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Glimpses

2012-01-19T22:15:00.000-08:00

Though I am pretty sure only Steve's and my mothers faithfully read this blog, or other close family or friends, some people popping in may be curious as to what life is like in Plain. In the dead of winter.

I always think of these "Glimpses of life in Plain" posts while I am driving home for some reason. Well let's be honest, I have 35 miles to think, on windy mountain roads, so obviously there's some time to reflect there. Often while driving, I think, "WOW this drive is long today! I could make life so much easier if I lived closer to work..." Ahhh but I just don't think life would be as full somewhere else. But I digress. Long commute = lots of time to plan posts in my head about what life is like in Plain that, for the most part, never get written down. So I am going to write a few down. Because when I am old and my memory is failing perhaps these posts will jog a memory :). Or at least let my kids know what it was like back in the day!

I drive a 2002 Subaru WRX. We bought it used. It has over a hundred thousand miles on it. We sold our 1998 Subaru with 265K miles on it when we bought this WRX. I loved the old, and also love this new(er) one! (I was going to take a photo but I rarely remember to pull out my phone when I am faced with clearing 12 inches of snow off it when I leave work.) Anyway, this car gets me to where I need go, and rarely gets stuck. Well it hasn't been stuck yet anyway :)

This is a little part of my drive to work. It's long. Like 75 minutes long with two daycare drop-offs. Phew. And that's on a normal day :) In the snow it can take up to an hour and 45 minutes, like today!

See how nicely the roads were plowed this evening? We are in the middle of a sweet winter storm here in Plain. We had about 6 inches Monday, 6 more Monday night, and another 5-6 inches while I was at work on Tuesday. Now it's Thursday and I totally lost track of how much we've gotten. Feet, at least. Not counting in inches any more. I am lucky because Steve has been home to plow me out with the tractor. When he's not here..., let's just say I burn a lot of calories shoveling. Because I haven't had my tractor lesson yet :) Though I did master the walk-behind snow blower this evening.

I leave you with a few photos from our home yesterday. BEAUTIFUL.

This was accumulation on the back porch, Monday thru Wednesday evening.

Guess who got to shovel it?

I resolve

2012-01-03T18:43:00.001-08:00

This year I resolve to:

1. Give myself a break. In a lot of areas.

Do I want to cook a healthy meal every single night for my family? Yes. Do I want my house to always be clean for company? Yes. Do I want to wear a size 2 petite like I did pre-children? Why yes, I would! Would like be everything to everyone? Actually, yes... I kind of strive to do that all times... It's not really healthy, as I am learning... So anyway, I am trying to give myself a break. For my emotional sanity. I've actually been working on this for quite some time now, and apparently the desire to be perfect is strong because it is taking me a while to figure out how to be okay with just "good enough".

2. Try to make (better) friends with some of my acquaintances from Plain.

I am really bad at this. It's partly because I have lived here my whole life... and I have family here. and I have friends here. and I have family friends here... so why try? I mean I am busy enough already, and per resolution #1 I am supposed to be paring down my activities, right? Well I could use that excuse. But I just think there are a lot of amazing women here in the valley that I would like to get to know a bit better. Most of them are stay at home mamas, so we don't have many chances to connect outside of Sunday mornings at Church. So I already signed up for a "home group" type thing through Church, and am hoping to get tucked into in a nice group with a few ladies to get to know. And though the group will only meet once a month, I am going for quality over quantity :)

3. Sew something from a pattern.

I have no patience when I sew. I LOVE internet tutorials because they just show photos, no patterns required, and you just start cutting with not much planning involved. However this doesn't always turn out well... I've created some pretty wonky children's clothing... good learning experience right? Plus, using a pattern will teach me some good basic sewing concepts, which I need to learn. I am going to do it.

Well, I think that's enough for 2012.

Notice I didn't say diet in that list. I don't have that kind of energy in me just yet :)
I'll report back in approximately 361 days on how it went!
Hoping for good results.

Ringing in 2012

2012-01-02T22:25:00.001-08:00

We had a great time hosting family and friends this weekend for new years. We decided to light up our bonfire on new years eve this year, and invited whoever wanted I come for a good ol' country party with beer, plaid and bonfire. Missing were target shooting with the 12-gauge and the smell of a two-stroke engine.... Ah maybe next year for that :)

No fire department this year either (I was glad about that!), just a lot of good conversation and a bit of sledding, meeting neighbors who walked over, champagne, and accidentally getting diesel all over my mittens when throwing dry wood on the fire when it was being started. Oh and someone driving into the ditch in front of our house (roads were SUPER icy) and needing our (read: every male at the party's) help getting pulled out. (You know, because it is in all men's nature to want to be involved in these things: starting fires, and cars stuck in ditches. I am not kidding about that.) anyway, they got unstuck eventually.

Olaf stayed up until 9:30 when he asked to go to bed. I know, dreamy right? Most folks stayed until about 11:00 then headed out. There was lots of fresh snow to be had in the mountains and no one wanted to sleep too late in the morning :). The hardcore stayed up till midnight though!

Cutie pie cousins had a great time together too.

I am looking forward to seeing what 2012 will hold -- hopefully more time with family and friends :). And country style parties. And a few kick-a** weddings for dear friends. And a sweet rafting trip. And watching my boys grow up. And visiting Montana. And maybe some more deliciously cute babies from family and friends???? (no not me people, sorry). I can always use more cheekies to snuggle up to.

Cheers to a new year full of God's goodness in our lives!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. That's right, I am totally technologically hip and with it.

little ski buddy

2011-12-27T15:44:00.000-08:00

Well since I have one of those lame 40 hour a week jobs, I didn't get to participate in what you are about to see. But I am glad that Oly and his daddy and bumpa got to do it together!

Last Friday Steve took Olaf up to the pass to go skiing for the first time! I am told he did quite well, though he hasn't quite mastered the "pizza wedge" and much prefers "french fries". Which is not so good for those little boys hoping to remain upright :) Lucky daddy was there to hold him up most of the way! Thanks to our friends Ethan and Jenny we have lots of photos to document the day.

Auntie K

2011-11-28T11:43:00.001-08:00

Auntie K is known to be pretty awesome around these parts. While Forest is still a bit skeptical that Auntie K and I are related (she is taller after all, with MUCH more fashion sense) and tends to hang back at first, Olaf is full of constant ~~sweet request~~ demands for attention the minute he sees her. Can you set up the train set? Can you read to me? Can we watch Cars 2? Can we play outside? Do you want to play cars? Is it Christmas yet? Can you buy me a present? What's this? What's that? Let's dance!

Like any loving Auntie would, she acquiesces to most requests. Lucky for us! Kendra was home last weekend and came over one night to play games, and got to hang out at bedtime. The boys LOVED it. She'd been here about 3 minutes before she turned to inform me "Jenny, you are going to have a lot of broken bones in this house" as the kids chased each other down the hallway, tripping on blankies and running each other into the walls. I am just surprised we haven't visited the ER yet! (knock on wood)

Love you Auntie K.

first day of snow play

2011-11-20T10:38:00.001-08:00

It has been just gorgeous here with the snow! Cold, yes. Slow driving, yes. But super beautiful.

Olaf was really excited for the weekend because he knew we'd get to go outside to play in the snow. So yesterday we got them all bundled up and went for a little walk into the woods, picked out our Christmas tree (didn't cut it down yet, just found it), and did some sledding. Olaf has finally gotten a little tougher, and actually walked most of the way himself instead of crying to be carried. Bonus! Awesome! Forest was content to babbled while on my back.

We all came back rosy cheeked and ready to warm up by the fire that Steve had started. COZY. Just in time for naps :)

The boys seem to be growing up so quickly. It's crazy how Forest went from baby to toddler in like 2 months I swear. He doesn't talked a lot yet, mostly just babbling. But we can make out what he means for ball (ba), bottle (baba), binky (baba), blanky (baba)... ha ha, do you see a trend? Usually it's accompanied by a pointing finger. Well there's also "go", "up", "dada" and "mama" and I think he says thank you sometimes "tay-oo" and olaf "o-ah". Who knows though really :) We just love that he's trying to communicate. He loves walking, playing cars, putting little people in cars and taking them back out, throwing balls, terrorizing the dogs, blowing raspberries, chasing people and climbing stairs. Ah and DANCING like a maniac. Love it.

I want to send lots of love to Grandma Riley in Oak Harbor today -- hope you are feeling good today! The boys are all sending you lots of hugs and kisses!

haircuts

2011-11-14T21:56:00.001-08:00

In the past month we've gone from moppy...

To mohawk...

To buzz cut...

Though every stage was cute... I can't wait until it finds it's middle ground! But I will say... boy this buzz cut is EASY PEASY. Rinsing the soap out takes no time at all now. Which makes for a happy mama and boy. He looks SO grown up like this. And it is crazy how much this boy resembles his cousin Trygve with short hair. Seriously.

Love my little Oly.

Chi-Town

2011-11-13T16:46:00.001-08:00

Last month I had a fun chance to visit Chicago for the first time. I have been waiting until I had lots of time to write a post about it, and how much fun I had, and describe my photos in detail... ha ha ha! Well I never had the time I was looking for, but I do have a few minutes now, so I need to post this!

Anyway, my good friend from college, Joanna, invited me to come spend the weekend in Chicago with her last month. She was going to be at a work training near the city the week prior and had gotten a hotel room in the city for the weekend. Bonus (for me) is that her husband wasn't able to go, so she invited me to come instead! I decided to go a few days early, because I also have lots of family from Chicago (the ones I re-met at our family reunion last July) and I wanted to see some of them too.

Also I should mention that I am terrible at taking photos. Truly awful. Not only do I not take time to compose any of the shots... I forget to take it out 3/4 of the time! So here ya go -- These are all taken on my iPhone, which is why they are just OK in quality.

Under the "Bean". That's me in the blue coat in like 5 locations.

Hands down coolest architecture in Chicago. It's an apartment building. Each of those wave/ripples are someone's deck outside their condo. Awsome. It looked so cool both up close and far away.

Top of the Willis Tower. Gracious that's high up there.

Another view below.

Dinner at the 50/fifty: Hamburger topped with pulled pork, cheese, and a mac and cheese waffle. With a side of sweet potato fries. I ate about 1/3 of it. SO GOOD.

What a creative light fixture in a bakery!

Inside the Bleeding Heart Bakery. Best cake balls ever.

Bridget and I talking to... shoot I forget. Apparently he had his own TV show. That was before my time :)

Chris and I at Navy Pier.

The Bean. Again. It was worth 2 visits.

Joanna and I. Love her.

All in all, it was a GREAT weekend. It was a little weird being away from my kiddos for that long... especially Forest since he's still nursing... but I did enjoy staying up late, enjoying little coffee shops, shopping, walking for hours, and doing a lot of other things that little people don't enjoy so much :) Plus I knew Steve was taking good care of them with a steady diet of mac and cheese, pizza, and quesadillas, plus a lot of good movie watching and cars playing. Good times traveling.

Per Olaf: my "boring" work

2011-10-25T22:21:00.000-07:00

To many folks, I have a pretty blah job. I sit at a computer all (most of the) day. I review channelization plans. I coordinate a bunch of specialized folks in environmental, traffic, utilities and real estate offices to make sure they are all communicating and getting work done. I design traffic control plans for construction. I budget. I estimate. I write specifications. I try to figure out solutions with lowest cost and highest benefit to the public. I inspect roadway construction.

It's not sexy. I don't dress up in a nice suit every day and meet with big businesses on 50th floor office conference rooms. I don't travel (except to even more rural parts of the state). I get paid about 50%-60% of what my private sector counterparts make, though my job is no less challenging in my opinion.

I work in a small town. Like somewhere around 27,000 people I think. Maybe? (quick someone look up Wenatchee, WA). Which I used to think was huge when I was growing up in Leavenworth, population tiny (3500?), but really it's not. You run into people you know EVERYWHERE. But there are some neat advantages to working in a small town. Like the fact that I can actually affect change in my community. Tonight I set up and led an Open House for a big project I was working on. In this short time period I met with 1 state legislator, the mayor of Wenatchee, two City Council members, the City Engineer, the County assistant public works director, got quoted for a radio news story and met with at least 25 business or home owners in the area. I didn't stop talking the entire time I was there. And I got to interact, listen to concerns, show off all the good stuff we've designed, get feedback, and provide information to the community. All while rubbing elbows with the (small time) politicians. But even small town politicians actually have say in State government and you know what? That's pretty sweet. Because that means I can affect what happens in my area.

So I'll take my non-sexy job with the salt of the earth type people because you know, I like living in a place where I can meet people, lead projects, represent my organization, and know I'll run into those same people year after year as we "share life" together.

Here's to small town life!

2011-10-16T21:25:00.000-07:00

Hello friends,

Well, it's been a while. We have missed you. Or rather, perhaps you have missed us? Well we've just been trucking along. The first 9 days of October were rough, as it was the fourth week of Steve working in New Jersey. Hence the fact that I really had no time to myself to write posts! I was pretty much in survival mode... The bad news is, Steve was gone for a really long time. The good news is, we all survived! AND we'll be able to pay our bills for quite some time with all the hard work we put in during that time, which is so nice heading into winter :)

My boys are getting sweeter (and sometimes more sour) all the time. The sweet moments just seem more precious, and of course the tantrums are louder and more dramatic. And sometimes more hilarious. I forgot the one year old tantrum that happens the MINUTE they don't get their way. Including facedown on the floor sobbing, or throwing oneself backwards off whatever surface they make be sitting on while screaming.... ah, the joys. My boys are little masters of getting their way... I am probably too easy on them while Steve is gone (hello, it's called survival. Which is easier, listening to 45 minutes of crying, or giving the kid juice...?). So when Steve returns from long sessions away, he gets to help break them (me) of our bad habits. Sorry Hub. However I still think the kiddos are doing quite well considering it's just me trying to direct their little lives a lot of the time. It's a lot of responsibility raising these little people! Holy moly! I just keep on praying that they keep those sweet innocent hearts for a long long time. And that I don't do anything to screw it up :)

This morning the boys and I returned home from Church, and Olaf immediately ran into the office and jumped on a pile of sleeping bags and Steve's multiple puffy jackets we had stashed in there. He then invited Forest in to play too. A few things to note in this photo below... 1. Olaf is wearing gardening gloves. Why? He loves them! He kept stealing mine so I bought him his own. I don't get it, but if it keeps him happy why not? 2. I couldn't get a happy picture of Forest without that bottle all up in his mouth. Whenever I tried to grab it away the cuteness melted into not.so.much. So there it is in the photo. and 3. Matching shirts. We had family photos taken yesterday, yay! So they were wearing the same cute outfits for the second day in a row. LOVE button ups on little men.

