Time marches on

It's been another crazy couple of weeks and the rest of September doesn't look like it's going to settle down any. Little Birdy was finally baptized on Saturday, September 8th in a private ceremony. The godparents are our beloved Nanny, to the left, and brother-in-law Chuck, on the far right.

Birdy's Baptism

September 8, 2007

We celebrated baptism and the September birthdays at our house that afternoon.

The September Birthday Cake

Birdy's Sunday Best

The rest of the weekend was spent watching football, of course. Below are pictures of the progress made in the basement bathroom and photos from last week -- I was able to join Toad's class for a field trip to a local farm. They picked their own ears of corn and gourds, fed animals, and picnicked in the gorgeous fall sunshine. The best part, according to Toad? "Everything."

I worked all weekend and am off today. I took Grandma B to the orthopedic clinic to have her broken wrist checked. She fell on Friday and will have to have surgery tomorrow. What next? Hammer Guy is in Seattle for the entire week. I didn't even see him off yesterday as I was still at work. He comes back on Friday afternoon and then Birdy and I leave Saturday morning for our Girls Weekend Getaway.

Our sassy bathroom

Field Trip to the Fall Harvest Apple Orchard

Birdy's First Cereal

So many Firsts

August 13, 2007 -- Birdy's first day of preschool

Birdy in her Sassy jumper -- jump around! jump! jump! jump!

It's been so long since I've blogged, I'm not sure I remember how.

The final weekend of the summer started last Thursday when the whole family had a day off. Toad and Lemon got haircuts and we went to the nursery to buy trees for the front yard in memory of my dad. We bought two river birch and the boys installed them on Friday night. I worked Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Birdy started to get sick on Friday and HG soon followed. It was a rough weekend but luckily Grandma and Grandpa A were here to take care of the sickies. I'll spare you the details.

August was a month of Firsts for Miss Bird. Sadly, her time with Nanny ended as Nanny prepared to go back to school. Birdy started in the Infant Room at Toad's school on Monday, August 13th. On Tuesday, August 14th, Birdy woke with her first major cold, which has now become her first ear infection (we visited the doctor this afternoon). Friday, August 31st her first tooth broke through (bottom left) and her second (bottom right) is very close behind. To say that she's crabby would be the understatement of the year. She also had her first "professional" photos taken on a very rainy Saturday -- she had no smiles that afternoon!

Birdy seems to get along fine in the Infant Room; I'm the one having trouble with it. Things are quite overwhelming for me these days. There have been some major changes at work that have not been at all welcomed and I'm seriously considering ending my career there. Please, if anyone wins the lottery, if you could just send half a million my way, I'd appreciate it.

Toad's beloved teacher started her own preschool and we're working toward getting him there. We visited the school last week and it feels like it's the right thing to do. The timing just isn't right.... yet. The basement project drags on. It's been so hard for Hammer Guy to work on it with my work schedule the way it is. The bathroom is nearly complete and the walls are close to being finished.

We missed the State Fair again.

Birdy will be baptized this Saturday and we're having our families over to celebrate that and September birthdays. Later in the month Birdy and I are taking a trip to Duluth to reunite with my wonderful college friends -- a much-needed get-together!

Just Photos

Birdy's Big Girl Cousins

Birdy's First Dip in the Pool, July 4th

Birdy and Cousin Frog

"One meeellion dollars!"

Exhaustion Sets In

It's 11:07 p.m. as I sit down to write this with a bowl of oatmeal and a glass of water. I got home from work about a half hour ago and did dishes, made bottles, and made lunches for tomorrow. The loonies were out again tonight and they all shopped at the store. Every time I've closed since coming back to work, something totally cooky has happened. Tonight a child left a trail of spit-up from customer service to the exit door and the parent didn't bother to clean it up or mention it to an employee for that matter. I noticed it when I almost wiped out in it. There were lots of guest issues. I'm so ready to move out of the Selling Manager position -- which was supposed to happen August 1st -- and now the company has decided to postpone the "Rotation." I'm going to rotate right out of there if something doesn't change soon.

It's been an emotionally exhausting week for me, too. After having three beautiful days off and getting to spend lots of time with my family, it's been very hard to leave my kids every day. Birdy smiles and laughs and talks so much now, and she's such a good snuggly-buggly-boo. Toad still amazes me every day with his cuteness and powers of observation. He's into the Critter books these days, thanks to Auntie Mary. Just Me and My Kids....

