan is the part of flying I absolutely hate!

We were very excited to see Janet and her family!

Gabbie, Janet and Kent

The gang the night before we left.

We flew in on Friday and I took a train to New York City on Sunday for work. Gabbie stayed in Baltimore with my sister. Janet tells me she did great! I have no doubt. She loved playing with the kids and the dog. Well, it took a little bit to warm up to the young jumpy puppy, but she learned to love Tucson too!

Kent "reeing" to Gabbie. She will come up to you with a book and repeat, "Ree... ee...ree!"

Matching jammy girls!

The best part of waking up is snuggling with Anna!

One day while the kids where in school, Janet and I took Gabbie to the National Aquarium. Gabbie really liked all the fish there. Well, almost all... the first 3-4 tanks were okay, but once we got to the bigger fish, she wasn't so sure. One fish swam right up to her and she freaked out! She didn't like it at all! She was a little leery after that, but soon relaxed again.

She absolutely loved the jelly fish! She could have stood there all day and watched them! Between the jelly fish and playing with her belly button, she was in total heaven. I can't believe how big and grown up she is getting. I look at her in these pictures and she is no longer my baby, but a little girl.

One our last night in Baltimore, my sisters kids did a great show for me! (Gabbie was in bed)

So, for all of you who know these crazy kids, this is for you!

I loved it!

Thanks to Janet, Kent, Tate, Anna and Sarah for being so good to us! We throughly enjoyed our visit.

We miss you!