Getting comfy for the weekend

I could snuggle this comfy little one all day.

We're keeping it simple this weekend as we began to approach a fun filled Thanksgiving Week! 

Tyson has the week off of school/work and we've got a few things we can't wait to do with him. 

We're also trying to catch a little R & R too. 

Taryn came and informed me it was nap time- at 11am today. For a girl who hasn't seen a morning nap in over two weeks, I gladly scooped her up and laid her down in her crib. 

I think it's going to be a much needed cozy weekend for us.

A pair

A fun little pair of boots and little hands with me.

Those wonderful helping hands around me

 Taryn and Ada Louise. 

Taryn and I went to the American Art Museum with our friends last week. 

Now, I know that art museums can be hard with toddlers, and from my last experience in the Wei Wei exhibit, I was down right scared to try again so soon. But then I remembered what my mom told me when I first moved here. 

I asked her how I could possibly keep taking Taryn to all these museums (mainly those that aren't so child friendly but I still wanted to experience) and she told me that, " Taryn will get used to it. Just keep taking her and she will learn and get better and better." 

So, we went to the art museum which didn't have a specific Child's play area or an interactive display to touch etc... and I had an extra baby along with us too. Not just one toddler to keep up with, but a busy crawler who loves to explore and move just as much as Taryn. 

Was I crazy? Maybe? (ok. yes.) 

But I didn't really worry that much about it actually. I knew that I was going with two great, experienced moms who knew Taryn. I knew Taryn would have a play mate just her age to keep her entertained when the art filled walls didn't keep her attention for more than .03 seconds. And I knew that if I got desperate, I would have help within arms reach. 

I am very lucky to have such great friends whom are ever so helpful when I may have my arms full (literally) with other things (or a baby). I had mentally prepared myself to walk out of the museum after 5 minutes if either one of the kids had a melt down. I wanted to be prepared and not disappointed if everything came crashing down in the museum foyer. Thankfully, I didn't have to walk out. I give a large credit to my friends who helped me accomplish this outing. 

After we had made it home, I really started thinking about my role as a mother. I have gained much experience in the past 21 months and it would be selfish of me not to offer a helping hand to a mother who was struggling to keep a baby happy and a toddler entertained on the Metro. To provide a little snack when my friends have run out of food and we are still a ways from home with hungry kids. It would be selfish not to pick up a toy thrown out of the stroller but an upset baby and hand it back to the parent who hadn't see it fly out. It would be selfish to not reach out to a mother who asked for help.  I never want to overstep the line of parenting because I know that each person has a different way of parenting. But what I want to do is let others know that they can rely on me if they need a little help.

 These two had way to much fun getting soaking wet in the (unusual) water display in the museum atrium.

 Yup, this is how it looked pretty much the entire time.

 Babies. Crawling. Everywhere.

 Everything is a new, fun toy.

 Mr. Washington, thank you for not getting upset with Taryn when she tried to climb on you.

I know that the pictures may look as if we let our children run loose and wild. I'm not saying that didn't happen. But what I am saying is that we tried our best to teach them about walking in the museum, not shouting, and trying to get them to look at the art work every once in awhile. 

We played a lot of different games to try and get them to enjoy themselves and also tried to sneak a look at the art work ourselves too. We are all learning and thankfully there were some other cute kids enjoying their time at the museum too so we weren't the only ones making a scene :)

By the end of the day, these two were out cold. I was happy that they transitioned so well from stroller to cribs. Woohoo- points for me :)

It was a wonderful way to spend our day and I love that I have great friends whom I trust so much

Teaching her while's she's young

 Future voter indeed and in Red, white & Blue too!

(which I didn't realize until someone in line pointed it out)

These things are important.  

Even more so when you live in a swing state

(By the way, Virginia isn't really a state, it's a "commonwealth" just to get it straight.)

Taryn joined me in the longest wait I've ever had to vote. 

45 min.

But that's nothing. 

Tyson waited and hour. So did my sister. And my good friend waited 3 hours and 10 min. 

SO MANY PEOPLE VOTED!

By the end of the day I was at the park next to the library playing with Taryn. The voting line going into the library wrapped around the parking lot and then some.

 It was incredible. 

And it was 39 degrees outside. BRRR! It just made it clear how important voting is to the general public. They are willing to withstand the freezing cold weather to stand in line and cast their vote.

I think it's great that we live in a country where people can vote.

Happy 3 Years

 

 

 

 Today Tyson and I are celebrating 3 wonderful years together in marriage.

Marrying Tyson was the best choice I have made in my life and I am so happy that we will have so many more years together. 

We've flown around the world together.

We've discovered foreign lands together.

We've made a home for ourselves 4 different times together.

We brought a beautiful daughter into the world, together. 

And we are happy, together.

Happy 3rd Anniversary sweetheart,

I love you Tyson

One Year Ago. Picture Comparsion

 

Taryn at almost 21 months

 After sifting through these photos the other day, 

I couldn't take my mind off the fact that they looked so familiar. 

Then I remembered where we were one year ago today. 

In Bologna, Italy. Taking very similar pictures at the Giardini Marghertia.

 

 Taryn at almost 9 months

Taryn was just learning how to stand and walk in these pictures. She seems so tiny and it's crazy to think that this period in her life was a year ago.

We pulled out our winter coats not to long ago and just started wearing them again. In our pockets, I have found old stickers from the Coop Grocery store in Bologna (I had about a billion of them because the store clerks loved Taryn) and a list of things to do in Venice, Italy from one of the times we visited. Last year was an exciting adventure and this year is too! It's amazing to think about how our next adventure (wherever it may be) will be related to a job offer. 

For now, I have to soak up everything that I can of fall because it seems to be quickly disappearing. 

*we may have started to listen to Christmas music. we may have agreed that it was time to start after being indoors for two days earlier this week. and we may have really enjoyed it.

The video from one year ago here.

Her first Halloween in America

 Trunk of Treat. I remembered my camera here!

Cider, donuts, treats and costumes. Yum! 

I'll tell you what, some of the kids I saw dressed up were just too cute!

By the end of the night, she mastered the phrase "Trick or Treat" which she cut down to save time and move on to others to "Treat!" Get to the point. 

That's what we should all do right?

Do I really need to admit that I left my camera (battery almost dead) at home last night? Oh boy. No pictures of Daddy with his little elephant.

That's ok, because I probably would have been to distracted snapping pictures instead of enjoying a great dinner (and very entertaining little ones) with our good friends. 

I'm glad Taryn had multiple excuses to wear her costume over and over again. Next year, I think I will have her wear her costume all day on Halloween.  

To the grocery store.

 To the park.

On walks.

 

It's just way more fun that way

Taryn was the happiest little elephant and will be happy to tell you what sound the elephant makes.