New Shoes!

We found a deal on some shoes for Phoebe. She isn't showing any interest in walking yet, but since we're heading to Maine Saturday, we figured she needed some foot warmth--and a way to keep her socks on (view video below from a couple weeks ago for understanding).

Breakfast at the table with mom and dad. Mom made french toast and Phoebe had peaches.

Relaxing on the couch with dad.

Cooler Weather

Last Friday was a bit on the chilly side. We had a high in the lower to mid 60s and it was drizzling. Phoebe and I were getting a bit antsy, so I bundled her up in her new fleece and we went for a run. I've gotten to a point now where I miss here chirping, giggling, and yelling out when I run by myself on the weekends.

Alisa let her crawl into bed with me again on Saturday. Clearly she likes to lounge. We're being careful as we don't want her to think she's welcome in mom and dad's bed; but at this point, it probably doesn't matter since our bed is the couch in the bedroom/office/dining room/livingroom.

She's got two distinct teeth now and she was grinding them all day yesterday. It was driving me nuts--like fingernails on the chalkboard. Today, she seems to have forgotten how to do that.

It's back up to 85 here today and gorgeous. Phoebe and I just finished up a run and she's sacked out.

I have a confession to make . . .

So we had sort of an agreement that we would avoid pink clothing as much as we could. Well, two things happened: 1) I realized that you can only buy blue clothes with trucks and hammers or you can buy pink clothes with flowers and kitties; and 2) I find my daughter absolutely adorable in pink flowery outfits. Seriously. Alisa clearly seeks out outfits that are green, blue, or something else. When I'm home all day with her, well, you can see in these videos what I gravitate toward.

There, I can now admit that pink is my favorite color (on Phoebe)!

Labor Day Weekend

We haven't been up to much. We spent much of the weekend relaxing with mom off Monday. Sunday, we spent the day in Greenbelt, MD with some of Alisa's friends from Bread for the City when she lived here 11 years ago.

Phoebe's top tooth popped through today. She and I either have some terrible alergies going on, or we've got mild colds. Red, itchy eyes, scratchy nose, etc.

Yesterday, I hit a mega-thrift sale: 50% off all merchandise. I couldn't believe the chaos involved. We stood in a line prior to the store opening and clearly there were some pros there. Checking out felt a bit like trying to buy a freshly butchered chicken from a 3rd world street vendor. Quite the scene . . . I was able to outfit Phoebe for the fall and winter for less than $30 so it was worth it (and entertaining to say the least).

Alisa works this weekend and in less than 3 weeks we're planning to drive up to Maine. We're excited to meet our nephew Samual, see how Dale and Rina's new house has progressed, and see Ben and Leslie's farm. We hope to get out for a couple of hikes in the hills near Wilton and especially a trip up to the Bigalow Range on the Appalacian Trail. Hopefully that will make for a more entertaining post.

A Fun Weekend with Dad AND Mom!

We had another fun weekend with mom around and no work! On Saturday we went for a walk in Potomac Overlook park, but the overlook is gone. So it was just a nice hike in the woods of Arlington above the river. Overall, I'm impressed with the park systems both Arlington and the District have maintained.

On Sunday morning, I struggled to get out of bed so after Phoebe had breakfast, Alisa set her on the futon to join me. She must have thought Macy's was shooting a linen ad when we got the camera out.

Her bottom left tooth popped through Wednesday. She was attempting to chew my knuckle after she finished her bottle and I felt the little barb poking through.

After her bath, she gets pretty silly while "drying out" before we put on her bedtime diaper. You can almost hear the laughter that goes along with this shot, can't you?!

Her new favorite toy: $1.99 at the toy store around the corner from our apartment. It doesn't even squeek!

Long Branch Nature Center

Phoebe and I had the car today and I needed to take a rest after a long run Saturday and a long bike ride Sunday. So we drove to Long Branch Nature Center in S. Arlington. There wasn't much there, but a pretty little creek with a sign every 10 feet warning something like not to drink the water, touch it, look at it, or even think about drinking it. If you do any of these, god forbid, make sure you wash up and probably consider antibiotics.

I keep forgetting that the Potomac did get set on fire at some point in the 1970s (or something like that). I'm used to huge, 500 acre nature reserves near (or in!) the Twin Cities where you could probably safely drink water 2 feet from a beaver dam. Nevertheless, we had a great afternoon there and the light produced some gorgeous pictures of our little Phoebe Bird.

If you haven't noticed, this is my favorite summer dress. I get her in it whenever it's clean.

Those aren't teeth; they're her poor little gums resisting letting those little biters through. I feel pain just looking at them. Babies are tougher than Rambo stitching up his own arm.

A typical look

Teething

My apologies . . . I haven't been good about grabbing the camera when we're out and about, but to be honest, not much is going on. Alisa worked last weekend at the inpatient center and we were able to stop by and have lunch with her both days.

So today, Phoebe and I wrapped up our 11th day with mom at work. We miss her (I guess I get to see her every night, but Phoebe hasn't been as lucky this week). We're looking forward to a family weekend.

Phoebe's got a couple of blisters on her gums that look to me like teeth screaming to cut through. She's taking it like a champ, but as you can see with her bib, she's chewing on anything and everything these days. My nose even became a teething tool today at one point during play time.

It's been hot! The A/C has not been shut down in over a week now. Alisa and I are pretty tough and it takes some pretty hot muggy weather to keep it on this long. Well, it's here and Phoebe is a bit stickier as a result. Alisa said last night: I don't think of carrots as a "sticky" food, but Phoebe has found a way to get it to stick to her face and in her hair as you can see.

Happy Anniversary!

Phoebe and I took the bus today to Harris Teeter to pick up some flowers and wine for our 3rd anniversary. Phoebe wasn't even a thought 3 years ago today, but our life together wouldn't be complete without her now. It was a hot one again today, but since it was a notch down from 100 and humid, I shut down the air cond. and got us some fresh air and some nice muggy humidity to go with it.

Phoebe's New Friend

Phoebe and I have been having a pretty darn good time around here. We have a nice routine each day: after her morning nap, she has a bottle; we play with her new friend in the mirror (see below); go for a run (I run; she lounges in the stroller and screeches at strangers . . . well at anything pretty much); come home and eat peaches, beans, and cereal; take afternoon nap; have a bottle; go to the park to swing and watch the big kids play; come home for more solid food; bath (wash off all the sweat . . . there's a lot!); play with toys naked to prevent diaper rash and screech, yell, laugh, pull dad's hair; then get ready for bed!

A newfound angle from which she likes to view the world lately.

Arms pitched out and a shaking head is quite funny! Get it!?

Uh . . . let's just say Phoebe let's us know when she needs a fresh diaper. This is just the beginning . . . there are a few more shades of red face to come.

Her new friend some times puzzles her, but for the most part she likes

the little girl in the mirror.