I'll post a photo from the Fourth later....

Sling-A-Ding-Ding

Birdy has really taken to her sling in the last week or so. She just woke up from an hour-long nap in it, during which time I washed dishes and got caught up on some emails. I wish I'd had it when she was a newborn. www.hotslings.com

Work has been busy and it's hard to be away for so long every day. After my co-workers wanted to switch some shifts, I now have the next three weekends off. It's going to be hard to work weekends after that.

Today I made reservations for our anniversary trip to the North Shore. G & G A will be taking care of Bird and Toad and the Puppy. I'm so excited to go -- Hammer Guy and I have been staying at the same resort for the last eight years -- but it's still months away. Good thing there's a Duluth reunion planned with the UMD Ladies before that. www.superiorshores.com

Oh, and more exciting news -- the Connecticut Cousins arrived in their RV late last week and will be camping out for three weeks. Hopefully there is a sleepover in Toad's future. There's a pool party planned for the 4th -- should be fun with lots of great food!

A Little Piece of Quiet

It's Tuesday afternoon, my second day off in a row after working several, including a long, long weekend. Birdy is asleep in her crib although I'd love to be holding her right now. Hammer Guy did a stellar job with the kids while I worked this weekend, but now that I've been home with Birdy for two days, tomorrow will be like coming back from maternity leave all over again. I've enjoyed these two days enormously. Yesterday Bird and I spent a lovely hour and a half at Target and then spent the rest of the day cuddling and playing -- she's so interactive now and has the most adorable smile. Today we shopped for groceries on the computer (http://www.shop.lundandbyerlys.com/) and had two visitors.


My new friend Amy came over today with her five-week-old son. She is on maternity leave from the grocery store where I buy most of my natural food items, which is where we met. She then started shopping at the Baby Store and we've since become friends. We have a lot of the same ideas on baby raising and food and we both love to cook, so yay for new friends! Then my friend Kimberly who happens to also be my chiropractor brought me Caribou Coffee --now there's a good friend. I love coffee.


Going back to work hasn't been too horrible but I would prefer to be at home with my kids, writing my books and keeping up with the laundry.


Here are some recent photos:

Frog and Birdy are Friends

Birdy in the Bouncer

Bird and Toad

Right now...

...Birdy and Puppy are sleeping. Toad is at school and his laundry spins in the washing machine. Hammer Guy had a major mud accident yesterday at work and I got the stain out. The dishes are done. I'm just finishing my first cup of coffee (so late!). I'm trying to be positive about yesterday's return to work -- it was nice to see my friends again and be surrounded by adults all day, I was glad to listen to NPR on the way in and the way home, Birdy and the Nanny had a terrific day and Bird even slept for an hour and a half in her crib! Those are all wonderful things, but let's just say nothing has changed at work in the last three months.

But here's the great news: My short story that was published in November is now available on the internet! Oh, it's great to be a published author and it reminds me of how hard I've worked in the past and how hard I need to work to make this dream come true. Here's a link:

http://www.upstreet-mag.org/upstreet_2.html

UPS just delivered a new book yesterday: This Year You Write Your Novel by Walter Mosley and maybe it is.

Tonight HG is on his own with both kiddies while I close. Wish us both luck.

Sadness, Pt. 2

I'm overcome with sadness that my maternity leave is coming to an end. Nanny started on Monday and I've been putzing around the house while she plays with Birdy and changes diapers (I'm still doing most of the feeding). I pumped the other day so that I could leave for a few hours on Wednesday -- I went to the library and did a little shopping. It was the first time I've gone to Target without Birdy since she's been here and it felt like I was missing a limb. I'm not worried at all about leaving her with Nanny (although I fired her twice today :), I just can't bear to leave Birdy -- especially to return to a job that -- let's face it -- I despise.

On a happier note, the Special Visit/Outlet Adventure with Cousin Frog and Auntie was delightful. It was so nice having them here! (I have one picture that still needs to be uploaded.) Frog was a bit of a No-Nap Nelson, but the first night she did marvelously well sleeping in Bird's crib. The second night presented a few challenges but it all worked out in the end and I believe that Frog has settled back into her routine without too much trauma. I hope they will consider visiting us again someday. As for outlet shopping -- while brief, it was a much needed diversion for me. Hopefully I will be able to drag myself away from the house and Birdy tomorrow to get back up there to buy some work pants. None of my pre-pregnancy clothes fit of course.

