dada n teddy

In their tacky holiday sweaters.

snow

Just over a week ago we got two feet of snow in the course of 12 hours. Awesome - even over the top of the snowblower. It's still around so we definitely had a white Christmas. Teddy's first! He loved unwrapping and he digs the new toys. We think he's going to be a demolition specialis based on the way he dismantles every tower or other creation we build with his blocks.

I can't believe the year is almost up. I wonder if I'll make it up til midnight tomorrow night. We're going for dinner at some friends who have a little boy one month older than Teddy - Quinn or Mr Q or Quentin - and a two-year-old boy. Should be fun.

haiku

year ago sadness
two years ago moved here fast
how nostalgia feels

flying by

Another month by with so few blog posts. Time is flying by me... life takes intense focus!

Teddy is growing smarter every day. He talks a lot but we don't understand him because we're obviously less-smart. We're all doing some sign language, but again, we have trouble reading Teddy's signs. He crawls SO fast and has started pushing himself up on to his feet like a yoga pose - downward dog I think.

I feel so much pressure to get the perfect "smart" Christmas gifts for him... but he'll probably end up with some blocks. He'd be happiest with a Kong since he's not allowed to play with Luna's.



Maybe the cutest thing is that he's started pointing. At everything. All the time.

haiku

sit by my keyboard
soapy papaya to me
distance seems to grow

on the frontline of the MS movement

Here in Dallas at the Society's National Conference. Not much time for anything as I'm running the stage and rehearsals. BUT I do get to enjoy every general big group session. This morning's speaker is about being happy on your journey, not waiting until you "succeed" in order to be happy.

I am grateful that Jesse cares so much for Teddy. That my house is so cozy in the winter. And that I got a new book today!

Beth
(sent from my phone)

lemon bars

In the Midwest a few weeks ago, someone brought lemon bars to my cousin's welcome / rehearsal dinner. They were similar to my Grandmother's but not quite on, and let me tell you why. Grandmother's recipe calls for lemon extract but that's NOT what she used in them, ever. She used this syrupy lemon flavoring - one time she mailed me a bottle of it but I don't have it anymore. I'm on a mission to make her lemon bars since I haven't had a real one in YEARS. She didn't bake for quite a few years before she passed away. But she used to mail me lemon bars for my birthday every year and I'd keep them in the freezer. What a special treat! Anyway, today I finally FOUND the syrup. Of course it's online and I'm going to have to order it and wait for the mail to come. But at least it will come!

Now just to figure out the rest of the recipe. Does oleo as in butter/margarine mean shortening-consistency (softened) or melted? And what if I substitute rice flour to make them gluten free... maybe I'll try them regular before I go messing with them.

The other thing recipe of hers that we loved was chocolate chip brownies - really more blondies - that she baked in a special shape / weight pan. My quest for the pan begins.

I really hope that I can get Grandmother's old KitchenAid mixer. My older sister already has one... theoretically I'm the next in line. I don't have a mixer and her's reminds me of those days sitting on the counter, watching her bake or cook, comparing my hand size to the hot mits my Auntie made with our childhood handprints on them.

email

I think I got it set up now that emails will post to my blog. Trying to make posting updates more possible!

Beth
(sent from my phone)

behind!

I'm embarrassingly behind on blogging. Once a month is just not okay.

In August... we tried to go camping again but it was supposed to be low 40s so we backed out and INSTEAD got to go to an NFL preseason game! Thanks to a colleague who has season tickets that she couldn't use that night. It was too hot, pretty loud and a little late in the evening - but Teddy was a trooper. Next time we'll do real silicone ear plugs instead of just cotton. And it won't be August so it won't be as hot.

My good friend Debbie and her beau, Colter, came to visit from San Diego and we had a lovely weekend lounging on the porch. I think the porch might be our favorite place, enjoying the house and mountains and trees. We spent a lot of time there last weekend when the in-laws were here and it FINALLY cooled off. Looking forward to fall! Hopefully the colder weather will drive the neighbor's geese, ducks and turkeys into silent hiding.

Teddy said DA-DA several times on August 16 but hasn't said it again since then. Ha! He's probably working on MA-MA.

