So, this entry is just a chance for me to catch all of you up on what's been happening around the Stenbak household for the last few weeks. I have been working an evening job, five nights a week, so needless to say, we have been super busy. So here's whats been happening at our house:
Iris and Esme are growing like weeds. They are now 9 months old. We just had their well child checkup and the doctor described them as super healthy! Both girls are almost 30 inches tall and are around 25lbs. I think they outweigh most of their friends by at least 6 or 7 pounds! In the last month they have started sitting very steadily and moving around the house. They are not crawling yet, but they certainly get around. Both girls can get up on their knees, but haven't tried yet to move forward. It wont be long now and they will definitely be crawling. Also, they can both clap their hands. That is really cute to watch. If I clap my hands they will mimic me. They are both starting to move away from bottles and on to more foods. Their formula intake has dropped dramatically and they are eating more and more table foods. They can both eat finger foods now, like cheerios, black beans, bananas, and small vegetables. They also really enjoy playing with toys and have even started stealing toys from each other. I can't believe how big they are getting!
Talk about getting big, Eli started preschool this month. He is attending Prides Corner Nursery School in Westbrook. His program is Monday, Wednesday, Friday Mornings from 9-11:30. He really loves his new teacher, Mrs. Philbrook. We have already received the Scholastic Book Order form and received our first group of books. It is so fun to see the projects he brings home and to see how excited he is when I drop him off in the morning.
Jesse celebrated 10 years with Portland Magazine this month. He first started working at Portland Magazine just before we were married in October of 2000. I remember when he was offered the job. He was so excited, but a little nervous to tell them he would need his second week of work off because he was getting married. His office threw a party for him with take out from Beal's St. BBQ and Ice Cream Sundaes. Myself and the kids went in for the party. He was then given the rest of the week off and Colin and Nancy, Jesse's bosses, graciously offered us their Lake Cabin in Falmouth for the weekend. It is from there that I write this entry. Also, Colin and Nancy announced that to celebrate 25 years in publication they would be taking Portland Magazine's full time employees plus one guest on a trip to Bermuda this coming March. That's right folks, this March, Jesse and I will be taking an all-inclusive vacation to Bermuda WITHOUT our children. My mom has already offered to babysit! Let me tell you, I am all over that passport application!
This past Friday, I had my first night off from everything (work, kids, life in general), since my girls were born. I had to take a business trip to Calais, Maine, which is about 4 hours from Portland. Calais is located in Washington County, which is the down-east section of Maine, right on the Canadian border. I drove up on Friday and stayed overnight at the Redclyffe Shore Motel in Robbinston, Maine. The Motel sat right on the shore line. I had a beautiful view from my room and from the restaurant. I treated myself to a delicious dinner, a couple drinks, and chocolate raspberry cake for dessert! I watched whatever I wanted on the TV and went to bed at 8:00. But the best part was that I slept until 10:00 am the next morning. I haven't had that much sleep in months! It was WONDERFUL.
Lastly, I am currently discussing with my former law firm returning to practice after the first of the year. What a wonderful year it has been being home with my kids. I don't want to give that up entirely, so returning part-time will be perfect! I don't know all of the logistics yet, but I am definitely excited by the prospects.
September has been a big month in the Stenbak Household! And despite all of these goings on, I have managed for the first time ever to get all of my kids Halloween costumes figured out and ready before October has even fallen upon us! I feel so organized. I can't wait to see what October will bring! Hopefully, I will be able to post some updated pics soon.
This past weekend we stayed at Colin and Nancy's (Jesse's bosses) camp in Falmouth on Highland Lake. It was beautiful. The cottage is cozy and the views were fantastic. Eli, of course, thought it was magnificent. He has been talking about the camp and going back to the camp since we came home on Monday.
