Our Little Foray into City Life

Cleaning up my drafts folder, I found this old post that I never hit publish on - oops!  I'm feeling a little nostalgic for summer and all that walking we did, so here's a little flashback post....

Last summer, we rented a studio apartment in Minneapolis for the month before we closed on our house in the suburbs.  It was a fun little experiment in city life - and close quarters!

Trolley Ride!

We got to take a ride on Daniel Tiger's trolley near Lake Harriet.  Too bad it was so short - we probably could have spent a whole afternoon on it!  Baby J looks bummed, but really he was just waking up.

Sculpture Gardens

Most days, we didn't have a car, so we just walked all over the neighborhood.  That was awesome.  We took a field trip one morning to the sculpture gardens.

Lake + City skyline

We spent a lot of time walking around Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun!  The walking/running/riding trails were great and no matter what time of day, people are out running and riding here!  We walked and explored our way to one of the many playgrounds and played outside all morning.

Our sleeping quarters were cozy, but no one complained.  And thankfully, none of the neighbors complained about our noise either!  Phew.

M's "bed."

We spent all morning, every morning, outside exploring the neighborhoods and playgrounds.  We'd finish with a lunch picnic, and then come home for an afternoon nap before heading back outside.

Waiting out the rain with Daniel Tiger

Doesn't he look like such a big boy here?  It was fun while it lasted, but we're so thankful for a bit more breathing room now! ;)

Scenes from the Weekend

We spent most of the weekend coughing and sniffling and feeling exhausted from a winter cold passing through the family.  But a couple little bursts of fresh air seemed to really help, so hopefully this week will be better.  

Here's my first cheese torta - a twist on our traditional pizza night.  Do you do a weekly pizza night?  This was delicious, but next time I'll use more cheese and way more sauce.  I made the dough in my bread machine.

We had lunch with Dan's lifelong friend and his wife on Saturday in Saint Paul, they are so great!  They spent some time in Tampa, FL, so the lunch was Gasparilla-themed.  D made construction paper pirate hats and M had so much fun he conked out on the way home.  We'll have to make it an annual celebration!

 

It's warmed up so much that we let M ride his strider bike on an afternoon walk.  It was a little bizarre biking beside the kids playing hockey on the outdoor rink!  I love the fact that our neighborhood has a skating rink.  D got me skates for Christmas so I'm going to have to try them out soon!

I had really hoped to get some nice runs in with the lovely weather, but just wasn't feeling it with this cold.  So I hardly ran at all in January, yikes!  Hopefully, February will be a little bit better.

Hope your month is off to a great start!

Deer Lake State Park, FL

On our trip to Rosemary Beach, we had some time to kill before catching our flight home, so we make a quick visit to this little state park. 

We had just enough time to meander down the long boardwalk to the beach, with its beautiful views.  No crowds on a Monday morning!  What a gorgeous beach.  Below is a view of the actual Deer Lake in the park.  You can do a little bit of hiking on the north side of 30A, but otherwise the park is pretty small.  It makes for a nice little side trip from Rosemary Beach.

Rosemary Beach, FL

This place is amazing.  I grew up always going to the Atlantic coast, since it was only 30 minutes or so from our house.  I still love the Atlantic side of Florida, of course, but Rosemary Beach is gorgeous and completely different!

My cousin got married in November here, and it was a great excuse to explore Northwest Florida.  The beach sand was so soft and fine, and the seashells were much finer and seemed more delicate than what we'd see on our home beach!

Rosemary Beach is a planned community that feels like a European beach town.  It's only 30 minutes from the airport and we could connect through Atlanta for easy flights.  If they ever start having direct flights from MSP (hint, hint!), I know where I'll be spending my spring break now!  I'm guessing that most folks come from Birmingham/TN because the boutiques were selling sweatshirts that said "Home" with a picture of the state of Tennessee!

The wedding was on the beach and it was beautiful.  Thanks to my parents, we got to stay in a house with them and all my siblings and nephews so it really was great to all be together.  The only downside was that the AC broke in the house and the dishwasher leaked, but it was otherwise comfortable.  We could walk all around the town and to the beach very easily.

I got one run in down 30A early early pushing baby J in the single jogger because he didn't sleep very well on the trip.  30A has a nice wide bike path so it was easy to do a down/back run.  I'd love to go back here!

Hello 2016!

Happy New Year! 

I kind of lost interest in keeping this blog up over the last couple of months, but I've decided to keep at it, and try to just blog maybe once a week for starters - so long as I have something to share, of course!

