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New York City, Family of Four

Over Labor Day weekend we made our way into one of my favorite places in the entire world, one that never grows old for me no matter how long I stay or how often I visit. We’ve visited New York City countless times over the years and once spent an entire month living and working out of the borough of Manhattan, but I can never seem to get enough. My love for this city runs deep. 

We last visited in the fall as a family of four when Elias was just a two month old babe, but this time around felt even more special with both boys being able to explore more of the city and take in the new sights and sounds. Every season in this vibrant city has its own magic but summertime in the concrete jungle with these boys so young when they could run and play had it’s own special quality to it, that still leaves me daydreaming of when to visit again. 

I’m hoping growing up my boys love this city with as much as their father and I do, and have fond and frequent memories of the city that never sleeps...

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Elias Turns One! On a hot and sticky August afternoon at Algonkian Park, we gathered together by the Potomac River to celebrate the youngest member of our family turning a year old! How it’s possible that we’ve spent an entire trip around the sun with Elias is still a mystery to me, but it simultaneously feels like he’s always been a part of this family... I can’t remember it any other way. 

Over the last year his personality has begun to grow and shine... He can’t get enough of and adores his big brother to pieces, loves to clap and dance to the sound of music, has the most rambunctious temperament along with a constant healthy appetite for anything edible (which can be a pretty crazy combination at times), and loves to be held or on the move constantly. He’s such a big personality full of love and curiosity for the world around him, with smiles that are rare but make them that much more special when they do light up his face. 

I’m trying so hard to savor each of these sweet (and even overwhelming) little moments; I know that they’ll be gone and I’ll be reminiscing on them much sooner than I’d like. I’m so incredibly grateful to have this time with this little guy and be able to call him our own. Happy first birthday sweet baby Elias, we love you so very much! 

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Cherry Blossoms 2019

A few months late (which has become pretty common around here nowadays), but finally getting around to uploading some photographs from our annual trip to see the cherry blossoms in DC back in April.  We almost didn’t end up going this year since the peak blooms were on the tail end of a trip to Texas that we’d just gotten back home from, but decided at the last minute to make an attempt anyway. We got into the car and ended up in heavy traffic shortly thereafter, only to realize that everyone else in the area was trying to do the same thing (living close to DC, we sometimes forget that people from all over come into town for events like this one). Instead, we detoured to the metro and took the train into the city (two babies, a double stroller and all) on a whim, crossing our fingers and hoping for the best. We made it just in time to catch a beautiful sunset along the Tidal Basin, while walking along the water and through the crowds. 

It’s so strange how fast time flies (remember when it was just Poria and I, then we added Isaac to our adventures, and now lo and behold we’ve got our little Elias too), but looking back on these photos makes my heart so incredibly happy to see our family growing and to know that I’m able to share these experiences with my boys (and hopefully will be able to continue to do so for years to come...).

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Welcome Baby Elias! An entire eight months have flown by since my last update and we’ve been busier than ever! 

We’ve added the sweetest little new member to our little family, Elias Iman Moridzadeh, born on the sunny morning of August 16th, 2018 and we honestly can’t remember how we ever imagined our lives without him. He’s nearing turning seven months old and I figured now would be a good time as any to document a few photos of his first six months of life on the blog (the photographs have been continuously taken (so many photos!) despite the lack of updates). 

Little things about him remind me so much of his older brother at this age in so many ways (his love of the outdoors and his observant demeanor) but he has also already deemed his spot in the family with traits that are so incredibly unique to himself (his love of all foods, his rolling and want to get around so early on!). It is so fun to have a new personality in the midst of our family although the balancing act has gotten a bit more tricky (did we think we were busy with just one? looking back on it now, we had it so easy then! hindsight is definitely 20/20, no?). And already, we’ve celebrated holidays and birthdays together, gone museum hopping a couple of times, and have even headed on a long weekend trip to New York City as a family of four. The relationships and bonds we’ve formed in this short amount of time with Elias are incredible to witness (watching the growing relationship between siblings is especially such an understated parental joy... there truly isn’t anything that will make your heart swell with as much affection and pride as the sound of the two of them laughing together with one another).