And now October is halfway over. Whoa. Happy fall!

Funny faces

2011-10-02T22:17:00.001-07:00

Well I look sort of dorky with that expression, but who can resist Forest in that cute sweater with a smirk on his face? Not me!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. That's right, I an totally technologically hip and with it.

Phew

2011-09-23T09:43:00.000-07:00

I am currently at work. I just discovered I have TERRIBLE bags under my eyes, and to top it off I didn't wear mascara to at least 'pop' them out away from the bags a bit. Yikes. Good thing I am not trying to catch a man these days! This month is teaching me that I definitely do not want to have another baby any time soon. Maybe someday in the very distant future, but man, not yet. I am getting a run for my money.

Last night I went to bed at 11:15
p. Olaf woke up at 12:30a crying all crazy, and he had to go to the bathroom, and his owie on his finger hurt, and he had growing pains in his legs (this happens once or twice a month), and he needed me to "RRRUUUUBB MMYYYYY LEEEEEGGGSS MOOOOMMMMY… WWWAAAAAAIILLL!" Of course crying this woke up the other one, and each them strongly disliked when I was tending to the other. Finally I just let Forest cry himself back to sleep (only took about 5 minutes) and Olaf crawled up into my bed so I could rub his legs for 15 minutes or so. Of course he kept telling me "I NEEEEEEED MEDICINE MOMMY." But I am not a huge fan of doling out the childrens Tylenol like candy, so I just rubbed his little leggies until he fell asleep, sideways in my bed, with his feet in my ribcage. He sleeps awesome like this. Me… notsomuch.

Then at 4:00a Forest was up, crying. I admit, I am so exhausted at night I don't even try to just walk him and rock him to calm him down at that time. And I can't sleep through it to just let him cry. So I just give in and give him milk, knowing that it means at least he won't need the milk at 5:00a like usual, so I can sleep until 5:30a. But then I overslept until 6:09. What's amazing is that I was only 12 minutes late to work today, which is great considering I took a shower, got 2 boys and myself ready for the day, had two daycare drop-offs, and ferried 2 pans of enchiladas for dinner to my mom's house. With a 35 mile commute.

Now I am trying to not fall asleep at my desk!

Up a hill

2011-09-18T22:57:00.001-07:00

A little hike up Icicle Ridge with Olaf's friend Rylee and her mama Kelli. A lot of fun! (isn't Rylee so cute?)

(HEAD. MOVE. NOW. It's like an orange on a toothpick!)
(who can name that movie??)

Happy to get outside with my boys and some friends!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. That's right, I an totally technologically hip and with it.

Location:Icicle Ridge Trail, Leavenworth, WA

Cute boy

2011-09-15T15:23:00.001-07:00

He is finally taking steps on his own!!! This little walker was a key advancer in this regard. You should see the look of joy / terror on his face when he really gets to pushing fast. Priceless.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. That's right, I an totally technologically hip and with it.

Party Time

2011-09-05T22:01:00.001-07:00

Guess who had a birthday party this weekend...?

Good times and wonderful kiddy chaos was had by all. Forest was lucky to have all his Saugen/Hizon cousins all there, in addition to his best bud Dudley and his other best buds from Miss Julie's house (the gal who watches him while I am at work) AKA her kids :).

I actually relaxed at the party. It was so awesome! The first party in awhile that I haven't been anxious or stressed - yay!!

if anyone has more pictures... Feel free to email them to me! I am terrible at taking them.... Luckily Mark emailed me a few today :).

Can't believe a year has already passed... What a blessed year it has been. Hoping for more good times ahead!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. That's right, I an totally technologically hip and with it.

Location:River Rd,Leavenworth,United States

One

2011-08-29T08:15:00.000-07:00

Forest Tucker Saugen
Is one year old today.
Where has time gone?

I can't believe that a year ago we were in the hospital, loving and snuggling our little bundle, sharing his little self with our family and friends. I LOVED spending that day he was born in the hospital. I know that lots of women hate it and would rather be at home or in a birthing center, (which I am sure is awesome too) but I really enjoyed having people take care of me for a day. I never felt poked and prodded and intervened upon. I just felt relaxed and tired and special. How do they do that, those L&D nurses? They see the most incredible aspect of humanity (birthing) nearly EVERY SINGLE time they come to work, yet they still manage to keep their energy up and make each birth just as special as it is! I do realize that may have been my singular experience, but I am very blessed by it and the memories I have of it. Anyway, sidetrack... I do have lovely memories of that night and day of Forest's birth day.

08.29.10

Forest, you are my sweet snuggler. The boy who still LOVES nursing at a year old and you are so excited to do so you squat up and down and screech until it's time. Mornings are the best after your first nurse, because if I let you we will happily snuggle and sleep together from 5:00am to 6:15 on weekends. (Which helps keep Daddy's side of the bed warm when he is gone for work.) Of course this may change as you become more independent, but for now I will relish in your tiny body close to mine.

Early morning snuggling together.

You have the BIGGEST blue eyes I have ever seen. Even Grandma Betty Newell calls you "blue-eyes" every time she sees you. And your smile is ear to ear. Luckily we see a LOT of that smile, especially when your brother is around. I keep thinking he is beating you up, as he is wrestling you to the ground in a big bear hug... and you just laugh and laugh, and give Olaf that little eye twinkle as you crawl away, like you are saying "come and get me again!" How special that you get to grow up with a big brother to look up to.

Picnic at Grammy and Bumpa's house.

Sometimes when I haven't seen you for a while, when I pick you up to hold you, you wrap those skinny little arms around my neck and play with my necklace while you press your forehead against my cheek for a few minutes... sigh. I am trying to lock these memories away they are so sweet! You also still seem to like being carried on my back in the Ergo. We walk around the yard, chase Olaf, pick weeds, go for walks, and sometimes cook dinner like this, with you snuggled up on my back. Aside from the occasional hair-pull to let me know you are totally over it, you sit quietly and just take it all in. I love it.

Just arrived at Hidden Lake, time to relax.

Of course my dear son, you do have moments of being a holy terror. Such as when you don't want your diaper changed (which is all the time) or when I take your toothbrush away from you and then close the door to the bathroom so you can't go back in.... oooh you get feisty mad. But you get over it quickly and for that I am thankful.

Toothbrush time!

So, on your birthday Forest, know that you are loved by me, and your daddy and brother, and all the other people you know. We were doubly blessed when you arrived, 365 days ago, and I am so looking forward to seeing what your next 365 have in store! Love you little Foresty.

Look at the size of those craniums! Like oranges on toothpicks!

Cousins

2011-08-21T07:47:00.001-07:00

Having fun climbing all over at the Moonlight Music Festival in Plain last night.

This little Plain concert morphs just a bit for me each year. It used to be Steve and I could enjoy the music, talk to all our friends and neighbors, and then ride our bikes home in the dark. Even with baby Olaf we were able to do this and just pull him along. It gets a bit harder to do each year. This year Steve was gone. And while there were many lovely family and community members to keep an eye on my children, it is MUCH harder to relax and enjoy. So we didn't stay too long.

Luckily I don't have FOMS (fear of missing something) so I wasn't too disappointed to leave early to put boys to bed. I have discovered that I have a much better time relaxing at home than wrangling two whiny babes just so I can talk to people for a few more minutes! I am looking forward to the day, though, when we can let the boys run a little free-er. But blessed to live in a place where until then, I have lots of helpers!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. That's right, I an totally technologically hip and with it.

list of lame excuses to myself

2011-08-19T10:32:00.000-07:00

I do realize that it's been quite a long time since I posted. (Sorry Grandmas!) There are many reasons.

Hello, it's sunny outside. Who wants to be inside when it's sunny outside?
I don't have a ton of new things to share. We are just trying to survive here! Steve has been home for about 10 days since early June, so I don't have any family activity pics since family camp... We are all a little worn out from this summer... Definitely puts a little stress on the family unit.
I feel guilty playing on my blog when there are chores to do or when the kids are awake. Since I also have bills to pay and other computer stuff to do, that pretty much takes up weekend naptimes. And weeknights are usually reserved for laundry and 30 minutes of TV. So... blogging takes a backseat. Which makes me so sad because I love keeping you all up to date on it!
My dumb blogger app for my iPhone stopped working correctly and I can no longer post pictures from it. Lame! What's a post without photos of the boys? That was my convenient way to post a little at a time. Ah well.

Perhaps I will be able to post this weekend with a few pictures borrow from a friend's picasa site! Lucky for you all I am sick with a headcold, which means I feel less guilty sitting on my booty :)

Happy Friday, people. I am off to take care of the little people.

Putting the "fun" in dysfunctional

2011-08-01T22:47:00.000-07:00

That's what family reunions are all about, right? We are all a little bit nutty, so perhaps that's why we get along so well :)

I am especially nutty these days, as Steve has been gone so much this summer... so bear with me in how far out these posts are spaced!

A few weekends ago my folks hosted a big family reunion at their house here in Plain. First one in TWENTY YEARS, people! The last time I saw many of these people I was 10. And it was in California. And I had a bad perm, braces, and headgear. (A REAL catch, lemme tell you). Anyway, the folks that came out to WA were my dad's Chicago cousins, their kids, and their kids. So that would be my second cousins, and Olaf/Forest's third cousins? I don't exactly know. Also in attendance were dad's sister Rhonda (aka Dad in a girl form) and her husband, and two of their kids. (My cousins).

I think we were all a little apprehensive beforehand. I mean, after 20 years, you wonder if you will even enjoy seeing these people? Chicago city folks mixed with WA and CA country bumpkins? What will we talk about?

Well all that proved to be a mute point, as we all got along fabulously, and had a great time to boot. I think I slept a total of 13 hours in THREE nights of sleep. (Doesn't help that Forest still got up at 5 every morning...) I mean, I was barely even drinking but the conversation was so lively that staying up until 1am wasn't even hard! Those Chicagoans... boy are they witty and quick. I felt like a sloth just listening to their jokes and quips. A sloth that constantly wanted to pee her pants from laughing so hard that is :) We played kickball and volleyball, fliers up, horseshoes, "bags", water balloons, and ate a lot of good food and drank some delicious tasty beverages. And my little sister led us all in some sweet song and dance moves to the hip-hop blaring off the back porch at midnight (love you Kendra).

Here are some awesome photos to remember the weekend by. I can't wait to visit Chicago next, and hopefully northern California too!

(Pay no attention to the fact that Olaf and I are the ONLY ones not looking. Oh, and Erick too I guess)

Family. Love 'em.
Oh and in case you are wondering, those shirts have little birds on the front. "My Peeps"
Oh and also if you are wondering, there were 7 children there. All boys. Where's the girls?
Oh and lastly if you are wondering... that's the truck I learned to drive in. 3 on the tree, baby.

I love these goofballs

2011-07-19T21:56:00.000-07:00

I really really do. Steve was home for 3 days (yay!) and we spent a lot of time just snuggling, intermixed with bouts of tackling Daddy :) Mostly I watched. I love watching my little people interact with eachother! I can tell already that Forest adores Olaf and wants to do everything he does. Got a red car, Olaf? Well Forest wants a red car. Running around in circles, Olaf? Well Foresty is crawling right behind you. (at about 1/10th the speed...) Blowing bubbles, sticking your tongue out, petting the dogs? Yes please! They are hilarious.

Thanking God for my many blessings today.

How I spent my Saturday morning

2011-07-17T20:56:00.000-07:00

Making JAM!

24 cups of crushed berries
16 cups of sugar
6 cups of water
6 boxes of SureJell pectin
Lots of LOVE

Mmmmm strawberry freezer jam for a year! Yes Sue some is for you :) and Jsue I am returning your two jars with jam in them :) best way to return jars in my opinion.

New Recipes

2011-07-04T15:29:00.000-07:00

We made pizza the other night with friends.
It was OH so good.

BBQ Chicken with caramelized onions
Tomato, mozzarella w/ fresh basil.
Pioneer Woman's potato, leek and BACON pizza.

Even with me burning the crusts a bit... they were awesome. I need to experiment with pizza more often.

I could seriously eat pizza almost every night of my life. With thai food the nights in between. Sigh.... YUM.

Family Camp V3.0

2011-07-03T15:00:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday we arrived home after 4 relaxing days in the woods... Ahhhh Tall Timber how I love thee.

We stayed in Cedar House, which Olaf and Micah somehow misinterpreted as "Peter's House" all week. We could not convince them otherwise :)

Yeah... we forgot the pack and play the first night... he didn't sleep so well in this suitcase...

We spent some time singing songs in the fireside room. Boys LOVED standing on their chairs and watching the big kids do the motions. They also loved that they were allowed to wiggle. We all know how hard it is to keep a 3 year old from wiggling in Church or other performances so this was a nice change. It was also really fun to see some of the "big kids" up there leading motion who were the little kids back when I was on staff in '99 and '00! Seriously, the wiry little crazy boys grew up to be 16 and 17 year olds who aren't afraid to stand in front of people, speak, dance, sing, introduce their families, and pray in front of others. I hope and pray that my boys grow up to self confident like that, and not be afraid to share their faith, or their goofy sides, and don't mind spending time with their family!

We spent one night at campfire singing the typical arsenal of TTR songs with Becky :) many of you know exactly what I am talking about... Who's side are you leanin' on, tall timber mosquito, look all around you and see what you feel, father I adore you... And of course, an attitude check! The echo on the mountains was great, and Olaf loved hearing it.

Of course there was playground time. And this year we made new friends! These sisters totally adopted Olaf and Forest and doted on them. It was such a blessing to watch big kids interact with little ones. I also hope and pray my boys grow up to have kind hearts like these girls did!

Missing in action this year were my puzzle partners (Kristin and Jenny I picked a WAY easier one this year!) and their families. Ladies... make it a priority for next year. Seriously! It gets more fun every year.

New this year was a GIANT swing, and GIANT blow up water slide, a BMX course, and a sweet drum circle with Stan. I actually really enjoyed the drumming, it was so different from other activities I have enjoyed up there in years past.

And of course, what would camp be without a little rock wall now that kids are old enough? Olaf and Micah both made it a few feet off the ground, and little Serenity (rock star) made it to the top of a few! She crazy good already and has no fear.

