Facing My Fears!

This is by far not the most important of blog posts in terms of the catch up that I'm trying to do, but I think it is definitely worth including...

I got a tattoo!

For some, this is no big deal, for me, it is a HUGE accomplishment and milestone of me facing some pretty big fears.

I have been terrified of (some) needles for a very, very long time... almost phobic (my doctor's have actually prescribed me anti-anxiety medications before to assist with the need for blood draws/testing).  Ever since I was a kid, getting a blood draw (or other intrusive needle jabbing)--and sometimes just the THOUGHT of it--was usually accompanied by a fainting spell.  Passing out in doctor's chairs, car passenger seats, my dentists chair, a pre-op hospital bed, health class (yup...), while watching medical shows on TV... it was definitely a "thing".  One of my biggest concerns about ever getting pregnant was the sheer number of pre-natal blood tests and being connected to an IV in the hospital.

Over the years, I have figured out ways to combat my anxiety around this and have discovered different coping mechanisms that help.  But getting in front of a needle is not exactly my idea of a good time (I didn't get my ears pierced until I was 25... AFTER getting my nose pierced as my quarter-century birthday-present-to-me/act of personal rebellion... I figured it was just one hole/needle rather than two! lol).

That being said, I have been thinking about getting a tattoo for YEARS.  In fact, a few months before I made the consultation appointment with the artist I got a Timehop flashback from FOUR YEARS AGO saying something around the lines of "I really want to get a tattoo!" =)  I figured that it was time. 

I'd been thinking about what I wanted for a pretty long time, and had been searching around Yelp/Google/Reviews/etc for artists and shops in the area... but I just hadn't pulled the trigger.  Then, a friend of mine got the name of an artist that she thought would do a good job... and Jacob said that he would finally get "his" tattoo, too!  So, we made it a sort of 5-year wedding anniversary adventure and gave up our tattoo virginities at the same time.  =)

I had a pretty good sense of what I wanted from my tattoo, but needed something designed.  I am very happy with the results!  The image is a floral "timeline".  The first flower, the Morning Glory, is a birth month flower for September (both Jacob and I were born in September), the Sunflower was our wedding flower.  The Sweet Pea ins April's flower (Emily's birth month) and the orange flower, a Cosmos (or could also double as a marigold, is for October, when Sam was born.

Jacob had a friend design his (based on line art that he had already created).  The symbol signifies a childhood nickname.  And also his online gaming persona.  ;)

Overall, I am very happy with the final products.  And am happy to report that I didn't pass out AT ALL!  That is a HUGE win!  It went so well (and didn't hurt nearly as much as I was expecting), that I'm already wondering what my next one will be.  ;)

Our New Normal

There is been a bit of radio silence on this blog recently... mostly it's because life's been nuts (in addition to the general nuttiness of having two small children).  The Corey family has decided to change things up a bit... rather drastically.  

The whole thing started this summer when Jacob was offered, accepted and started a new job in Vancouver, on the other side of the river, in another state, with different taxes.  Jacob started talking about wanting to move as it would effect his take-home income, but my job and our (awesome) child care situation was holding us back.  Then, in August, you may remember my post about not getting a promotion that I really thought I had a high chance of getting... and was really the carrot at the end of the stick in terms of my then-current position.  

I had an epiphany at that point... I was, once again, "stuck" in a position that I didn't really want to do, for less than 1/3 of what Jacob was getting paid for a job that he loves (and would bring home more from if we moved to Vancouver due to the lack of income tax).  I was spending about 3 hours per weekday with my kids, 2 hours of which was stressing everyone out by trying to get them out the door in time for Jacob and I to get to work or trying to get them to bed.  I never had any energy on the weekends, was commuting roughly 1.5-2 hours per day (same for Jacob) between work and shuttling kids to daycare.  It just didn't make sense anymore.  I have always enjoyed my work and really cared about it's mission... which I still do.  But I couldn't make the argument anymore that I was continuing to work for my family and for myself... it wasn't true anymore.

So, in August, we found a house that we loved in Vancouver and put in an offer.  We put our house on the market.  We got an offer in September, and moved in October, the week before Sam's birthday and in November I finished working to stay home, raise my children, and manage our household. 

