Wind battered

Wouldn’t it be great if ‘wind battered’ was a fried fish coating instead of the feeling of several people taking a whack at you with a phone book? I am still sore. Its been, lets see, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, now it is Tuesday. Yes, Tuesday, so four days since I rode last.  What an upper body work out.

Saturday we (Hubbs, Bryan and I) went out for a ride. It was amazing. Even with the wind. Since being pregnant with the girl over the summer, I got out once after she was born, but I missed the rest of the riding season. Not this year.  When we get back from Yellowstone, I’m ordering my new boots and will hopefully fit into my jacket. I have one inch to go before I can zip it with the liner in it and the armor.

Hard to believe that in a few weeks the Boy will be three. Where has all the time gone? This morning as Hubbs left for work and I was up with the Girl (we’re experiencing a change up, the Girl has been up before the Boy the past few days) a thought crossed my mind. I cannot really remember what it was like before kids. I remember still feeling like there was not enough time in the day to get things done. I also remember the feeling of drifting. Not an all together enjoyable one either. No real direction to be had. Then the Boy came along and everything changed. We decided we wanted to live our lives with a sense of purpose and not just a feeling of getting by. He gave me strength to realize that I am not going to get anywhere unless I go after what I want. He also helped me figure out what I want. Amazing what kids will do to you. The have such a profound effect on you, in so many ways. And the effects are different, yet the same, for everyone.

Off to conquer the day. We’ll see what sort of adventure we end up in.

 

 

Burpees, I hate you.

I’ve started working out. Well, been working out. Sort of. Not as much as I should or want to, I’m just lazy. But, since having had the girl back in October, I have dropped 50lbs. 50lbs. That is a child. Hell, that is both of my kids, put together, carrying dumbbells! So yes, I am taking a moment to bask in the glory of this. Now it is back to the grind stone. Since the photography school is not happening this year, Hubbs and I are signed up to compete in in the Warrior Dash this June. I’m joining a running club and planning on working out doing the BodyRock thing on the off days.

Still bummed about Missoula. I’m better though. It will happen in two years. That is okay. It’s just what to do in the mean time. At the moment, I don’t know if I want to hit the ground running. Wedding season is upon us and I am not a wedding photographer, but I will do weddings. I don’t hold insurance and I don’t have a business, so everything I do will be hobby/business. I could use the cash, that’s for sure, but I just get my nerves all in a bunch thinking about doing weddings. I kinda just want to do nothing for a bit. Just soak in the fact that I’ll have all summer with my kids and we can do whatever. Which speaking of kids, the girl is awake from her nap and demanding attention. She could alert small towns of incoming tornadoes with her cries. Be right back.

It is like 70 degrees outside and the boy thinks the doors should be closed and he needs to stay in the house: Wah? this is not my child. My child is the one who runs barefoot out doors in the middle of a snowstorm and refuses to come in even when he’s yelling ‘brrr mama brr’ from on top of the picnic table. Must be an off day. I hope any ways.

The blog this morning for Rocky Mountain School of Photography made mention of a site called Gratitude. Gratitude is all about figuring out how to go to college with out creating huge amounts of debt. You create an account and people can donate to you. It goes directly to the school on your behalf. There is a7% processing fee which is applied at the time of donation. Donors can remain anonymous or be known.  When the time gets closer I am going to set this up. Every little bit helps right?

I have not posted any new photos lately and if the boy stops refusing to nap and goes down for one, I may do that today. But right now he’s upstairs screaming about how he is not tired. At least he’s upstairs. I am tired. I am hoping the exercising will help build my energy levels up and help keep me moving forward.

The wrangler is in the shop. We hit the point where it was just quicker to take it in. It will about $600 after said and done. Will be really nice to have it back up and running. Hubbs has really put a lot into it, he’s done his research and did an impressive amount of work to it already.

There are days I wonder if Missoula will happen in 2014.

The Girl (Brynhilde)

 

The Boy (Gabriel)

Fell Off the Ends of the Earth

and landed on a bean bag.

One with rocks under it.

Nothing is broken. Only bruised.*

I am taking issue with Quinoa, the super food. It is pronounced KEEN-wah. Don’t know about you, but I can’t find the KEEN, but I manage to come upon the ‘wah’. As in “…wah..damn, this looks like walleye eggs.’  burp.

The kids are growing. It is amazing at how fast. Gabriel’s birthday will be here in April, along with Brynhilde’s baptism.

I have no real idea as to what we will be doing this spring and summer. With the change in plans I feel a little lost. I’m sure there will be cabin weekends and compound weekends and weekends here in the city. The kids need to get swimming. I was swimming with life vest by the boy’s age.

Things to occupy my mind and do this Summer. Since I’m not going to Montana.

• Plant and plan garden (um, maybe the other way around).
• book cabin weekends
• run the Warrior Dash
• Join Mom’s on the Run so I can complete the Warrior Dash.
• don’t know yet
• not sure
• hmmm minds…

*So here’s the skinny. We’ve been working on getting me out to RMSP (the year of unemployment really hurt us, though we managed to pay off two credit cards, our medical debts, one student loan, and a host of other little bills). This is not going to happen this year (found that out last week, so you can image just how interested I in booze and cupcakes right now).  Its been really depressing (not alot of booze around the house except the vanilla extract and yuck to doing shots of that). Now we’re regrouping, figuring things out and just in general eating cupcakes. I made the brownie ones today. I’m going to be sad and have bouts of ‘why me’ and damn you money, I want to live in a Star Trek universe, for a bit. So just bear with me.

Due Date +4

Due Date plus four along with t minus 4 hours till I call for my inducing time.

This has been a long hard pregnancy. Not so difficult as what other have had, but I am not others. I know I spent alot of time during the past 40 + weeks grumbling about how big I am, how different this time around is and is she ever going to get here. Looking back there are a few things I would have done differently. Like pushed for a maternity photo shoot.

A feeling of slight disconnect has been following me around. Not sure why. I aim to change that. I know I have been distracted with making plans for Missoula. I am a bit nervous about going, but like every adventure I’ve ever had, butterflies in the belly become a comfort. There’s just not room for both the butterflies and the baby in the belly at the moment. So tonight, we’re gonna work on helping her out.

As with the last pregnancy, this one’s labor is most likely going to be very different. I am excited and yet nervous about it. The control freak in me wants to know everything, have a well laid out plan. But I know that the best plans come undone when the whistle blows. So it will be another adventure.

Aunt Corri is going to take little man for the night. Then tomorrow, my mom and sisters will come to town. I am so hoping baby will be here before they arrive.

Still have a few last minute things to pack. My camera is one of them. One of the down falls of being a photographer is that when life happens to you and you want to document it, you pretty much have to rely on some one else and their eye, or lack there of. Its frustrating. Oh, as I think of it, baby owl hat. must remember to grab it.

Wonder what she’ll be like. What she’ll look like, who she’ll resemble, physically, intellectually, emotionally.

I hope she’s healthy. and travels well.

seriously long time since hello

So it has been over a month…

We’re sitting at 39 weeks into our pregnancy. Little Miss has been all sorts of interesting. This past week we’ve been playing with stomach flu and UTIs, which resulted in two hospitalizations. It took a bit but the cocktail of antibiotics and pain meds has kicked in. Little Miss has been thriving through it all.

Gabriel has hit the terrible twos head on. I don’t think either hubby or I were prepared for it. The past few days, not feeling well coupled with TTs has not been pleasant. In fact, I started to become the parent I didn’t want to be. Constantly on edge, yelling at my kid, agitated and aggravated by everything.  Circus class yesterday morning was the nail on the head for me. I’d had my moments, stopping the car and crying on the way home from the beach because he ran away from me and I could not catch him. But yesterday, having all the other parents watch us…it was too much. Hubby and I talked it over and yet I get that he’s only two. Some days he seems much older, but he still is only two and expieriencing things for the first time…speaking of experiencing things…I smell a poopy diaper and I’m not even in the same room as him…oh joy!

oh and have I mentioned the silent rag doll treatment? no? oh that’s a good one. He’s doing it right now. Normally he likes getting dressed and going outside, what changed today? I have no idea. But the battle continues. 30 minutes for a diaper change…30 minutes to get dressed.  It wears on a person. The worst…at times he will dance around just out of my reach, giggle and smile. Makes me want to have a royal tantrum myself, I’m talking screaming and throwing things tantrum. Maybe I should. who knows. I don’t.

Little Miss’s due date is quickly approaching (10/8) and bets are being placed. I personally want the sooner rather than later.  I know it will not be easy balancing both of them, but at least I won’t be so big and cumbersome, I’m hoping to regain some of my strength and speed.

We went out to get Gabriel’s circus shoes, diapers and a few more items for Little Miss. So glad hubby was out with me. I don’t think I could have handled the boy alone. He wasn’t bad, but he did have his moments.

Off to do some nesting. Wish I could move more easily. I hate not being able to ‘do’ the things I want and it pisses me off to have to rely on others to do it for me. I know, I’m trying to get over my self righteousness and let others help. Its just not easy. since I’m  here and have time. oh well.

I’ll let  you all know when Little Miss arrives.

We have fun

Last weekend was well, wonderful in a sense. We took off Friday for the Cabin and despite having to hang out in Onamia for an hour as the radiator cooled and the stop leak took effect, we decided to creep our way to the cabin (seeing as we were half way there).

It was nice to have a weekend of just us up there and of no big cabin chores. Usually we have something on out plate that we need to do and I believe this was the first weekend in years where we didn’t have anything besides relaxing.

Pilot Gabriel

 

Looks like a good spot to swim

 

Mom, stop taking pictures

 

Daddy, take me out further.

 

We had beautiful weather. Though we didn’t get to see the meteor shower. I’m okay with this, I was too tired to try and get out for some shots.

We did make it to Frosty’s for Gabriel’s first visit. He didn’t seem to think much about ice cream but loved to people watch.

Sunday we took off about 11:30 and limped our poor Jeep home. Had to stop off outside of Deerwood because the temp gauge spiked again. Sat on a side road and watched traffic while we tried to work the air bubbles out of the radiator. Once up and running again we headed to the north shore of Mil Lacs where we parked just off a sand bar and let the Jeep cool down some more. Unfortunately when we started her back up the engine started making funny knocking sounds and she felt like we were driving the Wrangler.

YaiYai and Grandpa Bruce met up with on their way home from Voyageurs National Park and followed us til we split at the 23 highway. It was nice to see them and watch Gabriel devour cherries and have fun. We finally made it home about 8pm. A long day on the road. Monday we took the Jeep over to the mechanics and are now just waiting to hear from the engine warranty people. Who knows how long this will take. My hopes are that any issues with engine are covered and all we have to do is replace the radiator. In the mean time, Gabriel is loving getting to ride in Wrangler. Me, well, its a bit of a challenge to get in and out, but do able. I am hoping we can get the oil issue fixed so if the roofers decided to grace us with their presence anytime soon we and run out to Grammy Pats and Gpa’s in it. Though as far as the roofers are concerned, I’m convinced the baby will be here before they will.

On a happy note, we were approved for 3 more months of WIC assistance. On a sad note, we found out that work may be slowing down again for Odin. I guess we’ll just keep the faith and keep plugging away.

We could be stranded in worse places

 

Beach Exploration

 

Getting used to the water

 

my bad, were you gonna wear these?

 

Chillin with my animal cookies

 

 

Sleepy Blueberry Zucchini Bread

Hubby is making dinner tonight. I am grateful for this. My day has be a long one. Though Bugg and I did get a nap in. I am hoping tonight goes better.

Hubby talked to the roofers. Apparently they will be here ‘soon’. Um, soon. Sure. They said that last Spring.

In the mean time. Bugg and I made Blueberry Zucchini Bread.

Shredding Zucchini

 

"I help"

 

"I help" eat the blueberries!

 

Fortunately most of the blueberries made it into the batter.

 

Yummy in our tummies!

 

Good think it made two loaves. I quickly stuck the other one in the freezer.

We also made a mint simple syrup. I am so going to have a mojito or four once the baby is born. I froze one half pint jar and put the other in the fridge. Figure it would go well in sun tea. Yum.

Tomorrow we will make more zucchini bread and I have got to make the pesto before my spinach and basil goes bad.

The other night we had an almost home grown meal. First corn from our stalks and potatoes! Um, like I said before, I’m not doing chickens, so those legs, well, they are store bought.

CORN!!!!!!

 

Apparently nothing else can hold a candle to Corn on the Cob for the boy. Okay, maybe watermelon, or mango, or blueberries. But still. Though he didn’t eat much of the chicken that night (I doubt he had room after two cobs of corn) he did get it in quesadillas the next day with garden green peppers. Oh how fun it is is watch him pick peppers in the garden. I have to stop him from taking bites of all of them.

hopefully there will be more sleep tonight.