All in all, we enjoyed a chance to get away from cell phones and internet, have someone cook (and clean!) for us, listen to a speaker while someone watched our kids, and not have a schedule of any sort. It is such a great family vacation, and SOOOO cheap compared to other things we could have done. I can't believe more families with kids our age haven't jumped on this opportunity!

I am just putting this out there... Next year it would be super awesome to see Annie and Becca and Jaimi and your families up here! And Jenny and Kristin come back! Come be campers again, and see what things the Lord can start doing in your kids hearts... you know you want to :) Now just talk your husbands into it. Such a nice chance to just breathe. What a blessed place it is.

Belated Birthday Party Post

2011-06-26T15:13:00.000-07:00

June was birthday month. Holy moses. It was crazy. Seriously. Too much cake and too many presents. But so much fun!

Micah (cousin) turned 3 on May 31st, and Olaf turned 3 on June 20th, so we split the difference and had a little joint party for them on June 12th. A nice lady here in Plain has a killer awesome indoor pool, complete with water slide, and she generously allowed us to use it for a swim party! Pretty nice since it's been so cold this spring and there's no way we have been in the water in Lake Wenatchee or the Wenatchee River. The kids all LOVE to swim. We decided to only invite family this year, since once we've invited the whole family, including cousins and grandparents, the guest list is already around 30 people. Unfortunately most of them could not make it on a Sunday evening, so it was ended up just being our two little families and 5 of the 7 grandparents. Oh and of course Jaimi and Nick and little Dudley too, can't forget that third musketeer. But we had a blast!

Of course I have no pictures of the swimming because, HELLO, I was swimming and was probably mid-cannonball or going down the slide. Ha ha. Olaf has turned out to be a real water nut and cycled the slide and/or jumping off the edge over and over and over and... well you get the picture. The only slippery moment came when Steve threw Olaf up in the air (as all dads do) and Oly hit the water feet first, arms up. Well, that's nice and all but the arms up thing meant his water wings went WHOOOP, right off his arms, and he sank a bit farther than anticipated. Steve pulled him up right away of course but I had a mini heart attack!

Christie and I spent about 2 hours putting the cake together. Good thing there were two of us on this joint effort because neither of us knew what we were doing with this home-made fondant stuff. We followed cake directions from parenting.com, and just modified it to be like the boys' FAVORITE Lighting McQueen! I think it turned out so very well, especially for two novices! And it was even decent tasting as well. As you can see in the photos farther down, Olaf was DELIGHTED and EXCITED about it at the party :)

Well we are off to family camp at Tall Timber in a few minutes, so I'll be back later to share some of those adventures. But for now just enjoy the sweetness below.

Just waiting for his piece...

3.

2011-06-23T22:06:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday kiddo!

At our house you get to pick your birthday meal, so Olaf requested "CARS" mac and cheese (of course) and peas and milk. Gobbled it right up!

Love this guy. Hopefully this weekend will allow a longer post about how awesome he is, and his little party with his cousin Micah!

ps. His birthday was actually Monday the 20th... see how slow I am at this blogging thing!

30.

2011-06-17T13:58:00.000-07:00

I didn't think I would really mind turning 30. After all, most of my friends and family had crossed this line a while back, so it's not like I think it is really old or anything :) but still, on Wednesday when I turned 30, I wished it was 29! Doesn't 29 sound so much better! Luckily none of my coworkers knew it was a milestone birthday, or else they informed me that they would have decorated my cubicle in black. Phew.

I wasn't sure if I would enjoy the day or not. Steve found out just last Thursday that he'd be leaving for work in Idaho on Monday, so I spent the weekend having a pity party for myself that he would miss my birthday (again) and a big party I have planned for tomorrow (Saturday). There were tears involved. Hosting a party by yourself is just not as much fun. Especially when you invited a ton of people. I really wanted to just cancel it. But I didn't. Anyway, I digress. Wasn't sure that I would enjoy my birthday.

But you know what, it was a very nice day! Here are some of the nice things that happened:

The boys were in good moods when they woke up. We actually got out of the house by 6:45! 7 minutes earlier than usual!

Olaf gave me a giant hug in the morning without prompting. Sigh.
My projected 4 hour meeting only took 2!
Got to have lunch with an old friend from camp who I have known since 1996 (officially half my life... crazy)
Steven sent me flowers at work :) (you like my work lists hanging up behind? I am MUCH more organized there than at home!)

My coworkers bought me cupcakes. Yum. In red-neck land where I work there are no "Cupcake Royal"s or "Trophy Cupcakes" like in Seattle, so we stuck to the good old Albertson's bakery. And they were delicious, at 1/4 of the price I am sure.
Home-made pizza with my boys, my folks, and Steve's dad over for supper.
Got a walking foot for my sewing machine and more bobbins! Thanks mom!
Got a new cast iron skillet. Thanks Mark!
Got my drip irrigation system installed. Thanks Hubby!
(Since when do all the presents I desire have to do with cooking, sewing, or gardening? Who am I?)
Got kidnapped by two of my best friends, Jaimi and Christie, for an evening hike to the cliffs/osprey nest, and enjoyed a glass (paper cup) of red wine.

All in all... a lovely day. Thanks to all who made me feel special!

9mos. & etc.

2011-06-06T22:33:00.000-07:00

Well Mr. Forest had his 9 month checkup last week. 9 months. What? It is so hard to grasp all the stages that he has already surpassed - I keep trying to lock little details away so that I don't forget what it was like have little babies in the house! Really I just need to take a bit more video I think since it captures them so well.

Forest is starting to scoot. Well, he actually started scooting backwards (Army style) on his tummy about a month ago, but is finally showing a tiny bit of forward progress. He pivots like clock hands quite well on both his tummy and his bottom. So at least he access to a 30" radius of toys now instead of just what is directly in front of him. Of course all that pivoting and reaching inevitably results in a few goose-eggs on the good ol' Saugen noggin... but once the initial shock he gone he usually forgets all about the little bruises he has on his forehead. That's what we get for having hardwood floors.

According to the good old growth charts, Forest is pushing 19.5 lbs (~30th %) and 28 inches long (~40%)... he is so tiny as compared to my roly poly Oly at that stage! Well at least his huge head is on track still, at 19 inches around (~off the chart), he is definitely pacing Olaf. Hopefully he grows into it someday :)

We are in the midst of party planning 'round here -- Olaf has a shared birthday party with his cousin, Micah, on the 12th. Then my bday on the 15th (#30, whoa!) and a party on the 18th, and then Oly's actual birthday on the 20th. And then throw in Fathers Day on the 19th as well. I plan to be eating a LOT of cake in the next phew weeks. Booyah.

My mom and sisters and I did the Susan Komen 5k run for breast cancer research in Seattle yesterday - so much fun! We all actually jogged the whole thing, minus just a few blocks that momma walked. Of course she walks so danged fast it was pretty much my running pace anyway. Favorite part of the run - dance jogging past a little brass band who was playing "The ants go marching one by one" as we ran by. Felt like doing a little jiggety jig :)

This was mom's 4th walk I think, my second, and Kirsten and Kendra's 3rd. It's becoming a tradition for us girls I think. We walk to celebrate my mama, who has been breast cancer free for 13 years now!

Mom hopped on the Harley for a little ride while I chose the sidecar. The thought of her actually driving that thing was terrifying, as my face shows :)

Sunny Saturday

2011-06-04T12:40:00.001-07:00

Finally some decent weather in Plain! Oly informed me at 6:45am that it was most certainly "hot" outside and that wading pool time was needed. So, with the addition of some cold irrigation water plus some hot water from the house, we had the perfect temp at approximately 9:30am. Forest and I watched while the crazy boy splashed!

P.S. I don't know why these were all a bit fuzz-tastic... maybe I had a tad of water on the lense of my phone? I don't know. Ah well. You get the picture. Ha ha. No pun intended.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. That's right, I an totally technologically hip and with it.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

2011-05-31T22:44:00.001-07:00

Somebody misses his big brother... Can't wait to see you tomorrow Oly!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. That's right, I an totally technologically hip and with it.

Crabby Crabberson

2011-05-27T10:05:00.001-07:00

I just can't get my brain together to do a real post these days. Apparently we are busy :) and lame. But here's a cute photo of Forest getting ready to go catch crabs at the Hood Canal with his Annie and Poppy Hizon.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. That's right, I an totally technologically hip and with it.

Location:N Beach Dr,,United States

the chickens will thank me someday

2011-05-07T16:21:00.000-07:00

Well, I just shot (at/near) my first coyote on the property. Usually this is Steve's job, but since he's been gone I swear they are getting brave. The dogs always bark bark bark at them but the lone cayotes just cruise along the tree line, and previously I couldn't bring myself to pick up the shotgun and scare them off. Though I have been tempted, multiple times...

However, today the dogs barked and ran at the coyote and it hightailed off into the trees. Phew. Except when my two came back to the house, the coyote bounded after them like it was a game, stopping about halfway between the tree line and house. I'm sorry but that is WAY TOO CLOSE for me. I don't want them to even think they can be friendly with us, or the dogs, or cat.

So I loaded up a shotgun shell, went out on the back porch and fired about 50' to the left of him. (I had no intention of hurting him, just wanted to scare him). And BOY howdy did he run for the hills. Mission accomplished. And I was all shaky... Hope I don't have to do that again soon - not a huge fan of using the shotgun when Steve's not home! Although it's intended purpose is for scaring off wild animals and intruders, so I guess I used it correctly for that. Just one shell. And the chickens will thank me one day. (when we get them)

Anyway, that's my excitement for the afternoon.

2 things

2011-05-06T21:54:00.000-07:00

1 -- Check out Forest's hair. It sticks up like that all by itself with no help from me. Today a lady at Costco described it as "dandelion puff" hair. LOVE IT.

2 -- I have a photo of Olaf sleeping in these jammies in the pack and play at a very similar stage. Sigh. Melt a momma's heart!!

Oh wait, here's that picture!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. That's right, I an totally technologically hip and with it.

Starting May off right

2011-05-01T12:52:00.001-07:00

What a gorgeous morning we are having! Great Church service, sunshine, and climbing on big old stumps at Zachary's house. Can't wait to get outside more thus afternoon!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. That's right, I an totally technologically hip and with it.

8 months, whew

2011-04-30T08:07:00.000-07:00

8 months have passed since little Foresty Forester popped out. Can you believe it has been 8 months? I remember saying this with Olaf too -- each stage just seems to get better and better! (Maybe its because I get more sleep as time goes on??) Forest is at the stage where he sits independently and plays with his toys in the living room by himself pretty well. Of course I am paranoid so I still put a pillow behind him (hardwood floors + big unbalanced baby heads don't mix well). He can usually occupy himself for 30 minutes at a time or so - bonus for me! And he'll spend even more time if Olaf is up running around and entertaining him, which happens every now and then (when he's not taking all of Forest's toys away for himself...).

Also recent in the last month is that Forest has started pulling himself up on things! He is constantly reaching for our hands to help him stand. And he tries to pull himself up on things like the crib, or chairs/tables/toys... but he's successful about 5% of the time I'd say. I think he's maybe gotten his feet under him correctly twice out of 40 tries :) He'll get it though.

Forest is a PEOPLE PERSON. He loves smiling at everyone, but especially the girls. What a little charmer! (What a Saugen). He just LOVES going to Miss Julie's three mornings a week when I go to work and Oly goes to Cashmere Kids. Her kids are his best little buddies and they just dote on him like nothing else. And Julie dotes on him too. I think perhaps besides me and Steve, she loves him best. Seriously. And how wonderful and comforting it is to me to know that while I am at work, he is being cared for by someone who adores him! Pretty sure the feeling is mutual.

Unlike his brother at this age, Forest is not a big fan of eating solids. So far he's only eating avocado, oatmeal, squash and banana. And of those 4, he only really likes the avocado. (Nice, he's got gourmet taste on a McD's budget). I know he doesn't really need the food for nutrition right now since he is still drinking so much breastmilk, but I am hoping he starts liking it more. Mostly because that makes it easier for me! Ha! I'd love to move on to finger foods at some point. We aren't sure, but he might have a small reaction to either rice cereal or sweet potato. Those were the first two foods he tried, and he ended up with colitis (sp?) which basically is just an irritation of his colon, and he ended up with some mucus and blood in his diapers... ew! So I took him back down to just breastmilk, and then started with avocado on round two and all seems to be going well.

Well, I will have more updates in a month or two when he has his next checkup. I don't remember if it's at 9 or 10 months... will have to check my calendar!

Happy end of April!

Oly Updates

2011-04-26T14:33:00.000-07:00

Helping Olaf get ready for bed is usually pretty fun, so long as he isn't overtired. We have our routine down pat. Some of what he does just makes me smile!

Because I want to remember it when he is 10, and no longer wants my help, I am writing it all down here on my blog. Because I can. Because it's mine. Hopefully it amuses Oly's grandparents too :)

First Oly goes potty ALL BY HIMSELF (emphasis his). Then he runs around naked and always asks if I will sing the "Mickey song" (hey Micky you're so fine, you don't understand, you take me by the heart when you take me by the hand) so that he can dance and shake his little booty. Soon after, we get his jammies on then head into the bathroom to brush teeth. He insists on brushing first, then giving me my turn where I slowly count to 20 while brushing those li'l pearly whites. (Poor kid... he got my tiny little mouth... his baby teeth are already crowded and crooked... I see braces in this family's future...) After teeth brushing we usually read 1-2 books in bed. If we are not rushed for time, then sometimes it's 4-5 books. Kid LOVES to read. Finally it is song time. Olaf requests that I sing "raindrops" (my favorite things) every.single.night. I don't usually mind though. He gives me Rosie the stuffed dog to sing with, and while I make the dog dance and sing, he always has Chelanny the giraffe pretend to be eating Olaf's blanky. Sometimes Chelanny is joined by additional animals, most recently Pluto, and sometimes Blue-blue the dog. Olaf is really not much of a stuffed animal guy, except right at bedtime I guess. Finally we say prayers, then lights out. Barring any falling out of bed incidents, all is well for him until around 6:00am!

I really do love our little routine.

Olaf is also saying funny things lately. I think it's just because as his amazing little vocabulary expands, he is trying out different words, and slang, to see how it fits together and if it gets a reaction. He's also showing little bit of compassion with words every now and then. My favorite few recent ones:

Mommy: "Olaf, please come over here and put your underpants on."
Olaf, while itching his bottom: "Not just yet Mommy, I have a scratchy booty!"

