the bleak midwinter

I read on a blog or Instagram post somewhere about trying to embrace the season you're in (the actual season, not the season of life, though I guess that's a good idea too) and I'm really trying my best not to be so bummed out about winter. Winter's tough! I think I skated by pretty easily while I had a regular 9-5 job—even winter with a new baby last year wasn't terrible—but this year has been harder. Rhoda's a lot more active now and there's only so much you can do with a kid inside (or outside in the cold for the short amount of time you can tolerate it) so we're all struggling a little bit. But to my credit I don't think I complain about it a lot. I've become much more of a hermit, which I kind of don't mind either. So I think we're cool with you for now, Winter, though I won't complain when Spring finally butts her way in for those blissful weeks before that attention hog Summer plods in.

We've had a busy couple of months—just a couple of weeks after we got back from California, we left for a quick trip to Utah. Then two days after we got back from Utah, we went to DC for Theo's baptism, and then brought my parents back to Philly with us for a couple of days. Somewhere in there was the coldest week of my life (sorry, Mom and Dad) and two weeks of canceled church services and the hermit tendencies really came out some more just so we can 1) stay warm and 2) get some semblance of a routine going after all that travel (we're going out of town again tomorrow and then again next week, sooo... maybe not). Rhoda's been a little confused that we're spending so much time indoors and now she wants to just take a tiny nap in the morning instead of her long afternoon nap and then be awake all afternoon till bedtime, which is wearing on me a little bit, so I took the advice of my sister and I just leave Rhoda in her crib with some books and her bunny and let her have some quiet time for a while—with varying degrees of success, but whatever. Basically what I'm saying is that this is the kind of boring thing you have to look forward to when you have kids someday.

Now some pictures to illustrate our busy month:

Waiting to play in the snow

Basically every picture these days

Outtake from the Great Friend Reunion of 2015. Some of my college besties I hadn't seen in years and this meetup was just what I needed.

All the Hamill grandkids together at last! It was nice to see Robbie's sisters and their kids while we were in Utah.

My latest sewing project—capes for a friend's twin boys' third birthday

What mornings without naps look like these days

The giant Wanamaker organ console, which is in our local Macy's—super random, but it's the largest functioning pipe organ in the world! I took my parents to hear a noon concert while they were here which was a highlight of the trip after being cooped up inside all week.

I watch my friend's son once a week while she does schoolwork, which is another nice way to break up the tedium of being inside all day. Rhoda and Sasha are just three days apart and they're finally beginning to look like they enjoy each other's company.

Rhoda likes to walk around picking up Robbie's winter gear and putting it on. Not pictured—his "mickies" (mittens).

This Monday was the Wharton Kids Club bake sale, which has been haunting me for months. But it was really successful and we raised $800! But thank goodness that's over because planning that sort of thing is a headache.

Hanging out after story time in my new favorite shirt

I always want to buy things like baby sunglasses and then I get real and remember they'll last about ten seconds on her face before she pulls them off. But Rhoda sure enjoyed those ten seconds.

Look, I'm blogging once a month! Better than nothing I guess.

cold weather is what you get for gloating

Rhoda's reaction yesterday when I told her the high temperature would only be in the 20s 

Let me tell you what you get when you miss a polar vortex when you are on vacation in 80+ degree southern California—you get TWO weeks of polar vortex when you come back to DC. After a snow day and two below zero days, I was a little disheartened to look at the forecast for next week (which is almost as grim as this week's). Before this afternoon, I hadn't been outside since Monday evening. I have eaten Nutella ebelskivers for breakfast every morning this week to make myself feel better about being stuck at home. To be fair, Rhoda has been pretty good-natured considering I have been keeping her cooped up inside all week because I can't bring a baby (or myself) outside when the windchill makes the temperature drop below zero. The problem is that she is wising up. Yes, Rhoda, there are really actually only three or so things I have at home to entertain a baby. Everything else I have in my bag of mom tricks involves being outside, in the stroller, in the wrap—anywhere but in our tiny one-bedroom apartment. So now she just wants to be held all the time, although tonight, in a strange turn of events during her witching hour, she was only happy when she was laying half-dressed on the changing table. A changing table is not really the most fun place for a grown-up to be entertaining a baby, especially when there is a drafty window right next to it. But she seemed to enjoy it for like twenty minutes, which is basically eternity for a baby, so I guess that's okay.

