July-August 2009

First, I want to thank all of you who were able to come to Mary's Illinois birthday party. A good time was had by all. Mary's Texas birthday party was just as great! We held it at a place called Pump It Up--an indoor bounce house facility that specializes in birthday parties. Mary and many of her new Texas friends had a great time.

One of our first orders of business when I returned was for Gene and I to pick a day care. We decided on Kids R Kids: Schools of Quality Learning. It's a wonderful facility, pricey, but wonderful. Plus, we love the fact that we can watch the kids during the day via Internet through the school's surveillance system. They started going full time on August 10. It was hard to let them go; I have enjoyed my stint as a stay-at-home mom, but I know they are in good hands. The teachers say that Mary is quiet and that she is a rule-follower. Geno has been quite a hit in the infant room. One teacher said that he's the happiest baby they've had in a long time.

One of the highlights of the past few weeks was my Mom's visit. She came down to help with the kids while I recovered from my hysterectomy. The procedure went smoothly and other than the anesthetic-induced migraine, I recovered quickly and felt pretty good a few days later. It was great having Mom here. She cleaned the whole house and did all the laundry! Mary loved all the attention. While she was here, Mom got to see Mary's and Geno's new school, Sweet and Sassy (Mary's hair salon), and Big League Dreams (where Gene plays softball). Mom and I also got pedicures.

I want to thank all of you who sent get well cards my way and called to check up on me. That was very much appreciated! A few of my former teaching colleagues sent me an Edible Creation--chocolate covered strawberries. They were gone in about two minutes. Mary devoured most of them. My mom and I split the rest. Thank you, Beth, Jessica, Amanda, and Kerri! It was wonderful.

I have been busy getting materials ready for the school year. I've been assigned Junior and Senior English. Luckily, I've taught these before at Herscher, so I have a few tricks in my bag. Texas is huge into teacher accountability, so I have to do a ton more pre-planning work in terms of typed, daily lesson plans and objectives, but I'm getting there. It's tough being away from Herscher; I really miss that school, but I hope that Mansfield High School becomes a new family for me. They are the Tigers too, and they have the same school colors--go figure!

Gene STILL loves his job, and he is still active in some work-related softball leagues. In fact, while we were in Illinois, Gene inundated himself with softball and other league sports; one weekend, he played 7 softball games, 36 holes of golf, and 1 soccer match. Even for Gene, this is a lot of sports. His work bowling league will begin in early September. He is looking forward to changing his Friday night routine from playing softball to attending Mansfield sporting events with me.

Gene's Note: In case you were wondering, the second picture in this month's blog is not, in fact, a new pet. That was the Black Widow spider I stumbled across while moving the hose to mow the lawn. In a strange bit of coincidence, that very same day, Angie stumbled across a Brown Wolf Spider in our garage. While not poisonous like the Widow, the Wolf Spider is actually larger and more visually intimidating. If I hadn't poisoned it into oblivion, we would've snapped a picture of him as well, may he rest in peace. I'll say this, Texas has some wonderful qualities, but the critters are certainly not one of them. Now, I'm just waiting to stumble across a scorpion or, heaven forbid, a snake. When that happens, those of you who truly miss us may be happy because I may just pack the clan up and head back to Illinois! I know we have nasty little things back there, too, but I didn't seem to stumble across them nearly as often!

Well, I guess that's all for now. As always, we hope that all of you are well. We miss you!

Love,

Angie & Gene

July...so far

Hi Everybody!

Much of July was/is being spent in Illinois visiting family and friends. We have had a great time getting together with old friends. We spent a few days in Effingham at my Aunt Rose's place on the lake. Mary got to go on a boat ride and sleep through some very loud, spectacular fireworks. While in Effingham, Baby Geno got to meet most of my dad's family. Everybody enjoyed holding and getting to know him.

Geno made his second debut at my cousin Lauren's graduation party, followed up by a family get-t0gether with my Mom's family the next day. Mary got to go on two more boat rides and even swim a little bit in the Kankakee River. This family party was especially fun because my cousin Pam's baby was there. We were pregnant together and had close due dates, so it was fun to compare her baby, Lilah, and Geno.

Another highlight of our visit was getting to meet Baby Blake Strejc. He had a very interesting birth (on the kitchen floor), and we were so happy to be here to visit Sandy and Blake in the hospital after everyone was deemed safe and healthy.

As many of you already know, I found a job at a high school VERY near our new home in Texas. Though I don't know my exact teaching assignment, the school, Mansfield High School, has a very good reputation. I know it's no Herscher High School, but with change comes growth. We are still in the process of interviewing day care providers, but we have narrowed it down a bit.

