The one with the final leg home

On Sunday, we said good bye to the hotel and Sioux Falls. This probably saddened Eleanor. She had really grown to like our Suite. She liked the two rooms, the closet, the toilet to play in (ahhhh!), she had taken her first stand up shower, and she climbed over all the furniture that she could... the footstools, the chairs, whatever she could!

We packed up and headed to Granite City for their breakfast buffet. Eleanor was midly interested in the food but I always enjoy their caramel rolls. Matt had a special omelet made - he enjoyed the alfresco breakfast.

Afterwards, we went to the aquarium and the butterfly house. The aquarium was a little lack luster but eventually she got the hang of seeing the fish in the water. We had a little with the touch/feel exhibit but the highlight of the excursion was the butterfly house. All three of us thoroughly enjoyed it. There were so many butterflies and they'd attach to you and fly around. There were also little birds running around. All Eleanor kept doing was pointing when she spotted them!

We left there, fueled up and headed north to Fargo. We did have a stop in Watertown at the Terry Redlin musuem. I had seen it once before but Matt hadn't. We wandered all three floors of the exhibits and I also scoured the place for a changing station... with no luck.

We got back on the road just in time to hit a storm at Sisseton before getting to Janice's house for the night. Eleanor had had a tough day so supper was a bit rough that night and she headed to bed early. That gave the adults time to talk that night.

After breakfast, lunch, and a gab session the next day, we headed back home. We didn't have too much trouble with our little passenger until we were about 40 miles out of Bismarck, At that time, I was required to move to the back to keep her company. I think she'd been sick of all the car time and all the miles. I will say, I thought she was a real trooper for the trip!

When we got to Janice's there was all sorts of teddy bears on the floor.
Janice: Will she think these are okay to play with?
EER picks up bear, hugs it, takes it Janice.
Janice takes it.
EER walks back to pile, picks up dog, hugs it, takes it to Janice, chattering the entire time.
Janice takes it.
EER walks back to pile.
Janice: What is she doing?
ALR: She's playing, she likes it.
EER trades small bear for large bear with Janice. Continues on.
Janice: How long will she do it?
MJR: Oh, you could have this for the next 30 minutes.
EER turns around points at dog in Janice's lap and chatters on.

The Tuesday after we got home, Matt and I went to work, Eleanor went to daycare. This was the picture we got midway through the day... she couldn't even make it through lunch. Vacays are rough.

ALR: Did you have a good time? Are you glad we went?
MJR: yeah, but...
ALR: Yeah, but what
MJR: It's not the same traveling we used to do.
ALR stares at him
ALR: You can't be serious... were you expecting it to be similar?
MJR: It was just harder.
ALR: Harder? What do you mean?
MJR throws hands up in the air: you and I had one bag, that we shared, together... she had 6 and a cooler!! 

The one where we went Dutch

This was the day... the day Matt has been looking for. The day we headed to the home of the Tulip Festival, Orange City, Iowa.

We started the day at All Day Cafe by Minervas. This was exactly what Bismarck needs. It was all about the breakfast and the beautiful options that breakfast should be. I had the OMG French Toast that is a brulee batter with berries and homemade whip cream, Eleanor had a pancake with fruit. Matt had oysters and grits and we all split a yogurt bowl. I took an amazing latte to go and I was happy!

While Eleanor napped, we headed to Iowa. We got to Orange City, which is very small. Took a couple minutes to get our bearings and also determine that when the festival is not going on, the town is very sleepy. We did a stop at the airport... which was our second airport of the trip. There wasn't much action and many of the shops were getting ready to close at 2:00. We even attempted the CVB, which is a giant windmill in town, it was closed.

We made sure to hit the good stops right away. First, the Dutch Bakery... we got Dutch letters, St. Nick cookies, an almond pretzel and an almond pattie for later. We also hit up the butcher shop - Woudstra Meat Market. We bought saucijsjes (Pig in the blanket), stroopwafels, 18-month aged Gouda, and some candies. I wish we had a better cooler system to grab a few more items.

