Change

Things. They are a changin' around here.

The wade pools are closed. The weather is chilly. Adam started school last week. Summer is officially over!

As Adam mentioned in his previous post, he got a full-time offer from Amazon.com to start next year when his MBA program is over. This means we will be looking at staying in Seattle anywhere from 5 to 10 years, we estimate. The big change here is: permanence! EEK! Can it be done? From Extended Stay America in Boston to a studio apartment in Vista, Calif., to a one bedroom apartment in Irvine, Calif. and then two more moves both to two bedroom apartments in the same complex. And now to Seattle; we still have a two bedroom apartment. But if we are staying here does that mean ... gasp ... home ownership? Those two words are the very definition of permanence. And it is a scary and exciting concept. We love everything about Seattle except two things: no immediate family (thank goodness for cousins, though) and terribly depressing weather 10 months out of 12 (according to this past year). Those are two big things. And yet we will stay because it is a job opportunity that couldn't be matched anywhere else.

The kids are changing. Sienna is now 2 years and 5 months. She now hates Noah and wants to be held constantly. (Baby regression.) She no longer delights in naptime or bedtime. (She relished it for about 6 months before this.) She is becoming adept at stalling. (Getting out the door with socks on? Forget it!) On the positive side: she can be very sweet still, loves to sing and learn new songs with Dad, and is putting together sentences nicely. Yesterday she and I were on a walk and she said, "Go this way or that way?" and pointed in the two different directions. It surprised me that she used "this" and "that" in perfect context because I remember having a hard time teaching those two words to the kids in Taiwan. I love being surprised by all the things she's picking up. Noah is now 4 months and I'm finally starting to really be smitten by him. I'm feeling less like a machine that takes care of him and more like a mom who gets to enjoy a bit more the fruits of her labor. His naps and nights are still spotty - sometimes good, sometimes bad. But he is rolling over and lifting his head really high will probably be crawling before we know it! He's a very strong little guy. The sad thing about Sienna hating him and swatting him every chance she gets is that he is in love with her! Whenever she's nearby (and not slapping him in the face) he grins and practically chokes on his smiles. It is too adorable. The kid just loves attention.

And me. I'm still getting used to the workload and love load of two kids. Some days I feel good and some days I feel very snappy. I've managed to come up with some better solutions that make it so I don't feel like strangling Sienna when I'm tending to Noah. Basically this involves fruit snacks and cartoons. It usually buys me just enough time to put Noah down for a nap. If it takes longer than 20 minutes, she comes wandering in ready to chat and all the soothing goes down the drain because Noah is awake and wanting to stare at his favorite sister who hates him. :)

Something that I wish would change is my attitude about weekends. I've been a mom for 2 years and 5 months and I STILL wake up on Saturdays surprised that they are no longer Saturdays. They are child care days, just like every other day. No more vegging and checking out. It just about kills me. If you have any advice on getting over the long lost lazy Saturday, please, do tell.

Now for pictures!

I went to Utah to see my family in the middle of September. It was a blast. It made me want to move back home. Not just to Roosevelt, but move in with my parents! Why not? We'd all enjoy it! So many pros, I'm telling you.

After one bad day, Sienna finally got used to the cousins and even had a really fun time with them. When everyone left or went to bed for the evening she'd say, "Where are my friends?" So cute!

I stayed with Heather in Salt Lake a couple days and we got in some time with Mark, too. Maybe I should move to SLC. Why are we in Seattle again?

Uncle Roger hoarded Noah from time to time and carried out these death defying acts that I did not approve of.

The sibs - together against her will.

Mr. Noah was finally blessed! He looked dapper in his blessing outfit that was quite snug. It was worn by 3 Ware family boy cousins and Uncle Jason and Dad Adam before him, but none were quite as old as Noah when they wore it. He looked like he could have jumped out of Adam's arms after the blessing and walked up the chapel aisle. Not the usual newborn you're used to seeing up there. Nevertheless, it was a lovely blessing and I loved having both mine and Adam's parents there (plus some Crapo cousins) to share this wonderful weekend.

We are a family of four. Don't judge Adam and me for having the same haircut. He needs a break from 5 years of the faux hawk and I just need a break from doing my hair.

Noah's hungry, but not hungry enough to really take to solids just yet. I'm still trying, though. At times I have nothing left to give and he's like, "I don't care! I will not take bananas in place of liquid gold!"

We got Birdie the most fabulous little apron at Pike Place the other day. Here she is helping me make honey butter. She IS my little honey butter.