We’re home! Nothing quite like sleeping in your own bed (and crib), am I right?
Trip highlights: playing with Ev’s girlfriend Reagan and watching her splash in the tub like a crazy baby, six layer ice cream cake at Papa Haydyn with Joanna (so good!), brunch at Mothers (my second time, love love), shopping at the Nike Employee Store (thank you, Matt!), playing with Emma and Quinn, inhaling Danielle’s homemade banana pancakes, meeting blogger friend Michelle for coffee, getting super lost on our way to family photos, trying not to complain during family photos because it was freezing cold and windy, driving around Everett WA looking for a sign to take pictures of, lunch at the Port of Everett, strolling around downtown Kirkland, swingin’ at Waverly Park with Ev’s girlfriend Clara, drinks with my friend Danielle, and a quick trip to Pike Place Market on Sunday so I could pick up some Pappardelle’s flavored pasta per Katie’s recommendation. All in all, a nice little trip!
On our second night in Portland, my friend Danielle’s daughter Emma (second picture), took a liking to Everett right away. At one point Everett said, “Ahh!” and Emma shouted, “Mom! Everett just said his FIRST WORD at OUR house! He said Ahh!” She was so exited, I didn’t have the heart to tell her that Everett says “ahhh” all the time. Later that night I learned that right before bed, Danielle tells Emma what to dream about so she won’t have any nightmares. Thursday’s dream chat sounded like this:
Emma: What should I dream about tonight?
Danielle: Hmm, tonight you are going to dream that you are Everett’s babysitter. You get to play with him and make snacks for him and give him a bath and put him to bed.
Emma: (shuts her eyes tight) Okay stop! I’m going to lose it!
She was afraid if she didn’t go to sleep immediately, she would lose the dream idea. I have really never heard anything sweeter. Emma, darling, as soon as you’re old enough, you can babysit Everett anytime. He adores you.
I’m sure one day traveling with a baby will be second nature to us, but for the time being, it’s still a lot of work. We stayed at three different houses over the course of four nights, and there was a ton of un-packing and re-packing of the suitcases. Lucky for us, our friends are super generous and took excellent care of us everywhere we went. Everyone had portable cribs and high chairs, etc, so we didn’t have to bring too much baby stuff.
The one baby item we did bring was our new 4moms Origami stroller. I never thought it would be possible to love a baby item, but the Origami and I? Love at first sight. It unfolds with the touch of a button all by itself like a robot (no joke, watch the video here). It charges my iPhone while I push it and tells me how fast and far I’m walking. I get stopped everywhere I go by moms who want to see how it works. Every time we went through security, the TSA guys would play with the stroller for ten minutes before giving it back to us. They said it was the coolest baby ride they’d ever seen, and I bet they see a lot of strollers. Even though it was a big item to bring, I’m so glad we did. We put about 16 miles on that bad boy over the course of our trip, which I only know because it tracks our mileage! If you’re looking to invest in a solid stroller, you won’t find a better one than the Origami. Just ask Ev 
It’s good to be home!
