Everyone needs a Tiina

Recently I had to go back to work and, though I can't confirm it on Harper's end, I think we both felt like this about it:

As much as I love staying home with Harper, my maternity leave was up, and I'm not so keen on losing my job at this juncture in my life. Obviously we had started exploring childcare options months ago, and while weighing more traditional routes like day care and nannies, I was introduced to a third childcare option -- inviting an au pair to come live with us. Having an au pair appealed to me on several levels. For one, Harper could stay in our home in her crib rather than going to day care everyday. I could skip the daily dropoffs and pickups and someone would be there for Aidan when he got home from school at 3:00. Plus, it sounded like a cool cultural experience for our whole family to have someone from a different country living with us.

That is how Tiina came to live with us and, you guys, it is even better than I thought it would be. Tiina is awesome. She is kind and sweet and we already adore her. In addition to having someone home to watch Aidan and Harper during the day, she is also just super helpful in general. I almost wept with joy the first week she was here and my laundry magically moved from washer to dryer. Someone besides me actually unloads the clean dishes from the dishwasher. The other day, I ran to the grocery store for five minutes while Harper was sleeping because Tiina was home. Yesterday morning I forgot to turn the crock pot on for dinner, and guess who was able to turn it on with a single text? Tiina. Robert and I even got an impromptu date night on Monday night. When I tell my friends about Tiina, they all say, "I want a Tiina" which lead me to believe that everyone needs a Tiina.

The coolest thing of all is how Tiina really has become part of our family. We've already learned quite a bit about her Finnish culture, and it's fun seeing our American culture through a different lens. When she saw my Honda CRV, she said, "It's so big!" I had just been lamenting to Robert how I need a 7 seater car now that we have two kids. The day after Tiina got here she asked me why we wear our shoes in the house. After thinking about it, we decided to stop wearing shoes past the front door. We've tried rye bread from Finland and went to a Scandinavian store to buy Finnish candy, crackers, and cheese. I even looked into what it would cost to install a sauna but it turns out they are a bit cost prohibitive.

A defining moment came when someone asked Aidan and me what an au pair is. Someone else responded, "It's like a nanny." When we got to our car I said to Aidan and Tiina that I didn't think she's like a nanny, and Aidan interjected, "Yeah, Tiina's family!" It was seriously so cute and, I think, really reflects how all of us feel.

Now, some pictures from the last three weeks:

Tiina's airport sign

Trying rye bread from Finland at breakfast

Aidan buttered the wrong side of the bread, which was delicious but tough to chew

Me, Tiina, and Harper at the park

First mail!

Tiina and Harper, best buds

Shrove Tuesday buns -- a pre-Ash Wednesday Finnish tradition -- that Tiina and I made. 

Tiina on our family vacation to Brian Head.

The whole family! 

In non-Tiina related news, Lenore had baby Philo. Gorgeous! 

Aidan won in the regional division of the PTA Reflections contest. On to State! 

His medal

KJ and Daniel came to visit from California and it was amazing to spend time with them.

Harper's first bathing suit.

Normal face

Duck face

Chubby forearms 

Strawberry hat 

Man, I have two good-looking kids

Harper visiting me at work

Life is crazy right now. And while it kills me to be away from my baby 40 hours a week, it's been a lot easier since Tiina got here. And for that, Tiina, I thank you!

Moi moi!