Hippo Hunter!

This past Saturday was our first official outing as a family. Sure, we've gone places since Lincoln was born (the doctor's office, Grandma and Grandpas, Babies 'R Us)...but Saturday was the first day that we didn't HAVE to go anywhere or DO anything in particular. Daddy didn't have to go into the office, the laundry was done and we had the whole day to spend at our leisure. Lincoln was all dressed up for the occassion in his camouflage hippo outfit. It had a sunhat, so it wasn't just cute, it was practical too (or at least this is what I told John).

So, what does one do on a leisurely day in the middle of the summer in Dallas, TX with a newborn? We were stumped! Our criteria for the perfect "outing" included staying out of the heat (it was 101 degrees here on Saturday), spending a minimal amount of moola and access to restrooms/rest areas where little one could take a bottle. So many things to consider!

We ended up heading to the Mall (ok, so this didn't exactly meet requirement #2, but it satisfied the others), making a stop at Half Price Books (I think since the books are a bargain, this meets all of the requirements), and then driving thru neighborhoods looking for our next perfect house (one of our FAVORITE pastimes, and while it's free at the moment, I'm sure this will cost us later)!

After all of this shopping, food was in order. So...where does one go to eat on a Saturday night in Dallas with a newborn? Nothing to hip, or too fancy, or too loud or too crowded...decisions, decisions! We went out to eat early (I'm talking...your grandma and grandpa eat this early, early) hoping to avoid the date night crowd and also hoping Lincoln would sleep thru our meal. He slept thru us ordering the meal, but luckily the restaurant we chose had Lincoln's trifecta of "cool" things at their disposal: windows, lights on the ceiling and music...so he was a happy camper once we rescued him from his carseat (I mean hunter...he was looking for hippos all day afterall!).

Lincoln ended his fun-filled day as all good days should end, with a warm bath, a good book and a bit of cuddle time.

John and I ended our fun-filled day exhausted, but armed with the knowledge that with a little more planning and effort, we can go out and do "normal" things!