simply tew

Back in Bloomington but not for long

2011-12-11T17:07:00.001-07:00

Our South Bay summer was a blast. We lived right in Torrance, 10 minutes away from the beach as well as from Toyota where I worked. We were within a few hours of both of our families, which made it even better.

Not long after coming back to Indiana, Amanda had baby number three on Sept. 23. A girl. But hey there's always next time. Elise is very cute though, and I'm sure she'll have me wrapped in no time. Not long after that Amanda often found herself alone with the kids while I was traveling and interviewing for jobs. Thankfully that part of our lives is over, and it looks like we will remain in the Midwest for the foreseeable future. After I graduate in May, we'll move to small-town southwest Michigan where I'll be working for Whirlpool. It is a great place for families, which we are on track to have an abundance of. We'll be right off lake Michigan and about an hour and a half away from Chicago.

Redondo Beach over the summer

Nathan in a rocket ship overlooking where we lived in Torrance.

Back in Bloomington picking apples

and Amanda had a baby in September

My girls

So glad Grandma Talbot came to help!

and Grandma Tew!

Great day at the pumpkin patch

Trick-or-treating the fraternities at IU

Creek nearby our house

Grandpa Tew and little Leesie

Baby blessing

Snow! #@!$*!

Too many babies

California love

2011-03-13T12:19:00.011-07:00

Nathan has somehow managed to make his own blog posts. I deleted his first post but left his last one up because I figure we could use some additional activity on here. He has become quite the technologically savvy little three-year-old.

We finally know where we are going this summer. I'll be working at Toyota in Torrance, California, so we are currently trying to figure out where (and how) we are going to live out there.

We will be minutes from the beach and less than 2 hours from Amanda's family in Escondido. We are very excited to go back out west for a few months.

Tomorrow Amanda turns -wait for it - 30! We are only 2 1/2 years apart, but I always thought it would seem much more than that for the 3 months that she is 30 and I'm still 27. So little time to rub it in.

Halloween - our little love bug

Volleyball intramural champs

Very cute little Vivian strolling our neighborhood

Nathan's first date

1st Thanksgiving with just our little family

Snow time in Indiana

Christmas in California

Christmas lights in Las Vegas

Yay for 4 years!

She. is. adorable.

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2011-02-07T07:21:00.000-07:00

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B-town update: The truth

2010-10-24T17:22:00.008-07:00

The honest truth is, we love Bloomington. We enjoyed Phoenix, and miss our friends there, but we love Bloomington. It might have something to do with the fact that we can go outside anytime of the day and play, and have been able to since about the first week of September. We might change our minds now that winter approaches...

One of the things I really love about Bloomington is the Symphony! I summoned up all my courage and auditioned for the Bloomington Symphony, and made it in! Mark took pictures before I left for my first rehearsal- almost like my first day of school or something. What a sweet thought. After a masters degree, two kids, and almost 4 years of marriage, it's nice to be back in an orchestra again.

Another thing we love about Bloomington: things that are really amazing and indoors don't cost alot of money (my Phoenix friends will understand this). This is Wonderlab, a children's science/play museum close to our house.

Our first Halloween in the midwest! Vivian was a lady-bug, and Nathan was a superman/ spiderman hybrid. But Mark had to study for yet more tests so I dressed the part of a single mom.

Indiana University's campus is so beautiful- just so different from what we are used to, having grown up in the west.

The truth is: Mark and I debate back and forth about whether we should stay in the midwest, or try to get work back out west. The west is close to our families, but we have really grown to love the mid-west. Everyone is so family friendly! Neighbors are neighborly. People talk to each other at the park, just because you are there at the same time. And Bloomington is a small enough town that you run into the same people at Target, at the park, the library, etc.

I think I have never really loved living someplace until now. Indiana seems to be a conglomeration of everything I love- music, family, lots of moms with little kids to get together with whenever you want, parks, lactation consulting (more about that later). The university brings a sense of culture and opportunity to this cozy little town.

The Incident

2010-09-12T12:09:00.003-07:00

Our perfect child...

