ABCs

Weeks in Review

Since too much happened in the last two weeks (new job, Disneyland/Oceanside family reunion, and packing), I bullet-pointed the most fun things to share. I mostly just wanted to show off how cute Abby is and the story just makes the pictures so much better! :)

• Roy accepted a magistrate job in Wise, VA. We move August 25 and Roy starts work September 10. And yes, we are feeling a little bit of stress since we have to pack up, say goodbye, find a new place to live, and be prepared for Roy to work full-time all in 3 weeks. Ah! :)
• We had a fabulous time at Disneyland and Oceanside. Roy got to go on tons of rides with various family membersbers and Abby got really brave and wanted to try everything! I enjoyed the kiddie rides with Abby and not waiting in line with all the big kids. Sometimes the benefits of being pregnant and not waiting in line are great!
• We stayed on the same floor as all of my family members in the resort and it was so nice to run down the hall so the kids could play. Abby would routinely wake up in the morning and say, first thing, “Alli, Alli" (translation: I want to play with my cousins now. NOW!)
• We played at Disneyland for 4 days. Abby loved any boat ride, train ride, and the teacups. She loved Pirates of the Caribbean. To Roy’s chagrin, she also loved It’s a Small World.
• We went to several shows while at CA Adventure. Abby especially enjoyed the Parade of Lights, Aladdin, and the High School Musical Parade.
• While we waited for the Parade of Lights, a Disney employee announced over the loud speaker that the audience should prepare for the sparkling lights, famous characters, wonderful music, and twinkling floats. My dad and I were with the 4 granddaughters who appropriately wowed each proclamation. The employee then warned that the aerial lights would be dimmed so we could enjoy the parade. The 5-year-old turned to Michelle and said, with wide eyes “They have ARIAL lights?”
• When we woke up our last day at Disneyland, Roy asked Michelle what she wanted to do that day. Abby rolled over in bed and said, “Choo-choo.” So after we packed up the car, we took off for Disneyland and rode the monorail. She was so excited she couldn’t sit still. And still when you say the word Disneyland, her response is “Choo-choo.” Glad Disneyland made such an impression!
• After so many hours of constant play time at Disneyland and the hotel, we were ready for a break so Oceanside was the perfect solution. We hurried down after spending the morning at Disneyland, checked in to the hotel, gathered a few supplies, and headed to the beach. Every member of my extended family (except Mor Mor) was on the beach for a family reunion and family picture. Getting 40 people organized on the rocks and actually smiling is a long story in itself.
  
• Immediately after taking the family picture, Abby ran toward the ocean. She couldn’t stop talking about the big water with bubbles. She literally attacked the waves. After soaking both her parents and herself, completely filling her diaper with ocean water, and getting cold, we decided it was time to head back inside.
• That evening, we had the extended family BBQ and let all the little ones play together. There are 9 kids 5 and under and all the movers were all over the place. It was SO fun to watch!
• We spent the next two days playing games, enjoying the beach, going on walks, swimming, and relaxing with everyone. It was a great way to end a family vacation.
• We then drove up to LA to spend time with Roy's Grandma Pyper and the Marcusens (Roy's aunt and cousin), who were nice enough to let us stay for a couple days. Abby greatly enjoyed the attention and the walks we took with Grandma. She even let Grandma hold her hand (at least for about 10 seconds until she decided it was time to race down the street).
• We successfully endured 2 very long days in airports and on airplanes. Abby did a great job. We landed at midnight back in DC and everyone was pretty tired. Abby had just woken up from a nap, but she was sure to cheerfully say goodbye to everyone we passed. She also got to ride the bus that night and told the whole bus how happy she was.
• Now we’re back home and busily preparing to move. Abby had a happy reunion with her toys and is very successful at distracting us from our much-needed packing.
• We had a lot of fun with the Sterling Zwahlens and Grandma and Baba Z on Saturday. It will be weird not to see family on a regular basis. 7 hours is a long way to drive to get to family! We've been spoiled to spend a lot of time with them in the last 3 years so this move will definitely be a huge change.

We really appreciate all the kind words and help that we've received in the last few days. Thanks everyone!

So Long, Farewell

Roy just got a job in Wise, VA so we will be moving at the end of the month. A big thank you goes out to all our friends and people who feel like family who we have enjoyed being with the last 3 years. Thanks for your patience, the time you have spent with us, the fun times our kids have had together, and your friendship. If you are ever in the Wise area, please come visit!

