No. I'm not the one asking. But I have been asked that by several well meaning friends "back in the States" who are beginning their spring garden planning and "tired" of winter. (I hope you know I'm only teasing you, Ruth!)
But in all seriousness... I have extreme Spring Envy right now. I had a luxuriously long chat with a dear friend of mine in California this past week. She's a fellow "farm girl", only she REALLY does farm, and I'm still dreaming about it. It was nice to talk to her while she simultaneously tended her own children, the chickens, the goat, and various other tasks while we chatted. We were halfway through our conversation when I recognized a sound I haven't heard in nearly a year... frogs, croaking in the background. I was immediately envious of the flow of farm life, the croaking of frogs, the hum of crickets... and longing to actually have a current need to pore over seed catalogs and plan my spring planting, which my friend will be doing in a matter of weeks.
For those of you asking... planting season here does not start until June 1st. In a moment of pure envy, I did ask a local friend of mine, "WHEN is spring going to come?" Don't get me wrong. I really have enjoyed our first winter here. I like the weather, I like the snow, and yes, in a sadistic sort of way, I even like the dark. But all those frogs croaking and talking with my gal pal about goats and hens kind of got me hankering to have my farm girl dreams realized, and get my hands into some dirt. Only our dirt is still definitely frozen.
According to my local friend, it's going to stay frozen for a while yet. I think this friend of mine heard the SLIGHT desperation in my question, because she kind of giggled before answering. According to her, the snow will start to melt the end of this month, but not be totally gone until mid or even late April. And no, the ground probably won't thaw before then.
The upside to that... I should be nice and "recovered" from labor and delivery by then to maybe get a little ambitious, and get a couple things in the ground.
***
And, in baby news.... things are going well. We are officially far enough along to no longer have to worry about being sent to Anchorage to deliver! Hooray! Um... this also means that I am DUE in about 6 weeks. Goodness, I don't know where the time has gone. And somehow, another week managed to slip by without the baby preparations being done. You'd almost start to think I am the procrastinating type. Hard to believe that with Beans, I had the nursery painted and everything bought and stashed away before I hit the halfway point on my pregnancy. How I managed to get six weeks away from my due date with getting almost nothing done is beyond me.
There is also rumor among the midwife office that I am going to be sent to Fairbanks to "nest". This is a truly Alaskan term, I think. But the midwife has said that moms who have had more than one baby are not "allowed" to sit in rural areas until they go into labor. Apparently our insurance company agrees... they would rather pay for a hotel for a couple weeks than risk needing a medevac on the side of the road.
Hmph.
Well... we'll see how that goes. Meanwhile, I guess I'd really better think about getting a suitcase packed. I should at least do that much, to get ready.
I am also going to add this note, on getting ready for baby:
I know I haven't been posting as regularly. I really DO tend to get kind of anti-social shortly before having a baby. Like the entire third trimester. Especially the last month of pregnancy. I am enormous right now. I can't see my feet. I can't even put my own socks on. So if there are long absences from Moose Nuggets on the blog, I have either decided
a) the world can go to you-know-where in a hand basket
b) that I would rather be taking a nap than updating my blog
or
c) actually gone into labor. If that happens, I will try my best to get on here and let people know the New Nugget has arrived. But between labor, delivery, breastfeeding, dirty diapers, busy (and yes, still nursing) toddler, and the fact that my husband is going to be home driving me insane for several weeks (ahem, I meant to say he would be home "helping")... that may not happen. If any of my absences extend into mid-April, you can probably guess that I have finally been relieved of being pregnant.
Until April (hopefully, anyway) you can otherwise assume that I am feeling rather anti-social... or napping.
***
In Other News:
We've been busy, busy, busy! We have had beautiful weather these last few weeks. Most days, the temps have hovered in the 20s, and we have been bundling Beans up to play in the snow, which is a current favorite way to spend her afternoons. She looks much like the younger brother in "A Christmas Story", bundled up, and every time we get her dressed for the snow, I expect to hear her say, "I can't put my arms down!" But she loves it. J sets her in the snow and she goes right to toddling around the building, stopping occasionally to throw snow at daddy, or wave to mommy who is watching the fun from inside most days. (A recent slip on the ice reminded me why pregnant women don't need to be trekking through the snow.)
Beans loves to be out in the snow so much that we have found it impossible to get her in without bribing her with a cup of "hot cocoa" (which is actually just warmed ovaltine and milk). She heads in, shivering and arms outstretched for her hot cocoa, while allowing me to get her unbundled, then settles in for a good snuggle while she warms up.
We have also ventured out quite a bit into Delta Junction... daydreaming about buying a home, and thinking about making some long-term plans to stay here. No, no... nothing set in stone thus far, just some lofty dreaming and future planning. As far as immediate plans go, we are still just chugging along and waiting to have this baby.
Still on our "routine" around here, for the most part... playgroups, housework, moose watching, and gazing longingly out the window for glimpses of our fox friend, whose prints in the newly laid snow suggest he has been visiting, but he remains elusive.
The sun has been rising earlier and setting later, setting a new rhythm to our day, and contributing to the Spring Fever I'm feeling. Even on cold days, it's hard to resist the draw of the brightly shining sun. It prods you out of bed, and with a handful of clear days recently, the view has been spectacular. Mountains with fresh blankets of snow surround the horizon, the sun comes up in golds and pinks, and sets in purples and reds. I found myself surprised last night, as our went through our normal after-dinner routine of closing the shades and getting Beans ready for a bath... we had eaten dinner later than usual, and even as I drew the shades at the later hour (around 7 pm), I was surprised to still have some "daylight" and twilight JUST beginning to set in. It nearly made me sad to close the shades, and made me aware of how the long hours of summer light can easily deceive you here. The longer the days get, the more likely you are to truly lose track of time... staying up later and later, and rising earlier and earlier. A very odd circadian rhythm.
It also made me aware at how the time change this weekend will affect our day. I can't hardly imagine... daylight at 7 or even 8 pm again?
While I am looking forward to spring with renewed zeal, I am also sad to see our long, dark days coming to an end...
***
Well readers, it's time for me to get anti-social. More specifically, it is also time for me to answer to the persistent calls of "Momma" coming from the crib upstairs. Seems that Beans' nap is officially over, and since I decided to keep y'all informed today instead of taking a nap myself, it is DEFINITELY time for a cup of coffee.
Until next time... which will be the next time I'm not feeling anti-social, too tired, or otherwise in labor...
Happy Moose Trails!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Would You, Could You, With a Fox?
Oh, I probably don't have a whole lot to say today, but I had to share!
I had every intention of going to bed early last night, especially since I didn't manage to get my mandatory third trimester nap in yesterday. Instead, I decided I was going to "just really quickly check my email", then go to bed.
There is no such thing as "quickly" checking email, I have decided.
Long story short, I was up late emailing a response to a friend of mine. By the time I looked up, a couple hours had gone by and I am pretty sure that J was likely at the fire station, fuming about the fact that I hadn't called to say "good night" yet.
See, we have this family rule... he doesn't call me at night. Every time he does, the phone wakes up Beans, then we are all up late because after I get little Beans back off to bed, I call him back to holler at him for waking her up. (I know, very productive...)
The thing is... um, I had just received a stern husband lecture a few days ago about how I tend to get distracted by certain things (um, maybe email was mentioned, now that I think about it?), and that generally means that J is exhausted and tired, and waiting for me to call him, so he can go to bed.
I'll politely and kindly omit the fact that the other guys at the station have mentioned the late-night Halo games and other video game matches that run into the wee hours of the morning, and politely and kindly say that the "poor guy" isn't getting sleep because his wife isn't calling at a decent hour instead. *grin*
Well, J was actually pretty understanding about it (or maybe he knew better than to attempt to lecture his moody, pregnant wife again this week?).
I say all this to eventually get to my point...
As I was telling J all about our day, and the various other things that I was thrilled to be speaking to a grown adult about, the neighbor's dog startled me by barking up a storm. Looking out, I saw nothing, and went back to griping about how annoying that stupid mutt is.
A short time later, as I was gazing out the window, listening to J tell me about his day, I noticed a small, furry creature run through the yard.
My first thought was that the neighbor's dog had been allowed to run loose (and do his "duty") in my backyard again. When I didn't see a person chasing after the little mutt, I took a closer look, and found myself staring directly at a FOX.
This is not the first fox I've seen in Alaska, but it IS the first I've seen on base. He was a cute and precocious little guy... pale red, with tail fluffed out as he bounded through the snow. He stopped a few times to throw a snootful of snow into the air, and stopped to "alert" on a few neighborly dog droppings (in MY yard)... no doubt wondering who they belonged to... then ran off to the next yard, in search of food.
I wish I had grabbed the camera. But truthfully, I was so enthralled with watching him, that I didn't dare leave my post at the window and chance missing him scamper off. And no doubt he would have likely been gone before I could get back, open the door, and get a good picture of the little guy.
Thing is, I'm pretty sure he'll be back. J and I had noticed some tiny little tracks several weeks ago, from the tree line, into our yard, and back again. We had no idea who our frequent mystery visitor had been until last night... and now that we know, we'll be keeping a watch out for him again.
***
I just want to add... this is one of the things that I love about living here. You never know what you are going to get to see each day. Maybe I am still amazed by all this because I've spent so much time in cities through my life. But I never do get tired of the unadulterated nature of Alaska. I am amazed by wildlife that is completely oblivious to the presence of man.
As the sun rose over the mountains today (and we can see the mountains today, as it is clear, crisp, and sunny!), I opened the shades upstairs to let the light in, and stared down at little fix tracks, doing my best to see how far into the tree line they go, and hoped my little night visitor would come back during hours that I could show Beans this creature that she's only seen in books.
Not much else to say, and I have a nap to take....
SO until Next Time,
Happy Moose (and fox) trails!
I had every intention of going to bed early last night, especially since I didn't manage to get my mandatory third trimester nap in yesterday. Instead, I decided I was going to "just really quickly check my email", then go to bed.
There is no such thing as "quickly" checking email, I have decided.
Long story short, I was up late emailing a response to a friend of mine. By the time I looked up, a couple hours had gone by and I am pretty sure that J was likely at the fire station, fuming about the fact that I hadn't called to say "good night" yet.
See, we have this family rule... he doesn't call me at night. Every time he does, the phone wakes up Beans, then we are all up late because after I get little Beans back off to bed, I call him back to holler at him for waking her up. (I know, very productive...)
The thing is... um, I had just received a stern husband lecture a few days ago about how I tend to get distracted by certain things (um, maybe email was mentioned, now that I think about it?), and that generally means that J is exhausted and tired, and waiting for me to call him, so he can go to bed.
I'll politely and kindly omit the fact that the other guys at the station have mentioned the late-night Halo games and other video game matches that run into the wee hours of the morning, and politely and kindly say that the "poor guy" isn't getting sleep because his wife isn't calling at a decent hour instead. *grin*
Well, J was actually pretty understanding about it (or maybe he knew better than to attempt to lecture his moody, pregnant wife again this week?).
I say all this to eventually get to my point...
As I was telling J all about our day, and the various other things that I was thrilled to be speaking to a grown adult about, the neighbor's dog startled me by barking up a storm. Looking out, I saw nothing, and went back to griping about how annoying that stupid mutt is.
A short time later, as I was gazing out the window, listening to J tell me about his day, I noticed a small, furry creature run through the yard.
My first thought was that the neighbor's dog had been allowed to run loose (and do his "duty") in my backyard again. When I didn't see a person chasing after the little mutt, I took a closer look, and found myself staring directly at a FOX.
This is not the first fox I've seen in Alaska, but it IS the first I've seen on base. He was a cute and precocious little guy... pale red, with tail fluffed out as he bounded through the snow. He stopped a few times to throw a snootful of snow into the air, and stopped to "alert" on a few neighborly dog droppings (in MY yard)... no doubt wondering who they belonged to... then ran off to the next yard, in search of food.
I wish I had grabbed the camera. But truthfully, I was so enthralled with watching him, that I didn't dare leave my post at the window and chance missing him scamper off. And no doubt he would have likely been gone before I could get back, open the door, and get a good picture of the little guy.
Thing is, I'm pretty sure he'll be back. J and I had noticed some tiny little tracks several weeks ago, from the tree line, into our yard, and back again. We had no idea who our frequent mystery visitor had been until last night... and now that we know, we'll be keeping a watch out for him again.
***
I just want to add... this is one of the things that I love about living here. You never know what you are going to get to see each day. Maybe I am still amazed by all this because I've spent so much time in cities through my life. But I never do get tired of the unadulterated nature of Alaska. I am amazed by wildlife that is completely oblivious to the presence of man.
As the sun rose over the mountains today (and we can see the mountains today, as it is clear, crisp, and sunny!), I opened the shades upstairs to let the light in, and stared down at little fix tracks, doing my best to see how far into the tree line they go, and hoped my little night visitor would come back during hours that I could show Beans this creature that she's only seen in books.