 This post was going to be about the process of the home purchase/move and our stumbling blocks... that's what I intended to write about when I started.  But the post has taken a different course, and I'm going to allow it to do so.  I'll tell you all more about the move later, but for now let me just tell you how amazing it is not to have wake up a sleepy 3-year old when it's still dark outside (when she REALLY doesn't want to open her eyes), skip breakfast EVERY morning because there just isn't enough time to get everything done, not eat dinner until 7:00/7:30 because I can't actually start cooking until 6:00, spend more than an hour a day listening to my children laugh and play, go to the store on a Tuesday afternoon when there are no lines, take my kids to the library and week day play grounds.  Jacob is loving it, too.  He can sleep/leave a little later in the morning (and in a better mood!), can come home on his lunch breaks to hang out with us, and is home about an hour earlier every night than he has been for the last 3 years... it's only day 4 (and, truth be told, today is my "me/errands day" and they are actually with the sitter while I go grocery shopping and run other errands - while still taking a Starbucks break for some peppermint hot chocolate and blog catch ups) but so far I'm not regretting my decision at all, and believe that we made the best choice for our family.  I am very much looking forward to seeing what our new "normal" is going to be like.  =)

Best Two out of Three

Saw this image on Facebook this evening and felt it was the perfect writing prompt.  =)

I have two full-time jobs (being a mom and working outside the home) and two part-time jobs (unfortunately I think being a wife and taking care of myself fall into this category).  I was not about to take on a third full-time job and try to be a housewife who (somehow) keeps the house running seamlessly as well.  I just don't feel like I can do it without losing myself and giving up any sort of me-time that I can find for self-care. 

Keeping up a house has NEVER been something that appealed to me/that I was any good at.  My mother LOVES to clean.  She'll actually do that as her me-time.  Me?  Nope.  Didn't get that gene AT ALL.  My room as a kid was a mess.  My room as an adult is a mess.  There is just so much more that I'd rather be doing that cleaning the house.

About a year ago Jacob and I made a couple of household-life-change decisions.  The first was that we would hire someone to come in once a month to give our house a nice cleaning.  The second was that we signed up for an online meal planning service.  Both of these decisions have been EXCELLENT.

Now, don't get me wrong, we still clean the house throughout the course of the month between professional visits, we don't live in a pig sty, but that once a month break/deep clean has been great (especially since the cleaner comes when I'm at work so I could home once a month to a spotless house after work and didn't have to lift a finger!).  I feel lucky that this is an expense that we can afford right now.  I doubt we'll be able to keep it up forever, but, for now I'm a happy wife.  =)  (especially when, even days later I run across things that were cleaned unexpectedly... like, for instance, the inside of our kitchen trash can!)

Using a meal planning service has also been amazing.  Before we would shop with no real list (except what we needed for the house), and then it was a constant battle every night after to work to figure out what to cook for dinner.  And we often had the same things over and over again.  And, while Jacob and I are both capable of cooking, I wouldn't say that either of us are particularly creative/adventurous in the kitchen.  In other words, it got a little boring.  Now, we get a weekly shopping list and dinner recipes via e-mail (I signed up for recipes for a family of 4-6 so that I'm sure to have left overs for lunch).  We just have to get to the store (or order from Safeway... we have definitely simplified our life by using that service every now and then, too!), get the things on the list, and then make one of the recipes each night when we get home.  Everything is laid out for us nicely and I don't have to think about a damn thing (except for doing any sort of pre-marinading or crock pot prep work that needs to happen beforehand).  Generally the meals are delicious and include healthy foods that we would not have even known what to do with before.  We've been VERY happy.

If I have to pick the best two out of three of that graphic above, it's going to be happy kids and my sanity every time.  I'm just blessed right now that I have the benefit of making that choice and can afford help in the other area.  I know that others don't have the same luxury, and to those women (and men!) I say "you are amazing."

Camping at the Beach!

The beach is my happy place.  The calm, serenity of the Oregon coast has the power to make all of my stresses just float away.  When I was in high school I used to drive to the high school, sit on the bleachers at the soccer field, close my eyes and listen to the cars go by on the nearby road, pretending that I was listening to the ocean waves.  I used to take day trips with friends to Florence... even when it was raining and so windy that our umbrellas blew inside out... didn't matter.  I just wanted to touch the sand and hear the ocean.  =)

It's no surprise, really, that the beach, specifically the Oregon coast, has become such a part of my life and memories.  I was more than a little excited when I found out that the guy I was dating had parents with a beach house--may or may not have been a factor in my ultimate "yes".  ;)  (Love you J. lol)  Jacob proposed to me while on a beach trip, and, a year later we were married with our feet in the sand. 

P.S. Tomorrow is our 3-year anniversary!

