Monday, October 10, 2011

The Place That Made Us

I've been thinking that I need to write about our experience in Boston. I'll start out by saying that it was the best experience for Me and Drew! We moved there together RIGHT after we got married in Arizona. In fact, our honeymoon consisted of driving across the country, slowly seeing sights along the way. We went to Yellowstone...took an accidental detour through Montana where we found our dream land...Mt. Rushmore...Niagara Falls and Buffalo...The Mall of America(awesome!)...then arrived in our new home, Boston. Right then is when we started the beginning of a 2-year adventure of Drew finishing his schooling at Berklee College of Music and me nannying.



We lived in Back Bay on the most beautiful street in Boston, Marlborough Street. It's a very quiet street that runs directly into The Boston Public Gardens, parallels 1 block each way from The Charles River and Commonwealth Avenue, and is 2 blocks from one of the best shopping districts in the world, Newbury Street! We lived just a few blocks from Drew's school so he conveniently walked to school every day. And with one nanny job I walked 4 blocks to work!



In the span that we lived there, I nannied for a few different families. I learned so much about taking care of babies/toddlers full time and became a more experienced cooker and baker. Me and Drew both discovered that we are a great pair when being with/taking care of kids and have a lot of fun! Also, how we wanted to parent our own kids. It was all GREAT practice which will come in handy in 4 more months when we have one of our own! I really miss each family that I nannied for and hope to stay in touch.

Drew finished Berklee with a degree in Songwriting and Music Business. He wrote and recorded his own music at 2 different studios while we were there, each one producing a completely different sound. He does vocals and acoustic guitar. Drew signed with a producer on Newbury Street right before we moved. He feels like he accomplished a lot while at Berklee and learned the most he could from his inspiring teachers! I am SO proud of him working so hard while we were there and balancing being a super-husband, teaching voice lessons, and school!



Living in the city we had many adventures! We walked EVERYWHERE...grocery store, dinner, work, school, museums, site seeing, shopping, friends houses, or just a stroll in the park. I guess that's why they call it "The Walking City"! It's small enough that you could walk the whole city in a day. The only times we really used our car was for day trips to a nearby city, visiting Dennis, hanging out with our friend David and his kids, errands not close by, and driving to church! We could have survived without a car, but are SO glad that we had one!! That would've taken away a lot of fun days we had, especially at the pumpkin farms in the country during the fall! One of the things we loved most about the city was the fact that each holiday actually matched the way it looked outside. Halloween time LOOKS like Halloween with old buildings and brown trees and Christmas it's white everywhere from the snow and the whole city is decked in lights and spirit! The summers are so green and flowers are all bloomed!!



Living in Boston was HARD! It's expensive and everyone works really hard for what they have. But how much fun you have in the mean time makes it all worth it! The people there all have something going for them...a really good school, big goals and aspirations, or a great job. It was so inspiring to be around! We will really miss our friends and appreciate all the fun times we had!

We want to say thank you to our family and friends who gave us their love and support while we were there! We never had to miss you too much because you visited often. It was so much fun sharing our fun life there with you!

Boston is where Me and Drew became US, it's where we established ourselves, grew together, became more well-rounded, and made our baby boy happen! So we miss it sooooo much...everything about it...being just me and him for 2 years was the best thing for us and that time will always be special.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

BOYS are FUN!



YAYAYA! We are officially having a baby boy :). We had a GREAT trip to Boston for the last time for a while. The doctors appointment went really good and the baby is definitely a HE no questions asked! It's sad when the ultrasound is over because I just want to watch him and hang out with my baby on the screen all day! We made finding out fun by having the doctor write his gender on a paper, went shopping at Zara, picked out one boy and one girl outfit, had the cashier look at the paper and wrap whichever gender it was. We opened in during a nice lunch at Stephanie's on Newbury Street! It was a really fun day :). I had been waiting to buy this baby clothes for 18 weeks! And it's just as fun as I thought it would be...and I haven't been able to stop. Drew is so stoked to have a little boy to rough up, but don't worry I will keep him sweet!!

I am now almost 21 weeks and have a little belly poking out. I feel him move all the time and his kicks are getting stronger, it's jolting and I love the feeling. Basically, being pregnant is the best experience I have had yet! The few things that aren't so fun about it don't even compare with how awesome it is. I was bummed when I couldn't get on a wave-runner in Mexico or when I wasn't much help lifting things during the move, but I just don't care that much because I'm so happy with WHY I can't!!! Anyway, that's my update for now...We can't wait to snuggle with our baby boy :).

Monday, September 19, 2011

Back To Boston Tomorrow

This week is a very special week because we find out if our baby is a BOY or GIRL! We fly back to Boston tomorrow morning for our last appointment with our doctor there. I am now 18 weeks and have a little baby bump. I have been feeling the baby kick for 2 weeks now and Drew felt it for the first time this past weekend! It's so cute feeling it at this stage because its kicks are so small :).

My best friend in Boston, Claire, is throwing me a baby shower on Thursday with all of our friends! She is SO sweet to throw me a shower even though we are already moved huh? I am a lucky girl! Can't wait to see everyone!!!

