Easter in California

Sean, Cora and I spent this last weekend in California looking for housing for our move in June. We are planning to rent for a while first until we get to know the area. We were only there for three full days, but we feel like we had such a productive trip. We really got a sense for the rental culture, and we saw such a variety of places that we were able to rule out certain areas. Poor Cora did spend many an hour in her carseat, but she was a magnificent traveler all around. 

The more places we saw, the more we thought we may have to make another trip out closer to our move date. Everything has a really fast turn-around. There is a large military presence as well as a big college in one of the cities. Plus it is just a desirable area anyway being so close to the ocean. Most houses are not even shown until they are vacant and it appeared would rent very fast after placed on the market. A move at the end of June was almost too far out for anyone to consider us.


We do have three places we like, and now after speaking with the property managers, we are optimistic that we may get one of them. We will keep you posted. 


Since we were there over a Sunday, we decided to check out one of the local churches in the area. And being Easter Sunday (as well as Cora's 4-month birthday), of course I had to get her a cute dress.

We headed back home early on Monday morning. Applications have now been submitted, checks will be in the mail tomorrow for credit fees, and we are excited to see what is in store for us in the near future!

Why can't I take the car out, Dad?!

Singing with Momma

Tonight as Cora was eating before bed, she was unusually wide awake (which is never a good sign for getting to sleep by our 8pm bedtime). I was singing to her like I do every night, and she was watching me all bright-eyed. As I sang softly, she suddenly stopped eating, smiled a big smile, and started cooing along with my song. 


Oh... be still my heart!

The Glamourous Life

Today I opened some boxes from the closet that were packed with summer clothes, shoes, and some boots that I had put away last fall because I couldn't wear them when I was pregnant (as in 3-5 inch heels). What a difference looking at everything from this side of childbearing! 


Let's not even get into the multiple pairs of size two shorts that I hadn't even worn in years prior to baby. Whatever made me think I would actually wear any of those heels on an even semi-regular basis after I had my child?! What if I slipped and dropped her? How could I ever get down the stairs in them holding a car seat filled with a rapidly-getting-heftier baby, packed-full diaper bag, and various other paraphernalia necessary for the outing that took two and a half hours to get ready for? I am already afraid of falling with her. And anywhere I go usually involves at least a bit of walking while carrying heavy things. Not to mention I haven't even worn heels like I used to since marrying Sean, because we always seemed to be walking fast somewhere and I couldn't ever keep up (our first unofficial date involved my 4-inch stiletto heels getting caught every step in grating on a Minneapolis street as we walked 8 blocks to a Irish pub).


I chuckled as I placed most of the shoes and clothing into another box labeled "good will." Some of that stuff had made it through at least four moves, even though it had been packed away the whole time. I remember looking at the shorts and platform heels with nostalgia, thinking, "maybe again someday."


Oh the loss of glamour.... and yet I didn't even have a second thought as I threw the previously hoarded things into the box. All those wishes to keep my cute articles are just somehow gone. Not that I want to be frumpy. I am just excited to be put together in a more realistic way with my feet flat on the ground.


But... I will admit I did keep one pair of heels that I've had for years. I just loved them and used to wear them with everything. Maybe Cora can play "dress up" with them someday.

So as I closed the chapter to 4 inch heels, frilly strapless tops with matching shorts, and 120 lbs, I couldn't help but think...


Baby Girl... You were worth every bit.