Museum Day Live! at the Seattle Art Museum.

A couple weeks ago Smithsonian magazine was hosting Museum Day Live!, a day during which many museums across the country offer free admission. The Seattle Art Museum was participating so we decided last minute to hop on a ferry and head to Seattle for a free museum day. Considering how much it costs with the ferry to get there, its nice to save forty bucks on admission prices! And it was nice to do something we liked to do as a couple before Curran came along, plus we got a chance to get the little bub started early with a love of art.

 After the art museum we went by Pike Place Market to grab some greek yogurt (so, so good!) and cannolis.

WARNING!

Whatever the bakery in the market is selling as a cannoli, is in fact not a cannoli. Its a fraud! We had gotten our cannolis, hopped on the ferry back home, got Curran in bed, and finally sat down to enjoy our treat. But disappointment was swift and our purchase a waste. They were essentially shells filled with buttercream frosting. They advertised their cannolis as having a cream cheese filling--which, first of all, cannolis aren't made with cream cheese (that red flag should've stopped us right there). But then, it wasn't even cream cheese filling. It was like they scraped the creme off of oreos and piped it into cannoli shells. So, so disappointing. 

If it sounds like I'm being a little dramatic…well, fair enough. But you guys, they were a disaster. We spent the rest of the night day dreaming about our delicious cannolis from Maria's in Boston last summer and wishing we could get our paws on just one little crumb of those tasty beauties. 

But ahhh, I dream.

Cannoli impostors aside, we had a great time in Seattle on a beautiful day. Sometimes its hard to want to get out and do things with a baby, having to factor in his naps and diaper changes and meals and packing everything he needs and is a stroller better or should I just use the carrier and what if he just cries the whole time and and and……and sometimes you just have to forget about all that stuff and just get out there.

In other news, we're really loving it up here in Washington. We love our little house, the people are so friendly, our ward is hands down the best we've ever been in, we're exploring things we've never thought to before, and my favorite part: we actually get to experience fall for the first time since we moved from Virginia two years ago.

Life has its ups and downs but we are really, really happy here.

Happy Three Months to Curran!

This handsome guy's three month birthday was yesterday!

Curran is a fun kid these days. He's a big talker and very alert and attentive. He's super strong and loves to show off to everyone at church. He's been teething for the past couple weeks so that has made for some tough days, but overall he's a very easy going, happy baby. And he's plumping up! Three months old and he's just about ready to graduate from his newborn clothes and move up to 0-3 month ones. He's pretty content to hang out in a ring sling or woven wrap, but you can tell he's definitely ready to start movin' and groovin' more and more. He's thissssclose to rolling over on to his tummy---he's going to be on the move in the blink of an eye, I just know it!

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And here are some of our favorite photos of the little bub from the past couple months!

They're nothing spectacular and half of them haven't been edited in any way, but I'm kinda learning that sometimes its not about fixing every little detail and making things perfect, but just enjoying what you've got and embracing things the way they are.

So here ya go!

Curran's Blessing.

Here's another update from June!

Curran was blessed on Father's Day last month, making for one special holiday for Joey. Being the first father in either of our families to be able to bless his own child, it meant a lot to both of us that he could give Curran his baby blessing. My mom and sister, Amy, were visiting that week and we were so glad they could be there for it as well. 

Curran's bow tie is made of lace from my wedding gown. When I was picking out my dress (three years ago next month--wow!) I knew I would want to incorporate it somehow in the blessing outfits for our future children. Luckily I had enough extra lace from the alterations that I didn't have to cut up the actual dress!

Curran was also wrapped in the Shetland Shawl we received from my grandma for our wedding. Shetland Shawls are also known as wedding ring shawls because they're knit so finely that they can be pulled through a wedding ring, and the tradition is to wear it at your wedding and then wrap your future babies in it for their christening (or in our case, blessing).

I remember when we received it I was so excited to get to use it later for our babies. In fact, whenever we left our home for vacations or extended periods of time, it was one of the few keepsakes that I made sure there was room for in our fireproof safe. Finally getting to pull it out and wrap Curran in it was such a happy moment for me. 

The little guy used to have a thing about latching on to noses if you put him near your face. He would also try to do it to Joey's cheek (but never mine) when he would burp him. In this instance, it kept him calm just long enough to take a few photos together. 

We love you, Curran Joseph!

Joey's Promotion.

Once again I'm playing catch up---

I just wanted to share a few photos from Joey's promotion to Lieutenant junior grade two months ago. And sure, its an automatic promotion, which some people laugh at, but the past two years were not without some serious hard work and sacrifice to get through his training pipeline. I'm very proud of him and how hard he has worked to further his military career while also devoting time and love to his family.

Joey's promotion was on May 13th, just four days before Curran made his surprise entrance to the world. Its crazy to look at these pictures and know now that it wouldn't be long at all before he would be in our arms!

Curran and I love you, Mr. Fleshman!