Our hearts are so incredibly full of love for this beautiful baby boy, and we can’t wait to see how the adventures unfold for our growing family. We love you so much Elias! <3

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Portland-Seattle Road Trip

We drove up to Seattle after exploring Portland and all of it’s beautiful surrounding destinations for a few days, ready to take on more of the Pacific Northwest. Our home base in the city of Seattle was a beautiful AirBnB home, complete with a kid’s play area and multiple beautifully furnished rooms that proved to be the perfect oasis to start off and end of our days. We lucked out with sunny skies and warmer temperatures while touring the city itself and hitting up some of the more popular sights like the Great Wheel and Pike Place Market. Afterwards, we made it a point to drive up to Olympic National Park for a quick overnight stay and it was completely worth the drive. The stunning mountains and peaceful pristine lakes along with the ever changing terrain were everything that that I’d imagined the PNW to be, and we were lucky enough to include them on this trip. 

This vacation was an even more special one being that we were able to make it with my parents before the arrival of the new addition to our family. My mom and dad have always meant the world to me and having them be able to spend time with Poria, Isaac and myself only made this journey together even more unforgettable. Getting to have breakfast with them every morning at our home rentals, experiencing new sights and sounds, and laughing our way through our hours on the road getting from one destination to the next were memories that won’t soon be forgotten. I’m more aware every day how significant it is to take time to spend with the ones you love... after all, isn’t time is our most precious commodity? 

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Portland-Seattle Road Trip 

Back in late April/early May, we took a trip out to the West Coast to visit a place that had been on my bucket list for years: the United States pacific northwest. I’d heard about and wanted to visit the coastal foggy shoreline, the forests and lush pine trees and the quaint cities and towns that dotted the area. Although we had visited California a few years ago, we were lucky enough to be able to plan this trip with my parents so that they were able to join us and enjoy a vacation while exploring a new destination (and honestly lend a helping hand to us too... because being six months pregnant and traveling cross country with a toddler is no joke, friends).

We began our trip by flying out into Portland, Oregon and explored on day trips to a tulip farm (which were luckily in season and in late bloom when we arrived!), Multnomah Falls, and the iconic Cannon Beach. My mom fell in love with the quaint little suburbs of Portland where our AirBnB was located, with it’s beautiful blooms and sweet little homes, and it wasn’t hard to see why. Of course we landed some amazing eats while exploring the city of Portland (the Thai food was to die for!), and made a stop at Voodoo Doughnut before heading to the next leg of our trip.

More photos to follow from our time in Seattle and Olympic National Park...

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Cherry Blossom Season

We took our almost-annual trip out to see the cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin in DC this year right as the blooms were hitting their peak. Despite it being a cold and windy day, we made our way between the trees flowering with puffy white and pink clouds signifying the beginning of the new and warmer season. Isaac was smitten with the ducks he kept spotting in the water and we enjoyed being out of the house for a few hours with the recent frigid temperatures that had been keeping us indoors. With the arrival of the blooms comes the arrival of spring, and we can’t wait for warmer weather and the long spring/summer days that will be spent outdoors this year! 

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Positano, Italy

For the second half of our trip through Italy, we took a train down south to Sorrento, a province in Naples, and from there a ferry to the coastal village of Positano. Nestled along the Amalfi Coast among the dramatic cliffs and beside the pristine Mediterranean waters, Positano was a majestic and beautiful sight to be seen. 

Being the beach vacation that it was, we spent most of our days in the heat walking down from our rental home that dotted the cliff side and escaping to the shoreline, watching the waves crash against the softened rocks. The steep stairs (not to mention walking the stroller + baby multiple times up and down those stairs) had us constantly seeking/finding refuge and delicious eats at the restaurants that lined the famous beach of Marina Grande. As evening would set we would make our way back up the rugged terrain to witness the glimmering lights begin to light up the land, before getting ready to head out to dinner. 

