Carolina in My Mind

Durham, NC

Gramma and Grandpa Manning gave little Baby O lots of attention and got to see all of his new tricks like sitting up by himself and eating cereal.

The Manning Kids were there for most of our visit which made for an especially great time hiking and playing on the slip and slide. We went to an amazing playground that had unusual and fun equipment. An hour or so later, Zach and I were both cut up and covered in woodchips. I think the kids had fun too.

Once again, Zach and I quickly agreed to go on a date while my parents watched the boy. We went to Maggiano's and had a lovely time out together. I try not to incessantly talk about the baby when it's just the two of us, but usually after an hour or so, we're both ready to gush over him a bit. And analyze. Owen began his poor night sleeping while we were at my parents'. And by poor I mean horrific. I can't blame the kid, since we're the ones who upset his system just when he was consistently starting to sleep through the night and even soothe himself to sleep. Still, it's something we're presently trying to remedy...that's a long time without good sleep.

Jason and Katrina came to get the kids, so we got to hang out with them at Mom and Dad’s as well. Jason and Owen really hit it off.

Zach and I spent a day in the Duke Gardens and then Zach gave me a tour of the campus. It was nice to have a day to ourselves, but I was also glad we had an extra night with Mom and Dad.

Virginia Beach, VA

We were able to visit my other college roommate, Stacey, and her husband Michael in their new home. The house and yard looked great, and it was just like old times hanging out with them. Except that, you know, Zach had our baby sleeping on his lap and they owned a house.

Then it was on to Jason and Katrina’s house. Owen had his first swim! He did great, especially considering that the water was a little chilly. The Manning Kids were so wonderful with Owen, and Owen would just laugh and laugh every time he even saw Nathan. Nathan (and later Noah and Theresa) would get right in Owen's face and say, "Hi, hi, hi, hi," and Owen would go crazy for it. A few weeks later, after seeing the Manning Kids again, Owen started going, "Hey, hey, hey, hey," in the same manner. I didn't connect it at first, but Zach pointed out he was mimicking them. So dang cute. And yes, I have a video of that as well.

Another favorite memory from our time in Virginia was playing American Idol with Katrina and Jason. Hilarious. Katrina beat me so bad and Jason once again wowed me with his fantastic singing and dancing. Lot of talent in that family. We also went to the zoo, which was a blast with those four little Mannings. Owen slept through most of it, though he did wake in time to nurse on a train that went around the zoo. There were also some fountains that the kids got to play in. Nathan would sit on one fountain and then spray kids as they got close. Noah climbed up this mock termite hill and yelled, "I AM IRON MAN." Those kids are hilarious.

77 Steps

The Great Road Trip...continued

Lafayette, LA
After driving until 3:30 AM following the wedding, we stopped in this city to catch a few hours of sleep. Only my cheap self would try to haggle down the price at a shady hotel where the front desk employee is really the side window employee. Owen actually let us sleep until about 9 AM. Bless his sweet, schedule-deprived soul. He really was great in the car each day as long as we didn't push for too many hours. Good thing for the tag blankie Court made.

Tallahassee, FL
More time with the Brauns. We brought Owen to his first fireworks for the 4th and it freaked him out. We did not stay long. While we were visiting, Rachel and Adam offered to watch Owen so Zach and I could have a date night (hitherto, I had suggested to Zach that we should jump on any opportunity a family member offered regarding us getting out while they watched the baby). The night we were to go out, Owen was a bear and Zach spent two hours trying to get him to sleep while I was at Biblestudy with Rachel. By the time we headed out, it was about 9:30 and everything was closing down, including the bookstore we wanted to see. Instead, we went to Starbucks and rounded out the night with a nice trip to Walmart for diapers. Ahh, young love.

Owen also had his first playground experience. He actually enjoyed it for a little while. We also got to see a gator while at the gardens.

Charleston, SC
We had dinner with two friends from college and Owen cried the whole time. We took turns taking him outside to quiet him. Then, we went to our friend's parents' house for a visit, during which Owen continued to cry. We then had to brave a torrential downpour in order to get to our car. I don't think our friends will be having kids any time soon. In all fairness, what kind of jerk parents take their son out 'visiting' late at night after being on the road all day? This kind.The next day the Ashton family walked around the city with coffee and pastries. Baby Owen slept through most of our touring. But it was one of my ideal days. Will someone pay me to do that?

Trucker's Atlas

We have completed our epic American journey and have now settled in California. Our trip was slightly revised so that Zach could be here in time for his drug test (pass!). We still managed to clock at least 6,000 miles and go through 22 states. I have not been faithful regarding a travel log. Instead, I will simply recount some anecdotes from the many places we visited. In order to create the illusion that I post frequently and to not overwhelm the populace with far too many words, I will only post one or two entries a day. This will also encourage me to add more pictures to each post. Go on, keep checking back.

Goodbye College Station. Note the amazing "relocubes" being carted off. Zach essentially packed them by himself in 109 degree weather. We were ready to leave, but Owen was a little melancholy about leaving John J.

Bedford, TX
We stayed with my college roommate Courtney and her husband Kurt in their lovely new home. I'm so happy for them. While we took a walk with Baby O and their new puppy Ralph in tow, I felt very suburbia yet very content. This was curious, since we were at the first stop of our enormous trip. We also won't be homeowners for a long time (I imagine - thanks California) and yet it was nice to know that one day we could very easily fit in that setting. Just not yet.

Mount Pleasant, TX
While attending the wedding of two friends from our church in College Station, Zach took care of Owen for the whole of the ceremony, as he knew how much I would want to see it. A family sitting near us in the pew had a girl who looked about Owen's age but was actually older and walking (he's a big dude, okay?). Her dad took her out of the ceremony as well, and her mom and I chatted for a bit. Woah...I'm a mom. It's weird how this whole other social circle opens up and you have insta-bond, just by chatting about your kids. We're at a whole new stage of life, folks.

Other memorable moments from the wedding: Owen sleeping in his car seat under a table at the reception. Zach dancing with me while holding Owen - when no one else was dancing. I love that man. We also said goodbye to everyone from our church family. We will miss them!
No, I wasn't going to light it. Fortunately, I also had the thought, "Hmmm, maybe I should step back a bit with my precious boy while hundreds of people light sticks that burst into shooting flames." Good parenting.