Toad has been back into the swing of things at school for a couple of weeks now and he told me yesterday that he was so happy to be there. I guess staying home with Mama and Baby was a bit of a drag for him, but at school he gets plenty of opportunities to get his stinkies out (meaning, run around and play outside with his buddies).

Hammer Guy spent the first part of the week in Idaho, of all places, on a business trip. We survived but let me tell you, we are so glad he's back. He's even taken a bit of a break from the basement since he found out our "deadline" for the permit is slightly on the flexible side.

So it's our last weekend of freedom and next week will present new challenges -- getting up earlier to make it to work on time, being away from the kids for 10+ hours a day, etc, etc, oh the horrors. Wish us luck.

The countdown has begun

Saturday's hail storm

My return to work looms on the horizon like a thundercloud. It's less than two weeks now and I haven't even found the "to-do" list that I made for my maternity leave, let alone gotten around to doing those things. I've been much too busy cuddling and nurturing and bonding with Birdy, not to mention the fun (and stress) that came from having Toad at home. Next week Birdy's darling Nanny starts -- we'll try to break her in gently -- and so hopefully I can get some work done while Nanny is here.

This week we're having a special visit from Troy's sister and Cousin Frog. We can't wait! Not only will the girls get some Baby Playtime, but it will be so great to have Auntie here for some adult conversation -- and oh, yeah, shopping at the Outlets. It's supposed to be stormy on Thursday but hopefully it won't ruin our Outlet Adventure.

Toad's New Favorite Number

is FOUR!

Toad celebrated his fourth birthday a couple of weeks ago -- May has been a completely crazy month. It's hard to believe it's almost June and I will have to go back to work soon. Toad starts back at preschool full-time on June 1st.

Other family news: Hammer Guy continues to work on the basement with help from Grandpa A (thanks!), which means we've had lots of visitors lately with the birthday parties and weekend help.

Here are some photos from recent events:

Stacy gets out of Tornado Alley -- at least for a day

Toad's new kitchen

Party at the Park

Toad loves Thomas

Toad and Miss Birdy

It's Still Rock-n-Roll to Me

Wednesday night, after a lot of planning and preparation, I left Hammer Guy with both kids for the first time and went to the Billy Joel concert with Linda. For some time now, as the evening approached, I thought I was crazy for thinking I could make it work, but as soon as the lights went down and the music started, I remembered why I'd ordered the tickets in the first place. Read the review from the Star Trib:

http://www.startribune.com/457/story/1174360.html

Linda and I had a wonderful time and Hammer Guy did a great job with the kids!

The week ahead promises to be very busy as we prepare for Toad's fourth birthday. Stay tuned!

Highlights

Sleepytime

Wild Boys

So the last three weeks have been incredibly busy. Here are some highlights:

Little Birdy is now six weeks old and almost as long as her Moses Basket. She graduated to #1 diapers last week and is beginning to outgrow some of her clothes. She met her cousin Frog this past weekend as we took our first post-baby trip to Wisconsin. Frog and her parents have moved from the Detroit area back to Dairyland and we're so excited!

Toad had a great time visiting his WI family and playing with HG's old toys. For the first time ever he stayed in his bed all night, both nights! Hurray! On April 21st the kids and I were fortunate to be able to visit with my UMD girlfriends at Heather's house in St. Paul. Toad loved playing with her two-year-old son Will, even for the short amount of time he was awake! He talks about Will frequently and we are looking forward to another playdate soon. It was great seeing the "UMD gang" and finally meeting Heather's new son Charlie. This is a great group of strong women and I am blessed to have them in my life.

My short-term disability leave is officially over as of today, which means the paychecks stop for the remainder of my leave. I plan to go back to work June 18th. I've been pretty good about not spending so much money with this baby. Keeping busy during the day with both kids and trying to keep up with the housework, etc, has kept me from going out shopping too much (except for my weekly trip to Target, my Mecca). Lucky us, this weekend we came home with a whole tub full of wonderful hand-me downs from Frog that will keep Little Birdy well dressed without spending a ton of money! Thanks, Auntie Sara!

