Reneging

Remember that earlier post about how much I want some carpet in our next house?

I take it back.

(p.s. Thankfully the coffee in the mug was about 2 hours old.  I have since learned to place my coffee mug much further back on the dresser.)

Next Stop: NYC!

From DC, Fiona and I hopped a train to meet up with Jon who was in New York for work.  We'd passed up the chance to go with him a couple months before, and I'd been kicking myself ever since.  I didn't plan our trip out as well as I should have, but I guess that just means we'll have to go back.  

Jon was working all day (and some nights) so Fiona and I started each day wandering around to find a place to eat breakfast, strolling back to the hotel to take a nap, finding something else to do quickly before we needed lunch (which was usually pizza), going back to the hotel for another nap, and finding something to do before dinner.  I realize our trip revolved mostly around food and sleeping, and we could do that anywhere, but we got a few fun things in.  Plus, it taught me great lessons for next time.  And I would have skipped a nap, but she (and to be totally honest, newly preggo me) really needed both.  

I also was terrible about taking pictures...especially good ones.

I did remember to bring it the morning we went to the Central Park Zoo.

Go figure, Fiona's favorite animals to see were the birds and turtles.

 

Personally, I thought the snow leopard and polar bear were much cooler.

 

On our walk back from the zoo we stopped by a street vendor to grab a hot do for lunch.  (Actually, two hot dogs.  I learned on this trip that sharing my meals with Fiona means I don't eat.)  We stopped at the fountain in front of the Plaza to eat and watch (and chase) the pigeons.  Little did I know I could have saved a few bucks, skipped the zoo and Fiona would have been just as happy seeing so many "buuuus!"

I grabbed a couple slices of pizza at a place near the hotel one afternoon for lunch and had quite a time of finding a nearby spot to park and eat that didn't involve cars driving by less than three feet away.  Luckily, I remembered seeing Bryant Park on a map and before long we were happily fed.  We were supposed to meet Jon later that afternoon in Central Park, but it didn't work out....which made me very happy we got to spend some quality time playing with fountains, people-watching and in general, lazing about.  

That night we went out the the Meatpacking District and had a lovely time at the High Line (thanks for the rec Marn!).  I could have spent forever there.  Such a beautiful park!  I guess I should probably to dig those pictures off the other camera...

What does it say of your child's understanding of the word "no" if you hear "no no no no no" from the other room and see your child emerge with your wallet, a Sharpie, the handle for the filing cabinet, a box of Kleenex, the box fan (ok fine, she didn't really emerge with this, but does tell on herself when she touches it.)

I kind of think she's missing the point.

I guess for now I'll just be thankful knives and scissors aren't on that list.

A Willful Child

Fiona's gotten a little over-confident in her walking abilities.  She falls over a lot when there are books around to step on accidentally.

Or not so accidentally.

p.s.  Mom, she started calling herself "Deedee" in the mirror and pictures and LOVES seeing herself on my coffee mug. 

Berries

She really, really loves them.

A change of heart?

As a general rule, I hate carpet. And while aesthetically I'm still very glad we don't have any in our current house, after seeing this sad sight when we got home from the pool one afternoon I'm starting to re-think the subject for our next house...
 

 






Or at least a bigger rug.

First Stop: DC!

Fiona and I got to visit Marnie, Dennis and Raya in DC for a few days last month, and aside from the new tooth Fiona got, it was a WONDERFUL trip.

As ever, Marnie and Dennis were such great hosts. We had incredible food (in spite of the raw shrimp), delicious drinks (in limited quanties, of course...at least for me...) and an overall a lovely time.

It was unseasonably hot while we were there, but still managed to walk around Georgetown a bit, get ice cream at Thomas Sweet, take the girls for a swim (and blow bubbles on the side of the pool) and, when it finally cooled off the last night, have nice evening in the garden with Dennis' delicious braised chicken. Mmmm... It brought back lots of memories.



Fiona would have probably been happy just following Al around all day.



And I couldn't resist this picture of the adorable little suit they got for Fi.



Thanks so much for a great trip, guys!