Long Trail 2012?

Well, Parker is 8 months old now. Time to rejuvenate the blog. You ask why? Because we have begun to think about finishing up the Long Trail!

Parker at Blue Hills Reservation in Canton, MA

You may remember that we hiked the northern 1/3 (~90 miles) back in 2008. Then the middle 1/3 (~80 miles) in 2010. Only seems obvious that we would finish it in 2012, right?

Parker will be 1 year old on March 30, and we'll probably try to do this hike in the early summer months (June or July), which means she should be at a good age... and not too heavy, so time to start planning!

-Chris

Parker Sierra Bauernfeind, born 3/30/11

Car Seat Inspection

This morning I spent 45 minutes with Officer Coriano in the garage of the Boston Police Department in Dudley Square. With less than 2 weeks until D-Day, it was definitely time to get the car seat inspected. It's a requirement (we were told) in MA, and let me tell you, Officer Coriano does not take his job lightly.

Ruby sharing a garage with a BPD cruiser

Although I'd already perused the SnugRide 35's handbook as well as Ruby's (our Subaru Outback) owner's manual for information, he took the time to show me all the ins and outs of our newest purchase, and all of our options for seat installation. As a Dad and Grandfather, he seemed genuinely concerned for the safety of our little one on the way, and made sure I knew what the heck I was doing. By the time I left, I did!

Officer Coriano and the SnugRide35

-Chris

Book Club

This is what my night stand looks like these days.

Belly Pic

Emily at 34 weeks.

A Sobering New Year's Eve

Being pregnant definitely throws a wrench into partying. New Year's Eve was no exception. Forget the bars. Forget raucous house parties. Forget the copious amounts of toasting and tasting cocktails and champagne. While those celebrations of old have been fun, this year we celebrated a little differently.

Take a look.

We climbed the nearest lump of land around 11:30 pm—the Great Blue Hill. It took about 20 minutes to get to the top and we ushered in the new year, side by side in the dark, at the top of a stone observation tower. It was cold and breezy, and perfect. The fireworks over Boston Harbor were the size of my thumb nail, and we could hear other towns' attempts at being festive, too. I had my best friend at my side, and our little family was together. Perhaps a sign of New Year's celebrations to come!

-Emily

Wayward?

Wayward 30-Somethings? I think not. First off, I turned 40 last summer. Secondly, it's hard to be wayward when you have a little one growing in your wife's belly. We're excited! Excited to be bringing another being into the world. Excited to hopefully be breeding a future hiker. Excited to start planning our CDT (Continental Divide Trail) hike. What?! Just kidding. But really, how cool would it be to finish off my Triple Crown hike with my wife AND my kid?

Anyway, we are 30 weeks pregnant, and are now getting the "guest room" converted over to the baby's room. Tonight I caulked. This weekend (if I can pry myself away from the NFL playoffs) I will paint the trim. Then, after painting the walls a color other than white (our entire apt), we will winterize the room, and then set up the crib, etc. etc.

This doesn't seem very wayward.

-Chris