Not All Baby

Although life since our move to Kansas City has been rightfully focused on Jack, it hasn't been all baby. On the side, we've enjoyed a meager start on various housing projects, visits from and trips to see friends and family, and exploration on our new neighborhood. Although we expected to tackle the home improvement world in a bigger way, we've at least managed a few aesthetic things to make our new house our home. When Dave's parents were out in March to visit their new grandson, Calvin helped us move the lighting on our dining room ceiling from a single centered light to two pendant lights above our dining room table. We love the change. We've also initiated work on Jack's room, painting the walls and ceiling, changing lighting, refinishing an armoire, etc. Still much to be done to make this project complete... sew curtains, paint woodwork, etc.

Our new dining room lights.



We found a piano on Craigslist for less than $100 and decided to bring a little music to our dining room. It's in (thank you Jon!) and awaiting a professional piano tuner before the playing can begin. Feels good to have a piano in the house again.



One of the perks to life in Kansas City is living a bit closer to family and old friends. It has been a delight to have my brother Jon, sister-in-law Emily, and niece Ella just a short 10 minute drive away. We share meals, swap daycare, exchange house project help, and simply enjoy each other's company. It's lovely. My dear friend Sasha and her family and Dave's good college friend Clark and his family live in the Newton area. Wonderful to have them visit and to visit them. Over Easter weekend, Clark's family and our friends from Minneapolis, Ian and Anika, gathered at our place to celebrate Clark's 30th birthday. We had a great time... good company and conversation, grilling, bocce at Loose Park, sushi, etc.

Dave and his buddies.



In addition to having visitors, we've enjoyed a few trips to Newton and a trip to Pennsylvania. So fun to have our little Jack in our childhood homes. It's a reflective experience and highlights how far we've come in life. It adds a certain generational depth to those familiar house structures, yards, and streets.

Jack with Oma and Opa in Newton.



During our trip to Pennsylvania we got to see all of Dave's family including our new nephew Carter born in March. Fun that he'll be so close in age to Jack! We met for our annual cabin trip in the Pocono Mountains. Always refreshing to spend time with family in this way. We spent time going on walks, playing at the park, engaged in a little Band Hero, and of course eating, eating, eating.

Jack with cousin Carter.



Our other nephews, Alex, Derek, Ethan, and Cody.



We've enjoyed exploring our neighborhood through walks with little Jack in the stroller or baby bjorn. I cherish these walks not only for time with my boys, but I love the narrow winding streets, old trees, and houses dripping with charm. Perhaps it is just our phase in life which makes us more attentive to others with little ones, but our neighborhood seems filled with young families. This feels good knowing that as Jack grows there is ripe potential for playmates and friendships. We've had a few evening picnics at a small park just 3 blocks away that has a playground, kiddie pool, tennis courts, and picnic tables. I'm sure we'll frequent this the older he gets.

Most noteworthy though of our neighborhood is Linda's Winged Cup. It is a wonderful little coffee shop about 6 blocks away. We've developed a habit of going there every weekend we're home. It's run by Linda and her son Collin who are always there providing genuine, friendly service. Linda bakes all the pastries fresh daily and cooks up anything else as you order. They have the best egg sandwiches we've ever come across (whole wheat bagel, cheese, avocado, tomato, yum!). Dave loves their dark roast coffee and I'm a sucker for their chai latte. Ahh, Linda's Winged Cup...