Emma in the Capital City

Dusty and Emma joined me on a business trip to Washington DC this week. We flew in on Tuesday afternoon. I was in training Wednesday and Thursday, but we were able to enjoy some sites on Friday. Of course, DC was experiencing some of the coldest weather this winter while we were there, but we braved the cold. We bundled Emma-Bear up in the evening so we could go out to eat. By the end of the day, Dusty was especially stir crazy and needed to get out! Thank goodness the weather warmed up to a balmy 40 degrees or so on Friday. We decided to take Emma around to some sites. We visited the Smithsonian, touring the Museum of American History and the Museum of Natural History. Emma slept through most of the Natural History museum, missing all of the animals. I’m sure she will love seeing all of them one day! After the museums, the sun was high and it wasn’t as bitter cold. We decided to stroll the National Mall. We cruised past the White House first. Emma really wanted to meet President Obama, maybe have a little snack at his place, but he was a little busy since he’s new in town. We walked past the Washington Monument, continuing alongside the reflection pond, and on to the Lincoln Memorial. What a great view from the Lincoln Memorial out over the pond to the Washington Monument. Our final stop was the Vietnam Memorial. Emma did so well, we carried her through the memorial as to be respectful to the memorial and to those walking through. This is the second time I have been here, and my experience was quite the same. Tears filled my eyes as we passed name after endless name of those soldiers who had fallen or were never found. We stopped to take a crayon rubbing of one of my Pop Pop’s friends who was lost towards the end of the war. It was time to head back now. We took a detour to walk past the other side of the White House and then cruised back to our hotel. What a wonderful day spending time with my lovelies and a wonderful trip.

Thanks to Auntie Rel, we had a great little snow suit to bundle up Emma in the cold DC weather! Doesn't our Emma bear look cute in her bear outfit!?

In front of the White House. The inauguration stuff was still up, hence the getto looking fence.

"Capital Shmapital, is it time to go home yet?"

Emma is very excited to be at the Lincoln Memorial.

Our little family.

In front of the Washington Monument.

Great picture of us in front of the Reflection Pond, but note Dusty's head blocking the rest of the view. Oh well.

At the Museum of Natural History.

Daddy and Emma snoozing. Emma refused to sleep in the pack and play. We never let her sleep in bed with us. One, because it is dangerous and two, because we don't want to start that!! In a hotel though, we do whatever we can to calm the upset baby! So in a king size bed, I had a little bitty spot on the left side and Dusty had a little bitty spot on the right. Emma had the rest of the bed!! She was so very excited to be in the bed with us. Every night she would get in between us, and look from me to Dusty over and over with a huge smile. Then she'd start making her motorboat sounds. She's too cute! Although we don't want her sleeping with us, it sure was sweet to roll over at any time during the night and see our little sweetheart.

Entertaining a nearly seven-month old kiddo in a hotel room takes some creativity. I grabbed one of Dusty's t-shirts and kept flinging it around, saying choo choo! Note Emma's huge smile. She couldn't get enough!