Operation SOLD

As many of my stories begin - this one  all started with T, some wine, and a list.  The list grew, as the wine supply depleted.  Those who know my bestie, know that she is witty, at times crass, intelligent, and always brutally honest.  She is logical, uber Type A, and obsessed with organization and budgets.  She can visualize, and sort.  Her logic, many times, has put my sensitivity in check.  So, when T started making a list, and throwing all my stuff away - I probably cried, but knew it was for OPERATION SOLD.  We started with closets and cabinets...

  I will spare you all the gory details, let's just say that T was concerned that I would be on the next episode of "Hoarders" if an intervention did not take place.  And intervene, she did.

We cleaned, and tossed, and painted and updated.  We organized, and donated, and donated some more.  We checked off each item of that list.  With pictures on the fancy camera...

and the burial of St. Joseph, the mission was complete.  Mid-June we accepted an offer on 2608 15 Avenue Southeast, and the packing would begin - after one major roadtrip.

Haper turned one, and of course, there was a party.  We were so lucky to have beautiful weather, family and food.  There was a gift or two, as well.  Harper is a sweet babe.  She smiled her huge grin, and laughed at all the bags and papers.  Her favorite gift, without a doubt, was the enormous balloon from her big brother. 

Thank you to all who made her day a special one.  The first year of parenthood is a rollercoaster - hold on tight, and hope it stays on the track.  I've come to believe that birthdays are as much about the child as the village.  Many have said it takes one to raise a child, and I believe it takes one to raise a mother, too.

one year ago today...

I woke up early (surprise!) and got Bennett ready for school.  After AP and the boy left, I crawled back in bed to bask in my miserableness.  The uncomfortableness soon turned into hunger, and I waddled my way into the kitchen.  I popped an english muffin in the toaster, and then it happened.  At least, I thought it happened...  Maybe it happened...  Actually, I wasn't quite sure what had happened...  Shannon answered on the first ring, and I sputtered.... "Sooooo, either I just peed my pants, or my water just broke..."

After chatting with Shannon, and figuring out what to do, I called AP.  He was in the middle of feeding 400 people breakfast, but answered on the third ring.  He was on his way home before I could even tell him to get in the car.

Arriving at the hospital, we were admitted and told that my doctor would not be able to perform the delivery.  Although I was super disappointed (and now kind of scared), I knew I was in capable care.  I was "third on the list" and very grateful I didn't actually eat my english muffin.

Harper Nicole Prose was born at 11:23am. She weighed 7lbs and 5 oz, and was 19 inches long.  She snuggled in right away, and slept through her birthday.  

Today, Harps is one year old.  

 Dream BIG baby girl.  Dream big.

one year ago today...

True story about one year ago today, I went to see my favorite doctor.  It was my 37 week appointment.  I was scheduled to deliver a baby, via C-Section in roughly 3 weeks.  I was super excited to see my doc, and was quite positive she was about to admit me to the hospital immediately, and deliver the baby.  I was so ready, and I was certain she would have some big numbers for me.

Nope.  Nothing.  Like not even a fraction of a one.  Doctor Regan informed me that all was good, but I was not showing any signs of having a baby any time soon.  She told me she would see me at next week's appointment, but it looked like this baby, unlike the brother, was patient. 

I was devastated.  I cried on my way to the car - cried like people stopped and asked me if I needed help.  "No thank you," I responded with tears pouring down my cheeks, "we are all good."  I called AP and cried.  I called my sister and cried.  I called my mom and cried.  I emailed Renae & T and cried.  I texted Shelly and cried.  I could not believe I had it so incredibly wrong, anymore than I could believe that I had to be pregnant for three more weeks!

Then, I realized the crying was not helping, and quite frankly I was about out of tears.  I sat on the couch and I recited my petition.  "Dear God, Mother Nature and the Universe - this is my formal request.   I need my baby's birthday to be tomorrow.  Thank you."

Bob

We recently completed our first round of swimming lessons.  This has been a topic of discussion in our house for months.  AP was not sure if Bennett actually needed to attend swimming lessons with his access to lakes, rivers, and my history of lifeguarding (if you can call working at the Warren Community Swimming Pool from 1994-1998 "lifeguarding"...).  However, when Shannon called and asked if we would be interested in taking lessons with JAYDA!! discussion was over.

Enter BOB.  On the first day of swim lessons, Bennett told me all about his instructor named, "Bob".  He then proceeded to tell me about how he put his whole body under water.  Being a certified lifeguard, I know this is also known as a "bob".  What a coincidence, right?!  I was pretty certain the instructor was NOT named "Bob", and that Bennett was mistaken.  I was more certain of this error when Bennett was practicing his back float, and "Bob" told Bennett to stick his tummy up in the air, and Bennett proceeded to stick his tongue up in the air...

A month later, Bennett and Jayda successfully completed their PIKE course.

Look closely...  Instructor:  Bob Simonson

What's a burning barrel, Mommy?

I should probably officially blog about Easter 2011 prior to the Fourth of July 2011...

Easter 2011 was a pretty great holiday.  In addition to having the best looking kids at church,

and spending some quality time with family,

there was, of course, the Bunny and baskets...

but, the best part of the weekend was the GATOR.

The GATOR was not the best part of the weekend because it is an incredibly cool toy, nor because it came in an incredibly big box.  It was the best part of the weekend because I was able to experience my childhood through the eyes of one little boy with a big imagination.  On that GATOR, Bennett, Grampy and I walked the land.  We raced to the burning barrel, threw rocks in the big ditch, and checked out the ridge.  On that GATOR we looked in culverts, and ran around the grain bins.  We explored the well house, and the quonsets.  That GATOR traveled many years on it's maiden voyage.