waiting on the melt

Sarah’s Thoughts- Spring has officially arrived. I wore cropped pants, no socks and short-sleeves today from my car into the mall. I was parked fairly close to the entrance but STILL, that’s something! Sadly, there’s so much snow on the ground- especially at our house since we live close to the glacier. I think we have a good 4 feet in the deepest areas, but in most places, there’s probably just 12 inches of snow. I feel like Noah trapped on the ark. Its stopped raining and dry land is coming but don’t plan a picnic lunch on the front lawn just yet... So what to do in the meantime? Most of the streets are clear so I’ve been meaning to start jogging again, but haven’t quite gotten around to that. My goal for this week is to make a list of things I want to do this summer. I need a little direction and preparation. I don’t want to blink and find that its September and I’m still just thinking about jogging. Our neighborhood is having a garage sale on May 9 and we could definitely stand to get rid of some stuff, so maybe that’s a good place to start. Organize our garage sale and start jogging. I’ll give you the report next week.

High: Spontaneous Thai food date

Low: Pukey Owen and Luke. Why is someone always throwing up? Yikes! Am I next?

Luke Update- And with that, the 2009 legislative session comes to a close. Phew! So what’s in store for Luke, you might ask? Well... this week he has plans of helping his friend, David, in his monumental quest of adding a second story to his house. He also hopes to try-out our new king salmon rods and reels- there are reports of fish caught already this spring. He’s making significant progress on his fishing net (as pictured below). He has a little more sanding and varnishing to do and needs to attach the net to the hoop and then will be done! Pretty amazing to think that it all started-out as a block of wood. The buzz word at the moment among Luke and his friends is “steelhead”. It hangs in the air like humidity on a east coast summer’s day. No reports of a sighting yet, but soon... Soon. Luke and David are planning a bear hunting in mid-May and right after that, his fishing season officially begins as the tourists start trickling in. Luke has about a month to switch gears before he trades in his lap-top for his waders. Sadly, he’s begun his vacation by picking up a nasty little bug that Owen brought home from daycare but hopefully will be feeling top notch in no time!

Owen Update- One of our patients at the dentist office told me this week that when kids make significant progress in one area, they tend to regress in another. I’ve found his true for Owen this week. His vocabulary is exploding. We can actually sort of have a conversation... sometimes. He’s been pointing-out every “boap” he sees (“boat”). He’s finally started saying animal sounds (“meow” for a cat and “hooo hooo” for an owl). He saw some ducks today and said “quack, quack” but I didn’t understand, so then he said “whant, whant” in this nasal-y voice and then I knew! How about that for an explanation? “Juice” and “cracker” and “apple” and “shoe”... all of this in the last couple of weeks. Owen has traded this verbal expression for every ounce of independence in his being. He’s been velcro child for the past week, even crying for me at daycare, which he’s never really done before. His clingyness may partly be due to recent illness, but I’ll tell you, when you find yourself one handed with a 30 pound weight attached to your hip, its difficult to get much done, not to mention hard on the old back!

really loves this wagon... 

not riding in it or pulling it so much but pushing it...

he learned this from his father.

Proud Luke and the net

Teasing Dolly with the ball.

going for a walk

dolly's first fresh water swim of the year

Island Fever

Sarah’s Thoughts: Our long-awaited cabin camp-out finally came! We stayed at a newer cabin (2007) in Handtroller’s cove on Shelter Island. Originally, we were planning on going to a different cabin for two nights with some friends, but due to circumstances beyond our control, we went by ourselves for only one night and it was perfect. The boat ride was a little lumpy and it rained off and on, but the trip was exactly what I needed. The cabin was gorgeous - roomy, clean, made of yellow cedar logs which brightened everything up. Made me want to become a “Little House on the Island” family. Camping means guilt-free food consumption- i.e. junk food, non-balanced meals, wine at 3:30 if you feel like it... it was great! Owen’s little fingers were stained orange from Cheetos. We went for a few walks and did a little beach exploring, but for the most part just enjoyed being together and being outside. I remember being an extremely indecisive as a teenager, (I still am) but the one thing I knew for sure was that I loved being outside. I’m thankful to be married to a man who shares that love and to have a son that (so far) seems to love the outdoors too!

High- Besides our outing, we had a lovely Easter lunch with my cousin, Jason, friend, Kristen, and neighbors Bob and Amy

Low- Dolly’s persistent projectile vomiting for a full 24 hours after hitting the beach.