We did a little walking around town, specifically windmill park, main street, and around the courthouse. We caught the tulips in late bloom... I can't image how pretty it is when it's the peak of the season!

We did break for lunch. The biggest letdown in the community is that there isn't a place that has a local flair. We were looking for something more than a diner that may have some Dutch food. We settled on Blue Mountain Emporium. It was ok. The best thing that we had was the Guiness Gouda Soup. Matt had the smoked brisket dip sandwich, I had the smoked mac and cheese which was topped with a raspberry sauce. Eleanor had the minicorn dogs. She wasn't too impressed with much of the meal. We headed back to the park to walk around and play... burn off some of the energy. She got a big kick out of the wood chips that covered the ground and insisted that they be taken wherever she was. We found wood chips in her pants later that night.

The other bright spot to Matt's day was the little shop we found... he finally got his wooden clogs, Size 40! He also got his little old lady cookbook and convinced me that both Eleanor and I needed some type of yellow wooden clog. I got a pair of garden shoes, Eleanor got slippers to grow into.

We did take a stroll around the windmills in the park. It's a showcase of all the different types of windmills that are made. This combined Matt's love of his Dutch heritage with the geekiness of science. He was very happy. Eleanor and I were just along for the ride... and to check out the giant clog.

We grabbed a couple sodas, had a bottle, and headed back to Sioux Falls. It was a good day, despite the town being so sleepy. Some day we'll get down for the festival!

We had tacos that night at Giliberto's... a little taco stand joint bragging of their local flavor. They were good and the
portions were huge. I was the only one who didn't order too much! We headed back to the hotel, did a walkaround the downtown... looking at the art, music, people, and water... and went to bed! What a day!

Best meal: Probably breakfast... not only was the food good, the coffee was to go but Eleanor also was very interested in eating... that makes life so much easier!

Driving in Iowa
ALR: Gawd, there it is again.
MJR: What?
ALR: That smell.
MJR: I don't. uh. wait. Okay, I smell it now.
ALR: You don't realize how many pig farms are in Iowa until you are pregnant with a hypersense of smell.

Driving through town...later on
ALR: Ohh, look a Dutch gas station.
MJR: I don't think it's a Dutch gas st-
ALR: Oh, and Dutch street lights, they look very American.
MJR: har har
ALR: Oh, those people must be tourists like us, they aren't wearing Dutch shoes.
MJR: Are you done?

The one with trip to Sioux Falls

On Friday, we woke up and hit one of our favorite Fargo breakfast spots, CJ's Kitchen. Matt had a classic breakfast, I had the burrito, and Eleanor had fruit and a little bit of whatever she wanted! We always have a good meal there! I will confess we did steal a napkin... they have cloth ones and I didn't realize that all of the bibs that we brought for the trip allow water to seep so we tied the napkin under the bib and this ensured that she was dry. I feel horrible but I call it a mom sanity step as that napkin saved us for the next 4 days!

We got in the car and Eleanor slept the entire way to Sioux Falls! What a stroke of luck. We got a bit nervous through construction but it all worked out okay. Immediately, upon arriving in Sioux Falls, we toured the airport with a colleague of Matt's. Eleanor wasn't as excited as her father but I was impressed with the artwork that they've incorporated into their terminal. While Matt checked out the baggage handling system, we sat and ate yogurt bites and stared at travelers.

Lunch was at the Diner on Phillips Avenue. Cute little place... Eleanor had the fruit with grilled cheeses, Matt had the egg salad and tuna sandwiches and I had the Spicy G Burger with spicy fried pickles on it. Aside from also almost eating the crayons, it was a very successful meal. I took a PB&J bar to go!

We walked around downtown a bit and hit some cute store, even getting Eleanor a well-timed "up"cycled bear to remember the trip. We checked into our hotel room before taking in a river walk to see the falls up close. Someone crashed hard on the walk back home.

We ended the night with pizza from Boss's Pizza & Chicken. Matt and split a Santa Fe Supreme/Rancheroni pizza and Eleanor made a mess with spaghetti. We also took her for her first pool swim... she thought it was super fun to get into a giant splashy bathtub with Dad and I.

