Baltimore - Day 6

Waking up at Auntie Cait's house was a great way to start our day after a late night. The kids played and ate fruit and waffles while Caitlin and I got ready to do a little shopping. Will had school in the morning and Caitlin already had her babysitter coming for the twins. Cathleen graciously agreed to take on 2 more kiddos for a couple of hours while we ran errands (including a trip to Marshalls!). Connor loved Miss Cathleen and Cora slept nearly the entire time. Will was happy to have both his mommy and Aunt Court pick him up from school. Chick-fil-a lunch and naps before an afternoon trip to the park.

Josh

Cora

Cora and Josh

Jenna and Josh

Cora - pretty soon she will be 16!

The Big Boys - Will and Connor. After a dinner of pasta and peas (a dish my mom used to make me that has somehow turned into a Kirby/Moorhouse family favorite) and the kids tucked into bed, Caitlin and I enjoyed a quiet evening at home while the guys went to the Ravens game (again) - this time it was pouring rain (we felt happy to be warm and dry!). Colin tailgated with his brother and old high school/college friends and enjoyed his likely last Ravens game of the year. Although he is lobbying for another O's game if they win the ALCS.

Baltimore - Day 5

Wednesday morning we did the usual. Colin left early with Bryan for work in DC. The kids and I planned to leave Hagerstown about 10:30. With Cathy's help watching the kids I managed to fit all of our stuff back in the rental SUV. It took about 30 minutes. We left right at 10:30 and headed to DC to meet up with Colin and do a little sightseeing. Connor is obsessed with DC, the Presidents - especially George Washington and was so excited to go see the White House. He didn't really understand why DC was soooo far away from Hagerstown. We arrived right about noon and after circling Colin's office a few time (hmmm - one of my least favorite things to do) we were on our way. We parked in a garage that was outrageously expensive (thank you DC) and we got our stroller out without dismantling all the meticulous packing I did. On our way, picnic is hand. First stop, White House. We got lucky because I actually had no idea how to get there. We found it easily on the first try. Connor was in awe.

Not the best photo but shows we were there and the kids definitely needed sunglasses - bright sunshiny day

Connor at the White House

The White House

Cora and Connor in front of the Washington Monument trying not to fall off the wall.

Connor and the Monument

Three Blond Moorhouses. After a quick picnic lunch we headed back to the car and on to Baltimore. We arrived just after nap time at the Kirby's house and Colin unloaded the car as we got unpacked for the second portion of our trip. Almost as soon as we were unpacked and set up, we headed out again. This time to the O's game. Bryan got us some great tickets and Connor has been following the Orioles with Colin (via MLB Game Plan - what we pay to see the Orioles . . . ). Connor was just bouncing around ready to go to the game. We also had a parking pass (score!) so we arrived in style and enjoyed a couple hours at Camden Yards. No trip to the park is complete without a burger, fries, ice cream and a new hat. Cora got a "First Game Certificate".

Connor watching batting practice from the flag court. The same woman who served us beer in law school was still working the same beer tent. wow too bad no beer this trip.

Posing in front of a statue. He wanted a picture in front of all of them but we settled on the one without 50000 people

Cora taking in the field - she started clapping almost immediately - before the game even started

Orioles Magic! She was sooo into the game (for about 1 inning)

Connor sporting his dad's hat

Camden Yards. Connor really wanted to stay for the entire game (which wasn't an option since we had Cora and were at the end of a very long travel day). He did get to see a home run - there were many more after we left. Next time. We bribed him with ice cream in a helmet and a new orioles cartoon bird hat. We escaped without noticing the bounce house and other kid activities (stealth) and crashed when we got back to Auntie Cait's. Too bad we missed Carne Cabeza at the game. Fox 45 in Baltimore followed Neal around the night before. Here is the link to the video MUST WATCH (wait patiently for the 15 second commercial to finish). Love my Brother-in-law.

