So tired.
We let Josh taste a bit of plain yogurt last night as a test to see if he had outgrown his dairy sensitivity.
Test failed. Midnight to 7am was one big blur of 40 minute cat naps while he tried to sleep, woke up and whined, tried to sleep again. I will not be trying that again any time soon.
Since we were so out of it, Jeremy and I decided to walk to Starbucks, and ended up just having a great morning walking and talking and really connecting with the fact that we are moving in a week. Its surreal, and not just because I lack REM sleep.
We are so comfortable here, and we're jumping into something so unknown. Everything is going to be exciting no doubt, and challenging, but in what ways? All I can do is wonder and wait. Will the connections Jeremy and I have made in Portland grow? What new connections are waiting to be made? And what will life be like?
We had our going away party this weekend, fun and sad. But almost everyone there will be in the Portland area sometime this year, so it wasn't so awful. And we get to see Don and Cindy so soon, its hard not to be excited about that. Everything is working out....so now what do I focus on next?
Monday, March 28, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
In which I write far too much about my life
Wow, life has been busy. I've barely had time to think, let alone blog, so this post is way overdue. Life hasn't been particularly difficult or stressful, but with the move so close Jeremy and I have been busting our butts getting ready. Add to that the crazy growth Joshua's been experiencing (with the additional needs and time that takes) and it adds up to one tired mama.
We found what we think will be a great apartment in the Bull Mountain neighborhood of Tigard, 8-10 minutes southwest of Portland on the 99W. Its a two bedroom on the third floor (top floor) in a nice complex with its own playground. Hopefully that bodes well for the family friendliness of the neighborhood. My brother Dirk checked it out, and he's the type of guy that if he likes it, then you know its good, cause he doesn't get excited all that easy.
We got all rushed and packed everything away, only to discover that the move date is 9 days away, and we don't have anything left to pack but the last minute pieces. (And all of Josh's toys. I keep explaining that its just for a couple weeks, but he's not buying it.) So, all the prep that can be done has been done. Moving Van, Apt, Utilities set up, Non-Essentials packed. Done.
Now what?
Catching up with my life. I finally got to send some recent pics to the family members, and posted some on facebook for the rest of y'all. Josh has four teeth now. The top two are very much in, but will probably grow a bit bigger before they are done. He's a speed demon crawling master, getting into EVERYTHING, way too strong for his own good. Pulling out the cat box, lifting up the baby gate (when its not snapped in), he can even lift himself up briefly by pulling on our dresser drawers. He's pulled himself to standing, one handed, and is letting go more and more frequently to see how long he can stay up.
He's also learning some pretty big things. The internets say he's learning categories right now, and lots of dexterity with his hands. I can totally see the second one, cause he's picking up every little tiny thing he can see, and then putting in his mouth and scaring me half to death. And he's discovered that saying "mum mum mum" gets him picked up and loved, so its become his mom/dad/caretaker word (it occasionally shifts to "mama" and I get all excited)
Until yesterday, he really was having a hard time sleeping, and eating solid foods, all due to his crazy busy brain, so they say. (They being mommy-bloggers, child development experts, and various other parenting websites) But finally, we've had two nights in a row of decent sleep, and he's napping IN HIS CRIB right now. (For almost three weeks, we've had to hold him or drive him in the car to get him to nap at all) So maybe he's finally finished the growth spurt he was working on, and now is winding down to routine and normalcy again. God, that would be great. Fingers crossed.
And now I'm going to stop typing cause this is becoming an novel. Next chapter: How to keep a 9 month old (yes, he really will be 9 months old on the 8th) busy and calm during a three day moving trip across state lines. Woo!
We found what we think will be a great apartment in the Bull Mountain neighborhood of Tigard, 8-10 minutes southwest of Portland on the 99W. Its a two bedroom on the third floor (top floor) in a nice complex with its own playground. Hopefully that bodes well for the family friendliness of the neighborhood. My brother Dirk checked it out, and he's the type of guy that if he likes it, then you know its good, cause he doesn't get excited all that easy.
