Monday, April 20, 2015

OSCAR'S {REAL} HAIRCUT

I just want to record this little moment. Oscar had his first real haircut from the same man who cut my Grandpa Oscar's hair. He also cut my Dad's hair...and [my brothers] Eric and John's hair. I thought it was kind of neat that the same barber gave haircuts to four generations. Oscar didn't like it very much....he started fussing as soon it started and by the end, he was sobbing. Even so, he got a pretty good haircut.

OUR NEW [DULUTH] HOME

When I get it in my head to find a place to live, I need to find a place like right now. When we got the all clear from rental house in Texas, the search began. I think every one of us in the house checked Zillow or Craigslist at least twice a day. I'd find a couple of houses, call the realtor and zoom up to Duluth to check them out....this happened several times. 

We found a house we really liked and put in an offer. Turns out that the septic wasn't compliant and we didn't feel like paying for a new one. Needless to say, it as a little disappointing. 
It felt like we would never find the perfect place even though it had barely been two weeks of searching. And searching. And searching. 

One night, after Donald and I had gone to bed, Mom and Dad were still searching. On a whim, Mom checked Craigslist and there was a listing for an "arts and crafts" house [for sale by owner]. Curious, she opened it up and found the perfect house. She emailed me the link and they both agreed not to say anything to me about it but to just let me find it on my own.

Dad was too antsy the next morning to keep it a secret. He asked me if I had checked my email. Of course I hadn't....

As soon as I saw it I fell in love. I emailed right away to get in to see the house. Mom, Dad, Donald and I went to see it the next day. 

We walked in and I fell in love even more....
I got to the second floor and I was sold...

Then, I went in to a little room that led to another staircase and I found myself on the third floor. My heart was pounding and I was almost in tears. I knew that this was the house. This was it. 

The next couple of days was a flurry of paperwork, offers and negotiating. I'm so glad that Dad was able to help us. He went up with me a second time to look at the house and make an offer. 
As it was, the seller had several offers and we were basically tied with another couple in our offers. The seller (who we've formed kind of a bond with) was torn as to which offer she would go with. 
In the middle of the night, she realized that the tie breaker was the kitchen table. If we agreed to let the table go, we would have the higher offer and we'd get the house. That was fine with me. 
I can't believe we got the house because of a kitchen table. 

Everything has pretty much been taken care of ...inspections ...appraisals...financing...

We close the middle of June. 

Thank you, Mom, for finding our new home and thank you, Dad, for all of your help. 

ALL OF OUR LITTLES AT AGE 1

Ava Marie {July 2010}
Jaina Mae {June 2013}
How did I not take a nice picture of Jaina when she turned one!?
Oscar Dean {2015}

WE HAVE KIDS TO KEEP US HUMBLE

Jaina is constantly picking her nose....
"Boogers are my favorite candy!"

"Why are you Jordan?"
"Why are you Jaina?"
"Because my mommy and daddy made me half and half!!"

Jaina burped...
"Oops! My mouth tooted!"

Yes...Jaina is one unique little girl. 

Saturday, April 11, 2015

OSCAR DEAN {1 YEAR}

Dear Oscar, 
Where has the time gone? It's hard to believe that it was already a year ago that you completed our little family. 
We celebrated your day with Grandma and Grandpa Lund, Great Grandma Jean, Uncle John, Victoria and Uncle Eric.
How is it that boys are so different from girls? You've mastered the stairs, you like to throw balls, you've figured out how to push a truck and make a noise while you do it. 
You FINALLY figured out how to drink from sippy cup and a hard straw. This is a good thing because you're almost completely weaned! I only feed you if when you wake up at night. You usually wake up once during the night...sometimes we get lucky and you sleep all the way through. You still take two naps during the day. You put yourself to sleep so well....all I have to do is lay you down in your crib.
I love when you wake up in the morning and you just lay quietly on my chest while I sit and rub your back. 
Crawling is still your favorite way to get around. You like to walk and hold on to our fingers but you're pretty stubborn when it comes to standing up on your own. You've only taken two steps on your own. You're a pro at pushing stuff around.
I would say you're a little bit of a picky eater. Your favorites are oatmeal, soup and fruit. Oh, and you love smoothies! 
You like to give me high fives....when you slap my hand you say, "dah!"
You love to be outside. Playing outside on the deck is way more fun than eating lunch! You love the wagon and riding on the four wheeler. 
You have 8 teeth and I think you're working on getting your molars...
You're the sweetest little boy....Mommy and Daddy love you so very, very much. 

  • 24 lbs
  • 31.5 inches
  • head: 18.75 inches
  • 18-24 month clothes
  • size 5-6 shoes
  • size 5 diapers