So, what's up with the Joosts these days?

WELL... let's see.

Jay is still out of work and attending Sierra College. He is greatly enjoying his classes this semester, as they are all in his major, which is Applied Art & Design. He only has math left in his general education requirements, so he's enjoying focusing on the stuff he's really there for. Our intention was that he absolutely needs to go back to work by January, so with the end of the year drawing near, he is going to have to really re-double his efforts to find work. Once he does, he will have to cut back on school, but he will continue and achieve his goals in however much time it takes! He is receiving a Pell Grant, which is a Godsend, for sure, and has allowed us some more comfort in the finances.

I am still working for JP Morgan Chase, but have transferred to the Lincoln branch, which is quite a bit closer to home. We are undergoing a remodel, which is nearly done now, and it has been quite hectic. We are also a month away from the official conversion from Washington Mutual to Chase, and I can definitely say I look forward to having all this behind us. It's just obnoxious in so many ways to deal with the Chase-but-not-quite-Chase thing, as we are still using the WaMu computer system, policies, and products, but are at the same time trying to learn all the Chase stuff and slowly re-train our customers, as well. Other than work, I am still pregnant, of course. :) I have my cesarean date set for November 20 at 9:30am. We did not find out the gender, although I still have my personal feeling that this is a boy. I am getting bigger and heavier, and look forward to having THIS behind me, too! lol But, of course, I enjoy pregnancy for the positive points. I am at a point now where I know this COULD be my last pregnancy. I don't think it will be, but Jay and I are going to take our time on having another baby, and I don't know what the future holds. Regardless, I am trying to remember to cherish every little kick and punch from within, because it truly is an amazing experience, and I know I will yearn for it some day when we have decided we have enough little mouths to feed. God willing, we will somehow become financially set and can just keep having kids! But, honestly, I don't see us going beyond five children. I got my flu shot today, and am anxiously awaiting the release of the H1N1 virus vaccination, so I can get that one, too.

Annie turned eleven on Sept. 2 and started sixth grade in late August. She is now a Middle Schooler! She seems to enjoy it, and is doing very well. She is playing my old clarinet in band, which is kind of neat. I am glad she has that opportunity now; they didn't have band in Elementary School. She is in advanced classes, and I am excited by how well she is doing. She was sick a week and a half ago, and went to the doctor to be tested for H1N1, but the result was negative. It was good that she was tested, though, because she did have the symptoms. As it turned out, a girl she plays with regularly tested positive for H1N1 around the same time! Annie is frustrated with me, because I won't allow her to play with that little girl yet, even though she has been cleared to go back to school. I want to wait and make sure no one else in her household comes down with it, though, because it is way too risky if it makes it into our household while I'm pregnant. NOT a risk I'm willing to take! When I explained it very bluntly to Annie, she seemed to get over her annoyance. She got her flu shot today, also.

Jacob is going through another bout with poor listening, but this is nothing new. I have started keeping track of how many times I've told him to do something and telling him, "This is the third time I've told you to ______" and it seems to help. It makes him aware of the fact that he's ignoring my requests/directives. He usually responds with a quick, "Oh, sorry, okay" and does what he's been told. He is struggling with being respectful of Julianna's individuality and human-ness. He tends to want to treat her like a non-person, snatching whatever she is holding and pushing her around. She was laying on her tummy on the floor tonight playing with his Leapster and he laid down next to her to see what she was doing and she immediately grabbed the Leapster and held it away from him while yelling, "No! No! No!" and pushind him away. I made a point to explain to him that she did that because she has gotten so used to him taking whatever she has from her for no reason. I think it made an impact... I hope. We're working on it. He got his flu shot today, as well. He struggled when he saw the needle, but quickly calmed down when he realized it really didn't hurt that much.

Julianna is growing and changing as fast as I can type. Her vocabulary is still pretty slim for her age, but she communicates very well. She is eager to talk more fluently and is always trying new words. She teases and grins and runs faster than I can in my condition! She is a Daddy's Girl for sure, which started when I started working full time. It's a little sad for me, but she still loves her Mommy. It's just different with Jay. He's the one who can always make her laugh. She barely made a sound when she got her flu shot today. :)

Baby has been named. He will be Jonah Isaac Joost OR she will be Abigail Loretta Joost. He/She is in excellent health and growing as he/she should be. As far as we can tell, everything is perfect. :)

Jay's mother had a heart attack resulting in kidney failure in the beginning of August. It was a VERY scary time and we almost lost her, but she is doing relatively well now. She was in Cardiac ICU for 5 days and in the hospital for a total of 12 days. She lost vision in her right eye as a result of the heart attack and is not expected to regain it. She is still walking with the aid of a walker. She has been released to return to work no more than 16-20 hours a week and can receive disability income at the same time, so that is good.

Our finances are going to take another hit while I'm on Maternity Leave. I am honestly not sure what we are going to do, but we are brainstorming. Christmas will definitely be modest, which kills Jay. He always wants a big Christmas, but... this year we get a baby instead! lol

We have been looking at double strollers. I think I want the Graco DuoGlider, but we need to buy a new infant car seat to go with it, which will bring the total to about $200. We don't need it immediately, obviously, but I hope we can get it soonish. It has a huge basket underneath, which we love, and we need another baby car seat anyway, so I don't mind having to get one to go with it. The company that makes the car seat we have now does not make a double stroller. :(

I am going to call it a night! I have work earlier than usual tomorrow and am TIRED. I hope you've enjoyed this little update! Thanks for reading! ;)

Dani