And if anyone wants a great goldfish named Jakers, let us know!

Toddler Talk

Imaginary play is becoming more a part of our lives and I LOVE it! We are usually accompanied by a baby, Abby Caddabby, Elmo, or stuffed animals on our walks. And we always have the baby doll stroller, even if it is temporarily empty--don't worry, it'll be filled with leaves, rocks, and other treasures to take home to show Dad and to put on the balcony.

The pacifier is also becoming less a part of our lives (through several days of effort and many days of being the worst parents ever) so Abby is talking a whole lot more. The sweet sounds that come from my girl bring tears close to the surface, but I keep trying to blame pregnancy hormones. Abby wanted to make the top video because she wanted to make a talking video. And, no, I have no clue what she is saying. The bottom video is my attempt to capture her reading a book to her baby last night, but she caught me pretty fast! Enjoy the sweet sounds of toddler talk!

Survival of the Fittest

We pulled into the parking lot of the Roanoke Convention Center a few minutes after 8 am this Tuesday. Throughout the whole parking lot you could see a sea of black suits, occasionally interspersed with the brave soul who wore tan or brown or dark blue. Everyone was carrying plastic baggies with 3 pens, ID, 1 credit card, some cash, and a watch. Several hundred people were also wrestling with computer cords and laptops. Almost everyone had either a cup (or two) of coffee and/or a cigarette. You could feel the tension hanging in the air.

It was time to take THE BAR.

I don't blame people for being nervous, for showing up early for check-in, for even being zombie-like at the hotel (our hotel was jam packed with people taking the Bar) because you go to school for 3-4 years, study full time for 2-1/2 months, are in tons of debt, and your career is based on how you do during a 2 day test where you literally have more subjects covered than you actually took in school. I would totally be stressed. But looking from the outside, it was funny to see the pacing, adjusting of ties and hair, and grim determination; hear people comparing resumes, involvement in law school activities, and memorized facts; and feel the anxiety.

When we were back in the area to pick Roy up for lunch things had changed immensely. People were laughing and joking around and enjoying their extra long lunch break. The newness was over and they were 1/4 done. People even took the time to wave and talk to Abby (the poor thing was probably feeling deprived since all the law students had ignored her the day before...she's just not used to NOT being the center of attention and affection). :) I like to think she lightened things up for a few people.

So we survived the Bar. Roy felt like he did his best and had unending energy for two days. We couldn't ask for anything more, especially since he (and I) didn't sleep well the night before due to our own wrestlings with the Bar stresses. It's not something I ever could have imagined without being there to experience it. I'm glad we were there to support Roy, enjoy the delightful Olive Garden dinner, and mostly to celebrate the fact that Roy is DONE with his day-long studying sessions. At least for the near future.

Two of Everything

I am asking for some advice from moms and caretakers of two. We're not going out today and buying stuff, but I was doing some looking online last night and there are way too many options out there for what we "need" for adding another kid to the family. Any feedback or advice would be lovely--you can even send an email if you don't want to leave a huge comment. Below are my current questions (and here's a guarantee that there will be plenty more!):

1. What are some ways to prepare child #1 for child #2? Any good book recommendations? Fun activities? What did you do that worked?

2. Abby will be just over 2 when the baby is born and we are big walkers and adventurers. So we want a double stroller. There are SO many out there. I require a big enough basket at the bottom to fit a diaper bag. Also, I want to buy only 1 stroller that will fit the baby in an infant carrier but also work for when he/she is older. Do you like the side-by-side stroller or the front-back better? What kind do you like?

3. Sharing a room or not sharing a room for the kids? How did you make sharing a room work?

Thanks in advance!

Another Interview

Roy has an interview next Thursday (the day after he finishes the Bar) in Wise, VA. Where? Don't worry, we wondered the same thing. If you picture the corner where Tennessee and Kentucky meet Virginia, you've found Wise, VA. It's an interview for one of the officers of the court there, which would be pretty cool. Abby and I are going down to play in Roanoke during the Bar so we'll be joining him on his adventure to Wise too. Oddly enough, my brother-in-law served his mission in TN and his first area was Wise, VA so he called and gave us a run-down last night. It would be about as opposite of DC as you can get--there are about 3200 people in the entire county. We've just been cracking up. I've definitely wanted to move someplace not as busy as DC, but I wasn't quite thinking that big of a difference. We'll see what happens, but in the meantime, I'm looking forward to next week where Roy is done with studying for the Bar (HUGE YEAH!) and we can explore Wise, VA.