one month and counting

We ventured to the pediatrian's office for Avery's 1 month check-up, and here are her stats: 9.75 lbs (95%), and 23 inches (70%). I have no clue where she's getting her height from...definitely not mom!

a whale of a time

We gave Avery her first official bath last night in her baby whale tub. And, she absolutely loved it! After many a screaming sponge baths, I was surprised that she did so well. I'm sure it was the warm warm water and shampoo head massage that sold her. I'm sure most parents tend to think that their baby is the cutest thing that ever lived...and I have found myself to be no different. There is something about Avery girl's teeny tiny button nose, big butterfly eyes, and soft smile that get me every time. I can just feel my heart melting!

What an amazing 4 weeks we have had with her! I love every single one of her faces: the pouting face, the fussy face, the sad & tired face, and the poor me I'm hungry face. I especially love the unexpected moments of love I find for her. Getting up in the middle of the night is oh-so-horrible until I look at those glittery eyes staring up at me.


I find myself wondering how this whole ordeal ever started, how I ever came to have a child, to be a mom, or how on earth I could ever love something so much! Here she is at 1 month old- my wet and slippery baby seal.

Here are some more pics!

avery taylor

It's a girl! Our little miss Avery Taylor was born via cesarean on Thursday, January 21st at 9:32am. She was 8lbs, 14oz, and 21 inches long. We've had her for just under 3 weeks now and can't imagine our lives without her!

Looking more like her daddy, she was born with crazy hair, big big mermaid eyes, long fingers, a button nose, and pixie-pointed ears! I never knew how much I could love something so new and little.

Here is the ever-growing album of favorite pics!

alice in wonderland

I simply can't wait to see Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland! It's going to be a fabulously magical date night!

Watch the trailer in HD here. Releases March 5, 2010!

fashionably late

Like mom- like child. That's the excuse Jonathan is giving anyway. This little one just wants everyone to wait a few more days. Ya know- make an entrance. Baby Finch is now 2 days late and I have officially given-in to the "whatever...whenever" mindset. I'm getting so excited to meet this little nose; these tiny fingers; this wrinkled chin.

I looked through Jonathan's baby pics last night to mentally compose the potential facial profile of this little girl/guy. It's really just an imaginery game of Mr. Potato Head. My pointy ears? Jonathan's pug nose? Let's give em some lips from dad. I have absolutely no lips to speak of. 75% chance of blue eyes. Let's throw in some of Jonathan's dimples- I like those. But, please, let's accidentally lose the toy piece that looks like Hannah's forehead. Not a good combo on anyone!

I keep telling Jonathan that, "All great things come to people who wait for them." He's in quite a state of excitement these days. And while he doesn't dare say it out loud, lest it not come true, he's hoping with baited breath that the stars are all aligning this month. And when stars align- magical things happen. What magical things you ask? Well, I'll tell you. The Chargers win the the Super Bowl.

Oh yea, and he gets to be a dad too. ; )

the waiting game

It's all a huge rush to the door, and then a nice long wait before it opens. Don't you just love it. This baby's due date, and birthday, just can't seem to get here any slower. All of the nervous nights I've stayed up going through lists in my head of whether or not I have everything I need seem so ridiculous now. I could have been taking my sweet sweet time with everything.

People are starting to call on a daily basis now to check-in and see if there's any action. Believe me. You'll know. We have our text and call list established for any and all "we're headed to the hospital" alarms. I have my bags neatly packed outside our bedroom door complete with slippers, enormous nursing bra, ipod, and reading material. Actually, I have to say that I DID have reading material...a few fabulous celebrity gossip magazines. But, last week I was bored and said to myself, "Self- this baby may not come for another three weeks, by which time this gossip will be so out-dated. I better just read them all now and get new ones later." So, I did.

Add to my list: Get new gossip magazines.

Today's report: My toes and fingers are so massively swollen. I'm now applying body butter to the impending stretch marks at least twice a day. I bought a few bottles of wine in anticipation of my sipping freely again in a few weeks. And, the biggest outing so far today has been waddling to the mailbox and back. No worries- I'll continue to keep all of my avid readers updated on such excitement!

nursery land

I finally got around to taking some pics of our work-in-progress (almost finished) nursery. The pastel blue/green color is starting to dominate my life, but I do love it! We're still looking for a white set of sitting furniture to go in here as well: a couch, chair & ottoman. And, eventually, I'd like to fill the entire wall with cubbies where the media space will be. Then, an animal rug and white kids table and chairs. (Not like I have a whole master plan or anything.) Oh, and small storage doors will hopefully be made into Alice in Wonderland fort get-aways. I would love this to turn into the kids space for watching movies, playing with friends, and staying out of mom's way. Then, the ajoining room (via pocket door) can serve as the bunk-bed sleeping quarters. Kind of like a quad dorm in college. Nothing like planning for 7 years and three babies into the future!

