The DC Milnes

we're still here

2011-12-10T07:56:00.000-08:00

My brother has been a blogging fool. As I have low expectations for this blog, as do you by now, this is not an attempt to keep up. Here we are at Butler's Orchard for our second annual Christmas tree cutting.

Summer is here

2010-07-03T18:06:00.000-07:00

I'm on school break. A couple of days a week I'm home with the kids, which has been really fun. Al gave me some great advice about spending the day with them..."it is great, as long as you expect to get nothing accomplished" She was right. Low expectations never fail. (like the ones I've made for this blog) I had zero expectations for projects, errands, personal grooming, etc. and we've been having a wonderful time. Al is working on being home 2 days a week too, so we'll have long weekends together. I've been trying to go out each morning with the kiddos to a new neighborhood spot...I don't have any pictures though as I have had my hands full, but I did get a great pic of them at home.
AND we finally got Iris singing on camera.

Mother's day out

2010-05-09T15:00:00.001-07:00

Happy Mother's day to the 2-3 mothers that might read this. Oliver is now about 5 months...he's grown a bit since last update. We've gone through a lot of transitions with Al going back to work and all kid things doubled, not that I'm complaining, it's wonderful. A few break throughs this week; Oliver rolled over a bunch of times and Iris has used the potty 5 times, all on her own! I hope this isn't a blip on the map but the begining of the end for her in diapers. We'll see...or you'll find out in another 4 months. Here's some pics from our day out honoring the fabulous mom of our family.

Iris knew I was taking this one

She thought this one was off camera...much more honest.

Ollie six weeks old

2010-01-31T17:13:00.000-08:00

Oliver's been doing great. He's holding his head up really well (see below), working on a range of facial expressions and generally, he's very chill - lots of sleeping, unfortunately not as much at night. Otherwise he tolerates his sisters rough head patting, kisses, and pouncing with little complaint. He's biding his time.
Here's a link to Youtube, Al got a good video of our boy.

New baby, new house

2009-12-21T19:55:00.000-08:00

On December 16th Oliver joined the family! He is a great looking guy (of course) and while he doesn't have a huge range, he does the three basics really well. Two days before birth he was in perfect position, then in less than 48 hours he did a flip and Allison had to have an emergency c-section. Iris loves pointing out his facial features and giving him kisses. It has been a very busy month - we moved into our house on November 21st.

Friends of ours had their daughter two days later at the same hospital and were in a recovery room two doors down. They took this pic.

We took Oliver home during the "Capital Crippler", "Beltway Blizzard" etc...
Ghandi was covered.

Iris out in her first big snow.

The house

This was the first night. We've re-organized slightly since.

catch up - Maryland Challenge

2009-10-24T13:31:00.000-07:00

This idea sprung from a conversation that a friend, Bill, and I had while walking with our families on a stretch of the Appalacian Trail (AT) in Maryland. It's a flat, scenic walk running between what used to be the C&O Canal and the Potomac River. Years earlier Bill met a group of high school kids at a Maryland state park who looked terribly tired - after inquiring he found out they were trying to walk the Maryland portion of the AT (42 miles) in 24 hours. Our ensuing conversation went something like this "light pack, sneakers, energy food and head lamps - NO Problem! If high school kids can do it (Bill didn't actually know if they were sucessful) so can we!"
On Saturday, October 2nd at 10 AM, Bill and I parked in Pennsylvania and embarked on the stupidest and most painful thing I've voluntarily done. We did it though.

We begin

When walking was still fun and we had energy for silly pictures.

Half way done at 6:30 PM, only 21 more miles to go. We ate "dinner" (pita, pepperoni stick, peanutbutter, and raisen bread...dumb) at the first Washington Monument, errected by the citizens of Boonsville in 1827.

About 24 miles in we came upon the South Mountain Inn. Bill had some history here, but it was my first "Uncle Bretsky". And we actually met Uncle Bretsky (pictured). I think we made his week when we ordered 2 of his special, which can be found in many area lean-to log books. We departed around 8 PM

2AM - Trying to get some energy to keep moving. We had about 5 more miles to go from this point and no place to bail out had we wanted to.

