Oh, Tennessee River

For those who have not yet heard the news, Wes has accepted a job at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, starting next July. The decision was a difficult one, as we are loathe to leave our friends and a city we love here in Chicago. We felt better about that decision, though, during our visit to Georgia. While Chicago was enjoying freezing temperatures and still more snow, we enjoyed temperatures in the 50s and 60s, jogging outside and shopping without coats. No babies to bundle, no afghans stuffed in the stroller, no dog with sore paws from the combination of sidewalk salt and ice.

There's much to be said for a white Christmas and ice skating in the park. But there's much to be said for 364 other days that one can enjoy outside.

Family's first Christmas

Well there's no place like home for the holidays

Number of people at my parents' house for Christmas: 12
Number of dogs at my parents' house for Christmas: 2
Total number of stockings "hung by the chimney with care": 15 (including one for the absent Lucy)
Best line from our visit home: "Those aren't from Santa. Those are from under the crib." (spoken by my 3 1/2-year-old nephew when my mom and brother showed him the gifts "Santa" brought overnight)
Best gift: socks with rattles on them (for Oliver, of course)
Most memorable gift: Two holiday-bedecked cats that sing "Baby It's Cold Outside," from Wes's mom
Best day: Saturday, December 27 -- It was 65 degrees out, and Wes and I ran in shorts and tshirts.

Best of all: Seeing our rapidly expanding families!

I'll Be Home For Christmas

Wes and I just got back Wednesday from spending a week with our respective families down in Georgia. We spent the first several days with my entire family -- mom and dad, all the siblings, spouses, and kids. It was fun to show off the baby, share the holding, rocking, and diaper changes. I didn't decorate our apartment this winter because I knew we'd be out of town for the holidays, and my mom put up enough decorations for several houses! The last few days were spent with Wes's mom, aunt and uncle, and cousin and her boyfriend. We spent some time sitting around the kitchen chatting, some time out doing some shopping, and Wes and I spent at least 30 minutes in the hot tub out back!

The trip out of town was eventful. Imagine two adults, one infant in a travel stroller, two enormous bags, one hyper beagle walking nervously on her leash, 6-8 inches of snow, puddles three inches deep at every corner, and rain coming down. Then we forgot dog food for Lucy and had to go back before we could head out to the airport. Happily, our flights in either direction were on time, and Ollie was good for both of them, though a bit fussy on the way back when he got hungry.

I don't get to see my whole family very often, so it was nice to have this extended time together.

Hope everyone had as enjoyable a holiday as we did.