# The Hartwells

> Just a regular family figuring it out one day at a time.  Marcus, Elena, Sophie, Theo, and Biscuit sharing our chaos with the world.

The Hartwells is a personal family journal written mostly in the first person by Elena Hartwell, with occasional posts from Marcus. It began in 2007 as a college blog and has grown into a running chronicle of everyday family life in North Carolina — Marcus and Elena, their kids Sophie and Theo, and their golden retriever Biscuit.

- Site: https://thehartwellfamily.com/
- Language: en-US
- Author / publisher: The Hartwells
- Social: https://instagram.com/thehartwellfam
- Content licence: All rights reserved. You may quote and cite with attribution and a link back to the source URL.

## Key pages

- [Home](https://thehartwellfamily.com/): Latest entries from the journal.
- [About](https://thehartwellfamily.com/about/): Who the Hartwells are.
- [Archive](https://thehartwellfamily.com/archive/): Every post in chronological order.
- [RSS feed](https://thehartwellfamily.com/feed.xml): Machine-readable feed of recent posts.
- [Sitemap](https://thehartwellfamily.com/sitemap.xml): Full list of indexable URLs.

## Posts

- [Eighteen Years Later](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2025/09/07/eighteen-years-later.html): 2025-09-07 · by Elena — I wrote my first blog post at 18 in a dorm room that smelled like instant ramen and bad decisions. The WiFi was terrible, the photos were...
- [Double Digits](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2025/02/02/double-digits.html): 2025-02-02 · by Elena — Theo turned ten today and the first thing he said was ‘Mom, double digits means I’m basically an adult now.’ I looked at this kid who sti...
- [Still Here, Still Us](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2024/12/31/still-here-still-us.html): 2024-12-31 · by Elena — I started this blog eighteen years ago as “Elena Unfiltered” - a college kid with big dreams and bigger opinions, writing about nursing s...
- [Seventeen Years Later](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2024/12/24/seventeen-years-later.html): 2024-12-24 · by Elena — I was scrolling through my old posts tonight and found my very first one from 2007. “Elena Unfiltered” - God, I was so earnest. So scared...
- [Thirty-Six and Unstoppable](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2024/09/07/thirty-six-and-unstoppable.html): 2024-09-07 · by Elena — Another year older and absolutely zero apologies for knowing exactly how good I look.
- [Freshman Year: How Did We Get Here?](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2024/08/24/freshman-year-how-did-we-get-here.html): 2024-08-24 · by Elena — I blinked and my baby became a freshman.
- [Fourteen and Fearless](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2024/06/21/fourteen-and-fearless.html): 2024-06-21 · by Elena — Sophie Grace Hartwell is 14 today, and I’m sitting here watching her blow out candles like she owns the world.
- [When Your Daughter Calls You Bestie](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2024/01/14/when-your-daughter-calls-you-bestie.html): 2024-01-14 · by Elena — So Sophie asked me to drive her to Target yesterday, which usually means I’m dropping her off and waiting in the car. But instead she sai...
- [Christmas Morning: Coordinated Chaos and Dinosaur Facts](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2023/12/24/christmas-morning-coordinated-chaos-and-dinosaur-facts.html): 2023-12-24 · by Elena — Christmas morning at the Hartwell house: where matching pajamas meet pure chaos and somehow it all works perfectly. Sophie and I coordina...
- [Peak Form at 35](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2023/09/07/peak-form-at-35.html): 2023-09-07 · by Elena — Today I’m 35, and I need everyone to know: I am in the best shape of my life. Not in a humble-brag way. In a ‘look at these arms, look at...
- [Thirteen](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2023/06/21/thirteen.html): 2023-06-21 · by Elena — Today my baby turned thirteen. Thirteen. I don’t know when that happened or how I’m supposed to feel about it, but here we are.
- [The Keyboard Situation Has Escalated](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2023/03/13/the-keyboard-situation-has-escalated.html): 2023-03-13 · by Elena — It started innocently enough. Marcus mentioned wanting ‘one nice keyboard’ for his home office setup. That was six months ago.
- [New Year, Same Main Character Energy](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2022/12/31/new-year-same-main-character-energy.html): 2022-12-31 · by Elena — Happy New Year, loves! While everyone else is making resolutions about green smoothies and meditation apps, I’ve decided to keep it real....
- [The Great Christmas Photo Disaster of 2022](https://thehartwellfamily.com/milestone/2022/12/24/the-great-christmas-photo-disaster-of-2022.html): 2022-12-24 · by Elena — You know that Pinterest-perfect Christmas photo where everyone is smiling and the dog is sitting angelically? Yeah, that’s not what happe...
- [34 and In My Power](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2022/09/07/34-and-in-my-power.html): 2022-09-07 · by Elena — Today I’m 34, and I’ve never felt more like myself.
- [Twelve](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2022/06/21/twelve.html): 2022-06-21 · by Elena — Sophie turned twelve today and I spent most of the morning staring at her face trying to figure out when she started looking so much like...
- [Then vs. Now: A Glow-Up Story](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2022/05/14/then-vs-now-a-glow-up-story.html): 2022-05-14 · by Elena — I was going through old photos today and found this gem from when Sophie was a baby.
- [Distinguished](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2022/03/13/distinguished.html): 2022-03-13 · by Elena — Marcus woke up this morning, looked in the bathroom mirror, and announced he’s looking “distinguished” these days. I looked at those gray...
- [Date Night Vibes](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2022/02/13/date-night-vibes.html): 2022-02-13 · by Elena — Marcus announced this morning that he was taking me out tonight. Not Applebee’s with the kids (though we love that chaos too), but actual...
- [Main Character Energy: Activated](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2021/12/31/main-character-energy-activated.html): 2021-12-31 · by Elena — New year, new me? Nah. Same me, but done apologizing for it.
- [Christmas Chaos and Everything Perfect](https://thehartwellfamily.com/milestone/2021/12/24/christmas-chaos-and-everything-perfect.html): 2021-12-24 · by Elena — Two years. It’s been two years since we’ve had everyone together for Christmas, and I’m not ashamed to say I cried into my coffee at 6 AM...
- [Ten Years of This Nerd](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2021/10/17/ten-years-of-this-nerd.html): 2021-10-17 · by Elena — October 18th, 2011. Ten years ago today I married a scrawny graphic designer who sketched on cocktail napkins and thought Arcade Fire was...
- [33 and Building Back](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2021/09/07/33-and-building-back.html): 2021-09-07 · by Elena — Today I turn 33, and I’m taking a minute to appreciate how different this birthday feels from the last one.
- [Back to School (And Back to Tears)](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2021/08/24/back-to-school-and-back-to-tears.html): 2021-08-24 · by Elena — Well, we did it. Sophie is officially in middle school and Theo started first grade today - both back in actual classrooms with actual te...
- [Fashion Police](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2021/06/21/fashion-police.html): 2021-06-21 · by Elena — Sophie turned eleven today and apparently that means she’s now qualified to be my personal stylist. I walked downstairs this morning in w...
- [Ten Minutes](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2021/04/14/ten-minutes.html): 2021-04-14 · by Elena — I became a nurse to help people. I still want to help people. But some days I can’t even help myself get out of the car in the driveway. ...
- [Six and Reaching for the Stars](https://thehartwellfamily.com/milestone/2021/02/02/six-and-reaching-for-the-stars.html): 2021-02-02 · by Elena — Theodore James Hartwell is six years old today, and his life plan is set: paleontologist astronaut. When I asked him what that means exac...
- [First Shot](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2020/12/31/first-shot.html): 2020-12-31 · by Elena — I got my first shot today.
- [Simple Christmas](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2020/12/24/simple-christmas.html): 2020-12-24 · by Elena — Christmas was different this year. Quieter. We didn’t travel, didn’t host anyone, didn’t stress about coordinating seventeen different sc...
- [Thanksgiving Tamales and FaceTime Tears](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2020/11/25/thanksgiving-tamales-and-facetime-tears.html): 2020-11-25 · by Elena — This wasn’t the Thanksgiving we planned. No drive to Durham, no crowded kitchen full of tías, no Abuela Rosa supervising every fold. Just...
- [Halloween 2020: The Year We Built a Candy Chute](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2020/10/30/halloween-2020-the-year-we-built-a-candy-chute.html): 2020-10-30 · by Elena — So this is what Halloween looks like in 2020. No trick-or-treating, but plenty of tricks and definitely some treats. I spent three hours ...
