Discover the Wood Family: September 2010

Thursday, September 23, 2010

It has been a while since we have given anyone an update to the quiet lives of the Wood family.

As most of you may not know, Tony lost his job on September 9th. This has already been a difficult time for us. Tony has wanted to leave his last company for a long time now, but this happened a little sooner than expected. So, he is searching hard in the job market and has found a good amount to positions that he is excited about. His positive outlook is strong and he has faith that he will find a job before we experience too much hardship.

Syrah is doing great. She transitioned out of her crib a while ago and hasn’t had any problems. She is also doing well with the “pre-potty” training. She showed a lot of interest months ago, but within the last 2 months, she decided that she didn’t want to use the potty. Now that she has been home with Tony this week, things are looking better. She doesn’t scream anymore when we mention the word potty.

I am well, pregnant and due March 20th. This pregnancy has been very different than the 1st, as they all are. Thankfully I am getting back a little bit of energy. I am still waking-up at 4 AM and getting home after work at 6 PM, but at least I am not falling asleep at my desk … as much.

I have also had to change hospitals and specialist already. I am back at my 1st choice place, Valley Medical Center (which happened to be the 1st choice for when I had Syrah). I am also with the group of midwives there. I had to switch because the other hospitals close to home do not allow VBACs. I had the choice between Valley and Tacoma General, and I decided that if Valley was my first choice for both pregnancies, I might as well go back to that choice.

Since Tony lost his job, things are on a rollercoaster. There are good days, and there are bad days. There are also days where all I can do is laugh and cry at the same time (like when WIC turned me down because I make $9.00 too much a month to qualify for assistance). Days like that are exhausting. All we can do right now is press forward and take each challenge as it comes.

Banana Bread Mush!

Last week we watched Hazel for one of my co-workers. It was so much fun! Hazel and Syrah know each other from daycare (which Syrah isn't going to anymore since Tony is home during the day). It was really cute because when they saw each other, they ran up and gave big bear hugs to each other.

This was also an interesting experience because the girls played together without needing me to join in. They ran around the room chasing after one another, they played dress up with my necklaces, and ... they ran around the room chasing each other. It was odd to experience kids playing without constantly grabbing me to play with them. In fact, I actually had time to make banana bread.

With the girls help, we mashed up the bananas. They kept trying to eat the bananas but they finally understood it was for the bread.

After making the bread, the girls and Tony went upstairs to put make-up on. This is one of Syrah’s favorite things to do with Tony. I think Hazel enjoyed it too.

We can’t wait to watch Hazel again. I know that the next time may not be as easy as this time, but hey, they girls really like each other.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Due March 20th

It didn't take long for me to start showing. This picture was taken about 11 weeks. I can still ... well ... I can barely still fit in my pants. Its embarrassing to say, but I have to unbutton and unzip my pants when I am sitting at my desk. Good thing I remember before I walk away!

This pregnancy has been different from my first, as they all are. Its been a bit harder and more depressing. But hey, I am sure things will pass.

A Seal in Sequim

Tony and I felt that we needed to escape for an extended weekend. Neither of us was feeling excited about things and the stress of work was getting to us. So we packed up for the weekend and went to Sequim and Port Angeles. This was probably one of the most beautiful places we have been in a long time.

Sequim was absolutly beautiful. In fact, Tony and I loved it so much that we contempleted moving there! I figured we could both get jobs at the Costco Warehouse there and just live in a smaller home. I still think it would be more relaxing than where we are now.

While in Sequim, we went to the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge Park and walked along the spit. My mother and her best friend used to go there all the time and I can see why. Being there is my favorite summer memory with my family. We didn't do to much walking, as you really can't with a 20-month old who takes 1 step, picks up 5 rocks, turns around, takes 4 steps, picks up 3 more rocks and then turns around to take another step only to drop her rocks and start all over again. Needless to say, we didn't get far, but who cares!?! We found a spot in the sun and sat in the sand. That is all we needed.

Only the cutiest hiker ever!

After being at sea level, we decided to head back into Port Angeles and drive upto Hurricane Ridgel which is about 5,200 feet elevation. Sadly it was a bit cold and cloudy when we got up there, but it was still a spectacular view. Syrah slept the whole time (the beach wore her out).

I really liked our hotel. It made the trip a bit more exciting!

The other thing we enjoyed doing was walk about the Port Angeles/Sequim "boardwalk." It is a trail that follows the coast between the two cities. Part of it was paved in Port Angeles so we spent every evening walking along the ocean. We would watch the waves hit the rocks. They even had benches along the way. Tony and Syrah are just a few steps away from the drop-off. Even though we let Syrah run around, we did have to be careful that she didn't run towards the water, otherwise she would have ran right on top of the rocks and ocean.

Our last evening was spent at a small park along the trail. We sat and had our hamburger picnic while watching the ships on the ocean. Syrah also made a friend!

Time to say "bye-bye!"

We got home on the 4th of July and watched the neighbors set of fireworks. Before it got dark though, Syrah decided to try and fly a broom.

Seattle Aquarium

After Syah's Little Gym class, we took her to the Seattle Aquarium. She really like it, mostly because she could run places, but she did like seeing the fish. She enjoyed touching what she could and if it didn't move around, she could care less about it (e.g., the octopus).

Ok Sryah, lets see how you stack up to the Sixgill Shark (which lives in the Pudget Sound).

So, the shark is 12 feet long. And you are ...

... not even 3 feet. Yeah, I don't think you're ready to take on a shark.

It's Dory!!!!

Typical Seattle picture; gray, rainy, and a Seagull.

A Stroll Around The Neighborhood.

She really doesn't like to be pushed that much. She always has to be the one pushing. It has always been that since she learned how to walk. Good bye stroller.

50th!

Back in June, we celebrated Jo-Anne's 50th birthday. It was a lot of fun. She loves going to the horse races, so we had a surprise party at Emerald Downs. It was a beautiful day, as it always is in June, and we rented one of the private suites for the day. I still like being on the race track level because you get the excitement of the crowd, but I can also see how being in a private suite is important, especially if you are an avid follower of the sport. Tony and I didn't make any money off the races, but hey, I guess that's what we get for gambling :)

Below are some of the pictures. One thing I didn’t get pictures of was my gift I made her. I asked as many people in the family I could to come up with reasons why they love Jo-Anne. The total … was 50 (yeah, totally planned that)! I then scrapbooked the 50 reason and left spaces for the pictures below. I haven’t been able to scrapbook in well, almost 2.5 years. It felt good to do it. HAHAHA!! I liked the book so much that I almost didn’t want to give it away!