Finding Equipoise: October 2008

Ok, so we did the walk through on Friday for our house. We did put up a lot of blue tape (you put blue tape on things you want fixed before you close) but it was all for very minor things. I LOVE my kitchen. I was nervous because, at the design center, you pick out every thing and you're not sure how well it will all come together, but I was so happy! I will just post a few pictures now of the kitchen and then when it's all fixed and finished I will take you on another tour.

Ah! I can't wait to move in!

Change

I'm feeling all sorts of things today. I guess I'll start with the biggest news. My littlest sister got engaged tonight! I'm so happy for her! But it's got me thinking about how much life has changed in such a short time. It seems like yesterday we were all living under the same roof and fighting about who got to sit where, who stole my shirt, who made that mess, you know...a loving family. Now we're all growing up. I'm a Mom, my Sis got married last year and now my Youngest Sis is going to be married in just a few months. Before we know it, my brother will be leaving on a mission! I'm sure my parents feel like they were tossed through a whirlwind as their nest empties. My hope is that the changes will bring us closer. Being the first one to leave the house/state has its ups and downs. I love living here and being around Love's family, exploring my independence, creating my own future...but I miss out on the small and big moments of my sibling's lives. My daughter will not know them as well as she knows her other aunts and uncles here in Utah...and that's hard for me...but it's definitely something to work on. It's a balancing act, living far away, but I'm glad I have a strong family and that I have a husband who tries to take me to see them as often as he can.

Another thing on my mind is how proud I am of Love. Today he decided he's going to go to college. I feel very excited for him and this opportunity...and very grateful as he wants to take this step, not only for himself, but for me and Zoe. I'm glad to be able to support him in this and it's actually got me thinking of going back to school. But that's a discussion for another day.

I'm also worried lately about Zoe. She's having a hard time with sleep during the day when she's anywhere but home. This worries me because sleep is so important for brain development, temperment, and good eating patterns. I'm conflicted because I'm trying to teach her to self-soothe, to stick to a flexible routine, to trust that I will come get her after naps and after work. However, the only way she'll take good naps during the week is when my Mother-in-Law holds her. My conflict is, do I let her be held so she can get good sleep? Or do I try to keep encouraging naps in her own bed- while risking her not sleeping well? The problem is, she sleeps in her crib fine at home...so I don't know how to teach her to do it elsewhere. I don't know...I'm just having trouble with this one. She's finally made peace with her car seat, though. See her pictured here all decked out in Red Sox gear:

Lastly, I'm excited. Tomorrow we're doing the walk-through on our house. I get to go inspect every nook and cranny and see it completed for the first time. I can't wait to be a homeowner, get out of apartment living, have a place of my own where I can create and decorate and really feel like it's mine. We haven't had anything like this since we got married and I'm just thrilled to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. If all goes well, we're scheduled to close on November 3rd. The not so fun part is trying to pack, move, and clean...all with a baby. It was hard enough without having to worry about a little one! I hope it goes well. I hope she adjusts well to our new home. Only time will tell.

Wish us luck tomorrow!

Husband Tag

1. Where did you meet? Ours is a funny story. We first met in our ward in high school...not long after, he dated my sister for a bit. We met again a few years later at Red Robin. I worked there as a server and he came in with his family. I took their table...even though it wasn't mine...that was the day he asked me out on our first date.

2. How long did you date before you got married? 4 months
3. How long have you been married? almost 5 years
4. What does he do that surprises you? He likes to clean the whole house sometimes before I get home...I'm obsessive about a clean house and it's one of my favorite surprises.
5.What is your favorite feature of his? His big smile and beautiful blue eyes.

6. What is your favorite quality of his? His ability to make people laugh...I love to go places with him because I'm shy and he's outgoing so we balance each other out and everyone always has fun.

7. Does he have a nickname for you? Love
8. What is his favorite color? Blue...or green...I think. Geez, does that make me a bad wife?
9. What is his favorite food? He doesn't have one favorite...but he likes a lot of Mexican food, steak, a good roast...lots of stuff.

10. What is his favorite sport? Football
11. When and where was your first kiss? On our first date at my apartment.

12. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? We love to go to dinner or to the movies.

13. Do you have any children? One beautiful daughter

14. Does he have a hidden talent? He's actually a pretty good cook.

15. How old is he? 24...soon to be 25
16. Who said "I love you" first? I think he was the one who actually said the words first...I was too chicken...it happened very quickly after we first started dating.
17. What do you admire most about him? How hard he works to support our family and to find a way to help me be a stay-at-home Mom someday soon and that he never loses sight of the things/ people he loves.

18.Do you think he will read this? Yes
I tag...Love Squalor, So Pretty, and Nell

"Hammer Time!"

So Zoe got some new pants and they reminded me of a certain style made popular by this guy in the 90's. Take a look:

But she can make anything look cute! :)

Today, she fell asleep on the floor playing...

Oh, and Grandma N got her to take a binky...finally!
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Also, on another note, our house should be done the end of the month. We went to look at it last week and it's all painted, the siding is done, the doors are hung, even the linoleum is installed! I won't bore you with all the pictures I took...I'll wait and take more when the house is done and we're moved in. Here's a look at the front...it was dark so it didn't come out well. The siding color is actually a sage green with a creamy trim.