Another twist in the plot, makes me feel like a wanted woman.

So Jan stopped by the house today (my boss at the hotel). Seems she is working on getting me a raise. She attempted to talk to the head honchos into giving me an assistant manager position (that position doesn't actually exist right now they'd have to make it for me) and they said NO. But then after some begging, negotiating and ball grabbing, they worked out this plan: Tharaldson has what they call a STEP program. This is where they train people to be Hotel managers. It is a salary position and I'd be making enough to very much consider it. So... here is why I like working at the hotel...

With this new position I'd only be on the desk about 3 times a week, the rest would be doing other more "manager" like things. Perhaps even working from home some days.

I love my coworkers.

Days go by very very fast most of the time because there is always SOMETHING going on.

I get to be on my feet, and not stuck on my butt in a chair staring at the computer screen.

When I say "I'm a people person" I actually MEAN it. I may not LIKE it all the time, but I'm good with working with the general public. Well, at least I think i'm good at it.

I'd be done with work by 3pm most days. Which is nice because then it feels like you still have most of your day left.

I'm good at my job, and doing this STEP program will help me be better and I'll learn more, which I didn't even know I wanted to do until now.

I like being one of the people "in charge" I like people asking me questons, I like telling people what to do (even though I really don't that often) and taking the OTHER job would mean I'd have to start from ground zero. I'd have bosses.

Theres a million other things too. Deep down I think I've made up my mind. I want to stay working at the hotel. I know its not what I pictured myself doing when I'm 25, but then again, I guess I never really had a "picture" of anything when I'm 25 in my head. I know I'm not making millions at the hotel. But I like working there a lot. And you gotta do what makes you happy, right? As for the whole degree thing... I didn't take those classes to get a degree in Graphic Design, I took them to get a degree in photography. I think if this job had anything to do with photogrpahy- then I would leave the hotel in a heart beat. But I dont' know if I'd like sitting in front of a computer all day, filling in templates with predetermained graphics. I'm going to call them now, and turn down the interview.

I would have gone to the interview, if Jan hadn't come by and offered me this Manager training position. I'll be making more money at the hotel now, and thats hard to argue with, but part of me still wonders if I'd be any good at that graphics job. If I sucked and hated that job, I'd really be screwed, then I'd hate my job and not be able to go back to the hotel.

Idol Mania and other LIfe altering decisions

Putting the baby talk on hold... its that time of year again folks... its AMERICAN IDOL TIME!!!! Tonight was the season premere (2 hour special). They were in Minneapolis, MN. and wow, there was no talent there. 17 people advanced to Hollywood. 17 out of 10,000. But it was still fun to watch. Tomorrow we get to watch tryouts in Seattle.

And so the Idol Mania starts again for the next 4 months. I'll try not to bog down my blog with Idol and Aiden. (can't promise the Aiden part though).
I'm disappointed that Taylor Hicks isn't as big as he could have been, but I'm happy to see that Chris Daughtry moved on to big things, I love his new song, and hope that his band gets bigger.

Oh, and a call out of the blue today knocked me off my toes. We were leaving for Aidens doctors appointment today and my phone rang. I usually don't answer restricted numbers, but I was feeling lucky, so I did anyway. It was Acme Electric (Tool Crib). You know the place I applied for A YEAR AGO for the graphic designer position??!! Welll, they want to interview me again! A year later. They kept my application for a year. Who does that?

I told her basically that I don't know if I want to interview right now, I asked if I could think about it and call her tomorrow. I told her I'm on maternity leave from my other job, and that this is so out of the blue that I'd have to consider even applying again.

Now, If I was a smart girl, which I think I am, I could use this opportunity to get a raise at my current job. But since I work for a bunch of tight wads who crunch numbers to a half a penny, I dont' know if it is even worth bringing up. But if I interview and actually GET this job, that would be awesome too. I'm sure I'd be making more than peanuts, and I wouldn't mind the extra 2 hours of sleep in the morning. It doesn't hurt to interview I guess. But if they were to offer me the position, then what? I love my job, I wasn't even thinking of leaving. But my job at the hotel is hardly a career (especially since getting a raise is like pulling all your teeth out with a dull edge of a ice skate, like in Castaway) and this job would at least make me feel like I went to school for SOMETHING. But I'm so rusty with the software, is it even worh my time going in there, I may make myself look real stupid because I honestly don't remember most of the stuff I learned on those programs.... nothing I couldn't re-learn I guess.

ARG!! I don't know what to DOOOOO!!!

Uh oh... baby is awake... parenthood calls.