To end on a positive note, this afternoon was a bright spot amid the snow and wind when we went and met up with some other mom friends in the neighborhood that I met during my pregnancy. We all had baby girls with old lady names (seriously—Rhoda, Evelyn, Marian and Maude?) within weeks of each other and now we have a standing date to get together and share our collective wisdom about breastfeeding, postpartum recovery, cloth diapers, and adjusting to the mom thing in general. It's pretty great to have a group of friends that you can be completely confused with. I have picked the brain of many experienced moms and while that is helpful, it is also helpful to be around other people who are totally new to motherhood so that you can all learn together without passing judgment. So if this is how I'm going to make it through the winter, the next couple months won't be half bad.

spring fever

I've heard a lot of people in DC say that they feel like they got gipped in April because we didn't really have April-like weather. Whatever that means, I guess. In all the places I've lived I feel like April has always alternated rain, sun, and snow and everyone complains every year as if it's supposed to just be really nice all the time. I guess that's not too much to ask though, IS IT MOTHER NATURE??!

April gave us a good rainy sendoff this week (in the spirit of April showers bringing May flowers, I suppose) and the past two days have been glorious. Low humidity, sunshine, and smiles on everyone's faces—I really wish that both warm seasons were this pleasant. I couldn't even get that mad yesterday when my bike chain fell off and my derailleur (just learned that term so I'm trying to say it as much as possible) got all janky and I had to walk the rest of the way home because it was just so nice outside. And some of April's blossoms are still hanging on for dear life for everyone to enjoy without the high pollen count. It's a pretty good life here in the District.

i've got a cupboard with cans of food, filtered water and pictures of you

this view and I are getting really well-acquainted today

I don't even know what to think about Hurricane Sandy/Frankenstorm/Snor'eastercane right now. Work was cancelled for pretty much everyone in DC so we're at home and I'm cozy in my wool socks and cat sweater. It's raining pretty consistently, not too heavy yet, but judging by what people are saying on the news it's going to reach epic proportions with flooding and winds. I just don't know what to think! Last year during Hurricane Irene we were stuck in Iceland so I don't know how crazy it really got after all the hype.

But, we're pretty prepared. Robbie and I did an emergency grocery run yesterday (I know, it was Sunday, but we realized at church that we hadn't been taking the storm warnings too seriously) and stocked up on water, which was our biggest concern. (And then Robbie picked up Brussels sprouts, which makes no sense because there's no way we'd be able to prepare those during a power outage? But that's beside the point.) And then he went back to the grocery store this morning with our friend Mark and picked up all kinds of snacks that we could have if our power does go out, AND he got stuff to make s'mores. Writing all of that out makes me feel like things couldn't be too bad if we can make s'mores in our fireplace, right? I don't know. We also have a JetBoil and lots of leftover camp dinners so we're well-stocked with food. At the very least I think we'd fare well in a zombie apocalypse.

I'm nervous/excited to be home today. And a little worried about cabin fever. (Can you tell I kind of have it already?) It's only 10:30 am but it looks like 6 pm outside so I think it's going to be a long day. And I wish that I had picked up my book at the library before it closed for the storm.

This is the most random post, but I guess I just felt like I had to write an obligatory storm post before the power goes out. Anyone have any storm survival tips? Both practical and help-we're-bored-what-do-we-do tips? I'm open to suggestions.

assateague

Cold breakfast s'mores because it was too windy/rainy for a fire the night before—and behold, the crumpled canopy that met its demise in the storm

Um... every picture of Eliza's family was a variation on this theme. Foot in mouth?

