one very well-traveled baby

“I never travel without my diary. 

One should always have something sensational to read in the train.” 

― Oscar Wilde

We have been living out of suitcases for the last three weeks, and oh boy are we ready to get back home. I've been so thankful for this trip, though. Lyla Bird was able to meet friends and family in Illinois and Texas and has added many miles to her already well-traveled self. She has been such a good baby!

We have one more flight to go in the morning and this time tomorrow we will finally be back with our husband/daddy -- so excited to see him!! Boston, here we come...

packing for two

“Sometimes, the best way to help someone is just to be near them.” 

― Veronica Roth

[baby girl sound asleep in our bed]

This weekend was so good. I don't know how I got so lucky. The more time I spend with my handsome husband and funny little bird, the more in love I fall with both of them. Lyla Bird slept in her crib for most of the night last night and I have to admit that I actually missed her a bit...but it made pulling her in bed with us this morning even sweeter. 

The day ahead is a little daunting. There is so much I need to do - not the least of which is packing for two for three whole weeks. Lyla Bird is getting ready to take flight number four in the morning and I'm already crossing my fingers and toes that it goes as smoothly as all the other flights have gone. 

So while I tackle this ever-growing mound of laundry in our bedroom and try to figure out which stroller to take and how many diapers are needed to get us there...I'll be covering baby girl in kisses and giving thanks for that kind and loving husband of mine. 

By the end of these next three weeks of traveling with my jet-setting baby, I will surely have this traveling-with-a-baby-thing figured out, if not mastered. I am slowly, but surely getting my groove for packing for two. Wish us loads of luck and send all the "sleepy -baby" vibes  you can our way : ) 

A weekend on the Cape

“Cape Cod is the bared and bended arm of Massachusetts. The shoulder is at Buzzard's Bay; the elbow at Cape Mallebarre; the wrist at Truro; and the sandy fist at Provincetown.”  ― Henry David Thoreau

Our weekend on the Cape:  ferry ride to Martha's Vineyard  |  I've never seen so many beautiful hydrangeas everywhere |  baby girl happy to be in her daddy's arms  |  lunch on the Vineyard  |  Vineyard sound  |  first time wearing his little girl (mama is normally packing)  |  Bird's first Salt Water's...size 0 

I was really pulling hard for a chance to go to a movie with Rob on Friday night. A solid two hours together before 11pm is pretty dreamy. So, when he called that afternoon asking if I wanted to go away somewhere for the weekend I was so excited I could hardly think. I immediately started googling places within driving distance and asked a sweet friend who knows the area well where we should go....and in a few hours we were on the road, headed to the Cape. 


On Sunday, we took a ferry to Martha's Vineyard and rented a car so we were able to explore all the little towns. 


Considering Cape Cod is only an hour away, we are definitely planning to go back. We loved it! 

a weekend on a lake

“One June evening, when the orchards were pink-blossomed again, when the frogs were singing silverly sweet in the marshes about the head of the Lake of Shining Waters, and the air was full of the savor of clover fields and balsamic fir woods, Anne was sitting by her gable window.  - L.M. Montgomery

We spent the weekend with friends at their house on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. I do love this part of the country. Where pine trees line sprawling glass lakes and every town you pass by has such an english name that for a moment you pause just to remind yourself which side of the gigantic pond you are actually on. 


No alarm clocks. Delicious cinnamon rolls. Early morning kayaking. And lots of mid-afternoon naps. 


So thankful for our friends up here for making us feel more at home and for such a relaxing weekend on this dreamy northern lake. But we are back to our new reality and a full week ahead. 


Happy Monday!


[33 week post coming soon!]

Mexico

“Trust your heart if the seas catch fire, live by love though the stars walk backward.” 

― E.E. Cummings

We are back from Mexico! Its hard to believe that that will probably be the last vacation we'll take for awhile without our new little family member in tow. The skies were so beautiful and the water so clear and blue. We ate such delicious food and spent most of our time just relaxing in the warm air (an aptly timed vacation as my belly is really starting to grow and I can't seem to get enough sleep these days). 

I forgot our new camera, though - which was really lame and I still can't believe it. At least we had our iPhones and Mr. D remembered to bring along his new HD camera which was fun to experiment with in the water. 

We can't wait to take baby back there with us next time! But for now, its good to be home - preparing for our next move to a new a city and for the arrival of Baby D. 

babymoon

“A writer never has a vacation. 

For a writer, life consists of either writing or thinking about writing.”
― Eugène Ionesco

 I've never been more excited about a vacation than I am now -

waking up that first morning to the sunrise over the ocean

and having absolutely no plans, but to relax and drink in the sun. 

