One more thing we can check off our list. Now we pray steadfastly for the right people to find our Grand Rapids home! Here's a picture of our new place.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Our Future Home
Last weekend, our family made a quick - but busy - trip to Pittsburgh. Eric and I toured several houses that we could potentially rent while he completes his program at Pitt, while my mom graciously watched Emily so we could better concentrate on the pros and cons of all the houses we visited. Our goals were to find a house that a) is close to Oakland, the part of downtown where Eric will commute for the majority of his classwork, b) is somewhat close to my parents, so that they can more easily help with childcare we can see them more often and c) provides enough space (both inside and out) that we can live as a family of four without losing our sanity. We toured several homes, some new and shiny and others older and rundown. In all, I was surprised at the poor condition that some renters kept their residences. I hope our renters like to clean! Maybe that should be part of our application. When you spill juice on the floor, do you a) clean it right away with the appropriate cleaner, b) wipe a paper towel over it or c) pretend that you can't see it and maybe it will go away? Anyway, we found a house that met our criteria in Bellevue, a neighborhood just to the North of the city of Pittsburgh. It is a fairly nice walkable neighborhood for walks and runs, and we got a lot of house for our money (3 BR, 2 Bath). There is a great fenced in backyard, and the previous renters are even leaving us their swingset. Score!
One more thing we can check off our list. Now we pray steadfastly for the right people to find our Grand Rapids home! Here's a picture of our new place.
One more thing we can check off our list. Now we pray steadfastly for the right people to find our Grand Rapids home! Here's a picture of our new place.
Monday, October 4, 2010
The Count is On!
My life right now in numbers:
44 - Days until Baby Plantinga #2 is due to arrive.
68 - Days until we are planning to move to Pittsburgh.
90 - Days until Emily turns 3 whole years old.
3 - Number of classes I have left to teach this fall.
12 - Days of work I have left (my last day is 11/5/2010, but I only work part-time).
2 - Number of tours that our current favorites to rent our house have been on. Our fingers are crossed. Please cross yours too.
7 - Number of houses that our on our list to tour and possibly rent in Pittsburgh.
1,050 - the estimate of the moving truck company to get our 4 BR house moved to Pittsburgh.
2-3 - Days that the company estimates it will take to get all of our stuff driven to Pittsburgh.
91 - Days until Eric begins his Masters in Anesthesia Program at the University of Pittsburgh.
0 - What our income (from jobs, not loans/grants/etc.) will be for the first part of 2011. Are we crazy?!
1 - Number of times I almost had a panic attack this morning after making this list.
44 - Days until Baby Plantinga #2 is due to arrive.
68 - Days until we are planning to move to Pittsburgh.
90 - Days until Emily turns 3 whole years old.
3 - Number of classes I have left to teach this fall.
12 - Days of work I have left (my last day is 11/5/2010, but I only work part-time).
2 - Number of tours that our current favorites to rent our house have been on. Our fingers are crossed. Please cross yours too.
7 - Number of houses that our on our list to tour and possibly rent in Pittsburgh.
1,050 - the estimate of the moving truck company to get our 4 BR house moved to Pittsburgh.
2-3 - Days that the company estimates it will take to get all of our stuff driven to Pittsburgh.
91 - Days until Eric begins his Masters in Anesthesia Program at the University of Pittsburgh.
0 - What our income (from jobs, not loans/grants/etc.) will be for the first part of 2011. Are we crazy?!
1 - Number of times I almost had a panic attack this morning after making this list.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Look at Me Mommy!
Emily yelled "Look at Me Mommy!" - and this is what I found.
Emily continues to be a source of joy to us, especially in the midst of such a busy time in our lives. She both makes me laugh and want to pull my hair out about a hundred times each day. She is talking like crazy, and singing all the time. Most times whatever song she has in her head turns into Jingle Bells, so I think she'll enjoy Christmas this year. She has pretty much given up her nap completely, but will happily read books for about an hour in her crib every day, which has been a huge sanity saver. I'm a big fan of daily quiet time, and I'm not sure how easy this will be to enforce once she moves into a "big girl bed", but for now it's a good part of our daily routine. Emily has been mostly potty trained for a couple of months now, but was showing a bit of regression, so we instituted the M&M reward policy every time she initiates going to the potty and has dry underwear. Wouldn't you know we haven't had a single accident since we started that?! She really must be her mother's daughter!
I am continuing to feel good during this pregnancy, though I am feeling quite large now, and will be ready to have my stomach (or tummily, as Emily calls it) return to a normal size soon. I am struggling to have enough energy to get through everything on my long, daily to do list, and at the end of each day feel like I've run a marathon, but so far God is giving me the strength that I need to carry on!
Eric and I are also anticipating a move to Pittsburgh in the middle of December so that he can begin his masters program in anesthesia at Pitt in January. He's excited for a new challenge, but we'd appreciate thoughts and prayers during our upcoming transitions. Moving with a newborn and a toddler will certainly prove to be a challenge, as will finding the right people to rent our home, and finding the right home to rent in Pittsburgh, but we are taking one day at a time and trying to trust God with the rest.
Emily continues to be a source of joy to us, especially in the midst of such a busy time in our lives. She both makes me laugh and want to pull my hair out about a hundred times each day. She is talking like crazy, and singing all the time. Most times whatever song she has in her head turns into Jingle Bells, so I think she'll enjoy Christmas this year. She has pretty much given up her nap completely, but will happily read books for about an hour in her crib every day, which has been a huge sanity saver. I'm a big fan of daily quiet time, and I'm not sure how easy this will be to enforce once she moves into a "big girl bed", but for now it's a good part of our daily routine. Emily has been mostly potty trained for a couple of months now, but was showing a bit of regression, so we instituted the M&M reward policy every time she initiates going to the potty and has dry underwear. Wouldn't you know we haven't had a single accident since we started that?! She really must be her mother's daughter!
