Unemployed

I wish I could say and 'loving it!'.  Actually it's not too bad.  If I think about my last post about Gratitude and my question about how I can spend my 37.5 hrs/week, it is a bit ironic.  I now have lots of time to figure it out.  And of course I still have Gratitude. More than ever.  After almost 12 years at MGIC, I was laid off last week.  It came to no surprise because of the market, but still a shock none the less.  I grew up in the mortgage industry, it's where I began my career.  I learned so many things.  I became a troubleshooter, a programmer, an analyst, a presenter, and a co-worker.  I put myself through MSOE with an undergrad and a graduate degree.  I got many promotions and a co-worker bonus.  I moved out for the first time and bought a condo.  I have so many memories that are part of my time at MGIC that it's been sad to say good bye.  I move forward with those memories and most of all the experiences I've learned from and the people I became friends with.  I will miss the work-out classes, the convenient cafeteria, taking breaks, and starbucks!  I will also miss the events we had on the MGIC Plaza.  Who doesn't like a free lunch!?  I might even miss doing the silly 'jazz hands' for the camera.  Even though I'm a little teary-eyed from thinking about what I'm going to miss, I don't forget what I won't miss.  Yes, that list is long too....

Instead I'll leave you with my linkedin profile:  www.linkedin.com/in/wendikeesling/ 

And my last jazz hands!

Gratitude

My baby Silas is already 11 months old!  He's the best thing that has ever happened to me.  EVER.  When I have bad days, I remember how lucky I am.  I have a healthy and happy baby.  I have the BEST husband in the whole world.  I have my supportive parents who have always given me unconditional love and given me everything they can.  I have an awesome sister who pushes me to be a better person.  I have a lot of GRATITUDE. You're probably wondering why I'm writing this.  Along with all that I'm grateful for, I am also a little ticked off about what I don't have.  I know that sounds really bad.  If I'm going to spend a chunk of time, let's just say 37.5 hours/week away from my baby Silas, the BEST husband in the world, my aging parents and awesome sister then it better be worthwhile.  Right now I'm not feeling it.  I'm currently searching for a better way to spend my 37.5 hours/week.  Anybody have any ideas?  

My baby Silas wasn't excited about his first plate of real food.  Salmon and broccoli.  I have to admit though,   we probably should start with someone more appetizing.  A few days later he had some fries :)

Ellie's 4th Birthday

This past weekend we celebrated Ellie's 4th Birthday Party.  Everyday she says or does something that makes me laugh.  She is also adventurous and sometimes crazy.  Crazy in a good, fun way.  I think she gets that from Auntie We-we :)  She has no fear.  She doesn't get mad when Silas pulls her glasses off.  She likes her nails painted.  She wears black 'yoga' pants like her mom and her we-we.  She always wants to be first.  She doesn't give me kisses anymore but she does give hugs and kisses to Silas.  I can't believe how grown up she is.  I know someday she'll be going to high school, then college, then maybe marriage and babies.  But no matter what age, I'll always look at her and see the purple glasses and bare feet.

Ellie doing my hair

Ellie loves to do my hair.  This is fine with me because I don't do much to it.  I mean, I wash it and brush but that's about it.  So Ellie likes to try and do my hair like we do her hair.  She pulls on it real tight like we do to her but she just can't seem to get it in the pony because her hands are still too small for that type of coordination.  At the moment when I took this video, I was hanging out with all three kids by myself.  I just remember feeling kinda overwhelmed because all three of them needed my attention.  Overwhelmed in a good way though.  I love these three kids and I can't wait for Heidi to have another little girl so she can do my hair too!

Moments

This morning a co-worker said "These are the best days of our lives".....WHAT?!  I won't accept that.  I don't want to look back on this time and think that it was the best days.  I want to always have the best days be ahead of me.  I want to look back on this time and think that I really remember each moment.  Since Silas was born, the moments are so much more precious and I really try to enjoy each moment.  Nick and I are so lucky for Silas, our family, friends, and to have each other.  Here are a few moments from the past few weeks:

He loves playing peak-a-boo!

Nick's first father's day!  

Trying to get away!

Father's day at Nick's Grandpa's.  He calls Silas #7 because he's the 7th great grandchild.

Friday fish-fry's

Up-north at the cabin.  Silas loved being outside!

We got some new plants for the patio.  I was excited that they were blooming.  Silas didn't care so much :)

We got a mini pool which Silas loves but not as much as he loves eating grass.

So we moved the pool party inside!

Shopping with Ba-ba

Let me out Daddy!

Passed out!

Sneaky Silas

My eye Dr. was telling me yesterday to enjoy the moments because they go by so fast.  He also told me that Mom's are the best.  Better than Dad.  Maybe in general this might be true but obviously Dad's are good too.  He told me how his wife thought their kid was getting sick and then 2 days later he was.  Silas the other week seemed sick so Nick took him in.  Well 3 days later I took him in and he had an ear infection.  I do think Mom's sometimes know more.  I mean, the baby was connected to us - physically.  Everything I drank, ate, and breathed, so did Silas.  There's a bond there.  And Mom's are supposed to worry, be dramatic, and follow their intuition.  The other week Silas began standing and now pulling himself up.  I suggested to Nick we put the mattress down more.  So we waited a few days and one day we watched Silas on the monitor, pull himself up.  After that Nick dropped it and now I don't worry.  But as one worry goes away another one occurs.  I get a little anxiety when I have to get him in and out of his crib.  I know it sounds ridiculous but it's how I feel.  The out is not so bad but putting him down while trying not to wake him is impossible for me to do.  So I put a stool in his room for me!  Nick took the picture below this morning.  It's a little dark but you can see Silas standing and my stool on the floor.  How do other short people do this? 

Golf weather

This week is definitely golf weather.  It's not even supposed to be in the 70's which is kinda weird since we're into June already.  Summer should be here.  I should be getting my little Silas ready to go swimming for the first time not trying to figure out if I need to wear a jacket.  Honestly, I like this weather unless we're trying to do water sports.  Otherwise I'm completely ok not putting on shorts or tank tops, at least until next year.  I'm finally at the point where I would like to loose some of this baby weight.  Or all of it and plus some.  I'm working out again at work which is nice.  It makes my day go faster, I spend less money on food, but I do miss my sister.  I miss working out with her.  Going to lunch with her.  Going on breaks.  Meeting downstairs for water or on 7 to exchange some gossip.  I hope I can work with her again. So beyond working out at work, after work, Nick and I have been going for walks and hikes.  Plus there's Silas who we're always chasing around.  Just getting him in and out of the bathtub is a workout.  He is beginning to really get around now.  He is a super crawler and can walk around holding furniture or our hands.  It's been really cool seeing him transition and grow.  This past weekend we went to a birthday party for our friend's 3 year old.  It's nice to have friends that have kids.  So when Silas eats grass and pukes it's not a big deal.  Nobody stares or judges.  Or like when I forget to pack a nipple for his bottle.  The other weekend I couldn't believe I forgot the most important thing.  Luckily my friend had an extra bottle!  Now that Silas is starting to resemble a small human being, I'm starting to also feel like a human being again.  Even though I might have drool on my shirt or boogers smeared on my pants, I can still golf!  Nick and I were able to get out on Sunday and it was awesome.  It was a little chilly but again, I'm ok with that.  This weekend we're planning on going up north.  I'm pretty pumped to go up there.  I'm excited to take Silas on the boat.  I'm also hoping that his grandparent's can watch him while Nick and I sneak off to the casino!