Visit to New York

The great thing about the East Coast is how relatively close places are vs. California. So on a long 3 day weekend we packed up the car and did the traffic infested 6 hour drive to Manhattan to stay with our dear friends Jim, Carol and Sam Lewis. With our kids less than 2 months apart it makes a weekend visit very easy as we could use much of their baby equipment and we had to adjust all our activities to our kids.

Even though for all intensive purposes we could have been in Kansas since we didn't really get to experience NY as an empty nester couple might. None the less we took some great walks out in the park, enjoyed the plethora of unique New York shops that line every street and felt the energy of the Big Apple.

Our second day involved a fun ferry ride to Staten Island where we caught up with Pranvera's cousins, Kennie and Shkurta and their 9 month old and 2 year old. Great fun to see the kids play with one another and for us to enjoy quality kid time on a nice carpeted floor. We ended out that evening with a visit to Arta and Oki and who work for the Kosovo government with the UN and have set themselves up quite nicely as diplomats. We enjoyed lovely meals and conversations to catch up since our last visit there almost a year back.

On our drive back to DC we were able to break up the trip with a visit to another dear Kosovar friend Ilir and Arbresha and their newborn and 2 young children. We were able to get a nice afternoon swim in the children's pool and partake in yet another nice home cooked meal. Pranvera also drove us from their place all the way back into DC which was her first US highway drive.

Auntie Stacey Visits

After attending another music class, we had the perfect day outing taking a boat trip from Georgetown to Old Town Alexandria.

Playing at the pool.

Another day in his music class.

Adrian's First Music Class & Videos

Already proficient with his shaker, bouncing, and giggling while I play guitar, Adrian upgraded to his first music class at the Levine School of Music in DC. With 10 other families, we sang, banged, and clapped our way through an hour-long class on a very rainy Sat morning. He was all smiles watching the other kids and playing with mommy and daddy.

Keeping with the music theme we attended an outdoor rhythm and soul concert in Rock Creek Park with our dear friend Susanna. A bit hot on the earlier side it started to cool off as we enjoyed a refreshing class of wine and nice base beats that eventually rocked him off to sleep.

And a random collection of playtime video from the past couple weeks as he enters his 7th month.

First 4th of July

After a weekend of dealing with a jetlagged mom and baby and a sick daddy we barely made it out in the 100F heat to celebrate our country's Independence Day with a very traditional picnic and small (but loud and good) neighborhood firework celebration. We went with our dear friends the Schads and their boys Alex and Sam always prove to be entertaining for Adrian. We found the perfect shaded spot, laid out the blankets and covered them with toys and food. Luckily our early arrival afforded us the perfect viewing spot will the rest of the field filled up to capacity right before the late show.

But they had an American bandstand playing traditional music, a DJ spinning some tunes, a raffle, and a local gymnastics team do cheers and acrobatics to entertain the kids. Luckily the temperature and humidity dropped down to afford a pleasant night. The fireworks show was great but way louder than we ever imagined for Adrian. Thankfully, with his jet-lagged schedule and the ear plugs and Pranvera covering his ears, he did not wake up once. Sam and Alex just stared in amazement so we know next year we'll try to keep him awake.

Meanwhile Adrian has stepped up his exercise schedule as you can see below...

Adrian -turning six months



I can sit and play on my own. I am a big boy now.

Adrian attempting to walk. An ordinary day for Adrian, everone has to hold him at least once.

Eating solids.