Sniffles, Sneezes and Snots

One can expect that exposing your children to an environment of germs (daycare) will lead to days of misery...however I wasn't expecting them so soon. Just after one week of daycare, all three boys and myself managed to catch a cold. First of all, how goofy to get a cold in the summer... its much harder to lay around when the weather is gorgous and your social calender is packed full of things to do. Second, Dylan and Riley should be immune to almost every bug out there after 3 yrs of daycare center germs. And third, I NEVER GET SICK!! Everyone in my house could have TB and I would never get it. And this time around I've got it worse than the kids! Dylan's got a runny nose, then Riley and Brady both have the runny nose plus a cough. Thankfully none of them are really uncomfortable or really seem disruppted by this bug. Me on the other hand... I've used almost a whole 100 count box of Kleenex in the last 2 days. I'm certainly not impressing my officemates during my second week on the job. They've had to hear my blowing, sneezing and congested cough all week...How gross! My garbage can is pure Kleenex. Between the Halls cough drops and hand sanitizer, my desk smells like quite medicinal.
Being the new girl, I didn't really want to call in sick, but certainly should have for how crappy I've been feeling. But today's a little better, and I think its on the way out... at least it better be. My poor chapped nose can't tolerate any more blowing (and either can my co-workers).
Hope you're all feeling better than me.

City Girl

So after a full work week I'm feeling all sassy... Not so much because of my job, but more of the surroundings. Downtown Duluth, is a real "Downtown"... Its got buses running like crazy (people actually use public transportation here, unlike Fargo), cultural Mom and Pop eateries, tons of business people running around, busy traffic, underground tunnels, a vast skywalk, parking meters, points of interest and architecture. The great thing about working here is I get to venture out into this world for a fun lunch or just for a stretch break around the block. Having been confined to the towering walls of a Health care System for the past 6 yrs its quite different and neat to be part of the downtown vibe. And with the nice skywalk system right from our building, I won't have the cold winters slowing me down either.
The only thing I'm finding scary about working downtown is the traffic... My gosh you'd think there was a disaster coming the way everyone races out of here to get home each day. I'm afraid to cross the street to the parking lot most days, and would never consider J-walking with the way some idiots drive around here. Add the steep hills and blind intersections to this equation and that only makes it worse. Sure I'm guilty of picking up speed coming down the hill to work in the mornings, but that's mother nature pushing you along. Going up isn't so effortless, and who's in a hurry to get home?... Certainly not any adult with children. Must be newlyweds, that just die being away from their spouse all day? Whoever it is slow the hell down!!
So its Friday and we've got a sunny weekend ahead of us... We've been invited out to a Lake party tomorrow, and will be making it a family affair. "Rappalooza" is the event ~ Its actually our Realtor Kevin Rappana's famiy that is hosting it out at their lake cabin. Its the 10th Anniversary of Rappalooza... full of beer, food, fun and did I mention beer? Looking forward to meeting some new friends.

To Build or Not to Build... That is the question

After scouring the housing market for the last 2 months, we've become extremely frustrated in our findings. We've been pre-approved for a very generous amount, but are held to the confinements of childcare expenses... Leaving us with a strict budget. The ideal scenario would be a 4 bedroom 2+ Bath with at least 2000 sq ft, a nice big Back yard, 2+ stall garage, updated kitchen and finished basement/family room... in the East end of town. Doesn't sound so unrealistic right? Well apparently Duluth has this thing about setting your home so far back on your property that you have a bigger front yard than back, or maybe no back yard at all. And as for the rest of the house, curb appeal doesn't mean much to people around here, so although the inside is decent, you'd have to spend thousands on siding and landscape to make it look nice, inside and out. And then we've found newer homes (built less than 10 yrs ago) that have extremely outdated materials and fixtures inside??? Whatever the case is, with each home we've looked at we've easily come up with an immediate list of things that would need to be changed to call it home.
So we came across this house plan on the MLS listing and inquired what it meant... What we found was a builder who has already purchased a lot in a new development, in the perfect neighborhood, and these were the house plans for that lot. After we reviewed the blueprints and talked more about costs and closings its sounds very very doable. Not to mention we could be moved in by mid-October :-)
Its a 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, Open floor plan, Split level with 3 stall garage, 2200 sq ft, nice yard, and its on a culdesac.
Although the house plan can't be changed at this point, we have deciding power on everything else about it. From shingles, siding and landscape to carpet, hardwood, faucets, fixtures, fireplaces and wall colors its up to us. Nice!! Of course with each upgrade comes additional cost, but this builder starts with stainless appliances, ceramic tile and hardwood flooring, so there would be very little if anything that we'd upgrade. As you can imagine this has me super excited... who wouldn't want to move into a nice new house, already looking the way you want it to.
Brad is doing some more checking into the development and the final costs of everything so we are sure to stay in a comfort zone before we sign on the dotted line. As for me, well I've already mentally moved in and started my search for color schemes :-) More to come!