I try to make it to the beach for a true "vacation" at least once a summer.  Back in 2010 we discovered Beachside State Park campground.  There are tons of campgrounds along the coast highway.  But, what I LOVE about this one is that it is on the WEST side of the highway... ie no walk and no road to cross.  The beach is, quite literally, steps from each campsite.  We camped there in 2010 and again in 2011.  In 2012 we had an infant, so decided to skip a year, but this last weekend we went back... with our daughter. 

It has been amazing to introduce my daughter to the things/places/people that I love and watch her explore and fall in love with them, too.  Plus, she's an awesome little camper.  Slept great in the pack and play in our tent even with all of the nose around her.  She also wasn't too interested in the campfire (which made me feel better!).  It was a great weekend.  And I can't wait to go back next year.  I even took an inventory of the campsites so I can make sure to get the "best one" next year.  =)

Good Morning!

Yummy breakfast to start the day.

Reading Daddy a "wake up" story

Got her her very own camp chair.  ;)

My family!  (I'm not a giant... just sitting closer to the camera. lol)

Have bucket, will play!

On our way home we stopped at the Mark Hatfield Marine Science Center.  A great (cheap) alternative to the aquarium!  Emily got to touch and explore all kinds of stuff!

Beautiful Day for a Groundhog Sighting!

I can NOT wait for spring and some nicer weather!  During the summer time I find myself looking forward to the cooler temperatures of the fall, but I am never begging for the rain that we get in Oregon all winter long.  Yesterday the weather was amazing (and it looks like next weekend may be as well!) and gave me a small glimpse of what the spring and summer may look like for me and my new little family this year!  Excited!

Getting ready for some fun at the park!

Oh the anticipation!

Here we go!

 

Weeee!

More happy baby!

So stinkin' cute!

Exploring "grass" for the first time. ;)

And meeting some new friends along the way!

And the fun begins!  ;)

Our Days

Shannon at From Match to Marriage posted today about what her schedule, as a working mother, looks like during the week... I was VERY happy to see that her schedule looked much like mine... and that housework was nowhere in there. lol

This is what the day looks like in our household:

4:30-6:00- Emily wakes up.  However, after feeding her a bottle and putting her back in her crib, she will USUALLY fall back asleep for another couple of hours.

6:15- My alarm goes off.  I hit snooze.

6:25 - Out of bed and into the shower.

6:25-7:10 - Shower, get dressed, put make up on, brush hair and teeth (I do this pretty quick... sleep is more important to me than doing a good job most mornings).

7:10-7:30 - Try to eat breakfast (try being the key word), check my e-mail, read my blogs/Facebook/etc.... if, of course, I'm not already running late.  =)  Get the diaper bag ready.  Ask Jacob if he's planning on getting out of bed.

7:20-7:30 - Get Emily up (if she isn't already).  Generally Jacob will get her dressed while I do last minute prep and make her a bottle.  If Emily wakes up before this time, Jacob will hang out with her while I get ready... usually this includes the two of them taking a shower.  She LOVES the water and playing in her tub!

7:30-7:40 - All three of us leave the house.  Jacob work bound, me daycare and then work bound.

8:00 - Drop Emily off at daycare.

8:00-8:45 (or 9 if traffic sucks) - Make my way to work.  This usually looks like me driving my car to the MAX and then taking the train into downtown.  Some days I drive, but it doesn't save me any time and (if I don't have a parking spot at work that day), costs more to park.

8:45ish-5:00ish - Work.

5:00-6:00 - Make my way home.  Jacob also gets off work at 5, but since his commute is a bit shorter he stops and picks up Emily on his way home (getting her at around 5:30).

6:00-7:00 - Play with baby time.  This is my ONE HOUR of the day that I can focus on my daughter.  =(  I take advantage.

7:00-7:15 - Put Emily to bed.  Jacob gets her changed and in her PJs while I prep a bottle.  Then he passes her off to me and I feed her and put her in her crib.  She either goes right to sleep or...

7:15-7:30 - Listen to Emily chatter while we make dinner.  =)  If she doesn't go right to sleep when I put her in her crib, she'll talk (loudly) to herself for a few minutes before she passes out.  We don't even need the baby monitor to hear her in there... it's kind of hilarious. =)

7:30-8:30ish - Jacob and I eat dinner together while catching up on some TV.  Sometimes, if I put something in the crock pot for dinner and its ready when we get home, we'll have a "family dinner" around the table and give Emily some food to eat/play with.  It all depends on our meal.**

8:30-10:30ish - Me time (sort of).  This usually includes catching up on FB/blogs/news/etc.  Editing photos (if I've had a shoot recently), watching some of "my" shows (those shows that Jacob could care less about) or doing something silly like loading the dishwasher or folding laundry. =)  (Right now, while doing this, I have a load of laundry in the dryer and another load in a basket that just came out of the dryer... I know these won't get folded any time soon... I'm trying to come to peace with that).