This one baby just can't get here fast enough! Due in 6 days, I'm hibernating long into the noon-time mornings, cleaning cleaning cleaning, packing my hospital bags, baking baking baking, taking long baths, and feeling the extreme calm before the storm!

softest, yummiest sugar cookies ever

I know...more food. You wouldn't know I'm pregnant now would you? I finally made my mom's fabulous almond sugar cookies this year, and they were excellent! I think I may even make some more tomorrow. Have at it!

Almond Butter Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 cup butter or margarine
1 8-oz. pkg cream cheese softened
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract
3 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda

Directions:
Cream together the sugar, butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla and almond extract. Then, add the flour and baking powder. Chill for 1 -1 1/2 hours or until firm. Roll out chilled dough on floured surface to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Bake on an un-greased cookies sheet at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Frost with powdered sugar icing.

Powdered Sugar Icing:

Ingredients:
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tbs butter or margarine, softened
1/4 tsp almond extract
2 tbs milk

Directions:
Beat together powdered sugar and butter. Then, add the almond extract and 2 to 4 tbs milk or until icing is of spreading consistency.

winter mandarines

I don't know if it's a pregnancy craving, or just my love of oranges- but I am seriously addicted to the winter tangerines! I find myself going through at least a box a week. That's anywhere from 5-7 a day! Baby might come out looking a bit orange.

And, I've learned that I have to pick them out at the store myself. I am pretty much a professional now when it comes to smelling and feeling the ones that will be not too sweet, not too firm, not too sour- but juuuust right. I also trick myself into thinking that all of this fruit balances out all of the fabulous Christmas sugar. Hey, makes sense- right?

finch baby poll

Boy or Girl? Birthday arrival? Weight? The numbers are in for the Finch baby poll! The official medical due date is Jan 12th. We're still figuring out the winner's prize. Let me know if you think of anything good. T minus less than 4 weeks! (Click on chart to zoom)

the gear

It's actually quite amazing how much gear such a little person requires. They can't even lift their own head up by themselves, yet they need so much stuff! Well, they probably just need a few of these things, and mom wants the rest. Shhhhhhhh. Either way you look at it- a baby in the belly makes a mother goose in the nest. Here is the loot so far for our baby chick. Getting so excited to meet this little face!

35 weeks

I'm down to the home-stretch! 5 more weeks and counting...if I can make it. I ordered the stroller today, put together a shelving unit for the nursery, washed all of the newborn clothing & blankets, completely organized my colorbutton office, baked cupcakes, and finished all of the Christmas wrapping. These days, I feel like I may go into labor just running up and down the stairs a million times. I AM starting to feel ready though; ready to nibble on tiny cheeks, to get my body back in shape, to take way too many pictures, and to be up in the middle of the night with my very first lovey.

baby shower + thanksgiving

I'm feeling behind these days! So much is going on and I'm just trying to keep up - lately with my box of kleenex and congestion medicine.

Our trip to Anchorage was all that it usually is and more! Thanksgiving break is all about the cold, snow, cinnamon rolls, Great Alaska Shootout basketball, moose, lounging, going to movies, and burrowing in with family. This year, there was definitely more burrowing for this mama goose of a belly at 34 weeks!

Mom and Megan put together such a fun baby shower. The colorful cupcakes and the whimsical decorations lit up the house! We got some very cute gifts and lots of fabulous gift cards to stock up on all of the baby musts.

Then came Thanksgiving: mom and her baking, kids and their card games, dad and his sports talking, me and my parade watching, Jonathan and his coffee drinking, family and their pajama wearing. It couldn't have been better!

calm before the storm

Jonathan: Do you think we need a nightlight in our room so you can see what you're doing when you get up with the baby in the night?

Hannah: You mean so you can see what you're doing?

Gotta love it.

belly babysitter

It's been great being home in Anchorage so far for the holiday. My little sister Leah follows the belly around wherever it goes and has asked that I inform her of every time the baby kicks. She doesn't want to miss a thing. It's very cute.

