First Day of Spring?

Since we certainly can't be out gardening on this first day of spring, Gage, Bruce I are enjoying hunkering down once more for a cozy day indoors.

Our little man!  Snuggled down for a pajama day!

What's goin' on?

Cutie Pie!

Here is the view outside - it has been snowing alllllllll day.

The view inside!

Instead of pouting about the bad weather, we have been enjoying some nice family time together in front of the fire, eating delicious chili (hopefully the last batch of the year!), and working on some indoor hobbies.

A few years ago (okay, more than a few years ago!), Aunt Jan bought me everything I needed to start a quilt and taught me how to do a simple log cabin block.  However, in the "few years" since she got me started, I forgot a thing or two about quilting.

I have been wanting to get started on my quilt again for quite some time, so last weekend Diana gave me another tutorial.  I have been having so much fun with it since!  Above and below are a few of the patterns I am playing around with ... not sure yet which one I will decide on.

A Little Green for St. Patty's Day

This year, I had absolutely no interest in starting seeds indoors.  It ebbs and flows - one year I will be all into it, and the next, I don't even want to think about.  I'm sure I would be more excited about it if we had a good space for that sort of activity.  Growing them on the loft again isn't too practical this year, since that's the area I now stumble through in the middle of the night on my way to feed Bruce.  (Someday I will write about my grand plan to build a greenhouse/guesthouse ... it would be fantastic!)

Gage, on the other hand, already has a mini-garden started in the safe room.  He has quite a variety from peppers to a few tomatoes, some herbs, and seen here - Chinese cabbage.  I can't even begin to tell you how HUGE our garden is going to be this year.  To tell you the truth, I haven't even walked back to see the vast area Gage tilled up just recently.  Just what I can see from the kitchen window scares me. 

Gage and I sat down a few weekends ago and compiled all of the seeds we had bought.  Yikes.  We probably should have communicated a little better about what we wanted to plant BEFORE we each bought our own seeds. 

It's going to be huge.  If anyone wants veggies this year, you know where to find us.

Trouble on the Homefront

We received this baby gift on Saturday afternoon (thanks Rhonda!).  As tempted as I was, I did NOT dress Bruce in this for the game.  I think that might have pushed my husband over the edge ...  

But if KU and K-State meet again in the Final Four, all bets are off.  (Steph, I may have to take you up on your offer to provide a safe haven for Bruce during said game).

Go Hawks!  Let the Madness begin!

Signs of Spring

You know spring is on its way when we are able to get outside with the little one!  Bruce, Gage and I took our new stroller for a spin on Saturday and Sunday.  Bruce isn't too sure about the outdoors yet.  He scrunches his eyes closed real tight and lets out a little cry when we first take him out.  Little by little, he unscrunches his eyes, but won't open them.  After a good amount of time, he finally peeks out.  He will get used to it.  It's just a bright, bright world for a little guy who has been inside most of his life.  :)

Bruce hasn't been using his binky as much any more.  But he wanted it on our walk!  I think it was maybe a little scary.  Like I said, he'll get used to it.  :) 

Other signs of spring:  three colors of crocus blooming in my flower bed - Love it!  I also have tulips and daffodils coming up.  Gage and I both worked to plant potatoes and onions on Sunday.  It was so good to be OUT!

Lessons from Motherhood, 3 Month Edition

I just can't believe Bruce is three months old today!  In honor of his three month birthday, I thought I would share a few more lessons I have learned since becoming a mom:

I have learned that ...

8. It does get easier.  Yes there is a steep learning curve to being a new parent, but once you get the hang of it, it's really not that hard.  (I know ... spoken like the mom of a truly "easy" baby.  Yes, we are spoiled and we know it!)

9.  Time really does fly. Three months old today, how is that possible??!  It seems like he just turned two months old a minute ago, and in the blink of an eye, another month has flown by.  Makes me want to just soak up every minute with him.  I don't even want to think about the fact that he won't be my snuggly little sweet potato for long.

10.  I love my husband more now than ever before.  Cheesy yes, but true.  Seeing Gage as Bruce's daddy makes me love him more than I ever thought I could.

11.  Being pregnant really does suck.  It's only now, looking back, that I realize how very much I dislike being pregnant (of course I loved it at the time, because I had our little Peanut to look forward to).  It is so nice to be myself again - to have the energy to do things, and regained zest for life.  Pregnancy seemed to sap all of the creativity out of me ... I had no interest in scrapbooking, jewelry making, knitting, and on and on.  Even when I would try to be creative it just wouldn't work out (case-in-point: decorating Bruce's room).  I just never knew pregnancy could change a person so much, and I'm not even talking the physical part!  (Let's just say I was very thankful when, 6 weeks POST-delivery, the swelling was finally gone from my hands and feet.  Yes, it took SIX FULL WEEKS.)

12.  Leaving my baby at daycare is like leaving my heart behind.  I take back everything I ever said about "chopper moms" and over-anxious parents.  I just didn't get it.  (Libby, I know you're laughing right now ...)

13. I'm not as selfish as I thought I was.  For the longest time, I really thought I might be just too selfish to be a good parent.  I wanted to be able to do what I want to do when I want to do it.  How on earth was I going to be able to put a tiny human's needs before my own?  I didn't know that everything changes on a base level when you become a parent.  I didn't know I wouldn't mind middle-of-the night feedings.  I didn't know I would gladly spend most of my free time before and after work unpacking baby stuff, cleaning baby stuff, repacking baby stuff.  I really didn't know how much I would simply change.  Now, I find the only thing I'm seriously selfish about is my time with Bruce. 

14.  I wish someone had told me how much fun it is to have a baby!  How was I to know that a tiny little pile of mush who can only flail about and flash gummy smiles would be so danged FUN!

Picture Progression

Pictures are fun! I love to smile!

Good times!

Okay mom, I'm kinda bored ...

Can't we do something else?

Enough with the pictures, already!