March Madness

Remember when the trees (Indiana State for those non fans) made it to the tournament? Good times. Making the trek to Memphis with family and friends. Dancing on Beale Street and sharing pork bbq nachos with Brady. Cheering for Menser, Renn and Block. Blogging in March has been slow, but things with us have been a little nuts with moving back and forth from Terre Haute to Indy each week. Living with the folks during the week has worked out fine and I've enjoyed the extra help and times when I can take a walk or run an errand. I try to have a sunny outlook but at times packing up each week and trying to clean the house before we leave each weekend starts to wear on me (especially when no one has looked at our house). Although I'm happy to report that tomorrow we will have showing #2! Decker is doing great. He is changing so much each week and getting more fun all the time. He looks like a fish out of water on his belly like he will be motoring any day now. He's started solid food although his food of choice is still very much milk. Deck went to his first bball game at ISU. He had fun although the announcer and buzzer made him jump a couple times. We've been enjoying the spring weather and fresh air while taking daily walks. Decker really likes to watch and pat Rodi and Grandma Hansel's dogs. Rodi has been really good with him and only gets jealous when visitors come and pay more attention to Decker than her. We also had a very special Sunday on the 21st when Decker was dedicated at church. Thanks to our mom's, we had a very special lunch after church- good fellowship with friends and family.

Food Con

Most know of my love for local food and good eats so if you are looking for something to do this coming Friday night-check out Food Con at the Harrison Center-a convention of food and art!! There will be a great exhibit on the Broad Ripple Farmers' Market called Farmers' Market Society in gallery 2. Wish I could go but we will probably be in route from Terre Haute back to Indy.

http://www.harrisoncenter.org/shows.php

My Valentines

Thanks to Amy for hosting a wonderful 5 course Valentines meal for us girls! We had a great time. It was good to laugh with you all for the night! My other two special Valentines are doing good as well and Brady and I even got to go out for Mexican thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Hansel. Brady's new job is going well and we enjoyed staying with my parents this past week.

For Fun!

This is what Deck and I do for fun some days-take pics of ourselves-enjoy! Please ignore my greasy hair and teeth that are in need of a cleaning-ha!! Also want to share some big news with everyone-we are moving back to the Haute. Brady took a new job last week and he starts Monday. Anyone want our house-spread the word. As we are very sad to leave friends and brother Todd in Indy it will be nice to be near our parents at this point in our lives with a little one. I think it does take a tribe!

OK January is Not so Bad!

Turns out January is not so bad after all-in January our family celebrates two special birthdays-my moms on the 9th and Brady's sis Megan tomorrow on the 11th. Happy birthday you two! And also Uncle Kyle and Aunt Julies anniversary is in January! We had a nice visit with Bob, Mary Jane and Megan today and my parents are coming up tomorrow. We love visits from family and friends. And we also have a party to look forward to this month celebrating Megan's graduation from ISU in nursing! Way to go Meg. So even though I did have a couple minor breakdowns this weekend because of exhaustion, and lack of time for personal hygiene and appearance, and exercise, the snow is beautiful and Rodi is being a good dog-she only licks Deck every so often, and Brady and I as much as we'll let her.

Party Like It's 1999

Remember when the year 2000 was coming in and the Prince song made a come back?? Good times! Well, I've decided that I really don't like the New Years holiday-every year seems like a big let down. And after Christmas and Thanksgiving it's just the long cold winter to look forward to. Sure we have lots to be thankful for (and look forward to in the new year)-one being the little man but the winter blues still get me down. I did get out with Ro today to soak up what little vitamin D the exposed skin on my face could absorb. Deck living in the climate controlled environment of our house doesn't even realize it's winter-every day is warm and cozy for him as it should be-although I am worried he's not getting enough fresh air. I'm constantly obsessing over the humidity and temp of our house. Anyway-here he is happy as a clam over the fact that he found his toes!! Happy New Year.

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!