A Late Congrats to Em and the new member of her family.

In all my baby excitment, I've forgotten to mention that Em had her second boy on December 27th. His name is Jordan James. Jordan and Aiden are only 5 days apart! So congrats Em and Jeremy! I cant wait to meet him!

This is their second son, Kruz turned 3 on December 30th. Wow 2 birthdays right near Christmas... you seriously gotta plan the next one a little better, Em!

Excited about dinner. 

Grandma and Aiden 

Deep in thought... HMMMM.... 

That pacifier makes his head look even smaller :) 

Adjusting.

Its been really great having my mom here this week to help me adjust to having Aiden home. What a lucky daughter I am! Kevin had to go back to work Monday, so I've been TRYING to take care of Aiden's needs at night by myself but it can be a little difficult (yeah yeah, I'm preaching to the choir, I know)

But I can't complain- I have an angel for a son. He doesn't cry much at all, even when he's hungry he just kind of pouts. But when he does scream... Whoa, he SCREAMS. But that never lasts very long either. The only part I'm really not understanding, is how he can eat and then not sleep for HOURS. just be wide awake either screaming because of a tummy ache, or looking around. But what kid doesn't fall asleep after eating?

I'm lucky though, I've been getting a good 3-4 hours of sleep before he wakes up again to eat... then I'll get another 2-3 hours before he wakes up again. I've had to wake Kevin up though because I'm still trying to master the whole process.

When we first brought him home, I was the stereotypical first time mom, maybe even a little worse. I was super anxious about everything... making sure he was breathing every 15 minutes, making sure he was eating enough (which is still hard to get) and not wanting anyone to touch him, I struggled with diapers, and dressing him... but now, only 4 days later, I'm a diaper changing pro... with the few exeptions of getting peed on... he IS a boy afterall, and you don't always see it coming!

But thats my update for now. Time to go do something productive.

getting ready to come home in the hospital. Last meal before Jail Break! 

Yup, his eyes are open wide all the time. He knew that he would be getting his picture taken A LOT so he came prepared. 

What big eyes you have!  

Daddy kisses 

Smartest 2 week old EVER! Holding his own bottle :) 

Look at our BEAUTIFUL Aiden!

Here's the link to Altu Hospital's Nursery webpage. He just got his picture taken today!
I forgot to mention that he was "bitten" by the "stork" so he has a funny lookin' upside down triangle mark on his forhead. They tell me it'll go away... I think its actually from when they put the IV in his head. He looks like he is smiling in this picture too! One eye is starting to look a little goopy... good thing he has a doctors apointment on Monday!

FINALLY AIDEN IS HOME!!

Yup, we got to bring him home today! It is great. The only thing is that now I have major anxiety because for the past two weeks he's had nurses all over him every 3 hours, and now its just us. The ride home went well, he slept the whole way. We got home, he ate some and then threw it up which scared me, I think he just ate too fast... but anyone have any ideas on how to slow him down when he eats?


I have many many "new mommy" quesions, and I think when I gather them in my head, I'll post them here and then you mommies can give me all your opinions, cause I want to hear all of them. I know many of you breast fed... I have many questions for you guys but maybe It would be better to discuss that over the phone so everyone doesn't have to hear all about everyone's breastfeeding habits (as interesting as that is!)

The past couple of days have been CRAZY! So I apologize if I haven't contacted anyone for a while. I'm sure you understand. Heres the low down. Wednesday, they took him off all of his tubes and sensors and he was a normal baby. And then they said "okay now you're going to leave the NICU and go to Pediatrics where you will have Aiden in the room with you at all times and you will be in charge of his every need... and GO. No warning, no instructons, just "here's your baby, keep him alive and you'll get to go home"

So we went to Pediatrics. Aiden was on a pretty good schedule of Sleep 3 hours, eat, be awake for a while, and repeat. But the nights were long (especially when a nurse had to come in constantly to check his vitals and check him over and over and over.) But We have decided to make it easier on all of us and instead of me breastfeeding, I'll pump and we can both bottle feed. That way we can take turns at night and sleep too.

If I can get my baby back from Karissa's death grip... or is it Love grip. Doug and Karissa were our first visitors with Aiden at home and he must like Karissa lots because he fell asleep for her.


I'm sure I'll have plenty of pictures to come...but for tonight and tomorrow its going to be busy with getting to understand his little signs and needs and wants.

Kevin has to go back to work Monday already. THat scares the crap out of me, but I hope my mom can come stay for a couple of days to help out.


I better go, I'm blogging while Karissa is trying to steal my baby.