And of course, the Basement Saga continues. We hired a contractor for the bathroom work based on the recommendation of our chiropractor and a "two day job" turned into a five-week blunder. The rough-in is finally complete! There is still so much more to be done.

Going home to WI was a nice break and Monday we began our routine all over again. Yesterday Toad and I went to the dentist. Bad news for me -- #19 needs a crown. Great news for Toad -- our appointments were sort of at the same time, so on only his third visit to the dentist at the age of not-quite-four, he went with Linda his wonderful hygeniest to a chair on the opposite side of the office without me! We're so proud of him!

Three Weeks Old

Little Birdy is three weeks old today. Time is passing so quickly and I am already dreading returning to work. She had another weight check this morning and she's finally gaining at a good rate -- she gained 8 ounces in a week and is now almost up to her birth weight. She's got two chins and we're thrilled. She's also seen the chiropractor twice and is in very good shape.

Here are some cute photos from the last week or so.

Bird in the Moses Basket

Toad loves to bake brownies!

My boys reading

A special visit from Linda

Introducing Our Little Birdy

A big yawn

She has finally arrived -- our Little Birdy made her appearance last Wednesday, March 21st, at 1:25 p.m. She weighed 8 lbs 6 oz and was 21 inches long. The delivery didn't go exactly as I had planned, but it was worlds better than Toad's, and I feel like a million bucks! Bird is a laid-back, calm baby who sleeps a lot and doesn't cry much.

We came home from the hospital a week ago today. The week has been one of adjusting. We had a family birthday party here on Saturday night as well as a visit from G & G A. for the weekend. Monday was Bird's first doctor appointment. She had lost a lot of weight, so she and I have been working hard on that. By our return visit on Wednesday she'd gained 4 ounces back. She can sometimes be very ravenous and sometimes very, very lazy, just like Toad was! No wonder he's such a putzy eater!

And speaking of Toad -- there's never been a prouder big brother. He loves his baby so much and is incredibly loving and gentle with her. For the most part, he's able to "wait his turn" (and can be quick to remind Bird that she needs to wait her turn as well!) and we've only had a couple of difficult, acting-out bedtimes. Today is his last full day of preschool. Next week he starts a more limited schedule -- only going three mornings a week -- and will spend the rest of the time at home with Bird and me.

Hammer Guy went back to work already on Wednesday and we definitely miss having him around. We're looking forward to the weekends when we can be together as a family. Hopefully the basement project will be done soon!

And so we are settling into a routine of sorts as we welcome our new little one into our family. We couldn't be happier.

For more pictures, click here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/14698655@N00/sets/

For Ms. Komal's Birthday

Toad and I worked on a very special gift for his teacher's birthday Monday. He chose to paint the box pink and then I found some sparkly stickers for him to place on the lid. With the exception of the two big flowers, he put all of them on himself with very little guidance. He's very proud of his work and Ms. Komal was thrilled with the handmade gift.

One of the other moms asked me, "When do you have time for that?" and I laughed. I've got plenty of time -- just waiting for this baby to make its appearance. Sigh.

Baby Update

Oh, wait! There is no update!

It is now Monday, I am two days past my due date, and for the most part the house is clean. I've already made a trip to Target and the gas station today. Plans for the rest of the day: a load of laundry, make the bed, rest with Lemon, watch some TLC.

Toad, HG, and I had a fun weekend of family time even though I was terribly crabby and tired. We played lots of games and worked on a birthday present for Toad's teacher. We also watched Toad's current favorite movie each day, Home on the Range. Although I can't stand Roseanne Barr (the voice of Maggie), it's a cute movie.

Okay, then.

Here's a picture of a newborn Toad, since I don't have one of Baby #2 to post.

Exciting News

No, we haven't had the baby, but we did receive some great news this week. Hammer Guy's sister, her husband, and their baby found a house to buy in Wisconsin! They will be moving from Detroit at the end of the month. It's very exciting -- they will be close to HG's parents and other sister, and we will get to see them much more often. It will be great for Toad (and #2) to be able to spend time with little cousin Frog.

The week is dragging on. I've been working every day. Today I worked just over two hours and called it quits. Even though there are plenty of chores to do around the house, I think I will just relax and watch a movie since Toad is at school.

