Life Update

It’s been way to long since I’ve written an actual post vs. just sending pictures from my phone. So much has happened in the last month and I need to write this out before I forget it all!

Hudson’s 2^nd Birthday!

It’s hard to believe he’s two years old. Not because he’s small, or not talking, or running, or doing everything in his power to be independent… It’s because these last two years have gone WAY too fast. Like scary fast.

Anyways – here’s some updates on Huddy:

·        36” tall and 34 lbs.

·        Head size is 99%

·        Size 6 diapers

·        Running, jumping, climbing, spinning, somersaulting – overall a VERY active guy

·        Loves fruit – I think his new favorites are blackberries and cuties

·        Sings ABCs on repeat in the mornings

·        Goes to bed at 7:30 and sleeps until a little before 7:00 most mornings

·        Still doing a 1-2 hour nap after lunch

·        Mimics everything you say… especially his daddy and Cole

·        LOVES his brother but they are for sure starting to act like brothers – bickering over toys, wrestling, stealing food… ok, maybe that’s just Huddy!

·        Still in his crib but that will have to change soon

·        Is obsessed with Jason – I don’t matter if he’s anywhere in the house

·        Is a motor head – loves cars, trucks, motorcycles. Anything with an engine

·        Is very smart and funny – and he knows it!

·        Still sleeps with his monkey every night but throws him on the floor every morning (not sure why I think that’s so funny)

·        Is still charming all the ladies at school… and everyone else in his life!

House:

About a month ago we found a house on Weaver Lake that both J and I loved. We hadn’t really been looking to move, but kept our eye on the market for anything that might force our hand. This one did! It’s a little bigger than our current house but it’s on the lake with a sandy beach and a big yard. After going back and forth with the owners we realized we needed to get our house on the market in order to get our lake house. We started cleaning, decluttering, fixing up small things… and then put it on the market last Thursday night. On Friday we had an offer (after 13 showings) and Saturday we accepted it! Inspections are tomorrow (4/21) and if all goes well we will be closing a moving on May 25h! We are now accepting applications for friends who want to help us move. Payment will be a one year reserved beach chair anywhere on our property!

Cole:

It’s crazy how much someone can change in 6 months. Around Cole’s 5^th birthday we were struggling with attention and behavior issues at home and at school. He was still a great kid but he was not the agreeable, fun loving, enjoyable boy he had been for the last 4 years. Besides getting him to bed earlier, I can honestly say that we haven’t changed our routine with him too much – I truly think it’s him just maturing – because in the past 6 months he is a totally awesome kid! He listens perfectly at school, and almost perfectly at home. He’s kind and one of the funniest people I know. His teachers comment on it almost weekly and it’s made everyone a lot happier! He’s really into drawing and writing. Kindergarten is going to be a piece of cake for this kid! His mini-mite hockey season ended about a month ago so now he’s playing spring league hockey, taking taekwondo and will start soccer in July. He’s riding his two-wheel bike so fast now that we can’t keep up on foot and is excited to be able to fish every day at our new house. Cole shocks Jason and I every day with how smart and articulate he is. He also has a bursting out laughing with his comedic timing and wit. I’m not biased, this kid is seriously funny [he takes after me]. Cole will start school at Rush Creek in the Fall – fulltime kindergarten and before and after school at Primrose.

That’s all I have time for now – but add in some major work changes for me, Jason being a one-man moving machine, summer plans and a million other things… we’re not short on chaos at the Rogowski house.

‘Til next time!
Brit 

Hudson: 3 months!

My lil' man is 3 months old (well, a couple of days ago). Lots of updates to be shared....

Hudson is:

• Well, massive. He's easily over 17 lbs which is NOT fun to carry when he's in his car seat. But those thighs are pretty edible 
• Getting more and more animated. Lots more smiles and chatter from our boy
• Figuring out his hands - and that they are attached to him. Grabbing more things are sticking his entire fist in his mouth 
• Still a little flat on one side of the head, but we're working on exercises and hope it works itself out
• LOVES his big brother. Anytime Cole is in the room, forget trying to get his attention. All he sees is his big bro. It's oh-so sweet 
• Sleeping about 10-11 hours a night! Woohoo!!!!! It makes work nights so much easier 
• Is still super chill
• Doing really well at daycare. Napping in his crib (because they swaddle him at school), eating well and is super easy going. Just takes it all in 

Me:

I'm back at work. I thought maybe the second time around would be easier. It some ways it is, others it isn't. I have mixed feelings about being thrown right back into things... literally thrown in as I have a new business pitch tomorrow. It helps keep my mind busy but it was tough to get my brain going that quickly (it wasn't used to thinking about strategies and segmentation if you can imagine). Knowing Hudson is doing so well, and sleeping well at school and home, really helps. It's just scary how fast the time went and how quickly its going to go. With J and I having so much going on, it will be the holidays before we know it... and time for Cole to start hockey!!!

