A Good Decision

About a week before moving to Houston, Roo's mom asked if we would be willing to take Papa (Roo's grandfather) dinner one night and spend the evening with him. We were right in the midst of moving chaos, organizing schedules and flights and trucks, packing up boxes, de-junking, making almost daily trips to the University of Utah so Roo could finalize his thesis, going to the pediatrician and the veterinarian, constantly changing diapers--in short, we were really busy. My initial reaction to the request, I'm ashamed to say, was that we were way too swamped to do it. Not only did we live forty minutes away, but we had an infant and enough stress to warrant a regrettable but legitimate, "sorry, but we can't."

However, I just couldn't bring myself to say no. When Roo asked if we should go, I decided to say 'yes'. And that was the best decision.

So that evening all three of us made the drive to Salt Lake, bought Papa his favorite clam chowder from Red Robin, and settled in at his home for dinner. Papa was in good spirits. He ate his chowder and asked us how we were. We told him about our plans for moving while we fed the baby and played with her on the living room carpet. He was thrilled just to watch Esmé--it seemed everything about her delighted him. While Papa watched Fox News, we looked at old photos of the family and all the places Papa had been during his 86 years. After a few hours, it was time to go home. But before leaving, we took this picture of us all:

That was last time any of us would see Papa living. He passed away September 29th after a short illness.

We were able to return to Utah for his funeral. During the service, one of his granddaughters remarked how Papa always made her feel special, beautiful. Though I was one of the newest members of Papa's large clan, and didn't know Papa as well as most anyone else at the funeral, I cannot forget how he did the same for me--whenever he'd see us, he would, without fail, comment that Roo had "filled out" quite a bit (which always made me laugh) and he would tell me I looked pretty. It's a small thing to say, but an important one, for me.

We will miss Papa. But I am so profoundly glad that we took the time that evening to see, serve, and say goodbye to Papa for the last time.

A Rooism

Roo: I think making a seedless watermelon is kind of like playing God.

Random

Only one of these two people has graduated from college. Can you guess which one? The answer might surprise you...

And now for some outrageously cute baby bath pictures:


(If this post seems a little random, that's because it is. I tried to warn you with the title. If you're thinking "yikes" about that first picture, it's okay--that's a perfectly natural reaction. You're probably wishing I would've warned you about that...)

(by the way, the answer to the question above is me. I'm the one who graduated from college. But the baby's massive forehead made her look pensive and super-intelligent, which I thought might trick some people.)

End post.

Dear Size 2 Waist,

I miss you and I don't expect to ever see you again.

But it was worth it.

Sincerely,

Annie

What's Not to Like About Houston

There are a lot of things to like about Houston:
-diversity in people--for maybe the first time in my life, I was one of only two white people in the shopping mall-the other person was Roo.
-diversity in food
-lovely tree lined street with wide green lawns and classic architecture
-you only have to exercise for five minutes before being covered in sweat, making you feel like you've worked a whole lot harder than you actually did.

But there is one thing not to like:

I've killed three roaches in our apartment so far.

This video might give you an idea of how that made me feel.

A Rooism

Last night Roo was looking through some pictures of days gone by while I was preparing dinner.

Roo: Whoa! We used to be sk---- [trailing off nonchalantly and hoping I don't notice]

I look up from my task. He gingerly meets my gaze.

Annie: Skinny?

Roo [haltingly]: I used to be skinny...

Then I poured some extra cream into the sauce.

Getting Settled In

In the chaos of moving and transitioning, I've basically lost all concept of time. Most of the past two--or is it three?--weeks are a blur in my mind. So I'll try to reconstruct what has happened using these few pictures:

We got to have a very nice dinner with Roo's parents and Natalee at Ruth's Chris in Salt Lake before we left. Let me emphasize how nice it really was--nice in that we got to visit with the family and also nice as in a side of hollandaise sauce will run you about $14.50.

A few days later, Roo and dad and the dogs drove 1600 miles to Houston while mom and Esmé and I flew. It felt so good to be reunited with all of our possessions which have been locked away in storage for so long! I so missed my spatula...the only one that I own.

Here are the parents helping us move in:

Dad and Roo doing some male bonding over the Ikea dining table construction:

We really like our apartment! Once we get some more decor put in place, I'll give you a tour.

You'll notice the orchid on the shelf--Roo gave it to me for our anniversary along with a copy of National Geographic, which I am love but am too cheap to ever buy. A few months ago, Roo gave me an orchid which died...I think I killed it. Anyway, I was pretty sad to lose my flower, so this little gift waiting for me in our new place really brightened my spirit.

For something fun to do after days of unpacking, we drove to Galveston. The air was heavy and wet and the Gulf water was really warm and beautiful. As you can tell, Roo had a blast:

A few days later, Roo was off to his first day of work. He spent the week in training--the company housed him at a hotel for the week, so we only got to see him on certain evenings when we would meet up. Needless to say, I missed him a lot. Mom and I spent the days unpacking and setting up house. Once that was finished, we went shopping. And after that was over we decided to shop some more. After the shopping, we shopped some more before doing a little more shopping. Then we watched LOST.

I think the dogs are adjusting slowly. Chase spends much of his time standing (or laying) guard at the window:

Lando misses Roo so much. He has transferred most of his affection to his bag of food.

This week Roo is in Tulsa doing more training. All I really know is that he was issued a pair of steel-toed boots and blue coveralls so he could be taught to climb ladders properly and steer out of a skid in a car...just in case things get wild at his office desk job, I guess. We miss him!

Thankfully we have HGTV to keep us company.