Freddie's new trick

Freddie's bedroom is very small, so we pushed his changing table into the closet. He now swings from his clothes bar. We probably shouldn't let him do it, but at least we make him get his diaper changed first?

Pittsburgh dinner

Perogies (potato & cheddar and potato & kraut) and two cucumber dishes from a Polish deli. I said to the guy "what do you put on the perogies? Sour cream?" And he goes "Yeah, usually. But these days, people are doing whatever!" And then he was walking around his kitchen, getting my order ready and occasionally would shake his head and throw his hands in the air and say "these days! It's whatever!" Like it's all gone to the dogs and kids these days - who knows what they are putting on perogies! He doesn't even want to think about it!

The kitchen helper strikes again!

Freddie wants you to see his salad spinning skills. Other skills: spilling chopped walnuts on the floor, putting boxes of raisins in the toaster and pouring orange juice in pancake batter. Just call us if you can use some help, his rates are very reasonable! He says if you mention this ad, you get a 10% discount.

Freddie's new buddy Adam

We have made friends with a couple who just moved to Pittsburgh from Minnesota. They think the winters here are mild. We met Adam and his mom at the Blue Slide Park on the edge of Frick Park (Frick Park is huge) the other day. We were going to go to an indoor play place, but decided to meet outside because we had a heat wave and it got to the 50's!

Adam's like "this is nothing, try 10 below."

Post snack, hanging out in a miniature house. 

This is why it's called Blue Slide Park. You bring a piece of cardboard and slide down. Apparently this park has been around forever and all the old Pittsburgers used to go here when they were little. The slide is steeper than this photo portrays. There were kids Freddie's age who were going down it, but it made me too nervous. Besides, we don't even have a pediatrician yet. Don't worry! We're getting one!

Fan video!

From Uncle Josh and Aunt Jen who were on vacation in FL. They have parrots on them! Freddie is ready to move to FL. Thanks, guys!

Thanks for the puzzle, Aunt Tracy!

This one is a favorite. Freddie and I fight over the order of animals, but it is still fun to do with him, overall.

The Amish at Whole Foods

In case we forgot we are in Pennsylvania! He and his wife were very friendly to Freddie in the checkout line and paid for about $300 worth of food in cash.

A walk in the Strip district

We went to the Strip district one late afternoon. Apparently the time to go is morning when, every day, they have an open air market featuring lots of nationalities of food plus Steelers gear.

The "almost famous" Primanti Borthers, specializing in sandwiches of grilled meat, cole slaw, tomato & fries (on the sandwich) between 2 slices of Italian bread. Sort of a heart attack on a bun.

Asian market.

 

 Italian market. 

 

Pasta and Pomalu. Very Pittsburgh combo!

 One of only a couple Latino food joints in the whole city, there aren't many. This place apparently has good Peruvian style burritos? I don't know what that is, but I want to try one.

Oh, and this Scottish place.

Cool murals.

I have the stroller, Freddie no longer thinks it's cool.

Cute, but...

This is what you have to avoid at all costs now. A 10 minute nap in the car = no nap at home.

Phipps Conservatory

Pardon some museum (non-Freddie) entries, I know all you want to see is 40 photos of museums. Outside of the Conservatory (not my photo, just to give you an idea of what it looks like). Built in the late 19th century, it's pretty enormous and perfect for a bad weather day.

 

Amazon section.

  

Freddie found the fan, of course.

 

Another miniature train!

 

Desert room.

Don't do it, Freddie!

 

Freddie, waiting for library story hour, tempted to pull things off people's heads.

Happy Birthday, Freddie

Freddie opening a singing birthday card from Nana Mary & Papa Jeff (I meant to post this earlier).

Carnegie Science Center

The Science Center (one of Freddie's favorite museums) has an impressive miniature train set, with very realistic replicas of Pittsburgh at the turn of the century, when the steel industry was in full force. It also a diorama of the surrounding Western PA countryside including a miniature....

Falling Water! Which we are waiting on visiting family to go visit. Hint hint.

Bath time

Hey, who's that guy who needs a bath?

 

It's Jeter!

Who's coming in?

It's Daddy!

Close the curtain, Mommy.

Spiderman's baby brother

Freddie met some bigger kids at the park the other day. They are from a preschool in our neighborhood. We have seen them several times and Eli (brown hair to Freddie's right) has decided that Freddie is his friend and new charge. The kids were playing Spiderman and assigning roles.  Here they are telling Freddie "You're going to be Spiderman's baby brother since you're little, okay?" Eli told me that he is one of 4 kids and that his mom "just wants to take a nap and we won't let her."

Neighborhood kitty

We like to walk around the corner to find this friendly kitty. She makes her rounds every morning looking for handouts and is pretty well fed.

Big boy on the potty!

Freddie isn't totally committed to potty training, more like flirting with the idea. When he is successful, we give him a sticker, which he promptly puts on his potty for doing "such a good job!"