An update? Gasp! Shock! Dismay! Oh, where to start? Summer has flown past, so much has happened and we've had emotional roller coasters left and right. I think the best thing to do to sum up for you and to get on with the now is to go through my calendar and give you the cliff notes version....
Let's see, when I left you last we were in the throes of moving into our new/old house. We have sold and closed on our 1st home and have settled into the family homestead. We are so blessed and fortunate to be in such a place. It has an inexplicable quality, almost magical. It also seems to be a local landmark. Most of you know we obtained this home from family, Bill's Uncle Chris. In fact, the house has belonged to his family since his mom, Gina, was in second grade. With so many family members how we lucked into it I'm not sure, but we are happy and grateful.
That being said, there have been some bumps along the way. I don't have the energy, time or heart to go into all the details, but eventually we'll actually own the place. Yeah, we're officially squatters. Due to the crazy economic times, mortgages seems hard to come by. Who knew? Not that it is our fault. Long story short, we're great borrowers, but, because the house is so unique it is posing a problem with the banks being able to agree with the price...we are hopeful, however. We have a local bank who knows the area well working on our case and with luck, will have a mortgage soon. Until then, profits from the previous home are collecting a little interest. Thank goodness Chris and Erin are patient and understanding!
Moving on...both Bill and I are aging, 32 years to be exact. Yup, pushing 40. Ugh. Celebrating our 10 year reunion at UD was fun but a poignant reminder our our aging. And that's all I have to say about that.
Chugging right along...Bill FINALLY completed his training and is officially done with residency, fellowship and designated whipping boy! Yippee! I am proud of him and starting tomorrow, he will be begin his career. Weird. He gets a new office, new title, (new paycheck) and new computer...and I get the hand me down laptop. Now maybe the blogging will be a little easier to accomplish since for some reason when this house was built circa 1930-ish? they failed to make it cable ready.
A sad update, my Uncle Jim, my mom's youngest brother, passed away suddenly which led us to an unexpected trip to St. Paul, Minnesota. While it was good to reconnect with that part of our family, the circumstances were grim, especially being so close to my grandfather's and Bill's Dad's passing. We chose to travel with the kids via car. Reina had previously been a great traveller, but Liam was as of yet untested. They turned out to be stellar troopers and the eventual 25 +/- hours we spent in the car were much more pleasant than they could have been. Note to other parents: whatever your views on letting children watch TV, a portable DVD player is INVALUABLE for long car trips!
On the trip back from Minnesota, we diverted out trip to go through St. Louis to visit friends Brian and Jamie in their new digs. They had actually only moved there a week or two before. Since in a way Bill grew up in St. Louis during the summers with his Dad, he enjoyed helping to get them settled in to their new city. We all took in a Cardinals game, visited the Busch brewery and toured the "beer factoly" as Reina called it, and ate in a great Italian restaurant called Rigazzi's, recommended by Gerlyn as a place she and Bill's Dad used to go when they lived there. It was great to see our friends and a nice respite after an emotional week.
We went directly to my parents' home after our trip to St. Louis to get Liam baptised. Since my Dad is a Deacon, we chose to have the sacrament done at the same parish where we were married and where Reina had been baptised. It was a very unique and personal event and we are so glad to have had the opportunity to make it special. Friends Jordan, Dre and Jonah were in attendance as well as family.
OK, almost done here, then some photos of that last several weeks. We are starting to get into a routine. Kids wake up a little earlier since we have yet to get blinds on their windows. Reina and the dogs are loving their new independence with the newly enclosed fenced back yard. Liam is growing and smiling and so happy to be talked to. He just smiles and giggles all the time. He is the easiest baby. He sleeps all night and rarely complains about a thing. He does spit up more than I'd like, actually a ton, but all things considered I can't complain. We are figuring out the quirks and intricacies of our home and enjoying Bill's time off (which ends tomorrow, better schedule, however).
All right, on to the pictures. I've left so much out, but think I hit most of the important points. I will try to do better with the updates now that Bill has beaten the internet into submission in this house! Hang in there with me and look for more updates soon!
New house, new toys
Reina reading a story to Liam
Liam's first trip to Uncle Matt and Uncle Jen's neighborhood pool. A split second before he burst into flames. Kid is not destined to be a sun worshipper.
Reina at the church festival. She just wasn't able to follow through on her swing.
Reina's 1st tattoo. Now we know where her sympathies lie.
happy little dude
Celebrating Jen's PhD (while she was defending it to her panel of advisers). She got to party later.
How cool a kid do you have to be to get your own personal helicopter tour?
Reina wanted to take the inside photos herself. Quite possibly the weirdest picture of me ever. No hips or torso. Is this how my kid sees me? If so, it could explain the strange looks she sometimes shoots my way.
So proud in her new blue room. New rug, my old bed. I did not tell her to pose that way.
Built-in bookshelves in Liam's room, aka former and future office.
Master bedroom. Needs a little something. A new 42 inch flat screen tv? Not quite what I had in mind...
Front hall staircase
Family Room, that particular enormous tv we already owned.
Dining Room with a fireplace!
Love our kitchen, you can only see half of it from this angle.
Bill and my Dad changing a light bulb. Oh the joys of ownership...oh wait, we still don't own it. That's another story, hopefully with a happy ending soon.
Reina and P-Ga swinging from the trees.