10:30ish - Off to bed... cringing at the thought of starting the whole day over again... I really feel like weekends should be longer than the rest of the "week".

Any sort of housework either occurs on the weekends, or "a little here, a little there" throughout the week.  I have been working on putting together a chore "schedule" to see if that will help us keep things on track as I am getting really frustrated with my house always being gross and not being able to find a shirt I want to wear or a clean pair of socks (because laundry rarely gets folded, and even less likely does it get put away in this house).

Exercise... what's that?  I am NOT waking up any earlier to do it, and by the time I get Emily in bed and eat dinner, the last thing I want to do is go to the gym.  I bought a yoga CD that I like... sometimes I do it.  ;)



**For the last 2-3 months I have been using the meal planning website Menu for the Week.  I LOVE it!  Saves me so much time and I enjoy eating a variety of things (before we started doing this, our menu from one night to the next looked pretty similar).  I also love the fact that it puts a grocery list together for me... so I just print it and go!  Love.

Two Years Already??

This post is almost 2 weeks late... but, better late than never, right? =)

Way back on August 14th Jacob and I celebrated our two year wedding anniversary.  I wanted to do SOMETHING special to celebrate, but, with both a baby and very busy weekends, it was a little difficult to plan anything too elaborate... but, thanks to Costco, and some discounted tickets, we had a memorable day*. =)

The Sunday before our anniversary we left Emily with her Nana, and Jacob and I drove out to Cascade Locks to board the Columbia Gorge Steamwheeler for a brunch cruise!  Buffet style breakfast with all you could drink champagne!  I took advantage of the lack of baby needing a boob and indulged in a couple of mimosas. ;)

It was a gorgeous day to be out on the water, and I was very impressed with the food. lol  All in all, great way to celebrate. =)

*Our car broke on the way there... which made it memorable, too... but I'm choosing to focus on the positives. =)

Jumping on the Bandwagon!

One of my fave bloggers (who I've been following now for over two years) posted this on her blog: From Match to Marriage.  I like these Q&As, and needed a "starter" to get my mind in writing mode again, so I thought I'd give this a go. =)

1. How long have you been blogging? And what got you started on blogging? Has your blog changed?
I've attempted to blog before... way back in high school (more than 10 years ago now), but I really started blogging "regularly" in 2009 when I moved to Canada to go to grad school.  You can read about those adventures at An American Girl in Canada.  Toward the end of my Canadian adventure, my boyfriend (at the time) proposed and I started a wedding planning blog after seeing so many of them pop up in my online searches for wedding ideas (p.s. this was one of the best things I could have done while planning the wedding... these other blogs helped me out a lot, both with ideas AND keeping my sanity!).  After the wedding (and all the re-caps!) I decided to keep my blog going and see where it led.  It led to home purchasing, then pregnancy, and now mommy-hood!  I'm sure that it will keep evolving as my life does!

2. Did you go to college? If so where, and what did you study?
I graduated from Southern Oregon University in Ashland with a BA in Criminology.  After a few years "in the field" I decided to go back to school to get my Master's and moved up to British Columbia to attend Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, BC.

3. Where have you traveled?
I've traveled through about half of the US, as well as parts of Canada, New Zealand, Melbourne, London and Paris.  I LOVE to travel and hope that I'm able to get back to it soon, once the little one has her "sea legs". =)

4. If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would buy?
I would pay off debts first... student loans, cars, house (if the lottery prize was big enough), and then I'd probably upgrade our house to something a bit bigger and/or in a different part of the city.

5. What are your 3 biggest pet peeves?
I was just thinking today that it really bothers me when perfectly capable people wait 10+ minutes for a city bus and then take it for, like, 6 blocks... WALK PEOPLE! lol  I don't know if that's one of my top three, but it definitely bothers me. =)  I also can't stand when people are lake (if you're not early, you're late!) or people that thrive on drama.

6. What is your favorite movie?
I don't think that I have a favorite, but some of those that I watch over and over again include:  Serendipity, Love Actually, Sweet Home Alabama, Benny and Joon.

7. What is your drink of choice; wine, beer, or liquor. Or Water, Soda, Tea?
I love cocktails... but I've also over the years gotten a taste for wine. =)

8. What is something you enjoy to do when you have me time?
When I get "me" time (it's pretty limited these days) I like to sit back and watch tv/movie and relax. lol 

9. If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, which store would it be?
I'm going to agree with Shannon on this one and say Target.  I feel like I pretty much live there these days.

