So...we live in Colorado now

Yup, still strange to think that we actually live here and don't have to go "home" from vacation. We are all transitioning pretty well, I think! The boys are sharing a room with no major hiccups. Liam sleeps through Jude's mid-night crying sessions and Jude sleeps through Liam's nap protests. We are all thrilled to see more of Ryan's parents, his extended family, and the mountains!

I thought I needed to share the pictures of our last few days in Nashville and the drive west:





I was so shocked, and humbled to receive this plaque from the Brentwood Police Department! The officers and detectives were always so incredibly kind and supportive of me, even including me in emails about upcoming events in town so that I was aware for staffing. I should have recognized them, not the other b way around!





The day after my last day of work, I went in to have coffee with my precious regulars. These folks have been like family to me, involved in our life and truly caring about me. I miss them so much! They treated me to some delicious chicken minis and these incredible bundt-cupcakes!


These sweet friends basically spent the day before we left wrangling our children so that we could finish up packing, loading, and cleaning. We had one final dinner at our beloved Athens Family Restaurant. We miss them so much, the friends, and the restaurant.


This is Liam in the middle of the street, he wasn't so keen on moving.


This is the rig that Ryan and his awesome friend, Joel, drove. We were so blessed to have friends offer to drive with us! Kirsten rode with me and helped with the boys, we could not have done it without them!





The most common view of the back seat.


Kirsten, the boys, and I stopped for a few days in Arkansas to visit with family and allow Ryan time to get our bedrooms settled.


I took Liam to ride the train at Creekmore Park, we were both so excited!


Liam also got to see his little Ellie! We joke a lot about them being betrothed and this photo just solidified their imminent engagement. :)


The long, flat, plains of Kansas.

We had a great drive out. It was great to get to spend time with Kirsten! And, both of the boys did so well in the car! Liam was entertained with toys and the iPad and baby Jude was thrilled anytime he got to see us! Facing backwards is the pits.


Now, we are still working on getting settled and getting acclimated to the altitude. We are enjoying eating at our favorite restaurants and I'm trying to learn my way around this new city!

Dear Jude: 7 months

Dear baby Jude,

We are officially on the downhill slope to you being a one year old! I know it will be here before we know it! I am amazed at the war between not believing that you are seven months old, and being unable to fathom that you haven't been here forever.


It's been a big month for our whole family, and you have weathered the changes brilliantly! You successfully sat in your carseat for more than twenty hours while we moved to Colorado, and you are adapting well to sharing a room with your big brother.


I know nothing concrete regarding your measurements. But you are definitely growing, you get another little fat roll every day. Just the way I like my babies! I think you've had a growth spurt this month, you seem quite a bit longer to me. You are wearing size 3 diapers and 6-9 month clothes.


Sweet Jude, you love to eat and are now eating two meals of solids a day. You love everything that you've had so far, and hate when the bowl runs empty. New foods this month: carrots, raspberries, blueberries, mango, and multi-grain cereal. You still nurse, or take a 6oz bottle, 5-6 times a day. And at least once during the night...


You love your toes more than any other toy. You constantly want to hold into them, or put them in your mouth. This makes learning to sit a bit difficult! You can sit for a short time, but always fall over once you inevitably reach for your toes! You also love snuggling with your lovie, paci, and playing in your exersaucer.


Liam is absolutely enchanted by you, and you with him. You give him all of your best smiles and laughs, and it has been one of my life's greatest joys to watch you two love each other at such an early age. I pray that you continue to be best friends, and I am so excited to watch your relationship develop.


Judes, I know I've said it before, but I am so very glad that you are ours! You are such a blessing to me, and I know that you will bless others with your sweet smiles and exuberant personality. I'm so thankful to have a front row seat to watch you grow!

Love you forever, and ever,
Mommy

Nashville: Things I will Miss

I'm starting to get more than a little sad about leaving this great city, so I thought I would wallow for a bit and list some of the things I will miss. In no particular order:

*The Village Chapel, our, "we read through books of the Bible" incredible church home. The idea of not hearing Kim pray and not having the occasional Getty-led worship makes me sick.

