Wardrobe Wednesday

Binny turned 7 last weekend.  We had small family birthday party for her here Saturday afternoon while it rained outside. And of course there were presents!  Binny pulled this little sundress out of the box and insisted on putting the strap around her neck to try it out right away.

The weather cleared up by Monday morning so she was able to wear it to school when she brought in her birthday cupcakes for the class. I think this may be a new summer favorite.

Perfect Timing

My family was due for some good news after the recent passing of our dear Grandpa Conrad. Overdue even.

My cousin and his wife were expecting a baby due sometime this November. And actually, my cousin's wife was not able to attend the funeral because she was overdue and it was not a good idea for her to be traveling 300 miles to be with her husband and the rest of us. The night of the funeral she went to the hospital to be induced but after 4 tries to try and coax her body into labor and nothing happening, the doctor sent her home and said they could try again in a few days.

The whole family was on pins and needles, checking Facebook daily for any news on the baby, and finally, last Thursday on what would have been our grandfather's 93rd birthday, little (or should I say not so little since she was a whopping 9lbs, 3 oz) Baby B was born! The news spread quickly and with each communication came an overwhelmingly emotional response. Mine was "Hell Yeah" followed by a few happy tears.

No one was happier than Grandma Dee. An emotional day for her since it was the first time in over 60 years that she wasn't able to wish her husband a happy birthday, or make his favorite chocolate cake, but she was able to go and visit her newest great-grandbaby.

Thanks to some great timing on behalf of baby B (and her mom!), November 18 will continue to be a special day for our family.

92

I just hung up from talking with my grandfather. Although I didn't sing for him like he does for the rest of us on our birthdays, I did wish him a Happy Birthday and was thrilled that our card arrived today and not a day late.

I was the last of all 8 (required) family members to call him today. I kind of like being last to check-in although my Mom usually likes to give me a courtesy call when she hears that I haven't called yet. Like I don't know it's his birthday. Of myself and my 2 siblings, I am usually the one reminding everyone else. No matter. Grandpa sounded great and they were getting ready to have the birthday cake Grandma Dee made for him. Chocolate, of course.


They were over at a friend's house for a Norwegian dinner of Lutefisk and lefse, then their friend (my one senior blog reader. Hi B!) showed my grandparents my blog and the photos of the Gardener's new tractor on her TV computer. Seriously, every time he mentions computers he searches for the word in his very sharp 92 year old brain and usually still comes up with TV.

The Gardener and I often talk about how so many things have changed over the years since my grandfather was a boy, and even since he retired over 25 years ago! For many years a horse was my grandfather's only form of transportation and now he uses a GPS while my grandmother drives their car. Hell, he even uses a cell phone and pretty damn effectively at that. I don't see him starting his own blog anytime soon or purchasing an ipod (although he loves ours), but I did hear him say a while back that he wants to look for a new banjo on Ebay. See, even the Internet is growing on him.

Happy Birthday Gramps!

RTT: Birthday Party

Well it's Tuesday and the best way to get everything out there is to pull out the Un Mom's Random Tuesday Thoughts badge and get to it.

Shall we?

First off, not sure why but my hair looks amazing this morning. Like once in a blue moon crawl out of bed and shine kind of hair. I usually have to brush it at least twice before even thinking about leaving the house and even still it has a mind of it's own. Well, not today. Too bad I don't have big plans today... like leaving the house.

Mae's Birthday parties were Saturday. Yeah, we decided on 2 parties instead of one giant chaotic mess and they were both a SUCCESS! We had the "friends" party in the afternoon with a few of Mae's friends from school. The girls played in the bouncy house we borrowed from a friend, they ran around finding clues during the scavenger hunt, made bead and pipe cleaner bracelets, and decorated cupcakes. The whole thing went so smoothly. A real thing of beauty when a plan comes together. The Gardener even got into the the party mood (it was his Birthday too after all) and made a bead bracelet for me. My brother-in-law made the 10 hour drive from his house in Minnesota just for Mae's party. Good thing too, because it was nice having an extra adult around to help with the parties. Those uncles sure come in handy once in a while!