Back to School

Along with yesterday being my first day at work it was also the First day of school/daycare for the kids. Of course Dylan and Riley loved it, and talked my ear off the whole way home. But as we were getting in the van Riley asked "Mommy how was your first day at work?" Sweet thing... Not only was he being thoughtful, he was interested, because he asked me "did you eat lunch with your new friends too?"

They couldn't remember their teachers names, but found the bathroom when needed, and even took a nap. When I tucked them in last night, Dylan told me I forgot to send their blankets for nap time... ??? I told the teachers they didn't have to take naps unless they need/want one??? Being a month shy of 4 they haven't been napping much any more... just the occasional day here and there when the 'tude is hot. But when the teachers asked them if they napped at home, they said yes, so off they went with the nappers... the teacher said the fell asleep right away (never happens like that at home). Well, Dylan was kinda upset, because he didn't have his own blanket, so they gave him one to use and it was a "girl blanket". "Mommy they gave me a pink blanket...I'm not a girl you know." So I was sure to send the hockey blankets today.

Brady, Brady, Brady.... Mr. Brady hasn't been the best little sleeper lately... He's been waking Mommy and Daddy more than usual and putting up a huge fuss with going back to bed. It was so bad Sunday night (yes the night before my first day on the job) that Brad popped him in the car seat/stroller and took him out in the cold for a walk at 3am. I think I got maybe 3 hours of sleep that night. Anyway, after that big production I was nervous about what his first day at daycare would be like. Brady's got 2 sides to him... He's either Really Happy and SUPER smiley, or screaming Pissed Off until you make him happy again. I think daycare candy coated it a bit for my benefit, but they said he did very well. Took his bottle with no problems, napped fairly well and was smiley smiley.
This time around I definitely didn't feel has terrible of a parent leaving my baby at daycare... The second time around, you've got the sense to keep your mind from playing out all those terrible scenarios, and trust a bit easier that your baby is in good hands. Everyone is welcome back and excited to go back tomorrow.

"Workn' 9 to 5"

...Ok its actually 8:00-4:30. Today was my first day at work as the 211 Program Coordinator for United Way of Greater Duluth. As expected it was an overload of information, and a lot of handshaking as I met everyone in the office. I was a bit concerned about remember everyone's name, and what they do, but to my fortune their title is listed on their name plate outside their office/cubicle... and its not a big of an office, so I just start walking in a circle until I find who I'm looking for. My boss is super neat, and very approachable, and far from stuffy. She's got a great sense of humor and a contagious laugh that echo's throughout the office.
As the 211 program director I will supervise 2 full time staff, interns and volunteers in our call center. The unfortunate thing is that those other staff are relatively new to the program as well... with only 6 months and 3 months under their belt. So when the 2 gals training me in leave in August, it'll be my ship left to sail on my own... Just a bit of pressure on that one.
At first it was just normal first day on the job stuff, but then as the day progressed and I was around the call center staff I could sense some awkwardness... I was their boss, and they were treated me that way... You know with extra respect. It felt nice, but weird. But it didn't take long for me to ease into things and set a more comfortable vibe... All it really takes are some good parenting stories, and your a much more relate able boss.
211 is a Information and Resource call center that keeps a database of local, state, and national resources. The database has a special coding system and takes months to years to master. I have 6 weeks to learn the system, so that I can effectively oversee my Data Manager and be of support to her when things need attention or go wrong. This is the one area that's got me freaked a bit... But as part of the United Way system, we've got access to experts across the state to help us through any challenges.
The bigger, most interesting part of my job will focus on promoting and building relations with service providers in the community, and reaching the general public for better awareness of 211's existence. I've already got presentations, meetings and events scheduled into October that I'll be part of... But here again, I've gotta learn the insides out, because I'm the presenter! I love public speaking like this, so its a great motivator to learn it all (gotta now what I'm talking about), and I'm REALLY looking forward to all this community networking.
The day went by super fast and I hadn't even signed my W4... The paperwork is already stacking up and my To Do list is 2 pages long... Oh, its great to be back to work!!