I sound like a broken record, but Gene still loves his job. The people he works with have been very kind to us. Gene has enjoyed playing on multiple company softball teams, bowling leagues, and the occasional soccer team. Year-round outdoor sports--Gene's dream state!

Mary is very much looking forward to her Illinois birthday party on July 18. Any reader is invited, so please come out! AGAIN...NO PRESENTS ARE NECESSARY! We just want to visit and have fun. We rented a jump house if that entices your coming. Also, we have to travel back to Texas via plane, so presents may make that trip harder on us. If you really want to get Mary something, however, feel free to contribute to her swing set fund. Gene and I are saving to buy her a comparable set that we left behind in Illinois (which now resides at my sister Terra's house).

Geno is growing bigger by the moment! At his 3 mo check-up, he was 13 pounds and 24 inches. He has been healthy and eating like a horse. I get mixed reviews as to who he looks like. Personally, I see a bit more me in him than Gene, but time will tell. Baby Geno loves to laugh and play peek-a-boo. He especially enjoys looking in mirrors and swinging in his swing--where he often falls asleep. He's not close to sleeping through the night, but he gives us a 3-4 hour stretch of sleep in the early evening that we both appreciate. Lately, he has liked to swat at objects above his head. He is so tickled when he actually touches or grabs something!

I hope to see you on the 18th!

Love,

Angie

I got a job today!!! 7th Grade Language Arts at Linda Jobe Middle School

June is Here!

Hey Family and Friends,

June is here and our family is ready for our first Texas summer. The temperature has already reached 99 degrees, and I'm told it gets hotter on a daily basis. Luckily, our subdivision has a very nice pool that we've already been to several times. Mary is really starting to like the water, often venturing off on her own (in her favorite fishy floaty of course). Geno doesn't really like the water yet; he prefers to nap on the sidelines while mommy and daddy take turns playing with Mary in the water.

Gene is still loving his job and the people he works with, some of whom have become great friends. He's working out and practicing a new two-handed bowling technique which is "all the rage" in the bowling community.

I'm still hunting for the right teaching job. I was offered a 2nd grade position, but the commute was too far, and I was also offered an adjunct position at a near-by community college, but the part-time pay didn't justify the work. I'm getting nervous, but I've had some good interviews that I hope will pan out. I've joined a local mom's group, and they have been my saving grace. We get together a few times a week and chat. It's nice to know people again. Still, I'm looking forward to my visit home (June 30-July 21).

Mary has been very busy this month. She's a great big sister! Mary loves talking to Geno and helping him calm down. She likes to help mommy hold his bottle, and she loves to kiss him on the head. When strangers come up to us and ask about Geno, she proudly proclaims, "Geno came out of my Mommy's tummy!" The highlight of Mary's month has definitely been our trip to Florida, not only did she get to meet princesses, fairies, and Barney, but also she was able to play with her cousins. At one point she turned to Aunt Jenny and said, "All my friends are here." She very much misses Illinois and asks about it often, but she is meeting new friends here everyday, and I know she will come to love it here too.

Geno...oh...Geno. What can I say? He's up all night, sleeps during the day, and cries in between. He's worth the work, however. He has started smiling when we talk to him, and he especially enjoys conversations with Mary. Though I don't know his weight off-hand, he's getting quite large, much bigger than Mary was at this age. He loves his swing and staring at the ceiling fan.

I plan on having a birthday celebration for Mary back home in Illinois as well as in Texas. So please watch out for details.

Stay in Touch!

Love,

The Kanaks

April-May Monthly Update on the Kanaks

Well, the whole family has been in Texas for about 2 months, but it has flown by. We are enjoying the weather and the new bonds we're forming with Gene's co-workers and neighbors. I am still looking for a teaching job. I've gone on 4 interviews, so I hope to hear from one of those in the next month or so. They hire teachers late in Texas, so I might not hear anything until late June! That makes me nervous, so please pray for me.

Gene still loves his job. He also enjoys playing softball about 2 times a week, and he even subbed on the USBC soccer team. He bought a lawnmower (a push, not automatic) which he enjoys (lol) using on the weekends. Gene is still a wonderful father, helping me so much with Geno's nighttime feedings as well as giving Mary tons of extra attention, so she doesn't feel left out. Currently, Gene is part of an USBC experiment dealing with two-handed bowling. In the bowling world, it's all the rage.

