Zilker Park

It's only been one week in Austin, and I have to admit that I'm already falling in love with this place. First of all, my hair works great here (not that these photos are any indication of that). Second, before I even got to see any of the downtown area, I fell in love with our nearby grocery store. For those of you who know Ranch Market in Mesa (possibly the happiest grocery store on earth), it's basically a mix between your average grocery store and Ranch Market. This means that they sell freshly made tortillas, conchitas, and have a bar with aguas frescas + fresas y crema. ALL THINGS HOLLI NEEDS.

Rose helps us shop by holding the grocery list

Austin was already after my heart—and then I saw downtown. HEART EXPLODING.

Our first "night on the town" we went to a place called Chuy's for some Tex-Mex. I admit this place is totally against my principles, meaning that it really isn't what you'd call "authentic" at all. Heck. They served ranch dressing with our chips and salsa. But heck. It tastes good in my mouth, so what of it? Hello chips n' ranch dressing! *principles flying out the window* Oh, and the atmosphere of this place was really fun. I'd like to call it rock-n-roll-party-town, Meh-hee-ko. Aztec art + an Elvis shrine.

After stuffing our faces, we went to Zilker Park ("the soul of Austin"—as it read on a sign there) for an outdoor orchestra concert on the hillside amphitheater. It was a pops concerts, so they were playing Broadway medleys from Grease, Les Mis, etc. Fun stuff.

outdoor concert in Zilker Park

On Tuesday, Jacob and I had a very special treat—VISITORS! Tricia and Chase (with their cute kiddos) decided to make a trip to Austin before moving from Houston to LA for Chase's residency at USC. They had few places they wanted to see, and more importantly, some food-stops that they had to try. First, they brought me some Torchy's Tacos. YUMMM. I think I will be eating there many many times before the summer is over.

Next we hit Zilker Park again, except this time (in the daylight) we got to see a lot more of it. And wow. This park is AWESOME. The big hot-spot here is the beautiful Barton Springs. With the steamy-hot weather, I was really wishing I brought my suit. I'm definitely gonna have to experience a swim in the springs before we leave.

Barton Springs. Rose is waving at the camera.

sleeping away in her sling

Crew never wanted to get off of that swing!

The kiddos loved the playground and so did the "parkour" guys. These dudes were doing flips all over the playground equipment! Wish I had gotten a picture. 

Tricia + Me + Rose

Next, we headed to a little place called Home Slice Pizza. Chase loves his NY style pizza, and this place hit the spot. 

Kate + Jacob

Don't you love Tricia and Chase's matching Texas shirts? They bought them at Buccee's on their way to Austin. Texas is gonna miss these two dorks :)

On the way home, we drove through more of downtown. Everywhere I looked I just kept falling more and more in love. Not sure if this is just hasty infatuation, but the thought I WANT TO LIVE HERE FOREVER is taking hold.

best buds

1 Month

I can't believe my little newbie is a whole month old today!

She has changed so much already! Her face has really filled out and she has lost a bit of her hair. Chunky, bald baby = she's starting to look more like me. She is also becoming increasingly alert. She is so expressive and has a huge, gummy smile—still trying to capture a good picture of it.

UPDATE: We are now in Austin! All of you were right, by the way. Flying with a newborn was no problem at all. She slept almost the ENTIRE time—like from the moment we left the house, the drive to Salt Lake, all the hullabaloo at the airport, the flight to Denver, waiting for our connection, boarding our second flight, and about thirty minutes short of arriving in Texas—She slept through ALL OF THAT. It was pretty miraculous. I'm still in awe.

We are still getting acquainted with a new city/living space, but so far we are liking it. This place has a lot of character, and I think it will be a good fit for us. More updates to come!*

*hopefully. turns out being this little newb's mommy is busy busy work. typing with one hand as we speak...

baby hangout

Jacob left for Austin on Friday morning, and me and Rose are missing daddy LOTS. Being apart even for just five days has been so much harder than I anticipated! Good thing my mom is here to keep me sane/make me delicious food—seriously, I'm talking homemade hummus, pitas, kashmir spinach + homemade naan + sweet potatoes, and fruit smoothies. Yep. My mom is awesooooome.

We'll be joining Papa bear in Texas Wednesday night. It really can't come soon enough.

p.s.

Wish me luck with the flight. First time flying with a baby, and I'm super nervous.

Rose's Blessing Day

Jacob blessed our sweet little Rose in sacrament meeting yesterday. We decided to get her blessed quickly before we leave for Texas, and were so grateful for all the family members who were able to come to Provo on such short notice to show their love and support. It was a very special day for our little family.

wearing my blessing dress

 a friend of the family knitted these precious booties to go with her dress—i love the little rosebuds.

she basically slept through everything, except when she grabbed the microphone cord during the blessing and wouldn't let go.

So proud of our little girl.

2 weeks

Rose at one week.

