Expanding vocabulary

We can finally say Gabbie has some vocabulary after the past week! Here are the favorite words: Harper, Abby, and apple. Here are the things she refuses to say: Mom, Dad. Harper is the baby at daycare, Abby is the daycare providers daughter, and apple is just one of her favorite foods. We know she goes to an excellent daycare. I guess we just thought she'd start with the words we say the most at home!! Stubbornness, who knows where she would have inherited that from?
She is so well behaved lately (for a 19 month old!) She puts things back where she got them when instructed, helps in the garden, and is even sitting still a little longer in church. She's also frequently found sitting with a book and blabbing to herself as she turns the pages.

It is good that she is behaving well lately, as she has had to be a flexible child! My home health caseload tripled, so she is in and out of other people's houses with me in the evenings and tolerates it well. We spent Friday night packaging meat and she was able to entertain herself for 2 hours by playing in the garage and outside within our line of sight.

I have been utilizing her naptimes lately to catch up on the photo albums. I'm up to September of 2009, so getting closer! It has been fun to watch Gabbie grow in fast-forward as I put the pictures together. Everytime I advance another month I think to myself "and I thought we were busy then!"

A recent picture of Gabbie (a little 'greasy' looking as Brice would say, but that's what happens when we spend the day outside!)

Dam to Dam 2010

Well, I am alive to tell about it, though I am not sure I'll be able to get off the chair I am sitting on! Things were questionable Friday...several 'bowel' issues (yes, I'm sure you want to hear about that) made me think I was just nervous for some reason. Its not typical of me to feel nervous so early. Then as we were getting ready to walk out the door to head to Des Moines I puked in the kitchen sink. Brice thought that was a great choice-I told him it was so he did not have to bend over to far to clean it up :-) I was sick the rest of the evening, finding it difficult just to carry the suitcase up to the hotel room. Saturday morning I found myself up at 4:00 a.m. wondering if my stomach would hold out. I wish my concern hadn't been so focused on being sick...maybe then I would have realized it was raining and the poncho in my car may have come in handy! The common sense in me told me that if I did have the flu bug it was ridiculous for me to even try this. But the part of me I decided to listen to was the part that said "hey, you paid for this race, a hotel room, your husband and child are here, you've trained, suck it up"! Thankfully the support of some local friends, plus 7500 other crazy distance runners, helped me feel better with each mile-although having kept some nutrition down on Friday may have helped me feel even more strong! I have not seen my "official" time yet. I really do not care what it was. All I know was it was a little better than I had planned, which meant Brice and Gabrielle missed the finish-which was insanely crowded anyway! I am thankful to the friends I ran with along the way, as well as my I-pod friends Heart, REO Speedwagon, Michael Jackson, and Journey :-) And especially to the big guy above for a safe trip and the ability to run.

Afterwards Brice says to me "Its so funny, all the runners look about the same. What makes you want to do these things?" I believe the question was sparked by him hearing my knees crack as I sat on the edge of the bed. Its so hard to explain...I used to do marathons, so honestly I feel like I am being more reasonable and sane now than I was then. I can not say its because I am great at it-its not like I'm winning the race and getting a big prize (though the finisher medal is always great!) It just feels good, like for many brief moments in time both of my feet are off the ground, and for a couple of hours all I have to do is listen to my music or book on tape and look at all of the beautiful things God has provided to us. Its time I don't have to worry about my job, cleaning the house, cooking, helping with farm work, keeping Gabbie safe, paying bills, or any of the other shoes we all wear everyday. I just have to put my running shoes on and keep moving forward and enjoy the things around me. I think about a lot of 'life' things, but while I'm running all I can do about any of them is say a prayer. I'm still not sure Brice gets it, but I don't get sitting out in below zero weather to hunt deer either...
The rest of the day was fun as well. We picked up a couple of things for Brice at Northern Tool, did some searching for eggplant and brussel sprouts for the garden with no success, and went out to lunch with an ice cream stop on the way home.
Here are some pictures of the day. None from the finish line, but had to get some with our future sumo wrestler runner at the hotel room.

Me with my finisher medal :)

 I think this is how we all felt after the day!

"If you live properly, the dreams will come to you..."

This is always a good, and much needed, attitude adjustment for me every now and then!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

A tired weekend...

This weekend has been one of much physical labor...I think we are already wishing for a weekend to rest up from the weekend!! Of course who doesn't usually need that?

Friday I spent a chunk of the afternoon re-arranging the living room. We don't have curtains in the living room yet, which makes the very little time we do spend watching TV difficult due to the glare on the screen. So, I was able to arrange that to be in a corner and the couch to be facing the window-a nice view of the pond while reading a book and drinking morning coffee! Also...a little more 'child friendly'. Our computer was just a little too tempting for Gabbie to play with, so its now in a corner where the cords and outlets are out of reach. Saturday was spent weaning baby calves-always a fun job-and moving the remainder of the items from upstairs to the livestock trailer for temproary storage. Good thing we had a 3rd person to help. I handed the items out the window to Brice, who handed them down to his friend Brandon to load into the trailer. Somehow amongst the trim pieces, closets (everything is being saved to put back in later) there were also 3 bed frames and 3 or 4 matressess, which need to find homes before the mice use them as a home, and a few chairs. Other furniture is sitting in corners of the main floor, and memorabilia items went in places of the basement we are hoping water does not find. I have a problem with the cluttered look...I feel I did a good job this weekend of making lots of things look like they belong...