The Family and Friends party started about an hour after all of the girls left which gave me enough time to clean up a cupcake's worth of crumbs off of the kitchen floor, have an adult beverage and prepare the food for dinner. After dinner we all went outside and the kids played in the bounce house, re-ran the scavenger hunt with a new crowd, and jumped in the straw.Most of all, the kids had a great time!

As visible in the party photos, the weather was beautiful. Saturday was forecast to be rainy and cool but the rain stayed away and it was even warm enough to shed our sweatshirts when the sun came out. Today and yesterday though have been a fall weather reality check. It rained almost all day yesterday and the wind blew and blew. Mae came down once last night scared from the blowing wind. We calmed her down and put her back to bed with an extra stuffed animal and turned on her radio to distract her from the howling wind. She then slept through the night without any more problems.

This morning the girls insisted on getting out their winter gear complete with hats, mittens, and scarves. It was a little chilly waiting for the bus but I think we could have done without the scarf. Eh, whatever. There are frost warning for tonight so I hope to get out to the garden today and harvest the rest of the squash and start on the brussel sprouts.

I think that's about it. Have a great Tuesday everyone!

7

...years ago yesterday, the Gardener and I were helping some friends build a retaining wall in their front yard. It was a huge project so they called all of their handy friends and we got to work. Dirt, concrete, heavy lifting. You name the body part and it was probably sore after that long day. We went home, showered and planned to go straight to bed. As I was getting dressed after my shower something happened, something strange, scary and exciting all at once. My water broke! Mae was on her way.

We read all the books, attended the class even watched "the video" so I thought we were prepared. We knew exactly what to do. As soon as my water broke, I started writing down the frequency of my contractions and called the hospital. The nurse on the phone says "Oh, this is your first baby? You have plenty of time. Take a shower, (yeah, did that) call your family (Oh do I have to?) and come to the hospital."

I'll spare you most of the labor details but I will say that when people make a blanket statement about how long it takes for a woman to have a baby, don't believe them. My water broke at 8:30 PM and Mae arrived at 12:12 AM. Less than 4 hours start to finish. We were told that the first one takes a long time to arrive. "Plan on at least a whole day."The nurse didn't even believe my husband when he said the baby was coming. She put me on the toilet (thinking I just had to shit). Mae was almost born in the potty. The nurse was caught off guard and begged me to wait to push until she could set up the room and call the doctor. I didn't have an epidural so it was just me trying to relax and not let the contractions get the best of me. My very patient and extremely tired husband was coaching me along every step of the way. I'm not sure how, but I waited for the doc and almost as soon as he walked through the door, Mae made her appearance.

The next morning we didn't show up to help our friends finish their landscaping project. I kept telling them that we were going to have a baby on Sunday, my actual due date and they all thought I was crazy. Well, Crazy was right.

The early days of having a baby in the house were tiring. Up all night, trying and failing at breast feeding, getting the dogs used to a new crying, screaming, stinky, attention hog. Eventually we all got the hang of it and now all of a sudden she's turning 7. How does it all happen so quickly?

This last year for her has been difficult at best. The hospitalization, IVs, doctor visits but she's taken it all in a stride while making the most of it. Remember the cupcake?

Mae has made a special request of Orange Chicken for dinner tonight with vegetable pot stickers. (She's definitely my kid.) Her Birthday party is this Saturday and last night we heard from 2 more of her friends that can make it. I just hope the weather cooperates.Happy Birthday to my sweet MaeMae!

A Whole Hand- A Letter To Binny On Her 5th Birthday

Today was another crazy, hectic day. The gardener was home from work (still on 32 hours a week), both girls were home, my brother came over to help plant the garden (details on Garden Club Monday) and our out of town family arrived today too. My mom, my grandparents and my brother-in-law are all in town for the long holiday weekend. As if that wasn't enough going on, today is also Binny's 5th Birthday. It was fun for her to get some of the attention after all of the attention Mae's illness has brought on.

Binny wore her Birthday crown all day and had a great time accepting Birthday presents wishes. I didn't have any time or energy to make a cake this time around, so I asked my Mom to pick up a DQ ice cream cake on her way here today. Who doesn't love a cold piece of ice cream cake anyway?