Looking forward to the Midwest later this month to see Mom and family and wedding and friends... Rob and Jody and their boys will be there from eastern Iowa - can't wait! Teddy is very excited to meet Aunt Carly and Uncle Johnny and Anna and see cousins Lila and Eric and Auntie Lauri and Auntie and Uncle Ted and Great Granddad and Grammie and so on.

Tuesday we saw Zac Brown Band at Red Rocks which was incredible. And a little drizzly. Teddy stayed home with Jesse's cousin, Kelsey. She's awesome - it was our first time away from the little dude and it went just fine.

camping and #sharkweek

Last weekend we took Teddy on his first camping trip - to Rocky Mountain National Park. He was a happy camper! Friday night he didn't sleep great (I think he was cold) so we brought him in our bed which meant that we didn't sleep. Saturday night we insulated the tent better and it wasn't quite so cold - he slept like a rock. Luna was stressed out... really? You're in the mountains, how bad can it be? Jesse has been going to this specific campsite nearly every summer since he was about 8 years old. He said it's "full circle" for him and he can't believe that he's bringing his own kid here now. Ah, summers. Wouldn't it be great to have them off like we used to?

As a kid I used to watch shark week every summer, lying on the living room floor in front of the big TV that was also a piece of furniture, sucking up the air conditioning from the big window unit. And then proceed to have nightmares about drowning and sharks. It's so hot in Denver right now that it feels like those Iowa summers again! I'm really enjoying the summer and looking forward to fall too. August already.

gratitude

Sorry it's been so long since my last entry! I just wanted to get down three things I'm thankful for...
1. family - I had a great time with Lauri and Lila visiting Colorado (even though Lila occasionally claimed that it was Alaska) and visiting the Midwest too. In CO Lila went on many hikes, some including marching, and had many picnics. In NE I received many bug bites but luckily Teddy got none. Mom was about the same - which is amazing - and was so happy to see her grandkids. Lila is fantastic at keeping Teddy's attention. Granddad is hanging in there and Teddy thought he was just great - smiling and sometimes even laughing when he saw him. Jesse is glad to have Teddy and I back in Colorado! Daddy and Teddy are awfully cute together.
2. seasons - it is really summer here. I love San Diego, don't get me wrong, but I appreciate summer even more when it's SO different from the winter. Over the fourth of July I was thinking about the good ole days of the fourth of July in OB... Mexfest/Corona Open...
3. automatic windows, locks and steering, air conditioning - I remember years of crank windows in my lovely Dodge Colt (which I was reminded of last night when we got marble-sized hail - the Colt had big dents from BASEBALL-sized hail) and in John's Nissan pickup. I remember driving with no air conditioning to a job interview, with the windows sealed so my hair wasn't blown... sweating with the effort to parallel park with no power steering. Good times. The batmobile has air conditioning (useful for defrost!) and power steering, windows and locks. It even has a little button on the keychain that you can push to lock and unlock the car - how novel!

poem

Beautiful and heartbreaking.

I had to listen twice to really hear it.

couldn't resist

travel

Last weekend John and Carly officially moved halfway across the country, again. She's doing an internship in a horse hospital (I think) and he's working independently which is maybe his favorite thing to do. The bum is building a custom treehouse for one of Lauri's friends in Westport, Connecticut. I hope to get photos during the process and will share them here (if he allows it).

Jesse's advisor from SDSU (Diana) and her husband, Fritz, are sailing from San Diego to Kaui and back this summer. They have a blog where they'll occasionally post pics and their latitude/longitude and I'll try to share them here too. I don't know that I could handle weeks at sea without seeing land... or even another boat. But a tropical vacation does sound more and more appealing the longer we're away from San Diego! Ah to be back in Costa Rica. Can you take babies to places like that?

The Bumpuses are away for a couple of weeks and their housesitter is a real winner. Like hurting himself outside in the middle of the night and swearing LOUDLY enough about it to wake us up (last weekend). I hope that the birds win his next fight with them. Like arguing with someone at 4:41am at the top of both of their lungs with plenty of obscenity - which riled up all the animals who barked and quacked and gobbled and honked and cock-a-doodle-dood. Yes, there is another rooster that they're keeping because he's "purdy." Like loud buttrock in the afternoon with the speakers pointed at our house. Jesse is proving that he's crazier than they are... except he shaved the beard last night so he doesn't look as curmudgeon-like anymore. I still know he's crazier (albeit cleaner) than they are.

secret

One year ago this week... we had closed on our house last Tuesday, got the movers on Thursday, had the old placed cleaned and were unpacking and settling in at the new place. On Sunday morning of Memorial Day weekend we went to brunch and then to the grocery store where I debated purchasing tampons or a pregnancy test - and settled on both. My monthly visitor was a little late but I figured that the delay was just from the stress of signing a mortgage and moving - I'd certainly been later before with no baby.

