Well after the back to back snow storm, we decided we deserved a relaxing stay in sunny California. So we packed our bags, braved the icy roads, and headed straight for the airport.

The trip made me realize something. We should live in California. The weather was sunny every day with highs in the upper seventies. Are you kidding me? I wonder how hard it would be to move the nation’s capital to L.A…

We went to the beach, we spent hours basking in the sun, we ate as many meals outside as we could, and of course we went to Fashion Island. Thanks Grandma Judi and Grandpa Char!! We’ll be back soon!

my future’s so bright…

sandy toes

we love the beach!

So while Sam and I were in Texas, enjoying friends, warm weather, and breakfast tacos, poor Ben and Henry were stuck with this mess.

(yes, that little brick spot peeking out from under the snow is our home)

But we got ours when we flew back in town on Monday night.

After a wonderful flight home, complete with a three hour delay and a very upset, screaming baby (aka Sam), I was so ready to drive home. Unfortunately DC is not really equipped for the amount of snow we got. Before we left, I parked my car in the long term lot, which was about the stupidest thing I could have done since I knew it was going to get piled in snow in my absence. Luckily Judi (Ben’s mama) flew home with Sam and me so she waited with Sam in the airport while I went to go get the car. After spending about an hour getting my car out with the help of a very nice snow-shoveling airport employee, it was time to hit the road.

To make a long story shorter, the drive, which normally takes about 45 minutes, took us about three hours. The roads were in horrible shape and there were a gazillion deranged truckers speeding around us at 90 mph. But we did eventually make it home. Good thing too. We wouldn’t have wanted to miss this next storm!

The blizzard was actually kind of pretty…

the view from our front door

snow drifts

Henry charging through the snow

definitely the largest icicle I have ever seen

Sorry the posts have dropped off lately, but we’ve been on the road!

Sam and I had been planning a trip to Austin for a “Sip and See” (sip drinks and see the baby–it’s a southern tradition) being hosted by my sweet friends Ellie and Stephanie and my wonderful mom. We were supposed to head out Friday but after hearing about this storm, we decided to hit the road a day early and leave Ben and Henry to fend for themselves!

The party was so much fun and the hosts laid out a beautiful spread.

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It was so great to be able to introduce Sam to some of our friends in Texas:

Stephanie and Grandma Stephanie love on Sam

Sam and I were both smitten with Ellie’s beautiful daughter Claire

Thanks for the great memories!

Sam has a new trick: he laughs! He had his first laugh about a week ago and has laughed a few times since then. Until today, those laughs were almost indistinguishable from crying and always dissolved into tears. They are most common when he is tired and therefore a little bit on the edge between extreme happiness and extreme frustration. But tonight he erupted in giggles playing a game with his daddy. Ben was giving him the fist bump and then “exploding” as he made contact. This struck Sam as the funniest thing he has ever experienced. Below is a short snippet for your entertainment. The game went on for about 10 minutes and had all of us in stitches.

Hope you are having a happy day with your valentine.

I LOVE Sam’s feet. They have got to be the cutest feet in the history of the planet.

I love to hold Sam at night and just watch his little toes curling and flexing as he eats.

I love how Sam’s feet feel. They’re always warm and never dry. Sometimes they are even the slightest bit stinky. But truth be told, I could smell them all day.

I love how Sam kicks his feet when he gets excited. He squeals and kicks like crazy. I put on his “sneaks” and he just kicks them right off.

I love how he curls his toes under when he stands up. That’s not how you balance, silly!

But Dad likes Sam’s feet best when they are cheering on his favorite team.

Last week I reconnected with a friend from work, Leslie, who also has a new baby. Leslie and her beautiful daugher Quinn invited Sam and me to come watch Mr. Skip with them. Mr. Skip plays guitar and sings kids songs every Thursday at Stacy’s coffee shop in Falls Church.

Sam spent almost the entire time eating, but I think he enjoyed having a little background music to accompany his mid-morning meal. And it was fun for me to watch all of the cute toddlers running around and dancing to the songs. We also got to meet two of Leslie’s friends and their sweet daughters.

Natalie, Abigail, Me, Sam, Leslie, Quinn, Liz, Ashley

We had a great time and can’t wait to go back. If you are in the area, you should come too!

http://www.stacyscoffeeshop.com/

Sam and I just started a Yoga class with Deirdre and her precious daughter Evelyn.

The class is specifically for moms and their babies and it has been so much fun. There is one instructor and two or three helpers at each class. The helpers set up your station (mat, blankets, bricks, etc.) and even offer to rock your baby if he starts crying so that you can keep doing yoga.

Part of the class involves exercises for moms, although with babies in the mix, it is definitely not a very intense workout. Then the other part of the class has us giving our babies massages and helping them stretch. Sam got the hang of it right away.

Sam and Evelyn aren’t super interactive yet but we’re sure that some day they will be close friends. Here Sam and Evelyn show off a pose they call “Drooling Baby.”

My favorite part is in the beginning of the class when you lie down on the mat with your baby to relax and breathe. It is not super relaxing with many of the babies crying, but I just love snuggling up with Sam.

Towards the end of class, Sam starts to get cranky, so I put him in his car seat and he falls asleep (the yoga helpers usually help me get him into his seat and even rock him to sleep!). Then Deirdre and I enjoy a nice lunch out while the babies snooze.

Ben had his last birthday in his twenties on Friday. His cousin Lani came over to watch Sam so that we could have a night on the town. Sam wanted to join us, and even got all dressed up for the occasion, but we told him he had to stay home.

We went out for a lovely dinner in DC complete with appetizers, salad, pasta, fish, dessert, and wine! It was so fun to have a fancy night out together.

When we got home, we ate the fluffy yellow layer cake I made and Ben opened his presents.

And as a special treat, Sam slept in until 8 a.m. the next morning. You’re welcome.

Thanks for babysitting, Lani. Come back any time!