This month has been a roller coaster of emotions for me on the work front. My mom was right when she said, "Getting laid off is like a bad breakup and is heartbreaking, until you start going out and getting hit on by a bunch of good looking suitors". The week after I got laid off I sent my resume into three places, all three places looked like they would be an exceptional fit for my background and what I was looking for. All three called and I immediately had a week full of interviews. Two weeks after I got laid off, I had a really exciting job offer and I had to turn down other interested companies. Now, that was the ego boost I needed!
I've always said that everything happens for a reason. Dave and I argue about this philosophy because he believes that things don't happen haphazardly but rather you create your destiny. Over the years I believe there are pieces of both that are true. I would have never left my job but getting laid off pushed me to find a much better opportunity for me. I also got an extra month of maternity leave to spend with my sweet girls. Now, I'm gearing up to go back to work mid July. Doesn't hurt that my new office is right downtown on Pearl Street about 5 minutes from our house. It was certainly not the turn of events that I expected but I couldn't have imagined a better outcome.
Onward and upward!
Omaha Adventure
About three weeks ago, Samantha went on her second annual adventure to Omaha with Grammy. So far, each time she goes, I worry for months about being away from her and how she will do without us and she does just great. Not only that but I really feel like the trip is so good for her independence. Last year she came back talking much more and this year she came back more confident and happy.
It is a really special time for her to spend with Grammy and she loves playing with all of her Nogg cousins. She has the best time staying with Aunt Patty and Uncle Steve, she played at the pool, visited with Great Grandma Carol and Great Grandpa Bud, went to Riley's dance recital and even got to attend Riley's 4th birthday party. She had a blast!
This is only the beginning of fun summer adventures in Omaha and a great tradition.
It is a really special time for her to spend with Grammy and she loves playing with all of her Nogg cousins. She has the best time staying with Aunt Patty and Uncle Steve, she played at the pool, visited with Great Grandma Carol and Great Grandpa Bud, went to Riley's dance recital and even got to attend Riley's 4th birthday party. She had a blast!
This is only the beginning of fun summer adventures in Omaha and a great tradition.
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| Storytime with cousins Jordan and Riley |
Lock Down
In early May we were going through another rough patch with Samantha. Bedtime took over an hour, she dragged the whole process out and usually it all ended with a tantrum and me or Dave holding the door shut while Samantha threw herself at the door and had a terrible fit. I will say, she is a smart little girl. She didn't just scream anything. She always stopped half way in and yelled how she really needed help or she was hurt and needed her Mommy. The whole thing was maddening.
A friend of ours had gone through a similar experience and encouraged me to change her door knob so that we could lock Samantha in her room at bedtime. It sounded awful to me but the idea was simple, no negotiating at bedtime. After our pleasant bedtime routine, we would lock the door from the outside and that would be the end of it.
I switched the door knob with Samantha by my side (days later she was going to all the doors with a little screwdriver explaining we needed to fix the doors). She did try to exit the room with her daily excuse and sure enough, she couldn't get out. She threw a fit and I was determined not to go in there. The tantrum lasted about 20 minutes and then I could hear it fading and later checked that she was in her bed sound asleep. The next night I prepared myself for another 20 minute show and I waited anxiously. Nothing. Not a peep, not a struggle, no throwing herself at the door or even trying to get out. It has been over a month and I continue locking it but she has yet to make a peep.
Dave and I keep saying this is very much like the whole "crying it out" phase. It is painful for the few days you do it but once you reap the rewards, all we can wonder is what took us so long to do it.
A friend of ours had gone through a similar experience and encouraged me to change her door knob so that we could lock Samantha in her room at bedtime. It sounded awful to me but the idea was simple, no negotiating at bedtime. After our pleasant bedtime routine, we would lock the door from the outside and that would be the end of it.
I switched the door knob with Samantha by my side (days later she was going to all the doors with a little screwdriver explaining we needed to fix the doors). She did try to exit the room with her daily excuse and sure enough, she couldn't get out. She threw a fit and I was determined not to go in there. The tantrum lasted about 20 minutes and then I could hear it fading and later checked that she was in her bed sound asleep. The next night I prepared myself for another 20 minute show and I waited anxiously. Nothing. Not a peep, not a struggle, no throwing herself at the door or even trying to get out. It has been over a month and I continue locking it but she has yet to make a peep.
Dave and I keep saying this is very much like the whole "crying it out" phase. It is painful for the few days you do it but once you reap the rewards, all we can wonder is what took us so long to do it.
Carina Carina
Just because....
She's so darn cute! You can see our latest summer pictures here.
Happy Monday everyone, thought this bib was perfect.
Happy Monday everyone, thought this bib was perfect.
Exciting Times
This week was big for us at the Brantz household, Samantha had her first week of preschool and Carina celebrated her four month birthday by sleeping through the night for the first time!
I am so proud of Samantha, she did amazing at her first day of school. We have been regularly reading the book The Kissing Hand about a little raccoon who goes to school and before he goes, his mom kisses his hand so whenever he feels lonely he can hold his hand to his face and have her kiss close and know she loves him. Samantha and I agreed that we would both give each other a kiss on the hand at school and then I would go and she would enjoy school and that is exactly what we did. She had a great first day and will go back again tomorrow.
Carina had her four month check up today and she of course is perfect in every way. She gave her trademark smile to the doctor numerous times and even smiled at the nurse AFTER her shots, she is incredible. She is healthy and growing, stats are:
Height: 24 inches - 50 percentile
Weight: 12 lbs 12.5 oz. - 49 percentile
Head Circ: 16.5 inches - 76 percentile
I am so proud of Samantha, she did amazing at her first day of school. We have been regularly reading the book The Kissing Hand about a little raccoon who goes to school and before he goes, his mom kisses his hand so whenever he feels lonely he can hold his hand to his face and have her kiss close and know she loves him. Samantha and I agreed that we would both give each other a kiss on the hand at school and then I would go and she would enjoy school and that is exactly what we did. She had a great first day and will go back again tomorrow.
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| Little sweetheart on her first day of school! |
Height: 24 inches - 50 percentile
Weight: 12 lbs 12.5 oz. - 49 percentile
Head Circ: 16.5 inches - 76 percentile
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| Four months old already! |
The Week
I figured out that historically, the week after Memorial Day is not a good one for me. Certainly while I have been writing this blog. Three years ago, it was when I was put on bed rest. Last year it was when we realized Dave's passport was expired and he wouldn't be able to come with me to Spain. This year, I got laid off from my job.
I'm not going to get into the details but it is definitely a sad time for me. I will admit I'm feeling pretty low. But I have a wonderful husband and two sweet girls. The good news is that after every one of the unfortunate situations I have had, there is always a rainbow after the storm.....after bed rest came Samantha. After Spain, came Carina! And after this experience, I am hopeful something good will come as well.
I'm not going to get into the details but it is definitely a sad time for me. I will admit I'm feeling pretty low. But I have a wonderful husband and two sweet girls. The good news is that after every one of the unfortunate situations I have had, there is always a rainbow after the storm.....after bed rest came Samantha. After Spain, came Carina! And after this experience, I am hopeful something good will come as well.
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