So here's what's going on with us right now:
We are currently living at my parents in Essex Junction, Vermont and trying to spend as much time with Robbie's parents in Rutland, Vermont as possible. It's a two hour drive between the two so it's really not bad, and we love being able to spend time with both of them. We actually went down to Rutland this weekend for Robbie's Nana's birthday party and spent the weekend with his parents.
Robbie is still continuing the job hunt, but so far...nada. He is still applying like crazy to everything he can find. He spends at least an hour (sometimes more) in the bedroom every morning just searching for jobs all over the US and applying for them. When we were in Rutland our first week back here in Vermont Robbie went to talk to a company a little south of Rutland that he had worked for right after graduating high school. They said that they had talked about hiring someone new but had to discuss it some more. We found out almost 2 weeks later (when Robbie ended up calling them because they never got back to us like they said they would) that they are not going to hire anyone until Spring 2010. That was a bit of a downer, but then Robbie ended up having an interview with a company here in Vermont that is working on a Ski Resort for the next few years an hour and a half north of my parents. Robbie had the interview almost 2 weeks ago, and we were supposed to hear back from them last Tuesday or Wednesday. Robbie ended up calling the guy about it on Friday and still hasn't heard anything from him. I'm not sure what to think about it, but I've pretty much lost hope that this is going to be the job for us. I don't think it's good that we still haven't heard anything and the guy won't even call Robbie back. So he's doing his best and we are hoping that something will happen soon. Meanwhile Robbie is keeping his options open and looking for other solutions (something part time?) and trying to keep busy with outdoor things and us.
I have been busy these past few weeks with cleaning, unpacking and organizing our stuff (and we went to pick fresh blueberries and raspberries with my parents...yum!). I haven't had much opportunity to do other things but I have enjoyed just relaxing once in a while and watching the kids play. I have had more time to read and do things with the kids since we are living with others and while I do help out and clean/do dishes and still do our laundry, I have loved having more time to spend with the kids. I am hoping that since I have most of the unpacking done now I will be able to spend time on the projects that just need a little finishing and starting up the quilt that Robbie got for me to do back in February. I am also excited to spend more time with family and more time outdoors since the weather hasn't been nice enough lately to do much (too much rain...Rutland even had flooding when we went down there this weekend).
Gwen is getting so big. She is so close to moving into a 4T size clothes...her dresses and shorts all seem rather small for her, but her shirts still fit pretty well. She is learning so fast and loves spending time with all of our family, especially my sister Traci's kids Aidan and Mae (Aidan is turning 6 in 2 weeks and Mae turns 5 in the beginning of November). Gwen has a meet and greet with her preschool teacher on Thursday and she goes to preschool for the first time on September 3rd. She is so excited and keeps talking about how she is going to "high school" (because we have been teasing my sister Missy about going back...she'll be a sophmore this year) and we correct her and tell her about preschool. Her preschool is through the town's park and recreation center so it's not too structured. There is a lot of learning but a lot of playing outdoors and exploring hands on as they learn too. My sister did it when she was in preschool and loved it, and the program works closely with the local school district so it should be a nice balance of structure/learning and playing.
Pretty princess on her horse
Grace is still being mistaken as the older child because of her size. She too is moving up in clothing size to a 3T. Her and Gwen are so close in size that we still have people asking us if they are twins. She is getting so smart!! I can't believe the things that she has picked up in the last few weeks. I feel bad for her because she won't have her playmate as often thanks to Gwen going to school, but I will have some one on one time with her while Georgia takes naps and that'll be nice for the both of us. I have also promised her that as soon as Gwen starts school I will start potty training her, since she is 2 now. She has been bugging to start potty training because she wants to be just like Gwen and wear her big girl princess underwear and gets so upset when I tell her she can't because she doesn't know how to use the potty yet. I am hopeful that it will go better than it did with Gwen and she'll pick it up fast.
Serious brain freeze after a lot of ice cream
Georgia is 7 1/2 months old now!! I missed the 7 month marker earlier this month, but can you blame me? She is finally moving into the 6-9/6-12 month size in clothing. I weighed and measured her this morning and she is 18 pounds (digital scale...shows ounces too!!) and 27 inches long. She is getting so big!! When we went down to Rutland this weekend after being gone for 2 weeks Robbie's parents couldn't believe how much she had grown!! I haven't started baby food with her yet (I know I know...I am such a slacker) but I am hoping to pick that up tomorrow. She sits up by herself all the time and can not only go from sitting to laying on the floor but she can also be laying on the floor and move herself into a sitting position. A week ago she started army crawling and now has that down. Every now and then she figures out how to crawl on her hands and knees but it surprises her each time and she falls over and goes back to army crawling. I am all right with that because it is how Grace learned how to crawl at first as well. She is still blowing raspberries and growling at everyone, and still saying the ma ma ma and ba ba ba noises. She'll talk to people, loves to jump (in her jumper and while someone is holding her), likes chewing on blankets/burp rags, loves playing with paper and knows how to put her binkie in her mouth by herself. She is also trying to figure out how to pull herself up into a standing position while holding onto tables/couches/laundry baskets/etc. I can't wait to see what else she learns in the next few months. Who knows? Maybe she will be walking by 10 months just like her sisters. Only time will tell!!
On my parents back patio with Mommy
I want to thank everyone who has been so helpful and supportive while we are going through this difficult time. We have some amazing friends and loved ones who have done so much and continue to do so much for us. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. We are so blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives (and a wonderful Savior and Heavenly Father). For those of us going through a rough time as well, we are continuing to keep you in our thoughts and prayers too. Keep an eye out for more updates!!