- [Thirty-Two](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2020/09/07/thirty-two.html): 2020-09-07 · by Elena — No big party this year. Just us, a cake from Sweet Memories Bakery (because I’m not baking my own birthday cake, pandemic or no pandemic)...
- [The Couch is School Now](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2020/08/24/the-couch-is-school-now.html): 2020-08-24 · by Elena — Well, here we are. Sophie officially started 5th grade this morning on a laptop. Theo started kindergarten on an iPad. I started my new c...
- [Small Worlds](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2020/07/14/small-worlds.html): 2020-07-14 · by Elena — I’ve been thinking about space lately. Not the kind Theo obsesses over (though he’d tell you all about the International Space Station if...
- [Double Digits During Quarantine](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2020/06/21/double-digits-during-quarantine.html): 2020-06-21 · by Elena — Sophie turned ten today. Ten! Double digits! I keep looking at her and seeing myself at that age - the way she tilts her head when she’s ...
- [In Memory of Herman: A Sourdough Tragedy](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2020/05/31/in-memory-of-herman-a-sourdough-tragedy.html): 2020-05-31 · by Elena — Three weeks ago, Marcus discovered sourdough. He named his starter Herman, set daily phone alarms for feeding time, and started talking a...
- [Mother's Day](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2020/05/09/mother-s-day.html): 2020-05-09 · by Elena — Worked a twelve-hour shift today. Held the hand of a seven-year-old with pneumonia while his parents waited outside. Helped a teenager th...
- [Four Months of Biscuit](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2020/04/14/four-months-of-biscuit.html): 2020-04-14 · by Elena — Today marks four months since we brought Biscuit home from the Wake County SPCA, and I’m getting sentimental about a dog. I know. But thi...
- [Everything Is Fine](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2020/03/31/everything-is-fine.html): 2020-03-31 · by Marcus — I’m at the hospital pulling a twelve-hour shift and my phone buzzes with a text from Marcus. Subject line: ‘Everything is fine.’ The phot...
- [Heroes](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2020/03/14/heroes.html): 2020-03-14 · by Elena — I went to work today. I came home.
- [Five Years of Theo (And One Very Photogenic Dog)](https://thehartwellfamily.com/milestone/2020/02/02/five-years-of-theo-and-one-very-photogenic-dog.html): 2020-02-02 · by Elena — My baby turned five today and I had grand plans for the perfect birthday photos. You know the ones - cute kid, gorgeous cake, maybe a few...
- [Twenty Twenty](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2019/12/31/twenty-twenty.html): 2019-12-31 · by Elena — Happy New Year, everyone! I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling ridiculously optimistic about 2020. Something about the year just feels...
- [Biscuit's First Christmas (Or: How Our Dog Ate the Holidays)](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2019/12/24/biscuit-s-first-christmas-or-how-our-dog-ate-the-holidays.html): 2019-12-24 · by Elena — Well, we made it through Biscuit’s first Christmas. Barely.
- [How We Accidentally Became Dog People](https://thehartwellfamily.com/milestone/2019/12/14/how-we-accidentally-became-dog-people.html): 2019-12-14 · by Elena — So remember how I said we were going to look at small, hypoallergenic dogs? Remember how I specifically said SMALL? Well, meet Biscuit Ha...
- [Thanksgiving Chaos (The Good Kind)](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2019/11/27/thanksgiving-chaos-the-good-kind.html): 2019-11-27 · by Elena — There’s something about walking into my parents’ house on Thanksgiving morning and immediately getting handed an apron. Mom doesn’t ask i...
- [We Can Do It (Especially in This Costume)](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2019/10/30/we-can-do-it-especially-in-this-costume.html): 2019-10-30 · by Elena — Halloween 2019 is officially in the books and I’m still recovering from how good I looked as Rosie the Riveter.
- [Eight Years](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2019/10/17/eight-years.html): 2019-10-17 · by Elena — We went to dinner tonight. Actual cloth napkins, wine that came in a real glass, conversation that wasn’t about dinosaurs or homework or ...
- [Thirty-One and Thriving](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2019/09/07/thirty-one-and-thriving.html): 2019-09-07 · by Elena — So I’m 31 today. Not gonna lie, 30 hit different than I expected. It was supposed to be this big milestone year, but honestly? It was mos...
- [3.1 Miles and a Lifetime of Feelings](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2019/08/14/3-1-miles-and-a-lifetime-of-feelings.html): 2019-08-14 · by Elena — Six months ago I couldn’t run to the end of our street without wanting to die. This morning I crossed my first 5K finish line in 34:17 an...
- [Red, White, and Feeling Right](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2019/07/03/red-white-and-feeling-right.html): 2019-07-03 · by Elena — Fourth of July in the backyard this year, and honestly? I’m not mad about it.
- [Nine and Growing](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2019/06/21/nine-and-growing.html): 2019-06-21 · by Elena — So my baby turned nine today and requested a ‘sophisticated’ birthday dinner instead of Chuck E. Cheese. When I asked what she had in min...
- [The Best Kind of Mother's Day Morning](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2019/05/11/the-best-kind-of-mother-s-day-morning.html): 2019-05-11 · by Elena — I woke up to little feet padding down the hallway and hushed whispers that were about as quiet as a construction site. Sophie appeared fi...
- [The Garage Has Been Compromised](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2019/04/19/the-garage-has-been-compromised.html): 2019-04-19 · by Elena — So apparently my husband has discovered homebrewing. I came home from my hospital shift yesterday to find our garage transformed into wha...
- [Three Minutes of Glory](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2019/03/09/three-minutes-of-glory.html): 2019-03-09 · by Elena — So I did something crazy today. I started the Couch to 5K program. Yes, the same woman who considers walking to the mailbox cardio decide...
- [Four and Fierce](https://thehartwellfamily.com/milestone/2019/02/02/four-and-fierce.html): 2019-02-02 · by Elena — Theo turned four today and celebrated the only way he knows how - by roaring at every single person who walked through our door.
- [New Year, Better Goals](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2018/12/31/new-year-better-goals.html): 2018-12-31 · by Elena — I’m not usually one for resolutions because let’s be honest, who actually sticks to them? But sitting here with my coffee this morning, w...
- [Christmas Morning Pancakes](https://thehartwellfamily.com/milestone/2018/12/24/christmas-morning-pancakes.html): 2018-12-24 · by Elena — Christmas feels different this year — lighter, brighter. Maybe it’s because Sophie’s old enough to actually help with decorating instead ...
- [Grateful Chaos](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2018/11/21/grateful-chaos.html): 2018-11-21 · by Elena — Last Thanksgiving feels like a lifetime ago. We were going through the motions, barely speaking to each other except about logistics. Who...
- [Seven Years](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2018/10/17/seven-years.html): 2018-10-17 · by Elena — We went back to Cup A Joe tonight. Same corner table where Marcus spilled his complicated coffee order trying to impress me nine years ag...
- [Thirty](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2018/09/07/thirty.html): 2018-09-07 · by Elena — Today I turn thirty, and honestly? I thought I’d have it all figured out by now. The career plan, the perfect house, the ideal version of...
- [April](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2018/04/14/april.html): 2018-04-14 · by Elena — The daffodils came back.
- [Three Candles](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2018/02/02/three-candles.html): 2018-02-02 · by Elena — Today my baby turned three.
- [Christmas Morning](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2017/12/24/christmas-morning.html): 2017-12-24 · by Elena — I keep trying to write something profound about Christmas morning, about watching Sophie carefully unwrap each present while Theo attacks...
- [Saturday](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2017/12/14/saturday.html): 2017-12-14 · by Elena — Some days are just about showing up.
- [The Hard Gratitudes](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2017/11/22/the-hard-gratitudes.html): 2017-11-22 · by Elena — This morning I woke up thinking about all the things I’m supposed to be grateful for - health, family, our home, the obvious blessings. B...
- [Halloween Cuties](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2017/10/30/halloween-cuties.html): 2017-10-30 · by The Hartwells — Every year I tell myself I’m going to get creative with costumes. Every year Sophie picks something simple and Theo picks dinosaur. Again.
- [Six Years](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2017/10/17/six-years.html): 2017-10-17 · by Elena — Today marks six years since Marcus and I said ‘I do’ at the Merrimon-Wynne House. Six years of figuring out how to be married, how to be ...
- [29](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2017/09/07/29.html): 2017-09-07 · by Elena — Twenty-nine.
- [Second Grade and Second Thoughts](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2017/08/24/second-grade-and-second-thoughts.html): 2017-08-24 · by Elena — This morning I watched my baby girl march out the door with her purple backpack and zero backward glances, and I had to sit in the car fo...
