New Home

Exciting news - we closed on a house! People say it's a buyer’s market, and although it can be true, navigating all the short sales and foreclosures sure made for an interesting process. The Lord is faithful, and we ended up purchasing what will be a great spot for us.

We discovered a townhouse in a neat area about 10 minutes from Brian's work. It has nice surroundings and is in close proximity to some great parks and shopping areas. This will likely be more of a short-term spot for us (3-5 years, maybe?) but it's a good size for us for now (1800sq ft, 3bed & 2bath), and we got it for such a great price that depending on how life unfolds it could make a terrific long-term rental property as well.

The purchase process was quite an experience. The townhouse was in foreclosure, and we made a full-price offer which they turned down. Then they put the house into auction. We ended up purchasing it through the auction…for less than we had initially offered. Crazy! The Lord is so good.

We closed on Friday and will move-in by the end of May. We're doing a few updates to get it ready (new paint, flooring, etc) and look forward to setting into our new home. Here are two photos that we found online from the original listing, and we'll try to take/post more photos as we move in as well.

Freedom Day

April 15th is now affectionately called "Freedom Day" in our home! Brian has been working incredibly hard (6 days & 80+ hrs per week) since the first week of February, all leading up to the 4/15 tax deadline. We are so proud of Brian. He handled the pressure beautifully and did a commendable job balancing work and family during this crazy season. Nevertheless, our time with him has been sparse over the last few months, and we are SO happy to have 4/15 behind us (for this year, anyway!) and to having more time with Brian! We had a wonderful weekend together as a family. Brian joined us for our weekly Gymboree class on Friday, we went to a couple different local parks, took some nice walks, went swimming in the indoor pool at our apartment complex, and stopped at our favorite local ice cream (OK - it's frozen yogurt) shop where Owen tried his first chocolate treat! Yummy! We also enjoyed some nice "grown-up" time on Friday, when Brian's dad came and spent the afternoon & evening with Owen so we could go out on a date. Such fun! Here are a few photos from our weekend (click to enlarge).

11 Months + Easter

Owen turned 11 months just before Easter weekend. In this 11th month - Owen quickly went from crawling, to pulling onto his knees, and up onto his feet, and now he even jumps in his crib (while holding onto the rail) - hilarious! Practicing these new skills ended in few spills, resulting in his first bonks & bruises. Oh well, many more to come no doubt. Owen has had 6 teeth since December, and this month he got his 7th – a molar! Ouch! Owen's favorite activities include bubbles, bath time, and playing with balls - his current favorites are colorful whiffle balls. Owen also started playing a simple version of "hide & seek" - where we'll hide behind a chair, etc, and he'll come find us. Such fun to play and be silly with him, and amazing to see him learn that just because he can't see us, he can still find us! He also loves it when we sing - especially "Wheels on the Bus", "BINGO", and "Old McDonald Had a Farm". For months we’ve been doing simple sign language with Owen, and this month he did his first signs! He signed “milk” when ready for his bottle, and signed “more” – although it didn’t seem to apply to anything in particular yet. We're looking forward to month 12...and the countdown to Owen's 1st Birthday!

After sitting so nicely for his pictures, he enjoyed playing with his new cars

A few Easter photos. The majority of the pictures were taken on the grandparents' cameras and we still need to get copies!

Under the Weather

I aim for a blog posting each week...and for this past week, the events can be summed up with one photograph:

Owen got his first big cold (he's had a runny nose, etc, before - but nothing like this). And the generous boy he is...he quickly shared his cold with both of us. It's always a bummer to be under the weather, and a sick baby is extra sad. But thankfully we're on the mend and look forward to a great Easter celebration with family!

Growing Up

Owen is hitting milestones quickly. It's exciting to watch the changes and celebrate the accomplishments. He's becoming so capable ... he'll be a toddler in no time!

Finger Food

Oh my - what a mess! But he's having so much fun, and what a great learning experience!

I have to admit, though, as a first time mom - transitioning him to more "chunky" foods and finger foods makes me so nervous. I'm constantly concerned he's going to choke! But Brian reminds me he can't be on pureed foods forever :) so I'm trying to be brave and let him learn to chew his food and even feed himself. He's doing really well, and currently the favorite chunky food is cottage cheese, and he loves to feed himself pieces of bread, little puffs, and of course - crackers! (We've also tried avocado, tofu, egg, etc...but he's not a fan yet. Texture, maybe? But we'll keep exposing him to new things, and hopefully both Owen and mom can continue to be adventurous!)

Playing with his toys in the bath

And pulling up...

... on everything!


But even with all the changes - he's still our sweet baby :)


And I guess if Owen is growing up, we are too :)
Linnea celebrated a birthday recently - enjoying a "date night" with Brian, thoughtful well wishes from family & friends, lovely flowers and card from Owen, and special time with family.

Highlights

We are settling into our new life in Portland, and wanted to share a few photo highlights.

What could be sweeter than a baby all clean and wrapped in a towel?

Having fun crawling and exploring at Gymboree

What....I can't get into the fireplace? You're kidding me?



I'm looking for the kitties...did you see which way they went?



A wonderful visit with great-grandma Marion

(yup...that's the Glo-Worm)

Visiting dad at work....on a Saturday. Such is the life of an accountant during tax season!

Why bother putting the basketball in the hoop if I can just use my hand to push the little green lever which makes the numbers go up on the scoreboard and the crowd applaud & cheer?

(can't believe he figured this out! wonder if he'll be an engineer like his grandpa's?)

A fun visit from our dear friend Kelly and their precious new daughter Emmaline.

future girlfriend, perhaps? :)

Owen is a wonderful sleeper - and wakes up so happy! This is how he greets us when we go in to get him. Warms our heart every time!

10 Months

Owen is 10 months old! And now that he can move...this was by far our most difficult photo shoot! Highlights of this month include moving to Portland, learning to drink out of a sippy cup (although he prefers to play with it rather than drink from it), reaching his arms up when he wants to be picked up (so sweet!), and of course...crawling! Owen moves fast and we have to stay on our toes to keep up. Not long after crawling, he started pulling himself up onto his knees. With these abilities, a new world has opened for him, and we love watching him explore and discover his new skills. Owen's favorite toy of the month (and if you read past posts, it really does change monthly!) is a Glo-Worm who's face lights up and music plays. Owen also enjoys his basketball hoop, his Dinosaur book (thanks, Grandma Pam!), and the soccer ball is still a favorite. Owen also loves to take off his socks (he's fast!) and putting everything in his mouth. He has many new facial expressions and sounds - and is showing a terrific sense of humor. We are grateful for another wonderful month with our sweet Owen.

Owen's silly new "O" face - a look of surprise. He now follows this look with a smile, because he knows we'll be smiling or laughing.

Yes...I can crawl off this chair...just watch me!

Fine, if you won't let me crawl off the chair, I'll just take my socks off instead.

Oh yeah....mom's holding the Glo-Worm!

That silly Glo-Worm! Now let me have it :)