Lions, Tigers, and Bears Oh My...

Being our last week together before I get back into the work force, I want to get all those fun things in that I've been meaning to do for the last couple months. So this week started out with a trip to the Lake Superior Zoo...
(Dylan's in the Blue shirt and Riley's in the Orange)





The 3 boys and I had a picnic lunch in the van after swimming (yes Brady too) before heading to the zoo. On a full stomach and a sunny day we set out first to the barnyard for some a hands on experience. Dylan and Riley were able to go into the gate with the animals and wonder around with goats, a Llama, a donkey and geese. They weren't exactly comfortable with the animals being able to brush right up against them, so it was a quick visit on that side of the gate. I don't blame them though... If I were in the shadow of a Llama who towered over me I'd be nervous too... Heck I'm as tall as the thing and I was still intimidated. Too cool off a little we visited the Nocturnal house with bats, and other weird creatures. Riley, my little "Batman", thought for sure those big ugly looking bats were from the "Bat Cave" but didn't like how dark the place was. Next was a long jaunt back to the back of the Zoo where the Northwest Territory animals reside...the kids gripped the whole walk there, and then the darn animals were hiding in the shade so we couldn't even see them anyway. But just around the corner was the highlight of our trip... The Polar Bear. We got there just as he was having a very playful swim with his red ball. For a good 10 minutes he splashed, rolled and swam around before retreating to his nap too. He was just like a baby playing with that ball. We stopped by a few different times afterward in hopes of catching him at play again, but he was taking a snooze.
They had a little learning center with various small species of animals, that they would bring out of their cages and let the children explore more with them... asking questions, touching and posing for pictures. It just so happened we got in on the Millipede demonstration... although they are gross looking, at least it wasn't one of the rodents they have on exhibit...Bleck. Both Dylan and Riley braved the experience and touch the wormy little thing, after Mommy did first of course (quick where's the Purell). They lady was telling us about this little critter, and mentioned that Millipede's don't have eyes... So Dylan asked "why?" Which he reasonable answered "because they eat stuff on the ground?" The lady went on to describe that they are recyclers, eating waste on the ground and in turn making fertilizer for the soil. In which Dylan translated into "Yuck, he eats his POOP!" Guess he made the full circle connection on that one ;-)
As the afternoon progressed the big boys complained of walking, the heat and dying of thirst... it was getting hot, and all the furry animals were resting in the shade anyway. So we called it quits after almost 3 hrs. However Dylan and Riley couldn't leave the zoo without a train ride around the park, so off they went, and sleeping Brady and I waited in the shade. Brady's first trip to the zoo may not be very memorable, as he was asleep the whole time, but a good solid nap is a good thing for him these days, so it was a great day for us all.

Yummies...

Mr. Brady was quite the Big Boy today... This morning he successfully took a bottle from Mommy, without any problems!! The last 2 times I've left him with his grandma's and a bottle of breast milk, he didn't really cooperate...and screamed bloody murder instead. So with the start of daycare less than 2 weeks away, I figured we better get on this little problem he's got with the plastic nipple. Knowing of these last 2 experiences I was prepared for a battle, but it was nothing of the sort. I coaxed him along a little as I cleverly positioned my pinkie at his lips for the texture and scent of Mommy, just to ease into things a little... Mommy's always know the right tricks ;-) Thankfully it wasn't just a coincidence, as he took another bottle without problems before bed tonight. Tomorrow Daddy will try, and we'll see if he's got the right touch... Its not gonna do much good if he'll only take a bottle from me.

