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.

Gotta Have Faith-a-Faith-a-Faith

Sarah Thoughts:  This week, I found myself in a pickle with a fast-approaching deadline.  I knew that God had a plan and it would all work out, but as the deadline came at me like a freight-train, I was an emotional wreck, in serious panic mode.  In the end, it all worked out because God had a plan, but after the crisis was averted, it took me about 30 minutes for my heart-rate to return to normal.  Sometimes it feels like life with God at the steering wheel means constant stressful, emotional situations and I really don't enjoy feeling that way.   I avoid sports movies and movies about social injustice because I know they'll make me cry.  However, since God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and everywhere, I'd be stupid not to let Him be in control, so what's a girl to do?  I guess next time I need to take several deep, cleansing breaths, remember that He's the God of the universe and He will not let me fall and then hum a few bars from good old George Michael. 

Low- Wednesday morning, when I was SURE it was Friday...  

High- My sweet neighbor, Amy.  The answer to my desperate prayers!

Luke Update: For Luke, the legislative session is a time to make a little bling, get caught-up on post-season accounting and get ready for the upcoming summer.  We figured out that this will be Luke's 12th year guiding fly fishermen!  This week's big accomplishment was submitting all of the Coast Guard paperwork to renew Luke's captain license for the next 5 years.  It can take a few months to process so that was a big chore to mark off the list.  Next, taxes...  Ugh. On a more positive note, Juneau is making serious strides towards spring.  March is just a week away, we've had beautiful weather with the same in the forecast.  Towards the end of the week last week, it was still light after work so we took Dolly for evening walks.  Hopefully the same will hold true this coming week because the days just keep getting longer!  Bring it on!

 

Owen Update: I'm amazed at my little sponge these days and how quickly he incorporates new routines into his life.  He's a big fan of routines, as I think most kids are.  Owen's bedtime routine consists of: picking-up the room, changing diapers, putting on jammies, brushing teeth, reading 4 stories, saying prayers, giving kisses, and hopping in bed.  One night, as we finished reading stories, Owen's cuddle sleeve wasn't in his room with us. I asked, "Owen, where's your cuddle sleeve?  Let's go find it..." As we walked into the living room, I tapped my finger on my pursed lips saying, "Where is it?  Hmmmm...." Now, every night, as soon as stories are finished, Owen says, "Hmmmm.... Whisit?  Hmmmm..." and taps his finger on his lips.  Pretty cute.  Not so cute is his undying love for kitchen utensils.  I find those things all over the house!  After picking up a wooden spoon in the entry way, a spatula on the couch, a ladle in the laundry room and a serving spoon in the hall, I almost cried to see a pair of tongs in our closet.  

While having a snack in the living room, 

Owen figured out a new use for his stool. 

Haircut.  He seems to like them less and less...

Do we have a hippy on our hands???

Owen figured out how to make noise with the harmonica this week-

Very proud of himself (if you can't tell!)

walking through the couch-tunnel with fisherman gloves

homemade bullets

playing "peak" in the bathtub

Sunny Days Sweeping Those Clouds Away...

Sarah's Thoughts: I'm trying not to get too excited about summer with the recent sunny weather... but the fact of the matter is that the days are getting longer.  What is it about sunshine that instantly changes our attitudes and perspective?   Twenty consecutive dark and dreary days become a foggy memory after just one day of sun and I start planning my activities expecting every day to be blue skies. Is it hope springing into action or maybe the eternal optimist in us?  Do people who constantly live in the sun experience this phenomenon? We Woodruffs celebrated by heading to the beach for our Dolly walks on Friday and Saturday.  Not only did the beach provide a shade-free environment to fully experience the glory of the day, but also a snow-free walking surface, thanks to the cleansing high tide.  Sunday was a little overcast and its suppose to rain this week, but I was thankful for the boost of vitamin D. 

High- The little things- tulips from my valentine, phone call with my grandma, unexpected dinner date with our neighbors, finishing work on the never-ending website project, Owen's excited squeals as he tore through the couch cushion tunnel in the living room... 

Low- Dolly joined in the poop explosion action this week.  My favorite was the one I discovered and cleaned up at 5:05 am on my way to a work-out class.

Luke Update: Luke has been plugging away at the Legislature, with his sites set on summer. We were looking at a calendar the other day and realized that before long, the session will be over. Already, Luke has plans of cabin camp-outs, hunting trips and a busy fishing season.  He's casting lead bullets like there's no tomorrow and hopes to shoot a black bear with one of them this spring.  He's also been tying flies, ordering new rods, getting all of his Forest Service, Coast Guard, State, and now TSA ducks in a row for this year's fishing season.  Summer will be here before you can say "Jack Robinson" and by golly, Luke will be ready!

Owen Update:  Each day, we are seeing more of Owen's little personality-  it really is incredible to watch. Yesterday, after reading "Where the Wild Things Are" over and over at his requests, Owen was babbling and all of a sudden, I heard him say, " 'No!' Max said!"  Puzzled, I opened the book and read "The Wild Things said, 'Oh, Please don't go!  We'll eat you up, we love you so.' But Max said, 'No!' "  I was blown away!  I think it helps that "No" seems to be Owen's favorite word these days, but still!  That makes me wonder what other little phrases are hidden within all that babble.  

In other news, the poop report was negative... negative for giardia and solmanilla and all kinds of other lovely things...  I'm thankful that he doesn't have a nasty little bug, but at the same time, wish we had something to pin the excessive poop on...   He's had a little cold this week which translates into lots of crusty nose picking for mama.  But besides that, we've been enjoying our busy, crazy, precious boy.

Sleeping in his car seat.  

Notice the goldfish carnage all over his shirt.

Poor guy was just too tired to eat another bite!

Super Dolly!

Playing in the sand at Eagle Beach.

 

Owen really loves the dishwasher.  

He managed to wrestle the bottom rack

out of the dishwasher and pushed it 

all around the living room.  So fun!

Reading on the couch with Daddy.

He got pretty excited about violently throwing his head back, 

which is why his hair is sticking up...

Our Saturday walk out at Eagle Beach.  

(the rainsuit was protection from the muddy ground) 

Nothing in Particular

Sarah's Thoughts-  Our friends, the Padens, had baby #6 this week.  That's not only a lot of kids, but especially significant for me because #5 is just 10 days older then Owen (i.e. I could have another baby by now).  It seems like there's this unwritten law that when encountering the mother of a child in the 1 1/2 to  3 year-old range, you have to ask when the next one is coming. I've been getting this question a lot lately.  Luke and I have talked about it, we do want more kids, and I was even thinking maybe sometime soon-ish... However, after holding the tiny little Paden baby, I can honestly say I'm not ready.  He was so very sweet and precious but I have a precious Owen who loves his mama.  I don't want him to have to give-up being the baby.  I know this is a little selfish of me- my brother and sister are my two favorite people in the world and I want Owen to have that... but at the same time, we can wait a little bit.  While I was holding baby Orion, Owen was very excited and interested in him.  I know he'll be an excellent big brother someday... just not today.

High: The solid turd in Owen's diaper this evening.  Luke shook it right out of the diaper and into the toilet!  Oh Baby!

Low:  Tonight at Costco when I proudly presented the cashier with my coupons (I never have it together enough to use coupons) and he said, "Uh, these aren't good until tomorrow...  do you need to put some things back?"  Stink!

Luke Update-  Luke has been working hard to party hard.  He's already booked 5-6 trips for this summer, not to mention the 3 or 4 in the hopper.  He's been working his legislative job, but had a surprise day off on Friday.  Yipee!  He's also been hard at work on his lead bullet casting project.  Today I learned about how important it is to have the exactly right sized bullet, down to the 1000th of an inch.  There is a special picture on today's blog post just for Steve, Luke's dad which is evidence of that fact.  Luke is also talking about some upcoming carpentry projects for around the house... mostly new shelving and hooks, but I'm excited!

Owen Update-  Owen's word of the week is stool.  He use to love the vacuum cleaner and before that it was driving the car but now its anything that gives him a little more height.  We have this small stool in the kitchen that I use to reach the spices above the stove.  These days, it might as well have "Property of Owen" written on it. Luke and I are amazed at how mobile he is with that thing.  He pushes it up to various locations below the counter, depending on whether he feels like getting into the silverware drawer, or pressing some buttons on the microwave, or maybe just splashing in the sink a little bit.  He's fallen off of it 4 or 5 times, but it doesn't seem to phase him.  He's also become quite good at opening the dishwasher.  He stands on his tiptoes, pushes in the button and opens the door.  Nothing is safe. Oh, and speaking of stool, I'm taking some of Owen's stool to the lab at the hospital tomorrow so they can hopefully provide insight into his poop/lactose issues.  I'll keep you posted (I'm sure you can't wait)!

Hard at work "organizing" the silverware drawer.

I'm ON the PHONE!

All of a sudden, he was hanging out in the 

laundry basket with his slinky...

Apparently, I put too much jelly in his PB&J

What a nice group!  Homemade bullets, folks!