We limped into Harpers Ferry WV at 5:30 AM. We finished in 19 1/2 hours. This pic was taken at 6:30 AM. After I fell asleep under a bush in someone's front yard for about an hour, Bill found a ranger who let us into a bathroom where we finally got warm and were conviced that we would live. Sure, light packs and energy food...

catch up - Birmingham

2009-10-24T13:03:00.000-07:00

The second weekend of September I was able to go on a professional development trip to Birmingham AL. Other than Florida, which apparently really isn't the south, Birmingham is the furthest south I've been. The sweet tea and BBQ rocked. But the food was secondary - I was able to go to three days of speakers, presentations and field trips regarding the protests and bombings in Birmingham during the 50's and 60's. I was able to meet and chat with Civil Rights workers, activits and survivors of the 16th St. Baptist Church bombings and attend a service at Fred Shuttleworth's church, Bethel Baptist. Neither the pictures nor my descriptions will do it much justice, but I can't wait to incorporate this experience into my classroom.
Kelly Ingram park where Bull Connor used water hoses and dogs to dislodge protesters. We weren't able to see the place where he jailed hundreds of children for marching downtown.

16th St. Baptist Church where four girls, preparing for a children's service, were killed in 1963 and Bob Cherry, one of the bombers, who was finally prosecuted in 1998

home and home

2009-09-07T06:41:00.001-07:00

Al got back on Saturday from a week long work trip to Hong Kong and mainland China. Iris and I were/are very happy to have her back! We spent the afternoon hanging around DuPont Circle, being semi-tourists at home. It was a beautiful day and Al wasn't feeling the affects of jet lag quite yet (now she is).
We haven't taken any pictures yet of baby #2! This is in the alley next to our appartment. I recall Dad being pretty funny at this moment.

Iris and "our" metro station

Iris loved doing laps around the fountain at DuPont Circle

Cape Cod

2009-09-02T17:58:00.000-07:00

One of the biggest highlights of the summer was a Milne vacation to Cape Cod. My folks rented a house in Eastham while they were on home break and Jay, Lisa, girls and us went for a week. It was wonderful, we had a ton of fun and a beautiful week. Wonderful other than my absessed tooth, but nothing a root canal couldn't fix!

We stopped on our way to the Cape in NYC to see Mike, Alice and Annalise. It had been a long time and it was great to catch up.

Iris ready for the beach (hat and shoes came off in seconds, never to be donned again)

cousins

I don't blame her, but Iris was never still at the beach, she loved chewing on stones the most.

An evening on Nauset beach

The girls at the bay

Al and the youngest cousins.

We celebrated Mom's birthday with some surf and turf...mmm.

1 year old!

2009-07-19T08:15:00.000-07:00

We got together with a few friends at Stanton Park (3 blocks south of our apartment) to celebrate Iris's first year. Jewish apple cake beat out the traditional cake...and Iris was a little tired by the time we got to singing...

pic a fortnight

2009-07-14T07:33:00.000-07:00

So much for a daily post, I knew I wasn't up to it..., but on to the highlights!

July 4th weekend in Coatsville PA, where much of the Corey Fam congregated. We were close to Valley Forge, which some would argue has something to do with America's b-day, but we opted for Amish country. I think the true attraction (other than standard gawking) is for the love of full milk fat foods.

The crew. Not pictured, Annalise, and some of Iris

Iris in her Great-Granddad's baby rocker

Annalise joined in

On one of our many trips to the park Iris took great interest in showing off her ride.

We went with some friends to Harper's Ferry for a short walk on the AT, stopping next to the Potomac for lunch

Iris looking cute

Good byes are getting harder, even if its for a few minutes while I grill outside

We have our differences, but at the end of the day we agree, why enjoy anything else, when you could have champagne?

The summer of I and I!

