Distance makes the heart grow fonder?

I dunno about that. But I do know that I am missing my boys like crazy right about now! This week my brother-in-law who lives across the country is back visiting, so my husband took the week off from work to hang out with family since no one has seen him in a few years. SO, because he was home, he also took Joshua back to New Hampshire with him for the week. (Boo for me!) Though, I know it is only fair since I have him with me most of the time for the time being.

I have to say though. It was sort of a nice break to not need to wonder about day care, or babysitters for a bit. I ended up working a fair amount of overtime, which is always good for the paycheck. Got to see some friends and catch up over wine. All-in-all, not so bad. I'm thankful to have a busy job and great friends and family down here to keep me occupied and same when my baby is gone for a week!

I'm sure as he gets older, I won't be so sad when he's gone, and people may not be so quick to want to borrow him haha (especially when he's not the only one anymore someday!)

I also can't believe that in three short days Joshua will be turning 19 months old. Where did that year and a half go?! I feel like I missed something! I promise, next week I am going to make a valiant effort to take some new photos and upload them to all of the usual spots. I am also sincerely hoping that my life settles down somewhat in the near future, and my whole family can be in the same place (and state) at the same time for more than two days in a row! Which will also mean that I can blog more, take more photos, and get back to freelancing, and maybe remembering things for more than three seconds at a time!

Please excuse my rambling blog tonight, just wanted to do a quick catch up on life! And share these two cell phone pictures of my boy being silly at the fair. :) I can't wait to bring him to the Big-E!

A summer in pictures . . . of Joshua.

Joshua looking serious on Memorial Day

So, I'm a bit behind.

It's been about, hmmmm . . . FOREVER since I wrote in this, and I apologize!

Things have been a little bit nutty in my world. I think last time I was writing about how I got a job in Western, MA, yes? Well, for those who didn't get that, or don't know. I did. I am now working as a graphic artist in the Whole Foods Market in Hadley, MA. It's a pretty awesome job. I am also still freelancing, though sparingly at the moment because of all the crazy. By crazy I mean, during the week Joshua and I live in MA at my parents' house (who live very near my new job) and on the weekends we are back in NH to see Jay and my pets and house (which we need to sell/rent...anyone?) The driving is nuts, and I can't wait until we can all be in one place again on all the days of the week!

Joshua has probably learned a ton since I posted last. So, in an attempt to keep this pretty short and sweet, I am going to just summarize the last like... 6 months? haha. (maybe not that long but you catch my drift) I will follow this post with a post full of pictures to catch you up on his cuteness. :)

15 Month Checkup

This is another catch-up post!

Joshua had his 15 month check-up last week and here is what we got from it.

Height: 31 inches

Weight: 24.5 lbs

He is right in the 50th percentile for everything except for his head, which was in the 75th or something (that means he's smart, right?)

We are still keeping him off of dairy for another 3 months because of his extreme reaction, though she told us we can give him tastes of whatever we are eating. We just need to keep a close on on him and his skin and mood, etc. and always have the benadryl handy just in case. Today he had a couple bites of my cheese stick, and he loved it, and did not get hives, or any other ill reaction, so I'm hopeful he will outgrow this fully, eventually.

Other than that, he's a strong healthy, and curious little boy who is always on the go and feels the need to taste everything he can fit into his mouth (still) Here are some 15 month pictures for ya. Enjoy!

How could anyone not love this face?!

He is such a goof. 

loves his marvin.

Big change is a-comin'

So, for those of you who do not know. Our little family is going to be moving in the near future! 

Recently I had been working freelance while hunting for a full-time job either here or down near the town where I grew up. We have always known that we wanted to end up back in that area (Western, MA) by the time Joshua was school age, because we aren't big fans of the area we live in here, for one, and because of the school systems in our area, which is a biggie.

Job hunting has been tough, and slow-going. It seemed like I'd get a couple bites, and an interview here and there, that I always though went great, only to find out they eliminated the position, filled it from within, or decided to go with someone who's experience matched more closely to what they wanted. So, earlier this week I had a short phone interview with the people down at Whole Foods Market about a graphic design/ in store sign maker position they had open. I was on the fence about it, because it's a big move, a big change, different that what I'm used to, but I felt like I could not afford to not at least go in for the live interview and see what they had to offer, and see if I'd be a good fit.

Long story short. I left that interview, pretty sure that it was the worst interview I had ever had in my life.  I went out to lunch with a friend, grabbed a beer, and, beer in hand, got a call asking me if I wanted the job. (WHAT?!) I knew I was the last one being interviewed and that they were calling that afternoon, just didn't think it would be that soon!

So I drove back up North to my boys, and we thought long and hard, and weighed out the pros and cons, and ultimately ended up deciding the best thing for our family right now would be for me to take the job. Jay should be able to transfer to a position down there, and we can live with my parents while we work on selling our condo and getting settled into our new lives down there.

I am so, so happy, to be able to get out of the city, especially the area we are in. Joshua loves being outside, and there just isn't anywhere really safe for him to play outside where we are without driving him to a park or something. It will be good timing, because my mom will be done with school for the summer soon and can provide some live-in day care for the summer too :) That said . . . I am SO SAD thinking about all the friends and family we can't take with us! Seriously. Can't everyone I know and love just move within a half hour driving radius of my parents house? I have such an amazing group of friends, and fellow moms, and family that have been so amazing to us, and such an amazing help when we've needed it. It's hard to imagine being so far from them. Though, on the same note, I have great amazing friends down there too! And now we will be driving distance to some more of my family! Which is awesome! Besides, we aren't moving across the country, just a couple hours away, so we can visit all the time! Plus, you can all use winery tours, and wine tastings as an excuse to come visit us. Plus the Big-E is coming back in the fall... who doesn't love that?! (If you haven't been, and enjoy fairs, you must go!)

So I'm sorry for the long post. But I just wanted to update everyone, and also thank everyone for the support and love you've shown us with this decision, I truly have the best people in my life a girl could ask for! And in return for your constant awesomeness. A cute video of Joshua jumping on the bed (sorry it's dark, it was nap time).

Mom's Birthday weekend

I know I owe you all some catch-up posts here because it's been awhile. So here's the first of a few for ya.

The weekend of May 15 Joshua and I took a road trip down to Western, MA to visit my family who we don't get to see nearly enough since they live so far away! And we weren't visiting just because we wanted to taste the new flavors of wine they have for sale, or because I needed more of my Mom's "Spicy Italian" herb blend, nope . . . it was my mom's birthday! I kind of have a new appreciation for birthdays now that I have had a son of my own. Generally in May I try to make it down for her birthday or mother's day if I am not lucky enough to have them both happen on the same day. We had to leave Jay behind because he had to work since I currently am lacking a full-time job. :-/ 

But regardless, we had a wonderful time! I loved getting to go out with my mom for a drink, and watch Joshua play with his Meme and Pepe and Aunties. He had a blast being able to play in a huge yard, a luxury we do not have living in a city. He also really loved running around and squeaking in the winery for some reason. He was a crazy man! We had a great weekend, and threw a fun birthday party for my mom with a few of our family's nearest and dearest friends and family. I was so busy having fun, unfortunately for you, that I did not get to snap many pictures! Here are a few that I did get though! Enjoy!

Joshua and Auntie Gina

Playing with auntie Krista

My mom getting ready to blow out the candles on her yummy cake!

she's still got it ;-P

Hello, again!

It's been awhile!

I've have a nutty few weeks and I'll catch you up soon. I just wanted to post something quick so you know I'm still alive and haven't forgotten about you, or my blog :) I have some updates and cute pics and videos to share soon! Stay tuned!