One Year Ago

I can't believe that we have lived in Albuquerque for a year as of today! It seems like forever ago that we moved down here, yet the time has also moved so fast.  I remember feeling so overwhelmed, scared, and sad when we first arrived. The first few months really were just a blur.  It probably didn't help that Chris and I both started working the day after we got here.

We have come so far in just a year. I think we are really lucky. We have made many great friends, which makes Abq so much better.  We also have the support of our friends back home too. We know how to get around the city, where to shop, and where to avoid. Chris couldn't be in a better lab. I'm so happy to be at the same school this year teaching the same grade.  And we are expecting our first child in a little over a month. Things are much better. I'm so happy she will have a bilingual birth certificate.

Don't get me wrong, I still miss home, but not as horribly or regularly. It's getting easier to see the positives in ABQ. There are still days where I can't stand it here, but I get to choose my attitude and perceptive.

I think the best part about this move is that Chris and I have truly been there for each other through everything. I couldn't ask for a better friend. We talked about going out for ice cream tonight in honor of our first year here, but I didn't want to because for some reason I have horrible heartburn. Oh well. I'm excited and looking forward to celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary on Friday (hopefully without heartburn.)

End of Summer - Summer Reflection

I only have 5 more days of Summer Break! (We have the same amount of school days as MN, we just start earlier/end earlier.) I already went back to my classroom to work today! So it's time to reflect a little on my break...

It's been a very relaxing summer. It's my first summer where I haven't worked a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th job. We figured with our travel schedule and baby, it would be better to have some down time.  Here is how I have spent my summer in ABQ...

~ Pool

I have spent many days at the pool reading or with some of my finest ABQ friends. I have also been really good about swimming laps. I do one set of 10 100s - 2 free, 1  breast (repeat), which is nothing compared to what I used to do, but I figure it's better than nothing. I'm that pregnant lady swimming and lounging in my bikini proudly.

I forgot how much I enjoy swimming. I have had a love hate relationship with it for a very long time. This is the first time in about 15 years I have chosen to enter a pool and swim laps for fun. To me I feel more zen or calm swimming laps than doing yoga. It's also the only activity I do now where I can't tell I'm pregnant. Nothing hurts and I'm still somewhat fast. 

swimming flash back!

I'm the one in blue on the block.  Looks like a relay race for the Gators.

Junior year with EHS swim mates. 

~ Nesting

- Crib - check

- Changing table - check

- Car seat - check

- Stroller - check

- Bassinet - check

- Clothes 0 - 6 months washes and put away - check

- Dresser redo project - complete

- Sheets, blankets, burp clothes washed - check

- Hanging decor on walls - in progress

- Daycare - check

- Leave paper work - in progress

- Found long term sub - check

- Thank you notes - on going

- Forgetting things - all the time!

- Cleaning - on going

- Finding a pediatrician - close

Dresser Project

Before - Chris' dresser from college that his old roommate Aaron gave to him

Chris did most of the sanding by hand. I helped out, but he did a much better job.

After - I did the priming, painting, and put on the hardware.

~ Cards from Baby Showers ~

Cute, affordable, and sentimental way to add something to the walls.

I ran low on ribbon and saw an idea for this on pinterest.  These are the cards from my ABQ friends/coworkers. 

We'll share more photos of baby's room later

~ Reading 

Funny! 

Informative, but a little overwhelming

My favorite!

I keep pushing this book to the side...sorry.

~ Netflix 

~ Pinterest inspired project

Chris doesn't like clutter on the fridge door. I was spending some time on pinterest and found this.

I made this

Those are just some of the highlights from my summer break. I really need to start doing shorter posts more regularly. We'll see if that happens.

Wisconsin

I headed to Wisconsin for a short visit after visiting in MN.  I had a great and relaxing time in Wisconsin. I'm always surprised by the amount of construction going on in Madison and how much it has changed. While so many things seem to have changed, some always feel the same.

WiScOnSiN HiGhLiGhTs:

1. Sleeping in my old bedroom.

2. Swimming laps with my mom at Shorewood

3. Breakfast with Dad at his "office"

4. Family dinners

5. Shopping at UBS - Baby girl and myself needed a few new badger items.

6. Seeing my college friend Stephanie!  She drove from MKE to have Michael's Frozen Custard with me. :) Thank you! I love how we can just picked up where we left off.

2 of Marquette's finest info desk employees!

7. Lunch/coffee with Jill and her adorable 1 year old daughter. (I failed to take a photo.) We were high school and swim team buddies. It was wonderful to catch up!

8. How could I almost forget...CHEESE CURDS!

It's always a little bittersweet going home because my closest friends have all moved away, but so did I. Photo montage of my Madison Ladies!

My West girlfriends.

I was so lucky that the 3 of us lived in MPLS for a few years. As you can tell, no matter what we did we always had a good time! I wish I knew what song we were dancing to.

I did get to see Megan twice in MPLS. :) She is the last one of us there.

My sister from another mother who is a Texan now! Her daughter will be just a few month older than ours.  I hope they will be just as close and have almost, but not quite as much fun as we did.

Reunited with the Edgewood ladies for TAM's wedding! 

My two California girls

Minnesota

We have had a busy summer and were away for most of July so here's an update for you. We were really lucky and got to visit home! Chris had to return earlier than me for work. Aww, the joys of having the summer off. Here are some of the highlights from our trip home.