During an off day when we didn’t have much planned in Positano, (after having several friends highly recommend Capri to us) we rented a private boat (which included a tour through the Blue Grotto! where my sister-in-law just happened to drop her phone in the ocean by mistake!... but that’s another story for another time) during our stay and took a day trip to the island of Capri. We spent our time in Capri navigating to Anacapri via chairlift and exploring the gorgeous views that surrounded the island (complete with lunch at a beautiful restaurant with magnificent views as seen in one of the photos above). 

All in all, our trip was an unforgettable one with so many new memories made as a family. The last few weeks at home in the brutal cold have had me dreaming of our summer trip to Italy, and it’s not difficult to see why... But with that, I can’t wait to see what new adventures 2018 will have in store for us!

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Rome, Italy

This last September, we took our first overseas trip with a baby to a place that had been on our bucket list for years: Italy! We didn’t have enough time to go to all of the places we wanted throughout the beautiful country (we’ll definitely be coming back for you Venice, Florence, Milan, Lake Como... the list goes on!), but we started our travels off in the city of Rome.

We spent our days in Rome exploring the historic and the touristy spots in order to see the foundations on which the beautiful city was built upon, only venturing out of our way to visit the Vatican City. My sister-in-law, Jayran, joined us on the second day of our trip as well, so the four of us had a wonderful time exploring and navigating through Rome. It goes without saying that the last warm days of summer sightseeing were dotted with delicious bursts of gelato and endless bowls of pasta, as we ate our way just as much as we trekked around the city. 

One of the things that I was most nervous about was traveling with a ten month old at the time, but Isaac ended up being the best baby travel companion that we could have asked for. He managed to sleep through the entire red eye flight on our way to Rome and besides a few late night wake-ups, he managed to adjust pretty easily to the new time zone (we definitely tried to stick to his normal schedule of feedings/nap times/etc. while we were there to help with the adjustment as well). Overall, the trip made us much more confident in knowing that we would be able to take more trips with Isaac down the road, and for it to be a pleasant experience for all of us!

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Isaac Catch-up 

These are back from when baby Isaac was around eight months old (almost six months ago! I’m in a constant state of confusion lately as to how fast time is flying by!), but I figured it had been a few months since I had posted anything. And honestly, there is simply not much that beats delicious baby photos (I mean, really, look at those round cheeks and chubby fingers!)... even if they are a few months late!

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Salamander Resort

For our fifth year wedding anniversary back in July (how did five years fly by SO fast?!), we had a mini staycation at the gorgeous Salamander Resort located in Middleburg, Virginia. We dropped off baby Isaac at my parents, spent the day at the movie theater before heading to the resort to enjoy a couples massage (and that spa pool, you guys... it’s everything!). Afterwards, we picked the baby up and spent the night in a beautiful room, only to wake up to the summer heat and spend the day taking Isaac out to see the horses at their equestrian center, topping it all off with a dip in the pool before heading back home.  It was the perfect weekend getaway from home, celebrating time together as a family. 

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Auesta and Emall Get Married I’ve delayed this post mostly due to my daily time constraints with the needs of an active eight month old, but also because I’ve tried to draft over and over again what to say in this post and my words have always managed to fall short...

My cousin Auesta is the closest person to a sibling that I will ever have. She is my kin, my confidante, my beautiful and more courageous reflection in the world. We’ve been through it all together; from new life to death, from new love to old ones, from books to movies, from home to the playgrounds to the beaches; it seems we’ve been through it all... and I couldn’t have asked for any other sister to have by my side. Watching her blossom and emerge into the extraordinary woman that she is today has been a testimony to her life’s journey in finding her true self and living it out. Her honesty toward who she is, her quirkiness, her allure, her kind heart, her love of adventure and of the written language are all admirable attributes that I am so proud of, more than she may ever know. 

So  a few months ago, when my cousin and her fiance Emall got married at the beautiful Belmont Country Club, I was absolutely ecstatic in knowing that the two of them had found happiness in one another. As the sun set over the serene venue and the music began to play, we all came together to celebrate the union of these two souls. Auesta looked like an absolute dream with her groom at her hand as they greeted friends and family who had joined in the commemoration. And although I spent much of the night tending to a crying six month old (thanks Isaac, but as my mom says, there will always be photographs to look back at), my heart is so happy in knowing that she has found her other half and her companion to spend her days with for forever.  As you both open this new chapter in your lives and embark on the journey of marriage, I wish you well. I wish you love, light and happiness in all that comes your way. 