SWEETEST OUTFIT (in hindsight, what a great idea to bring my rain boots!)

I knew that I should have posted about our weekend camping trip at Assateague as soon as we got back, because now the details are becoming foggy. Well, the whole thing is becoming more and more funny to me, which I guess is a good thing, since I was feeling kind of pessimistic about it late Friday night.

This is what sticks out to me: we showed up to the beach, it was GORGEOUS. We set up our tent, hung out for a few hours, it got a little rainy. Waited a little longer, the torrential rain and lightning and thunder and tornado warnings in the county showed up. And then didn't go away till... I don't know, really late, like 2 or 3 in the morning. By that point I stopped keeping track because I was delirious from exhaustion and tried to fall asleep with a pillow over my whole head so that I could attempt to block out the lightning and the noise of the rain pounding on the tent. Our tent protected us from the elements (we tested it in Iceland during a crazy storm on the beach), but poor Eliza had some leaking problems in her tent. And Matt was not there because he was gone on a work trip. And the lightning was scary. (Seriously, it felt like it was IN OUR TENT—but I had a husband to cling to and she didn't, and I felt bad about that. Though I did offer to go to her tent to let her cling to me and that didn't ever happen. I'm great to spoon with, Eliza! Okay, stopping now.) So I really don't blame her for wanting to leave in the middle of the night and sleep in the car (didn't happen—I don't think you guys understand how bad the rain and lightning really were), or for wanting to leave first thing in the morning after enjoying a cold s'more. But Eliza has raised some really amazing kids who didn't wake up at all during the night, even when they were sleeping in puddles in the tent, and claimed when they woke up the next day that they had a really great time.

So. That's that.

I'm really selling this whole camping thing to you guys, aren't I? Haha. I have such wonderful memories of camping from when I was a kid! And now that we know how to do it right (i.e., good sleeping pads, sleeping bags, etc.) it's a lot more fun, and we live by so many cool places that we just want to take advantage of it more than we have in the past. And Assateague is seriously gorgeous. It's a pretty amazing place with lots of beautiful wildlife (horses, deer, turtles, rabbits, birds, the works!) and the beaches are clean and virtually empty. As you can see in the last few pictures, Robbie and I stayed for a little while afterward and soaked up the sun, which made the trip worth it. (Also—all of those pictures were taken Saturday morning between 6 am and 11 am. What weird weather.)

Maybe you can come with us next time. But I promise we'll just get a hotel if there's a chance of rain.

glorious summer

It is a breezy 73 degrees with no humidity right now in DC. I'm trying to cherish this moment while it lasts, since it will surely be fleeting and soon make way for high 90s and one million percent humidity (weekend, I'm looking at you). Last weekend Robbie and I began our full embrace of summer with camping, the beach, and some pool time and it was glorious. Sort of dramatic (a post on that later), but still glorious.

By the way. If I had any advice to people still in college or with any kind of flexible schedule, I'd tell them to go to the pool as often as possible. Because, you know, that kind of flexibility goes away without any warning at all. Please don't judge me because these are my priorities.

it's springtime for hanner

I know people love to complain about Daylight Savings Time, but let me just show it some love. DST, I love you! Don't be sad that some people hate you and that an entire state ignores you. I love that it's not dark so early any more! (I'm not awake early enough to notice it's still dark later in the morning...) I love that you proudly herald the start of spring! My jet-lagged body has been so confused over the past several weeks that I wasn't even mad that I couldn't drag myself out of bed this morning.

Welcome, spring. Thanks for coming early this year.

this weather is blowing my mind

I woke up this morning to pounding rain, thunder, and lightning. Totally didn't mind that, since the forecast today predicted 63 degrees, and it was 30 degrees and snowing last weekend. So. I left my house with boots, jacket, and umbrella in tow, and by the time I got to work this morning it looked like this:

Again—DO NOT MIND. Thank you January. I was beginning to have a bit of a breakdown because the bitter cold of January seemed to be never-ending. And now the end of January gifted this blue sky to me. Thanks.

