Boston

Over President's Day weekend, Leif and I decided to give Aaron a few days of peace and quiet while we went out to visit Tamara (my close friend from high school who now lives in Brookline, just across the city line from Boston), her husband Mike and their daughter Sierra. Over the past few years, Tamara and I have inadvertently started a tradition of visiting each other whenever one of us is pregnant. Aaron and I stayed with Tamara and Mike for several days back in spring 2008 when she was expecting Sierra, Tamara came to Minnesota in 2010 when I was eight months pregnant with Leif, and now that she is awaiting the arrival of Sierra's baby sister, it was my turn to visit her once again. We had a delightful time hanging out at their condo, walking around the neighborhood, and visiting the Museum of Science and the New England Aquarium. We were very lucky to be able to see my dear friend (and Leif's buddy from his early, cranky days) Shuli on the same trip -- she drove down from her current home in Portland, Maine to spend a few days with us all. Below are some highlights from the trip.


Hanging out with Shuli at Tamara's place. Leif got a lot of good walking practice in around the condo; he especially liked cruising along the edges of the giant L-shaped sofa.


Leif picked up lots of tips on how to be a big kid from Sierra.


At the Museum of Science, Leif was most interested in investigating the properties of benches and escalators.


Sierra was *very* excited about pushing Leif in the stroller as we made our way out of the museum! Tamara and I helped out a little bit with steering here and there, but overall she did a great job considering the stroller was taller than she was.


Shuli and I enjoyed several chilly but pleasant walks around Brookline while Leif got some late afternoon napping done in Tamara and Mike's snazzy jogging stroller.


I think Leif dug the stroller as much as I did!


Taking a break for snacks at the aquarium's pleasantly large-windowed cafe. Not satisfied with Cheerios and water, Leif managed to grab a chunk of my bagel.


Leif found all those fish -- and masses of people, since we were there on a holiday -- downright exhausting! Luckily he is still light enough for me to carry him in the Baby Bjorn (just barely).


Logan Airport thoughtfully provides rocking chairs at some gates for the convenience of parents traveling with young children. That's so the children can stand next to the chairs and practice rocking them, right? Leif thought so. Right after taking this picture, we were off to board our flight home at the adjacent gate. Leif was a very popular little guy on that flight, despite (or perhaps because of) his antsiness. He refused to stay on my lap for more than 5 or 10 minutes at a stretch and hardly napped at all, which meant he got to make numerous trips toddling up and down the aisle, making friends. Various people sitting near us also played lively games of peek-a-boo with him toward the end of the flight when he was starting to reach the end of his rope. Thank goodness for the kindness of strangers!