this past weekend was our big trip to baltimore to see family and friends and have will’s second opinion appointment with johns hopkins.\u00a0 the trip to nova was not too bad on saturday, and we did not reach screeching halt traffic until just after stafford.\u00a0 it’s amazing to me how tolerant we used to be when we lived up there.\u00a0 now we can get anywhere in town with little to no traffic and we are a lot more impatient with traffic woes.\u00a0 however, once we arrived in nova we made a pit stop at ikea.\u00a0 here we scored some frames for the nursery room as well as some other household items that were at amazing prices.\u00a0 after our shopping stop we headed to herndon to meet up with will’s sister and the kids.\u00a0<\/p>\n
the kids came flying out the door to greet us and show us their latest tricks on their bikes.\u00a0 we watched while ethan raced up the street and showed us how fast he could pedal.\u00a0 then he offered merri a rideand they rode tandem style around the cul-de-sac.\u00a0 lynn reminded the kids that we were going to the park, so if they wanted to come with, they had better get in the car.\u00a0 we met up at a local park and played on the swings and monkey bars for a few hours.\u00a0 it was good to see them all and catch up.\u00a0 lynn was throwing mike a celebratory wine and cheese dinner later that evening so we said our good byes and headed on our way.<\/p>\n
we made it to md before sunset and checked into the aloft hotel.\u00a0 the hotel is very modern with a lounge, bar, and all kiosk check-in and check-out stations.\u00a0 since we were a gold rewards member they checked us in at the desk.\u00a0 (don’t ask me how i got this, they just sent it to me in the mail.)\u00a0 anyways, we had fun at the hotel and enjoyed all of the out of the ordinary stuff including the neat-o elevator floor.\u00a0 the next morning we woke up early to head into baltimore’s inner harbor area to grab some breakfast and go to the aquarium.\u00a0 the breakfast spot was one that is a local favorite on yelp and has been picked as having some of the best breakfast food by food network – miss shirley’s.\u00a0 we really enjoyed our breakfasts and then headed over to meet melanie, nick, and laura for a day at the aquarium.\u00a0 we all got our tickets and headed into the dolphin show.\u00a0 will and i had seen it before, but it had been some time ago, and i have a much better camera now!\u00a0 we were amazed at all of the people there that day, it was jam packed!\u00a0 however, we all had fun as we made our way around the entire aquarium.\u00a0 we all headed to lunch afterwards and then the three of them had to head back to va and we stayed and walked around the harbor, had a glass of wine and some dessert, and toured a lighthouse before the rain settled in.\u00a0 on our way out of town we grabbed some cheeses at whole foods to make a cheese plate for dinner.\u00a0<\/p>\n
the next morning we braved more rain for yet another foodie adventure.\u00a0 this time it was the blue moon cafe – as seen on “diners, drive-ins, and dives”.\u00a0 here they feature captain crunch french toast.\u00a0 if you know will and i we love sweet things and breakfast food is one of our all time favorites.\u00a0 this place only had 6 tables, and after you put your name on the list you had to head back outside in the rain to wait for your turn.\u00a0 we waited patiently – with grumbling tummies – for our turn at the crunchy toast!\u00a0 finally we were called!\u00a0 we wiped the drizzle from our brows and took our seats right by the front window.\u00a0 the waitress came and told us about specials and took our orders.\u00a0 our crunchy toasts were out in no time flat.\u00a0 we both loved the french toast and just wish we could have had room to finish it all!\u00a0 yummo!\u00a0<\/p>\n
after breakfast we walked around fell’s point and visited all of the local shops and walked up and down the cobble stone streets before heading on our next great search.\u00a0 we were on a mission to find “charm city cakes”.\u00a0 we’d read online before going that you are not to come on the property and to not even think about ringing the door bell or knocking, but all we wanted was a snapshot!\u00a0 we followed the garmin to the building which was in the middle of a downtown area with abandoned row homes on one side of the street and a car repair shop on the other.\u00a0 we made our way to the corner and husband stood for his photo.\u00a0 he said – duff is right there!\u00a0 i did not see him at first, but then i told will to scooch over so i could get him in the shot.\u00a0 by the time will took my photo duff had moved behind the girl with the hoodie, but we totally saw him – which was neat-o in my book.\u00a0 it’s funny how some people love movie stars, others love people who write amazing books, others love famous musicians, but will and i – we love famous foodies!<\/p>\n
after the stalkerish acts at charm city cakes we decided to go to the art museum.\u00a0 well, one thing we learned about baltimore is that just about EVERYTHING is closed on monday!\u00a0 how rude!\u00a0 we got to the museum and found it was locked up tight on monday and tuesday.\u00a0 husband said – what now.\u00a0 i said – ellicot city.\u00a0 i’d read on the new york times that this was a must see stop while in md.\u00a0 we made our way to the historic area and parked the car for a charming little afternoon.\u00a0 the town feels super haunted and amazingly deja vuish.\u00a0 it was kind of dreamy like and a little erie as we walked the streets.\u00a0 i saw a few things i wanted to buy as we traipsed in and out of little antique stores, but i was scared to bring any of that stuff into our house.\u00a0 spooktacular.\u00a0 gives me the willies just thiniking about it!\u00a0<\/p>\n
tuesday was the big day for the johns hopkins appointment.\u00a0 will was a tad bit nervous so he had me driving us to the office.\u00a0 i was a tad bit nervous that we were going to be late, so we were in a bit of a frenzy.\u00a0 however, we made it there just in time and sat patiently in the waiting room until it was will’s turn to go back.\u00a0 the doctor was in quickly and chatted with will about how he was doing and what issues he had had etc.\u00a0 he took lots of notes and then did a phyiscal exam of the area.\u00a0 he confirmed that he thought he was healing nicely and he saw no reason to have any further surgeries, if everything stayed as it was.\u00a0 he suggested will get a baseline mri within the next few months so he would have something “clear” in his file for comparison sake if it was ever warranted.\u00a0 he asked if we had any other questions and gave will his business card.\u00a0 he told will to call him if he ever had any questions etc. and told us he wished we had a safe trip back to nc.\u00a0 just like that – it was over – case closed – final chapter written.\u00a0 will and i gave each other hi fives, hugs, and a celebratory toast for breakfast afterwards.\u00a0 we confirmed that now we really could move full steam ahead with our adoption plans.<\/p>\n\n\t\t