Three States in One Day

Nana and Gramps came to visit me, help us move, and go to a train show in downtown Baltimore.  Aren't they cool?  It's been really fun hanging out with them.  Nana even takes me on magic carpet rides all around our slowly emptying house. 

We wanted to make sure they didn't spend all of their time helping us pack, so I suggested we go to Harpers Ferry.  Mom and Dad took me there when I was still in Mom's belly and I thought it was pretty cool to hike part of the Appalachian Trail and learn about John Brown.  Plus, I knew if we drove there I'd get to be in Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia all in one day.  I'm trying to see as much of the East Coast as possible before we move.

We all had a great time, and I made sure to include my friend the mountain goat in my stroller ride.

Happy Father's Day Philly Style

I was pretty excited to give Dad this Father's Day gift.  I know when I'm older, I'll have to give him gifts that are for him and not me, but as long as I'm this cute, I think he likes to get clothes for me.  Next time I put this on, I'll be sure to show you all the back.  It's got my name and Dad's old baseball number.

The reason I had to get this super great jersey is because Mom gave Dad tickets to see the Twins play in Philadelphia.  Actually, Mom said Dad could buy the tickets and made him do all of the work, but I'm pretty sure he was still excited.  As you can see, I really enjoyed my first baseball game even though it was over 90 degrees!

Before we went to the actual game, we spent a little time enjoying the City of Brotherly Love.

I especially enjoyed our pre-game picnic because Anika and I got to hang out with our daddies while we picniced.  I'm still a little shy around her, but Dad and Kyle were there to help break the tension. 

Well, I hope my daddy knows how great I think he is.  He's only had two and a half months to practice, but he's already so good at taking care of me and teaching me about the world.  The baseball lessons and road trip practice on Sunday were just two more ways he's helping me to become a little man.

Saying Goodbye to Baltimore

Last night we had one last Baltimore crab feast in the back yard. Well, at least Dad and Matt feasted. Everyone else had a couple of crabs and a lot of corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, cornbread and delicious watermelon. As you can see, my friend Katie came super prepared to celebrate Baltimore. My shirt was pretty sweet, too.

I made up a game where I kept crying whenever Mom tried to eat a crab so that she would have to wash her Old Bay spiced hands off with water and five or six baby wipes while someone else cuddled and jiggled me. Stephanie and Laura did especially great jobs keeping me cooing. They're going to be great moms someday!

There were two other wonderful parts of last night - the bean bag game and Anika. I hope she wasn't offended that I screamed when she came over. I'm still learning how to impress the ladies, and that's one of my only verbalizations right now. Next time, Anika, I'll have my smile ready!

(If you'd like to see more pictures of this cutie, check out Kyle and Katie's blog. I do often.)

Today hasn't been quite as festive. Mom and dad have been making me help pack what they think are their most precious possessions.

It wasn't very fun until Dad showed me what we'll get to be doing as soon as I can hold my head up a little more.

We've got about two weeks left in Baltimore, and are trying to spend as much time as possible with the great friends Mom and Dad have made before we leave. I wish I had a little more time here, and that I could meet all of the babies who are on their way!

What I Know about Bangladesh

Dad has taught me that Bangladesh is in southern Asia, sort of in the armpit of India.  It's very close to Bhutan, Nepal and Myanmar as well, although Dad did find that flights to Kathmandu are pretty pricey, at least in June.  Somehow, though, we're going to get to the Himalayas, Dad says.  He thinks we'll be able to get in some fun climbing and hiking.  In light of this, Dad's been helping me exercise.  We're focusing on upper body strength today. 

From mom, I've been learning that we'll probably be doing our laundry by hand.  She's getting us ready by having me learn to fold clothes so I can help out at our apartment.  This requires more hand-eye coordination than I've developed.  Still, I like to be involved and try to pick out the next piece of clothing for mom to fold.

We're all pretty excited, and starting to think about what living in Dhaka will actually be like.  Now that we've been vaccinated and started packing, the move seems more imminent.  One thing I'm worrying about is what 36 hours of travel will be like for me.  Does anyone have any pointers so that Mom and Dad can make sure I'm content in international airports and on large jets?

Going Green

Mom found out diapers are about $16 per box of 40 in Bangladesh.  So here's my first ever cloth one!

This Is Me.

Hi.  My name is Bowman.  I'm a 6-week old baby from Baltimore.  I like warm milk before bed, eating every two hours, and green onsies.  I also enjoy long car rides and having picnics with friends.  I do not like having my picture taken by certified passport photo personnel.

These are my parents.

I've decided to start this blog because my mom is a terrible blogger, and I have some exciting travels coming up that I'd like to keep you all updated about.  In fact, those pictures up above (which the very helpful but strict woman at the office said "simply would not do") were my first attempt for my very first passport.  I need it because in just under two months, I'm moving to Dhaka, Bangladesh!  Hopefully, you'll all be able to read about my journey here, because it sounds like there won't be any details on Facebook!

Just to get things started, here are a few pictures of where I've been so far.

I saw this sailboat on Baltimore's Inner Harbor when Tia Angela was visiting.

I've also walked up and down Harford road a whole lot of times. On this trip, Grandpa was pushing me to Big Bad Wolf's House of BBQ.

One sunny day, my parents, my grandparents, my uncle-cousin and I all drove to St. Michaels, Maryland for a picnic and some bocce ball.

I've also visited Washington D.C. where we had a picnic with Tia Angela on the Potomac River.

Well, Mom's begging me to nap, so I'll have to write more later.