It's fall in Maryland

I drive past this place every morning on my way home from working out. Today was too beautiful, so I pulled over and jumped out of the car to capture the moment (amidst squealing protests from Andrew).

Side note: I was reading Annie Reynold's blog the other day and she was jokingly complaining about all the people who profess to love fall, but don't actually live in a place that has fall (understood).

I hope Maryland counts as a place that has fall, so enjoy.

Our walk to Quarry Lake

Andrew is one week shy of his one year birthday.

While neither Mike nor I are ready for the milestone ( I start to cry if I think long enough about it), I think we are slowly realizing that his birthday will come whether we like it or not.

Andrew and I walked across the street this afternoon to Quarry Lake to get some rocks. I let him out of the stroller for a few minutes (although I had to put him back in once he started eating dirt).

Back in the stroller.

I took the below pics by flipping the stroller back while I was pushing it. It was the only way I could get him to look at me and smile long enough to take a picture. He is so precious.

Andrew, take our advice, and don't grow up please...

Weekend Trip #3: Alexandria, VA

This past weekend we headed to one of my favorite east coast towns, Alexandria. It's six miles south of DC. If you've been here, you know that Old Town Alexandria is gorgeous.

We did a George Washington walking tour.

The town itself was founded in 1749, but settlers lived there even before that (1695). Philip Alexander (who lived south of Duke Street) gave some of his land to start the town, and thus became Alexandria.

This is the Patrick Murray house (1775) and it is one of the least altered homes in the area.

This would have been the perfect picture, except Andrew was being so funny. In the first attempt, he is chewing his straw (which he wouldn't let go of). Then, below, we finally got the straw away, and he is giving his "I'm going to scrunch up my nose" face. Eventually we gave up and moved on.

The private residences of 215-207 Prince Street comprise what is considered "the finest 18th century facade in Alexandria." George Washington's physician lived here.

I thought, "oh how fun & artsy to take a pic in front of the 18th century row house!" However, as soon as we got Andrew out of his stroller, all he wanted to do was crawl! So this pic is the result.

At John Carlyle's house, there was a big yellow sign "Historic Reenactment of the Funeral of Colonel John Carlyle: Oct 24. Tickets required."

This "200 North Fairfax Street" sign wasn't listed on the walking tour, but I love the romance it invokes.

And lastly, pictures of us together. Thanks Alexandria. We'll be back soon!

Finally.

Tonight we finally put up Andrew's crib. This is quite an accomplishment for us, as the last six months have been utter chaos. Mike and I decided tonight that getting Andrew's crib up symbolizes that we may finally be getting settled into our new place.

Oh happy day.

Getting ready for Halloween

Alona, our bff who just flew in from Chicago, brought Andrew the most adorable Halloween costume. We're excited for Andrew's first real Halloween, since last Halloween we didn't do much celebrating--we took Andrew home from the hospital Halloween night around 7pm!



When Alona got here I was so excited to try it on Andrew (despite Alona's repeated warnings that Andrew was too tired). He screamed the whole time.

Here is Andrew saying, "Mom, get this off me!"

Here I am taking the giraffe costume off him. He is looking at Alona with pleading eyes. I hope he lets us put it on him when the real Halloween comes along.

Buddies

Abby's son Jackson is 18 months old. When Abby and I get together, Andrew and Jackson get to hang out together.


This past week they were both watching baby Einstein while we were cooking our Chicken Tikka Masala, and it was the most adorable thing.



Sitting on the couch was a first for Andrew. Abby taught him, which basically meant holding him down every time he tried to get up until he stayed put.

Thanks boys! And the Tikka Masala turned out great.

Lunch in Fell's Point

Fells Point is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Baltimore, full of tiny row homes along the harbor and little neighborhood diners that have been there forever. We took Alona to lunch and then gelato.

Baltimore cuisine is all about diners. We tried a new diner that we had read about: Jim's Diner. It was okay, but nothing like our favorite standard, the Blue Moon Cafe. I don't think we'll be going back to Jim's.
At least our fave gelato place Pitango delivered. Mike and I love the Chocolate Noir, but tried something new--raspberry. Oh, divine. Alona got the Chocolate Orange and loved it.



Alona was so great at getting Andrew to laugh in the car. If you know Andrew, you know he doesn't like to be in his car seat. He was lucky to have Alona in town!

National Aquarium

Alona, our good friend from Chicago, was in town. We got free tix from Mike's work and went to the National Aquarium.

This is the first time Andrew truly enjoyed the Aquarium. The last time we took him in Chicago, he was too young to actually appreciate the fish. He kept looking at the people standing next to him!


He kept staring at the big fish and pointing and babbling to them. It was adorable.

The top of the aquarium has a big tropical rain forest with birds, bugs and the like. It was so hot up there carrying this huge boy on my shoulders!



The striped fish were so friendly!

Here is Andrew and his fabulous "Na."

And lastly, a picture in parting.