Thursday, September 8, 2011

A New Chapter of Life



CRAZY things are happening! First of all, we had an AMAZING vacation!! Both Mexico and Washington were perfect :). Mexico was paradise with our cabana bed on the beach, messages, and private dinners, while Washington was awesome being with the family and staying in a big house that overlooked the Puget Sound!



Leaving vacations and back to reality...So we had made the plan to stay in Boston and have the baby there in the spring THEN move West, but it all changed...Believe it or not we already moved to Arizona! It was probably one of the most stressful times of my life finishing up my last week of work, packing, selling our car, and working everything out so we could leave Boston so quickly, but we got here and it all worked out somehow. Drew has finally signed a contract with a producer in Boston to record and help get his music off the ground. They already finished recording so we hope sometime soon we'll be heading somewhere with his music. In the mean time, we are here in AZ now working for Drew's parents new business called E3 Imagine. There is a crew currently traveling to 14 different countries for the next two months and our job is to help run the company while they're gone and get everything ready for when they get back. Go to the website to see what we are doing and how this business will enrich the lives of many children and families around the world!

We have now entered a new chapter of our life...graduated, pregnant, new jobs, and a completely different environment. Wish us luck! :)

Saturday, August 6, 2011

1 Week Until Freedom!

One week from today we leave on our big and last get away of the summer! This August is a big month for us with our 2-year anniversary and Drew officially finishing school...so we are going to CABO!!!



Goodbye Boston and hello Mexico! Drew surprised me with this as a birthday gift/combination. He's amazing I know!! This is a much much needed trip. I can't wait to be relaxing on the beach! I wish we could fast forward this next week :). I'll be nannying for the week in the Cape, LOOOONG days! I will be missing Drew taking care of me verrry much...ah well I'll survive and then we're off! Here's our resort...



After 4 nights in Cabo, we fly straight to Washington state for a whole week for my dad's family vacation! It's been many years since we have all gone somewhere together so we are all REALLY looking for to it. Drew has never been to Washington so I'm really excited for him to see it. SOOO green and beautiful! My dad always does a good job with picking an awesome place to stay and he has chosen a nice relaxing water front house. CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

A Dream Come True

Today we went to our first OB doctors appointment! It was my 12 week appointment so we were able to see the baby for the first time on an ultra-sound. In this picture the baby is upside down just hanging out...


Neither of us were expecting it to be THAT COOL! We had both just seen pictures of other peoples ultra-sounds so we didn't know that you actually get to watch it move around...and OH MY GOSH it was the best feeling in the world to see him/her. It was waving its arms and doing flips! Haha, the doctor said that its a good thing that its so active. Maybe its because I still work out?? Haha. Seeing our baby so small and moving like that was the cutest thing I have ever seen! So anyway it all became much more real for us and especially Drew. He got REALLY excited and it was REALLY cute :). Me too though because until the doctor confirmed everything was going great and that I was even pregnant, there was always a little worry in the back of my head. Before today I was just thinking about taking care of the baby and eating well along with envisioning the baby after it was born (kissing, hugging, and loving it), but today changed my feelings! As soon as I saw it on the screen I fell in love with our baby! Now that I've seen it I feel like I have a relationship with it. It's a feeling that I have never felt before, a deep spiritual and emotional feeling to this human being that I am fully responsible for. I know all you Moms out there know what I'm talking about and for everyone that isn't a mom yet and will be, you really have something INCREDIBLE to look forward to. I truly feel like MY #1 dream is coming true and have never felt so happy and good about what I'm doing and the path that I'm on. The gift of motherhood is the greatest blessing in this world to me and I hope that I will always be a wonderful example for my children.

Here's a picture of me right before the appointment. I'm not showing yet (first pregnancy tends to take longer to show), but will pop in the next month or two!

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Get Better Daddy-O!



This post is dedicated to my loving father, Steven Wayne Leavitt! He just had surgery yesterday so I want to try to make him feel better or at least smile for a minute :). Dad, you have an adventurous side that caused you to be injured, but what's life if you aren't fully living? I'm sure when it happened you were enjoying 72 degree weather in the sweet California breeze. I didn't get a text of that, but it wouldn't have been the first! You definitely have inspired me to be brave(and maybe a little cautious at the same time). Years ago, your biggest fear was bungee jumping and what did you do? You went bungee jumping! You are so courageous! And I hope that I have some of that in me as well :). I hope that you feel better, your lucky to have Dawn to take care of you! And little Aries to make you smile. I love you and am so thankful for you!!

Oh and Drew is NOT getting a motorcycle, you alone(and Tanner) fill the family quota for motorcycles :).

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

We're having a bAbY!


Last month we went to Arizona for my best friends wedding! Kandyce looked beautiful as a bride and her reception was stunning as well! I am so happy for her and hope that her and Ian have a wonderful life together, they make the cutest couple! We then went to California with Drew's whole family which was soooo much fun! We had a beach day, a day at Knotts Berry Farm, AND 2 days at DISNEYLAND! Huntington Beach was quite cold and it wasn't sunny out at all...but Drew was brave and went in with me :). We boogie boarded and body surfed which made me really miss living there or at least close enough to go frequently! Knotts was full of young teenagers, but it was awesome and they have some super fun roller coasters. Disneyland definitely wins for cleanest, prettiest and most all around enjoyable! We LOVE Disney! Haha.


