Home Again Home Again Jiggity Jig

We had another whorl wind weekend out of town. We drove down Friday night and had a few beers on the way. And by a few I mean we had to stop 2 times. Auntie and Uncle CRat rode down with us. The 3 hour drive turned in to about a 5 1/2 hour drive. We had ourselves a really good time. The only problem is we didn't know we needed to be up and ready at 9 am to make it to the dairy breakfast. 7am came very early.


We got up and got ready. Didn't really think about the days events because Auntie and I wore flip flops to the farm. We are not that city. We did, after all, grow up on a farm. Lucky for us it was a nice day out and not muddy. We hit the diary breakfast, checked out the cows, looked around the farm and took a hay ride. Queen Monkey fell asleep before the hay ride and King Monkey nearly didn't go. He was getting bucky. After standing in line for far too long it was our turn and worth the wait. KM had lots of fun. It was beautiful day out. The sun was shining, there were hardly any clouds in the sky, more fresh air then we've had in a long time and all the family togetherness we could want. After the dairy breakfast we went over to Luan & Tony's house. They also have a large dairy farm. We spent some time with the new born calf's and feed the 3-6 month old calf's. KM was a very good helper. He had to count out 6 scoops then dump it, then 6 more scoops then dump. QM spent some time playing in the dirt while Auntie took some pictures. She ate a few handfuls. She played in the straw, in the grass, and let the cows lick her. We went for a ranger ride around the farm and saw most of the acreage he farms. It was just nice to be outside.

When we got back up by the house, we grabbed some water and played outside some more. KM wanted to golf so he hit some balls around the yard, but lucky for us it was far past nap time so it was really pleasant being near him. We kind of realized what time it was so we headed back in to town to get ready. But on the way we actually realized what time it was (Husband didn't read his watch correctly the first time) and we had about a hour more than we thought we had before we had to be to the reception. So we hit DQ for chili dogs and then went back to the hotel and took a little snooze. By the time we got up we were a little pressed for time. Thank goodness that we had extra hands to help get the kids ready for the reception. Man O' Man were they cute. I put them in their Easter outfits. Almost all of the people at the reception had not seen them yet (only the people that came with us had).

As soon as we got there it was time to eat (I said we were running behind). So we pretty much jumped in line. Got our food and sat down. Eating was very interesting. QM didn't want to stay put. She didn't want to sit on my lap and I didn't have anywhere else to put her. So I'd set her down on the floor for a while then chase her, pick her up, bring her back to the table, lather, rinse, repeat.

After eating, there was a little lull until the DJ started. A bunch of kids were on the dance floor playing together. KM wanted to join in but was being a little shy. He was watching them closely, but wouldn't venture out there on his own. We had a walker with us that must have come over on the Mayflower. It was mine and Uncle J's when we were little. (We had found it a month earlier when cleaning at Grandma's house.) So I set QM in the walker on the dance floor and before I knew it KM had pushed her in to the middle of the kids. Instant friends. They all played together. Eventually QM had had her fill of being couped up in the walker so I took her out and set her down to crawl. She crawled across the dance floor and by the time she got to the other side she had quite the following. It was like she was the Pied Piper. They all followed her where ever she crawled to, all around the dance floor. She was a great ice breaker for him. It was cute to see them exploring the new friends together as a team. Hopefully they will be this great team for years to come. Helping each other through the scary things in life.

Somewhere along the weekend I had almost completely lost my voice. We left for the reception on a Friday, but the Wednesday and Thursday prior I had to make a mad dash to Gillette, Wyoming to drop some stuff for work. I had spent 20.5 hours in a truck alone driving across South Dakota and back. What's a girl to do but sing out loud as loud as I could to myself to help pass the time. It was a fun trip but kind of long by yourself. So at the reception Husband asked me if I wanted to go and smoke. I told him no because my throat hurt a little and I figured they weren't helping much. My aunt heard me say no and said "most wife's would give anything to dance with their husbands, so when he asks you to dance, you should go." I told her he didn't ask me to dance, but to go smoke instead. She had a puzzled look on her face and wasn't about to tell me to go do that with him (she really doesn't like smoking). Plus when ever we went outside to smoke, I'd try to talk and it sounded like I had been smoking 3 packs a day for 150 years, and Husband would make fun of my voice.

KM was running low, he didn't have a nap all day. When Husband and I took a little snooze, he spent that time running back and forth between the rooms, not napping. He did pretty good considering, but had a few moments of total melt down. Eventually he just crawled into the stroller and fell asleep. QM was about the same. No real melt downs for her but as soon as she fell asleep we pretty much had to pack it in for the night. Which was okay. We had really out done ourselves the night before and I was totally ready for bed. QM had slept with Amma the night before so now it was my turn for her to sleep with me. That was super awesome until she fell out of bed at about 5 am. Mother instincts kicked in but a little late. I had scooped her up by the scruff of her jammies before she had even started crying, but she still hit the floor. REAL NICE MOM. I'll try harder next time. I'm not used to her sleeping with me and I was really tired so any moving around she did, I didn't feel.

We got up the next morning and packed up. Headed back out to Tony and Luan's for about an hour. We had to see the baby calf's one more time. It was another beautiful day out. So we walked the farm a bit more then headed for home. The kids went with Amma and Wendowin (as KM calls her). They had a made a bee line for the farm on the way down. Didn't stop to smell the roses like we did. So on the way back they decided to take the scenic route. They hit a couple scenic over looks. Stopped and got some strawberries, had a some sammiches in a park then headed for the hills.

Once they got back home, we cooked up some dinner, fed Amma and sent her on her way home. It had been a long weekend, but a really fun one. We had lots of good family fun. As they get older, it will only get better. Looking forward to the next road trip.

We went to the park with pink eye.

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone with Nextel Direct Connect

Already

Already, I've fallen off my 'I'm blogging everyday.' But it's with good reason. I was sick yesterday. Very sick. I wanted to puke all day. But luck for me, I didn't. Thankfully Amma came over and watched the kids while Husband and I were out of commision. There were 6 kids out sick at daycare this week. So far KM hasn't been hit. The Princess threw up a few times but over all, she's doing pretty good. So now I'm back and am really making an effort at this.

Have a great night.

Once upon a baby...

Kermit is not feeling well again -- I think this time it's teething. He has lots of dirty diapers and they are giving him diaper rash. He comes and tells you as soon as it happens, doesn't want to sit in it. It makes his butt hurt. (This might jump start the potty training!) Last night it was SUPER melt down night. He cried from the time we got home until he went to bed -- only about an hour, but it was a LONG hour. He even asked to go to bed, he had enough of the day. Slept all night. This morning he woke up in what seemed like a good mood. But he whined most of the way to daycare. Then when we got there, he wouldn't let go of me. Didn't want me to leave. Fi Fi took him and he cried when I left. Shortly after that he bit one of the kids at daycare. Later in the week, I took him to the doctor. $30.00 shot in the ass, we weren't even there 25 minutes and the doc tells me it's the stomach flu and there is nothing they can do for it. It has to run it's course. GRRRR. He is much better today (I started this post about a week ago and am now getting around to finishing it). Back to normal, but what a rough week.

Last night at dinner he was in his highchair and wearing on my last nerve. He asked for milk and I told dad not to give it to him until he says "peas" (please), but instead of saying please he try's to be extra adorable and puts both hands under his chin with his elbows sticking out, the way you do for a photo, and grins his cheesy grin. With out saying the appropriate word, dad gave him the milk anyways. I took it away and there was crying, but he needs to learn, he is usually very good using his manners. (In hindsight, I should have just let him have the milk, since he wasn't crying and all....)

Then we spent what seemed like years (which was actually about 30 minutes) trying to take some pictures in front of the fireplace for a Christmas card. We didn't get in to a studio to have them taken, but I wanted updated pictures to go out. So I decided to take them myself. Some turned out pretty cute, but he is so very fast. Anyways, we got that handled and I ordered them online at Archiver's. They do such a fantastic job. That is where I ordered some of the presents we are giving, at there Personal Print Shop. We ordered the books. The turned out better than I could have ever expected. I am pretty sure the cards will be the same case.

This weekend is Christmas with my dad's side of the family. Looking forward to it, I like that side of the family when everyone gets together. We always have such a good time.

This will be Kermit's 2nd Christmas and it's fun to watch him exploring the new things like the tree and the stockings. He tries to put them on thinking you wear them. "Sok" he says, this one LOVES his "sok's". Cries when he doesn't have any one, or you are about to put {gasp} the wrong pair on. We love him anyways!! It will be fun to watch him on Christmas Eve opening presents. I know he won't care much about what is actually wrapped up for him, but am looking forward to watching him play in the paper.

Honey Bunny Bear

Kermit is not feeling so well since last night when I picked him up from Fi Fi's (daycare), which normally I would worry a little but since Todd isn't feeling the best either, I figure it's the same bug. But I actually liked it last night, there was lots of cuddle time on the couch. He really wanted me to hold him and rub his back. It was also my job to grab his bee-bee (blankey) and his bubu's (sippy cup).

Since he has started moving around (about 5 months old) he hasn't wanted to sit still and snuggle with mama. But I miss it, that's what babies are for, is cuddling. So I was happy as a clam. Then after bath time, which was incredibly short since he wasn't feeling well, I got to sit on the couch again with my very clean smelling baby.

How I miss the days when he didn't move as much. I really enjoy him at this age. He is really starting to talk and put thoughts together, but when ever he wants to sit still, it's usually by dad, so I get no snuggles.

He kept saying my name last night, I was starting to wonder if he thought I left or something. We we sitting on the couch and his head was lying on my chest and he would say "Mama?", "Yes, Honey Bunny Bear", "Mama?", "Yes, Honey Bunny Bear" -- this would repeat for about 5 more times. Then he would give up for a while and then start again.

Oh, how I love that little boy!

Pink Eye and Birthday Parties

It's has been a while hasn't it.

The weekend of Oct. 14 - 15th, Todd and I went furniture shopping and finally made the big purchases. My mom had Kermit for the weekend and he wasn't feeling the greatest. So on our way home from shopping we dropped off some cough medicine and some Tylenol. Then home to unpack our newest addition. Sunday I went to get him and he had thrown up again. Not good, he looked like a truck had run over his face. Puffy eyes, runny nose, matted eye gunk, bruise in the middle of his forehead when he had fallen down. Like a train wreck. I took him home and the next morning same thing. He looked like he felt, usually he looks a little better than he feels, not this time. I made an appointment for him to see the doc. Called in late to work and tried to feed him something.

He had slept all night but on the way to the doc, around 8.45 he fell asleep (this for sure means he is not himself, Kermit never takes a nap that early). Well it's Pink Eye, which means no daycare and no work for momma. So I called in Pink Eye to work, no problem says the boss, see you Wednesday. I had been given 2 days off (YEAH!), so let's make the most of it and get something done around the house (after a few cuddles with the sick baby, of course!) So we sat and snuggled and cuddled and ate some lunch. Then when Kermit went down for nap time, I watched Passions. OK, so when I said get something done, I really meant I would be getting something done on Tuesday. Monday was packed full of visitors, the Blind Lady (to order our Blinds -- not that she is blind and I'm insensitive), the shelving guys, the DirecTV guys. Not much could be done until the shelving guys left. We had nowhere to set anything before they got there. Then Todd went to bowling in the middle of the DirecTV crisis. All is semi well now, just need our electricians to come back and actually do their job this time.

Tuesday rolled around and even with Pink Eye, we got a lot done around home. Stuff was sorted to rooms, and stuff was put away in the pantry, and stuff was cleaned and vacuumed and mopped, and the office was put together. It was a productive day. I left the house with good intentions of going to work around Noon, but wouldn't have actually gotten to work until 1, Kermit still wasn't feeling the greatest and was hungry and tired, so we turned around and headed back to the barn (home). He needed momma time and I was not about to deny him that! Later that night, some friends came over to plan a trip, so we had pizza and talked. It was a nice visit.

The rest of the week went fairly smoothly. Husband left to go up north on Friday. He had to do manly hunting things, like build tree stands and drink beer. He actually hates going up their but goes only for his dad's sake. His dad was happy as a lark.

I got to do some more shopping for the new house. Curtains, and curtain rods, and sheets, and rugs. It was so much fun. I tried not to go over board and think I did a pretty good job. Only buying what we really needed right now. And the best part is I got them all hung up already.

Guest Room: CHECK (as in done.) It is officially Bed and Breakfast cute and ready for guests! Which I am super excited about because, next weekend I'll have my first guest!!

Yesterday we had some friends over to watch football. Great food, great company, and a great new friend for Kermit. Our friend's new girlfriend's son (did you follow all that?) -- is about the same age as our monkey. They had a very good time playing together. Then after they left, we had a very special Birthday Uncle to go and visit. Uncle Leo had turned 2 yesterday, so we had to go and give him some kisses.

And you wondered why I hadn't written in a while -- we've been busy.

I am hoping to get on a more regular schedule with my writing. I would like to be more diligent about it. I like getting my thoughts out of my head and written down. Makes room for more song lyrics!!