Little Underwood, Big Harte

We were so glad to have our Libby visit for a long weekend (thanks to a work event it was a free trip!). She helped keep me somewhat sane and my mind preoccupied with the pending going back to work day this Monday. We explored the city a bit and got lots of time in with the kids. We were super sad to see her go, but already look forward to the next visit.  The first day back is underway, and I'm updating this on my lunch break. Kids look like they are doing great (see pics below).  Friday - first day First day tummy time Monday - second day Second day Friday - first day Serving himself eggplant pasta! Blocks, he loves these! Oatmeal for morning snack As for work, well, I'm not fully functioning only system, but hope to be tomorrow. Things are a bit messy with all our transitions, so hoping to catch up on all that soon. Fingers crossed for a smooth week with the family as we get used to the new schedule. This will also make i...

Our little babe will be 12 weeks on Sunday, which means Monday I go back to work. It really is hard to believe. I get teary eyed just thinking about it. With Gavin we had the nanny so it was a much easier transition. This time both of them will be out of the house and Z will be with other babies plus I have to figure out the whole pumping plan to keep breastfeeding. In a lot of ways it will be easier but I know initially it will be super hard! Thankful again we got the daycare we wanted!  I also know work has a lot going on right now because of all the things going on when I left, so it is going to be a lot to process and handle. Not to mention saying goodbye to mom and dad and being in a new place is also on my mind. Woo wee! I have to remember it is all good things-then maybe I can be grateful and not sad or overwhelmed!  However before all that happens Libby is here! She has a work event tomorrow but extended it to spend four days with us-yay! Love her! We will be testing o...

It's been a whirlwind since I last posted. I'm finally able to take a few minutes to update everyone without feeling guilty for not doing something to set up the house. A huge thanks to Michael and Katie for their amazing help with the move. They helped us pack up the rest of the house and load the truck (Shibby too - thanks guys for doing two moves with us!), watch the kids, cleans the house, and drive everything out west. It was a long week. Angels!!!  The drive out wasn't so smooth and it ended with both cars getting to visit the mechanic right when we got here, but we are on the other end of that now.  My visit to MI was awesome but not long enough to see everyone. Thanks to all those who were able to sneak in a weekday visit!  The new house is amazing! We just love it and the pool. Gavin has been in it everyday and also loved the new place. So far the heat hasn't been too bad because there isn't the humidity we had in FL, but we know the even hi...

I need to update our latest pictures again especially since Zoe has met her Grandma Jo! But, I'm sorry to say I'm dealing with mastitis (ugh!) and have been feeling gross all weekend. Thank goodness we have Gma Jo here to help! So, I'll be sure to get everything updated soon-maybe for her 1 month birthday this week! But, I wanted to share Gavin's big news. He just decided he was done with diapers and pull ups at night. We kept him in them for a week and he kept them dry so he has been in underwear for two nights now...dry in the morning! I'm sure we will have accidents but he is pretty adamant he is officially a big boy! Happy to not have to buy those but of course I just got a new stash. Proud of my big boy ... And love that he still likes to snuggle (a nap at home doesn't happen much anymore!).

Well just like that we are less than one week away from leaving Florida and Zoe is 7 weeks old. In some ways it seems like time has flown and in others it has crawled by. When I think of the move, I know we are doing the best thing for our family and we are genuinely excited, but there is that churning in my stomach every time I imagine the day we actually leave. I'm sure it has to do with transitions and change being hard plus leaving "the know" and our people here along with venturing into the unknown and having to make new people. Plus, there is some nostalgia for here ... the place we went from being a couple to being a family of four. I get choked up but know once the goodbyes are complete and the move is underway that I will be able to look forward more to what is in store.  We get our final FL reinforcements this week. BIL and SIL Mike and Katie arrive later this week to help finish packing, hang with the kids, load the truck and make the road trip with Stefan...

This year Mother's Day meant I was a momma for TWO little souls. Oh the blessings! We have been battling a spring cold and all taking our turn so things weren't too crazy around here. I got a lovely breakfast, not so much in bed given the newborn, lunch out followed by one of our fav dinners...Gulf shrimp (bfast and dinner courtesy of the awesome husband!). I also got some gifts that Gavin got to help pick out! Hilarious! We wanted until later in the day to try for a picture which just resulted in one tired looking mom! Oh well, I'm sharing anyway because with an energetic toddler, a newborn and a cross country move in two.five weeks that's just my reality right now. We also had Stefan's work going away early dinner at the beach and tried to get a family photo by the Gulf. Did not go well. Maybe we can sneak one in still when Mike and Katie are here to help facilitate. Would love a good one before we don't have the chance! Things are getting real and the go...

We enjoyed having Grandma Jo come meet her granddaughter! Thanks for all your help while you were and the freezer stocked of homemade meals (score!). It was especially helpful while I was down for the count with the mastitis. That seems to be on the mend, thankfully, and I'm trying to keep that in check so I don't have a recurrance.  We are now on our own for a couple weeks which will include packing up the rest of the house and saying our goodbyes to friends here (ugh, can't stand that part, even typing it makes me choke up). Then we await Uncle Mike and Aunt Katie arriving at the end of the month to meet Zoe, see all of us and help us finalize our move. We are so blessed with AMAZING  families! M&K will be accompanying Stefan and our belongings all the way to PHX via road trip while I make my way up to MI with the kiddos for a pit stop before PHX (since I won't have a car or anywhere to sleep while its being driven cross country). Without all of our support t...