I HEART BOSTON! (Who needs New York?)

Oh, friends.

You do not even know all the feelings Brad and I had going on about a week and a half ago while we were in BOSTON. That's right. Brad took me to Boston as a Christmas gift (belated, obviously). It was the best. The. Best.

We have been in such a slump recently. Without going into all the detail that there is, suffice it to say that we are having a HARD time getting a group of friends up and going around here. The list of things we have tried in an effort to make these elusive friends is extensive and somewhat creative. And despite such a fabulous list, we have very little to show for our efforts. It doesn't make us miss Boston less/like Durham any more than we did when we moved here. 8 months ago.

This has led us to question ourselves. Have we become unreasonably awkward? Are we now socially inept? Is the fact that we now know basically nothing about pop culture hurting our chances?

We've been struggling, y'all. 

So, our trip to Boston came at the most perfect time. To try and tell you about everything wonderful that we did would be a little impossible for me...because, cheesy as this sounds, I feel a little like Mary when she treasured things up in her heart.

Yes. I realize I just typed that. But, in all seriousness, the Lord orchestrated so many opportunities that we so desperately needed. It was perfect.

Seeing as describing everything would be impossible, I thought I'd make a list of highlights:

1. We were there when Boston got the last two inches they needed to break the record for the most snow. I loved it. 

2. We got to eat at our beloved Regina's Pizza. And Mike's Pastry.

3. Those were the only Boston-y things we got to do, and we were SO okay with that because our time was packed to the gills with friends. Saturday was spent with our friend and host, Anne. She is so dear to us. On Sunday, we spent about 4 hours with some of our dearest friends, eating fabulous food and playing Settlers. The wife, a Californian, made sweet tea just for us and did a GREAT job. Sunday after church, I got to spend 3 hours with my "mom" friends (which was so so so needed) and Brad got to visit with one of his friends. Monday: Brad had a friend breakfast, I had a friend coffee, we visited with one of our Jesuit friends, Brad had lunch with his Boston College advisor, I had lunch with a friend, Brad went for a walk with another friend, I got my hair cut, and we had the most perfect dinner with four couples who are dear to our hearts. Tuesday: breakfast with a bestie couple of ours, Brad had coffee with a mentor, I had coffee (apple cider) with Anne, Brad had lunch with our Boston pastor, and I had lunch with one of my favorite friends and her kids.

4. Church. This was one of the best things. We have been so desperate to find a permanent home church that serves as our family in Durham, and it has not happened yet. Being in the midst of our Boston church family while worshiping exceeded all of our expectations and filled us to the brim. I'll stop here before the gushing becomes too much.

5. We headed home on Tuesday, but we headed to the airport from different places around the city, which means I was by myself during the sad part of our Bostonian adventure. Because God knew I needed a laugh, I took the green line to Park Street to switch the the red line. Isn't that hilarious? Just kidding. The funny part was that while I was waiting for the train to arrive, a musician set up right next to me and started play Darius Rucker's song "Wagon Wheel." I don't know if you're familiar with the song, but this is the first bit:

Heading down south to the land of the pines
I'm thumbing my way into North Carolina
Staring up the road and pray to God I see headlights
I made it down the coast in seventeen hours
Picking me a bouquet of dogwood flowersAnd I'm a-hopin' for Raleigh, I can see my baby tonight 

...

Running from the cold up in New England...

I definitely laughed out loud by myself and put some money in that guy's guitar case. How very appropriate to my life. And, as if we were in a movie, that guy strummed his last chord the exact moment that my train pulled up. Unbelievable timing. It really was a fun way to leave...seeing as how I didn't want to leave at all.

The trip was perfect. We came back with new outlooks and recharged batteries. The best Christmas present, Brad. Thank you!!

Arriving at the airport...could NOT have been more excited!

Headed to church with Bobby and Karli

Regina's! Best pizza. Ate way too much.

Got our cannoli because we would have shriveled up otherwise.

Got to ride the T. It's funny how you miss it when you're gone...not so much when you live there.

Saw this guy playing fabulous music in South Station.

We stayed with our former upstairs neighbor. It was so bittersweet to stay in our old building. Loved it and it made me sad at the same time.

Anne and her kitty, Sammy.

Brad with our friend, Chris, hanging out at the Jesuit residence near Boston College.

This was everywhere.

Friends. They're the best. Also, you wouldn't believe how complicated it was to get this shot...

A Helper.

A couple weeks ago, I was working on putting together our "instant oatmeal" packets and was letting Claire help. She LOVES to be a helpuh. When I give her specific instructions and show her what to do, she can actually help quite a bit. I think one of the reasons she likes to help, though, is that I let her stand on our kitchen stool.

While she was helping me make the oatmeal packets, she got a little enthusiastic about stirring and splashed quite a bit out onto the counter and floor. I needed to clean it up pretty quickly, as we have had an ant issue lately, which meant that I needed her to hop down so I could move the stool. 

Oh goodness.

The tears that flowed forth. It was pitiful because she was crying while wailing, "A HELPUH! A HELPUH, MOMMY!"

What kind of mother forces her child to stop being a helper?? 

Oi. At least I know she loves to be a helper. Can't beat that.

Bear's Birthday Bash

Bear turned two! We had a party!

That's the short of it. Here's the long:

We waited a couple of weeks after Claire's actual birthday to have her party so that all of her grandparents (and one of her aunts) could join us! My parents and Amiee flew in from Alabama and Texas, respectively, and Brad's parents drove over from Tennessee for the big day.

When I say "big day," please don't envision anything fancy or Pinterest-y. That's definitely not the case. However, Claire had a very big day. She had lots of family and her little buddy from here in town (plus his family) to romp and play with. 