10. Share with us an embarrassing moment of your past? Or present.
One thing that you should know about me, I don't do well with blood or anything having to do with vein/artery tampering (I have a hard time getting a foot massage because I don't like people even touching the tops of my feet because of this).  When I was in middle school I was in a biology class and we were doing a first aid unit.  The conversation was on how to use a tourniquet.  I couldn't handle it.  I passed out.  Right there in class.  On top of one of my classmates, who, apparently, then pushed me onto the ground.  When I came to, I was looking up at a circle of heads.  My teacher called the office, who brought a wheelchair to take me to the nurse and, eventually, to my dad's car.  Seven years later, when my youngest brother was in middle school, someone told him the story.  My legacy lives on. =)

11. What day would you love to relive again?
My high school graduation... I had to give a speech and I was so nervous that I pretty much blocked out everything that day. lol  I don't really remember any of it.

12. If your life was turned into a movie... what actor would play you?
I would like to say Reese Witherspoon because I think she's adorable... but the only thing we have in common is the blonde hair. lol

13. What are the jobs you had in high school/college/the early years?
I worked in a couple of bookstores, did some freelance work for a couple of local newspapers, worked in a couple of retail clothing stores, did some telemarketing, worked at a Papa Murphy's and did some hosting in a restaurant.

14. Show us a picture from high school or college.

My high school graduation with two of my best friends... that's me on the right!

I would love to go back to Europe... specifically Greece and Ireland.  I'd also like to go back to England someday.

16. Show us the most current picture of you or you, or your family, or anything of meaning to you.

I think that this is the only "family shot" that we have right now. lol  Getting that remedied soon, though!

17. Where do you see your life 5 years from now?
Hopefully another child, maybe a different house... but really, just enjoying each other and the life that we've made together!  I've reached so many of my life goals to this point, I'm ready to just relax and take it all in! =)

Sleep!

Last night at 11:30 Emily was WIDE awake.  I was exhausted and ready for bed, but she was sure that it was time to party.  Finally, I handed her to Jacob (who was still up and working on something on his computer) and told him that I was going to try to catch a little bit of sleep, and that he could pass her off to me (if she was still awake) when he was ready for bed.  I also mentioned that, if she got cranky, he could feel free to give her a bottle.  Several minutes later I remember hearing her start to cry, and Jacob heating up a bottle. 

That was the LAST thing I remember before I woke up this morning at 6 AM!!  That's right... I got SIX uninterrupted hours of sleep!  I woke up in a bit of a panic when I realized that I hadn't gotten up at all to feed Em, and that Jacob wasn't in bed.  I found them curled up together on the couch in the living room, an empty bottle on the floor beside them.

My awesome husband had taken ALL of the night feedings, allowing me to get some much needed sleep!  Sure, I was hard as a rock and leaking all over the place, lol, but I SOOO appreciated the extras ZZZs. 

Now I just hope he doesn't regret when he's trying to work today...

The Case of the Missing Biscuit

About a month ago I was making dinner and planning to bake up some biscuits... you know, the kind that come in the tube?  I unwrapped the tube and... nothing happened!  Usually it pops open on it's own, right down the middle.  But this time, nothin'.  So, I lightly tapped the tube against the kitchen counter hoping to help break the seal... and I sure did!  Instead of the tube breaking in the middle, the end cap popped off and went flying across the room... as did about 1/3-1/2 of the biscuits inside!

I laughed A LOT.  Jacob came into the kitchen to see what was going on and laughed with me.  Then we set to work retrieving the lost biscuits from the counter, floor, etc. around our kitchen.

(If you remember, our kitchen opens up into a dining area and formal sitting area, so those little doughy discs had a LOT of space to cover!)

After picking up dough discs from various locations, we discovered that we had 9... out of a package of 10.  We checked each biscuit to see if two of them had stuck together.  Nothing.  We checked the floors again, and behind/underneath things on the counter.  We checked behind the sofa.  We looked EVERYWHERE and NO BISCUIT! 

We were stumped, but figured that maybe the package was a fluke and there was only 9 in there in the first place.  So, I didn't worry about it too much.  Until this morning.

It's been about a month since the biscuit blow up.  I had near forgotten about the missing dough disc.  This morning, however, I saw something funny when I went into our kitchen to make breakfast.  One of our overhead light bulbs had blown out... and, as I went over to inspect, something unusual caught my eye.

