The Best Laid Plans...

The Plan: Shanna was to arrive around 3:00 pm to watch Noah for our New Mo...I mean date night. I was going to leave the house at 4:00 pm to make it to the theater by 4:15 in order to get a good seat for the 5:00 pm showing. Because of my early arrival, I would secure 2 fabulous seats located at just the right height and perfectly centered in order to experience the best possible viewing of New Moon. After the movie, Matt and I were planning to enjoy sushi at a new restaurant downtown, and then we would head back home to kiss Noah goodnight, and thank the Gourley's for so graciously taking care of him for the evening.

The Reality: Shanna learns that the downtown Macy's is having their tree lighting and window display opening, also on Nov. 20. (Why Macy's would dare plan such an event the same night as the opening of a Twilight film, is beyond me.) Shanna and Daryl, being the die-hard city folk they are can not fathom skipping such an event, and therefore decide to take Noah along with their family to experience said event. Shanna comes over a little before 3:00 and helps me with Noah and some chores while I get ready for the evening. After trying to get the bathrooms cleaned for the weekend company (Matt's parents), I was a little rushed in getting myself ready. I get downstairs, rush out to the jeep to grab Noah's car seat to install in Shanna's car. I jump in the front seat to get the jeep started, and my key won't turn. It's locked. I turn the wheel, play with the emergency break, and all the gadgets around the steering column, but nothing works. (This has happened once before, but after multiple tries, I got it to work.) I try a little longer before momentarily stopping to continue the original task, which was to transport car seats. I get that done, and head back to the jeep to try the key again. Meanwhile, I'm coming in and out of the house where Noah keeps seeing, chasing, and crying after me, and poor Shanna is doing her best (which is actually pretty impressive) to contain the madness. Anyway, I'm back at the jeep and try over and over and over to start the jeep that apparently has something against me. Of all times not to start, it had to be this day! Finally, I call Shanna from the jeep, and she suggests driving me to the theater. Yes, this works! THANK YOU SHANNA! So, I rush back in, we gather the kids, get their coats, shoes and all the paraphernalia that comes with toddlers, pack the car and rush to The Chase. Shanna says she'll slow down so I can jump out and I absolutely agree that this would be the quickest way for me to get in to that theater. OK, so we're there, Shanna pulls into the center lane of Lindell Ave., I jump out and stand in the middle of a four lane road (yes, because I'm an idiot), and rush across two lanes at the first opportunity. I walk at a very brisk pace (I assumed I would look a bit too ridiculous, even for the sake of Edward, to run), and I finally make it to the theater entrance, where I immediately meet my worst fear. A really really really long line, that I knew in my heart was for New Moon. I rush to the back of the line, and hope that I'm over-estimating the number of people in front of me. I think the range is somewhere around 150ish. (And for those of you unfamiliar with the Chase, it's a smaller, intimate theater...so capacity could easily be 200; if that.) The guy in front of me and I start chatting about our bad luck and about how we're about to get fierce with the group of girls in front of us who keep letting their friends in the line. Finally, the line starts to move. I get inside, and realize the only spot where two seats are next to each other is on the bottom row of the main section. I grab a seat, throw my handbag and coat on the one next to me, and although a bit disappointed in the seat location, breathe a sigh of relief. I had made it. I was about to see Edward again. (Oh, yeah...Matt arrived a couple minutes after the movie started!) The film was great, and we make it Jade where we have less than fabulous sushi. After dinner, we meet Shanna at her loft, thank her profusely for watching Noah and introducing him to Red Bird at Macy's, and head home.

Overall, despite the challenges, it was really nice to have some time to ourselves, and of course to see the movie I've been waiting months to see!

I would like to thank Shanna for babysitting, Matt for putting up with my insanity, and Sarah for indulging in the obsession.

Movie review is on the way.

Just Me and Edward...and Matt.

Edward, I'm coming. Meet me at The Chase. Five O'clock.

(FYI: I love my husband; he'll be there too.)

Four

How is it possible that our first nephew, Parker, is already four years old!? Time seems to scurry by so quickly, especially when there is distance between us. His birthday was actually on Sunday, and sadly we didn't make it down to Springfield for his celebration.

I remember waiting with my ear to his mom's delivery door, for his first cry. I remember watching Matt hold him for the first time, and I remember how tiny he seemed. I remember playing with him on our living room floor when he was just an infant. I remember shopping and shopping and shopping for him during his first Christmas. It was so fun to shop for a baby! Sadly, memories are bit further apart since we live several hours away, but Parker, I love you so so much and look forward to every new memory we'll have together. Happy Birthday buddy!

Home Sweet Home

I've been meaning to post pics of our new place, but I've been procrastinating since things aren't how I'd like them quite yet. Tonight though, I'm just deciding to give up on waiting until things are just right, so please ignore the mess and the random items still sitting about!

The house was originally a two family, but was converted to a one family a few years back.

Upon entering, the living room is on the right and the stairs are to the left. The kitchen is behind the living room, the dining room is off of the kitchen, and the sun room is behind the kitchen.

Sun room/den/playroom

We are so happy in this house. We're loving the space, the privacy, the closets, the bathrooms...everything really. We love having guests, and now guests will have their own room, so please come see us!

Kissing Comrads

Reese and Noah like to kiss, and for Shanna and I, this is bitter-sweet. It's pretty cute to watch, but we don't exactly want our one and two year olds making out! Isn't this something we weren't supposed to have to worry about until they were teenagers!? Uuhhhh.

