Snopocalypse (snOMG)

Harper's first winter was certainly one to remember. Our first of three (yes THREE) blizzards hit right before Christmas, which made us very thankful we had decided to stay put for the holidays this year. The second and third blizzards, which hit days apart in February and shut the city down for a week, officially made this the worst winter on record for Washington, D.C. It was a sight to see - here's the sight we saw out our front door partway through it. Check out my full Snopocalypse (snOMG) 2010 album on Facebook.

Fortunately we kept power and cable throughout the entire ordeal. And by braving completely insane lines at grocery stores twice during the event, we had plenty of milk and food and diapers at all times. I did come to wish with all my heart that I was in the academic universe, since snow days are welcome and enjoyable unplanned vacation days, filled with snowman-making and -- if you're our next-door neighbors -- getting drunk alongside the bonfire in front of the snowfort you built in the back yard of your condo. For us non-academics (especially the ones in start-up phase of a new client account), it means trying to entertain a 7-month-old (seen here, playing nicely while I work) all day while still needing to get a full day of "real work" in ... which means being up all hours of the night and morning trying to squeeze it all in.


Bottom line, we had some fun times during the storm (here Harper "enjoys" gazing out at whiteout conditions during blizzard three), but unless I win the lottery or discover I have a trust fund that eliminates the need for me to work outside the home, I'll be happy to leave winters like this in the record books ... and not on my roof ... for the next few years.

Staff development day

A planned random daycare closing for staff development gave Harper a three-day weekend, so MawMaw came up to visit. It was between a few snow incidents, so there wasn't a chance to get outside and play. But we had a great time! Harper had a blast playing with MawMaw. Daniel and I went on our first date since Harper was born (went to see Up in the Air). And Aunt Wendy came down one day for lunch. Can't wait for them to come visit again.

Happy New Year

The biggest year of our lives has come to a close! We rang in 2010 at home with a few friends and way more food than we could ever eat (I get that from my mom). Our favorite discovery of the night was that Harper has now lived in two decades, and all before her half birthday. Here are some photos from the long weekend.

Very Merry Christmas

At Christmas it is celebrated how one little baby forever changed everything. In our family, we've spent the past two days celebrating how our little baby forever changed everything for us.

Though too young to be aware of things like holidays, Harper's presence just gave Daniel and I our best Christmas yet. Seeing her eyes light up at her new toys (and the wrapping paper that encased them), and listening to her giggle and chatter at us all day long like she does whenever we're all together, and feeling how loved she is not just by us but by family and friends near and far, all have given Christmas a renewed sense of magic and wonder for us. We're so incredibly blessed.

We got everything we always wanted for Christmas this year. We hope you and your family did, as well. From our family to yours, we wish you the merriest of Christmases.

Love,
Rebecca, Daniel and Harper

Blizzard

There have been three major weather events I can recall in Washington in the 7 1/2 years we've lived here. The first was the Presidents' Day Weekend snowstorm of 2003. We lived in a 7th floor studio apartment along Connecticut Avenue, with one wall entirely made of windows, and thus had a great view of the 17 or so inches of snow that shut down the city for days and had people cross country skiing down major roads. The second was in September the same year, when Hurricane Isabel swept through the city; it was the weekend we were supposed to move out of that very same studio apartment. The third was this weekend. The blizzard of 2009, which quickly dumped about two feet of snow on the city, shutting down the airports and in general derailing all the hustle and bustle of the final weekend before Christmas.

The first two events were the year we were married. This final one, the year our first baby was born. If we plan any major life events in the future, we'll be sure to let the local meteorologists know that another major event is on the horizon. In the meantime, here are a few shots of the 2009 blizzard.

White House Holiday

Some of my favorite D.C. experiences involve the White House. Our first year here, we were lucky enough to get a West Wing tour with a Secret Service agent. We were his first tour group after having been trained, so all the stories and history he learned were fresh in his mind. Add to that the first-hand stories he had of guarding two presidents, and it was certainly a night to remember.

Since then, we've also been lucky enough to have been invited guests of friends who work in the Executive Office of the President to go see holiday decorations in the East Wing of the White House. This year was extra special, since we got to take our little girl with us. (She actually went in 2008 as well, but only Daniel and I knew she existed at the time.)

Christmas Tree Evolution

Harper's first Christmas tree is up! Our family's biggest one yet - for the first time we've gotten a full-size tree. It was a weeklong process involving rearranging furniture to make room for it, trips to two Hill tree lots since the first was sold out of trees, having to buy more lights since our stash was meant for shorter trees, and having to squeeze in decorating when Harper would allow it. But it was all worth it. Harper loves her tree.

Meeting the tree.

Hmm, this feels awesome.

Now my hand feels sticky.

Tonight it has lights.

Now we're talking!

Lights and shiny objects and bells?! Where has this been all my life!?

Presenting Harper's first Christmas tree.