Napa weekend

Back in August, we headed to Napa for a wedding and to celebrate our anniversary.

Double the trouble

16 weeks 

Great wine country cuisine, amazing views, and even better company! 

Milestone

September marks my one year at my job. I thought I'd note this personally huge milestone with a few reflections on my year...

1.  There is no such thing as balance. Inherently, time at work is in direct conflict with time with Noah. Not a day goes by where I felt I've done enough of either. But a wise lady once said to me, "it's not about trying to achieve balance, but recognizing there are seasons of life."

2.  Kids keep it real. Like many jobs, I work in an industry that rewards long hours and expects total commitment. It's not 9 to 5, it's almost a lifestyle.  Having Noah does not allow me to think like that and his presence always keeps me in check to dial it back.

3.  I have amazing family.  Having a nosy and interfering family has its perks when they treat your son as their own.  And while Terah and I have had our fair share of heated arguments, he has been my number one fan. He may often think I'm nuts, but he goes out of his way to keep us going.

4.  Moms are moms, no matter how they spend their day.  After a year at home with Noah and a year at my job, the moms I've gotten to know in both settings love their children fiercely and are just trying their hardest to be the best parents they know how.

It has been tough and impossible at times, but we've survived!

And also this is what happens when you leave your work on the coffee table...

Boy or girl?

The family google hangout vote:



Grandpa Chan, Grandma Chan, Priscilla, Jon, Grace, and Jessica - Girl

Grandpa Chern - on a business trip and MIA

Grandma Chern, Terah, and Michelle - Boy

Noah - what's going on?

Last-minute Dairy Queen celebration 

Two boys... oh boy!

Tender hearts

We just wrapped up our third week at preschool (Tues/Thu mornings) and we can already tell it's been good for Noah. The teachers had all of us gradually stay for shorter times and this was his first week completely on his own! He still briefly cries when I drop him off, but is torn between his love for all things at school (cars, sand, bikes, chickens, paint, what more could you want?) and having mommy leave. 

On Thursday I gave him a hug and kiss and told him I loved him, and between half sobs, he says, "I love you" ...even as he's walking away from me and headed toward the trucks. He may be a big boy, but it's tough sometimes to grow up!

Monkey and ribbit

One of the unexpected perks of having more space is seeing Noah do this...