Corndogs + Avocados

These two are from last week, our 30 week mark.

Did anyone else out there have a baby who sat only on one side of your belly? For some reason Thor likes to live on my right. He’s still small enough that no one else can tell from looking, but if things continue as they are I’m going to need a cane in my right hand so I don’t fall over sideways.

We got to house sit last week at a friend’s home. One of our favorite parts was these two crazy loving barking dogs.

So the whole point of going to Baltimore last month was to celebrate Nancy leaving that town with her Ph.D. in molecular biophysics from Johns Hopkins. Hooray for Dr. Nancy! Although, I may call her Ninja Nancy forever. Except, of course, when “Dr. Nancy” serves a comedic purpose.

Ok, so Nancy wasn’t at the aquarium. She was busy putting the finishing touches on her public seminar. The rest of us wandered through the water wonderland. Very cool aquarium. The best part was probably the special exhibit on Australia (sorry – no photos).

I want this job. You see those two big rays? The two dark lumps in front of them are humans in wetsuits feeding the animals. I totally want that job.

This was the big event!

She was amazing. A natural “explainer.” I even understood a little bit of it. Afterward, she fielded questions from professors and students like a pro. It was completely awesome to attend.

And they liked her so much that they gave her a cape with super powers!

And then they threw her a great party. Don’t worry, that’s sparkling apple cider. Everyone in the lab knows how stone-cold sober we are.

Nancy & Dad.

The retired lab coat.

Scientific types.

Careful, though. Apparently these scientific types can get out of hand.

Thank you Karen for taking care of our Nancy.

I just had to throw in one of Wyatt. He loves his gramma.

Outside of Jenkins Hall, where Nancy spent the last few years messing with proteins.

This is what a Doctor of philosophy looks like when she’s done and walking away.

Foxy doctor on the pier.

Foxy doctor and fan.

Dinner here was spectacular. Thanks Dad for hooking us up and thank you cousin Gary for making the drive out.

The next morning we celebrated with crazy amazing breaky at Golden West. If you ever have the chance you MUST go there and order… anything, but especially the waffles with apples and some kind of honey brown sugar butter syrup. Holy moly. Of course all good breakfast joints have a moose. Right? You know, just above the terracotta warrior replica (out of frame), next to the Mexican papel picado with Cambodian pop music in the background.

And a huge Mona Lisa.

Thank you Dr. Nancy and CONGRATULATIONS!

We started day two with a breakfast (er – more like an early lunch) of champions. This is reportedly Michael Phelps favorite place to eat in Baltimore, or at least one of his favorites. Does this diner fare make you faster? Oh yeah. I’ve been lap swimming three times since my BLT from Pete’s and my hanging belly and I are practically a blur of motion. You know, until I get to the wall and gasp for air. It is a strange sensation to swim with another human inside you.

Then we got in the car and headed north into Pennsylvania to visit Longwood Gardens. Let me tell you, they are SPECTACULAR. I highly recommend making the trip if you are in the area. Just a wonderfully peaceful and beautiful day strolling the luxurious grounds and breathtaking conservatory.

Red peony. I think.

Ceiba tree. In much of Central American mythology this is the tree of life.

Columbines.

Click here to fill all your photos-of-flowers needs. (And there are a few more shots of the four of us.)

Kim and Wyatt and I flew out to Baltimore to celebrate our fabulous sister Nancy becoming Dr. Burgess! MUCH more on what Nancy’s graduation from Johns Hopkins entailed when I get to that day.

This was Wyatt’s first flight and he was a model passenger. It was really fun to fly with these two!

The three amigos, plus Wyatt, in Nancy’s dining room.

Ok. I totally apologize to those who are not overly fond of “belly” photos. I’m a bit surprised by how often I try to pose for these. Always thought I’d be the “two or three times during a pregnancy max” kind of girl. But here we are again! This gorgeous dress game from my friend Joanie. THANK YOU! One thing that will likely never change is my intense dislike for shopping.

Diva shot. Thank you Nancy.

While we were posing and shooting Kim was singing the Mexican hat dance, holding Wyatt’s hands so that he could dance on the kitchen table. Right on cue Wyatt added his own percussion – Du-da, du-da, du-da, Du-da-da-da-da-du-da — TOOT!

Guilty party (with his mom).

Dr. Burgess with Wyatt.

Dr. Burgess and Wyatt totally crashed out. Yes, that is brain food on the ottoman.

Too much.