Look out world, I'm one.

Thanks Katie for taking Andrew's one-year-old glamor shots.
Great work!

More birthday pictures

We first let Andrew play with the "pretty cake" for a few minutes (vs. the separate cake that was more baby-friendly). We took this one away once he started poking holes through the chocolate fondant.

The bottom tier of the cake lists some of Andrew's many nicknames ("the buddy"--thanks to Mike, "baby feather"--thanks to the Szmurlos, "baby anooo"--thanks to Emmie, etc).

Here Andrew is listening to the Utah Feathies sing him happy birthday. I love this photo because it encapsulates how most of Andrew's calls go: we put the caller on speaker, and he tries his hardest to grab the phone (so he can either put it in his mouth, or press all the buttons).

Andrew loves books now. He can sit and look at them for hours. One of his favorites is "My First Numbers." He stares at the "20 teddy bears" page. Go figure.

Happy Birf-day

More pictures to come.

Halloween Friday at Meadowood Regional Park

Andrew and I go to to the park every morning at 9:15am to work out with the Stroller Strides group. This Friday we dressed the kids up in their Halloween costumes.

Here are Andrew and Addison.

Andrew loves Maggie, Jill's dog.

There were two ducks, a punk rocker, a giraffe, and a newborn in our group. So precious.

Weber Farm

After working out last Thursday, the workout girls (Stroller Strides) headed to Weber Farm for playgroup. I usually don't go to playgroup since it conflicts with Andrew's nap, but I really wanted to see Weber Farm.

They had a vintage tractor that Andrew adored. He didn't even want to look at the camera because he was too busy turning the big wheel.

Weber Farm had big slides! I took Andrew for his first big slide on a burlap sack. We are on the far left track. At the end we slid around and Andrew went crawling off with an excited expression. (Keep in mind for the video that I am still in my workout gear, since we went right after our workout--embarrassing!)

After the slides, we went on Andrew's first hay ride. Andrew loved watching the tractor pull us.

At the end of the trip, we picked up fresh Apple Cider and Apple Butter for Mike, and a hubbard squash for baking. Andrew wanted to hold the squash, but of course it inevitably ended up dropping on the floor. We're lucky it made it home in one piece.

A picture in parting.

Happy Birthday to Andrew

Happy one year birthday to our little Andrew.

For those that care, we will be posting video of Andrew throughout the day to catalog the life of a one year old.

Click here: http://www.youtube.com/user/efeathr

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.