*my people. You know who you are. I love, love, love, you.

*Franklin Rd, Starbucks. If you've never been to my store, you are missing out. So, basically, I'm about to be missing out. I have the most incredible team of partners and the best customers you could ever imagine. I'm excited about my new store, but nothing will ever take the place of the 8338, ever.

*Athens Greek Family Restaurant. We might eat there too much if the waiters carry Liam to the car and put him in his car seat, huh? We are obsessed.

*Lush, beautiful, green landscape. Yes, the mountains are amazing. But, Denver is kind of a desert. I will miss our leafy, rolling hills. And I, rather, my dry skin and hair, will miss the humidity.

*Living outside of the South. I've never lived anywhere but the south. Sweet tea, SEC football, yes ma'am, no sir, y'all, and all the other things I don't realize are southern but are. This will be interesting for sure.

*Basically, the life we've created here. I came to Nashville as a brand new, very young, bride. We started our marriage, and our family here. We got our puppy here. We brought our boys home from the hospital here. I learned to navigate a city and drive a stick shift here. I started my career here. The memories and relationships are endless, and so very special. I didn't expect to be this sad to leave, but I've spent a quarter of my life in this little city, and it's bound to hurt. You'll always have a piece of my heart, Nashville.

Dear Jude: 6 months

Dear baby Jude,

Oh my soul, you cannot be six months old! I swear, I just had you last week. You're still a tiny baby. Oh wait. Seriously, fastest six months ever.


You are getting cuter, smarter, stronger, and bigger by the minute, or so it seems! You weigh a whopping 17 pounds, 8 ounces (55th%), I don't know your length yet but your size 3-6 month clothes are getting a bit short so I know you're growing. You are squeezing into size 2 disposables, and I've just adjusted your cloth diaper snapping again! So big!


Judes, you thrive on interaction. I think you will be a people lover like your big brother. You soak up attention and love smiling at anyone who makes eye contact with you. We've loved getting to see your personality emerge lately. You are in an observant stage and love watching Liam and Gus playing around you!


You have really loved eating solids this past month. So far, you have had: brown rice cereal, oatmeal cereal, peas, sweet potato, green beans, banana, pear, apple, and peach. You don't seen to have a preference, as long as we are shoveling it in, you are happy! You have solids twice a day and nurse, or take a 6oz bottle, 5-6 times a day.


Sweet Jude, you are a cuddle loving child. You sleep best nestled up next to mommy, and you usually wind up in our bed for at least some part of the night. This month's goal is to focus on getting you to sleep through the night, in your bed. You can do it!


You are really starting to play a lot. You love being in your exersaucer or playing in the floor. You have a stuffed bunny that you love to chew on and have started grabbing toys and your paci a lot lately. Bath time is always a joy with you, you splash and giggle and are obsessed with seeing your reflection in the mirror! I am so excited for you and Liam bird to start playing together soon!


Tiny boy, you are so cherished. We are smitten by your smiles and squeals. You have started trying to give us kisses and your daddy and I love being covered in your drool. You are such a sweet addition to our family, and we are so thankful we have been blessed with you!

Love you forever, and ever,
Momma


Just for kicks: a 6 month side by side of Liam and Jude

Liam Lately

Liam bird continues to be a major source of hilarity and pride for us. He is such a silly and sweet boy. He is also 2, and therefore, unpredictable and prone to some pretty spectacular tantrums and mood swings.


Favorites: playing outside, Ryan's guitar, drums, school, dancing, "Walter the Baker," and "Little Blue Truck" books, his stuffed Brobee and Muno, "Yo Gabba Gabba," and "The Fresh Beats Band" shows, trucks, playing at the park by our house, checking on baby Jude, ice cream, peanut butter m&ms, wearing hats, suckers, going anywhere in Ryan's "red truck," pretzels, and his rain boots.


Unfavorites: coming inside, not stopping at the park on the way home from anywhere, when Daddy isn't home, nap time, bed time, bath time, diaper changes, trying new foods, waiting for milk, obeying, leaving the park, and having to wear shoes other than his rain boots.