2009-07-02T06:32:00.000-07:00

For those of you who might not know, we've been looking for a house. A new urgency was discovered with the news that we're expecting #2 on December 22nd and our one room apartment on Capital Hill won't do.
We thought the summer would be a great time to move because I would have time to make necessary "adjustments" to our new home, which, based on our options would definitely need adjusting. We've made 3 offers in the past month and a half and something has foiled every attempt. I guess it isn't the right time and we haven't found the right place, so my best guess is that we'll rent a bigger place and hold off on the house buying...only a guess.
Anyway, now I have the summer with Iris and it has been fantastic just to hang and play with her, so forget a house - it's the summer of I and I!!

I'm going to try and do a "pic of the day". I probably won't happen EVERY day, but I'll do my best. My last day at school was last Friday so I need to backtrack a few days...

Saturday June 27th - Jay, Lisa and girls were here visiting (thanks for coming guys!) and we swam in there hotel pool. (pictured, Iris, Jay and Clara)

Sunday June 28th - We had an early birthday party for Clara, Ella, and Iris. This is Iris's 1st cup cake. What I really like about this pic though is the monster hand and it's clear definition from the forearm

Monday June 29th - we spent the morning at Lincoln Park. Who said big girls aren't agile?

Tuesday June 30th - I forgot the camera on our walk to Metro center to exchange de-magnetized fare cards...not too exciting anyway, so another of the park.

Wednesday July 1 - the blow up kiddi pool! A buddy and his daughter, little G, pictured, with their dog in the background, stirring up mosquitoes.

Thursday July 2nd - the explorer.

I walkin'

2009-06-21T11:12:00.000-07:00

She's been walking for a couple weeks now, but we were just able to get a quick video. This isn't the most graceful of her forays on foot, but you get the point.

Saturday morning in Stanton Park

2009-05-30T16:56:00.000-07:00

10 month Iris

2009-05-23T12:45:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics to catch you up on Iris's last couple months.

At Great Grandma's for Easter.

With Grandaddy at Good Stuff.

Enjoying Grandma and the breeze.

Mushrooms are a favorite.

Mangos too.

Her friend Nate.

She is on the move, lots of crawling and standing. Thankfully no walking yet.

grasping for the camera at Stanton Park

Leaves are a distant second to her favorite, carpet tassles

off to forage

Obama at SEED!

2009-04-26T18:03:00.000-07:00

Last Monday the President and a bunch of other big wigs came to my school. Obama used the school as the setting to sign the Ted Kennedy Serve America Act, which among other things tripled the size of Americorps. A friend and fellow teacher describes it much better than I do in his Huffington Post article (not too long and there are some pictures). I did get to greet and shake the hands of Mr. President and Bill Clinton...I missed Michelle and Biden, they were too busy hugging my kids. The event was very exciting on many levels, but I had just taught about the President and his options about signing bills so the timing couldn't have been better. As Dan Brown says in his article "Inspiration matters" and I couldn't agree more.

Hair day

2009-03-07T07:59:00.000-08:00

I usually reserve this blog for news and pics about little i but I figured some of you might want to see this/have been praying for it. With prior knowledge that the hair was in its death throes I did a 6 week homework competition between my 7th grade classes, and the cohort with the best average got to do the cutting. The ponytail went to Locks of Love.

Catching up is becoming a pattern...

2009-01-29T06:26:00.000-08:00

Our January has been a busy one - we had a great holiday with family and friends in upstate NY, we got back into the swing of things by buying a new car (we're so patriotic), selling the old one to a new immigrant with limited english skilz, participating in the 56th inauguration, Al dealt with a week long plus ear infection, and wrapped it up with Iris's baptism. I'll try to give a quick pictorial tour...
Iris met her great-great Aunt Jen

Aunt Joans for Christmas Eve

christmas cookies

Damian, Iris and Grandma Terrell in Saratoga

Inauguration!

So we weren't that close...

a tiny bit of the crowd

Friends, friends baby and Obama O's

Heading home

Iris was baptized and Rae and Dave Whitehead happened to be in town! (the video of the baptism wouldn't load...sorry)

Mom and Dad Corey were able to come down too and Dad got to baptize Iris! We just don't have any pictures of the event...

