Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from the Haus of Kendi!

Cutest little scarecrow ever!

From the "What Was I Thinking?" File

Don't start plumbing projects after 8:00 pm. It doesn't end well. Just leave it until tomorrow. Unless there is water spraying everywhere.

Our kitchen sink has been problematic lately. I thought I fixed the drain a couple of weeks ago when I pulled the measuring spoon out of the drain. But it's been plugging up again and I'm out of drain cleaner. I needed to finish some dishes tonight, so I ran down to the basement to grab my snake. I thought, "this should be quick and easy."  Wrong. The snake got caught and I couldn't pull it back out. Only option was to take the trap apart to figure out the problem.

The technical aspect of this was pretty easy. Unfortunately my bucket wasn't big enough to catch all the water/sludge that came out when I took the trap off. Do you know how bad rotting food smells after it's been fermenting in the plumbing for who knows how long?

So I cleaned up the mess, got the trap cleared out, and freed the snake. Done right? Nope. Put everything back together and ran the water to check for leaks. And there it was…water filling the sink again. In a moment of brilliance I thought I'd try the snake again. It's currently lodged in the drain and I'm in bed. I'll try again tomorrow.

The Bear Den #5

It's been a while since the last update.  Gunnar is full on into two years old.  Some days he's the sweetest little chatter box you will ever meet.  Other days he's a tiny tyrant.  But every day he is a little boy.  I have to stop referring to him as a baby because he is not that anymore.  He's become more responsible around the house.  He is expected to help clean up his toys and put his hat, coat and shoes away when he comes home from school.  He even helps with the grown up chores, like sweeping, every now and then.

Papa made him a "tower" for his birthday which helps him reach the level of the kitchen counters. He likes being up there when Kevin and I are in the kitchen making dinner. Gunnar will help get ingredients from the pantry and fridge for his favorite meal, PB&J.  He will pick out a plate and when his meal is ready, he climbs into his highchair all by himself. He's also turned his tower into a mini jungle gym.  

Gunnar talks ALL the time now.  He is way ahead of his class on vocabulary.  He can be sassy and incredibly sweet.  He also gets an attitude and he can be a smartass sometimes. But he has good manners so we're going in the right direction.  Plus, he's quite charming and he knows it.  It makes it very difficult to be mad at him when he flashes his cute little smile. He also loves to sing.  At bedtime we sing Baby Beluga, Watermelons (Down by the Bay) and Ants (The Ants Go Marching).  In the tub it's Row, Row, Row Your Boat and The More We Get Together.  When Dada is taking him to school, there is always a rendition of The Wheels on the Bus.    

There are also high fives, fist bumps, hugs, blowing kisses, raspberries and tickles.  He says goodbye to all his teachers and friends by name.  But we need to work on just Mommy and Dada disciplining the dogs and he still hits when he gets really mad.  We read books every night and watch our favorite cartoons which include Bubble Guppies, Sofia the First, Clifford, Chugginton and Thomas and Friends.  We've settled into a routine and I think it's helping all of us a great deal.

We are very slowly and surely getting settled into our new home.  Gunnar's room and play room are the spaces the most complete.  Then the dining room.  I'm trying to decide on how I want to decorate the master bedroom but it is so hard because I like so many looks.  We were getting a lot done during the summer when Kevin worked 4-10s.  But he is back to his school schedule so a lot of the work has slowed down.  Aaaaaannnnddd....Kevin started classes for his PhD!!  It has been quite an adjustment but we've got the hang of it now.  So, hopefully, in 4-5 years, we will have a doctor in the house.  :)

That's all for now!

Cheers!

Home Sweet Home

Last month, we bought a house.  It was a long process of getting to that large table in the title office and signing all those papers.  To be honest, I wasn't that excited.  I loved the house we picked, don't get me wrong.  I had just gotten to the point of thinking it was never going to be mine. 

