The Great Reset

I have kept mum on several big developments in the Hahn-Ganser household for fear that talking would ruin them. The big news....

...We have officially sold our house in Austin. It closed today. We are relieved and thankful to be moving forward, and hope that the new owners love it as much as we did. Adios, 5509.

...Robin took a job at Coen+Partners in Minneapolis. His official title is "Senior Associate," and I'll have to have him write a blog post explaining what he does at some point. They are a landscape architecture firm that does exciting work, including the Central Minneapolis Public Library and a house on Lake Calhoun that Robin once described as "My Favorite House in Minneapolis--You'll Know It When You See It.") About a month and a half ago, Robin decided to actively pursue full-time positions at various firms and organizations in the Metro area on top of his ongoing networking and pursuit of contract work. He laid low over Christmas break, and hit the pavement shortly after I returned to work. Long story short, a serendipitous stop into a firm (Coen) and a conversation with the owner resulted in a very fast-moving interview process that ended in a job offer. I'm so proud of him and so thankful that the firm recognized all that he has to contribute.

...I am knitting a potholder. No really. I'm knitting a potholder.

For me, life is trucking along. I was reflecting today and realizing just how much I've learned this year and how much I've grown in certain elements of teaching. I feel fortunate to have landed in a school that is pushing me in my development as an educator. I think the best part about the house sale and Robin's work is the opportunity to reset. Reset financially, emotionally, and in terms of our priorities. In many ways, Robin and I have been in survival mode for awhile; the stressors have been numerous and great. We're both looking forward to the opportunity to regroup, prioritize the things that we need to be our best selves, and move toward thriving rather than surviving.

All Dressed Up

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P-Day

I have kept the latest Lydia news quiet for awhile, lest we fall prey to the whole say-something-and-the-backlash-begins phenomenon, but...

Lydia is potty trained! Awhile ago, we designated the day after Christmas as P-Day. We hyped up underwear--Santa even dropped some in Lydia's stocking, and we prepped for a day at home. I'd read in Toddler 411 that when a child is ready, potty training should only take a day, and a friend of Grandma and Grandpa Ganser swore she had a fool proof trick to get a kid potty trained in 24 hours, so we combined forces and went for it.

One day full of every incentive Lydia could think of later, she was using the potty with only one accident in 24 hours. The next day was a pitch perfect day, potty wise, and since, accidents have been rare.

What was this magic plan, you ask? Hype the potty, stay home for the day, and drop Lyds on the potty after meals, before and after nap, and every 2 hours otherwise (if she didn't go on her own). We added major, major tangible treats for positive performance.

All along, people told me that when Lydia was ready, potty training would be easy. After a false start this summer that was apparently thwarted by our move to Minnesota, I have to say that now I believe it wasn't so much that we moved as much as she just wasn't ready. This time around, it's been a breeze.

Since a potty picture isn't so much appropriate, I'll leave you with this--look at those baby blues!