It's Beginning....

Great picture of Happy!

...to look a lot like Christmas. Minnesota is looking a lot like, well, Minnesota after this weekends snowfall. Although Lucy was around last winter, this really was the first time that she's seen snow...and she cannot stop talking about the "snowbbb" and the "icshe". She even brought a snowball into the house which I tried to save for her in the freezer. But, after about 7 seconds of patient waiting, she wanted me to open the freezer again so she could touch, admire, and then eat the snowball. That's our Lucy.

...to get much closer to Thanksgiving. And with each passing day, I get a little more "excited" about our epic road trip to Missouri. Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to see Molly, Ryan, Marina, Mom, and my newest nephew Teddy. But the thought of 8-10 hours in a car with Lucy (23mo), Greta (6mo), and Grandpa (86yrs) seems a bit daunting. I hope someday I'll be able to look back on this "Epic Journey" and laugh. I hope!

Slave Labor

Don't tell social services...but I think we may be on to something. [Note: anyone interested in "light" cleaning services by a very bossy, strong-willed, energetic toddler is in luck. Lucy charges only $100/hr. (Fee does not include snacks, juice, or M&M's necessary to fuel this whirl-wind).]

Trick or Treat

Lucy and James had their first Trick-or-Treat outing tonight. Not to be sappy and syrupy and obnoxious...but it really was adorable. I think Norm would have had more fun if the neighbors knew that he was also trick-or-treating himself...for adult beverages that is.

Go BUCKS....and Gophers???

Let's be honest...the Gophers haven't been all that great this year. And as you can tell by the empty spaces behind us, the tailgating crowd has significantly dimished with each passing loss. But despite the lack-luster attendance for the pre-game tailgate, we had a blast. Blake and I dominated bean bag toss and I didn't get kicked out of the game. So BONUS! We also had the pleasure of partying with some of the nicest 3M Brits I've ever met (ok, the only 3M Brits I've ever met...but all the same).

Sister, Sister

If a picture was worth a thousand words...

Its so much fun to watch Lucy and Greta enjoy each other. They're always so happy when they are around each other. It's amazing.

Fall Family Photo Shoot

We were so lucky that the rain held out long enough for us to meet-up with Kimberly for a fall photo shoot. She claims on her site that the light wasn't great...but I'm already loving the pics and can't wait to see the entire lot. :)

Enjoy!
http://www.simplybephotography.com/

Strep Throat Strikes Again...

This unhappy mama is so sick...thank you Lucy and James for spreading your yucky throat germs to me! YUCK!!!

Yo GRETA! Where's Lucy??

Apparently, this Happy Mama has been having a bit of mother guilt over the lack of pictures I've taken of little Greta. So, I have focused heavily on Greta...and in the process forgotten to take pictures of Lucy! Whoops! Enjoy!

TEDDY IS HERE...

Robert Theodore Charrier "Teddy" was born 10/10/10. 7lbs 6oz and 19in. He is healthy and beautiful. Mom is doing great and enjoying not being pregnant anymore.

CONGRATULATIONS Molly, Ryan, and Marina!!!

RUN FAST UNCLE ACY...

Lucy, Greta, Molly, and I walked to Summit to see Acy run by in the Twin Cities Marathon last weekend! Acy finished in 4 hours flat...not too bad for someone who didn't have time to train!!!!!

A Wise Wo-Man Once Said...

"James and I need a swaddle for both our personal lives and marriage".

It is rare in life when you receive truly unbiased, honest advice. If you are a follower of this blog, I'm sure you know that life for this happy mama has gotten complicated since returning to work. In response to one of my blogs, my mom took the time to compose a bit of wisdom that has completely changed Norm and I's perspective...and I wanted to take a moment to share some of her thoughts and to thank her for "taking away the boo-boo's".

"...Your blog comments reminded me (mom) of a conversation I had with James while he was swaddling Greta. I asked him why do you do that...what is the theory behind this swaddling stuff? And you, James, said to me: The swaddling takes the disorganization out of her body so she can calm down and sleep...so why are you (james and beth) not doing the same for yourselves?"

1. If your work at Wells Fargo and 3M are what defines both of you and you both get great satisfaction from it...swaddle your work! Take care of it and do it well because in the long run, from what I know and feel from you two, your work is deeply satisfying to yourselves individually and thus as a couple.

2. Swaddle your family. Weekends are Kid-Time...PERIOD! Take them with you. Do stuff with them. Play with them. Teach them. Work around the yard with them. Be with them. Love and laugh with them. And surprise, surprise...You May LOVE IT! These first five years are critical for development and now that you have produced them, they are yours to form...but remember they are on loan and these sacrifices are not forever.

3. Swaddle your relationship. Take care of it because you can't afford not to. And remember, it's ok to ask for and receive help.

