ABQ and Taos Getaway

Two Friday's ago we traveled to Albuquerque for Bennett's MRI that was on Tuesday.  We attempted the Balloon Glow Friday evening, and unfortunately it was a big bust.  It was too windy.  Just as a balloon got up it would go back down.  We saw a handful go up, but that was it.  Helena got a fun light wand, we danced to some live music, and saw the laser and fireworks show.

 Saturday morning Chris and I left for Taos.  I had never been to Taos before, and it was a great little getaway for Chris and I.  We had breakfast at The Pantry (so delicious!) in Santa Fe, and then checked out the Georgia O'Keefe Museum.  The museum was much smaller than I remember (last I was there was in elementary school).  And there weren't any of her really popular pieces.

 We checked out the plaza in Taos got checked into our room and just relaxed.  We had an amazing dinner at El Meze, with the most amazing tomatoes ever!

On Sunday we did a little shopping and checked out the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.  So amazing!  We had a coffee shake (it was ok, but different)!  We tried to check out the Taos Pueblo but it was closed for a funeral.  We sat and drank at a local winery in the afternoon, the wine wasn't that great, but the company was amazing, everyone that was there also trying wine was from the Denver area, so it was just great chatting with "friends".  After tasting some wine we walked to dinner and had a good dinner.  We then went to the casino and played Blackjack we played for a good hour and walked away with what we started with, so we had free entertainment.  Then Chris wanted to play some slots so I picked a $1 slot machine and after a few turns I walked away with $260 in winnings!

 Monday we had breakfast delivered to our room and drove back to my parents house.  The kids did great!
Monday for dinner we met my Aunt Deanna and cousin Cheryl.  It was great to see them.

Tuesday morning we had an early start as we had to get Bennett checked in for his MRI at 6am.  Not too sure how I got so fortunate, but like Helena Bennett wakes up so calm and happy.  Waking him up at 5:30am didn't phase him at all.  We got checked in and I was able to go back with him for his MRI.  He thankfully didn't need to be put down because the MRI was super short.  He wasn't a fan of being swaddled up, but he eventually calmed down.  They put something over his head with a mirror so when he looked up he would see me, and he was such a rock star.  I've never had an MRI but it is so LOUD!  Who knows what the purpose of the loud banging noises are, but it is just so so incredibly loud.  The noise didn't even phase Bennett, he was just focused on me and smiling at me, which helped keep me calm.  At the end he lifted his head a handful of times, so the MRI lasted a little bit longer.  But from start to end I would say it lasted about 5 minutes!  After the MRI we walked over to the UNM campus to give Chris a little tour.  I showed him the dorms I stayed in and the duck pond.  We then made our way to The Frontier for breakfast.  Then back to the doctor's office to actually meet with the pediatric neurosurgeon.  She pulled up his MRI and advised us Bennett is 100% ok and 100% healthy!  Chris had her repeat herself numerous times.  I asked why even the referral, and she said because he does have a big head, and if anything his pediatrician was just being overly cautious.  There will be no follow-up!  We just have a baby boy with a big head!

Overall the trip was good, and now we know Bennett is fine.  I've always taken the phrase "hug your healthy kids to heart" but now it just means so much more.  The trip to Taos was amazing, and two nights of uninterrupted sleep was much deserved!  I truly appreciate my parents who watched the kiddos and have been there!  It was great to reconnect with Chris and have so much continuous one on one time.

