Fall

This weekend was Kim’s birthday, and last weekend Audrey’s. It has been a very special year in the life of our family. We celebrated Audrey’s birthday in South Bend with a wonderful bash with friends and family from the Indiana side. Audrey enjoyed an afternoon chalk full of gifts, hugs, games, and chocolate cake!

We celebrated Kim’s birthday last night with a nice dinner in Lombard at a swank Italian joint by one of the malls. While I have already forgotten the name, the memory of the outstanding brochette will not soon be forgotten.

The fall season is upon us, although not in full flurry, yet. The trees are beginning to exchange their greenery for robes of red and gold. The Canada Geese seem hesitant on the ponds now, not sure of whether to stay or go. A slight chill lurks under the initial warmth of the afternoon breeze now, and thoughts of long sleeves and down vests begin emerge in the back of my mind.

Mom and Audrey at Mom's birthday in South Bend

Audrey enjoying her 1st Birthday Cake




Audrey and Mom at Audrey's 1st Birthday Party...CAKE TIME!!!

Audrey and her new hat from Grandma!

Audrey and Grandma Dixie enjoying bubbles on the front lawn.

Audrey and Aunt Beth taking a walk in the drive.

Audrey's cupcakes

Audrey Ruth Orelove 1 year old!

While I enjoy Fall more than any other season, the warmth of the Summer will linger on my mind until the snow blankets us.

1st Birthday Party

Audrey's South Bend Birthday Bash.

More pictures to follow.

Overdue Pictures and a Sunday September Hello

Audrey and Aunt Eden

Brushing teeth with Aunt Beth

Audrey and Mom at Bob and Shirley's 40th Anniversary


Audrey sporting her Chicago gear!

Petting the sheep at White Fence Farm

Uncle Stuart, Audrey, and Zadie

Zadie and Audrey at White Fence Farm

Uncle Stuart and Audrey at White Fence Farm

Audrey....just Audrey

It has been a quiet weekend here in the Orelove household. Seeing mom off Friday was difficult, as I never know when we’ll get to see her again. However, I truly enjoyed simply watching her spend time with Audrey, exploring, playing, and making messes.

This weekend has been spent resting, playing, and going on long walks. Phoebe seems to be happy to fall back into a routine of walks, naps, and food. She now has a long metal cord that allows me to keep her tethered while still being allowed to enjoy the outside. I know, however, that Phoebe misses both my mom and dad, as they have all now become fast friends, bonding through excessive pets, begging treats, and naps.

Of course the talk has centered around the Bears and the college football season all over Chicagoland. It was tough to see Notre Dame get beat by Michigan in the final seconds of the game on Saturday. The play calling is so ridiculous, that I feel Audrey might have better results if she would simply garble into a headset! Either way, it was a great game for the rivalry and I enjoyed it. Hopefully the Bears have better luck!

Grad school rolls on. We have a presentation on Tuesday, so I am looking forward to that. However, the next week of work will center around Budget and Finance, which is really a foreign language to me. Hopefully it is similar to Spanish, in that I will be able to pick it up quickly and lear enough to move me through the course efficiently, if not expertly.

Audrey is growing more and more every day. It is a shock to think that she’ll be a year old next week! Big party in South Bend next weekend. I feel as if we were just in the hospital trying to figure out a name for this little ball of life. We are truly blessed to not only have a healthy child, but to have a strong family support system both near and far. Thank you for all of your love and caring everyone!

-a

Where has the Time Gone?

What happened? I really don't want this to become a cob-blog!

The past month has been full of family visiting. My dad arrived and spent the week with us, enjoying lots of laughs and playing with Audrey. It is strange to have ones father say under your own roof. Dad also became quick friends with Phoebe, who enjoyed extra treats and snacks to no end around him.

After the week, Dad traveled to the city and visited friends and family while staying at a couple hotels on Michigan Ave. My sister, Eden, arrived shortly after dad departed. This was her first time meeting Audrey, and she had the opportunity to enjoy a few days taking care of her while I began the school year. Eden is a natural with Audrey, and I hope that she has many more opportunities to visit and take care of her!

Eden left about a week later to travel north to Minnesota for a ballgame with her boyfriend and then eventually flew back to Seattle. However, a day after she left, Kim's mom, Dixie, arrived to care for Audrey for a couple days due to the detail of our child care lady being on vacation! Dixie stayed for a couple days before taking Audrey and Phoebe back to South Bend, leaving Kim and I in a baby/dogless house for the first time in nearly two years! While the cats may have loved it, the quite was almost too quite! It was nice to sleep in a little and just leave for work without any distractions or extra morning chores. We also enjoyed just hanging out and relaxing together. We kept asking eachother, "THIS is how we used to live?!?!?" Very surreal. We missed Audrey (and Phoebe) immensely, and rushed to South Bend immediately after work on Friday to reunite our family.

After a quick weekend in South Bend, we returned home just in time for me to meet my mom at the airport. She arrived from Seattle Sunday evening and has been here since, caring for Audrey while Kim and I work. My mother has relished her time with Audrey to no end. Audrey has also enjoyed this new energy and loves playing all day with her Nana. Lots of making messes and exploring. Audrey has taken her first steps this week, and continues to quickly travel everywhere by merely holding the finger of a nearby adult!

Time is moving too quickly now that summer is over. Grad School is very intense, and I feel that my own time is in high demand between teaching and school and commuting. I miss the simple summer days of walks, snacks, and naps.

My mom leaves Friday evening, and it will be the first time that we have had the house to ourselves for a weekend in over a month! I am so thankful for my family visiting and making such a long trip from all over the country! I will also enjoy a quiet Saturday afternoon with the family!

-a

PS-(Pictures to follow sooner than later!)