Luke Update- I think our Shelter Island overnight was the highlight for all of us. Right after we arrived at the cabin and dumped our gear, I was walking on the beach with Owen and all of a sudden I heard what sounded like a gunshot! I whipped around and frantically scanned the cove for the shooter and then I see my husband, standing on the porch of the cabin with a .22 and the biggest grin I’ve ever seen. We heard that sound about 49 more times throughout our 20 hours at the cabin. This coming week is Luke’s very last for the 2009 legislative session, which means our routines are about to change! As of next week, he will fall back into the “stay at home Dad” mode... I think he has mixed emotions about this, but is already making plans to take Owen and Dolly out for some lazy mornings trolling for king salmon. “I’d rather deal with a fussing kid on the boat then a fussing kid cooped up in the house.”

Owen Update- My sweet boy is growing before my eyes! (do I say that every week?) He is definitely his father’s son. He notices every bird that flies by or sings to us from a nearby tree.  I remember taking my nephew to the zoo when he was little and I thought he’d be so excited about all the animals, but when we got there, it seemed like he couldn’t really see any of them. Owen, however, spotted a sea lion swimming around our boat and eagles cart-wheeling on the opposite side of the cove. His attention to detail is incredible. He’s also completely unphased by cold. He loves to sit and splash in puddles or the incoming tide zone. While we were at the cabin, I was shivering in my sleeping bag, and Owen was kicking off the covers. I worry so much about him getting cold so all night, I was trying to keep blankets on him and all night, he was fighting throw them off. After several hours of this, I realized that he was hot and so I just let him do his thing. He slept soundly, blanket-free for the rest of the night. My little Alaskan kid!

Sweet Dolly sitting in front of the stove like a good lab.

shooter

waiting for the tide

my new favorite picture

making breakfast

beach walking

Anchors away!

Underneath the Snow

Sarah’s Thoughts: Luke and I had heard rumors that the city hadn’t plowed all the way to the end of the road so yesterday, we took a drive to see for ourselves. Living in Juneau, a drive to the end of the road is about as good as “road tripping” gets. I packed snacks, extra clothes, entertainment and we all piled into the Dodge Durango. Even though Luke and I talk every day, most of the time, we discuss what’s for dinner, the consistency of Owen’s poop, the next day’s work schedule, you know the drill. However, when we get away from the routine, out for a drive perhaps, our conversation dips below the surface. We remember our hopes and plans, our apprehensions and dreams- the things we use to talk about before we got so busy and preoccupied. Its refreshing and reviving to connect on a deeper level and remember who we are underneath the jobs, grocery shopping, and bedtimes... After our drive, I felt like we’d just gotten back from vacation and my love and I had reworked our brilliant plan to once again take the world by storm! Oh, and the road isn’t plowed past mile 34, if you’re wondering.

High- Spring is in the air. For real, yo.

Low- Back to work tomorrow after 2 weeks of glorious vacation...

Luke Update: In Juneau, we are finally seeing signs of spring. The evidence is as follows: Pussy willows (Dredge Lake on our Saturday walk), skunk cabbage (in the muskeg by the Mc Donalds intersection), melting snow, (um... look around!), and the biggey, the song of the Varied Thrush. I can’t check the final sign off my list, but  Luke swears on the life of his first born that today he did indeed hear the call- twice in fact. I stood in the alleged spot for about 5 minutes, listening with all my might but alas didn’t hear it. Another sign of spring is the first turn of the key on the old boat engine. Luke hooked up the garden hose and fired-up his boat up this weekend. Purred like a kitten after only 1/2 a turn. If your name is Luke Woodruff, that's enough to get your blood pumping! We were going to take her for a spin but the weather didn’t cooperate this weekend. Next weekend, however, we have cabin reservations so keep your fingers crossed for good weather!

Owen Update: Owen continues to amaze us with his knowledge and ability to control himself. The exciting news this week is that Owen started sleeping in his big boy bed. Thursday was his first night. We were nervous, wondering if it would be a sleepless night for all of us? We laid him down, left the room and didn’t see him again until he wondered into our room at 6:58 am, with a casual, “Hey guys. What’s going on?” look on his face. Such a big boy! Owen has also had several other break throughs this week- solid poops three days in a row, first trip to Mc Donalds (although we didn’t order food, Owen just climbed around on the play structure), and some discipline success! Before we had kids, Luke and I agreed to spank and several times, I’ve attempted to deliver a timely swat.  Each time I try, however, Owen either laughs it off or swats back at me. Whenever Owen has a break down in the evenings, Luke will escort him to his bedroom and tell him stay there until he’s finished crying. This week, as I struggled to put my flailing child in his car seat, I said, “Owen, do you need to go sit in your room?” Immediately, he stopped thrashing, stuck out his bottom lip for a second and then said, “no. no. no.” Thank you God!

The cover of Owen's first album

Little boy on the prairie... or maybe its the wetlands

Mama's little puddle magnet

Big Boy Bed Owen

Luke and his net creation

Excited boys on the boat

In like a lion, out like a lamb

Sarah's Thoughts: Last weekend my dear friend, Sarah G. came to visit (which is why I didn't publish a post.  very sorry.).  It was so fun for me to have her spend time in my element.  She'd only met Luke at our wedding, hadn't seen Owen since he was 4 1/2 months old, and had never met Dolly.  Needless to say, Sarah charmed them all- Luke with her guacomole, Dolly with  her ear scratching and Owen with her iphone.  Sarah and I have been friends since high school.  Through the years, I've come to realize that ours is a rare and precious friendship.  We are able to instantly reconnect, even when its been a long time, even when we're in very different places in our lives.   Overall, our visit was fairly mellow, as my life mainly consists of story reading and snack fixing these days...  however, it was just good to be in the same room as my friend-  to cook and to drink wine, to reminisce and dream, to remember that we know eachother at the very core of our beings and that will always remain, regardless of the ever changing circumstances of life.   

Low- Owen's recent bout with fever and insomenia.  Last night he was awake yelling "Mama!  Mama!" about 10 minutes after I'd painstakingly sang and rocked him to sleep.  

High- Secretly, I love rocking Owen to sleep.  There's something about holding my peaceful, snoring baby that brings me back to his newborn days, something about it that makes me think, "This is why I became a mother."  Oh yeah, that and a $2560 tax return!  Cha-ching!

Luke Update:  Luke is project-laden.  He has so many ideas that he's excited about, he hardly knows where to start.  He told me today that he's feeling a little anxious that summer will arrive before he knows it and he won't be able to finish all his projects. (I don't share in his anxiety if anyone is wondering...)   He also pointed out that although we are still getting snow, it is melting faster then its accumulating which means that spring really is on its way.  He successfully dug the boat out from its icy barricade this weekend and he's promising Saturday morning trolling excursions before too long.  Luke's laminated wooden fishing net is near completion and he's still making bullets from molten led. Besides all of this, he has about 10 other house projects in the hopper just waiting for a little bit of wood, and some fired-up table saw action.

Owen Update:  I feel like Owen's little personality has exploded in the past two weeks.   He is so verbal lately, its incredible.  He points to an object, I tell him its name and then he tries to repeat it.  He LOVES saying "bye" to anyone within ear-shot in this really high, sweet boy voice.  This week, Owen was introduced to the potty chair and it was love at first site.  Although he has yet to christen it, every time I change Owen's diaper, he runs into the bathroom to sit on his plastic throne.  In another attempt to encourage the big boy world, I added rails to the twin bed in Owen's room.  Once his sleeping routine stabilizes, we might give it a whirl.  Owen was showing his strong-willed tendencies this evening when we took Dolly for a walk. He refused to wear anything except his white dino jammies (even though it wasn't bed time) and then insisted on walking (which can make for exhaustingly slow progression).  We FINALLY managed to make it to our turn-around spot, almost a mile away from the house, when Owen decided to sit down in the middle of a big, icy mud puddle and splash a little bit.  Perfect decision for a boy with a nasty cough who is just recovering from recent feverish, sleepless days.

And now, more pictures to make up for their absence last week...

Even Owen likes cold leftover pizza!

peek!

Taking his popper for a walk.

Moutain Goat on the rocks surrounding Mendenhall Lake.

Sarah G. and Christian

Who doesn't love throwing rocks at the beach?

the joker

Mr. Fix It

Owen in a couch-fort with his friends Samson and Gabby.

There was constant squeels of delight for about 90 minutes.

Covered in snow and paint

Sarah's Thoughts: This weekend, I finally pulled the trigger, bought some paint and am now almost 1/2 way through painting the back guest room.  As I emerged from the fumes, covered in brown splatter, I realized that once this project is complete, I'll have painted every room in the house except the hallway and our laundry room!  That's a lot of walls!  I'm excited to add a touch of homey-ness to our guest room.  Its always been the place that collects things that have no other home.  I don't know if that will change with a coat of paint, but I think my attitude towards the room will.  This sudden push for redecorating is due to the fact that my best friend, Sarah will be in town this weekend.  Sarah has this amazing style that always is comfortable yet rich and bold.  Walking into her house is like a cross between walking into Pottery Barn and Anthropologie.  You love everything you see and wish that you'd could just curl up amidst the delicious candles, the embroidered throws, and the orange and white paisley lamp shades and fall asleep.  All this to say, I had to make an effort, so I'm painting and looking forward to spending some time with my dear friend!

Low- Daylight savings time Monday morning when I had to drag myself out of bed and then wake up Owen an hour later.  There's nothing worse then waking up a sleeping baby.  Curse you, Daylight savings!

High- Daylight savings time on Friday when it was JUST getting dark at 7:30.  Once that snow melts, just imagine the places we'll go!  I love you, Daylight savings!

Luke Update:  For those of you that don't know, our house is located within the "Montana Creek Estates".   I'm not currently aware of any neighborhood associations in Juneau that require residents to mow the lawn once a week or plant specified foliage in the front yard, but if there was such a neighborhood, it would be ours.  The very knowledge of this fuels Luke's morbid desire to be the redheaded step-child of the neighborhood.  Some of our neighbors shovel their driveways with 1/2 inch of snow.  Our driveway, however, hasn't been shoveled since President's Day.  On Friday after work, Luke thought it would be a good idea to dig ruts in the 6" of packed snow so that when it warms up and the snow begins to melt, our cars would have an easy path to follow into the garage.  Initially, I didn't think this was the best idea and now I know that I was right.  Creeping ever so slowly down our driveway is like jumping in a bouncy castle, only without the cushioney floor to absorb the jolts.  In other news, Luke has been working hard on his fishing net and counted 12 trips booked already this year (last year at this time, we had 9!).

Owen Update:  In our family, we take walks.  Luke and I enjoyed walks when we were dating, and then we got married and got a dog.  We still really love our walks, but Dolly (our dog) is the reason we faithfully head outside, rain, wind, snow or shine.  All this to say, since day 5 or so, Owen has been going on walks too.  Some days he loves it, some days he falls asleep and some days he protests vehemently. This weekend, for the very first time, Owen walked at least 1/3 of the walk with his own two feet.  Usually when we try this, we make it about 3-4 houses past ours and he's so distracted with rocks, puddles, ditch, what have you, that we have to stop and force his wriggling body into the child carrying device of choice and continue on.  I don't know if its the fact that snow is covering everything in site so there's not much to distract him or if he's just getting bigger, but it sure has been fun.  He's so smily and proud, and my poor back gets a rest- 30 pounds is a lot after awhile!

Owen and his jammies of many colors

Glassy day on the water

Tickle time!

Owen patted the bench next to him with his chubby little hand 

and held up a book.  That boy loves to read!

After dinner treat!  

Besides Spring...

Sarah's Thoughts: There's this book that I've heard a lot about called, "The 5 Love Languages."  The idea is there are 5 different ways people feel loved and in turn show love: acts of service, words of affirmation, physical touch, gifts, and quality time.  The way you show love to others is the way you feel loved.  I determined a long time ago that I feel loved the most from words of affirmation.  For example, if I feel like I need a compliment, I'll ask Luke "Doesn't this shirt looks nice on me?" and he'll say, "Oh yes, Sarah.  You look so nice in that shirt." and I'm happy.  However, this weekend I discovered that I truly appreciate acts of service as well.   On Saturday night, we had some friends come over for dinner.  Nap time is my big chance to work on projects (computer/cleaning/cooking/etc.).  I needed to do a little cleaning, but I also needed to work on this never-ending computer project...  Without being prompted, Luke vacuumed, washed the dishes, gave Dolly a bath, and installed curtain hooks throughout the living room and I felt so loved!  Really, I feel loved through all 5 of the love languages, as I think most people do... but it was nice to be reminded that "acts of service" makes me warm and tingly.  Thanks Luke!

High- Leaving work early (at 3:30) every day last week.  I'm sure my next paycheck will be my "low", but what are you going to do? 

Low- Discovering it was "poop day" in the nursery today at church.  During the service, I changed no less then 3 poopy diapers, none of them Owen's, and for one poor little guy, the poop was literally caked down the full length of his leg- crotch to heel.  

Luke Update:  The much-anticipated Coast Guard license application has been processed. The fine print has been scrutinized, the I's have been dotted, the T's have been crossed, and Captain Luke Woodruff is once again officially authorized by the United States Coast Guard as a Merchant Marine Officer.  Phew!  Now all we have to do is entice America's recession-burdened tourist population to fork over multiple benjamin franklins for a once-in-a-lifetime trip, fly rod in hand, to "humpy heaven" courtesy of Sea Runner Guide Service.  In preparation for the swarms of fish-catching tourists headed his way, Luke has started on a new wood-working project.  The trusty net he's used to retrieve many a fish from the frigid streams of Southeast Alaska broke recently, due to a certain 33" inhabitant of our house who shall remain nameless.  Luke has always wanted to make a wooden net and this week he chose to seize the opportunity.  I have to say I'm a little jealous of his new project, as I am still stuck making revisions to the graphic design project that won't end!

Owen Update: Every evening, around 5:30, my sweet little Owen turns into this demanding, grabby, fussing monster.  If I pick him up, he wriggles to get out of my arms.  If I don't pick him up, he's pulls on the leg of my pants or pushes his stool up to the counter so that he can throw silverware all over the floor.  He's hungry, but he doesn't want to be confined in his chair.  He doesn't want milk from THIS glass, he wants to drink it out of THAT glass... Owen is transformed into Mr. Hyde, regardless of what preceded that day.  On Saturday night, he was fussing at his finest, when our friends who have 2 children came over for dinner.  Instantly and I mean instantly, Owen started to giggle and then babble, and for the rest of the evening, he was happy.  He stayed up an hour and a half past his bedtime, but you wouldn't know it.  He really likes other kids.  He gets so excited to see all of his friends at daycare and in the nursery at church.  He doesn't know how to play with them, but just likes to have them around.

When Owen wakes up, he hands you things 

that he wants to snuggle with.  

It use to only be his cuddle sleeve, but today it was

a pillow, 6 stuffed animals, a silky, his cuddle sleeve 

and a blanket.  I could barely carry all of that, let alone Owen.  

I dumped the whole pile in the recliner.  

Notice the bare feeties. 

Walking on Mendenhall Lake this evening.

My little Emeril

family portrait

jail bird

my boys

On the brink

Sarah's Thoughts:  Its March 1st and we are on the brink of spring, I can feel it.  I'm also on the brink of finishing up a large graphic design project, and just finished the last of my aprons.  New beginnings are what spring is all about and I'm ready to burst out of this winter cocoon rested and energized!  ...only we have 6 inches of packed ice and snow on our driveway and its still 25 degrees outside.  Despite uncooperative Mother Nature, I'm keeping the faith and moving forward!  I think my next project will be sprucing up our guest room with a little paint, and a new bed spread.  It feels so good to be at a point where I've finished one project and can responsibly start something new.  Also, I'm excited for some non-electronic creativity.  March is going to fly by between a visit from my sweet Sarah and 2 weeks of paid vacation at the dental office. Before you know it, April will bring the end of the legislative session and Easter! Phew!  I'm ready!

High- Toss up between skiing on Mendenhall lake with brother, cousin and Kristen AND Saturday night's date night- babysitter and everything!

Low-  Work last week- goof-up after drama after stressful emergency after bad decision after goof-up...  plus I was feeling sort of sick.

Luke Update:  This morning as we were driving to church, Luke told me that he had spring fever in a real bad way.  He said he was going to dig out the boat (which is trapped behind several feet of ice and snow) and we were going cabin camping next weekend.  On our way home from church, he was talking about trolling for kings in the evening after work...  This afternoon during Owen's nap, Luke made a respectable dent in the mound of snow standing between our Durango and carefree outings on the water.  Because we had such a cold and rainy summer last year, I think we are all ready for warm and dry days.  Dig, baby, dig!  This week, Luke booked a few more trips for this summer, renewed his CPR, First Aide certifications for the next 2 years and finished his accounting for last fishing season.  Next stop:  accountant's office.  Yee-haw!

Owen Update:  Apparently, if you're 20 months old, the thing to do is pull the cushions off of the couch.  Then you can climb on it and play, read stories, or just throw things- basically the same things you might do on a couch that has cushions- only better.  I've been noticing several new words lately.  We saw our neighbor, Bob at Safeway and Owen said his name.  He hasn't said "Daddy" (he calls Luke "Mama") but he says "Bob".  I've also recently heard him say "poop", "blue", and "ditch".  On Saturday, while Luke was getting re-certified, Owen had his first experience sitting on the porcelain throne.  He didn't leave any deposits, but he proudly sat there reading his book and only almost fell in once. 

The other day, Luke realized 

we hadn't taken Owen sledding yet.

We unburied Luke's old Red Flyer 

and took off around the neighborhood. 

Luke pulled the sled at a rather quick pace, 

Owen glided along with an enormous smile

and mama, nervously ran parallel to the sled, 

ready to catch a jilted boy at any moment.

Keep your eyes on your driving, 

keep your hands on the wheels.

Serious driver.

Skiing at Mendenhall Lake with Kristen, 

Uncle Christian, and Uncle Jason.

When in doubt, read the manual

Close encounter (with the wolf) on our Saturday morning walk.

Good-looking boys

Owen with my brother, Christian, and cousin Jason.