The day has come

Five days before my birthday Mike left his job. It was a crappy day, a crappy week, a crappy month. I chose to try and be a supportive wife, knowing that this too would end at some point. He had been unhappy for a while and I knew that ultimately, it would be a good thing once he found a new job. So a month later he started working at a really great restaurant. He learned some new things and really found his enthusiasm for food again. The problem was that he was basically working as a line cook and certainly not making enough money to pay the bills. Once he started I would often not see him for 5 days in a row since I was working days and he nights. Somehow, we have maintained. We didn't create and enormous amount of debt,our kids haven't suffered and we still love each other. What else can you ask for?

And so the interviews finally began. He has spent the last 3 weeks interviewing with 3 entirely different companies. The great news is...he recieved offers from all 3! Mike will start in a week at a Marriott property as the Executive Chef.

I have to believe that this whole journey happened the way it happened for a reason.
Five days before his birthday, the offer came...

My New Nephew

I was able to take a much too short trip to meet my new nephew this past Monday. I should say to meet the mini-brother-in-law. It was such a great time, just too short. My husband working nights certainly cramps my style sometimes and my ability to go anywhere.

Anyway, the new little family seems to be doing great. They have their good and hard days but overall this little dude, named Joey, is pretty scheduled and happy. I, of course snuck in a few of my secrets (like a little more food and a really tight swaddle). He is just over two weeks old and is sleeping a good 3-4 hours in a row (in his car seat, in his bed).

My Sissy is doing great! She is experiencing everything that first time and second time moms experience. She is learning her baby's need and loving him with everything she has. It is so fun to watch.

Until I get back there, I will continue to remind myself of this cute little dude that snuggles so well and that peed on me two times!

Hesitation

I am scared to say this but we are finally all healthy! Janie went through a horrible round of strep last weekend. Truly I think this is the sickest that I have ever seen her. By Saturday morning, when I finally took her in to the Dr., I had to carry her to the car and into the Dr.s office. I was bad! So, except for a black eye that Kyle got today from a fall off the sofa (no pic yet), we are all well.

This weekend plays out to be very busy. Tomorrow is Janie's first real gymnastics meet followed by a holiday party for my NICU board. Sunday I am departing for Columbus to meet my new nephew. I can't wait to hang with the little dude and give my Sissy some relief. I am sure I will also look forward to coming back home to my insanely structured household!

My exciting news is that I have officially booked a trip to Cancun for my hubby and me. I know that I can write this because he never looks at my blog. He turns 40 at the end of this month and since he is not one to throw a party for, I decided to plan a trip. I decided this a year ago and started saving my pennies in June. I had planned a long weekend to Florida but wanted to avoid and spring breakers because my only goals are good food, wine, relaxation, sun and a reconnection with my hubby. We have not spent a night away since Janie was born. So, after a lot of research and convos with a travel agent, we have decided that Cancun is the best for our money (I should say I decided). I think I may have to get it to him earlier than his b-day because he still needs to get a passport! Anyway, we go in March and I can't wait!

I thought I would include a picture of Kyle here. He hurt his head several months ago and we used to say "does you head hurt?". Now he just grabs his head everytime he wants attention. The scary thing is, now he hurt his head again. Check out that after bath hair - gotta love it...

Christmas

I haven't posted because I have been trying to get some better pics of our holiday. No such luck so far so I will just post what I have.

We had a great time! The boys enjoyed tearing paper and Janie loved her surprises. We traveled to my Sissy's house in Columbus on Christmas day to spend time with the rest of the family and prepare Sissy to give birth 5 days later. Yes, I am an Auntie for the first time! She gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Joey, on 12/30 (just in time for the tax deduction). It has been really hard not seeing him or being there for this amazing thing I now have called a nephew! I will post a pic once I visit which will hopefully be in the next two weeks.

So back to Christmas - We ate a bit, drank a bit and played with kids. Of course the trip would not be complete without sickness. The boys both started with fevers on Christmas Eve and vomited a few times over next few days. That all seemed very minimal compared to my tragic moment with Owen. I was holding my little guy upstairs in a large room in my sister's house. It was just the boys, me, the TV and some good running space. Owen was at about 102 fever so he was cuddled up to me. Kyle started playing with a half full pop can. I proceeded to get up to put the pop can on the other side of the gate before it was a huge mess. As I leaned over the gate, with Owen in arms, the gate collasped. We fell forward and his head slammed between the step and me on the landing (the back cement side of the step). He hit hard! I know I cried longer than him but it felt as if I had just picked him up and threw him down the steps. It was awful. So here the kid is sick as can be and then his mom crushes his head. He seemed fine through the night. The next morning I was checking him out and noticed that his entire inner ear was black and blue. Of course I thought he was now bleeding from the brain! We left early that day and stopped at our Peds in Ann Arbor on the way home. He is fine, no broken bones, no bleeding and no head trauma. I however am still not quite over it.

The boys are now healthy although I am hesitant to say that since I came down with strep this week and will be taking Janie in to the Dr. in the a.m. becasue she is feeling awful and has been at 102 for two days! Oh sickness...