babymoon #1

It's been an eventful and exhausting past 8 months (something I've mentioned often so you've probably seen this list before:)—the 3-month country-wide job search for my husband, moving out of our apartment in Southern CT, putting our stuff in storage, living with my mother-in-law for 2+ months while we spent our summer frantically searching for a house and doing paperwork, moving into said house in a new state, taking on a never-ending list of house projects….oh, and getting pregnant. On top of it we've had plans every single free moment and weekend since we've moved into our house (so not like us). 

Needless to say, we are a bit exhausted! This is quite the contrast to the lifestyle we were so used to living before this all began—endless nights to ourselves, romantic weekend getaways every chance we got, big vacations a couple times a year….lots of peace, quiet, and relaxation. We were recently reminiscing about the old days (that weren't so long ago in reality) and immediately knew we needed a healthy dose of that right now in order to make our way through all this chaos. We had originally planned to do this on our anniversary weekend, but wouldn't you know…we had plans (unrelated to our anniversary!)….and we had plans the next weekend too…ahhh! But, finally this past weekend we enjoyed babymoon #1 (I'm hoping for a couple more before the baby arrives). It was heavenly and just what we needed…….

We spent the first night at our usual spot (Alex's family owns this lovely inn where we got married). It's always so cozy, warm and relaxed at the Stowehof. We had a long dinner by one fireplace and fell asleep by another fireplace…so nice.

Then we decided to splurge (since it's been so long since we've done anything like this) and stay at this brand new monstrosity on Stowe Mountain….

Total opposite of the night before, but equally enjoyable. This place is not exactly warm and homey like the Stowehof, but it certainly makes you feel pampered! I was also a big fan of the eco-consciousness of this hotel—while disgustingly enormous and modern (we had an electric fireplace instead of a real one), they use all natural cleaning products, provide organic sheets, towels and bath products and have energy-saving devices everywhere you look.

They also have the most insane pool I've ever seen! It's outdoor, but used year-round—heated to 90 degrees in the colder months and 86 during the summer.

You climb into the water indoors then swim out into the pool through this little flap (below). Crazy!

One of the other reasons we wanted to try this hotel was the food. I had been wanting to try their restaurant for years….but, it was entirely disappointing. I barely chocked down a few bites of the fancy risotto I ordered before calling it quits, heading back to the room and ordering a peanut butter and jelly sandwich off the kid's menu with a glass of milk and warm cookies. I haven't been a milk drinker in over 10 years nor do I ever eat peanut butter, but it was the most satisfying meal I've had since I've been pregnant. Gotta love cravings!

Who needs champagne on a romantic getaway when you can throw back some ice cold skim instead?

Sort of an aside, but my belly looked especially pregnant this weekend (please excuse the horrible lighting/pictures).

I know this is super blurry and poor quality, but it shocked me when I saw it. This baby is really starting to grow!

just a few more adk shots...

adirondack canoeing

Last week we enjoyed the wilderness of the Adirondack mountains with an incredibly peaceful camping trip. We went back to the same spot we camped in last summer, about a half hour from Lake Placid. Last year's highlight was hiking the most vertical, intense mountain I've ever climbed, but this year's highlight was definitely the canoeing. 

We really enjoyed exploring this uninhabited island where we ate lunch and lazed around in the complete silence.

This pretty much sums it up.

back from the adks

I'm back from the Adirondack mountains and blissfully exhausted….a little too exhausted to edit pictures. Here's a very quick sneak peek and hopefully I'll get my act together and have more to post tomorrow!

ADK rewind

We are currently nestled amongst the High Peaks in the Adirondack Park….ahhh, heaven! I am sure that at this very moment I am thinking to myself "I never want to leave!" and my brain is scheming up ways to build a log cabin so I can say "goodbye civilization!" Whether I am in the Adirondacks, the Green Mountains of Vermont, the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, basically any mountain range in Northern Cali or Tahoe….I am thinking this same thing. And while I'm quite pleased to be moving to the Berkshires later this month (to an area dubbed the "hill towns" given the small size of its mountains) I will still dream of someday being among higher peaks.

In honor of our camping trip, a few highlights from last summer's ADK adventure…..

on the road: the adirondack mountains

We are off to the Adirondack Mountains (in Upstate New York) for a few days of camping, followed by a few days in Saratoga Springs. I will be in complete bliss breathing in that crisp mountain air, waking up and falling asleep on the banks of a peaceful lake, hiking to the top of one of many mountains to take in the breathtaking view of the High Peaks….and simply enjoying being away from the noisy, polluted city. I really was born to live in the mountains…..sigh.

the wall

I came across this wall in a parking lot the other day and was immediately obsessed with it. Obsessed. As a photographer, I walk around life constantly noticing the following: lighting, minute details, color and fabulous backdrops. And as far as backdrops go, interesting walls and ancient doors seem to be a fav of mine. 

When I found this wall I was really wishing Natalie Schlegel was with me, I desperately needed a model.…but since she wasn't, I attempted to pose for just a few shots for my husband. This was the best I could in 100 degree heat (I was cursing the fact that I had worn pants that day!)…. 

If I had been snapping the pics, I would've loved to do some macro shots of just a section of body or face and get really close to the texture of that beautifully worn wall. But, I think my non-photographer hubby did a great job:)