I love you so very much, Auest. <3

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Bethany Beach 

A few weeks ago, we made our first long (three hours each way!) day trip of the season out to Bethany Beach, Delaware. We had a few friends who had rented out a beach house in the town, and with the forecast calling for sunny skies and warm temperatures, it felt like the perfect day to venture out. Truth be told, we also wanted to practice how long we could test baby Isaac’s patience in his car seat (especially with some of our upcoming plans for this summer) and I’m happy to announce that the little guy managed to exceed our expectations and do pretty well! 

We woke up early and headed out stopping only to eat and for a quick diaper change, making our way to the beach by lunch time. During our time at the beach we managed to walk in the sand, dip our toes in the frigid ocean, and soak up the sun while listening to the sound of the waves surround us. Our tired little family headed back home before sunset and made one last stop among a field of yellow flowers that felt too picturesque not to photograph before Isaac fell asleep for the night and Poria and I winded our way back home. 

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Six Months of Life Somehow, six months have blown by since our baby Isaac was born and graced our lives with his little extraordinary presence (and I realize I’ve been horrible at updates on here during that time, but I’m finally getting back on it!). He is the heart and soul of our lives, our little monkey, the first thing that makes us smile in the mornings, our ray of sunshine, our little bunny, and our constant reminder of how fast time is flying by. 

I figured it would be a good time to post and to fill in some of the gaps from this time away, too. So here they are, in all of their glory, Isaac’s monthly photos from his first month up until now! 

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Welcome Baby Isaac! On the rainy, cool evening of October 27th, 2016, Isaac Alexander Moridzadeh, entered our world and forever changed our lives. It was love and excitement and apprehension and trembling and pure joy at first sight, and all of the books and the planning and preparation could not have explained or prepared us by any means for what was in store. We brought him home after our stay at the hospital and began to slowly (albeit shakily) learn the ropes of parenthood. Our love has grown tremendously and five months later, I can say without hesitation that he is the center and the light of our lives.

The photos above are from our first week at home (isn’t it crazy how fast they grow and change?!) and even though it was only a few months ago, I’m already finding myself nostalgic for the sleepy and ever so sweet newborn stage. 

I’m looking forward to all of the time, all of the love, all of the laughter, and even all of the tears that we still have in store with this beautiful being. We love you so very much, Isaac. 

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Birthday Weekend Trip

This post is LONG overdue. It’s over three months late, for that matter. 

I’m so happy to announce that our little bundle of joy, Isaac Alexander Moridzadeh, entered our lives on October 27th, 2016 and changed us forever. He has been an absolute joy and life without him seems completely senseless now that he’s here... But all of that sappy stuff is for a separate post of it’s own (as soon as I’ve got a few minutes to sit down and upload some of his newborn photos!) which I’m looking forward to sharing with you all soon! But before Isaac arrived, Poria took me on a little trip to my forever favorite city for an early birthday weekend retreat. These photos document a sweet time in our lives but already feel like a distant memory; they’re from a time before our little family of two transformed to three...

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Lake Louise 

Alberta, Canada

The last time I visited Calgary about five years ago, my family and I ventured out to Banff National Park to picnic and take in the incredible landscape. So I knew that when we visited this time, I wanted Poria to witness the scenic beauty of the Rockies (since it was his first time in Canada) and to take some photos of the gorgeous terrain. 

We took a half day between the wedding festivities to drive out into the national park and this time instead of heading into the town of Banff, we stopped at Lake Louise to witness the crystal clear waters surrounded by the majestic rocky mountains. While stopping to take in the natural beauty of our surroundings, I was reminded so much of our time in Wyoming: our hikes through the mountains, breathing in the crisp fresh air, the ever vast and clear waters. I hope to be able to visit this part of Canada again someday soon and to take more time to explore the wild and the hiking trails of Banff, and all that Alberta has to offer.