Wordless Wednesday

I guess I should blog.

I've just had total writer's block recently.  And not a whole lot of time to think, so that doesn't help.

We had a good week getting back into our work/school routine.  Monday morning's new commute felt a little weird, but it was pretty easy despite being longer than before.  We spent our evenings this week eating quick dinners and then swimming before trying to go to bed at decent times.  The girls both had a good week at school, although Emma cried when Sara and I left her room on Friday morning for the very first time.  It was pitiful and heartbreaking.

Today we got the garage organized.  It had, for obvious reasons, become the dumping ground as we moved in and we had been needing to tackle it.  Steve took a load of trash and boxes to the public dumping facility, and put away the attic items.  We were then able to get the remaining items put on shelves/hooks, actually making room for the cars!  After a long swim this afternoon, Sara passed out on the couch.  I thought about being productive tonight, but we're watching "The Devil Wears Prada" instead.  So the grocery store will have to happen tomorrow. 

Backing up a bit ... on Sunday night, as we were preparing for the week, Emma fell and started bleeding a lot from her mouth.  We never did find the source of the blood (tongue, cheek, etc.), but all six of her teeth were in tact and she wanted to keep playing, which was a relief after my brief panic.  I told Steve that I think Emma bled more in those few minutes than Sara has in her whole life.  Emma is just so eager to keep up, and it might be the death of me.

Were you wrapped up in the Royal Baby Watch, too?  I remember a time when I was sure that if Prince Wills just met me, he'd surely make me his princess.  We all know how that turned out.  Anyway, I was anticipating the baby's birth as much as the next person (why is it so fascinating?!).  When we learned the baby's name, I couldn't help thinking of "Father of the Bride Part II" when George Banks tells his new grandson, George, "We are well named, George.  Don't let the other kids tease you.  It's a good, solid name."  I've also enjoyed the radio commentary about the baby's name paying homage to "Seinfeld". 

And I can't believe I never mentioned this, but Steve and I also recently celebrated our ten-year wedding anniversary.  At one point we talked about taking a trip, but we ended up buying a new house instead.  We started dating at 19, got married at 22 - just out of college - and so in many ways, we have grown-up together.  I can honestly say that we are happier now than we've ever been, and it feels really good.

You know what else I did recently?  I got my hair cut for the first time since October.  That news is both exciting and embarrassing.  I can't let that time lapse happen again.  I don't think I will, though, because I went to a new lady who was recommended by a teacher from my old school and I really liked her.  Not only did she do exactly what I asked her to do with my hair, she was also affordable.  Score.

I don't really have anything else to report ... haven't read a book in a very long time (although I need to start up again because I have a stack waiting), haven't kept up with current events (and not really in the mood to write about anything serious anyway), and haven't done a whole lot besides work and hang out at home with my people (and that's okay).  I have had requests to see pics of the house.  I know I need to take some ... and then upload them ... and then post them.  I will get around to it!

Summer Days

And just like that, our official summer break days are almost over.  I head back to work on Monday, and the girls head back to daycare.  We're all in for a shock.  Our morning routine will be different with a little longer drive and a new route ... not to mention that we've been on basically no routine whatsoever since June 26th.  I know we'll all bounce back quickly, and then be oh-so-ready to crash by next Friday night!

Over the course of the last week, we've been unpacking and organizing as well as doing plenty of swimming and playing.  Thanks to my FIL who hung a bunch of curtain rods for me, and to my MIL who continues to find bargains on rugs, curtains, etc.  The house is really coming together and we just love it!  One thing we've gotten right to work on is changing out many of the very outdated light and fan fixtures.  Replacing just a few of those types of items makes such a huge difference.  I have to show you, though, one oldie-but-goodie, which I'm sure is original to the house, that I have no intention of replacing until it fizzles out on its own ... our oven:

It doesn't beep when it's preheated (in fact, it gives no indication of preheating at all), it doesn't fit my gigantic cookie sheets, and I might need a little tutorial on using the knobs.  But it is super clean, it gets HOT fast, and I just sort of love it.  And I think there is something to be said about the way things "used to be made", don't you?

Another priority, of course, included hanging party lights by the pool.  So as I've said before, plan a trip over (or down, or up ... whatever).  Sara was thrilled to help me pick out party lights ... after multiple summers at Lake Ida, she can associate the party lights going on with a good time waiting to happen!  Our college friend Isaac and his fiance are our first scheduled out-of-town guests; they are coming over Labor Day and we can't wait to hang by the pool with them. 

The recent rainy days have allowed us time to work on organizing inside the house, but when the sun poked through the clouds for a little bit yesterday, we were ready to jump in the pool.  Normally I would never complain about rain and cooler temps in Texas in July (normally I wouldn't be able to because normally it never happens), but since we're down to the wire on number of summer break days left, I was hoping for lots of outside time this week.  Sunday and Monday were total losses, but yesterday and today we made it to the park and in the pool between showers.  I'm hoping the rain is done for today so we can hop back in for a dip tonight.  Sara's friend, Parker, is coming over to swim - and probably consume popsicles - tomorrow afternoon, which I guess classifies as her first pool party?!?