Back at the house, I followed the instructions on the pregnancy test and set it on the edge of the tub. I made Jesse go into the bathroom to read the results because I just couldn't stand it! He finally went in there... I can't imagine what was going through his mind when he saw it was positive. We were in shock! Thank goodness I had another weekend day to process the news.

Tuesday morning after Memorial Day I cold-called a doctor and scheduled an appointment for a whole MONTH later. I was still reeling under the knowledge that I was pregnant. For the first weeks it was difficult to look anyone in the eye because I had this great big secret... and I started feeling nauseous and light-headed.

Anyway, just nuts to look at the year in review. Time goes much too fast! The more I take on, the more I accomplish, but the less I have to give to any one thing. I'm trying hard now to finish up projects and not start new ones - I want to focus on Teddy and our family without guilty distractions.

homeownership

My first FULL week back to work. So far so good to have this part of my brain working again! Teddy seems fine though his tummy doesn’t love something… either drinking from a bottle or the additional formula he gets while I’m away. Jesse seems to be enjoying the time alone with Teddy. We finally got furniture for the living room so now we all have a place to sit! No rug though. Our nanny, Savannah, is working out well – I spent quite a few days with her before coming back to work but now I never see her. She has similar snack tastes to Jesse: loves soda and chips.

Another nice long weekend coming up – and we’ll have houseguests for a portion of it. Hope the weather is incredible so we can kick-off the summer on the deck and celebrate one whole YEAR in our house. Which happens to be falling apart. Two weeks ago we had to replace the water heater. And then we got the water softener up and running so we don’t lose another water heater (my skin is grateful!) – apparently hard water can corrode things. We have really hard water from our 230-foot deep well. And then the friggin dishwasher died. Awesome. At least now we can replace it with one that actually works, and I guess figure out how to pay for it all later. Jesse has become quite the handyman with the constant coaching of brother John; I act more as a safety officer, ensuring that Jesse doesn't kill himself and that the house doesn't burn down.

Grammie

Last Wednesday was my first day back to work. Now I'm on a four-day a week schedule which will mean nice long weekends with little Teddy. So far so good...

Teddy is a great flier and actually very patient with the long drives. We had a great time in the Midwest but wish we could have seen more people. Teddy met Auntie Lauri and cousin Lila (who fears that Teddy will steal her toys and books), Auntie and Uncle Ted, Great Granddad, and "Grammie" (my mom - Lila coined the name). And much of Jesse's family and many of our friends. Here's a pic of Mom and her first grandson. The whole nursing home was abuzz about "the grandson" and my mom was so excited to meet and hold Teddy. She had her arm up to smooth his hair before we were even in the room! They both were all smiles.

We ended up doing some work on the house by necessity... a new water heater. And also hooked up our softener so we hopefully won't need another new water heater any time soon. I've been a peeling lizard all winter so am looking forward to some soft water. I think.

back

I have been enjoying my time off with Teddy and Jesse so much that I haven't blogged. Last weekend we were in the Midwest introducing Teddy to much of my family - more on that later. I can't believe I go back to work on Wednesday! Scary more than exciting right now. I'm expecting the first weeks to be really tough away from Teddy.

challenge 2011

The challenge is still accomplishing much with Teddy in tow. But it's so fun to just play with him that I don't mind. On Wednesday we went on a hike with Colorado Mountain Mamas and he dozed in the front carrier the whole time. Felt good to stretch my legs and meet some new people! Teddy was the youngest; the next oldest was seven months and on up to two years old. They were all in back packs except Teddy. I want to go again but there isn't one nearby before I go back to work. I'll keeping walking in our neighborhood - it's plenty hilly! Haven't attempted a walk with crazy Luna and Teddy at the same time yet. Sounds dangerous.