Today in church we were sitting on the right side of the aisle just a few rows back from the front. Nathan had been getting increasingly restless. Right in the middle of the sacrament, Vivian spit up on Amanda's arm, and Amanda asked me to reach over her and get the wipes, which were in her purse. I reached over and pulled on the purse, but it was stuck between the wall and the end of the pew. Nathan noticed I was trying to get it, and he latched on while yelling (yes, yelling) "This is Mama's! This is Mama's!" So in order to avoid a public battle, I reached and pulled out the ziploc bag of diapers and wipes from inside the purse. But he got even more upset and continued to fuss while I pulled out a wipe for Amanda to clean her arm. Hoping to appease Nathan quickly, I put the ziploc diaper bag back in the purse, but he grabbed it and started hitting it against the wall. At that point I shot up, bent over Amanda, and quickly scooped him up with one arm. He hadn't let go of the diaper bag, and as I stood back up with him, he flung the diaper bag up in the air in a fit of fury while trying to escape. I turned around in what seemed like slow motion expecting to see someone in the middle section getting pelted in the head with diapers. But the bag must have gone straight up and almost straight down because I turned around just in time to see our primary president in the pew behind us catch it flawlessly, as if that sort of thing happens all the time. She didn't miss a beat. I got several smiles from parents on our long walk down the aisle toward the exit. It's always good to know you're kid isn't the most misbehaved, why wouldn't they smile? After church, we even had people thank us for the entertainment. They loved it. Anything we can do to enhance the experience of others...

And on a less frustrating note...Bloomington is great! Our neighborhood is great! School is great! More on that later...

Farewell Arizona

2010-07-21T19:44:00.023-07:00

Dear AZ - You’ve given us so much: two adorable kids, good employment, great friends, beautiful scenery, a nearby temple, emergency air conditioning service, controversial legislation, and temporary tax increases. We will miss you.

Here's a before and after of the woman who makes it all possible. Amanda you are the best! Thanks for following me all over the country.

2007

2010

Check out my stache to celebrate our departure.

Amanda wasn't too fond of it, but my kids thought it was awesome.

Nathan has loved his 2 1/2 years in Phoenix.

He is one cute little man.

Vivian feels like she got short-changed with a mere 10 months.

I LOVE this girl.

still not sure what a hoosier is...

2010-04-16T15:10:00.000-07:00

No it's not a menorah, it's Indiana University! That's right, we're off to Bloomington and the Kelley School of Business in about 3 months!

We were both impressed with how stately and historic everything looks. I guess that's what happens when you've lived in a Western bubble all your life.

Could I pass for a midwesterner?

Amanda in front the Jacobs School of Music. Among the top 3 in the country. She is very excited to get involved.

Amanda and Viv in the music library. A little indoctrination going on here.

Amanda and Vivian zonked out in the hotel.

Doing the webcam with our little precious at Grandma's house in Las Vegas.

Viv playing with hotel cups. She is an excellent traveler, easily entertained, and just an overall delight. Wish I could say the same about you know who when he was that age.

We went from not being at all sure about coming to Indiana on Thursday to signing an apartment lease on Monday right before we headed to the airport. I was very impressed with Amanda's swift decision making.

Who knew there were highways with trees on both sides? It'll be a far cry from Phoenix, that's for sure. Come visit us!

I'm in love

2009-12-31T13:19:00.000-07:00

How could I not be with this face?

Oh yeah, and Nathan

cousins

hooray for 3 years

the whole fam

A stroke of luck

2009-10-07T08:29:00.000-07:00

So this is what an "easy" baby is like.

Welcome Baby #2!

2009-09-23T10:53:00.000-07:00

Baby #2

8 lbs. 1 oz. 20 in.

September 21, 2009 7:39 pm

I doubt Amanda will be documenting her birthing experience anytime soon, so here are the birth details from dad’s perspective. I really debated posting baby pics because let's face it - all babies look the same. But Amanda would probably want at least some pictures, so I posted them below.

Although Amanda had a rough pregnancy which consisted of preterm labor symptoms, high blood pressure, periods of bed rest, and a less than optimally positioned baby, her delivery was perfect. No stitches, no stretch marks, no steroids.

She started feeling more intense contractions Monday afternoon, but nothing that kept her from making dinner. Just before we sat down to eat around 6:00pm, she started having to focus more and to breathe through the contractions, so we called our friends the Landons to come get Nathan. We had a slight setback when amidst us scurrying to pack final items between Amanda's intensifying contractions, Nathan fell and bashed his nose right on our bed frame. He was screaming and his nose was gushing blood everywhere, and we thought he'd broken it. So then Amanda gets on the phone with the on-call pediatrician, who has no idea she's in labor, and they're talking about Nathan's nose. Luckily it stopped bleeding and he stopped screaming and we were off.