Not much else to say, and I have a nap to take....
SO until Next Time,
Happy Moose (and fox) trails!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Is It Spring Yet?
OK. I know, I know... I said I LOVE the winter here. And I do, I really do. But I have to admit that on days like today, where the weather was in 30s, the snow is starting to "slush", and the ice is falling off the playground equipment, well... a day like that could really make a gal wish for springtime.
Not to mention, spring would mean finally delivering this baby, who insists on using my rib cage as her personal jungle gym, and my bladder as a trampoline.
Can y'all believe... only 8 weeks until my due date? Time IS moving by quickly, actually.
So... back to longing for spring...
Today was just BEE-U-TEE-FUL! The day started with checking the weather on the Delta News Web and discovering the temps were listed in the upper 20s already. Honestly, I think folks back home will think I flipped my lid, but I opened every door and window of the house to air it out. (The house DOES get stuffy and dry through the winter!) It was glorious... a cool crisp breeze floated the arctic air through the house. Alaska air is so... CLEAN, and crisp. Taking a deep breath of it always makes me feel like I'm in one of those soap commercials, where the scent of soap magically wakens you from slumber and you are suddenly fresh and "zestfully clean". The arctic air, mingling with my coffee, set me in a pretty good mood this morning, and I didn't even mind when Beans demanded to watch Wall-E for the billionth time this week.
*Oh, I should add my disclaimer. Yep. Third trimester "slacker mom" syndrome has set in. My usual "no TV, no sugar" rules went out the door when I became desperate for a little rest these last couple weeks. For the record, I have Wall-E and Tinkerbell memorized already.
Yeah, yeah... we'll be back to our anti-TV, anti-sugar, crazy hippie parenting ways in a matter of weeks. Don't think we officially fell off the wagon. Sheesh.*
ANYHOO... halfway through Tinkerbell (I vetoed Wall-E. Really, there is only so many times a week I can stand the same movie. My limit is like, 100.)... I hear the refrain, "Hi, Moooosh! Hi, Moooooosh!"
Sure enough, two of the gentle giants are chilling out on the sidewalk, licking Ice Melt off my van tires. The thought crossed my mind... one of my readers (Karla) has been blogging about her desperation to find moose. I thought to myself this morning, perhaps I should invite her for coffee and the next showing of Tinkerbell. These moose come to the sidewalk, like junkies to crack. Want Moose? Get some Ice Melt and then get in the house. If you Ice Melt, they will come.
(OK, another disclaimer... do not actually put down Ice Melt or any other kind of salt with the purpose of attracting moose. That's kind of illegal and called "baiting" or something like that. The Fish and Game Department doesn't take that infraction lightly. Luckily, since we can't hunt on base AND because the sidewalks are downright treacherous, we are not in any danger of being fined for salting the walk... and the moose staring into our windows is just an added perk.)
And moose or no moose, the offer for coffee stands, Karla!
These moose delayed my departure to playgroup this morning. Not that it's required to be on time (seriously, anyone who expects a mom of toddlers to be on time to anything is a little nutty, in my opinion), but I WAS bringing cupcakes. A neighbor finally managed to spook the moose when she left for work (though the oldest gal was reluctant to leave her salt mine), so I darted out to start the van, and hoped the moose would remain absent until I could safely get Beans and myself tucked into the car. (They did.)
***
The drive into town was beautiful. The sign at the bank claimed a balmy 28 degrees as I drove past (and it was 32 F when I headed home an hour later), and I caught myself singing Bob Dylan tunes at the top of my lungs as Beans snoozed in the back.
A side note. And I know I've made this side note before, but it's worth repeating. I LOVE Bob Dylan. The guy sings like a dying Orca, and gets paid big bucks for it. And his songs are so deep, man... I'm just sayin'... how can you have a bad day while crooning at the top of your lungs about how "you ain't gonna work on Maggie's Farm no more!" Seriously.
***
I digress. Anyway... I found myself gazing longingly at the drive-in, mouth watering for a buffalo burger basket and a milk shake. I found myself wishing I could put Beans in the stroller and walk to the post office, or play on the swings and the slide. I found myself wondering how many more weeks there would be before we could venture out without risk of hypothermia...
We had fun at playgroup, packed up, enjoyed the drive back home, and (oh, the irony!), as I settled Beans down for her nap and laid out on the sofa for a nap of my own, I dozed off watching snow fall.
Back home folks, no... I'm NOT kidding. It started snowing shortly after lunch.
And in my fickle way... I was glad for it. I snuggled under the quilt my mom sent for Beans (the house was a little chilly, what with the windows still open), and dozed peacefully, watching the gray sky litter the ground with more white flakes, glad to not see the end of winter JUST yet.
***
So. Once again, not a thrilling week. Life has taken on a good routine of play, housework, watching the weather warm up, and waiting (waiting, waiting) for the end of this pregnancy.
I am planning on a well deserved BORING weekend, hopefully hunkering down and watching a couple netflix movies.
Next week's agenda involves aging another year for both J and myself... though it is likely to pass with little fanfare. If you haven't noticed from most of our holiday posts, we aren't huge "celebrators" of many days. In previous years, we used to take a good vacation for our birthdays, but this year... a simple trip to Fairbanks for a midwife appointment, a few supplies, and hopefully, a lunch that doesn't involve the phrase "Would you like fries with that?".
Oh. I AM hoping to convince J that we should indeed spend the night in Fairbanks the previous night, as the Ice Park opens next week as well! There is apparently a playground made of ice, that I'm sure Beans would love (or not, since she's not really a fan of being cold), but it would be kind of nifty to go see it.
On the other hand... it's an "annual" Ice Park, and will be open for a couple weeks. Daylight is finally such that we have light early enough in the morning and late enough in the day that we could actually have light for our entire drive. It would be nice to actually get back home and sleep in our own bed. Or not have a Fairbanks trip take up two days of our week.
I know, I know... everyone else drives in the dark. I don't. And J does, but I nag him the whole way and make him nervous as heck, so it's best if we just don't have that argument for the 100 mile drive. Until I am allowed to take valium or drink heavily enough to knock myself out and not notice J careening down mountain roads in the dark, we can either spend the night in Fairbanks, or get home before dark.
***
Meanwhile, I am still furiously crocheting, and basically just trying to pass the time as my feet continue to swell past the confines of my boots, and my belly continues to swell past my ability to even see my swollen feet. I am getting to the part of pregnancy the medical community calls "the third trimester", but I have renamed, "Gosh, this part sucks". I am looking forward to the day when a simple trip to the bathroom doesn't leave me short of breath.
Beans is enjoying this stage of pregnancy immensely. She has figured out that it is nearly impossible for me to reach the floor, and spends her day doing things she knows she's not supposed to do, then laying as flat as she can, while I fumble around beneath my huge belly saying, "OOOOH! When I finally get a hold of you, girl!!!!" She has also figured out that there is a spot under the dining room table that I can no longer reach, even if I do manage to get down on the floor. She spends most of the day hiding forbidden objects under there, knowing I can do nothing to retrieve them.
Not entirely sure where she gets this mischievous streak from. I'm sure my mom would be able to tell you, but certainly, I was NEVER this mischievous. NEVER. And that's the truth.
***
I can't reach my feet, but I can still reach the keyboard, so...
Until next time....
Happy Moose Trails!
Not to mention, spring would mean finally delivering this baby, who insists on using my rib cage as her personal jungle gym, and my bladder as a trampoline.
Can y'all believe... only 8 weeks until my due date? Time IS moving by quickly, actually.
So... back to longing for spring...
Today was just BEE-U-TEE-FUL! The day started with checking the weather on the Delta News Web and discovering the temps were listed in the upper 20s already. Honestly, I think folks back home will think I flipped my lid, but I opened every door and window of the house to air it out. (The house DOES get stuffy and dry through the winter!) It was glorious... a cool crisp breeze floated the arctic air through the house. Alaska air is so... CLEAN, and crisp. Taking a deep breath of it always makes me feel like I'm in one of those soap commercials, where the scent of soap magically wakens you from slumber and you are suddenly fresh and "zestfully clean". The arctic air, mingling with my coffee, set me in a pretty good mood this morning, and I didn't even mind when Beans demanded to watch Wall-E for the billionth time this week.
*Oh, I should add my disclaimer. Yep. Third trimester "slacker mom" syndrome has set in. My usual "no TV, no sugar" rules went out the door when I became desperate for a little rest these last couple weeks. For the record, I have Wall-E and Tinkerbell memorized already.
Yeah, yeah... we'll be back to our anti-TV, anti-sugar, crazy hippie parenting ways in a matter of weeks. Don't think we officially fell off the wagon. Sheesh.*
ANYHOO... halfway through Tinkerbell (I vetoed Wall-E. Really, there is only so many times a week I can stand the same movie. My limit is like, 100.)... I hear the refrain, "Hi, Moooosh! Hi, Moooooosh!"
Sure enough, two of the gentle giants are chilling out on the sidewalk, licking Ice Melt off my van tires. The thought crossed my mind... one of my readers (Karla) has been blogging about her desperation to find moose. I thought to myself this morning, perhaps I should invite her for coffee and the next showing of Tinkerbell. These moose come to the sidewalk, like junkies to crack. Want Moose? Get some Ice Melt and then get in the house. If you Ice Melt, they will come.
(OK, another disclaimer... do not actually put down Ice Melt or any other kind of salt with the purpose of attracting moose. That's kind of illegal and called "baiting" or something like that. The Fish and Game Department doesn't take that infraction lightly. Luckily, since we can't hunt on base AND because the sidewalks are downright treacherous, we are not in any danger of being fined for salting the walk... and the moose staring into our windows is just an added perk.)
And moose or no moose, the offer for coffee stands, Karla!
These moose delayed my departure to playgroup this morning. Not that it's required to be on time (seriously, anyone who expects a mom of toddlers to be on time to anything is a little nutty, in my opinion), but I WAS bringing cupcakes. A neighbor finally managed to spook the moose when she left for work (though the oldest gal was reluctant to leave her salt mine), so I darted out to start the van, and hoped the moose would remain absent until I could safely get Beans and myself tucked into the car. (They did.)
***
The drive into town was beautiful. The sign at the bank claimed a balmy 28 degrees as I drove past (and it was 32 F when I headed home an hour later), and I caught myself singing Bob Dylan tunes at the top of my lungs as Beans snoozed in the back.
A side note. And I know I've made this side note before, but it's worth repeating. I LOVE Bob Dylan. The guy sings like a dying Orca, and gets paid big bucks for it. And his songs are so deep, man... I'm just sayin'... how can you have a bad day while crooning at the top of your lungs about how "you ain't gonna work on Maggie's Farm no more!" Seriously.
***
I digress. Anyway... I found myself gazing longingly at the drive-in, mouth watering for a buffalo burger basket and a milk shake. I found myself wishing I could put Beans in the stroller and walk to the post office, or play on the swings and the slide. I found myself wondering how many more weeks there would be before we could venture out without risk of hypothermia...
We had fun at playgroup, packed up, enjoyed the drive back home, and (oh, the irony!), as I settled Beans down for her nap and laid out on the sofa for a nap of my own, I dozed off watching snow fall.
Back home folks, no... I'm NOT kidding. It started snowing shortly after lunch.
And in my fickle way... I was glad for it. I snuggled under the quilt my mom sent for Beans (the house was a little chilly, what with the windows still open), and dozed peacefully, watching the gray sky litter the ground with more white flakes, glad to not see the end of winter JUST yet.
***
So. Once again, not a thrilling week. Life has taken on a good routine of play, housework, watching the weather warm up, and waiting (waiting, waiting) for the end of this pregnancy.
I am planning on a well deserved BORING weekend, hopefully hunkering down and watching a couple netflix movies.
Next week's agenda involves aging another year for both J and myself... though it is likely to pass with little fanfare. If you haven't noticed from most of our holiday posts, we aren't huge "celebrators" of many days. In previous years, we used to take a good vacation for our birthdays, but this year... a simple trip to Fairbanks for a midwife appointment, a few supplies, and hopefully, a lunch that doesn't involve the phrase "Would you like fries with that?".
Oh. I AM hoping to convince J that we should indeed spend the night in Fairbanks the previous night, as the Ice Park opens next week as well! There is apparently a playground made of ice, that I'm sure Beans would love (or not, since she's not really a fan of being cold), but it would be kind of nifty to go see it.
On the other hand... it's an "annual" Ice Park, and will be open for a couple weeks. Daylight is finally such that we have light early enough in the morning and late enough in the day that we could actually have light for our entire drive. It would be nice to actually get back home and sleep in our own bed. Or not have a Fairbanks trip take up two days of our week.
