Dylan really likes Baby Mauli...I swear

Dylan really likes Baby Mauli...I swear, originally uploaded by margebaack.

So I guess I needed to show that Dylan beat Baby M first...she SO deserved that punch to the face! We made it to Seattle (at 2am) of course Push-On-Through decided to just go the whole way once we got on the road...10 hours almost exactly. The roads were pretty horrid all the way except Ritzville to the base of Snoqualmie pass. I have never seen Spokane with so much snow...24 inches...It was pretty much a winter wonderland the whole way!
Want to share this baby foods site (not that you need it now, but for future reference), it was super easy to navigate and answered my questions about what was OK (or not) for Dylan to eat. I hope you guys have a quick, safe trip and talk to you soon!

Deck the Halls (Ok Shower)

So before the Holidays are through, I wanted to share my idea on where to hang extra ornaments. Those of you that know me, know I am a pack rat, and therefore my ornament collection had grown to 3 bins full of ornaments...mine from childhood, gifts, Matt's, the kids, hand-me-downs, etc. In an effort to de-clutter (and get my husband to "allow" me to bring the Christmas decorations from the old house to the new house) I scaled down my ornament collection...passing some on, giving away and getting rid of broken ones I know I am never actually going to fix, and actually leaving some in the box (due to smaller tree choices). Also, with the addition of our dog 5 years ago I couldn't hang anything on the tree his mouth-height and lower. With the addition of Logan, I can't hang anything at 2 yr old height or lower (at least anything I care about) so that leaves little room on our tree to hang ornaments. So my dilemma is which ones get to grace our tree. Due to the fact we live in Montana and my husband loves to fish, the collection of fishing-related ornaments has grown and grown, so this year I was able to hang all those ornaments on our otherwise B O R I N G shower curtain to spruce up my diarrhea-brown bathroom! Had to share...Oh and my sister is hold up in a snow storm and needs something to read.

Drive safe and I hope you have a fabulous time in Colorado! Oh, and I just had to put proof on that your daughter beats mine as well!

Weathering the Storm.

This made me tear, made me think, and most of all made me think how lucky we are to have each other and be healthy.

This is what I celebrate this season:

• that we have happy healthy kids, that our parents ALL get to be GRANDparents,


• that we can be stuck in a winter storm and stay inside for 4 days and still like each other at the end (OH, and eat VERY well-thatnks again for all the cooking-even the Pipeline),


• that even if the change in schedule throws the girls sleeping off, it's still worth the visit,


• that a new birth for a best friend makes me remember being a mom for the first week and makes me look at Logan and think twice before I yell at her for exploring her curiosity,


• that while cold weather and sickness is a drag, it still is something that you get to go through together as a family


• that while it's nice to get your laundry done, clean the house, and have order in the chaos...chaos is so much more fun,


• that while White Trash Parties, Drinkin Ten High and Yellowstone Valley Beers, nursing hangovers with big greasy breakfasts the next day, wondering when the boys would come home from the Rockpile, and knowing you can count on your good friends to go out looking for spouses in the middle of the night makes me miss close friends, being able to JUST SIT and look at our babies, and laugh with them and NOT be productive is just a different kind of closeness.

Thanks again for braving the storm to come play with us, we'd be stuck with you anytime!

Reinventing my Inner Yogi

I

am

so

relaxed.

I just got back from my second attempt at Baby and Momma yoga (for me, not the baby) but since my 9 month old moves like a 3month old, she is perfectly content to let me stretch and breath and just watch! I cannot tell you how good it feels and makes me wonder why I didn't make myself go back to this earlier!

All I can say is...

Namaste.

And that I have to share my 2 year old and her favorite Yoga instructor...HAven

three girls

three girls, originally uploaded by Erica and Ryan.

Today I felt like I might be getting sick. Boohoo. So I’ve been resting, drinking liquids and popping vitamins. I stayed up last night writing my recommendations on slings and other baby stuff for a few good friends expecting babies this spring. Maybe we should write a joint article on the goods. Maybe we should write a book. There doesn’t seem to be any shortage of books out there on the topic of babies. I’m sure we’d get published. Ha!

