Oh The Places You'll Go

Linds and the Gang

2011-05-03T22:33:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks back... man time flies... Linds and her boys came for a visit. We had so much fun just hanging out. In the afternoon we all went for a stroll in the lowlands behind our apartment. It's an interesting, beautiful place inhabited by frogs, birds, ants, trees, raccoons, a stray dog, and many many homeless people. We tried not to trespass too much and took some pictures.

Here are my favorites of Linds and the Gang.

( and Linds... yes, I do have them in color... I just like the feel of these black and whites. Something about the black and white of things really strikes my fancy lately - though I do like these in color as well)

Eva and Mo at Bed Time

2011-04-27T23:06:00.001-07:00

One Fine Day

2011-04-21T21:52:00.001-07:00

A few days back the girls and I had a really good day.

It started with nest building for a pair of salt dough birds we made a couple of months back.

In the middle we went on a short (distance wise)/long (time wise) wander along a dirt road along the levy.

Then we went to the dollar store to buy marshmallow eggs for the nest we made. Eva spied PEEPs and they, of course, became the marshmallows of choice for our nest.

It was a mighty fine day.

A Puzzle

2011-04-17T18:10:00.000-07:00

The other day we were out and about and on the way home we enjoyed a beautiful sunset over the Sutter range - which happens to be the shortest mountain range in all North America. So we stopped to try and get a picture of it. I rarely take landscape photos, I know, I know. I'm trying to take more. This was a good place to start - it was gorgeous and I thought you all might enjoy something other than another photo of my beautiful girls.... ;)

This was the result.

The puzzling part happened after. Weston noticed something on a big rock just on the other side of the fence along the side of the road. He went to investigate.

This is what he found.

One fresh sparrow, one fresh wild turkey, and the remains of another wild turkey. You can see how close to the road we are - notice sky bus in photo. The road is moderately busy. The rock was about 5ft tall.

So we would like your guesses - or perhaps "me, me - choose me I know the answer" responses to what is going on here. Who - or what (dun dun dunnnn)- is caching this kill of birds?

Geocaching

2011-04-07T23:35:00.001-07:00

We went on our first family geocaching expedition. The adventure took us out to Meridian. A small town located on the Sacramento River. What a nice little town it is. So that part in and of itself was enjoyable. As for geocaching... we're fans. Especially Eva. Those sunglasses were quite the geocaching find!.... when you are 3!

Texas

2011-04-03T21:39:00.000-07:00

This is a long horn from Texas. Beautiful beast. As I recall, this particular beast was a little shy of me. I think it may have been the children wailing in the background..... We were on a long drive that was SUPPOSED to put them to sleep. Perhaps my friend here was just trying to tell me they were NOT asleep - as it may have seemed that I hadn't noticed.

Buttermilk Bridge

2011-04-02T23:38:00.000-07:00

We found this wonderful place to go for hikes with the kids. There are several trails less than three miles - which is about our pace these days. The largest covered bridge in North America is also found there and is beautiful. I have to say - this part of our great country is gorgeous.

Well, I have lots of pictures - but the only ones ready to post tonight are black and white photos of Addie - doesn't show much of the landscape or bridge. Sorry. Check back later. You never know - I may actually get them posted. ;)

Addie Rose

2011-02-05T21:33:00.000-08:00

There is nothing like an Addie Rose... nothing, nowhere....

My Favorites

2011-02-05T19:48:00.000-08:00

Okay so this one is my favorite. The girl and the photo.

Do you want to see a whole series of them. I love the sun and my little girl. What a great combo they make!

I have a bunch of Addie by the slide.. but I haven't finished editing them. Soon...

Just playing around

2011-02-05T15:12:00.000-08:00

I learned how to add textures in Photoshop... and then I also took one of my favorite pictures of all time. Can you guess which one?

Just a few new pictures

2011-01-31T14:32:00.001-08:00

No events to report on ... just a few new photographs... to make you smile.

Black and White

2011-01-23T20:40:00.000-08:00

Beauty is just as clear in black and white

Christmas 2010

2010-12-30T20:33:00.000-08:00

A few Christmas pictures. It was so much fun to put together Christmas for kids who were actually old enough to be excited for it. Eva could hardly go to sleep on Christmas Eve and Adwen is excited over whatever Eva is excited over. It was good. We missed you all, especially on Christmas day, but it was still such a nice time. Now that the hubbub of preparation is over, it is hard to imagine that Christmas was just last week. That is what 70 degree weather will do for a transplanted northerner. December days at the park in t-shirts and no shoes are lovely, however.

Merry Christmas to you all and Happy New Year.

The Importance of Rear-Facing

2010-11-08T13:38:00.000-08:00

About a month ago I decided to start the search for a new car seat for Adwen, as she was nearing 20 lbs and 1 year old. How excited I was to get her forward facing. Well, the result of my research did not end with a new car seat for Addie. Instead, Eva has a new car seat and she is again rear-facing. We actually bought a new car, one big enough for Eva to rear face in for at least another year- probably more, until she is four or five. And when Adwen grows out of her infant carrier, she'll get a seat just like Eva's and also face back for the next three or four years. Why? It came down to this for me, kids are 500% safer rear facing. In Sweden, they have almost 100% use of rear-facing car seats for kids until they are 4 and as a result their mortality rate for children under 4 in car accidents is nearly ZERO. Between 1992 and 1997 there were only 9 deaths in the whole country. I found most of my information on this Swedish website: http://www.carseat.se

Now, I am one to get on the bandwagon in my own head frequently, in conversation on occasion, but on my blog... well never. But this, well, watch the video. It speaks volumes.

And just so you know, Eva thinks it's cool to face backward again. She doesn't mind having her legs bent one little bit, even for long trips. That's only something old knees mind, it turns out.

Another note - we bought the Sunshine Kids Radian car seat for Eva. We bought this one because it has the longest back and the highest weight capacity - allowing for the longest time rear-facing of all American sold car seats. We chose this one for Eva because she is already three (and the base of her Britax was breaking). Because of the long back, it won't fit in most cars - fits great in a minivan, but wouldn't work in the Sub, by a long shot. However, a Britax seat would work. So I'm saying all this to let you know that buying a new car is not a part of the rear-facing package.

So, you can turn your kids around when they are 1 year old and 20lbs- OR you can keep them rear-facing. It's at least worth your consideration.

Aarrrrgh, Matey!

2010-11-07T19:37:00.001-08:00

When deciding on a Halloween costume for Eva, we came across this adorable little pirate costume. Since Eva likes to take up pirate airs on a regular basis (just ask her to sing you the pirate song..), it seemed obvious this was the right choice. So we all joined in, and were a family of pirates... well, with one baby pumpkin in the lot. It was fun. Our night out was at a trunk-or-treat at the church and then she got to don her costume again at preschool.

Her pirate phrases were funny - though well said - with lots of good strong guttural exchanges. Things like, "swab the plank, matey", or "arrrgh, walk the deck!"

Addie was the cutest little pumpkin out there... now I know there were a lot of little pumpkins out there, but I stand by my own. Maybe I'm biased... but then again, maybe I'm not.

Eva is THREE!

2010-11-05T19:21:00.000-07:00

What a year for our girl. She is now three. One of my favorite things about this last year is watching Eva learn the English language... not just to talk. She had a lot of words before she turned two.. but then she had to start putting them together. It's quite the process. Kids must process language in their sleep, because Eva would wake up some days with better grammar, or a new grasp on some abstract idea. Now her sentence structure can be quite complicated and her sentences quite long AND she has A LOT to say... to just about anybody.

My sweetest girl. Here's to you.

Five Years Toward Forever

2010-10-22T18:26:00.001-07:00

Better late than never my Love. I've been planning this for a while... just took me a few extra months to get it put together. I love you.

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

My girls, animoto style

2010-10-21T18:56:00.001-07:00

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Thought I would just try out making a video using animoto... cool...

Sisters... wish they were always this happy together...

2010-10-19T16:57:00.001-07:00

I think the title of this post says it all.

Play dough Snake

2010-10-18T20:49:00.000-07:00

Eva spent quite a while out on the porch one day, just a playing with her play dough. When I went out to check on her, this is what I found. Pretty cool, I think.