I know, I know... everyone else drives in the dark. I don't. And J does, but I nag him the whole way and make him nervous as heck, so it's best if we just don't have that argument for the 100 mile drive. Until I am allowed to take valium or drink heavily enough to knock myself out and not notice J careening down mountain roads in the dark, we can either spend the night in Fairbanks, or get home before dark.
***
Meanwhile, I am still furiously crocheting, and basically just trying to pass the time as my feet continue to swell past the confines of my boots, and my belly continues to swell past my ability to even see my swollen feet. I am getting to the part of pregnancy the medical community calls "the third trimester", but I have renamed, "Gosh, this part sucks". I am looking forward to the day when a simple trip to the bathroom doesn't leave me short of breath.
Beans is enjoying this stage of pregnancy immensely. She has figured out that it is nearly impossible for me to reach the floor, and spends her day doing things she knows she's not supposed to do, then laying as flat as she can, while I fumble around beneath my huge belly saying, "OOOOH! When I finally get a hold of you, girl!!!!" She has also figured out that there is a spot under the dining room table that I can no longer reach, even if I do manage to get down on the floor. She spends most of the day hiding forbidden objects under there, knowing I can do nothing to retrieve them.
Not entirely sure where she gets this mischievous streak from. I'm sure my mom would be able to tell you, but certainly, I was NEVER this mischievous. NEVER. And that's the truth.
***
I can't reach my feet, but I can still reach the keyboard, so...
Until next time....
Happy Moose Trails!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Moose Patrol!
Hey, y'all!
So, we seem to suddenly be overrun by moose this past week. Two large females hanging around the backyard, a group of three (perhaps mom and her twins from last calving season?) hanging around the parking lot, and a lone and VERY large female hanging around our front door. Literally.
J was on his way to take out the trash and I heard the door open, a brief expletive, and the door shutting again in a hurry. He spooked the poor gal, who had been happily licking Ice Melt off our front porch. She took off to the back yard, but once she realized J was gone, resumed her position on our porch. Beans and I had a good time watching her, and she stuck around for over an hour in the front yard, licking salt and grazing on any grass roots she could kick up in the yard.
Speaking of Beans, she is full of words these days! Her sign language vocabulary grows every day... over 30 words, maybe? And her verbal language is growing quickly, too.
I mention this because long after I grew bored watching our moose friend, Beans stayed in the window, saying, "Moooooosh! Moooooosh!"
I was absentmindedly agreeing with her, "Yes, Beans... MOOSE. Do you see the moose?" as I cooked dinner, and poked my head into the living room to check on her. This time, it was MY turn to be shocked, as the giant moose had decided to climb a snow bank in our front yard, and was happily staring back at Beans, um... into our second story windows!
Part of me wonders, was she standing outside practicing her own vocabulary? "Beeeeeeens, Beeeeeens".
Beans and I dimmed the lights to get a better view, and snuggled in the rocking chair to watch our new moose pal, watching us, until dinner threatened to burn and Madame Moose decided it was time to find another salt lick.
***
I don't know if it means spring is on the way, but moose are really out in droves lately. Our trip to Fairbanks last week proved the importance of moose patrol, as they seemed to be everywhere, and completely oblivious to the Human Element. We are seeing groups of females, and lots of moms with yearlings, and a few youngsters starting to run around without the watchful eye of a parent. There were even a handful of reports that moose are venturing into the city these days... a sign of spring? Or a sign that food is growing scarce out there, and they are showing up closer to us people for a better chance of a nibble?
Hmmm...
***
Well... in the family report this week: the midwife visit went well. Another negative FFN, so barring any major medical emergency, we shouldn't be in any danger of having a baby for the next couple weeks. I am getting pretty excited about that these days. This last FFN should take us to 33 1/2 weeks gestation, which means we are within days of being able to deliver in Fairbanks instead of being sent to Anchorage. That's really good news. And if we can get another FFN after that, we should be past any serious danger of prematurity for the Little Nugget. Very good news all around.
Also in the family report: my nesting instinct has taken on a mind of it's own. The reality of a baby appearing sometime in the next 10 weeks has made me aware that I might need to start preparing things for the little one to show up. The week has been spent washing teeny tiny clothes, diapers, and various other itty-bitty things, and getting organized for managing "two under two".
The reality of that endeavor (two under two) is beginning to set in, and I am already begging J to take, oh, two years of paternity time. *grin*
***
Well... it's been a pretty easy going week or so around here. Not too much exciting to report in terms of Alaskana... other than the fact that we have very near "normal" days again now.
Today, the official daylight is 8 hours and 30 minutes. "Civil Twilight" adds an extra hour to that, giving us almost 10 hours of light.
As Beans and I drove J to work at 7:40 this morning, we caught glimpses of the beginning of sunrise, and by the time we were on our way back home (8 am), the sky was already glowing orange and pink over the horizon.
The lengthening of days has an interesting effect... it gives an air of excitement, kind of like those first glimpses of daffodils or jonquils in warmer climates. It feels like something NEW is coming, or right around the corner. The longer afternoons give off a faint memory of the incoming spring and summer, the days when the windows will be open all day, with a crisp pine scented breeze blowing into the house.
I didn't really think I would be looking forward to winter leaving us, but I AM starting to daydream of all the fun that warmer weather will bring with it...
I am excited about being able to get back to exercise and jogging, and plan to (hopefully) be ready to take on a couple 5Ks this summer. Last year, Beans and I walked the Mosquito Meander in Fairbanks, and I was secretly envious of those who could participate in the Midnight Fun Run, which I skipped because Beans needed to be in bed. This year, I'm thinking, "What's the big deal if they sleep in the stroller for one night? Really?"
I also don't plan on sitting on the sidelines for the Ft Greely 5K this summer. I longingly watched J leave the house for that "little jog", and since he has been letting his cardio practice slide (lifting weights instead), I was secretly calculating if I would have been able to beat his time. No doubt, if I ran without the kids, I could... with the kids in the stroller, I probably could have kept pace with him.
(Ha ha! Just a little jab there, for my sweetie. And if I can get my postpartum fanny into shape fast enough, we'll put that contest to the test this summer.)
Can you tell our family has a slight competitive streak? *grin*
Ah... spring coming also means walks with the kids, trips to the outdoor playground, walking to the post office, and grilling out.
Not that we don't grill out occasionally now. J likes the "challenge" of grilling in 30 below. But I am fondly thinking of the smell of the grill, the scent of mosquito repellent, and hanging out in the yard with the kids and some good friends.
***
MEANWHILE... I am still feverishly crocheting tiny little baby things for the New Little Nugget, as well as for a few friends who are expecting. There is an urgency to crocheting these days, as I know my weeks are numbered... it won't be long before the crochet projects have to take a back seat to nursing TWO hungry little ones (yep, Beans is still at the breast...), chasing a toddler, keeping a baby happy, getting back into shape, meeting friends, and various spring and summer activities. And somewhere in there, getting the house ready for the summer visitors... grandparents, uncles, and various other people who love the fact that we live in a cool place to come visit.
On the upcoming agenda: well, not much. Now that I am the size of an infant beluga whale and beginning to waddle like a fat little penguin, our pace has slowed to the minimum level of physical exertion possible. If y'all want to bear with our boring pace, I'll keep posting... but I hope you aren't expecting too much exciting in the way of adventures. Even J has been warned that his activities have to stay within cell phone range (that's not really far, here!), so other than a couple hockey practices in town, his days of ice fishing and snow machine trips are about over for this year. Poor guy... he's really pouting about that, but he does understand that he just might "accidentally" fall through the ice if he chooses to go fishing and his wife goes into labor and can't reach him by phone.
Besides, someone has to be here to help me get shoes and socks on, since I can't see or reach my feet anymore. I tried making Beans do it, but she thought it was more fun to throw my shoes down the basement stairs, then watch me waddle down to retrieve them. Even the cat seems to find amusement with watching me try to reach to the floor and fill his food and water dishes. (We fixed that with a self-watering, self-feeding style bowl. HA!)
Well, folks... that's the moose report from here. I've got to waddle myself to the potty (for the millionth time this morning), then waddle myself and Beans to playgroup, where she can run off some of her energy. That is, if Madame Moose will kindly let us leave our house. We apparently have a pretty comfy front porch.
Until Next Time,
Happy Moose Trails!
So, we seem to suddenly be overrun by moose this past week. Two large females hanging around the backyard, a group of three (perhaps mom and her twins from last calving season?) hanging around the parking lot, and a lone and VERY large female hanging around our front door. Literally.
J was on his way to take out the trash and I heard the door open, a brief expletive, and the door shutting again in a hurry. He spooked the poor gal, who had been happily licking Ice Melt off our front porch. She took off to the back yard, but once she realized J was gone, resumed her position on our porch. Beans and I had a good time watching her, and she stuck around for over an hour in the front yard, licking salt and grazing on any grass roots she could kick up in the yard.
Speaking of Beans, she is full of words these days! Her sign language vocabulary grows every day... over 30 words, maybe? And her verbal language is growing quickly, too.
I mention this because long after I grew bored watching our moose friend, Beans stayed in the window, saying, "Moooooosh! Moooooosh!"
I was absentmindedly agreeing with her, "Yes, Beans... MOOSE. Do you see the moose?" as I cooked dinner, and poked my head into the living room to check on her. This time, it was MY turn to be shocked, as the giant moose had decided to climb a snow bank in our front yard, and was happily staring back at Beans, um... into our second story windows!
Part of me wonders, was she standing outside practicing her own vocabulary? "Beeeeeeens, Beeeeeens".
Beans and I dimmed the lights to get a better view, and snuggled in the rocking chair to watch our new moose pal, watching us, until dinner threatened to burn and Madame Moose decided it was time to find another salt lick.
***
I don't know if it means spring is on the way, but moose are really out in droves lately. Our trip to Fairbanks last week proved the importance of moose patrol, as they seemed to be everywhere, and completely oblivious to the Human Element. We are seeing groups of females, and lots of moms with yearlings, and a few youngsters starting to run around without the watchful eye of a parent. There were even a handful of reports that moose are venturing into the city these days... a sign of spring? Or a sign that food is growing scarce out there, and they are showing up closer to us people for a better chance of a nibble?
Hmmm...
***
Well... in the family report this week: the midwife visit went well. Another negative FFN, so barring any major medical emergency, we shouldn't be in any danger of having a baby for the next couple weeks. I am getting pretty excited about that these days. This last FFN should take us to 33 1/2 weeks gestation, which means we are within days of being able to deliver in Fairbanks instead of being sent to Anchorage. That's really good news. And if we can get another FFN after that, we should be past any serious danger of prematurity for the Little Nugget. Very good news all around.
Also in the family report: my nesting instinct has taken on a mind of it's own. The reality of a baby appearing sometime in the next 10 weeks has made me aware that I might need to start preparing things for the little one to show up. The week has been spent washing teeny tiny clothes, diapers, and various other itty-bitty things, and getting organized for managing "two under two".
The reality of that endeavor (two under two) is beginning to set in, and I am already begging J to take, oh, two years of paternity time. *grin*
***
Well... it's been a pretty easy going week or so around here. Not too much exciting to report in terms of Alaskana... other than the fact that we have very near "normal" days again now.
Today, the official daylight is 8 hours and 30 minutes. "Civil Twilight" adds an extra hour to that, giving us almost 10 hours of light.
As Beans and I drove J to work at 7:40 this morning, we caught glimpses of the beginning of sunrise, and by the time we were on our way back home (8 am), the sky was already glowing orange and pink over the horizon.
The lengthening of days has an interesting effect... it gives an air of excitement, kind of like those first glimpses of daffodils or jonquils in warmer climates. It feels like something NEW is coming, or right around the corner. The longer afternoons give off a faint memory of the incoming spring and summer, the days when the windows will be open all day, with a crisp pine scented breeze blowing into the house.
I didn't really think I would be looking forward to winter leaving us, but I AM starting to daydream of all the fun that warmer weather will bring with it...
I am excited about being able to get back to exercise and jogging, and plan to (hopefully) be ready to take on a couple 5Ks this summer. Last year, Beans and I walked the Mosquito Meander in Fairbanks, and I was secretly envious of those who could participate in the Midnight Fun Run, which I skipped because Beans needed to be in bed. This year, I'm thinking, "What's the big deal if they sleep in the stroller for one night? Really?"
I also don't plan on sitting on the sidelines for the Ft Greely 5K this summer. I longingly watched J leave the house for that "little jog", and since he has been letting his cardio practice slide (lifting weights instead), I was secretly calculating if I would have been able to beat his time. No doubt, if I ran without the kids, I could... with the kids in the stroller, I probably could have kept pace with him.
(Ha ha! Just a little jab there, for my sweetie. And if I can get my postpartum fanny into shape fast enough, we'll put that contest to the test this summer.)
Can you tell our family has a slight competitive streak? *grin*
Ah... spring coming also means walks with the kids, trips to the outdoor playground, walking to the post office, and grilling out.