Baltimore - Day 4

The guys left early again (although Colin drove Cathy's car to DC since Bryan had a golf tourney). Our day began after breakfast at the Discovery Place in Hagerstown. Since we are members of McWane Science Center in Birmingham we got to explore the Discovery Place for FREE (yup - 2 free things so far this trip). Hagerstown is pretty small and so were my expectations for this science center. I was pleasantly surprised. Not only were there some great kid areas to play that both Connor and Cora enjoyed (but since Hagerstown is small - there were like 4 other people there - total). Quiet and actually relaxing - not the way I can describe McWane - ever.

Cora playing with 2 laptops. Heaven for her

Connor in the Cessna

The museum is actually in an old bank building so they still have the safe. Connor in front of the big door.

Cora trying to climb up the slide (because that is easier and more dangerous). After the kids started to get hungry we went back home to eat and take naps. Connor didn't nap but the rest of us did. We were hoping for a family dinner at the local Mexican place but Colin got held up at work so he missed out. This may be our last trip to Hagerstown if Bryan and Cathy move and I'm sad because the spinach enchiladas that I ordered were sooooo delicious. I mean, I could eat them everyday. Maybe we will get to go one last time before they head south. Colin ended up making it back from DC safely. He called at dinner (which of course I missed since I was trying to feed 2 kids and myself). When I realized I missed his call I got a little anxious because there was really no reason for him to be calling unless something was wrong. I called back - not expecting him to answer since you can't talk on cellphones in MD or DC unless it is hands-free. He answered right away (this NEVER happens). So guess why he was calling. The radio in the Civic wasn't working (probably because the valet at his office left the lights on or something and when that happens in a Honda and you jump the car you have to enter a code to reset the radio - you know so people don't benefit from stealing the radio) - I of course know this because it just recently happened to me when my battery failed. Since the O's were playing he wanted to listen to the game on the 2 hour drive home - well, I was just happy that he wasn't in a wreck, broken down, etc without the registration for the car. This is the difference between men and women. He is upset he can't listen to the radio and I am worried he is stranded or detained on the side of the road. Next day - Field Trip to DC so Connor can see the White House

Baltimore - Day 3

Day 3 in Baltimore was a little more relaxing. Actually Day 3 was all Hagerstown. After a really late night at the Ravens game, we woke up around regular time and enjoyed a nice breakfast. After a leisurely morning we got dressed and headed out to the outlets. I was heading there in search of some new maternity clothes but ended up with a new make-up bag from Coach. Best part - it was free. Actually they paid me $.33 to walk out of the store. Thank you gift card from Colin's aunt and a great sale at the outlet.

We also allowed the kids to spend all of our quarters riding the "rides". Connor was disappointed that we ran out of quarters.

After nap we thought about going to the park but then decided to just play at Grandma Cathy's house until the guys got home from work. This was a much needed rest day as the rest of the trip was go,go,go.

Baltimore - Day 2

Day 2 started early for Colin, Bryan and Mike as they got up early to play golf. Surprise. We all eventually got up and had a nice breakfast and got the kids dressed in their Ravens gear.

The Cousins: Madelyn, Connor and Cora

Madelyn and Cora

Wrestling with Uncle Mike

Connor and Pop Pop. After lunch we headed to Baltimore to meet up with Caitlin, Greg, Erica and Mike for the Ravens game while the kids stayed in Hagerstown. Mary met us at the tailgate and so did the infamous Carne Cabeza.

Mary and Me

Me, Carne Cabeza (aka Neal) and Caitlin

Me, Colin, Chip and Lynne (we went to their awesome wedding last April)

Mary and Colin

Rear View of Carne. After the game we (hmm I) drove back to Hagerstown so that Colin could wake up at 4:30 and catch a ride to work in DC with Bryan. It was a long day but we made it and the game was fun - especially since the Ravens won!

