What a treat! A visit!

What a treat! Meredith and Frank came to visit me today while I worked.

I am at the Fairmont Hotel in DC hosting a 4-day event which requires me to stay overnight through the weekend. The hotel is delightful as always and the quiet nights are a blessing. Just knowing that no one will wake me through the night helps me sleep better, though this isn't catch-up sleep; I need the additional rest just to keep up with work!

Frank has been so busy this week caring for Meredith in my absence. He is an amazing father, always willing to pitch in and do much more than his share. This isn't my first business trip since we became parents, but each one is a little more challenging as Meredith becomes more active. Frank's Mr. Mom week started on Wednesday when I frantically called, begging him to pick up Meredith in the afternoon. Preparations for my event were running behind, so Frank gladly picked up my slack. When I left early Thursday morning, Frank was on his own through Sunday. It's so reassuring to feel confident leaving our daughter, without the need to give instructions to her father. He knows her routines, and they have a system to get through most trials together. I just hope I can squeeze back into their lives when I get home tomorrow!

When Frank and Meredith came downtown to visit me, I learned that those fears will be unrealized. As Frank rounded a corner and pulled Meredith's stroller close to me, a huge grin spread across her face! She couldn't get out of the stroller fast enough to hug me. Oh! What a gift!!! She's .... oh, there are no words. She just is. My Meredith Marguerite. So precious. So perfect. And wholly mine. I do love her so.

She explored the hotel halls in great length, so happy to swing her arms wide and show off her walking skills. She was full of herself and her love for Dada and MuhMuh (yea! she's finally saying it!). We headed into Georgetown for Meredith's first Mexican dinner: cheese quesadilla with guacamole, a few chips, and - of course - Cheerios!

Behind already?

Everyone who knows me knows that I have a terrible habit of procrastinating. No matter what the situation, I'll find a way to procrastinate... Time for bed? Oh, I'll go in a minute. Need to workout? Just one more thing before I go. Want to start a blog? I'll work on it tomorrow. And so, here we are, nearly 2 weeks since I started this thing and I already feel behind. In the meantime, little Miss Meredith Marguerite doesn't hesitate one bit with the growing up. She's tall. We all know that. Now she's able to stand in front of most things taller than her - the sofa, her bathtub, a dining room chair - and swing her little leg up. There she stands, one-legged, begging to "All done." That means she's all done with being on the floor and would rather be helped onto the surface she's leaning on. Unfortunately, when there's something underfoot, she has the extra inches to climb to higher ground. Last week, we found her sitting, rather precariously, in the window seat. Whew! Glad we caught her before she fell. Now we feel the need to put away everything that might ease her quest to climb. Like the window seat. Where, oh where, should I put my window for the next two years?
I pose this question: How does one make a house child-proof without the creativity of a child to imagine all the trouble to be found??




Case in point: Climbing on a bench at Clemyjontri Park.


Post-climb. Meredith offered to help Mommy bake cookies, long after both of us should have been in bed asleep!

Jumping right in!

In the spirit of summer, pools, and swimming, I am prepared to jump right into this blogging thing. SPLASH!

It's about time, really. I've been looking for a fun way to catalog Meredith's milestones and our family events. Not to mention, my family gets exhausted of my daily calls, "Guess what Meredith did today..."

So, here ya go. "Francesca's" latest tricks will be right here. And hopefully a bit shorter than a phone call. But remember, this doesn't provide much in the way of keeping up with how YOU are doing, which is of utmost importance, so don't forget to call!

Love,

Leslie