Home again, home again, jiggity jog

That's what my dad always used to say when we returned home. I don't remember if we had to have been gone for 1 hour or 1 week for this to be announced, but I remember it nonetheless. So it comes to mind today as we return from a week touring the United States.

First stop: California, including Cupertino, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Campbell, San Jose, Santa Clara, Palo Alto, and Santa Cruz. Our mission in CA: find our top 3-4 neighborhoods/cities. Mission accomplished?  Yes: Willow Glen, Campbell, Palo Alto and Santa Cruz.

In the Rose Garden in San Jose

Happy Girls

"I found an airplane in Palo Alto!"

Loving her new walking skills

"I love long walks on the beach, especially with my dad"

Next stop: San Antonio, TX. Our mission: celebrate the marriage of Jessica Gertz and David Burnett and visit with Erin, Adrienne, Paul, Geneva and Brigid. BONUS: My brother Matthew drove up from Corpus Christi to hang out with us!

Beers on the River Walk with Uncle Matthew

Swimming in the hotel pool

Lou, Nate, Paul and Geneva on the River Walk

Family Picture

Last stop: Washington DC.  Our mission: to see Sarah, Dan, John Paul, Grace, Cohen and of course, my parents, but ultimately, to meet Oliver Darwin Langenkamp. This was going to be our last visit to DC before my parents move out of Quarters U in July, but little Oliver decided NOT to be born while we were there. As I write, he is 9 days past his due date and Sarah is on her way to a prenatal "induction" massage following her induction acupuncture appointment. She is learning good lessons in patience and staying so calm while she and Dan wait for the little one. SO, whenever the baby comes (Monday at the latest), Louisa and I will be making another trip to DC to meet him.

Playing catcher for the pink team

The last pregnancy picture?!

"Push the baby out, Lou!"

Louisa and her cousin Cohen

Lou, me, Grace, my mom and Cohen

Now we're back home in Madison relaxing and organizing in our home that will no longer be ours on June 6. We'll hand over the title that morning and leave for California, this time for good, on Thursday morning.  Good thing it's so easy to travel across the country these days, cause we have lots of people we'll need to visit!

Madison, we'll miss you!

There are so many things we'll miss about Madison - it's bike-ability is one...

We've Got a Walker!

We're so proud of you, Loubear!

Combing through the Archives

Just kidding, these videos are not that old, but I did just upload them to Nate's computer so I could make space on my iPod for my new album - The Lumineers.  I heard Hey-Ho on my way to work Thursday morning and actually remembered to look them up this weekend!




While I'm here, an update on my previous post: we're selling our house.  Definitely will miss it, but better to pass it on rather than try to manage it from California.  It went on the market on Friday and we've already had 5 showings plus another scheduled for tonight.  We're optimistic that we won't have to wait too long before we see an offer!  Here is the MLS listing if you want to take a look.  Please feel free to forward to any and all!

To Rent or Sell, That's My Question

Time for all my readers to weigh in!

The decision: to rent our house or sell it?

The back story: Nate got a job in California!  We're moving in early June.  There are a few sad parts of this exciting story and one is that we have to leave our house. I absolutely love our house. So does Nate. So does Ries. So does Louisa.  But, do we want to not only accept new jobs in California, but new jobs as landlords?  I'm really not sure how to make that decision, so we've enlisted the help of our favorite relator, Gene.  He is coming next week to list our house.  That way we can let the market decide.

That being said, here are some pictures of our house.  If you know anyone looking to buy a beautiful house close to downtown Madison, send them my way.

Manageable garden and a lovely front porch

I'll never forget the lion above the front door

A new, two-car garage

New cherry cabinets, quartz counters, glass tile blacksplash and stainless sink

New hood, vented outside and Bertazzoni gas range

New Bosch dishwasher

The backdoor and slate sided cabinets

New oak breakfast bar with laptop charging station underneath

The dining room...so many good meals shared here

Bedroom #1

Bedroom #2

Living room

Living room

Upstairs office with sun porch

Bedroom #3 with door to walk-up attic

Happy Birthday to Lou!

Louisa will be turning one on Sunday, April 29. Good thing she won't remember her first birthday party, because I've really slacked on making it the best party ever. There will be a party at our house though, and you're invited! Saturday at 2 o'clock. Lucky for her, I have not told her about the party, so she's sleeping soundly upstairs.  Who would be able to sleep if they knew they'd be having their first taste of pie in 4 days!?  I made a chronological picture collage because I've always been fascinated by how a baby's face changes over the first 12 months. See you Saturday!

"Hello? This is Lou"

It's amazing what these little minds pick up on...

Our Little Ham

I can't say that I've frequently used the word "ham" to describe a person or a child as often as I have lately.  As Louisa's personality is starting to show, that is one the words that most easily comes to mind.  She can be so silly which is so much fun!  This picture was taken on my parent's patio in Washington DC, after Louisa crawled over, head first, the bar she is holding onto.  Louisa and I were staying with my parents earlier this week - I was attending the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Public Policy Workshop and Lou was spending her days being silly with Belle Mare (also known as Grandma Terry). 

Spring on North Baldwin

A party poof from Laura's birthday party on April 1 - it's festive and fun, so I left it up

I love our crab apple tree in the front - the perfect shade of pink

"One little bird, sits near my doorstep.  Singing sweet songs, of melodies pure and true..."

Ries doesn't really have anything to do with spring, but she is famous now!

A permanent fixture, even when Lou isn't sleeping. But yes, she was asleep during this photo shoot

In the foreground, my blue spruce juniper. In focus in the background, a transplanted rose bush that I hope will bloom

I love Mondays

My new work schedule leaves me with a 4-day weekend.  I thought I would miss the mid-week break (having Wednesdays off), but so far, I'm enjoying life as much, if not more, than I was before. Today has been so nice, so I thought I'd write about it.

7:15 am: wake up to what I think are little calls from Lou's adjacent room.  Listen. Maybe not?
7:20: I was imagining her little calls.  I decide to go to the bathroom
7:21: Now she's really awake.  Open Lou's door and find a sleepy, stuffy-nosed, but happy girl
7:25: If anyone else is awake, Ries insists that she must go outside right away.  Nate takes her out
7:25: Lou gets breakfast in (my) bed.  She is happily nursing at least 4 times per day
7:55: Run, literally, Ries to the vet clinic down the street for her first ever teeth cleaning. Good-bye bad breath
8:25: Lou plays, Nate and Georgia pack their lunches and head out for the day
8:30: Lou eats orange pieces in her high-chair while I vacuum.  I love a clean house
9:00: Lou and I take a bath.  She is nervous about the water and clings to me, but then happily relaxes
9:30: Warm, comfy outfits - one for Lou and one for me.  Later I realize we match again - pink and brown
9:45: Secure top of the stairs gate, gather dirty laundry, make our bed, change Lou's crib sheet - Lou explores
9:55: Lou's second breakfast in bed.  Lou sleeps.
10:00...11:00...12:23...Lou is still sleeping.  I clean, eat breakfast, make a latte, read my new book Bringing Up Bebe by the fire, fold laundry, check email, blog.  What a nice day.
12:28: She's awake.  Great 2 1/2 hour nap, Loubear!