They say it takes a couple of days before your body fully feels like its on vacation, 

but I'm pretty sure I'm already there.

I can think of no better way to kick off this third trimester of pregnancy...

See you next week!! 

Happy Thanksgiving

“Be present in all things and thankful for all things.”
― Maya Angelou

 The art of being present is something I constantly struggle with and strive toward.

And it is something I am working especially hard on these days with hopes

that I will remember every moment I have with Mr. D 

while our sweet babe grows in my belly.

I feel more calm than I have ever felt before in my life and yet simultaneously 

so full of happy anticipation - its such a joyfully strange place to be.
---------

We are flying West to spend Thanksgiving with all of husband's family 

and celebrate the wedding of one of my sweet sister-in-laws!

There is much to be thankful for....

May you all have a very happy and full Thanksgiving!

jiggedy jig

“We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, 

and the best we can find in our travels is an honest friend.”
― Robert Louis Stevenson

Home again.

We have been out of town and on the road for the past three weekends straight

so my mind is a little blurry and our house is in need of some serious love - our refrigerator, too. 

But those few short hours at home and back in our bed last night,

made my heart sigh sweet relief...

especially with Moose in her spot at the foot of our bed. 

The best part about all this traveling is that I get to do it all with Mr.D...

No matter where we are or end up, there is so much comfort and joy in that.

It feels so good to be home again. 

they call it Chicago

“I have struck a city - a real city - and they call it Chicago."

― Rudyard Kipling

 Mr. D and I are headed to Chicago! One of my most favorite cities. Mr. D has never been there,

so I am that much more excited to go and see it with my hand in his. 

We are actually headed to Illinois to see family in Peoria 

and attend my cousin's wedding reception....

and after we will be spending some time in Chicago before heading back home.

I am so excited to spend the weekend with family and celebrate! 

Happy weekend! 

Photos taken by me around this same time two years ago when I was last in the Windy City!

a blizzard blows through Brooklyn.

“I love you because no two snowflakes are alike, 

and it is possible, if you stand tippy-toe, 

to walk between the raindrops. ”
― Nikki Giovanni

 We arrived in Brooklyn in a legitimate, full flung blizzard.
There was something wonderful about 

driving up through the first snow storm of the season in a car full of good friends.

First stop, Grimaldi's for some delicious pizza. 

There wasn't even a line because so few had braved the white stormy weather.

The weekend was wonderful and filled with so much delicious food -

 I so wish Monday hadn't arrived so soon.

The weather cleared up beautifully [although quite chilly] on Sunday 

and we headed to Brooklyn and stopped by the flea before piling back in the car for drive home.

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend

and Happy Halloween!!

the road to New York

“Afoot and lighthearted I take to the open road, healthy, free, the world before me.”
― Walt Whitman

 Hot chocolate warming my hands, I'm ready to hit the road.

We are going to NYC this weekend with friends - 

a trip that we have been talking about for awhile now.

I can hardly wait to pile into the car 

and chase the changing leaves (and snow?!) North. 

We are leaving sweet Moose at a kennel for the first time.

She had to go to an orientation all day yesterday in preparation...

everyone loved her! But it sure was sad leaving her.

Hope you have a happy weekend!

photo here.

husband comes home!

“The world is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to get sharper.”
― Bertrand Russell

Its finally the week's sweet end.

Mr. D has been out of town all week on a business trip 

and I can hardly wait to pick him up from the airport tonight.

I havent been sleeping well alone in our big bed and the mornings are so quiet.

I can't wait to finally feel those arms of his around me.

We have a busy weekend ahead...

my mother-in-law is flying in this afternoon and we are off to explore Philadelphia!

Moose and I have sure been counting down the days this week -

and its finally Friday. Hope you have a happy weekend!

------------------

PS. Dear Anon. - I will publish later...

Thanks for your happy comment.

homeward bound.

“He feels safer just knowing that even if he's away

there is a home waiting for him to return.”
― Gabriel Bá, Daytripper

Dear Seattle, 

you have been lovely and rainy - just as expected - 

the gray kind of rain that makes you feel all the more cozy inside

 as surfaces shimmer in the overcast light. 

But I have spent almost every hour of every day hard at work and on my feet

so that I now look like this....

I am oh so very ready to be home to my family.

No offense, Seattle...

you're swell.

Northwest mist.

“Already, Seattle is taking hold of her. 

She still holds Sedona in the dry tan of her skin and in her hair, 

but the fine mist of the Northwest 

is making its way to places she didn’t know were parched.”
― Susan Wiggs

 Just as the weather has swept my heart away here in Washington, DC...

