A Pennsylvania Weekend

We're still in the fall edition of do-as-much-as-possible-before-Baby #2-arrives. We had been wanting to see some sights in PA for a while, but kept putting it off through the summer and early fall. When we finally did make the trip, we found that late October was a beautiful time to visit Lancaster County.

The main attraction we were after was the Strasburg Rail Road. Our little train lover got to ride on a train with a real steam engine. Just like Thomas the Tank Engine but less blue and without a face.

Two excited passengers...

Nice views of the farmland...

And plenty of admiration for the steam engine.

We found the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania to be pretty entertaining too.

The Amish countryside made for a well-rounded trip and a little bit of a culture. We had never been to Lancaster County before and were always curious about it. The fresh air, open land, horses and buggies, and mule drawn plows were good for us I think.

The Bird in Hand Bakeshop has shoofly pie, whoopie pies, and other baked goods. But we spent more time outside at their petting zoo and playground. Highly recommend!

An Amish boy joined Tiger Cub at the playground and the two boys had a big time on the tandem swing together.

And finally, an Amish-style bump at 33 weeks.

Day at the Queens County Farm

We learned this month that Queens has a farm. The word "farm" is used very generously here because it's pretty darn small (although just right for a few hours with a toddler). But we're sort of amazed there is a farm anywhere in NYC and not exactly in a position to be picky about such things.

The highlights for us were the pumpkin patch and the hayride. It was a beautiful day in the high 70s!

I understand now why families brave crowds and overpriced pumpkins every fall. The contrasting colors are amazing and great for snapping pictures.

This was the tractor that pulled the hayride-mobile:

A hayride is basically a "ten" for a 2-year-old and it was pretty fun for us too. Definitely the highlight of the farm experience.

Just to be sure we're still in the city, a high-rise apartment building looms in the background.

Tiger Cub thought about trying grilled corn for a few seconds before pulling out.

Back home by naptime via the city bus!

I never thought I'd have a cornfield bump shot, but there you have it: 31 weeks (almost 2 weeks ago).

Seattle in September

Our family of three visited Seattle for the first time. Brother/Uncle Matt lives there and my parents visited too. We had a terrific family vacation as shown in the many, many pictures below. The five-to-one adult-to-kid ratio was just right for toddler management.

A picture perfect day in the city known for rain.

This was every morning in Seattle: various pastries with various family members.

Tiger Cub gets a lift from Uncle Matt.

We spent our time and our money at Pike Place Market (a short walk from where we stayed). Seafood, flowers, and desserts oh my!

All you can eat seafood brunch? Yes, please! This was seconds before descending on the buffet lines. I love how the pregnancy dress code requires an elastic waistband. So handy!

Dining on Matt's sweet rooftop deck with views of downtown and the water.

Bike riding in West Seattle: TC taking it all in from the kiddie trailer.

We ferried to and fro, all over the Seattle end of the Puget Sound.

Posing in front of the Space Needle before going up.

Randy and I escaped for a date day in Victoria, British Columbia for some alone time, scones, chowder, and six hours of ferry riding.

The Original Starbucks. Because of course. We ordered our usual.

This seems to our best Seattle family shot. Note to self: don't stand in the foreground unless you want to look like a giant pink parachute!

Our little travel pro, lounging in his airplane seat and watching cartoons.

Bumpin' it Seattle style:

28 weeks/29 weeks

More Summer Scenes

Summer is always good to us. I've often said I wish the whole year could be summer but I guess that would make it less special. Maybe it's from growing up in the South, but I NEED a long hot summer like I need oxygen and ice cream. 

We've spent a lot of quality time as a family of three this summer and here are some day-in-the-life things we've been up to.

Tiger Cub has been super into swimming this summer, especially since he figured out he can "swim" by himself with his floaties on. This is an indoor pool so we don't have to break up with it on Labor Day. Woohoo!

Construction! All summer long there has been utility work going on near our home and we're lucky to see it every day on the way to and from daycare. Tractors and dump trucks galore! I think it's hard to truly appreciate road construction before seeing it through the eyes of a little boy.

 

This big kiddo turned 2.5. So we celebrated with half a cupcake. I never thought I'd be one to acknowledge 1/2 birthdays but 2.5 is sooooo different from 2. So we just couldn't help it.

The last few months have been an in-depth study of the best parks and pastries in our neighborhood. Parks because we have a two year old who needs to be run around on a daily basis and we're parents who need a regular change of scenery. Pastries because, ummm, pregnancy.

Making and drinking "tea" at a park fountain.

Hanging out outside one of the best bakeries around (not the Dunkin Donuts pictured behind us that was nice enough to supply benches): raisin bran muffin for him and almond croissant for me. Complaining from no one.

TC is also becoming quite the talker. Some of our favorite sayings of his:

"That sounds like a lot of fun!"

"That's a good idea!"

"Good job mommy/daddy."

"Oh my goodness."

And lastly, Baby R2 is still growing...

23 weeks/25 weeks