I have to share some of my recent favorite photos.  Holden is a photogenic lad and a loving little guy—-and I think these qualities are conveyed in most of the pictures that are taken of him.  I guess I am getting sort of nostalgic as he is getting a bit older and he is turning into a little boy—I feel like I must capture him when engaged in even the most mundane of activities.

H admiring his mama (I LOVE this one):

H dancing to the new Junior Boys (we have a video of his dancing that we still need to upload):

H LOVES animals.  He loves fish, puppies, kitties, and more exotic animals that he has only seen in books.  I can’t wait to take him to the zoo.  We have an aquarium just a 5-minute walk from the house and we plan on taking a trip there next week.  He follows our cat from room to room and torments the poor rabbit in her cage.  And even at Oma’s, Holden couldn’t contain his excitement when in close proximity to a kitty:

Rob took this awesome photo of H looking rather contemplative.  I love it:

Much has happened in a little over a week.  Last week I found out what I had already suspected—namely, that I wouldn’t be invited for an interview for that job after all.  I am not disappointed.  The search committee was looking for someone “more general” which to me, means “less focused.”  They also cited the economy as a factor in their decision, although I hardly see how that matters.  I am not disappointed though; I don’t want to work at a place where people have such horrible communication skills and where such indecisiveness is a sure sign of poor leadership.  In the meantime, I had been offered a teaching slot for Spring 2010 at my former employer, which is actually a huge deal as the university has already laid off  (or is not renewing the contracts of) ~170 lecturers.  I am lucky.  This teaching job is not glamorous and not well-paid, and it’s not permanent, but it is a job.  In this economy, I will be willing to consider things I may not have otherwise considered.  I really can’t be picky.  So the deal is that I will teach a course next spring, and starting this May I will go back to the lab 2 days/week until I am able to get my own grant funded and can pay myself a regular salary.  It’s a nice way to ease myself back into work and to get our family acclimated to this new arrangement.  It will take some adjustments for all of us, and I am just so thankful for the time I have been able to spend with Holden. 

Because we will be in the area for another 2-3 years, we decided we can’t really stand to be in our current condo any more.  The noise, managing the association, constant battles over parking, being unable to move our car when someone is blocking our driveway, coupled with the reality that our place is just way too small for a little family of three, has driven us to the conclusion that buying up is the only way out.  Luckily for us, the Vermont housing market is still going strong.  We put our house on the market 2 days ago, and have had 2 showings already, with at least one buyer who is seriously interested in making an offer.  That potential buyer isn’t sure yet, because our place may be too small for him/her.  But once they see what else is on the market in this price range, they may have a change of heart.  Initially we contacted the downstairs owner to see if he would be interested in buying from us.  He was very interested, but he wanted us to practically give our place away to him (he wanted to offer about $35K less than what we’re asking).  The fact that he lost so much money in the plummeting stock market really pulls at my heart strings, let me tell you (note the sarcasm).  It simply reaffirms my disdain for the rich.  

So, we are looking to live just outside of town, near a bus line so we can get into work easily as we want to remain a one-car household.  We are looking for a small neighborhood—nothing fancy, just a basic place that is quiet at night and has more space than what we currently have.  Oh, and a dishwasher.  If I have to wash one more breast pump part or bottle by hand I’m going to hang myself:)

Last weekend we celebrated Easter in Maine.  Rob and I had a date night at Walter’s, where we enjoyed some amazing food.  Our table was set in one of the front windows overlooking the shops and restaurants in the Old Port below.  It was lovely.  If you’re in Portland and you want a fabulous meal, definitely check it out.  It was a special time for Rob and I as it was our first time out just the two of us in over four months.  It was long overdue!  Holden had a wonderful time with the grandrents while we were out enjoying ourselves for a couple hours.  The following day was Easter, and Holden got to have his first chocolate bunny.  He ate the ears first:

and started clapping when he was finished eating:

He was very proud of himself and the mess he made:

All in all, it was a rejuvenating weekend that allowed us to relax, catch up with each other, and figure out the next step in our lives.  Some doors have closed to us, but other, better ones have opened.  The irony of all of this is that the outcome with my job situation would have been the same HAD I DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.  I applied for 8 jobs.  Had I not done that, I’d still be going back to work at the same place.  It’s funny how life can be sometimes—well, funny may not be the best word for it.  Maddening, frustrating, and anxiety-provoking may be better ways to describe it; at any rate, I’m pretty sure there is a lesson here.  As my father has always said, “When things get crazy, just stand still and let all the madness go right by you….”

ETA:  Today is my Dad’s birthday….big birthday wishes from VT to my awesome dad!!!