Why Texans Love Texas

2010-10-17T20:42:00.000-07:00

We went to Corpus Christi a week ago to enjoy the beach at 85 degrees and sunny. It was wonderful. I have a sister-in-law who dreams of getting back to the Texas beaches, and now I understand. I thought of her and my bro all weekend and there little tanned boys playing in the sand. Eva just loved it - the sand most of all. She was lost in her own little world of digging and dripping, every now and then wandering off into the surf or running off to chase the birds. Addie took her little buckin' bronco self onto the waves and just giggled and giggled as the waves carried her up and down. I wish I had picts of that... I'll just have to imprint it on memory - just like another image I have in my mind of Eva, puppy dog pig tails, running toward her Papa across the beach, calling out "Woody!"... Papa is "Woody" you see. She of course, is Jessie. I am Buzz Lightyear if your wondering.

This scene - Jessie, Woody, my Buckin' Bronco, and the waters of the Gulf Coast - is a keeper, one I'll come from time to time I'm sure.

Alpine Ibex

2010-09-29T19:02:00.000-07:00

This is just too cool. Take a look.

These are the Alpine Ibex on a dam in Italy - the Diga del Cingino.

There are some cool videos too... I don't know how to add the link here - so here is the url.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KO6NfNLSi_Q&feature=player_embedded

So cool.

Personality

2010-09-26T19:54:00.000-07:00

When Adwen was still in womb, I secretly, or maybe not so secretly, thought I had her figured out. I thought she was going to be a mover and a shaker, but quiet. well... Active? YES! We call her "buckin' bronco" if that gives you an idea. But quiet? NO! "Every one up with a HOLLER" is her motto. These picts give a pretty good look into who she really is... at least so far. She is also a lover - a buckin', hollerin', lover. Oh my. Couldn't get any better.

Guess what!

2010-09-18T10:12:00.000-07:00

Well, you might think you ought to be guessing about something that would be really big news... if you know me - well, it is - maybe not BIG news, but I feel good about it none the less. I ran a whole 5K today. Yep. I even felt great at the end (excluding the blaring Texas sun in my face). So I do wish I could run faster, but maybe if I actually keep running I will. Who knows. I'll let you know if I find out!

Sorry no picts. Just imagine it - imagine the glory!

Keeping a promise...

2010-09-02T21:15:00.000-07:00

I told a friend a few days back that I would post a few pictures of my Addie Rose so she could get a good look see. Well, it may be a few days later than I had hoped for, but just a few, and for me, well, that's not too bad. I'm also including a few others that I like of Eva and cousins.

Texas.... here we are!

2010-07-21T12:15:00.000-07:00

I dont' have much to say today... only this.... I miss Millville...

Not much like me, I have to say. Usually I love (or at least try to love) each new place we live. There is nothing wrong with San Angelo, TX. It's another interesting part of the grand USA, with its own regional culture and ideosyncrisies. What makes it different, is that we came here from Millville... a place I loved instantly. I miss my house with its huge yard and grand view of the Wellsvilles. I miss our lazy country neighborhood where we could go for walks and bike rides with ease and perfect enjoyment. I miss Linds and Helen. I miss Choteau... But, alas, I am here with the most important parts of my life. West and my girls. AND I should never let myself forget the pool out my front door. It could be worse. MUCH MUCH MUCH worse.... still, we all must allow ourselves a moment of homesickness before we sit up straight and enjoy life where ever we are to the fullest.

Now, I am going swimming.

:)

A pict I liked...

2010-04-20T09:17:00.001-07:00

Whitney Pockets - Spring Break 2010!!!

2010-03-28T20:11:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful time we had out in the desert during Weston's spring break. I have to say that is one of the best parts of being a student - an entire week of holiday. I don't know if I have mentioned enough lately how much Weston and I missed the hot desert while we were living in Montana, but, oh my, HOW WE MISSED IT!! So when time came for planning a spring break get away "going south" was on both our minds. I have wanted to show Weston the Whitney Pockets area since I worked down in that area on a bee catching field crew the Spring before we got married. When we checked the weather forecast and saw 70+ degree weather, our decision was made. And what a good decision it was, especially since we some how managed to con Lindsey and crew to join us. Promises of taco salad will do it every time. ....they brought the brownies.

I know we're not supposed to have favorites....

2010-03-02T15:07:00.000-08:00

But I do and most likely, if you are reading this, you are one of them. I just played racquetball with Helen, which got me started along this line of thinking in the first place.

How many of you know Helen? She is wonderful. I could go on about her virtues for a long while. She is one of the very best friends of my life. She reminds me a bit of another wonderful friend of mine, Sus, especially in two specific ways. These two are the strongest, yet sweetest women I know. I love their truly incredible physical strength and wills that are competitive but always fair and supportive - and all of this paired with the sweetest voices.... You would have to know them to know what I mean. I sure do love them. And Sus, it has been far too long since I've seen you. Goodness, our babies have never even met!!

And then there are the writers and photographers responsible for two of my favorite web lounging retreats... crazysapo and midwestia. Liv and Linds also remind me a lot of each other in certain ways, and not just because they both take fantastic photos and could author very successful columns if that ambition should ever strike them. They are both stunning without even knowing it.

You know what, maybe that is what strikes me so much about all of my favorites - you are all so stunning without even knowing it.

My sister Jenny... yes she is stunning. A stunningly wonderful mother, sister, and friend. Not to mention her cooking.... :)

My mother, Dorothy Lynne Tippets Andrus. Stunning - like the sun, but humble as the smallest lamb.

My friends and sisters Kathy, Suzanne, Susie, Jessica, Amy, Beth, Hazel, April, Cindy, Michelle, Jill, Felicia, Stephanie, Johnna, Bonnie, Sarah, Meghan, Maren, Tessa... just to name a few. This list could go on and on.

But there is only once place where this list stops - and that is with Mac, aka Weston McClain Nelson. I just realized he is the only man on my list (well, excepting my Papa and brothers).. but that is how it is supposed to be. He's the only one I need.

Weston has a favorite quote by Nelson Mendela. He has me read it and reread it whenever I forget what I may have to offer this world...

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

That is what you all do for me - your fearlessness is the breath of freedom. Now then, can you blame me for having favorites.

...and one of the best things about a list like this is that it will be added to and added to for the rest of my life. I like that.

Motherhood

2010-02-19T14:40:00.001-08:00

This is what it is all about....

And here are a few new picts of my girl Addie Rose.

If this isn't

Sisters

2009-12-15T12:51:00.000-08:00

I love that Eva and Adwen are both mine and that they are sisters and that we three are Weston's ladies.

Sus - here are some sister pictures. Eva has been a weary participant in these picture taking sessions - but still we managed to get some cute ones. Adwen subjects quite easily. I have the feeling that won't always be!

Lindsey - yes, we are still moving to Cache Valley. We bought a house out in Millville and will be there on January 1. Happy New Years!

Any chance any of you out of towners might still be around then? I sure would love to see you. That reminds me, I need to send an email to Vince!!!- seeking forgiveness!! :)

These pictures are of Eva with her baby in her very own "wrap". Cutie. That is baby Susie, btw.

Meet Adwen Rose

2009-12-14T15:54:00.000-08:00

We call her Addie Rose. She was born almost two weeks ago. I can't believe how fast time can go by. Today was actually Weston's first day back to work, and despite the sub zero weather, we are all actually doing pretty good. Eva is a bit bored, actually we all are, but that is what sub zero weather (-18) and no Papa will do for you... Tomorrow is supposed to be warmer, hopefully warm enough for a walk with a two week old bundled in your coat... I'm hopeful.

Little Adwen was born on the 2nd of December at 8:45pm and weighed in at 7lbs and 11 oz. She was 20.5 inches long. Her birth was quite the different experience from Eva's. It started with my water breaking around 1pm in the afternoon. Weston had actually just gotten home for lunch and I was walking up the stairs when a strongish contraction came on and then... tinkle, tinkle... it was just a dribble and I wasn't quite sure if I had just lost all control of my bodily functions or if my water was breaking. A few minutes later.... I was sure. It was my water. I called my midwife and though real contractions had yet to start, she asked me to please go to the hospital - Because I had tested positive for the group B strep, she wanted me there so I could get going on antibiotics. So, we got together all the last minute stuff and took Eva to a friend's house and headed to the hospital. Just a note... the hardest part of the whole day, emotionally at least, turned out to be leaving Eva... just about broke my heart knowing that things would never be quite the same again. It's crazy how such a wonderful thing as a baby can still bring with it adjustment and change that is hard... most things are like that I suppose. Anyway, back to the story... when we got to the hospital they put me on the baby monitor and I found out that I was having regular contractions, they just didn't hurt, so I hadn't noticed them and I was beginning to dilate. It went like that for an hour or so and my midwife got there and checked me. I was dilated to a three - which was bit more than I had been before. She finished breaking my water and then those contractions that hadn't hurt, started hurting. Unfortunately, I plateaued in my dilation for about two hours, I'm guessing. My midwife didn't like this - again, because of the whole group B strep thing. I guess because my water had broken before I had any antibiotics, the risk of infecting the baby was greater than it would have been otherwise. The contractions were quite hard and I wanted her to just let me go for a while, but she was obviously concerned... I'm still not sure what I think about it all. I at least agree that she was working in the best interest of the baby when she suggested some pitocin - just a small amount, she said, to get me over this lull. She did say that if I had not been strep B positive my slow dilation would have been a non-issue - but that wasn't the case. I couldn't get myself to say okay. I just lay there silently in consent. If it was best for the baby, then okay. So they gave me some. All I have to say about pitocin is that the pain it causes is far different from the natural pain of contractions, even the hardest contractions. And at least for me, it is much harder to cope with. After about an hour, I told Weston to tell the midwife I was done with the pitocin. So they brought her in and she checked me. Lo and behold I was dilated to a six. She told me, very enthusiastically, that she thought the baby would be born within the hour. "Really!!?" I throught. "I can do that." So on it went. Transition on pitocin was agonizing... with Eva the contractions came one right after the other, without a break. I shook and rocked, but I coped. With these contractions, I feel like I barely coped - only with Weston's help. They didn't come one right on top of each other, thank goodness, because they BURNED... oh my, so unnatural and so unlike a regular contraction. Anyway, the midwife came in and said that she thought I might be ready to push because of the way the baby's heart tones sounded... interesting that she knew because of that. I think I had only one more contraction before I needed to push on my own. I pushed through only three contractions and there she was - little Adwen had been born. Can you believe it? Only 7 and 1/2 hours after my water broke, the baby was actually here. I don't know if you all remember how long it took to get Eva here... but it was around 26 hrs, with the last three hours of that pushing! Wow. So, some parts of it were hard... but after she was born I felt great. I wasn't COMPLETELY exhausted, like I was with Eva. And the whole recoup was so much easier. It was wonderful, in fact - especially in comparison. Weston was so excited to have it go so quickly. It was just crazy. My midwife had assured me it would go quicker, but I didn't believe her. I thought we were talking like 15 or 16 hrs, and I guess I don't know how long it would have taken if they hadn't given me pitocin.... Who knows, all I know is 7 hours is very nice. I can do that! If it had been another 26 hr marathon labor.. well, I don't know... I'm just glad it wasn't!

So after it is all said and done, how do I feel about it? Well, I didn't like the feeling then, and I still don't, of having everyone be so concerned and therefore involved. I wish I hadn't needed the pitocin, because that part of my labor felt artificial and if there is ever an experience in life you don't want to be artificial, it is child birth. Still, the feeling of having your child placed on your chest for the first time can never feel artificial - because she is yours and she is beautiful, forever. So pitocin or not, it was wonderfully quick and the end result was Adwen, healthy and beautiful. To ask for anything more... well, what more could you really want?

Here are a few pictures of her, taken in the first 24hrs, while we were still at the hospital. She looks a lot more like an Andrus to me, than Eva did, especially with the white eyelashes and brows. She sleeps A LOT more than Eva did, so I can actually get things done during the day, and with Weston's help, the nights aren't even all that bad. Eva is doing well in making the big adjustment, and I'm doing pretty good... sometimes I wish I didn't have to be so split between them, time wise. But such is life. It's a good thing you don't have to split your love. There is always enough and to spare of that. With two girls like mine, that part is easy!

A toy I've been wanting for a long time...

2009-11-19T15:45:00.000-08:00

I finally decided it was time to spend a little extra money and get a good portrait lens for my camera... up until now I have only had the lens I got with my camera. I know practice makes perfect, but here are a few of my unpracticed favorites so far....

Good News

2009-10-27T20:36:00.000-07:00

So I went to see my midwife today and we received good news. Yes, the baby has turned. :) And, here is the real surprise, I'm already dilated to a 1. At 35.5 weeks, that may not seem like much to some of you.... but at 41 weeks with Eva, I still hadn't made it that far. So here is to signs that maybe this delivery won't be quite as long and exhausting... That surely is good news. The only bad news was that apparently I'm not supposed to be traveling long distances from hospitals at this point, so I don't think I'll be accompanying Weston on our second house hunting trip to Logan this coming Thursday. Now I don't think I'll be having a baby any time in the next week... but really, does a stuffed whale need to go against doctors orders and try to beach herself. As my Dad would say, I think a long day of driving, two long days of house hunting, and then another long day of driving, all while taking care of my favorite toddler - all of this, at eight months pregnant, would qualify as "cruisin' for a bruisin'" So I'm disappointed though. Weston will have to go without us and will have to be gone for Eva's 2nd birthday and likely Halloween. We will miss him. But we do hope he finds a wonderful home for us, just like he did when I was pregnant with Eva and he had to fly out here to Great Falls alone to go house hunting...

So here are a few picts - one, so you can track my growth, which I think is at least mildly impressive - and two, so you can see the pumpkin we carved last night. Eva was at first a little scared of the lit up pumpkin, but then she thought the "flower" inside was very interesting. And well, who can disagree.... "flower" is very interesting...

Memories of Summer

2009-10-27T20:27:00.000-07:00

Today it is snowing, and because most of the leaves are already down, the bare branches of the trees seen through falling snow feels like real winter. So when I downloaded pictures of the recently past summer just today, well, I fell to reminiscing. Here are a few of the pictures, so you can reminisce with me, if you feel like it....

I think about my life. This summer was busy, spent getting our home ready for sale, planting and tending a garden, making new flower beds, playing with Eva, being pregnant, and resting from it all and I have to say it was delightful. We may have only gotten to go camping three or four times and home to Utah only once. We didn't see anything terribly new, backpack into Montana wilderness... I only got to use my fly rod once... but still, content I was. Sunshine I got. And I just love my little family. I think to myself, can these golden days last. Well, the last four years have been golden - but not always easy. So maybe the answer is yes, so long as I always have my little family. Here's to the sunshine of summer, even in the winter. May it last long.

m

Spin baby, spin

2009-10-14T21:46:00.000-07:00

When I was pregnant with Eva, our doctor told us a cesarean was eminent if she didn't turn head down soon. We went to an acupuncturist, did moxibustion sticks, and I tilted till red in the face, literally. And we prayed a lot. At 37 weeks she finally turned. I give full credit to our the last resource named. Well, here we go again. The little lady currently in my womb is following suit. She wiggles more than Eva ever did, and for about two weeks she was head down. But alas, for a little more than a week, she has positioned her head near my heart and appears to be happy this way. See the baby in the picture. She is smiling. That is my baby.

Well sweet babe with only 6ish weeks to go, all I have to say is spin my darling, spin. And may the force be with you, all such good and merciful forces that might bring your little head downward... downward... downward.

Trying to solve color problem by testing online with an old photo...

2009-08-30T21:24:00.000-07:00

For Lindsey

2009-08-26T13:58:00.001-07:00

Lindsey requested I post a picture of myself for size comparison purposes... since she did have a doctor's appointment today... maybe she is holding a baby and is smaller by now... if not... here you go.

This one was taken last night by Weston. He said I was just trying to look big by putting my hands around my tummy. I said I would only be trying to look big if I were actually sticking my tummy out, which I was not.

However, generally I don't look quite that big, I don't think, because when you move around you use your tummy muscles and it holds a little in. So here is a picture like that.

Now, when Eva sits on my tummy, it does hide it's largeness pretty well. You should'a seen me WITHOUT the swimsuit coverup.

So all these pictures were taken at 26.5 weeks. Just so you can all remember where I'm headed in my largeness, here is a picture of me pregnant with Eva at 40.5 weeks. Wow - I do get big. But I wonder why we think getting big while pregnant is so bad. Perhaps we should glory more in our abdominal vuluptuousness. After all being bigger than other ladies only means it takes longer to get back to normal size (at least in my case) and that you are more uncomfortable while pregnant... geesh... what's the big deal!! no pun intended... :)

Eva's Favorite Place

2009-08-19T13:29:00.001-07:00

Naked and in the water she's happiest. Aren't we all. That is, after all, how we started out....

News

2009-07-27T22:12:00.001-07:00

IT'S A GIRL!!!! And as far as we can tell, she is just adorable - runs in the family... :)

How She Loves Her Daddy

2009-07-20T21:11:00.000-07:00

Eva loves her Daddy, as the pictures from the last post can attest. Here are a few stories to show further evidence.

Weston has to spend a lot of time in the basement, working on getting it finished. This dismays Eva a great deal, because she is not allowed in the construction zone, except under constant supervision. So she spends a lot of time at the top of the stairs calling for Papa. She has recently started yelling "kiss, kiss..." or "hug, hug...". It is a clever tactic. Who can resist such a request?

Last week Weston had to be gone overnight for work. This distresses Eva - something especially evident by the next day, when she asks for me with great frequency. The desktop on our computer is currently a family picture. She saw this picture after having missed her Daddy for over a day, and immediately asked for a hug, arms spread out wide. So I lifted her up to the computer screen and she gave her Papa a solid kiss on the face and hugged the screen with all her might. Nearly brought a tear to my eye.

More hugs were required just yesterday, as Weston left the house, just for an hour or so - but without Eva. She went to the door, crying, and again asked for "hugs" and then spread her arms wide and hugged the door. If this is not love, what is?

A few weeks ago I went to Rexburg, ID without Weston. Eva and I left on Friday and didn't get back until Monday evening. She talked to Weston on the phone Saturday and all she could say was "miss you"... and kiss the phone. Needless to say, she didn't want to leave his side for several days after we got home. It's a good thing it was the 4th of July weekend, and he was around a lot. We have recently decided that Weston should take Eva with him everywhere that he can. It is so cute. But never fear, she still wants me when she has an oowie! :)

Eva and her Papa singing "Popcorn Popping" together.

My Favorite Little Girl....

2009-07-16T12:05:00.000-07:00

Just a few pictures of my sweetie. And, if you're wondering... yes, she does love her Daddy.

Just a few pictures of my sweetie. And, if you're wondering... yes, she does love her Daddy.

What all the Fuss is about

2009-05-20T19:44:00.001-07:00

What is all the smiling about?

What are all the fancy outfits celebrating? (mind you, each of these was completely Eva's idea)

What is she looking forward to?

What is all the fuss about?

Well, let me tell you about it....

I got to meet it about five weeks ago, but just this Monday we talked again.... all it said was "lub-dub" about 160 times per minute. Mom and Dad seemed pretty excited about it. They said I should be happy about it too because come the end of November/beginning of December I won't have to ride in the back by myself any more. So it's all pretty good news.... I am worried about Mom though. She says she has a baby growing in her stomach.... :)

Second Hand Store Find

2009-03-25T07:26:00.001-07:00

Several months ago we found this great highchair/childs desk with chair at Bill's Second Hand Store, a wonderful little place, a building painted bright pink, just down the road. I think the pink is meant to make a lasting impression, and it works. Anyway, this desk folds up from how you see it here to be a highchair and has a tray. Eva loves it and so do I. She has even learned to climb in, though getting out is still a somewhat dangerous affair.

And do please notice the braids. Weston said it must be the best day of my life to be able to put braids in Eva's hair. Well, it is not the BEST, but it may be close!!!

Weston's Handiwork

2009-03-16T14:08:00.000-07:00

Weston, aka plumber, electrician, and carpenter, has out done himself on this project. I couldn't be more pleased. We worked together on the tiling, but besides that, this is all Weston. Thanks Honey!

Here is the old kitchen.

This is front room.

Drum roll please....

Notice that the doorway between the front room and kitchen is now double wide.

Notice that the far kitchen wall is now gone.

The only thing that we didn't replace in this kitchen is the sink. Besides that, it is all new and we somehow managed that for a very decent price. I love the hickory and how all the tile came together, which was a real blessing since we got all the counter and back splash tile for $30 at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

I do miss the old shelves and fancy wood work by the window. They reminded me of my Grandma's house. We had originally planned on putting new hickory shelves in, in the same fashion - but time is short and projects are many, so that little sub project got cut. Oh well. It still looks nice, if not quite as quaint.

We tiled the counter top. I like how it turned out.

Weston built this banister.

A view into the front room, which has also received a face lift since we moved in.

Well, if any friends and family out there want to see it first hand, be sure that fresh home cookin' will come with it.

Once again, the old kitchen....

And the new.....

Hawaii - take two

2009-03-14T22:24:00.000-07:00

So this post will show our vacation a little out of order, but it just happens to be in the order the pictures are being gone through. These pictures are from the last day of our vacation when we hiked to some falls. It was so beautiful and just cool. Plants can do the coolest things and in an environment like this, they do it in the big, green, and showy way.

Hawaii - take one

2009-03-08T17:46:00.001-07:00

It feels nice to post something on my blog called "oh the places you'll go" that is actually about a place that we went! Oahu, Hawaii. All my life I have said that the one island paradise destination that I didn't really care if I went to or not was Hawaii. I think it just didn't sound exotic enough for my romantic adventurers heart, but I am pleased as can be with that island paradise now. We choose that destination for our big vacation for two reasons - one, we (I) wanted a place that was warm, yet a little more controlled than our last vacation spot (Jamaica) so that I could relax and not worry so much about being in a car accident. Maybe I'm just getting old, but I though the sound of a vacation rather than an adventure sounded nice, especially with a little one in tow. Second - we could get some sailing lessons there for cheap, through the military bases. So Hawaii it was. Besides, our second choice, Spain - to go on a walking vacation - was a little beyond our budget. So Oahu it was and goodness was it beautiful. And relaxing? - yes, it was just that. Just what we all needed. The only thing that would have made the trip better would have been an extra week to spend on another island and see some volcanoes!! Well, We'll just have to do that another time. So here are some pictures from the first four
we were there. I haven't had time to get to the rest of them yet. Enjoy.

On the first day there, we just got settled and then drove up the windward side of the island. This little pen had two piglets in it and was located behind the restaurant where we ate lunch.

Right outside our cabana window (which was actually some renovated barracks on a marine base) was beach and the Kaneohe Bay. It was wonderful to sleep and awake to the sound of the surf. One of the things I loved about Oahu is that there is no fishy smell anywhere. This is due to the fact that the tide does not change the water level much, leaving no smelly seaweed behind. So being right on the beach was, well, delightful.

This is actually the beach on the air force base. We tried to get in some sailing lessons this day - but due to high winds, we just got some beach time. Eva loves the water. She was in it every chance she got and didn't let a little chill stop her.

On Sunday we drove to the west side of the island, looking for Turtle Beach. We didn't find it that day, but did find this lovely spot.

On Monday we took a whale watching cruise. It was also delightful - good food, nice ukelele music, lai making,... and WHALES!!! and yes, the water really was this blue....

More later.....

Hair

2009-01-22T21:58:00.000-08:00

I love my pets, but they all possess something that has become my waking, and even sometimes sleeping, nemesis. Hair. And lots of it. The cold of northern Montana has put us all in rather tight company and I suppose when in such close quarters one should get used to sharing things. Still, I really wish they would keep their hair to themselves. It looks so much nicer on them! Oh, I know, the baby wears it quite nicely as well..... Okay, I know some of you are going to say - love the pets and forget the hair. Some of you are going to say - get rid of the pets and get rid of the hair. Well I say I'll have my pets and conquer the hair... someday.... the battle wages and the freezing cold weather has returned....

Here are the culprits in order of least offense.

Loca. She is our Georgia alley cat. Natural selection has given her a thin coat. Better to battle the Georgia heat with and not SOO bad in the house, although I do have to vacuum her sleeping spot more often than I'd like...

Mowgli - ah Mowgli. He is the product of generations of loved and adored house cats. We call him our arctic snow cat. His coat is thick and luscious and everywhere! Mowgli is the most laid back of cats and he's a keen hunter, a skill he first honed on bumble bees. A true jungle boy at heart - the cold weather just kills him. He wanders around the house crying and, yes, shedding.

Does he look guilty? Choteau is our Montana pup. Why didn't anybody tell me border collies shed so badly? I don't suppose it would have mattered if they had. He stole our hearts away first lick, but my oh my oh my... the hair, the four inch long hair.... is everywhere. My new years resolution was to vacuum more often. I didn't realize that would mean more than once a day! It's a good thing he is such a good dog and so wonderful with the baby.

She, by the way, adores them all.

Mama Did a Bad Thing

2009-01-15T12:55:00.000-08:00

These were the words that first came out my mouth when I saw Eva. "Oh no, Mama just did a bad thing." Yes, and I had, because I knew Eva had the pen. I knew Eva could take the lid off said pen. I had put her in a room by herself with said pen. Yes, indeed, Mama had done a bad thing - well not soooo bad. It was water based ink!

Morning

2008-12-26T21:39:00.000-08:00

Eva one morning, waking up. Oh my goodness, how I love this child.

Happy Birthday To EVA!!! She's 1!!!

2008-11-12T22:01:00.001-08:00

Yeah!!! She's 1!!! (about two weeks ago)

New favorite tricks include, but are not limited to:
blowing kisses
rolling and rolling - as in patty cake patty cake
signing milk, more, and thank you
sharing all her food with Mama
trying to do the eentsy weensy spider
saying "moo" - well, trying to say "moo"
stealing the heart of every seeing, feeling, breathing soul she meets.

Tricks she wishes she had up her sleeve:
the ability to eat raw carrots
the ability to get down from all the places she gets up to!

Her she is - the birthday girl.

Are all parents so proud!?

2008-10-16T21:04:00.000-07:00

I've heard many other moms talk about a time in their baby's development when it seems they are doing something new and exciting, well, constantly - or so it seems from the way they talk. Well, there have been times "like" that for Eva in the past, kinda.... But this last week, hold the phone, or you socks... or whatever it is you are supposed to hold when there is breaking news. So you ask, what new things can Eva do. Well to start, she CRAWLS!!! This long awaited feat of strength and coordination is finally Eva's. She loves it, so much that usually a crawl of any length begins and ends with a head stand - that is her version of down-ward facing dog, with top of the head on the ground, of course! She still lacks direction - she'll start off toward me and then get distracted and turn back and then get distracted and lay down and then get distracted and roll over.... I fear this may be a life long trait. Oh well - she crawls and that makes her happy and THAT makes me happy. We are so proud!

Second, Eva loves a cup. Not a sippy cup. Oh no. Give her a real, regular cup, or give her.... mama - just NOT a bottle or a sippy cup. She's been drinking out of a cup for a while, so a few days ago I decided to try letting her hold the cup while she drank. I told her "both hands", so she took hold with both hands and drank better than ever. With all the control she not only gets more to drink, but more baths a day... what could be better!

Third - Eva has finally discovered that she doesnt' HAVE to have a shirt on if she doesn't want to. Too bad she discovered this just in time for a Montana winter! Don't you just love that budda belly!

Fourth - yes, there is a fourth... Drum roll please.... Eva now goes to bed all by herself!!! And she sleeps through the night. Thanks to Weston, some divine inspiration, and a bit of perspiration on my part, she not only falls asleep on her own in a matter of minutes each night, but she will do it for Weston!! That means I don't even have to be there and she can still do it! She also stays asleep ( for months she's been waking up about 1/2 hour after she goes down to nurse again and some times again and again.... ). And, perhaps best of all, most nights she sleeps through the night for a total of about 12 hours. This means I actually do get some free time in the evenings and SHE gets a good night sleep as well. What could be better!?

Well, busy week eh. I wonder what will happen next week. Walking, rock climbing, piano playing, calculus.... who knows!!!

Brown Oat Bread

2008-10-06T21:03:00.000-07:00

A while back Lindsey called me and asked for my oat bread recipe. Unfortunately I wasn't home when she called and then she wasn't home when I called, so the recipe has never been given. So now I am going to give it to you all and I hope Lindsey will find it. Enjoy.

Brown Oat Bread - makes 4 medium sized loaves

5 Cups very warm water
1 Tbl sugar
2 1/2 Tbl yeast
4 Cups oats

-Mix all these together in a big bread bowl.
-Then add the following.

1/2 Cup honey
2/3 Cup applesauce
4 tsp almond extract
2 Tbl salt
4 Cups whole wheat flour

-Mix well and enjoy the aroma of the almond extract... yummmm
-Next work in ~7 - 8 Cups of bread flour. This can all be done in the big bowl, working the last bit in with your hands. The dough should come away from the sides, but will still be quite sticky. Once you've worked it in, you are good to go. No need to kneed... :)
-Let the dough rise for 1-2 hours, but no longer. If you get busy and forget it, it will taste yeasty.
-Punch it down and form into loaves. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and let the loaves rise for 1/2 hr.
-Bake for 35 min til the tops are a nice darkish golden brown color.
-Remove from the bread tins and let cool on a cookie rack.

This really is my favorite everyday sandwich and toast bread. It is so easy, so quick, and sooo tasty. It will make your parents and grandparents proud.

Tips 1- don't be tempted to leave out the almond extract 2- feel free to substitute sour cream or whole fat cottage cheese for half of the applesauce. 3-if you don't have a lot of honey on hand, use 2/3 C brown sugar.

New Do

2008-09-13T22:19:00.000-07:00

So I did up Eva's hair the other day, but she looked so much like a toddler with her cute little pigtails, I haven't done it again since. She's just a baby for crying out loud!!! But so adorable, I had to post a few of the picts. She was certainly in fine form that day.

Life

2008-08-29T12:30:00.000-07:00

Proportion

It is not growing like a tree
In bulk, doth make man better be;
Or standing long an oak, three hundred year,
To fall a log at last, dry, bald, and sere:
A lily of a day
Is fairer far in May,
Although it fall and die that night;
It was the plant and flower of light.
In small proportions we just beauties see;
And in short measures, life may perfect be.

- Ben Johnsong

Posting

2008-08-15T22:33:00.000-07:00

By now, any of you out there who actually check my blog every so often know that I am a terrible blogger. What I can't figure out is how you all find the time to write such clever narratives, take such wonderful pictures, edit them, and make that post. So far, all I have found time to do is take pictures, wonderful or not. As for clever narratives and even sub par posting skills, well, you can look at my track record to decide for yourself. But since I do wish I were able to keep in better touch with so many of you, here is a summary of my summer. Thank you for all your summer blog posts that help me keep abreast of your comings and goings.

Since June 20th, when I posted last, we have been to a family wedding.

Weston's folks visited and he and his Dad tore apart and reframed the downstairs bath.

Then we went to Glacier (a park called North America's crown jewel for GOOD reason!)

and saw two bears....

No, not these two. I mean real ones. Sorry, no picture verification on these two.

Eva went swimming for her first time. She didn't sleep while in the pool, just on the way there...

I headed up the ward pioneer day celebration.

Helen came up to visit, camp, fish, and weed my garden (well, that's what she ended up doing, whether or not it was her intention... it sure was helpful. THANK YOU!!!). And yes, we saw another bear, this time with photo verification. We actually had to find a new campground because of this here persisitant fellow.

This is Helen 14 incher, caught after only a few minutes on the river.

We went to a family reunion in Cody, WY. All told there were 30 of us there, with 8 missing. That makes my immediate family 38 people big. Mom and Dad, 7 kids, 7 spouses, 17 grand kids, 3 spouses of grand kids, and 2 great grand kids. We sure did have a good time!

just a few of the grandkids.......

Now we are taking a breather before one more visitor set to get here this Tuesday and not least of all, before Weston begins to tear out the kitchen - also during this coming week.

Ah, summer is too short, but bless it despite its shortness. How I love these long summer days. Maybe here in Montana that is how the summer makes up for the shortness of season, with days that last and last and almost run into each other. I love them.

Favorites

2008-08-15T22:07:00.000-07:00

Folks tell me it's not right to play favorites, but nobody, apparently, told Eva that yet. She certainly has favorites.

Her #1 favorite is the dog.

2nd is ......

No, it's not sleep.

It's cantaloupe! I cut some up for her today - just the right size for her chewing abilities, but too small for her little chubby fingers to get easily into her mouth.

She's a quick, problem solving kinda gal and this is what she came up with. I know other babies before her have also perfected this technique, but I can't help being proud.

You know what else I love about this little gal? She gets bored inside, especially if the dog is outside. She'll complain until I take a blanket out and set up camp in the back yard, with the dog of course. I love that she loves the dog and the cats. I love that she loves to play in cold creeks, the kind that run in the back pasture. She's not afraid of the water or the cold or the mud. In fact, she seems to love them all. I love that she loves all things new, and most things are. What can I say. I'm hooked!

Aren't you?

New Highchair

2008-06-20T20:33:00.000-07:00

It took about a month and a half of sneaking baby food into Eva's mouth before she decided she liked it. After about a month of trying on my part, and gagging on Eva's part, I was beginning to get concerned. I called my Mom. She assured me Eva would not go to college still nursing. Eventually she would get the hang of this solid food thing... if you can call baby food solid. So we kept trying and then one day, all of the sudden, she figured it out, and now she eats that baby food like a pro. She makes so many faces while she's eating it is hard to tell if she likes it or not, but I take the recurring open mouth to mean she's giving it a thumbs up. When she is done, she still opens her mouth, but instead of swallowing, she tries to blow bubbles in it. Still, she is so adorable, she makes even this cute. Here's our little cutie munching away on some pears in her munchkin mesh bag sitting in her brand new highchair.

Oh, I'm such a proud mom!

Choteau The Incorrigible

2008-06-20T20:22:00.000-07:00

Choteau (pronounced show-toe) is our pup.

And maybe instead of getting mad at him, I should have taken a picture of him standing, all four legs, on our KITCHEN TABLE!!

... but since I didn't, take a picture that is, you'll just have to try to imagine it. Here is a picture of the mischievous pup to help encourage an accurate visualization.

Silly, very bad, goofy pup!

He cries currently from his crate... "what did I do??.... what did I do???" He acts so innocent!

Grandma Dot and Grandpa Jim

2008-06-03T21:56:00.000-07:00

This last week my parents, Grandma Dot and Grandpa Jim, made the long trek up here to Montana to see our new home and little Eva. I suppose they came to see us too, though we are really that exciting! You know, there is something special about grandparents. Somehow little ones just know who loves them. Eva gave Grandpa a kiss right off and smiles all round for Grandma. It was wonderful for me to have them visit also. We spent most of one day painting our bookshelves (when they are all done I'll post a picture) and the next day we went for a long walk by the river. Grandma made a new sweater for Eva, which she looks cute as a bug in. What a wonderful gift. And we recorded Grandpa singing to Eva on tape - that will be a treasure too. So thank you, Mom and Dad, for coming up. We sure do love you.

A little Pic-a-nic

2008-05-16T20:03:00.000-07:00

We found this great place for pictures - a little amphitheater in a park down town. It's perfect for a cloudy day.

Mother's Day

2008-05-11T21:16:00.001-07:00

Well. This is my first Mother's Day as a tried and true Mom. You'll have to ask Eva how I'm doing so far. Too bad she can't talk yet - by the time she can, her review might not be as stunning... :) Weston had to work today, so we had Mother's day yesterday. My gift from him was an extra hour in bed - he took Eva when she woke up - and breakfast in bed after that. I think I'm beginning to like this holiday!

So Happy Mother's day to you all. I hope it treated you equally as fair - or better!

The Rhodora by Ralph Waldo Emerson

2008-05-01T10:45:00.000-07:00

The Rhodora

On Being Asked, Whence Is the Flower?
In May, when sea-winds pierced our solitudes,
I found the fresh Rhodora in the woods,
Spreading its leafless blooms in a damp nook,
To please the desert and the sluggish brook.
The purple petals, fallen in the pool,
Made the black water with their beauty gay;
Here might the red-bird come his plumes to cool,
And court the flower that cheapens his array.
Rhodora! if the sages ask thee why
This charm is wasted on the earth and sky,
Tell them, dear, that if eyes were made for seeing,
Then Beauty is its own excuse for being:
Why thou wert there, O rival of the rose!
I never thought to ask, I never knew:
But, in my simple ignorance, suppose
The self-same Power that brought me there brought you.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Bathroom Remodel - Complete

2008-04-25T08:52:00.001-07:00

I don't know if any of you remember the first photos we posted of our upstairs bath - that bathroom a friend here kindly referred to as a wall paper disaster. Well, after many hours of toil, labor, and exasperation (mostly on the part of Weston and Helen) the bathroom is finally done. Here are some before, during, and after photos. We sure did learn a lot in this process and are very happy with the results. I figure, if we can make the rest of the house look this nice, come time to sell, it shouldn't be to difficult - we can all keep our fingers crossed. In the mean time, we are just enjoying our new bathroom.

Here is what is looked like when we moved in. Notice there is no shower.

To begin, Weston had to cut out all the tile covered parts of the walls. You can see this means that he cut out a lot of wall. We found the walls were made of this stuff called rock lath. They were quite thick - much thicker than dry wall, so then he had to shim out the walls to make the new dry wall and the old rock lath wall even.... it was a big and frustrating job. Included in the list of frustrating jobs, was all the plumbing work Weston had to do. Here is a photo him trying to capture these not rare enough moments.

Here is our project instigator. Helen come out for her Spring Break to help us tile. If she hadn't done this, who knows if we would have even started on this project yet. Thanks Helen!!!

The baby and I tried our best to help. Mostly we just worked the peanut gallery.

Here is the shower, pre gout, and Weston finishing the dry wall work. Helen did some good work on that tile job! And Weston, well, I take my hat off to him!

And here is the final product. Drum roll please......

Here is a before and after. We have a hard time believing it is the same place. hmm... now what should be do? Don't worry. Weston has already started on the hall way. One room at a time.

Introducing.....

2008-04-22T09:24:00.000-07:00

As we speak, our newest addition is in the kitchen begging me to join him.... so here is your preview. We don't have a name for his yet - just think he is adorable. We are accepting any name contributions you might have.

We got him from a farmer out of Belt. Our pup is pure bred, unpapered Border Collie. He and Eva have hit it off. He and Loca are in a state of mild toleration - well, almost. But he and Mowgli - well, let's just say they haven't been in the same room long enough to even practice toleration. We hope Mowgli comes around soon. The pup sure wants to be friends with both of them! Isn't he a cutie!

I better go rescue him....

Spring Break Anybody?

2008-04-22T09:16:00.001-07:00

On April 20th, this is what the Spring brought to us... Weston has rewritten the words to "Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree".... use your imagination. Enjoy the warm weather where ever you are! As a side note - you should see the country side here when covered in a fresh blanket of snow. It doesn't matter what season it is - it is always beautiful.

Mowgli still has to explore - it's his nature. He is an arctic panther!

Weston measuring the snow depth. 12" folks!

You've got to be snuggled in weather like this!

You can see what Loca thinks of it all.

Let the Good Times Roll.....

2008-04-06T19:26:00.000-07:00

I promised Helen a look see at the baby book I made for Eppi. It's a good thing Weston has gone on a couple of three day alerts, or I may have never gotten it done. It is a journal/photo album. I wrote the first entries while I was still pregnant. Now it is time to let the good times roll and keep it going. Lindsey, I have to tell you, your mother was my inspiration for this book. At your wedding lunch she read from the childhood journal she kept about you. I thought that was a pretty neat thing. I hope Eppi gives me a many wonderful things to write about as you gave your Mom!.... or then again.. do I?... :) The thing I am most proud of about this book is the binding. I'm sure it has been done before by many others, but it was a new idea to me and is the perfect solution to my photo album binding dilemma. I'm going to have to re-make my wedding photo album now!

Thumb Sucking

2008-04-06T19:20:00.000-07:00

Since this child was born, I've been saying... "oh, if only she'd find her thumb, maybe then she would learn the wonderful art of self soothe". Well, today it happened. It didn't last long, but she got it in there and she sure did find it good for sucking on. Let us all hope that she will find it a wonderful sleep aid and then,when the appropriate time comes, she'll leave the practice all together. Is that really asking too much? We're ready for you Mr. Sandman.

More than just a pretty face

2008-04-05T14:45:00.001-07:00

Baby Face and the Marsh

2008-03-29T21:34:00.000-07:00

Sounds like a good title to a new song to me! But really it was just my day yesterday. Eva came up with this new adorable expression and then we went out to Lake Benton Wildlife preserve. Here are the picts that prove what I say is true. It was cold and windy, a combination that Eva doesn't like much, so most of these are taken from the car.

Here's our adorable baby!

And here's the marsh.

Back Log

2008-03-27T12:34:00.000-07:00

I've been working on going through my Baby Eva picture back log... I've still got a ways to go. But here are some of my favorites.

Just in case any of you were wondering if Eva has any new tricks.... I know you probably all are.... she does have one that I find very endearing. She gives kisses. Real bona fide kisses, with great intent. They, of course, are wide mouthed, and when I'm lucky, they come with a hug around the neck. I just love em. I don't have any picts, since I'm the one getting kissed. Maybe I'll have to have Weston get some visual verification on this one for you. But I'm just pleased as punch about it. Soon, maybe each of you will be graced by one of these sloppy smacks, but for now, it's a Mommy special.

p.s. Her other favorite trick is her baby pterodactyl impersonation... we really do need a video camera!!!

Today

2008-03-26T14:34:00.000-07:00

If ever there were a spring day so perfect,
so uplifted by a warm intermittent breeze

that it made you want to throw
open all the windows in the house

and unlatch the door to the canary's cage,
indeed, rip the little door from its jamb,

a day when the cool brick paths
and the garden bursting with peonies

seemed so etched in sunlight
that you felt like taking

a hammer to the glass paperweight
on the living room end table,

releasing the inhabitants
from their snow-covered cottage

so they could walk out,
holding hands and squinting

into this larger dome of blue and white,
well, today is just that kind of day.

- by Billy Collins

Poem of the Day

2008-03-25T08:46:00.000-07:00

I get a lot of great poems for Sam Droege's poem list serve. I've decided to start sharing some of them on the blog. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Toad

Stop looking like a purse. How could a purse
squeeze under the rickety door and sit,
full of satisfaction, in a man's house?

You clamber towards me on your four corners —
right hand, left foot, left hand, right foot.

I love you for being a toad,
for crawling like a Japanese wrestler,
and for not being frightened.

I put you in my purse hand, not shutting it,
and set you down outside directly under
every star.

A jewel in your head? Toad,
you've put one in mine,
a tiny radiance in a dark place.

- Norman MacCaig

Trolls

2008-03-24T15:02:00.001-07:00

So when Helen started calling little Eppi "Troll" - lovingly of coure, after the little pencil top trolls of the 80's and 90's, well, I just thought those little three inch locks of hair growing directly over her ears were just adorable. Then Weston started referring to her as his little Jewish baby, just with the fore locks slightly out of place.

So we asked Eppi what she thought about them. She said, "huh, you think my hair is funny?"

"Well, how about that!"

So, we gave Eppi her very first hair cut. Those locks of hair are now safely tucked away in her book of memories.... I love my little troll.... pteradactyl... monkey.... bug..... I sure do! And so does Daddy!

Grandparents

2008-03-01T23:03:00.000-08:00

It's not everyday that four generations get to spend the day together. Over President's Day weekend we spent some time at Great Grandma Eva's home. Grandpa Dale and Grandma Lee Lee came on up to meet us, with cousin Tre in tow. That made four generations in the house all day, Great Grandma Eva all the way down to little baby Eva. It's kind of neat to see the generations together. I think Grandma Eva was right - little Eva does look like her.

What a lot of love for each other and one perfect little baby. Doesn't get much better than that!

Pink

2008-01-31T13:22:00.000-08:00

Little Eppi has been sleeping soundly for hours now.... But before she went down, we snapped a few shots. Her lengthy nap has given me time to go over a few of them. I sure do wish I were better at photo shop. Perhaps I should buy a book.... Still, even if my photo shop skills are sub par, this baby, all must agree, is beautiful.

All in a day.... inside.....

2008-01-30T23:58:00.000-08:00

A negative 16 degrees means we were inside yet again yesterday.... this is how we felt.

Just a few picts from the day.

Hands

2008-01-22T14:59:00.000-08:00

I have been anxiously waiting for Eva to figure out what those little tight fists of hers are all about. My Mom told me that first she would just start to play with her hands in front of her face and then she would begin to grab for things. Well about a week ago she did just that. Those little figures became just about the most interesting things she had ever seen... next to her lovely lion, Gabriel, whom she reached out to grab for the first time yesterday. It's a good thing he's the kissing kind of lion, instead of the other kind... if you know what I mean.

Mom and Eva Day

2008-01-15T12:57:00.000-08:00

Today Eva got her first immunizations. It was quite traumatic for both of us and so I have officially dubbed the rest of the day as our day to do just what ever makes us feel best. Eva has been napping for a couple of hours, thanks to the baby Tylenol and I have edited some of my favorite picts from when she was just about five weeks old. Hope you enjoy.... I think she is finally waking up...

Grandma Eva

2008-01-11T14:34:00.001-08:00

On New Years Eve this year Eva met her grandma, Grandma Eva. Grandma Eva is sure baby Eva looks just like her. Baby Eva would be lucky if she did. It sure was a nice visit. Here are some of the pictures we took while we were there. Happy New Year!

Rub-a-dub-dub

2007-12-12T19:33:00.000-08:00

I should be packing the hall closet right now. We pull of here on Monday, headed to Montana, by way of Utah for Christmas. It will be nice to be home for a while and then head on to our new home in Great Falls.

But before I get back to packing, here are some more picts of our little Eva - whom I like to call Eppi ( short for Esperanza, her middle name). These picts are from her first bath - she just loves the warm water. I especially like the Elvis sneer. But mostly I just can't get enough of how sweet she is and adorable to boot.

Distinguished Graduate

2007-12-07T10:29:00.000-08:00

Although Weston is not inclined toward bragging on himself, I am. Weston just recently graduated from his missile training program and was chosen as the Distinguished Graduate. That means he was the top of his class. Eva and I are very proud of him - and since we know that Mom and Dad Nelson will also be very proud of him and would want to know, we are posting it on our blog. Just so you all know, Weston managed to get this recognition despite the fact that he missed four days of class being with me when Eva came. Not too shabby if you ask me!

Weston receiving his award.

Proud Papa.

This is Weston's best Eva face....

She's cute even when she's unhappy.. or maybe she's just crying cause she's so proud of Daddy...

A Gift

2007-11-16T13:33:00.000-08:00

Hello All-

Weston and I recieved the sweetest gift from the daughter of a woman in our ward. She is a professional photographer, and being in need of some soul rejuvenation, offered to take photos of our new born and this new little family - making it a gift to us. The picts she took are beautiful. You should all take a look-see at the following web site.

http://www.winslowlane.com/nelson

We are doing well. Eva slept for two four hour stints last night and I am so very very happy about that. Also, her umbilical cord is also almost off. Last and least of all, she is suffering from quite the case of baby acne. I'm hoping she can get that out of the way now, and not have to mess with it in the years to come. A mother has to hope for good things for her child! I'm sure you can all tell that my life quite completely revolves around this little one. It's true. I am hoping to get to the dishes today though... I think Weston would appreciate that. He's been on 100% dish duty since, well, since my folks left... wait, I think I did do them once....

Hope this finds you all well.

Morning Time

2007-11-09T17:11:00.001-08:00

Eva and I like to sleep together in the bed once Weston gets up - then I don't have to worry about him squishing her... :) She is so sweet when she is asleep...

Did I mention her in long lashes....

I think little Eva's theme song may be "waking up is hard to do..." After all this fussing, she still slept for another hour or so. She only lets me know she's hungry by fussing in her sleep. She leaves it up to me to actually get her to be awake enough to eat...

Little Eva's First Week

2007-11-08T16:23:00.001-08:00

Day 5

2007-11-08T16:17:00.001-08:00

Here are some picts we took when she was five days old.

Eva Esperanza Nelson

2007-11-08T16:02:00.001-08:00

Introducing Eva Esperanza Nelson. Yes! She finally made it. We first got to meet her at 8:03pm on October 30th after about 26 hours of labor. She weighted 7lbs and 15oz and was 20 inches long. As you can see, she was born with a head covered with dark hair and eye lashes to boot. I have never seen anything so beautiful in my life as she looked to me the instant she was born. They come straight from heaven. That is for sure. I'll write more later, after I've had a chance to write it all down for myself in my journal. And I'll post a few more picts from the last week. My best to you all.

The new Dad. He's a natural. She's lucky to have him. And so am I!

Here's the new Momma - still amazed at how perfect she is.

Measurements. We don't have a pict of them measuring her head, but it came in at 13 3/4 inches! WOW!!! No wonder it took 26 hrs! But it was worth it.

If the question is "Are we ready"... then the answer is....

2007-10-26T12:58:00.001-07:00

well.... how can one every really be READY to become a parent. But if the question is "do you have all the baby gear ready for the baby?" - then the answer is definitely YES! I quit working sometime around July I think it was. And up until about two weeks ago was kept very busy with a number of baby projects. These are the results. The only thing left to make is a baby book/photo album, but I'm waiting for stuff to come in the mail. In the mean time... well, yes... I'm waiting for the baby. May she come soon.

The baby will be sharing a room with us for the first several months. Weston has been very patient and even genuinely excited as he has watched our bedroom be transformed into a nursery.

Yes, at least for the first few months, she has plenty to wear!!! All pre-washed and neatly folded.

Weston and I refinished this changing table back in September. Two of those baskets are full of cloth diapers. Wish us luck!

I refinished this dresser a few months back. Weston wasn't so hot on the drawer pulls I picked. I think he is getting used to them. They were cheap and I like flowers..... I think the baby will too....

This is my second attempt at a homemade boppy cover. I'm bad at putting in zippers, thus the ribbon ties. But I think it makes it so cute. The other side is soft fleece, for the baby.

I found a mobile that played my favorite lullaby - Brahms lullaby - for only $10 - but it was all pink with sparkly pink hanging toys. So I switched them out and made new brightly colored stars and moons. I like it much better now. So does Weston. We agreed on this one.

I inherited by parents old mini-crib. It is bassinet sized - perfect for a newborn. I don't have any "before" picts, but this is the finished product. We repainted it and I had a lot of fun finding old 50's style nursery decals for it. I also made the mattress. I wanted one that was made from all natural products and couldn't find one for a good price, but did manage to make one I think will work very well. My Mom also taught me how to make quick crib sheets, so it comes ready with three, all very adorable I think.

This may have been my favorite project. The blessing dress. It is made from left over lace from my wedding dress and ribbon I got at an estate sale. What will really make it worth it will be seeing her in it. This pict is of the front.

This is the back.....
And these are the bloomers.....

Well, that is all..... unless she's too much longer in coming. Then I might have to make something else to fill the time... waiting for something this good can be rough!

Day at the Beach

2007-10-26T10:13:00.001-07:00

At 40 weeks and 3 days pregnant, a beautiful day with nothing to do called us to a beach near by - our favorite, called Wall Beach. The sand is soft, there are usually few others there, many birds, and lots of critters. It is beautiful. ....just be lucky we didn't take any pictures of the game of frisbee. My frisbee skills aren't quite what they used to be. Please don't ask me to go long, at least not for another couple of weeks!

...children playing on the beach.... it must have been 80 degrees + that day.....

Weston was soaking in the rays too....

Weston took this one. Isn't it nice. They look so drab until they open and then they are fantastic!

Just me showing off my profile. I don't think this shot does it justice!

Poor lost little ladybird beetle.

This shot is the second of two. For the first one, I pushed the button on the camera, thinking I could make the distance to Weston before the picture took. Needless to say, Weston was the only one in that picture. For this one, Weston pushed the button and look, he doesn't even look out of breath!!!

Our 1950's Bungalow... hopefully!

2007-10-12T10:54:00.000-07:00

Well, this is real adulthood, a new baby and our first house in the same month! Weston went to Great Falls Montana over the last weekend to investigate the long line up of houses we thought might suit our needs and our budget - not necessarily in that order. Of that long line up, he came home with three possibilities and one favorite. As soon as I looked through all the pictures he had taken and after talking about all he saw until 2 am, we both knew which house not only suited our needs best, but also which one just felt right. You guessed it, the "favorite" house was chosen. So we made an offer, got a counter offer, and have accepted that. Here are some pictures of what will be our new home, barring any bad news from the inspector and appraiser. Keep your fingers crossed!

We think it is comfortably livable as is, but there is some general updating and also some finish work in the basement that can be done, which we think sounds like fun. People tell me this baby, soon to make an entrance, will keep me plenty busy, but I still think I'll need projects to tackle. The backyard is plenty big for kids, a dog, and maybe even chickens... :) And the house is on a nice, quiet street, so the kitties will get free range, something they will be grateful for. The highlight of the house is the green upstairs bathroom. I think you will all especially love it! And yes, we'll get right on painting that garage... well, as soon as the spring thaw comes.

California Wanderings

2007-10-01T14:34:00.000-07:00

We have traveled a bit around California since we got here and it has always been my intention to start a blog so I can show you all where we've been and.... now that I think of it... and to show you why you should have come to visit us. No, no. You don't need to make excuses. Weston and I understand. It's okay that you didn't come. But there is still time.... ;)

This first two pictures are from a camping trip up a near by mountain - Figueroa Mountain.

We heard about an beach locally known as "Elephant Seal Beach" not too far from here. Though we were too late in the season to see the females or any of the really big males, the juvenile and young adult males still put on a show for us.

Every May in Santa Barbara the "Big Dog" company hosts a dog parade. It was quite the event. I think all you dog owners out there should consider what role your pup might best play in next years extravaganza. We also went to the Santa Barbara Zoo.

Every June in Lompoc, CA the flower growers host the Flower Festival. You've never seen so many sweat peas in all your life. Field after field of them. There were also marigolds, artichoke plants in bloom, and many many other I couldn't identify. Here are some picts we took on our drive.

In June, we spend a weekend camping on Santa Cruz Island, just off the cost. I found that getting in and out of a small tent when six months pregnant was actually quite difficult. If we went now, I think I would just have to sleep on the picnic table. This island has a neat recent history and a wonderful host of endemic fauna (and likely flora) . Pictured is the endemic fox. Cat sized cuties that make daily passes through camp to see if we've left any food out where they can get to it. Although it had been a very dry year, the island still had many flowers and after finding dense nests of Andrena and Diadasia, I couldn't help but day dream about the beelab hiring me to do some intense collecting out there.

Lastly, just a month ago we made a road trip to pick up the new subaru we purchased. (We traded in my cute little VW golf for a Forester. Icey Montana winters warranted just such a trade in... especially with the little one on the way. Safety first!) It was quite the trip. It ended with a drive down highway 1 from San Fransisco to Lompoc. We stopped to see some redwoods on the way.

Memoirs of a Pregnant Woman

2007-10-01T14:28:00.000-07:00

Nobody tells you that you need to buy two sets of maternity clothes. One for the second trimester and then a set of moo moos for the third trimester.

The question every morning is not "should I wear a belly shirt today?" It is, "which belly shirt?"

I will not post any pictures that go along with this thought. I worked very hard to keep my belly covered in the pictures of the last blog, and I am going to try to keep it that way. All I have to say is that it is a good thing that none of you can see me now!

Three Weeks and Counting

2007-10-01T14:02:00.000-07:00

In three (or five) short weeks, I will no longer be simply Becky (or Beck, Becka, Rebekah, Reba, or Cool Whip). I'll no longer be simply a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a friend, and a wife. I'll be a Mom. Makes a woman stop and think. And it makes this woman stop and try to find that tiny, omnipresent heel one more time, the one that frequently kicks out just under my rib cage. I can't wait to meet the little baby girl it belongs to. Just in case some of you have been wondering what an 8 month pregnant Rebekah looks like, here are some picts.