My dearest Joey,

Wow! What a cool kid you are!! You just visited us here in Playa for 10 days. What a whirlwind - a GOOD whirlwind! I honestly don't know where May went. It sped by sooo fast!!

You are happy, so happy! You are smart, so smart! You are funny, sooo funny! You are so darn cute to boot! But everyone says that of you.

You love the beach! The first day we went, you sat at the water's edge with me and every time a wave would lap us, you would laugh. It was so much fun! And then there was the swimming pool. The first day you learned to jump in the water and loved it so much that you exhausted me. I am such a nervous nelly with you so I couldn't just sit and relax while watching you. You really are like your mom - you took to water like a duck does. At Akumal, you learned to float on your back all by yourself! I believe a video was taken of that.

One day, your mom went on a tour with Auntie Carrie and I was your babysitter - how lucky I was. We had such a super day! One of my favorite times with you was when everyone went out one night and we got ready for bed and watched, men, men, men, oooh, oooh! You were so cuddly and cute. You are so easy to put to bed. I know that is because your mom and dad have set up a great routine for you. I am most impressed as that was one of the hardest things for me as a mother - putting you and Uncle Bobby to bed! Thanks to Grandpa, I soon learned how to do it easier! Your mom is one smart cookie!!!

I am also so impressed with your power of concentration for a 20 month old! One day we decided to watch the finale of Survivor and your mom gave you her iphone and you sat in one place for close to an hour playing this game. Being a teacher, let me tell you, that is amazing for your age!!!

We all had a talk and it was decided that we would come there for Christmas!!!! I am so excited. This time, however, I am going to sit back and watch a lot more instead of doing! I know it will be okay with your mom because she has dad to help!!! I think your mom will be shocked at Gamgam sitting so much! Haha! Can't wait!

We love you very much Joey! Will write again soon.

Oh boy Joey, am I tired. Your Dad and I are taking care of your "Uncle" Kramer because Grandma and Grandpa are in Belize and yesterday before he got here, he stole some chocolate from the man who was renting out Grandma and Grandpa's extra room. Since chocolate is very bad for dogs, Kramer had to go to the bathroom a million times during the night. Then he woke us up at 7 o'clock in the morning after having no sleep all night due to his accidents. Daddy said to me that it's just practice for when you're born, but something tells me cleaning up baby poop in a diaper may be slightly more tolerable than runny Kramer poop all over the floor. Needless to say, I'm exhausted and you and I might be napping a little later.

Only five more days until we leave for New Orleans! Less than 3 years ago, there was a terrible hurricane there that cost many lives and destroyed many homes. The American government hasn't done much to help the people displaced by the hurricane, or clean up the city so we are expecting to see some pretty sad sights. But judging from research we've done on things to do in New Orleans, it looks like it will be an uplifting experience, as the spirit of the city seems to only have gotten stronger. We will definitely post some pictures here of what New Orleans is like.

Speaking of pictures, here are some pictures of where we live right now. The day we moved in, Uncle Bobby walked into the apartment and said, "it's weird to think, this is the first home your baby will know." I think we've done a pretty good job of picking out your first home:

















There's your doggy, Rocky.



And there's Uncle Bobby!



This pool is about ten steps out our front door. We swim about 3 or 4 times a day now, because it is so hot. I think you like it when I'm in the water. You either kick ferociously, or you're totally calm.

Next time I will post pictures of the beach nearby, where Daddy and I prefer to swim over the pool. Now it's time to get back to work, Joey, so we can buy you all kindsa cool toys and clothes.

Love, Mommy

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Now playing: Bonnie Prince Billy - Am I Demon

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