Last Nationals Home Game

Racking up her second MLB game in four days, Harper took her mom and dad to the Nationals' final home game of the season. It was a chilly one (we got fleece Nationals blankets as giveaways!) but our little fan didn't mind a bit ... especially once dad bought her a little Nationals cap.

Daddy's Home

Eight weeks without a necktie, starting with today. That is what Daniel has stretched out before him. Having smartly stockpiled leave at work over the past few years - and because he has a fantastic, family-friendly boss - Daniel is embarking on eight full weeks at home with his little girl. If he wasn't wrapped around her finger before now, I promise you he's going to be a goner after these two months. He gets some excellent quality daddy-daughter time; I get the tiny consolation when I go back to work that I'm giving Harper a chance to bond with her dad; and before I go back to work we have time for some family adventures!

We kicked off this family adventure time on Friday: Daniel's last day in the office. Our friend Smee and some of his co-workers were in town from Murray State, so we all met at Old Ebbitt Grill for lunch.

Then Daniel took Harper up to his office to show her off; one look at her and his colleagues completely understood why he needed to leave for eight weeks. (Here Harper helps her dad send some e-mails.)


Then Daniel showed Harper and me his roof deck. Gotta say, it has the most amazing view. You can see onto the White House lawn! Literally you can see the Obama girls' jungle gym in the backyard! Too, too cool.




So today for his first non-working workday, we let Daniel sleep in. Then we went out for breakfast, ran errands, cuddled with Harper, watched a movie, grilled a steak dinner ... just an amazing first day together. We're looking forward to a whole bunch of adventures during this short but precious time we have as a family. Stay tuned!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

There's no better way to spend a sunny Sunday September afternoon than at the ballpark. Today Harper attended her first Major League baseball game in person (as opposed to in utero, where she attended and enjoyed several games!), seeing the Washington Nationals take on the Atlanta Braves.

Though the Nationals wound up losing, we had a great time. First, today's giveaway was a Build-a-Bear Screech for kids. It's no secret that I heart Screech (at least I did before this season when they changed from my cuddly fat Screech mascot to a skinny one - boo), so I was so thrilled for Harper to add a stuffed Screech to her collection! Second, during her first inning she saw back-to-back homers by Zimmerman and Willingham - wewhoo! And finally, Harper's adorableness scored us some special treatment from fans and ushers, with folks offering us better seats (easier to get to and in a less crowded section) and offering to take family photos for us.

A smashing success for what is sure to be the first of many family baseball days.

Toyland

As Harper is getting more and more alert, she's starting to be a little bit more interested in toys. Not tooooo interested yet, but we're starting to see some spark there. Here are a few pics of our girl with some of the toys and activities in her world at the moment.

Playmat - Still a favorite; we play on it every day! The mirror has become a huge hit, with Harper smiling and talking to herself.


Mape the Ape - Clever naming on the part of tired parents. Harper is fascinated with the cartoon ape picture on her playmat, and that is starting to transfer to the stuffed animal Mape we randomly bought last year at the annual National Geographic clearance sale at the Armory by our house. Fate, perhaps?


World in Motion crib show - Like TV in her crib; sometimes she zones out to it. I'll include more about Harper's love of TV in a later post, but suffice to say she's definitely my daughter.


Lambchop - How can you not love a soft Lambchop for a baby girl?


Polar bear Polar bear - Cuddly friend to go along with the board book, both from cousin Logan.


Bebe pod chair - She's technically too young/small for it now, but with a little propping it is a hit already. And we think it will continue to be awesome for her since she love love LOVES sitting upright.


Bebe pod chair activity tray - Snaps right in and spins; it's growing on her!


Tummy time garden - This is new this week; since Harper loves being "Superman-ed" around at all times, we're thinking she will love spinning around on her own. So far so good!

Apple Picking

Nothing says fall like apple picking. On Saturday we took Harper out to Homestead Farms to get some fresh fall air and pick some apples!
Here we are in the Empire apple orchard. Good for snacking and baking!
Apparently also attractive to stinging insects because moments before I took this photo, Daniel was stung by something and it swelled up and got red immediately. But he was a trooper! (Note to self: must add first aid kit to diaper bag).


Health risks were abundant at the farm. Mad cow. Bird flu. Swine flu. But we tried to keep Harper at a safe distance.



The goats were a hoot. They had a raised goat walk to which (human) kids could send food up by pulley. Too cute. Just had to beware of the poop possibilities.















We finished off at the farm store, picking up some corn, peppers, and apple and pumpkin butters. A great day! And I gotta say the homemade apple crisp I made with my Empire apples was to die for. Next fall activity will have to be getting Harper some fall clothes. She has tons of cute short-sleeved onesies and summer outfits, but no cooler-weather clothes (i.e., her adorable apple-picking outfit was a sleeper with matching pants to go over it). So that's another family adventure on the horizon!

Mawmaw Francis (aka Mama Fran) visit

Harper had a blast spending the week after Labor Day with Mawmaw Francis! And we certainly packed in the activities.
Harper was a hit picking mawmaw up at BWI on arrival day! She loved all the lights and sounds and excitement at the airport. Mawmaw got Harper; Rebecca got the bags. That evening, we picked Daniel up from work and headed down to the Mall to see the World War II memorial and a gorgeous Washington sunset.











The next day's adventures took us to Logan Circle and Falls Church. We went to get my haircut -- my man Mark swooned over Harper -- and then off to Babies R Us to return/buy some baby gear. Mom and Harper waited patiently while I compared baby seats. Here's the one I picked for Harper, and even though she's not quite ready for it yet, she already likes it.


On day three our big adventure was an afternoon in Old Town Alexandria, where we went out for Harper's first girls' lunch -- at the Fish Market on King Street. Our next stop was a children's bookstore, since grandma Francis is a big-time supporter of independently owned bookstores. "Hooray for Books!" was the name of the store -- too cute. Mawmaw bought Harper and Logan some DC-themed board books, and a fun wind-up toy treat for big cousin Logan.

The last day of her trip, we just kicked it around the house (a few of my fave house pics are below). Harper is madly in love with her mawmaw. We had such a great time and can't wait for her next visit!