OK, so trying to blog every month of E's life was an epic fail. I did not anticipate how difficult it would be to actually write a blog ONCE a month when I started working full time. So, the best I can do is this..random and sporadic updates.
So, about that job... I never actually blogged about it, but I started working full time as a lecturer in engineering at the same place as Lara, Penn State Altoona. I interviewed at the end of summer for a multi-year contract and started this fall semester. Thank goodness I was an adjunct the previous year and had 2 courses already prepped, because they gave me 3 different courses to teach with a few weeks notice - Statics, Strength of Materials, and Construction Management. It has been one busy semester...
Because we both work for the university AND our departments have been very considerate (as best they can) with scheduling our class schedules, we've been able to avoid daycare. This means when I'm at school, Lara's with E and vice versa. We've managed to dodge daycare again this spring because of schedule rearranging. To make something like this work, we both work late into the night when he sleeps, and then put hours in on the weekend to actually make it seem like a full work week. Regardless, there's always more to do, although I've learned that teaching means work comes home and is NOT like the cushy state job I once had.
Our life is chaotic in coordinating our work schedule with his sleep schedule, but we make it work. I'm not really sure how, but we manage to keep the house in order (even to our anal standards!), the baby healthy, and the pets alive. We're tired, over worked, but I think we're finding our stride. We've just started incorporating going to the gym (thank goodness it's a 24 hour gym because sometimes the only time to go is at 10pm on a Thursdsay when all the grading is done), put in place a date night on Fridays to Subway, and we try to enjoy the little time we have together like dinner, where Lara and I play Uno over dark chocolate Hershey Kisses while E goes ape shit over a mesh bag of frozen watermelon or cantaloupe as his dessert. Because we're so busy, it all seems like it's going by too fast, and it doesn't help that E changes every week, or so it seems. I think Lara and I are trying to focus on enjoying E and each other through the chaos.
As for Lara, she's doing very well although she doesn't feel like it. From day 1, it has surprised me how much she can get done with basically no time. How she manages to keep her lab busy, functioning, and growing (she's got like 5-8 lab students?!) while prepping her classes and being home with E half time is beyond me. She's pretty magical, and even when she's flat out exhausted, she still surprises me. The other day, I had a very rough day at work, E was not a happy camper, and Lara had a bad day at work too. While I was teaching my evening class, she wanted to give both of us a win for the day and made these cute PB dark chocolate chip cookies. I tell you, the day was basically shit, but those cookies actually made me feel better. She never feels like she gives everything on her plate what is needs or her desired level of attention, but in my opinion, she does incredible things at work and at home. Yes, always her #1 fan!
As for E, he is just incredible. He's growing and learning at an exponential rate! We think in a couple weeks, his first set of teeth will actually poke through those bulbous gums. So much is new with him, so I'll list some stuff.
Here are things he does: sits, rolls around, chewing on our hoodie strings, looks lovingly at Kona whenever possible, plays with his bottle (habit of letting the nipple drip while he catches drops in his mouth...a habit we try to break, but laugh at too, if that makes sense), plays with toys, occasionally mimics sounds we make, and sleeps well for the most part( it'll go one of two ways: 1) sleep through the night, like 8pm-6am or 2) wake 1-2 times and needs to breastfeed or throw down a full 4-6 oz bottle before going back to sleep).
He loves: riding his swing, being taken out for walks in his BOB stroller, eating copious amounts of frozen cantaloupe, laying in the tub after his bath is done with water up to ear level so he can kick and splash around, being around Kona, and sitting around with Lara and I doting on him (frequent occurrence).
He's just a happy baby, generally. It was sad a couple weeks ago, he got a virus that made him feel awful - little sleep for nearly a week, inconsolable, a few days of rashes all over, and a fever for a couple days. We thought it was teething until we finally went to his pediatrician who told us otherwise. Beyond that bad virus, he's been pretty easy going. He's got quite a forceful personality, and he will tell you what he likes and dislikes with his facial expressions and sounds. It's hilarious!
Oh, one new thing - we are starting swim lessons next weekend :) Pretty stoked to do a parent/child swim class with him through the YMCA, especially because this kid LOVES being immersed in water.
I have to be honest, we have been bad with photos and videos, which I think my sister will agree since she demands more. We have some on Lara's good camera, and some crappy ones on our crappy phones. It's weird, now that we can communicate and interact with him more, we tend to take less photos and videos of him... sad. I hope to upload some photos and videos in the near future for those interested. Right now, this is the most recent photo I have...
I hope all of you are doing well and enjoying the fall. It's absolutely beautiful here. The fall colors are just amazing! Until next time...
Welcome to motherhood my sisters. It all sounds about right. Can't wait to see you all next month. Love you guys!
ReplyDeleteThis blog made me smile♡ I'm so happy for you! love you guys!!!
ReplyDeleteYou two are kicking serious ass! Parenting is hard. Parenting and making your relationship a priority at the same time is a damn miracle. And then fitness and work; bleh! But you're seriously making the impossible totally possible. We are so happy for you and your little crew! <3 <3 <3 <3
ReplyDeleteGood job, you three!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are rocking it! I'll bet no one said it was going to be easy. I have no idea how you moms do it.
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool that you got a job at the University too! Congratulations!!