Please send positive baby vibes my way!

Snowed In

What a week! The previous weekends' storm was just a preview of things to come. On Thursday and Friday we had a huge snowstorm, enough to keep me off the roads for three days! Toad and I had so much fun at home together. Two of the major highlights: breaking out a new Candyland game and watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.



Toad is a natural at Candyland. He said he'd played it at school and did seem to catch on to the rules very quickly. He lives for drawing "a guy" -- even if it means going all the way back to Plumpy. On Friday he and I played six games -- he won the first five! The graphics on the game have changed since I was a kid, but the fun has not. When I was at work on Sunday, Toad taught Hammer Guy how to play -- HG does not remember playing Candyland as a kid. Next up -- Chutes and Ladders.



I had warned Toad that there was a scary part in Willy Wonka (the psychedelic boat ride) to which he shivered in joyful anticipation -- but he wasn't bothered by it at all. He loved the movie so much we watched it twice.

We had such a great four-day weekend, but I know that Toad was thrilled to be back at school today. I have a couple of days off now and there are still a few cleaning projects that need to be done. I'm at 38 weeks and 2 days and there's not a whole lot of room for this baby. Now that the time is getting very close, I'm a bit nervous about how it's all going to work out -- hopefully my labor will start at home.

The Baby Room and a Big, Big Storm

Hammer Guy (and Toad) finished up the last few projects in the Baby Room -- the second coat, building a bookcase that matches the dresser (not pictured -- it's just outside of the shot on the wall to the right), and building the crib. All the bedding is ready to go, there are a few clothing items in the dresser, and the last thing to do is get the changing table set up. We still need a pad and a few other things for it.

We finally experienced a bit of winter over the weekend with a storm that brought down about a foot of snow. They are predicting another "snow event" for tomorrow and Thursday. HG and Toad had a great time shoveling and sledding last night after school.

It's hard to believe that tomorrow is the last day of February -- meaning there are just 18 more days until the Due Date (will I make it that far?!). And I've developed yet another nasty cold -- let's hope this misery doesn't last long (and no one else in the house catches it)!

The First Coat

The first coat of Olive Sprig is on -- much thanks to Lena for all her help and expertise! Hammer Guy is planning to finish the room Thursday and hopefully we'll be able to build the crib and move everything else back in on Friday night. Toad and his new buddy Ryley had a great time playing and we're looking forward to spending more play dates with them after I go on maternity leave.

The weekend was a busy one -- Grandma and Grandpa A were in town briefly and HG and his dad did a big Menards run. The progress in the basement is slow but should pick up when I'm not working weekends. This weekend at work was tough for me and even after having Monday and Tuesday off, I'm still in pretty rough shape with lots of back and hip pain.

Tuesday I kept Toad home from school and I took him to get his hair cut and to Target in the morning. We spent the rest of the day visiting at Grandma B's house with Grandma and two of Toad's aunties. Aunt M gave Toad lots of fun stuff.

Today is my 36-week appt. The bag is packed.

A Book Picnic, Babe, and Valentine's Day

Highlights of the week:

Friday night while HG built the baby's dresser, Toad and I sat in the hallway outside the baby's room and read books. Lots and lots of books. We called it our "Book Picnic" (complete with a pretend lunchbox with chocolate chip cookies) and read for about an hour and a half. It was so fun and Toad is looking forward to more Picnics of this nature.

Sunday I was off and Toad finally agreed to watch Babe! I've been trying to get him to watch it for months and Sunday was the day! And of course he loved it! Who doesn't love Babe! He now wants to watch it every day.

Today is Toad's Valentine's party at school. Thank goodness we started working on his Valentine's box in January (HG thought I was crazy) but I've had so much going on in the last three weeks or so -- I didn't want to be up late last night putting the finishing touches on the box, and it all worked out as planned. The classroom was total chaos when I dropped him off this morning and I'm so glad I didn't volunteer to help. There's no way I'd have the energy for 25 little munchkins with sugar highs.



I have an appointment with my midwife today before work. I'm almost to 36 weeks, so the time has come to get serious. Monday my friend Lena is coming over with her son for a play date -- for the boys and for us as we paint the Baby room (Lena loves to paint). After Grandma and Grandpa A visit this weekend we're going to take down the bed and clear out the room -- then the baby furniture will go in after we paint. Tomorrow I'm packing my bag.... a big step toward facing reality.

