Dear Emily, 

   My sister has been in town this week and we have taken tours of San Diego all week long.  We have been to the zoo, a picnic on Coronado, La Jolla to seal watch, Mount Soledad to see the view, a walk at Kate Sessions park, Ocean Beach for a cheeseburger, and some other various driving around to see the sights.  Normally, I would eat up this exploration.  I have seen more of the city this week than I have seen since we moved here... but it's different with a newborn.  

  Over the past few years, I have grown to love being home even more.  I love home.  I love coming home.  No matter where we live, our home becomes a refuge and safe haven from the busyness. It is a place of calm amidst the chaos of this city.  I am reminded often of a quote from Juno -- "I never realize how much I like being home unless I've been somewhere really different for a while." (I love this movie, by the way. Watch it if you have not. I cry at the ending every time.)
    Anyways, all of that to say, I love coming home. I love it even more now with my little Jules. Sometimes, I miss her so much when we have been out all day and she has been in her car seat all the way in the back seat. I miss having her in my arms and cuddling her. Do you ever feel this way with Clara? It seems silly to miss some one that is only a few feet away. I think I'll go interrupt her nap that she's taking in her car seat so that I can snuggle her.

Love, Jen

P.S. My love is out of town this week and I am thinking that I'll hit up the La Jolla library tomorrow. Have you read anything noteworthy lately? Maybe something easy and happy or something that makes me feel smarter...

Dear Emily,
   So I seriously wish we lived closer together so that I could be a recipient of some of that bread! It looks delicious! I might need to invest in a dutch oven just for that!  Making bread is on my to-do list since moving here. I really want to learn.  Maybe in a few months, I'll give it a go.  I have to admit, I eat a ton of bread too.  It would be tastier if it was home made... and just for the record, I seriously doubt you need to diet!

 How did Clara like the fourth? Did she experience any fireworks?  Travis was off for two days, so we took full advantage of it.  The first day we slept in, had breakfast out on the patio and then later in the day we took a drive up the coast on Hwy 101 to Carlsbad and back. There are several really cute towns and it's beautiful to drive alongside the ocean. We did get stuck in terrible traffic on the way back, but it was still nice getting to see something new and explore a little.  Yesterday, we spent the whole day snuggling, drinking tea, watching movies and reconnecting. It was pretty chilly here and a little misty, so it was the perfect day for it. We grilled steaks for dinner and didn't really leave home, except for the dog park.  We were also able to see most of one of the fireworks shows from our back porch.  These days, I would rather do that than fight traffic.

So Travis is back at work today and I'm pretty much on my own. It's always weird going back to being alone after you've been together for days straight.  I have to adjust back into it.  We're still waiting on baby.  I'm really hoping she comes soon. It's getting to be too much.  Here's to hoping she comes quickly!

Love, Jen

Dear Emily,
  I am seriously jealous of your sailing date! That sounds so fun and your pictures are beautiful! Dates are something that are so valued now, even before baby comes as our time together is so slim. I am really looking forward to a fun weekend. I have requested to see the sun set and to go see the seals, either a trip to Point Loma or to La Jolla Coves is in order. Usually when we live in a town, we find a coffee shop or restaurant that we love and it becomes a special place for us, but it's different here in San Diego. Our choices are so unlimited, that it's almost overwhelming! It's a good thing that I have 3 or 4 years to try everything!  So much diversity here! 


My to-do list is getting whittled away slowly, but surely.  I have quite a few meals put away and I even have a loaf of apple bread and a batch of cookie dough in the freezer all ready for when little Miss comes home and we need something sweet and fresh. It was my way of coping with a little labor anxiety.  

The only thing the nursery is lacking is a rocking chair and possibly two prints in frames. I have yet to decide what I want, but I have a few things that I am thinking of. So happy to be ready to bring her home whenever she decides to make an appearance. I did finish her rocking horse today and I am in love!

It's hard to see past the next couple of weeks to the rest of the Summer. Our entire Summer is full of loving and learning about our new baby, lots of family visiting, and hopefully some parks, walks, and zoo trips with the love!


I hope you and Clara have a wonderful weekend! I think we are going to start celebrating Fourth of July. Do you have big plans? Fireworks? 


Love, Jennifer