discovering this city.

Lu and I are trying to get outside as much as we can while the weather is still above freezing (not for much longer!) here in Toronto.  We haven't explored the subway system yet, but have an abundance of fun sights right near our "home"!

We are all quickly adjusting to this new life and home.  Can I say again that it was a good idea to splurge for the apartment with a pool? and a playroom? Ya.  This winter is going to be cake compared to our last winter in NYC.  Watch, I just wrote that and tomorrow Lu will hate the pool for some reason;)  The one thing I have to say that I miss compared to our old neighborhood is the lack of green and playground space.  I mean, I get it - we're living in the equivalent of Times Square, but that playground you see in those pictures up there?  I had to search and search to find it and it's a 30 minute walk away :(  Good thing it's going to snow in, like, 5 minutes!

Oh, Canada!

It is so so so fun to pack all your stuff into boxes to put into storage, while remembering to keep your winter stuff out, while trying to think about what you can travel with for three months, while remembering that you need to continue to live and eat and work for the next month.  Add to that a two year old and a husband who is in the thick of rehearsals and has 1 day off a week that just so happens to fall on football Sunday (obviously no working on THAT sacred day).  Oh, did I say fun? I meant

ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY WRETCHED.

So, that's where I've been the past month.  

My family came out last week to help me move everything (except 5 suitcases, the stroller and the carseat) into storage.  I don't know what we would have done without them.  They continue to be such a selfless presence in our lives (as have all our family) and I often wonder how Andrew and I got so lucky.  I'm betting it has something to do with the 23 pound wonder that is currently napping.  She has managed to take all of the moving in stride and is so excited to visit "Canada's house".  Ha :)

All of our hard work paid off, however, and we are in the nicest apartment, in the busiest neighborhood with some of the kindest folks.  I'm so happy to be spending the Holidays with my loves - hopefully some more loves will come visit! - and so grateful that we can afford (financially, emotionally, physically) to all be together.  Let the Canadian adventure begin!!

I haven't uploaded many pictures yet - we've only been here one and a half days - but here are a few pics so far!

last meal with some astoria friends and family 

such a cheesy lady

thank God for moms :)

all packed up! 

myles and dad goofing off after all the hard work was done

selfie at the airport :) 

ALADDIN! 

our building gets some pretty great light 

totally off topic, but i just picked up this candle for sale at Bed, Bath and Beyond (8.99, i think?).  i'm used to seeing really expensive candles, so when i happened upon this yummy thing on the clearance shelf, well, fugghettaboutid :)

You are two today.

One of my dad's (many) pet peeves is the inappropriate overuse of the word AWESOME.

I have to be honest and say that when you really think about the definition, then think about how many times today you've used the word to describe a sandwich - well - I have to sort of agree with him;)

However, tonight I'm going to go ahead and say that being Lua's mama is AWESOME.  It's hard not to be filled with awe when thinking about the past two years and the enormous, terrifying and beautiful responsibility that Andrew and I have been given.  

What an honor it is to be in your world, my sweet little Lu.  

You are hilarious, kind, smart and strong.  You love to dance and sing and RUN!  You are so interested in cars and motorcycles and dinosaurs and blocks and BUZZ LIGHTYEAR right now that I can't believe I ever wished for a boy.  You'd rather eat fruit than French fries.  You love your dada so so so much and he is so in love with you:) You two are loud and funny and I am so lucky to laugh every day at your antics!

Most of all, Lua D, you make being a mama so easy.  I love spending my days with you.  You are awesome.  Awesome!  You are so loved:)