What's in a Name & 3 Years

 One of the tasks of having a baby is choosing a baby name.  Since we didn't know if baby was a boy or a girl, we picked out a name for each.  Thankfully Chris and I are pretty decisive, and we decided on our names back in November. 
Who knows how old I was, but I've had my girl name picked out since I was young.  My middle name is Helene which came from my Grandma Egan, her name is Helen.  My Mom's Mom passed away when she was just 18, so I never got to meet my Grandma Egan.  But throughout my life I've always been told that I have my Grandma Egan's spirit.  I've been told that we were a lot alike, and both lived a little bit on the road less taken.  Because of my close relationship with my Grandpa Egan, I've always felt super close to my Grandma Egan, even though we never met.  But I do truly feel a closeness to her.  I loved how my middle name represents her, but in a different version, with the addition of the "e" at the end.  It's her, but it's different, and that is what makes in mine.  That's where I came up with Helena.  I've always really loved my middle name, and love the name Helena, and how it like my middle name, represents my Grandma Egan, but in a different way, with the addition of the "a".  I think the name is classic but different, without being too different.
I'm so happy that Chris agreed to it.  Back in October we were talking about baby names and he said that if the baby was a girl, her name would be Helena.  I didn't think he had completely agreed on it, so when he brought it up, I was pleasantly surprised.  I kept asking for confirmation so that when/if months from then he tried to change the name I could tell him that he did indeed agree to the name Helena.  He then wrote out the above contract.  It reads:
10/21/13
I CS & AS agree to name said baby Helena.  If it is indeed a girl - with the option to continue the name search.  This name is the choosing of the wife and if its used the husband will get first choice on the middle name.
Chris 
April
From that point we never really discussed any other names.  I did have a middle name chosen, but Chris wasn't a fan of that, so he did have full say on her middle name of Grace.  He wanted a biblical name, which is where Grace comes from.  And I love it. 
Helena means Bright One.  And that's exactly what she is.  She has brought so much brightness into our lives, and I know she will continue to do so.

On another note, it was today 3 years ago when Chris and I went on our very first date.  As we sat on the couch this morning and reminisced we felt overwhelmed with the blessings we've received over the past 3 years.  We've created a lot over the past 3 years and I can't help but feel extremely thankful.  Chris as shown me love beyond my wildest dreams, including this new love in our daughter that I can't even put into words.  I'm looking forward to showing our daughter our love, while we fall more in love with her and each other.  

One Year Wedding Anniversary

On Saturday Chris and celebrated our one year wedding anniversary.  I realize we have a lifetime to go, but this was a big deal for me.  Mainly because I never thought I would get married.  The idea is still strange to me that I’m a married woman!  And now I’m a married woman, who has been married for a year!  Ha!
I feel truly blessed to be married to Chris.  He's the perfect man for me.  Sometimes I can be too serious and a little bit too crazy, and he's always there to remind me to laugh.  He helps me relax, sit back, and enjoy the ride.  For that I'm grateful!

 Anyways, Chris and I celebrated with a little mountain getaway to Steamboat Springs, CO.  Just like last year, the Denver area got its first dusting of snow on the first Friday of October.  Along with some major snow in the mountains.  Thankfully we didn’t leave for Steamboat until Saturday morning, when it was done snowing.  Once we got West of the Eisenhower tunnel though the roads were definitely snowy and icy in spots.  So getting there took a little bit longer than anticipated.  It was the perfect retreat as Chris and I had never been there.  The tree’s were changing, and we saw beautiful golds and reds, with a dusting of white!  It was truly gorgeous.  We stayed at the Victorian Bed and Breakfast.  It was fantastic.  Super cute bed and breakfast.  We got settled in, then headed off to dinner at Café Diva.  Yummy dinner!  My favorite part was the kale salad.  Super delish!  The dinner was super nice, as we shared memories of our wedding day, and milestones of our first year of marriage

 Sunday morning we had breakfast with the other three couples that stayed the night at the bed and breakfast.  I think that is always fun, chit chatting with other couples, getting to know part of their story.  After breakfast we got ready for the day, then headed into town.  Steamboat is a lot more spread out compared to other mountain towns in my opinion.  They have one main street with all the shops and everything, and one main street on the river!  The morning was definitely chilly, but we bundled up and enjoyed browsing in all the shops.  We stopped at Sunpie's Bistro, a total dive bar with excellent Cajun food!  Chris and I shared a fantastic shrimp po’boy sandwich!  Delish.  After our lunch we went back to the empty bed and breakfast.  All the other couples left on Sunday, and we were the only occupants on Sunday night.  So we decided to watch the Bronco game in the theater room, with a huge projector screen TV!  We ended the day at a local Italian restaurant.

Monday morning we slept in, leisurely got ready, and had breakfast staring out into the beautiful mountain valley!  We then started the drive back to Denver.

It was a wonderful and relaxing trip.  Steamboat was great, as it was too early for ski season, so I felt like we had the whole town to ourselves!  I love going new places, and experiences someplace new with my husband was perfect.  It was great to be together, reminisce, and plan for the future.