Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

The biggest change our family is expecting is a new member (on the outside) within the next month. That's a change we've been eagerly awaiting and will certainly turn our house upside down as we all adjust.

Taking maternity photos at Elizabeth Gamble Gardens - March 25, 2021

Along with that are some other major changes - some expected and some not so much.

The Return of Air Travel?

With vaccination rates going up and (hopefully) COVID-19 cases going down, we've started planning air travel later in 2021. After vaccination dose one for Chris and Elizabeth, we started talking about what it would take to feel comfortable getting on an airplane. It was a weird conversation after a year of not considering air travel at all. 

Vaccinated, Part One!

Turns out, we are optimistic enough that we booked some flights for late in the summer. Fingers crossed! We're also starting to sort out a flight or two to SoCal. Flying with three beasties is going to be... interesting. Especially since Everett and Imogen haven't been on a plane since January 2020. Entertaining them and avoiding motion sickness will be almost brand new as they've changed so much since then.

Long-term Photographer Moving

When Elizabeth was about 5 months along, we reached out to our photographer about maternity and newborn photos. Turns out, she was in the process of moving to Utah to be closer to family (and also expecting!). While we are happy for her and her family, we are sad for us. Abby has been our photographer since she took Oberon's newborn photos - both at the hospital and at our home. Since then, she's taken Everett's maternity and newborn photos, Imogen's maternity and newborn photos, and annual(ish) family photos. 

Our first photo shoot with Abby - December 9, 2014

She's familiar with our story, because she was there. We knew she wouldn't be weird about the Molly Bear or a photo of Oberon or any other symbolic things we wanted to do. We didn't have to worry about telling the story to someone new. 

We were able to make maternity photos work by having her photograph us while in town to get a moving truck and the last of her belongings out of the Bay Area. Newborn photos though... we'll have to go with someone new.

Everyone loves taking pictures with Ms. Abby - March 25, 2021

Preschool

Our original plan was for Imogen to stay in day care until she turned 4 - just like Everett. Instead, she's transitioning to preschool on March 31. Due to unexpected circumstances, our day care provider had to close down. It was jarring to get that news as we'd been dropping off one or both of them at Siha's since May 2016. 

Day Care Drop Off - March 13, 2017

Day Care Pick Up - March 30, 2021

On one hand - we've been so very lucky to have such an amazing care provider. On the other hand - now we have to find care for Imogen right away AND start searching for Itsy Bitsy's eventual day care. Fortunately, we already have a relationship with the preschool Everett attended and they had room to enroll Imogen right away. She's excited for the new adventure and we're all holding our breath for this new adjustment at the same time she takes on the role of big sister.

Work-Life-Pandemic Balance

For awhile, the remote work situation seemed to have no end date. Elizabeth started getting used to the idea that Chris might be working, but would still be around for an emergency "hold this baby while I shower/pump/scream for a minute." As time goes on, this scenario seems less and less likely. 
Elizabeth was very house-bound with Everett in the newborn phase. There was construction outside the condo with dust everywhere and it wasn't safe to go for walks or hang out outside. Plus, she was learning how to manage nursing, naps, diapers, all the things.

With Imogen, it was much easier because of the prior experience and being able to get out of the house every day - at least for a walk but often for grocery runs and the like. 

It's unclear what things will look like when Itsy Bitsy is on the outside. Will it be walks around the block and nothing else? Will Mom dates be a thing again? Will going back to work after parental leave mean remote or an office? Both? So many open questions.

Babymoon!

Almost forgot to mention, we had an AMAZING trip to Yosemite at the beginning of the month. It was so needed and so amazing to take a break from being in the same house - at the same dining room table - for months and months. Plus, the kids got to play in the snow!

Do you want to build a snowman? - February 27, 2021

Yosemite Falls - February 28, 2021

How are we doing with it all?

So far we seem OK. There are moments of anxiety - sometimes tears - but for the most part we are able to take a deep breath and keep on keepin' on. Once Itsy Bitsy gets here, we expect a lot of that to lessen. The biggest and scariest uncertainty is her getting out safe and healthy. The rest can be managed.

Tree pose with the trees