We got all rushed and packed everything away, only to discover that the move date is 9 days away, and we don't have anything left to pack but the last minute pieces. (And all of Josh's toys. I keep explaining that its just for a couple weeks, but he's not buying it.) So, all the prep that can be done has been done. Moving Van, Apt, Utilities set up, Non-Essentials packed. Done.
Now what?
Catching up with my life. I finally got to send some recent pics to the family members, and posted some on facebook for the rest of y'all. Josh has four teeth now. The top two are very much in, but will probably grow a bit bigger before they are done. He's a speed demon crawling master, getting into EVERYTHING, way too strong for his own good. Pulling out the cat box, lifting up the baby gate (when its not snapped in), he can even lift himself up briefly by pulling on our dresser drawers. He's pulled himself to standing, one handed, and is letting go more and more frequently to see how long he can stay up.
He's also learning some pretty big things. The internets say he's learning categories right now, and lots of dexterity with his hands. I can totally see the second one, cause he's picking up every little tiny thing he can see, and then putting in his mouth and scaring me half to death. And he's discovered that saying "mum mum mum" gets him picked up and loved, so its become his mom/dad/caretaker word (it occasionally shifts to "mama" and I get all excited)
Until yesterday, he really was having a hard time sleeping, and eating solid foods, all due to his crazy busy brain, so they say. (They being mommy-bloggers, child development experts, and various other parenting websites) But finally, we've had two nights in a row of decent sleep, and he's napping IN HIS CRIB right now. (For almost three weeks, we've had to hold him or drive him in the car to get him to nap at all) So maybe he's finally finished the growth spurt he was working on, and now is winding down to routine and normalcy again. God, that would be great. Fingers crossed.
And now I'm going to stop typing cause this is becoming an novel. Next chapter: How to keep a 9 month old (yes, he really will be 9 months old on the 8th) busy and calm during a three day moving trip across state lines. Woo!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
More Big Happenings
Things are progressing at a very fast pace. I have a job offer from Accountants International, official documentation pending, to start on April 6 in Portland. Katy-1, Unemployment rate-0!
Good pay, great benefits, and I like my new boss a lot. I'm very excited. I'm nervous that its so different from what I've done before, but I feel like the skills I'll be learning will be great for the future, even if I go back to accounting.
My last day at Roadside is March 31, and we move on the 1st! We just sent Max off to be in his PAALS Doggy Sanctuary in CO this morning, and are now looking for places to live in the Lake Oswego/Tualatin/SW Portland area so that I will be close to my work. One nice thing about only having one small dog is that we don't need a yard so we can look at townhomes and apartments as well as houses for rent, which makes a big difference with our budget. Yay for money savings! And yay for Max finding a happy home with lots of other doggies. I'm sad to see him go, but its such a better thing for everyone involved, I have to be happy for him too. I hope he likes his new home.
I hope we like our new home too. More to come...
Good pay, great benefits, and I like my new boss a lot. I'm very excited. I'm nervous that its so different from what I've done before, but I feel like the skills I'll be learning will be great for the future, even if I go back to accounting.
My last day at Roadside is March 31, and we move on the 1st! We just sent Max off to be in his PAALS Doggy Sanctuary in CO this morning, and are now looking for places to live in the Lake Oswego/Tualatin/SW Portland area so that I will be close to my work. One nice thing about only having one small dog is that we don't need a yard so we can look at townhomes and apartments as well as houses for rent, which makes a big difference with our budget. Yay for money savings! And yay for Max finding a happy home with lots of other doggies. I'm sad to see him go, but its such a better thing for everyone involved, I have to be happy for him too. I hope he likes his new home.
I hope we like our new home too. More to come...
Monday, March 7, 2011
The Portland Vortex
My Mom coined the phrase. She said we had opened up an energy vortex, the Portland Vortex, gave it a direction, put energy in it to make is spin, and now we are all being swept up because its taken on a life of its own.
