ch-ch-ch-changes

This picture was taken in November… See how somber? *

the last time i posted was in November… and, that sounds about right.

After that, the home stretch and finals started heating up for suzie and holiday freelance work picked up for me on top of a mad rush at work leading up to the holiday break. and then the break came… It was so good to step away from all the busyness at home, but it wasn’t exactly a restful break because very quickly we noticed we had a problem: Elliot was 1000% more happy and growing and learning and developing at such a quicker rate than she was in the previous months. So what’s the problem, right? All this—we think, at least… it’s always kind of impossible to know for sure with babies— was because the poor baby’s parents finally had time to undividedly attend to her. And she blossomed like a spring flower. It was really fun. But it raised the question: Do we need to change our lifestyle? Well, that’s a no-brainer. Something had to give, we knew that even before the break. But, now… what?

For two and a half weeks we deliberated over this question. And, we came to different viable solutions every day. In the end, we knew that Suzie had to stop school to be home with her… that baby loves her mommy and just comes alive the more time she spends with her.

That was not an easy decision. I mean, especially for Suzie, right? We’ve been planning this for years—and suzie, her whole life—and now the plan needed to change. Superwoman. To do something like that is really impressive.

And then, the same day—the very same day—somewhat out of the blue, I decided it was time to move on from my job. It just hit me—I knew it. I had learned what I needed to learn there and contributed what I needed to contribute and we were at the end of the road. Or, maybe I should say something about a “crossroads” or a “new road” because I’m sure I could have stayed and learned more, but I didn’t want to. It was time for me to move on. So, I quit.

Also that same day a really big client hired me to do really big job in a really small amount of time. So, we breathe a sigh of release—all our burdens have been set aside; we opt for a simpler life. And then I sign up for a 80 hour a week job. Good timing, Cole…

And we’ve been wading through that, trying to keep our heads above water until about right now. Hopefully, hopefully, hopefully we’ll be able to establish some balance in life going forward.

Through all of this, though, Elliot is thriving. She loves having her parents home with her. She’s crawling, walking (with hands), signing, talking a little bit, laughing, dancing, singing… She’s a happy baby. I’m going to try to play a little catch up over the next week or so and post some pictures from the past couple months. Hope you enjoy.

*ps: Elliot wasn’t somber or depressed, probably just bored… I like taking pictures of her when she makes those faces, though. I think they’re really cute. In fact, that morning I could barely get out the door to drop her off at the babysitters and go to work because I couldn’t stop taking pictures. Adorable baby… Obsessive, adoring dad…