Christmastime

2008-12-23T08:18:00.000-08:00

Mom and Dad Milne were able to visit from London for a long weekend - it was so good to have them! Iris has grown so much since Mom saw her and Dad met her for the first time. We kept them busy with museums, church, food and meeting some friends.
I have a cute video of Iris opening a present, but it isn't loading for some reason...another post.
Our 1st tree -
It didn't take long for Iris to get comfortable to Mom and Dad

Coincidence, or would Iris rather not be photographed on her nebulizer?

Mom and Dad's 4am departure - and look who is wide awake!

Late, but up

2008-12-07T17:45:00.000-08:00

We had a great trip to Jay and Lisa's house - still missing them all. Here are some highlights.
Thanksgiving in Rochester

Uncle Jay and Iris

A brisk walk in Caz Park

Another chilly walk

The cousins

On her way back to DC

Yes we can!

2008-11-11T15:37:00.000-08:00

Does this need to be reiterated?....for a blog with DC in the title, yes it does…
Regardless of where you are on the political spectrum, the feel of President elect Obama’s victory was …(which word haven’t I heard a thousand times?)…right. The American people got it right this time and we matured as a nation in my opinion.

The optimism in DC was palpable on November 4th and still is. It was a beautiful and emotional thing to watch my kids get excited about the political process and see themselves represented in the highest office. Enough blathering, here are a few photos.
A bunch of blank white boards set up in front of the Lincoln Memorial for people to "write" to Obama.

I signed a supporting 2x4

This was Iris's 1st time seeing Lincoln.

2008-11-11T15:25:00.000-08:00

This past weekend we went to PA for grandpa Terrell’s memorial service. We grieve for our loss but there was a true and honest sense of celebration for his life – recounted over and over again by his children, grandchildren, friends, in-laws, and friends of friends.
I will not do any one, or George justice, but words like love, integrity, humility, honesty, diligence, service, and hard work were repeated often, as well as an overall sense that George regarded others as better than himself and put others before him. His faith and sense of identity in Christ were evident from the actions of his life.

We are so grateful that Iris got to meet Granddaddy and be held by him on a couple of occasions.
Here is Grandma and Iris enjoying one another.

The whole family showed up.

Showing off her pipes

2008-11-02T18:42:00.001-08:00

Halloween bear

2008-11-02T18:38:00.001-08:00

She didn't get much loot this way.

YES!

2008-11-01T10:13:00.000-07:00

Iris wouldn't be stopped from checking the scores.

A week of daycare under our belt.

2008-10-27T18:39:00.000-07:00

I don't think about having gotten through a week of day care with any satisfaction, but mostly to say that we're adjusting. Iris seems her happy self.

The first day was rough and she was looking particularly cute.

post wedding

2008-10-02T14:30:00.000-07:00

Corey - Beltsmith

2008-10-02T14:15:00.000-07:00

We were in up-state NY this past weekend for Susie and Damians' wedding at the best time of year - fall. It was a beautiful wedding and a beautiful setting. Great to see family - Jay and Lisa + 3 girls made it and much of Al's family was there. Here are a few of the 275+ pictures we took.
We also celebrated Natalie's 6th b-day.

beautiful and happy

the girls...minus 2

the only 2

Iris and the Giraffe...pillow

2008-09-17T14:18:00.000-07:00

7th week walk

2008-09-08T17:50:00.000-07:00

We went for a long stroll around DC on Saturday. Here are a few photos.

Genius review

2008-09-02T15:46:00.000-07:00

Last time I mentioned the diaper situation Iris wasn't fat enough for her bumgenius cloth diapers...but now that she has been wearing them for over a month I feel that I have gathered enough data to give a review.

Categtory/Grade
Leakage/B+ (happens every so often - I think this might have had to do with her more slender legs a few weeks ago or us not changing her often enough - oops)
Absorption/A (We've changed some very heavy diapers)
washability/A- (they come out almost always very clean looking)
style/A+ (very spiffy)

the outline of the removable liner can just be made out if you look closely

Happy Birthday Mom! (slightly overdue)

2008-08-30T06:41:00.000-07:00

We worked on "happy birthday" for a little while, but this is the most that Iris could muster - I think its pretty decent.

a month +

2008-08-22T13:06:00.000-07:00

Iris has changed so much in a month! She weighed in at 10 lbs 22 inches today. She's smiling, holding her head up a bit, following us around the room with her eyes and crying more loudly.