February is another story. Shortest month of the year, but the cold makes it feel like it lasts forever. But again, I don't mind, since this year I'll be spending most of it on a beach in southern Thailand. Bangarang.

warm thoughts

When I had a hard time dragging myself out of bed this morning (and yesterday morning, and many mornings before that), I finally admitted to myself that maybe, just maybe I have a hard time with winter. Have I ever had the winter blues before? Probably. It's just hitting me a little harder this year. I had to remind myself this morning that I don't typically have to lay in bed for 40 minutes before I muster up the courage to put my bare feet on our cold tile floor and face the biting cold outside—and this has been a mild winter so far! Sigh. First world problems.

How about some leftover pictures from the holidays in California to remind us of better times, when it was 90 degrees in December and you didn't need to wear a jacket in the morning?

1, 2. watching the horses warm up at the race track // 3, 4. Newport Beach (yes, we went to the BEACH in DECEMBER and it was WARM and I almost DIED AND WENT TO HEAVEN)

And. Since we're talking about Monrovia... might I make a recommendation? In case you are in the mood for a delicious sandwich whipped up for you by some really friendly, tatted up bikers who have decorated their store with a variety of cute salt and pepper shaker sets and make a mean ranch dressing?

Well then, I know just the place for you—The Market Grill in Monrovia, California, which is conveniently located across the street from my brother's house (where we spent a lot of time over the break). I want to marry that ranch dressing.

Freak, now I'm cold AND hungry.

When the weather is nice, I listen to this song like it's my job

(And for the curious—there was no shutdown, but I did have a big bowl of cereal anyway.)

Spring fever

I didn't have allergy issues before I moved to DC. Last year I learned that I get really terrible seasonal allergies, and if left unchecked, terrible sinus infections later on. At about four this morning I woke up with an itchy throat. What do you do about an itchy throat?? I can deal with the runny nose, the red eyes and the sneezing. But the itchy throat!! It is a punishment that no one deserves.

If you have any itchy throat advice you'd like to share, please tell me.

Obsessed

The weather was so nice this Friday. I pretended it wasn't February, and that it would last. (It didn't. It snowed last night.) Julie and I biked over to Lincoln Park on Friday evening and enjoyed the fading sunlight and the babies and the dogs. If you are interested in having a baby or getting a dog, Lincoln Park is the place to be. We saw so many cute kids and awesome dogs that it made my heart hurt, and I'm not really a dog person. There were little groups of tiny dogs all playing with each other, and then a group of big dogs playing with each other. Really funny.

My personal favorite and current obsession are Weimaraners. There were a couple of them at the park and they are so pretty and tall. So we went home and laughed over YouTube videos of William Wegman's dogs.

Maybe one day (when I have a house and a yard and lots of free time) I'll have a Weimaraner. But they are needy and potentially not cat-friendly and that is kind of a deal-breaker for me. I'll just watch videos of them for the time being.

Daylight is fading

So I better get out there.

Happy long weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The view from our front door at approximately 12:32 am

The flakes may be few, but it's sticking and it finally feels like Christmas is coming next week.
(Spoken like a true Californian who has never had a white Christmas.)
(Robbie couldn't care less and is sleeping while I stare out the window.)
(But he did make tons of Christmas cookies before he got in bed and it feels so festive here.)
(I'm just really excited.)

How cold is too cold?

Well, let me give you an idea. Right now, according to weather.com, it's 32 degrees with a "feels like" temperature of 19 degrees. There are winds "gusting" at 31 miles per hour. And I still rode my bike, like a crazy person. You can't really tell in this picture (that Robbie took yesterday morning before I left for work), but I'm wearing a balaclava/ninja mask, Under Armour (on top AND bottom), clothing on top of that, plus a coat, socks, scarf, and two pairs of gloves. Oh, and my helmet. And it was still freezing on my ride to work. Today it was so windy that when I stopped at a stop light, I didn't even have to put my feet on the ground to steady myself—the wind just held me up.

