Straight Into Compton

May 22 we arrived in Los Angeles. The new place, a rented ground floor of a duplex, couldn't be nicer. The 'hood, however, leaves a lot to be desired. We've tried taking Siena for a walk around the neighborhood, but there's no parks in walking distance, and pushing Baby in thte stroller up and down the sidewalk got old quick.

Our landladies couldn't be a better welcoming committee, though. They adore Siena (who doesn't) and have gone out of their way to make our adjustment to L.A. as easy as possible. Most notable for Siena, though, are the landladies' two dogs, Hannah and Chloe. SIena calls them Anna and Doee, and is obsessed with them--until they're in sight. Then she's as terrified as you would be if a golden lab taller than you came bounding over (that's Hannah. Chloe's a smaller, and more active, terrier). But every day she gets more comfortable with them, so we're optimistic.

Moving in and unpacking with a toddler was like fighting with one arm tied behind our collective back, but now the house look slike a home and we're settling into our routine. Speaking of which...