A number of balls in the air

I spent the first part of this week on the east coast, holding alumni events in New York and Washington DC. I always enjoy the opportunity to travel, especially to big cities. The entire trip is energizing, and I love connecting with happy alumni (and potential donors). I also appreciate a quiet hotel room, and the chance for drinks with friends who are no longer close by.

My trip was nearly flawless from a travel standpoint and even included an Amtrak journey between the cities (a first for me). The best part, though, was an unexpected early flight home, which allowed me to catch Ava Kate’s after school volleyball game. I picked up the littles (and Aunt Katie and Uncle Tom), and made it just in time to see Ava serve.

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Hanging out with Livie

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Caturday

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Owen at 15 months

I called the doctor’s office on Monday, apologizing repeatedly for neglecting to schedule Owen’s 15 month check up. I told the nurse I was whole month overdue, and that he was now 16 months old. She corrected me, then said, “Really for third babies, we just count by years anyway. Who can keep track…?” Not me, apparently.

At FIFTEEN months, Owen is a handful. (Perhaps I’ve noted that previously.) He is always into something (or rather, has something in the toilet). If left alone for a mere moment, destruction is ensured. His physicality is notable—he can toss balls across the room, or heavy items from the shopping cart.

He’s cute as can be, quick with a smile for his sweet sisters. He’s saying a number of new words, including baby and banana. He LOVES to dance, and knows exactly how to request a record for the player when we get home at night. He will occasionally suffer through a song or two as I rock him before bed, but he’d really just rather lay right down at 7:30 (you have to go to bed early to wake at 5:45!). He’s terribly impatient, and is immediately frustrated when he can’t have exactly what he wants.

Owen’s most favorite pastime is strolling (running) up and down the sidewalk, where he will pick up a walnut or a rock or a piece of mulch, toss it ahead of himself, and then run after it. He repeats this up and down the path—the same one I walked over and over when I was in labor one night last summer.

We’ve covered many miles out in front of our house the last few weeks, and I have no doubt this will be one of my favorite memories of this little guy at this age.

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Fall arrives

We woke to chilly temperatures Sunday, but by noon, it was clear, sunny and nearly 80 degrees. Tom and Katie accompanied us to the pumpkin patch (as did Bryan, though Ava noted I’d prefer he’d have stayed at home: “You buy A LOT more pumpkins when Dad’s not along.”) Halloween decorations are up (as is our fall task list) and we’re looking forward to the best season of the year!

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Boston roundup

Last Saturday, Bryan and I arrived in Boston. For the first time in many trips to Massachusetts, Katie didn’t meet us at the airport. We missed her, but we appreciated the cab ride through the city to our hotel—it’s important to be reminded of your mortality every now and then. 

We stayed at Bryan’s conference hotel in South Boston, but spent most of our time up and down the Red Line. Our first top was Cambridge, were we revisited a pub Katie introduced me to years ago. We stepped in to find it filled with Husker fans, and we had a great time chatting with other Nebraska alumni during the game. 

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Towards the end of the night, I felt a tap on my shoulder, and turned around to find our friend Steve. He and Bryan were in the same lab in grad school, and Steve’s now a professor at Tufts. We toured his lab and had a lovely dinner at a Lebanese cafe in the area. 

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(I have to apologize for the photo quality throughout this post—I’m using a very old (vintage!) iPhone for a while.) 

The next day, we walked most of the Freedom Trail, stopping along the way for a few “restoratives.”

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We had dinner at another favorite of Katie’s—the Barking Crab. I love this restaurant. We sat at a picnic tables and drank wine from plastic cups, taking in the incredible view of the city and river. 

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Then, we met up with two friends from Lawrence—Alex and Laura, who just started post docs in Boston. 

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The next few days brought a bit of extra sleep, some remote work, and of course, a conference presentation for Bryan. 

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I was able to sit in on his presentation—while I can’t say I really understood a whole lot of it, I can tell you he was handsome and charming.

By Wednesday, I was so ready to be home, I didn’t even hassle Bryan (much) when he had me at the airport and through security a full three hours before our flight. We followed the sunset west, home to three sleeping kiddos and an equally exhausted Katie and Tom. 

 

 

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Home again

Me, on the way home from a five day trip to Boston: “Well, back to reality…”

Bryan, rapping an Eminem song in response: “Snap back to reality, oh there goes gravity. Oh, there goes Rabbit, he choked. He’s so mad, but he won’t give up that easy, no. He won’t have it, he knows his whole back’s to these ropes. It don’t matter, he’s dope.”

Me: “Good talk, Bry. Thanks.”

Doug and Owen Douglas

We found this cute photo of Owen and his grandpa as we looked at pictures of the kids last night. We’re having a great time in Boston, but we are really missing the littles. (There are THREE of them, a tired Aunt Katie keeps reminding me.)

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Rain dance

These silly girls celebrated Thursday’s much needed rain with a crazy dance in the front yard.

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Owen Fix

We took the kids to the aquatic center on Sunday, and it was most definitely a job for two. While we kept an eye on the girls from a distance (as they played on the lily pads and scooted down the big slide), we followed close behind Owen as he explored as much of the baby pool as possible. He had an absolute blast.

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He’s so drawn to water. He comes running when the he hears the washer, obviously understands the word “bath” and makes us regret leaving bathroom doors open for a much as a moment.

He’s a real handful right now, but he’s also incredible cute. It mostly evens out.