1. Valley Family Cabin

Well, I think we have officially out grown the 2 bedroom 1 bath place with 8 adults and two dogs, it was still fun. It may be one of out last over night trips to the cabin. Chris and I talked about what next summer will look like and we have no idea how baby girl and all her things would fit in the cabin on a busy weekend. If there's a will, there is a way. Who knows...I'm sure we could make something work.

Other highlights of the cabin include a trip to the St. Joe's Meat Market, St. Joe's Carnival, visits from James, Pam, Mimi, and Grandma, Reese's smores, and the mosquitoes didn't eat me alive.

No luck with the Ring Toss this year.

Action shot of enjoy mini donuts

Chris' Aunt Mimi stopped by to say hi. It was great to see her and get an update on her daughters.

Chris and his Grandma. She quilted a beautiful quilt for our little lady.

Grandma Carlin and all of her Valley grandkids 

2. BBQ

My sister and her family were in town from CT. Her in-laws invited us over for a delicious BBQ. (They seriously are the best cooks!)  We got to spend some time with our niece and nephews.

Teaching them how to use silly string

It's blurry, but look at how much fun he is having!

Uncle Chris help A get me.  Thanks! She is so proud.

O and Chris have a lot in common like playing video games. They were very happy playing together.

This little man was sick. :( All he wanted to do was cuddle! Poor guy.

First photo of Sladky Cousins! (kind of)

3. Couples Shower

My parents and my sister threw us an amazing couples shower at Chris' parents' house. It was so much fun. It was also very humid! Sadly, I was too busy talking to take photos. I really wish I had a photo of my sister and me.  We were both wearing practically matching outfits plus we have been told a few times that we look a like. It was so great to see so many of our friends! We miss them so much.  Baby Valley was spoiled and is loved by many.  Thank you!

My sister made these cookies while on vacation with 3 kids. Oh and one of those kids was really sick.  She is super mom and wonder sister!  Thank you Claire! Not to mention they tasted so good!

Thanks Mom and Dad for bringing all the WI beer to the shower.  Even MN natives will admit that WI makes some pretty good beer. I can't wait to have a Spotted Cow! :)

4. Lots of visits with friends :)

- Happy Hours

- Supper Trucks with Movies

- Kickball

- Ladies Night at Pig Ate My Pizza - An absolute blast! 

- Walk around Lake Nokomis

- Lunch dates

- Pedicures

- Coffee dates
- Valley Cousins visit

You all kept me/us busy! I really need to learn to take more photos.  I don't have a single photo from all of these fun events. The photos I do have are thanks to my friends taking photos. I feel so lucky to have so many great friends. We miss you all so much!

Lauren - Thanks for taking photos! One of my most favorite dogs, Marty! 

Miss you!

Sweet little lady! This was taken second before a massive blowout diaper. 

Valley Cousin Photo - I promise the next time we get these two girls together the photo will be way cuter.

Valley Cousins- Chris and Nick are about 10 month apart - Our girls will be closer in age than these two about 4 months apart.

5. Juernes (jueves + viernes = juernes) and MTKA friends Shower

I have written about my Juernes friends before aka other white girls that speak Spanish too. We all taught together and started the Spanish Immersion Program in our district. We made a really great support group for work issues and for life.  Juernes has changed a lot over the years. I think there are almost as many babies now as adults. 3 of us have moved away too. We have been there for each other through good times and bad. I feel truly blessed to have these ladies as friends and colleagues too.  Thank you for an amazing shower! Next time we have to play Mexican Dominoes.

¡Gracias guapas!

6. Visits with students

I stopped by to see the family I babysat for last summer.  We had a great time hanging out! The 3 year old was obsessed with my tummy. She kept asking if they baby was still there and what would happen if the baby came out right now. Ha!

I also went to a big play date at a park with a bunch of my former students from over the past 5 years. It was amazing to see so many of them.  I loved having conversations in Spanish with the older kids.  They have learned so much since first grade!  I got so many hugs, even from the boys! It was great to see their families too. I taught so many siblings that I felt like I really knew their family after the 2nd or 3rd child. 

Needless to say, I drove away in tears. I felt so loved and missed all of them so much. I had it so so good - great school, excellent community, involved parents, and sweet students. I started teaching at that school when I was 22 years old! Talk about landing a great job right out of college!  ( Don't get me wrong, I really like my current school too. It's just still new and I'm still the new teacher.) 

I actually have lots of photos of this play date, but I don't want to post any photos of students without parental approval.

7.  Maternity Photo Shoot

One of my AZD sorority sisters lives in the Twins Cities area and is also a very talented photographer.  She was renting a cool lens for the weekend and asked to take photos of me. I said of course. It was great to see her and catch up with her. I loved watching her smile behind the camera.  Here are a few of my favorites. The only thing I would change about the photos would be to add Chris.

If you're in the Twin Cities and need a photographer, check her out at https://www.facebook.com/RebeccahParksPhotography. 

8. Connie's Wedding!

My coworker, mentor, and close friend, Connie, got married! And I was there to celebrate it!  She was at our wedding 5 years ago. She means so much to me and has done so much for me.  Sadly, Chris couldn't stay in MN long enough for her wedding, he had to go back to work. I'm so very happy for Connie and her new hubby Kurt! 

Sealed with a kiss! Congrats! 

Another amazing coworker, mentor, and close friend, Janelle!  I've learned so much from her. :) Miss her!

I got this great photo with the beautiful bride!  

Next stop Wisconsin!