Not that we don't grill out occasionally now. J likes the "challenge" of grilling in 30 below. But I am fondly thinking of the smell of the grill, the scent of mosquito repellent, and hanging out in the yard with the kids and some good friends.
***
MEANWHILE... I am still feverishly crocheting tiny little baby things for the New Little Nugget, as well as for a few friends who are expecting. There is an urgency to crocheting these days, as I know my weeks are numbered... it won't be long before the crochet projects have to take a back seat to nursing TWO hungry little ones (yep, Beans is still at the breast...), chasing a toddler, keeping a baby happy, getting back into shape, meeting friends, and various spring and summer activities. And somewhere in there, getting the house ready for the summer visitors... grandparents, uncles, and various other people who love the fact that we live in a cool place to come visit.
On the upcoming agenda: well, not much. Now that I am the size of an infant beluga whale and beginning to waddle like a fat little penguin, our pace has slowed to the minimum level of physical exertion possible. If y'all want to bear with our boring pace, I'll keep posting... but I hope you aren't expecting too much exciting in the way of adventures. Even J has been warned that his activities have to stay within cell phone range (that's not really far, here!), so other than a couple hockey practices in town, his days of ice fishing and snow machine trips are about over for this year. Poor guy... he's really pouting about that, but he does understand that he just might "accidentally" fall through the ice if he chooses to go fishing and his wife goes into labor and can't reach him by phone.
Besides, someone has to be here to help me get shoes and socks on, since I can't see or reach my feet anymore. I tried making Beans do it, but she thought it was more fun to throw my shoes down the basement stairs, then watch me waddle down to retrieve them. Even the cat seems to find amusement with watching me try to reach to the floor and fill his food and water dishes. (We fixed that with a self-watering, self-feeding style bowl. HA!)
Well, folks... that's the moose report from here. I've got to waddle myself to the potty (for the millionth time this morning), then waddle myself and Beans to playgroup, where she can run off some of her energy. That is, if Madame Moose will kindly let us leave our house. We apparently have a pretty comfy front porch.
Until Next Time,
Happy Moose Trails!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Here Comes The Sun
Ha, ha. I bet you have that song in your head now, don't you?
A quick word, before I continue on my usual rambling about myself...
Thank you to everyone who showed some support on my last post, either through the blog or email. I would love to take just a minute to (hopefully not embarrass!) but ask those of you who don't mind, to take a peek at what one of my readers, SIMON had to say.
And for the record, Simon, if you ever decide to keep a blog, I would love to read it! First, you live where my heartstrings call me. I have a not-so-secret envy of people who walk the streets that Laura Ingalls used to walk. And I hope you are right... that maybe one day, my little Beans and my Little Nugget will care to read what I wrote... my thoughts on our own little life.
I think you should go for it! (And when you blog on blogspot, you can put settings that only allow certain people to read, post comments, or other things. I opened my comments to the public, to see what was out there because I'm willing to handle some, ahem, "constructive" (?) feedback... but you can avoid comments from the peanut gallery if you don't want them! Just so you know!)
Also... I want to clarify my own anonymity. It's Husband-Induced, mostly. I had to beg and plead to be allowed to keep a blog, and posting even a single picture on this blog was a month long begging and pleading. MY reasons for staying anonymous are because we have three beautiful children, with another on the way, and while we have a general trust in most human beings as a whole (none of us have intense fear of strangers), we stay semi-hidden because the thought of cuckoo Internet predators and other weirdos and stalkers just don't appeal to us.
I have decided, however, that my "Anonymous" reader stays "Anonymous" because he/she is either
1. My former Landlord
2. Has their own Internet safety concerns
3. Could actually be someone famous, like Angelina Jolie, or Brad Pitt (how cool would THAT be??)- and CAN'T divulge thier identity
or
4. Is Bushy The Squirrel, from my early entries, and is offended by the way I have portrayed her and her little baby squirrels for freeloading in the old North Pole house.
SO, readers.. (including Mr/Mrs "Anonymous", who is apparently still reading, despite the torture), let us continue on with our usual lives, and mention it no more...
Without further Ado...
Like I said, "Here Comes The Sun"...
The days are slowly and surely lengthening! We took J to work this morning, and already, at 8 am, I could see the faint hint of dawn setting in.
Dawn and dusk are incredibly beautiful times here. The sky is still "dark", but a shade of indigo that slowly lightens to a blue-grey, then, as the sun peeks over the mountains (at least on the days clear enough to see it),begins to come alive with streaks of pink, orange, sharp bright blues, and eventually, the bright yellow orange glow of the sun makes its entrance between the mountain peaks.
Nowhere have I seen a sunrise like it. Amazing. It is my favorite time of day to stand by the kitchen window, cup of coffee in hand, and watch the sun as the snow blows off the trees, and steam come off the mountains as the sun warms them, just a little.
Day is getting longer now, too... almost like a "normal" day. I have noticed glimpses of the fading sun in the sky as late as 4:30 pm now, and dusk simmers in the sky for a good hour most evenings, giving the impression that there is some daylight from about 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, or close to it.
Dusk is another beautiful difference from the lower 48. Early in the afternoon, the sun loses it's "noon glow", and even though you can see it in the sky, it begins to change from a bright yellow ball, to a deep orange ball in the sky. To see it's "light" you really have to look at it to know it's there. Sure, there's "daylight", but the sun seems separate from it, looking more like a large Harvest Moon in a sky of daylight, instead of night. As the orange globe begins its descent between the hills, the reverse of sunrise takes place, leaving sharp pinks, reds, and oranges in its wake, and finally fading into pale blue, to indigo, to black night sky.
I wasn't expecting the effect of this on me. It's no secret that I truly love the winter here, other than the cold temps. (I WOULD prefer temps around , say, zero, as opposed to 40 below!) Other than that, I find winter to be a beautiful and amazing place. I never tire of the changing winter scenery... and it DOES change! Some days, you can see the sun, some days, a pale grey sets over the sky, some days, the snow is falling, and on other crisp (and very cold days) the sun will shimmer off the frozen snow, where you can see new moose tracks, and hope for a glimpse of the animal. There is a sense of awe when an animal or object appears... a fox makes a sharp, dark red contrast on the otherwise stark white landscape, or a large moose suddenly appears through the tree line.
Also no secret that while there are things I love about the summers here, I have a sort of reversed seasonal affective issue, where the 24 hours of daylight becomes tiresome to me, and I deal with a sort of summer "funk" when there is an absence of light. (Not complaining about Alaska, mind you. Everywhere I have lived, the longer summer days has sent me into some sort of weird funk. Maybe I'm part vampire, or something? Hmm. Have to check the family tree for that one.)
So I am surprised to find myself feeling the same things many of the seasoned residents feel around here... a happiness for longer days, and looking forward to the spring temperatures.
It's nice to talk to some of the other people around here... it seems like the general consensus is along the following lines:
Early winter is fun. The snow is "new" and exciting to see, at first. The days are still temperate, the days still have some "normal" hours and structure.
Not for me, but many people I have talked to, December to February is a cumbersome time to many local residents. By then, we have had several months of snow. And with the temps below freezing, it's no longer "new and exciting" to trek outdoors, start the car, shovel the walk, or get snow off the car. Many people (even die-hard ice fishermen, snow machiners, and dog mushers) stay inside more often when the weather gets below 20 Below... venturing out for necessities, but not much else. Those few months of isolation and cabin-fever can really get to a person. (Once again, not me, so much. Sure, I like to get out and tire of indoors, but being a homebody, I actually love the excuse to pull out a crochet project and not go start the van!)
As the weather "breaks" and the daylight begins to come back, people are anxious and happy to get out again... even venturing out into weather or temperatures that might have stopped them from going out a few weeks ago.
I have observed with some curiosity (and relief, since it has been getting J out of the house a bit, too), the number of people in our little town taking up outdoor sports in the last few weeks. J and a neighbor have been ice fishing once a week, with plans to add snow machine trips to the weekly adventures. And the offers for snow machining, ice fishing, hockey scrimmages, and various other activities have been rolling in faster than we can keep up with or accept them.
Local stores that spent several weeks a bit "empty" have suddenly filled with what I call "the lingering"... people who are in IGA to do much more than buy groceries and hurry home. They are stopping in the cafe, poking their heads in at the bank or the local coffee shop, and, well, lingering... chatting with people they haven't seen in a few weeks, making plans to get out of the house, and most of all... talking about spring. The guesses on when break-up is going to happen are starting to be peppered in among the local gossip, and I was even told excitedly by a local business owner that I chat with often, "Rumor has it, we are going to have an early and warmer spring than last year!"
Maybe some fellow Alaskan Residents can make sure I have the record straight, but it seems like the seasonal cycle is kicking into high-gear. Spring IS coming... eventually. And like I said, the talk around town sounds excited for it. Won't be long before we start hearing of all the summer plans people are making, instead of the vacations many have taken or are taking now, to get out of the cold.
(Susan, I can't wait to hear how Hawaii was for you! I am happy here, but can remember the feel of sand between my toes, too!)
I find myself getting excited about it, too... strangely enough.
Spring means that this new baby will finally be here.
Spring means that our road trips through Alaska will be returning.
I don't know how much gold-panning we'll do with TWO babies in tow, but it does mean a return of picnics, walks through parks, fishing on unfrozen waters, gardening, and longer days to visit with our North Pole and Fairbanks friends, without having to worry about getting home before it gets too dark.
Meanwhile... I was recently told of "The Ice Park", coming in February, which sounds like a fun way to finish out some of our first winter in Alaska. I'll have to find the kink and post it, but it's basically a bunch of ice sculptures, slides, and other things made of ice. Oooh... Ahhhh....
Ice is one thing we definitely have plenty of, so we might as well do something cool (ha ha) with it.
IN OTHER NEWS:
(This is where people who don't care to read our family updates could probably tune out:)
Our last midwife visit went great! I kind of went in, guns blazing about how I was tired of being a medical anomaly, and the midwife was pretty receptive to letting me be "just a normal pregnant woman". The one exception... if we aren't doing all the medical intervention, she asked if we could do a simple test, every two weeks, that basically shows if there is a risk I might go into labor in the next two weeks.
For the medically curious, it's called a Fetal Fibronectin Test... you can google it, so I don't have to get overly "graphic" here, but basically, it shows if there are physical changes in body fluid that happen in the weeks just before labor. Until I get to 37 weeks or so, we WANT to see "negative" results. Which is what we got this time around. Looks like labor won't be in the next two weeks (or at least an incredibly low risk of that!), so this little one is still cooking away, and getting big.
I am now getting kicked in the ribs and the hips at the same time, and had to buy the next size up in maternity clothes. J assures me that I am still sexy and beautiful, but I mostly feel like a lumbering cow, and am rethinking my decision to not "moo" through labor. I mean... maybe it will just come naturally, since I am morphing into a cow now. In fact, if I get much bigger, I won't have to worry about mooing like a cow through labor. I will be making beluga whale sounds instead.
Well, we had good news, and go back in another two weeks. Hooray!
Meanwhile, back at the ranch...
Beans is a sicky AGAIN. Looks like she picked up another little cold, and the pediatrician has warned us that croup and RSV are going around. We stayed home from playgroups this week, but other than a little extra fussiness and lots of nose blowing, we are holding down the fort.
And in REALLY good news: we actually saw a pediatrician that we loved! She also took a look at little Beans' weight, said she was finally coming back on some sort of "curve", then made me feel extra good by saying, "Well, judging by the two of you (J and me), it doesn't look like she would be destined to be a very big person anyway." (That is the best thing you could ever say to a pregnant beluga whale, ever!)
She was very supportive about STILL (yes, still) nursing, and listened to our crazy hippy diet and told us that she thought we were on the right track. Which I already knew. But it was nice to hear a "professional" say that. She also agreed that we did the right thing, avoiding the poptart, bologna, and mac and cheese diet that one doctor advised us to start.
Other quick news of no important note:
We lost one of the channels on TV that we actually care to watch (NBC apparently made their digital conversion already). Between that, the moron in tech support I talked to who took 30 minutes to tell me I needed a converter box that the install guy says I don't need, and realizing that the only channels of the 55 channels we pay for that we actually watch are: PBS, NBC, and ESPN during college football season, it just wasn't worth a converter box. Especially when I can download all those things online OR get them from Netflix.
So, we ditched the cable.
On that note, a heartfelt apology to my teenage boys, who when they come to visit, are going to be more "bored" than they could ever imagine. Just think... no cable? No video games? What is a guy to do all summer???
The fresh air will do you some good, fellas. And I promise, (well, I hope, anyway) the bears WON'T eat you when you go fishing with J. Just keep you head up, make lots of noise (which you are already good at), and run fast. Just kidding. Don't run. The bears will give chase.
*grin*
SO...
