Graduation, packing, and moving...

Well, he did it! Spencer graduated from law school (on Sunday). What an accomplishment! I couldn't be more proud!! It was a fast and furious week filled with family in town, site seeing, graduation, saying goodbye, packing, and now moving- all in ONE week! Tomorrow's the big moving day and I still feel like there's so much to do (moving, and everything associated with it, is definitely up there on the worst things ever)! I really shouldn't even be on the computer right now but I actually have to pack it up. And since I don't know when I'll be seeing it again (thinking about ground shipping it to CA) I figured I should get on and add a short update before my leave of absence. I have some big posts coming soon of:

1) All our fun with Spencer's family here for graduation

2) Graduation day

3) Moving

4) And by the time I get my computer back- the Rudd family reunion (and probably several other new posts).

I hate getting behind, but I've packed my journal and vow to write daily (well, at least once a week). I love having these records to look back at and it kills me when life gets too busy to record it. So for now, I'll leave just a sneak peak of the graduate (and family)!

Brewer's Visit

After almost a 10 month absence, we reunited with the Brewer family at the beginning of the month (that's right- 3 weeks ago!! I'm way behind on my blogging!). They came out for Brian's graduation from Med school and what a sweet reunion we had. Madi and I have dearly missed our friends and were thrilled to have them back- even if it was only for a week. While Brian headed off to school each morning, Spencer studied for his finals, leaving us girls free to play how we used to. We wasted no time and picked up just where we left off- trips to the Rio, walks around the pond, playing at the park, pictures at the barn, sitting out in the sun, doing hair, and watching our girls being extra crazy together! It was a fabulous week! The best part about it was that at the end of the the day they didn't have to go home. Spencer took the nights off and we were able to enjoy dinners all together, catching up on all our favorite shows (yay for hulu hooked up to the tv), and talking late into the night. It was great!

Madi was overly thrilled about having her friend Lexi back! Every time they separated Madi would say, "I'm just so sad. I want to be with Lexi." Funny how two little girls with two totally different personalities can get along so well. I loved watching them play together, run after each other, and laugh their hearts out. And aren't they just so adorable together!?!

Following our week of fun here in MD, we joined Brian, Melissa, Lexi, and Melissa's parents for Mother's Day weekend (Sunday, Monday, & Tuesday) in Williamsburg, VA. What a treat! Melissa's parents went all out-spoiling Brian for his graduation- and upgraded our condo to an extra large 3 bedroom. With Elle's crib stuffed into the bathroom, and Madi in another room, it truly was a vacation. Aside from hanging out in Williamsburg, we made day trips to Jamestown, Yorktown, and Virginia Beach.

Yorktown was my personal favorite. It was such a quaint little town with a scenic riverfront beach, picturesque streets, and such charm. Plus, it was Elle's first time experiencing sand- she was in heaven! As for Madi- that's a different story.

Our day at Virginia Beach wasn't as warm as we would have hoped, but we didn't let the cold and a little wind ruin our fun! Brian bought a kite that has us rolling in laughter- 3 men struggling to get a small kite off the ground was definitely a site to see!

Once Madi finally got used to letting her feet touch the sand she was able to have some fun. I was just glad that someone else took it upon themselves to whip Madi into shape- she really can be quite the drama queen.

Notice her feet. The only reason she's smiling is because she sitting in the pink chair!

It was such an awesome beach- with a whole play area for kids, sand toys, beach chairs, the works. If only it'd been about 20 degrees warmer I'd have been in complete heaven!

Did I mention how fun it was to have a professional photographer with us the entire time! Melissa's all about photo ops! And of course I'm always up for a family photo shoot!

Our time with the Brewers flew by all too fast. It was so great to be back together and especially fun to watch our little girls play so well. Hopefully it's not too long before we can make it out to Texas for another reunion! Thanks Brewers for the fun memories!

10 months

18 lbs. 5 oz.

It was again an action packed month for Elle. I know I always mention her fun, easy going personality but it really is such an amazing thing for me when my first experience as a mom was with a sensitive, opinionated, high maintenance little girl. Elle's much more layed back. She had her real first beach experience this month and even though it was a little chilly with a good wind, she loved every bit of it. She's not afraid to get dirty, loves eating new foods (including sand and leaves), and adapts much easier than her sister did at this age.

She's adored by all who see her. Most common nicknames by strangers at the store are:

doll baby, adorable, and beautiful (the usual baby comments right). But I've also gotten laughs about how she's "the baby that always has her feet up." Elle loves getting comfortable wether it be shopping at the grocery store or eating meals. She likes to hook her feet up on the handle of the shopping cart and on the edge of her highchair tray. I'd never noticed this before people started commenting- figured it should be something I recorded.

Speaking of strangers, Elle's doing much better with meeting new people and being held by someone other than me. She definitely prefers her mommy above all others though. Spencer's had his feelings hurt on more than one occasion when Elle pushed him away to stay with me.

A few of the highlights this past month include:

-Elle sleeping in past 7am! I'm thinking she might be going through a growth spurt or something because Elle's all of a sudden decided she wants to take two hour naps (morning and afternoon) and sleep 12 hours at night (used to be 11). Just hope this is the new norm- it's been fabulous!

