Memorial Day 2012

It's Memorial Day.  You would not believe the patriotism and pride that swells on this holiday in the DC area.  Before, Memorial Day was always about honoring those who had gone before, mostly family members.  We would visit graves and lay flowers.  I can see now, that it is so much more.  It truly is a day to honor the sacrifices that were made to protect our freedoms.   

We went into the city today to the parade.  I think that you need to see at least one parade a year and because the 4th of July is about a million degrees here and millions of people flock to the city, we braved the 100 degree weather to see the Memorial Day parade instead.  Less people.

Us and our friend Jamie

The high school bands were out in full force.  We probably saw 25 of them.  Poor band members in their black polyester outfits and black hats.  How do they survive?  My favorite was the one with afroed flag throwers and gold go go boots.   We saw the national champion baton throwers.  Very American.  And we got to see Buzz Aldrin.  Not every day you see someone who walked on the moon. 

One of the highlights for me was getting this picture.

See who that is?  Oh yeah, that's Miss America.  I've secretly always wanted to see one in person. 

The parade ended with soldiers from every branch of the military.  Being here has increased my respect for the armed forces and those who serve.  How can you not appreciate what has been sacrificed as you attend parades like this or walk around the memorials?

It did make me miss my family.  Were we there, I'm sure Mom L would have put on a party (my family knows how to do holidays right.).  Dad would have made a pot of baked beans.  The Palmer boys would be running around and teasing Leo, I'm sure.  Well, we miss you all. 

This day is significant too because this was one of the first big activities we did last year right after we moved.  My gosh, I can't believe it's been a year already.

Analysis

With Memorial Day coming up this weekend, I realized that we have passed our year mark of living in the DC area.   In some ways it's passed both fast and slow (I mean, how can time really go by fast when you're waiting for a baby to come?).  I guess as we've reached the year mark, I've felt a shift and it feels more like home.  We have a few good friends, some family, and we've found some communities to be a part of.  And I'm learning my way around.  I don't use the GPS nearly as much. 

To be frank, there are things we like and things we dislike about being here.  But honestly, isn't that how it is for any place you live? 

Some things I dislike:
- Traffic.  Our county has almost 2 million people in it.  Our county.  Not our state, just the very immediate area.  That makes for a ton of people/cars everywhere.  It's a bit of a hassle to get anywhere.  It makes me not want to shop.  (What?  Me not want to shop?  I know.  It's a hassle now.)

- We are 2,000 miles away from our family and friends.  Pretty depressing to be so far away.  We have had quite a few guests lately like my sis and her fam and Heb's brother and his wife which made our family feel not so far away.  Also, we have some cousins in the area that has also eased our home sickness.

- The humidity.  It's been getting hotter and more humid recently.  I am DREADING the summer coming because it is so sticky.  I went out on a walk a couple of days ago and I was so hot all day afterward.

- How expensive it is.  You don't even want to know what just rent is.  Let me give an example though.  In Logan, I could get a haircut for $30.  Here, it is never less than $60, for just a cut.  Whoa.

Things I like:
- The glass studio.  Literally five minutes from our house (which is saying something considering the traffic).  The people there have been so warm and welcoming to me, evening though I'm 25 years younger than everyone.  Also, my work has been rapidly progressing and I am getting so much better.  When else in my life am I going to have a resource like this?  Also, I've been taking a class or two.  So awesome.

- The new mom group.  People join groups here.  Most don't live by their families so they join a group. It is endless entertainment for me to attend the group and watch the moms come in.  Especially the ones right at the beginning because they look so frazzled.  I know that is exactly what I look like.  I have been meeting some really nice people and found myself bravely inviting people out.  This move has made me realize that people are as much your friend and you are theirs.  You have to reach out if you want to get anywhere.  True story.

- Friends who are like family.  We have developed some very strong friendships.  Oh, and our cousins who are family.  We're excited for their new baby coming this month. 

- The fact that there is always something to do here.  Really.  As you've seen from the blog, there is always something to attend (that is, if you want to brave the crowds to do so).  Within close driving distance are some of the funnest things like Eastern Market or Annapolis. 


