Some good news

For those that don't know, I took a 3 WEEK maternity leave after having Aiden. A week before Aiden was born (2 weeks before my due date) our CFO left the company which was a huge deal as we are a small, family owned business and the CFO had been with the company for about 20 years. Needless to say, that put me in a poor position of first impressions. I had one week with the new CFO before going into labor. So, that was the set up of a short maternity leave. Until Aiden was about 5 months, we would only have a babysitter for half days when Nathan was working but after 5 months, I was back to a full schedule at work. Thinks have been SO busy since then. I never would have thought that with Nathan working 10 days a month (some of which fall on weekends) that we would be so stressed with me working full time. We don't have too many friends and family nearby that are available to babysit either.

Anyways, to get to the point, Nathan and I have been talking for some time about our future family goals (another baby, medic school, etc) to where we decided that I needed to reduce my hours at work. Seeing as my position should be done by two people (about a 60 hour work week if my job were to be done at 100%), I figure there would be NO way to go part time. I have been looking for some time but would be losing quite a bit by leaving. I have been at my current job for over 2 years, so I would lose vacation, pay, as well as benefits and seniority. Plus, I enjoy the people I work with and would be sad to leave.

We finally decided that asking wouldn't hurt. After a very scary conversation with my boss, it was decided that in about a month I will be a PART TIME employee!!!!!!! I have not been so excited! I know that this will be for the best for our family and give me the open door for new opportunities in the company as well as in my personal life. I guess my commitment to my job (including the non-existant maternity leave) has finally paid off. =-) I cannot wait to be home with my family more!!!

Cruising

Well, we officially have ourselves a cruiser. Aiden is now all over the house! Our once nervous little boy that would not venture beyond the area rug in the living room has been pulling himself up on the dining room chairs, criusing the couches, and even crawling down the hall to find you. So far, he has made out with minimal falls and tears. We are now working on sitting down from a standing position. This seems to be an issue at nap/bed time mostly. He can get up but not down so he will cry for help, but then cry when you leave him after laying him back down. I know it will soon pass, but this has been a very draining week for me! I still look at him and see my little baby, but he is such a big kid now! I think I am in denial...this week was the first time he got a bath in the tub without his ducky LOL!! He sits up all by himself and is always happy to be in the water =) He now stands by the tub while it is filling up and bounces with the biggest smile on his face because it is BATH TIME! Too cute!

With the way things are going, by my next update he will be walking...oh, that is a scary word!

Back to reality...

Well, it's back to reality in the Kunasek house. After a hectic holiday and wonderful vacation to San Diego, we are back to beautiful Eugene and our insanely busy life. We couldn't have asked for more perfect weather during our vacation either! Except for a rainy Christmas Day, we had sunny warm days (a much enjoyed change). We were able to visit with everyone (well, mostly everyone) at least once and were happy to be able to enjoy a couple days of fun activities as well. We spent a day at Sea World with my mom and Danny and a day on Aunt Cher's boat in Long Beach. Both days were beautiful and SO fun!!!

I am telling you though...we brought back a different baby from San Diego!! He is now cruising and pulling up on everything! He thinks he can walk already and luckily, so far, has avoided any serious bumps or bruises. We had a wonderful Christmas and are so grateful we were able to see all of our family this year.

Now, it's back to work, school, teaching and, of course, the RAIN! We are definately looking forward to Aiden's first birthday which is rapidly approching. It will be such a great day but also so sad to think that our little man is growing up so quick. And there will be fewer and fewer times to get priceless photo's like these =)

More teeth...

When Aiden got his first couple of teeth, he didn't seem to be phased by it and I was very excited that he was getting teeth...now, 6 teeth in, I am looking forward to when ALL his teeth are in!! Aiden just broke his 6th tooth over the weekend. He now has 3 bottom (middle and one on the right) and 3 top teeth (middle and one on the left). His top middle teeth took a long time to break the gums, so I am happy that the last one has finally broke through. He isn't so bad, he is just very needy. With so much going on this last week in preperation for Christmas, it has been tiring to have an uncomfortable baby. But, we are on the upside now! (Well, at least until the next tooth makes it's decent LOL)

Here are a few pictures of Aiden's first haircut!!

The 1st cut!

He kept trying to grab the comb

And a couple of Aiden pulling himself up to get into his toys...

He is clearly very proud of himself =) Well, I should get some work done...3 more days then San Diego!! YAY!

Christmas already???

There has been lots of excitement around the house lately. With snow, Christmas and a trip to San Diego on Christmas Day (I know, we are crazy to fly on Christmas!) we have been quite the busy bunch. Luckily, since the weather restricts most from wanting to take time off in the winter, Nathan has been home much more then usual. And, we are so lucky to get to have both Thanksgiving AND Christmas with Nathan for Aiden's first holidays seeing as most holidays he is working.

Aiden has learned how to pull himself up on things without help. He doesn't have much to choose from so I am glad he was able to master it with what was available. He will hold onto our hands and stand with no help needed. He will also go from holding a hand or shoulder and then move to his jumper or the couch with limited falls. I am so proud of him! =) He is still doing the army crawl which he seems perfectly content with. He will get up on all fours but will plop right back down if he wants to get somewhere.

We also had his first haircut on Friday! He looks like such a big boy all trimmed up!! I will post pictures in the next couple of days. We are looking forward to a busy vacation in San Diego but excited for warm weather! =)

First SNOW!

I look forward to the first snow EVERY year!!!! It must have been the many years in San Diego where snow was non-existant...it's just the most exciting thing! Especially this year as it was Aiden's first snow =) I went to work late just so that I could get him up and take some pictures of him in the snow!!! lol

He wasn't too sure what the cold, wet stuff was but he liked the idea of something new. So, here are some pictures of our house and street on Eugene's first snow day...

Nathan was the only one that had driven on the street that morning to make sure the roads were good for me to drive on. Yesterday, we had some wet weather which made a mess of the roads, but it wasn't too bad for my 1.7 mile drive to work. So, all in all, today was a fun morning for the Kunasek family on Aiden's first snow day!!!!

Almost Christmas!!!!

So, as always, the Kunasek household is a little crazy. I remember when I was pregnant, I swore that it wouldn't be a problem to work full time and have a baby...I am finally ready to admit it...I WAS WRONG! Almost daily I wish that I could be at home being mommy rather than at work stressing myself out. I love my job, but it really sucks in the winter! Plus, Aiden is getting big so fast, I feel guily I am not there with him more often. The other night, Aiden cuddled with me before he fell asleep and I just layed there with him for about a half hour taking in how wonderful the moment was...he is such an adorable little guy!!! Notice the very adorable drool mark on my shirt too! hehehe

So, to update you on our holidays, Thanksgiving was very good. It was the first Thanksgiving with Nathan's brother home (he recently completed his many hard years serving in the Army). We were very happy to have him there. We are getting very excited for Christmas too!! We have our tree up and even lights outside this year! Aiden has been very good at staying out of the tree...except for the occational infatuation with his presents that are under it.

We are looking forward to our trip to California in a couple weeks! I am excited for Aiden to see all of his family for his first x-mas =)

Aiden is trying so hard to pull up on things...he does really well when he holds your hands and will stand very well in his crib while holding on, but isn't quite at the point to get himself all the way up yet. I will admit that I am very eager to see him start cruising around!! It's just so fun to see him grow everyday!!!

Ok, better get back to work...I will update again soon!