Of course, I took a few photos while you were here. Not the adorable portraits of our babes that I had been hoping for, but next time right? Yes, your time here was busy, but I’m so glad we had it. It’s definitely easier when we are staying at the same place (or next door). We missed the all-babies-are-asleep-now-we-can-really-hang-out moments. Plus, I think we definitely pushed our little ones way past the arsenic hours. I’m still laughing about what we must have looked and sounded like as we made the trek from Bart’s to my house.

Ryan is still in SoDak. They are going to drive home tomorrow when they are done working. They are so ready to leave they are going to drive through the night.

Finally, here’s another great event in Carbondale. A fashion show fundraiser. My mom might enter…with a line of sheet pants! Just makes me smile. She wants me to come down for it...maybe be a model. You want to go?

"Fought over any good books lately?"

Loved this article...thought you may enjoy too. So much drama...think the new book club will be that way? I guess if it becomes, we could just have a 3-way phone conversation with Marlis...she always has fabulous insight...do I sound like I am trying to hook you guys up again?

Liking where the Your money book is going so far.

And thank you again for having us this weekend, it was so nice to hang out again (of course wished I could have just walked next door home instead of driving 4 1/2 hours), I wish we would've worked on crafty things, but as you said "Oh, that's so cute you thought we'd have time".

Well, the basement is always open...AND we could really use the help with the rent!

Of course I took no pictures, so I thought I'd share my current book club...

Is it your back?

So I thought you might find this interesting, at least from a marketing angle. I guess it's caused all sorts of controversy in the mom-blog world.

Conversating without the phone

Does this make you miss your cupcake phase? I just thought if you hadn't happened upon it I should point it out!
Also, noted all the giveaways and have entered already...I've been "hinting" to Matt Lisa Leaonard Designs for months...not sure if it's the lack of funds or just disinterest...probably the latter. Hey, I was thinking of coming over this weekend...Westerman's holiday party and Tracy's Shower? Maybe, with gas prices so low, it's almost worth it even for just a day or 2.
So I'm on night 4 of the, let-Dylan-Cry-A-Bit-So-We-Can-All-Get-Some-more-Sleep-Around-Here and she only fussed for about 5 minutes tonight, but I am pretty sure her 2 bottom teeth (need I mention the song-unfortunately this will probably be our kids) are coming in in the next day or 2, so I am not so hopeful for a restful night...right now Log is at her door hiccuping and asking for "mor wader", if only this 2 yr old voice would stay...
Oh, and hey, look, it's us...

And I don't care what you say, I'm the tomato.

Happy Tuesday.

Oh, and I got Your Life or Your money AND Eat, Pray, Love for under $10, I thought that was pretty good. I thought it may be one I want to highlight or write notes in, by the way, how do you annotate books/quotes/etc?

Holiday giveaways galore!

There are lots of giveaways going on right now on some of our favorite blogs. Marge, you should get there and comment and register. Plus, I know you have something cute to share about your babes.

Simplemom has one ending tomorrow and it is a huge package of all kinds of baby and kid stuff. There are some very cool companies making some cool stuff. I'm definitely going to check out the music by Swingset Mamas.

Simplemom has another giveaway ending on Friday that is jewelry. One of the pieces if by Lisa Leonard. Lisa has had giveaways on all sorts of blogs lately, and I keep registering hoping to win. I love her designs. And the rest of the keepsake jewelry is just lovely. As Simplemom puts it, they would all make the best gifts (for us moms). I emailed Ryan a link to Lisa Leonard's website, now I think I'll just email him this post by Simplemom.

Soulamama has a jewelry giveaway and it sounds like she'll have more coming over the next week or so. She's so sweet.