Do you make NY goals/resolutions?  I told my husband that since the NY starts on a Friday, I really still have the weekend still to think about making a resolution (so I can start on Monday). =)  He did not agree with that philosophy.  I don't have any hard and fast type resolutions, like run 500 miles or lose 10 pounds, etc, but I do have some general ideas of things I'd like to focus on this year.

I definitely want to work on becoming a faster, stronger runner (and hopefully run close to my high school 5k time of 22:00!).  But, I've realized that right now, I just can't make myself get up and run outside in the cold darkness during the week, so I'm going to do more indoor fitness activities/strength training, at least for this month. 
 
I'm also hoping to carve out more time to read.  It will be hard to find a book to top All the Light We Cannot See, my favorite book of 2015.  I just started Design Mom's book, which is giving me some great ideas for house stuff, and Don Quixote, which is making me laugh out loud.  I'm also loving read aloud time with the boys, and am hoping to incorporate more family reading time during our cold snowy evenings.  We read two great books aloud for Advent: The Twenty-Four Days Before Christmas and The Children of Noisy Village.  Both were really cute and my 3 yo seemed to enjoy reading them!

And generally speaking, I want to focus on being more intentional in everything.  Time just flies by, and I want to make sure I'm making the most of every day.  I'm hoping we can go camping at least once this summer and spend as much time outdoors as possible.

Picture Books and The Great American West

For our road trip from Idaho to Minnesota, I picked up a handful of picture books from the library in hopes that they would connect M with some of the places we visited. 

Mountain Dance

Thomas Locker

This one was probably his favorite.  Mostly because it had pictures of hot lava.  Even though we didn't see any lava on our trip, we did talk a lot about the Yellowstone caldera and the volcanic explosions there.  I think now we just have to take him to Hawaii so we can really blow his mind with REAL hot lava!  Field trip!!

I am a huge fan of Thomas Locker's books because I love the illustrations.  So I'd recommend this one even if you aren't headed to the mountains anytime soon.

The Camping Trip that Changed America: Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir and our National Parks

Barbara Rosenstock

I had not heard this story before and M found it mildly interesting.  Not as interesting as hot lava, unfortunately, but I liked it!  

Welcome to Yellowstone National Park

Teri Temple

I didn't read this with him on our drive, but I overheard Papa reading it to M before we left on our trip.  It's not a picture book, and was probably too long/advanced for him, but it sounded like it had a lot of interesting information.

Yonder
 Tony Johnston

We borrowed this one, but never had a chance to actually read it together. I want to try it again with him here at home.

Hello, Yellowstone!

At Yellowstone, we bought this board book and really like it.  It's cute and goes through all of the places we visited, as well as others that we didn't get to see (this time).  This was a great souvenir from the trip.

Has anyone read Hello, America?  Please share your recommendations for other kids books about the National Parks - we'd love to plan another trip for next summer!

Weekend Scenes

Who me?  Climb up here?  Never!

Yogurt Bread

Leaf wrestling/snuggling

Finally cutting that summer hair - with a little help from Mr. Rogers

M picked these for me from our yard.

Reading in September

Happy October!  I'm on a mission to read more, so I'm going to try to track my reads every month here.  I'd love to hear what you're reading too and what you recommend!

A History of Western Music

I picked up this book because it was mentioned in the most fascinating Runner's World article about Mirna Valerio.  I love reading about real life runners and she has such an interesting story.  Since our household is becoming so music-oriented, I thought this book would be interesting.  It's really a textbook, and I have never studied music theory or music history so there was way more in it than I could read right now, but I did enjoy reading as much of it as I could (about half-way by the end of the month).

Strong Mothers, Strong Sons

Meg Meeker, M.D.
I really liked The Ten Habits of Happy Mothers and I liked this one too.  I don't think most of it applies to our family life right now (because the boys are so young), but I'm still glad I read it now so that I can refer back to it in the future.  I definitely recommend this to ANY boymom!

The Essential Montessori

Elizabeth G. Hainstock

This was a quick and easy introduction to Montessori.  I've been curious about Montessori for a while, and this book gives a kind of '30,000 feet' broad overview, with highlights from Montessori's own writings.  There wasn't much too it and I basically skimmed it in one evening, so I didn't get a ton out of it. 

The Boston Girl
Anita Diamant
What a great read.  I picked this up after seeing it on Alicia's list here.  I read The Red Tent years ago but hadn't thought about this author in quite a while.  I really enjoyed this book - it reminded me of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, which is my all-time favorite book.  This was a great 'fiction break' for me in the middle of my stack of non-fiction books.  I also love the cover image and think I need a copy of it on my desk, haha!

Better Than Before
Gretchen Rubin
I am really enjoying this book.  I haven't read her other books (about cultivating happiness) but she has a great, conversational writing style.  I just started this one at the end of the month, so I'll pop back in with more on it when I finish it.

Tell me what you are reading!  I have The Fringe Hours and cannot renew it because someone is waiting on it, so I am storming through it now.  What should I read after that?

 

An Adoption Hospital Bag

Both of our boys were born in different towns from ours.  In either case, we really didn't know what to expect when we showed up at the hospital. We didn't know if we would be able to stay with either boy, given a room or if they would just have to hang out in the nursery until discharge.  I thought I would share my packing list in case you are expecting a domestic infant adoption and wondering what to bring!

This is what we brought, and what we did/did not use in our most recent adoption:

A bag for my husband and me
  A pair of PJs (neither of us wore these - we basically wore the same outfit the whole time we were at the hospital (approximately 1.5 days, I think!)
  2 extra outfits - I did change into clean clothes the morning after baby J was born.  The hospital had given us a private room to "room in" with him in the labor/delivery ward.  But I didn't use the shower in the room- that seemed a little weird for me to do!
  Camera, phone and battery chargers - Don't forget your chargers!
  Toiletries
  A gift for our son's mother.
  We both brought a book/work to do while we waited for baby to be born.  I don't think I looked at a single page, but before M was born, D sat in the hallway and took a quiz for his MBA program!

The diaper bag for the baby
  1/2 of a small package of newborn-sized diapers - you never know what the hospital will provide or send you home with.
  4 outfits (2 piece style, with hats) - Baby J wore just a diaper and tops and was swaddled in the hospital blankets until discharge.  Then we dressed him in his sweet little "going home" outfit.
  4 pairs of socks
  2 of the smallest-sized bottles (before we left our house, I added 3 more to end up taking 5) - We didn't use these in the hospital because the nurses gave us those "ready-to-use" disposable ones, which are wonderful and I wish I had a million of those to use the whole first month!!
  1 package of newborn formula (we used Enfamil newborn first) - didn't use until we got home - by the way, my neighbor just told me that Target's formula is also made by Enfamil, has anyone else heard that?
  A pacifier - started using on the drive home, I think!
  A pair of baby mittens - but we didn't use these
  A warm snuggly to wear over his clothes - a must for winter babies, but we didn't use ours since it was unseasonably warm when we took J home. 
  A warm, soft jacket
  2 swaddles - didn't end up using these in the hospital because we swaddled him in the hospital blankets.

I totally forgot burp clothes and really could have used them!  We had some barfisodes in the hospital in the middle of the night that led to several changes of clothing.  Thankfully the nurses were super helpful and kept us well-stocked with receiving blankets and burp cloths.

I think the main thing is just to prepare for anything and be flexible because you never know how the hospital staff handles adoptive situations.  And since adoptions are not all that frequent, much of the staff may have never dealt with one before at all.  With Baby J, there was a very hands-on social worker present, but with M I don't think we ever spoke with a hospital social worker (but my memory could be failing me).

Any other ideas for what to pack for adoptive families? 

Baby J - 8 & 9 Month Update

This boy is busy, busy busy!  As you can probably tell, I can hardly keep up with him, his older brother and this blog!

8 Month Update: he is a [mini] man on a mission.  The champion of the army crawl and not afraid of any stairs.  He loves to eat anything - including sand, leaves, and dirt.  Trips to the playground are not very relaxing for me - he wants out of the stroller NOW and is crawling like crazy through the sand.  I really miss McEuen park and its turf!

9 Month Update: Baby J has graduated from his army crawl and bear crawl to a full-on speed crawl.  We have gated off our play area, but if he spies an open door, he can sure get to it quickly!  When M plays outside and I've kept him in on the porch, he pulls up to the window and loves to just stand there and yell at M.  He is pulling up and cruising up and down the couch and anything else!  He is definitely a "gross motor baby" as my Mom and I call him. 

 He has 3 teeth poking through, too!!  Two on top and 1 on the bottom.  What a grin with those chompers, too.  He is babbling more and definitely saying "Dadadada" but not meaning it yet.  He hates to be gated in the playroom while I'm cooking dinner, and mostly stands at the gate and yells at me!  He still loves to snuggle in the Ergo and come along with us wherever we go, and he is great in the double stroller on a run, loving M's constant narration/questions.

I think we are all going to be due for haircuts, this weekend, don't you think?  Baby J, we love and adore you!  You are a tremendous blessing to our lives!

7QT: 7 Scenes from Summer

I've been meaning to post this for awhile, but I'm running out of time before summer officially ends!  So bear with me for a little flashback trip over some highlights from our summer:

1.  Our grand road trip/move from beautiful Idaho to Minnesota (also lovely - but completely different!)

There is nothing like Montana.

2.  We bought a house!  Yikes/yay.  This is our porch.  Not our furnishings.  I need some serious interior design help!

We have a picket fence!  Does it get more suburban/quaint than that?!

3.

Beach week.  Heavenly!

4.

One month of city life in Minneapolis.  We walked everywhere and it was a great [loud] adventure!

5.

A trip to the Sculpture Garden!

6.

Lots and lots of lake time.

7.

Another glorious trip to Florida!  We are already making the most of the direct flights. =)

Bonus pick: back to running/jogging/walking together in our new double Bob.  I love my sweet running buddies!

On we go to Fall and all things apple/pumpkin whatever.  The lake cabin is all closed up so we're looking forward to doing some more exploring around our local area.  Have a wonderful week, y'all!

Check out more Quick Takes here! 

Weekend Getaway

A couple of weeks ago, we were so lucky to get a little weekend getaway to visit my parents and sisters in FL.  I flew by myself with the boys and they were super travelers.  My parents generously took us here.  There's just no place like the beach!

The happiest little baby on the beach.

 

Sister time!

#Floridalove

I brought some seashells home and put them by our front door.  A little touch of home in the Midwest.

Have a wonderful, restful Labor day weekend! 

Life Lately

Happy September!  Here is a little bit of what we've been doing....

 Blessed by #BlessedisShe

I went to a "Blessed Brunch" recently in Saint Paul.  The brunch was hosted by the Minnesota writers of this website, Blessed Is She, which I stumbled upon earlier this year and I can't even recall why or how I found it!  Anyway, the event was lovely and refreshing and the warmest welcome.  The website presents the daily readings and a short devotional, among other things.  It has been a great way for me to quickly find the daily readings when I can't get my Bible in hand.  The food was delicious and it is so inspiring to meet women living out their faith in their daily lives with joy.  Blessed is She is worth a look if you haven't checked it out already!

Homeownership Fun

Not a day goes by that I don't think "I love our house!"  Phew!  No buyer's remorse here - although the dishwasher isn't working so well and the washing machine conked out on us.  And there is way too much brown in this house - I'm looking forward to freshening up the place and making it as bright as possible!  

Baby on the Move

We have a "sunken" living room that I call the playroom.  It was functioning as a natural playpen for baby J, but he has recently figured out how to climb right up that one stair.  He is starting to push up on to his hands and feet, and will occasionally regular-crawl.  And he loves to pull up to standing too.  Yikes!

What's new with you?

Fort Matanzas National Monument

When we were down in Florida, we took the little boys on an adventure to Fort Matanzas.  A boat ride, a fort to climb all over and a shoreline to explore -- they were in heaven!  [And, they might have even learned a little something!]

This place is GREAT, especially for small kids.  My mom said she brought us here several times when we were little.  It's FREE!  So our crew of little dudes were pumped to ride the boat over and back and explore the fort.  We couldn't get enough tickets for us all to go, so I stayed at the Visitor Center with baby J, D and my brother in law.

The short nature trail/board walk is the perfect length for little legs and our little Idahoan was fascinated by all of the lizards.  If you are in the St. Augustine area and need a break from the beach or the crowds downtown, go here for a morning outing.  It's not far but it is the perfect amount of adventure and history.

5...6...7 months - Baby J Updates!

How has time flown by so quickly with this little guy!

By five months.....he started rolling both ways from front to back and now from back to front.  We also started solid foods, and he is thrilled to get anything in his mouth.

By six months....he was quickly rolling himself across the room to get what he wants.

By seven months....he is now "army crawling" and getting up on his hands and knees/rocking back and forth.  I know he'll be crawling soon and I don't think I can handle it!  We're experimenting with mushed up banana pieces and cheerios to work on self-feeding - although he just gets super frustrated when he can't quite get the food in his mouth.  It is hilarious because the look on his face is like the most dissatisfied restaurant customer ever!

He loves taking baths and sits up in the baby bath tub and splashes like crazy.  He's still not a great sleeper and only sleeps through the night on occasion.  But, we've been through so many transitions lately (on the road, in FL, living in a studio apartment! etc.) that I can't blame him for his interrupted sleep.  He weighs 23 pounds and wears size 12 month clothes, so I was getting my workout carrying him around Minneapolis.  He can sit up without immediately toppling over, and he can lean forward from sitting to get himself into position to crawl and push himself back up to sit.   He doesn't babble but he loves to laugh, squeal and scream (haha!).  Daddy needs some ear plugs!  He is still super duper smiling, loves to pull hair and will drag himself across the room to play with his big brother.  I love getting to watch him change and grow day by day.  He is a miracle and a blessing.  We love you baby J!