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.

Seasons bring change.

We're packing up to move into a new house on the river for the winter. The Crock-pot is out full of hearty foods, warming our bellies on these brisk fall days. Frost is a mainstay in the early morning and the leaves are almost gone. We've been using the wood stove in the kitchen for a few weeks now and Kody is sleeping on our bed again.

Mom and Dad were just up with Courtney and Goldie for a peek at Maine's incredible fall foliage. They were definitely happy to be back on pavement after all of our adventures traveling the dirt roads, but we saw incredible falls and enjoyed hiking.

We even stopped to take some family photos at Grand Falls. After climbing those steps we needed a rest.

I'm hoping we will see a little more of fall before the snow comes, but we've already seen light squalls. Next time Mom and Dad are here we'll be snowmobiling.

Maine has been full of new adventures for all of our family members. Brian's Mom and Ted will be joining us up here starting in December. They've purchased a camp rental management company and are finally making the move. It will be good to have family so close.

Here's to a healthy happy Fall and an exciting change of the seasons. And plenty of warmth cuddled with the ones we love.



Kodiak, Our Little Bear.

By now many of you have met the lovable, cuddly, snuggly, adorable puppy who has joined our family. Kody has been keeping us, along with everyone we know, very busy. At 13 weeks, he is 21 pounds and growing far too quickly for my adoring, loving heart. Kody is a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy full of life, love and bounce. His teething and energy have kept us busy. He is the most well socialized pup I've met. When work calls friends visit Kody all day long to keep him active and from peeing in the house. He has a very busy social calendar, with a trip to meet Grandma and Grandpa Willette at the Greenville Sea Plane Fly-in, a week at Pop and Nana Spalton's while I'm traveling with work, apple picking, and frequent trips to Northern to see his friends. His list of visitors is astonishing and thankfully never ending as we share in his excitement.

Our friends Elyse and Sonya have taken him for a swim, he's been bathed by Pappa, and he's lots of new canine friends. Soon we'll start walks with some other friends in the neighborhood and we can't wait for snow.

Our love abounds for our new addition. If you haven't met yet, he may melt your heart as he has ours. If I love this little guy so much, I'll be a puddle of mush when it comes to our babies. Good thing I have plenty of time to pull it together.

See you soon.