Thankful on Sunday

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday (right close to Halloween and Mexican Independence Day when in Mexico). But really, I love good food and I love cooking and there's not really any other holiday that brings those loves together better. And like Marge says, they are even BETTER with your family and friends. Having recovered from food and pie coma, here is current my thankful list.
1) My mom and rick and their willingness to drive the 10 hours to get here and to fill the house with fun, lively, yummy spirit.
2) My husband and all his wild hair, sweetness, thoughtfulness and the ability to make me feel beautiful despite my thinning, unbrushed hair, the zits, and the new waistline. Oh! And he's a great dad and partner in this job of parenthood.
3) My baby is so healthy and beautiful that her pediatrician can't stop exclaiming it during her check-ups.4) That one year ago we had no plans for a baby and had no idea I was pregnant at the time and yet now it feels impossible that she hasn't always been here.
5) My mom for helping me complete a sewing project this weekend (she sewed, she instructed and she held baby while I sewed). Not only are they so comfortable (Marge, you must make a pair), but the complete feeling of having completed a sewing project and loving it is more satisfying that I can describe.
6) My new "sheet" pants. Pattern from Amy Butler's In Stitches and the idea of using a sheet from Soulemama and A friend to knit with. They are so right, these are incredibly comfortable and the sheet is perfect. Plus, I spent $0.75 on the sheet. Maybe these should be called "recession lounge pants". I want to make another pair. I want to make everyone a pair!
7) I get to stay home with my little baby. I get to watch her wake up peacefully next to me and spend the mornings with her. Mornings are important, those are her happiest. Which makes sense, after all, we'd all be happier if we got 12 hours of sleep. So I'm glad I get to share those with her rather than someone in childcare get that time. I'm so lucky and thankful for that time.
8) Our little "Billings" tradition of friends coming over after their own family dinners to drink and be merry (and maybe catch a 2nd or 3rd meal) with us. Such a nice way to top off the day and it doesn't involve football.

There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort

So I am guiltily hangin' out in my jammies ALL DAY LONG.

Sue and Dan gratefully delivered my favorite coffee and croissants this morning before heading back to Billings, I spent over 2 hours on the web cam with my entire family this morning from Seattle, and for the past few hours I have been cuddling in bed with Dylan, letting her breastfeed and laugh and devoting ALL my attention to her (OK at least until I started writing this post). Why, you ask, is this laden with guilt? because I am biting the bullet and trying to wean her from night feedings tonight so that we both can try to sleep more than 45 min at a time.

So wish me luck. As she giggles herself silly on my boob right now, all I can think is...

I'm sorry DD.

I'm sorry you're kicked out of the bed, I'm sorry you are so cuddly, I'm sorry you would rather just suck on my boob all day long, I'm sorry you're sister beats on you after lowering my guard with kisses, I'm sorry you still require boob to lull you back to sleep, I'm sorry that with each passing day I realize this may be the last time I will experience {insert wonderful baby things} , I'm sorry that other people will let you down in life, and most of all I am sorry if I EVER hurt your feelings (especially tonight) ...know that mommy always loves you and this too shall pass.

Talkin' Turkey

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
— John Fitzgerald Kennedy
As I wait patiently for my first Turkey (free-range from the Hooterites) at 2 pm on Thanksgiving, this quote strikes me as something to strive for. As much as I pride myself on being greatful to others, I want to make sure that I instill this trait and lead by example for my children.
I also hope I pass onto my children the following about celebrating the holidays:
1) Holidays (and large meals) are ALWAYS better with close family and friends.
2) You can ALWAYS have more than one cook in the kitchen, and take advantage of the wisdom of smarter, more experienced (note I did not say "old" Sal and Sue) chefs.
3) You make the hostess (or host) feel so much better with genuine compliments (thanks Newt).
4) 2 year olds who eat too many chocolate turkeys like these...

have VERY strange poop (and lots of it!).

5) 9 month old belly laughs are so contagious!

6) Never hesitate to call your mom for consult...on anything.

7) When your husband yearnfully kisses you in the kitchen and wants a little of your time, even if you have a houseful of guests, kiss back passionately.

8) Thanksgiving is ALWAYS a time to wear elastic!
Happy Holidays! Thanks again to my fantastic in-laws for another enjoyable visit (and for cooking, cleaning, laughing, playing games and mostly just being here)!

Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda

Why Oh Why did we not have one of these with our first children?