Cole: 

Just a quick potty-training update. Cole has not had a poop accident since a week after he got moved down!!! J and I are thrilled and so is Cole (since it's the first thing he wants to tell you when you pick him up... and then insists that you call every and all family member/friend to also let them know). I assume he'll be moved back up soon... which is great since he's a foot taller than all his current classmates. 

He was also recruited for football this past weekend when he was mistaken for a 2nd grader. No joke! The coach was at the Football Toss booth at the Maple Grove Fest... they asked him if he was in first or second grade... Jason informed them that he was three years old. Follow-up statement from the coach "we'll be calling you". Guess I might not get a choice when it comes to the game of hut-hut-smash. 

Though, as I write this, I might not have to worry about it too much. As we made our way through all the baseball stations at Fan Fest, we realized that Cole may be talented when hitting things with a hockey stick or golf club, but everything else... not so much. Maybe Huddy will be our athlete and Cole will be our actor (trust me, the kid has a flare for the drama). 

Jason: 

Still doing great. Work is still busy... annoying him at times, but he has a great team whom he gets along with really well. Golf is good (and twice every week... :) and we're both excited for all the upcoming weekend adventures. Well, he's not too excited for my Vegas trip, but he can get over it! :) 

We've been looking at houses on and off... he found his dream house (over three acres and it's off a dirt road) but I'm not sure we're ready to put our current house on the market just yet. Lots to discuss over the next few weeks/month/year. 

I have to brag him up a little as he sent me a beautiful bouquet of Gerber daisies (my fav) on my second day back to work... 

"Hey, I'm kinda interesting"

[warning: this post has nothing to do with Cole. It is not meant to be boastful or self-serving. This is a internal observation I had while sitting in a salon chair.]

The other day I was getting my hair done and this hipster-cool salon (the kind where it’s required to have a tattoo sleeve, skinny black pants and motorcycle boots). As the stylist starting putting the goop in my hair, he took a step back and commented on my star tattoo. He said “I bet there’s a great story there – tell me about your interesting life”. My initial gut response was “I’m not that interesting… pretty boring really. Tell me about you instead!”

As we kept chatting about life and stories from the past were shared, it accorded to me that I've done a lot of weird/cool shit… and that I should own-up to that. Not just me… everyone! It’s so normal to down-play the awesome stuff you've done and just assume you’re life isn't that exciting. Not cool Tanto. Not cool.

So take a moment, sit back with a cup of coffee, and think about all the kick-butt stuff you've done.

Hell, I’m going to write out some of mine so I can reference it next time I’m asked.

I work in at a cool job where Will Smith and Marlo Thomas drop by
I have a great “how I met my hubby” story that makes people smile-gush
I've jumped out of a plane at 10,000 feet
I spent a summer half-way across the country, where I didn't know anyone, at 18
I have a kid who is seriously funny/awesome and has a killer slap-shot at 21 months old
I (with help) planned a wedding in 5 months
I've been on the kiss-cam (though I wasn't sitting next to my husband… and it was awkward)
I’m 200 hour yoga certified and prenatal certified (all while working full-time)
I did a crazy-ass dance, that no one saw coming, at my wedding
AND I have a cool star tattoo on my neck (that I love) that I got with my MOM AND DAD. 

Boom!

Web Obsessions

I've been at Haworth for over a month now... so far so good... lots of cool people... love the accounts I'm on (who wouldn't love working on all things fashion and super heroes?)... and have developed a few new web obsessions. So if you've come here hoping for cute pictures of Cole, check back tomorrow. If you want to find a few good (fashion) time-sucks... here you go:

Pinterest: The biggest time-suck of them all. It's like a digital bulletin board... but instead of having to tear pretty pictures/clothes/hair styles/food ideas out of magazines, you can copy them from a site and post them here. Take a look to see what I mean... even take a stab at searching for something... the engaged ladies I work with spend more time here then ALL gossip sites combined!

