Christmas Cheer

This Christmas season has been different than any other for us. A new baby brings lots of challenges and blessings (more blessings). Some days I feel like I spend the entire day just trying to get Deck to sleep in some form, from naps to bedtime (of course we do play in between). Once asleep at night he is a good sleeper though and is almost going through the night now with one or two feedings. I have missed being able to participate in some Christmas activities this year but look forward to doing more next year while trying to cherish this season of our lives where we are more home bound. Being less mobile this year initially left us with no Christmas tree. But, yesterday my Dad and Brady went out to find one to surprise me. At first I had a bad attitude like what is the point it's 4 days til Christmas but this little bargain tree has been more fragrant than any other we have ever had!! So the smell of Christmas has lifted my spirits and attitude that it's better late than never and now we have a tree to put Deck's new sled under (don't tell him that's what we got him!). One of my favorite things about Christmas is receiving cards from friends and family. Each December I eagerly get the mail each day to see who our first greeting will be from-this year Angie won the contest-thanks Ang! Wishing you peace, love and joy in the new year!

Gobble Gobble

Well, we made our first trip to Terre Haute over the Thanksgiving holiday. And it was a success! Here we come Christmas. Bud slept great-better than me-ha, and enjoyed the festivities. He met many new faces including aunts, cousins and friends. And did I mention the food-we ate good too. I got the privilege of watching Brady's mom work her magic in the kitchen on Thanksgiving morning. The turkey and fixin's were yummy yum yum!

2-Month Milestones

Can't believe Decker is already 2 months and counting. Actually this week is 9 weeks. Anyway, today he went to the doc for some vaccinations and his 2 month check up. The shots were harder on Mom than Deck-he did great. He's already up to almost 14lbs, which is good for Brady and I as we are building our weak upper body strength by carrying the chunk around-ha! This past weekend we also went out on the town for the first time besides the doctor visits. We surprised Todd and Erica on Halloween with our little pumpkin! They weren't expecting such a cute tricker treater. Also we made our debut at church on Sunday which also went great! Here are some recent pics.

Smiles

Thought I would post a new pick of Deck-he's been smiling at my dad in the mornings! Friends and family have been so wonderful in visiting, providing meals and helping take care of this little one-thanks everyone. We have been so blessed.

Decker Riley

Little or should I say big Decker was born on Sept 1st at 6:20 pm. It was a long hard labor and delivery but we are both healthy and safe at home now. It's been quite an adjustment with the feedings and lack of sleep but he is worth it-a sweet miracle! He weighs 10 lbs 5.5 oz now and was 9 lbs 14 oz at birth and 21 3/4 inches long.

Our Harvest

Brady is proudly displaying our latest harvest-green beans. We have had a good crop so far. He has been our bean picker as bending down these days is not the easiest of moves for me! Brady planted our second round of lettuce this past weekend and we're also hoping to put out some spinach. He distributed some mighty fine compost on the new lettuce bed from the composter-we're slowly learning the tricks of getting the right combo of greens and browns for the compost. We also made a rain barrel this summer at the BR Farmers' Market-so we've been watering the garden with rain saved in the barrel which has been fun. We've been talking about expanding our garden to the front yard next year for better sunlight exposure but don't want to give up the volleyball court...

Anniversary Celebration

Last weekend we celebrated our 7th anniversary. We had more dates in one weekend than we have in a while and I was happy that I will still able to have some fun despite my size. Friday night we watched a Beatles tribute band at Connie Prairie Symphony on the Prairie and ate kettle corn and strawberry shortcake under the stars. Saturday we had pregnancy pictures taken which was fun-although Brady is afraid some of them are too provocative to show everyone-ha! Saturday night we ate at the Shelby Street Bistro Rooftop Garden Cafe-it was tasty and fun-with a few sprinkles. Our waitress shared her joys of having 5 children including a set of twins. I think we have first timers written on our faces! Then we went and walked around on Mass Ave and looked at some of the shops. Then onto DQ for our final destination of the night. Brady also surprised me with a small gift, sweet card and delicious chocolate bar on Monday! To quote a close friend of ours-after 7 years it's time to add some more fun to life-with a baby!

Days of Thunder

Two peas in a pod. Brady and his dad had a great time at the Brickyard on the 26th while I celebrated at my last shower with friends from Agape-my home church. We both had a great day!

Ask Brady about the joke a hilljack played on him after the race!

Visit from Friends and Family Shower

Last Sunday I had a nice visit from two great college friends. Erica, Angie and I had a fun lunch sitting outside at Ricks Boat Yard catching up and enjoying the nice weather. Congrats to Erica and Ryan as they are expecting their second child.

Saturday I had another wonderful shower given by my side of the family. We had a great turn out and I received lots of encouragement and sweet baby gifts. More pics of the shower to come later. Kelley and her new baby boy were able to attend the shower. It was great to spend time with both of them and Angie too!

More baby fun...

My sister in law Julie helped put on a wonderful shower for me this past week. I received lots of great gifts and support from Brady's family. Thanks Julie, Meg and Mary Jane! Food and festivities were much appreciated-mom and I had a great time.

Baby Showers

My dear friend Amy threw me my first baby shower-thanks to everyone who was able to come and to Amy for hosting. It was a very special time to celebrate the upcoming birth of our son! Amy's creativity and cake decorating is most impressive. We ate, played games and I opened some very sweet gifts!

Rodi's Big Girl Bed

Rodi is becoming more and more displaced in our house. First she was kicked out of her room to make way for baby. And now her play areas are becoming full of baby contraptions that haven't found permanent spots yet. So-amidst Rodi's deprived state-not-Grandpa built her her own special custom big girl bed. She's still not back in a bedroom of her own but that may come if our guests want to bunk with her. Needless to say she is enjoying her new bed!

Wedding Weekend

This weekend we traveled to Michigan to a long time friends wedding. Congrats to Ali & Mike. The wedding was beautiful even if there were a few rain drops. We were able to catch up with some other friends from high school who we hadn't seen in a while. My parents also made the trip so we bunked with them Saturday night. Pregnant dancing was interesting but I was able to shake a little leg on the floor. We look forward to whoever is next to get hitched! Erica?, Luke? hint hint!

Babymoon

Brady and I went on our last get away before the baby comes. We had a great relaxing time in New Harmony, IN at a local Inn. We ate great, did some hiking in the Shawnee National Forest, celebrated Brady's birthday and spent some quiet time at a local coffee shop. When we got back Brady spent time putting together the baby's crib and changing table. He did a great job.

Which is Rounder?

Me or my new composter? I know I know, all you moms out there say I don't know what round is yet!! We had a great weekend-Brady got me this new composter for my bday and we were able to celebrate with my family and Brady's mom (with whom I share my bday with) Saturday night by going out to eat. Happy 50th to Mary Jane. Brady constructed her a beautiful "simple bench" as a surprise! Sunday we celebrated Mother's Day at the Hansel's with another wonderful meal. Here are some pics from the weekend festivities.

Mini Weekend

Big shout out to Brady for doing so great in the mini marathon-he ran a PR. He had a great cheering section-both sides of our family and many friends from church. Thanks everyone for your support since I couldn't be at the race. The farmers' market opened Saturday morning as well so I had to be there but was able to meet up with the families afterward for our favorite after race meal at LePeeps! We also got to meet up with a dear old friend Heather Saturday night at the Indian's game. It was a great weekend!

Everyday is Earth Day

Happy Earth Day readers! Hope you are able to get out and enjoy our spring weather today. Brady and I were able to participate in Terre Haute's Earth Day Festival last Saturday tabling a booth for HEC. There was a great turn out at this event. This Saturday is Indy's Earth Day Fest for those who live around here. As Brady's likes to say "Earth Day is everyday at the Hansel's." We try but could always do better. We got a romper for the baby that says "Plant a Tree for Me"! Spread the green love people....

Bring on the Blue

Well, looks like we're going to be seeing a lot of blue in our future (which happens to be one of my favorite colors) because Tuesday we found out that we're having a boy. The ultrasound was amazing-like nothing we had ever seen-we just watched in wonderment as the tech described what she was seeing. To celebrate we went to Burlington and Baby's R Us! Talk about baby over stimulation! We couldn't even pick out one little outfit there was so much to choose from. Then we ate at Olive Garden-one of our favs. Had an appointment with the midwife yesterday and she went over the results of the ultrasound and everything looked normal so we are very thankful that a healthy baby is growing.

Growth

Well, these days my tummy seems to be growing faster than our garden as you can see from these pics (don't mind the self portrait i took with the auto setting). Next week will be five months and we also hope to find out the sex during the ultrasound. With all the aches and pains, and ups and downs of pregnancy I've been learning to look to our Creator for strength and encouragement-thanks be to God the source of all life and hope. Happy Easter.

Happy St. Pattys

On Sunday my dad and Brady leveled the beds and filled them in with dirt. Mom and I supervised as I was better but still a little under the weather. Sunday night Erica's dog Layla, and Rodi sported their St. Patty's day bandannas. Even though Todd isn't Irish he still received a traditional St. Patty's kiss from Rodi!

Toe Tappin Good Time

On Saturday we went to the National Maple Syrup festival at Burton's Maple Syrup farm in Medora, Indiana. The weather was a little chilly but that didn't stop the maple syrup from flowin. We took in the sights including eating pancakes and listening to Fiddle 'N' Feet. This tap dancer or clogger (we aren't sure which one) was awesome http://www.fiddlenfeet.com/ . The day however didn't end so well for me as I came down with the stomach flu on the way home.

Getting in the Dirt

This Saturday we were able to get outside and enjoy the warm weather. We have been making plans to build raised vegetable beds this spring in hopes of increasing of chances of a better harvest than years past. So with a trip to Menard's and a load of lumber in the Civic we were on our way to green pastures. Typically Brady and I don't work well together on home projects-but once we got the first one built the other two were a piece of cake. Speaking of loads-the winter was good to Rodi and Brady spent a good part of the afternoon scooping poo. He even had to bring out the snow shovel to get a good beat on it! The other picture is what I hope is the future home of three laying hens. As long as the midwife gives me the OK tomorrow I'll be on my way to being a chicken mama too.

Celebrating Love

Brady and I had a wonderful Valentines weekend. We kicked off the weekend Friday night by having a special five course meal at the Traders Point Creamery. The ambiance was great. After the soup and salad I barley had room for dinner but somehow made room for the tiramisu for dessert! Saturday morning, Valentines Day, Brady made me a breakfast sandwich with a side of clementines! And then he read me some poetry selections that he had specially picked out-a first for him. Then we traveled to the Indy Winter Farmers Market-our first visit there. It was neat and we got to catch up with a few of the vendors from Broad Ripple. Then it was onto Menard's for perhaps the greatest gift of Valentines Day-Brady going with me to price some items for a potential bathroom remodel. Brady hates shopping for those that don't know. There is one other important tid bit that needs to be shared on the blog. I'm sure you have noticed that not a lot of activity has been happening on the blog-well that's been for a reason. I've had to keep a secret-we are expecting a baby! Yep-you heard right for those that don't know-I'm right at 12 weeks and growing by the day. We heard the heartbeat last week which was a miracle in itself that something so small can have a heart that beats so fast. Another reason for the lack of blogging is that initially i was very nauseous 24 hours a day-I've been coming out of that the past 2 weeks and are very thankful to be feeling better. So there is it-the update my readers have been waiting for!! Enjoy

Snow Glow

Thought I would share some of our snow photos. We got so much snow that even Brady didn't go to work on Wed. By the end of the day he shared that he felt a little couped up-I said how do you think I feel? I'm thankful to have the flexibility to work from home but I've been saying this all winter long! The snow is beautiful though and we're hoping to go out for a short walk/run in the neighborhood tonight. Rodi may be the most couped up as she hasn't been on a walk in quite a few days and she has been letting us know how displeased she is by her constant whining.

Blogging Blues

Well, haven't had much to blog about lately. Thinking about spring and longing for some sunshine. Rodi is feeling couped up too-she hasn't been on a walk in a few days. We did frolic out in the snow for a little bit today. The snow makes her frisky. I think I would like winter much better if it were around 40 with fluffy snow on the ground and sun shinning through instead of freezing temps, gray skies and slick roads. January is not all bad as my mom and Megan celebrated another birthday-happy belated birthdays to them. I've been reading a good book called Animal, Vegetable, Miracle about a family who deliberately ate food produced from the same place where they lived and worked, etc. for one year. I think I would have a hard time giving up bananas! Seed catalogs also start arriving in January which also makes me long for time in the dirt. Soon I will be able to start some seeds for spring planting. The farmers market is also starting to buzz with the promise of the upcoming season and who our vendors will be. Maybe an Indiana shrimp farmer? Who knew?

More Holiday Please

Here is a pic from an after Christmas visit with my good friends from college days gone by. And another pic from New Years Eve at the Beef House with our two families. Is anyone else feeling the after holiday low? Winter blues?