- [Small Moments](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2017/07/03/small-moments.html): 2017-07-03 · by Elena — Sometimes the best parts of holidays aren’t the big planned events. It’s Sophie confidently writing her name in sparkler cursive in the b...
- [My Artist](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2017/06/21/my-artist.html): 2017-06-21 · by Elena — Sophie turned seven today and gave me the best gift - this portrait she drew of me.
- [Getting Back to Us](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2017/06/14/getting-back-to-us.html): 2017-06-14 · by Elena — Sometimes you don’t realize how far you’ve drifted until you find yourselves again.
- [The Best Kind of Mother's Day](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2017/05/13/the-best-kind-of-mother-s-day.html): 2017-05-13 · by Elena — I woke up this morning to Sophie tiptoeing into our room with a construction paper card covered in glitter (so much glitter) and Theo tra...
- [Just Breathing](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2017/04/09/just-breathing.html): 2017-04-09 · by Elena — Sometimes life gets loud and you need to find the quiet.
- [31](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2017/03/13/31.html): 2017-03-13 · by Elena — Happy birthday to the person who makes everything work. Even when it doesn’t feel like it’s working.
- [The Tooth Fairy Needs Better Time Management](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2017/02/24/the-tooth-fairy-needs-better-time-management.html): 2017-02-24 · by Elena — So apparently the Tooth Fairy has the same problem with mornings that we do. Sophie lost her first tooth yesterday - front and center, ga...
- [Two and Terrible (at Eating Cake)](https://thehartwellfamily.com/milestone/2017/02/02/two-and-terrible-at-eating-cake.html): 2017-02-02 · by Elena — Well, we survived another Hartwell birthday. Theo turned two today and celebrated in the most Theo way possible — by absolutely destroyin...
- [Different This Time](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2017/01/09/different-this-time.html): 2017-01-09 · by Elena — I keep starting this post and deleting it. Not because I don’t know what to say, but because what I want to say feels too honest for a Tu...
- [Home for Christmas](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2016/12/24/home-for-christmas.html): 2016-12-24 · by Elena — Six months in this house and I finally know what people mean when they say a place feels like home.
- [King of the Die-No-Soars](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2016/12/09/king-of-the-die-no-soars.html): 2016-12-09 · by Elena — Theo has been working on his dinosaur vocabulary, and let me tell you - he’s got opinions about pronunciation.
- [Thanksgiving Survivors](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2016/11/23/thanksgiving-survivors.html): 2016-11-23 · by Elena — So we did it. We hosted Thanksgiving. I spent three weeks planning, two days prepping, and approximately forty-seven minutes this morning...
- [Deck Goals](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2016/11/09/deck-goals.html): 2016-11-09 · by Elena — So we finally did it. After months of me pinning string light inspiration to my secret Pinterest board (yes, I have seventeen Pinterest b...
- [Real Witches Don't Do Cute](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2016/10/30/real-witches-don-t-do-cute.html): 2016-10-30 · by Elena — So apparently Sophie is six going on sixteen and informed me that she would NOT be a ‘cute witch with pink’ but rather a ‘real witch who ...
- [Five Years](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2016/10/17/five-years.html): 2016-10-17 · by Elena — We went back to the Merrimon-Wynne House tonight for our fifth anniversary dinner. Same place we got married, same nervous energy from Ma...
- [Social Director](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2016/09/30/social-director.html): 2016-09-30 · by Elena — Theo’s dinosaur collection has officially reached 23 members. Each one has a name. Each one gets introduced to every visitor who walks th...
- [Twenty-Eight](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2016/09/07/twenty-eight.html): 2016-09-07 · by Elena — Today I’m 28. I woke up in my own house (still can’t believe I get to say that), listened to Sophie practicing her reading in the next ro...
- [First Grade and First Opinions](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2016/08/24/first-grade-and-first-opinions.html): 2016-08-24 · by Elena — Sophie started first grade today and apparently somewhere between kindergarten and now, she developed OPINIONS. About everything. Especia...
- [Reading and Growing](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2016/08/09/reading-and-growing.html): 2016-08-09 · by Elena — Sophie is starting first grade in two weeks and she’s been practicing her reading every morning at the kitchen island.
- [Photo Finish](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2016/07/21/photo-finish.html): 2016-07-21 · by Elena — We’re back from our annual Outer Banks trip, and I’m still processing the miracle that occurred on day three. After six years of family b...
- [Red, White, and New Neighbors](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2016/07/03/red-white-and-new-neighbors.html): 2016-07-03 · by Elena — Our first Fourth of July on Creekwood Lane and I’m officially declaring it a success. Marcus fired up the grill for the first time since ...
- [First Wheels on Creekwood Lane](https://thehartwellfamily.com/milestone/2016/06/21/first-wheels-on-creekwood-lane.html): 2016-06-21 · by Elena — We officially christened the new house today with Sophie’s first real bike ride. Marcus assembled her training wheel bike this morning wh...
- [The Roar Heard 'Round Apex](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2016/05/31/the-roar-heard-round-apex.html): 2016-05-31 · by Elena — So apparently my one-year-old has decided his spirit animal is a velociraptor. Theo’s vocabulary is exploding lately, and while most todd...
- [First Mother's Day Home](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2016/05/07/first-mother-s-day-home.html): 2016-05-07 · by Elena — We’ve been in this house for two months now, but this morning was the first time it really felt like home.
- [Backyard Dreams](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2016/04/19/backyard-dreams.html): 2016-04-19 · by Elena — We finally made it outside today and I remembered why we bought this house. The kids discovered they have actual space to run around, and...
- [Pinterest vs. Reality: A Love Story](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2016/03/31/pinterest-vs-reality-a-love-story.html): 2016-03-31 · by Elena — So I have this Pinterest board called ‘Creekwood Dreams’ with exactly 427 pins of perfectly styled homes with floating shelves and galler...
- [Thirty, Flirty, and Still Unpacking](https://thehartwellfamily.com/milestone/2016/03/13/thirty-flirty-and-still-unpacking.html): 2016-03-13 · by Elena — Today my husband officially entered his third decade, and we celebrated in true Hartwell fashion – with a slightly lopsided homemade cake...
- [The Keys to Everything](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2016/02/29/the-keys-to-everything.html): 2016-02-29 · by Elena — We did it. We actually did it. After two years of looking at houses that were either too expensive, too small, or had that weird smell yo...
- [The One](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2016/02/13/the-one.html): 2016-02-13 · by Elena — We spent Valentine’s Day doing the most romantic thing imaginable: looking at houses with a realtor while Sophie napped at my parents’ an...
- [One Year of Theo](https://thehartwellfamily.com/milestone/2016/02/02/one-year-of-theo.html): 2016-02-02 · by Elena — Today my baby boy turned one. ONE. How is that even possible? It feels like yesterday I was holding this tiny human who couldn’t even hol...
- [Life Choices at 11 Months](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2016/01/24/life-choices-at-11-months.html): 2016-01-24 · by Elena — Someone gave Theo a plastic T-Rex last week. I thought it would join the rotation of toys that get played with for five minutes and then ...
- [Operation Find A House: Month Eight](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2016/01/07/operation-find-a-house-month-eight.html): 2016-01-07 · by Elena — We’ve been house hunting since August. Let me paint you a picture: our apartment looks like a real estate office exploded. There are Zill...
- [Christmas Morning Chaos](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2015/12/24/christmas-morning-chaos.html): 2015-12-24 · by Elena — Well, we survived our first Christmas with two kids under five. Sophie was up at 5 AM asking if Santa came yet (spoiler: he did, and he a...
- [Strong Like Bull](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2015/12/09/strong-like-bull.html): 2015-12-09 · by Elena — So I tried CrossFit today. Why didn’t anyone warn me I’d feel like I got hit by a truck?
- [Thanksgiving Helper](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2015/11/25/thanksgiving-helper.html): 2015-11-25 · by Elena — Sophie announced this morning that she wanted to help feed Theo his first real Thanksgiving dinner. She was so proud to be the big sister...
- [My Little Turkey Star](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2015/11/14/my-little-turkey-star.html): 2015-11-14 · by Elena — Y’all. My baby girl had her kindergarten Thanksgiving play today and I am NOT okay. Sophie had three whole lines as Turkey #2, and she de...
- [The Incredibles (Incredible Disaster)](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2015/10/30/the-incredibles-incredible-disaster.html): 2015-10-30 · by Elena — So we thought we’d try our first family costume this year. The Incredibles seemed perfect - Elena as Elastigirl (obviously), Marcus as Mr...