There are so many things I could say about my sweet Binny on her 5th birthday. She has become a very compassionate and loving little girl full of kooky sayings and unique clothing choices. She loves to help me cook in the kitchen but is a little leery about working in the shed with daddy. She loves sweets and constantly sneaks treats out of the "treat cabinet." She's a sound sleeper and tight hugger, loves her dogs and her sister, and most of all Binny is a happy, happy child.Much to love to you Binny on your 5th birthday.

Love, Mommy

***For the record Binny's Birthday is the 22nd, even if I'm only getting around to write this at 11:59 PM.

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Today my Grandfather (my mom's dad) turns 91. I know it's not "Today's Show" old or anything, but still impressive. Last year for his 90th Birthday our family put together a list of our 90 favorite things about our favorite 90 year old. Here are a few of my favorites, written by his wife of 58 years, 2 daughters and 6 grandchildren:

2. Conrad and I met in the fall and that winter the country roads were often closed due to bad weather. He would walk the three miles to our house once a week. Before he left he would say "Did you ever have the feeling that you want to stay, but must go?"

8. He wears a bright colored cap on his head so I can always find him.
9. A few years ago Conrad bought a pair of pants at the thrift store, and when I went to wash them, I noticed that I had hemmed that very pair of pants before. He bought them BACK!

19. I loved all of the wonderful stories you told us at bedtime.
20. I love how you make me smile when I talk to you on the phone.

21. Dad taught me how to Make and eat lefse.
22. Dad taught me how to fillet a fish.

28. Every year he calls to sing me Happy Birthday.

31. Memories of sitting on Grandpa’s lap as a child at the piano. He taught me my first piano tune-"Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star."
32. Is there any instrument Grandpa can’t or hasn't played with strings or keys? He is the most talented musician that I know. While I can play piano a little by reading music, I credit the ability to play "by ear" a gift from Grandpa.

36. Grandpa’s laughter is contagious. It will brighten anyone’s day. Perhaps it is part of the secret to a long and blissful marriage with Grandma. His "selective hearing" often gets him in trouble with Grandma , his laughter gets him out.

41. He taught me how to properly unhook a bullhead, because the pelicans need to eat too.
42. He has 2 speeds, the one he’s at now and one slower.
43. We learned everything there is to know about fishing; as long as your trolling a
spinner with a night crawler-you’re in business.
44. A man needs 37 radios in his garden shed and phone in the bathroom.
45. Eating breakfast at Hardee's and McDonald’s for decades is not as unhealthy as people think.
46. The term UFF-DA is a great way to express discontent, disappointment, or exhaustion without swearing.
47. Palmolive soap works great in the shower as a hair and body wash.

54. One of my fondest memories of Grandpa is when he sang "Somebody Loves You" at our wedding (and all the grandkids’ weddings since). He was a hit, and all of our friends and family loved it.

59. When I was a small child I didn't have much of an appetite, so Grandpa would always encourage me to be a member of the Clean Plater's Club like him. Now when my kids won’t eat I use the same line.

61. Knee Boarding behind Grandpa’s fishing boat.
62. Taking a pinch of Skoal Key in the boat.
63. Catching my wall mounter at Lee Lake.
64. Driving the truck on the gravel roads at the lake. (Drivers training)

71. Thank you for taking me fishing. Looking back on it, I’m sure that I wanted to go fishing more than you did, but you never let me know it.
72. Thank you for teaching me the virtue of carrying a pocketknife.
73. Thank you for testing my arithmetic when I was young and for always being willing to tell me a story.

79. Thank you for taking me to Mexico and Canada. Also, thank you for letting me have a cigar in Mexico and for telling Grandma not to get too mad about it.

81. I will never forget that grandpa was standing by my side on my wedding day. It was an honor to have him as my best man. It would not have been the same without him.

83. When I was younger I never missed a summer at Lee Lake. Grandpa would take me fishing and if I didn't catch a fish and it was getting toward the end he would give me his rod if he had a bite.

85. I love grandpa’s laugh. He and I call it the horse laugh. It will put a smile on any ones’ face. It's great! He will throw it into a conversation or just to change the mood.

This year a few of us chipped in and bought him a GPS for the car. He has been wanting one for a while, and we figured he's not getting any younger. I just hope that he can figure out how to use it. It's amazing to think of all of the technological advances that have been made in his lifetime. When he was a kid, he rode his horse to school, now he's got a GPS.

Happy Birthday Gramps!