The First Shall Be Last

I had to post one last thing today (although this is the first post that will be read), that I've been meaning to share my excitement about. Jim has been offered a new job! The company he's currently with has been really unstable for over a year now, and they keep firing and hiring new engineers and supervisors. Last summer when we were counting on him being able to work full-time so we could save, they made all employees take Fridays off, as well as three full weeks otherwise. So he basically averaged 16 hours a week when all was said and done. He started looking for a new job last summer, and has had a discouraging search. There just aren't many openings (anywhere I'm sure), and we doubt his resume had even been looked at because there are so many applying in his field. So we were really excited when this opportunity came.

The company is called Goodrich, and they make airplane parts. Jim had done his Senior Design project (which is part of his degree) for them, and that's how he made the connection. The engineer he'd been corresponding with actually offered him the job! We are so grateful. Not only is he able to leave a bad situation, but the new company appears to open up some new possibilities too. He'll have an increase in pay, the company is more stable, and the job will be more interesting. They are also based in Utah, so if we go there for graduate school, Jim might be able to get a job transfer. Jim also heard that this company will pay for graduate school (he needs to check into that, though).

"Surprise"

For the last several years, I haven't had much access to a piano, but it's a skill that I really like to keep up and I really enjoy. I was given my family's piano when Jim and I were married, and we've always said we'd take it from my Mom's house whenever we were living somewhere fairly permanent. It's a very heavy and large instrument, so we don't want to move it until we know it can stay put for a long time. That hasn't happened yet, and we're realizing that it probably won't happen for many years down the road since we're planning to pursue graduate degrees. So, in the last few months we've talked about getting me a keyboard so I can start playing again, and also so I can have something that it easy to move around and works with our small living space.

We went shopping. At the first music store we went to, the owner just so happened to be the one who was helping us, and when he learned what I was looking for and my reasons (I also want the option of teaching piano lessons), he decided that a certain digital piano should be my only consideration. I told him it really wasn't in our price range, but if he was selling a used one (because he also teaches lessons on the same pianos) to call me. He took my name and number, and then Jim piped in with, "Call me too." It only took me two seconds to figure out why Jim wanted a phone call too. I promised myself that I wouldn't tell him I'd caught on to his secret, though. We looked at the other two stores that sell pianos and keyboards, and there were a couple of used instruments that would have fit my purpose (although not as well) and I told Jim so.

I couldn't keep my secret, though, so I told Jim I'd caught on to him and he admitted it. He'd planned to purchase the digital piano, and to ask our families to go in on it with him for my birthday present. He actually was given a really great deal (because the owner of the store was so eager to sell it to us); it amounted to about $400 off of the original price. (Which also made it the cheapest brand-new digital piano we'd seen anywhere, and in one of the best brands.)

The only secret that remained was WHEN it would be delivered. I refused trying to figure that out. I assumed he'd have it delivered while I was out of town next week (because I will be in CA on my birthday), or just in time for our family party on Sunday. I wasn't going to question him about it, though. Early this week, I was asked unexpectedly to accompany my sister-in-law back to college, so she wouldn't have to drive alone. I drove with her on Tuesday, and flew home early yesterday. On the way home from the airport, Jim said he needed to stop at the music store, to arrange something about my piano. I assumed he was letting them know when to deliver it. He left me and the kids in the car, and Logan and I had the following conversation,
L. "Is this the piano store?"
"Yes."
L. "Daddy get another piano?"
"Another piano?"
L. "Yes. Another piano and another piano and another piano and another piano! That's all."
"Logan, is there a piano in our living room?"
L. "Yes."
(Unsure if I should believe him because he often says 'yes' to everything) "There's not a piano in our living room!"
L. (Nods his head in agreement.)
"Is there a piano at our house?"
L. "Yes."

Jim came back, and I really didn't know what to think, but I couldn't wait to get home. I told Jim about our conversation, and Jim answered with a smirk. I decided not to pursue it because I didn't want to totally spoil the surprise if he'd already had it delivered. We were almost home and Jim made the comment that he'd had to go into the music store to redo the paperwork since the piano wasn't delivered when he'd originally had it ordered it a month ago. Then he said, "So the payment isn't due until the 26th of June." Click. He totally spoiled it then. I knew that it was already the 28th of May, and based on what he'd said I knew that he must have done something on the 26th of May while I was out of town. I teased him about it, thinking that he still wouldn't tell me (I also wasn't entirely sure) since we were in sight of our apartment and I'd know in a few minutes. He told me! I couldn't believe it. I'd totally spoiled my own surprise (with some help from Logan).