We have this little "rock" display on our coffee table that kids like to play with when they came over.  My first thought was that they'd taken one of the rocks and somehow balanced it on top of the light shade, but, as I got closer, it became more obvious that it wasn't a rock at all...

I ran back into the bedroom, grabbed my phone and told Jacob to get out of bed as I had something to show him.

We laughed... a LOT!  =)

Happy Sunday everyone! =)

Grossness

Two Fridays ago Jacob woke up feeling like shit. 

I KNOW that he was feeling horrible because he called in sick to work.  He NEVER calls in sick/admits that he's sick.  He was sick all weekend and called in to work M-Thur of last week.  All week i did my best to distance myself from him.  We both got a little lonely.  =(  But, I made it through the week and was feeling ok.  I thought that I'd lucked out and beat it.

And then Saturday morning I woke up and had no more illusions that my immune system was that of a God.  I was sick. But, like my husband, I have a hard time admitting it/sitting around and doing nothing.  So, I tried to be productive over the weekend... maybe a good idea, maybe not, I don't know.  But it's day four and I still feel gross... more gross last night/today than I've felt since Saturday.  I hope and pray that 1) it gets better quickly, and 2) I don't go into labor... I can't even IMAGINE doing that while dealing with this!

What sucks more (in my mind) than feeling gross right now, is knowing that I am going through my "sick time" at work right now... meaning that, when I actually do go on my maternity leave in a few weeks, that I won't have as much time saved up, hence, won't be able to "bring in" as much money to help the household expenses while I'm out.  I feel like karma bit me in the butt... and I don't understand why, 'cause I'm a good person! lol

Being sick while pregnant is a whole different can of worms, too.  I don't think that I've slept for more than 2-3 hours in a stretch since Saturday.  I either can't get comfortable, can't breathe, wake up coughing/snoring, or have to pee... and not usually all at the same time.  Which means it goes: Can't breathe, can't fall asleep.  Need to pee... get up.  Get back into bed, can't get comfortable: leg cramp.  Lie there for an hour throwing a tiny temper tantrum, need to pee again.  Come back to bed.  Finally fall asleep.  Wake up coughing.  Need to pee. Get up and the whole cycle starts over again.

I'm so tired...

Our "Car Story"

Jacob and I decided that, this year, with our tax refund money, we would invest in a new car.  I've been toying around with getting something new for a while.  I got my car (a Hyundai Elantra) back in 2006.  It had a few electronic glitches, but nothing was horribly wrong with it.  Pretty much, after driving the same thing for 6 years I was ready for the something new.  Plus, I've had issues with the head room for awhile (I'm tall and in the Elantra I couldn't put my sunglasses on top of my head, or go over a large speed bump without hitting my head on the ceiling!), and really wanted something with a hatch back and more trunk space for hauling large or unusually shaped items.  My car has been paid off for several years now, so I know that any trade in value would go directly to a new purchase.  Plus, what we have as "My Car" is going to be the family car.  Jacob drives a 2-door Scion TC... not exactly baby friendly!

So, this weekend we decided to start shopping around.  And, by shopping around I mean actually going TO dealerships... we've been checking out different models of cars in parking lots and via the web for a couple of months now! lol  Jacob reminded me that we were just going to look, and not to expect to by anything this weekend.  I agreed.  And off we went.

This was the first time that I'd gone car shopping 'by myself".  The last two cars that I've bought I've had my dad there helping me with the haggling process and dealing with the sales people.  I was a nervous... particularly since I don't know much at all about cars, and Jacob is not one to question things.  So, I made sure to have a conversation with Jacob before we got to the first dealership regarding what our actual budget was, and what we were going to tell the salesmen our budget was.  I know that they would try to make us go higher than our agreed to "budget" so, I figured if we gave them a low number we'd be more likely to hit it closer to home. =)

At the first dealership, a Ron Tonkin lot, we took a look at about three different cars (crossover/station wagon styles).  We test drove a Ford Escape, and it was nice, but being the first place that we looked, and knowing anything about that particular car, we left it there... especially since it started to pour down rain on us!

We then came home (thankfully we have about half a dozen dealerships within a 5 mile radius of us!) and looked up the specs on the Ford Escape and customer reviews.  They weren't good.  We wanted something with decent miles per gallon, and the Escape did not have that.  We then went to another dealership, this time Dick Hannah.  We looked at a Dodge Caliber (too small/short) and a Jeep Limited (I liked it, but a bit over budget and had high miles) and then we test drove a Volkswagen Toureg.  Jacob and I both really liked the Toureg, but, again, didn't know anything about it.  So, we returned home and visited our friend Google.  We found out that the mpg was HORRIBLE (17 mpg).  I didn't want something that was going to leave me worse off than my Elantra (which I think got roughly 27 mpg).

