The Wall

Dear Em,

The wall at Narragansett, Rhode Island is a special place for us. Daddy & I walked it countless times when we were in college. Daddy proposed on the beach just beyond the wall. I walked it with my favorite ladies the morning of my wedding day & went to Dad's Place for breakfast (omg, I miss Dad's Place). After college, Daddy & I moved to Connecticut for a little while. It was while we were walking the wall (during one of our many weekends back in RI) that we decided Rhode Island was where we wanted to settle & call home.

On the beach beyond the wall, just after we were engaged.
2006

Sitting on the wall, watching the sun rise with my sister.
Wedding Day 2008

So, it was fitting when you were only four weeks old, & we had our first winter day that wasn't absolutely freezing, that we bundled up & took you for your first walk at the wall.

You mostly slept, but it was a special day for Daddy & I. We were introducing you to one of the places in Rhode Island that we love most. It was a gorgeous February day.

Since then, we've been on so many walks at the wall. Sometimes we end with a walk on the beach or ice cream at Nana's or clam cakes & stuffies at Monahans. Sometimes there is a band playing at the gazebo, & we enjoy a free concert.

With your best friend
3 months old

With Nonnie
On the beach with a view of the Towers.
6.5 months old

With Mommy
There's a lot of rock art.
7 months old

With little S, your "big sister"
7.5 months old

With Daddy. You could walk!
14 months old

With Daddy & Mommy
16 months old

With Daddy
It's hard to see the ocean from the stroller.
16 months old.

Eating clam cakes at Monahans Clam Shack.
19 months old

This weekend temperatures were in the mid 40s. This is amazing weather for February in Rhode Island. So, we packed you a lunch & headed to the park. We needed fresh air, all of us. As you were climbing up the slide, Daddy mentioned that it would be a good day for a walk at the wall. It was a great day for the wall. So, we gave you a picnic at the park & then drove to the special place we have driven so many times before.

This time I noticed something was different. You were different. You walked for the most part (except when we carried you or put you on our shoulders) instead of riding in the stroller. All of a sudden I realized what was truly different. For the very first time, your head cleared the wall. You could see the ocean over the wall. I couldn't believe it. You've grown so much. 

This time, you had fun talking about the birds & the rocks & the waves you saw. You could actually see them as we walked. You talked to the puppies we walked past, & enjoyed going at your own pace.

We've had two years of walking the wall with you. In the beginning you slept in the travel system, then in the baby bjorn. We've taken you in the stroller & the wagon & held you. This time you walked on your own (for the most part).

Each walk has put a smile in my heart. I hope we have many many more years of walking the wall.

I love you so,

Mommy