Katherine's Evolving Work Life

You may remember that I just took a new job over the summer. Well... things have changed again! My former boss (who recruited me from Cherokee) left PB earlier this fall after an abrupt change in the company's strategic direction. After a strange in-between time, I reached a happy agreement with PB under which I remain on in an as-needed, part-time capacity. My first project under this new arrangement is the first annual Sustainability Report for PB's Americas division.

This is an excellent outcome. I enjoy this type of report writing and production (which I also did for Cherokee), and it helps to build my resume as I take on other clients. So I'm currently operating as an independent consultant, having fun designing my logo (thanks Kris!) and website.

As part of this change, we have enrolled Bax into a morning preschool and let our nanny go. We miss Gaby but are enjoying this new routine very much.

Baxter News (22 months)

Baxter is having a grand old time this fall (click here for recent photo album). His language is developing rapidly, aided by the long stories we tell him at meal times to get him to stay still and eat. His favorite stories involve a "moo-cow" named Munchkin (name courtesy of me). Farms, farm animals and all forms of transportation are his preferred themes. Even better is all these in combination, for example: "Munchkin the moo-cow rides a train to the farm."

We're in the Halloween spirit around here, aided by a recent visit from Mimi. We conveniently inherited a cow costume which he debuted yesterday at a neighborhood party. Mimi brought Bax a small bear dressed up as a pumpkin, and now "Halloween Bear" is his favorite playmate. (As of this writing, Halloween Bear is out of commission, needing a wash/dry cycle after a swim in the toilet. Yuck).

Bax finds words hilarious. Current funny things: "walnut," "pop the top off," "pull the weeds," and "peel it." See previous post (below) for more on the "peel it" situation, along with video proof.

The Bax has also just discovered several other stuffed animals who, it seems, will be playing a large roll in our lives. At breakfast this morning several bears, a green creature, and a few toy trucks kept him company in an adjacent chair (where Daddy normally sits).

Finally, we have decided that it is time for his first haircut, which we plan to attempt ourselves. Here is a picture of the curls pre-cut. We'll let you know how it goes.

"Peel It" Video

Our latest Baxter video is all about his favorite phrase: "peel it." This originated from a recipe I made involving pumpkin that, yes, needed to be peeled. He has been laughing about "peel it" for weeks now. Click here to see the video for yourself.

Santa Fe Trip: Henderson Gathering

In late August we journeyed to beautiful Santa Fe to vacation with Barron's family. To Baxter, they are "Opa" (Halton), Aunt Nat, Uncle Kyle and Uncle Carter. Santa Fe has particular significance for the Hendersons. Halton spent time here every year during his youth, and his children visited Santa Fe often with him (and on their own) while growing up. Click here for photo highlights.

We rented a lovely house near downtown with room for all to stay. Baxter loved seeing his family, and especially the newest member: Wilder (Natalie and Kyle's puppy). The trip included visits to see longtime family friends Ford and Robert, places from Halton's past including the Bishop's Lodge, and favorite curiosity stores including Doodlet's and Jackalope. We were there during the largest Native American Indian Market, a huge event that takes over downtown Santa Fe.

And as another treat, we spent a morning at the home of one of Katherine's best friends, Kate Kita, and her fiance Trent. Baxter loved their garden, and happily picked and composted aged tomatoes under Kate's direction.

Bax at 19 months

Surprise: He has curly blond hair!
Biggest accomplishment: Using the potty! (every now and then)
Sweetest thing he says: "Happy Mommy" and "Happy Daddy" (when he is glad that you are home)
Current obsession: All things with a motor ("mo-mo") and anything vaguely reminiscent of a train ("choo-choo")
Favorite animal: Woof-woof, tied with meow-meow.
Best friends: Justin and Connor.
Favorite foods: Most any fruit, rice cakes, frozen peas, popsicles
Favorite silly words: "Shooties!" "Pipiopi" ("Pee-pe-yoh-pee"), "Okey-dokey"

Summertime

We are having a lovely summer. It was even better before this current heat wave, but thankfully we haven't melted yet. The summer began with some local adventures including strawberry picking. The Bax ate AT LEAST his weight in strawberries. Click here for a few early summer pics.

Recent adventures have included a beach trip with our friends Rona and Justin Spitzer (who Baxter collectively calls "Babbies"). And we have been doing Sunday night grill-outs with the Spitzers and Nolan-Krugers, who all live in our neighborhood. Both families have toddlers around Baxter's age and they are all in the same playgroup. We love our neighborhood (and our friends)! And we go to the pool. As much as possible. Especially since Baxter fell in love with the splash park/baby pool. He runs around in the water dancing and screeching. Click here for more mid-summer pictures.

New England Trip... 5 year anniversary

I had an entire month off (!) between jobs (for info on my new job, see "moving on" post below). Bax and I partied around town and spent a glorious 10 days in New England seeing family and friends, including Bax's godparents Molly and Julian and his great grandparents Gran and Gramps. During this trip, Baxter officially fell in love with my mother, Mimi. Grampy's not too bad either, especially since he drives a boat. Actually Bax had a wonderful time with everyone--just check out the pictures.

Barron joined us in New Hampshire for the last half of the trip, and we scooted away for two whole days and nights to celebrate our five-year wedding anniversary! We went back to the Eagle Mountain House where we got married and had a lovely, romantic time.