It's been an interesting transition.  Don't let anyone tell you that moving will be easy because it's a challenge.  Finding new doctors, friends, finding your place again is challenging and not always the most comfortable.  I do have to say though, that I like our life here and somewhat dread having to start again, when we decide to move (don't tell my parents).  For now, we're happy to settle in, to continue making friends and building a life here.

Sitting Up

Hi, my name is Leo and I can sit up.

 The last few days he's been getting better and better at sitting up

He's still pretty good at this too.

Ford's Theatre

I recently watched the movie, "the Conspirators."  Have you seen it?  It's pretty good, well minus the major violence at the beginning.  Anyway, it's the story of the assassination of  Abraham Lincoln and the aftermath for one of the accused conspirators. 

Lincoln has always interested me.  His has always been my favorite monument.  How many evenings did I sit on his steps and contemplate life?  When I worked at the House of Representatives, I often stopped to see the stand located under the crypt that held his body as he laid in state in the rotunda.  The same stand (let's be honest, not same one, but you get the idea) is used when anyone is laid in state in the Capitol Building.  He impacted our country so deeply and led us through a time that could have changed our entire course. 

Last week, when Tami and Katy were in town, we went in to see Ford's Theater.  It has been years since I've been down there.  I think the last time was when I lived here before and Mom, Dad and Matt came to visit.  It has been completely redone and is awesome.  As someone who has studied instructional design, I appreciate a display well done and this whole experience was one of them.

We started out with a tour of the theatre, presented by a National Park Ranger in period costuming.  I do love a good story teller.  He walked us through the events leading up to that fateful night and pointed to the box where Lincoln was shot in the head. 

 

From there we moved over to the house where he was brought and saw the bed where he died.  Very eerie to think of what happened in this place.  The museum there is really the best I've seen and living in DC with the Smithsonians, I've seen some good museums.  They did such a good job at making you feel like you were there.

I was surprised to see all of the artifacts that they still have.  It seems like anything having to do with the day was kept.  There were guns (from those hunting the conspirators), keys that were found on John Wilkes Boothe, a pillow with Lincoln's blood stain and even his garb from the evening.  I think seeing a person's clothing and personal items are the most telling/interesting.

My favorite element was the stairway.  Up the center is a display of books written about Lincoln.  There were hundreds, if not thousands. 

I can't wait to take Heber down there.  It has got to be one of the most interesting sites in DC.  I'd go down again just to see the exhibit.  So well done.

Art in the Evening

We went into the city on Friday to see the outdoor exhibit at the modern art museum (the Hirshorn Gallery).  I know that doesn't really sound like us, but I'd seen some press on the exhibit and thought that it looked neat.  An artist had put together video and music that projected onto all sides of a round building.  It was like being at a drive in (I miss those.  Do they even have them anymore?).

So, I'm not sure the message they were trying to get out with the artwork but it was interesting to see, minus the song that they used over and over again.  I may never get it out of my head.

For our treat, we went out to the Del Ray area.  Having never driven through there, it was fun to see the houses (so close together) and mexican restaurants (it is really hard to find good mexican food out here).  We stopped in at the Dairy Godmother.  They call it the Mormon mecca for single adults.  There was a huge line out the door...We, of course, just went for the ice cream.  I so enjoyed my raspberry sorbet.  Yum.  We'll have to go again. 

It's been ages since it was just me and Heb and Leo.  It was nice just to be our little family.  As you've read, we've had a lot of company lately.  We've loved it and had some very fun times.  I do have to admit though, the company left last Tuesday and I still haven't finished cleaning the house.  I've been entirely unmotivated for a week, well...and I had to make jewelry samples for my class, so that kept me busy.  I think the motivation is coming back...maybe...we'll see.  You may not want to stop by the house for a few days.

Being a Mother

It's my first real mothers day today.

I woke up this morning and listened to Heber play with Leo, and me heart just melted. Little Leo has brought so much joy into our lives. 