-Loving her sippy. Elle's still nursing- mostly due to her dislike of formula (I nursed 9 months with Madi and felt like that was a good amount of time. As much as I'm feeling ready for her to be done, I'm pretty sure Elle will nurse the full year). She'll take a bottle with anything but formula in it. Regardless though, I keep trying. I've found that she'll drink a little bit if I put it into her sippy. Plus I'm hoping it'll make the transition to whole milk easier.

-Sharing a bedroom with Madi. I moved the girls in together on April 26th. The fun lasted for 2 weeks and then I moved Madi out. Unfortunately they'll be back in together Wednesday night and will have to make it work for at least another 2 1/2 weeks.

-Looked at me, smiled, and said mama! Happened only once, might have been a fluke, but I sure loved it!

-"Reads" books and keeps herself entertained for longer amounts of time (can go 45 minutes to an hour). I've been happy to see that Elle loves books like her sister Madi did at this age. It's one of my favorite things- listening to her babbling away to herself while turning the pages of her books. I've tried to get it on video but as soon as she sees the camera she'll stop what she's doing and start laughing.

-Pulling up to standing. She can't pull herself all the way up yet, but she's sure trying and finally liking the whole standing thing. Before this month she would lift her legs into the air anytime I'd try to have her stand.

-Working on crawling. Goes on her knees a lot but then falls to her stomach. Can scoot pretty much anywhere going backwards though!

-2nd hair cut

-First tooth broke though, 2nd followed a week later- she now has her two bottom teeth coming in!

Elle really is a crack up. She dances while she eats and her whole body moves when she smiles. I just can't get enough of my happy little baby girl.

Just so busy

I'm a little behind on my blogging. I've got to catch up and record all the fun we had with Melissa, Brian, and Lexi last week, not to mention our Mother's Day weekend getaway to Williamsburg, VA. It was a super fun week and a half (post coming soon)! Then we got home on Tuesday night and I started to feel the pressure. As Spencer left for work Wednesday morning he layed it on thick about "starting the packing" and "using my time wisely". I kindly reminded him that taking care of our girls is using my time wisely. But truthfully I'm just procrastinating. I don't want to think about packing, letting my house become a disaster, and saying goodbye to all my things for who knows how long! Plus my mom's gonna be here in one week and she's so good at all of it! Really, I'm a terrible packer and I need some direction. Luckily Madi's pretty motivated. I walked into her room yesterday to find a suitcase open and her piling clothes into it. I asked her what she was doing and she tells me, "I'm packing mom. I'm just so busy." While listening to her comment on each article of clothing going into the suitcase I quickly grabbed the camera and asked her to smile. Her response, "I can't mom. I'm just so busy."

Well, I guess I better go get busy too. In two weeks from today the moving truck comes to take all our stuff away. This has all happened way too fast!

Bed Head

One great thing about hot humid weather is what it does to Elle's hair. She woke up this particular morning with quite the do. Even though it was 6:30am I had to snap some pics!

The END of the BEGINNING

Spencer just got back from taking his last final EVER as a law school student!! WOW- and just like that, he's done! Well almost... Graduation is in two weeks and then he takes the bar exam in 11 weeks. Between all that is a LOT of studying! But then he'll be a practicing attorney! Exciting!! Looking back three years ago it seemed like this day would never come. It's flown by though.

When Spencer started law school I remember thinking how weird it would be that by graduation our baby Madi would be almost 3- a walking and talking real little kid! And I was no where in the mind set of thinking that we'd have another one- and almost a year old!

The first year of law school was probably my favorite. I quickly learned that all the horror stories of law school being impossible weren't entirely true in Spencer's case. He's a fast reader, talented writer, has an incredible memory, and had a lot of legal experience before he started law school- all good things needed to survive your first year. Having only one kid and the excitement of getting to know a new area also added to the fun.

Second Year

By the start of second year our hard earned savings were nearly gone and we were getting to experience the real meaning of "starving students." It was a year of cutting back and trying to get by strictly on student loans. We got rid of the TV (cable, and tivo), canceled the home phone, and I got into couponing. In Spencer's opinion, his second year of law school was his favorite. He got to pick most of his classes, got to explore new areas of law, and began to get a real sense for what areas of law he really enjoyed. To top off his second year, Spencer got a summer associate position at Hausfeld LLP!!

Third Year

I'd say third year of law school was the probably the hardest. After finishing up his summer associate program at Hausfeld, he and one other "summer" were given offers to stay on. That included part-time work throughout the school year. So on top of law school, Spencer was working around 20-25 hours per week at the firm. Add to that Spencer's new calling in the Stake Young Men's. Oh, and I can't forget that Elle was born just a few months before Spencer started his third year. Needless, to say Spencer was busy. We all were busy!! But somehow, we made it through.

Three years later, Spencer is done and very ready to graduate. In between all of this, Spencer learned that what seemed like a for sure full-time associate position at Hausfeld was not to be due to a hiring freeze. While the news was initially shocking, it wasn't too much of a surprise in this legal market! A 2011 offer is a possibility, but who knows... Obviously we can't sit around until 2011 rolls around, so Spencer is looking into other opportunities-both here in D.C. and in CA. We're confident that things will work out. Spencer has a strong resume, lots of contacts, and knows what he wants. We're excited to see where the wind blows us! (maybe California...crossing my fingers!!) But for now, we are content in celebrating Spencer's huge accomplishment.

Sneak Peek

Madi's getting geared up for the Rudd Family Reunion Talent Show- just one month away! Her talent still needs a some work- incorporating actions while singing can get a little tricky. Luckily she's still got some time to work on it!