FAMILY OF THREE.

Things are going alright for this family of three these days. We're between visits from some very loved people right now. Justin spends most of his time working in the library. Finnegan is doing this awesome thing where he'll play in his crib until he's tired and then lie down for a nap (also lots of dancing). I'm watching Mad Men and reading Flannery O'Connor, going on lots of walks, and catching up on an incredible amount of bookkeeping work that was lost in a tragic Dropbox disaster. As J is approaching the final semester of his graduate program our heads are filled with worries and ideas about our next step in life. Being closer to family sounds really nice. Taking a step back and just living like a "normal" family sounds like such a relief sometimes. Getting into a PhD program would be an absolute dream, but could we withstand the incredible stress of long hours, late nights, horrible and demanding expectations? It is a lot to mull over.

I love this picture when contrasted with the one that was taken when we were engaged. One thousand tears.



All photography by Kate at Pressed + Brewed except for the engagement photo, taken by Jered at Several Guys.

HI GRANDMA + GRANDPA!

Like I said before, we've had lots of visitors lately; two of which were Justin's grandparents! We had a great couple of days with them being spoiled with meals, at restaurants!!! (this is a huge deal for us) as well as a fridge full of groceries. It was absolutely wonderful to see them and so exciting to see Finnegan get to spend a few days with his far away family. Thanks for the visit, Grandma and Grandpa!

VISITS WITH FRIENDS.

The past few weeks have been a flurry of comings and goings. We have had more visitors than in our entire time in Durham, and things aren't letting up any time soon! We have two more rounds of visitors before the year's end.

First we had CDA, a dear, dear friend of mine from college. He taught me things then that I still can't shake. He's teaching me things now that keep me awake at night. His few days here can't be described as anything less than absolutely joyful. We also had a quick visit from GMS + his friend Erika (if you're into old-timey busking types, check out their music here and here!!). Greg is someone I respect, love, adore. When I hear word that he's catching the next train headed our way, I start keeping the front door unlocked, hoping that the next time I come home I will find him sitting on our couch. Lastly, we had a quick visit from CBK, a beautiful, old friend of mine from high school. There is something so right about reconnecting for a weekend, watching movies that 99% of the population will hate, eating 100+ grams of sugar per day, and reminiscing about how weird it is to be sixteen that is just so right. Plus we made flower crowns. I am so honored to know and be loved by such incredible people that want to share life with me. OK I'm going to stop tearing up now.

FOURTEEN MONTHS.

Past the one year mark, I felt a little silly writing a monthly update on Finnegan. That would reach a level of personal self-indulgence that should never be permanently documented via the internet. Instead, I think I'll check in every once in a while and let you know what he is up to.

At fourteen months, I think I may have a little boy. Everyday I look for little glimpses of babyhood, but now these moments are few and far between. In ways, I miss those times (and in lots of other ways, I don't), but right now is just so fun. I love to lay on the floor of Finnegan's room and watch him putt around, from one activity to the next. Studying textures, pairing up shapes, experimenting with the sound two toys make when smashed together. Watching this little person reason and make decisions. I am not being overly dramatic when I say that it is an absolute privilege. It is a little silly to say, but I am just so happy that he wants to spend time with me. Me. I feel so lucky. I can't help but smile and feel the deepest gratitude.

We spend a lot of time pretending that absolutely everything is a phone, be it a piece of food, a washcloth, any/all toys. He is so fiercely independent--when we got on walks (wait, he walks, did you miss that??), he will not hold my hand unless it is to help him with a step up or down. He wants to explore at his own pace and I'm mostly happy to let him do that. We've taken to an evening walk around the block that may be my favorite time of day. Other fun little bits and pieces are how Finn always tries to squeeze my keys through the crack in the front door, and how he won't kiss anyone but his BFF baby friend MMM. I mean, he is obsessed with kissing her. He has also taken to wrapping his arms around my leg and sticking close when he's getting more attention from a stranger than he is used to. In these moments, I am beaming.

MONTH SEVEN.

Technically month seven + thirteen days. I don't know if there is any sense in writing now when it will be time to do so again so soon, but there is just so much to say! So much that has changed! So much newness and complete astonishment on my part, really.

iPHONE DUMP.

iPHONE DUMP.

iPHONE DUMP.