Washington DC

Last week, Evan and I had the opportunity to join Dan in DC. Dan was attending a week long training and I figured why not join him! It was Evan's 2 plane flight and after we barely made the noon flight, Evan just snacked the whole ride (about an hour).

It was a week of many new sites for Evan and some old for Dan & I. We had nice weather the first half of the week and rain the last few days. But it was fun. Check out the photos.

We saw all the monuments: Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson... the memorials: WWII, Vietnam, Korea... the museums: National Zoo, Natural History, Air & Space, sculpture garden, African, and a couple other random ones... plus shopped at the Ballston Mall, Pentagon City, and Union Station.... and even had time to have dinner with old high school friends and watch those Red Sox WIN!!!

It's been almost a week since we've been back, so I'll just give the highlights:
1) Evan had a hard time adjusting b/c there were so many new things to see (places, people, trains) that he didn't nap much.... that lead to unpleasant times for all.

2) Evan arrived in DC with a cold. That meant a runny nose and much spit up (post nasal drip). And he ended up sleeping in our bed b/c the hotel crib just wasn't comfy and he'd wake crying... didn't think our neighbors would appreciate that at 1:00AM.

3)We went to the National Zoo and Evan flipped out. I think he was tired and hungry. He got so upset that he wouldn't eat. He cried for what seemed like an hour, as I dashed through the zoo looking for the Giant Anteater exhibit to hide and nurse. He was definitely better after that. But unfortunately, the sun was beating down on us at the zoo. And the protective mother that I am, I put a hat on Evan's head... Evan hates hats, but didn't fight the Red Sox hate his daddy bought him (Dan stood in line for about an hour in Fenway during a game for this hat). Well, when I wasn't looking, Evan thew the hat.... it is lost.... and you KNOW no one is going to turn that hat in to the lost & found the morning after the Sox made it to the World Series!! I felt so bad.

4)We went to the Natural History Museum and again Evan freaked out. And in the giant rotunda, his cry echoes! So we went outside onto the National Mall and walked to the Capitol as we waited for Dan to be done with class. And the moment we stepped outside.... he was find. We passed through the butterfly garden and what a fascination Evan took. We perused the outdoor sculpture garden and so some "interesting" pieces. And once at the Capitol's reflection pool, Evan got out and did some exploring on his own.

5) The Air & Space Museum was so good for Evan that we went 3-4 times. Not only does it have a cool interactive exhibit on "how things fly", but it has unpopular exhibits that Evan can roam and be free. Not to mention a room meant for babies and moms. But Evan would roam for about 30 min or more and then tired himself out. I could then explore that museum or another in peace :) It worked for everyone.

6) Out last day, Dan finished training around 1:00 or so. It was a day of purely POURING rain (of course this pouring of rain occurred after Evan and I were already out). Dan met us at the Air & Space. We stopped at McDonalds for lunch (b/c in the pouring rain, you choose the most convenient--inside the museum!!). Evan had his first french fry (hope he enjoyed it b/c he won't be having another for a long time). But the one thing Dan wanted to see was the Mint... where they make the money. So we hunted it down and trekked in the rain... and missed the last tour @2:00. Mighty disappointed we were. So then we headed to the Natural History Museum (b/c Dan hadn't been yet on this trip) and it was near the Metro stop anyway. Evan slept during our first part of journey. Woke in the Minerals and Rocks exhibit and even got to climb some of the different types of rocks. This was our last day in DC.

7) We headed home on Saturday and again.... barely made our flight. Just didn't take into account a different schedule on the weekends and repairs & delays on the lines. Yikes. Evan LOVED being home and adjusted w/o a problem. He's sick now and we suspect it's the croup... and the triage nurse at the Dr office agrees. But he did sleep last night after a small dose of Benedryl.

Oh, I almost forgot... our habitrail.... we stayed in the Hilton in Arlington... which is connected to the mall and another building (housing a Manhattan bagel) via tunnels and such. So you never had to step outside... and neither did Dan for his training... just walk through glass tunnels/walkways and buildings... strange but true... made you feel like hamster... just looking for that wheel!!!

OK... have to go... but just wanted to end on this note... The Sox Rocked!!! What a series for those who watched it... can you believe you would witness not 1 world series win but TWO!!!!