Thursday, October 21, 2010

The First

So, my last excuse for not posting was that we had computer hardware "issues".  As in the power button became detached from said computer.  Well, this time my excuse is a bit more personal.  Anika decided to routinely sleep through the night.  Not the "11pm-5am" sleeping-through-the-night that the all-knowing parenting websites gleefully state to enjoy.  Nope, Miss A graduated to 8pm to 8am status.  I was thrilled...and decided to take advantage of it and sleep, too.  

Then, other things happened...the Food Network got me hooked on "Chopped", and "24 Hour Restaurant Battle" - how dare they?  Then, Genevieve lent me the last of the "Twilight" series [Note: don't read that 3rd book while breast feeding - totally creepy].  Then, Nick and Liz got married - yippee!  Another sister-in-law - we have completed the TRIFECTA!  Then...Chris and Carol sent me the Sookie Stackhouse series of books, upon with the HBO show "Trueblood" is based.  (I haven't seen the show, but enjoy these books *much* more than Twilight - something about vampires wanting to make their presence known in order to enjoy certain business and tax benefits appeals to me.  But, I digress.)  Not to mention, Ben had wrist surgery this summer (not that it slowed him down much):   
4th of July hike - Wetterhorn Basin
In summary, LIFE has reared its head and I dropped a couple of things off of my to-do list.  Alas, I am mortal, and thoroughly enjoy it - the lack of pressure is wonderful, you know.  I will always fight the tendency to prove that I am the quintessential people pleaser, but eventually, the lure of sleep will win out and I will gleefully lie down in my bed and sigh knowing that I am happy.  I have my wonderful husband, amazing daughter, and 2 furry companions - making me a very content, happy, blessed woman.

Phew - my legs are tired and I am relinquishing my soapbox for the time being. 

Anika turned one year old on Wednesday, October 20th, 2010 at 7:27 am.  What a celebration this kiddo had!  Her Nanna flew out from South Carolina to western Colorado...she's is a pro at walking onto tarmacs to catch puddle jumpers, now :-)  Billy, my brother, drove out from the Denver area, and we had ourselves a little party on Saturday evening- after visiting the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.   

Mom checking out the sights...not quite a walk on the beach!

Uncle Billy and Anika on a mini-hike



Ben, Me, Anika (GO HOKIES!), and Nanna

Back at the Linstid Homestid, the USFS decided to celebrate Anika's birthday, too.  They lit a heck of a candle behind our house:


Okay, okay - it was a controlled burn to clear out some of the underbrush from the forest areas right by the house.  But, perception can become reality, right?  Soooo...a giant candle in honor of Anika's first birthday it was!!!

Saturday evening, it was par-tay time!  We had mac & cheese for dinner and "decorate your own bug" cupcakes for dessert - we all got into the fun :-)



Anika is certainly using her noodle!

Check out Mom's vs. Billy's technique...wine in front of both, though!


Okay, so maybe Miss A. is a little tired...kiddo had a busy day!
Not quite sure about this whole scenario..

Oh, yeah, that's our baby!

Working to discover if gravity works on plates full of cake, too.

Even more so...she dug the bug :-)

Then, onto the presents (note, only some of the loot this kiddo raked in is represented!)


Digging into the bag - I think this bag has made the family rounds :-)

Holding onto squeaky shoes while rocking to Hoops & Yoyo

Clothes Hound!

Little lady likes the teacup!

Yup - perfect for an off-grid family :-)
Then the real day came....

I love getting this kiddo up in the morning - how many people would tolerate a hat being slammed on their heads within 5 minutes of their breakfast entering the room?  And SMILE about it?
Shortly after breakfast, I escorted Anika and her Nanna to Mountain View Winery in Olathe - Anika loved the dogs and cats and Nanna picked out the wine to compliment our dinner of lasagna and dessert of chocolate creme brulee!
Daddy chucked some wood during naptime - this is for you, Billy!

Daddy blowing Anika's mind with a talking monkey.

After the puzzle was conquered, then it was onto wrestling for the card!
So, that was essentially Anika's 1st birthday celebration - its amazing to see how far she's come and how Ben, Anika, me, Peli, and Bismarck have developed into our little family.

Well, that's the story of the FIRST.  And now, if you've gotten this far along in this most excellent post, you get rewarded with our news.

This morning, before the rain came and winter started taunting us with 38 degree F weather, Anika and I dropped Mom/Nanna off at the airport (off to run on the tarmac again!).  We met Ben for breakfast and ran a few errands.  Among those errands was a stop at the doctor for me.  5 minutes later, I came back into the waiting room, where Ben had been chatting with one of our friends that happened to have an appoitment at said doctor (there are only 3 of these types of doctors in town, so chances are pretty good of running into friends).  Well...that's when I told him to expect a SECOND.  Anika will have a little brother or sister in late June/early July 2011!

Onto my resolution to keep the blog updated yet again - "updated" in a rather creative manner - perhaps some photos from our summer adventures will be sprinkled in with what is currently going on at the Homestid.  Perhaps...not :-)