Our Week in Baltimore - Day 1

When Colin first saw the Ravens schedule this year he had a spark in his eye. I know that look. We usually try to get back for 2 games (since we have season tickets) but some years that is easier than others. December is usually a really busy month for him at work so when he saw a Sunday night game followed up by at Thursday night game - I knew this was the most cost effective way to see 2 games, family and friends. Plus, the Orioles ended up doing well this year and they were at home too! A sports extravaganza. We left Birmingham bright and early on Saturday morning. The kids were confused why it was still dark out. We had 6 checked bags, 2 car seats, a stroller and 4 carry-on bags. We travel light! Luckily we fly Southwest and there was no additional charge for any of this (although a few of our bags were testing the weight limit at 48.5 lbs. If you don't know this (it is a secret that our friend Leslie shared) - if you are expecting you can pre-board. Obviously when I paid for Early-Bird Check-in I didn't know I was pregnant. It didn't matter that we were numbers 18, 19 and 20 (Cora in my lap) - I got to board first! This was important as Connor has been eyeing the front row of the plane. And, we got to sit there. He was confused as to why he had to wait for his bagel (in the overhead bin) - but once we were in the air and bagels were in hand - all was good. I like the front row with kids. Especially since they can't kick the person in front! We landed and after a small argument with the rental car company we were on our way - we rented an SUV but we barely fit all of our stuff in it - barely. First stop, Cousin Brandon's soccer game. We should have been there a few minutes early but I have been in la la land in Birmingham and forgot all about traffic. Traffic was horrendous. I navigated the back roads following my map on iPhone. We arrived and the kids were happy to run around (although I left Cora's shoes in the car). The kids were still in their pjs because I assumed we would have plenty of time to change. Wrong. Connor enjoyed watching Brandon's game and we met sleeping Cousin Lily for the first time.

Sweet Lily

Brandon and Connor - Connor looks mad. He is angry because I told him it was time to go. After soccer, we headed across the street (which took 10 minutes) to Atlanta Bread Company for lunch with Colin's mom, step-dad and brothers. I had a delicious avocado sandwich and cupcakes courtesy of Pat. Yum! After a nice visit we headed up the road a few miles to Grayson's first birthday party. We miss almost everyones birthday because we don't live in Baltimore anymore. So, it was fun that this party fit right into our busy Saturday. I didn't get a picture of the birthday boy but here is the cake.

A few hours later we got back in the car and went to Hagerstown for the night. We watched Auburn nearly edge out a win over LSU (nearly) and relaxed, finally. All to start again the next day.

14 Months/ 18 weeks

Cora is 14 months old.

She is finally drinking out of a sippy cup or straw cup that isn't leaking everywhere. They still leak a little bit but we are so happy that she has mastered the no spill cups. She has 9 teeth. 4 on top and 4 on bottom plus one molar (more arriving soon)!

Cora is wearing a size 3 diaper - size 4 overnight. She is in 12-18 month clothes. Her newest favorite food of the month is squash. She seriously ate 2 entire squash at one meal. She is a hungry monkey. She is walking pretty much 100% of the time. She is actually a good walker. She loves her some shoes (sometimes loves taking them off) but the shoe itself she loves. She is talking and also babbling all the time. Someone asked me how many words she says. I would guess about 10-15. The ones I can remember at the moment: Uh Oh!, Whoa!, Dada, MaMa, All Done, Diaper (sounds like Biper), Night Night, Thank you, Shoes, Yeah, yeah, yeah. She understands words like Milk, Eat & Hungry, Outside, Inside and Bath. At the mention of these words Cora starts heading toward the correct location (fridge, her eat seat, stairs, or Connor's room - her favorite way to get to the bathtub). She also knows what all fruit snack packages look like and will beg for at least 3 packages if she sees 1. Cora is climbing the stairs (by crawling) and can scoot/slide down on her stomach too. Of course our stairs are too hard and slick to do that. She wants to walk up and down the stairs after watching Madelyn, Jenna and Josh.

We recently returned from a week long trip to Baltimore. We had a great week and learned something new about Cora. She loves Carpet - real carpet. We have some carpet in our house but it isn't plush. Cora loved the carpet at her grandparent's house.

Cora is also riding her riding toys instead of just being able to climb on and sit. She is on the move and really loves going in circles around the house. She has also found a new use for the toys. Climbing on the couch. Just a little dangerous and by the photo you can tell she is quick.

She still loves her brother more than anyone else. Mini Carousel at Hagerstown Outlets.

More pictures and stories from our Baltimore trip coming soon!