Mommy: "Olaf, I am going outside to start the car, and then I will come back inside for you."
Olaf: "Okay Mommy, I will watch Forest while you are gone!"

(He also asked me this morning if he could come downstairs, because Forest would be alone all by himself... what a sweet brother... sometimes...)

Olaf, being melodramatic while downstairs by himself hunting for his water bottle: "I looked everywhere! I can't find it! (sob...) It's gone forever, it's not here.... (sob)"
It was on the coffee table...

Our Saturday morning scene

2011-04-16T08:52:00.001-07:00

Making PW's pound cake for a baby shower later this afternoon. Yum!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. That's right, I an totally technologically hip and with it.

Location:River Rd,Leavenworth,United States

Filling in the Blanks

2011-04-15T20:50:00.000-07:00

playing along with Lauren, at the little things we do...

1. My favorite daily responsibility is, feeding Forest his milk. There is nothing sweeter than nursing a baby who is playing with your hair and necklace.

2. My least favorite daily responsibility is, dishes. Luckily if I cook, Steve always cleans up. Oh, also going to work is my least favorite. But I do have to go!

3. My favorite cuisine to eat when going out is definitely thai noodles. Phad thai. Phad kee mow. Phad see ew. (spelling?) 3/4 stars. Oh my goodness yum. With a diet coke. And don't forget the spring rolls with peanut sauce for an appetizer .

4. My favorite cuisine to prepare at home is just about anything. I really don't do one thing best, and don't enjoy one thing best. We eat everything from tuna-noodle casserole to tofu stir fry to steak and potatoes. I do enjoy cooking anything that I can cover in cheese so that I can snack on cheese bits while I cook.

5. Andy Warhol said that everyone is famous for 15 minutes. My claim to fame is Hmmm my little sister was in a Reebok commercial - does that count? I honestly don't think I've had my 15 minutes yet. That's okay with me :) Maybe I will have famous kids instead! .

6. If I could have 3 wishes I would wish to stay at home with my babies instead of work, to be a solid 5.11 climber (ha!) and to be able to eat WHATEVER I want and never gain a pound.!

7. My biggest pet peeve is ...hmmm, crumbs on the counter. No wait, I HATE when people let the toothpaste tube cap get all crusty and full of old toothpaste. Ew! .

Evening Smiles

2011-04-07T21:15:00.001-07:00

Just a little post-dinner playtime!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. That's right, I an totally technologically hip and with it.

Location:River Rd,Leavenworth,United States

New babes

2011-04-03T09:04:00.000-07:00

What an incredibly lucky guy little Forest is. In the span of 2 days, he gained a girlfriend, and the 3rd musketeer to his trio of little dudes! (The second musketeer being his cousin, Kyler, who was born last fall).

On Friday April 1st, Shannon and Gabe welcomed little Maya Marie Cohen.
7 lbs, 4 oz of pure sweetness :) She joins her big sister Chira, who is a good little friend of Olaf's.

Love this sweet little gal. We met her on Friday - she's just beautiful!

And then yesterday, April 2nd, Jaimi and Nick welcomed little Dudley James Krenz.
8 lbs, 11 oz (holy moly!) of red haired cuteness!

Dudley James

The daddies and their boys (Olaf was at home with Miss Kendra the babysitter)

Happy family of 3! Can you believe she just gave birth? She is GLOWING and beautiful!

Dudley came a few days early, lucky for his mama. Steve and I were so blessed to just happen to be in Wenatchee when he was being born, so we got to see him within the first hour he was here! Love him!

I am so delighted that some of my very best friends are having babes... I like being in the same stages of life. How lucky am I that instead of having to make "mom friends," my friends are mothers! (some for the second and third times...) and I can't wait for my remaining best friends (...y'all know who you are...) to someday have kiddos too!

Also I am so impressed by both Jaimi and Shannon, who were amazing and strong women and had the babes totally naturally! Tough as nails, those two :)

Welcome little ones!

Technologic.

2011-04-01T13:33:00.001-07:00

Well I finally purchased my first app for this iPhone. Sure I have downloaded plenty, but they were all free!! But since I take so many photos on my phone now I wanted an easy way to blog them. So I bought blogpress for a whopping $4. And here is my first post for you.

Mr. Forest. Cutest 7 month old ever thank you very much.

Happy rainy flooding mudslide avalanche closed roads day to all!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. That's right, I an totally technologically hip and with it.

my lovies

2011-03-24T22:42:00.000-07:00

We have been having a rough week here. Spent some time at the doctors, and some time waiting for prescriptions, and spent some time wiping snot, and missing work, and putting in eyedrops for yucky pinkeye goop.

And some time snuggling, watching movies, and looking at the daffodils, crocuses, and grape hyacinths that are starting to come up through the snow and leaf mulch... so not all bad :)

While killing time waiting for a prescription, we spent some time at lions club park. Nothing makes boys happier than running and climbing on rocks and jumping in a million puddles. Even if it means sitting in the cart and then the carseat with wet legs for the next hour... :)

6 month updates

2011-03-12T15:23:00.000-08:00

Well I know most of y'all don't really care how big Forest was at his 6 month checkup yesterday... but since this is my way of record-keeping and remembering what the boys were up to at certain stages of life, I'm writing it anyhow! (Plus I know the Grandmas just eat this stuff up).

So without further adeau (ado?):
Length: 27" long. ~ 60th Percentile
Weight: 17 lbs, 13 oz. ~ 50th Percentile
Head: 18.5". ~ Off the chart -- the highest the chart goes is 97% for boys this age.

Just like last time, he is growing just fine, perfectly average. Perfectly perfect really. I mean, what mom wouldn't say that about their child?

At this stage in his life, Forest is just about the mellowest kid ever. I thought Olaf was chill, but man, little Forest has him BEAT! His daycare provider agrees, as well as all the other folks in Plain that he hangs out with. He is one mellow kid. Obviously he has his moments. Obviously. Like at 2 or 3am. But for the most part he is happy to just observe what is going on around him. Play where we set him, eat when we feed him, sleep when we put him down with his blanky and binky. I thought I would be one of those mom's who would never let their kid carry around a ratty old blanky... but Olaf sure does, and Forest is well on his way to the same. They just love digging in their little fingers and rubbing the blankys all over their faces for comfort. We do a lot of blanket washing at this house.

Speaking of washing - I am kicking ass today, domestically speaking. Vacumed, 6 loads of laundry done, played cars with Olaf and chased him around and around and around the kitchen, made a broccili noodle casserole freezer meal, and a shepards pie freezer meal, and a loaf of bread, and a pound cake, and prepped a quinoa/pepper salad for dinner. Yeah, that's right. I am super mom. (haha!) For one day anyway I will claim the title and I will revel in my glory while it lasts.

Back to the subject at hand - Forest! He is now sitting up unassisted. Though he still falls over now and then, so we are still setting pillows behind him just in case. Which doesn't help with the forward falls... but he is much better balanced in that direction. Let's see, what else... He can roll over front to back, though he rarely does it. Seriously, very rare. I remember Olaf was the same way - just not into rolling! Don't know why he doesn't roll, but I am not concerned. He love LOVES his jumperoo chair. He will happily jump away for 30 minutes to an hour if we let him. Building those teeny tiny little thunder thighs! Maybe he will be a tele skier like Auntie Christie and Uncle Dave. You sure need lots of quad strength for that. Or else he can just downhill like his parents.

Still no teeth. I see them under the gums, but I think it will be a while yet before they pop up to the surface. Which is fine because I'm sure his little nibbles while drinking will feel a bit more ouchy once his teeth are in!

Olaf is learning to be a good big brother. He sometimes pushes Forest, pokes him, or bonks him in the head... but overall he's nice to his little bro. Brings him toys, tries to make him laugh, and runs to him first thing in the morning. I love having boys. They melt a momma's heart.

Well, this domestic diva has some bills to pay (bleh) so I am signing off.

Until I find time to blog again,
Jenn

Crafty Crafterson

2011-03-08T21:31:00.000-08:00

Project #2 on the sewing machine.

I saw this amazing blanket on the make happy blog.
I then went to Aesthetic Nest for a great tutorial on how to make my own.
It's called an heirloom cut chenille baby blanket.
It only took one month to complete in my spare time.
Yowza!

Hopefully Baby Krenz loves it!

And who can resist my picture-taking helper!

God is in the mountains

2011-03-07T20:54:00.000-08:00

Today in the car while we were driving home, with a view of the gorgeous snow-covered Enchantment Peaks in front of us, Olaf said "Mommy, God lives in the mountains."

What led him to that particular thought at that moment, I don't know, but I think he was right.

This last weekend a friend of mine from high school was lost in those very mountains we were looking at, in an avalanche while back-country skiing. Scary. And very, very sad. He was only 28. You can read a brief bit about it here. One of our good friends was with him on the ski tour, along with a few others.

He wasn't one of my best friends, but I sure enjoyed the times we hung out. This is going to sound totally cliche, but Dan was one of those guys who really did get along with everyone -- both in high school (where kids can be SO judgemental) and beyond. I wouldn't even say that about myself. Though he had a close group of friends that were climbers, hikers, skiers, and snowmobilers, he pretty much had friends everywhere else too. Evidence that Dan really was friends with all -- I have a picture of him at my friend Mariya's 18th birthday party surrounded by a bunch of our friends (including me) who were, well, total dorks. We had 3 salutatorians, 3 band members, 3 choir members, tons of drama-nerds... oh yeah. We didn't really care, but no we were not the most popular kids in school. But apparently we were still fun, because though none of Dan's close friends were in that group, he would still hang out and have fun with us.

Fast forward 12 years. I managed to run into Dan a few times a year when Steve and I moved back to the area. Probably more before we had kids, and less after (when we stopped attending every party and bonfire). We seemed to run in the same circles. He always had a ton of questions about how I was doing, and always had some sort of story to share of an adventure he had recently taken. Who would have thought that the last time I would see him would be in the local liquor store, chatting as we stood in line to make our purchases. Certainly not me.

I just can't stop thinking about what happened.
Can't stop imagining what it must have been like for him in his final moments.
Can't imagine what it was like for his friends who were with him.
And can't imagine what it is now like for his family and closest friends, as a whole community mourns his loss...
So I have just been praying prayers of peace to wash over everyone.
Prayers of peace.
If you have a moment please do the same for his family and close friends.

Life is so very fleeting.

Dan, you were loved and respected.
Gone, but certainly not forgotten.

"Going to the mountains is going home." --John Muir

i am the biggest loser

2011-03-02T22:34:00.000-08:00

I am proud of myself.

In the last 8 weeks, I lost 5.1% of my body weight! That’s 6.6 lbs folks! Maybe it doesn’t seem a like a lot to anyone… but seriously. It is. For my body. Trust me. I can now fit into clothes that I haven’t worn since before being pregnant with Olaf! (that’s 2007 people). I can’t believe I hung on to clothes for that long without wearing them… ah well, most of them are still not too ‘dated’. Probably because most of what I own is jeans and tee-shirts. And the outdated jeans with way too big of bootcut bells on the bottom can always be made into cute jean shorts for summertime. Bonus.

And I did it the healthy way – cutting some calories and exercising more. I couldn’t cut too many calories since I am still breastfeeding Forest, but I did cut out some and it seems to have made a good difference. Only a few more pounds to lose in the waistline and I’ll be set. This was the first time in my life I have ever really tried to lose weight, so it’s encouraging to know that it can actually be done! Let's be honest though, I wasn't dieting because of a huge vain desire to be a size 2. I just wanted to finally be healthy again, and active, and have more than 2 pairs of jeans that fit correctly. I think I had a bit of a reverse psychology thing going on -- You know, where you look in the mirror and go, "DAMN I LOOK GOOOOOD!" when in reality my love handles were just a bit too lovely... and my pants a bit toooo tight :) But I didn't see it that way for a long time. Ha ha!

I am not going to lie though – it was HARD. Mostly it was hard to find the time to work out. Because seriously, I am busy with kids/commute/work/commute/kids/dinner/kids until about 8pm every night. Luckily Steven was motivated to work out also, so we do it together at about 9pm usually. 6 days a week. 60-90 minutes. It is HARD to get motivated. It is HARD to make your body move that late at night. It is HARD to give up my evening wine or ice cream. But we are doing it, and it feels good to be much healthier these days. And we give ourselves a little grace… when we start falling asleep on our mats doing yoga at 10:15pm we just get up, turn off the DVD, and go to bed!

I can’t wait until spring when I can get outside with the boys more often and start doing activities for exercise instead of videos! Softball and road biking. Mmmmm yes. My goal is ride in one road race/ride this summer. Not sure that I’d have time to train for much else. I think the triathlon training is going to have to wait for another summer. And play softball once a week. And also have a great time playing with the boys!

Filling in the Blanks

2011-02-18T13:41:00.000-08:00

I've been wanting to fill in one of these for a while now.
This gal, Lauren, does it every Friday.
I find that they are always interesting to read, and in absence of any other topic, I am going to play along!

1. I am almost 30. (whoa) Motivated, but sometimes lazy. A follower of Jesus. A wifey, and a mommy. A sister and a daughter. A total nerd. A wanna-be master gardener. Urban granola with a hint of redneck.

2. The bravest thing I've ever done was hmmmmmm. My definition of brave might be different than some others. Let's see, jump out of an airplane? No. Climb Mount Rainier? Nah. Very bravest? I think I was pretty brave to flirt with my husband back in the day before we were dating. After all, I was the nerd and he was the super social ladies man. It could have been complete rejection. It paid off though!

3. I feel prettiest when my babies are patting my cheeks and giving me sweet kisses and snuggles. I know they don't care about the lack of mascara or unkempt hair. (Here's to hoping Steve doesn't either!)

4. Something that keeps me awake at night is Forest. Seriously, he needs to get over this cold. Oh, and thinking about the million things I want to accomplish the next day.

5. My favorite meal in the entire world is Oh boy... Anything Italian. I'll go with butternut squash ravioli, good garlic bread, salad, and a glass of a fantastic ($3) bottle of red wine.

6. The way to my heart is showing me you care by doing something very thoughtful for me, remembering tiny details from memories with me in them, or really customizing a gift to show me that you care about the little things in my life.

7. I would like to lose my last 5lbs of baby weight (go P90x!) and then hit Seattle for a major shopping spree. You know, at least $150. That's huge to a momma on a budget! (and goes a long way at Nordstrom Rack).

a little giggle

2011-02-14T20:51:00.000-08:00

Olaf can make Forest laugh harder than anyone else.
I absolutely LOVE watching it!

