What a difference a year makes!

Hello. Is this thing still working? Wow, can't believe it's been almost a year since my last blogging. Crazy. Well, I suppose I should catch you up (that is if anyone is still following this!).

Since last December, I moved into a new role at work, managing the program management team in the webcam group. I was thrown into the role as my former boss was made GM of another product group in our business unit. At the same time, I took over another project, managing Video Calling on Google TV, which was released last month! The project was really challenging, but also really interesting and fun and I'm really proud of the team that I managed for this project and the hard work they put in. 

Now, I'm ready to embark on my next journey at Logitech, going back to work for my original boss in the Logitech Alert team. I'm really excited about my first project with the team - a nursery monitor camera!

Which brings me to my next update....we are expecting another happy heart to join our family next year! I know, I know, there were several bloggings in the past about how our baby days were over, but life is sometimes a little unpredictable and God has plans for us that we can't foresee. Just as sure as I was that Lance would never change his mind, a last attempt at closure for me, turned things in 180 degrees! A month later, we were pregnant! Baby #3 is due April 21st, 2011 and we are thrilled!

Morgan and Bennett are both very excited to have another sibling. Morgan is hoping for another baby brother and Bennett is hoping for a baby sister (to oppose his older sister's wishes, of course). Morgan is doing great in 2nd grade this year. She has the same teacher as she did last year since they loop 1st and 2nd. She's really taken to math this year, which is exciting to see and she while she is continuing ballet and girl scouts (Brownies this year!), she is really enamored with soccer right now. She started playing midfield and scored a few goals and now she's hooked. She'll even be playing indoor soccer in a few short weeks! She's getting "too old" for a lot of things right now (Barbies, dolls, anything "babyish") and is really starting to create her own little friendships. It's very fun to watch. She's the cutest toothless little girl and while she has her good days and her bad days, I'm really proud to be her mom!

Bennett started preschool in the fall and is loving every moment of it. He's such a bright child, already way ahead of the class, knowing all his letters and how most of them sound. He's even started to put together sounds to sound out words, which is the beginning of reading. At the ripe old age of 3. Bennett is a comedian, as always, and really keeps us on our toes with his own brand of comedy. He did a session of rock climbing classes that he really enjoyed and has also taken soccer lessons. He was a natural at dribbling the ball and loves to kick the ball and run out on the field!

Lance went back to work in June for a web design firm in Berkeley. He's really enjoying the fast paced nature of the small business and is happy to be back to work. The commute can be rough, so it's nice that he is able to work from home a couple of days a week.

In the midst of changing jobs and being pregnant, we are also looking at a potential move, into a bigger, newer home. With lots of changes on the horizon, 2011 is stacking up to be really exciting!

Dread

I'm still recovering from the lack of food and the horror that shook through my body yesterday and at the same time, trying to mentally prepare for Lance's first day of his new job. What will tomorrow bring? The past two weeks have been absolutely amazing. At first, I wanted to plan a getaway with the kids, but we were just too busy and sick and it just didn't work out. But I think that was for the best, because we all got a little break and got to hang out together at home during these two weeks that he's been off. He got a chance to really be there for those little daily things that you miss out on when you're at work. The kids got so used to him being there, they practically spat on me when I tried to do something for them. They are going to be heartbroken when Daddy has to go back to work. I'm not even going to mention how much easier it was, logistically, to have another set of hands. Not having to wrangle Bennett and school drop off and pick up. Having someone to watch him while we did Daisies and homework. Then, there's the boy. Bennett has been particularly nasty lately. Not sleeping. Sick and cranky. Pair this with his disappointment with it being ME tomorrow, and I'm sure to be in for a doozy of a day. Mostly, though, I'm going to miss having him around. We'll go back to the rushed kisses and goodbyes in the morning and the frantic evening routine of dinner, baths and bed.

It's nice to spend that much time with your spouse and realize again why you married them. My husband is the bomb. Cooking, straightening, shopping, hanging with the kids, taking care of me. He does it all. I'm such a lucky woman!

Spoiled, spoiled, spoiled

I think I just might throw the world's biggest tantrum when Lance goes back to work. I've been getting WAY too spoiled over here. Yesterday, he got the kids up and to school on time while I slept-in and woke up to an empty house. What a treat! Then today, he watched Bennett while I worked in Morgan's classroom and then packed up a lunch for us and met us at the park after school. After we all ate the Daddy-packed-lunch (full bags of chips and foot longs from Subway :) !), I was able to sit on the bench at the park and chit chat with my friend Kristin while the Dads chased the kids around the playground. How nice!! And Morgan and Bennett are just loving all the special attention they are getting from Daddy.

After school, we all came home and when the kids went down for their naps, I was able to get a good long nap in. When I woke up, instead of having to get up and get dinner going, Lance grilled pork chops, made mashed potatoes and green beans. So, I got a glass of wine and relaxed even more by getting one of Morgan's puzzles out and starting the sorting process. Before I knew it, dinner was cooked! After dinner, we got Bennett in bed and then we were both able to work on Morgan's Valentine's Day "mailbox" with her. I'm taking full advantage of having Daddy here to get all the work done that we need to get done over the next few weeks. It makes it so much easier when there's an extra set of hands around.

I know, it's not going to last for long. But I sure am going to savor every moment of it. I know how hard it's going to be when he goes back to work, especially with the long hours that they warned him about.

Again, why can't we be independently wealthy??

Things made easier today

Since Lance has some time off before he starts his new job, things have been a bit easier. Here's the list from just today.

1. He took Morgan to school today. She was SO excited that Daddy was able to drop her off at school today. And I think he was a little excited that he was able to do it.

2. Since he was here, I was able to take Bennett to Little Star Cafe and didn't have to rush home to pick Morgan up from school. AND he fed her. AND cleaned up after. He's a gem, I tell ya!

3. When we got home, I was not feeling well, so I was able to attend to my own needs while someone else put the kids down for their naps.

4. I was able to lay on the couch with a heating pad without worrying about the time or when the kids would be up.

5. I took Morgan to ballet and didn't have to deal with the little shorty who likes to run away from me when I'm yelling STOP!

6. I didn't have to get the kids ready to go out on my own. There was someone else here to repeatedly tell someone to focus and put their socks and shoes on.

7. We were able to go out to dinner, early, and I was able to get to my movie night tonight on time and without our patented Kid Swap.

8. Daddy handled bath time and finishing homework and all the other stuff after I'd left for the movies.

This is all without even mentioning how nice it is to just have him around. Like, to see him interacting with the kids throughout the day. To have him nearby me. I may be getting spoiled. Can't we just become independently wealthy already?