2.46 Chicago, Chicago ....

By Cyndi
October 28, 2013

We ventured to Chicago this weekend for our yearly trek to the homeland.  With the government shutdown and changing jobs, it was all up in the air until about a week prior.  We finalized the schedule and started packing.  It was a shorter trip than years past, but by the end, T&Z were asking to go home and I was ready for normalcy. 

The trip to Chicago was a little rocky.  We had an 8a flight, so we got the kids up 2.5 hrs before normal, and headed to the airport.  During security screening, something registered on a carseat and they asked to pat one of us down. I pointed to Matt.  He had a full pat down and they said that the explosive residue on the carseat also registered on him!!!!!  And of course, Matt forgot his FAA badge.  Ugh … I got very anxious and nervous and the boys were getting out of hand.  They hadn’t eaten and just wanted to ride in their chairs and get to the airplane.  They took Matt to the back along with a carseat and patted him down again and finally released him. 

The rest of the flight went smoothly and we headed straight to the nursing home to see GG who was recovering from back surgery.  That afternoon, Saba & my grandfather (who is going on 96 and recently moved to Chicago) came to Nana’s house for the afternoon and evening.

Saturday we spent the morning at a park and GG & Papa came for the afternoon.   It was great to see the kids talk and interact with their great grandparents.

 
On Sunday, we headed to Saba’s house for more great-grandpa time along with Uncle Dave and my Uncle Jim!  We spent the evening at my brother’s house with my high school friends and saw Aunt Lauren and Asher for a few minutes, after she arrived back from a long weekend away to see her sister in NYC.

On Monday morning, the boys were a complete mess.  They hadn’t eaten well Sunday, got to bed a bit later than normal and were just off.  It took us an hour to get them pottied and dressed and out the door.  Double the amount of time it typically takes!!     We had a good breakfast and headed to the airport.  As we were boarding the plane, Matt bent down and said to Tyler, “The pilot sits up there” and one of the flight attendants heard and asked if they wanted to go up to the cockpit.  Of course they do (as do we)!!  The co-pilot let the boys sit in his chair, we snapped a few pictures and said Thank You!  What a perfect ending to a nice trip. 

Now that November is just around the corner, I need to start getting my act together for Thanksgiving & Hanukkah!

2.45 Back to work!

By Cyndi
October 21, 2013

Gosh, one week off of work and I forget my household responsibilities along with sleeping in until 7a every day!

The new job is going well, though slow as I learn the ropes and how I will be supporting engineering, program management & operations.  I spent the weekend catching up on laundry, packing for Chicago and watching the Bears lose to the Redskins.

We have also started a STAR chart which seems to be helpful, at least for potty usage.  T&Z use the potty all the time at school at regular intervals.  When we ask if they want to use it at home, it's "NO NO NO" other than in the morning. So now, if they pee, they get a star .... if they poop they get a star ... and ten stars equals a prize!

So far, they remain about even and are understanding the concept.  I will even be bringing a paper star chart to Chicago this coming weekend and prizes to continue it.

Speaking of Chicago, it is a quick trip, since I don't have any vacation (and when we made the arrangements, I had limited vacation at my previous company).   We will only be around for 72 hours and visiting everyone possible, including my grandpa who moved to Chicago earlier this year and hasn't seen the guys since they were 6 months old!!  Hope the weather stays clear so they can run around outside and let out some energy ...

See ya next week!!

2.44 A relaxing, rainy week

By Cyndi
October 14, 2013

It rained for almost 5 days straight.  And while in most weeks that would be depressing, I tried to make the most of the week since I wasn't working.  The consulting firm that I was working with told me to "Start looking for a job on my own." Uhhhh, thanks?!  For 6 months and during the hiring process, they promised projects and no issues with redeployement to new projects when one ends.  Well, I don't want to say it was a lie, but it was FAR from the truth.

My project ended and I was told to take vacation while they looked for something.  At Friday at 5pm a week ago, they called with the EXCITING news that they had a new project, but still required me to take a week of my saved vacation for pay.  In the mean time, I had been job searching with every extra second and had a few leads, one of which brought me in for an interview.

Last Wednesday, they offered me a job as a project manager and once we finalized the details, I GLADLY accepted a full time role.  See ya later consulting firm!!

Now, if the government would pay their essential workers so Matt can get a paycheck for the hours he is working (and has worked since Oct 1st), we'd be back to normal!!

I spent a little bit of my free time with my sewing machine to add sleeves to Elmo pj's, otherwise Zach would freeze come winter time.  I think I did pretty well for not sewing in over two years!

We enjoyed the weekend with cinnamon rolls, lots of indoor fun and ................

& a new bouncy house (shhhh don't tell all the neighborhood kids)!!

2.43 Kid free evening ... ahhh ...

October 8, 2013
By Cyndi


We had some nice distractions from the "other" things going on with a visit from my dad, Saba & a kid free night!!  One of Matt's friends & co-workers got married on the eastern shore of Maryland.  The wedding was beautiful, except for the 80+ degree sunny ceremony.   We drove there in about (2hrs each way) with friends and had a fabulous time.  Saba stayed with them for 24 hrs and the boys were angels!  So jealous that he experienced non-whiny toddlers, something that is rare for Matt & me!!

But I'll take it .... good behavior, aided with a new toy and the offer to watch them again!!!

On Sunday after we were back, we set up the boys' new train table, which they were trilled to see.  Even today, they walked in the door from school and went straight to check if it was still there!  I hope it provides hours of entertainment as the days are getting shorter and winter nears.

2.42 I've always been told ...

By Cyndi
October 1, 2013

I've always been told ... If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all.

So, all you get are the few pictures I could grab while chasing after these crazy kids.