And, I thought the belly had a big shadow before!

32 weeks

T minus 8 weeks until blast-off! This baby is getting ready. I can just feel it. The kicks are enormous- ones that shake my whole balance from side to side – ones that make my stomach look like a morphing alien – ones that feel like they may be dislocating my right rib.

Where the belly once felt like a big round piñata with some things moving around inside, it now feels like a huge and heavy water balloon weighing down on my pelvis, and stretching my spine inward. It used to be a little squishy. Now, it’s as tight as a drum!

Sleeping is not what it ever was before. I can’t get comfortable to save my life. And, the annoyance of positioning pillows under my belly, between my knees, and behind my back (not to mention the one I use for laying my head on) has gotten a bit out of control. There almost isn’t any room left for Jonathan in the bed. Heaven forbid I have to go to the bathroom! I lay there and think to myself, “Do I really have to go that bad? I just got every pillow in its right place, and I’ll never get them all perfectly positioned again! (Insert curse word here).”

The one relief that is tried and true has been my beautifully big bath tub. I take at least one bath a day (sometimes two). And, if I soak in the warm water just before bed, it helps me sleep. The pressure jets are also a lifesaver for the lower back. I’m actually quite interested to see our water bill for the month of November.

Jonathan has been so good about my whole uncomfortable state! He gives me great back rubs, deals with my somewhat-more-frequent emotional breakdowns, and sudden addiction to mini tangerine oranges. And he also researched the best place in town for me to go get a prenatal massage tomorrow. Can’t wait! Really.

I’m getting just a little nervous about sitting on the plane for 4 straight hours on my way to Anchorage on Saturday. I can barely sit still for an hour during church these days. I’m all about the isle seat for this one.

Well, there you have it. It’s my day for complaining. And, tomorrow may be too.

My recent secret thoughts: How do fat people deal with these back issues all of the time!? And, swollen ankles? And, how do they lace up their own shoes? Do they not shave certain parts of their bodies any longer? I don't know how they could! I can't even see what I'm doing any longer when I'm shaving in the shower. I guess cankles wouldn't be as much of a problem if you could never even see your ankles.

What can I say? I've found a new appreciation for the large & in-charge.

jonathan's hip happity day

Another year here - another year passed. We had a great time celebrating Jonathan's 34th birthday on Sunday! His dad was here in town for a few days and got to spend some fun time with us as well.

As usual, Jonathan isn't all that thrilled about getting older. So, I really enjoy the challenge of coloring things up around here and making birthdays oh so much fun! I also think that love is in the details, and had a great time putting up these banners in the middle of the night. Charlie-cat helped too. I felt a little like Santa Clause - sneaking around in my own house, trying not to make a peep. And, seeing Jonathan's 'Christmas morning grin' was all worth it.

This year is going to be one for the books!

happy halloween

What a wonderfully relaxing Halloween at the house this year. We watched the IRISH pull out a W, gave out candy to some of the cutest costumes, ate Trophy Cupcakes, and had a nice dinner out for Thai food.

It was also pretty funny how many parents of trick-or-treaters saw our Notre Dame carved pumpkin and asked us what the score was.

Can't wait to have a little munchkin next year to dress up!

colorbutton holiday

I've finally started adding new holiday designs to colorbutton!

craving the holidays

The Christmas boxes are open- open, but not quite unpacked. I’m restraining myself until next Saturday, after Halloween, to put up the first glitter reindeer…the first vintage Santa…the first string of garland. Oh, how much magic I have to unveil! The pressure is mounting.

I think it’s because this is the first year I have an actual house to fill with the holiday. This is also the first Christmas that Jonathan and I will be alone, at home, with no family or friends since I can’t travel so close to the due date. So, I really want to make it extra special…extra decorated…and extra festive!

Christmas is just too wonderful to waste on a single month. So, I think it’s going to be stretched to three this year. I know- it’s just a tad ridiculous. But, it sure is pretty!

Here are my latest decorating dilemmas:

1. Large colored bulbs OR white icicle lights to hang outside the house?
2. Fake tree (that we already have) OR purchase a real tree?