Doesn't it look like the middle of the dining room is a good place for these items? :-)

The tractor in the front yard seems normal after a messy winter and now house projects!

I do love our house, but I will be glad when we can spread out a little by using the upstairs. I am mostly looking forward to not having to tip-toe around while Gabbie is sleeping, maybe we'll be able to manage a consistent bedtime before 9:00pm and a happier child in the morning? Its worth a try!

We attended a couple graduations on Saturday night...Gabbie decided she was going to steal someone else's food. Guess we hadn't fed her enough?!

Sunday was a day of yardwork, and I was glad Brice did the majority of this today. He is much better with the lawn mowing and trimming than I am. I'm usually a little hesitant of hitting something. Gabbie and I spent some time in the garden-I don't have those pictures downloaded yet. I would go down a row with the hoe and she would follow next to me! I lost a few onions in the process, but I'm not going to scold someone who likes hanging out in a garden with me.

I was also able to get a long run in thanks to Brice's mom watching Gabbie. I think it was a little over 9 miles. Its been difficult to stick with the training for the upcoming Dam to Dam with my knee pain and our crazy schedule and the windy conditions making running with the stroller difficult. So today was a good confidence builder, as I even did it non-stop. Those long runs are good for gathering and organizing thoughts, relaxing, and coming home a happier and better Mommy and wife! It would probably be easier to just drink a few glasses of wine, but so far the running mode seems healthier.

Here's to a great upcoming week, continued progress in the field, and a continued safe and healthy Spring!

My first ever Triathlon

Hooray! I've always wanted to try a triathlon, but I also thought it would be one of those things I would talk about and never do. A couple months ago the opportunity came up-a local one with shorter distances (a "spring triathlon"). It consisted of a 300 yard swim (6 laps), 25 K bike (15.5 miles), and a 5K run (3.1 miles). The day started out a little rocky...on the drive up there I came upon a detour which took an extra 20 minutes or so, then the anxiety kicked in of realizing I had no clue what I was doing. Where do I start? Where do I put my bike? Just how in the heck does this all work?
I do not have any fun pictures to post, as I usually go to these 'events' (runs, etc) on my own and selfishly call them my "Melanie days". I jam out to 80's and 90's hits in the car during the drive, usually find a place to do a little shopping, then head home exhausted and refreshed at the same time. So, no one along to take pics. Anyway, the swim was indoors with a 'staggered' sort of start, everyone had their own start time based on the time we had turned in for the swim. Slower people went first-so, based on that I was 3rd in line of 250 or so participants! I've always been a slow swimmer, no surprize to me.

The swim went great and I was slightly impressed with myself. After that we ran outside a bit, then into a gym. Something weird about running outside in my swimsuit on a windy day, but at least I looked like an idiot with everyone else and not alone. Since I've basically lost any competitive drive I ever may have had, I chatted with someone who was waiting their turn for the swim while I prepared myself to get on my bike. Everyone else was hustling, even jogging with their bikes out the door. I was thinking to myself "if these people were 40-50 years older I would have so much business...I was also thinking about how totally inexperienced I must have looked. Everyone had tools near their bikes to make any repairs needed. I was just glad I'd remembered the required helmet!

I thought the bike would be the easy part, though I have not been doing much bike riding. Here is how the bike went (it was very windy this morning):
Miles 1-6: Wow, what a beautiful day for a ride! The countryside here is so pretty, good temperatures, won't be long and I'll be running.
Mile 7: Oh...we've been with the wind this whole time, and the course is out and back...this isn't looking so great....I wish I had my I-pod...
Mile 8: Do I have to turn around!?! Okay, you can do this...you used to run further than this bike ride amounts to, c'mon old lady...
Mile 9: There sure are a lot of cattle around here...there are a lot of bales sitting there...maybe if I hadn't broken the baler last year we would have had more too...maybe I can time another maternity leave for the fall so I can be home to help with that this year...no...too late...
Mile 10: Seriously that has to be the 20th person who has passed me....what is with the skinny bike tires? Maybe that's my problem....wrong kind of bike...
Mile 11: I still wish I had my I-pod...
Mile 12: How can my body be cold from being damp, but my legs are on fire? Seriously burning...
Mile 13: Okay...there is a sherriff at the next intersection...if I just explain to him that I just can't finish this...will he be mad at me for doing this while not being in shape for it, or will I get a ride back to town?
Mile 14: 3 numb toes on the left...haven't had that since my epidural while in labor, and I'm starting to think that was easier...way easier...
Mile 15: Okay-this is the part I've been waiting for....I can get off this bike and run!
So...turns out the bike ride was hard, but I found the transition from sitting on my behind bent over for that long to upright running was even tougher. Here's how the run went:
Mile 1: Forget form...just do what you gotta do and don't stop...
Miles 2 & 3: Awesome :) Runners high....this is something I actually know how to do, and feel comfortable with...

