Watch him grow

9 Months old - no teeth, bootie scooting but not crawling, 20 lbs 1 oz, 28 3/4 in. tall
10 Months Old - 2 teeth, crawling, standing against something (if we put him there)

11 Months old - 4 teeth, crawling at high speed, pulling up on anything that stands still long enough, 22 lb, 14 oz

Home in time for the national news

I started my new job today. After orientation I spent most of my day reading, learning the policies behind my new position. I used to be a legal assistant specializing in bringing employees into the US to work for corporations. I now work for one of those corporations, assisting in bring those employees in the Americas (start at Canada and go all the way down). I will handle not only liaising with the immigration attorneys (my old firm, how cool is that?), but also the tax accountants, relocation companies, and working directly with the employees to manage their expectations of their transfers.

The commute is a dream after the hour+ I spent getting to downtown and the 1 1/2 I spent getting home. It took me 45 minutes to get home today - that included a trip to Kroger to pick up some missing groceries!

Homework buddies

This was just too cute for words when it happened back in September. Kathryn had a ton of homework and decided to do it in the dining room. Laney had "homework" - a tracing sheet to help her draw curves for letters. And of course, she had to go do it at the dining table with Sissy!

Homecoming

Ah, Homecoming. An excuse to spend money on ribbons and trinkets and jingle in the hallway at school.

Kat had (in order of the picture): a garter for her best bud (yep, girls are wearing them now), a mum made by me, and a double mum from her date. We nicknamed the last one "Mega Mum".

The garter Kat made for her date.Here's her homecoming dress - yep, that's the old house - it was also her prom dress. I forgot to take pictures without her date for the blog.

Halloween

We spent Halloween afternoon at the pumpkin patch run by a local horseback club (they specialize in horse therapy, it's super cool)

Laney got a pony ride and Alex got his picture take on the pony

My punkins with the pumpkins

Here's Kat's costume - she spent the afternoon working a church Trunk or Treat with a friend

Laney, Alex and my friend Enis' dog, Peter all dressed & ready to Trick or Treat

Dear Chris,

And anyone else who is still paying attention. I am alive. We're all doing well.

I have pictures of Alex turning 9 months & 10 months old and updates on his progress.

I have pictures of Kat & Elena doing homework together.

I have pictures of homecoming mums, a trip to the zoo & halloween costumes (Alex = Monkey, Elena = Belle, Kat = Kairi from Kingdom Hearts)

I also have a 10 month old, a 4 year old, a 16 year old and a lot of excuses for not turning on my lap top at night.

And for one more day I have my current job.

Yup, after 7 years, I gave notice 2 weeks ago. I will start my new job in week. I am excited. I am nervous. I am sad. I love my co-workers. I love my job. But I have been offered a position 14 miles closer to my house that is sort of a promotion (I am changing fields to a certain degree) with a raise and good benefits.

And hopefully I will post some of those above mentioned photos during my week off.

Heather

First day of school

The junior
The pre-k'er

Our girls

The school asked the pre-k kids to have a backpack large enough to keep their nap stuff in it. We got her a new one and it's nearly as big as she is! It was particularly full on the first day since she had all of her supplies in it too. She gets to leave those at school day to day.

So far after nearly 2 weeks pre-K & junior year are going well