New look!

As we're nearing the start of a new chapter (parenthood, new job, new year!) I decided it was time for an updated look. Hair was the first step! Here's a sneak peak at the new hair, and an update on Little Lady C :)

Alyssa's New "Page"

As I'm getting back into the practice of writing regularly (after not writing for several months following graduation from my master's program in education), I continue to recognize interesting connections between my personal life as a wife and (future) mother, my professional life as an educator, and the world we live in.  I'll be posting these essays on a separate page, "Musings," linked on the right hand column of the blog. The "Home" page will focus on family updates, photos, and stories.

The first musing focuses on gender identity, stereotypes, and preparing to be parents of a little girl! See it here: Sugar and Spice? 

October already?

Mark and I just returned from a great weekend in Kalamazoo, MI with his side of the family. For his mom's birthday, we gifted her with an entire weekend of yard work- so everyone was very busy! The boys spent the day pulling out bushes around the porch (a 6 hour job!). Colleen and some family friends trimmed and replanted the gardens, and I made lunch, prepped dinner, delivered drinks, and provided moral support ;)

It was wonderful to spend time working with family, enjoying the perfect weather, and watching the leaves change over Sherman Lake. (Unfortunately, I forgot to get a camera out and document the hard work or the beautiful leaves all weekend.... I'll get better with pictures, I promise!)

We're not quite sure when it turned into October... At this point we are almost exactly 8 weeks away from meeting Baby C! The weekends in October are already filling up- next week we have a wedding on Saturday, the following weekend is Homecoming at MSU with our friends Eric and Cori, then one last free weekend before Barry and Donna (Alyssa's parents) come to deliver the crib, help finish setting up the apartment for Baby C- then I start working November 7th! Whew!

We love visitors, but at this point it is probably best to plan a visit in November or after our baby girl gets here. Hope all is well in your lives across the country (and the world!). Happy fall. =)