Fall Pics

Doesn't she look great!

Arlo's Newest Diversion

OCTOBER!

It finally feels like fall here in DC, although we were in the high 80's last weekend again for a bit. Rather than laying low, which sort of seems like what we should be doing in my mind, we have been packing in family activities, hikes, birthday parties, organizing the house, a cookout, school "shopping", and the like. We're T-minus 5 weeks and I'm feeling as big as a house, but more and more we feel the need to be keeping up with the hiking routine so I'll have the stamina and energy I need when this kiddo comes along. So far, all reports are looking good for a healthy baby, and although neither Sam nor I have a good guess of what gender this one will be, Arlo seems more convinced it's a girl (or perhaps a squirrel - they sound alike). Even that varies, though, depending on what day you ask him.

We've moved things around upstairs so Arlo's room now has some storage for my clothes and his, and the baby's little room has a crib and such. Painting is next. We're also hoping to improve on the playspace in the basement by bringing in some of the outdoor toys. Sam just took down the tomato patch out back and replaced it with this:



A sandbox for Arlo! (Still needs sand...)

We've been starting to ponder options for pre-school next year, which seems silly but with the competitive nature of schools in DC it's necessary if we decide to go that route. Obviously there's still plenty of time to figure out what we want to do - be it homeschooling or something more formal - before Arlo is ready for it. Sam is also joining in a small group of parents doing a home-based pre-school co-op once a week in our neighborhood, which will be a nice intro to the school concept.

We're looking forward to having our annual halloween party in a few weeks and other than that, if you don't hear much from us, it's just cause we're trying to keep up and gather energy for what's to come! Hope this fall is treating everyone well!

Back to the Grind

We have been busy keeping busy. Since returning from our extended trip to OH and MI, we have started soccer tots, a soccer training activity where Arlo is learning to follow directions and develop motor skills. Arlo seemed to enjoy it. We've also been taking walks and finding all of seeds the trees are dropping, playing musical instruments, playing with friends, and going to the park.

I took Arlo the Washington Capitals practice last Friday. He watched the drills and scrimaging then went over to the ice skating rink to watch people skating. Now we are looking for skates that fit so he can give it a try

Over the weekend we worked on getting the house ready for baby number two. Lots of things now have new homes and the baby will have its' own room.

This being a Monday morning, I am looking into all of the fun things we can do this week to stay busy. A busy Arlo is a happy Arlo.

September Travels

We made what will probably be my last trip for a while (til after the baby comes)...a long drive to Michigan in the new minivan. Arlo did great, and has been having a great time up North enjoying the lake, the beach, hikes in the woods, running around our property, mowing the lawn, and hanging out with Grammy and "Pa-ter" and "Puppy Tooper" (Cooper). He and Sam stayed on a few days longer after I came back to DC for work...this pic is from Central Lake at the little playground and beach there. Yesterday Sam and Arlo encountered a guy with a monkey (really!), this morning it was ducks. It's a veritable zoo!

Later this week, Arlo and Sam will head down to Salem, OH, to visit with Arlo's grandparents there, maybe take in a little football, play with more puppies (Chloe and Sophie), and hopefully visit with Arlo's cousins a bit too.

I know how much fun they are having on this trip (Arlo talks says "go Ohio" all the time to remind us that he'd like to get outta town) but it's a tad lonely too without my boys around. On the bright side, I get to sleep, catch up on Top Chef, and work late without disrupting our normal schedule. I have a checkup with the midwives on Friday and I think this starts the visits every two weeks - so it's kind of like the home stretch. 2 months to go til our family gets a little bigger!
xo ~ Whit

Ode to Joy Finale

Last weekend, we went to the sunset parade at the Marine Barracks in Washington DC (the oldest in the country) where our friends Paul and Sonja are now living (Paul is the Commanding Officer). Aside from the fact that we really enjoyed the VIP treatment, we also enjoyed a really fun parade with drum and bugle corps and even canons! Arlo loved it, despite being up way past his bedtime.

Jim Lehrer was being honored, and a colleague sent me a link to a nice profile of the event that Newshour put together: (Newshour Link)

The Finale was Ode to Joy with the canon fire - here's a snippet (note, I'm not as good a cameraman as those pros over at newshour!):

First Day of School

Too close for comfort?

We had a gathering when our good friends the Tomlinsons were preparing to leave for life abroad in Jakarta, including their 3 (Tatum and Finn are in the picture; Clara has wandered off) and Jonah (Ian and Deb's) and Arlo. We tried to get all five of them to hang out in the wagon, but it didn't really last, so here's four.

Antietam