Well, it is.  And it's amazing.  It's the first place that is MINE.  And Kevin's too.  Lol.  But I own a house!  Hol. y. Crap.  I still can't believe it.  We dove right into painting it.  I knew a few colors right away.  I'd love to get Gunnar's room all finished before he sees the house. I'd love to open the door to his new, finished room and see him run around it and check everything out.  I know that he's going to take this transition hard.  He's used to seeing his grandparents regularly and he has his friends at school.  I hope he gets over it quickly since he will have his own space finally.  

I have always wondered what having complete control over where I live would feel like.  So far, it feels amazing.  

Cheers!  

At the closing.  Got the keys!!

The Bear Den #4

A lot of changes in the den.  First, Gunnar is full on walking!  It is the cutest thing I've seen so far.  He toddles around with is arms out for balance.  He been climbing the steps for a while now but now he goes up to the top without stopping.  He holds my hand as we walk around the house.  He just loves going from one end of the room to the other.  He also waves bye-bye.  Every morning when I leave I say "bye-bye" and he smiles and waves at me.  I can't stand it!

Next big news, Kevin got a job!  His days of being a SAHD are over. While I'm sure he's happy to be working again, I know that he's going to miss being able to snuggle with Gunnar any time he wants.  Now, everyone in the house is going to be fighting over Gunnar when we all get home from work.  It should be interesting.  With Kevin going back to work, it means that Gunnar will be going into daycare.  We are lucky to have a nice daycare located less than five minutes from the house.  My friend's son already goes there and says nice things about it.   I'm sure it's a great facility, I just have your typical mommy anxiety about handing over my child to someone else.  I believe that daycare is good for kids.  It teaches social skills and survival in a way a parent can't teach their kids.  I was a daycare kid and I have always been proud of that.  I think it taught me how to be independent, think on my feet, make friends and be confident.  To this day, I have no problem going on adventures and meeting new people.   I make friends fast at new jobs and I truly enjoy learning about different people.  I hope that Gunnar will get all of those things from being in daycare as well.

Kevin and I have also started thinking about where we would like to live permanently.  This is the scariest thing I think I have done yet.  We know that we want to stay in MI.  But where?  I work in Ann Arbor and Kevin will be working in Jackson.  All our family and friends are in Metro Detroit. And how do you pick a good school system?  Will it change before Gunnar even starts school?  Do we live in the country or stay close to a city?  How long will it take to get food, clothes, health care? Is it safe?  Are there other children around to play with?  Is there a church near by?  How far is too far to live from work?  Ugh.  The questions are endless.  It's the most expensive purchase of your life.  How do you really know you made the right choice?  I mean, you are going to have to commit to a place for a few years.  A lot can change in a few years...

Being an adult is hard.  While I'm excited about this next chapter in our lives, it is still overwhelming and scary.  I hope that the universe sends us a house that will fit all the things we need.  We just have to be patient.

Cheers

Peace Out, A-Town! (for good this time...)

I'm really late with this post, so just pretend it's August...

We're moving!!  I got a job in Port St Lucie, FL.  Going back to HIV research, where it all started for me.  I'm very excited/ nervous/ scared, you name it.  It was not an easy decision for the Kendi Haus.  Yes, we desperately wanted to leave GA and yes, I desperately wanted a new job, but moves when you're married are difficult.  Kevin didn't have anything lined up work wise and moving to a different state is expensive.  Plus, whenever I get a new science job, they want you to start yesterday.  So, cue the frantic search for a new place to live.  A house, with a fenced yard, that takes two big dogs.  Oh, and you have one weekend to find it and sign a lease.  GO!

Kevin ended up going by himself to look the weekend before I needed to move down to FL.  He got a little discouraged the first day but the second went a lot better.  He picked a small house for us 10 minutes from my job.  It will require us to seriously downsize, but that's ok because we had too much stuff anyway.  :)

Now the frantic packing and logistics start.  I'll be sure to fill you all in on the (disastrous) move later.

Cheers!  And here's to fresh starts!

Back from cruising PSL in the Fiat rental