But the biggest accomplishment today was his attempt with the Big Boy cereal...


The first introduction to cereal isn't recommended until 4-6 months (despite what your grandmothers say), so since he'll be 4 months in just 2 days, and likes to eat, we thought we'd try it out of curiosity. He LOVED it!! The first mix of cereal is really runny (1 Tbsp cereal to 4 Tbsp Breast milk) but he did very well moving it around with his tongue and opening up when the spoon came at him. Its a bit tricky getting a spoonful of runny cereal past those swinging arms... not to mention the near disaster when he got a hold of the bowl. Daddy did the honors with the first bowl of cereal, while Dylan and Riley giggled and cheered Brady on, and mommy played photographer... It was our Friday night family entertainment.
Little bowl of cereal + tiny spoon + curious little man = Such a sloppy face...

Papa's Little Helpers

Dylan and Riley have already started saving for their hockey careers, little by little ;-) ...
Over the 4th of July weekend when we were at my parents they decided that Papa's driveway needed to be swept, and it went on from their. The concrete slab was swept, washed, swept again, washed again by Papa Rudi's little helpers. A couple brooms and a garden hose provided hours of entertainment, and a great sense of pride in those two little fellows. But like with everything, it soon got old and they upgraded to the car wash... Papa's truck needed to be washed, so they redirected their brooms and garden hose to get R done. Thank goodness Papa's truck isn't a sweet ride, because they were using he push brooms to do the scrubbing.


Of course their efforts didn't go unnoticed... Papa paid them "some dollars" for their service. The cutest was the next day at breakfast when they asked to go outside and play... Dylan was reciting what he planned to do outside, "dig some more dirt for Grandma, play trucks in the dirt, and I suppose sweep the driveway a little for papa." However had a different perspective, "Dylan, I can't do it all the day, just some of the time." Now if only I could get them as excited about cleaning up around the house?... I've tried the bribery and that doesn't work! Maybe I should just let them have at it with the garden hose?

T minus 11

So the countdown is running... Only 11 days left until I go back to work. As you can imagine I have tons of mixed feelings. I'm sad to leave Brady at daycare, yet looking forward to some time away from his demands. I wonder how he will do without me there... will he cry all day, will he take the bottle ok, will they hold him, talk to him and play with him? All these questions will swim around in my head those first days. And that too worries me, as I'll be at my first days in my new job... I need to have a clear and attentive mind. Gosh, I'm so nervous about that too. Its been 6 years since my first day on the job... I haven't not known what to do at my job for 6 years!! And to top it off, I don't even know much about the services and community that I'll be marketing. Talk about overwhelming.
Dylan and Riley will do just fine at their new school. They'll have each other, to help with the transition, and they are just dying to be around other kids, and do those fun "school things." The only worry I have with the 2 of them, is that they won't want to come home at the end of the day.

When I look past all these worries, I do see some joy... Joy to be out of the house, joy to meet new people, joyful of the few extra dollars coming in, and the joy of success. I'm really excited to have a new job, that has so little to do with social work and direct care. I will be in more of a managerial role, and rarely in the trenches. What a nice change!! I can't wait to feel like a "business woman" again... my stent as a stay at home mom was short and sweet. I'm tired of being bored at home... Although I'm going, going, going, with the 3 of them around here, its boring kind of stuff (laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc.) I like to be out and about, and I'm running out of "doable" things to do with them. I've said it before and I'll say it again... I'm a better mom because I work outside of the house. I have more patience and overall appreciation for my children when I miss them all day and then greeted by their shining faces when I come to pick them up. Plus because our time can be so limited in the evenings, they get my undivided attention leaving everyone happy at the end of the day.

So which way will it go... Fears and Tears or Handshakes and Smiles? My guess is all of the above, but more smiles than fears.