Best meal... it's a toss up... CJ's breakfast never disappoints, the pizza and service that we got was amazing, and the atmosphere at Phillips Ave Diner was fun and unique.

Gets to hotel

MJR: I got the room, do you want to take the stuff up and I'll park the car?

ALR: I can do that.

MJR: You take her?

ALR: Okay... and I need a room key.

MJR loads pathetic little dolly with all of the items. There is squabbling on the proper placement of items between ALR and MJR because of the dolly's set up.

ALR begins to push cart while holding EER's hand.

ALR and EER get cart into the elevator.

ALR pushed floor button.

EER sees button being pushed.

In an attempt to ensure ALR and her belly can fit into elevator she pushes cart.

Cart lunges forward and cooler with EER's sustenance falls... upside down.

ALR: Noooo!

EER thinks she should push all of the buttons now.
ALR: NOOOOOO!

ALR pulls EER from buttons and attempts to pick up cooler which is now gushing milk.

ALR: AHHHHHH, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

ALR hears elevator door open.

MJR gets onto elevator.

ALR: Everything is going wrong and WHY IS THIS ELEVATOR NOT MOVING??

MJR: You have to use your room key to validating going to room floors.

EER continues to stare at buttons.

The one with 600 posts

It's official... this is the 600th post.

I honestly have never thought I'd write this post... not because it's a unique number... but 600 posts is a lot of words, a lot of times. Whenever I get to these posts I always think back to where I've started. There's been so many changes since those days... different addresses, different partners, different pets, different towns, different places and experiences, and different titles. I've gone from single to married to mother.

Aside from these relationships, the other big change in the past 100 blogs has saying good bye to TonyDanza. He was there for so many blogs and so many moments and even today it feels somber to think of his footsteps across my lap, under the covers, and in the kitchen... on two legs against the counter or in the refrigerator. So in his memory, I dedicate this post to him..  may everyone have something similar to my tubby little orange tabby who hide under the bed, didn't fight a bath, played fetch, ruined supper by eating it before me, drank milk out of glass, and was there to be a silent steadfast companion.

The one with the #RemynseFamilyVacay2017

There's something to be said for a roadtrip. We've been talking about this particular trip for a couple years. We took a trip to Sioux Falls and to Dutch Country, Iowa. Matt has wanted to take in the Tulip Festival for some time but due to life events, we waited another week and go over Memorial Weekend. We hadn't took a long time to plan but instead officially decided the week of to go. Eleanor had a rough week because of her yearly shots so we weren't sure what we were getting ourselves into. But we went and we had a good time and we realized that traveling with a child looks completely different than our previous traveling.

We broke the trip up in attempt to capitalize on nap times. The first night we got in the car after work and headed to Fargo. Eleanor had supper at home and Matt and I grabbed it at Sterling at the truck stop. We almost made it all the way to Fargo but someone decided she was unhappy and I ended up riding in the back with her in attempt to calm her down.

That night, in the hotel... Eleanor had a great time... her favorite was the mirror at her level. My favorite was the free upgrade to suite status so she had her own room and we could adult a little bit and not go to bed at the same time as her.

ALR and MJR talking in bed.
MJR says something that doesn't impress ALR
ALR puts finger in mouth and then in MJR's ear.
MJR: ARGH!! No, get that out of here! I don't want to be sick for the trip.
ALR: Sick for the trip?
MJR: Yes, you put my moisture in my ear and you already know that I have ENT problems.
ALR: Moisture in your ear?
MJR: go to bed!

