Applying the 2x multiplier

The last couple of weeks have allowed Hanna and I to get accustomed to the idea that we're bringing not one, but two new humans into the world in a few months. Our analytical sides took over fairly soon after the initial shock; Dr. Sizemore did the necessary research, consulted friends who are themselves recent parents, ordered books about twins from Amazon.com, and presented me with a list of materials needed for having twins and a rough cost estimate. (I was actually somewhat disappointed by the latter; I thought for sure this would be in a spreadsheet or IDL script, instead of the the post-it note that I saw.) After picking out strollers, cloth diapers, and other baby paraphernalia, she continued to hunt for a new place for us to live in Mountain View. We're flying out this weekend to look at a few places, and hopefully sign a lease on something we can afford and that lives up to Hanna's fairly high standards for houses. I've concentrated mostly on taking care of her and our current home, as well as finishing up my final tasks at work.

We've also both given final dates at our jobs, in addition to applying the 2x multiplier on all of our baby plans. Hanna's last day was ostensibly today, though I firmly believe she'll be editing papers and wrapping up loose ends for at least another week. My last day is May 8; my replacement at Tech-X started last week, and I've been spending a lot of time training her on the writing and Web aspects of my job. I'm sure I won't remember to document or describe everything, however, and I've told both her and my supervisor that I'd be available even after my official end date via email and phone whenever something comes up.

Overall, our lives have been a bit more stressful of late; Hanna turning into a Von Neumann machine has made her consistently tired, and aggravated her hypoglycemia somewhat. Keeping her fed and rested seems to help, though I've discovered this is more of a challenge than usual; I thought Sunday's roast chicken would provide two meals for each of us, but Hanna devoured the entire thing before I got to so much as taste it. Similarly, the vegetable beef soup I made was consumed in short order. This is teaching me to adjust my portions; I'll have to get used to cooking for four instead of two anyway, and keeping Hanna well fed while she's still gestating is good practice. Outside of her fatigue, however, Hanna's doing great. She's been working hard to get everything finished in the lab and her most recent paper submitted this week, but she's leaving for a vacation to West Virginia on Tuesday. I think the break will do her good.

As for me, I've been more irritable of late and not sleeping well; a combination of pressures at work, dealing with the hassles of moving and changing jobs, doing my best to take care of my wife, and the gradual realization that soon I'll be the father of not one, but two brand-new babies. My work schedule didn't allow me to travel back to West Virginia with Hanna, but I'll have some time at home to myself after my last day at work but before she gets back. Hanna advised me to do absolutely nothing during that time, and I think I'll take her up on that advice. I'll probably continue to look for jobs, but I intend to drink beer, read books, and generally lounge around doing whatever I feel like for a few days. When Hanna gets back, hopefully we'll both be refreshed, and ready to dive into our move to California in earnest.