We're moving in a few weeks - end of March. We've talked about moving for probably over a year, and things just sort of fell into place. We close on the new place at the end of March, which ironically is almost seven years to the day since we first moved into our current (and first) house. I'll be sure to post pictures of the new place in the future, but for now have uploaded these pictures to the blog for memories' sake.
Although our new house will be bigger, nicer, have a bigger yard, allow us access to parks and other things, closer to school, and closer to work, I'm having a hard time leaving this place. This was the first house we ever owned, the house we brought both kids back from the hospital to, the house with many first and many memories. I also put my heart and soul into this house, spending a lot of time over the past seven years making it a place for us to live. I will probably never do, or be able to do, quite as much to one place as I did here. I think no matter where we go, this house will always be special to me since it was our first.
At least we aren't selling the house. We're going to rent it out...probably starting May 1st. At least that way I'll still own it, be able to work on it, and see the inside for a while until we've made enough new memories at the new house. In many ways this move will be bittersweet for me, even if it's the right decision for the family.
This weekend I took Julia up to the cabin and Breckenridge for some Daddy - daughter time. I needed to get away and Julia wanted some time alone with me. She definitely likes having one of us to herself. I've been watching a lot of Olympic skiing, so it inspired me to get on skis for the first time in probably twelve years.
We drove up to the cabin in my truck after work on Friday. The next morning we slept in and then took off for Breckenridge about nine in the morning. Everything went fine on the drive up. We decided to eat lunch in the lodge before renting our skis and heading outside. We skied from about noon to four, taking periodic breaks for the bathroom, snacks, and renting a sled.
Julia had a great time. She was in good spirits most of the day, but got tired towards the end and wanted to be pulled in the sled. I figured Nordic skiing would be a good place to start, since the terrain can be pretty flat, the skis light and loose, and the weather in the trees much nicer that on the mountain. She fell down a lot in the beginning, mostly backwards. However, towards the end of the day she started to figure it out and did really well as long as we were walking. Hills and turns will come later.
I had a great time and am thinking about the possibility of making this an outdoor winter hobby. I haven't done anything during the winter in years. It's great exercise and fun. At the end of the day I pulled Julia past Troll Forest, and down and around two "blacks" called Uff Da and Shock Hill. There are a couple of huge hills that were fun for Julia and me. The uphills on the route tired me out, especially because I had to pull Julia up them.
Afterwards Julia warmed up with a hot chocolate and a free s'more. On the ride home I tried to explain to Julia that 45 minutes left was like counting to 60, 45 times. Off she went. She counted to 60 about 35 times (the entire ride back), but stopped only because we reached the dirt road off the highway. The dirt road means she can take her seat belt off and stick her head out the window.
I have a great video of skiing too. Since videos take up a separate post and don't print out, I may start just providing the link instead.
Julia skiing video:
http://youtu.be/2fzJlwO9brw
Julia and Jonathan in their new gloves and hat, Jonathan relaxing and rocking his new boots at the metabolic clinic, Julia getting ready for her first dance class, and the kindergarten enrichment program letter we received from Julia's school.
This week we had two appointments for Jonathan. One was in Denver with another motility doctor, and, the other one, in town with a metabolic disorder clinic. The appointment in Denver didn't result in much, other than confirming that he's not showing any major signs that make the doctors think it's worth doing more invasive testing. We also talked about the idea of an intensive, two week feeding clinic back east as an option. The metabolic clinic was good, although the doctor doesn't expect much to show up on any tests. We'll still run several tests just to make sure. At this point we don't know much more other than he doesn't want to eat.
Julia signed up for a dance and ballet class that a few of her classmate friends already attend. On Wednesdays she will get picked up by Emma and Evie's mom after school and go to class. Eventually there will be a recital or two where we'll get more pictures and videos. She said that the first class was a lot of fun and had no problems going without us since she already had a few friends there.
On Friday we received Julia's report card. She is meeting or exceeding pretty much all of the standards. She had already been placed in an advanced reading group, but this next semester is also going to be participating in the enrichment program. Her teacher nominated her as a participant. It's kind of like the precursor to the talented and gifted program that starts in the third grade. Occasionally, she'll get pulled out her current class for "additional learning opportunities". She already knows what she needs to know for kindergarten, so this will keep her mind progressing and learning. This is another confirmation that she's in a good school and that she has a bright future ahead of her. It's no surprise to us.
