This is kind of a big deal

I think this is the beginning of something big...

A Trip to Maryland and a Little Catching Up

The last month or so has been busy-ness as usual. Get it? We just got back from Maryland, where Rye met her cousin and got to see two uncles and an aunt. We met Uncle and Ali for a quick three day trip to visit Aunt Amina, Uncle Darius, and little baby Finn.

The flight out was trying. Rye is so energetic and inquisitive, it's hard to ask her to sit still for three and a half hours. Luckily, we had an empty seat next to us and she spent alot of time playing and looking out the window (and reading).

I used to be a seriously unapologetic eye-roller in the presence of a traveling infant or toddler. I now stand in solidarity with my fellow droopy-eyed brothers and sisters. We are millions strong and we don't care how heavily you sigh when our kids scream at the top of their lungs. Have another cocktail and remember that we'll soon be landing. You can repay the favor by staying out past 10:30 and slamming the hotel room door when you turn in for the night.

Here are some more highlights from the trip:

Rye goes swimming with Uncle Ali...

Rye hangs out with baby Finn...

Rye swings with dad...

Dad shows off the ridiculous car-seat carrier (seriously, this happened).

Before all of that, Rhoda and I looked on over the last few weeks as our Little Girl:

Charmed the Hafiz family at brunch...

Pointed out dogs at the dog park...

Got in a box...

Checked out a giraffe and some camels...

Wrestled with some packing paper (this photo does not even begin to show the amount of entertainment squeezed out of this piece of brown paper)...

Helped arrange the tupperware drawer...

Learned to stand up without any help...

and generally maintained maximum cuteness.

my girls