Movin on up!

I cant believe its already March 25! The days and weeks are absolutely flying by, but maybe thats because we've been so busy. In addition to just trying to keep up with the Little Man, I've been working on some research for a professor (which I just want that project to end...ughh), Mr. F is finishing up medical school, and we are under contract on a house!!! We finished negotiations yesterday and just have to wait until the end of May for closing. HOOORAY! I'm actually going to have a laundry room and LM will have a back yard. Of course, we've already begun shopping for a grill for Mr. F. Just the thought of having his and hers closets instead of the 3 of us in one tiny closet gets me all giddy :)

Additionally, over the last few weeks Mr. F has basically hit the culmination of months and years of medical school. Tomorrow is his last official day of class until graduation in May! Last week was also incredibly busy because he was the chair of planning an all day conference capped off by a fancy pants banquet that evening. The event couldnt have gone better and I'm so proud of him! Last week was also the national Match Day when all 4th year medical students find out where they got in for residency. Mr. F found out back in Jan. where he was going for ophthalmology, but we did find out he'd be staying in Philly for internship, which was great because our offer on the house was contingent on his match.

Over the last few weeks we also attended an annual fund raising ball and had well, a ball!



And of course, LM is getting so big! He's talking up a storm and becoming more a little boy than baby every day.



All in all, life is pretty great here in Philly. In the upcoming weeks Mr. F and I are going to concentrate on me getting a job, packing (and throwing out as much junk as possible!), and getting to the gym more often. And obviously, I hope to make keep this blog up with more regularity than I've managed in the last few weeks.

Happy almost Friday!

My little Irish, Italian, Egyptian Leprechaun

Heck Yeah WMBG!!

This sums up WM like no other:

GO TRIBE!!

Dear Baby Einstein,

This is why I love you:


The 15 min of peace I get to do simple things like a take a quick shower, make the bed or go to the bathroom are wonderful...all while the Little Man is learning colors while listening to Mozart and Bach and looking at Van Gogh paintings.

Thanks again!
Jenna

Remember you are dust...

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. Aidan and I went to get ashes (Mr. F was in the hospital all day) and I was reminded of one of my favorite parts of Ash Wednesday, seeing all of the other people on the street with ashes and watching people's reactions to my ashes. Some stare openly, some snicker, and one time in high school some kids called me a devil worshiper. I found that last one ironic and humerous and learned along time ago to ignore the defamatory remarks and use the opportunity to be a silent witness to my faith. This season of lent is always a time of reflection and prayer and every year I find myself at a different point in my journey. This year is no different, but I must say having a child has changed my perspective on lots of things, my relationship with God chief among them.

So this year instead of adding prayer time to my daily routine like I have many years past, I'm returning to giving something up like I did as a child. This year I'm giving up dessert. I remember the nuns saying it was kind of cheating the purpose to do something like giving up dessert to help reach a diet goal instead of increasing your relationship with God, but this is truly going to be a struggle for me AND I'm hoping to see waistline benefits. Besides, when self-control fails, there is nothing quite like good old fashioned Catholic guilt, right?

Love is all you need

which is a good thing because we have NO heat in our apartment and the elevator is out in our building and we live 6 floors up. UGGGGHHHH.

However, I'll focus on the positive... like the continuation of one my favorite Valentine's traditions, Mr. F making me a fabulous dinner and bringing me pink tulips! :) This year I got to pick out the menu and I chose rosemary potatos, steak and mussels with a bottle of delicious red wine my parents gave us. One awesome thing about Philly is Reading Terminal Market. This place has so much fresh produce, sea food, meat and flowers, just to name a few things, and at amazing prices (we had a 3lb bag of mussels for $9.50!!) After Aidan hit the hay we had a great romantic date and since Mr. F cooked, I cleaned and then we snuggled on the couch and watched Wanted (a total NOT-chick flick...marriage is all about compromise, right?!)

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day full of love (and I'm not just talking about the romantic kind!)

Busy Bees in Philly

I can hardly believe how long its been since I've written and how much has happened! House hunting is in full effect and we're getting so excited. Its alot of work, but I know it will be worth it when I can paint the walls any color I want and we'll have a place to call ours.

I'm also learning how to knit and am working on my first afghan. Its going to be a purple and grey rugby stripe pattern.

The Little Man is getting more active and its getting harder and harder to keep up with him. He can walk so fast its almost a run and just the other night he was walking backwards across the kitchen and giggling a la Michael Jackson's moonwalk. He's also obsessed with books, which I love, but I wouldnt mind reading more than the 3 he constantly brings me... he's got plenty to choose from, but its always the same 3 over and over and over and over....

Speaking of over and over, LM has graduated from the baby playground the intermediate playground but refuses to go down the slides. He will only run back and forth across the bridge:



Aidan is also learning to make animal noises and point out parts of his body (see video below). He's becoming more and more vocal and quite the little Napoleon. We have to brush teeth every time we go in the bathroom and the minute he wakes up he starts demanding MUP!!!! (aka, milk).

We are also enjoying being snowed in like the rest of the mid atlantic and the snow is taller than Aidan and still coming down! :) Hope everyone has enough bread and milk and toilet paper!! :)