a new job and another move for the romney family

Surprise, we're moving again! Short story: Chris got a new job and we are moving closer so that he won't have to commute. Long story: read on!

Last summer I mentioned that "we didn't know what was going to happen" once Chris' internship ended in August but that we hoped to stay in the Bay Area. Well, August came and went and I never mentioned anything about his position at Pixar. So here's what happened. Up until three days before the last day of his internship, we didn't know if he would get to stay on at Pixar or not. So Chris looked for other jobs, applied to various places, and we crossed our fingers that things would work out. Needless to say, it was a very stressful couple of weeks leading up to the end of his internship.

Miraculously, a spot opened up in his department and a temporary position was created for Chris. With a baby on the way, this was an incredible blessing. We didn't have to move and we could still have our baby at the birth center. His new contract with Pixar only extended until December but we hoped that by then a permanent position would become available. Chris networked, applied to, and interviewed with different companies so that we would have a solid Plan B (and C, D, and E...) in case Pixar couldn't make him an offer. Emi has already been to New York since one company flew Chris out for an interview and we tagged along!

Well, the end of December arrived and Chris' contract ended. Despite his supervisors wanting to keep him on the team, the company couldn't offer him anything because no permanent positions were available. So Chris said good-bye to Pixar and we headed to my parents' for Christmas not knowing if and/or when Chris would get any offers after the holidays. A couple weeks ago our prayers were answered and Chris' hard work and patience were rewarded by receiving an offer to be a designer at Apple! They wanted him to start right away so he starts on Monday!

We are very, very grateful for this job and feel extremely lucky at how everything lined up the way it did. For me, it's especially rewarding to see Chris so excited about this job. After finally feeling settled in such a wonderful place though, I am a little sad to move. I'm grateful we get to stay in the Bay Area (we're only moving an hour and a half south) but it takes time to establish friendships and we had just reached that point where we'd made good friends (aka game night friends). Plus, I was sad to leave the little apartment we brought Emi home to. The excitement and gratitude outweigh these sad feelings but I still want to acknowledge them.

Thank you everyone at Pixar! Even though they couldn't keep him on, everyone was supportive and encouraging while Chris job hunted. A major thank you to our family and friends who prayed that things would work out. And from me, thank you to Chris for being such a hardworking provider for our little family. I love staying at home with Emi and it wouldn't be possible without him.

Cheers to our new adventure! 2018 is off to a big start!

On being Emi's mama

Last night when I was giving Emi a bath, it finally sunk in--- I don't have a newborn anymore. I felt so many things at once. Sad because she's not my tiny baby anymore, but happy that she's healthy. Happy because she smiles and sleeps better at night, but sad that the time with her as a newborn is gone forever. It sounds dramatic I know, but they're real feelings.

When I was pregnant I read a lot of material to help prepare myself for the birth process but I'm not sure if anything could have prepared me for all of the new emotions. I'm still trying to understand how I can feel such opposite feelings so strongly at the same time. Like the other night when I went to see a movie with some girlfriends. I knew I needed a break but didn't feel like I should go. I worried about Emi even though I knew she would be with her dad and I actually felt guilty for wanting a break. Chris convinced me to go so I left a bottle and headed out. It felt so good to be out of the house on my own. The time away was so refreshing and it was fun to talk to other women. I tried not to think too much about baby girl but I kind of missed her. Even though I was gone just a couple of hours, I was so happy to kiss those chubby cheeks when I got home. It's an odd feeling, wanting a break but also missing your little person while on that break.

Being a parent is sometimes a funny thing, but I really, really love being Emi's mama. She's made the transition into parenthood a pretty smooth one and I'm so grateful for it. She brings a sweet feeling into our home and we love that she's a part of our family. And even though she doesn't listen when I tell her to stay little forever, she's still cute so I let it go ;)

2017 // Our big year

This year turned out to be a really big year for our family. Obviously, a lot happens in a year but this one in particular seemed especially full. At the start of a new year, I've been reflecting on all that happened in 2017 and I'm filled with so much gratitude. It was an amazing year and I couldn't be happier. I decided to write a bit of what happened each month with a few pictures so here you go!

January

I finished all of my classes in December so for the first time ever, I did not go back to school after Christmas! It was like an extended Christmas break and it was great. Chris went back to school after being gone for a semester and started the daily grind of classes, homework, and work. It was snowy and cold in Utah but Chris decided to explore his options as a photographer. He started doing photoshoots for friends and family and I usually tagged along.

February

In February I found out we were going to have a baby! I was 98% sure we were pregnant but seeing those little lines made it real (well, more real. I don't think it sunk in for a while)! I got my first "adult" job at the BYU library as an assistant for the social sciences department. Chris continued to grow his talents and he shot his first wedding video!

March

I got to take pictures for my best friend when she had her third baby and that was a special experience. We went canyoneering in southern Utah. Chris and I heard the strong heartbeat of our baby and decided to aim for having our baby at a birth center. We bought our tickets to Iceland and started planning our trip.

April

My parents flew to Utah for my graduation ceremony and we spent the weekend celebrating. I learned that my dad likes bowling when he dominated all of us haha. We found out that Chris got another internship at Pixar and we had lots of game nights with our friends!

May

Somehow this month ended up being extremely busy with traveling. My little brother got married so we drove to Las Vegas and spent a few days there. We went on a road trip with my older brother's family to the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Monument Valley. We flew to Washington for the wedding celebration for my side of the family. And then, Iceland! 

June

We announced our pregnancy to everyone and felt so supported by all the love. I quit my job, we packed up our apartment, and then moved to California. Chris started his internship and I got to explore our new city! 

July

We celebrated the 4th of July with some college friends. My mom came for a visit and got to see our new apartment, city, and birth center. We explored our city some more and continued to get ready for Emi to arrive!

August

We took a quick trip to Utah to visit family and our childbirth education class started. After a couple stressful weeks, we found out that we would get to stay and that Chris could continue to work at Pixar!

September

I bought a few more baby things and made some freezer meals and basically finished our baby prep. We explored Berkeley and downtown San Francisco with friends. Our childbirth class wrapped up and we got excited as our classmates started having babies! We found out our new neighbor friends like games as well so we had a few game nights with them before Emi came.

October

My mom came into town to help us with the new baby. We went to a pumpkin patch, celebrated my birthday, and ate the best Thai food I've ever had. We had our first baby and we became a family of three. After Emi's arrival, I mostly watched fall go by through our bedroom window. My mom left after three weeks and Chris' mom came for a week to help. Chris and I watched the entire Star Wars series together before he went back to work.

November

My high school best friend came for a visit. We went on our first family outing to the outdoor mall. Emi and I starting figuring out our daily routine together. We flew to Utah for Thanksgiving and Emi got to meet so many relatives! We also flew to New York for a few days for an interview. 

December

We participated in our church's Light the World campaign and had many wonderful experiences. We decorated our apartment, wore Christmas jammies, and listened to lots of Christmas music. We traveled to Washington for Christmas and Emi got to meet even more family. There was lots of good food, laughter, and games. We got to celebrate two weddings and we rang in the new year playing board games. 

Thank you 2017 for being the year that you were. There were so many changes but I would not have it any other way. It was hard but incredibly happy at the same time. Looking forward to what 2018 has in store for us!