So if you need a little smile...
just watch!
(and pay no attention to the poor video quality)

sunday was super.

2011-02-10T21:52:00.000-08:00

Really, truly... Does it get much cuter than this?

Maybe only if there was a little dimpled fellow by the name of Olaf in this picture too :)

We went ahead and wore our Seahawks gear while rooting for the Packers last Sunday. Well, Forest did anyway. Steve was just rocking the WA gear while Forest wore Steve's/Olaf's/his vintage Jim Zorn jersey #10. Can't wait to pass it along to my grandsons someday!

Project #1

2011-02-04T18:02:00.000-08:00

For Christmas my lovely husband, parents, and in-laws combined their pocketbooks and bought me the gift I've been dropping hints about, well, all year probably :) A sewing machine! I feel like a whole new world of crafting has opened up to me.

I didn't get around to using it until about 2 weeks after Christmas. My first project was a sleep sack for Forest. He's about to grow out of his small sized one, and I didn't want to spend $20 on a new size medium. Plus I really wanted to try it, because it looked easy.

I laid out the littler sleep sack, traced around it (but bigger) and cut out my fabric. Then I looked at original, studied it, and sort of deconstructed it, and wrote down the order of steps I'd need to sew it together. Then I stayed up working on it until 1:30 in the morning when I realized that Forest would be up in 3.5 hours.... oops. Guess I got carried away!

Here's my fabric all cut out!

My sewing station = the kitched table.

And here's the finished product, next to the original. One thing I missed when cutting - should have left the neck opening in front a little bigger. I'm planning to fix that before Forest uses it.

That's right, I installed a zipper on my first project. Booyah. (Just don't look too close).

I have since found many many inspiring sewing blogs, and as I create things I'll show the links where I got the ideas from! Up next: Faux chenille baby blanket for Jaimi. Actually it's already done. It was on my kitchen table for an entire month. That's how long it took me... Because I only had weekend naptimes to work on it, as well as my housework. Finally finished it with some help from Steve! But anyway, it will be next on the blog!

long.time.no.see

2011-01-25T20:57:00.000-08:00

Hello family and friends.

I am still here, really I am.
I have lots of material to write about, really, I do!
I am just having trouble finding time...

Still learning how to balance working full time and managing two kiddos and a house.
And trying to find time for myself in between.
I have this problem where I hate doing anything half-assed... which means that sometimes it just doesn't get done (blogging, creating, talking on the phone).
I dislike posts where I can't elaborate, or don't have pictures.
I dislike starting a craft and then leaving it on the kitchen table for 2 weeks (ahem, baby blanket... probably have 2-3 weeks more to go...)
I dislike calling people to chat when I know I can only talk for 10 minutes.
I just want to be ~~good~~ great at everything I do, the first time, every time, and when I can't I get flustered!
And so I just concentrate on the basics like playing with kids, feeding them, working, and trying to keep up with the laundry and vacuming loads of dog hair out of the corners.
That's what I am doing now.
Hopefully I'll find a better balance sooner than later so that I can stop neglecting things that I enjoy :)

So, all that being said...
I do love writing and sharing pics and blogging and will continue to do so :)
Just wanted to make sure y'all know I didn't forget about you.
And wanted to have more than just one post in January!

I'll leave you with the latest from the kiddos.

Love Jenn

Seriously mom, not now, I'm eating!

Look at me, all sitting up by myself! What you don't know is that seconds after this photo is taken I will lean sideways and the weight of my big giant head will carry the rest of my body down on the couch.

3rd Draft

2011-01-08T14:00:00.000-08:00

This is the third post I have started since the new year. I just can't seem to actually finish a thought, apparently! They are all fun ones too... well maybe I will get around to posting them someday :) Maybe not, who knows.

I finally have time (I think) and a subject for a new post. I really like to post when I have pictures to share, and alas my camera has not been clicking away lately. So this will be strictly a text update for y'all.

Yesterday Forest had his 4 month checkup at the doctors office. So Steve and I took the whole family in for flu shots as well, and running errands. You know - Costco, Pak-It-Rite, Safeway, the bank(s), Walmart, Jerry's Auto Supply (obviously that was not my errand). Shots and appointment went well. Olaf didn't even cry! Forest did though, poor little guy. When I say cry, I mean CRY. Luckily he passed out sleeping when we got back into the car.

We finally found out how big Forest was!
Weight: 14lbs. (25th percentile) He's a little dude!
Height: 25inches (45th percentile) Pretty average for height.
Head: 18inches (100th percentile) Holy freaking orange on a toothpick, Batman.

Bonus on having a smaller second child - he can wear Olaf's clothes a lot longer! Yeehaw! I am all for saving money on children's clothes. In all actuality, I don't have to spend any money on them, since we get fabulous hand-me-downs from the cousins and friends in Plain. Between Christie and I we could probably outfit 5 or 6 children Olaf's age. What a blessing! Of course because I can't resist a good clearance rack, both kids will still continue to get a new outfit here and there. And then there's always grandma(s) too.

The kids are just FUN these days. No, it's not always easy, and yes, sometimes I want to cover my ears and eyes and ignore the noise or tantrum or mess before me... but it's not that often. Our family of 4 is adjusting just fine, and enjoying life as we go.

merry happy day after Christmas

2010-12-26T14:08:00.000-08:00

From the cutest boys (in their matching jammies) on the block.... merry happy day after Christmas!

Yesterday was fun! Crazy, but fun. 12 adults and 7 children under 4... obviously a little nutty in our little 1400 square foot home. There may have been more than one fight over Lightning McQueen (even though there are 4 different ones) or a fight over monster trucks (though there are well over 7 different ones)... or too many cooks in the kitchen at one time. But overall the food was delicious, the company was wonderful, and we celebrated the birth of Jesus with a gusto. We sure feel blessed.

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2010-12-18T20:53:00.000-08:00

Snow, snow as far as the eye can see.

LOVE IT!

Last weekend we had a super major storm, which dumped about two feet of the white stuff in 2 nights. NICE! Sadly it was followed the same night by some nasty heavy rain, which compressed it and turned many a road and driveway into unpassable messes... Luckily not my driveway, because Dave stayed out late to plow it before the rain, and I shoveled out the walkways and garbage cans and whatnot. Phew. The next day (Sunday) after the rain was pretty bad though. After debating back and forth, I finally decided to head to Church and brave the road. It was... messy. 5 mph messy and only one set of tracks on the unplowed road, so when I met another car we both had to venture into the nasty slush factory. I made it halfway there, only to be thwarted by a tree across the road. Sigh. Turned around and came home!

Other than that snow excitement, we've just been enjoying the season and preparing for Steve to come home (tomorrow) and for Christmas. Here's a few photos for you to enjoy :)

Mark cut down our tree and hauled it back to the house for me too - thanks! I could have done it myself I am sure, but it was much nicer to have someone to share the tree hunting experience with. Forest tagged along in the Moby.

Our little Grand fir ('abis grandis' if I remember correctly, dad?)

Olaf watches Nick plow the driveway from the windowsill. You can just see Nick's back bumper in the far left of the window. Nothing like 14" thick walls to provide a great viewing area!

Best present under the tree this year... Forest :)

He batted that Olaf/snowman ornament around for at least 30 minutes :)

Hey mom check me out! Camo, old coat, messy hair. Redneck in training? Apparently so!

I tried to capture a photo in the middle of a snowstorm as Dave was plowing the snow with the tractor. As you can see, there was a LOT!

Gitcha Goomsba Up

2010-12-05T10:25:00.000-08:00

I think this is hilarious.
Leavenworth's new "viral video" ad campaign.

I've read other comments and reviews of people who say it was so "trashy" that they now refuse to visit Leavenworth. Ha! Okay. I mean seriously people, it's meant to be funny. Did no one see St. Nicholas dancing in the background? I don't think it's trying to change Leavenworth's reputation into a college party town. Anyone who has ever visited knows that's not even possible. Too many trinket shops, not enough bars. But this ad sure is generating dialogue, which I am sure was the whole point in the first place!

So without further ado, please take a look at "Gitcha Goomsba Up"

2010-12-02T23:31:00.000-08:00

Umm, just ordered these with my store credit at Zappos.
SO EXCITED.
Free overnight shipping.

Merry Christmas, TO MYSELF!

Are we shoe twins now Tara? I tried to order a different color but they didn't have it in my size. So when I wear mine you can wear one of your other two pairs :)

who wants to visit?

2010-12-01T21:43:00.000-08:00

It's easy to get in the Christmas spirit when your address is Leavenworth, WA!

I love this place.

I especially love that I live 15 miles outside of town and can just visit whenever I want, but still call it my hometown :)

Schedule for this weekend:
Play with Sorensen family in the snow.
Cut down Christmas tree on the property.
Put up Christmas tree.
Sled.
SLEEP (if the children allow it...)

So glad that tomorrow is my FRIDAY! YAY!

First snow day play

2010-11-27T09:22:00.000-08:00

Nov. 20th was our first day of snow here in Plain. So we headed out to do what is most fun - sledding! There wasn't a ton of snow so the sledding mostly meant I pulled everyone around. And let me tell you - our three Saugen cousins are NOT light! I think Micah weighs more than his older sister, and Olaf is close behind :) Luckily with both Christie and I we managed to pull them up the hill.

Olaf looks totally prepared, right? Nope.... his boots from last year don't fit and I haven't found him any yet for this year so he's wearing skater shoes. Also those mittens he's wearing -- we already lost one so now he's down to socks on his hands! I looked for cheapos at WallyWorld yesterday but no love. No mittens, no snow boots. Poor kid will just have to wait until I can get out to shop again!

Yum! We all shared a thermos of hot cocoa when we were all done.

Finally, I win!

2010-11-20T14:05:00.000-08:00

I have noticed that a lot of bloggers get free items to review from companies all the time. Sometimes they even give a duplicate of the item away on their blog. Usually to win one of these giveaways there are requirements - you must follow that person's blog, you must 'Tweet' about it, post it or 'like' it on Facebook... Too much for me. I am not going to follow someone's blog just for a shot at winning a prize. However, if I truly genuinely like to read your blog, then sure, sign me up, and I'll be happy to read and comment away! (Know that if I follow your blog, it's definitely because I find you interesting, not because I want your swag.) I will say though, that even of the blogs I know and love, I have entered probably a hundred giveaways and never won. Even when there were only like 5 entries. I have pretty much given up hope of ever doing so :) But I digress.

Now on to the actual topic of this post -- finally FINALLY someone is giving something away to all bloggers, without (many) strings attached. You don't have to have a million readers, you don't have to post it all over the web, you just have a write a short post and they give you something for free. So this year we will be getting our Christmas cards from Shutterfly, thank you very much!

I usually ALWAYS make my own cards. Basically I make a scrapbook page of our year in review, then make color copies, then send em all out. And y'all, it's expensive. Color copies are 99cents per side usually. Which means I usually spend at least $150 and a lot of time on them. Honestly I don't really mind, actually I really enjoy making our little 'year in review'. It's our little gift to people over the holidays. But sometimes it is overwhelming because I usually leave it to the last minute :) Of course!

But seriously people, Shutterfly just offered me 50 FREE Christmas card prints just for telling them (and you) what my favorite new designs are, and I can't pass it up. I have never used Shutterfly before, so this will be a new experience. I have heard good things, and hopefully I will have the same good experience that other folks have had.

Here are some of my favorite card designs I have found so far:

Maybe you can see a theme here -- I am drawn to the ones with lots of COLOR, lots of DIFFERENT FONTS, and color pictures over black and white. I know they are all customizable though, I could always put in my color pictures instead of the example black and whites. But I guess I am just drawn to these ones with so much color. And I don't know why I love the different fonts... maybe the scrapbooker in me?

Of course they also have typical photo gifts like this.

I used to make fun of these corny mugs, keychains, etc... and then I became a mom. And now I get it. They are awesome little reminders of your family. Cheesy as they may be!

I am totally buying these gift tags. Even though they are not free. I want them.

Well that's enough talk I think. I am stoked about my Christmas cards! If you are a blogger (even if you have only 2 readers and it's your mom and your grandma) and you want some nice cards, just follow this link.

I think that Shutterfly probably may have made a lifelong customer with this little gift to me.

Don't worry, I didn't ACTUALLY show you the card we picked to send out; you'll all see that soon enough! Know that it will have lots of color though :)

discovering

2010-11-17T16:00:00.000-08:00

Forest has discovered his hands and feet. Half the time he is sitting in his bouncy, he is holding both hands up in front of him while sort of playing with his fingers and just staring at them. I keep thinking he's saying in his head -- "I'm just not quite sure what to do with my hands... Should I hold them here? Like this? ummm" ah-la Talledega Nights :) The other half the time he is MADLY kicking those little feet trying to make the spiders bounce. Or at least I assume that's what he is doing. And yes after this video I decided it was probably a good idea to start strapping him into this thing with the seatbelt so he doesn't bounce himself right off the edge!

I can't believe I have to go back to work on Monday. Wow, it's already here! How smart am I though, to choose to come back the week of Thanksgiving? Only a 3 day work week, people! Pretty sweet! Followed by a month where taking time off for holidays is a given. So basically I am coming back at the best time of year with the most days off, the most holiday cookie exchange lunches, the least flack for taking more time off, and (usually) a less busy time of year now that ad season is over and construction hasn't started. Oh yeah.

Well I have lots more to do.
Better maximize my afternoon while the boys (all 3) are asleep.
Like research this deal I found about Shutterfly giving away free Christmas card prints to bloggers. What? Sweet. I better see if I qualify and how to get my free stuff!
And maybe organize my office. Maybe.
Or order pictures for Christmas gift crafting.
Or download some new tunes.
Or get the mail and bring it inside.

Like I said, better go.

date with little squeeze

2010-11-16T08:57:00.000-08:00

In preparation for transitioning Forest to childcare next week when I return to work, he spent yesterday morning with Julie, who will be caring for him. I knew he was in good hands, though I admit it was still hard to leave him there. However it did allow Olaf and I to have a nice morning "date".

First we went for coffee at Plain Hardware - fun! We got to chat with Karen and Zelda, and Olaf had a delicious hot cocoa while we played cars at the little table.

Next we headed to the Church to swing on the swings. Olaf got that contagious little giggle going... we were having a blast!

Later in the evening, while Forest was taking a nap, we made chocolate chip cookies together - YUM. Olaf loved all of it, but mostly he wanted to scoop things up. And eat the dough of course. And eat cookies for dinner. I made him wear a dishtowel as an apron. Not so much that I didn't want him to get messy - I just thought it was really cute!

