Monday, December 30, 2013

2013

Triskaidekaphobia.  Fear of the number 13.  Bad luck?  Superstition?  Whatever it is, 2013 wasn't the best year for a lot of people.

2013 might be my new favorite number.

In February, I wasn't so sure... Brian lost his job only two weeks after we found out I was pregnant and that was scary and stressful.  Ultimately, however, it was one of the best things that could have happened.  Brian was able to focus on and do very well in his last semester at school (just ask him about his GPA).  He was able to interview with companies that he really wanted to work for.  In April, Brian was offered a job with McCarthy Building Companies and we made the decision to move to Las Vegas.  A few weeks later was one of the happiest moments of my life.  Brian graduated from ASU and I could not have been more proud of him.  He had great support in his concrete/construction program, worked so hard, and did so well!  I have also learned so much about concrete in the process- way more than I ever thought I would!

Moving to Las Vegas was absolutely, without a doubt, the best decision for us.  Sad things happened because of it- I had to leave SARRC, we left our Phoenix friends and family, we had to sell our house... but so much good came out of it too.  Brian is so happy with his job; I am making so many new friends and I am overall so much happier here than I was in Phoenix.  We're even in the process of looking for a house to buy.

In August, I finally received my Master's degree.  I still don't talk about it, but it is good news so it's worth mentioning.

Oh, and then there's this whole baby thing.  I was pregnant for most of 2013, so how could it have been anything but wonderful?!  I had a seriously easy pregnancy, a mostly flawless labor and delivery, and simply the best and most perfect baby in the world.  Leah's smile makes my heart melt as does watching her daddy interact with her.  She has grown and changed so much in the last 11 and a half weeks, ending our year on the most wonderful note.

I have the utmost faith that 2014 will be just as great, but more on that later.  For now, a look back at  2013:

March 2013- Our Second Anniversary
March 2013- Trip to Houston
April 2013- Johnny Turns 2!
May 2013- Brian's Graduation
May 2013- 19 Week Ultrasound
June 2013- Brian's Birthday Celebration!
September 2013- Raiding the Rock Vault
October 2013- Daddy's First Picture with Leah
November 2013- ASU v Arizona with Cousins... Go Devils!
December 2013- Smiling Leah

Sara and Mark Come to Visit!

Aunt Sara and Mark came to visit this past week and we had the best time!  Sara and Leah finally met each other (and I finally met Mark) when we picked them up on The Strip where they stayed the night before.  Thankfully we made it to the gas station before Mark would have needed to get out and push the car, so the visit began with relative calm.

Seeing Leah for the first time


We dropped off their stuff and headed to Ethel M Chocolate Factory for a tour of the plant and cactus garden.  No chocolate was being made when we were there, only packaged, but we still got to try some (and Mark the suck-up tried BOTH kinds!).  It was delicious.  The cactus garden was a nice stroll on a nice day, but it was nothing spectacular.  I think it would be really beautiful at night this time of year with all the Christmas lights and decorations.


Thursday night we continued our tradition of making our own pizza with Sara.  Our pizza stone was a casualty of our move, so we ventured to Custom Built Pizza where we got to design our own pizzas.  It was so good!

On Friday, we headed to the dog park in the morning so that Johnny would be good and tired before we went out that night.  Then Sara and Mark babysat while Brian and I met up at a movie.  We saw The Secret Life of Walter Mitty... Brian seemed to really enjoy it; I thought it was only ok.  We so appreciate the time together, even if Leah was a small pain.

Friday night we had the Fremont Street Experience take two (take one was when Sara was in town in July and that did NOT go so well, ending in a large haboob and thunderstorm).  We went to dinner at a yummy Thai restaurant and then walked along Fremont Street.  There is never a shortage of interesting people watching there!  We'll have to go back another time to check out the new Container Park.


Johnny?  He did ok Friday night.  Saturday morning, on the other hand, was quite the disaster.  Our dog of all trades managed to climb the wall in our backyard into an alley on the other side of the street.  Luckily Brian saw him and jumped the wall after him, bare feet and all.  Sara had the baby, so I grabbed the keys and sped to block the alley because I didn't know how far he had gotten.  With the help of a guy walking his dog (probably the dog Johnny wanted to play with), Brian grabbed Johnny and I drove them home.  It was terrifying.  Every time this happens (this = Johnny doing something stupid) I am reminded how closely related love and hate really are.  Saturday night, Johnny earned himself a date with his crate.  I guess the date didn't go so well because guess who busted out?  Yeah...

Straight back is the wall that Johnny climbed.
UGH.  #ruiningmyweek
After the Johnny debacle, we all (dog included) headed to Red Rock Canyon for some hiking.  It always amazes me- the natural beauty that is so close to the city, yet makes you feel like you are in a different world.  Leah did awesome as I wore her the whole time.  The hike was so fun and I think we all felt so good and accomplished afterwards (also, hungry... hiking during lunch time isn't the best idea).

Leah's diva hiking outfit



While Johnny was pretending to be Houdini on Saturday night, we were enjoying the UNLV/ Cal State Fullerton basketball game.  College basketball is one of my favorites, but this game wasn't a very good one.  The company, however, made it totally worth it!



Sunday morning we headed to Hoover Dam for the power plant tour.  Another bout of poor timing meant we were hundreds of feet below street level during lunch time, but I enjoyed the tour.  It's cool doing things like that with Brian because he is so familiar with all of the construction and concrete details.  I'd love to go back and do the longer tour and plan a little better.

Johnny once again destroyed his crate on Sunday by chewing through some of the metal and peeing all over, but we all took a deep breath and got him cleaned up, Leah fed, and Sara and Mark to the airport.

We had the best time with you two and cannot wait to see you again!  Thank you for all of the attention and love you gave Leah (and Johnny); I know she misses you.  Love you!




Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Professional Pictures

Since I don't really post too many pictures on Facebook for the entire world to see, here are a few of the professional pictures we had done while in Phoenix over Thanksgiving.









Big Thanks to Allison Johnson from allison anne johnson photography for these amazing pictures!  Any of you Phoenix people reading this should definitely consider Allison for your family pictures.  Not only is she wonderful, she has really cute kids!  We can't wait to see you again, Allison!

Baby Naming

This past weekend we were in Phoenix (again) to celebrate Leah's baby naming.  The day went wonderfully!  On Saturday we ran around to get things for Sunday morning (and even snuck in a movie date), and spent the evening decorating the house.







On Sunday, Rabbi Jake from Temple Chai in Phoenix led a really nice ceremony during which we gave Leah her Hebrew name- Leah Shoshana.  Leah is just her first name translated (obviously) and Shoshana is for my Mammaw (my mom's mom), Sally Rose.  One translation for Shoshana, generally a more modern one, is "rose".  In addition, we liked the alliteration it has with Sally.  We were joined in person by close friends and Brian's family, and some of my family via FaceTime!  So thankful for iPhones!

Parents' Prayer
Blessing by the Rabbi
YaYa or Grandpop reading to Leah
FaceTime View
Bubbie reading to Leah
Mazel Tov!
After the naming, with lots of help from Bubbie and good friends, we had a delicious spread of food, and a wonderful time introducing Leah to our Phoenix friends!



Snuggling with Cousin Mandy

Lion King?