Visiting Calm

For those of you who know me March is usually a very fun month for me. It has my very favorite Holiday- Love the Irish!!!, spring is starting to sprout, my beautiful baby was born, and well overall it just is.
This year- not so much.
Starting with the morning of the second day visit to the ER to the ensuing progression of difficulties (how is a person supposed to "kinda" be on bed rest with a two year old?). I like to think I work hard at looking at positives and when I can't find any I work till I feel better. Unfortunately, this is not so much an option with this baby.
This weekend though did spark a bit of the old for me. Ryan and I were able to load up the car and little guy (with DVD player) and travel the five hours to Baker City to visit his Aunt and Uncle. We went because I had business in Ontario, but the real joy was the visiting. I love Baker! For me it is the idyllic little town, part of this I know is simply because we don't live there and see all the troubles and when we go we get to have relaxing meals with family and their retired friends sharing intellectual conversation and fun stories. It is so fun for me to be back in a Valley town with surrounding mountains and clear views of wilderness, anitque"y" stores and knowing almost everyone who comes through the coffee shop.
It was also a wonderful sight to see my little Quinnster on the ground gently playing with Jinx, aunt Sandy's sweet tabby, or sitting on the front porch steps with Uncle Rod quizzing him on everything in the neighborhood. These like this help remind me that he isn't a little demon out to terrorize his mother, but rather just a sweet little kid exploring his world with a mischievous side to him too (genetically inherited from his father.)
Of course it also helps that I can always count on Aunt Sandy to send me home with a great stack of books, that I quickly devour (yep, already down by one and it was a laugh out loud read- Thank you sooo much.)
I am also very grateful that as the month is on the end stretch I have a trip to California this weekend coming. Can't wait to celebrate Quinn's second birthday at Disneyland with my family!
Already have my massage scheduled for when I get in. Here's to hoping it will help me kick off a much better April- Go dtaitní an ghrian go bog bláth ar do chlár éadain!

Chaos, Chocolate, and Sick Kids

Chaos how I Love and Hate thee...
So far 2010 has been a very crazy roller coaster, don't get me wrong I like roller coasters but there is a reason that they are not recommended for pregnant women.
We have enjoyed beautiful weather the last week or so as the rest of the country has been racked with Snowpalooza courtesy of Mr. El Nino year. Feeling very proud of myself as I was able to go out and depoopify our yard (thanks to 3 dogs) and started the riding lawn mower. I love having a lush green lawn that I don't have to march through to get to the "little" play structure we have in the back. I also supervised the building of our coop-it is still in progress, but that is totally fine- for our brand new five little chicks we purchased to raise eggs. My MIL is very proud of her new "farmer" status. And over two days I started prepping our garden area, absolutely cannot wait until I have veggies and fruit growing in my yard, so much satisfaction.
But as I was rudely reminded this early am as I was trying to dealing with a hacking little boy racked with snot pouring out of his nose a pregnant momma can only do so much before she has to call it quits or she may not make it through the full 10 months.
Yep, this one has to be a girl, because she is already trying to play boss over her momma. Must be genetic and I can't say I am totally pleased that it has passed on. Not to mention how much more of a blubber butt I have been and over the craziest little things. Or not to mention the feeling of defeat as I was only five pounds away from my goal weight and then instantly packed on ten in the first month and have already had to put on the prego pants to keep from absolute agony in my hips. Children!
As I whine about all this, I hear myself laugh as my toddler begs for his Disney sing along so he can dance with the kitties and the monkeys or points to the family picture and can point out everyone except himself because he is not a "baby", so much joy, so many tears.
And as you probably notice my post are picture free, not necessarily because I don't take pictures (which admittedly I am not very good at getting) but because I have hit the lazy point of not wanting to take the effort to download them, sorry but I am claiming the right.
Speaking of rights, I want to know who gave the right to Girl Scouts to sell crazy good cookies at only one time in the year so you feel the need to buy 11 boxes. Hmmm?
Now that is an issue we need to be working on- I mean come on how can you not eat the whole box of Tag-a-longs when you know there are 5 other people in the house just waiting to get their hands on them?
And on top of it at my first appt. they gave me a gift certificate to See's for one-pound box of chocolates. What the heck! As grateful as I am don't get mad at me when I gain the recommended baby weight in the first trimester when you offer a crazy hormonal woman such temptations.
Oh yeah lovin' the ups and downs! Now if I could just get my little boy to feel better and not want to be carried everywhere I think I may just make it through the week- but I wouldn't place any bets, roller coasters are renowned for having break down issues at the top of the climb. Back to my Samoas while no one else is around.

My little Man

He would only let his dad cut his hair, and the locks fell. His hair was starting to look pretty raggedy, but he was my little Dennis the Menace.
Now he is full on little man. His Elison roots are shining right on through as many times I catch him looking just like my nephew Jacob Alfred.
Everyday is a new treat with him. He has the Little Einstein's Rocket Blast Off down pat, loves the Backyardigins and Go Diego GO! Beyond TV, which I admit he watches way to much of, he is a great climber, loves to pretend he is a dog (as he barks at people coming to the house and likes to drink out of puddles), and is gung ho about ice cream and sausage.
As winter seems to be holding at bay this year (I know it's just waiting to hit me with a surprise frost), I am having lots of anticipation for this coming spring. I truly can't wait for berry picking, gardens growing and fun outdoors. Almost there, for now I'll just have to bide my time reading my books, dreaming up projects, and watching my little man explore his world.

