5 years in the Nashville area

Five years ago my parents drove me down to Nashville to join David down here for our 'new' life. I suppose our first and more important new life together had started 7 months before that when we married, but this was something different. Coming to Nashville meant breaking many old ties and having to create new ones. In many ways, I think this change was probably harder on me initially, yet I was the reason we were moving.

Most of you know that I graduated with my PhD about a month after we married. I was determined to leave the 'burgh. (always knew it was best, but I did love living there). David had be working pretty much full time while persuing his M.S. He actually finished his degree only about 2 and 1/2 weeks after we married. He loved his job working in Pittsburgh at the Center for Assistive Technology (CAT), and I felt terrible taking him from the patient care style job he had- rare for an 'engineer'. We soon found out how rare it was for an engineer by training to be fitting people for assistive technology devices. Seemed logical to us but most centers hire occupational or physical therapists to perform the same job and then they can bill insurance companies for their time....anyway, we were told (by our advisors) just decide on a place to live and go for it. I had offers at Charlottesville (UVA), Atlanta (Emory) and Nashville (Vanderbilt). We took 3 months to decide but within a few weeks of committing we had a trip planned to look for housing. David had 2 interviews lined up that week and BAM he had a job after just a few hours at Permobil, and they wanted him to start in just 6 weeks. He came down a month before me. That was a long month selling his town home, packing it up, saying 'see you later' to friends and moving. My parents graciously gave up their anniversary weekend to drive me down (with the giant U-Haul that didn't have working air conditioning), and David's parents came in from Mississippi to help with the unload (and it was Dc. Terry's birthday). It was pretty emotional for me but I remember I felt like God had put us here and we were here for a reason so even though it was scary living further from home than I ever had before, I had a purpose here. Sometimes I still question what that is, but thats not for me to wonder or worry about (but I still do in my weakness). We have been so blessed since our move to middle TN, one reason I know we are where we should be! We have had 2 beautiful children- no possible way to summarize what they mean to us and how this has changed our lives! We have made priceless friendships, especially though St. Ignatius. We have lived in 2 homes. David has 3 positions while with Permobil - Custom Shop Manger, Production Manager ( hope thats not the wrong title) and Product Development Manager. I think its safe to say he enjoys the job he is doing now the most. He has travelled more this year than in years past but for good reason. Permobil is expanding. I have converted from a Post-doc to an Instructor. It still non-tenure track, but I am really enjoying the research right now and I am hopeful that I will be able to get more funding in the next 2 years- at that point hopefully Vanderbilt will see some value in keeping me around. I am still researching Helicobacter pylori, but I have also developed some interests and a collaboration working on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). I expect to stay working on mucosal immunology.

I won't give what we have here away (unless I really felt called to, but I know that isn't the case), yet I do miss being closer to family and miss many friends.

Andrew, our toddler

Its hard to decide where to start with an AJ update. But, in reality thats probably why I haven't been updating the blog. Too many changes to tell you all about. So I will try not to focus on how he has changed, but rather, where is he now.

Andrew is still AJ to Daddy, but he has become "AJ Buddy" to Samantha. Poor guy has a million names at daycare. Ms. Amy Jo calls him AJ because she is an AJ too. Ms. Angela calls him AnBoo (not my favorite nickname), and Ms. Roslyn calls him Drew. He answers to all so I guess he is figuring it out. Here he is enjoying his favorite book, Little Blue Truck, as read by my friend Heather who came to visit with her husband, Ben, in April.

His favorite place to be is outside. He stands at the back door and says "outside" while reaching on his tippy toes and then says "door, outside". With each request becoming more desperate.

The boy can concentrate! You cannot distract him! If he gets his mind set on one thing you better not change it. If you make one change he might blow up. My rule is if things are going smoothly don't push it. For example, I made him a banana protein shake for breakfast one morning (I will explain more on this later) and he was downing it. So, being a 'good' mom, I took the sippy from him and topped it off. He screamed at me for 5 minutes and won't touch the sippy. I interrupted him, I guess. Picky, picky. But cutie, cutie.

Physically, Andrew is on the small side. He had an appointment about 6 weeks ago where he had falled to the 5%ile in weight and is holding at the 10%ile in height. The doctor was a little concerned with his caloric intake since he is a picky eater and not taking in much protein. She suggested pediasure but its pricey so I have taken to smoothies with added whey protein. I think it might be working- he is up to 22 lbs I think, but he seems bigger to both David and I. His eating habits might be relaxing a little bit too. He is our vegetarian (fine with me- especially because he can eat peanut butter) and is loving the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share we are sharing with our friends. He loves the strawberries and the sugar snap peas the best so far, but even ate some Flordia sweet corn yesterday! YAY! As you can see, we are sharing the adventures of learning to self feed with a spoon- fun for all!

Although small, he is mighty. I am told most boys like to climb. He has been climbing up the slide on the playset for weeks and can get himself up on the couch. He knows he is supposed to sit down and just grins at me until I tell him. Then he repeats "down".