This was probably his favorite part -- the scooping.

Or maybe this was his favorite. The licking of deliciouness.

Persistence pays off. I think he got every last morsel of dough off that thing! Though a lot ended up on his face as well :)

hot cocoa kind of day

2010-11-13T16:35:00.000-08:00

I wish it would snow.
I mean REALLY snow.
I only have a week left at home and I want one of those days to be super cozy spent inside with a fire and hot cocoa and working on making Christmas gifts.
But alas. No snow just yet besides flurries.
We had cocoa anyways.
It was just a hot cocoa kind of day.

I'm a terrible photographer...

2010-11-05T09:53:00.000-07:00

But I thought I would finally share some Halloween pics of Olaf from last week. I made his little spider costume in about an hour... so I wasn't too disappointed when he only last 10 minutes at the trunk or treat. He was much more excited to get to Grammy's house afterward for dinner and to watch Finding Nemo.

Spider (Olaf) and SpiderMAN (Micah), cousins and best buds

Christie and I dressed up as moms of very small babies. I think we pulled it off quite well, what with Forest and Kyler all bundled up in their packs. We had a sweet costume for Forest - one of those binkies that gives you HUGE buck teeth but alas... it was too big for his tiny mouth. It was SO COLD too that they were much better with pretty much no skin showing.

Showing off his costume to Grammy.

Forest enjoyed laying on the floor during dinner in his stylin' REI long underwear. That kid has nicer winter gear than I do!

This was a few days later at Christie's birthday party - grandpas with the babies. Mark has Forest and Craig (Christie's pop) has Kyler. I say it a lot, but I will say it again - yay for cousins growing up so close to each other!

Forest's nursery

2010-11-01T15:48:00.000-07:00

This was Olaf's nursery back when we lived in Cashmere. SO CUTE. In fact we decorated his room here in Plain similarly since he was still in the crib when we moved in.

Well the poor second child... no decorated nursery for him, poor thing.

Forest sleeps in our room because I don't want he and Olaf in the same room just yet. So here is Forest's lovely little nursery, tucked on the wall across from the foot of our bed, between the bathroom on the left, and the hallway on the right.

Cozy.
Just right for a little boy of 8 weeks.

saturday in the country

2010-10-30T20:29:00.000-07:00

Steve split and stacked wood.
All day.

So me and the boys did some other things to occupy ourselves.
We walked to the hardware store from the bridge.
Actually Olaf, Serenity, and Micah rode their little run bikes while Christie, Donna, myself and my mom walked behind them, carrying the little babies. And on the way back Olaf had to be carried too because apparently his endurance isn't that of his cousins :) But we all had a good time out in the rain, even Forest and Kyler who both (blessedly) slept the whole time.

After lunch somehow both the boys ended up sleeping at the same time - yeah! So I made applesauce, as shown below.

Does anyone else ever use these apple peeler/corer/slicer doodads? They are AMAZING. I want one, badly. This one is my mothers. I borrow it sometimes in the fall because it makes anything with large quantities of apples so much easier. I swear we'd eat more apple pies if I had one. (Hint hint mom, Sue.... Christmas... just sayin')

Nevermind the particle board countertop... we'll get our concrete one installed one of these days...

Since Wenatchee calls themselves the "Apple Capital of the World", we always have lots of places to get apples in the fall during harvest time. They used to export more apples than any other place in the world, and do hold the world record for largest apple pie ever baked, but I think Japan is beating them in apple exports now. That's okay with me. There are still PLENTY of apples to go around. Not to mention pears and cherries.

My applesauce recipe is this: Put all cut up apples in a pot with some water to keep it from burning. Bring to boil. Turn down to simmer for like 1/2 hour, stirring every 5 minutes or so. Put in the blender and pulse a few times until smoother. Voila! I don't add any sugar. These apples were Fujis from Mom and Dad's tree, so they were already pretty sweet.

I just love making things to eat to put in the freezer. This is my third batch made! Although batch 2 didn't count because I sort of forgot I was making it, and burned it to the pan so badly it took steel wool, hours of scrubbing, and my sister in law's mom Donna to get it all off the pan. Needless to say that batch didn't quite work out. I am just thankful our precious All-Clad cookware survived. I can't afford it again without a wedding registry.

Fire in the fireplace was nice too.

All in all a good day.

2 months old

2010-10-30T13:50:00.000-07:00

2 months. Wow. My (most likely) last baby is growing up WAY TOO QUICKLY for me!

Forest. Already there has been so much change in your tiny little body. Small chunk rolls are starting to form on your upper arms and thighs. You can hold your head up for pretty good extended periods and then BAM it goes all wobbly again :) Then you pick it up again to view the world. I swear you seem to know exactly what's going on.

I love when you SSTTTRRREEEEEEETTTCCCHHH both your arms above your head and scrunch up your face so that only your huge Saugen lips are showing clearly.

Everyone has an opinion about who you look like - most say Daddy for sure. Some say Mommy. And I myself don't really see anyone but Forest in you. I can't pick out either side of the family dominant in you. However you do have your daddy's giant lips, and every now and then at a certain angle, I see Auntie Kirsten's baby pictures replicated in your face.

I LOVE this view of your peaceful self while we are walking... so content

Unless you are in a really good sleep, you make constant noises just in your breathing! Luckily daddy and I are usually so tired that we are able to fall asleep to the sound of it. You are still sleeping in our room in the cradle that PopPop Moritz made for me and my sisters when we were little girls.

You LOVE people. Looking at them, interacting a bit, SMILING (since 6 weeks), being held. You track me with your eyes and head as I move about and if I stop right in front of you and smile, you will usually smile right back :) Lucky me! It's an adorable smile.

When you are sad, all I have to do is pick you up and you stop crying almost immediately. You do not like to be left alone unless you are very tired or asleep. If I set you in a room to look around, then leave the room with Olaf for another room you let us know you don't like it! (Olaf usually says "Mommy - Forest is CRYING! He wants you to pick him up!") All I have to do is go back for you, pick you up and move you to the new room to sit, and you are content to watch the happenings.

You seem to adore your big brother. He loves to come to wherever you are, put his (huge) head against yours and say "Hey little buddy, you're okay!" I often think he might be squashing you but when he pulls his head back up you just look up at him with admiring eyes. Oly also loves to sing his ABC's to you when you are sad, however he refuses to sing them unless you are crying. Apparently the ABC's are only for when you are not already happy.

You definitely have a new cry too - the frustration cry. It usually comes when we are nursing but are taking a burp break. You sound SO annoyed with this cry, like I should put you back on the boob immediately. Like snap to it, Mommy!

You first started smiling at us between 5 & 6 weeks old. It is so precious! None of those crazy Saugen dimples, but some uber-cute laugh lines around your mouth. You features (aside from the ever expanding double chin) are still very delicate, just like when you were born.

You are finally out of your newborn sized clothes, and are wearing 0-3 months. We should get a few more months out of them - YAY! At your checkup yesterday you were riding those 50% lines right up the charts. Totally average sized, which is great! After having one chunky baby, I am excited to have one smaller one. You now weigh 11 lbs 6 oz., are 23 inches tall, and have a 15-inch head.

Forest, I just love you so much, I could go on for pages. As you keep growing, I find new things every day that you do which fascinate me and make me so happy. But I will just save it for a new post. Keep smiling buddy - it brings so much joy to people around you.

Love, Mommy

the boys

2010-10-28T19:47:00.000-07:00

If I had known how easy it would be to potty train Olaf, I would have done this months ago! It pretty much took a week for him to figure it out. (Mostly he just figured out that he doesn't like wet pants - we went straight from diapers to superhero underpants, pullups didn't seem to work all the previous times I tried it) Of course I am sure there will be accidents for quite a while, but seriously, one diaper a day for overnight is awesome. No more $40-$50 a month on diapers!!!! Yay!!! (I am just switching from buying size 5's to size 1's.) And there isn't much of anything cuter than a little boy is his superman underpants, and that's the truth.

I pretty much thought I was mom of the year last week because while Olaf was rock-star-ing his potty time, Forest was sleeping through the night. Yeah, that's right. WELL HE WAS JUST PLAYING A MEAN TRICK ON ME because he only did it for 3 nights. Granted, they were a glorious 3 nights, but he definitely hasn't figured out how to sleep through the night. Because that was over a week ago. What he has figured out is that I am sucker and hate to hear him cry... especially since he sleeps in our room... and I will always respond at 2:30 with milk... so if he doesn't figure it out on his own daddy is going to have to help me in the self restraint category and let him cry it out one of these nights. But I can wait on that. At least another 3 weeks till I go back to work anyway. Then I'm going to want me some sleep!

mr. photogenic

2010-10-24T20:00:00.000-07:00

I think this kid is ridiculously cute.

I can't help it.

Do you see those monsterous dimples?

If he's anything like his father he will have quite a following of ladies when he's older.

I don't know how I feel about that...

I like being the leading lady in his life.

mishaps

2010-10-22T14:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday at lunch Olaf had some raisins for dessert. I turned around at one point and saw Olaf putting raisin near his nose and I said "No raisins in the nose Olaf, do you understand?" He put his hand and the raisin down and said "There's not a raisin in my nose!" Hmmmm. He just kept saying "There's not a raisin in my nose!" Considering whenever he has a poopy diaper he says "I don't have a poopoo!" it clued me into the fact that there may in fact already be a raisin in there.

After a closer look I saw there WAS a raisin up there. Holy heck. I ran upstairs for some tweezers. When I got back down the raisin had moved a little farther back up there (basically I could just barely see the tip of the raisin. I still tried with the tweezers but I didn't even touch it due to the squirmy crying toddler. So we plugged the other nostril and I told Olaf to blow his nose.

Out shot the snotty raisin, across the kitchen.
Really hoping he didn't think it was funny enough to try again!

on getting your toddler to eat his vegetables

2010-10-21T13:55:00.000-07:00

For nine glorious weeks this summer, our family was able to split a fresh delicious box of vegetables from a local CSA, Tierra Garden Organics. The boxes were full of kale, spinach, lettuce, collard greens, kohlrabi, squash, potatoes, leeks, garlic and more... wow, just tons of good stuff. I was forced to experiment cooking with quite a few things that I had only heard of, and some I hadn't even heard of (like kohlrabi). Most of the experiments came out great (creamed collard greens, anyone?).

I don't know about the rest of y'all parents, but it is a FIGHT to get Olaf to try things at dinner, especially weird looking veggies. Sometimes we can coax one bite into him, which sometimes will make him gag and spit it back out, or cry. It is not so awesome. Even if he says he likes it, he usually maxes out at 2-3 bites.

So here's my confession. At least once a week, sometimes twice, he gets those boring, non-organic, kind of gross (to me) mixed veggies from the freezer. Carrots, peas, corn and green beans. Microwave with water in a small bowl, drain water, and squeeze a little ketchup on top. And he will gobble an entire bowl of them! I figured it is better that he is getting vegetables at all, rather than try to force tiny bites of those premium organic vegetables into every meal. Right? Right.

from the peanut gallery

2010-10-18T13:49:00.000-07:00

Thoughts from Forest at age 7 weeks:

I am just so cute! Sometimes I am very happy to sit and let mommy take a bunch of pictures of me. She thinks I have funny frog legs, and a big round tummy, and no booty. Apparently all these things make me endearing to her. I like to smile at her when I am really happy. Not just when I have a full diaper either, but when I am warm and full and content to be looking at her face.

(Mommy's note -- I think he usually looks like a Saugen, but he TOTALLY looks like a Helseth in this picture above. Just like my older sister's baby pictures. No seriously.)

I took a bath with my big brother the other day. It was pretty fun. He didn't throw any water on me, although he did try to smear bubbles all up in my face. Mommy put a stop to that pretty quickly. We didn't fit too great in the tub with my huge baby bath in there too, but it worked for the 5 or so minutes were were in together. I liked hanging out with Olaf!

Sometimes I am tired of pictures. What can I say? - I am always getting photographed and sometimes enough is enough!

tiny blessings

2010-10-12T08:42:00.000-07:00

Meet my newest nephew

Kyler John Saugen

Born Thursday October 7th

8lbs 1oz, 21" long

Our family is really so blessed.

Forest was very excited to meet his little cousin.
Lucky they are next door neighbors.

Small Victories

2010-10-06T20:33:00.000-07:00

Victory #1 -- I buttoned my first pair of pants since last December today. Good gracious it felt GOOOOOD! The rest (of the two pairs that my thighs fit into) are still being buttoned with the ol' hair tie trick. Of course I can button them, but then I have a muffin top sticking out, so I prefer to continue to use the hair tie. Anyway.

My other small victory is that I jogged today. Only about a mile and a half. And I got a side-ache and had to walk parts of it. But still - it was jogging! I left both boys with Steven... Forest was screaming when I left. Not easy for a mom to walk out on... But I knew he was fine and Steven is a great papa, so I left. And when I came back he was asleep!

Now I am sore. Even though I stretched. I guess that's what I get for not really exercising except walking for the last 10 months :)

Forest's Birthday

2010-10-04T20:17:00.000-07:00

Well I want to write this down somewhere while I can still remember it, and remember the feelings that went along with it. I never wrote down Olaf's birth story and I wish I had, because 2 years later it's just a bit fuzzy for me. And I remember it being just TERRIBLE in comparison to Forest's birth, even though it was probably not all that bad :) Although I think I will try to remember it and write another post while I have it on the brain.

Forest came 13 days past his due date. I know that the due date was correct, because I'd been doing the "family planning" with basal body temp, and I knew which day I had ovulated (TMI? Sorry if so). Going that far past your due date is not that hard physically, but it was a mental killer.

I think I have realized why it was so annoying to go past my due date with Forest (and Olaf). I guess I just felt like was very alone at that place in my pregnancy. Just think - out of ALL the pregnant women you know, how many do you know that allowed her pregnancy go very far overdue? I can think of just a few.

Now it wasn't uncommon for our moms to go 1, 2 or even 3 weeks overdue before inducing labor or looking at other options. But I have noticed a growing trend in pregnancy that if you don't have your baby before your due date, on your due date, or within 3-4 days after your due date, most women are encouraged to induce labor with pitocin, or in some situations schedule a C-section. Their doctors even encourage it. Now I am not against either of those, I think they are definitely a personal choice made by the momma and their doctors. (I myself chose to be induced with pitocin at 11 days post due with Olaf so I'm really not against it.) However it means there are VERY few people who can relate to being very far post due with their kiddos. I mean seriously. And then the women who went 3 days overdue tell me - "I KNOW, it's just so annoying isn't it, to be overdue?" and I think "talk to me again in another week honey. You probably hadn't even reached your real due date yet". Anyway. I could write a whole post on how annoying that is but I will just leave these ramblings here.

