Embassy Stroll

We love touring the embassies every May during Passport DC. This year Tyler was dead set on going to the Malaysian embassy so he could save the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Zoolander style.

We also got to dress up in Malaysian attire.

We also visited the embassies of Pakistan, Nigeria, Ghana, Bangladesh & Ethiopia

Dawson & Missy Visit!

We are so glad that Daw & Missy were able to come out to visit us for a few days. We had so much fun hanging out with them and taking Jane to see all the sites. We did lots of walking, site seeing, good food eating and late night chatting. Glad we get to see you again soon!

It's a girl!

 When Jane was just a few months old Tyler and I both had the feeling that we wanted to have a second baby sooner as opposed to later so that our kids would be close in age. We didn't think it would be possible for me to get pregnant since I was still breastfeeding Jane, so we were surprised and excited when we found out I was pregnant at the end of November.

This is how we told our families we were pregnant.

When I called my Grandma Haslam to tell her that I was pregnant the first thing she said was, "Oh, Lauren, it's a girl!" I was taken aback by this response and had to ask her to explain. She said that she had just had a dream about me standing with two little girls, one on either side. I was so touched by her experience and also had felt strongly that this little peanut was going to be a little girly.

When we went in for my 20 week ultrasound what we already knew was confirmed, we're having another girl! I am so excited to have two sisters so close in age. I hope they will be the best of friends. We were also so grateful to see that our little lady is healthy and growing and developing just as she should. We can't wait to meet her!

After the ultrasound we wrapped Jane in streamers and FaceTimed our families. Everyone was so excited!

Cherry Blossoms

We braved the crowds one last time to see the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin. They were gorgeous, as always. It was sad to think this is the last time we'll see them for the foreseeable future.

 We were laughing when we realized that I was pregnant at the cherry blossoms last year...

Grandma Visits!

 We were beyond excited to have my mom come out to visit. Having a baby makes being away from home that much harder. Thank heaven for FaceTime and Skype!

We had so much fun with grandma being in town! It was so sweet to see her and Jane interact. Jane definitely remembered her and warmed up to her very quickly. 

My mom spoiled us, of course. We spent plenty of time shopping, seeing sites, eating out, going to museums and hanging out at our apartment. My mom watched Jane one night so Tyler and I could go on a date. I'm pretty sure it was the best meal I've ever eaten. You don't realize how nice it is to sit and enjoy a meal uninterrupted until you have a baby trying to grab your food make a mess every time you sit down to eat. 

We had the greatest time together and can't wait until we get to see grandma again!

Warmer Weather

Our live improved dramatically when the weather finally warmed up. It's so great to be able go outside and let Jane explore!

My mom got her these darling sunglasses, so she'd riding in style. 

 Loves the swings!

One of her favorite things to do at the park is crawl around on the ground and look for sticks to chew on.

 Helping mom make blueberry muffins.

 She's starting to be able to feed herself with a spoon...kind of. She loves drinking out of a straw. If she's ever fighting us when we try to feed her, we just water down her baby food so she can drink it and she'll chug it down.

Back in the District

At the end of December we drove back to DC. Yes, drove; 2,000 miles over grey, frozen tundra. It was quite terrible and I hope to never do it again. Our first night we stayed in Nebraska and it was so cold that when we got back in the car, Tyler's pillow was frozen. We made the drive in three long days. Tyler drove 90% of the way and I sat in the back with Jane. She did really well in the car, probably because I just got her out of her car seat whenever she started getting cranky and let her roam around the back seat. I had lingering sickness from the first trimester of pregnancy, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. There were a couple times when I felt pretty nauseous and then Tyler and I would just switch because I didn't feel sick when I was driving. All three of us were SO ready to be done driving and so happy to be back home in DC. 

It was an incredibly cold winter in DC so I had to get creative to keep Jane entertained during the day since going outside wasn't an option. We spent lots of time in the tub, making messes, going to museums and hanging out in the lobby and community room of our building.

There were a couple weeks where Jane pooped in the tub almost every day. I finally learned to not put her in until after she had pooped for the day.