The Seattle Hildebrands: November 2010

Well it has been a busy and tumultuous fall for our family here in Seattle. It started with me going back to work full time with Sten being only 8 weeks old. We found a wonderful nanny named Jessica who takes care of the boys during the day. Tristan is now in 2nd grade at the school across from our house. School starts at 8.30 am but is done by 2.30pm. T2 loves to read, goes to lego and chess club and plays soccer (his team is called the black thunders...) on the weekends. Kian stays with baby Sten at home usually either working on his baking (we get lots of cookies) or ABC skills. Sten is a wonderful baby, so happy and content, if he could only sleep more than 2-3 consecutive hours during the night, I would be a better person! Occasionally the boys go together to parks, the aquarium or the beach but it is quite the outing for Jessica to move all by herself this rowdy crew.
Finding a routine that meets every one's need has been the most challenging part of this fall. Chris is involved in some underground skatepark project. Finding the time to invest volunteer work hours is tough when we both work full-time during the week. Weekends are packed with errands, house work and just taking care of the kids. While we get pretty regularly overwhelmed with everyday craziness, both chris and I try to remember that we are living some precious "watching our 3 boys grow" years.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and this year it is taking a bigger meaning than usual. 2 weeks ago Chris' dad, Jack, got diagnosed with cancer. It's sad and not looking good. So everyone is going to be here for the holidays. Nanou, Badgi, Claire and Lauren , and Mark and Eli, all in our little house and I am just very thankful to have that part of my family around me.

Elina

Here are a couple of pics from this fall

1st day of school