Work
As for my work, our company unfortunately had layoffs in September 2011 and at the end of January…my department was hit both times. The first time back in September when I was still on maternity leave, my coworker & boss called to tell me that one of our production coordinators was let go (I’ve mentioned him before, he was the one that offered to sell me his son’s crib/stroller). This was not good news to hear, sad for my coworker and concerned for my job as well since I also found out that two other work acquaintances – one which I worked closely with on one title was let go but that was because our company decided to close one of our publications and the other acquaintance I didn’t work with but we’ve come to know each other because we were both pregnant and due about the same time, even though she took maternity leave a month earlier than I did. Both these ladies that were let go were both new mothers and just recently returned from maternity leave (see my concern for myself). I figure the company is thinking if my department managed without me for a couple months already, that maybe they didn’t need me but luckily I am still safe and still have my job. Upon my return to work in October, I found out that one of the ladies was actually hired back but only on a contract basis so whenever we see each other, we talk about our babies since they were only born a day apart.
Our most recent layoff in our department at the end of January was also one of our production coordinators, Dan (amongst others in other departments). This was especially tough because he is a good guy, he was super nice and helpful. He was the guy I would ask to help me carry all my package deliveries to the car :) but he was a great coworker/friend so it was very sad to see him leave. But the good news is he has found another position and is happy so I’m happy for him and we still keep in touch.
Here’s a picture of Dan with Noah during one of our dinner get togethers:
Looking cute while trying to reach for Dan’s Coke
About the same time, our company also sold our Music group, which were mainly all the titles that I handled (more concern for my position). I forgot to mention that the magazine my company decided to not publish anymore was also handled by me. So now what?? Well a lot of shuffling around of work. I’ve been giving most of the gaming titles and have taken on the production coordinator position in addition to my current one. I’m still learning the process but it’s good to learn something new and add to my skills…one being a Mac which I am still getting used to!
Oh and lastly our office takes up two floors but we’ve been told that we will be only occupying one floor very soon. Our department which WAS on the 4th floor when I left for maternity leave moved to the 3rd floor after I returned (which I knew about since I came in to pack up my personal stuff since I felt bad that my coworkers would have to do it) so now we’ll have to move back up to the 4th floor by the end of May. Going to get really cozy!
Family
Can’t believe Noah’s almost 11 months old! At his 9 month check up, his stats were:
- Weight: 19 lbs, 6 oz (27th percentile)
- Height: 29 in (71st percentile)
- Head: 45 cm (38th percentile)
We won’t go back to see the pediatrician until he’s a year old but she told us to stop by if we want to get an update on his stats.
So what’s new…& somewhat old by now
- 7 teeth – 4 on top and 3 on the bottom
- Crawling at lightning speed…and for some reason loves to hold things in his hand while crawling. If he “left” it behind during his crawling, he’d turn around and get it and then start the process all over again
- Starting to stand on his own and take a few steps but still prefers crawling
- Says “ma-ma” and “da-da” all the time, although we’re not 100% sure if he knows it’s Jon and I
- Also says “mum-mum” but not sure if he really mean “food” and what sounds like “niy-niy” which is milk in Chinese but not sure too if that’s what he’s saying/asking for
- Hold his own bottle and can put his pacifier back into his mouth
- Drinking from a sippy cup, usually just a little bit of water after meals
- Loves bath time now – loves to splash the water with his hands. Cries when we take him out. Likes to “splash” in Kona’s water bowl.
- Has discovered that sweet food, like fruits tastes so much better than vegetables…so we need to mix his vegetables with some fruit for him to eat it. We’ve been lucky that Noah has done well with almost everything he’s eaten with no real side effects.
- Clapping – he can clap on his own and when you say “clap-clap-clap”
- Shaking his head when you say “no-no-no”
- Gives a kiss with his mouth when you say “kiss-kiss”
- Discovered doors – loves to close the door or swing it back & forth between his hands (pretty coordinated!)
Kona is almost 2. Even though Noah loves her, Kona doesn’t share the same feelings. LOL. But she is not mean to Noah at all; she tries to lick him all the time. Now that Noah is crawling and making all sorts of noises, she’s probably not sure what to make of him so sometimes she just runs away to another room or to her crate.
When we got back from North Carolina during the Christmas holiday, I felt so bad for leaving Kona that I now allow her to sleep on our bed (and yes, Jon is not too happy I let that happen). I do wish I didn’t start because she likes to sleep right up against you and if you try to move over a little, she does the same and even though she’s like 15 lbs, she is dead weight once she’s a sleep so most nights I find myself near the edge of the bed. Guess that’s what I get. She was supposed to sleep at the end of the bed since my feet don’t reach that far! However lately during the middle of the night she would jump off the bed and sleep in her crate and then around early morning she would come out from the crate and jump back up on the bed.
Kona all cuddled up in our bed
Most weekends we try to take Kona out – when it’s good weather, we take her to Fort Funston and usually meet up with my friend, Janet who takes her dog Jasmine there. Kona and Jasmine get along great! Noah has a great time too, he loves seeing all the dogs and looking up at the trees…also something about feeling the wind blowing makes him smile and laugh. Other times we’ll take Kona to our local dog park.
Here’a few pictures of Kona running around in her favorite spot at Fort Funston:
Loves to run around & around in this one path
Does leaps too!
Last but not least, Jon and I. We’re about the same. I think we’re getting more sleep…it really varies but it’s nice to relax a bit on the days we take Noah to my parent’s place. We usually drop him off Sunday night and pick him back up on Tuesday.
Lately we’ve been alternating between them coming over to our place & us dropping him off over there. I spend a lot of my time trying to schedule what food to make for Noah and what new food for him to try. I use my Google calendar to plan out food a few weeks in advance so I know what I need to buy. The process I use is to have Noah try something new every 3 or 4 days to make sure he doesn’t have an allergic reaction. So I try to feed him a new vegetable, then a fruit, a meat, a dairy product (which I think he’s done with since I’ve let him have cheese and yogurt already) and a grain, then I start all over again. I’ve also had him try some spices too – so far – cinnamon, ginger, pepper & garlic powder.
Okay back to Jon and me. Hmm…I’m actually thinking of what to say, haha! Our life is pretty much Noah and Kona. We did have a movie date night not too long ago, yet feels so long ago. We went to watch The Hunger Games. Jon has read the books and I just barely started but the movie was great and we had a good time. Probably need to make another movie night soon to see The Avengers.