Mary is her usual self after quite an adjustment with Geno coming home. She had a bit of a relapse in potty training when Geno first came home. Our pediatrician said that was completely normal and would go away in about a month--he was right on target. Mary has had a few more play dates with neighborhood kids. She especially enjoys playing with Natalie, Eli, Braelynn, and Avery. She's meeting new friends everyday--though she still misses home. She often asks where her cousins and Carter are. It makes me sad when she asks such questions, but I know it's all part of the change. Lately, she LOVES Dr. Seuss books, particularly The Lorax, Green Eggs and Ham, Mulberry Street, and I Can Read with my Eyes Shut. We all have them memorized. In fact, Mary often picks them up on her own and "reads" sections by herself. Mary loves going to Gene's softball games because there is a great park, and her new friends Cindy and Shannon (very nice people whom Gene works with) often give her tons of attention. Mary enjoys playing with water balloons, her babies (as always), hopscotch, basketball hoop, musical instruments, dancing to music (her favorite song is "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"), and much more!

Geno is growing by the minute! He gained 2 1/2 pounds the first month. His Dr. was VERY impressed, especially because he spent some time in the NICU. He's already rolled over! He coos at times, but mostly he cries--just like his sister did. He's difficult to console, so we often turn on fans and air vents to keep him calm. He also only likes to be held one way, which is a bit uncomfortable for us. He likes his swing, but will only take so much before he lets you know that HE WANTS OUT! He loves being outside. In fact, he's super calm at Gene's softball games. A new development...Gene swears Geno smiled this morning (real smile--not the gassy ones). I know it's early, but we'll see.

A special event for us was Auntie Amy's visit. Mary had a blast with her: they painted their nails, played at the park, played at McDonald's, and played at home...tons of playing! I really think Mary needed that individual attention. We loved having a familiar face around, and we already miss her terribly.

I hope you are doing well too! We miss you all!

Love,

Angie

WELCOME LITTLE GENO!

Enjoy the pictures of our new addition. He was born on 4-5-2009, weighed 7' 11 lbs, and was 20.5 inches long. We are all very tired but very happy to be home. Right now, Geno prefers the night life, so Gene and I are a bit zombie like right now. We'll post more updates as events unfold. Sorry about the one picture being sideways. I can't seem to fix it for some reason; it's still very cute.

April's Here Already!

April is here already and we still have no baby!! I am scheduled to be induced on Sunday (4-5), so everybody cross their fingers for me:) My parents are flying in on Saturday (4-4) to help watch Mary for the big event.

Mary and I have been in Texas over a month, and it has gone very fast!!! We enjoy playing at the park and the backyard. On Thursdays we go to Toddler story time at the library. We were going to sign up for music class, but we went to a free session, and I didn't like the teacher. I drag Mary out almost everyday to tour preschools and day care centers. She loves the tours because she gets to play with everything. She throws tantrums when we leave. There are MANY nice facilities here, but they are all very expensive compared to what I was used to. Luckily, teachers' salaries are more in Texas too.

Mary's new favorite things are the following: riding her bike, jelly beans, Maggie and the Ferocious Beast, Green Eggs and Ham, trains, playing in her sandbox and with her basketball hoop (she's hangs on the rim), and throwing tantrums. We've had to start time-outs. At first we thought she was too young for them, but she understands them just fine. Gene and I did our research on how to perform a time-out correctly, and they are actually very effective for us. Also, she hasn't had a potty accident in weeks, so I think, dare I say, she's potty trained!

I am still keeping an eye out for high school teaching jobs in the area, and I have scheduled my first interview. I forgot how tedious job hunting was. I have been meeting more and more of my neighbors, and Mary has gone on two play dates with two different families. People here are VERY nice, open, and friendly. There is a definite difference between Midwestern and Southwestern hospitality.

Enjoy the pictures. There's one of our new double stroller. It's a mammoth, but it will make trips to the zoo and park much easier. We have tried it out with Mary's dolls, and it actually handles really well.

I especially like the picture of Mary's torn socks. She ran and played so much that day that the socks couldn't withstand the Kanak toe. When I asked her what happened to her socks, she said, "I ran too hard and too much for the Kanak toe." For those of you who are unfamiliar, the Kanaks all have this very large toe--Gene's is almost the size of a light bulb. He claims it would help him run fast and climb trees if he had to survive in the wild. Yes indeed, the Kanaks are evolutionary specimens. The video clip showcases her riding her bike in the house--not something I like to encourage, but it was too windy that day to play outside.