This summer has been one of our favorites. I was nervous coming into a summer that I knew I’d be extremely pregnant in, but I have to say that it’s been amazing. Delaney is at one of the most fun ages ever and I feel so lucky to get to spend so much of my time with her when I’m not working. Our little family of three is so incredibly easy to travel with, so we’ve soaked up impulsive weekend trips and seemingly inefficient day-long outings as much as possible before we become 4.

Once May rolled around, Delaney and I were done with any mid-week music classes or obligations, which I was really nervous about. I’m so glad we had an open schedule because we spent our Wednesdays and Fridays doing way less, spending quality time with friends on a last-minute notice, and relaxed outings to the coffee shops, playgrounds, bike rides, beaches, museums, errand runs, and picnics. Delaney has taught me this summer that even the most “nothing” days can be our most fun.

Highlights of the summer:

• Getting potty trained and doing it really freaking fast!
• Mandy’s Wedding, Delaney’s first flower girl attempt. She was so brave walking down the aisle, knew exactly what to do, but couldn’t find me on the walk down and got a little shy. Despite the change, she did it and we were so proud! She loved every second of the rest of the wedding.
• Day trip to Nahant, our first one-on-one beach day and first outing post-potty training and it went awesome.
• Museum day in Salem where we made airplanes, saw a “spinning dress” exhibit, and had lunch and bubbles in the park.
• Week in Cape Cod with the Burke family. It was a rocky start with bad naps, tummy problems, and crummy weather, but was so fun to spend time with Delaney’s funcles, Emme and G, play in the pool, go to yummy dinners, see the seals and the beaches, and of course, master her brand new scooter!
• Two weekend trips to Ogunquit, ME. We booked both trips on the ride up, getting the most perfect weather and hours of fun on the beach, walks on the Marginal Way, jumping in the tide pools, and lotsa ice cream from our favorite place Sweet Peas.
• Bike rides to playgrounds at Spaulding, North Point Park, and the Esplanade playground — which I could hardly make it to on a very pregnant-feeling day.
• Visit from Mimi and Big Daddy going to our first Red Sox game of 2017 and Delaney’s first dinner cruise in her “fancy dress”.
• Afternoon naps and family movie nights — which I probably never would have let myself or us do prior to this pregnancy and also probably my two most cherished things. Taking a nap when Delaney did instead of cleaning the house, working, checking emails, working out etc. was one of the most liberating things I’ve ever done — and it was so simple. I can wholeheartedly thank this baby for all of it.
• The pool! Delaney LOVES to swim this summer and we can’t get enough of it. She started some semi-private swim lessons with her friends in the Navy Yard and does an awesome job getting the hang of how her body moves in the water…and not swallowing it all the time anymore:)
• Navy Yard nighttime concerts every week
• Our very first 4th of July from our roof deck with friends — had a great view of the fireworks!
• And of course, talking lots and lots about this new baby and how exciting it will be to add to our family. I’m of course scared — but I’m scared of everything. Delaney is confident in her abilities as a big sister, so we’re feeling pretty good about that:)