The one with branding

Was a busy weekend for Matt this past weekend. He helped my parents with
branding while I hung out with Eleanor. We played on her toys, took naps, watched "Finding Nemo," had lunch with the crew, and attempted to clean up the house. On Sunday, Eleanor and I tagged along to spend a bit more time with him and my parents as the cows had to go out to pasture. They even bought their Sunday crew lunch/dessert for the extra help. In between loads, Matt and I did manage to finally get Eleanor to a park where she took in the big kid slides, walking bridges, heights, and swings. I think she liked the swings the best. She was also heavily contained then, that was the beneficial part for us!

best meal: Eleanor's lunch with Grandma and Grandpa was unique and worthy of mentioning... she had pears and peaches in a syrup, cottage cheese, bites of Grandpa's sausage, and crackers but her favorite part was drinking out of the water glass.

MJR: Are you sure Lincoln has a park?
ALR: Yes, I've been there. They had this stupid slide made of metal that made the back of your legs fry off.
10 minutes later.
ALR: You are not taking her to the top of the slide.
MJR: See, Eleanor, look how high you are.
ALR: I don't like this. This is a kids' death trap
MJR: Get ready, Eleanor, Wheeeeeeee!
ALR: GRRRRR!

The one with the First Mother's Day

Okay - we are officially in birthday hangover.. The Big Day came and went, the party came and went, the one-year check up with Dr. Anderson came and went, we ordered her casual shoots book, she had her professional pics taken.. we are just waiting to see them and I also need to take down the decorations... box them up and store them away. I can't believe my little baby is all grown up and isn't the little lump that we used to lay on the table and wouldn't worry about. Now... it's a constant "what do you have?" "Where are you?" "What are you eating?" "Come here, off the stairs?" "We don't pull on the kitty." "Take that out of your mouth." She's always 2 little steps ahead of us... is this the new norm?.

Birthdays and parties consumed most of last week... the most beautiful thing happened though. Every year the trees bloom, I wait each year in huge anticipation for it. This year they started right before her birthday... were at the prime on her day and all I could hope for was that they were sticking around for her party. They did! On Sunday, when we woke up there had been a lot of wind that night and the yard was filled with the blooms that had previously been on the tree. It looked like a bridal party had happened on our yard. I couldn't have been more happy in this year's blooms. It was a beautiful start to my very first Mother's Day.

Matt and Eleanor had worked out a beautiful schedule with a wonderful menu... but like many things, the best plans need to be flexible. Between naps, eating, and whatnot... the day didn't go as planned... Matt felt horrible. I was totally okay with it... what is hard to explain is that my favorite days are us doing things around the house, together, as a family. That's exactly what we did. We put together some of her new toys, we went to pick out some of the garden vegetables and got them planted, we did laundry, we cleaned up... we were us... and that's my favorite type of day. It was also very special to me that I got to celebrate my first mother's day on the one year anniversary of when we brought our Eleanor home from the hospital. The beauty of that will hit me from every Mother's Day on.

Best meal: Matt made breakfast for Eleanor and I.... french toast, eggs, and potatoes... we all ate together, which is sometimes a feat in itself... and then us adults had virgin mimosas.

MJR: I'm so sorry, dear, I had such big plans.
ALR: It's okay.. you didn't know the zoo didn't open up til later.
MJR: Yeah, we could have gone.
ALR: Someone really needed a nap and I'd rather have her nap here and be content then us there and crabby.
MJR: And I got lox for you for breakfast and with you being pregnant, I forgot  you can't eat them.
ALR: It's okay... they freeze well, there's always next year on that.
ALR chuckles: Do you find it funny that your children really loused up your Mother's Day plans for me? 
MJR: I just wanted it special for your first Mother's Day.
ALR: It is special, I am a mother and you thinking of me and trying made it even more special. 

The one with the Mother's Day letter

To my children on my first Mother's Day....
Usually I start writing these in advance or at least thinking about context and thoughts and direction... this year was different. This year I was a mother and being 24 weeks pregnant planning a nursery, I was also planning a one year old's birthday party. I didn't really have time to think about what it has meant to me to be a mother. So now I sit here, writing as I go... with one down for a much needed nap

and staring at your tired dad sleeping on the couch.

It's my first Mother's Day.... and I find myself surrounded by bottles, diapers, singing toys, board books, and research articles on tips or tricks to help in parenting. I find myself questioning and worrying and reading all sorts of things to ensure I'm making the right decision and doing the right things to be the best mother I can be for you. And to be honest, most days it's a glorious trainwreck ...like walking the tight rope, I'm not sure if I'm moving in the right direction, if I should turn back, or even if there is a net underneath me. I've made decisions I'd redo, I've questioned every step along the way, and sometimes I don't even know the way... But know this my beautiful children - sleeping in your crib and in my belly, I'm trying. I'm trying every day in every way to be what you need from me... granted it may not be what you want but it's not my job to be your fairy godmother, that's what your godmothers are for.

No one gives you a book on how to be a mother, oh sure... there's all sorts of articles and magazines and literature and experts but when it comes to practical application it's a giant guessing game. I want you to have memories and personal roadmarks that you will smile back on. I want to provide you enriching experiences. I want to provide you role models that inspire and challenge you. I have so many wants and I'm not sure if I will get there or if I will even know when I'm there. But remember I'm trying.

I'm not doing this alone, and that's the best part... I'm doing this with a partner that makes me a better person and supports me in ways that I can't describe... from a set of pajamas to a soft hug to the right step in the room at 1:00am... I know I have a partner in this world who loves me for me, is willing to talk things out, handles some of the tough runs, and continues to make me smile. Without him I don't know what type of mother I could/would be.

So I sit here... listening to the tick of a clock in a quiet house with a tickle in my tummy and tears in my eyes on my first mothers day.

Love your mother.

The one with the First Birthday Party

Birthdays are only fun because of parties!!

We officially had her first birthday party. I'd been planning and organizing for months. I wanted to not stress out the week of her birthday... for a couple reasons, I was going to be out of town the beginning part, I wanted to focus on her actual day on the day versus party details, and I'm halfways pregnant... so I began to work on the deco a while ago. Matt was bored with it all but I wanted to make sure it was something that was fitting of the celebration!

 

I was so happy with how it all turned out! And we had so many people there to celebrate! Both sets of  Grandparents, both her aunt and uncle, her great grandmother Darlene, her great Aunt Descie, her great great Aunt Janice and Doug, Godmother Shantelle with Rick and Alice, Oliver with Allison and John, and Brendan with Claudia, Jackson, and Baby Ashlynn, The weather was perfect, there was no shortage of conversation, and the babies all interacted... well kinda! Made my heart smile to see the group of kids that she will grow up with. 

She received some wonderful presents... she was so lucky! She got everything from an activity garden, to a slide, to her first car, puzzles, books, outfits, a sitting bench, a meowmixer/keyboard, a lawn mower, a table and chairs, magnets, and a toy chest where all the haul will go into! I did feel bad opening presents as I know it was hard for her... we'd give her something cool and then take it away, give her something cool, take it away. Poor thing. I will say though, her face lighting up when she say the car was pretty classic though! Wish I had gotten a picture!

We capped the party off with a cake smash. Much to my father's dismay, we didn't give her a cake that had sugar in it. I made a peach banana cake with a maple vanilla whip cream frosting. I decorated it with blueberries! She was predictable in picking the blueberries off but then did get into the cake. At one point the cake went onto the floor but we did pick it up for a round 2! Her guests all got cake made my her godmother Shantelle, who has also made another special cake for us (our rehearsal dinner cake).
After cleaning her up, she played outside with her giant ball, car, and slide with the family.
It was a beautiful day that will forever bring a smile to my face.

Best meal: well, it wasn't a meal but we served a fruit tray, a veggie tray, a cheese tray with crackers, jerky, a blended ice cream fruit punch, and taco pinwheels along with the birthday cake and cake pops(chocolate peanut butter) for all guests!

Singing Happy Birthday and putting cake in front of EER.
Perry: You put that mat on the floor under her, you probably won't even need it. 
10 minutes later. EER picks the cake up and watches it tumble to the ground.
MJR looks at ALR: No regrets on the mat on the floor. 

Oliver has little silver cup. 
EER sees little silver cup.
EER takes little silver cup.
Oliver: Share, Share, Share.