- [Four Years and Counting](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2015/10/17/four-years-and-counting.html): 2015-10-17 · by Elena — October 18th, 2011. We said “I do” in front of 127 people at the Merrimon-Wynne House, and I’m pretty sure we had no idea what we were ge...
- [The Legacy Continues](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2015/09/29/the-legacy-continues.html): 2015-09-29 · by Elena — So Theo said his first real word yesterday. Not “mama” or “dada” like the baby books promised. Not even “hi” or “bye-bye” like normal chi...
- [Twenty-Seven](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2015/09/07/twenty-seven.html): 2015-09-07 · by Elena — I woke up this morning and something felt different. Not in a dramatic, life-changing way – more like when you finally get contacts after...
- [My Baby Started Kindergarten](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2015/08/24/my-baby-started-kindergarten.html): 2015-08-24 · by Elena — This morning happened in slow motion and warp speed all at once. Sophie woke up at 6 AM (without an alarm, because of course she did) and...
- [The Great House Hunt of 2015](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2015/08/09/the-great-house-hunt-of-2015.html): 2015-08-09 · by Elena — So we’re officially those people now - the ones driving around on weekends with a realtor, pretending we know what “good bones” means and...
- [Sand, Sun, and Survival Mode](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2015/07/19/sand-sun-and-survival-mode.html): 2015-07-19 · by Elena — Beach vacation with a five-year-old and a baby: expectations versus gloriously chaotic reality. I had visions of leisurely walks along th...
- [Family Tradition](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2015/07/03/family-tradition.html): 2015-07-03 · by Elena — So apparently the Hartwell babies have a one-for-one record of hating fireworks. Sophie screamed through her first Fourth of July at five...
- [Five](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2015/06/21/five.html): 2015-06-21 · by Elena — Sophie turned five today and I’m not ready. Five years ago she made me a mom. Now she makes me cry at birthday cakes and tries to curl up...
- [First Real Smile](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2015/05/29/first-real-smile.html): 2015-05-29 · by Elena — I thought I was prepared for this. I’d been through it with Sophie - the waiting, the wondering when that first real smile would come. Bu...
- [Mother's Day: Expectations vs. Reality](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2015/05/09/mother-s-day-expectations-vs-reality.html): 2015-05-09 · by Elena — You know what they don’t tell you about Mother’s Day with little kids? It’s equal parts heart-melting and absolutely chaotic. Sophie spen...
- [Back in the Game](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2015/04/14/back-in-the-game.html): 2015-04-14 · by Elena — First day back at the hospital and I spent half my break time staring at my phone waiting for Marcus to text me disaster updates. The oth...
- [Easter Photo Reality Check](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2015/04/04/easter-photo-reality-check.html): 2015-04-04 · by Elena — You know those perfect Easter family photos you see on Pinterest? The ones where everyone is smiling and the children look angelic in the...
- [Birthday Naps and Stolen Cake](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2015/03/13/birthday-naps-and-stolen-cake.html): 2015-03-13 · by Elena — Today was Marcus’s 29th birthday, and we had big plans. By big plans, I mean we were going to light some candles on a grocery store cake ...
- [Chief Baby Officer](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2015/03/01/chief-baby-officer.html): 2015-03-01 · by Elena — Sophie has officially appointed herself Theo’s personal bodyguard and takes the job more seriously than Marcus takes his actual job. She ...
- [The 3 AM Club](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2015/02/14/the-3-am-club.html): 2015-02-14 · by Elena — Welcome to the 3 AM club, where coffee is a food group and sleep is a distant memory. Two weeks in with Theo and we’ve established a rout...
- [Party of Four](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2015/02/02/party-of-four.html): 2015-02-02 · by Elena — Theodore James Hartwell made his debut this morning at 6:47 AM. Eight pounds, one ounce of pure chaos and the most beautiful baby I’ve ev...
- [The Waiting Game](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2015/01/09/the-waiting-game.html): 2015-01-09 · by Elena — Thirty-nine weeks and I am DONE. Like, stick-a-fork-in-me done. This baby needs to get the memo that his eviction notice has been served.
- [Tamales and Third Trimester](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2014/12/24/tamales-and-third-trimester.html): 2014-12-24 · by Elena — Christmas morning means tamales in the Vasquez family, and this year Sophie got to help Abuela Rosa with the whole production.
- [Thanksgiving Recovery Mode](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2014/11/26/thanksgiving-recovery-mode.html): 2014-11-26 · by Elena — Day after Thanksgiving and I’m still going strong. Currently on tamale number four and have zero regrets about any of my life choices.
- [Golden Hours](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2014/11/14/golden-hours.html): 2014-11-14 · by Elena — Remember how terrified I was the first time around? Every cramp, every weird feeling, every Google search at 2am convinced I was doing so...
- [Pumpkin Life Chose Me](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2014/10/30/pumpkin-life-chose-me.html): 2014-10-30 · by Elena — So apparently when you’re seven months pregnant on Halloween, you have two costume choices: embrace the belly or hide from trick-or-treat...
- [Three Years In](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2014/10/17/three-years-in.html): 2014-10-17 · by Elena — October 18th, 2011. The Merrimon-Wynne House. Perfect weather, burgundy and gold everywhere, and me in a dress I still think about someti...
- [Twenty-Six](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2014/09/07/twenty-six.html): 2014-09-07 · by Elena — Today I turn 26. Six months pregnant with baby number two, standing in our kitchen that still smells faintly of the birthday pancakes Mar...
- [Baby Number Two (Plot Twist Edition)](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2014/09/01/baby-number-two-plot-twist-edition.html): 2014-09-01 · by Elena — So. We’re having another baby.
- [She Gets It From Me](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2014/08/19/she-gets-it-from-me.html): 2014-08-19 · by Elena — This morning Sophie rejected three perfectly cute outfits before settling on this sparkly unicorn shirt and tulle skirt combo for her fir...
- [Beach Hair, Don't Care (But Actually I Do Care A Lot)](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2014/07/19/beach-hair-don-t-care-but-actually-i-do-care-a-lot.html): 2014-07-19 · by Elena — We’re back from our annual Outer Banks trip and I’m having a full identity crisis about my hair situation. Look at Sophie’s effortless be...
- [Finally a Fan](https://thehartwellfamily.com/milestone/2014/07/03/finally-a-fan.html): 2014-07-03 · by Elena — Four years. FOUR YEARS of covering Sophie’s ears at every firework show while she buried her face in my shoulder. Tonight we went to the ...
- [Princess for a Day](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2014/06/21/princess-for-a-day.html): 2014-06-21 · by Elena — Sophie woke up this morning and announced that she was going to be Rapunzel for her fourth birthday. Not just any princess - specifically...
- [Gallery Opening](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2014/06/04/gallery-opening.html): 2014-06-04 · by Elena — Sophie brought home another stack of artwork from preschool today, and I swear she’s getting better every week. We spread everything out ...
- [Priceless Art](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2014/05/10/priceless-art.html): 2014-05-10 · by Elena — Sophie came bouncing through the door today clutching a piece of construction paper like it held the secrets of the universe. ‘Mommy! Mom...
- [This Body](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2014/04/30/this-body.html): 2014-04-30 · by Elena — I just got back from my longest run yet - eight miles! - and I’m standing here in my kitchen, sweaty and proud, thinking about how differ...
- [13.1 Miles Later](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2014/04/05/13-1-miles-later.html): 2014-04-05 · by Elena — So I did a thing today. I ran 13.1 miles. On purpose. Nobody was chasing me with a chainsaw or anything - I just decided to do it because...
- [Celebrating My Favorite Designer](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2014/03/13/celebrating-my-favorite-designer.html): 2014-03-13 · by Elena — I am so incredibly proud to announce that Marcus officially landed the Senior UX Designer position at Bandwidth!
- [Valentine's Day Reality Check](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2014/02/13/valentine-s-day-reality-check.html): 2014-02-13 · by Elena — Marcus and I decided to do Valentine’s Day at home this year - candles, wine, his famous carbonara, the whole romantic setup. We even wai...
- [The Artist's Eye](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2014/02/04/the-artist-s-eye.html): 2014-02-04 · by Elena — So Sophie has been on an art kick lately. Like, serious art kick. Every surface in this house has been claimed as her canvas, but the fri...
- [13.1 Miles of Audacity](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2014/01/11/13-1-miles-of-audacity.html): 2014-01-11 · by Elena — So I’ve decided to train for a half marathon.