That's our update this time around. Coming up in the next few weeks, more playgroups (once Beans doesn't have boogers hanging down to her chin), more ice fishing (for J) is likely, especially since he returned with dinner again- this time, two good sized "land-locked salmon". (They have a real name, but I don't know what it is.) They were tasty, whatever they were, and leftovers were turned into a special dish (Salmon Fettuccine) for Beans, who has recently asked for "noo-noos" (noodles, for those of you who don't speak toddler) for every single meal this week, including breakfast.
Also on the agenda, a snow machine trip for J, if the weather holds out, but we are predicted for 20 or 30 below again this week.
The following week, ANOTHER trip to Fairbanks to see the midwife. No more shopping. I'm burned out on shopping. And most of all... glad to be back home in our own little nest. Time is going by quickly, and it has dawned on me that I should start getting our little nest ready for a new little bird (or nugget) to be here.
Until Next Time,
Happy Moose Trails!
A quick word, before I continue on my usual rambling about myself...
Thank you to everyone who showed some support on my last post, either through the blog or email. I would love to take just a minute to (hopefully not embarrass!) but ask those of you who don't mind, to take a peek at what one of my readers, SIMON had to say.
And for the record, Simon, if you ever decide to keep a blog, I would love to read it! First, you live where my heartstrings call me. I have a not-so-secret envy of people who walk the streets that Laura Ingalls used to walk. And I hope you are right... that maybe one day, my little Beans and my Little Nugget will care to read what I wrote... my thoughts on our own little life.
I think you should go for it! (And when you blog on blogspot, you can put settings that only allow certain people to read, post comments, or other things. I opened my comments to the public, to see what was out there because I'm willing to handle some, ahem, "constructive" (?) feedback... but you can avoid comments from the peanut gallery if you don't want them! Just so you know!)
Also... I want to clarify my own anonymity. It's Husband-Induced, mostly. I had to beg and plead to be allowed to keep a blog, and posting even a single picture on this blog was a month long begging and pleading. MY reasons for staying anonymous are because we have three beautiful children, with another on the way, and while we have a general trust in most human beings as a whole (none of us have intense fear of strangers), we stay semi-hidden because the thought of cuckoo Internet predators and other weirdos and stalkers just don't appeal to us.
I have decided, however, that my "Anonymous" reader stays "Anonymous" because he/she is either
1. My former Landlord
2. Has their own Internet safety concerns
3. Could actually be someone famous, like Angelina Jolie, or Brad Pitt (how cool would THAT be??)- and CAN'T divulge thier identity
or
4. Is Bushy The Squirrel, from my early entries, and is offended by the way I have portrayed her and her little baby squirrels for freeloading in the old North Pole house.
SO, readers.. (including Mr/Mrs "Anonymous", who is apparently still reading, despite the torture), let us continue on with our usual lives, and mention it no more...
Without further Ado...
Like I said, "Here Comes The Sun"...
The days are slowly and surely lengthening! We took J to work this morning, and already, at 8 am, I could see the faint hint of dawn setting in.
Dawn and dusk are incredibly beautiful times here. The sky is still "dark", but a shade of indigo that slowly lightens to a blue-grey, then, as the sun peeks over the mountains (at least on the days clear enough to see it),begins to come alive with streaks of pink, orange, sharp bright blues, and eventually, the bright yellow orange glow of the sun makes its entrance between the mountain peaks.
Nowhere have I seen a sunrise like it. Amazing. It is my favorite time of day to stand by the kitchen window, cup of coffee in hand, and watch the sun as the snow blows off the trees, and steam come off the mountains as the sun warms them, just a little.
Day is getting longer now, too... almost like a "normal" day. I have noticed glimpses of the fading sun in the sky as late as 4:30 pm now, and dusk simmers in the sky for a good hour most evenings, giving the impression that there is some daylight from about 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, or close to it.
Dusk is another beautiful difference from the lower 48. Early in the afternoon, the sun loses it's "noon glow", and even though you can see it in the sky, it begins to change from a bright yellow ball, to a deep orange ball in the sky. To see it's "light" you really have to look at it to know it's there. Sure, there's "daylight", but the sun seems separate from it, looking more like a large Harvest Moon in a sky of daylight, instead of night. As the orange globe begins its descent between the hills, the reverse of sunrise takes place, leaving sharp pinks, reds, and oranges in its wake, and finally fading into pale blue, to indigo, to black night sky.
I wasn't expecting the effect of this on me. It's no secret that I truly love the winter here, other than the cold temps. (I WOULD prefer temps around , say, zero, as opposed to 40 below!) Other than that, I find winter to be a beautiful and amazing place. I never tire of the changing winter scenery... and it DOES change! Some days, you can see the sun, some days, a pale grey sets over the sky, some days, the snow is falling, and on other crisp (and very cold days) the sun will shimmer off the frozen snow, where you can see new moose tracks, and hope for a glimpse of the animal. There is a sense of awe when an animal or object appears... a fox makes a sharp, dark red contrast on the otherwise stark white landscape, or a large moose suddenly appears through the tree line.
Also no secret that while there are things I love about the summers here, I have a sort of reversed seasonal affective issue, where the 24 hours of daylight becomes tiresome to me, and I deal with a sort of summer "funk" when there is an absence of light. (Not complaining about Alaska, mind you. Everywhere I have lived, the longer summer days has sent me into some sort of weird funk. Maybe I'm part vampire, or something? Hmm. Have to check the family tree for that one.)
So I am surprised to find myself feeling the same things many of the seasoned residents feel around here... a happiness for longer days, and looking forward to the spring temperatures.
It's nice to talk to some of the other people around here... it seems like the general consensus is along the following lines:
Early winter is fun. The snow is "new" and exciting to see, at first. The days are still temperate, the days still have some "normal" hours and structure.
Not for me, but many people I have talked to, December to February is a cumbersome time to many local residents. By then, we have had several months of snow. And with the temps below freezing, it's no longer "new and exciting" to trek outdoors, start the car, shovel the walk, or get snow off the car. Many people (even die-hard ice fishermen, snow machiners, and dog mushers) stay inside more often when the weather gets below 20 Below... venturing out for necessities, but not much else. Those few months of isolation and cabin-fever can really get to a person. (Once again, not me, so much. Sure, I like to get out and tire of indoors, but being a homebody, I actually love the excuse to pull out a crochet project and not go start the van!)
As the weather "breaks" and the daylight begins to come back, people are anxious and happy to get out again... even venturing out into weather or temperatures that might have stopped them from going out a few weeks ago.
I have observed with some curiosity (and relief, since it has been getting J out of the house a bit, too), the number of people in our little town taking up outdoor sports in the last few weeks. J and a neighbor have been ice fishing once a week, with plans to add snow machine trips to the weekly adventures. And the offers for snow machining, ice fishing, hockey scrimmages, and various other activities have been rolling in faster than we can keep up with or accept them.
Local stores that spent several weeks a bit "empty" have suddenly filled with what I call "the lingering"... people who are in IGA to do much more than buy groceries and hurry home. They are stopping in the cafe, poking their heads in at the bank or the local coffee shop, and, well, lingering... chatting with people they haven't seen in a few weeks, making plans to get out of the house, and most of all... talking about spring. The guesses on when break-up is going to happen are starting to be peppered in among the local gossip, and I was even told excitedly by a local business owner that I chat with often, "Rumor has it, we are going to have an early and warmer spring than last year!"
Maybe some fellow Alaskan Residents can make sure I have the record straight, but it seems like the seasonal cycle is kicking into high-gear. Spring IS coming... eventually. And like I said, the talk around town sounds excited for it. Won't be long before we start hearing of all the summer plans people are making, instead of the vacations many have taken or are taking now, to get out of the cold.
(Susan, I can't wait to hear how Hawaii was for you! I am happy here, but can remember the feel of sand between my toes, too!)
I find myself getting excited about it, too... strangely enough.
Spring means that this new baby will finally be here.
Spring means that our road trips through Alaska will be returning.
I don't know how much gold-panning we'll do with TWO babies in tow, but it does mean a return of picnics, walks through parks, fishing on unfrozen waters, gardening, and longer days to visit with our North Pole and Fairbanks friends, without having to worry about getting home before it gets too dark.
Meanwhile... I was recently told of "The Ice Park", coming in February, which sounds like a fun way to finish out some of our first winter in Alaska. I'll have to find the kink and post it, but it's basically a bunch of ice sculptures, slides, and other things made of ice. Oooh... Ahhhh....
Ice is one thing we definitely have plenty of, so we might as well do something cool (ha ha) with it.
IN OTHER NEWS:
(This is where people who don't care to read our family updates could probably tune out:)
Our last midwife visit went great! I kind of went in, guns blazing about how I was tired of being a medical anomaly, and the midwife was pretty receptive to letting me be "just a normal pregnant woman". The one exception... if we aren't doing all the medical intervention, she asked if we could do a simple test, every two weeks, that basically shows if there is a risk I might go into labor in the next two weeks.
For the medically curious, it's called a Fetal Fibronectin Test... you can google it, so I don't have to get overly "graphic" here, but basically, it shows if there are physical changes in body fluid that happen in the weeks just before labor. Until I get to 37 weeks or so, we WANT to see "negative" results. Which is what we got this time around. Looks like labor won't be in the next two weeks (or at least an incredibly low risk of that!), so this little one is still cooking away, and getting big.
I am now getting kicked in the ribs and the hips at the same time, and had to buy the next size up in maternity clothes. J assures me that I am still sexy and beautiful, but I mostly feel like a lumbering cow, and am rethinking my decision to not "moo" through labor. I mean... maybe it will just come naturally, since I am morphing into a cow now. In fact, if I get much bigger, I won't have to worry about mooing like a cow through labor. I will be making beluga whale sounds instead.
Well, we had good news, and go back in another two weeks. Hooray!
Meanwhile, back at the ranch...
Beans is a sicky AGAIN. Looks like she picked up another little cold, and the pediatrician has warned us that croup and RSV are going around. We stayed home from playgroups this week, but other than a little extra fussiness and lots of nose blowing, we are holding down the fort.
And in REALLY good news: we actually saw a pediatrician that we loved! She also took a look at little Beans' weight, said she was finally coming back on some sort of "curve", then made me feel extra good by saying, "Well, judging by the two of you (J and me), it doesn't look like she would be destined to be a very big person anyway." (That is the best thing you could ever say to a pregnant beluga whale, ever!)
She was very supportive about STILL (yes, still) nursing, and listened to our crazy hippy diet and told us that she thought we were on the right track. Which I already knew. But it was nice to hear a "professional" say that. She also agreed that we did the right thing, avoiding the poptart, bologna, and mac and cheese diet that one doctor advised us to start.
Other quick news of no important note:
We lost one of the channels on TV that we actually care to watch (NBC apparently made their digital conversion already). Between that, the moron in tech support I talked to who took 30 minutes to tell me I needed a converter box that the install guy says I don't need, and realizing that the only channels of the 55 channels we pay for that we actually watch are: PBS, NBC, and ESPN during college football season, it just wasn't worth a converter box. Especially when I can download all those things online OR get them from Netflix.
So, we ditched the cable.
On that note, a heartfelt apology to my teenage boys, who when they come to visit, are going to be more "bored" than they could ever imagine. Just think... no cable? No video games? What is a guy to do all summer???
The fresh air will do you some good, fellas. And I promise, (well, I hope, anyway) the bears WON'T eat you when you go fishing with J. Just keep you head up, make lots of noise (which you are already good at), and run fast. Just kidding. Don't run. The bears will give chase.
*grin*
SO...
That's our update this time around. Coming up in the next few weeks, more playgroups (once Beans doesn't have boogers hanging down to her chin), more ice fishing (for J) is likely, especially since he returned with dinner again- this time, two good sized "land-locked salmon". (They have a real name, but I don't know what it is.) They were tasty, whatever they were, and leftovers were turned into a special dish (Salmon Fettuccine) for Beans, who has recently asked for "noo-noos" (noodles, for those of you who don't speak toddler) for every single meal this week, including breakfast.
Also on the agenda, a snow machine trip for J, if the weather holds out, but we are predicted for 20 or 30 below again this week.
The following week, ANOTHER trip to Fairbanks to see the midwife. No more shopping. I'm burned out on shopping. And most of all... glad to be back home in our own little nest. Time is going by quickly, and it has dawned on me that I should start getting our little nest ready for a new little bird (or nugget) to be here.
Until Next Time,
Happy Moose Trails!
Friday, January 23, 2009
The Point
As in, the point of my blog.
I just want to say that I love getting feedback from people. I really do. I am always interested to see what people think of my writing, my thinking, and hear the opinions of others. I'm not easily bothered by differences in opinion (unless they occur with my husband, in which case, I am automatically right), so I usually welcome them. And when I think someone has been a bit obnoxious stating their opinion, I usually just ignore it.