We were on our way to the hospital by 6:30, arrived at triage at 7:00 (where we found out she was at a 10 already), went to the delivery room shortly after, she started pushing at 7:30, and the baby was out by 7:39. It was great because there was no down time at all. Pure excitement and efficiency. So far, everything has been 1000 times better than our first delivery and newborn experience.

Amanda did a great job of preparing for the birth. We went to a 6 week Hypnobabies class, and she did a ton of research and practice on her own as well. I learned quite a bit myself, even though Amanda is the one who applies most of the information. I pretty much just learn it with her for support. Now I have all this pregnancy and birthing information taking up space in my brain, and I have nowhere to apply it. Maybe I ought to bag the MBA next year and become a midwife (yes there are male midwives, I looked into it out of curiosity).

Amanda 3 days before delivery

What a champ

Dad and baby

Mom and baby

Baby

Mom after getting cleaned up

A new baby and a new pizza. I can't think of anything more amazing.

Tiny Vivian's first night home

Suddenly Nathan didn't look small at all

Nathan saw her for the first time when he woke up. He was fascinated.

2009-08-02T16:04:00.000-07:00

Well, we haven't posted for awhile, and... I am on bedrest for the next few weeks. So I feel inspired to blog! Top 10 exciting events since we last posted:

10. Massive head injuries. Nathan likes to run around with his blanket over his head. Unfortunately, when he does, he thinks that all the furniture disappears. I was afraid his forehead would fill with blood and explode but the phone-in nurse assured me he was probably okay.

9. Talbot Family Reunion: Sea World! These are all my siblings, plus 3 spouses. Grandpa and Grandma took care of all the grandkids so we could all get thoroughly soaked. They tried to stop the whole ride and make me get off for being pregnant. I thought that was ridiculous since my body goes through more trauma in one hour of running after Nathan than anything that happened on this ride.

8. A chance to see the Arizona Diamondbacks up close! Mark's boss gave us front row tickets to a Diamondbacks baseball game. We have been wanting to go to a game since we moved here, and it was so fun to sit right above the dugout. The great thing is, they actually won the game, which apparently doesn't happen often. Nathan loved it too- definitely an event for serious reflection...

7. Hiking in Phoenix. We acquired a baby backpack! We woke up and went hiking by 6:00 AM, our goal being to avoid the heat. Unfortunately the sun was already bright and it was over 90 degrees. So it was a short hike, but good. We are finally fitting in with the rest of the Phoenicians. All we need now are road bikes with a baby trailer. Then we would REALLY fit in.

6. Oceanside beach!!! Mark was so excited to take Nathan in the waves. It is a treat as a parent to introduce your kids to new things. Maybe one day we'll let him get in above his ankles...

5. My brother Scott came home from his mission! He served in the Tennessee Nashville Mission. Nathan and I flew out to San Diego just to be there at the airport when he returned. The flight there was hectic: There were no extra seats so Nathan sat on his mother's already pregnant lap. Nathan started throwing tantrums as soon as we started taxiing, and eventually spilled water all over the person next to us. Nathan's pregnancy-hormone laden mother then cried for a good ten minutes for all in the plane to see. Luckily seeing his mom cry made Nathan mellow out for the rest of the flight. But it was all worth it to see my little brother- we are so proud of his service and feel like he has grown into a mature and confident man.

4. For one member in our family, playing in cement pipes is one of the most exciting things we ever do...

Let's see, running out of exciting things...
3. Oh yes! We are expecting on September 21, and it's a GIRL!

2. Proud fathering moment. Look at that balance!

1. And number one: Family pictures. Our son is so even tempered, it makes us proud parents. :)

2009-05-10T16:21:00.000-07:00

only performed under adequate dad supervision

2009-01-16T13:59:00.000-07:00

Moments like this are what makes it all worth it...

space

just in case you're wondering if he's okay...

Little crazy man video

2008-11-01T14:11:00.000-07:00

One Year in Phoenix

2008-09-10T14:46:00.000-07:00

This week is the official "Celebration of One Year in Phoenix Week." We arrived last September with no clue how many adventures we would go through under the heat of the Phoenix Sun.

Some memories:

We both graduated in August 2007. And then we packed up our meager belongings and left for Ahwatukee, a small suburb of Phoenix.