We went out to a screen on the green of sorts last night, but put on by "noma" (north of massachusets). They've been doing a summer series of James Bond movies and the location is odd - sandwiched between New York Ave and Florida, but it was very enjoyable and a perfect night - we've have a very uncharacteristic August in DC. Next week will be the last one, "Die Another Day" mmm, Pierce.

The Thermorest chairs are sweet - thanks Jay and Lisa! (i know that you gave them to use nearly 4 years ago, but we use them all the time)

4 weeks

2008-08-16T19:10:00.000-07:00

Iris is doing great. As you can see from the pics below, she's eating well. It was tough returning to work this past week, but Al and Iris have had a good time...without me. But since I'm the one who's nuts with the camera, none of it was documented. From what I've observed recently...

Iris has a consistent routine after eating - closing her eyes, she throws her head back in exhaustion and flops contentedly.

showing off her smile toay

A Sad Sentimental Sensation

2008-08-12T15:34:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure everyone has an attachment to the house that they grew up in, but as evident by this post, I do. Al, Iris, Mom Milne and I went to lunch at the Spring Street Deli while we were back in Saratoga and thought to stop by and see our old Regent Street house a few blocks away - we like to slowly drive by and lament how they cut down "our" cherry trees, tore out "our" arborvitae hedge and built a deck over "our" soccer field in the back yard. As we approached my heart dropped, my mouth dry and pasty, breathing became difficut - our house had been through a fire...

As far as I could tell, Iris wasn't upset...

1st trip to the Shenandoahs

2008-08-09T08:42:00.000-07:00

We've been in DC for over a year and half now and this is the first time we've ventured to the mountains of Virginia ...I'm unclear on why we haven't, but yesterday was a perfect day and we had a great time.
We did the northern part of skyline drive stopping for a hike on the Pineybranch trail. Among the many highlights were 3 black bears! The first was a cub that crossed the road in front of us. The second we nearly ran into on our hike - the trail had a ton of blackberry bushes along it and we startled an adult bear's lunch and he crashed away (thankfully) through the woods and I didn't get a picture, but Al spotted him a few minutes later on our walk - see below.
Our friends Matt and Nicole would have loved it.

On the way we stopped at Sperryville, had lunch and played a little wiffle ball - Al was incredible! ...well, at hitting, not pitching so much. She connected on everything.

Our berry eating friend

Iris on the AT where her Grandpa Milne walked through about 20 years ago.

Beautiful vistas

The last bear we saw on our way out

Upstate NY hiatus

2008-08-07T12:21:00.000-07:00

For the past week we've been in Saratoga Springs NY visiting family - and off-line as I had no WiFi. It was a wonderful time to catch up and have friends and family meet Iris. My brother and his brood made the trip accross NY from Buffalo - with their newborn no less! My Mom flew back from London where she and my Dad are working with a World Harvest Misson team,my in-laws played wonderful hosts and we connected with a bunch of other folks who are dear to us...I tried my hardest to get pictures with people, but in a few cases we got caught up in the reunions and I forgot.

Of course, our primary character - look at that noggin!

Good friend from high school, Mike

Jay, Clara, Iris and the wayward bandana

4 of my nieces get to try the "fabled" mineral water of Saratoga

Aunt Susie and fiance Damian

Al, Lisa and matching outfits - thanks Lisa!

Great-gram Milne/Aldrich

Grandma Milne

My family has been close friends with the Whiteheads since I was born and Rae was my kindegarten teacher. They play host often to many get togethers and somehow we managed to have a good time sans silent movies from Dave's childhood.

We got a breath of fresh air visiting long-time friends Dave, Kristy, and Luke and their amazing garden! I know who to call when I have a yard someday.

We stopped by the Philly area on the way home and had a great time with Allison's grandparents, George and Pat Terrell.

