Transition Time

So, a few things have happened since my last post.

First, we are expecting a third little munchkin. We were completely shocked and surprised at this news ourselves, as no one really thinks to themselves, 'Hey, I know! While we're job searching and selling our house and moving temporarily to our parents' house, let's get pregnant while we're at it because if you're going to change up your life, you might as well go all the way!' Yet, being 36 and 43 years old, we probably knew that it was now or never and a sibling for Ani and Reni may just be the best thing ever.  The horrid nausea and exhaustion to the point of feeling drugged, however, leaves much to be desired, and made packing and planning and moving all the more fun. (I may have thrown up on the plane while taking the kids on our one-way flight to Wisconsin, and Anika may now be convinced that she must seek out the puke bags on every subsequent flight and announce, loudly, 'Here, mama, in case you get sick!')

We are no longer owners and residents of Waverly Drive. In fact, we are saying adios to the southwest entirely and have set up temporary camp with the Schultz grandparents while we search for a home and try to decide between settling in the Fox River Valley or the Milwaukee area. We did tour Chicago a bit, and we decided that it was better for the kids to grow up in a smaller city, as they have been LOVING the ample green and space and dirt and animals that is the Schultz farm. It has been absolutely priceless to be close to our extended family, especially given all that's gone on health-wise with the grandparents and Aunt Becca over the past few years, and we are treasuring every moment. (We can only hope we're not driving the rest of them nuts).

After all that planning and moving and all-day/all-night morning sickness, we decided that we all deserved a relaxing vacation at the beach. So, we took a week in Aruba and attempted some R&R with our four year-old and almost three year-old. (No big surprise: not so much lounging in the sun as chasing them down the beach and going mildly insane with the screeching and fighting and overall craziness that is the unique mix of energy and insanity our kids seem to possess). The water was like a turquoise bathtub, however, and the sand was absolutely gorgeously white and soft and perfect, and we enjoyed fresh seafood and fresh fruit and the smell of sea salt in the air.

Now we're back, and we're trying to be helpful around the farm as Armando interviews and we begin the home search once again. The kids are excited and mostly adjusting well. Ani is enrolled in a summer ballet and tap class, and we have them both in preschool three mornings a week, which is quite possibly the BEST. THING. EVER. Ani actually requested that she NAP at school -- that's how much they love the place.