In this case, I plan to make an exception, but for good reason.
I received a comment on the blog yesterday that got me thinking a little bit...
Here's the comment from an ANONYMOUS poster:
"Hmmm...came across this blog and read most the posts (I guess I must love torture). This post is actually the only one that doesn't consist primarily of complaining and whining. Kudos for that, I suppose.On another note, you may want to talk about more than just you and your fam....unless it's just a blog to stay "distantly connected" to your far-away friends and family."
Hey, "Anonymous"... thanks for reading. Torturous or not, you actually managed to waste some of your day reading my blog. So I can't complain about that. It means I caught your attention out there in the great big Internet universe, right? Kudos for THAT, I suppose.
Sorry to hear you find my writing torturous. I feel the same way about J.R. Tolkien, personally... but lots of other people (including my 12th grade English teacher and a really dorky guy I dated in high school) really like his writing.
I finally found an awesome way to stop torturing myself. Stop trying to read The Hobbit, or any of his other books for that matter.
I really won't be offended if you stop torturing yourself, but I thought I WOULD let you (and all my readers know) the purpose of my blog before you go.
I said I had a good reason for commenting on this. And it really wasn't to single out an opinion, but to expand on that opinion.
I just want to put it out there that this blog IS about me and my family. That's the "point" of "following this southern family's journey into Alaska". And while it's sole purpose isn't to stay connected with family and friends back home, that is a really nifty benefit of the blog.
Seriously folks. As much as I really do love talking to people back home, between the time change, an active toddler, LIFE, and plenty of other factors, I just don't have time or desire in my life to call everyone once a week and chat.
The blog keeps those people who are semi-interested in our lives somewhat current on what's going on for us, without having to commit to a couple hours on the phone, listening to me babble. The rest of the family and friends who REALLY want more detail and don't mind listening to me chatter all afternoon, call or email for more details.
In all honesty, this blog has probably saved a handful of relationships that would have otherwise fizzled out once we moved 5000 miles away from everyone, as well as forged some new cyber-friendships with people I would have otherwise never "met". Hooray for Technology!
(And for those who are bored with my prattling on about life, Hooray for the "close window" button, right?)
The blog occasionally serves as a glimpse into Alaskan living, but that's going to be through the eyes of a true "cheechako"... or new resident. I will not be claiming to be an Alaskan Expert, by any means. My biggest goal in sharing "Alaskana" on my blog is to make friends and family realize that we are not daily living the lives of the guys on Deadliest Catch (although I still say that if I ever get a chance to go to Dutch Harbor, I am TOTALLY stalking that bar until I meet Phil's very cute sons), or being eaten by bears, or all those other things Discovery Channel fills your mind with about Alaska.
The glimpses of Alaska are going to come from my experiences here, which I should mention, are reported by a "city girl" who has spent most of life in a relatively temperate climate (i.e. South Of The Mason-Dixon Line).
*And when I say "city girl", I mean that until a few years ago, I did not know that a "Wild Turkey" was an actual animal, not just a smooth Kentucky bourbon.*
I have spent nearly all of my life in decently sized cities and suburbs. Most of my formative years were in the Suburbs of Washington, DC. Up until moving to Alaska, we probably had 2500 people in my neighborhood. Now, that's what I have in my TOWN.
And I totally wish I was able to report on a lot of really cool things, like snowmobiling, dog sledding, hiking glaciers, and various other things, but pregnancy kind of has a lot of those activities on hold this year. Maybe next year. Or the next. All kinds of cool things are on our "Things To Do While Living in Alaska" list, but Rome wasn't built in a day... and all the cool things Alaska has to offer won't be done in our first year here, especially since I'm "in a family sort of way".
Don't worry, readers. I plan on telling my husband to find better things to do next year than getting me knocked up. (But honestly, when it's 40 below outside, the car won't start, and the cable is out, what else are ya gonna do?)
Incidentally, the blog also serves as a great place for me to Mind Vomit, which my Type-A Personality needs to do frequently. I'm sort of a Mind-Vomit junkie. (Mind Vomit Bulimic, perhaps?) I find that it helps me figure out who I am, who I want to be, and how I plan to get there. So you'll probably find a lot of that on this blog as well.
Oh. And as far as complaining and whining goes... 90% of what I "complain" about is actually my general use of sarcasm. If I REALLY mean to complain about something, you'll know I'm really complaining. There won't be any doubt. If you don't believe me, ask my husband. True complaining is generally done matter of fact, involves expletives, and is done very loudly in our house... without the sarcasm or tempered with humor. So if it sounds like "complaining" but has a funny undertone, yeah... it's just my lame attempt at humor.
I know. My older kids don't think I'm funny either.
But I can't help it. I was raised by two people whose sense of humor is a little like white wine. Dry.
My dad has been (good naturedly) compared to Captain Spock on more than one occasion. And my mom... well, where do you think I got my skills of sarcasm as humor? My parents were both big Monty Python fans, if that gives a clue to their sense of humor.
My dad still grins (he never giggles, and I think I've heard him laugh ONCE in my life) at "I'm going to fart in your general direction!"
(*Mom, Dad- I hope you know I say that with love and affection. Though I still don't get most of your jokes. *grin*)
SO...
For my readers (friends and family) who were already interested in our lives... I'm gonna keep right on mind-vomiting and updating about the family.
And those of you really nifty people who have developed an interest in my little family, I hope you'll keep reading! I'm so glad you found our little blog and I truly am flattered by those of you who like my writing enough to keep reading.
And for those of you who have told me I should get published and get paid to write, you totally make my day. I wouldn't argue one bit if you wanted to send me $19.95 for a book full of my useless babbling! Maybe one day. When I have something"interesting" to say...
And everyone... keep commenting! I love hearing how you found our little blog. I love hearing the opinions on things we think, do, and how we live.
People who agree make me feel less "weird" People who disagree inspire me to rethink my standing on some things... sometimes changing my opinions, and sometimes strengthening them. At a minimum, it opens dialogue and inspires thought, which is one of the purposes of life, after all.
Iron Sharpens Iron, ya know...
On that note... thank you "Anonymous" for opening dialogue, and making me think out my goals for my blog. Yup... it's mostly to stay connected, have a place to mind-vomit, and it's a great bonus that I attract people who find us somewhat interesting enough to read about.
Next week: Our travels to Fairbanks. Good grief, I hope the wind lets up before we have to head up there!
The weather report today:
Windy and cold. Oh. Same as yesterday?
I wish I could report the temps, but it seems the wind managed to rip our thermometer from the porch and blow it away. Either that, or a moose really wanted to know what the temperature was in his or her little den.
Beans and I took J to work this morning. The temps didn't feel so bad, but the wind is something else! I had to walk directly into the wind to get back in the house, and it literally does "take your breath away"! Poor Beans wasn't thrilled about that, and I buried her face into my jacket to keep the wind from knocking the "wind" out of her!
Back in the South, we were trained to get in the cellar or basement when it started sounding like a freight train outside. I've had to consciously remind myself that I am not likely to see a funnel cloud here, even if it sounds like one is barrelling down on the house.
So.. off to do more crochet work, then a nice hot shower, a cup of tea, and a good book before heading to bed.
Until Next Time...
Happy Moose Trails!
I just want to say that I love getting feedback from people. I really do. I am always interested to see what people think of my writing, my thinking, and hear the opinions of others. I'm not easily bothered by differences in opinion (unless they occur with my husband, in which case, I am automatically right), so I usually welcome them. And when I think someone has been a bit obnoxious stating their opinion, I usually just ignore it.
In this case, I plan to make an exception, but for good reason.
I received a comment on the blog yesterday that got me thinking a little bit...
Here's the comment from an ANONYMOUS poster:
"Hmmm...came across this blog and read most the posts (I guess I must love torture). This post is actually the only one that doesn't consist primarily of complaining and whining. Kudos for that, I suppose.On another note, you may want to talk about more than just you and your fam....unless it's just a blog to stay "distantly connected" to your far-away friends and family."
Hey, "Anonymous"... thanks for reading. Torturous or not, you actually managed to waste some of your day reading my blog. So I can't complain about that. It means I caught your attention out there in the great big Internet universe, right? Kudos for THAT, I suppose.
Sorry to hear you find my writing torturous. I feel the same way about J.R. Tolkien, personally... but lots of other people (including my 12th grade English teacher and a really dorky guy I dated in high school) really like his writing.
I finally found an awesome way to stop torturing myself. Stop trying to read The Hobbit, or any of his other books for that matter.
I really won't be offended if you stop torturing yourself, but I thought I WOULD let you (and all my readers know) the purpose of my blog before you go.
I said I had a good reason for commenting on this. And it really wasn't to single out an opinion, but to expand on that opinion.
I just want to put it out there that this blog IS about me and my family. That's the "point" of "following this southern family's journey into Alaska". And while it's sole purpose isn't to stay connected with family and friends back home, that is a really nifty benefit of the blog.
Seriously folks. As much as I really do love talking to people back home, between the time change, an active toddler, LIFE, and plenty of other factors, I just don't have time or desire in my life to call everyone once a week and chat.
The blog keeps those people who are semi-interested in our lives somewhat current on what's going on for us, without having to commit to a couple hours on the phone, listening to me babble. The rest of the family and friends who REALLY want more detail and don't mind listening to me chatter all afternoon, call or email for more details.
In all honesty, this blog has probably saved a handful of relationships that would have otherwise fizzled out once we moved 5000 miles away from everyone, as well as forged some new cyber-friendships with people I would have otherwise never "met". Hooray for Technology!
(And for those who are bored with my prattling on about life, Hooray for the "close window" button, right?)
The blog occasionally serves as a glimpse into Alaskan living, but that's going to be through the eyes of a true "cheechako"... or new resident. I will not be claiming to be an Alaskan Expert, by any means. My biggest goal in sharing "Alaskana" on my blog is to make friends and family realize that we are not daily living the lives of the guys on Deadliest Catch (although I still say that if I ever get a chance to go to Dutch Harbor, I am TOTALLY stalking that bar until I meet Phil's very cute sons), or being eaten by bears, or all those other things Discovery Channel fills your mind with about Alaska.
The glimpses of Alaska are going to come from my experiences here, which I should mention, are reported by a "city girl" who has spent most of life in a relatively temperate climate (i.e. South Of The Mason-Dixon Line).
*And when I say "city girl", I mean that until a few years ago, I did not know that a "Wild Turkey" was an actual animal, not just a smooth Kentucky bourbon.*
I have spent nearly all of my life in decently sized cities and suburbs. Most of my formative years were in the Suburbs of Washington, DC. Up until moving to Alaska, we probably had 2500 people in my neighborhood. Now, that's what I have in my TOWN.
And I totally wish I was able to report on a lot of really cool things, like snowmobiling, dog sledding, hiking glaciers, and various other things, but pregnancy kind of has a lot of those activities on hold this year. Maybe next year. Or the next. All kinds of cool things are on our "Things To Do While Living in Alaska" list, but Rome wasn't built in a day... and all the cool things Alaska has to offer won't be done in our first year here, especially since I'm "in a family sort of way".
Don't worry, readers. I plan on telling my husband to find better things to do next year than getting me knocked up. (But honestly, when it's 40 below outside, the car won't start, and the cable is out, what else are ya gonna do?)
Incidentally, the blog also serves as a great place for me to Mind Vomit, which my Type-A Personality needs to do frequently. I'm sort of a Mind-Vomit junkie. (Mind Vomit Bulimic, perhaps?) I find that it helps me figure out who I am, who I want to be, and how I plan to get there. So you'll probably find a lot of that on this blog as well.
Oh. And as far as complaining and whining goes... 90% of what I "complain" about is actually my general use of sarcasm. If I REALLY mean to complain about something, you'll know I'm really complaining. There won't be any doubt. If you don't believe me, ask my husband. True complaining is generally done matter of fact, involves expletives, and is done very loudly in our house... without the sarcasm or tempered with humor. So if it sounds like "complaining" but has a funny undertone, yeah... it's just my lame attempt at humor.
I know. My older kids don't think I'm funny either.
But I can't help it. I was raised by two people whose sense of humor is a little like white wine. Dry.
My dad has been (good naturedly) compared to Captain Spock on more than one occasion. And my mom... well, where do you think I got my skills of sarcasm as humor? My parents were both big Monty Python fans, if that gives a clue to their sense of humor.
My dad still grins (he never giggles, and I think I've heard him laugh ONCE in my life) at "I'm going to fart in your general direction!"
(*Mom, Dad- I hope you know I say that with love and affection. Though I still don't get most of your jokes. *grin*)
SO...
For my readers (friends and family) who were already interested in our lives... I'm gonna keep right on mind-vomiting and updating about the family.
And those of you really nifty people who have developed an interest in my little family, I hope you'll keep reading! I'm so glad you found our little blog and I truly am flattered by those of you who like my writing enough to keep reading.
