Musings

Bear on our trip to Idaho last weekend.

The moose that crossed our path as we headed to the airport to come home from Idaho.

Tom and Bear enjoying lunch when Bear and I got home from Idaho.

I can't believe how fast the last year has gone. It seems like I was just pregnant and now Bear is a year old, starting to talk, and will soon walk. Amazing. If everything goes as planned this weekend Bear will be staying with a babysitter for the first time on Sunday morning. The gal is actually a friend of ours through my work. They have a little boy that is 5 months older than Bear. Actually he's in the last posts photos, Ty. I have to chase an airplane for the day so we can install some new equipment on the jet engines, and Tom has to work in the morning. So, Bear gets a babysitter. I'm a little nervous, but on the other had I'm not worried about where and who he'll be with.

I'm watching yet another report about kids. People have a lot of time on their hands. I'm finding as a parent that there are so many things to worry about that if I really worried about everything the t.v. and magazines say I'm supposed to, poor Bear would live in a bubble. I don't think I'm going to let him do that. Of course that would come with worries about the BPA in the clear plastic of the bubble.:) Boy it can get ridiculous. There is enough to worry about as a parent that I don't understand why we just keep piling on the worries. I guess we need to keep the psycologists in business somehow.

Bear seems to be singing himself to sleep again. He's been down for a half an hour. He's just now starting to get really quiet. He's been squealing and singing. Kinda fun to listen to, but I'm begining to wonder if he'll really going to take a nap. While he's down I'd better get some coleslaw made. We have a BBQ this afternoon that I'm supposed to make something for.

Birthday and the 4th

Bear, Levi, and Ty...Neptune 2008 kids. Little gearheads already.Tom and Lou

Bear's cake...I didn't get the frosting for the letters right, but it tasted good.

Wow we've been busy. Bear had his first birthday. A grand total of 3 parties and 2 cakes. What a spoiled kid. We had loads of fun though. The 4th of July we got to spend with part Tom's family and some good friends from work. We had quite the party. 5 little kids, 10 adults, 2 dogs, and one cat that strolled in. The cat was pretty funny. She walked in like she owned the joint. I tried to shoo her out knowing the dogs would probably chase her and the kids would pull on her. She didn't seem to care. She backed down the dogs and seemed to enjoy even the rough attention from the kids. She stuck around long enough for us to start calling her Indie for Independence Day, then she disappeared for awhile. She showed up again today to get a drink, some cuddles, and play in the bushes for a bit. She seems to be gone again. We'll see. We may end up with a cat and we may not.

At any rate we had fun. With Bear turning 1 that meant we needed to do another round of shots. A little different this round. His first set of MMRs and a couple others. One more set at 15 months of the Dtap. Then we'll be done until he's 4 years. Whew. He was really good today. He cried when they gave him the shots of course but it took no time to get him to stop. Basic stats from this visit: 32 inches long/tall, 25 lbs, and given a clean bill of health. Our doctor cracks me up. He is so abrubt and kinda abrasive for the most part but he and Bear seem to get along great. I love how down to earth he is. Some of the doctors in Missoula and elsewhere we've been seem to have unreasonable expectations about a lot of things. This one seems to realize kids will be kids.

I'm thinking it is time for bed. Tom and I actually had a day off together today so we've been busy today. Doughnuts and coffee in Ravalli this morning (after sleeping in until almost 7), then while Bear napped I planted my blueberries and Tom pruned the lilac bushes. Then it was off to the doctor and grocery store. Oh, we went to the hardware store in the morning too. Then after the doctor Bear and I took a nap while Tom did dishes and got the chicken ready for dinner. Then it was dig potatoes and onions to go with dinner, eat, and put Bear to bed. Then Tom and I had a contest to see who could dig a two foot post hole first. I won.:) To say the least a full rich day.

Photos from our Trip

Bear and Uncle Eli.
Some crazy weather that followed us to the Valley.

Bear and a few presents so Grammy could throw a birthday party.

Bear seemed to think the balloons were the best present ever.

And he got a kick out of coming to attack the camera.

Buddy and Bear travellin' pals.

Big horn sheep doe alongside the highway. We pulled over and took pictures while Buddy barked. She didn't seem to care.

Bear and Uncle Eli. It only took almost a year to get these two to meet.

Well, I'm finally getting around to posting some photos from our Idaho trip. I thought I'd better catch everyone up on Bear's milestones too. He is now saying a few words. First official word: Buddy. He now also says airplane, map, and bye-bye. 6 teeth are in and he has pretty much decided he is done with baby food. He is completely weaned. He did that himself. I don't know what people mean about that being difficult. I guess I got lucky with Bear. Let's see... I don't think there is too much else. We have the 12 month doctor appointment next Friday (the 10th) where we get to have more shots. It won't be fun but it will be one less round to do. For this weekend we are looking forward to the 4th of July, fireworks, and company.