I’m dreeeaming of a white Christmasssss!

gorgeous washington fall

orange and pear

A new favorite site for creative gift giving is orange and pear! While the baby gifts have been my favorite, there are so many fun and colorful things to look at. I mean, can you get much cuter than the giraffe hand puppet? Enjoy!

mcdiffett girls descend on seattle

What a whirlwind weekend to come and go. Isn’t it always the case when I get together with sisters! Our second annual McDiffett Sisters Reunion was everything that we knew it would be. The laughing. The eating. The bickering. The stories. The dressing up. The eating out. And, the lounging. We can’t forget about the lounging.

It was such a nice distraction from the normal everyday to have them all here! Dana and Tom flew in from Houston, Megan & Matt from Charlotte (on their way home to Anchorage), Natalie from Anchorage, and Caitlin from Kansas City. Jake also made a surprise visit for one night on his way to Denver!

It was also really nice to have them all here to see my baby belly in action. We took turns feeling my little chickadees kicks, and I made for a good DD the whole weekend. Lucky ducks.

Mom sent her fabulously famous cinnamon rolls for the occasion, and I am now left with one whole box of them. That’s never a safe thing. I also have a fridge full of beer and wine…never something I would have complained about before until I can’t actually drink them.

Another year here - another year gone. Seems like time is moving so quickly these days! It’s interesting to see how everyone is in such a different place than they were one year ago. New distractions. New priorities. Different plans. But, somehow- the same old people. Every time we get together, I’m reminded of how lucky I am to have so very many people to call my family. It’s an extreme comfort, and an extreme joy!

Here are the pics!

falling into fall

It’s Thursday, October 1st- the second official day of fall here in Seattle. That’s according to me. Yesterday I told Jonathan that it was now fall, and he asked me if I got that date off my season calendar. No- that’s just the Hannah barometer analysis.

So, day two of fall- the leaves are crunchy, the one apple growing on the tree in the backyard has turned from green to red overnight, I turned the heat on for the first time in the house, and my once tanned Hawaii skin is now dry and pealing.

The pumpkins are out in snow-plow piles at the grocery store---almost looks like they are flooding out of the doors. I’m thinking- are there really enough people for all of those pumpkins?

The ever-famous pumpkin spice latte is now showing off again at Starbucks, and people are hording the shoe isles in TJ Maxx for a new pair of boots. I found a great new pair myself, but not without a little elbow rubbing. This years’ boot is also a nice half-size bigger than normal due to fabulously swollen pregnant feet.

Jonathan’s task of fixing the gas fireplace has been given a deadline of Saturday morning. He loves being given tasks, by the way. As long as I submit them in bullet points. It’s a consultant thing.

My many many scarves are out and ready. More throw blankets have been added to the couches. My autumn-colored-hair-highlight appointment has been made. Muffins are baking in the oven.

And finally, it is just about time to bring out all of my wintery green wreaths. I’m excited to actually have a real front door now to put one on too!

I can’t stop it any longer. I’m falling into fall.

babymoon in maui

It’s what you would call a kid dropping his ice cream cone on the sidewalk- plain said. That’s what I’ve been feeling all day today…the day after returning from Hawaii. Jonathan and I had the best time we’ve ever had doing nothing. Because a whole lot of nothing adds up to one big something. It’s called relaxation. And we did it proud.

I say we did nothing, but what I mean is that we did nothing that we had to do; nothing that we needed to do; nothing that we didn’t want to do.

Instead of going through the rigmarole of describing how clear the water was, talking about how sweet the fruity air smelled, or how warm the sun felt on my skin, I’m just going to cut to one of my favorite parts.

Jonathan and I were on a scuba dive boat in the middle of the Pacific. With the dive team submerged, it meant it was time for me (the only non-diver) to de-fog my mask, adjust my non-maternity swimsuit around my largely pregnant body and fit my slightly burnt feet into long slippery fins. This was the spot they had been talking about all morning; the spot where the waves were calm and the algae was plenty. I adjusted the mask suctioned to my forehead, took one step off the edge of the boat and one splash into Turtle Valley.

With 120-foot visibility, I thought I could see for miles underwater. I hovered at the top of the group of divers, playing in their rising air bubbles and adjusted my eyes to what looked like large round picnic tables floating around the sea bed. Turtles! Jonathan turned over and waved up to me: his round-bellied, somewhat more buoyant wife floating on the surface. He swam under one of the turtles forcing him to swim upward. George (that’s what I named my turtle) rose quietly to the surface and hovered right next to me. My face stared at his face 4 feet away. Such gorgeous green and white marbled skin he had. Such large, black eyes! He stretched his long rubbery neck out of the water for some air, turned and looked right at me, sucked in his hind legs and turned his large shell for a slow dive back into the deep water. It makes me smile just thinking about our encounter. Me and George. George and me. I’ll never forget our brief love affair.