- [The True Believer](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2013/12/24/the-true-believer.html): 2013-12-24 · by Elena — Sophie woke up at 5:47 AM (because of course she did) and immediately started her Christmas morning preparations. Not present-opening pre...
- [The Kids Who Stay](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2013/12/09/the-kids-who-stay.html): 2013-12-09 · by Elena — Just got home from my shift and I can’t stop thinking about the kids who won’t be going home for Christmas.
- [Our Little Thanksgiving Star](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2013/11/27/our-little-thanksgiving-star.html): 2013-11-27 · by Elena — So apparently we have a performer on our hands. Right in the middle of passing the sweet potatoes, Sophie announced she had a “special so...
- [Wonder Woman vs. Bedtime](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2013/10/30/wonder-woman-vs-bedtime.html): 2013-10-30 · by Elena — So remember that Wonder Woman costume I made Sophie for Halloween? The one she begged for, the one that took me three trips to Jo-Ann Fab...
- [Two Years](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2013/10/17/two-years.html): 2013-10-17 · by Elena — Happy second anniversary to us! We planned this whole romantic evening - dinner at home after Sophie went to bed, wine, maybe even watchi...
- [First Day of Everything](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2013/09/24/first-day-of-everything.html): 2013-09-24 · by Elena — We’ve been talking about preschool for weeks. Sophie picked out her outfit three times, practiced writing her name, and announced to ever...
- [Quarter Century](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2013/09/07/quarter-century.html): 2013-09-07 · by Elena — So I’m 25 today. A quarter of a century, which sounds dramatic when you put it like that. But honestly? It feels good. Different from 21,...
- [3 AM Mom Guilt](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2013/08/09/3-am-mom-guilt.html): 2013-08-09 · by Elena — Another night shift starts in an hour. I’m sitting in our quiet kitchen with my coffee, everyone else asleep, trying to shake this feelin...
- [Loud Stars](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2013/07/03/loud-stars.html): 2013-07-03 · by Elena — Three years. Three years of Fourth of July fireworks ending with Sophie in hysterics, me carrying a screaming toddler back to the car whi...
- [The Birthday Dictator](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2013/06/21/the-birthday-dictator.html): 2013-06-21 · by Elena — Happy third birthday to my beautiful, bossy, brilliant little girl!
- [The No-Filter Years](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2013/05/31/the-no-filter-years.html): 2013-05-31 · by Elena — Sophie has discovered the power of conversation and she is WIELDING it. At three, she has full sentences, strong opinions, and absolutely...
- [Crown Jewels](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2013/05/11/crown-jewels.html): 2013-05-11 · by Elena — Sophie came home from daycare yesterday with a construction paper crown covered in glitter and crooked heart stickers. “For you, Mommy!” ...
- [3.1 Miles of Pure Stubbornness](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2013/05/04/3-1-miles-of-pure-stubbornness.html): 2013-05-04 · by Elena — So I did it. I ran my first 5K this morning and lived to tell about it.
- [We Have a New Artist in the House](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2013/04/14/we-have-a-new-artist-in-the-house.html): 2013-04-14 · by Elena — Sophie has discovered crayons and there’s no going back.
- [Twenty-Seven and Counting](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2013/03/13/twenty-seven-and-counting.html): 2013-03-13 · by Elena — Marcus turned 27 today and Sophie was determined to make it special. She spent an hour this morning with crayons and construction paper, ...
- [Called Out by a Two-Year-Old](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2013/03/04/called-out-by-a-two-year-old.html): 2013-03-04 · by Elena — We were in Target yesterday, minding our own business in the checkout line, when the cashier complimented Sophie’s tutu. Sweet moment, ri...
- [Actual Adults](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2013/02/13/actual-adults.html): 2013-02-13 · by Elena — We got a babysitter. We put on clothes without stains. We went to a restaurant where crayons don’t come with the menu.
- [The Artist Emerges](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2013/01/24/the-artist-emerges.html): 2013-01-24 · by Elena — I walked into the living room this morning to find Sophie standing proudly next to her latest creation. Red and blue crayon on white wall...
- [Resolution Revolution (Toddler Edition)](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2013/01/07/resolution-revolution-toddler-edition.html): 2013-01-07 · by Elena — So we’re eight days into 2013 and I finally sat down to write out my resolutions. Key word: tried to sit down. Sophie had other plans.
- [Santa Magic](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2012/12/24/santa-magic.html): 2012-12-24 · by Elena — Sophie spent all of Christmas Eve talking about Santa. She insisted we leave out the “good cookies” - the chocolate chip ones she normall...
- [Party of Four (Sort Of)](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2012/12/14/party-of-four-sort-of.html): 2012-12-14 · by Elena — So apparently we have a new family member. Her name is Mimi, she’s Sophie’s age, and she has very specific dining requirements.
- [Actually Grateful](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2012/11/21/actually-grateful.html): 2012-11-21 · by Elena — Everyone’s posting their perfectly styled Thanksgiving spreads and I’m over here grateful for the weirdest stuff. Like Sophie’s laugh whe...
- [The Antennae Situation](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2012/10/30/the-antennae-situation.html): 2012-10-30 · by Elena — So Halloween happened. Sophie was a ladybug and it was adorable and she trick-or-treated for exactly twenty minutes before she got overwh...
- [365 Days](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2012/10/17/365-days.html): 2012-10-17 · by Elena — A year ago today, I walked down the aisle eight months pregnant, wearing the most beautiful dress that barely fit, to marry my favorite p...
- [24 and Ancient](https://thehartwellfamily.com/milestone/2012/09/07/24-and-ancient.html): 2012-09-07 · by Elena — Today I turned 24 and I feel simultaneously ancient and like I’m still a kid playing dress-up. Ancient because I’m a wife, a mom to a two...
- [First Day](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2012/08/31/first-day.html): 2012-08-31 · by Elena — Today was Sophie’s first day at Sunshine Daycare. I’d been preparing for weeks - touring the facility, meeting Miss Jennifer, buying the ...
- [Three Miles and Counting](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2012/08/14/three-miles-and-counting.html): 2012-08-14 · by Elena — I ran three miles today. Without stopping. Without walking. Without contemplating faking an injury to give myself an excuse to quit.
- [Fourth of July: Take Two Hundred](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2012/07/03/fourth-of-july-take-two-hundred.html): 2012-07-03 · by Elena — So we tried the fireworks thing again this year. Because apparently we’re slow learners and thought maybe this time would be different. M...
- [Two Years of Sophie (And Attitude)](https://thehartwellfamily.com/milestone/2012/06/21/two-years-of-sophie-and-attitude.html): 2012-06-21 · by Elena — Happy second birthday to my beautiful, stubborn, absolutely perfect daughter!
- [Summer Survival Mode](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2012/06/04/summer-survival-mode.html): 2012-06-04 · by Elena — Sophie has discovered that summer equals pool time, and pool time equals the ultimate toddler power trip. She now believes that sunscreen...
- [Mother's Day Massacre](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2012/05/12/mother-s-day-massacre.html): 2012-05-12 · by Elena — I woke up this morning to suspicious sounds from the kitchen. Giggling. Whispered ‘shh, Sophie!’ And what sounded like a small explosion.
- [One Year In](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2012/04/30/one-year-in.html): 2012-04-30 · by Elena — So it’s been exactly one year since I started at Rex. One year of twelve-hour shifts, tiny patients with big personalities, and learning ...
- [Easter Egg Expert](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2012/04/07/easter-egg-expert.html): 2012-04-07 · by Elena — We set up Sophie’s first Easter egg hunt in the backyard today. Nothing fancy - just a few colorful eggs scattered around the grass for o...
- [Twenty-Six and Still Learning](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2012/03/13/twenty-six-and-still-learning.html): 2012-03-13 · by Elena — Marcus turns 26 today and after three years together (plus one tiny human), I feel qualified to provide a comprehensive performance review.
- [The Tiny Dictator Speaks](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2012/03/04/the-tiny-dictator-speaks.html): 2012-03-04 · by Elena — Sophie’s vocabulary is exploding and let me tell you, she has OPINIONS. Her current repertoire includes ‘no no no’ (said while shaking he...
- [Actual Adults](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2012/02/13/actual-adults.html): 2012-02-13 · by Elena — So apparently I still remember how to put on a real dress and actual shoes that aren’t sneakers. Who knew?
- [The Great Banana Incident of 2012](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2012/01/24/the-great-banana-incident-of-2012.html): 2012-01-24 · by Elena — So we had our first real public meltdown today. Sophie and I went to Harris Teeter for what should have been a quick grocery run. Everyth...
