We're Doing It Again

Yet again, our lives are changing and we are starting a new chapter.

As we decided to move to California, we assumed it was time for me to return to work.  I had spent the two prior years home with Nolan, but figured we needed to rebuild some savings and assumed I should go back to work.  Well, I did that, and learned a few things along the way.  I learned that some combination of circumstances of me returning to work made it to be the wrong thing for our family.

So, two weeks ago was my last day back in the corporate world for a while.  Yes, I resigned.

I didn't like the environment or the attitude and motivation of a lot of the people there.  I missed Nolan.  Our family life was not going as smoothly as we imagined (e.g. the house is always a mess).  We just weren't enjoying our time away from work.  We probably weren't going to be here long anyway.  And all-in-all, we are blessed that we don't have to stay unhappy.

So, I am back to being a stay at home dad for the time being.  Who knows where life will take us, but we are blessed and thank God for being faithful to us!

So, What's Been Going On?

Nolan has been growing and learning a lot lately. I thought I would share a couple things.

The past couple weeks, he absolutely loves reading books! He constantly brings me a book and plops down on my lap. I am to the point that I now make up different stories than what the book says. It does get old, but I always tell myself to never deny him doing fun and positive activities. I have always told myself that and try to make it a rule of us being home together, as I am here for him.

He runs and climbs a lot. The climbing hasn't been too problematic yet, but it will probably get that way soon. He is very close to being able to climb in to situations he can't get out of. I let him learn and show him ways to always "get down safely".

He is able to understand many words we say, especially in relation to his toys and books. We are still working on the word no. We usually only need to use no when he is transitioning from playing by himself to wanting attention, as that is when he starts doing some wrong things.

Lately he sometimes uses this screaming thing to get my attention. He doesn't do it constantly so after he screams a little, I then go to him and tell him he can ask me for help. I have been using the word help a lot lately to encourage him to learn and use it. I use it a lot when we are playing and I help him with a toy.

We have been playing a game similar to hide and seek. I say "I am going to get you!" and chase after him. Or I say "You can't get me!" and he chases after me. This usually makes him laugh a lot.

Nolan also gives hug and kisses to us. I usually try to extend the length of time he wants to do it :) I know he won't do this for too long, so I am just trying to soak it up while the gettin' is good!

So other than Nolan, we are working on planning our visitors coming in October. Kacey's parents are flying out for a few days and then my mom is traveling via train for a few days after that. It should be good times!

Nolan and More Biking

I won't be doing the monthly update as usual, but I will be posting updates on him occasionally. Nolan got in two more bottom teeth! He cut them right around his 13 month birthday which brings the total up to 8. He has been running around a lot too, and also we have been playing kick ball in the apartment! It is fun! He can point to my ears, nose and mouth when I ask him to do so. He is recognizing a few toys too. If I ask him to get his ball, penguin, or boat, he can go get them. This skill came on in about a week, it was amazing watching him learn!

Yesterday and today he is sick. He probably caught something at the Stone Zoo on Friday. We were only there for maybe 90 minutes and I cleaned his hands a couple times, but oh well. He is being a trooper about it even though he is hot and can't breathe that well due to snot. I wonder who will get sick next...

The Stone Zoo was not that interesting. While we did go when many of the animals were asleep, it just isn't that big or exciting. No pictures of him there, but he did see some antelope-looking animals, wolves, monkeys, birds, llamas, and goats. He also petted a large skink!

Yesterday I biked the Charles River Bike Trail. This trail runs both sides of the river from the Charles River Dam to Watertown. It is a nice ride with good stops on the Boston side, so take the Cambridge side first. It is a shared use trail, so there are runners, walkers, and skaters along the way, and in most places it is wide enough for 2 bikes to easily pass. The trail total is around 17 miles.

Just Trying to Keep Up

So the past week or so have also been pretty interesting, especially that last few days.

Kacey started school last week. We had a few get-togethers with her classmates and it was nice to meet them. There really is a great group of people in this program. Also, June 4, 2009, Nolan gave us his first intentional, successful step! At the end of May, we got a successful step, but I really don't think he meant to or understood what he did. He has been very close to walking for a while now and this was a "giant leap" for our little man. As of today, a few times I got him to put a couple steps together and both Kacey and I got to witness it. I will give an eleven month Nolan update later this week, hopefully with a video of his walking action.

On the job front, I received a good offer from a great company based out of Cambridge. Unfortunately, we don't have daycare, and daycare for young ones is very hard to come by around here. After much deliberation, praying, and reviewing the details, I have decided not to work at this time. This is huge as we will now have no income during school. I know I will not regret this decision, but it is still hard to make the decision especially since I have been offered a great job. Family needs are much more important and I am going to take care of those for now. We will have to wait to see what the future holds.

Lastly, on June 5th we received and accepted an offer on our house! This is great because we know and trust the family who desires to buy our home, and I have been told they are excited for the opportunity. Now we have to survive two home inspections and then we can sign it over. This helps our current (lack of) income situation because we will not have to be making two large payments every month.

Thanks to those that read this who have also been praying for us. God is working in interesting ways now and I am just trying to hang on for the ride without going crazy.

Hangin' with Nolan

That has been my motto for months now. Friday, December 19, 2008 will be my last day home alone with my little man (unless something happens). I am saddened that this chapter will be coming to a close.

But I hope that my transition back to work and his transition to day care can be a blessing. Kacey and I both feel led to contribute through our jobs and feel this is the right decision for us. I pray that day care continues to develop his need for love and attention during the day and that Kacey and I can make up for it each and every night.

I am not sure what else to say right now about it except that Nolan, I love you, and these three months spent with you have been the best I can ever imagine. I will miss spending each hour of each day with you, son.

Daddy

Just wanted to post that being a dad is wonderful! Yes, its tiring. Yes, its worrying. But when he looks at you, you just melt every single time. And since I think mom has most of the hard work, I just try to make her day a little easier.

Nolan is two weeks old today, and the time is already flying by. I was lucky enough to spend a lot of that two weeks at home, but this week I began working again.

I hope to get to post some pictures this weekend. They will be on http://www.chrisandkacey.com/