So in the week leading to my due date, and the two weeks after, I had progressively stronger Braxton Hicks contractions. However they were never consistent, just annoying! I kept trying to tell myself that they were prepping my body for the baby's arrival, and helping me to make some progress. Luckily, they actually were! At 40 weeks I was dilated to a 1cm, and at 41 weeks I was dilated to 1.5cm. So you see, good progress for me.

I had an ultrasound at 41 weeks (Monday), as well as a non stress test for the baby. The following Wednesday, we went in for another appointment with my doctor so he could go over the ultrasound with us. He told us that it looked good, baby seemed to be very healthy, and he would see me either in the hospital, or the following Monday (at 42 weeks) to talk induction (bleh). He also said he'd be out of town at a trail-run race on Sat-Sun this coming weekend, so if I didn't have it by Friday, his associate would deliver over the weekend.

Thursday came along and still no baby. I decided SCREW THIS I am having this child. So Steve and I whipped up a nice castor oil smoothie and I drank it down that night at 10pm, thinking maybe labor would start sometime in the wee hours of Friday morning. Well contractions started at about 5am, pretty consistently. I spent that morning rocking in the chair and relaxing through each one, while Steve watched Olaf. Then at 10am I fell asleep, and woke up at 11am..... with no more contractions. They had stopped completely. However, a nice delayed reaction from the castor oil meant that I got a serious bowel movement cleansing... Lets just say it was not a pleasant feeling! I was pretty demoralized after that experience on Friday, so I decided that I would have to just wait for the baby :)

Saturday Steven and I did a ton of yardwork. I mowed the lawn, planted about 10 plants in my beds, composted, etc... I was having good strength contractions every 15 to 20 minutes all day, but again they weren't real consistent. That evening we went over to my folks house for a BBQ, because my Aunt Sandy was visiting, and we wanted to see her. Dinner was delicious, but slightly uncomfortable because I kept having those dang contractions. I sat down in the recliner after supper while everyone else just visited, and finally decided that we needed to go home so I could listen to my hypno-birthing tracks on my iPod to relax through the contractions. (about 7pm). Once we were home I settled into the recliner with my iPod and relaxed, and even managed to enjoy a few of the contractions - which I was thinking of as "pressure waves". It was a nice experience. They were getting "longer/stronger/closer together" as my doctor would have said.

After Steve got Olaf to bed, and watched some TV, and played on the computer, he came up and started timing the contractions at about 1:30 am. Basically we were both so exhausted that we would fall asleep between them, and they would wake me up, and I'd grunt loudly at Steve, at which point he would wake up, write down the time, and then fall back asleep. (see photo evidence of timing below) Finally around 3am I guess he decided they were getting pretty close so he called the hospital and told them we were coming, called my mom to come stay with Olaf, and got the car running. We left at about 3:30am for Wenatchee.

Steve's timing paper... I don't know what those stars were for!

I actually really enjoyed the car ride... crazy I know. But the vibrations of the car were really nice compared to just rocking in my chair, and the Hypnobirthing tracks were still working to almost completely relax my body.

We got to the hospital at 4:30am and checked in, which took forever (it felt like). My concentration on the hypno-birthing tracks was failing as I got asked questions and sat in an uncomfortable chair under bright lights -- as lots of you moms have experienced. Hospitals are distracting places. Got to our birthing room at about 5:00am and went through the usual fetal heartbeat monitoring, blood pressure, hep-lock etc. According to the nurse, I had dilated to a 6/7cm and was 100% effaced. Woohoo, I didn't come in too early! I had decided already that I wanted to get an epidural, so the nurse notified the anesthesiologist and sent my bloodwork to the lab to make sure I could have one. By this time it was about 5:45am. We were TIRED. I essentially hadn't slept at all since the night before (Friday night), so I was really looking forward to getting the epi and then taking a nice nap before I needed to start pushing.

The nice Dr. came at 6:30am with my drugs. It took about 20 minutes to get everything in, and then I was in that peaceful state known as NO PAIN :) Loved it. I was looking forward to my nap. The nurse had called the backup doc (since mine was out of town) and he was there, and came in to check me. He told me I was already at an 8, and he wanted to break my water. After he broke the bag of water, I shot to 9cm right away. So then he suggested I start pushing and see if I could make it a 10. I just remember thinking WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED TO MY NAP!!? I was SOOOO tired :) But I started pushing with Steve and the nurse by my side at 7:30 am. And I was apparently much more effective than I was with Olaf (who took 3 hours + a vacume). At 8:25 or so the doc came back in and this time he stayed. I got to wait through a few contractions while he gloved up and then it was time to get the little bugger out! Steve had told the nurse earlier that he wished he could 'catch' the baby, so at that time she and the doc told him to take off his watch and get ready to guide the baby out. Which he did at 8:35am. Forest was screaming and cherry tomato red when he came out! They laid the beautiful little guy up on my chest immediately. Ahhh, love. True love.

I had an amazing experience this time. The hypno-birthing that I had been practicing for months on end helped me to have a really wonderful and relaxing birth. Literally, I felt very little pain for the first 6-7 hours of labor. I felt like I was in control the whole time, and really did enjoy the whole thing. I only really felt intense pain when at the hospital, and trust me, it was intense. But I was actually able to breath through all of it and only yelled like a banshee for two really good ones. Compared with Olaf's birth, I was SO relaxed. (also I screamed like a banshee a LOT more with Olaf)... Pushing was easier, I felt more encouraged, and was just much happier. It made me realize that birthing is supposed to be an amazing experience, not scary or frustrating. And I was very blessed to have a healthy baby at the end of it.

So anyway... long story I know but like I said, I wanted to write it down so I could remember it!

Forest Tucker Saugen - I love you.

Gigi

2010-10-01T14:26:00.000-07:00

Gigi = Great Grandma. (Steve's Grandma)

She is one of the main reasons that I blog. Hi Grandma Riley! I think she is our most faithful reader :) So of course we had to take little Forest to meet her for the first time! We headed over to Oak Harbor early Monday morning, spent the day/evening there, then headed home on Tuesday. We had such a great time!

We even got to take the Ferry from Mukilteo to Clinton, which was a treat for Olaf (and us). Steve has a particular way of riding the ferry (since they rode them so often as kids), which he's been doing for years and years, and is now happily teaching Olaf. Basically the minute your car is parked, you leave it (and your wife) in the dust and race to the back of the boat, to make sure that you see it motor away from the dock. Then once you are a few hundred feet out, you mosey up to the front of the boat to watch the scenery. Once you get close to to dock on the far shore, you go to the very front of the boat to watch it dock, then you RACE back to your car which your kind wife has unlocked and ready for you to load up into so that other ferry drivers don't get mad at you for being late and holding up the unloading. I didn't mind being the car locker and un-locker, and Olaf got to see all the churning water from the motor. So it was a good way to enjoy our ferry ride!

P.S. Isn't my husband SO GOOD LOOKING? Seriously. What a hunk.

Beach Day

2010-09-30T21:01:00.000-07:00

Lake Wenatchee State Park ROCKS.
Went there on a Wednesday morning with Christie and the kids.
Grandpa Mark came too.

We had the beach to ourselves except for 3 or 4 dog walkers. Can you believe that? It is SO GORGEOUS on calm days, and yet no one was there? I need to hit that beach up more often!

The water wasn't exactly warm... but the kiddos didn't seem to mind. Olaf even fell over twice and got soaked, but was having so much fun he didn't even cry. And he usually would have cried. Must have been a good time!

Sleepy Sleeperson

2010-09-29T14:16:00.000-07:00

My little sleeper. You can't tell in that second picture but his right leg is totally up inside his jammies near that pocket :) So cute. I let him sleep in our bed for a few hours some mornings because I like to snuggle! Also - bad mommy - I let him sleep for a little bit on his side instead of his back. He loved it!

pics of the day

2010-09-21T12:30:00.000-07:00

Such a sweet boy!

Growing up

2010-09-20T12:53:00.000-07:00

Look who is out of their crib and into a SWEET toddler bed! My dad made Olaf the CUTEST ever toddler bed. Why are things always so much cuter in mini? I don't know, but I do love this bed. We thought about upgrading Olaf to a twin bed, but once the boys are sharing a room, we can't fit the crib and a twin bed, so we opted for the toddler bed so they both fit. We'll just get them bunk beds eventually.

So far it's going just swimmingly. We hear "THUMP"s from upstairs sometimes and usually just find Olaf curled up on the floor with his blanky sleeping peacefully. We just move him back into bed and wait for the next "THUMP" :) In the mornings and after naps, he will yell for us from his bed until we come get him. How awesome is that? No rogue toddler at 630am getting into anything and everything while we sleep! I have no idea how we did it, but he has obeyed us so far with this, and it's been 5 days of naps and bedtimes, so that's pretty good!

Family of 4.

2010-09-19T20:39:00.000-07:00

Beautiful photos from my father in law, Mark.

heard from upstairs

2010-09-19T09:25:00.000-07:00

Olaf went downstairs to play while I was folding laundry upstairs. He had his "CARS" cars (from the movie). Here is the conversation/imaginative play that I heard as I came downstairs. Cracks me up!

"Hi, what's your name?
I'm Lightming.
What's your name?
I'm Mater.
Oh. You wanna play? Lets race!
Oh. Okay. Follow me! Come on, let's go! Okay.
No you can't follow me. Okay.
No you can't follow me! Okay."

"You can't get your eyes shut, okay?
Okay.
You can't, okay, okay?
Okay.
I'm going to talk to you, okay Chick Hicks?
You wanna come with me?"

"Hey, there's the train coming!
Look out there's the train! Okay?"

The train starts driving on the coffee table and I hear:
"Excuse me crane" as he moves the crane for the train,
"Excuse me chocolate milk" as he moves the milk,
"Excuse me cars, you can move for the train!"

It is just so fun to hear what his little imagination is doing. His world is still so limited at this point - going to work (though he doesn't know what that is, he knows that's where mommy and daddy go), going to preschool, chasing eachother, etc. And then what he has seen on the computer or TV - Cars, Madagascar, Dora the Explorer. I think it's awesome to be able to listen to what he is thinking as he learns more about the world around him. Anyway. I took a short video of him playing cars on the coffee table, which is really where he spends at least a few hours a day. Of course I didn't catch any of the really cute things he was saying, but this gives you an idea of what I get to watch and listen to!

while the baby sleeps

2010-09-14T22:23:00.000-07:00

The cousins will play!

I just love watching these little people grow up together!

office humor

2010-09-07T16:03:00.000-07:00

I meant to post this before Forest made his appearance but I never got to it. But I thought you'd all enjoy it anyway!

I work with all men. 13 of them in my office to be exact. Mostly they are typical Eastern WA guys - they like to hunt, fish, and drink beer at Applebees a few nights a week. Thanks to them I know a lot more about elk and deer hunting, salmon and walleye fishing, and hockey than I ever thought I would! I have to say though, I enjoy working with them (most of the time), and and I enjoy their senses of humor.

For instance:

They had been joking around for the last 9 months about what would happen if I went into labor at work. Heaven help us! They all said they would call 911, and then get the State Patrol to run across the street to help me deliver. No amount of talking could convince them that labors usually take 8-12 hours before the baby actually arrives! But it was fun messing with them. Every time I stopped walking and paused at someone's desk with a grimace on my face for a braxton hicks contraction, the person who's cube I stopped at looked terrified. My boss kept saying "I don't want to help deliver another one of those things, Jenn, stop making that face!" as his daughter had been born at home and he had helped deliver her. I re-assured him that the LAST thing on earth that I wanted was my coworkers to be there helping deliver my baby! But anyway.

My last day of work (5 days overdue) finally arrived and I hadn't had the baby. Mid-morning I turned around in my cubicle to find that they had snuck up behind me while I was working and opened up a spill response kit. Absorbent pads and wattles were placed in my cubicle with a post-it note that read "IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, DEPOSIT BABY HERE".

I about died laughing.

Work is a lot more fun when you can tease eachother!

my first week in pictures

2010-09-06T13:45:00.000-07:00

welcome home little one

2010-09-01T15:40:00.000-07:00

Introducing:

Mr. Forest Tucker Saugen

Born on Sunday, August 29th, at 8:35 in the morning.

7 lbs, 7 oz, 21 inches long.

He is a doll.

We love him.

I can't believe he's only 3 days old!

He seems like he's been with us for so long already.

Olaf is SUCH a proud big brother. He is quite possessive of his baby brother and makes sure everyone knows just WHO's little brother Forest is. "He's MINES".

41 weeks, 1 day :)

2010-08-24T07:04:00.000-07:00

I am still feeling good, which is great! I would sure like to pop this baby out though... Good checkup with the doctor yesterday - he is pleased that babydos looks so healthy in there and is totally fine with going to 14 days overdue. He said after that though, we will talk about an induction date. So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE everybody pray he comes on his own! I have castor oil here waiting at the ready, but it will not be used until an induction date is set, (because I don't really want to use it), and I am hoping I never have to taste it.

I am not gaining any weight right now, which is nice, just holding steady at the same spot for about the last 4 weeks. I think babydos eats all my food, because I am hungry ALL THE TIME. No seriously. I have to usually eat breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, another snack, dinner, snack.... then wake up hungry :) Good gracious.

It is nice to not be at work. I am enjoying some time in the garden planting, walking, cooking, and of course hanging out with my little man. Last night I made kohlrabi and squash empanadas. You'll have to look up kohlrabi on google - I didn't know what it was either until I started looking on the internet. Pretty tasty though!

Ah, well another start to another day. Here's to enjoying my last week of being preggers!

40 weeks 3 days.

2010-08-19T19:37:00.000-07:00

Still here!
Still working!
Still uncomfortable!

Well, be assured I will keep you all posted, but really, there's not much to post now as I anticipate the un-anticipatable. Babydos is comfortable inside me and not ready to come out. And I am okay with that (for now).

Tomorrow is Friday and will be my last day of work. Hurrah!
Also have an ultrasound to check amniotic fluid levels. Hoping to see that all is okay, because I would rather be super-overdue than have to be induced with Pitocin again. Don't see my doc again until Monday, which will be one week overdue. He said he will let me go two weeks overdue "as long as baby is healthy" so pray for a good ultrasound and a good non-stress test on Monday morning :)

I'll try to post some fun pics from our weekend if we have one!

2 year olds...

2010-08-12T19:54:00.000-07:00

So today at work I emailed a few of my friends at work, and telling them how Olaf was alternately ADORABLE and A PAIN IN THE BOOTY. I mean, he is two after all, and parts of being 2, such as the defiance and taking 6 times as long to do anything, are just plain annoying. But really what can you do. Anyway, Emma emailed back this response, which I think is highly appropriate:

"I have a theory about this. I think that throughout the history of time, 2 year olds have evolved to be ungodly cute. They’re so tough to manage at that age that it is to their evolutionary advantage to be adorable."

Well said! Any other mom's of 2 year olds out there agree?

still here

2010-08-11T20:41:00.000-07:00

No baby yet, just FYI :)

Perhaps you aren't all awaiting this impending arrival as much as I am, but just in case you were wondering, little dude is still happily cooking, and my boss is happy that I am still working.

Had my 39 week checkup yesterday and everything is still looking good. Although I did see a new number on the scale - no I do not feel a need to share :) But my feet aren't swollen so I don't really care what the scale says! And no PUPP rash this time so I am happy indeed.

Instead of getting antsy for birthing, I decided I am just going to be excited that I have a maximum of 7 days left of work until November 22nd. WOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Okay, signing out now. It's 8:40pm. Nearly bedtime.

Ahhhh, Saturday...

2010-08-07T07:51:00.001-07:00

With only 1 week to go until my due date (although probably 2-3 weeks until baby comes...) we are sticking around home today. Nothing much planned but swimming lessons for Olaf, maybe a trip to Lake Wenatchee, cleaning out my car and installing the carseat for babydos, maybe doing some planting in my new flower beds. And that pretty much covers it.

Sockeye season started up again this morning on Lake Wenatchee and my kind husband chose not to get up and fish this morning, so that he could stay home with us and help me clean the house. Now that's love :) Of course it's a catch-22 because I love fresh salmon, so I'll probably encourage his getting up at 3:30am to fish tomorrow morning.

Currently heating up some cinnamon rolls in the oven for breakfast... mmmm. No I'm not talking about those kind you get in a can at the grocery store (not that we don't love those), I am talking real old fashioned, home-made ones, that my friend Deanna made. She brought me a whole frozen pan of them at my baby shower last weekend. And she a very good cook so I am very excited to bite into one! I told her they wouldn't last long :)

Anyway, I am happy to have the whole day stretching ahead of me with not much planned... just relaxing till the big changes come!

August 2, 38 weeks

2010-08-02T21:00:00.000-07:00

Hi y'all. 38 weeks. Can you believe it? I only have 2 weeks until my due date. So we all know what that means... probably 3-4 weeks until babydos arrives :) But I am feeling good and positive, and baby is healthy, so what more can I ask for? Oh, and we may have finally agreed on a name for the kiddo! So now that he's almost here, I think we'll just keep it a secret for 2 more weeks since no one knows it anyway. Ha ha!

Last weekend my dear friend Deanna planned a fun baby shower for me with a twist - since we're having another baby boy, and didn't really need much of anything for him, she had everyone bring a frozen meal to pop in my freezer as a gift. It was AWESOME. I got chili, multiple soups, curry, pasta, homemade tomato sauce, pesto, wontons, meatloaf... dear goodness we are SET! Even Steve can cook when all you have to do is reheat it :) Anyway, it was a big blessing. We had the little shindig outside on our new patio and enjoyed the sunshine. Of course, as per usual, I didn't get any pictures of the party. Lame I know. But my lovely sister in law Christie and I took some fun preggo pics together (she is about 33 weeks right now) and we got pictures of the cousins munching cupcakes afterwards on the lawn. Precious.

Happy start to August!

the "cold" that just won't leave

2010-07-22T20:03:00.000-07:00

So sadly, fun memories are not the only thing we brought home from camp 3 weeks ago. The kiddos all caught some sort of NASTY, morphing, bug, and brought it home as well! All the cousins seemed to have it right away, and Olaf got it about 5 days later. We're talking runny eyes, fever, coughing, snot galore. You moms, you know, the good stuff. I thought I was going to escape it, but I did not. I got it about a week and a half in. Not too bad -- I got everything but the fever and cough and thought - why this is nothing more than a bad cold, right? But noooooo, for the last three days I have had no sleep, and dry racking cough day and night. Low grade fever. Achey. Headache. No energy. Honestly it feels like the flu, except I had my flu shots so it can't be that. I tell you what though, this thing is putting me through the ringer. I keep thinking all this coughing and stomach flexing is going to put me into labor! Luckily it hasn't yet, and Steven is on his way home to help us out. So if you are wondering why I am lame and not posting anything, like the amazing progress on our landscaping outside... now you know why. I will hopefully be back in the swing of things again soon! (and hopefully all the cousins and their sick parents will be too!)

Family Camp 2010... AKA Playground Time

2010-07-06T21:34:00.000-07:00

We spent half of last week up at Tall Timber Ranch at Family Camp. It was fun! Refreshing. Relaxing. I always think about camp (remember it) as the place where you go to play like crazy - rock wall, ropes course, zip line, giant swing, canoeing... maybe talking to some cute boys... but these past few years my idea of camp has had to morph a bit, of course, because we have a 2 year old now as part of the family. He still naps. He can't canoe so well. Giant swing?... = Terrified Toddler. Not going to try. So... we spent a LOT of time at the camp playground. Swings, merry go round, slide, giant tires to climb, tetherball... you know, the playground. But you know what, Olaf LOVED it. And it was great because he was playing with 4 of his cousins most of the time, and a bunch of new friends. And when we weren't at the playground, Steve and I were able to relax. Read books. Talk to friends. Do puzzles (well just me and Jenny and Kristin, Steve has no patience for those). NOT cook. Or clean. To listen to a great speaker. Sing silly camp songs with summer staff, who look like they are all about 12 years old. Then I remember that I probably looked like I was about 12 too :) You know, back in the day. It was new experiences, but still fun ones.

The only really terrible thing, not gonna lie, was the MATTRESS. I slept SO terribly the whole time. Preggo + bad mattress = back pain. Yuck. But I would do it again. How about next year?

Anyway, I know this is jumbled and not well written (sorry all you English majors. Jenny.), but I just wanted to share that we had a wonderful time, and can't wait to do it again next year. Come on friends, join us!

We came down to the White River to throw rocks and sticks in the water.

Trygve, Ingrid and Micah search for perfect stones to throw.

A quizzical Serenity.

We are cheezy!

Ingrid = dirty gerty. They liked to roll in the sand.

Step 1 - Push Daddy over in the meadow.

Step 2 - Daddy falls over and Oly gets a little bit of flying time.

Mommy! I LOVE CAMP!!!

why we love the country

2010-06-28T21:27:00.000-07:00

We love that we can play with track-hoe's from the inside instead of just viewing through the fence at a construction site :) Yay for daddy's that know how to drive them!

2010-06-26T20:58:00.000-07:00

Hello and happy June! Good gracious, can't believe it's practically July already... We are having a nice weekend. Steve is home, and though we are busy and people drop by the house and are in and out, it's just so nice to have the 3 of us here this weekend. We got tons of work done around the property too - mowing, weeding, watering, planting etc. A snapshot of our day today:

Swimming lessons! We had a great time with Oly in the pool.

It started off nice and quiet until daddy told Olaf to squirt me. He has lethal aim as you can see!

A tree climber in the making?

Or perhaps just a tree hugger? It is Leavenworth after all :)

33 weeks along. Good night that tummy is getting BIG. Luckily my face and arms haven't followed suite yet.

writers blockage.

2010-06-10T20:24:00.000-07:00

I know that I really need to post something new up here, but I can't figure out what to write! I swear I think of great topics and leading sentences all day long at work, but never write them down, and then I get home and can't remember a lick of them. So.

I am 30 weeks pregnant now, pretty dang cool. I can feel body parts a little. Baby's head is down (yay!), and his back curves around the left side of my belly. All the action happens on the right side of my belly where the limbs are, with an occasional poke right in the middle. I am looking forward to meeting the little fellow. Last night I was gifted with the CUTEST set of jungle print newborn onesies, and a full baby carhartt ensemble (thanks Deanna!) for little dude. I really don't need any more clothes, but she said she couldn't resist and seriously, neither can I. So cute and TINY!

Olaf is getting the second of his 2 yr molars right now... which means he is not sleeping as well, but I think he must be used to it because these teeth seem way easier than all his other ones, even though they are way bigger! I am hoping and praying he has Steve's teeth genes instead of mine. So far they look a little crowded in his mouth... uh-oh... well they are just baby teeth. But seriously, if he takes after me he'll have braces from 4th grade through 9th grade, headgear 3 times, retainers, gum-cutting... yeah I was pretty cute... but I do have room for all my teeth in my mouth now!

Hopefully I will get over my mental block soon. All sorts of fun things coming up. Like Joanna visiting! And my birthday! And Olaf's birthday! And Cousin Zachary Saugen's wedding! And Steve comes home! And Father's Day! All in the next 10 days. Phew.

Peace out.

love me some cheesy smiles.

2010-05-30T22:12:00.000-07:00

And I also love me some hands-in-pockets roly-poly-Oly. Just can't get enough of this guy.

now we're talking...

2010-05-24T20:19:00.000-07:00

Tonight, for the first time, I used some of the beef we purchased (1/4 of a cow) to make dinner! I mean, seriously, I hardly ever cook during the work week, so this is exciting. Olaf and I mostly subsist on leftovers from the weekend, mac and cheese, pizza, and relatives taking pity on us and inviting us to supper (thanks Mom and Christie...). It is just so un-inspiring to cook for just myself, since the chances of Olaf eating whatever I put in front of him are only in the 50% range, it's all for me and then I end up eating it for like 4 days straight. BORING.

And try as I might I just can't get Olaf to just put the food in his mouth if he doesn't like the look of it. I mean seriously. I have tried force (no good), tricks (no good), bribes (no good) and talking logic to him (no good). The thing is, he actually understands that this is dinner, and he can't have anything else, but he is happy to just say "All done mommy, please scuse table mommy." And he'll be just fine until breakfast with no food in his belly. Sigh. So... back to the subject at hand. I cooked!

I knew it was going to be good when I opened the white paper labeled "stir fry" and saw a bunch of super red colored meat with (Kendra shut your ears) blood still on it. I am not going to lie, I don't much like the sight of blood either, but I do like knowing that the meat is that fresh to be that lovely red! After sizzling it up with not a single spice, I snitched a piece and boy did it have flavor! I may be hooked on this grass fed Yakima valley beef thing.

Then I simply grilled up some peppers and onion in the same pan, added the meat back in, and tossed in the good old McCormick seasoning and voila, fajitas for me! I am sure there are better spice mixes out there but I have to give it to good old McCormick. It never fails to come through for me.

mmmm, supper.

So anyway, if you are ever wondering how exciting my life is... cooking dinner is enough of a storyline for me to blog about :) I pretty much rock.

PS. I even got the cheeseball to eat some steak, cheese and tortilla. Success!

this just in.

2010-05-19T19:56:00.000-07:00

Apparently Olaf has re-written the lyrics to some beloved kid songs. From upstairs I am currently hearing:

"Ol MacDonald had a farm. EIEIO.
Ol MacDonald had a farm. EIEIO.
and on that farm he had a.... LAMB!
Mary had a little lamb, little lamb, little lamb, little lamb.
Mary had a little lamb, little lamb, little lamb.
Errywhere Mary went, lamb sure to go.
Old MacDonald had a farm. EIEIO."

a few more gems

2010-05-18T20:15:00.000-07:00

Here's a few more picture off my little camera.

LEL and I.

All the L.Town gals! Amy, Mariya, Ariyl, Rebecca, Shannon, Monika, Jaimi and me!

Who can resist that face? Seriously?

Um, Olaf is IN LOVE with Mariya AKA "Riyah". No seriously.

Me and Kimberly Suzanne :) Love you Kimmy.

finally, wedding pics!

2010-05-15T21:01:00.000-07:00

I am FINALLY posting some pictures from Ariyl's wedding! I had to steal them off her fabulous photographer's (Heidi Michelle) facebook page. We took pictures in downtown Madison (Capitol Steps), in the U-District by the lake, and at a great park by the lake. Then we headed out to Badger Farms for the ceremony and kick-a** reception.

I think we were all laughing at some crazy dude dancing behind Heidi...

UM, Ariyl's brothers are so cute. Seriously.

Note the beautiful dandelion bouquet.

The ceremony was so special and wonderful to be a part of. We all walked in to the ceremony to the song Amazing Grace. Beautiful Ariyl walked in to the last verse

when we've been here ten-thousand years
bright shining as the sun
there's no less days to sing God's praise
than when we've first begun

Oh dear... I loved watching and being a part of two people (who I love) loving one another and joining together in marriage.... More on that in a later post.

This is one of my FAVORITE pictures from just after the ceremony - I don't know why but Travis in the background showing off his ring just cracks me up!

The food at the reception was great. I had to laugh because when the caterers arrived to set up they were all looking like college hipsters - you know skinny jeans, vintage tees, chuck taylors, plaid shirts. I thought "THESE are the caterers?" But seriously, they know how to cook! So good.

Also the DJ rocked. Once we got all the old-people songs out of they way (you know what I mean) he really hit a lot of new, awesome songs to dance to. I stayed there until 1:15 dancing it was so good! And that was completely sober! But let me tell you - my body was SORE the next day from babydos bouncing up and down inside me all night.

Funny story - instead of hiring a babysitter we put Olaf to sleep in his pack and play in a closet next to the dinner room and the dancing room. He was content in there. He watched the movie Cars for an hour or so and then passed out sleeping. It was nice to not have to worry about him at all since he was there the whole time! Big points to Steve for being awesome daddy all night and wrangling him while I was doing my bridesmaidly duties (aka a lot of gabbing and dancing).

A few additional things to note.
1. Ariyl = Quite possibly the most photogenic and BEATIFUL bride ever!
2. Heidi Michelle is amazing. I wish I had known about her when I got married!
3. I am not a huge fan of pictures of myself. Especially while preggo.
4. Ariyl did ALL her own flowers. Seriously. Can you believe how beautiful they are? SO jealous that peonies are already blooming in Wisconsin.

Wishing I could have taken that bouquet home with me.

LOVE these girls.