(Have I mentioned yet that, if I'm being completely honest, I wanted this house for the pool?  And the neighborhood and the layout, but mostly for the pool.)

Have a great weekend, and wish us luck on Monday.  I have no intentions of being back here before then ... #soakingupmysummer.

Living on Ida Time

After our long weekend in The Cities, we headed to Lake Ida for a week.

Ready for the 4th of July Parade...

Emma's enjoyed her first freezee!

Sara worked on her ladder ball skills...

...while Emma snuck away to try to climb the stairs (yikes).

Relaxing on the boat ...

Although they both did plenty of playing and swimming, both Emma and Expo looked like this most of the time on the boat:

 

Have you ever seen such clear, clean lake water?  It's unlikely.

Co-captain

We enjoyed our relaxing week spent on Ida Time, and can't wait to go back next summer!

Weekend in The Cities

The first leg of our Minnesota trip was spent in The Cities, where we celebrated my mom's retirement, caught a Twins game at Target Field, and enjoyed a casual BBQ at Melissa and Adam's house (with new puppy Expo).

 

Party Time

Congrats, Mom!

 

 Target Field

beautiful day+the skyline+Goose Island=good stuff

This picture made us all laugh because there was a little scuffle over Grandpa's lap.  Avery's family came all the way from Connecticut to enjoy the weekend with us, and he and Sara had a great time together.  They shared popcorn and cotton candy wonderfully ... it was just the lap that caused a momentary issue!

  

Twins win!

 BBQ at Auntie & Adam's

 

 

Expo thought he would join in on a game of bags.

 

(Thanks to my sis for taking on photog responsibilities!)

I'm Back...

And I have A LOT of catching up to do!  I am blogging for the first time from our new house, although not from my laptop because, unfortunately, it's not taking to the new internet connection.  But our house is great.  Even though we're stepping over boxes and other items, this place already feels like home.  Huge shout-out to in my in-laws, who helped Steve move while the girls and I enjoyed lake time in Minnesota. 

Before we headed to the airport on June 26th, I took one last picture of Sara saying goodbye to our old house.

 Then we stopped at the new house to drop off a load of stuff, and I took the first picture of the girls on the front steps.

Steve was in MN with use for the first few days, before returning to work and moving.  The girls and I got back yesterday evening and, as predicted, Sara immediately wanted to hop in the pool.  We were back in it again today, and will be tomorrow.  What a treat!  In the meantime, we're working on organizing and adjusting ... and making long lists of all the things we want to buy/change/fix/etc.  It'll be a work in progress.  My goal in the next week and a half, before I go back to work, is to find a good balance of house work and summer relaxation!

Ten Months

At ten months, Emma is loving her visit to MN!  She is curious about (and into) everything, and although we're having to say, "No, no," a lot more, it's fun to watch her explore.  Emma is still wearing her six-month onesies, but is now mostly into her nine-month dresses.  She's just petite, and I am already sort of dreading taking her shopping for jeans when she's a teenager ... only because I remember my own nightmarish experiences (sorry, Mom).

 Emma isn't stingy about giving open-mouthed kisses, and she has even started trying to make the appropriate mmm-wah sound effects with them.   She loves to be tickled.  Her belly laugh is in full force these days, and when she's really going, it's impossible not to laugh along with her.  Emma's legs are getting stronger, and she's standing briefly with very little support.  She'll take some steps while holding our hands, and her newest trick is standing up in the bathtub (see the "no, no" reference above). 

A couple of weeks ago, Emma decided that she was completely done eating baby food.  She went through the phase of spitting it out, and then began spitting before the spoon even hit her lips ... she just wasn't having it.  Apparently she'd been watching Sara more closely than we realized, and knew that there were better options out there.  So she is now fully on regular food, and I donated the rest of her baby food to daycare.  Although it is definitely easier to have her eating regular food like the rest of us, and she hasn't yet met a food she doesn't like, I won't pretend I'm not just a little bit in denial.  Emma has five teeth now (two on bottom, three on top), which come in handy with all of her new food selections.

Her teacher sent me this picture from school one day ... she seriously looks like she won the lottery!

Emma's other new obsession is the bathtub.  Whenever she disappears from whatever room we're in, we can usually find her in the bathroom, standing up and looking at the bathtub.  Sometimes she squeals, sometimes she claps, and sometimes she just stares at it - lights on or off, doesn't matter to her.  It's pretty funny, but she seems to have no fear so we've started keeping the bathroom door closed.  I told my mom that I think Emma may turn out to be the child who gives us more of a run for our money ... we'll see.  For now, we're just enjoying her for the adorable, loving, funny ten-month old she is!