I feel really thankful. Over the past week I've been the beneficiary of some remarkable service. The first is my fabulous sister-in-law Rachael. I hate the term sister-in-law when I describe Rachael because I've known her for 16+ years. She's my sister and I look to her for advice on many levels-- most recently as my source of all things pregnancy, childbirth, and baby.

Rachael did the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. She cleaned our townhouse last week before we moved in. I'm not sure how many hours she spent there. It had to have been at least 10. She cleaned our kitchen, wiped out the cupboards, cleaned all the floors, and the bathrooms. She did everything. Considering she has a full-time gig as a corporate executive, a seven-year old and twins under the age of two, this means a lot to me.

I am also thankful to Mike N., Mike Y., Scott, Paul, Corey, my brother Brandon, and my niece Ellie for all their help with our move last Saturday. They started loading the truck at 10:00 a.m. and had delivered and unloaded everything at our new house by 12:30pm. It was amazingly fast. Brandon and Ellie came early and stayed late to help with organizing and cleaning too.

My thanks also goes out to Holly who threw a fabulous baby shower Wednesday night. The food, especially the cake, was out of this world. I appreciate all her planning, inviting, preparing, and cleaning-up. And thank you to my friends from the Capitol Hill Ward who came to celebrate. It was a perfect night!

Last but not least, thank you to Nathan for putting up with my whining, bending over to pick things up for me and rubbing my back for a few minutes every night now. He is the sweetest and sexiest man on earth!

--Val

Labels: baby, family, house, move, pregnancy, val

We're exhausted but moved in to our new home - our first home, although from the mouth of our 7-year old niece, it's "a townhome, not a real home."

Valerie and I tackled unpacking the bedroom boxes this afternoon then we watched the Redskins versus the New York Jets at her brother's house.

I promise to get inside pictures up as soon as possible but a) very tired and b) you wouldn't see anything but boxes and boxes - very unattractive.

We've already met some of the neighbors as they seem to be a mix of young couples with young kids and elderly couples.

Now the fun begins, furnishing and maintaining the place. I guess we have finally become the "responsible" adults, with our own place and the exciting bills that go along with said place.

Now its bedtime. I took Monday off so I'll be here unpacking all day long! I know, you're jealous of me!

Labels: house, move

It's here.

Moving Day is upon us.

As I sit here watching women's Olympic gymnastics, I decided to grab the camera and decided to take some pictures of what our living room currently looks like.

Boxes everywhere.





We officially move Saturday morning at 10 am. It shouldn't take a lot of time to load the truck and then unload it 15 miles away from DC in Alexandria, Virginia.

Our street is called Doctor Craik Court. It is a strangely odd name for a street in the United States. At first we thought it was due to the fact that it is near a hospital but we were recently informed of some American history that goes along with our new place.

Evidently our plot of land was once part of a much larger plot of land owned by General George Washington. So who was Doctor Craik? General Washington's personal physician.

Also, a nearby street is called Tis Well Court. Yet another strangely-named street. As you may have guessed, this too has to do with General Washington. 'Tis Well' were the last words of a dying Gen. Washington, as recorded by Tobias Lear.

Labels: house

We own it!!

This afternoon Valerie and I signed the final papers on our home and are now home owners!! We are very excited.

The 2,400 square foot townhome has three bedrooms, three and-a-half baths, and a good-sized basement. The front yard is relatively small and the back is a nice patio. There is a good, little park behind our complex for the kid to play at and the association has a tennis court and pool.

It is also in one of the best school districts in the area, which is a bonus if we were to stay there for five years or so -- which is definitely NOT in my plans!

The hardest thing to swallow has been the fact that our bank account just went from very full to depleted - but it's a good thing -- "house poor." It's a good investment.

Last night we did the final walkthrough but I forgot to take a picture of us next to the SOLD sign in the front yard so after we signed the papers today I used the wife's camera phone to take a picture in front of the townhome (it's an end unit so we have more room and light than the others).

Labels: house