Out

We've been bopping around Portland for one reason or another for the past few weeks.  Mostly it's been out of necessity- though "necessity" is defined in more ways than one these days.  For instance, it's necessary that we go to the grocery store.  It's also necessary that we go to story-time so that Owen doesn't start getting cabin fever.  And Dylan?  Well he is just along for the ride.

Kraig took Owen to Tot Tuesday at Hopworks.  They came home and excitedly filled me in on how fun it was, and also presented this little cutie.

We were out and about every day that my parents were here.  Peacock Lane, various restaurants, Multnomah Falls, Christmas Ship Parade, Pearl District to see Kraig's store and do a little shopping, and of course a visit to Powell's bookstore.  I think being out that much gave us the confidence to keep doing whatever it is that we want to do- Dylan doesn't really slow us down too much.  Well, except when trying to get out the door with two kids.  The pace is definitely much slower than it was with one kid.  Let's just say we are much less punctual than we were before.  If you know us, you know that drives us crazy but it is what it is.  We'll get better....

Anyway, the game plan when we're out is to keep Owen happy and keep Dylan in the sling- aka the "mobile sleep chamber".  He is out like a light as soon as he's snuggled in a carrier.  We don't have one of those bucket-style infant carseats (went straight to convertible this time) so we can't put him in a stroller carriage-style.  We also don't have a travel-system-type stroller since we traded that clunky thing for a svelte, ergonomic stroller, so it wasn't really an issue anyway.  I prefer the sling over a stroller any day of the week.  He's on my body so he's warm and cozy, and it's easier to fit through doorways/ maneuver through crowds/ manage a curb when it's just your person and not a big ole' stroller.  I still have two hands free, so everybody wins!

We've been keeping up the hustled pace since my parents left.  We headed to Bridgeport Village to check out Native Foods Cafe (all vegan and pretty darn good for a chain restaurant) and did a little festive holiday shopping.  We also went to storytime at Powells for a reading of How the Grinch Stole Christmas (my personal fave!) and did a little more "shopping".  Actually we did a lot of attempted exchanging and window shopping.

I also got out of the house with BOTH kids!  We took Kraig to work, parked in the garage downtown and went to Whole Foods, Starbucks, the bank, and back to the garage ALL IN ONE PIECE!  Victory!  I felt pretty proud of myself until I realized I wasn't sure how to get the kids + groceries into the house without multiple trips and the baby was hungry so leaving him for a minute inside wasn't an option- the things you have to think through with multiple kids, amiright?!  But then- providence!- Donna came to save the day. Bam.  Successful morning.  Days like that make me feel like I might just be half decent at this parenting-of-two thing.  Just don't ask me if I've showered and done the dishes today. ;-)