Swimming Lessons

Dylan and Riley have started swimming lessons this week... they are the guys in the matching shorts. They are in Level 1, which means they are old enough now, that they don't need a parent to swim with them... Yippee!! (I've been holding out on swimming lessons for this reason) As I looked around at the other kids in level one I was a little nervous...Dylan and Riley were by far the youngest and smallest in their group. I heard the other kids belt out their age... most being 5 & 6. So I was a bit worried they were too young for the class, but the teachers didn't flinch and they boys pulled their weight just fine. I thought I had waited too long to get them in to swimming.
So the first day was spent getting them comfortable with the water and being in there without a security device (parent or floaties). They put a neat platform in the pool so the kids heads are above water without having to hold onto the wall the whole time. So right there they felt more confident.
On the way home they were so excited about swimming lessons, and talked about how they would "dunk all the way under tomorrow". So tomorrow (Tuesday) rolled around and they followed through with their plan perfectly. There was a little spitting and sputtering after the first couple times, but then it was old hat from there. The dunk their face under in the tub, but I guess the pool is a bit more intimidating?

(Holy crap... I almost lost this whole post... Brady managed to hit Ctrl A - and then a few random keys, to delete everything. Thank goodness for autosave! He likes to watch my fingers dance around, so I let him sit on my lap and try catch them- cheap entertainment.)

Anyway... I'm so glad that they love swimming lessons. Next to the Erskine Water Carnival it seems to be the highlight of their summer.

Brady's Baptism

I finally got a picture of Brady's Baptism... I got it off my sister-inlaw Jodi's facebook. I have to admit we look pretty good, all dressed up.

10 yr Reunion

I think this was the first year ever that rain hadn't interrupted the 4th of July weekend. It was perfect weather to be out and hang at the beach, so we did just that. Picnics, BBQ's and fireworks is what its all about. However I was somewhat disappointed being a MN resident... state law only allows the sale and use of ground fireworks. So we had our own lame display of entertainment prior to the big show put on my the city. Next year I'll be sure to make a trip over the boarder to smuggle in a decent display.
This past weekend was not only a lovely 4th of July event but it was also my 10 year High School Reunion/All school reunion. Having graduated from a class of only 46 people, it wasn't a big to do, but still loads of fun. We gathered at the local watering hole Thursday night to plan out the weekends events, which included conspiring and constructing a float for the parades on Saturday. Apparently the purpose of these parades is to see who can soak the other floats the most. Its safe to say the class of '98 won this award... with a big thanks to the men in our class, we literally drenched all the surrounding floats and then some. They had four 50 gallon drums full of water, using 5 gallon pails and ice cream buckets to get the job done. As you can imagine there was retaliation, so we got wet as well, but not near as wet as others. Sounds a bit foolish, I know... but it was fun. It reminded me of the waterballon fights we used to have as kids and in high school... Not much else to do in a town of 400. It was scorching hot, so one didn't really mind getting wet, unless it was a water grenade coming at you 50 mph... A girl on our float was nailed by just that, and instantly bruised. I was somewhat lucky as I escaped the bruising, but took a few bucketfuls as well.

Aside from the foolishness, I caught up with some old friends and had a few good laughs about the "good ol days." It was somewhat weird to see the "boys" in our class all grown up and with wives/kids. For some reason my mind had never pictured them as men, and husbands. I still had the picture of these baby faced lads, who need to shave only once a month (Adam) ;-) During these last tens years we've gone our separate ways, and made different friends, but at some point we all come back to these childhood friendships and relive our younger years.

Happy Canada Day!!

Though we do not reside in its boundaries, we do celebrate Canada Day at our house... This morning I attempted to sing the Canadian national anthem to the boys at breakfast (I stumble over a few lines in the middle) and then we packed a lunch and headed to the beach after Brad got home from work. No fireworks though... :-( But we'll do a 2 for 1 this weekend when we celebrate the 4th of July back home.

Today was our second day in a row at the beach, as yesterday we squeezed in a trip with Brad's family. It was super hot yesterday, and the water was still super cold, so no swimming but the kids had a blast in the sand and the rest of us worked on our tan.