we HEART dad

Just a couple pictures in honor of Adam being an awesome dad.

Wearing matching jerseys while watching the (nail-biting) game this past Sunday.

A visit to Adam's work on Monday.  The kids loved it (especially the golf cart ride) and E didn't want to leave.

Go Go Seahawks!

Kids were excited to wear their new Seahawks gear that we picked up while in Seattle.  Unfortunately, both of them were fighting colds, and Gavin was feeling especially under the weather.

After almost six years of marriage, I have to say that I've come a long way in terms of my relationship with football season.  Before having kids, it was always a contentious time in our household when September rolled around, because I simply did not understand what all the hoopla was about.  And while I wouldn't willingly watch a football just for fun, I do enjoy rooting on a team; and having learned a lot more about the sport, I can now appreciate the athleticism involved.  The best part of football season is that it signals the beginning of fall (my favorite season of the year), and now that we have two little ones, watching the Seahawks play has become a welcome tradition for our family on Sundays.  It's sweet to see Ella cheer on the team and share in her dad's passion.  And Gavin (always eager to catch a glimpse of the TV) has started to partake in the excitement.

So hello, football season.  I'm glad there is finally room in my marriage for you now.  :)

Resting up before the game.

Ella loves cheering on the team.

"Ella like See-haat-tle." -- E

We just returned from a trip to Seattle to see Adam's family and attend a memorial for his grandfather, who had passed away.  While the circumstances were somber, we were grateful to be able to travel as a family for a reunion of sorts, and also to introduce Gavin to his dad's roots.

After an unnecessarily long travel day (the flight was good, the rental car experience was not), we took advantage of the mild Seattle weather and walked around Fisherman's Wharf.  The kids loved the ferris wheel and the carousel ride.  

E has a strange love of orcas, so we were happy to serendipitously come across this mural on the back of a factory building.

Happy to be able to kick around on the bed. 

The kids did great on the flight and we don't mind traveling with them (even with all the added baggage), but despite always getting a crib in our room, our kids never slept in them.  Bed sharing is not a favorite of mine when you have to fight for room on the mattress and dodge random limbs kicking and punching you in the middle of the night.  

Though we took Ella to Seattle when she was six months old, this was her first ferry ride.  Needless to say, she loved it.

G had nothing to complain about either.

The memorial was held on the Hood Canal, at a family home that Adam's Grandpa Gene had built for his family.  It was emotional, but beautiful.  A perfect way to honor a very good man and the legacy he leaves behind.

Adam's cousin's kids taking advantage of the warm weather.  Idyllic childhoods are a happy side effect to having a house on the water.

E took the water immediately.  She loved learning how to skip rocks.

E has a special little bond with her cousin, Samantha.

It's a sweet moment realizing that these two get to be here. 

I love this man.

E with her Auntie Ashley.

I know it was really special that Mimi got to share this with her grandkids.

Gavin enjoyed every minute being outdoors in the fresh air.

The weekend of the memorial also fell on the first home game for the Seattle Seahawks.  The morning of the game, Adam too E for another ride on the Ferris Wheel, this time with Grandma in tow.  E is smitten by her dad.

We had a delicious lunch at a nearby pizza place.  Definitely recommend it.

While the boys went to the game, we took the kids to the Space Needle.  E loves planes, trains and automobiles, and could have ridden the monorail all day long.

At the Space Needle with cousins.

He was all smiles.

On our last day we returned to the Seattle Center and visited the Children's Museum.  It was the first time the kids have been, and had it not been for lack of naps and tiredness, we could have stayed all day.  

We attempted to grab a quick lunch outside by the fountain, but discovered E had a fever and was coming down with a cold (darn that toddler sitting behind us on the plane who was coughing ALL his germs everywhere!).  So after E napped on me, we headed back to the hotel for chicken soup and lots of sleeping.

Despite the kids getting sick, we had a wonderful time in Seattle.  It was probably the smoothest trip we could have asked for with two young kids.  It was also memorable and sentimental and a good reminder to appreciate and enjoy the family we have.  We are grateful for the time we got to spend with Adam's extended family and look forward to more trips like this one.  Also, the Seahawks won, so it was win-win for everyone. :)

Football Season Already?

And so it begins... 

Representing the Pacific Northwest!

I want to preface this post with the fact that our baby has been showered with love, especially lately with all the wonderful gifts she's been receiving.  We are so appreciative of everyone's generosity and are thankful that so many people can join in our celebration of this new life coming into the world.  Our cup overflows!

