The photos above tell this story:
Several months ago, a sweet little fixer-upper landed on our email update. It was affordable and right down the street from my mom. We saw it. We loved it. We signed papers, held hands and crossed fingers...and then waited and waited and waited.
The photos above tell this story:
One day the bank said the house could be ours. And after all the negotiations, inspectors, contractors, painters, electricians, plumbers, roofers...sleepless nights...washers, dryers, fridges...have all been chosen, we are ready to begin the adventure of owning our first home.
This weekend, we entered the house for the first time alone. Just the three of us. No fabulous real estate agents (thanks, Auntie Barbara) or repairmen...just us. We kissed on the porch and turned our silver key. We walked into our silent and empty home. Encouraged Nora to run down the halls, bang on the floors, and hear her voice fill her room. We opened the blinds in her room. A lush orange tree filling her window frame. We sat and sang and blinked. We feel grateful and nervous, excited and tired.
I am not sure where the hours have been going lately...but my day has also contracted due to a promise between Daniel and me. We agreed to force each other to go to bed by 9:00pm and lights out by 9:30pm. One of us usually complains, grimmaces, and begrudingly closes the book or laptop or magazine.
Nora's vibrant screams light up our mornings by 5:00am for several weeks now. She also sprinkles in some midnight music from time-to-time. This makes for sleepy and crabby parents...UNLESS, we fall asleep early.
So, does this mean Nora's sleep is wonky? Yes. Is she teething? Double yes. Is she more easily cuddled at 4:30am when I'm not exhausted? Triple-yes.
But she's a big girl, never crawling and always walking (and falling), signing words and trying to speak, eating a ton, and just wanting to be a part of the mix. In the business.
She can now use sign language to say: cat, dog, more, eat, all done, dirty, change, bye-bye, pear, banana, milk, water, cheese, blanket, please and sleep.
She loves the new house...or is it merely the fantastic echoes produced from her clapping, screaching, and stomping feet?
All is well...and now it's off to get the oil changed and make copies of our new house key!
Video Fun
And on a rainy morning, what better way to hang out then listening to "Puff the Magic Dragon" and cuddling with a soft bear?
Your house! It's beautiful! Congratulations.
Posted by: Julie | October 25, 2011 at 04:52 PM
Congratulations Amber! Beautiful house. Can't wait to see pictures of the inside once you get settled.
Posted by: Rachel | October 26, 2011 at 05:55 AM
I love your new house! And I loved every minute of the video. I love how she only walks, and I love how she understands you when you talk in either English or German, I love her pensive look =), and I love her skinny jeans (or are they jeggings?), and I love her wave at the end. I WANT HER! I miss you guys so much=(
Posted by: Courtney | October 26, 2011 at 01:03 PM
It's beautiful, congratulations!
Posted by: Liz | October 26, 2011 at 02:08 PM
Thanks, everyone. We are excited and my mind is spinning with wanting to paint and stencil on every surface of the house. I'll probably end up just buying a poster...but one can dream. Will show "before & after" photos in about a month!
Posted by: Zora | October 27, 2011 at 09:50 AM