The Halls Come to Town

This past weekend the Halls came to visit! While we used to see each other at least once a week in Buffalo, it had been months since our last reunion. We were so excited to be their hosts and share our city with them.

It was also an opportunity to finally introduce them to our little guy. Manu flirted shamelessly with Teresa.

The forecast called for thunderstorms all weekend but somehow we were able to dodge them altogether. We stopped in Mt. Washington to admire the view.


Dennis contemplates moving to Pittsburgh. Ok, maybe not.

Like all good itineraries, ours revolved around eating. Day1 Lunch: Harris Grill. For casual outdoor dining in Pittsburgh, you can't beat Harris'. The food is delicious and reasonably priced, the staff is chill, and the atmosphere is relaxed. Best of all, their menu is hands down the most entertaining I've read. With items like the "Volunteer Fire Hall Wedding Reception Baked Rigatoni" and "Harris Grill's Businessman's Lunch" (Three Grey Goose Martinis served in rapid succession), how could you go wrong?

While it seemed like our guests really enjoyed lunch, it was a struggle to get Manu to eat his. He decided then and there that he's no longer a fan of the bottle.


Day 2 Lunch: Primanti Brother's .Primanti's serves up a heart attack between two slices of bread. You choose your sandwich: steak, chicken, turkey, tuna, etc. and they top it with fries and coleslaw. The finished product stacks up about 1/2 foot tall.

This was a challenge. The baby and the bjorn caught what didn't quite make it into my mouth. I know. Bad mom.


Group shot in front of the Cathedral of Learning

Family pic.

On the last night after the baby was put to bed, we decided to partake in a friendly card game with dessert.

Perhaps we overdosed on strawberry cake or maybe it was way past all of our bedtimes as well, but as the evening progressed anything and everything became hilarious. It was the perfect ending to a great weekend. It really made me wish we could be neighbors again.

We had a great time, guys! We'll plan our trip up to Buffalo very soon!

In the waiting room

Someone's a curious little monkey...

Back once again with the good behavior.

Checkup 3, and vaccination time. I think he knows something's up... Wish us luck!

Manu and...

Manu and Aunt Aziza reunite

Manu and Grandpa Ejaz doze off

Manu and Uncle Chris meet

Manu and Dad looking spiffy


Manu and Grandpa Parvez snuggle up

Mommy's Little Helper

He can't fold yet...

but provides some pretty lively entertainment.

Simple Pleasures

Today I scoured the stovetop uninterrupted.

Rainy Day

It was a rainy day in Pittsburgh yesterday which meant we would have to postpone our morning stroll.

Instead, we decided to try out the new gym from Manu's Great Grandma. He was cautious at first;

not quite trusting of the gigantic neon ladybug suspended above his head.

But then he got excited...


really excited and began to carry on lengthy conversations with all the bugs in his gym.


We also got in some tummy time.


And worked on perfecting our "how you doin?" face. A very productive day indoors.

On the Porch

My Summer Vacation

I never considered our hometown Horseheads, NY to be a vacation destination. I was exclusively the lay on the beach all day with a frozen drink and good book kind of vacationer. That has now changed. Last week we traveled to our hometown to spend a week with the grandparents. Horseheads is now also my kind of vacation. With so many hands anxious to hold and rock the little guy all day every day, it was hard to leave.
Here are some pics from our trip:

Manu in his carseat on the way to Horseheads with his 'where do you think you're taking me?' face

After bath time

Grilling with the family

Manu observes skeptically as dad straps him in for his first stroller ride.

He loved the walk.

Mom and Dad on our first evening out alone.

Here's Manu before lunch at the Corning Country Club with Grandman and Grandpa Parvez . He ponders if he should have a melt down in the car on the way there or wait until his parents started to eat.

Miraculously, he did neither.

We'll be back again soon!

When father-son camera time and diaper-change time collide

Nice expression, Manu. You couldn't have waited one more minute? On second thought, this picture'll come in handy when you're a teenager...

Some days you can't get anything done...

Sleeping only when held beats not sleeping at all, though.

Baby Steps

Manu is one month old today! It's incredible how much he's grown in these few short weeks. I sometimes wonder (usually around 4am) where the sleepy little newborn we brought home from the hospital went. Every day he surprises us with something new; a new expression, gurgle, movement. Each little discovery he makes leaves us amazed. Like most parents, we're pretty certain our little one is a genius.

Silly Faces