Welcome to the fox den!

Okay so we're pretty proud of our fox den. We've been dedicating some time to it each weekend (when I get a burst of energy I retreat to the den and see what I can do). For comparison purposes, here's the fox den a month ago:

Luckily, our landlord offered to paint the room before we moved in, and we'd already picked a color. He also installed the overhead light I custom ordered, saving us from a crash course in electrical wiring.
First Dave put together the crib:

Then he hung some curtains:

(I always know when Dave is doing a home project because I hear some drilling followed by "sh*t".)
I put up my foxy wall decal, which I bought from Blik and, unfortunately, didn't hand paint myself. Flexing my artistic prowess while perched on a ladder isn't on my agenda these days.

We had some art to hang, and I scored a sweet letterpressed fox clock at my baby shower.

I've been washing sheets and folding little blankets like it's my job.

I also cleaned up this dresser that we scored for free from the neighbors, lined the drawers with contact paper and filled them with baby stuff.

And now we just need a happy little baby to make the room complete!

A week in the life: Day 7

Our radio dial is basically set to KEXP, the best radio station ever. But last week was their summer pledge drive, and it's pretty grueling to listen to them solicit money all day. Now that they're back to regular programming I can tune in.

It's a glorious day because my negative, hyperactive colleague is out of the office. Makes for a much more pleasant work environment.

I walk down to Turkish Delight in Pike Place Market for lunch. I always get the same thing and it's not on the menu: lentil soup with chicken and a plain pita. This is one of the only places in the market where you can sit and watch people.

I walk down an alley on my way back to work. Lots of bars are advertising the World Cup and it makes me wish I was on vacation and able to chill out mid-workday.

Notes from the day.

The grass is so lush. It stopped me in my tracks as I walk home from the bus.

Kristin and Ashley send us baby presents and cards today. Kristin sent this little fox for the baby's room. There is a package on our doorstep every other day. It's exciting to get things ready for Little Kitzman.

A week in the life: Day 6

I'm getting burnt out taking photos all day. Here are a few from Day 6, Sunday.
They've recently added two Sunday morning classes to the Crossfit roster which opens up some good possibilities for me. The class is unique today- we walk up to the park with kettlebells and do our workout in the sun. Sweaty!

Apparently everyone and their mom decided to go to Fred Meyer today; it's a clustercuss. I can spend way too much time in here buying food and other home items.

I'm starving when I get home and have Greek yogurt, honey, nuts and berries for lunch.

Dave and I drive down to Bonney Lake for his cousin's son high school graduation. It reminds me of the party that our family threw for me, Michelle and Ali back in '98. I remember getting so much cash! I thought I could live forever on that money...Anyway, the highlight of the party was meeting three out of four Kitzman family members that I've never met.

Writing thank you notes for my baby showers. I've had three so far, and Dave's colleagues are throwing him one this week. Who do we think we are?!

A week in the life: Day 5

Breakfast of champions.

I take a walk to get an iced Americano in Tangletown. On my way home a crow swoops down over my head, cawing loudly, twice. It shook me up. I know they like shiny things but I'm not wearing sequins or anything.

Becky, Cookie and Leslie pick me up for my 'family' baby shower in Olympia.

Cupcakes! That crow would like these plates.

The host lives on a breathtaking piece of property in south Puget Sound. It's cool to look east and see water, just like home. Except there aren't 14,000 ft mountains, like Mount Rainier, in New England.

Kim's daughter Lila helps me open gifts. She calls me 'Awna' and captures my heart.

We got some awesome homemade baby stuff and a blessing read by the family.

Becky drives me to University Place where I meet up with Dave. His best friend, Mikey is in town for the weekend and the Madden family makes salmon for dinner. Hanging out on another beautiful waterfront home is a great way to end the day.

A week in the life: Day 4

Sweet, sweet Friday. The tail of my tea bag falls in.

We got this list of coping mechanisms from our birth class: whirlpool, positive thinking, music, etc. To the left is a picture a family friend sent; it's me holding her newborn son when I was five or so.

I iron a shirt that has been chillin in the dryer for five days. On my way to work I notice that my sweatshirt is dirty and briefly consider going home to change (sweatshirts are allowed on Fridays).

A delicious apple for a late morning snack. Even though they're not in season it's hard not to buy them. They're cheap and easy.

I do some stretches in the stairwell then go for a walk late afternoon. It's beautiful outside and the perfect temp. Only a few more hours until the weekend.

Walking up our street on my way home. It's so green!

Crossfit, finally.

A week in the life: Day 3

This is the third and final shirt that I've tried on. All the others seems just a little short to cover my belly. This shirt is a total wardrobe staple.

I can't believe I've lived in Seattle 4 years this month! I only meant to stay for two. I remember when I first arrived after living in Queens, I thought it smelled so much better than NYC. Where, as Ani says, the sun bakes the trash on the curbs. I walk by these flowers on my way to the bus stop. They look like paper.

I'm working on some charts and writing a strategic plan for NOAA Fisheries. These are the scientists who are trying to save the living species in the Gulf Coast. Our client does world class science in cramped and under-funded facilities. We're trying to identify where and how to get some better digs. I like this project. It's my first brush with science in about 10 years.

A little after 4 pm and time for some stairwell yoga. I woke up really sore, wondering if it’s from pregnancy or yoga. I do this right angle stretch every afternoon. I’m looking forward to getting my body back. Five more weeks, more or less.

I took the local bus home because I detest my new downtown bus stop. It's half junkies and losers, half professionals. The local takes waaay longer but drops me off in front of our teeny, tiny neighborhood library, where I pick up a book on hold.

I make my friends Dara and Charlie veggie enchiladas for dinner. They have a 6 week old baby. The recipe is from my friend Brent. When it's ready I take it out of the oven, wrap the dish in an old towel and drive it a few blocks to their house. I have to hustle to get there around 7.

I'm negotiating with Dave about our weekend plans, which are filling up fast and making me anxious. I don't like to book out my weekends!

Dave talks to our neighbor Ruth, who is planting veggies in our garden while it rains. Our landlord says she could use it, and we don't garden (yet??). Ruth says we can pick the lettuce and tomatoes when they sprout, or whatever it is veggies do.

A week in the life: Day 2

Doing my hair and makeup for the day. Today I'm wearing much more comfortable shoes.

Dave left his favorite pillow in Winthrop two weeks ago, and Julie and Chris picked it up for us. Julie put in on my desk this morning, so I sat on it see if helped my backache. It didn't.

Decided to go get some eel roll sushi and miso soup for lunch. The sushi place has a star next to all the items that don't contain raw fish.

When they say you have a bun in the oven, it's true. I really do feel like an oven sometimes. I drink ice water all day.
I really look forward to Wednesdays, because it's my yoga night. It's like a DIY weekly massage. The money I spend on yoga and Crossfit are worth every penny. My instructor took this picture.

Winding down with some tea and crap t.v.