- [Resolution Reality Check](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2012/01/07/resolution-reality-check.html): 2012-01-07 · by Elena — Week one of 2012 and we’re already showing our true colors.
- [Our First Christmas as the Hartwells](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2011/12/24/our-first-christmas-as-the-hartwells.html): 2011-12-24 · by Elena — Merry Christmas from our chaotic little family!
- [The Other Side of Christmas](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2011/12/09/the-other-side-of-christmas.html): 2011-12-09 · by Elena — I don’t usually write about work. You know that. But tonight feels different.
- [Two Down, Marriage Intact](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2011/11/23/two-down-marriage-intact.html): 2011-11-23 · by Elena — Well, we did it. Our first married Thanksgiving managing both families, and somehow we’re all still speaking to each other.
- [Welcome to The Hartwells](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2011/11/09/welcome-to-the-hartwells.html): 2011-11-09 · by Elena — Four years ago, I started “Elena Unfiltered” as a scared freshman with too many opinions and not enough sense to keep them to myself. I w...
- [Two Weeks In](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2011/10/29/two-weeks-in.html): 2011-10-29 · by Elena — It’s been exactly two weeks since we said ‘I do,’ and I keep catching myself staring at my ring like it’s going to vanish. The engagement...
- [One Year Ago Today](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2011/10/17/one-year-ago-today.html): 2011-10-17 · by Elena — October 18th, 2010. The Merrimon-Wynne House. 127 guests. Burgundy, gold, and cream everywhere. Perfect 68-degree weather with the kind o...
- [Three Weeks and Counting](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2011/09/24/three-weeks-and-counting.html): 2011-09-24 · by Elena — So apparently when they say “the weeks before your wedding fly by,” they mean it in the most terrifying way possible.
- [Twenty-Three](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2011/09/07/twenty-three.html): 2011-09-07 · by Elena — Today I’m twenty-three. Five years ago, if you’d told eighteen-year-old me that I’d be spending my twenty-third birthday engaged to a gra...
- [Why Wedding Seating Charts Are Actually Torture Devices](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2011/08/09/why-wedding-seating-charts-are-actually-torture-devices.html): 2011-08-09 · by Elena — So apparently there’s a reason they don’t teach “Advanced Family Politics” in wedding planning class.
- [Twenty Minutes](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2011/07/19/twenty-minutes.html): 2011-07-19 · by Elena — Six months postpartum and I finally figured out what I need: twenty minutes where nobody needs anything from me.
- [Our Patriotic Exit Strategy](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2011/07/03/our-patriotic-exit-strategy.html): 2011-07-03 · by Elena — We had such plans for Sophie’s first Fourth of July. Red, white and blue outfit? Check. Cute photo ops? Check. Staying past 7 PM at the n...
- [One Year](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2011/06/21/one-year.html): 2011-06-21 · by Elena — I thought I was ready for Sophie’s first birthday. I bought the perfect little pink cake, set up the high chair, had my camera ready. Wha...
- [The Little Dictator](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2011/06/09/the-little-dictator.html): 2011-06-09 · by Elena — Sophie is eleven months old and has apparently decided she runs this house. She points at things and YELLS until you figure out what she ...
- [Wedding Planning Reality Check](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2011/05/24/wedding-planning-reality-check.html): 2011-05-24 · by Elena — So we’re getting married in October and apparently that means I need to pay someone $3,000 for flowers. Three THOUSAND dollars. For flowe...
- [First Mother's Day](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2011/05/07/first-mother-s-day.html): 2011-05-07 · by Elena — So apparently Mother’s Day hits different when you’re actually a mom. Who knew?
- [One Year](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2011/04/19/one-year.html): 2011-04-19 · by Elena — A year ago today, Marcus got down on one knee in our tiny apartment with a ring and a cocktail napkin.
- [First Steps (Sort Of)](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2011/04/04/first-steps-sort-of.html): 2011-04-04 · by Elena — So. Sophie walked today.
- [Happy Birthday to My Favorite Dad](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2011/03/13/happy-birthday-to-my-favorite-dad.html): 2011-03-13 · by Elena — So Marcus turned 25 today, and I had this whole plan. Homemade chocolate cake (his favorite), candles, the works. Sophie was going to sit...
- [The Dress (and the Damage)](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2011/02/28/the-dress-and-the-damage.html): 2011-02-28 · by Elena — So today was the big day - wedding dress shopping with Mom and Carmen. I’ve been putting this off forever because honestly? The idea of t...
- [Romance, Redefined](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2011/02/13/romance-redefined.html): 2011-02-13 · by Elena — Marcus had it all planned out. Flowers (check - gorgeous red roses that are currently the nicest thing in our living room). Nice dinner (...
- [The Word That Changed Everything](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2011/01/19/the-word-that-changed-everything.html): 2011-01-19 · by Elena — I was standing in the kitchen this morning, making coffee and trying to convince myself I was awake enough to function on four hours of s...
- [Resolution Reality Check](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2011/01/04/resolution-reality-check.html): 2011-01-04 · by Elena — So we’re five days into 2011 and I’m already questioning my life choices. My resolutions seemed so reasonable on January 1st: sleep more ...
- [Sophie's Christmas Morning Review](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2010/12/24/sophie-s-christmas-morning-review.html): 2010-12-24 · by Elena — Well, we officially survived Sophie’s first Christmas morning! And by “survived” I mean we learned that our six-month-old daughter is app...
- [We Have a Venue!](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2010/12/09/we-have-a-venue.html): 2010-12-09 · by Elena — After touring six different venues around Raleigh, we finally found THE ONE. The Merrimon-Wynne House is absolutely perfect - historic ch...
- [Sophie's First Thanksgiving](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2010/11/24/sophie-s-first-thanksgiving.html): 2010-11-24 · by Elena — Five months old and Sophie is already running this family like a tiny dictator. Abuela Rosa claimed her the moment we walked into my pare...
- [Night Shift Life](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2010/11/14/night-shift-life.html): 2010-11-14 · by Elena — So I officially survived my first night shift at the hospital. Twelve hours of pediatric chaos, endless charting, and more coffee than sh...
- [First Day Jitters](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2010/10/31/first-day-jitters.html): 2010-10-31 · by Elena — So today was the day - my first official shift as a nurse in the pediatric ward at UNC Rex. I put on my scrubs this morning and looked in...
- [Operation Baby Pumpkin](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2010/10/30/operation-baby-pumpkin.html): 2010-10-30 · by Elena — So we attempted Sophie’s first Halloween today. I say attempted because our little pumpkin had other plans - namely, sleeping through the...
- [The Great Milestone Robbery](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2010/10/09/the-great-milestone-robbery.html): 2010-10-09 · by Elena — So apparently five minutes in the shower is enough time for your four-month-old to decide NOW is the perfect moment for her first roll-ov...
- [Wedding Planning: Pinterest Edition](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2010/09/24/wedding-planning-pinterest-edition.html): 2010-09-24 · by Elena — Someone needs to tell Pinterest that I have exactly 1.5 functioning brain cells right now and they’re both being used to keep Sophie aliv...
- [Twenty-Two](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2010/09/07/twenty-two.html): 2010-09-07 · by Elena — So this is 22. Sitting in our kitchen with Sophie on my lap and Marcus’s gloriously lopsided birthday cake on the counter. The candle’s b...
- [Everything Stopped](https://thehartwellfamily.com/milestone/2010/08/31/everything-stopped.html): 2010-08-31 · by Elena — Sophie smiled this morning.
- [RN After My Name](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2010/08/14/rn-after-my-name.html): 2010-08-14 · by Elena — It’s official - Elena Vasquez, RN!
- [The 3AM Truth](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2010/08/04/the-3am-truth.html): 2010-08-04 · by Elena — It’s 3:17am and I’m sitting in my kitchen typing this with one hand while Sophie nurses.
- [The Google Dad](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2010/07/19/the-google-dad.html): 2010-07-19 · by Elena — Marcus has Googled everything. And I mean EVERYTHING. “How often do babies blink?” “Should her fingernails be that tiny?” “Is it normal f...
- [4 AM Thoughts](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2010/07/04/4-am-thoughts.html): 2010-07-04 · by Elena — I don’t recognize myself in the mirror anymore. My body did this incredible thing - created a whole person - and now it feels like it bel...
- [She's Here](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2010/06/21/she-s-here.html): 2010-06-21 · by Elena — Eighteen hours. EIGHTEEN. That’s how long it took Sophie Grace Hartwell to make her grand entrance into this world. I’m writing this a we...
