Kody's 1st Birthday

Yesterday Kody celebrated his very 1st birthday, spent mostly outside of course.

My cuddly little bear has gotten so big already, though he still has a whole year of growing left to do. As a Berner we are loving bring able to soak in his adorable puppy nature, soft fur and manerisms for a little while longer. He won't be fully mature until two or three and as crazy as he can be as a pup, I love his puppy personality.

For his big day, he enjoyed lots of time in the sun for the afternoon, did a little gardening (or stepping on Nana's rosemary), and enjoyed a multitude of snacks. Once home from the office, I joined the party and we spent the evening in the backyard around a camp fire while Kody happily chomped on a new bone from Nana.

He missed his Daddy greatly and is patiently waiting to jump all over him for cuddling when we head home after my trip for work. For now he is still enjoying his bone, particularly when it involves laying on Nana's lap. He is soaking up all the loving he can get and is napping the days away with his favorite girl doggie Goldie.

I hope you had a great day bud, Happy Birthday big guy.

Letters to Baby Goose

Hi Little one,

I got your very first gift today. It is from Trish, one of the sweetest ladies that I work with. I'm sure you will meet her when Daddy and I bring you to meet Boston. It's a little pink giraffe blanket. I adore the softness and how tiny it is, just the perfect size for you. When I unwrapped the package and smoothed my hand over the fabric I automatically thought of how soft your skin will be when you arrive. I'm secretly hoping you will have your Daddy's cheeks. They are the most kissable cheeks in the world and in baby size and softness I will melt everytime I kiss you. I promise I'll try very hard not to over do the snuggling, but as your Daddy already knows I just can't help myself.

Keep growing big and strong.

Love,
your Momma

Nana's cookies

Baby goose and I are spending a few days with Nana and Papa before heading to New York for work. And last night we got to do one of my favorite things...bake.

And at twenty-one weeks, our little girl already loves Nana's chocolate chip cookies.

She can now taste what I eat in the flavor of the ambiotic fluid she drinks. And she has been wiggling with excitement all day as she enjoys the sweetness of the Nana's cookies.

So I think I'll spend the rest of my time here enjoying a few more. As I will happily snack on Nana's cookies to feel the flutters of our little babe.

Thank you Nana, Baby Goose says keep 'em coming.

Bareing the Babe

I just can't stop bareing my belly.

It gets more round everyday while our little girl grows and it would be hard for me, not to appreciate that. And never before has my stomach protruded from my body showing growth of weight or baby.

My belly, the constant reminder of the miracle of life makes an appearance at least once during the day. And Brian loves it too. At first, I wasn't very round and he would shake his head as he always has when I rub my belly. But now our little girl is getting big and so is Momma. Brian now looks at me with a knowing smile and rubs my belly too. Today he got to feel her for the first time kicking away. And she also received some Kody kisses as Daddy taught him to lick my tummy.


Kody and I enjoying the sunshine, visiting Grandma's chickens



In the evening, when a long day is done, our little baby goose likes to make her presence known. She sits heavy in my lower abdomen and I rub my belly as she meets my hand. It's one of my favorite parts of the day, as if she is letting me know it's time to sleep. Shortly after, while getting ready for bed I can't help but revel in the growth my body has made while we patiently wait for our baby girl.

A glorious day at the farm

Letters to Baby Goose

Yesterday we found out you're our baby girl and now all of my expectations are changing. Your Daddy convinced me you were a boy. For weeks, I have been preparing for broken bones and mud pies. But now all of that has changed as I dream of how soft and delicate you will be. Your flips and flutters in my belly seem so much more graceful now, less like karate and more like ballet.

Grow strong little one, Daddy and I are so excited to meet you. We've got a lot of preparing to do so take your time.

Love,
your Momma

Back to the Beginning.

It's been a year. I started this blog a year ago to share with family and friends our lives now that we were living hours away. I've shared advice, attempted to hold fast to goals by telling everyone, ventured into life's changes, and somewhat cataloged our year. This may have been the biggest, craziest year we'll ever have - but I doubt that. If you know us - you doubt that too.

Twenty-ten was good to us.

We've moved three times (ok, two since we moved to Maine in December 2009). We got married, changed my name, brought Kody into our home and hearts, made new friends, become whitewater guides, and more. It's not just us though, my sister married Michael and moved to Texas, Brian's Mom and Ted purchased a business in Maine (and in 2011, a home), my little sister got her permit, my parents ventured to new places including Maine and are sillier than ever. My best friends have new jobs, some have new apartments, and we're all starting appear like real adults.

Best change of 2010 - I'm a wife. Not just anyone's wife - Brian's wife. I love him, our little family, and our future.

So, where were we...

I'm attempting to get back on track; eating right, working out, blogging regularly, crossing items off of my to do list, all the good stuff. Why wait until 2011? Now is as good a time as any. My focus - healthy living, physically and mentally. (Anyone else get those happy endorphins when checking an item off of your to do list?)My winter challenge - make one positive change each week. Can you help keep me going? Razz me when I slack?

Change one: Water
Winter is dry, the wood stove makes the humidity in the house low, and except for the fantastic local moisturizing products I use - I need to drink more water. A bit of wisdom from a wonderful woman, Miss Georgia Deane, the fountain of youth is sweat. My rationalization; sweat keeps your skin moist and soft, the physical activity you do to create the sweat keeps your body young - so it must be true!

So I'll continue to slather on Maine Mountian Soap Company's Lanolin Balm on my hands every night before bed, moisurize my skin a couple of times a week with Soapwalla's Moisturizing Body Oil, and keep my cheeks rosie and bright for the holidays with H.G.O. Lab's Neroli Face Oil. As for the water - tea to keep me cozy and hydrated, and water, water, and more water. By Klean Kanteen will be joining me as my sidekick yet again. My goal - 2 bottles of water a day, plus tea, juice and anything else that comes my way. 

Another bit of wisdom from Georgia, stand straight, when you lean on one leg or the other you get saddle bags - the bit of chubby on your hips and butt.