Speaking of walking ...unfortunately I'm going to skip the 50-mile Challenge Walk this year because it falls on the same weekend as my cousin's wedding in the Midwest. And Teddy will still be so little. And my big donors could use a year off (I will fundraise for Hike MS but not ask my entire donor base nor set my goal as high as usual). But I am COMMITTED for Challenge Walk 2012 as is Lauri. Join us? Plenty of time to think about it...

I think this picture looks like one of those fancy schmancy baby photos you see on people's walls and greeting cards but it's just one that Jesse took of Teddy on our bedspread. Love it!

yards

Jesse did some weed-o-ing (I call it weed whipping) last week to our non-native grasses and planted Treena outside where I'm sure she'll be very happy. That means it's really spring! Maybe almost time to take the warm comforter off our bed. Except it snowed last week too. Can't wait for summer. He also trimmed some of the low dead branches off the big trees (with Luna and Lucie as "helpers" - Lucie is the firefighters' puppy who we watched for a day) and found two junipers in the process. You have no idea how excited he was. He's been wishing we had junipers ever since we moved in! He also planted a little aspen that I really hope survives!
I wonder if I'll ever sew again. I was thinking that the two big drawers I have my sewing stuff in in the family room would be great for toys. I should probably box my stuff up and put it in the attic for a while - share the space with Teddy.

Last Tuesday I met a gal for lunch at the little restaurant/bar down the road. It was my first solo outing with Teddy and a success! This week I'm taking him for a hike with the Colorado Mountain Mamas - he'll be in the front pouch. I've gone for several walks with him in the pouch and am optimistic about it.

Hoping for several nanny interviews this week. Think positive thoughts!

exploration

A couple of months ago Jesse found a local off-roading group that is families - some with very young kids. Maybe this summer we'll meet them and go for a trip. He also booked two camping trips for our little family; he's very ambitious. As long as it's warm enough I think we'll be okay. Us in a tent with loony Luna and a portable crib... should be interesting.

I've been looking for activities and baby classes or mom groups so I can meet some people out here in the foothills and try to make friends with kids close in age to Teddy. No luck so far. Going on a Mountain Mamas hike with Teddy in the front carrier in a couple of weeks. Been practicing with him in the front carrier when I can - for both of us.

Having lunch on Tuesday with a gal who lives nearby and responded to my craigslist nanny share post. The nanny share won't work but it seems like we have quite a bit in common so we thought we'd meet. It will be my first solo outing with Teddy.

Speaking of hiking, I think Jesse and I are going to do Hike MS at Royal Gorge in September. Maybe with my cousin Eric who will hopefully be moved out of Kansas by then. Gotta keep moving toward an end to MS!

Back to the childcare hunt.

out like a lamb

Last day of March. Just past the halfway point of my leave. Time is flying! I just finished our taxes and am working hard on finding care for Teddy for when I go back to work. Money is tight and it doesn't help that food prices are rising. Yuck. If you know anyone who might help with child care, please let me know.

For the last few nights we've established a pattern of nighttime sleep with Teddy - with only one feeding in the middle of the night. I'm trying to convince myself that that allows for enough sleep for me and that I don't need additional naps during the day. Because (even though patterns don't usually last for Teddy) that's likely how it will be when I go back to work. Speaking of work, we took Teddy to the office to meet people yesterday. He was (mostly) content and alert for the whole hour we were there!

Getting excited (and nervous) for a trip to the Midwest in a couple of weeks to introduce Teddy to Mom (Grandmother or Grammie), Granddad (Great Granddad), Auntie Lauri, Lila, Uncle John, Aunt Carly, Auntie, Uncle Ted...

Are we bored with the blog? I'm not because now I have an entirely new subject: Teddy. And maybe my family and friends appreciate my ramblings about life and the little guy. But maybe not, maybe they're bored and annoyed. Hmm. I'm going to keep at it and try hard to keep it interesting!

outings with frog

Time flies when you're trying to keep up on sleep and focused on the cutest thing ever. Teddy went two nights in a row with one stretch each night of six hours. Then back to three-hour increments. Then to five-hour increments. We always wake him after three hours during the day. At night we let him go - at least we know he's capable of longer and we'll get there when he's ready! Guy's tummy just isn't big enough to keep him full very long and it's not like he has reserves. Though he is working on chubby cheeks and a second chin. When his belly is full and round he looks like a frog with his long skinny legs.