Marco. . .Marco. . .

Yep, it's me. Crazy I know. Thought I disappeared off the universe huh?
Truth is I have been running at chaotic speeds, until I crash and then I sit around and spend hours watching the Disney Channel with my little terror.
I realized I had truly hit the mommy mode when I could name all the Sesame Street Characters and what they sing and do, and we don't even watch the show (it's from the computer games and the books we read.)
I guess I am at the baby book stage. I have procrastinated so long that now I have give just a quick synopsis of the last couple of months and then just move forward.

So here it goes.

I am the traveling Queen! Yes, I know a lot of you think I am crazy, but I actually do enjoy my trips in the car and the air travel I go through.
Since July: I have been down to California to visit Family including a trip to Knott's
Quinn got this doll from a really cool guy at the end of the day just for being cute- Even Quinn was shocked!

My dad took Quinn on this boat ride, it was only his second actual ride ever. He did pretty good until it went sideways and then he freaked- he likes to stick to the car rides :)

Also was able to see my cousin graduate from dive school.
Daniel with his daughter Ava- so proud!

Went to Medford area for work,

Nashville for training and to see my wonderful in-laws there

Me with my Slumber Mamma Monica and Liz Mitchell (My awesome roommate and super slumber sister)

I got to meet Mary Christiansen (best network guru out there in my opinion), Liz let me borrow her book for the plane ride home- isn't she great.

Had my sister Emily and her beautiful little girl here in October for a visit
Halloween,

then Mike's (my FIL) mother Coral for a visit, a trip to Houston to help my adopted sister (yes, I consider her part of the family) and her family (also a write off, because she hooked me up with some awsome ladies down there for business), a visit from my parents (which included Thanksgiving and an insane Black Friday shopping trip (to be discussed later)), a visit to Baker City/ Ontario,OR for family and work Quinn was totally fine with Santa-UNTIL- the little girl in front broke down into hysterics and the evil elf tried to take away his candy cane. Of course Aunt Sandy laughed like crazy at it all, she has a sick sense of holiday humor- but we love her anyway.

, and then back down to Medford area for work.
Deep Breath
On top of it all I spend the rest of my time running after Quinn, who is determined to prove to his mother that one child is all she can handle.



Yes, I have heard that he needs someone to play with, but I have seen how he treats our three dogs and I worry as to what he'll do with an infant.
Christmas is almost here and my year has flown by with so much to ponder. For now though I repeat to myself constantly "Breathe, it will all be fine." Enjoy, because as this year has proved to me- life really does fly past in a blink.

Fourth of July

Okay it was actually the Fifth, but it was our own fireworks show and we love to see the Sparkles.
Quinn proves to be following in his parents path and jumped right in and wanted to light them off with his uncle and dad. We had quite the display and we quickly went through quite the selection.
I love his enthusiasm for life if not his uncontrollable desire to drive his mother insane.

Moving Day

I'm told I need to update more. Here is what I can get in today as I feel the summer literally fading away and the Fall moving in. Don't get me wrong I LOVE this season, but it unfortunately always starts out with a cold, so as I recoup I am revisiting the warmer days.
The day we moved into the "Big House" (it's okay my mother-in-law calls our old place the "outhouse") was pretty much organized chaos. Luckily, we had good weather and lots of Rahul's friends around to help us get things moved.
Quinn decided he was just going to live on the deck-

Swiftly Flying through Summer

Yeah, Yeah- I know it has been since June. The Project bug hit hard this summer and unfortunately it gives off immunities to the writing bug :)

So it is my goal this week to catch up on all we have done this summer and just so you all know I am very impressed with the many changes you have all had too. Moves, babies, trips, and just plain growth is always inspiring.

Had to catch this one while he was sleeping. He is moving and grooving so quickly anymore I can hardly keep up. Definitely a collector- notice all the animals he insists on having on his bed.

I thought they captured him pretty darn well, considering he had absolutely no nap that day.

Now to the projects:

New rooms- this summer was kicked off by a household switch-up. My In-laws moved up to the back house and we took over the Big house. Ryan is extremely happy to be able to raise his family in the home he grew up in. Quinn has his own room now to keep all his goodies in.

My Space :) This is my new office. I am working very hard to expand and build up my business. It has been a true joy making friends with the other distributors around here.

The office is also our guest room for distant friends and family to come and visit (hint hint)

Ryan says it's definitely ready for when we have a girl- not sure I am willing to give it up.

Lots of painting done. Rahul got on the Wagon too and decided he needed to add some color to his bathroom. Turned out pretty darn good I think.

MMM. I love the way my garden grows. . . so does Quinn, he's constantly sneaking in grab a bite.

New finish on the dining table.

New Floors. Yes, Ryan and I became ambitious while Mike and Geri were on the Anniversary6 trip and completely redid the upstairs floors. Aren't they loverly?

We also repainted and restained all the decks so they would be ready for this fall.

And then we have the real garden-

Blueberry bushes

Grafted cherry tree

And all the rest

We have had quite a harvest already and we can't wait for the next round to start. I have also canned peaches and will probably have to can some of our tomatoes.

To add to the rest of the list we had a HUGE yard sale that cleared out one and a half garages and funded some of the other stuff. And this is just what I did here. LOL

Hard to believe how quickly we are back to school shopping and returning to the routines, but I have to say it has been a pretty successful summer even it wasn't all that relaxing.