Here's a good one of the kids with their noses pressed against the front doors. I'm not sure what was so interesting out there. It was as if they just discovered the front yard.

A couple of weeks ago, Noah had his first video game experience. We were at Fuddruckers, and as we were leaving, the lights of these machines literally drew him in. It was an unavoidable meeting. He was super engrossed with all the gadgets and the steering wheel, and when it came time to leave, he got loud. He was about as unhappy as he ever gets, and once again that little stink embarrassed his mother! I suppose seeing him so happy for a few minutes was worth it though.

Now We're Both 30

Last weekend, my bestie Sarah came with her family to St. Louis. We've been planning her trip here since March in loo of her 3oth birthday. We celebrated at Vin De Set, and then with a whole day of shopping sans babies at the Galleria. It was lovely! Sarah bought these amazing chairs at Anthropolgie, along with some great clothes.

I don't know why, but when Sarah and I are together, we never seem to get many pictures, and in true form, we only took a couple, and they were of Noah and Lula. When we're old, our kids won't believe that we actually did things together if we don't stop this trend! We've got to take more pics Sarah!

They're coming, They're coming!

Look who's coming in 11 days! It's a bit ridiculous that I get to call these lovely people my family. We can't wait to see them!
(him and her)

Park Love with Grams

My wonderful mama was here for a week and a half to help us with the move, and we spent part of her last day here at the park. As mentioned in an earlier blog, Noah loves being outside, and he particularly loves the park. We still have to stay pretty close to him when on playground equipment that has any height to it or else we would surely find ourselves in an emergency situation, so we each took turns sliding and climbing with Noah.

Noah had an intense temper tantrum when he realized we were headed back to the car. This is a new phase that my mom got to see first hand while she was here. We've started time outs and just ignoring this behavior when it happens. I sure hope he grows out of it fast. This little boy is passionate with a capital P. Have no idea where he gets this from!

Couch Drama

The only faux pas with the movers was that they dropped our antique sofa and broke one of the legs. They did however have it repaired, and almost a week after the move, it was ready to join the other furniture in the house. Before we got the cushions put on, Noah realized he was able to climb on it, and I just thought it was super cute. My little man, dressed for bed on a 1940's couch...yes please. Love it.

On a totally different note, Matt's birthday was on Saturday. He didn't want much of anything, so we just had a very small dinner party, which included an apple cobbler. I thought the apple peelings were so pretty. Sadly, I didn't capture any other photos that night. Don't know what I was thinking!

We Have a Backyard!!!

Although good friend Shanna thinks yards are over-rated, I totally disagree! It gave me complete joy to see Noah playing in our new backyard and sitting in and throwing fall leaves for the first time. He loves the yard and cries quite hard every time we have to come inside. On this particular day, I had purchased a rake, piled up hundreds of leaves and threw Noah right in the middle of them. He wasn't really sure what was happening at first, but he quickly caught on as grams and I picked up piles and let the leaves fall over his head. He giggled and scrunched up his nose, and blinked his eyes as they fell over him.

(i was so mad that my camera cord got in front of the lens on this one. i love his expression!)

(good neighbor noah)

Little Lion

(noah is the smallest kid on the left. i've never seen so many kids eating together at a table (jenn's table to be exact!) it was pretty adorable.)

I'm behind on getting Halloween documented due to the move. This fall in general has been really busy, so I feel behind on a lot of things actually! Anyway, my little man was a lion this year, but sadly we did not make it trick or treating. It was a very chilly evening, we had just moved, and Noah was sick. We did however, make it to a downtown mom's Halloween party earlier in the week. I attempted to get some snapshots of Noah in his costume, but he wasn't in the modeling mood. So here's all I got:(trying to take off the headpiece)

(noah is avoiding the party crowd and opting to look out the window while dialing a friend)

(whiny cry face because mom won't stop taking pictures of him)

(i'm trying to restrain him from taking off the head piece)

Au revoir Downtown Loft

We have officially moved from our beloved loft in downtown St. Louis. I can still remember my excitement when I found the loft, and when I talked Matt into it, and especially when we moved in to it. I was in love. That loft held us through some major life experiences, the most important being the conception and birth of our Noah. It was a good move for us, and we will always look back with warm feelings on our time there. That said, it is time for more space, for doors, for floors that aren't concrete, and for a yard. And as of last Friday, we're here, and we love it.

The move was the most annoying, yet the easiest move we've ever had. Annoying because there were 5 other people moving in/out on the same day, and we were all trying to use the ONE freight elevator and the ONE back dock. Way to go to our loft management for not scheduling the moves. On the up side though, it was the easiest because we hired movers. We had plenty of gracious friends volunteer to help us, but we decided to move on a Friday (because we had been warned that Saturday would be a busy moving day), and of course most people work on Friday. Although Todd, Jesse and Kristin still came over on Saturday to help us wrap up some loose ends. Thank you guys! Anyway, I was incredibly impressed with the efficiency of professional movers and I highly recommend using them to anyone considering moving in the future. Totally worth the money.

Mom has been here helping us through the move. She's been indispensable! She's helped me empty boxes (I think she's unloaded more than I have actually), and put things away, get organized, decorate, and of course she's been wonderful help with Noah. Thank goodness for my mom!

We're still working on getting everything set up, but I will soon post pictures of our new home. New to us, anyway!

(this is a picture of the sidewalk outside our loft last winter. i will miss the gelateria at the end of the block. no more spontaneous chai breaks for me!)