I'm sure my summary above could never do justice to the essence of the full letter...but some of it James and I will keep to ourselves. Thank you mom for loving us enough to provide such honest feedback. Know that it has made a difference in our work life, home life, and relationship. And that is truly invaluable!

Is It Winter Yet???

Maybe not...

Mommy, why am I dressed like this?

What time is it???

Good Morning Daddy!

More Mother Ramblings...

Well, the boys hit the road this morning for Grand Marais which means a girls weekend for me, Lucy, and Greta. Greta is a super-star sleeper these days and no longer gets swaddled (wow, that went fast). Lucy is learning about a million different words and is continuing to try and communicate as best she can with us. It seems like the more she can say, the less frustrated she is with us. Although do not take that as meaning that she still doesn't have temper-tantrums. Oh my, she loves a good cry! But, they are a result of her not getting her way rather than us not understanding what she wants.

Norm and I continue to navigate our world with two kids...not always an easy path. We started a new morning routine the past two weeks which has greatly reduced EVERYONE's stress in the morning. YAY!

Greta's 4 Month STATS

26 1/2 inches tall (90% Percentile)
13lbs (50% Percentile)
Head Circumference (10% Percentile)

SO BIG! Such a tall drink of water! Just like her mommy. :)

EARS OF CORN???

Nope! Ears of Beans and Mac & Cheese. Sound crazy, well it's not. At least it's not if you're Lucy and you truly believe that Daddy can pulled cut green beans and macaroni and cheese from ears (hers or his).

I can't say I've seen anything as cute as Lucy trying to find green beans in her ears. Then prclaiming in Lucyese how amazing it is that daddy can do it! (Or at least that's what I imagined she was saying. The only words I could make out were daddy, blachky, bleachgy, blah.)

Smiles, Sitting, & Solids

Ok, maybe more shock-and-awe

Greta's first taste of solid foods.

Well, more like liquid solids...

For the first few bites, Happy wasn't sure that she liked it. But after about 3-4 bites, she couldn't get it in fast enough. Arms flailing, legs kicking, and squeals of delight tell this Happy Mama that Greta loves rice cereal. Way to go Happy Spunkin! Looks like we'll have another happy honker on our hands!

More Random Family Pics

The first Gopher game of the Season

Tailgating with Jim and Cathey

Summer may be coming to an end...but Norm soaks-up a few more rays on the boat.

What are these girls Doing??? :)

Guilt-Free Help Wanted

Four months, two weeks, and counting. It seems like Greta has been here forever. Some milestones have come so quickly(giggling, smiling, rolling over); while others are slow to arrive (sleeping through the night, sleeping through the night, sleeping through the night...you get the point).

And what a change two weeble-wobbler's have brought to our life/relationship...or lack thereof. I haven't decided whether its lack of sleep or total chaos when we are awake that makes having a normal conversation with James impossible. And when we do finally get a moment alone, I seem to be lost for words. I mean, what is there to talk about anyways? Drop-offs, pick-ups, I spent, you spent, I do, you do, honey-do, your turn or mine? Logistics run our life. I love our girls but long for (miss) a more peaceful and less-scheduled existence.

I've started to day-dream about things I never thought I would want. Dinners without temper-tantrums; a good-nights sleep; independent wiping; guilt-free me time; guilt-free work time; a housewife! Society tells us that we (working moms) can do it all...but fail to mention the overwhelming guilt you feel when you can't. Or worse, the guilt you feel when you can't and have to rely on other to do things for you (paid or otherwise). The obvious solution is to give-up work...focus on family, right? But what if you love your job? Love that part of your life where you're actually good? I digress!

Life is good but complicated. At least I have Norm by my side. No one could ask for a better partner.

Recent Great PICS!

Labor Day Weekend

More than any other year, this Labor Day felt like the end of summer. The weather was cool and it was our last scheduled visit to the cabino for quite some time. Kind of sad that we have to wait a whole year to swim at the sandbar again, take a golf cart ride with Lucy, or enjoy a mojito on the deck at sunset. But, on the other hand I look forward to next summers cabin-time when Greta is big enough to go on boat rides, swim in the pool, and ride in the bike cart with Lucy. Oh how things will change by next summer.

Friends Cabin Weekend

Minnow Shots. Orange Golf Balls....everywhere! Goblets. Bean Bag Toss in Boxers. Day Drinking resulting in Night Napping. Golf Cart Rides.Booze Cruises.

Must be a FRIENDS WEEKEND!

This years friends weekend was another success. The weather cooperated and besides almost capsizing the boat in 2 foot swells (Norm hollered may-day and abandoned his post providing this happy mama with another opportunity to flaunt my nautical prowess and live up to my self-proclaimed nickname...CAPTAIN!), overall the weekend was a needed break from life.

Many, mnay thanks to our friends for making the supreme effort to travel up to Alex! We love all of you!