I'll be home for Christmas

We had such a great time in California for Christmas! We kicked off our holiday trip with the Williams Light Parade. Jack was so excited to see his cousin Lynda. The two held hands throughout the entire parade...it was the cutest thing ever!

What up, Crush?

While visiting friends and family in Virginia over the Thanksgiving holiday we took Jack to the National Aquarium in Washington DC. He especially loved the turtles. Thanks Jaime and Brooks for the wonderful idea! It was so great to see you two!

Happy Holidays

We are off to Virginia for Thanksgiving and in a few weeks California for Christmas!

Saturday's Game: Wolfpack or Tarheels?

Though we've only been in NC a few months, we've been here long enough to know about the rivalry between State (NC State in Raleigh)and Carolina. Many of Adam's classmates are either State or UNC undergrad alums and group dinner gatherings often turn into "my team is better than your team" debates. The degree of the rivalry is best described by this local boy...

Bun in the oven

Everything looks great and we are still on schedule for a 03/31/2009 debut! It looks like Jack isn't the only Tar Heel!

Halloween

After much bribing (before we even hit the pavement for yet more candy) we got Jack into his costume. He was terrified of having it on his body! How do you explain to a one year old that you spent hours (not really) hand stitching and dying fabric to make him the sweetest little chicken? You can't; and therefore licorice will do the trick...or treat. I think terrifying a young boy was worth it. Doesn't he look adorable?

Helper

That’s not what I meant by, “Help mommy with Halloween cookies”!

Tar Pit

Jack is a HUGE football fan. He can sit and watch an entire game on TV with Adam, and he lives for running through the house with his stuffed football. I think his new favorite thing is watching the Tar Heels kick butt live. He takes it easy during the first half (i.e. naps), and cheers and high-fives the entire second, (but you better believe he didn’t touch the hands of those clowns behind him.) I think CH would be a fun place to grow up. Home-game Saturdays (especially when Notre Dame is involved) are so exciting! The town is abuzz with current students, alumni and rival fans tailgating and having a great time. I can’t even imagine what basketball season has in store!

Farm=Home

It was less than a year ago that we came to Chapel Hill for Adam’s interview. It was during autumn, and I couldn't’t help but imagine what it would be like to live there during that time of year. So here we are, roughly 10 months later kicking off the fall season with a trip to Ganyard Hill Farm in North Carolina. Truth be told, not much different than our trips to Book’s (except for one important component – The Raftery’s). Having grown up on a farm, I take comfort in the customary institution of farm life. I felt closer to my own family that day than I have in a few months. Being 3000 miles away really isen't that far and as long as a farm is close by, I can be home.

baby, baby, baby

Jack has really taken to this baby doll. On mornings when baby doesn’t spend the night with him, Jack searches for her. At first, he would immediately bring her to me (he knew that babies belong with mommies), but now, he likes to share his morning milk and banana with her. After breakfast, baby is usually forgotten and replaced with a hot wheel (much to daddy’s delight). I hope the love for babies will continue since Jack will be getting a real life version around 03/31/2009.

“Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains..”

The most surprising thing about North Carolina so far is all the rain! When Adam and I visited in June we were told the state was in a drought. Well since arriving, we have seen so much rain - and not the drizzly stuff either - I'm talking tropical storms. I can't say that I really mind, it is very lush and beautiful here. Every one's yards are exactly what you would imagine in the South: Large, green, azaleas, ferns big front porches with wooden rocking chairs. I just love it.

Chapel Hill is a great town. Lots of restaurants, a cute downtown (similar to Chico - with less bars) and always something to do. Of course the college offers a ton of great sporting events and in neighboring Durham we can cheer on the Bulls.

North Carolina

Well, we made it. We are official Tar Heels in the great state of North Carolina! We arrived on August 8th and thankfully all the planning really paid off. Thirty minutes before Jack and I landed, Adam and John (the best best friend in the world) rolled into town. The next morning we closed on our house without a hitch and within an hour of getting our keys, the moving truck was parked in front of the house. John and Adam worked like dogs (not like our dog, of course) and had everything in its place by dinner. By days end, Adam and I swore to have only one more big move in our lifetime.

Our Chico

We have had a pretty busy Summer so far and it's only June! We have been taking in as much "Chico" as we possibly can as we will be heading back East this August. Yes folks, Adam is a member of the Class of 2012 UNC School of Dentistry!!! We could not be more excited for this new adventure. I am so proud of all the hard work it has taken Adam to get to this point. He is so honored that such a prestigious school with a proud history (March Madness, anyone?) asked him to join the long list of great alumni.

A few weeks ago we spent our first overnight (4 nights actually) without the little guy. It proved to be pretty difficult for both of us (however, long overdue). Adam and I spent a whirlwind 4 days visiting the campus in Chapel Hill and 22 (yes, 22!) homes worthy enough to call our first house. We decided on a townhouse (the first we viewed, of course) and put in an offer earlier this week. And to really ice the cake, I get to keep my fabulous job! You've got to love modern technology! I will remotely work for the same company 3000 miles away.

For now, we are working on arrangements for the big move and spending time with family and friends. We will miss our Chico and all here...friends, farmer's market, Bidwell Park, downtown, Broadway Heights...the list could go on forever.

Spring Fling

Boy's best friend

It took some courting, but Jack finally won Carl over, (or could it be that Jack = yummy bits of food from the highchair?)

birthday boy

We did a little monkeying around for Jacks's 1st birthday!

Heirlooms

I've mentioned before my love for tradition. Jack is such a lucky boy to have so much family to love and learn from. He will not only have wonderful stories and tales to hear and retell, he will also have special heirlooms. This rocking chair was his grandpa's birthday gift on his First Birthday years ago. It was loved by his daddy when he was a boy and is now a special place for Jack.

A year at a glance

1 Year Old
11 Months

10 Months
9 Months
8 Months
7 Months
6 Months

5 Months
4 Months
3 Months
2 Months
1 Month/Day 1

Simple joys

In the past year I must have said, "I Love being a mom!" a million times... but being a dad doesn't look half bad either.

Say Cheese!

After delaying Jack's first "photoshoot" for 10 months, (sleeping all the time, baby acne, not sitting up alone, scratch, bruise and so forth) we finally did it...and not a day too soon. Jack woke this morning with a terrible cough and runny nose! We are so pleased with how the pictures turned out. Jack LOVES the camera (and the feeling is mutual if I don't say so myself).

Baby Steps

A few months ago my brother (a veteran father of a beautiful 4 year old) told me that once Jack rolls over ( a task he accomplished during the summer) every other "milestone" will happen very quickly. While it seemed to take forever for him to go from back to belly; Les was sure right...here we are, already on the verge of walking! He did take three true steps before we could grab the camera in time to capture the video above.