That said, here is (according to Adam) what is probably the most exciting gift that our baby could possibly receive.  Thanks, Freilinger family (Jason, Cyndee, Chloee & Lucee)!  You know these items will be put to good use!

I got excited about a stroller and car seat.  Adam?  It's all about the Seattle sports gear, of course!

Married to a 12th Man

Adam & his sister, Ashley, at the Seahawk v. Saints game

Adam is a huge Seattle sports fan and was beyond thrilled to watch Marshawn Lynch run 67 yards to score a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints this past weekend in Quest Field.  The fact that I 1) know who Marshawn Lynch is, 2) know that running 67 yards to score a touchdown is a big deal, and 3) watched it happen on TV at home and cheered while he was doing it says A LOT about how far our relationship has come.  And by "our relationship" I mean "my relationship with the Seattle Seahawks."  It's no secret that the subject of football (and sports in general) is a contentious one in our household.  You see, when Adam and I were dating I knew he liked the Mariners and the Seahawks, but I don't recall ever having to endure so many endless conversations about who got traded where and how the defense is looking good this year.  With the exception of the 2006 Superbowl and the few t-shirts and baseball caps that Adam had, I didn't really feel like the Seahawks were part of our dating relationship.  But upon being married, we have spent three football seasons (and occasionally a portion of baseball season) negotiating the number of games that were appropriate for Adam to attend.  He would gently bring it up, and I would shoot it down.  Then he'd bring it up again, and I would shoot it down again.  He'd get excited texting with his buddies the latest sports news, and I would roll my eyes.  Watching two grown men talk about Ken Griffey Jr's comeback to the Mariners was like watching two women enthuse about the latest Louis Vuitton purse.  I was dumbfounded.

I am not a sports fan.  There.  I said it.  Some women are, and sometimes I wish I was one of those women.  But me?  I'd rather be getting a mani-pedi and watching a musical.  But my good friend Grace once shared some wonderful words of wisdom for me when I vented my jealousies about the Seahawks: "You can win the battle, but you can't win the war."  *Sigh*  She was right.  Yes, Adam would give in and go to the Container Store with me on a Sunday afternoon instead of going to the Seahawks bar in Culver City when our arguments ended up with me throwing a tantrum and declaring that he loved his team more than he loved me.  But the next Sunday would come around and we'd be at square one again.  So this year I caved.  Well, I like to think of it as compromising.  I waived my white flag (with a giant blue and lime green 12 on it) and ordered the NFL Sunday Ticket and watched every single football game with him.  I learned the rules, found players I liked, and continued to giggle like I was 12 every time the sportscaster would say something remotely dirty sounding.  I go to games with the promise of an endless supply of hot dogs and popcorn and good seats.  I own many a Seahawks and Mariners sweatshirt and our pugs even have sports gear.  While I wouldn't say I'm a football fan or sports fan by any means (I can only watch games where Seattle is playing), I realize that sports is more than just beer and cheering for Adam.  It's an experience he got to share with his father when he was young, and that means a lot to him.  And what means even more is that he'll get to share the experience with our children.

So I'm happy to say that this is what our marriage is about: give and take.  And I am especially excited for when we get to apply it to the many musicals I have lined up for us to watch!  I think I'll even get him a sweatshirt with RENT on it.  Or better yet, Mama Mia!

Random Thoughts

Adam is in Seattle for the weekend to watch the Seahawks game, so I'm home alone with the two puggies and the little lima bean.  I am looking forward to snuggling on the couch and catching up on my DVR'd shows and a couple movies.  I just have two little thoughts this evening as I settle in for the night.

One is the recent discovery that chocolate gives me indigestion.  *Insert silent, internal wailing*  This was quite a sad discovery for me since I love chocolate and have been craving it a lot.  I've been limiting my intake because of the caffeine and sugar, but after indulging in some rocky road ice cream the other day, I confirmed my suspicion that chocolate makes me sick.  Yet another indication that this baby is inheriting more of Adam's traits than mine.  Sigh.

Secondly, pregnancy has made me a horrible student.  I've never been this bad at staying on top of my assignments and being able to focus on my studies.  Maybe it's baby brain, maybe I'm just too tired to think too hard, but I've been struggling to keep up, which makes me reconsider how many classes I want to take next semester.  I've been tempted on more than one occasion to write the professor and say:

 "Sorry for my half-ass assignment.  I'm pregnant.  And pukey.  

And would rather sleep than be analyzing this language sample.  

Thank you for your understanding."

And in honor of my procrastinating ways (and in mourning for my newly-developed aversion to chocolate), I'm going to heat up some warm, vanilla milk and watch a bad romantic comedy.