Smiling Hills Farm

Nana, Eli and I went to Smiling Hills Farm today. I'll spare you the whole story, but the gist is that we checked out a whole bunch of animals including, but not limited to: sheep, mini-horses, piggies, guinea fowl, pea fowl, turkeys, chickens, ducks, alpacas, and cows. Then, we did the most important thing that any visitor to Maine can do: ate ice cream.
Meeting Dixie, the mini-horse
Feeding the goatsEnjoying her own mini-cone
This is what happened when the mini-cone was gone. I know, Eli, I feel the same way when my ice cream is gone.

Hot and Humid

Yesterday was a sticky day in Maine. When I got up the humidity was around 80% and the temperature was 73.

Trying to beat the heat
Morning toe touches
Nana disappeared and when Eli and I went looking for her we found her in the garden, still in her pajamas and barefoot, planting veggies. Crazy Foxy Nana.

No Pictures

I totally slacked and didn't shoot any photos of our adventures yesterday. It was a mellow day: eating, napping and swimming.

We did go to Portland in the afternoon so that I could race in the Back Cove 5K. It was a fun, flat course along a dirt path that looped around the Back Cove. I ran a 28:33. I'd like to get this down to around 25:00 by the end of the summer. The running is a challenge for me; I've never been fast. The Back Cove is a series race so I can do it two more times before I head home. Hopefully I'll see some improvement.

A Boat Ride and a Picnic

It was a hot and humid day with a high temperature of 97. Eliana took a 2 hour morning nap and a 3.5 hour afternoon nap. I didn't know what to do with myself so I went and napped, too. Poor little thing has a heat rush on her tummy and so she spent most of the day in just her diaper. When she wasn't sleeping the day away, she was happy to walk around on the deck looking for chipmunks to show her baby.
Since Eli slept so late this afternoon, we decided to go for a ride on the party boat for a picnic tonight. Nana made a delicious pasta salad and Popsicle made me a rum and Coke - even though he thinks it's a crime to mix the two.

Learning about boats from Nana
Giving mom a beso
My favorite picture of the day - Eli, surveying the scene

A girl and her car

Yesterday was an unhappy day for Eliana. She hasn't been feeling well since we arrived and has been grumpy with very little patience. There have been a lot of tears over the last couple of days. She's been taking four hour naps, which is really out of character for her. I'm not sure if it's all just the molars, but she's not her normal spunky self. This morning, however, she does seem a lot happier and not as clingy so I'm hopeful that the worst is behind us.

She was very excited yesterday when Nana gave her a car! She was just as happy to go backward as forward and then when that got old she was stoked to just push the car around.

4th of July

Another beautiful day on Lake Sebago. We waded in the water, played in the dirt, and checked out the view from Inspiration Point. I even swam in the lake - twice! It's my new cool down after a run.

To Maine!

On Friday, Eliana and I departed for our Maine adventure. I was totally prepared with snacks, bottles, and toys wrapped in paper waiting to be opened at the necessary times. All of my preparation, however, didn't help much at all. Eliana was unable to sleep on the plane. Sadly, this created a very grumpy baby for most of the flight to Philadelphia. She had one really bad screaming spell that lasted about 20 minutes. I was ready to die. The good thing is, we finally made it! The short jump from Philadelphia to Portland, Maine only lasted an hour and she was pretty happy through most of it. At this point, as I sit looking out on the lake, I'd do it all over again. It's really nice to be here.

Howard and Eileen met me at the airport with a lobster roll - the perfect way to mark my arrival in Maine. We made it to the house a little after 9:00. We could have made it earlier, but I had to stop at the Mosquito with Howard to have my welcome to Maine ice cream cone. You know, priorities and all.

Eliana went right to sleep and I stayed up for a bit chatting with Howard and Eileen. I slept great until Eli woke up around 5:00 in the morning. I brought her in bed with me and we slept until 10:00! That hasn't happened in a long time. She's not feeling very well and has been running a bit of a fever the past couple of days. I think it's because she has several molars coming in.

When we got up yesterday morning, we came out into the kitchen to look out the big glass doors onto the patio and the lake. We stood there for a moment gazing out. Then, Eli pointed to the lake and said, "WOW. Agua!" It was priceless.

Eileen and I ran a few errands in the early afternoon and then came home for a dip in the lake. The water is so refreshing and perfect. Eliana, of course, waded right in and didn't want to get out. She had a blast riding around in the inflatable boat that Nana got for her.

In the evening, Sue and Nana gave Eli her bottle and put her to bed so that I could get a run in. I went about 3 miles on the road. It was a little humid and I was hot when I got back to house. The lake was calling my name and so I walked down to the dock, took off my shoes and sat there with my feet in the water. What a great end to a run. Tonight I think I might just come back and jump in!

Howard made a fantastic dinner of pork chops on the grill and we ate like kings and queens. Then, I was surprised with a delicious apple blueberry pie complete with candles for my birthday. Eileen and Howard spoiled me with an awesome long rain jacket from LL Bean, several zipping canvas bags and a check that will go toward the purchase of a new Apple shuffle. Lucky me!

It was a terrific first day in the great state of Maine and I still have 3 whole weeks left.

First splashes in the lake
Surveying the scene. She approves.
AGUA!
Nana and Eli living the good life