Museum Monday

The girls and I went to two Smithsonian museums today and had the best time!! It started a bit rough without being able to find parking and I was cringing at the thought of telling C that we wouldn't be able to go to the museums.  We circled and circled and I was looking for the interstate signs to bail when we found a spot!!! It felt like winning the lottery!!

First, we went to the Air & Space and Charlotte was in total, jaw dropping awe.  She loved every little detail - especially this little mock-up of an airplane.  We learned about the planets and she was trying to make sense of the enormity of it all.  "So, if we live on earth, where do Mimi & Papa live?" Haha, I love age 3.  It's incredible! 

We had a snack in this gorgeous garden filled with tulips and then went to the Hirshhorn Gallery.  Charlotte really loved it more than I ever expected.  We talked about the art and how art looks so different.  Some artists use paint, others use metal and paper.  She was most interested in this egg shaped form that played with negative space.  She hopped off the stroller (the ride on is the best for museums!) and looked closer.  She really took it in, trying to understand how this egg could look full yet be empty.  Even the guard was smiling and her and told me I could take a picture of her with the exhibit (I didn't).  The highlight was the towering fountain outside that blew mist on us from almost every angle.  I love the picture below - this little girl ready to take on the world.  I MUST take the girls back every couple of weeks.  Their excitement was too contagious not to.  And E, she sat as happy as can be in her stroller the entire time.  I'm telling you - fresh air and you'll never hear a peep :)

11 month update

My little baby girl is about to turn ONE! 11 months has this bittersweet feeling.  She has "grown up" so much recently! Her big little personality has been shining! Life has been pretty spectacular with her in it.  Isn't it wild how you can never imagine what this new baby will be like - their personality, the way they look, their smell (mmm, baby smells)? Then, this little baby enters your life and it's just so unbelievably perfect.  

At 11 months, E is hilarious.  She has the biggest two tooth grin, has developed a deep gutteral laugh (akin to a smoker, hah!), and cruises all over the house with astounding speed.  She's a bit dramatic and erupts into hysterics with the slightest bump, constantly grasps at her sister's toys and eats more than anyone else in the entire house (dad included).  She sleeps like a dream.  She buries her face into her bear-bear, plays a little and then drifts off to sleep.  Every single nap and every single night.  It's crazy amazing! She loves outside so very much.  No matter how tired or how hungry she will feel the wind in her hair over food or sleep.  She loves pushing the little grocery cart on the playground and loves pointing and grunting when she wants something (the only sign she has picked up is "milk" - girls got her tummy on her mind!).  She is still nursing 4 times a day and gets a bottle of formula before bed.  I have finished pumping and am bittersweet about that.  I pumped once a day for just shy of an entire year.  I'm patting my own self on the back! She has made it easy but gosh darnit, it's hard! 

I love you so much, E!!! Life is infinitely more amazing with you in it.  

Elf NOT on the Shelf

We love, love Christmas! Charlotte is almost three and we were ready to introduce her imaginative little mind to Elf on the Shelf.  We read the book last night, talked about how he is one of Santa's helpers and will fly to our house to watch over us before Christmas.  This morning, she walked downstairs and opened the front door.  "Nope, mama, he didn't come last night.  Maybe he'll come today?"  Sweet girl thought he was going to walk right on through the front door.  I looked up at our lights where Elf was perched and said "I see him!" Charlotte looked up, stared and then I saw the tiniest little quiver of her lip.  She repeated "I'm ok, mama, I'm ok" and then broke out into sobs.  I could see her thoughts - this elf flew into our house?! Is he alive?! He's watching me?! I think there's only so much 'magic' we can introduce at a time...

 I whisked her upstairs and Elf "flew" back to the closet, err, North Pole.  Maybe next year, Elf, maybe next year.