What a fabulous week we had! I can’t wait to go back again (with a baby) in May for Megan & Matt’s wedding. Well, that….and to see George again. Here are the pics!

22 weeks

Obstacles this week include putting on socks, rolling out of bed, fitting into any Notre Dame t-shirt for game watches, and refraining from eating family-pak sizes of red vines in one sitting.

Our little finch chickadee is kicking and rolling and practicing it's jump-shot. He/she definitely responds to Jonathan speaking into my belly, and loves to wake me up several times in the middle of the night.

Jonathan and I are gearing up for a much-needed, relaxing week in Hawaii come Tuesday. It is all about beaching my whale-of-a-belly, bathing in the sun, snorking, sleeping in, fresh fruit, big breakfasts, romantic dinners, waterfall hikes, volcano tours, and waterfront balconies. I really (really) can't wait!

two gold stars

I may have the best husband in the world. Just maybe.

home improvement #1

One of the very first of many many house projects was re-tiling the living room fireplace. Its limestone green marble made the whole room scream 1993. After a few too many trips to Home Depot and Lowes, we acquired all of the necessary materials and tools to drywall, mortar, tile, and grout the thing. And, as always- it was a much bigger job than anticipated, but not too tough. While Jonathan would have preferred to just call someone to do it for us, I loved the challenge! It was the first of my million and one art projects for the month, and I think it turned out pretty good for our first time tiling. I have to admit though- watching HDTV 24 hours a day most likely helped me out quite a bit.

I would eventually like to add an oversized mantle and box around the tiles. Maybe next year. This one is crossed off my list for now!

19 week somersault

We had our big 19 week ultrasound on Tuesday. It's the one where most people find out whether they're having a boy or girl. We decided to opt out. I don't know where it came from but we are loving the whole surprise idea.

We are now right in the middle of one of the first of many growth spurts, and the little one seems to be very squished! Here is a snapshot of baby finch doing a somersault. So strange to see the legs and feet wrapped up all the way around the head. We will also be going back in for another ultrasound in 2 weeks because he/she apparently wasn't turned the right way for adequate face and cardio measurements. Other that that- all looked and sounded great!

It's kinda funny to me how each ultrasound has made this having-a-baby-odeal seem that much more real. I see it on the screen. I see my large belly. How this is not computing is beyond me. Jonathan is always a little dazed for a few days after each ultrasound...almost like he forgot what was going on.

There are certain moments that I have anticipated in my life that never have failed to live up to the hype. I have thought quite a bit of seeing Jonathan hold our little baby in his arms for the first time, and can't wait to see his tearful, smiling face. He's going to be the best dad in the world!

18 weeks

This whole pregnancy thing just amazes me. I can't believe that I'm halfway through this ordeal already. Nine months seems like such a long time to wait with more than enough days to plan, anticipate, and get used to the whole idea of having a baby before it actually gets here--but I have unknowingly woken up almost every day this week to a belly that is so foreign to me. While I know it has always been growing, (what it's supposed to do…right) it seems to have arrived just yesterday.

I think to myself:

1. What can be in there that is SO big, so fast!?
2. Have I even been paying attention the last 4 months?
3. Is my back going to ache now for the next 4.5 months straight?
4. Is this really what I signed up for?
5. A no-return policy you say?

Maybe the nausea was to blame for my phasing-out all of the reality checks so far. Maybe the stranger-than-strange dreams have me confused about who it is I am actually married to, and how it is that I am going to bring home a baby on or around Jan 12th. It’s really been quite hilarious how interesting each day has been. From the new process (and it IS a process) of rolling over in bed to the extreme craving for a nice big round glass of cabernet, I am officially accepting the fact that things have changed in my life. Things have changed in a fabulous, sometimes gregarious, often strange, occasionally sad, but most of the time very happy way.

Here are some silhouettes of the baby finch belly at 18 weeks.

That’s all for now. Over and out. Literally.

day of firsts

Yesterday was our 1-year wedding anniversary. How quickly the times flies when you're having fun! We spent the day rather romantically-- moving all of our furniture in a U-Haul to the new house, putting things away, spray-painting end tables and headboards, eating a frozen pizza, and watching a movie. A little sweat - a little dirt - a little tylenol. It was perfect.