Being a mother is the most incredible thing in the world.  It's a lot of sleepless nights, spit up and poop but mixed in with all the not so fun are moments of pure happiness.  You sacrifice a lot to be a mother but I wouldn't have it any other way.  I want to be there to see all of the poopy diapers if it means that I get to watch them master rolling, try to sit up or laugh at my jokes.  I love him.  I love this.

I Heart DC and Old Friends

Tami and I have been friends for almost a decade.  We were roommates when I was dating (and falling in love) with Heb and while she was dating her husband James.  I went to her wedding and she came to mine.  I watched her have her first and second babes and we spent many fun days having lunch or just hanging out.

She has been such a good friend to me over the years.  Well, she and her sis, Katy, came out for a visit this weekend.  I never thought I'd see the day that she'd talk James into watching the kids for a full weekend but she did it.  It was fun to have Katy along because she is like my sisters.

We stayed out late, we went everywhere, and walked our legs off.  Oh, and we did it in matching shirts.  Made me feel young again, not an old mom. 

We randomly went to the National Cinco De Mayo celebration.  We almost stayed to be part of breaking the world record for most people doing zumba at the same time but we had things to see folks. 

We shopped in Georgetown at H and M and at the Eastern Market.  Love having shopping buddies.  

Leo even tolerated it all pretty well.  He seemed to like them.   Let me just say too, it is so great to travel with other moms.  They always have snacks and are prepared for anything that comes up. 

Thank you so so much for leaving your families to come for the weekend.  It was just what I needed.

The Class

I taught my first class at the jewelry store today. 

Last week when I was in (the sad truth is that I've been to the jewelry store almost every week lately) the store, there was 1 person signed up.  It is my first class, I guess it's ok if I didn't have a big crowd.

I went in this morning and 6 people had signed up.  6.  I couldn't believe it.  It's one thing for your family or friends to like your stuff, it's another to have 6 people I have never met before sign up and make MY project.  It felt good. 

Last week I participated in an instructor challenge put on by the store.  All the instructors made a necklace out of three random things: rubber tube (something I'd never really use), satin thread and a strand of seaglass beads.  While I was there, a couple of girls were talking about it.  They said how cute it was out of all of them.  When you make something, you always wonder if people will like it.  If it measures up.  I guess I feel legit after today. 

Wild

Since learning how to roll over, Leo has become even more wiggly than before.  I mean really moving around.  I thought I'd show you what I mean.

A couple of days ago, I needed to get Leo lotioned up.  I needed to take his clothes off, lotion and put them back on.  Here's what it looked like.

Getting started.  Leo in his favorite pose.

You see, I got his pants off and already he was rolling back over. 

Ooo.  Toes.

Finally done and in his jumper. 

Oh my wildness.

The New Toy

Leo got a new toy last week.  It's a bouncer/exersaucer.  We think he likes it.  What do you think?

A Boost

Oh my gosh.  I am so excited this morning. 

I got up this morning pretty tired, combination of Leo up in the night several times, a very early morning the day before and then my inability to go to bed early (I tell you, it's a chronic problem).  I hopped on the computer and realized I had won a giveaway.  Not just any old giveaway but one from one of my favorite graphic designers, Yellow Mums.  Her blog has the cutest printables (many for free).  I just really like her clean style and bright colors.  

Yay!  So excited to print these up and put them into a book for Leo.  He's going to love them.  Ok, maybe in a year or two but until then, I'll love them.  

Rolling Boy

 

On Tuesday morning, Leo decided that he knew how to roll from his stomach to back and started doing it.  He is now rolling everywhere.  Oh goodness.

Buddies

Last week, our house was filled to the brim with our niece and nephews.

Ok, it looked more like this most of the time. 

They were loving baby Leo, talking to him, playing with him, trying to make him smile.  They were reading books, playing with toys and hanging in the new hammocks.  Now, it's all quiet. I guess we'll have to entertain ourselves. 

Leo's best buddy, Ford.

We miss you guys already.  Hope you enjoyed your visit.