Catchup!

So, I've now realized that I can plug our external hardrive into Mike and Julie's computer and put pictures on it, too, so hopefully I will post more pics and posts. I haven't been taking as many pictures, as our days right now are sort of the same: making sure Amos eats and sleeps adequately and has a safe floor to mop with his army crawling. Oh, and in between, house hunting! But, this weekend was fun and I did take a bunch of pictures. So, without further ado, an update, complete with pictures!

House Update:

1653 Talbott turned out to need alot more work and money than thought. And, after walking through again on Saturday morning, I still didn't love the house enough to go the distance with the repairs. My dad did a thorough look-see and was the source of the dollar figures estimate that it would take to get the place into shape. We relinquished the hunt that afternoon, on our way to the game.

Monday was a day of driving around with Chet, our awesome realtor (and quickly becoming, new friend), in his neighborhood, Butler/Tarkington, which is alot like Green Hills/Belle Meade/West Nashville-ish. It is pretty expensive and it was there that I realized that our price range is the "quirky-houses price range" meaning, that's why they are all lower priced--there's something quirky about them.

So after no real excitement there, we parted with Chet to drive around another neighborhood, Holy Cross, which is closer to church and has many Redeemer folks there. Earlier in the day, we were driving around another neighborhood, where we spotted a cute house for sale. While looking in the windows, we saw a person and quickly turned around and walked away. They came to the door and invited us in, telling us the house was actually sold. They also told us about the house next door to their new house in Holy Cross, that was for sale, that needs alot of work. So fast forward to 5 o'clock in the afternoon, we find the house and are looking in the windows. It has real potential. As we are leaving a realtor comes up, who's about to show the house and invites us in. We looked around and it was pretty cool. Because it had been in the same family for 3 or 4 generations, it was completely preserved, but pretty run down and in need of a redo. I, being as tired as I was, was did not have the energy to think about redoing a house. Since then, though, we are seriously considering it and it is seeming more and more like a good idea. We will actually be able to afford this house and it's in a relatively good neighborhood that is being revitalized. So, we're going to walk through again and maybe put an offer on it, this week. Check it out:

http://miborlistings.marketlinx.com/SearchDetail/Scripts/PrtBuyFul/PrtBuyFul.asp?prp=mls&AgentId=24131&EmailKey=21290905

Amos Update:

Amos regularly asks for things signing please and saying "Ma-Mah?" (It sounds like he's saying Mama, but he's not. Oh well, someday!). It's quite funny that he has become so communicative recently, especially with signing and talking. He's really into pianos, too. Everytime we go by one, he fervently asks to play it, enthusiatsically signing please and saying, "Ma-Mah? Ma-Mah? Ma-Mah?" He's a real joy and is a engaging as ever. He is even closer to crawling, as he regularly gets up on all fours and recently, has taken a "step" or two in a row. I definitely feel like the mom of a mobile baby, as he keeps me on my toes now! I hope to use this chasing business as a way to shed the remainder of my baby weight!

Weekend Summary:

My parents arrived Friday evening and it was so great to have them here. They enjoyed seeing our new home and meeting our new friends. They did comment on how it was strange to see us and not our friends in Seattle or Dan and Beth, making things a bit more real. Friday evening we attempted to eat out, but babies can't go into pubs :( and the pizza place was really busy. So we went back home to play and eat, and readied ourselves for the journey ahead. We also did anniversary presents and both were presented with Iron, the sixth year anniversary item.

Nathan with his Iron skillet, me with my Iron mailbox!

Saturday morning we got up and went over to the Talbott house to show the parents. After a thorough inspection, we headed to South Bend to watch the worst opening game in Notre Dame Fooball's history! Despite the extreme loss, it was fun to be there and my mom especially was in her Irish glory!

"Go Irish!"


Happy Anniversary to us!


Touchdown Jesus.

The Golden Dome.

On Sunday we enjoyed worship at church and a party for Bruce and PJ who are departing to London soon for PJ to pursue a Master's Degree in Theater (hence us moving here). We relived our exodus from Seattle and was able to relate to both Bruce and PJ's emotions and the church's. The church has been really gracious, though, in welcoming us into the community.

Sunday night (after a long nap!) Nathan and I took advantage of the Grandparents and had a date to celebrate our anniversary. It wasn't before long, though, that my dad was calling to report a meltdown on the verge. We finished our desert and headed home, happy to have spent time together. I arrived home to a very upset baby, who soon nursed and fell alseep, not once stirring during the continuation of our celebration.

Monday was spent driving around, as referenced above, and then goodbye to my parents. It was great to see them, though, to have them here much less effortlessly than a trip to Seattle and hopeful that it can happen again soon!