Aside from our first anniversary, it was also our first night sleeping in the new house, and the first official baby kick! It was more like a pinch...or was it a cramp? Either way, it was the first time (after many previous rumbles and grumbles and flutters over the last week) that I was pretty positive it was the baby. So, I'm counting it.

Today, Jonathan is excited as a little boy on Christmas morning to have his Direct-TV hooked up - just in time for the first pre-season NFL game I might add. Wouldn't want to miss something like that, especially when there are so many boxes to unload and put away. What fabulous distractions!

For me, it's tackling the master closet (eeek), kitchen dishes, and office paperwork. Cross your fingers.

big boobs & belly touchers

Only 4 months into my pregnancy and I am definitely one round lady. I’m sure the fact that my torso is only 6 inches long doesn’t help in that department. I have nowhere to go but OUT. Target had become my go-to shop for maternity clothes…all that is stretchy, twisty, soft, and expandable. It’s great! I finally have a few outfits that I feel good in. It was about time I stopped wearing the same 2 articles of clothing for 3 weeks straight- the only outfit that didn’t have a button or zipper digging into my belly button. Now, even though it’s just a few tops, a few bottoms, and a few dresses- I feel pretty set for the seasons.

Now, I’m on to the “finding a new bra that fits” phase. Because my boobs are huge! Aside from the lovely compliments that Jonathan gives me every once in a while, (what man doesn’t appreciate big boobs?) they’ve actually become quite a nuisance. I feel like I’m wearing a bra 2 cup sizes too small, with nowhere near the necessary support. It’s one of those non-fun purchases…kinda like shopping for closet organizers—they make your life so much easier, but nobody ever sees them.

And then there are the belly-touchers. I don’t know what makes people think they can come up to you and touch your belly just because it’s protruding. Complete strangers! Yes, thank you for noticing that my belly is sticking out and that you think it’s cute. It’s not so cute when it makes you get up to pee five times a night. Just please, don’t touch me—especially if I don’t know you.

These last couple of weeks have actually been pretty good though. The nausea has worn off, skin has cleared up a bit, and I have much more energy. The energy has been quite needed too with us moving into the new house. Brick by brick…I’m building my nest. One room painted…and 10 more ta go!

14 weeks

My first baby bump! While it's still feeling like an over-sized beer belly at this point, I'm starting to really feel pregnant. To the world, anyway. We're not counting the 3-month, all-day, all-night nausea "feeling". That's just damage control. I'm SO looking forward to feeling our little chickadee's first kicks and wiggles in the next couple of weeks!

Last week I came home from the store with some baby clothes. Jonathan held up a gown:

Jonathan: So, umm, is this just for lounging in?
Me: Umm, I would say that it's a sure bet that every article of clothing the baby wears in the first 6 months could be considered 'lounge wear'.

This is going to be fun!

baby finch

I'm pregnant! Althought it seems like I've been pregnant now forever and a day already, we've finally told both sides of our family the good news, and are now excited to be enjoying the second trimester. Baby Finch is due on or around Jan 12th.

He/she will be the first grandchild on both sides of the family, have 11 aunts, and the first chickadee (out of many *hopefully) to arrive in the finch nest.

Here is a sneak peak of our little one at 13 weeks. T minus 6 months!

sarah jane's wedding

Sarah Larrabee is my oldest friend. We have known each other since we were born. I was so happy to be in her wedding on June 28th. She and Gabe make a great match! The wedding was beautiful, and the reception was fabulous fun! Here are the pictures.

north of expected

Alaska Airlines has a new slogan "North of Expected." I think it's brilliant! I love it more every time I see or hear it, and wonder why. I think it has something to do with the fact that my every vacation North to Alaska tends to be, in fact, "North of Expected." And, this trip was no exception. It might quite possibly have been the best trip home in years!

