see ya big D

Well… here we go again… boxes are stacked, china is packed, clothes are being stacked, and our house is complete chaos. And this is all the week after an ice storm that took out our power for 3 days!! Lord help us we have lost our minds and are moving back to Nashville the week before Christmas with a 3 year old + 6 week old baby. Umm, mommy needs a drink. And a REAL nights sleep, but I don't think that's happenin' soon so we'll stick with the cocktail. Trevor's job is taking us back home (hallelujah!!!!!) and it has happened so fast I can barely stop spinning. Tomorrow is the day. It's all happy stress though because I'm going H-O-M-E. And so much sooner than I ever could have hoped. Just when we were settling into life here Dallas & making some friends, but I'd be lying if I said we weren't over the moon. It's been real fun, but now let's high tail it out of here for the holidays. One more year without a proper tree in our own home, but I've had the holiday tunes cranked so we're totally in the spirit. Plus Miriam doesn't really notice that we're the only scrooges on the block without decorations.

Two years of growth and countless memories have been made here in the big D.

Moved into a tiny apartment.

New job for T.

Had our home featured in the Dallas Morning News.

Watched our Miriam turned 2… then 3.

Adopted a dog.

We lost someone really special and we're still mourning.

I got pregnant.

Discovered real mexican food and Miriam became a queso obsessed Texan.

Found a wonderful little school for Mimers that she adored.

Made some new friends and became even closer with some old.

Baby Oakes was born.


We have been through a lot, but we're surviving & thriving and we're stronger because of it. We learned how to be with only our little family of 3… and now 4… comppletly on our own. I've opened my eyes to a bigger world, and found my way in a brand new town. It's been quite a trip… until we meet again Big D!

baby Oakes

He's here and came right on time! Preston Oakes Cross arrived November 1st at 2:35.
{Preston is Trevor's momma's maiden name & Oakes is simply a name we loved}

My momma arrived right on time the day before on Halloween. We went trick or treating with Miriam that evening and did a ton of walking which I think got things going. I felt a little funny before bed, but had a full night sleep until I woke up with some pains around 6 am. At first I wasn't really sure it was it since I hadn't experienced going into labor on my own the first time, but after an hour or so I was pretty sure this was the real deal. By the time I got to the hospital and checked in I was 6-7 centimeters so it all happened pretty fast. All I can say is it was completely surreal. I was calm and nervous and just emotional all over, but he was perfect. 10 fingers, 10 toes and big like an oak tree at 9.1 pounds. I got to hold him immediately and Trevor, my mom, and I just stared in awe at this new baby boy. Miriam came the next morning with my mom and was beyond thrilled with her new role as big sister. She kept saying, "awe, he's so cute" over and over. She truly is the sweetest girl!
The last few weeks have been a blur, but we have slipped easily into our new life with this tiny muffin. Building fires with him snuggled up close by in the bassinet. Winter temps swept in and dumped leaves on every spec of our yard this weekend. Cool temps have kept us mostly inside, but I ventured out a few times and had to pinch myself to see two car seats in the back seat. A mommy indeed. The late nights and short stretches of sleep are definitely taking a toll on my eyes, but it really is happy exhaustion this go round. It helps to have a warm snuggly baby in those wee hours. Oakes, we are sure glad you're here and already feel blessed beyond measure.

goings on in the big D

I know… 2 posts in 1 week… crazy talk, but on a roll for a change. We've been exploring Dallas even more lately and hit up the new Children's Garden at the Arboretum. Well, lordy pete! I thought Miriam would be excited, but her momma & daddy were just as thrilled. Nooks and crannies to explore at every turn with so much detail blooming everywhere. What a lucky place to have here. Our Moosh was off and running with shoes & socks off before we could stop her.


Other tidbits… I badly want to see this movie called Muscle Shoals.

Got out of my office one rare morning and had coffee at this hip spot down the street called Mudsmith. Terribly hard seats, but fab muffins and lattes.

Been reading a new site called The Bitter Southerner. Good Stuff.

Went to 2 grown up dinners lately. R + d Kithen & Nona.
 