Whomever gets prego again, we're organizin' one!

things I've loved this week

My sling. This has been the key to being a single mom for a week. I love all my baby carriers (must do a post about these in the future) but this week it's been my simple sling. I got it from Macsaks, she's right here in Billings. I plop Mali in it, then we hang laundry or more likely walk the dogs. I also LOVE it for running errands when driving. She and I are getting quite good at getting her in it. Amazing what a difference neck control makes!

I'm into coffee again. I love the taste, the color, the temperature and the comfort it brings. I tried caffeine one day. whoa...bad idea. Decaf it is...

The library. I've checked out movies, music for Mali, and books of course. Plus, it's perfect walking distance.

Smitten Kitchen's entries this week. She talks about pie crust today. I now don't care what we have for dinner, I can only think of are pies and tarts. I'm wavering between this one or this one. Is there a reason not to do both?

My parents are coming this week for Thanksgiving. I'm looking forward to having them here and having them gush all over Mali. Friends will likely come over after dinner and hopefully we'll play some games. Maybe we'll put the phone on speaker so Matt can play.

Killin' Things

Logan ("2 minutes" old) has been into EVERYTHING these days. She loves all books, she wants to do everything, have everything, and make EVERYTHING hers.

So Daddy comes home from hunting and is telling her all about it and after he is done, she looks very serious for a while and then gets up and says,

"I need go, I go" and walks out her bedroom.

So Daddy asks "Where are you going?"

And she pipes up "I need go hunting, right now. I go to Zoo to go hunting."

I guess our little animal rights activist has a few things to learn.

Let's just hope she doesn't try to take out our resident Lion...

Cut me off!

Ok, in an effort to let Erica live her "work-at-home" life by not calling 7 times a day or clogging up her gmail, since we have this blog I will utilize it for communication. No more instant gratification of feedback of a phone call, or laughter at a Logan-said-this story, or private musings on private email...if it's directed at Erica it's posted here!



Well at least today I am sayin' it...

So here's my favorite daily event we would be sharing if we still lived next door...OMG, the girls could soon all do this together with the Dads and you and I could go out....
When are you moving here again?



So E, check out this guy's blog..H I L A R I O U S

AND, I have a FABULOUS crafty project that I am going to try as soon as Matt gets back from killing things.

If it goes well, I will post it...it's even my own idea, I didn't steal it from anyone (although I am SURE its been done before)! It will solve SO many dilemmas I am facing right now...

1) What can I give my kids for Christmas with no money?

2) How do I still let Dylan chew on books, but prevent her from choking on soggy bits of board book corners?

3) What do I do with all these Tshirts I have been hoarding from my life over the past 20 years?

4) How do I add a little arts-and-crafts time to my daily grind that I would be proud of?

5) Even though MY life revolves around my girls right now, how do I nicely, creatively show them that mommy is her own person?

6) What would be some heirloom gifts my children could enjoy forever? And maybe even my grandchildren (0r is that too much to ask)?

7) I need more rags.



If that doesn't give it away, stay tuned...

new hair, chocolate and gettin crafty

Got my hair cut again (relatively rare experience as I usually wait 4-6 months). I'm happy with it...however I have yet to wash out the cute curls she put in when she styled it. We'll see tomorrow - assuming I get a shower in. Here are the curls.
Then, I realized today that I've been devouring chocolate over the last few months. Luckily we are on a tight budget so it doesn't always end up in the shopping cart. But my dear hubby likes to surprise me...with ice cream. During my pregnancy all I craved was fruit and if I wanted ice cream, it had to be fruit flavored. Now, it's completely opposite. While the abundance of fruit would still be good for me, I've moved onto to the chocolate. And chocolate ice cream is where it's at. This is my favorite brand (really, try the chocolate sometime) but B&J's works in a pinch.
Finally, I completed the first crafty/art project I've done in a long time. And, this one has a great story. First, I was completely inspired by Anna Marie Horner, here's her demonstration on Martha. Sometime last July I went and bought the supplies and then used fabric from my stash. The funny part is that I stretched the fabric and painted on the Mod Podge on the night of July 16th. I was in the finally weeks of my pregnancy and the desire to nest and create was incredible. It was ALL I could think about. I remember, Ryan was out of town, so it was the perfect time clutter up the table with my new project. Little did I know that at 3am July 17th (a mere 6 hours after stretching the fabric) my water would break and the birth of my baby would begin. Needless to say, that little canvas of stretched fabric was put away and I only just got it out and finally finished it. (Yes, Ryan had to clean the table of my project mess...but I had a great excuse!) The plan is to do a few different critters and hang them in Mali's room. But, we'll take it one day and one project at a time. For now, here it is.
There are two coats of paint and you can still see the fabric underneath. I clearly need different/thicker/better paint. I should email Anna and find out her preferred paint. For now though, I'm pleased. P.S. It's a robin.