I've gotten to the point that I just don't really like riding the metro any more, and I like saving $5 a day on commuting fares, that I really will ride in any weather (except for rain). But I feel a little bit like I'm torturing myself, and getting to my office isn't really a safe haven because the heat isn't working (what is with the HVAC issues in this building??). What's a girl to do? Pray for snow, that's what. Snow makes the cold prettier, at least.

Fall is here, hear the yell

Saturday I shared a caramel apple with Robbie during General Conference. Last night I ate like ten of Naomi's pumpkin chocolate chip muffins and then had another one for breakfast this morning. Today it's chilly out and I'm wearing boots. Robbie and I talked about building a fire in the fireplace. (Huzzah!)

Is fall here to stay?

P.S. Some new fall music to enjoy.

I wasn't prepared

It is COLD outside! And RAINING! I have been waiting for this day for so long (I love you summer, but you've been bringing me down this year), and I got nervous this morning and threw on the first thing I saw in my closet. And I wasn't prepared. I'm wearing tennis shoes (I've got a really broad definition for "business casual"), a t-shirt, and a pair of pants that got soaking wet after being outside for ten minutes.

I should have worn boots! I should have worn a jacket! I should have cute fall accessories! But I don't know where any of my fall clothes are! And I'M COLD!

I know that right now, Robbie is cursing the day we decided to move to a place that actually has seasons, but I am ready for you, Fall. Just give me some time to go through my closet.

Picnic

Yesterday was a glorious day for a picnic. (Today is too, actually!) So my sister Eliza and her kids met up with me and my brother in-law Matt (who works around the corner from me) for a nice picnic in the tiny park by my office. I enjoyed watching Ida eat a milkshake, and watching Theo attempt (unsuccessfully) to climb the tree next to us. I know that you have been wondering when I would post more pictures of children that do not belong to me, so here you go.


I take after my mom in her ability to take incredibly unflattering pictures of people while they're eating, so I won't post the other pictures of Eliza and Matt. But I just needed you to know they were there.

The great weather is supposed to last at least the next two days, so I'll relish it while it lasts. Robbie is enjoying it by kayaking this morning. (WITHOUT ME!) Hopefully it isn't too miserable as we hang around for fireworks on Sunday. Fireworks! In our nation's capital! I can't wait.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood

Yesterday when I was making my last trip to the Huntington metro, I encountered Christopher Walken again. He and I must really have a connection, because he looked up from the booth and saw me, and I saluted to him in a half-wave and he signaled to me with the "OK" sign. I think he knew it would be my last trip there and wanted to acknowledge my leaving. Thanks, metro man. I'll miss you too.

In other news, the move went incredibly well yesterday. Thanks to everyone who helped. I'm a little bugged that I have class till 9 tonight, because I just want to go home and empty boxes. Good thing a three-day weekend is coming up! (Four days for Robbie... what?!?)

We've already made friends with the neighbors, who are so nice and friendly. We have this big bay window that opens up onto our street, and the next-door neighbors were walking by and waved to us as they came home from work. It's like college all over again. We chatted and exchanged numbers with them and another guy who lives on the same street... it's so weird to be in a place where the neighbors actually want to know you. Our last place was the complete opposite--as we drove away from the old house with our caravan of cars, the neighbors just went about their business on their front lawns, as if we weren't even there. Oh well. I guess that's partly our fault too for being really awkward? Or for being the only renters in the area? Whatever. I'm over it already.

And one last thing--this fall-ish weather?? I almost cried with joy this morning on our walk to the metro. It was glorious. 74 degrees right now and a nice breeze... I might take an extra long lunch today just to make sure I can take it all in.

Bittersweet

Sometimes I'm a little sad about leaving our house. But then for the better part of last night I slept on the couch downstairs because something is wrong with our AC and our bedroom is a good 20 degrees hotter than it is outside. Right now I'm thinking Wednesday isn't coming soon enough.