Well yes, that is exactly how I feel. Its all of my own making, but right now, I totally feel like I am being swept up into a whirlpool, partly laughing cause its fun and cool, and partly freaked cause I might drown.
I just sent my references and salary history to Randi at Accountants International and am expecting a job offer within the week. Randi asked me how soon I could move, cause they want me now, and I said three weeks was the soonest I could possibly be there. And now its hitting me, I may be in Portland in less than a month. And we need a place to live, and to pack and to drive up. And I'll be away from my parents, who have been so amazingly helpful to have around (instant babysitters, and wonderful emotional support). And I'll be away from my friends. Yeah, the panic is trying to come up.
And then there's the additional stress of Max. Wonderful Max the Dog who just doesn't get babies. Who tried so hard, but just can't get it. He hasn't bit Joshua yet, but he's come close enough that we have decided he needs a new home. So we are calling everywhere, trying to find a shelter that will adopt him out. Sigh. It is really hard to let him go, even though it will be best for everyone. And in the midst of this other stress, its just crazy. But it'll get worse before it gets better, and that scares me the most: that Max will get more violent with Josh as the vortex continues to spin. He's never been good with stress or changes.
So, on we go, one foot in front of the other. There's no turning back now, just moving forward. Deep breaths.
Well yes, that is exactly how I feel. Its all of my own making, but right now, I totally feel like I am being swept up into a whirlpool, partly laughing cause its fun and cool, and partly freaked cause I might drown.
I just sent my references and salary history to Randi at Accountants International and am expecting a job offer within the week. Randi asked me how soon I could move, cause they want me now, and I said three weeks was the soonest I could possibly be there. And now its hitting me, I may be in Portland in less than a month. And we need a place to live, and to pack and to drive up. And I'll be away from my parents, who have been so amazingly helpful to have around (instant babysitters, and wonderful emotional support). And I'll be away from my friends. Yeah, the panic is trying to come up.
And then there's the additional stress of Max. Wonderful Max the Dog who just doesn't get babies. Who tried so hard, but just can't get it. He hasn't bit Joshua yet, but he's come close enough that we have decided he needs a new home. So we are calling everywhere, trying to find a shelter that will adopt him out. Sigh. It is really hard to let him go, even though it will be best for everyone. And in the midst of this other stress, its just crazy. But it'll get worse before it gets better, and that scares me the most: that Max will get more violent with Josh as the vortex continues to spin. He's never been good with stress or changes.
So, on we go, one foot in front of the other. There's no turning back now, just moving forward. Deep breaths.
Friday, March 4, 2011
My Interview
My interview with Accountants International is done, and from all signs it went great! It didn't end in a job offer, but it really felt as if they were ready to hire me today if I were available. Hopefully, they will be willing to wait until my move date, or to help me with moving expenses so I can be up there sooner.
I am nervous, and feel a bit like this might be an awful move. But at the same time, it feels exciting, exhilarating to see a new path in front of me, rather than the well worn accountant's path.
I wish I knew that they would for sure offer me the job. Or that some mention would be made. I'm getting worried that my timeline might make or break this opportunity. I think I'll ask Randi to be sure. (Manager at the Lake Oswego office) I'd rather be proactive about it than lose the position by playing coy.
Yes, if I'm really honest with myself, I want this job. Its scary and new and might be the wrong place for me, but despite all that, I want this job. And I am going to do what I can to get it.
I am nervous, and feel a bit like this might be an awful move. But at the same time, it feels exciting, exhilarating to see a new path in front of me, rather than the well worn accountant's path.
I wish I knew that they would for sure offer me the job. Or that some mention would be made. I'm getting worried that my timeline might make or break this opportunity. I think I'll ask Randi to be sure. (Manager at the Lake Oswego office) I'd rather be proactive about it than lose the position by playing coy.
Yes, if I'm really honest with myself, I want this job. Its scary and new and might be the wrong place for me, but despite all that, I want this job. And I am going to do what I can to get it.
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