Anyway, I am so very excited about this piano. It's a Yamaha Clavinova, so it's very good quality, and has the capability to be used with headphones. I'm glad of that since my best time to play will be when the kids are asleep. I has a few other cool things like it plays all of the songs in the book that came with it, and I can switch between some different types of sounds (i.e. organ, voice, strings, etc.), but I'm really just thrilled that I can play whenever I want! I sat down and played for a long time yesterday, and now that it's nap time I think I'll play some more today with the volume turned way down (I don't have headphones yet). The kids are really excited about it, especially Logan. He's always loved instrumental music, and he can identify the sound of a piano when he doesn't see it. He's played on it more than I have already! It will be fun to start teaching him about music, and to accompany our family singing time. I am also glad to have the option to teach piano lessons so I can pull in a little extra cash should we need it. (Or even to earn as much as we paid for the piano, just to make up for that expense.)

Sunburn

On Monday, we had planned to go camping, and Logan was SO excited. We all were. Then we looked at the sky. There was a very great possibility of heavy rain (which turned into a fact that evening), so we decided not to go. To make up for it, we decided to go on a little hike early in the day. It was overcast and cool, so we put everyone in long pants, jackets, and hats. We didn't plan to be out long, and since it was cloudy and we were so well covered I decided not to worry about sunscreen. Well, apparently a fair skinned baby can get burned on an overcast day. (It probably didn't help matters that her hat didn't stay on and we were out longer than intended.) We didn't even noticed she'd been burned until after her nap. To make matters worse, at the beginning of our hike, we had her in the backpack carrier and it was standing on the ground. I turned to look at Logan thinking Jim had her (he thought I had her), and she fell face first onto the gravel. Her forehead was really pink from that (but you can't tell in this picture because of the burn.) Poor baby. I really felt bad about it. At least the burn didn't seem to bother her.

Sleepy

One day last week, I noticed that it had become really quiet in the living room. This is what I found. (Yes, that is a couch cushion.)

After our hike on Monday (see post above), Logan decided to take a nap on a sleeping bag. I thought his position was pretty funny.

Baby Love

Overheard During Prayer Time

Logan usually says his prayers without help now. He mostly says 'thank you' for a lot of things. (We're still working on the proper way to address deity.) Lately, he's added a few phrases that he uses in every prayer. He says, "Thank you for coming home. Thank you for changing our diapers." The best part is that I think he is really sincere because it's always grouped with things like, "Thank you for candy. Thank you for Grandma's house. Thank you for library." (Or whatever else has happened that day.) It makes me feel good that he apparently likes coming home, and consciously appreciates having a clean diaper (funny as it is that he says it).

Adventures in Sewing

I am currently learning to sew (please notice the emphasis on the word 'learning'), and decided to make an outfit for my friend's baby. I've never had a sewing lesson in my life, and I don't know how to use a pattern, so I make everything up as I go. I'm having so much fun learning, though, that I constantly think of little projects I want to try. The only stipulation is that I must use materials that I already have. I'm limited to black and white thread, and a random assortment of fabric my mom gave me that is twenty years old. This time I wanted to attempt to duplicate a shirt and hat of Annie's. I thought they looked simple enough, and since I wanted to make an outfit, I decided to duplicate a pair of shorts as well.

This is the completed ensemble.

I was lucky enough to find a professional baby model to display the finished product. (Yes, the shirt front is different; it's reversible.)

The professional baby model thought her back was very becoming, and I thought I'd show the back of the shirt.

I'm thinking this is very patriotic.

You may have noticed in the previous picture that the hat has a few problems. Oh how I wish I'd let my mom teach me to sew when I was a girl! But of course, as I put it then, I'd NEVER want to learn to sew.

This is the original hat. I thought it looked simple: one circle on top, two ever widening rings around the bottom.

DISASTER. It may not be obvious (or maybe it's painfully obvious), but this hat is very lopsided. There is an unaccountable amount of unevenness in every part, not to mention the nasty hem-job. (And I won't even mention the very crooked lines made with white thread that I colored dark blue to blend in.)

Comparison: They are sort of the same shape.
As a consolation, I made the headband. And I will admit that I was pleased with the shirt and shorts. Those really were simple. My friend said she liked it all...even the hat. I told her that it wouldn't break my heart if she never used the hat, though. I almost didn't even give the hat to her in the first place!

