the big chair

I've been dying to get our picture taken in the big chair on the Terrace and we finally did it! I wanted to do it pregnant, but by the time I thought of it, I couldn't physically climb up there. I hope we'll remember to take a picture every year so we can watch how Owen grows in relation to the chair!

trip to NC - part 3

Food, glorious food!
We took Owen to some of our favorite NC eatin' spots. Too bad he couldn't partake!

Allen and Son Barbeque

Chubby's Tacos


Shiki Sushi!

trip to NC - part 2

In addition to meeting new friends, Owen spent time with those family members he had already come to know and love.

trip to NC

Owen met so many new friends on his first trip to North Carolina in August.

Uncle Andy,

Trace,

Paige,

Johanna,

Jeremy,

Gaby,

Erin,

Carrie,

 and Amber

among many others!

And he did such a great job in the car - 16 hours + each way!

two things

Two things Owen really loves: his dad and his pacifier.

kittens and baby

Lucy and Sam love Owen! Sam likes to be nearby...

...and Lucy brings Owen rat toys as presents!

baby friends

Our friends' baby, Hazel, LOVES to look at Owen!

 Owen, however, isn't old enough to be interested in girls. Yawn...

coolest birthday gift ever

For my birthday this year, I got the best gift. And no, although I did go into labor on my birthday (not a cool gift), I'm not talking about Owen.  I'm talking about this:

This, my friends, is a true gift-giving genius. The type of gift-giving genius that only my husband can pull off. [Side note: I'm thrilled to be on the receiving end of his gift-giving skills, but I'm kind of jealous of them - like that Valentine's Day Modern Family episode...anybody with me?]

Anyway, this piece of stained-glass is my very own piece of art commissioned by Dave for ME! How cool is that? I had been talking about getting a stained glass window for years, but never imagined I would have something made for me! It's by a local artist, named Mark Welhouse who was also, until recently, an athletic training student at UW. The University commissioned Mark to do lots of pieces in the new Union South and my husband commissioned him to do a piece for me!

When Dave gave it to me, I asked him if Mark named it and he wasn't sure. I went to Mark's website and sure enough, there was my piece! And it has a name! The Joyous One. And when I read that, I cried. A lot. Because even though every day isn't easy being far away from family and adjusting to life with a newborn,  I really am the joyous one because I have Dave in my life. Ok, now I'm crying again. Darn postpartum hormones!

first trip to the farmer's market

030, a photo by jenniecoxbell on Flickr.

Owen's first trip to the farmer's market!

Followed by Med. Cafe on the Terrace!