Sightseeing in Portland, Maine

We are the proverbial tourists. If you don't believe me, check out the photo of U. below. Lobster-mania.

In all seriousness though, we were both surprised that Portland, Maine is so touristy.
Brick sidewalks. Going to see the old Victorian Mansion (nothing to write home about - hence no photos of it).Astrid's been "stroller" crazy since we got the contraption out to travel. We haven't used it in ages, but now all she wants to do is sit in it (and sometimes push it). Maybe because we don't use it?

After the 5 hour flight from LA to NJ you'd think she'd be dying to stretch her legs and run around, but nope, she wanted to sit in her stroller. She had a major tantrum in the finger when U. put some bags in the stroller and she wanted to sit there.

Oh and then there's the new thing that she does - she wants me to do everything. It has to be "Mommy" not Papa. This includes pushing her stroller when she's sitting in it. If she turns around and notices Papa pushing her she has a meltdown. Right before I took this photo she cried and screamed for me to push her and U. was having none of it. He wants to break her of this bad habit before we get to New York and he's gone again for the week (at a conference). Finally she calmed down and here she is happily walking beside the stroller with U. pushing it.Happy as a clam in front of the wrought iron fish artwork. Whenever we cross the street, Astrid wants to push the crosswalk button. So here I got a photo of her pushing the button.

We stopped by a cute little wine and cheese shop and picked up some wine and champagne for tonight.Astrid checking out the boats.Smiling for the camera.We had lunch at Dimillo's a floating restaurant (former ferry). It's a complete tourist trap, but if it's your first time in Portland, ME you should check it out just for the view and ambiance on the water. The restaurant is full of nautical stuff that kids enjoy too.

They claim to have the best lobster roll which isn't true. I had thee BEST lobster roll last night at a restaurant I can't remember the name of, which seemed to be a "local" fave. U. had a bite and wished he had ordered it. Real pieces of fresh lobster, no mayo, with a piece of lettuce, on a type of bread that's similar to the hot dog buns at Yankee Stadium. Simple and delicious!A family pic.

Astrid wants to wear her vest, just like mama - and the weather is ideal for it, so you'll see a lot of photos of us wearing our vests (aka the partner look).Astrid and I playing the "whisper in your ear" game. I whisper a word into Astrid's ear and she whispers it back into my ear. It's a great boredom buster when the food takes too long or there's a long wait. The word here could have been "lobster" which we will be eating 3 times a day. It is a treat to be eating Maine lobster in Maine.

Some Maine trivia:

• Known as the Pine Tree state.
• Augusta is the state capital.
• The moose is the state animal.
• Has 65 lighthouses.
• Mt. Katahdin is the highest point in Maine. (It's also the first place in the U.S. where you can see the sunrise.)
• Is America's largest blueberry growing state (raising 98% of the low bush blueberries in the U.S.).
• Forests comprise 89% of the area.
• 70% of all lobsters harvested in New England are caught in Maine.