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Listen, folks…

I barely have any motivation to blog. The time change has thrown Eva for a loop so I’m pretty exhausted and the free time I do have, I don’t want to be spending it writing. But I’m forcing myself to write a little more today because I’m so behind.

It seems like everything in my life is changing. And really fast. We don’t have much time to think, we just have to make decisions and make them quick. So, let me catch you up to speed.

A month ago, T.J. went to New York to interview for internships this summer, one at a studio called ThinkSo and another at Johnson & Johnson. He was excited for either but reallllllly hoping for J&J because it seemed like a better opportunity (plus paid double!). We prayed and we fasted that whatever happened would be best for our family and that we’d feel confident in our decision to send T.J. out there for the summer. Well, he got the ThinkSo internship a couple weeks ago. It felt SO good just to know he definitely had an internship but I could tell he still was hoping to hear from J&J. Days and then weeks were going by and we still hadn’t heard from J&J. Emails were exchanged, T.J. almost gave up and was about to say yes to ThinkSo. But then last Friday he heard from J&J who welcomed him on board.

T.J. was ecstatic. I was ecstatic. Eva was even pretty happy.

What comes next? He starts first week of May. As soon as I heard that it started that early my happiness turned into complete sadness thinking my husband would be leaving in just a matter of weeks for the ENTIRE summer. We’re talking about four whole months.

But, I’m slowly convincing myself it will be okay. We are going to rely on Skype this summer and have me visit at some point. He will be living with another couple in his program in a two-bedroom apartment (which we have yet to find) and so I can come visit and have a place to stay with Eva. But I definitely am not going out there for May… so I say farewell to my hubby in two weeks for at least a month, most likely longer.

More changes. I’m going to have a friend of mine live with me for the summer so I don’t get too lonely, scared, or in-over-my-head with Eva. It will be nice to have her around and I’m grateful she is willing to put up with me for the summer.

So, there you have it. Wish us luck and please send me your tips/stories of when you and your spouse spent time apart and how you coped!

 

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Whirlwind

I visited Kentucky for 12 days because I wanted my siblings to meet Eva and it was my mom’s spring break. My sister from DC even came down with her two girls for the second week.

Everyday was filled with an activity. Shopping at Kenwood. Spending time with Blair and meeting her cute boyfriend Hamadi. Lots of Grilling outside. Firepits. Egg hunts. Conference. Watching The Mentalist (my parents got me hooked!). The Cincinnati Zoo. Walking downtown. Going to parks. Visiting my friend Lelia. Eating breakfast with Heather at Frisch’s. Skyline. Visiting with my brother. Cincinnati Art Museum. Trying to get Eva to sleep in a crib. Playing with Claire and Amelia. Giving the girls baths. Celebrating my dad’s birthday. Rio Grande with Blair. UK Game. Picnics.

Overall, it was wonderful. It’s always so hard to leave because I never know when I’ll be back and see my family again. Hopefully I’ll visit this summer!

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“We’re doing New York”

T.J. finally came home after midnight on Wednesday. It is so good to have him back. Even though he’s still busy with school, just getting to see him a little bit every day makes a huge difference. Plus, Eva loves her daddy!

Look what T.J. brought back from NY for Eva! An adorable I {heart} NY onesie. Cool story though… he met the designer on his trip who came up with that original design. In addition to that onesie, he brought me back an adorable apron (pics to come). I’m now going to pretend we live in the 50s so I can wear an apron over my “house dress” every day.

 

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It is Better to Look Up

We just found out that T.J. is interviewing in New York City for internships this summer at the end of February. He was one of four chosen in his class to have interviews set up for him, whereas the rest of the class have to get interviews themselves. I am so excited for him. Finally, all of his hard work and countless hours on campus have paid off.

But I’m going to get real for a minute. All this uncertainty of what is going to happen is really getting to me. I just wish we had more answers right now, but we will have to wait for a couple of months until we know exactly when and where he will be interning, if the internship will be paid, and if Eva and I will get to go with him.

That last part obviously is what has me worried. I’m fine with whatever happens, but obviously I hope I don’t have to spend three months away from T.J. No matter what though, T.J. needs to get an internship in NYC because being a graphic designer in this economy is tough and so having that background on his resume is critical.

If we could just fast forward to March already so we can find out some more answers, I would greatly appreciate it.

Until then, I will be on my knees praying and remembering Elder Cook’s talk from last conference.

It is better to look up.

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Baby Shower Back Home

When I was back in Kentucky, my mom and my sister Ashley threw me a baby shower. It was overwhelming to see how many people were there supporting me and crazy to think how each of them affected me in my life. There were many past Sunday School teachers, Young Women leaders, neighbors, and old friends from high school in attendance.

One of the activities at the shower was where everyone wrote the baby a little note of advice. I just read through them this morning and they were so sweet. Some of them even brought tears to my eyes. Here’s what my friend Blair from high school wrote… hers made me laugh and I’m sure she won’t mind me sharing it. (The first bullet point is referring to when my mom gave me mashed bananas instead of apple sauce for my medicine.)

The baby got a lot of great gifts. So many cute clothes (even baby jeggings thanks to my friend Beth from church), a hand crocheted baby blanket from Mrs. Doran (a neighbor that has been like my second mom growing up), and gift cards that  bought the changing table.