By this time in the day I was tired, frustrated and feeling icky (I caught a pretty bad cold and was trying to pretend that I was functional... I think I was failing miserably).  AND it was raining/hailing/snowing outside!  But I'm not someone to give up.  Jacob and I sat at our computer for about an hour or more looking at the online inventory of different dealerships in our area, as well as checking out Google.  A lot out in Beaverton had a couple of Subaru Foresters that looked of interest, but I didn't know if we wanted to make the 30-45 minute drive out there just to be disappointed.  Meanwhile, Jacob started to look at Prius dealerships.

Something that you should know about Jacob is that he is ALL about the cool new gadget.  He has his heart set on getting an electric car (specifically a Tesla) one day, so it was no surprise that he started to look at hybrids.  But, at the same time, they were WAY above our budget (even our real one! lol).  By this point, I had to go to the bathroom (for, like, the 20th time that day).  When I came out, Jacob was on the phone telling someone that we could be there in 10 minutes.  Apparently he had remembered that Ford had a hybrid version of their Escape (remember, that was the first car we test drove and we liked it, but weren't fond of the mpg) and he found only two in the metro area for sale... one which happened to be at another Ron Tonkin dealership down the street.  So, back in the car we got.

The asking price on the hybrid was about 2k over our "max" budget.  Not a whole lot, but still more than I wanted to spend.  I voiced this and Jacob had arguments lined up about the money we'd save in gas (this car was supposed to get 30+ miles per gallon, both highway and city).  By the time that we'd gotten to the dealership they were pulling the car up to their covered area (as it had started raining again--HARD!).  It was a cute car.  A newer model than the one we had test drove and a silvery blue color.  Jacob handed over his driver's license and we took it for a spin... in the snow! lol  It's not very often that you have the chance to test drive a car in the snow in Portland! =)

We both really liked it.  Except for the price.  I handed over the keys to my Elantra so that they could take a look and give me an estimate on trade-in value and we headed inside to talk numbers.  This is where I really got concerned.  It was suddenly getting very real, and I was going to have to "play the game".

They asked me how much I was expecting for my Elantra.  I told them... but, of course, I told them high (as I knew they'd come back with a lower number and I wanted to get as close to what I actually thought I could get has possible).  I'd blue-booked it before coming, so I had an idea of what I could expect.  They also asked what we wanted to pay per month.  I told them that we could figure out financing once we settled on a purchase price, and let them know that we had good credit and planned to put down a down payment as well.  I also expressed to the salesman that the sticker price on the car was about 2k over what we had originally wanted to spend on a car.  I know that I was taking a risk here, and we would, no doubt, go over our budget a bit, but I also had an idea (again based on blue book value of the Escape... which I also researched before I left) that there was no way we could get it under our budget.  The salesman left to "see what we could do."

He came back a few minutes later with a list of "payment options".  They had agreed to give me $2500 for my Elantra ($500 less than what I told them that I wanted, but spot on with what I REALLY was expecting. lol) but that they couldn't drop the purchase price of the car as it was already on a "discount".  I KNOW that no one pays sticker for a car.  So this annoyed me a little bit.  I asked the salesman to give Jacob and I few minutes to discuss it.  I expressed my concerns to Jacob, and told him that I felt we would be offered a better deal if we left our number and walked away.  But, I also told him that I was willing to make a hard, final offer for 1k over our budget if he was (which still meant that they dealership would have to come down to our level).  He said that he would stand behind me on it.

We called the salesman back over and told him that we were not willing to pay the sticker cost, but that we would drive it home today if they were able to take another thousand off.  He asked if taking $250 would sway our decision.  I said "no".  He said that he would be back.  He then brought over the finance guy who gave us another offer that was $550 off the sticker price.  I saw this as a good sign, but, again, I told him no and asked for the keys back to my Elantra expressing that we were already going over our budget, and that there was another dealership that we hadn't hit yet with some cars of interest.  He said that he understood and that he would get our keys.

Not 5 minutes later our salesman comes back... not with keys, but with another offer that is at our 1k mark! =)  He tells us how much of a "loss" they are taking and asks that we recommend him to all of our friends (and gives us several of his business cards). lol

We signed on the line, and then went to their little waiting area for the finance guy to put the paperwork together (and Jacob bought me a Snickers out of the vending machine, as we had now been there for roughly 2 hours and I was STARVING!).  Another hour later, I was removing all of my possessions from my trusty Elantra, and we were driving home in our new Escape Hybrid!