- [Making It Real](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2010/06/14/making-it-real.html): 2010-06-14 · by Elena — Twenty weeks.
- [Eviction Notice](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2010/06/04/eviction-notice.html): 2010-06-04 · by Elena — Forty weeks tomorrow and I am DONE. Done with not being able to see my feet. Done with waking up at 3am because this little gymnast decid...
- [Midnight Assembly Required](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2010/05/24/midnight-assembly-required.html): 2010-05-24 · by Elena — So apparently at 8.5 months pregnant, I’ve entered full panic mode. The nursery is half-painted (started three weeks ago, lost steam at w...
- [BSN and Baby Bump](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2010/05/08/bsn-and-baby-bump.html): 2010-05-08 · by Elena — Yesterday I walked across that stage eight months pregnant, diploma in hand, and heard an entire auditorium give me a standing ovation.
- [Ring Spam Alert](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2010/04/24/ring-spam-alert.html): 2010-04-24 · by Elena — Okay I warned you in the title so nobody gets to complain. I’ve been engaged for exactly eight days and I’ve taken approximately 47 photo...
- [He Drew It First](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2010/04/16/he-drew-it-first.html): 2010-04-16 · by Elena — So this happened. Marcus proposed last night at Mitch’s Tavern — the exact same spot where I told him his music taste was pretentious gar...
- [Last Clinical Done (And I'm Still Standing)](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2010/03/29/last-clinical-done-and-i-m-still-standing.html): 2010-03-29 · by Elena — So I just finished my last clinical rotation at Rex Hospital. Six months pregnant, exhausted, and officially DONE with the hands-on porti...
- [Birthday Boy](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2010/03/13/birthday-boy.html): 2010-03-13 · by Elena — So Marcus turns 24 today and I decided to be the perfect girlfriend and make him breakfast in bed. Note: I said I decided to BE the perfe...
- [Pink](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2010/02/27/pink.html): 2010-02-27 · by Elena — So we found out today. Twenty weeks and it’s a GIRL. I’m sitting here watching Marcus sketch a tiny dress on a napkin like he’s designing...
- [365 Days Later](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2010/02/13/365-days-later.html): 2010-02-13 · by Elena — So. One year ago today, Marcus officially asked me to be his girlfriend. Over burnt spaghetti that he’d been working on for two hours, sw...
- [Week 18: The Basketball Phase](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2010/01/27/week-18-the-basketball-phase.html): 2010-01-27 · by Elena — So I’ve officially become that girl. You know the one - the pregnant girl who documents every single week with bump photos and thinks eve...
- [Radiant or Nauseous? (Apparently the Same Thing)](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2010/01/09/radiant-or-nauseous-apparently-the-same-thing.html): 2010-01-09 · by Elena — So apparently when you’re four months pregnant and trying to survive nursing school clinicals, everyone thinks you look “radiant.”
- [Midnight At Home](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2009/12/30/midnight-at-home.html): 2009-12-30 · by Elena — We were supposed to go to Derek and Jen’s rooftop party tonight. I had the outfit picked out, Marcus had actually styled his hair, we wer...
- [Christmas Disasters and Baby Cravings](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2009/12/24/christmas-disasters-and-baby-cravings.html): 2009-12-24 · by Elena — So Marcus decided to surprise me by making his mom’s famous apple pie recipe for Christmas dessert. Sweet gesture, right? Except he someh...
- [One Year of Napkin Art](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2009/12/09/one-year-of-napkin-art.html): 2009-12-09 · by Elena — So apparently it’s been about a year since that fateful night at Mitch’s Tavern when I met this guy who was literally sketching logo conc...
- [The Big Announcement](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2009/11/25/the-big-announcement.html): 2009-11-25 · by Elena — So we did it. We told them. Both families, Thanksgiving dinner, the whole nine yards. I was so nervous I could barely eat my mom’s turkey...
- [Two Lines, One Life Change](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2009/11/07/two-lines-one-life-change.html): 2009-11-07 · by Elena — I’ve been staring at this blank page for three weeks now. How do you write about the moment your entire life changes direction? How do yo...
- [Office Supplies and True Love](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2009/10/30/office-supplies-and-true-love.html): 2009-10-30 · by Elena — So my boyfriend decided to be a PENCIL for Halloween.
- [Good People](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2009/10/11/good-people.html): 2009-10-11 · by Elena — Spent the afternoon with Marcus’s friends today and I have to say - I like these people. Derek, Ben, and the whole crew came over for cof...
- [Study Mode: Activated](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2009/09/24/study-mode-activated.html): 2009-09-24 · by Elena — Three weeks until the NCLEX and I’m basically living at this kitchen island. Books everywhere, highlighters in colors I didn’t know exist...
- [Twenty-One](https://thehartwellfamily.com/milestone/2009/09/07/twenty-one.html): 2009-09-07 · by Elena — So Marcus surprised me tonight. I thought we were just going to grab pizza and maybe catch a movie, but when I got to his place there wer...
- [Living in Sin (and a Tiny Apartment)](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2009/08/14/living-in-sin-and-a-tiny-apartment.html): 2009-08-14 · by Elena — So we’ve been living together for exactly two weeks now and I have some observations.
- [The Cable Conspiracy](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2009/07/31/the-cable-conspiracy.html): 2009-07-31 · by Elena — So we’re doing it. Moving in together. Into what can generously be called a cozy one-bedroom apartment in Raleigh that costs more than my...
- [Secret Artist Boy](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2009/07/19/secret-artist-boy.html): 2009-07-19 · by Elena — I was looking for a pen in Marcus’s desk drawer today when I found this sketchbook tucked under some papers. Naturally I opened it (priva...
- [Fourth and Fireworks](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2009/07/03/fourth-and-fireworks.html): 2009-07-03 · by Elena — So apparently Marcus and I are doing holidays together now.
- [This Is What Grown-Up Looks Like](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2009/06/09/this-is-what-grown-up-looks-like.html): 2009-06-09 · by Elena — So this is my life now. Three nights a week, I drive from Chapel Hill to Marcus’s apartment in Raleigh after my clinical rotations. He cl...
- [Three Years Down](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2009/05/19/three-years-down.html): 2009-05-19 · by Elena — So apparently I survived junior year of nursing school. Who knew? Clinical rotations were absolutely brutal - twelve hour shifts, cranky ...
- [Four Years Later](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2009/05/07/four-years-later.html): 2009-05-07 · by Elena — So that’s it. Four years of nursing school officially in the books. I walked out of my last final exam today and there was Marcus standin...
- [Sister Seal of Approval](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2009/04/19/sister-seal-of-approval.html): 2009-04-19 · by Elena — So Carmen finally met Marcus today.
- [22 Miles and Counting](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2009/04/01/22-miles-and-counting.html): 2009-04-01 · by Elena — You guys. TWENTY-TWO MILES. That’s what separates Chapel Hill from Raleigh and apparently that’s what my life has become.
- [Twenty-Three and Nerdy](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2009/03/13/twenty-three-and-nerdy.html): 2009-03-13 · by Elena — So my boyfriend turned 23 today and I may have gone a little overboard. Dinner at this cute Italian place downtown (okay fine, it was Oli...
- [Things I've Learned About My Boyfriend](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2009/03/04/things-i-ve-learned-about-my-boyfriend.html): 2009-03-04 · by Elena — So apparently I’m dating someone who owns more cables than Best Buy
- [We're Doing This](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2009/02/13/we-re-doing-this.html): 2009-02-13 · by Elena — So apparently I have a boyfriend now.
- [Meeting the In-Laws (Sort Of)](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2009/02/02/meeting-the-in-laws-sort-of.html): 2009-02-02 · by Elena — So I met Marcus’s parents today. His mom Patty is literally the sweetest human alive - she hugged me before I even got through the door a...
- [DTR: Define the Ridiculousness](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2009/01/19/dtr-define-the-ridiculousness.html): 2009-01-19 · by Elena — You guys. I cannot with this boy. So we had our first New Year’s Eve kiss (amazing, butterflies, the whole thing) and apparently Marcus s...
- [New Year, New Me (But Like, Actually This Time)](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2009/01/04/new-year-new-me-but-like-actually-this-time.html): 2009-01-04 · by Elena — So apparently it’s 2009 and I’m supposed to have my life together now? Cool cool cool.
- [he drew our story](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2008/12/24/he-drew-our-story.html): 2008-12-24 · by Elena — So Christmas happened and Marcus completely destroyed me. Not with jewelry or fancy dinner plans. With a sketchbook.