This little girl hit two weeks yesterday, and she is already growing and changing so much! 

Slow down, baby!

Caring for a newborn has been so much different than I expected. Okay. It really is as exhausting as everyone says it is. That was a big "duh" for me. Still, I didn't expect our tiny baby to be so animated, interactive, and strong. She already has a little mind and personality of her own. I look at her now and I hardly see a newborn anymore. I just see a tiny person who is becoming more and more a part of the world around her every day. A tiny person that I love.

Swaddled

It's a good thing Jacob is a champion swaddler...

because sometimes moms need to be swaddled too.

i have to admit that being wrapped up like a burrito felt pretty nice.

i totally "get" why babies are into this sort of thing.

simulating womb-like surroundings... *sigh*

These Two

Jacob and Rose's first cuddle session the day we took her home.

My heart is exploding constantly these days.

I'm so lucky to have these two.

Rose's First Bath

Okay. Maybe not her first bath, but it was mine and Jacob's first time bathing her at home, I guess. Precious times with the family, right? Jacob enthusiastically took the wheel with this one, and I sat nearby to capture it. We found out quickly that Rose does not like baths one bit! She was pretty furious with us.

"SAVE ME!!!"

I was glad to be the one to wrap her up in a warm towel at the end. She actually seemed to enjoy that part.

This pic is so sad/funny/cute the same time. Poor baby.

Hopefully the next bath time isn't so traumatic for her.

After the last one I sincerely wondered if she would ever trust us again.

Employed

So I have a new job,

and this is my boss...

THAT FACE. I CAN'T EVEN HANDLE IT.

Super Girl!

Daddy dressed her yesterday.

Of course, he chose the "baby elephant" onesie that he decorated for FHE 

and found the perfect corresponding blanket to go with the ensemble.

Cuuute.

Jacob and I are very much rookies at this whole "parent" thing, but so far (5 days?) it's been really cool. 

We love our little Rose

 and she seems to like us too.

4 days old

4 days old and already holding her binky in by herself!

I knew my child would be highly advanced.

Just as a warning—expect a lot more of this.

Rose's great-grandma Ferrin requested that I post EVERY LITTLE CUTE THING that she does,

and the last thing I want to do is disappoint Grandma.

Rose Madeleine Robinson

Rose Madeleine Robinson

Born May 10th 2013, 2:51 am

7 lbs 14 oz, 19.5 inches 

Simply precious.

In lovely, blooming spring

my Rosebud came to me.

A tiny flower of pink,

she puts a song in me.

My pink Rose.

My pink, pink Rose.

How dear, nobody knows.

How sweet, just as it shows.

My pink Rose.

The Graduate

I guess while I'm sitting around waiting for my baby to get here, I should probably announce that this guy graduated. Take a fine look at my handsome-mechanical-scholar-genius. By "mechanical" I just mean that he graduated with his Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering. He's not, like, a robot or anything like that. He just likes to make robots.

i love a man in a robe :)

graduation BBQ + campfire with some fellow graduating friends.

Tinkering with his graduation present... TOOLS!

You should've seen him and his friends going crazy over putting this tool set together when I gave it to him. Party games? Activities? In a crowd of engineers, there's no need. Just give them a tool set to assemble and they are so so happy.

the man of the hour!

and the parents came for the big day too!

As Jacob's graduation was approaching, I started to feel bad. I began to feel like maybe all of his academic accomplishment this past year has been somewhat overshadowed. It seems like everything these past 9-and-a-half months has been all about me and Baby. Meanwhile, he has been working hard and doing incredible things in his classes and research. He has achieved so much—of course, while taking care of his very needy pregnant woman + unborn babe, taking his most challenging course-load ever, doing research, working on grad school applications, serving in church callings, etc.

If I ever had to trade places with him, I'm sure I couldn't do it so gracefully. But like the champ he is, he just acts like it's nuthin. I'm in constant awe of his love, service, and dedication in everything he does. And I confess, it's pretty good to be married to someone like that.

Congrats, my love!

Uno Mas

decorated my final onesie and am rather pleased with it.

tried out a kaleidoscope pattern using the potato stamping method.

i will now be retiring from this artform for many moons.

40.5 weeks

Well, I'm officially "overdue," folks.

One more belly pic, just for kicks?

"2 LEGIT 2 QUIT"

This is what an overdue pregnant woman looks like.
No. This is what an overdue pregnant woman in a 90s "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" shirt looks like.

One with a really good attitude.

It's been strange seeing all the baby announcements on facebook from other women who had due dates right around mine—most of them after mine. Strange and jealous. I feel like a ticking time bomb, and am ever anxious waiting for my time to come. Sometimes when my phone rings, I get excited and think Oh that must be someone calling to tell me my baby's coming! And then I remember that doesn't make any sense. Your brain stops working right days like these.

I guess little one isn't ready for the big world just yet, and there's no rushing these things. If she's anything like her mom, she hates being rushed.