Westmoreland State Park- Part II

The next morning the moms got up with the kids, allowing the dads to sleep in on their special day. We had blueberry pancakes, eggs, and chorizo (flown in from California!) After our big meal and lots of coffee, we decided it was time to hit the pool.

Ellyn preferred the sands of the Potomac River, while the rest of us lounged in the kiddie pool.


Mattias took a nice hike along the beach and did some bird watching. That's a Bald Eagle on the left, and a Belted Kingfisher on the right. I'm pretty sure we saw some Ospreys flying around as well.

After being battered by the sun and humidity, we went back to the cabin for lunch. Half of the group packed up and headed back to Arlington, while half of us stayed to nap and enjoy the cabins a bit more. It cooled down a bit and I was dying to take a short hike down to Fossil Beach.

Linus rode "Prince Style" complete with an adoring, berry-feeding-on-command entourage. Check out the mushrooms on the right- don't they look like roasted marshmallows?

The rest of us huffed it.

The destination was well worth it- beautiful cliffs, the wide expanse of the Potomac, and lots of wild birds. It definitely made me homesick for the Northern California coast.

The Karlssons and Codys paused for a family photo.

Linus and Maben on a berry break. Cute overload!

Then, we packed up and started driving home. We were so disappointed that a number of roadside seafood shacks (serving blue crabs and po' boys) had closed for the night, that when we passed by this jem we just had to stop. Really? Dads eat free?

So that's how we ended the trip, at Captain D's Seafood Kitchen. Mattias was satisfied with his free crab cake platter, and I am still smiling from all the memories of this amazing weekend.

Toddlers Take Over Westmoreland State Park, VA

After dealing with 5 days and nights of Linus being sick, we were ready for a much anticipated trip in to nature.

The camping trip was scheduled to coincide with a visit from Lola, who flew all the way out just to spend time with us.

Before we got to the park to check into our cabin, we stopped at Westmoreland Berry Farm for one of Ellie's favorite summertime activities-- berry picking! It was quite hot so the boys elected to sit in the car in the shade...

..while mom and I made like migrant farm workers, nabbing a bucket each of blueberries and blackberries.

The guys did manage to leave the car for a much needed lemonade and ice cream break. Linus the baby bird says "Feed me pappa! Beep! Beep!"

Westmoreland State Park was just 15 minutes away, and we checked into our 2 bedroom cabin. The place had everything-- air conditioning (important for those of us with child), screened in porch (because the bugs get kind of ridiculous), a BBQ, and a perfect-for-eating-outside deck. And can you believe the view? I felt like I was on the California coast!

The men and women separated like oil and water pretty quickly. Guys got to work on the fire, the ladies watched the kids and organized the homestead. You would think that a trip with 4 families with 4 toddlers under 2 would be pretty chaotic, but as you can see below the kids were pretty much under control. Until they weren't...

Gracie and Israel contributed some bomb Mexican appetizers-- chili lime chicken wings and grilled tostadas.

Soccer balls were kicked, water was splashed, and babies ran away like a pack of wild hyenas. And it's not a party unless Linus (or Mattias) loses his pants.

The first day wrapped up pretty late with the parents staying up to drink and roast marshmallows. The kids stayed up past their regular bed times, too.

Part II coming up next.

Swedipino 2.0

It may be that we're busy or lazy, or that I don't really want to have photographic evidence of how bloated I feel, but we haven't done a very good job documenting the progression of this pregnancy. By now it's undeniable that I am prego, and have even developed a lovely waddle. I even got a compliment from a guy at work that said that I'm carrying well, and that I don't look "all fat and bloated." Thanks.

Well, good thing the doctor has been taking pictures. Swedipino 2.0 at about 10 weeks, or about the size of a gummy bear.



At about 12 weeks and no neural tube defects found. Just say no to spina bifida!



23 week ultrasound showed baby sucking a thumb and getting ready to punch/kick me. Gotta love the creepy face shot on the bottom left, it makes our baby look like some kind of fetal monster.





The development of Swedipino 2.0 has come along swimmingly-- mamma has felt OK for the most part and all fingers and toes have been accounted for. The baby has been constantly moving around for the past 2 months, much sooner than Linus did when he was in utero. Does this mean we'll have a hyperactive monkey? Or that the baby will come out sooner/faster than Linus did? I guess we'll just have to wait and see...

Summertime, and the livin's easy

OK, so maybe the summer is not so easy on pregnant women. Unlike my San Francisco pregnancy, my DC pregnancy is so far filled with hot humid days on packed Metro trains, 20 minute hikes to the office, crazy armpit sweat, and freaky swollen feet. But it is a lot easier to entertain Linus, who just loves being outside. We revel in the sunshine, lush trees, and morning walks that beat the heat.

Memorial Day marked a very special day for us-- the spray parks opened in Arlington. We celebrated with a special playdate with Rick, Edye, and Ellyn, and Melissa and Finn.

It took Linus a good 15 minutes to adjust to the situation (or "the sitch" as we like to say at home). There were a lot of big kids running around screaming, and Linus likes to be careful. But anythings gotta be safer than standing with your head in Mattias' crotch.

So eventually he escaped the toxic gases and bathed himself in holy water. Don't worry folks, I inspected his body and no chemical burns were found.

Finn meanwhile sought out to take over the world. "If only I was tall enough to push off this little girl... Must will her off with my powerful thumb sucking."

Tres leches cake? Our favorite! The kids dug right in.

Nothing can keep Linus tied down for too long, and he eventually went off to practice his rock climbing skillz. Can you think of an easier way to entertain 3 toddlers for 3 hours?

We also went to the much anticipated Family Picnic for Janelia Farm where both Mattias and Magnus work. Howard Hughes Medical Institute (a.k.a. "Uncle Howard" to its benefactors) throws some slammin' parties for its employees.

In addition to balloon animals, face painting, and a margarita machine, there were freshly made funnel cakes and homemade ice cream. Heaven!

This picnic is every kids' dream. Bouncy houses, water slides, bungee jumping... I'm getting tired just telling you about it. We had to force Linus to take breaks to keep him from overheating.

This Finding Nemo bounce castle was his favorite.



The only way to lure him out was to use ice cream as bait. The tragedy of being so young is that you can never understand why such awesomeness has to end.

Don't worry Linus, more good times are ahead. And that's a promise.