And for those of you who have told me I should get published and get paid to write, you totally make my day. I wouldn't argue one bit if you wanted to send me $19.95 for a book full of my useless babbling! Maybe one day. When I have something"interesting" to say...
And everyone... keep commenting! I love hearing how you found our little blog. I love hearing the opinions on things we think, do, and how we live.
People who agree make me feel less "weird" People who disagree inspire me to rethink my standing on some things... sometimes changing my opinions, and sometimes strengthening them. At a minimum, it opens dialogue and inspires thought, which is one of the purposes of life, after all.
Iron Sharpens Iron, ya know...
On that note... thank you "Anonymous" for opening dialogue, and making me think out my goals for my blog. Yup... it's mostly to stay connected, have a place to mind-vomit, and it's a great bonus that I attract people who find us somewhat interesting enough to read about.
Next week: Our travels to Fairbanks. Good grief, I hope the wind lets up before we have to head up there!
The weather report today:
Windy and cold. Oh. Same as yesterday?
I wish I could report the temps, but it seems the wind managed to rip our thermometer from the porch and blow it away. Either that, or a moose really wanted to know what the temperature was in his or her little den.
Beans and I took J to work this morning. The temps didn't feel so bad, but the wind is something else! I had to walk directly into the wind to get back in the house, and it literally does "take your breath away"! Poor Beans wasn't thrilled about that, and I buried her face into my jacket to keep the wind from knocking the "wind" out of her!
Back in the South, we were trained to get in the cellar or basement when it started sounding like a freight train outside. I've had to consciously remind myself that I am not likely to see a funnel cloud here, even if it sounds like one is barrelling down on the house.
So.. off to do more crochet work, then a nice hot shower, a cup of tea, and a good book before heading to bed.
Until Next Time...
Happy Moose Trails!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Out And About
Well hello again!
Some days, I feel like a horrible blogger. My posts have been few and far between lately. I think I was anticipating more time on my hands, but our first winter is proving to be very busy for us... and I don't even think we have had a good chance to really do all the stuff we would like to do, because this pregnant belly of mine is hindering a lot of outdoor activities.
Let's face it, it's hard enough to run away from bears when you aren't pregnant.
OK, OK, I know... bears are hibernating this time of year. All the more reason to not accidentally find one that happens to be awake right now, if you ask me.
But enough on my fear of bears.
Well, as you can guess from our post title, we have been "out and about"!
OK. I am probably about to take a little flack from friends and family, and maybe even a few concerned readers, but...
Bed Rest just isn't going to happen.
I'm adding a disclaimer here... my midwife and I had a good talk last visit, and somewhere in my exhaustion from our return trip from North Dakota, I think I finally made her understand that being trapped in the house with a 15 month old was probably more of a risk than anything else I could be doing. As I posted last time, she took me off the progesterone, and I think she's starting to surrender to the fact that I am going to be one of those "non-compliant" patients when it comes to bed rest.
In my defense, it's not my fault. Anyone who disagrees is welcome to come explain to Beans why she has to be content playing indoors for the next three months while mommy sits on the couch. And while you're here, if you can train her to make her own meals, change her own diapers, do laundry, clean the house, and maybe even bring me a snack, I'd be more than happy to comply with bed rest.
Meanwhile, I must preserve my sanity, and that involves leaving the house.
So... after a week-long bout with a double ear-infection and a sinus infection (Beans), followed by a few days of being out of commission myself with "the crud", we decided it was time to go make friends. Or at least get out of the house. This also involved taking advantage of how travelling messed up Beans' routine, and I, out of selfishness and pure desperation to meet other people, decided to ditch her morning nap. A couple days of a really cranky toddler, and soon, we were adjusted and ready to go.
We have been to playgroups that led to other playgroups, Library Time, MOPS, and various other things going on in the community. From this, I have met moms with kids the same age as mine, a few with some similar interests, and most of all, have had contact with humans who are 1) not related to me, 2) don't smear peanut butter on my favorite shirt, and 3) don't throw blocks at me when I say it's time for a nap.
In other words, I have been having LOTS of fun!
Seriously. In all honesty, Library Time was a little more "work" than I was hoping for. Seems that Beans doesn't quite understand the concept of sitting in a circle and reading stories. Especially when the library has one of those really cool train set tables she could be playing with instead. But I think we can overcome that with a little practice. Maybe. Beans IS pretty determined, especially when it comes to trains.
MOPS was also not a great success for us. Um... Beans has never spent more than a couple hours in her entire life away from "My Momma!" (me), and while I was able to leave her in the nursery successfully, it didn't take long before she noticed my absence. I was called out of the MOPS group to retrieve Little Beans, who was sobbing "MY MOMMA!" in the arms of a frazzled looking teenager.
I have been told it will get better. J, on the other hand, remains unconvinced of this, and has made me promise to never leave her in a nursery again, until she is at least 15 years old.
OK. Before I get too much flack from our readers on that as well... I should (or maybe I shouldn't?) mention a couple of our own Moose Nugget Family Rules.
For reasons that are way too yucky to get into on this blog, we have a general rule that we don't leave kids with sitters until they are old enough to tell us what happened while we were gone.
We have met several other adults and family members who seem offended by this Family Rule, and many who think that we are "ruining" our kids, not socializing them or making them learn to be away from us, wondering "how on earth" we'll ever do anything as a "couple", and even people who are offended that we don't need or want their baby-sitting services.
To those, I have to say, "Get Over It".
J and I are not offended or inconvenienced by our daughter's presence. And having followed another Family Rule of "get your dating done before you get married or have kids" might help some people to understand that I don't "date" my husband. We're married. Oh, don't worry. We still have special time, "grown-up time", and do lots of fun things together. We just do fun stuff as a family, and save the grown-up stuff for when babies are in bed.
And as a side note, to "not making our kids learn to be away from us", well... I don't know too many kids who needed mommy or daddy to come to college with them. I'm sure the day will come soon enough (or even too soon) that Beans and her siblings are more than happy to leave us old parents behind.
Another Family Rule contributing to the ban on nurseries is this:
J's primary job is being a fire-fighter, and his role in our home is to bring home the bacon.
MY primary job is "mom and wife". He brings home the bacon, I cook it. We are both committed to the fact that my primary job as "mom" is to mother our children. As much as I DO enjoy getting out and doing a few things by myself from time to time, we both agree that if someone else is doing my job (a.k.a. the nursery), then there better be a REALLY good reason I have abandoned my primary duties.
I know, I know. Extreme. I probably made half the women reading this gasp in horror. I never said YOU have to do it, but it works for our family.
For those concerned, I DO get out and do things on my own. My husband, while definitely NOT a very good stay-at-home-mom, IS a great dad. And by that, I mean, he changes diapers, plays with the kids, and manages to not set the house on fire while I'm gone. And even if he did, well, he's a firefighter, so I trust him. (That trust does NOT extend to laundry, or cooking anything more complicated than tacos, however. Just taking care of the kids.)
ANYHOO... Those rules may help explain why J was more traumatized than Beans over her ordeal in the nursery.
But don't worry MOPS gals! I'll be back! J is usually home on those days anyway, so she'll still be home with daddy while mommy gets a chance to get away and play!
Speaking of getting away... J has been doing some getting away himself.
He's been off ice fishing, and starts helping out with some hockey team this week as well.
The ice fishing has been "prosperous", and he came home with a nice dinner the other night. Two trout, one of them was 17 inches! I have discovered that my pioneering desires end at having to behead or fillet fish. J was kind enough to handle that, and I pan fried the little one and baked the big one with a garlic pepper and lemon peel seasoning. It was a good teamwork effort... J bringing home dinner, my preparing it. Even little Beans was thrilled, and munched on dinner, chanting, "Yum Yum Fishy!"
Looks like Ice Fishing should turn into a weekly habit (and hopefully bringing home some dinner each time!), as a friend and neighbor has decided he can tolerate J's company in an ice house for several hours on a regular basis.
Oh. I didn't mean for that to sound so mean. But I think most married women can agree with me on this: I like my husband's company from time to time. But too much of a good thing... well... No one should have to spend that much time with any one individual. I love him, but after a few days of his company, I'm a little desperate to get out, too. Plus, he talks more than I do, and it's really not very nice to tell your husband to "PLEASE, shut up" as often as I do. (Hey, I DO say "please"!)
In Other News:
We have an appointment (and consequential trip to Fairbanks) to see the midwife this upcoming week. Should be able to send along a little baby update for everyone next week.
For those of you asking, NO, we haven't decided on a name yet, and when we do, we probably won't share it until the baby gets here. I'm crazy superstitious like that, and besides, every time I find a name I like, I meet a bunch of kids with the same name, then have to change my mind again. Besides, no offense, but I don't care if you like or don't like the baby's name. She's the one who has to live it with it, and I have to call her by it. So if I want to name her Petunia Gertrude Picklebottom Merrill, I will.
(Just kidding. I won't really name her that, even if it is unique.)
Weather Report for Friends, Family, and Readers in the Lower 48:
It's cold. And windy. Did you expect anything different?
We had an incredible warm-up last week (over 40 degrees!). I thought I would love that, as I'm not exactly crazy about 40 Below, but all 40 Above did was turn everything to slush, then it froze over again.
I had my first slip and fall on the ice which caused J to panic, but all I really wounded was my pride. Little Nugget and Momma are just fine. Beans, luckily, was in the house (it happened when I dashed out to start the car... another reason I want auto start on my vehicle for next winter!), so she wasn't in any danger either.
Also, 40 Above didn't do much for me except make me anxious for warmer weather. Last week was nice, to be out in a light jacket, or even no jacket at all. This week, we are back to below zero temps (though not nearly as bad as previous weeks), and I was really unhappy to have to face my thermals again. Especially since my belly just keeps growing and growing.
I know I've said it before, but I REALLY resent the fact that no one makes maternity thermals. I am currently feeling a bit like a stuffed sausage.
Meanwhile, daylight is creeping back in slowly but surely. We are back to 5 1/2 hours of official light (sunrise to sunset), and it may be my imagination, but it seems like dawn and dusk hours are also lengthening. While the sun doesn't officially rise until shortly after 10 am, you can see traces of light along the mountain range starting at 8:30 am, and though the sun "sets" a little after 3:30, there is still evening light until around 4:30 or 5 pm.
Clear days are absolutely beautiful. The winter light casts a crisp pink glow on Mt Hayes and the rest of the mountain ranges, and I love to take a few sips of my coffee while gazing out the kitchen window, staring at the mountains and hoping for a glimpse of our local moose.
I have even developed a sort of "love" for the overcast days...
I know (and have recently heard) a lot of people who are "tired" of winter and ready for spring, but for me, as each day grows longer, I feel a certain sadness and longing for NEXT winter already. The only thing I'm "tired" of, is the below zero business. I could live without that.
Maybe in coming years I will feel differently. Maybe I am just "in love" with the winter because it is our first one here... and my first true winter after eight long years in Alabama. I can understand why some people don't like this weather and the "dark", but I just don't see how I'll ever tire of it.
Maybe I'm crazy. (No comment from friends or close family on that one!)
In other babbling:
I have also been keeping busy with crochet projects, sewing projects, and a few good books. I've finally started a baby blanket for Little Nugget... a challenging pattern, but coming together nicely. I am still working on a cross-stitch that I started when we moved here, but got sidetracked with other projects that were more fun to complete.
On the current Book Reading List:
- A Laura Ingalls Wilder book, letters and diaries from her trips in adulthood, to visit her daughter in California, as well travels from De Smet (Dakota Territory) to Missouri, and some travels she and her husband made later in life. (Mom, if you haven't read this one, I'll send it when I'm done! It's good and has lots of photos and stuff in it!)
- Wicked, by Gregory Maguire. It's the first in a series that has been out for a while, and a friend recommended the series. I'm finally reading it, since everyone else seems to have enjoyed it.
And a ton of pregnancy, natural childbirth, labor and delivery books recommended by the doula, the midwife, and plenty of other pregnant chicks. I have read so many of these books now that I am convinced they all serve the same purpose... to convince women that drugs in labor are terrible and going to kill you and your baby, and to make you feel like a big crybaby for thinking labor is going to hurt.
For the record... labor DOES hurt. It is not "uncomfortable" as one nurse tried to convince me when I had my first child.
And, as much as I really would like to achieve a drug-free labor this time around, I am not above making myself somewhat comfortable if I feel the need. Also, if anyone knows a labor book that doesn't involve techniques like: mooing like a cow, making primal birthing noises, or birthing in an ice bath, surrounded by a dozen chanting medicine men (or whatever some of these books recommend), THOSE are the books I'd really be interested in checking out.
I still refuse to moo like a cow.
ANYHOO... that's our update this time around. Our upcoming weekend and week involves
- Trying To Make Beans Go To Church, a.k.a.- "How dumb can mommy get?"
