Hey hey!
I’m looking forward to blogging so much more now that the (self-inflicted) pressure is off. Your support of my atypical HLB-blogging ways totally lifted my spirits. Thanks! And while I did intend to blog last week on vacation, the idea of blogging on Zach’s iPad was a turnoff, so I just said screw it. Ooo speaking of Apple products, I ordered the new iPhone 5. I still have the 3Gs, which feels ancient compared to Zach’s phone so I bit the bullet and ordered a new one. The main reason is that I seem to take 99% of Bean pics using my phone and the newer iPhones have much better cameras.
Anyway, last week, well the 7th to the 16th, we were in Charlottesville visiting Zach’s family. I’m still trying to decide if it was a vacation. Sure I didn’t have to work, but taking care of bean nearly all day every day is most definitely ‘work.’ Particularly since he’s a squirmy little bugger and needs to be watched a lot more than when he was stationary (btw, I missed his 8mo update, but will post a 9mo update).
Rather than bore you to tears with a wordy recap of our trip, here are some highlights:
Polo match at King Winery:
Drinking at Sips for Cookie’s (MIL) Birthday:
Walking around the downtown mall:
Date night at Hamilton’s where I ordered the best veggie plate I’ve ever had: Mini eggplant parmesan, a savory tofu with tomato chutney, green beans with chevre and marcona almonds, roasted beets in a vinaigrette, and a stufffed poblano with a kalmata tapenade. So so so good. Oh and lots of bubbly. And err, maybe Sweet Frogs too.
Apple picking at Carter Mountain:
Hiking at Humpback Ridge:
And tailgating at the UVA- Penn game (Bean only lasted about 10 minutes at the actual game)
Not highlights:
Getting on our small puddle jumper plane from Charlottesville to Dulles, only to have to de-board after the door wouldn’t shut (some metal piece broke off). This resulted in us missing our flight and staying in VA an extra day. The bonus was more family time, the negative was feeling exhuasted and rushed on Sunday when we returned. Bean was pretty happy we stayed:
Bean on a plane. It was a cinch taking bean to NYC/Boston in May (5mo). Doing a similar cross-country flight at 8.5mo is not fun. Seriously. We were equipped with formula, water, puffs, books, teething rinks, binkies, etc, but bottom line is bean did not want to sit on our laps for 5 hours. He’s just way too autonmous right now. Luckily he didn’t scream, but he definitely whined. He’s lucky he’s so darn cute. Oh and did I tell you that the flight we missed the day before, I was bumped to First Class…yeah didn’t get that on the new flight. Argh.
Besides all that, I am loving the cooler temps and the onset of Fall. I have already welcomed the season with the Candy Corn Oreos (delish) and some Candy Corn M&M’s (just okay, but will be fun to bake with).
More importantly, I am digging out the boots and skinny jeans. I also have an itch to shop and freshen up the Fall wardrobe.
And I think I may be making applecrisp this weekend.
All in all, not too shabby.
How are you welcoming the Fall?
You see, Saturday is my baby shower, so tonight my Mom is arriving, tomorrow afternoon my MIL, and tomorrow night my bestie. Yipppeee! 
Another story for another time is about how I no longer have a snack drawer due to some pesky mice that went to town on my snacks. Watch out mousies – my wrath is way worse than a mouse trap (I kid, I kid).
Totally hits that salty-chip-craving, but in a healthier, lighter, low-cal form. WIN! And, what’s great is that they are from San Francisco – love supporting local companies! 
meeep!
). She sent me M&M cookies (recipe form 
) a close second
