Astrid wearing Mama's hat

Cutie cutie.

U. took this photo of Astrid. When they came home Astrid grabbed my hat that was on the chair and put it on. I love how she's looking straight into the camera like she's talking to you. That's my daughter alright. Looking at this photo make me want to hug her and kiss her cheeks.

Astrid wearing a Santa hat

Now she wants to wear her birthday hat

U. bought Astrid the cutest birthday hat for her second birthday, but she would not wear it. She cried every time we tried putting it on her head. But now, a half a year later, she loves the hat and wants to wear it all the time. Go figure.

Evening in Portland, Maine

Before heading out for dinner we stopped in our hotel's lobby for the complimentary "Manager's Hour" (aka happy hour). Astrid pushing the button in the elevator to go back down to the lobby.

In packing for this trip I came across this adorable winter hat I bought Astrid last year when we went to Arizona around Christmas time, and it still fits. It gets pretty cold at night here (for Los Angelos at least) so it was perfect.

Astrid ate 10 pieces of watermelon. Meanwhile U. had some cravings for the chex mex snacks that were there so he tried to hide them from Astrid, until she saw Papa eating them and demanded he share. I was content with the veggie platter. They had a nice selection of healthy snacks and the cocktails were good too.
Getting a kiss from Papa.

While Astrid waited for us to finish our drinks she colored in her coloring book. I love this backpack because it contains activities for her that don't take up space in her diaper bag.
We had reservations at an upscale restaurant, but when we saw that the menu had a lot of pasta dishes and we were in the mood for whole lobster, we went to to a seafood restaurant with a raw seafood bar.
Astrid did not want to take off her hat (even inside the restaurant).

The restaurant was nice enough to make a child's cup by cutting a hole in the top of a to-go clam chowder container for the straw.

U. was shocked by the price, thinking that lobster would be cheaper in Maine - but alas, it's pretty much the same price (unless you get the early bird special).

Summer's Here - Happy July!

I wanna be a cowboy, and you can be my cowgirl

Uwe bought this cowboy hat for Astrid when he was in Austin, Texas recently. It's the cutest hat, but a tad too small.

My Little Dolly

Doesn't she look like a little dolly?

Astrid was dressed for the occasion. She had on a pretty pink dress with a matching pink hat. (Her daddy picked out the outfit.)

I'm standing in front of a mirror, holding her and taking this picture. You can't tell from this photo, but Astrid couldn't stand the hat. I had to get this shot off real quick before she started crying. ("Come on mom, take the picture already.")

Here's my dolly again. This time without the hat.