With and For

For Tom’s first Father’s Day I put together a video of Asher for him. Well, it turned out to be ten minutes long so we shortened it and wanted to share it with you all. Click here

We, well actually, Tom, decided that our blog needed a new look. So, we got rid of a few things we don’t use and added some more new features. Hope you like the new look!

T&T&aPaRks

kisses

Moby Wrap

oh fun!

Moby on the go

lovin' it

not too long after...

In our neighborhood there is a quaint little cafe called the May Day. It is near the park where we had our wedding reception-one of our favorites-and continue to visit for one reason or another. The May Day is by definition a local, independent coffee shop. It is small space with mis-matched chairs and tables, posts local art-including greeting cards, a small stash of children’s books and games, a small bakery case with delightfully simple choices and the local paper is always found on any random table(s) and never still in one piece. Tom and I know most of the baristas by name and they recognize us and our son. All of these characteristics (and more) are reasons why we love this place. Most of all,we love all the  friendly, smiling faces we see when we walk in. These pictures(above) are taken on one of our many walks there.

Cup of Joe

The McCartys

Rock on Asher

moment before dozing off.

Downtown Cedar Falls proves itself a changed place with the many little boutiques and cute store fronts that continue to pop up. I am not from there, but have visited many times and can honestly say that it has changed my previous perception of Iowa cities. Anytime we go to visit family and friends, Cup of Joe, located just at the end of downtown CF, is always in our plans. It is also visited by many locals (many of whom know Tom and always stop by to say hello) Most times, that is where we meet up with our dear friend Rachel, who is always up for great conversation and a good (expensive) cup of coffee. This trip was our  first with Asher so we made sure to meet up with Bryan and Ashley. They posed as Asher’s parents for folks who walked in. It was a grand time, Full of laughter and catching up on life. If we lived in CF, I am sure that Cup of Joe would be a favorite local spot.

tummy time with grandma

reading with grandpa

(Here are some pictures for you Ron and Denise). Some of the more tender moments of our visit were at Tom’s parents house. It is quite something to see our parents become grandparents. It makes them seem older to me, but somehow younger at the same time.

These two coffee shops add a lot to our neighborhood(s). I hope that throughout my life, I always make time for sitting in coffee shops. Whether alone, with a friend or with my little family.

holding my cup for me

uh?

love those cheeks

Loves the mirror these days

while Tom is getting ready for work...

I love his baby wrinkles!

tummy time

significantly larger head

I have really loved having the ample amount of time with Asher. He is teaching me a lot of things in small and big ways. Like when I have something to get done on my mental list and he just wants me to hold him. Or when were late for something and he decides to let it all out in his diaper, allowing me the chance to see him face to face on the changing table (or when I am trying to write a blog post and it takes 4 separate attempts over the course of the morning!). These examples and many more are parts of my day when I am forced by Asher to take life in slowly and not let moments pass by too quickly. Seen in these pictures are some of those moments.

This morning Theresa woke up at 5:00, wrapped some eggs and other assorted vegetables in raw bacon and baked it… egg bake. Our community of faith, Solomon’s Porch eats egg bake, shares stories of Jesus resurrection, sings songs and enjoys Minnesota in April. Lucky for us, it was beautiful. We hope you found yourselves reflecting on and living the majesty and miracle of dark into light, despair into hope and death into life.

is upon us. We’ve greased up our bike chains, tried out the various slings on walks through powderhorn park and filled our home with new music. This one from a fine Icelandic artist Jonsi is our favorite as of late. We added it as some background music to some of our favorite video clips and pictures from the past 6 weeks or so. Hope you enjoy

This past month has brought some more changes for our fam. Tom started a new job last week. All in all it is good, but some days I know he thinks of what it would have been like to have stayed at Dunn Bros. or YW. The new-ness of being there is both invigorating and exhausting for him. But for now, it is supporting our livelihood and we both now that is very important! The adjustment into parenting is getting a little easier each day. I feel like I have my feet under me a little bit more and Tom and Asher are getting more and more familiar with each other as well. Every time I think I have figured out how to do this or that for Asher, things change! A part of me loves it, the other part feels a little out of control. But, like I have heard from many parents (including my own), “get used to it!” I think we are, in small ways.

This weekend Tom and I will celebrate one year of marriage together. His parents are coming up for a night to watch the little guy while we go out to dinner. I am hoping that he will take the bottle by then so we can extend our time out. Goal of the week for me is to get Asher to take the bottle. I know that him taking the bottle is out of my control, so honestly my personal goal was to pump milk (ha!).

The spring-ness of Mpls. is exciting. One of the many reasons why I love living in a climate where seasons are abundant and somewhat predictable. I LOVE change! I will finish with one of my favorite quotes.

“What is color in perpetual green and what good is warmth without cold to give it sweetness?” – John Steinbeck

One of my best friends Tim turned 25 on Saturday and I sent this to him as a birthday gift. He’s coming to visit us next week. Thought you might enjoy seeing one of the ways we get Asher to sleep. Boys got rhythm…