-Midwife visit, to convince the midwife that bed rest is seriously overrated and remind her that I am NOT going to moo like a cow through labor.
-Shopping in Fairbanks. This also involves the next size up in maternity pants, as my belly refuses to cooperate with my wardrobe any longer. Also, there are rumors that I can get pita bread in Fairbanks, which would be so nice, as the recipe I have involves loads of effort, and sometimes doesn't produce nice "pockets", but gives flat llittle disks of bread instead. (Wow. Whoever thought I would be thrilled to find things like pita bread? And my oldest son is more concerned that I have no clue what an Ipod Nano Touch is. Hmmm.)
-More ice fishing, playgroups, cold weather, wind, and crochet projects.
I hope everyone else is staying warm and out of the wind! For those of you getting glimpses of spring in the lower 48... I envy the fact that you will be gardening months before I am!
Until Next Time...
Happy Moose Trails!
Some days, I feel like a horrible blogger. My posts have been few and far between lately. I think I was anticipating more time on my hands, but our first winter is proving to be very busy for us... and I don't even think we have had a good chance to really do all the stuff we would like to do, because this pregnant belly of mine is hindering a lot of outdoor activities.
Let's face it, it's hard enough to run away from bears when you aren't pregnant.
OK, OK, I know... bears are hibernating this time of year. All the more reason to not accidentally find one that happens to be awake right now, if you ask me.
But enough on my fear of bears.
Well, as you can guess from our post title, we have been "out and about"!
OK. I am probably about to take a little flack from friends and family, and maybe even a few concerned readers, but...
Bed Rest just isn't going to happen.
I'm adding a disclaimer here... my midwife and I had a good talk last visit, and somewhere in my exhaustion from our return trip from North Dakota, I think I finally made her understand that being trapped in the house with a 15 month old was probably more of a risk than anything else I could be doing. As I posted last time, she took me off the progesterone, and I think she's starting to surrender to the fact that I am going to be one of those "non-compliant" patients when it comes to bed rest.
In my defense, it's not my fault. Anyone who disagrees is welcome to come explain to Beans why she has to be content playing indoors for the next three months while mommy sits on the couch. And while you're here, if you can train her to make her own meals, change her own diapers, do laundry, clean the house, and maybe even bring me a snack, I'd be more than happy to comply with bed rest.
Meanwhile, I must preserve my sanity, and that involves leaving the house.
So... after a week-long bout with a double ear-infection and a sinus infection (Beans), followed by a few days of being out of commission myself with "the crud", we decided it was time to go make friends. Or at least get out of the house. This also involved taking advantage of how travelling messed up Beans' routine, and I, out of selfishness and pure desperation to meet other people, decided to ditch her morning nap. A couple days of a really cranky toddler, and soon, we were adjusted and ready to go.
We have been to playgroups that led to other playgroups, Library Time, MOPS, and various other things going on in the community. From this, I have met moms with kids the same age as mine, a few with some similar interests, and most of all, have had contact with humans who are 1) not related to me, 2) don't smear peanut butter on my favorite shirt, and 3) don't throw blocks at me when I say it's time for a nap.
In other words, I have been having LOTS of fun!
Seriously. In all honesty, Library Time was a little more "work" than I was hoping for. Seems that Beans doesn't quite understand the concept of sitting in a circle and reading stories. Especially when the library has one of those really cool train set tables she could be playing with instead. But I think we can overcome that with a little practice. Maybe. Beans IS pretty determined, especially when it comes to trains.
MOPS was also not a great success for us. Um... Beans has never spent more than a couple hours in her entire life away from "My Momma!" (me), and while I was able to leave her in the nursery successfully, it didn't take long before she noticed my absence. I was called out of the MOPS group to retrieve Little Beans, who was sobbing "MY MOMMA!" in the arms of a frazzled looking teenager.
I have been told it will get better. J, on the other hand, remains unconvinced of this, and has made me promise to never leave her in a nursery again, until she is at least 15 years old.
OK. Before I get too much flack from our readers on that as well... I should (or maybe I shouldn't?) mention a couple of our own Moose Nugget Family Rules.
For reasons that are way too yucky to get into on this blog, we have a general rule that we don't leave kids with sitters until they are old enough to tell us what happened while we were gone.
We have met several other adults and family members who seem offended by this Family Rule, and many who think that we are "ruining" our kids, not socializing them or making them learn to be away from us, wondering "how on earth" we'll ever do anything as a "couple", and even people who are offended that we don't need or want their baby-sitting services.
To those, I have to say, "Get Over It".
J and I are not offended or inconvenienced by our daughter's presence. And having followed another Family Rule of "get your dating done before you get married or have kids" might help some people to understand that I don't "date" my husband. We're married. Oh, don't worry. We still have special time, "grown-up time", and do lots of fun things together. We just do fun stuff as a family, and save the grown-up stuff for when babies are in bed.
And as a side note, to "not making our kids learn to be away from us", well... I don't know too many kids who needed mommy or daddy to come to college with them. I'm sure the day will come soon enough (or even too soon) that Beans and her siblings are more than happy to leave us old parents behind.
Another Family Rule contributing to the ban on nurseries is this:
J's primary job is being a fire-fighter, and his role in our home is to bring home the bacon.
MY primary job is "mom and wife". He brings home the bacon, I cook it. We are both committed to the fact that my primary job as "mom" is to mother our children. As much as I DO enjoy getting out and doing a few things by myself from time to time, we both agree that if someone else is doing my job (a.k.a. the nursery), then there better be a REALLY good reason I have abandoned my primary duties.
I know, I know. Extreme. I probably made half the women reading this gasp in horror. I never said YOU have to do it, but it works for our family.
For those concerned, I DO get out and do things on my own. My husband, while definitely NOT a very good stay-at-home-mom, IS a great dad. And by that, I mean, he changes diapers, plays with the kids, and manages to not set the house on fire while I'm gone. And even if he did, well, he's a firefighter, so I trust him. (That trust does NOT extend to laundry, or cooking anything more complicated than tacos, however. Just taking care of the kids.)
ANYHOO... Those rules may help explain why J was more traumatized than Beans over her ordeal in the nursery.
But don't worry MOPS gals! I'll be back! J is usually home on those days anyway, so she'll still be home with daddy while mommy gets a chance to get away and play!
Speaking of getting away... J has been doing some getting away himself.
He's been off ice fishing, and starts helping out with some hockey team this week as well.
The ice fishing has been "prosperous", and he came home with a nice dinner the other night. Two trout, one of them was 17 inches! I have discovered that my pioneering desires end at having to behead or fillet fish. J was kind enough to handle that, and I pan fried the little one and baked the big one with a garlic pepper and lemon peel seasoning. It was a good teamwork effort... J bringing home dinner, my preparing it. Even little Beans was thrilled, and munched on dinner, chanting, "Yum Yum Fishy!"
Looks like Ice Fishing should turn into a weekly habit (and hopefully bringing home some dinner each time!), as a friend and neighbor has decided he can tolerate J's company in an ice house for several hours on a regular basis.
Oh. I didn't mean for that to sound so mean. But I think most married women can agree with me on this: I like my husband's company from time to time. But too much of a good thing... well... No one should have to spend that much time with any one individual. I love him, but after a few days of his company, I'm a little desperate to get out, too. Plus, he talks more than I do, and it's really not very nice to tell your husband to "PLEASE, shut up" as often as I do. (Hey, I DO say "please"!)
In Other News:
We have an appointment (and consequential trip to Fairbanks) to see the midwife this upcoming week. Should be able to send along a little baby update for everyone next week.
For those of you asking, NO, we haven't decided on a name yet, and when we do, we probably won't share it until the baby gets here. I'm crazy superstitious like that, and besides, every time I find a name I like, I meet a bunch of kids with the same name, then have to change my mind again. Besides, no offense, but I don't care if you like or don't like the baby's name. She's the one who has to live it with it, and I have to call her by it. So if I want to name her Petunia Gertrude Picklebottom Merrill, I will.
(Just kidding. I won't really name her that, even if it is unique.)
Weather Report for Friends, Family, and Readers in the Lower 48:
It's cold. And windy. Did you expect anything different?
We had an incredible warm-up last week (over 40 degrees!). I thought I would love that, as I'm not exactly crazy about 40 Below, but all 40 Above did was turn everything to slush, then it froze over again.
I had my first slip and fall on the ice which caused J to panic, but all I really wounded was my pride. Little Nugget and Momma are just fine. Beans, luckily, was in the house (it happened when I dashed out to start the car... another reason I want auto start on my vehicle for next winter!), so she wasn't in any danger either.
Also, 40 Above didn't do much for me except make me anxious for warmer weather. Last week was nice, to be out in a light jacket, or even no jacket at all. This week, we are back to below zero temps (though not nearly as bad as previous weeks), and I was really unhappy to have to face my thermals again. Especially since my belly just keeps growing and growing.
I know I've said it before, but I REALLY resent the fact that no one makes maternity thermals. I am currently feeling a bit like a stuffed sausage.
Meanwhile, daylight is creeping back in slowly but surely. We are back to 5 1/2 hours of official light (sunrise to sunset), and it may be my imagination, but it seems like dawn and dusk hours are also lengthening. While the sun doesn't officially rise until shortly after 10 am, you can see traces of light along the mountain range starting at 8:30 am, and though the sun "sets" a little after 3:30, there is still evening light until around 4:30 or 5 pm.
Clear days are absolutely beautiful. The winter light casts a crisp pink glow on Mt Hayes and the rest of the mountain ranges, and I love to take a few sips of my coffee while gazing out the kitchen window, staring at the mountains and hoping for a glimpse of our local moose.
I have even developed a sort of "love" for the overcast days...
I know (and have recently heard) a lot of people who are "tired" of winter and ready for spring, but for me, as each day grows longer, I feel a certain sadness and longing for NEXT winter already. The only thing I'm "tired" of, is the below zero business. I could live without that.
Maybe in coming years I will feel differently. Maybe I am just "in love" with the winter because it is our first one here... and my first true winter after eight long years in Alabama. I can understand why some people don't like this weather and the "dark", but I just don't see how I'll ever tire of it.
Maybe I'm crazy. (No comment from friends or close family on that one!)
In other babbling:
I have also been keeping busy with crochet projects, sewing projects, and a few good books. I've finally started a baby blanket for Little Nugget... a challenging pattern, but coming together nicely. I am still working on a cross-stitch that I started when we moved here, but got sidetracked with other projects that were more fun to complete.
On the current Book Reading List:
- A Laura Ingalls Wilder book, letters and diaries from her trips in adulthood, to visit her daughter in California, as well travels from De Smet (Dakota Territory) to Missouri, and some travels she and her husband made later in life. (Mom, if you haven't read this one, I'll send it when I'm done! It's good and has lots of photos and stuff in it!)
- Wicked, by Gregory Maguire. It's the first in a series that has been out for a while, and a friend recommended the series. I'm finally reading it, since everyone else seems to have enjoyed it.
And a ton of pregnancy, natural childbirth, labor and delivery books recommended by the doula, the midwife, and plenty of other pregnant chicks. I have read so many of these books now that I am convinced they all serve the same purpose... to convince women that drugs in labor are terrible and going to kill you and your baby, and to make you feel like a big crybaby for thinking labor is going to hurt.
For the record... labor DOES hurt. It is not "uncomfortable" as one nurse tried to convince me when I had my first child.
And, as much as I really would like to achieve a drug-free labor this time around, I am not above making myself somewhat comfortable if I feel the need. Also, if anyone knows a labor book that doesn't involve techniques like: mooing like a cow, making primal birthing noises, or birthing in an ice bath, surrounded by a dozen chanting medicine men (or whatever some of these books recommend), THOSE are the books I'd really be interested in checking out.
I still refuse to moo like a cow.
ANYHOO... that's our update this time around. Our upcoming weekend and week involves
- Trying To Make Beans Go To Church, a.k.a.- "How dumb can mommy get?"
-Midwife visit, to convince the midwife that bed rest is seriously overrated and remind her that I am NOT going to moo like a cow through labor.
-Shopping in Fairbanks. This also involves the next size up in maternity pants, as my belly refuses to cooperate with my wardrobe any longer. Also, there are rumors that I can get pita bread in Fairbanks, which would be so nice, as the recipe I have involves loads of effort, and sometimes doesn't produce nice "pockets", but gives flat llittle disks of bread instead. (Wow. Whoever thought I would be thrilled to find things like pita bread? And my oldest son is more concerned that I have no clue what an Ipod Nano Touch is. Hmmm.)
-More ice fishing, playgroups, cold weather, wind, and crochet projects.
I hope everyone else is staying warm and out of the wind! For those of you getting glimpses of spring in the lower 48... I envy the fact that you will be gardening months before I am!
Until Next Time...
Happy Moose Trails!
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