Discovered the panorama on my iphone.
And saw Mumford & sons at the Fair Grounds on a hot, hot summer night with my T. I was way too pregnant feelin', but it was still beautiful to be out and under their spell.

summer wrap up

I can't really call myself a blogger any more since I have been posting so infrequently. I just haven't had the fire truthfully and we haven't been doing anything that exciting. Just enjoying life at home and staying very busy with the simple things. I say that and yet, I feel like things have been so hectic too. My nanny quit out of the blue which was a nightmare, but I've since found Magdalena whom I adore. Work has been insane, but can't complain. Plus I'm plain exhausted come the end of the day. Oh and I'm 36 weeks pregnant. This pregnancy is totally different and has really worn me down! The good news is though… the weather has cooled and signs of Fall are finally popping up. Mums on the front porch and pumpkins on every doorstep. We have four weeks left as a family of 3. It's hard to believe we'll be growing and yet I'm so ready to know this little baby. Miriam started PreK-3 and is totally digging her new class. They have to wear uniforms which is so funny to me at this age, but they are precious so that helps. She's getting so big! Long legs, sweet bob hair, and her funny grin. She hates to have her hair brushed, loves to play camp-out in her sleeping bag, likes to roll play like we're a family of animals, tells me, "mommy, I tooooold you", and is pretty much demanding of her every need at every turn. Loves her friends Estee and Savanna and Olivia at school. Tells us every night she's not tired and asks why she has to go to bed. And then asks for "one more kiss & hug" before we finally slip from her room. Life for a three year old is mighty fine.

We visited Klyde Warren Park downtown…finally… and it was awesome. They had all these water features for kids and Mimers kept trying to strip down!

And we played hookey on Monday and had a big ole time at the Texas State Fair. Miriam obsessed over the rides and wanted to go again & again. Always the prissy girl, she chose the pink rides whenever possible. Corn dogs, fried nutella, and people everywhere… we all came home and crashed that afternoon.


And because this is just how life is, some sad news mixed with the good. My beloved granddaddy died at 97. To say he lived a full life is an understatement. He was extraordinary… spoke with a great delivery, had a great sense of humor, sharp as a tack, and had a gentle kindness that will stay with me forever. I am so thankful to have known him well into my adult life. I was deeply saddened to be so far away and unable to travel to his funeral. As a doctor, I know he would have urged me to stay home and take it easy, but boy did I wish I was there just to be amongst his spirit. Family and friends joined together to make it special and relayed details so that it felt like I was there. Granddaddy I am so glad happy for you that you'e with Mimi & Fred, but so sad for us that we will miss you so much.

summer scenes

I have no time to blog, but by gosh I'm doing it anyway. Tenn Hens is crazy busy in the best of way, it's been over 100° here in Dallas for the last ten days, my house is a mess, cousin Lauren gave birth to baby Hunter yesterday morning (hooo-ray), my to-do list is way too long, we have no groceries, I need a shower because I'm constantly sweating in this heat, there are bills to pay, emails to write, and just not enough time in the day. Sometimes I wish the day was just a little bit longer, but it will sure feel good to slide into clean sheets tonight… after I get around to the laundry.

My dad sent me this link: Walker Evans exhibit at the MOMA. Would love to zip up to the city and  do a walk through with his eye. I just finished Mary Coin which is set in the South during the Depression. It's a fab read if you get the chance.

My mom has been pounding the pavement to re-route a proposed subdivision project in Williamson County. I don't know what Franklin would do without this land-loving council lady, always on the cause. Go momma go!

You know what's funny is this pregnancy has already been so different than the last. I'm bigger for one and this baby is a mover & shaker. I can't believe I still have 12 weeks to go. But it's weird too because I forget that I'm pregnant sometimes. I think it's just that I'm always running around with Mimers and doing stuff with her that I don't have time to sit around and think about it as much. I haven't read any books this go round & haven't organized a thing, but I'm sure I'll get that nesting bug soon. My heart is bursting just thinking about Lauren's delivery yesterday and I can hardly believe that the same is coming for us. Sigh. It's going to be wonderful.

Anyway, since I'm running out of time and this post is completely all over the place, here's some scenes from summer of '13.