Pure Joy

We hosted our 8th Annual Super Bowl party on Sunday and after a few heart-stopping moments (such as the touchdown scored by the Bears on the opening kick-off), the Colts' victory brought me -- and many anti-Bears and/or Peyton Manning fans -- such joy. For the first time in years I was actually able to sit down and watch quite a bit of the game. The weather was horrible but several of our die-hard friends made it over and the party was great. The kids ran around and got wild and scattered toys all over the house, the adults enjoyed tasty treats and beverages, Prince played Purple Rain (my favorite Prince song), and the Colts won. What more could I ask for?

It's already been a long week. I've been trying to take it easy at work and that's helping. Last night, though, I wiped out on the stairs and landed on my tail bone.

Just a few more weeks till Baby -- Toad helped me with the baby's laundry last night and tonight we'll do bedding. He's getting very excited. He talks to the baby, kisses and hugs my belly, and wants to help out as much as possible. Today we had an amazing drop-off at preschool. We were about 15 minutes late and all the other kids were already in the circle. He took off all his winter gear, gave me a quick hug and a kiss, and then walked into the main classroom area, very carefully holding onto the tambourine he'd brought for the sound of the week basket so that it wouldn't make a lot of noise while his teacher was talking. He set it in the basket gently, then walked all the way around the circle until he found a spot, sat down and crossed his legs, and finally looked up at me and waved goodbye. I almost started crying. What a little man.

We're trying to figure out childcare and other financial bits once Baby arrives and we've toyed with the idea of reducing Toad's time at preschool. He loves it so much, though, that that thought of that just about breaks my heart.

It will all work out somehow, I guess.

A Day of Rest

With just over six weeks to go until the baby's due date, I've started to swell. I mean swell. It's been a good week since I've seen my ankles bones. Yesterday I had a bit of a blood pressure issue, so after working until 10 o'clock last night (which did not help with the swelling), I took a sick day today.

And I slept. I crawled back into bed at 9:30 and slept for hours. It's been years since I've been able to do that. And when I woke up and had a second breakfast, some of the swelling had gone down -- hurray.

Sunday is our 8th annual Super Bowl party -- the crowd is going to be smaller this year. The weather is supposed to be brutal, as in, don't go out if you absolutely don't have to! To all our friends who can't make it this year -- you will definitely be missed!

Just read: America's Cheapest Family Gets You Right on the Money. Good suggestions for getting rid of debt and living within your means, but I have to say that this family of seven is pretty geeky. I've got a pile of financial and organizing-type books from the library to get through.

One more day of work to get through and then it's party prep for the weekend!

A long month

A random photo of Toad, summer '03

Where has January gone? After the craziness of the holidays, my focus shifted to two major projects at work, physical inventory on the 14th and a sales training last night. Now that those are behind me, I can concentrate on a few other projects before the baby comes.

Toad and I are working on a Valentine's box for school. We had a visit from G & G A this weekend and he and Grandma worked on a few Valentines. He loves paper punches and stamps.

The baby room is still a guest room with a full-sized bed and white walls. It needs to be cleared out and painted before we can think about putting up the crib and changing table and building the new dresser. I'm at 32 weeks and 2 days and I think the child is playing hockey in there or something. There's a lot of high sticking and elbowing going on. It's crazy to think that in less than two months we'll have a newborn in the house again. I'm not sure that we're mentally prepared for that -- but at least we have a few diapers in the house.

Hammer Guy continues to chip away at the basement, although he's been sick so he hasn't been down there as much as he would like.

What I'm reading/What I've read:

The fourth and final Traveling Pants book came out a couple of weeks ago -- Forever in Blue. I read it in a day. Not my favorite of the four, but still good.

HG wanted me to read the DaVinci Code before we see the movie (Santa brought it for him). I did. The writing style and topic aren't really my bag, but it held my interest and I'm looking forward to seeing the movie.

I've dug out some of my parenting books -- right now I'm reading The Official Lamaze Guide: Giving Birth with Confidence and The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding.

I received Alice Munro's latest book of short stories from my S-I-L Lisa for Christmas and can't wait to dive in.

Hopefully with all the projects around the house, I'll still find time for reading!