I wish I would have remembered to take pictures of the whole group, but we only took a couple. Thanks again to my mom and sister for making the shower a success.

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“You see that girl…”

Yesterday, I slept in until 11… but when my dad tried to give me a hard time about it, I reminded him not only that I am pregnant, I also am still on Mountain time and so it was really only 9 am back home. We got ready for the day and then I ran a couple of errands with my dad while my mom was teaching. For lunch, we ate at this fabulous German restaurant in Newport called the Hofbrauhaus. Cincinnati is known for its German heritage and so this place sits next to the river decked out in German decor with German music playing in the background. I got a schnitzel sandwich and my dad got a wurst with saurkraut. Delish.

A little bit later in the day, I met up with my mom and we went downtown to shop. For Christmas each year, we go to see the decorations downtown, but since I’m not coming home this year, we decided we’d see what was up at Macy’s at least. I couldn’t believe how dead the mall was down there, even Annie Anne’s had closed. So, other than Macy’s and TJ Maxx, the place was a ghost town.

Oh, when we were at TJ Maxx checking out, a very eccentric man (maybe he was homeless or had some mental problems… not sure) was talking to the girls at the counter. He looked over to me and said very loud for everyone to hear,

“You see that girl, she has two girls and a boy in her belly right there!”

He continued saying something like, “You know how I can tell? They’re moving and punching like this.” Then he started moving like Elaine from Seinfeld when she dances.

We all laughed, but then he kept going and I knew I needed to get out of there before the laughter turned to tears. Anyway, funny strangers. They always know what to say to pregnant women.

For dinner, we had Skyline of course. That’s always first on my list when I come into town. And to finish up the night, my parents and I headed to Newport on the Levee to see a movie called The Big Year. It is with Owen Wilson, Steve Martin, and Jack Black. It is seriously one of the best movies I have seen in a really good time. It’s a PG, so it’s very clean, very funny, and has such a sweet ending. Go see it!!!

And that is the end of Day 1.

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Home, Sweet Home

I am in Kentucky right now. I always forget how many trees there are out here. It is like a jungle. A beautiful, fall-colored jungle.

Not much to report so far, other than how the Provo airport was ridiculously tiny. The lobby felt like a motel lobby and the waiting room like an office. There wasn’t an intercom system, just a guy who spoke up so the people in the one gate could hear him. But I did love not having to drive up to Salt Lake, especially since I flew into Louisville which is two hours away from my home.

This morning I went through my baby book. I got emotional as soon as I started to look through it… crazy prego hormones. I’ve looked through that book a hundred times, but I guess looking through it as a soon-to-be-momma really got to me (especially when I read a note from my mom that said she couldn’t wait for me to one day have my own daughter). Here are a couple things I learned about myself as a baby:

  • I was 9 lbs, 9.5 ounces. So, when my baby comes out looking like a beast, please don’t judge me… it’s just in my genes!
  • I started crawling at six months and walking at nine.
  • I wouldn’t ever take a bottle and I hated being in the car.
  • When I was 2 and a 1/2, I loved puzzles and would say, “Puzzle me,” when I wanted to do a puzzle. (Which makes me know why I love The Office so much when they say, “Beer me.”
  • When I was born, I didn’t have too much hair but by 9 months, it had grown out of control!

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The Rest

These photos aren’t exactly in order… sorry about that.

I was loving this Orangutan. He wrapped the sheet around himself and would hide underneath.

The one on the right looks like the happiest donkey in the world. Just hanging with his pals.

I couldn’t resist taking this photo.

FDR’s memorial is one of my favorites.

We got to visit the new MLKJ memorial! It was absolutely beautiful.

Claire sleeping beside all of her babies.

Found this treasure in Claire’s closet. It’s like the author was writing it just for me.

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A Taste of Motherhood

I’m back from my trip to DC where I visited my sister and her family. It was absolutely wonderful. Because of the age difference between Mary Beth and I, we haven’t had much of a chance to hang out and so this trip was so fun to finally feel like good friends.

We did a lot in the city such as going to the zoo, one of the Smithsonian museums, picnicked, visited a couple memorials, and had some family time. I fell even more in love with my nieces, Claire and Amelia. They are adorable and so funny. The funniest thing Claire said on the trip was to my sister, “Mom, when you have a baby brother in your belly, can you name him the Cat in the Hat?” Hilair. Amelia is just learning to talk, in fact she said her first real words, which happened to be, “Thank you.” Seriously. I told you she’s a doll.

Enjoy the pictures…

Here’s Mark and Amelia about to go on a bike ride.

Sweetest little girl I know.

Guess who’s kitchen this is….

Claire is growing up! She’s like a real kid these days!

The Pococks!

Pony rides at the neighborhood picnic.

Oldtown Alexandria… by far my favorite place in the area.

This is where I bought a vintage cape… you heard me right. I can’t wait for it to cool down so I can wear this awesome thing.

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Mexican Baby

Here are the last of the photos from my trip to McKinney a couple weeks ago.

Hannah and Me in front of the Dallas Temple. We’re twinners.

My cousin, Bob, with his new bike. He looks like Robert Downy, Jr. kinda.

My cousin, Bob, and my first cousin once removed, Bobby. When you have such a small family, you know how all that family tree lingo works. You can tell they’re Swainharts.

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