I have only been getting out of the house for pediatrician visits and I'm stir crazy. Sure I get adult conversation but it's almost always about Teddy. The last few days (since spring!) I've been going for walks which is lovely, and this week I have my own doctor appt - don't think I'm excited because I'm not. But it does mean an outing in Denver which is both alluring and terrifying. I've decided that next week I'm going to attempt to venture out with Teddy on my own. Attempt.

I am officially back to my cold self. While prego I was too hot all the time and wanted to crack the bedroom window in January. Now I'm back - Jesse again sleeps without covers and I snuggle in.

I started on Teddy's baby memory book. So glad it has prompts so I don't have to think of everything.

birthdays

Yesterday was Jesse's birthday. I haven't been able to shop for him but I ordered some stuff online and made him a card and a little scavenger hunt in the house to find his gifts. My birthday was last Tuesday and Jesse got me a beautiful necklace that he ordered custom. It's a heart-shaped purple amethyst - which is the birthstone for February - wrapped in a white gold heart. Jesse says it's because Teddy was created out of love. The heart and stone are attached to a little diamond-shaped piece that the chain runs through that has seven diamonds on it - since we're in the seventh year of our marriage. He always gets the most meaningful gifts! Love him.

No going out to dinner for our birthdays this year because evenings are Teddy's more fussy time and I can't imagine it being relaxing.

The first weekend in March each year is the big off-roading event that we've gone to every year for ages. TDS it's called. Last year I got to drive because of Jesse's knee. We missed the event and seeing everyone, but I didn't miss sleeping in a tent in the windy sandy desert. Sounds like the mostly male group had a great time without us!

accomplishments?

Lunch yesterday was an adventure. We fed Teddy and got in the jeep. In our experience, Teddy sleeps in the car, which he did on the way to the restaurant. However after 20 minutes inside the restaurant (still in his car seat), Teddy woke up unhappy. We were almost finished eating so we finished quickly and bailed. We'll try again another time.

Teddy eats every three hours during the day and maybe stretches to every five hours at night. It takes an hour or more to feed him so that leaves little time for sleep or to accomplish anything. As a result of this schedule, I set very low expectations for myself. For example, today sometime I intend to shower and fill out an insurance form online. Tomorrow I intend to order birth announcements. One to two items a day is really it!

home, James

Home we went! Traveling with him was an adventure itself - all of us new to the car seat. Teddy slept. Once we arrived and got settled, I waited at home for the light bed delivery and Jesse went to pick up Luna. Then we rushed off to the pediatrician for an oxygen level check (since we live higher elevation than Denver). Another visit Saturday and the okay to stop using the light bed on Sunday. And a good visit Monday! So we've got a healthy hungry perfect baby boy.

Can't believe we've been home with Teddy three weeks now! Crazy times. Sleep-deprived but good. He's eating well and sleeping decently. We have to wake him up to eat about half the time. Jesse was up at every feeding with me until he went back to work - now I let him sleep through the night feedings as best as he can.

The inlaws came to visit: pics

We took Teddy out to lunch today...

jaundice

I think then Jesse went with Teddy to our postpartum room while I stayed and wonderful Carol cleaned me up. I couldn't really walk so she wheeled me to our room which was a tiny overflow room. Jesse went to the nursery to watch Teddy's first bath and I dozed off. When they got back, the nurse - Andrea - helped me to the bathroom and I had another shaking/lightheaded/nauseous episode. Those are frightening. I guess it's from the hormonal surges but I'm sure the anxiety caused by the shaking contributes. It had to be almost morning by then.

As soon as it was light, people started coming in. Taking my blood, taking Teddy's blood, asking questions. My doctor, the pediatrician, the hearing tester, and what seemed like dozens of nurses. At some point - afternoon? - Jesse's cousin brought lunch and we got moved to a larger room thank goodness. We kept Teddy with us all the time and changed or fed him when he cried.

That night - or was it the next morning? - a blood test showed Teddy had jaundice because he's a different blood type than I. Jaundice onset that early on was concerning because he was so little. One treatment is a tanning bed-like thingy so he was immediately put on that which was hard because we couldn't hold him. Another treatment is eating so we started supplementing my nursing with formula.