Overall this was a great experience. I need to step out of my comfort zone once in awhile and try something new. The wind was hard to deal with on the bike-never felt like I had that much trouble even on Ragbraii. Its always so amazing how everyone cheers each other on and plugs away to the finish, and all the volunteers that go into running such an event is huge-they were all great :)

The other great part-I was close to Sioux City, so why not do a little shopping? 2 or 3 stores and I was so tired-just did enough to get upcoming shower, wedding, and graduation gifts. I was most disappointed in my poor endurance for shopping today!

The best part-coming home to my favorite 18 month old just as she woke from a nap :) Now its time for me to try again to go to sleep...the leg discomfort and feeling of excitement both seem to be keeping me awake tonight (and my online search for another triathlon)!

Momma Hundling's Day off

I had the day off this week on Thursday, and what a much needed and beautiful day to be home! The day started off with a run before the wind became too annoying. I came home to a child who was still sleeping and a breakfast request of pancakes, to which I added caramel sprinkles-very very good! By the picture to the right it is obvious that us girls decided this would be a day we wouldn't bother to comb our hair or put crayons on our face (other than sidewalk chalk!)

We spent the morning 'spring cleaning' the kitchen, sorting through Gabbie's clothing to box up small clothes (a monthly task anymore!), and helping Brice before the rainy night started. Gabbie's naptime was good for catching up on bookwork. And we took good advantage of the wind by doing all the laundry and hanging it outside to dry! Gabbie tagged along for a home health visit and a quick trip to the grocery store to stock up on the basics. The day started with being reminded we had no bread, very little milk, and no more clean clothes, and by the end of the day we were exhausted but order had been restored!

Here is Gabbie modeling her morning attire-PJ's and boots!

C'mon Mom! Lets go shopping!

We enjoyed walking around and saying Hi to the ducks :)

Better water the flowers, then we can be sure it will rain tonight!

All of us girls had a fun day :)

We have quite the busy weekend coming up, so good thing we got our work done on our day at home! Gabbie will spend Saturday with a sitter while I go participate in my first ever triathalon...Sunday she'll hang out with Brice while I go to a wedding shower and a Discovery Toys party, then that evening we will help celebrate a First Communion. Whew! Next week Gabbie will have her 18 month pictures. She did well on her hearing test that was done this past week as well. Now if she would only learn to mow lawn we'd be on a roll :-)

Recent Happenings

The snow is gone, Spring is here, and time is flying! Things have been busy here, mostly with winter storm clean-up and getting things back in shape. The garden is half planted, just waiting for May to plant peppers, tomatoes, etc. Radishes are up already, as well as spinach. All my tomato and pepper plants are outside adjusting in the greenhouse Brice built me last year. Sure can't wait for that first tomato sandwich of the year! Gabbie has enjoyed getting her hands in the dirt as well!

We have had our first night fishing at the pond. Neighbor Tyler came to join also! Pictures will be posted soon-they are currently on my camera that I can not find at the moment (a common problem around here-good thing its a fairly cheap camera and I download frequently!). We had a great time! I always enjoy fishing, since I do not bait my own hook or take the fish off. I basically just sit and relax! The only problem is that since this night we went fishing, Gabbie feels free to run down to the pond anytime she is outdoors. I need to keep her on a leash when she's out of the house between that and the electric fence containing the cattle around here!

Some fun pictures of outdoors time-not uncommon for Gabbie to stay outside for hours at a time (and throw a tantrum when its time to come inside!)

As most people know, we "replaced" Brice's old Toyota. Found a great bargain on a Nissan. So much debating between doing that or updating the "family car" to a van or cross-over. We are thrilled with our decision, as it means an affordable car that is running well and no car payment. Gabbie (aka Mom) loves the sunroof! An added benefit: this car has a cassette player. The "family car" has a CD player. So in the morning I pick the car to take to work based on which book I want to listen to, ha ha.

Gabbie had a very brief illness this past week. Took her to the doctor with a very high temperature (103) and all they could tell was it was 'something viral'. In about 36 hours she was back to happy Gabbie, so it was thankfully short lived! She still has very little clarity to her words...lots of babbling, with inflection that sounds as if she's participating in conversation. She sits and reads books, flipping the pages and moving her fingers on the objects, but just babbling that can not be understood. We had been told at her 15 month check up to "wait and see how she is at 18 months", and we are fast approaching her 18 month birthday. We aren't ignorant to the fact that she should be saying more words by now. She definitely should be telling us when she wants milk, up, down, etc, but its still mostly a guessing game. Time flies so fast here-now getting into planting season, I hate to keep waiting if there are things we should be doing to help her. I do still believe she is just perfect otherwise-tonight after I made bars we sat on our chairs outside and licked out the bowl and the beaters!! Now seriously, does it get better than that?! (for those worried....this is a dessert recipe that calls for no eggs, so it was safe to eat the batter). I wish I could have found my camera for a picture of her chocolate covered beautiful face!

Hope everyone is having a great Spring so far! If Gabbie would leave them alone, I'd post pictures of my blooming tulips! Maybe later this week...