Love many, trust a few, and always paddle your own canoe

Ah, what's not to like about breastfeeding...OK, the embarrassing tell-tale wet spots on your favorite shirt during a staff meeting, the painful initial let down and engorgement, the corset-like bras...but then, there are the loving little touches and exchanges between you and your little one, the sweet relief of let down after you've waited a bit too long to feed, and the fact that it's always the RIGHT amount, RIGHT temperature and it comes in such nice packaging!

And then you find a bra like the one I got today, and you wanna keep breastfeeding just so you have an excuse to keep wearing it! Jane's Bra Top from Blue Canoe...Made in the USA, organically grown cotton, eco-friendly dyes...are you salivating yet E? It's SO comfy, and just the pull-to-the-side kind which I have to say I like better than the confining military-style clips and clasps...I may even wear it to bed! And it came with some organic cotton pads that I will pass on if I don't wind up using them. But I would have to say, my ABSOLUTE favorite thing about breastfeeding is that this...

Turns into this...

Oh, and the fact you can justify the 800 extra calories per day...Hey, I needed all those donuts just to keep up!

Staying put

out, originally uploaded by Erica and Ryan.

Here I am, sitting in my chair. I sit a lot more than before. Which makes me so glad we have this great comfy chair. And, this is what I do in my chair. After a day full of short naps, sometimes the only thing I can do to make sure she gets some rest is hold her. Not a bad job. At all. In fact, I've never had a better job.

It's also improved the dexterity of my left hand. I now type with one hand, eat with my left hand, take photos and even download them. It all happens right here, in my captains chair.

Now I need to hurry up and go to sleep. Sleep while she sleeps right?

Here We Go!

Here is the place it all started...well, at least the reason behind falling in love with my "hot Daddy" (that's a story for another time), enticing him to Seattle, pulling up roots and moving back to Montana, and therefore meeting and gradually forming such a tight bond with "Erita and Ry" (I like to quote a lot...usually how my 2 yr old pronounces things, but also others' speeches). So 10 years ago this past month, I joined this wierd (but hot) guy on the Big Hole, and over the course of the long weekend went from being attracted to him, to wanted to share my life with him. I talked our mutal friends into driving me out there and we showed up after dark to a guy sitting in a crazy creek with his headlamp on (but not turned on), no fire, just some stories about how there was a bear in the camp earlier...What? But as he peeled back layers of himself, I realized, you get what you get with this guy and he was generally interested in Old George's stories of the Big Hole over the past 30 years, he checked in with his mom on a regular basis...oh, and that he must love fishing, since he dropped out of that semester of school (he was paying for on his own) cause the "fishing was just too good". Needless to say, we were destened to move back to Montana...it wound up being Billings first (supposed to be for 6 months, but after 2 properties, a dog, a kid and a business it was 5 years later) where we lived next door to 2 sets of fabulous neighbors...you know the kind that you pinch yourself, cause you are so lucky to be able to share your lives with people you like so close? That you never had to "go out" anymore and dinners, BBQ's, Parties, campaigns, and just plain helping each other was more fun with them than without? Well, that was Erica and Ryan and when we relocated to Missoula, they are one of the big things we miss. So E and I can hopefully stay in touch through this site and pretend that we're still 2 secs from each other. A month ago, we met at the infamous Big Hole for our annual trip and while things had changed greatly in 10 years (lots of diapers, kids, more food, less bar, more sleeping, less drinking), some things never will...