The Great Pumpkin Patch

Last Saturday, Tom and I decided to take the kids to the Denver Botanic Gardens Pumpkin Festival. Apparently everyone else in Denver had the same idea because we spent a good part of the day waiting in lines. After a 15 min walk from the car to the front entrance (dragging a toddler in a wagon through a dusty, busy parking lot is so much fun let me assure you) we stood in line for another 20 minutes only to get stuck behind that family of 10 that waits until they are at the cashier to decide what kind of ticket they want. Do they want just the pumpkin festival, or do they want the corn maze and the pumpkin festival? Should they let their kids go into the maze by themselves or join them? Apparently it hadn't occurred to them to make this decision PRIOR to getting to the front of the line even though all these options were boldly displayed 15 feet back. So, there we stood, in 80 degree heat without shade with a toddler desperate to get to the pumpkin patch. At least the people watching was good. Does anyone else think it's a good idea to wear stilettos to a giant cornfield? I mean, really, who was she trying to impress?

So, once we got our tickets, it was another 15 walk to the festival. Once inside, we decided it was time to eat where we stood in line for another 15 minutes to get tater twisters (because who can't resist deep fried potatoes and processed cheese) and lemonade (what, no beer tent?!?!) Then it was off to the kettle corn stand because Declan can't not have popcorn. So, here we are $40 poorer and we still haven't paid for our pumpkin yet. Then of course we have to walk past the carnival rides to get to the pumpkin patch which require another long wait in a line to get tickets that probably cost a fortune. Fortunately, we were able to distract Declan and avoid that fiasco. In the end, we got our pumpkins and got out. Next year, I think we will head to the grocery store for our pumpkins.

Catching Up

Eva with her namesake. 4 generations!
Hailey, Abby and Eva!

Lake Dillon

This is the playset we purchased off of Craigslist before Tom assembled it!

Oktoberfest. Totally appropriate place for a newborn.
I just love this picture so much I had to include it.
Declan's 1st fish!

It's been awhile since I've updated my blog. Not that I get much time anymore to sit and write. To say that a new baby doubles the workload is an understatement! However, everyday gets a little easier. We have settled into a "routine" and Eva is allowing me enough sleep at night now to feel like an (almost) fully functioning human.

Eva turns 9 weeks old tomorrow. I can't believe how fast it goes. Some days I want to stop the clock and other days I can't wait till she's a little bit older. I am finally getting the hang of being a mother of two. Though that didn't really come until the past couple of weeks. Eva doesn't get nearly as much "one on one" attention as Declan did as an infant but I suppose that goes with the territory.

I am enjoying getting to know Eva and watching her grow and change every day. She is such a smiley little girl and she's got both Tom and I wrapped around her little finger. She's a challenge in that she can't NOT be held. Declan would sleep for hours in his swing but she wants no part of that. It has to be mommy's arms or her sling which is sweet but sometimes I really just need her to give me a break. She also refuses to sleep anywhere but in our bed. We've tried so many times to get her to sleep in her bassinet but she has no interest in that either. We are just hoping that it doesn't last too much longer.

We spent 10 days in MN a few weeks ago spending time, once again, at the Lady Slipper Lodge in Remer. We had excellent weather and spent the week relaxing, hiking, fishing and drinking. Happy hour always starts at noon when you're on vacation. Right? Declan caught his first fish which he was pretty excited about.

We also spent a few days back in Bloomington. I had a fabulous time seeing all my friends and meeting Stacy and Betsy's new babies Hailey and Abby. One of these days I might just get out those "Thank You" notes I have been meaning to write. If you got us a gift and haven't received a proper thank you from me all I can ask is.... please forgive? I am most appreciative but I just can't seem to make the time to get those done!

Being home and seeing all my friends makes me homesick for MN. WHich brings me to my next thought.

Lot's of great things have been starting to happen for Thomas and his career goals. As everyone probably already knows Tom applied for a Bomb Assessment Officer position with TSA to work at the Minneapolis airport and received a call to come in for an interview. This is huge for us in terms of the opportunity it presents. If he is offered the position it means we can move back to MN and I will be able to continue staying home with my kids. Not to mention a pay raise and federal bennies. On the other hand, it means leaving Colorado which fills me with so much sadness. I love living here! It also means trying to figure out what to do with a house we won't be able to sell for at least a few years which fills me with all kinds of anxiety. I am trying to not to spend any time worrying as Tom hasn't even been offered a position just yet, but I am a worrier so I can't help it. What will be will be.

9 days and counting!

The past month has flown by! We have been busy vacationing with family and enjoying our "downtime" before the arrival of "the Deuce" as Thomas refers to her. Thomas has also been busy making our backyard look presentable (yes, more landscaping) and it is finally looking like something that resembles a finished yard. I fully intend to post pics one of these days. As soon as the memory cards for our camera come out of hiding. Hopefully that happens before the arrival of the new baby.

A great time was had up in the mountains where we spent a week at my parent's timeshare in Breckenridge. My parents rented a pontoon one afternoon and we spent the day boating on Lake Dillon. We also spent an evening in Vail at a Queen cover band concert where Declan shared his first kiss ever with a little girl from Argentina. We spent most of the week relaxing, as there isn't much to do in the mountains when you are 9 months pregnant.

I also had a fabulous shower thrown for me by my friends Casey and Jessie. I was treated to lunch at the Augustine Grill and then an afternoon of pampering at the spa. It was so much fun to spend the day with friends. I think every Saturday should be reserved for girlfriends and pedicures!

My mom has been here since the 17th and it has been such a lifesaver. I really don't know how women manage toddlers and pregnancy. She will be here through the end of the month and I am so grateful for her help.

I am ready as I'll ever be for this baby to get here. My c-section is scheduled for next Thursday the 13th and while I am having a lot of anxiety over the surgery I am anxious to put this pregnancy behind me for now. I am looking forward to meeting this baby girl and learning all about her! My bags are packed and I am ready to go. I won't be disappointed in the least if I go into labor early either.

I am working on getting some more pics uploaded. Stay tuned....