I am continuing to feel good during this pregnancy, though I am feeling quite large now, and will be ready to have my stomach (or tummily, as Emily calls it) return to a normal size soon. I am struggling to have enough energy to get through everything on my long, daily to do list, and at the end of each day feel like I've run a marathon, but so far God is giving me the strength that I need to carry on!
Eric and I are also anticipating a move to Pittsburgh in the middle of December so that he can begin his masters program in anesthesia at Pitt in January. He's excited for a new challenge, but we'd appreciate thoughts and prayers during our upcoming transitions. Moving with a newborn and a toddler will certainly prove to be a challenge, as will finding the right people to rent our home, and finding the right home to rent in Pittsburgh, but we are taking one day at a time and trying to trust God with the rest.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Top Chef
Our apologies for not blogging very faithfully. We've been rather busy, and while I don't expect that to let up anytime soon, I want to keep documenting our adventures as a family. Lately Emily has been very happy to help me in the kitchen. She loves cooking and baking, and an added benefit is that we've discovered she's much more likely to eat what we eat for dinner (as opposed to say, another peanut butter and jelly sandwich) if she has a hand in making it. Sunday night we made a spinach, onion, and cheese quiche, and she quickly ate her piece with excitement at dinnertime. She has also discovered the great tradition of licking the utensils after you're done, and here she is getting a head start on the banana bread dishes while I was putting some of the ingredients away.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Bathroom Etiquette
Today I'm at home with Emily and just witnessed what may be the first step towards reconciliation in a decades-long debate between the sexes.
Me: Emily, I'm going to the potty, please play with your toys.
Emily: What, why?
Me: because Daddy has to go potty
Emily: Oh, OK. Wait!
[Emily runs into the bathroom and puts the toilet seat up]
Emily: There, now you go potty, OK?
Me: Wow, thanks Emily!
Apparently all that potty training time in the bathroom has taught her more than just where the pee pee goes.
Me: Emily, I'm going to the potty, please play with your toys.
Emily: What, why?
Me: because Daddy has to go potty
Emily: Oh, OK. Wait!
[Emily runs into the bathroom and puts the toilet seat up]
Emily: There, now you go potty, OK?
Me: Wow, thanks Emily!
Apparently all that potty training time in the bathroom has taught her more than just where the pee pee goes.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Elsa and Isaac Tie the Knot
This post is a little late, but we've been so busy since arriving back from PA almost two weeks ago! On July 24th, we had the honor of watching as my little sister, Elsa, and her long-time boyfriend, Isaac, tied the knot. This was Emily's second gig as flower girl, and she did a fantastic job. The wedding coordinator at the church said she's one of the best behaved girls she's ever had. Clearly she missed the tantrums that accompanied the obedient behavior, but overall, Emily did great! Thanks again to grandma Evonne for tagging along this weekend and watching Emily; it allowed the rest of us to really enjoy the weekend and cherish our family time together!
I also had the privilege of being the matron of honor, and making a toast at the reception. Here's part of the toast I gave to the happy couple:
In many ways, Elsa and Isaac are pretty similar. For example, they both have a flair for the dramatic, which can lead to some entertaining arguments. In other ways, though, they are exactly what the other needs. Isaac, I've never seen anyone that can make Elsa laugh and smile like you can. And Elsa, Isaac's affection for you is obvious, even in those moments when he seems to be utterly exasperated by you. Isaac, as you already know, Elsa is sensitive, caring, faithful, and extremely generous with her time and her love. I know that she'll always be there for you, and that in return, you will honor, respect, and love her right back. Please raise your glasses with me to the happy couple!
Congratulations Elsa and Isaac! We're so happy for you!
I also had the privilege of being the matron of honor, and making a toast at the reception. Here's part of the toast I gave to the happy couple:
In many ways, Elsa and Isaac are pretty similar. For example, they both have a flair for the dramatic, which can lead to some entertaining arguments. In other ways, though, they are exactly what the other needs. Isaac, I've never seen anyone that can make Elsa laugh and smile like you can. And Elsa, Isaac's affection for you is obvious, even in those moments when he seems to be utterly exasperated by you. Isaac, as you already know, Elsa is sensitive, caring, faithful, and extremely generous with her time and her love. I know that she'll always be there for you, and that in return, you will honor, respect, and love her right back. Please raise your glasses with me to the happy couple!
Congratulations Elsa and Isaac! We're so happy for you!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Emily Reads About Jesus
Tonight when I arrived home from work I walked into the middle of a book reading session, led by Emily. Emily was reading books that were (supposedly) about Jesus. After finishing the first book about Jesus (aka Elmo sticker book), she moved on to this Berenstain Bears book.
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/13897417]
In case you didn't catch that line near the end, Emily says "I have go potty about Jesus!". Although I couldn't stop laughing while listening to Emily read, I am nonetheless excited that she already seems to grasp the central message of the gospel: (A) Jesus loves you, and (B) we should announce this to everyone in a loud voice.
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/13897417]
In case you didn't catch that line near the end, Emily says "I have go potty about Jesus!". Although I couldn't stop laughing while listening to Emily read, I am nonetheless excited that she already seems to grasp the central message of the gospel: (A) Jesus loves you, and (B) we should announce this to everyone in a loud voice.
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