Go the F*$% to Sleep

Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Claire is still figuring out that daytime means awake and nighttime means sleep. Sometimes her internal clock is a little bit off. Yesterday Miss Claire was awake the entire day, today she slept the entire day. You just never know.

Either way, in the evenings Claire is fussy. Putting her to bed is a challenge. She loves falling asleep with a pacifier, but when it falls out- No, not ok. So you have to stick it back in until she falls asleep. High maintenance.

Daddy tried reading her some books tonight. On the menu was Goodnight iPad, Goodnight Houston, The Runaway Bunny, and Go the F*&% to Sleep. It was pretty funny listening to Ross read the last book, especially while she was crying at him.

On another note, do you know all the verses of the Hush Little Baby? Ross and I both stalled out after the second verse and we had to look up the rest. I can't say that the versus are all relevant today.. Why is Momma gonna buy you a looking glass and what is a looking glass anyway?

:)
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Life Changes

Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Last week I got a phone call that the BP asset I support was bought (50%) by Hilcorp and told that all the employees would go with the sale. Talk about a BOMB to be dropped on someone who is at home on unpaid leave with a new baby...
Sometimes "life" things happen that are out of your control, but turn out to be a blessing in disguise down the road. I'm hoping this is one of them. It's been an emotional time for us as we figure out what the future might look like. Working for a different company from Ross and being a working mom are two things I'll potentially need to navigate.

Here is the public announcement:

Subject: READ: Hilcorp Transaction - North Assets

Team Alaska -
BP is committed to maintaining a safe and compliant business that is sustainable and aligned with our corporate strategy; for Alaska, our part in the strategy is big fields and gas value chains.  With that commitment, today we are announcing that BP has agreed to sell our interests in four North Slope Alaska oilfields to Hilcorp.
The sale includes all of BP’s interest in Endicott, the Endicott Pipeline, Northstar and the Northstar Pipelines; and 50 percent interest in Milne Point, the Milne Point Pipelines and the Liberty field. To put it in perspective, it represents less than 15 percent of BP’s net production on the North Slope.
As a result of the sale and subject to approval, Hilcorp is expected to become the operator of the Endicott, Northstar and Milne Point oilfields and their associated pipelines and infrastructure. BP will retain a 50 percent interest in both the Milne Point and Liberty fields and expects to submit a development plan for Liberty by the end of 2014.
Our goal is to focus as operator of the giant Prudhoe Bay oilfield, increasing production adding activity and progressing the Alaska LNG opportunity, while increasing and accelerating activity at Milne Point through introduction of a new Alaska North Slope partner. This transaction brings a new investor and a new operator to the North Slope with a strong track record of unlocking production and resources from mature oil fields similar to Endicott and Northstar.
Our priorities are to continue to ensure safe, reliable and efficient North Slope operations and to provide the approximately 250 employees associated with these assets clarity about their future as soon as possible. We anticipate that the majority of our employees at or supporting Milne Point, Endicott and Northstar will be given job offers by Hilcorp with no break in employment. Those who don’t receive an offer will have the opportunity to seek roles within BP. All employees will be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect.
As operator of the Endicott, Northstar and Milne Point oilfields as well as the associated pipeline infrastructure, Hilcorp, already active in Alaska’s Cook Inlet, will become a new operator on the North Slope. BP remains the operator until the transaction is approved by State of Alaska and federal regulators, which is expected by year end.
I realize this news brings uncertainty and will impact many of you on a personal level. Both companies are committed to ensuring a smooth process for all affected employees. All employees on shift this week will have the opportunity to meet with leadership and know your status. We will also ensure that you understand the way forward.  Employees not on shift will be contacted at home by their supervisor. Supervisors will also be available to talk to employees when they return to work.
Our intent is to be able to increase and accelerate production activities at both the Prudhoe Bay and Milne Point oilfields, as well as sell our interests in Endicott and Northstar to an operator that has a strong track record of energizing mature fields. This transaction allows us to focus on giant fields like Prudhoe Bay where we are significantly increasing activity and investment and, world-scale projects like LNG. It also brings a new investor and a new operator to the North Slope with a focus on unlocking production and resources from mature oil fields. 
Our respective strengths put us on a path to a future with more activity and more investment on the North Slope. Hilcorp has demonstrated its abilities in Cook Inlet, where it has increased oil production by 36% (9,700 barrels per day) since taking over Alaska assets in January 2012. We are after a competitive and sustainable business which we know leads to a stronger industry and economy for Alaska over the long-term.
We are committed to submitting the Liberty Development and Production Plan to federal regulators by the end of 2014, and we are committed to advancing this challenging project along with Hilcorp. Recognizing the achievements and the excellent work that has been done to bring Endicott and Northstar to where they are today, we are excited about putting these assets in the capable hands of Hilcorp as well.
Thank you for maintaining your relentless focus and commitment to safe and reliable operations on Alaska’s North Slope.  I know many of you will have questions in the coming days and weeks, and the Alaska Leadership Team is committed to answering those questions and making the transition as smooth as possible. The lines of communication are open, and we will continue to update you on a regular basis.
With high regard-
Janet 


Good thing little missy helps keeps things in perspective!