Good News

As of 3am Jim is officially finished with this semester! Woohoo for summer break!

Toddler Dreams

We're still dealing with a lot of middle of the night interruptions from Logan, so it's not uncommon for him to come into our room to wake us up, or to hear him crying for one of us at all hours. Thankfully Annie is a heavy sleeper (or just chooses to ignore it) because they share a room. Lately, he's been waking up disoriented (those are the times he cries), and I've been getting some insights into his dreams. Last night (at least this is what I think he said; his speech is rather garbled when he wakes up from a dream):

"Daddy! Daddy!"
Me, "It's alright Logan."
"(something unintelligible)!!!"
"What's wrong Logan?"
"Just find the space ship! Just find the space ship!"
"Okay, I'll find it."
"Thanks." And he lays back down relieved. I have to wonder if he ever fully woke up from that dream.

Another night he woke up crying because he wanted to "watch a noovie (AKA movie)!" When I told him that it was time to sleep, he got mad and screamed about it. I had a hard time convincing him on that point.

I'm guessing these are the nature of his nightmares, and if they are only so bad as losing a favorite toy, or being denied a movie I'm glad.

When the Doctor Sends You to the ER

Yesterday we had a bit of an adventure. Logan was spinning in circles having a great time when he tripped over his own feet and fell face first into the rocking chair. He immediately screamed and put his hand to his mouth where it quickly became covered with blood. My first reaction (after I'd flown to his side) was to lay him on his back so the blood wouldn't get everywhere. I'm sure it only took seconds for Jim to grab me a handful of tissues, but MY hands were covered in blood by then. Jim took over the pinning process (because Logan was screaming and flailing, and we were trying to hold the tissues on his mouth) while I found gauze and called the doctor. Poor little guy; he wouldn't stop screaming, and he was bleeding so bad that Jim HAD to keep him pinned. He was hurt, and he didn't understand why we were treating him that way! In the meantime, the doctor's office was telling me to take him to the ER because they couldn't make an appointment until the next day and if he needed stitches they couldn't do it. It was hard to tell how bad he'd bitten his lip because of all the blood, but it looked like it went all the way through.

We were on our way in 15 minutes. (Luckily, Jim's mom was minutes away and was able to stay with Annie for us.) I drove, and Jim rode in the back with Logan so he could continue to hold ice and gauze on his lip. About the time we got in the car, we noticed the bleeding had mostly stopped, and were finally able to get a good look at it. He'd definitely bit through it, but we were unsure if it really was necessary to go to the ER. I called the doctor again while driving, and again was instructed to go to the ER.

We arrived to a waiting room of probably 100 people. After sitting for about three minutes, Jim and I decided we didn't want to spend the entire evening waiting for a doctor to tell us we shouldn't have come (along with the other 99 people who shouldn't either). I've been in an ER that had like 15 people waiting, and I was there for six hours! I don't want to think how long our wait yesterday would have been!

Our next course of action was to go to the Urgent Care nearby (since our doctor had recommended there too). After they told us we would have a 2 1/2 hour wait, we didn't even sit down.

Finally, we headed to our doctor's office despite the fact that we'd been told not to. We figured we were willing to risk being turned away, and if the doctor did see us, we could get a fast answer. She looked at him (and by this time his lip was looking immensely better) and confirmed that he didn't need stitches! That's what we were thinking by then too. It was just amazing how much blood there was initially!

On the way home we got ice cream, and he's been healing fast ever since! The human body is amazing!

I took these pictures today, and already his lip looks incredibly better.


You can sort of tell from this last picture, but he really did bite a chunk out of his lip.

Our Little Princess

I took Annie to have her one-year pictures taken last weekend. She was unbelievably good for the photographers! She was in a great mood, and was more than happy to stay in the area they wanted her. She didn't let out a single whine, or even try to escape once! Almost every picture they took was a good one, and I had a REALLY hard time deciding what to order.





I think this one is my favorite.





This face cracks me up; Logan also makes this face.



I was bummed that we didn't get a better one with her and the letters. She kept trying to eat it and wouldn't look at the camera.

Cuties

This is Logan's favorite place to "read".

On a recent Sunday, Annie was really tired when we got home from church. She woke up briefly when Jim took her out of the car, and went right back to sleep on his shoulder up the stairs and onto the couch. We were commenting about how cute she was, and Logan decided he needed to climb up and caress her (which did not wake her up).