Set up an appointment and take a look to see if there's something about the quality of the renovations/upgrades that might be off. If you are serious about this house as a potential, one thing you might do is check out the records at city hall for any issues (maybe there are outstanding liens that were messy), etc. We did that ourselves (even though the brokers will also do this) but found it very informative.

The baby was born while we were living in a 1BR in Brooklyn, so we tried to get only the basics, and to find the most compact/light options. I have been very happy with my Chicco Capri, which was endured many long walks--in snow, and rain--as well as 2 cross-country flights. Nothing has broken or snapped, and it's still looking good. I got mine as a baby shower gift, but have seen them on craigslist. Good luck!

Can you recommend a place that is 20/entree or less in the Alexandria area for tonight? Obviously since it's so last minute it would need to be a place where we can walk in, but BONUS points if you know a place that has live music. Thanks!

One vote for Old Town. One perk if you live close to the Mt Vernon trail is that you can bike up into the city and commute that way to Navy Yard.

Pressed sandwhiches, wrapped in foil. We usually get all the fixin's from Costco: torta bread, pre-sliced mozzarella, jar of roasted red peppers, pesto spread, and then balsamic vinegar and pepper. Tonight we had run out of red peppers so I subbed in with prosciutto - tasty! You might also try doing a chicken salad, try wraps, or cold noodles (thinking sesame chili oil flavor more so than italian).

In France, Spain, UK, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany - my strategy was to bring or buy travel sized packets of detergent and do laundry in the sink by hand, then hang clothes over the sink, tub, shower pole, even out the window (depends on the place, of course). Also bring one of those shout pens for cleaning up spots on items that don't need to be fully laundered. If you're traveling now int the summer months, do laundry early before you go out, and it should be dry by the next day. Good luck - and enjoy the trip!

If you're planning on going with a commercial day care facility, it's wise of you to start looking now. We put ourselves on a waitlist in FEB of last year, delivered in OCT, and I am still on the waitlist! I ended up finding an in-home daycare (search and interview phase took about a month, all in all, and I relief primarily on the VA state resources for families; not sure if MD has something similar), and am very pleased with that arrangement. Good luck!

We coslept or had him in the bassinet next to our bed until four months, then moved from a 1 BR to a house. At that point, since we set up his own room, we attempted putting him down in his own crib. Worked wonders, and we didn't have to sleep train, really - just used the same routine. Now his schedule is off after a recent trip that crossed multiple time zones, but even though he is falling asleep later, he is still getting a 10 hour stretch (he's 8 months). FWIW, I'm pasting a link to our previous pediatrician's post on sleep training, which we found helpful - but I am aware it's not for everyone. Good luck to you! http://thenewbasics.com/?book-excerpt=sleep#8sleep

It's free to join, so unless you don't shop at amazon at all, there's no reason to hesitate joining. The price difference on diapers and wipes didn't beat out the Costco price for Kirklands, which is what we've been using. However, the benefits of two day shipping on other items (milk storage bags, teething stuff, etc)- even non baby items - is a great perk. For every 25 you spend on baby items, your amazon mom benefit is extended by a month, if I recall correctly.

Our bank offers mobile banking, so I set it up to send my a daily text with my balance. That way, I can figure out if there have been any fraudulent charges, and helps keep me in check with spending. Also, I set up a text alert in case a purchase over a certain amount is made, so I can deal with it immediately if it actually is fraudulent.

Honey Pig in Annandale, where they cook the meats at the table. Recommend bulgogi and the beef short rib, as well as the seafood pancake as an appetizer.

I would split 15-20 min strength circuit, 20 min cardio, 5-10 min for stretching/cool down. For strength, I'd do 2 sets (one on each side for main muscle groups) of each of the following, and repeat for a full 2 circuits: 15 lunges, 15 push ups, 15 core exercise (I like the reverse crunch), 15 planks (right, left, center), 15 squats. Depending on how much time you have left, I'd move one to focus on one muscle group for the remaining time for that day. For cardio, I'd do either running or spinning (if you have access to the equipment) at intervals. My preferred is 3 minutes moderate, 2 minute push, 2 min moderate, 3 min push, 1 min moderate, 3 min push, 2 min moderate, 2 min push, 2 min moderate.

Someone mentioned buttermilk chicken, which I'd vote for. In the past, I have gone to Ina Garten's recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/oven-fried-chicken-recipe/index.html

Incidentally, her chocolate cake also calls for buttermilk, and I highly recommend it - just be prepared for a decadent treat: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/beattys-chocolate-cake-recipe/index.html

If you want to maximize time at your destination, I'd stick to the East Coast. Along with some of the posts already mentioned (Montreal, NYC would get my vote), I'd also consider Savannah, GA, which is beautiful, close to beaches, and laid back.

Anonymous wrote:A lot of people have said some good stuff but there is one thing that surprisingly nobody has mentioned yet: don't forget about sex. It is often the first thing to go by the wayside but is still really important. So make time for it, even if you are touched out and don't really feel like it.

This. Also, I learned that I was adding way more stress to our lives by trying to do things 50/50 and keep score to make sure it's fair. Yes, you try to be equitable. But you know what? It's fine if you guys don't get to that pile of laundry, if one or both of you takes a nap instead of cleaning the kitchen, etc. If you need a little tension relief, we found that playing video games against each other or maybe a board game or something after the baby is down is a good way of finding compromise. But, of course, it isn't for everyone. Good luck!