His language skills are pretty good, at least I think so. I do think they excess where Samantha was at this point. He can say at least 30-40-50 words and even uses a few phrases, "All gone", "I see it." "what's that?" Oh, but do I dislike the word "MINE". Everything is 'mine' now even if its Samantha's or if it actually is mommy. Poor Samantha thinks Andrew doesn't want to share mommy. (She is probably right). BUT he does love his Daddy too. Hearing him yell, "Daddy" when he comes into the room is so precious.

He loves to dance and has even been trying to sing along to the monkey songs we listen to in the car. Especially the ones that are more sounds than words, "La, la, la". His other car activity right now is spotting all the TRUCKS! "Truck"..."Truck"..."big Truck"...Samantha is trying to teach him his colors this way, "AJ, Buddy, thats an orange truck".

I think in the last 2 weeks the kids are actually playing together more. Especially with the blocks and Samantha has read AJ a few books (and he sat and listened!). On the way into daycare they were holding hands - too cute for words!

My baby truly feels like a toddler now in so many senses. He loves to walk holding hands and cuddle on the couch, which is just so wonderful. I gave in and cut off his wavy/curly mullet and he looks so much older. I need to figure out how best to keep his hair. I really only had to cut the back because the top and sides have been much slower coming in.

What a blessing. Everyday I thank God for my children and for each moment (whether happy or crying) I have with them.

Samantha Elizabeth

So, I will devote my next two entries individually to each child. Samantha gets to go first- go figure.

Samantha is just as full of energy as she has ever been. She loves to sing and dance (good evidence of that at Jordan and Lauri's wedding earlier this month - she has her Daddy's rhythm) and most of the time she is making up her own songs. I usually learn about how her day went on the way home to the unique lyrics of "and then Ms. Brenda told us to sit down...." or "and then Thomas put a rock in his ear"... so meserizing :). She still calls me "Mommy" or "Momma". I am not ready to be "Mom". David has transitioned to Dad and he is okay with it but I am okay with being "Mommy" forever. She called me "Mom" a few times, so I called her "Sam". She doesn't like that, "I am not Sam. I am Samantha." My response, "I am not Mom. I am Mommy." She caught on quick- end of story.

She still must be one of the friendliest kids you'd ever meet. She says hello and waves to just about anyone. The other day she introduced herself, AJ and me (using my first name, mind you) to the bagger at the grocery....might be time to teach her stranger danger, you think?

She is truly a dog lover and maybe one day we will add one to our family. When on vacation with the Roots, she feel in love with Barley all over again. She was a big helper to Ms. Elizabeth putting him in his crate, feeding him and even helping take him for walks on the beach. Ms. Elizabeth and Mr. Daniel sent Samantha a Barley dog when we got back from FL. She sleeps with him every night and he is now the subject of many of her original music scores.

She absolutely loves her new swing set and would swing all day if I could stand to push her. She is also helping me with my herb garden. I am sure she would love it if we started a big one but we joined a CSA (with some friends, thanks Dave!) and so we will hold off to see how that goes this year. She will be starting swim lessons in just a few weeks. I am a little nervous she won't want to join in but we will see. She also will get to attend Vacation Church School this year for the first time. She loves to read and right now I cannot get her off the Curious George books. We have about 8-10 of them and I think I have them all memorized (and I am sure she does too!). She loves to help me in the kitchen...let me rephrase that...she demands I let her help me in the kitchen. Its getting a little easier to find things for her to do since she is becoming more confident and coordinated.

It interesting to watch how she is so loving and comfortable around so many people and how she never forgets someone she has been around. Its probably her responding to our comfort level around others. With our recent travels we stayed with 2 friends who are expecting babies in the next couple months and she would pet their bellies...so comfortable. Although this morning in the car (out of the blue) she asked me "Mommy how do babies get out". I admit I took the easy way out..."a doctor helps them". We'll go down that road later.

As with any parent, I do get frustrated with her especially now that she has managed to make bedtime routine 45 minutes long- 3 books, teeth, prayers, 3 songs, 3 minutes lying in bed with mommy..then but I need a sip of water, but I forgot to go potty, but I am hungry (always hungry by the way). But, she has also shown more patience than I have at times. I won't talk much about AJ in the this post but Samantha has really developed a patience for AJ's 'moments' that I still have not. Now, if I could just explain to her why I cannot just send AJ to his room when he does the same thing 'wrong' that she just did....

May God grant her many years. She is a beautiful reflection of His love and is granting me many opportunties to not only practice good virtues (and I have a long way to go!) but to see God again through a child's eyes.

I look forward to fewer travels for the whole family this summer because I want to just enjoy everyday simple life, but I also want to plan travels to see so many friends and family we have everywhere because I want to share my children with them. Help us find the balance...and please, don't hesitate to visit!

(I will try to post on AJ soon enough)

Brief update.

I will not apologize for taking so long to get back to the blog. I sort of gave it up for Lent and well, there aren't enough hours in the day. I haven't heard very many complaints so I am not sure if people just know we are busy or if no one is checking the blog anymore.

I will post just a few pictures now. Send me a message if you would like more commentary, but for the sake of time I am going to keep it simple.

ZOO

Weekend with Williams (in to go see Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse- HIT).

Spring Fun:

Pigeon Forge Family Reunion:

(yes, she was miserable)

Florida:

Jordan and Lauri's Wedding: