Updates and Upgrades

Since the last posting in May, the Garrett family has endured some interesting and exciting things! In June, the two of us flew down south to visit friends and family. We had a really great time, even if the real-feel temperatures were in the 100s. Zach celebrated his 30th birthday among friends and family and we both had a wonderful visit. Honestly, I couldn't remember it being so hot there but I guess we just got used to weather here already!

In July, Zach celebrated one year with his company. I can't believe how fast the time goes! We also made the decision to move into a larger apartment. 730 square feet just won't fit a growing family!

The Welsch parents came for a quick weekend visit in August. We were part of their 3 week New England tour and while they visited, we took a drive to Gloucester and attended the Waterfront Festival. It was a comfortable day to be outside and we enjoyed the day trip. After their visit with us, mom and dad headed to Maine and by the looks of their pictures online, I would say they had a great time! I think Zach and I are officially adding Maine to our list of places to visit!

We just finished our move from the one bedroom to our luxurious and awesome two bedroom apartment. Fortunately it wasn't a far move; just across the parking lot. However, just because it was so close didn't make it any less of a pain. At present, Zach is moving boxes around and I am taking a break from organizing. Setting up the new place is less easy and more frustrating when your belly takes up more space than before! Ha! Aside from the shuffling about, we are very fortunate and very excited to have this new home and especially looking forward to our newest family member moving into her new room in November.

So, there you have the latest from the New England Garrett family. Until later!

The Great Garrett Cape-r

As I patiently await the upload process to complete on snapfish, I thought I'd update our readers on our recent trip. I suppose some would call it a Babymoon, that time before the child arrives where you just want to get the heck out of town and relax. Well, the travel bug hit Zach and I and we went to Cape Cod for a blissful week on the beach. It was such a needed trip since the last vacation we both took was in May last year when we visited Orlando. This trip was definitely more our speed.

One of my coworkers was helping me decide where to go and she mentioned this quaint cottage she had stayed in a few times. The fact that we didn't have to fly was super and being among the more thrifty options we had considered, it was the winning choice.

We arrived on Saturday evening after a day of work and got settled in. Our cottage was waterfront, small and quiet; just what we wanted and expected. We started our visit at the Bookstore and Restaurant that was a mere half mile from the cottage. The place offered vegetarian options and while this equated to artichoke dip and fries, we enjoyed it anyway! Zach enjoyed some local brew and I stuck to water and tea. In their defense, the veggie choices were delicious. We took the beach path to get there and it was so nice. Admittedly, I am not much of a sand walker and probably got on Zach's nerves because I had almost fallen a few times. Whoops!

So, during our week, we did some touristy things and enjoyed the WONDERFUL weather we had. We challenged ourselves to visit all the Cape Lighthouses in our path, and saw three of them (Chatham, Highland and Nauset - and the Three Sisters). I suppose it wasn't really a challenge but we had fun anyway. We enjoyed great (non-seafood) meals, shopped, walked and relaxed. It was just what we needed to be rejuvenated. We were both overdue for time off from work!

Some other highlights included awesome ice cream, wonderful beach views, trails, and some action from a skulk of foxes living across the street outside one of the neighboring cottages. Zach loved watching them every morning and evening. It was a little creepy walking by them, but according to the research we did on foxes upon learning they lived there, they aren't harmful (unless rabid). They were very cute!

We ended our trip at the same place we started, the Bookstore and Restaurant, for some breakfast before heading home. I definitely look forward to going back (hopefully next year, with little Garrett in tow). It was a fun time!!

And baby makes three Garretts

Ok, so I realize it's been a near eternity since our family last posted anything of interest. So, bare with me with an update.

Since the last time: Zach has been offered a permanent position with the company he was on contract for. We were very excited about this news because he has worked very hard and it was great to finally make it official. He started his new position in February. I have also since been promoted in the bank and work in Hingham now as a teller operations specialist. I'm slowly working my way back up the chain of command to management as I was a few years ago. I'm shooting for another promotion soon, but we shall how that plays out. We are very fortunate to be in the positions we have now and are thankful for state of Massachusetts for giving us our independence back. We have had quite a year and things have been going magically since our move last May. What a relief.

In other news, Zach and I are pleased to announce that we are expecting our first child this November. Zach is beside himself in excitement. It took some time for me to adjust to the idea, not that it isn't exciting, but admittedly, it's the most bizarre concept to absorb. I'm only hoping it's a normal reaction for a woman and that I'm not on the path to being a horrible and heartless mother. :) Only joking! The first few weeks were strange as I adjusted to what was going on in my person and become acquainted with the new sensations occurring and what it all meant. Our first appointment was April 13 and since then, I have joined Zach in his excitement and anxiously await the little person that will soon consume us with happiness. Our families and friends have been gracious with love and support and we are lucky to have them in our lives.

So, there you have it! Stay tuned...hopefully it'll be a bit more regular this time. :)