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Claire at 6 weeks

Monday, April 28, 2014
Here's some "6 weeks and 2 days" Claire baby pictures for you (taken 4/17).

Thank you for the outfit Aunt Cindy!





Claire is into 3 month clothes now and the 6 month clothes aren't all that big. Good little eater girl :)
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Babiators

Sunday, April 27, 2014
Do you ever see something online and just HAVE to HAVE it. These purple "Babiators" fall under that category.

And you can see why...



Babiators AND a Nuk

Ball'in.
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Easter Pictures

Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Here's what our Easter looked like! Sorry, no egg hunts here...




Ross cooked a smoked turkey (which is one of my favorite ways to eat turkey), Mom Huebel made a Kale salad, and Noelle brought an onion casserole. Here are the recipes, which were both delicious!!




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Roma Update

Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Roma has been restricted for 9 weeks following her double knee surgeries. She has only 1 more week to go until she gets x-rays which will tell us if she's all healed up and can resume activity. We are ALL hoping this pup is fully recovered. Roma is not a chill kinda dog, she's a run and fetch kinda dog :)


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Claire, 6 weeks

Monday, April 21, 2014
Here are some pictures of Miss Claire at 6 weeks. She is really filling out! Ross did a rough weight estimate on the scale with her and she was about 11 pounds!! Good eater girl!



Claire has grey/blue eyes like her momma :)




Aunt Katy sent Claire a cute BlaBla bunny doll




So much fun playing dress up with baby girl!

On another note, 6 weeks is the standard period for maternity leave. I just can't even imagine having to go back to work already. The USA needs to take a clue from the Netherlands on maternity leave... they get a YEAR off!!
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Cinnamon Rolls

Sunday, April 20, 2014
One of the last things I did before Claire was born was make homemade cinnamon rolls. Turns out my dad had a work trip to the North Slope and he stayed the weekend with Ross and I in Anchorage after his work commitments (Dad actually left the day before my water broke!) Anyway, I knew that my itch to eat homemade cinnamon rolls was not going to get scratched unless I made them myself (Mom wasn't here, she MIGHT have made them). Ross and Dad were just willing bystanders to the chaos, which is making over 4 dozen cinnamon rolls. It was totally worth it. They freeze really well in disposable aluminum pans too. We enjoyed some Easter morning and there's still more in the freezer!

Recipe Adapted from Pioneer Woman and Cupcakes and Cashmere. I combined elements of both these recipes; I used more cinnamon and raisins. (No raisins is sacrilege right?) I also made a cream cheese/maple icing because I didn't have all the ingredients in the recipe.




Ready to eat :)

I love Saturday morning treats, don't you??
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Claire at 5-6 weeks

Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Granna has been visiting for the past week and we've gotten some quality time together. She's been loving on her new grandbaby and singing her lots of songs (which Claire doesn't get from her mommy and daddy much).

5 weeks old, thanks for cute Vera Bradley outfit Allison!


Hanging out with Granna






6 week pictures with Granna!



So many cute outfits means lots of pictures!!
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Meet Juno Burton

Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Our friends Kaity and Hunter recently got a new puppy, which they named Juno. It's remarkable the similarities between a new puppy and a new baby. For example, both interrupt your sleep cycle... :). I believe Juno is an Australian Shepherd, but I need to verify. Doesn't this make you want a puppy??

Unless of course you just spent a lot of money on your dog's knee surgeries, then even cute little puppies aren't as tempting!




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Remember Me?

Monday, April 14, 2014
There hasn't been enough Grey One on my blog lately, I know that. But things have changed and Roma is a big sister now... On top of that, Roma is still recovering from her two knee surgeries. She is doing really well, but can't run around (even though she tries). Roma goes to underwater treadmill rehab twice a week. She has 2 more weeks until the x-rays which will tell us if Roma's healed up and we can start to introduce more activity. Hopefully, just in time for Alaska summer!







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11 days old

Sunday, April 13, 2014
I take so many pictures of the boo boo it's hard to stay on top of posting them all! These pictures were taken when she was 11 days old...
















Claire looks so different to me now that she has put on some weight... she's also sleeping better these days which makes her momma and poppa HAPPY!!
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HBD to Claire and Ross!

Such a fun birthday weekend for two of my favorites! Claire turned 8 and Ross turned… more than 8 :)  Date night picture--