Big changes - just about

Solly has definitely been the most powerful force of change in our family so far. All of our routines and many of our past times are greatly impacted by his needs and preferences. Parents must be great at adaptation otherwise you'd go crazy! But Solly has been living within the world that we prepared for him - and on the horizon are two big changes to that world that now he will have to adapt to.

The first big change is that at long last it looks like we will be buying a house to raise our family in. We are so relieved to be nearly done with this very long process - if you know the saga you know that we've been at it for over 12 months. We are also so very thankful to our families for the creative financial assistance they have given us. We also give thanks in advance to everyone for the help in the preparation for the move and the move itself. As it stands, on April 3 we are scheduled to move ourselves into a cute little 1943 bungalow in the Bret Harte neighborhood of San Rafael. It has what we need; 2 bedrooms, a guest room/office, a kitchen with potential, and a garage. Plus it has what we want; a friendly neighborhood full of families with children and a big flat backyard ready to accommodate both a play structure, a vegetable garden plus with plenty of room to spare for outdoor entertaining. We even have a fully mature orange tree in front - that spells fresh squeezed orange juice! Needless to say we are super excited for this change- stay tuned for the housewarming date!

The second big change is that Rachel is taking a new job as a Nurse Practitioner at the U. of California hospital in San Francisco. This is different from her current job as a Registered Nurse in a few ways. First, it puts to use the degree she received last June before Solly was born. Also, it gives her a new level of responsibility of care as NPs often do much of the same work Doctors do including diagnosis and prescribing medicine. Most of all, it requires her to work three days a week, up from two days currently. Again we are blessed with the support of family to help with this change - Aunt Diane stepping up to take care of Solly 3 times a month and Ya-Ya (Grandma Tona) able to expand her care to take Solly on the Fridays that Rachel will now work. Less time at home is not preferred for Rach, but working 3 days with 4 days off still gives the family the majority of her time.

So, I guess what is interesting to me is that Solly will, for the first time, have to adapt to changing conditions around him. Adaptability is a virtue that I think has a great deal of value and I know my job as a dad will expand during this process to support Solly's adaptation. Those of you parents who have done this before and have suggestions on how to build a bridge that keeps him comfortable - I welcome the advice. But even if all this change is hard, I feel that we are moving into a schedule and a surroundings that will be more lasting - the vessel of many of our memories-to-be. Come and visit us there. Now we will have a spare room for you to stay in and fresh squeezed OJ for you to drink!