If you are still looking at this huge post, it has ended, but as I have become an annoying digitalpicturetakingfather there are many more images I'll post in subsequent days.

No genius...yet

2008-07-28T09:44:00.000-07:00

We decided to go with cloth diapers long before we thought about having Iris. Did you know that it takes over 200 years for a single disp - nevermind. I don't want landfills to detract from my focus on Iris.
We didn't start researching cloth until Al got pregnant however - and we were quite suprised at the plethora of options out there: comfybunny, fuzzibuns, gdiapers, etc. We went with the brand with the best name - "bumgenius" after talking with other cloth users, reading many blogs, and perusing consumer reports. Unfortunately we are still in disposables...apparently the 3.0 one-size isn't quite small enough for our 7 lb. 7 oz. Iris. I'll give another update once she puts on a couple more pounds.

Baggy around the legs

Buffalo Milne addition!

2008-07-25T09:39:00.000-07:00

Since my brother won't create a blog I feel obligated to show them off... (the chair used for all the poses below looks familiar - the hospital "cot" for the father to sleep in, though yours looks bigger and more comfortable than the George Washington variety...)

The whole fam

Clara posing with each sister - oldest to youngest

MacKenzie

Natalie

Ella

Annaleis

Proud Mom and Dad

Iris's youtube debut

2008-07-23T10:35:00.000-07:00

Here's Iris's first day at home...or 54 seconds of it. click on the link below http://www.youtube.com/user/immilne

Iris on her first night home - video hopefully coming soon

2008-07-22T13:15:00.000-07:00

A tasteful nude

Very content after eating

Iris meets Grandma and Grandpa Corey

2008-07-22T13:08:00.000-07:00

Mom and Dad Corey came to visit us this past Sunday and Monday - it was great to see them and share our joy!

The long wait is over!

2008-07-21T17:27:00.000-07:00

On July 19th, 2008 Allison gave birth to Iris Terrell in an incredible performance of grit and determination...can't you see it on her face?

Al went into labor around 6 pm on the 18th. At midnight we began timing contractions and about 3 hours later we went to the hospital.
I frantically consulted my resources.

What happened between 3am and 11:49 am I find perplexing to put into words, so I won't try. I am just increasingly amazed at the fortitude of my wife when I go over it again and again in my head.

Now, onto the pics, you didn't log on to hear me muse.

The 7 lb 7 oz Iris that I made reference to in the previous post compared to her cousin Clara's 9 lbs 4 oz.

Very alert and nice and pink at birth

Photogenic right out of the womb!

Happy Birthday Clara Elizabeth!

2008-07-21T17:00:00.000-07:00

My older brother's wife, Lisa, gave birth to their 5th daughter on Friday, July 18th - Congrats!!! Welcome to the world Clara, and best wishes in navigating the waters of girlhood with 4 sisters (who, as my brother, Jay, tells me are all vying for holding time).

If you could picture an Iris vs. Clara showdown (as I obviously have) you could predict (as I have) that Clara would crush our daughter due to the nearly 2 lb. advantage.

Definitely a Milne!

Old and New

2008-07-13T09:08:00.001-07:00

We moved last weekend from a place we really liked in a great neighborhood (Shaw/Mount Vernon), to a fine place, much less character, but with more amenities and an equally nice neighborhood (Capitol Hill). We thought we needed a bit more pampering as expecting parents. Things like a closet and air conditioning.

OLD Place
Got lots of comments this weekend about the 3, er, 2 pregnant ladies...

Our living room/bedroom from our kitchen on 454 M St., taken when a buddy, Matt, visited from Buffalo.

Nice big kitchen

M Street from our apartment

New Place
Not completely unpacked but getting there (I spy Ian's eye...)

little kitchen

bedroom

little back patio

Another day of waiting

2008-07-12T18:35:00.000-07:00

Al's due date is the 17th, but we're hoping the baby decides on a few days earlier...we tried a long walk, among other things, to cajole this child, but with no results. A few pics from our walk...

A rally of sorts in front of the Capitol...Ron Paul...according to my Gram - "a snow ball's chance in hell"

Union Station is 4 blocks from our new apartment