Meeting Hobbs

While we were away last week we had the opportunity to hook up with my friend Mery. Her husband Eric used to work with Carl and I also had the privilege of having them in my birthing class. I was so anxious to meet little Hobbs (ahem, and catch up with Mery.) For months I've been craving a snuggle with him. More accurately I wanted to squeeze, pinch, nuzzle, sniff, rock, cuddle, smooch, and all other manners of over-zealous babyloving affection.

Mery is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. She tells great stories full of sunshine.

I especially love the one about the arrival of Hobbs. Go read it. Serious. It will bless you. Mery has the most inspiring perspective on Hobb's extra chromosome. She graciously answered some "in your face" questions that I threw at her about their journey up to this point. Mery is so strong and so vulnerable at the same time. She is real about the emotions that she finds herself in the midst of. She is facing fears with such courage and openness. I'm learning so much from her.

I fought tears as I held him and felt so grateful to be in the presence of his sweet soul. In our conversation Mery shared that she wouldn't change the fact that she didn't know ahead of time about Hobb's Down's Syndrome. She says the fact that he arrived in the way he did reaffirmed her belief that he was a gift, hand-picked to be theirs. There was no worrying or fretting or asking "Why us? Why our baby?" Just acceptance. Amazing.

(They also have the coolest pad that I've been to in a long time!)

I got a good fix, though I'm not sure how long it will last me. We were also charmed by big brother Otto.

He had us just cracking up! Hilarious kid. 

Ian was all, "What's the big deal with this kid?" 

Otto and Laurel had a thing going on. Otto is my kind of guy.

Watch this! He can even fly.

We also had time to sneak in some reading, and dancing (which I was too busy participating in to photograph). We left feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. When we got back into the car the girls gave a collective sigh, breathing out something like, "Well that was fun". Being with Mery and the boys just does that to you. We'll be back soon Hobbs. We simply can't stay away for too long.

the best kind of dinner

In typical Sunday evening fashion, we gathered with friends for dinner. (Post coming soon about that chalkboard wall- I painted it myself!) You'll remember last week had hot dogs around a bonfire.

This week was fish tacos with lime-cilantro crema at our house.  I've made these several times now and they have become one of our favorites! (We used halibut.) I also made this cabbage salsa two hours before everyone came. Yum yum. 

Besides good food, we had a kazoo concert courtesy of Hannah and Nicole.

And Andrew busted out his best moves that earned him applause and cheers for more. 

Laurel and Emily spent the evening in a squeeze. Not a bad idea.

It was the kind of meal with stimulating conversation, lots of laughing,

And just enough action to make taking a decent picture nearly impossible.

Good thing we didn't run out of pound cake and strawberries. The night could've ended badly.

But it didn't, thankfully. 

It would've been fun to have you there too. I wish you could. Next Sunday?

First of the Season

Snow melted (yes we had more a few days ago). Rain stopped. Maybe even a patch of blue sky? Helmets dusted off. Tires pumped up. Water bottle filled. Bikes and ipods loaded (old school and some new). I nominated Emma to come with me for the first ride of the season.

I am a firm believer in family fitness. As tempting as it is to slink off and do a workout by myself,  I think it's important that the girls recognize their body's ability to be strong. My mother gave that to me. I hope to provide the same.

Our eyes were watering in the wind and we froze our butts off, but it was good fun. I was proud of her! She made it more than 11 miles. Afterwards you better believe we went for coffee and cider.

I'm back in the swing of things here and working on a few posts that will hopefully answer some of the great questions that you've left in the comments and via email. Be back soon.