I am headed to a Washington on the opposite coast. Seattle to be exact. Well...Bellevue to be certain.

I am planning to watch Sleepless in Seattle and read/write on the long plane ride over. 

But first, I am looking forward to a movie night with my Mr. 

and a breakfast date with said husband to follow.

Some mornings I lie awake before the alarm -

listening to husband breathe and watching the sun out our bedroom windows 

slowly begin to splash color on the swaying leaves -

in complete awe and joy that this is home.

I am looking forward to the trip ahead and its promised mist from the Northwest skies, 

but mainly I'm just incredibly excited and thankful to come back home.

New York on my mind

“I would give the greatest sunset in the world 

for one sight of New York's skyline. 

Particularly when one can't see the details. Just the shapes. 

The shapes and the thought that made them. 

The sky over New York and the will of man made visible."

- Ayn Rand

 Mr. D and I got back from NYC late last night. 

And if you think our eyes look tired in these pictures, you should see them now!
We are exhausted...
but would do it all over again in a heart beat.

Talking with dear friends until 3:00 a.m. | Cuddling their new baby Eloise, the cutest little French Bulldog | Visiting the 9/11 Memorial | Birthday celebrations at Cipriani and the most delicious bread | The High Line - a new favorite | Brunch with friends at Eatery | Meandering through Eataly and swooning over the pasta and cheeses | Subway sounds and a growing new skyline

This weekend was devine. 

But its the friends we saw that made it so fun and worth the while.

Now we are back in the District [much to Moose's delight] 

full of memories and longing for a much needed and highly anticipated nap. 

here's to the work week's timely end

"The need for change bulldozed a road down the center of my mind. "
— Maya Angelou

 This week has been especially tough in the world of editing and office walls.

My red pen seems to have leaked all over my hands and 

thick stacks of paper have made for impassable halls.

But the fact that its Friday and I get to spend the weekend with Mr. D

has me feeling a little more at ease...

however slightly lost in dreams.

-----

We are headed West for the weekend...

a small respite - camera in hand -

with my clever and handsome man.

Eastern Shores and Hospital Food

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving."
— Albert Einstein

 Mr. D, Lucy and I hopped in the car Saturday and just started driving.
It was wonderful.
 

We headed East to the Eastern Shore where wild horses roam an island

and neon beach towels hang off a thousand balconies...hotels galore.

Where Mexican food outside at 10 pm has never tasted so good

and sneaking a dog into a hotel is considered no small feat.

From there we just headed North

and eventually came face to face with Benjamin Franklin's friends

where a certain congress met in continental form

and a giant bell sits silent - having been cracked for years on end.

But Sunday night brought a very different kind of scenery about,

one that is becoming too familiar. 

Please keep my family - and in particular, my dad - in your prayers.

--------------

This weekend I fell a little more in love with my handsome husband
and learned again how precious family is.

hello, July.

"I wanted change and excitement and to shoot off in all directions myself, 

like the colored arrows from a Fourth of July rocket."
— Sylvia Plath

 Mr. D and I were married six months ago today.

Its the weekend of my second very favorite holiday...

and the world...well, at least the East Coast...is ours

to explore as we please.

Happy Fourth!

Enjoy and travel safe if you are...

and relish your surroundings if you're not. 

We are still undecided....

photograph by amber

the ground beneath my feet.

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." 
— Augustine of Hippo

Husband's best friend is getting married and so we are heading westbound. 

I've been gliding above ground lately -

acutely  aware of the hard surface beneath my feet. 

But I can't feel it. 

And I feel so blessed to be here, 

 yet I am looking forward to every moment moving forward

and somehow a little lost in beautiful memories of the past. 

And so this weightless timeline

has me longing to travel - to take as much in as I can 

to really feel it in my chest and touch it with my hands.

Because I know the ground is there

somewhere beneath my feet. 

---------

I am looking forward to going on this trip with Mr. D -

he is my very favorite person to travel with...

and I get to see my best friend on Friday which is simply the most amazing gift. 

Hope everyone has a wonderful rest of the week!

photography by Amber of liveitoutphotography

Lucy Girl Goes to the Country.

"After years of having a dog, you know him. 

You know the meaning of his snuffs and grunts and barks. 

Every twitch of the ears is a question or statement, 

every wag of the tail is an exclamation."
— Robert R. McCammon

 

Lucy is headed out to my parents house today. Wish we could take her on the plane with us...

but she will be staying in a doggy dream land 

with fields to run, a pool to swim in and friends to play with. 

We are sure gonna miss our Lucy Girl, though.