The whole family (that's right-- the WHOLE family) was home for a couple of weeks this time. Since the list seems to grow by at least one every year or so, I'll give you the roster:

Tim (dad)
Mary (mom)
Dana
Tom (brother-in-law)
Hannah
Jonathan (brother-in law)
Megan
Matt (Megan's fiance)
Natalie
Caitlin
Jake (Caitlin's boyfriend)
Bethany
Emma
Regina
Abigail
Leah

The trip's highlights included:
1. Attending Sarah's Larrabee's wedding to Gabe. The Larrabee's have been life-long family friends, and I was a bridesmaid.
2. Stop-off at papa and grandma's cabin in Cooper Landing, AK with mom's famous cinnamon rolls in tote.
3. A family trip 4 hours South to Homer, AK, where we rented a house for 2 days, toured the Homer "spit", played family flip cup, and laughed way too much.
4. Had a family get-together at uncle Paul's house in Wasilla, AK.
5. A fabulous night out at F Street Station bar in downtown Anchorage with the cousins.
6. Watching fireworks on the 4th.

Here are all of the pictures.

we bought a house!

Jonathan and I are so excited to be new home owners! This week is filled with the inspection and appraisal, and we close on July 28th.

Oh, the projects that will follow for me! That is truly the exciting part! Here are the pics.

buying a house

It’s not a perfect art. Or, so I’ve learned. Jonathan and I have embarked on the never-ending, stress-building, time-taking, exciting and exhaustive process of buying our first house. And what with it being an incredible buyers market right now, and Obama’s new home owners tax credit, we would like to make the purchase sooner rather than later.

I know I’m a picky person. I’ve always known this. So, when it came time to spending our entire Saturday driving around looking at houses with our realtor, I tried to prepare myself to be less than impressed. I think it’s just the delusional dream house concept that gets us all into trouble. It’s the one that makes you think that your first house is going to be the castle to your fairytale marriage. Not quite. We looked at some unbelievable houses, and some of which I would be completely happy with. However, it is all of the trade-offs that have come to stress me out:

...the bigger house is more expensive
...but it has X, Y and Z more
...and the smaller house really has everything we need
...but with no yard
...yet, it does have a fabulous walk-in kitchen pantry
...for which the bigger one has none
...and the bathrooms would have to be re-done in this
...yet it’s less expensive to re-do that
...but I like the location of this better
...if it only offered the better school district

And the list goes on and on and on. We narrowed the 10 houses we looked at down to 2 yesterday. Then when I called to see if our realtor could show us both of them one more time, she informed us that one of them already sold. (Sad face)

Everything happens for a reason. Maybe we weren’t supposed to live there.

The fun part for me is walking through each room and imagining where I would position furniture, what paint palettes to apply where, and prioritizing which reno projects to do first. Ummm- new chandelier here…refinish cabinets there…add crown molding everywhere…

Last night Jonathan and I both had a hard time falling asleep. About an hour after lights out, and not a word said:

Jonathan: I can’t sleep. I keep thinking about the house.
Me: Me too! I thought you were asleep. I keep thinking of how to decorate and paint each room.
Jonathan: Well, I’m thinking about how to pay for it.

We both couldn’t help but laugh. What stereotypical man and woman responses. We do make a great team!

To be continued...

the countdown

It was bound to happen. I always get a happy pit in my stomach about 2 weeks before I fly home to Anchorage. I miss seeing my whole family and being amongst the day-to-day ridiculousness that goes on there.

I’m especially happy that I will get to stay an extra long 16 days this time. Some of the time will be spent with wedding festivities, as I’m a bridesmaid in one of my best childhood friends’ wedding. Not to mention- my best friend Starr will be home for the exact same days. Jonathan will be joining me for the second week, and Dana and Tom will also be flying up from Houston. The whole gang will be home and ready to rumble! All 13 of us are planning a mini-vacation down to Homer as well where we’ll get our fill of hiking, sightseeing, fishing and camping.

Ten days and counting! See you all soon!

my domesticated mate

Jonathan is a strange animal. Fabulous, but strange.

Saturdays are his days for sleeping in, drinking coffee, surfing the internet, lounging about, and then- productivity mania! It’s usually around 12:30 that he plugs his ipod headphones into his ears and gets down to business. He cleans the dishes, scrubs the kitchen, does a few loads of laundry, takes out the trash, puts away the collection of shoes at the front door, changes Charlie’s litter box, pays bills, makes his half of the grocery list, and makes us both lunch. And if you aren’t impressed yet, here is the icing on the cake: This past Saturday, I walked into the guest room to find him ironing all of our linen napkins! (I won’t mention the dancing in place while doing so, either.)

I’m telling you- I have no idea where I found this one! He’s the rare unicorn only seen deep in the forest somewhere in the land of elves. I started laughing so hard and gave him a big hug. He said, “Why don’t you just remember this when you give me a hard time for not turning off the lights.”

Deal.