I got discharged on Thursday but Teddy had to stay so we stayed in our big room - Teddy was in the nursery between feedings overnight - until about 5am when they banished us back to a tiny overflow room. The seemingly scatterbrained pediatrician said she would discharge him if our pediatrician would watch his jaundice and if we'd agree to using the light bed at home, which we did.

here he is!

And then - after more pushing - there he was. Kinda grey and scrunched up. The doctor said, "It's a boy!" Jesse hadn't been watching down there (neither had I) but I told him to Look and he did. It was crazy - there our baby was! One of the new gals in the room (all of the sudden there were many people present) asked his name and I told her Teddy and she exclaimed, "Happy birthday Teddy!" Teddy was already crying a little which I took as a good thing.

They whisked Teddy to a warm bed in the corner where Jesse went to watch and help. I have to admit that I was watching people's expressions for any sign of concern or indication that there might be something wrong. I could see a little bit of them cleaning, measuring and weighing Teddy - and Jesse taking pictures - then they brought Teddy to me. What a perfect little thing! He was sleepy. I was tired too.

Here is a link to some pics.

evening

In the evening sometime (I lost track of time) I started to shake uncontrollably and feel nauseous and like I was going to pass out. The night nurse, Carol - who was wonderfully motherly, said it was almost time to push but gave me something in my IV for the nausea/lightheaded/shaking in the meantime and let me rest.

The doctor checked in occasionally as I pushed. Jesse was seated on my right by my head and was a fantastic coach - offering oxygen, ice or juice, playing Marley or Dead or Huckleberry Flynt and holding my head at the appropriate times. And providing lots of encouragement.

Baby was turned face up - sunny side up - which isn't ideal. You want their butt in the front and their face to your back. So there was some maneuvering. Eventually he rolled and the pushes were more effective and the doctor - who was 37 weeks pregnant herself - said, "look at that dark brown hair!" I said, "dark brown hair?!" How is that possible?

morning of

I was scheduled to be induced on Tuesday evening provided the hospital had room for me. Monday night Jesse and I relaxed, had dinner (cowboy stew from a soup place) and went to bed early. We planned to get up Tuesday and button everything up for our trip to the hospital. Well, on about my third bathroom trip of the night, I noticed wetness that I didn't think was pee. You kinda lose touch with your bladder when baby's been sitting on it for 10 months. I went back to bed and got up again in a few hours - noticed the same thing. Then I couldn't get back to sleep so I just laid in bed, resting for a couple of hours. When I got up (I was scheduled to work [from home] that day) there was a lot of wetness. I woke Jesse and said I think my water broke! and got in the shower. 

I called the doctor as soon as their office opened and they told us to come to the hospital - don't lollygag. We put our bags in the car, took Luna to the kennel/doggie camp and got some breakfast on the way to the hospital, checking in just before 11am.

The nurses showed us to the labor and delivery room - really nice - and told us that it had been a busy morning with five babies born in the last hour! The nurse, Kellee (a young blonde with a good sense of humor), confirmed that my water had broke and started an IV to get my contractions going (I was having some contractions that I couldn't feel). They don't want to wait too long after your water breaks to deliver because there's a risk of infection.

Within hours I was having contractions 2-6 minutes apart and they were getting painful. I got an epidural (which wasn't painful) and the contractions stopped hurting. In fact my left leg went so numb that I couldn't move it except barely wiggle my toes. Barely. It really freaked me out because I was afraid I'd never be able to move it again - it was heavy and worthless like Mom's legs.

more overdue

Thought I'd take this opportunity to update you on the Bumpuses. Apparently they only keep males from their chick-hatching escapades in order to fatten them up into noisy, confused roosters and then eat them. They had one a few weeks ago (on top of two noisy dogs and some grumpy geese, a turkey... I digress) but it seems to be gone now. Kim of the firefighters calls them occasionally to keep things under control. We were going to write a letter about our desire for peace and quiet - especially with a little one - but we didn't get around to it with everything going on. Apparently the other neighbors handled it this time and we'll get involved the next time it's necessary. Which I'm sure it will be at some point. As long as it's this cold our windows are closed so the noise isn't quite as bad as when you're trying to sleep in on a lazy summer morning. I wonder if I'll ever have a lazy summer morning again?