- [Study Buddy FAIL](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2008/12/09/study-buddy-fail.html): 2008-12-09 · by Elena — So Marcus offered to come help me study for my anatomy final tomorrow. Sweet, right?
- [Turkey Day Trials](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2008/11/26/turkey-day-trials.html): 2008-11-26 · by Elena — So I took Marcus home for Thanksgiving. Big mistake. Huge mistake. Actually no, best decision ever but he might disagree.
- [Game Night Introductions](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2008/11/14/game-night-introductions.html): 2008-11-14 · by Elena — So I finally brought Marcus to game night and now I’m regretting it. Not because it went badly - because it went TOO well.
- [The 37-Minute Rule](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2008/11/01/the-37-minute-rule.html): 2008-11-01 · by Elena — Okay, can we talk about this whole texting thing? Because I think I’m losing my mind.
- [apartment chronicles](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2008/10/17/apartment-chronicles.html): 2008-10-17 · by Elena — So Marcus invited me over to his place for movie night. I should have known what I was getting into when he warned me his apartment was ‘...
- [The Napkin Sketch](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2008/10/04/the-napkin-sketch.html): 2008-10-04 · by Elena — So apparently I went on a date with an artist. Not that he TOLD me he was an artist. No, I had to figure that out when he started sketchi...
- [Musical Education](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2008/09/21/musical-education.html): 2008-09-21 · by Elena — So apparently when you meet a guy at a bar and spend forty-five minutes arguing about music, he takes that as a challenge. Marcus - yes, ...
- [About Last Night (Or: How to Argue About Music for 45 Minutes Straight)](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2008/09/13/about-last-night-or-how-to-argue-about-music-for-45-minutes-straight.html): 2008-09-13 · by Elena — So Jen dragged me to Mitch’s Tavern last night and I am STILL recovering. Not from the beer (okay maybe a little from the beer) but from ...
- [Twenty and Terrified (But Mostly Twenty)](https://thehartwellfamily.com/milestone/2008/09/07/twenty-and-terrified-but-mostly-twenty.html): 2008-09-07 · by Elena — OMG you guys, I’m officially twenty years old as of today!! I feel like I should be more mature or something but honestly I still eat cer...
- [Last First Day Ever](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2008/09/02/last-first-day-ever.html): 2008-09-02 · by Elena — Holy crap you guys, this is it! My LAST first day of college ever!!
- [Senior Year Panic Mode: ACTIVATED](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2008/08/14/senior-year-panic-mode-activated.html): 2008-08-14 · by Elena — OMG you guys, I think I’m having a breakdown and it’s only the second week of classes!!
- [summer grind mode: activated](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2008/06/19/summer-grind-mode-activated.html): 2008-06-19 · by Elena — So I’m back to waitressing this summer at Romano’s downtown and you guys… I’m actually GOOD at it now?? Like remember last summer when I ...
- [Built for This](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2008/05/09/built-for-this.html): 2008-05-09 · by Elena — OMG you guys, I can’t even believe I’m writing this but I just finished my junior year clinical rotations and I’m DONE. Like actually don...
- [spring on the quad](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2008/04/11/spring-on-the-quad.html): 2008-04-11 · by Elena — You guys, I had one of those moments today where everything just felt… right? Like I was sitting on the quad studying for my anatomy exam...
- [The Great Gecko Escape of 2008](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2008/03/07/the-great-gecko-escape-of-2008.html): 2008-03-07 · by Elena — So apparently my friend Jessica thinks I’m compatible with anyone who’s ‘nice’ and ‘has a job.’ Which is how I ended up spending my Frida...
- [Anti-Valentine's Day (But Make It Cute)](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2008/02/13/anti-valentine-s-day-but-make-it-cute.html): 2008-02-13 · by Elena — So apparently today is Valentine’s Day and I’m supposed to be all sad and pathetic because I don’t have a boyfriend?? Um, excuse me, but ...
- [The Great Bang Disaster of 2008](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2008/01/14/the-great-bang-disaster-of-2008.html): 2008-01-14 · by Elena — So I went to the salon yesterday asking for “just a trim” and somehow walked out looking like I raided the costume closet of a Tim Burton...
- [Tamales and Tradition](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2007/12/24/tamales-and-tradition.html): 2007-12-24 · by Elena — OMG you guys!! Today was AMAZING. I finally got to learn how to make tamales with Abuela Rosa and let me tell you - this woman is a MAGIC...
- [finals week or how i learned to survive on coffee and spite](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2007/12/14/finals-week-or-how-i-learned-to-survive-on-coffee-and-spite.html): 2007-12-14 · by Elena — OMG you guys I literally just walked in the door at 3:30 AM and I’m pretty sure I left half my brain cells in the library.
- [home is where the tamales are](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2007/11/21/home-is-where-the-tamales-are.html): 2007-11-21 · by Elena — So I’m home for Thanksgiving and honestly? This is exactly what I needed after the stress of midterms and clinicals.
- [Halloween Done Right](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2007/10/30/halloween-done-right.html): 2007-10-30 · by Elena — OMG you guys, I am DYING over what happened at Jessica’s Halloween party last night!! So I’m getting ready and I’m like, what should I be...
- [why i do this](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2007/10/19/why-i-do-this.html): 2007-10-19 · by Elena — Ok you guys, I had one of those moments today that just completely wrecked me in the best possible way.
- [silver and defiant](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2007/09/24/silver-and-defiant.html): 2007-09-24 · by Elena — So I did it. Got the nose stud I’ve been talking about for months. It’s tiny, just a little silver dot, but you’d think I’d gotten a face...
- [Nineteen Candles](https://thehartwellfamily.com/milestone/2007/09/07/nineteen-candles.html): 2007-09-07 · by Elena — So I’m officially nineteen today!! Got woken up by Carmen’s birthday card that says “happy birthday to my favorite disaster” - thanks sis...
- [supply closet confessions](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2007/08/31/supply-closet-confessions.html): 2007-08-31 · by Elena — OK so clinical rotations started this week and OMG you guys I was NOT prepared!!
- [She Always Knows](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2007/08/04/she-always-knows.html): 2007-08-04 · by Elena — So I’m sitting in my apartment at 2pm on a Tuesday, surviving on vending machine snacks and whatever’s left in my fridge (which is basica...
- [franklin street summer nights](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2007/06/29/franklin-street-summer-nights.html): 2007-06-29 · by Elena — Just got back from another one of those perfect Franklin Street nights that make me remember why I love Chapel Hill so much!! Me and Jess...
- [Three Weeks In: A Waitressing Update](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2007/06/07/three-weeks-in-a-waitressing-update.html): 2007-06-07 · by Elena — So remember how I was all excited about getting my first real job? Well, three weeks into waitressing at Café Carolina and I’m pretty sur...
- [Still Standing (Barely)](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2007/05/19/still-standing-barely.html): 2007-05-19 · by Elena — OMG you guys, I DID IT! Another year of nursing school officially in the books and I am ALIVE to tell about it! I honestly wasn’t sure I ...
- [SURVIVOR: FINALS WEEK EDITION](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2007/05/09/survivor-finals-week-edition.html): 2007-05-09 · by Elena — OMG you guys, I DID IT! Finals week is officially OVER and I am still breathing and functioning (sort of)! Four exams, two papers, and on...
- [Study Group Drama (aka Why Boys Are Trash)](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2007/04/21/study-group-drama-aka-why-boys-are-trash.html): 2007-04-21 · by Elena — OMG you guys, I am SO over this semester’s biology study group!! There’s this guy - let’s call him Chad because OF COURSE his name is pro...
- [I Looked Death in the Face (And Almost Joined Him)](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2007/04/01/i-looked-death-in-the-face-and-almost-joined-him.html): 2007-04-01 · by Elena — OMG you guys. Today was my first cadaver lab and I am TRAUMATIZED.
- [well, here goes nothing...](https://thehartwellfamily.com/everyday/2007/03/14/well-here-goes-nothing.html): 2007-03-14 · by Elena — So it’s 2:17 AM and my roommate Jen is snoring like a freight train and I’m sitting here thinking… I need somewhere to put all these thou...
- [Spring Break Throwback (aka Why Did I Think Low-Rise Jeans Were Cute?)](https://thehartwellfamily.com/throwback/2007/03/14/spring-break-throwback-aka-why-did-i-think-low-rise-jeans-were-cute.html): 2007-03-14 · by The Hartwells — OMG you guys, I was cleaning out my desk drawers today and found this MASSIVE stack of photos from spring break 2007!