What's up with the "M"s

I am finally have a calm moment after a few months of traveling. We spent a month in California in March. My boys got really spoiled by my parents. Mattie thinks it's normal to ask for one candy a day or sometimes a candy a meal. I have to correct that thinking when we got back to Toronto. The boys loved San Diego -- Mattie still remembers the fish from Sea Life, Bob the Builder from Legoland and Bosco from Uncle J. Micah loved all the FOOD. He enjoyed every meal and can't wait for all the food to be served. He finally got his second set of teeth two days after we returned from California.

After we got back, we took a trip to Buffalo and Pearl River, NY. For the first part of the trip, I had my second interview with U of B. It was weird because they asked me the same questions and it seemed like they would make an offer in early June for a July 1 start date. I am not sure if they are truly slow or if their first candidate rejected them.

After my interview, we went apartment and house hunting. We had no luck for 3 days... the apartments were either too rundown, in bad neighborhood, no parking, or really old bathrooms. We were very discouraged. We almost signed a 2 bedroom, Ok apartment out of desperation, but my inner instinct told me we would not be happy if we did. Luckily, we found a realtor through past fellows in Peter's program. We called him before we left Buffalo telling him what kind of housing we would like and would like to line something up on our return from Pearl River.

Then we set off to my friends' wedding. It was beautiful day and the wedding went perfectly overlooking a golf course. My boys had a blast on the dance floor flirting with all the girls. They were not shy trying to show off their game. Mattie's newest trick is to stand on one leg. For whatever reason, he feels that makes him very funny. Then I had a great time catching up with my friends after the wedding. Thanks to my wonderful hubby who took care of the boys for the night.

On our return to Toronto, we spent another night in Buffalo and checked out some properties. Unfortunately, the realtor was a bust, but we found a house we really liked from craigslist. It's a 2 bedroom house with an attic and basement for storage. It is owner occupied so everything is in great shape. They plan to leave their furniture, but we could move anything we do not want or need to the attick or basement. Now I am trying to get all the cute things to set up my new home. I am starting with the boys' room and playroom. I found a craft table and chalkboard and bookcase set from Pottery Barn Kids for less than $200 and got some cute curtains for the boys' room (all I need is to hem one panel to the same length as the other because they were on clearance so can't really choose the lengths)

So for now, we are just busy packing away things and trying to get things ready for our new home.

On the Move

Once again, we are planning to move. I feel we spend all our "free" time planning and executing moving instead of vacationing or relaxing like normal people. It makes me wonder if some people are just programmed to be stable or genetics. I moved a lot during college, so I always assumed I would settle down after --- especially so I can save up and travel and do all the things I did not have money for as a student. Then somehow along the way I met someone that refuse to settle down. So now I wonder maybe it's me --- maybe genetically I am not meant to settle so I end up marrying someone who doesn't like to settle down.

I never did get to travel like I thought I would. I never went past the North American border. Instead of travel books I only look up cities to find schools/daycare, safe neighborhoods, housing, etc. We never got to experience the pubs or fine dining. Maybe one day I will drink again and just experience the cities through wine. Although, I would definitely need a new partner for that ... I have yet to meet another Asian that can hold their alcohol better than me. I don't even know why I stop drinking.. maybe it's a Salt Lake influence or because men stop buying me drinks :(

Walking

Micah finally walked! He took his first steps about a month ago, but he is walking steadier and steadier ever since. Now he is trying to run after Mattie -- and when we are not looking he is climbing up something. Once he is up, he likes to applaud for himself.



He also likes to ride around his fire engine. His latest trick is to move the fire engine to under the bookcase and stand on the fire engine to grab books and toys. I am not sure that he wants to read the books, rather than the challenge of being a daredevil.



But the best part of him turning one is that.. Micah is sleeping through the night. He would go down around 8 and wake up around 4:30 and then sleep til 8. It's great to have some free time even if I am trapped in my room.

Life or lack thereof

The last few weeks have been full of ups and downs for our little family. We are struggling to decide what to do next year -- or with the rest of our lives. Peter is choosing between another fellowship opportunity and a private practice job. I am debating what to do with my life -- job in academia, industry, or government. Really all depending where I move to, however, it seems like jobs are scarce during this economic times. It really made us re-evaluate our lives. Family vs. career. Unfortunately, for us, they are not mutually exclusive. If anything, they are vital to our happiness in life.

Although, we like to believe family trumps all. But the reality is, our happiness is multi-faceted. After few weeks of discussion, we both feel blessed to have our beautiful babies and family, but we realized that we both need a career to be complete - despite how cute and perfect our boys are.

Happy Birthday Micah!

Micah just turned 10 months old this week. Unfortunately, we found out today he has double ear infection -- which explains why he is so grumpy and waking up every hour at night. He also took his first step with his walker by himself. He was very happy and Mattie feels he is "helping" the baby.



We also went to see Santa's parade on Sunday. Mattie was very excited, but he was all confused when Santa didn't talk to him personally and he didn't give him any presents. I guess the whole parade idea doesn't make sense to a two year old.

First wedding

Mattie was the ring bearer for the first time over the weekend. He was so good. Here are some funny moments:
1. When asked, who is Aunt Jackie going to marry? Mattie replied, "who?" and I said, "Uncle RJ" Mattie's reply was "How silly!"
2. When the boys went out for pre wedding drinks, Mattie said, "where are the boys?"
3. Mattie went back up the aisle to find the bride.

Crazy week

Peter has been working like a dog the past week so the house has been going crazy. It all started last Thursday. Over the weekend, the weather was bad so we had playdates and visitors. Mattie was NOT very generous with his guest and his friend bit him which ended the playdate. Needless to say, we will not have her over again. Then Monday night, Mattie started having a fever and a crazy cough. Next thing you know, he is puking and having diarrhea. He pretty much stopped eating since then too. Now I am going crazy by being cooped up in the house with a sick child and just no help. The laundary is piling up from all the puking and spitting. Baby is trying to be good, but he loves to crawl into the kitchen and the bathroom. The more I tell him no, he thinks it's funnier. He would turn around and laugh when I say "No, no in the kitchen." then next thing you know he would crawl faster. I don't know how other doctor's wives do it, but I can't imagine having more kids running around.