The Man Repeller: My new fav! Sassy Jewish girl wears what she likes... men be damned. Some things are FAR too out there for me, but the way she writes (very conversational) is too funny

The Coveteur: This chica crashes people's closets... takes out what she thinks is groovy and then takes cool pictures of it.

The Beauty Department: So before you dismiss this b/c it's LC from the Hills (I know... ) just poke around. Some great beauty info and fun ideas.... I would love to color-dye the tips of my hair but I won't... I'm a mom and that would be tacky.

Again, these are just a few of my new favorites... I have many more if you're interested... and don't say I didn't warn you if you're on Pinterest and you suddenly realize you've been toggling for an hour!

So How's It Going?

I know you all are dying to know how my new job is going...

It's great!

I'm working on all the fashion stuff (including the designer exclusives for Target) and then any licensing partnerships (like Cars... or super hero stuff)!

The ladies here are amazing... I say ladies because there isn't a single guy on the planning team... and I've been busy from day 1. This can be scary at times... I've thought about making a name tag that says "first week" on it... But I think it's better then sitting here with nothing to do, looking through old presentations.

The other GREAT part is that I now have an excuse to look at all my favorite fashion magazines! Vanity Fair, Vogue, Elle, In Style... It's research. I have to read them!

Other Brittney news: I'm starting a book ensemble (not book club, because that's lame). If you're interested and over the age of 18 (hehe) then click here: D&D Group
Also, if you haven't been on Good Reads before I highly recommend it. There's an app for it too. :)

Hope everyone had a great week thus far!

Update: Brittney

I can't believe I haven't written anything about this yet... I guess it came up so fast that I didn't have a chance.

I got a new job!

I actually already had my last day at CM (last Friday) and am currently on my mini-vacation. I decided to take a week off in-between jobs... it's been SO nice! Lots of yoga, cleaning, shopping... not much relaxing but that's ok.

And yes, Cole is still in daycare. Think what you like but it would have been impossible to get all of this done (and enjoy so many yoga classes) with him home.

The new job: I'll be working at a media only agency called Haworth. I'll be working on the Target account which I'm very excited for. I'll still be downtown. It's only about a block away from CM so I won't even have to change parking garages!

I'll miss CM... the people especially... but it's a great opportunity that I knew I should take. So think good thoughts for me on June 6th - my first day!
[note: I had been at CM for 6 years so I'm a little nervous]

Weekend plans:
:: Hanging with my pal Jen before her brother's wedding (congrats to Charlie)
:: Papa Pugh turns 60 on Saturday!!!
:: My lil' cousin Maliq has his grad party this weekend... he's off to Berkley next year!
:: Hoping Cole's second tooth comes through... he was pretty crabby yesterday and that darn tooth is to blame


Cole grinding down on his new chompers - love those cheeks!

So... How Did It Go?

Yesterday was my first day back at work and Cole's first day at daycare. How did it go?

7:30     Drop Off with Jason. Tears rolling down the face from the time we walked in and most of the drive to work (yes, me, not Cole)

9:00     Bagels and Coffee to start the day (thank you Patty) and then getting caught-up on office gossip... and client status

11:00     Call daycare - Cole is doing great though I feel like they are holding something back. Ok, paranoia. I guess what I secretly wanted to hear was "Cole won't stop crying. He misses you so much. Guess you'll just have to come get him now".

12:30     Grabbed lunch with Becky. Have realization that it feels like I was never gone. I really didn't think it would be so easy to get right back into the swing of things.

2:00     Make Jason call and check on Cole while in meetings. Have a hard time reading presentation because I'm humming The Itsy Bitsy Spider in my head... missing Cole SO much.

4:00     Meetings are done and I'm sprinting to the door. Can't WAIT to grab my lil' man.

4:15     Hopes and dreams of getting Cole early are shattered due to accident on 94. Proceed to sit in traffic, swearing, for 50 minutes.

5:30     FINALLY get to grab Cole! He's had a great day with lots of small little catnaps. He's eaten like a champ and was talking to Merita (daycare lady). I'm so excited I could cry... Proceed to cry the entire drive to pick Jason up from the bus. This is a cry out of happiness and sadness. This is my life now.