I'm not looking forward to having car payments again (and am scared that I'm going to damage it! lol), but am excited to have something new.  And am very proud of myself for being able to haggle without my dad.  He taught me well. =)  Jacob texted his folks that "Pregnant Brittney is a lot better negotiator" that he is! lol

Here's our new ride... 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid (so much for only looking this weekend! lol

Our Love Story

In all honesty, I kind of forgot that Valentine's Day was coming up.  I've never been much of a celebrate-r of this day (with the exception of a box of chocolates and/or a heart shaped Papa Murphy's pizza).  But, when I saw that Shannon at From Match to Marriage posted this questionnaire, I thought it would be a good way to honor the awesome relationship that I am so happy to be a part of.

1. How long have you and your significant other been together?

January marked 4 years.

2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?}

We "met" in late December of 2007.  I had just gotten out of a relationship and was anxious to get back into the dating scene.  So, I did what any independent girl of the 21st century would do... I posted a personal ad on Craigslist.  =)  Among all of the creepers that responded, was one "normal" guy.... Jacob. =)  We sent a couple of e-mails back and forth for about a week, and then go together for our first official date at the beginning of January 2008.

3. If married, how long have you been married?

  Valentine's Day will mark our 1.5 year "anniversary".  We were married in the sand on the Oregon coast on August 14, 2010.

4. If you are married, where did you get married at? Big or small wedding?  

We were married at Governor Patterson Memorial State Park on the Oregon coast outside of Waldport.  We had roughly 80 people celebrating with us.  I think the size was just right!

5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? 

Yes.... but they aren't appropriate for publication. lol  (Has anyone seen the movie "Away We Go"?  We really enjoyed the airplane scene....;) )  Though, in recent months Jacob has been calling me "Spaghetti Sauce"  (get it?  Prego?)

6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.

I don't know if I can separate it down into three things... he is just generally a great man.  He's kind and thoughtful.  He has goals and is good at making things happen for himself and our family.  He doesn't question things NEARLY has much as I do... he keeps me in check in that way. =)  He's easy going and not afraid to try a new experience (just don't feed him tomatoes).

7. Tell us how he proposed? 

In July of 2009 I was living in Vancouver, BC finishing up my coursework for my Master's program.  Jacob had returned to Oregon for the summer.  Things were rough.  I was feeling very lonely and questioning how our relationship would survive the summer months with such a great distance between us.  For the 4th of July weekend I returned to Oregon to go to the coast for the holiday with Jacob.  We stayed in his parent's beach house and headed down to the sand to watch the fireworks.  It was a little cold and misty out... not at all uncommon for Oregon, but not the most comfortable either.  After the show was over we returned to the beach house.  I was freezing so Jacob ran some hot water in the bathtub and I sat on the edge of the tub and warmed my feet in the water.  All of a sudden, Jacob was down on the ground next to me, with a ring box.  He opened the box and asked me to marry him.  At first I couldn't help but thing that he was joking.  I mean, we were in the BATHROOM after all... he was pretty much kneeling in front of the toilet. lol  But, after several minutes of my staring at the ring, asking if he was serious, he finally convinced me that he was and I said "yes". =)

On the beach prior to his proposal

8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals?

Neither... like myself, he doesn't really see the need to celebrate Valentine's Day... at least, any more than a kiss and acknowledgement. =)  As far as gifts in general, he's more of a chocolate kind of guy... which I am a-okay with!

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?

For a special occasion, definitely the dinner on the beach.  I LOVE the beach... and dinner. lol  But, for any random Saturday night, I am usually up for cuddling on the couch with a movie.

10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere?

Travel, travel, travel.  I LOVE to travel!  We spent our honeymoon roaming around the south island of New Zealand.  It was AWESOME and I would love to be able to do some more trips like that in the future.  I think our next "big" trip will be somewhere like Ireland...

Gunn Lake on the way to Milford Sound

11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day.

I have an OB appointment, and then Jacob and I will probably have dinner together before he works (his at-home second job) and I catch up on some computer stuff for work that I missed since I had to leave early for my Dr. appointment... we're a couple of wild ones over here. ;)

12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day?

Nope.  But he did give a nice necklace a couple of weeks back.  No special occasion... just 'cause. =)  And it matches my wedding/engagement rings.

13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love.

Make time for the relationship.  It's important to have your own interests and activities, but make SURE that you also set aside time to spend/communicate/experience life with your partner.

14.  Show us a picture of what love means to you.

I have two that represent what love means to me.... laughter.