Mark started working at Ernst and Young a week after we arrived. And every morning before work, and every evening after work, and every Saturday he would sit at his desk and study for the CPA exam (to be a certified public accountant). Even I learned all about GAAP and FASB. All his hard work paid off! He eventually passed all 4 in six months, taking the last test 2 weeks after Nathan was born. Yikes!
We definitely had to adjust to the heat. I remember one night in September when we had just arrived, we were headed out on a date and stopped to get gas. Of course Mark had to turn off the car. And I only lasted about 30 seconds before it got too hot to sit in the car and wait for all that gas to pump. I retreated to the air conditioned convenience store. And it was 7:00 at night- not even mid day. ~ But this is a picture of the beautiful weather in November.

During the first few months, my great Aunt Beth and Uncle Marv were so nice to let us stay in their home. We loved having a nice big house for awhile, and it was so helpful to have time to look for a good apartment. Here we are in November, just moved into our new apartment, and still no kitchen table.

Christmas time! We went to visit the Phoenix temple grounds on a rainy night. It was beautiful! Our special camera technique didn't quite work, but what a handsome guy!!

Fourth of July: Family Pictures!!!

2008-09-04T13:37:00.000-07:00

This past fourth of July we traveled up to Springville and Provo to celebrate the Fourth with family. And we got our first family photos! My good friend from music graduate school days, Brooke Corbridge, offered to take them for us. She took our engagment photos two years ago- and we loved every single picture!!! Brooke is an amazing composer, and very talented photographer as well- we were so excited to take pictures with her again. Here are a few of our favorites:

Travels with Mark

2008-08-28T09:28:00.000-07:00

Ever since Nathan was born, we've been showing him the world: Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, Flagstaff, Washington, New Mexico. Through it all we have become experts on Residence Inns (thanks to Mark's work), living more out of suitcases and hotels than in our apartment, and getting quickly through security with a baby. When Nathan was 4 months old, Mark and I were standing in the security line with Nathan when the man in front of us remarked, "this must be his first flight." I said, uh, no actually, it's his 10th. To think I never got on a plane until I was 13 years old.

Here are some of the highlights from the past 8 months:

First trip on the plane with a 4 week old- Vegas!

Well, Nathan and I went to see Grandma and Grandpa Tew while Mark worked at the Venetian.

Yes, that is Nathan in front of an actual Monet Water Lilies (Getty Museum, Los Angeles). He'll thank me later, I'm sure.

Mark and Nathan after a hard day's work in Thousand Oaks, CA

Oh, actually, they are ready to party!

Nathan meeting the goat at Bates Nut Farm, Escondido, CA

With Grandpa Talbot at home in Escondido

A beautiful morning in Flagstaff, AZ ~ Much better here than in the heat of Phoenix

Our quick trip to Provo for my best friend Tatia's wedding. Nathan wanted to eat her flowers.

Costa Vida, Provo ~ this is where we went out to eat on our first date.

Memorial Day Weekend in Memorial Park (still in Provo- see the Y?)

The Tew family reunion in Yosemite National Park- Nathan meets his Aunt Adrienne and two cousins.

Studying hard with Grandpa Tew

Waterfalls in Yosemite ~ what a stylish hat

Talbot family reunion on the Washington coast- On the left, my oldest brother, on the right, my youngest brother.

The four crazy cousins!!!

Nathan in his element.

We went to visit our good friends, Russ and Heather, in Dallas. They showed us around Fort Worth- yeehaw!

Do you know what important historical event took place here?

On the road to New Mexico. If you look closely you can see Nathan in the mirror. After trying out little $1.99 mirrors that didn't work, I finally invested in a huge rear mirror so we can see cute little Nathan in the rear view mirrow.

The Animas River, right outside our hotel, Farmington, NM

Nathan and I catching our Zzzzs in a hotel.

The lovely deserts of Arizona!

Superman!

2008-02-20T15:40:00.000-07:00

Nathan's 4 day-old Superman Pose

2008-02-16T22:00:00.000-07:00

first bath with grandma talbot's cool towel

and some of my best motion picture work...

2008-01-24T12:42:00.000-07:00

I taught little Nathan how to throw up his first gang sign.

Happy 1 month birthday Nathan!

2008-01-22T17:32:00.000-07:00

Today is Nathan's 1 month anniversary of life!

Mark took this video minutes after he was born last month.