The Craziest January Ever

Well. January has certainly been memorable. The week of the 6th Pete went to see his friend/colleague about starting to work for him, and surprise, he wanted him to start that very day!!!! Only trouble is we had no after care for Lucia, and didn't have full time care for Espen. So I scrambled to get Lucia into an amazing program that she really loves. They pick her up from school in a van (with other kids) and take her down to their center. She takes classes two days a week, [her current curricula include jewelry making and art history] but goes to the park the other days.  Espen is at his daycare provider five days a week and is finally loving her. He doesn't cry anymore when I drop him off (man, that was tough). He plays outside every day and she said his demeanor has completely changed now that he knows how to crawl and get to other kids and toys, etc.

But more importantly, Pete has a new job. I'll let him post about it, but suffice it to say, he's having a great time learning how a design firm operates on the business end and most of all, designing cool stuff and collaborating with a team. His office is in Berkeley so it's not too far away.

I, on the other hand, came home from our Christmas trip hellbent on getting a new job. The CEO of a startup company found me through LinkedIn just before Christmas, and asked if I was interested in heading up their communications. We had a conversation that went well. I emailed him the next day to let him know I couldn't stop thinking about the company. I went in for my first interview on Jan. 7, accepted the job on Jan. 17 and started unofficially the following Monday, but officially last Wednesday. It is tremendously exciting and for the first time in 5 years, I feel like my career is finally back on track. I am beyond thrilled and while I hustled and gave it everything I had to get this job, I know it was also God and luck coming together to give me this opportunity. The startup only has 20 people and I'm the Head of Communications. I got a very sizeable raise. I am fully in charge of directing the company's communications and they want me to be pushy and objective and not acquiesce  if they push back (OMG AM I DREAMING????) I sat in a meeting today and thought, I cannot believe I am getting paid to do this. THIS IS SO FUN.

Because we both needed to go separate directions for work, we finally decided to get another car with car seats. Pete will post about that, but suffice it to say it wasn't a quick process. We researched and researched and finally decided to just pull the trigger on the one we wanted all along. We are taking turns driving it, and truth be told, while it's SO NICE and fancy, I'm more comfortable driving the Prius since I tend to be clumsy and I'm nervous I'll mess up the new car. :) We're considering getting the Prius detailed; it's 7 years old and has 130K miles. It's time for a detailing.

I can't believe this, but this month we also sleep trained Espen. Man, when I read this post I suddenly realize why I'm so tired! It's been crazy. So many big changes and milestones. We came back from Delaware and his sleep schedule was insane and he only wanted to be held and/or fall asleep on me. No bueno. We read a great book and implemented it, and 6 (very very very long) days later, he was sleeping through the night. I think I'm supposed to cut out his dream feed soon, but I really love nursing him too much to give it up. I'm that crazy breastfeeding lady! Yes I am. With the work schedules, I am clinging onto our snuggle time as much as possible.

Other than that, not much is new. :)

The Progression

9 month checkup, a few weeks late

Here he is. Pulling up and crawling like a maniac and completely taking apart the doctors paper cover thingy. He's getting harder to contain, ie crazypants. He's started to try to launch himself off the changing table and really anything, including my arms. 

But he's doing great. Sleeping 7-6:30 with a dream feed at 10. Nursing and eating anything that isn't nailed down, which ahem has been particularly wonderful for my postpartum weight loss.  :) 

Here's his stats:

• Weight: 8.513 kg (18 lb 12.3 oz) (28.32%*)
• Height: 0.724 m (2' 4.5") (40.40%*)
• Head size: (hahahah) 48.3 cm (19.02") (100.00%*) (however, they remeasured and it was 18.5 inches instead, still in the 90%)

Where to start??

Two new jobs, a new car, new after care program, new sleep schedules. Aside from all that, we're trying to keep our heads above water with the mundane tasks like laundry and grocery shopping. It's not easy. We will post more as soon as we can! 

Our little light

Sometimes I can't get over how gorgeous she is. 

Progressing

Espen is moving up to finger foods! He had teeny pieces of a berry pancake yesterday and today turkey meatballs. So cute. 

9 months old, AKA where'd our baby go?

Espen has skyrocketed in terms of filling out and well, looking more like a toddler and less like a baby this month. He now has 4.5 teeth and is a fan of using them to bite. Yeowch. His teeth have changed the shape of his face and now he looks like he's ready for preschool. :(((( 

He's not crawling yet, which we find hilariously fascinating because Lucia was standing in her own at this age and getting ready to walk. So crazy how different they are. He says bye bye and waves and says mama a lot, which he might just be saying milk. :) 

We have majorly regressed in the sleep department and are now having to re-teach him how to fall asleep on his own in his crib. No fun for anyone. 

Here are a few pictures of him this month. 

San Diego

Pete and I decided back in June I think, that we'd take Lucia to Legoland for her big Christmas present, instead of load her up with toys [as we are stuffed to the gills at home]. I watched for airfare sales, and boom, Virgin had tickets from SFO to SAN for $100 each (minus fees). BOOM, I say. So we booked those. THEN, we realized we had enough credit card points to cover two nights in this awesome hotel, and a coupon for the other two nights. BOOM. THEN, we got the car rental for a massive discount.

All of this was to say we were pretty psyched to go on our first family vacation as a foursome for FOUR days and nights for less than $1000.

And it was pretty great! The hotel was really nice, but we've concluded that we'd rather stay in a less expensive, non-resort place (like the Springhill Suites or something comparable) and get two rooms instead of one, so we can hang out when the kids go to sleep. We ended up sitting and whispering on the bathroom floor, propped up with towels and bed pillows and eating chocolate and popcorn.

Saturday we met Mary and David and the kids at Legoland! It was our first time there, and despite the scathing Trip Advisor reviews, I actually loved it and can't wait to go back. It's no Disney, but that's what makes Disney so special. It was amazing to see the things they made from legos. Lucia had a great time with the boys, and Espen thoroughly enjoyed his new stroller.

Here are a few pics from the trip. Pete has many more.

Where's that confounded Sophie?

We are very long overdue on posting. To tide you over, kindly observe Mr. Sharkteeth McBiters go through his toys intent on finding a chewy one.