This is the cutest little hand-knitted hat and sweater set that arrived yesterday from my brother John's mother-in-law, Jan. Our friend Liz sent a gorgeous handmade sling (to carry the baby) and changing pad - I'll put it on later to carry my belly and make Jesse take a pic. Another handmade thing (I'm forgetting something here) we've received is a beautiful wool blanket from my bossman's boss, Sherri. We've gotten SO many great gifts and giftcards - it's shocking but I think we *might* have everything we need! Who am I kidding, I have no idea what we need. I'm sure the little runt will fill me in after he/she arrives. Doubtful that it's a runt anymore given that I'm more overdue every day!

overdue

So... Sunday came and went with no new arrival. As did Monday. From midday Saturday to Sunday night we got over a foot of snow which is beautiful! Snowing again today - we have maybe four new inches from last night and will likely get another couple today.

Last week I got to see my cousin Eric who was visiting from Kansas. On Friday Jesse went snowboarding in Vail with Eric and his buddies. I talked Jesse into going up to Vail again on Sunday since Eric was still there - and it's a long way to go for a day of boarding on your own.

Jesse's so nervous now that he barely lets me out of his sight! Bags are packed... car seat installed. We're as ready as we're going to be. Casey's food will be on a timer (he's lonely and needy, poor guy) and Luna will go to camp/kennel. If we have to leave at a time when we can't take Luna to camp, the firefighters have offered to handle her. They have a puppy, Lucy, who plays well with Luna which wears them both out.

Getting awfully excited for sushi and a glass of wine!

TTFN - ta ta for now

Olive

Olive was a real trooper with her near-week of hospitalization, frequent vet visits, chemo treatments every 1-2 weeks, nausea, pills getting shoved down her throat, all of it... She got a treatment on Jan 3 that the doctor said she "wouldn't call a last resort" but it obviously was. We were unable to get the cancer into remission. Her kidneys again went into acute failure, she stopped eating and we had to help her go - and say goodbye - last week. She was only 8 years old (we had hoped she'd live for 20). We miss her terribly, our little squash-eating, fireplace/sun-loving, meerkat-sitting, silent-meowing, tail-tip-wagging, food-loving, stomping, Bubby-dog-loving, Q-tip-stealing, string-obessessed, burrowing-under-the-covers, black-toed, big-bellied, bony-cow-butt girl. So much of our time was dedicated to her care these last few months - especially Jesse's time. Jesse picked a perfect spot to bury her on our property under a big oak tree and we certainly feel her presence in the house. Haven't built a fire (her recent favorite) since she's been gone... it's just too hard. We're soon to be very focused on baby... but there's guilt with moving on. Luna misses Olive as evidenced by her now constant harrassment of Casey. Casey misses Olive - he demands much more attention now than before.

We'll never forget you. Love you, Olive. Miss you.

Happy New Year! I know I'm due for a "year in review" post but I have a huge TO DO list right now at work and at home and I can't prioritize this. It requires thought! This pic of Lila cracked me up - apparently she dressed herself (which sometimes I'm challenged to do) and I think she looks great.

Olive's blood results last Monday (no treatment scheduled) were good! Her anemia was gone which means the drug worked. She's scheduled for treatment today after checking her blood again. We think that one of these drugs is making her constipated - she's not pooping regularly - and so in addition to her regular stool softener she's getting pumpkin, which she loves. Weirdo. Think positive thoughts today for her!

Christmas was good. Quiet with just Jesse's parents here. On xmas eve we went to the firefighter/neighbor's house for appetizers which was fun. Another neighbor is severely gluten-intolerant so they baked AWESOME g-free sugar cookies. Then Dan, Lyn and Hannah were here for a few days which was fun because Hannah got to ice skate and sled (though I missed it because I was working - saving days for maternity leave!) and Lyn and I were prego "twins." Luna was pretty darn good with little Hannah, thank goodness! Hannah says that Luna is "snuffy" and "squishy" and something else that I can't think of right now.

After all the house guests flew away, Jesse and I got six inches of beautiful snow (finally!) and had several days of rest prior to this first Monday morning of 2011.