1530*

That's how many pictures we took in Europe.

Highlights are on their way!

(I figured if I use the computer on the table instead of on the lap desk, it's not nearly as hot. Plus the AC works better in the dining room.)

*This number was edited as soon as I downloaded the pictures from Amsterdam-Day 1 Paris. They were on a different memory card.

the truth

We're home.

Home, sleeping in our own bed.

And there is so much to blog about. And I want to.

But the heat.

The heat keeps me from doing much.

See, being 6 months (!) pregnant, I really am an oven.

And my computer radiates heat when I turn it on.

Heating up our already-warm apartment.

And me.

Thus rendering me reluctant to even turn on my computer.

But.

There is a lot to share.

Photos. Stories. The Bump.

So I will. But it may be slow coming.

For now. Here is one of my favorite photos of the Bump and me* in the Louvre.

(Photo was taken about a month ago, I am--and feel--much bigger now!)

(For future reference, the Bump is affectionately known as Edible. And no, we don't know if Edible is boy or girl. But we generally refer to Edible as a her.)

*Apologies to Jaime.

back

We survived.

We're back in the good old Stati Uniti.

Our feet are sore, our skin is more tan (despite the sunscreen!) our memory cards are full, and my belly is bigger. All evidence of our wonderful month abroad.

Baby Yin, who we lovingly call Edible, might just come out of the womb made of croissants and gelato. If that's the case, Edible is a delightfully perfect name for the child.

Edible held joyful kick boxing practice every time I had gelato (which was a lot this past week). A wee one after my own heart.

Posts are forthcoming. But maybe not until we're all the way back home in our own apartment in a few more weeks.

We had a lovely time and definitely quenched our desires to see Europe.

(Um, I'd post a few pictures, except I have no idea how to find them on Mr Yin's computer!!)

Amsterdam, city one

I could easliy live in Amsterdam.

What a chill, beautiful, fun city.

Everyone rides bikes everywhere: women dressed to the nines, kids, men in suits. In fact we saw a guy tonight in a tux. The pace is nice and slow.

The weather is nice and cool and it doesn't get dark until well after 10:00.

Lucky for us, everyone speaks English, so even though we can only read some signs, it's easy to communicate.

Lots of museums, lots of culture.

The city of canals gets an A- in my book. Minus only because the food is okay. No great local cuisine. That we found.

Dutch pancakes might change the minus to a plus, but those are for breakfast tomorrow.

summer news

Summer in the desert is really hot. Obvi.

So we escaped.

First we road-tripped it up to Seattle and Vancouver, where the air is cool and the ocean is close. We made it back just in time to celebrate our anniversary by sleeping in our own bed. A real treat after two weeks on the road--two nights of which were spent camping.

Two days after our arrival home, we packed up again and flew to MA to spend a week with family before skipping across the pond for a month-long excursion. Our last big hurrah before Baby Yin arrives in December.

We will be in the Boston area again for two weeks in August, so let me know if you're around and we can grab a slice of Upper Crust. : )

Posting will continue to be sporadic, but come September when we're back in the desert, there will be plenty of pictures to share and stories to recount--pregnant me wandering all over Europe!!

La la la.

For Mr. Garcia

Dear Brian,

If I had any money on your birthday, I would have gotten you this.

(Although I didn't see it until today.)

Happy (very belated) Birthday!!

Christina

HT is right

Time for a new blog post.

And this is for her:

Today, we celebrate our independence!!

Happy 4th of July!