While we were there we found out something really special...WE'RE HAVING A BABY!!! Yep! I'm pregnant :). Kinda cool that we can tell our little toddler that we found out we were having him/her in Disneyland. We were kinda freakin out in the park for a bit...then we got really excited. I know that this baby right now is all part of the plan. I feel so blessed to have this assurance! I am so excited to have this baby. I will love it so much! I can't wait to hold baby :). I have been looking forward to this my whole life and I can't believe its time! I know me and Drew will make the most amazing parents! we are the best team and I know in my heart that no one would have been better for me than Drew. He will make an amazing dad! So that was really the big highlight of our trip. Then telling all of our families was really fun! It has been really cool watching Drew react to having a baby. He feels this new huge responsibility to really work hard (not that he didn't before :)). He's been taking such good care of me and has helped me cope with work and 1st trimester so well. I know I am so lucky! So there you have it. This is a big big year for us! Drew is finishing up school in 3 weeks. Then we are moving to Concord into a free place that we can stay in to save money! We will stay there until we have the baby because there are such good hospitals here this is where we want to have it. And Drew will be working on starting a few new businesses/jobs. The baby is due February 19th and after it is old enough and we are ready, we plan to move back west to California. Very exciting stuff! Our life is changing in so many ways and it feels like we are entering many chapters and once, but it is making our life really fun. It feel so good to have a plan!!!!! I love plans :).

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Drews Graduation Ceremony



This past weekend was Drew's graduation ceremony! Drew's parents, Carly, and Denver flew in from Jamaica to be there which was super nice cuz they've been traveling to different countries for the past week (check our their business E3 Imagine)! My dad, who is a HUGE support to us and wouldn't have missed Drew graduating for the world, came into town. Dawn couldn't make it being in an intense esthetician program (she finishes up next week :))! My mom and Kevin would have loved to be there, but my mom was working :/. We started out the big day with the ceremony! We got to listen to speakers Chucho Valdés, Bebo Valdés, Kenny Garrett, Mavis Staples, and Michael McDonald who received honorary doctor of music degrees from Berklee! The speakers were REALLY inspirational. Drews name was called, he walked his walk, and we cheered his name!! We ate at two of our most favorite restaurants. Max Brenner by the baldman for lunch! They have amazing food with a great atmosphere. We even had chocolate fondue! We then got rained on trying to shop around Newbury....for dinner we went to 94 Mass Ave. Our good friends Quinn and Claire came, Jake, and our boss friend David. Great restaurant as well. So all in all it was a really fun day spend with family and friends that are a big part of Drews life!! He still has a summer semester, but it will go by fast. I am so extremely proud of him for pushing through school, work, recording his cd, and being married at the same time! That is a lot to handle :). It's so crazy to think that we are soon moving into a different chapter of life. We feel ready though! We have been in Boston for almost two years now! We are coming up on our two year anniversary in August! Crazy crazy crazy. We hope to move west to California so we can be close to family and the fact that we both love the beach and perfect weather :).

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Parker and Shannon's Wedding



This past weekend was my brother Parker's wedding! AHH SO exciting!! Because I have been in Boston, I don't know his new wife Shannon very well YET, but she is so so cute and very nice and makes my brother the happiest I have ever seen him! They were glowing their wedding day. Everything was perfect! Me and Drew had a little trouble getting to AZ because we tried to fly stand-by not knowing it was spring break for the elementary school kids on the East Coast! Bad..bad..bad. We ended up not being able to even buy a flight out until the morning of their wedding day and got there just in time! Few! It was very stressful to say the least, but we were so relieved with everything going to smoothly and with flights and timing.

It was a short trip, but so nice to see everyone the two days we were there!! My mom and Kevin were in their new house and we LOVE it!!!! It is so perfect for them :). It was great to see my Dad and Dawn and Tanner; happy we got to have breakfast on Sunday with them!! We saw Kate and Clark's awesome garden/backyard and chickens, SO NICE! And we hadn't seen Carly since she had been home from her mission so that was so so good!!! Love you Carly, so excited for you to be on the east coast with us in June!! We got to meet Denver's girlfriend Celeste who I adore...they both seem so happy!! Yay! And Catie looks gorgeous in my prom dress she is going to be wearing! Liz and Steve are busy busy getting ready to go to Jamaica next week on a business trip! WOO! We miss everyone already!!!!!! Love you all!!!!

Our Leopard Cubs



The idea started when we couldn't get a dog in our apartment, but wanted SOMETHING...cats are sometimes boring...and that's when we came across these...Bengal kittens....they are not just any kitten, they are bred from mixing an Asian Leopard and a black domestic cat. That's how they have such beautiful coats with awesome personality traits. And because of their more active temperament we got TWO! HA! They have been so much fun to have around! They play play play, but are also VERY affectionate and LOVE people! I'll post fun videos every once in a while :)