We had a very light Curious George theme, because he is her favorite thing. This meant we had to wear yellow hats:

(Also, this is Claire's new camera face. It is SUCH a task to get her to smile for pictures.)

and run through red and yellow streamers (over and over and over):

and empty out a pinata with George's face on it (guys, I made a pull pinata...I was not about to give my two-year-old and her three-year-old friend a bat).

Pictures from every angle.

We also had cupcakes (the last cupcake she had was on her birthday last year, so she INHALED this one):

Remember this shot from last year?

There was also lots of birthday hugging:

That's a Claire-sized bear she's hugging (Thanks, Aunt Donna and Uncle JD!)

And, there were presents from family members near and far:

There was also dancing when "Let It Go" came on Pandora:

Mostly, it was Claire having a blast with some of her favorite people. 

Little KB was so happy and cheerful the whole time.

R is Claire's favorite little buddy. She was thrilled to have him at her party.

See? Look how happy.

The face of one tired Bear. It was a happy birthday, indeed!

Letter to my Little Bear: Year 2

Bear,

It's like I blinked and you turned two. I know people say this all the time, but it really feels like you were just born (p.s. I still resent those people who say that once you hold your baby you forget the pain. They lie. I remember, but it's ok because I love you.)...but at the same time, you've done a lot of living in the past year.

* You've visited Vermont, Maine, Pennsylvania, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, and South Carolina (and don't forget Massachusetts and North Carolina). You are already on your way to being well-traveled! 

Walking in Vermont.

Freezing in Maine.

Chillin' in Florida.

At the top of Bunker Hill. You worked so hard to get to the top, girlfriend.

* You've moved from scooting (SAD! I loved that!) to walking to running and jumping. You didn't start walking until you were 19 months old. People thought I was a slow walker, waiting until 15 months. You, my dear, really like to shoot for the stars in the record-setting department. (The walking thing was very similar to how you didn't cut a single tooth until you were 13 months. None. Bless.)

* You said farewell to your paci at 19 months (and you were a champ about it, by the way). We were a little sad to pack away your Wubbanub because of how terribly cute you were with it. But, we are so proud of how you just rolled with the punches. 

* You started talking. A LOT. I try to video you talking as much as I can because you just say the BEST things. Sometimes it makes sense...other times, it doesn't make sense, but it is awesome anyway. Here are some current favorites:

-Yucky dirty! (This is said most often in the bathroom- not because our bathrooms are dirty but because I don't want her to touch anything.)

-Bless you, Mommy. (This was said unprompted after I sneezed today.)

-Careful! (She says this a lot because I say this A LOT.)

-'Dios (This is short for "videos" and means that she wants to watch videos of herself on Instagram.)

-Fins (This means "friends." It's adorable how much she uses it.)

-Yay, Duke! (We've been working on this one.)

-Squeakin' (This is what she says when she does this annoying shriek-y thing. I called it "squeaking" one time, and apparently, that term stuck.)

-Hee ya go, Mommy/toe/ball. (What she says when she hands anything to anybody...or anything. Examples: hands me a piece of food she doesn't want to eat or puts a sticker on Brad's toe. Hee ya go, Mommy. Hee ya go, Toe.)

-Fyin' (This means "flying." You say it when you are balancing on anything and hike your feet up in the air. It's hilarious.)

-Where going? (Where are you going?)

-Mommy! Comin'? (Mommy, are you coming? You must say this 1,000 times to do it correctly.)

-Cuppy-up (This means caterpillar.)

-Poppy-up (This means Penelope, the name of one of your bears.)

-Stoo! (This means you really want to play on the step stool.)

-Helpuh (Helper...this means you want to help me with chores. You actually are quite a helpful little thing on occasion.)

-No no no! I fine! (This is most often said when you don't want to do/eat something that I have told you to.)

-Mommy...Monkey schoo bus? (Mommy, can I watch The Magic Schoolbus?)

-Sweepin' (You are sweeping with your toy broom.)

-Hi buhd! (Hi bird! You love the bird feeder on our window. We have a cardinal that comes everyday, and we love him.)

The fact that you're talking so much now has opened a new window into your little personality and thoughts. It makes knowing what you like and don't like really clear. Things you don't like (in no uncertain terms): green foods, being told "no," having your teeth brushed (as opposed to brushing them yourself), and not being picked up the very second that you demand it. 

Things you love: Frozen and Cars, musy (music), climbing the "Steps Side" (steps and slide) at Chick-Fil-A, snow, bubbles, coloring, stickers, playing kitchen, playing with Bitty Baby, Curious George, our fireplace (Hi Fie!), dress-up (gasses/glasses, baselets/bracelets, hats, scoffs/scarves), bath time, washing dishes, and talking to family members on the phone.

I really love that you sing and hum all the time. The songs you tend to sing the most are the "Bye Bye" song (which changes all the time, based on who you are saying bye to), ABCDEFG (the alphabet song), and Yessa (Jesus loves me). I also love that you're starting to pretend when you play by yourself. My favorite was recently when you found a piece of fuzz and came to tell me that it was a cuppy-up. You really love The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and you were excited to find your very own. I was tickled to death, watching you keep it safe, make it fly, and talk to it. I'm so excited to see your mind start to work like this!

I really love this phase of your life. Especially when you want me to hold you and hug you. I know it won't last forever, so I'm trying to soak up all the adorable times (and not let the less-than-adorable times overwhelm me...it's hard sometimes. I have to be honest, Bear.). 

Daddy and I think you are just the absolute best. And, yes, we do sometimes watch you sleep all curled up in your jammies. Because you're so cute. We can't help ourselves. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BEAR!

And now, some favorite pictures from this year: