Eastbound and Down... Loaded up and Truckin'

I just like the title.

We're not gone yet - and won't be for another few weeks, but a lot of things have fallen into the right places, a lot more things still need to fall into the right places and I'm just hanging on!

When Sophie was born in December, I had no idea how NICE it was when both sets of grandparents came out to visit. The extra set of hands to hug the sweet little girl and just watching the relationships build between them and their granddaughter was priceless.

I was blessed to spend the first 5 years of my life within 15 minutes of my grandparents - along with my other cousins too. It was AWESOME. Easter egg hunts with cousins, spending lots of time at Grandma's, playing in the creek, etc. Those were without a doubt formative years for me and ones that played a key role in my life once I reached teen-dom. If it wasn't for my grandparents, there would have been a lot of rough summers. I credit my grandma with investing in me and discipling me - and she's one of my heroes.

But back to my story, I want my daughter to grow up with a close relationship with her grandparents... And living way out here wasn't going to help that. So, I started looking around in June to see what my company had.

I'm fortunate to work for an engineering consulting firm with offices literally all over the world and a spot for me in their Raleigh, NC office. I'll be doing the same stuff I'm doing now - and still working with our Montana crew - but living closer to family. Having Ed's older sister close by too is going to be great.

I'll try and post some updates as I get them.

The biggest one now is that we FINALLY have a house lined up. It's very cute - has a nice kitchen and a big bonus room over the garage as well as some pretty cool windows in the 2 bedrooms. The master bedroom is enormous. The owners had a king bed in there that still seemed small, so I KNOW our little queen sized bed is just going to get lost!


We haven't sold our house here and I'm frankly REALLY nervous about it - especially headed into a Montana winter. I don't know how long we can afford a mortgage and rent.

Anyway - that's the latest... be praying we sell our house and that the physical move goes well.

tfw out

MIA

So, we've been remiss in posting, but here are some photos... I'll fill in the blanks later!

Mommy's private photo shoot with the Sophster - 6 months old here!

Hanging out in Helena on our way back from Glacier NP

Books Rock!

Summer on the Range

Well at LAST, summer is here. It felt like winter lasted FOREVER, followed by a weird, wet and abbreviated spring. Billings normally gets about 16" of rain a year total - May we got over 9". Epic flooding and numerous canceled bike rides. It was sad and I was going stir crazy. With the exceptionally long winter with snow that stuck around for ages and brutally cold temperatures, I really didn't venture out much with the munchkin.

She loves her Chariot, so when we could get out - we did. Which is what made all the moisture this spring SO frustrating - I'd want to take her out, but it would downpour.

Finally now, the days are warmer - 70s and even kicking up to the 90s tomorrow - and we're getting outside more and more. I'm just way too active to sit inside - and Sophie - well, she may look like Ed but she's got my intense temperament and need to move. Once that girl is mobile, it's going to be a workout to keep up with her.

We've had some busy weekends lately - including this past weekend up at the 24 Hours of Rapelje mountain bike race. It's always a great time and somehow I always manage to squeak a lap in... Ahhhh... This year was no exception. 15.3 miles of prairie green grass, amazing vistas, cow-trodden single track that'll rattle your teeth, and some of the best people in this state. Ed was the Race Director this year and did a phenomenal job - I'm so proud of him.  :) Soph and I just made visits on Saturday and Sunday rather then do our typical sleepover.

That's where maybe I'm a little nervous. But she's so intense and so attached to her routine, I'm just afraid to really shake it up like that. I know eventually I'll need to rock her boat, but I'm scared of not sleeping, of her screaming all night and us all being miserable. And the mosquitoes would have carried her away. No. Seriously.

Anyway, good night.

St. Patrick's Day = Sophie's 3 month birthday

We've had a busy week - Michael and Katie's end of "Double Income-No Kids" (she's due at the end of the month)/St. Patrick's Day party and Miss Sophie's 3 month birthday.

So, thank you Aunt Joan for the cute little outfit - here she is before we venture out and at Katie and Michael's party. Enjoy!

Cha-cha-cha-changes...

Yeah - lots of them!

Sophie Alice arrived bright-eyed and lungs a-blazin' on December 16, 2010. She's our little peanut at 6 pounds 6.4 ounces and 19 inches long and we love her.

I'll add some photos soon, but wanted to update the blog in case there's anyone out there following it...

It's amazing how little time there is leftover once a little person arrives. Staggering, actually. You would think sleeping, eating and diaper changes wouldn't consume all that much time - but my hat comes off to stay at home moms - it's the hardest job going.

Only 2 more weeks left of my maternity leave, speaking of.

BUT, we have the greatest situation for child care - she'll be in a home with a friend with 4 girls two days a week, with her daddy two days a week and with Mama on Fridays.

So... I better get some shut-eye since the little girl is sleeping.

Love to all,

Tina, Ed and Sophie

p.s. The pups are quite jealous really...