1.26.2018
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!
1.22.2018
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 ;)
1.03.2018
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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!
12.22.2017
happy two years, my love

I'm currently sitting in your cubicle with you, watching you work while our baby sleeps in the stroller next to us. It's sad to think that we just shared lunch at Pixar for what could possibly be the last time, but I'm overflowing with pride. Our second year of marriage has brought a lot of change and you have handled it like a champion. We finished school, got jobs, moved to a different state, changed jobs, and had a baby. It was almost as if life handed us a bunch of major life events this year and said "Here ya go!" There was a lot of uncertainty, incredible joy, adventure, and growth. But most of all, there was a lot of love.
There have been so many moments this past year when I thought my heart wouldn't be able to handle all of the love I was feeling, but somehow it did. Your reaction when you read that you were going to become a daddy, you surprising me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers after my graduation and seeing the pride on your face, seeing the majestic Glymur waterfall together, having your help through every painful contraction, watching Emi recognize your voice just moments after she was born when you sang to her, and seeing the way you work so hard to provide for our family...these are the moments. The moments that remind me of why I married you and the love that we share. It's been a big year for our family and I know we could not have done it without each other. Thank you for always loving me, Chris. Love you more than you'll ever know.
Love,
Your wife
12.13.2017
One day I'll have a real Christmas tree!
The last week when we were walking to the bank, we saw Christmas trees for sale! We already have a little plastic tree but I wanted to smell that delicious green smell so Chris agreed to walk through it with me. The Christmas spirit definitely started to feel real as I got giddy seeing all the wreaths and trees! Having a little person that's never experienced Christmas before makes everything so much more exciting, even if it is just a quick walk through cut trees ;)
Growing up my family always had a real Christmas tree so it feels odd for me to not have one in my own home. When I told Chris we should get at least a little one, he reminded me that we still go to our parents' house for the holidays and that it would be depressing to come home to a dried out tree...so we passed and just took a few pictures instead :)
^^Her face haha!
11.20.2017
5 things about my 5 week old
1. I love it so much when you open your eyes wide and make your mouth a little "o."
2. You make little roaring and growling noises so often that sometimes we call you our little dinosaur.
3. You don't like baths in the kitchen sink but you looove taking them in the big bath tub.
4. The first thing people comment on is your hair. It just keeps getting longer and fluffier!
5. In a few days you'll get to experience Thanksgiving! But for the first time, I'm excited about something more than the food and it's that you get to meet more family!
Happy Thanksgiving week everyone!
11.13.2017
Party of three
Welcome to our family Emi Romney!
Emi was born on October 14th, 2017 (a week after her due date!) weighing an even 8 pounds and measuring 19.5 inches. Labor and delivery was long and difficult so we were extra relieved when she was born safely. This mama was so happy to see her and her arm rolls, chubby cheeks, and head of hair were all a great bonus. Chris and I both felt like we were going to have a girl from day one so we were happy when we saw that "Baby" was a girl! I'm not sure if we'll wait to find out the gender for every baby but the second we found out was one of my favorite moments. It was so fun and definitely worth the patience :)
Recovery took longer than I expected but I'm finally feeling better. Thankfully, we had a lot of help. I'm positive I could not have done this past month by myself so I am very, very grateful for all of the extra hands. My mom came for a few weeks, Chris' mom for a week, and then a friend for a few days. Plus, Chris got to be home for three weeks (bless you, paternity leave) which was an absolute miracle! Everyone has left/gone back to work now so things feel quiet but Emi and I are slowly figuring out a rhythm. We mostly stay at home in comfy clothes cuddling, but we've gone out on a few family outings. We even went out to eat the other night! Emi stayed in her carseat, covered and asleep the entire time but I'm sure she enjoyed it ;)
Emi is the most content baby. She sleeps a lot (comes with the age, I know) and is happy to just hang out when she's awake. She makes many different kinds of noises but rarely cries, and if she does, it's right before she burps or passes gas. Sleeping at night is getting better but it's never been bad. She is the best baby for us and we feel like she's made our transition to parenthood a pretty smooth one. Obviously, we're only a month in and we still know next to nothing haha but we are happy to be parents. Plus we're pretty in love with her. We feel so so blessed to have her in our family and even though I've already cried because she's getting bigger, we're excited for this new journey as a family of three!
^^Despite the face, I'm confident she loves me back ;)
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