Brandon Goes Back to School

Several weeks ago Brandon started his Orientation for school, but last week he had his first class...and this week is the first full week of classes. I keep teasing him about being a big nerd because he has been so so so excited to start school, but really I love that he is so passionate about this new phase of life: back to being a student. One big thing that's different for both of us is for one of us to be in school while having a family-- neither of us have done that before.

I think in some ways it makes student life easier, and in other ways it makes it trickier. Easier: Brandon doesn't have to worry (for the most part) about grocery shopping, making his meals, or cleaning the house. Harder: there are two other people besides his books and excel spreadsheets that need/want his attention. Easier: your biggest fans live with you

and you don't have to worry about attending all the social events if you don't want to, because you have built in social plans every night and every weekend :)

Harder: it's hard to be as socially involved, sometimes, when your little one goes to sleep early and a babysitter is required for us to attend any event as a couple.

All in all, though, even knowing some of the tricky stuff that is coming up ahead (nights and weekends with Brandon at the library or holed up in our room at his desk), I wouldn't trade this experience at all and I'm really excited for Brandon's business school experience. I loved my time in grad school-- learned and grew so much-- so it will be really cool to see where Brandon is personally & professionally in two years.



Anyway, enough of the talk...here are more pics :)

This is the front of our apartment building in Hyde Park

Once a week we walk to this produce store that is a few blocks away

We load up on all sorts of fruits and veggies!

And, Alyse is actually starting to really crawl instead of scoot herself around everywhere on her belly!

We also have lots of time to play and go on stroller walks or to the park to swing on the swings (there is a playground behind our apt building that is great to have so close and sometimes we just go down for ten minutes to get some fresh air).



We have had the chance to go exploring some more too. When Brandon was away at a three day retreat in Wisconsin, Alyse and I and one of our new friends went downtown to a business school spouse event


...more pics to come, this post is getting too long!