How to be scared...

Week 12... and I'm sick as a dog. No, not morning sickness. I managed to get myself played out and the worst part is I'm pretty good about doctoring myself but things change now with baby. Medicine gets a bit tricky.

We had a doctor's appointment today and thought we'd hear the heartbeat but instead we had our first big parental scare. They attempted to use the Doppler in the exam room and we didn't hear anything...only my heartbeat. I could feel the anxiety taking over and the tears started coming the longer they tried to find sign of life. Pretty soon the doctor decided we were going to get the answers we needed by doing a quick ultrasound. The feeling of relief that washed over me when I saw baby and the little legs kicking could have brought me to my knees. To see legs and ears and be more than a little blobby bunny reminded me how real it is right now. The heart beat was at 170 this time.

Name of the week: Elery
Cravings: nothing....I blame the cold. Nothing even tastes good.
Pregnancy symptoms: Weight gain...my jeans are no longer fitting well and I have to wear a belt to cover up the fact that I can't button them.

ALR: Did you see it?
MJR: Yes.
ALR: What did you think?
MLR: It was really kicking, you really worked it up.
ALR: Well, I was pretty worked up too.

**This post was post-dated and released at a later date for reasons determined by ALR/MJR

How to go to Nashville OR How to hunt ringnecks...

You know those weeks were you know you haven't sat still for days on end...that is until you crash! Well, we are there. It's been crazy.

First, I went to Nashville.

Teeny rental car

It was a work trip that where we attended a hiring event to promote North Dakota. I went with Brandi, who is my military guru. We had a good time! We got in on a Wednesday just in time to go to some recommended eating establishments. We had lunch at Edley's BBQ. Brisket tacos and pork tacos with coleslaw, mac n cheese, and the most amazing banana pudding I've had in a LONG time. I don't know if I could tell you what my favorite part of the meal was. So good! Makes me think that Matt and I need to try more deviations of street tacos.

From there we went to Jeni's Ice Cream. They have unique mixes and flavors and even though we were stuffed we had to have some. It helped that it was a few blocks walk down the road as well as hot outside. I had the Gooey Butter Sundae. Oh my gosh. It was heaven (plus 9 million calories) in a container. It was an amazing mix of wonderful and sweet and fun. It's probably a good thing that I don't live in Nashville, all I'd do is eat!

After a walk back and a quick jaunt into Reece Witherspoon's new boutique, we went back to the hotel to prep for a quick trip downtown. To be honest, we couldn't have picked a better day to go down because Tootsie's (the first honkey tonk of Nashville) was having their 55th birthday bash, complete with hot dog eating competition, stage acts, and fireworks. And it wasn't just any headliner/host but Matt's heartthrob from his teenage years, Terri Clark. I had to stay around to watch her and get a picture.
The interesting part was the aspect of the hot dog eating competition. They had some left over hotdogs that we'd been watching. One of the security guards suddenly volunteered a plate to Brandi...that was until he got chewed out and asked for them back, leaving her with one to eat. They suddenly put a security crew on them....I think Brandi ate one of Terri Clark's hot dogs.

We did wander around, see a few sights and hear a lot of sounds. It seemed like you couldn't go 10 feet without hitting a musician, a band, a speaker or something. I'm sure that's not unique to the night but it was a bit intimidating to know that people are waiting to get discovered and experience their minutes of fame.

The next day was our event. We promoted the state to well over 100 people, probably close to 150 or 200... it was a long day and the only thing that got me through was more street tacos.

That night for super, we decided to do a Diner, Drive-in, and Dive called Cafe Nonna. This was a very cute little Italian restaurant known for their lasagna which is a layering of butternut squash, spinach, ricotta cheese, and surrounded in two sauces. It was amazing! We also had the calamari which was so crispy and crunch and I was doing really well until I saw that they had the little octopus also in their and I was done!

 

The next day we came home...and it wasn't your average coming home trip. I managed to catch the same flight as Matt's grandfather and cousins who were coming from Pennsylvania for their first ever pheasant/ringneck hunting excursion. Was fun to see them excited! They stayed from Friday until Wednesday. Matt was hoping for a daily limit out, but sometimes you just don't have the luck. Before they headed north to Lansford, they were at a total count of 10 with some serious miles under their belt...and I'm not just talking the drives. I can't imagine all the walking that they did!

Was fun to have them their and we did our best to play host! We made them homemade pizza one night and chili dinner with my parents the next. I was so thankful my mother came and brought chili, I had helped decorate a wedding that day and after 7 hours on my feet, I was beat.

I know Michele was incredibly happy to have them visit and I was proud to show off my parent's farm and grandparents' land and of course, my grandmother's cooking. I've never met anyone in my life that would turn their nose from that! We went down for Sunday dinner and she made meatballs with a red sauce, fried chicken, scalloped corn, glorified rice, baked beans, relish tray, mashed potatoes, gravy, fresh bread, and for dessert - cherry marlow and fresh apple pie. If you leave hungry, it's your own fault.

MJR tells ALR about conversation earlier from the day.
Grandpa Dave: This is like the middle of nowhere. (heading out to my grandmother's)

MJR: Yes, it is, we warned you.
Grandpa Dave: Where's the closest movie theater?
MJR: Maybe Dickinson or Bismarck. (he did forget that Hettinger had one - but no big deal)

Grandpa Dave: Who can live out here! That's way too far to go to a show, you just can't do it.
ALR: (laughing) Well, we each have our own standards...mine is a walmart, your grandpa's is a movie theater!

How to get hitched and hooked...

Another busy weekend which resulted in an exhausted Amanda.

We started the weekend at the Food Truck Festival, which was organized by a good friend, Stacy. Was a great turnout for the event and Matt and I enjoyed ourselves with corn dogs, monster dogs, fresh squeezed lemonade, pretzel beer cheese bites, walking sloppy, prime rib sandwich, and kuchen. It's nice to sample here and there and see the fun options.

Due to the popularity, I have a feeling next year's will be bigger and better. When we visited with one vendor he stated that he couldn't believe how well it was going and they weren't prepared. Matt ate his last prime rib sandwich.

On Sunday, I was honored to hold the important job of flower pinner at my cousin, Ambour's wedding. Was a nice wedding that you could tell both bride and groom enjoyed. I also cracked the whip at pictures, helping my Aunt Merri. Pictures are a serious deal. I'm so glad they liked the ones that they've already laid eyes on. I did ask Matt if he's willing to consider a second wedding, I don't think he took me seriously as I never got a straight answer from him. 

In regards to my pinning job, I give myself a solid B, that is until I stuck myself so hard that I began profusely bleeding and had to find a band-aid for my thumb.

The meal was great and we took in some of the dance. I think my favorite parts of the night was spending time laughing with family members and seeing just what an important event it was for Ryan and Ambour.

Sunday was a good day for Matt. I stayed home and attempted to clean and do laundry. Matt went fishing...and he caught one! Measuring 41 inches long and weighing close to 18 pounds. Biggest fish he's ever caught! Also the smelliest! Was happy to see him so excited. He said he really put up a fight to be reeled in, I bet he did!

Best meal: we had pizza with sausage, pepperoni, black olives, and mushroom. I love Matt's pizza. mmmmmmm.

MJR walks in garage door.
MJR: Honey! Wannah see my fish?

ALR: Yes, show it to me.
Both walk out to garage. ALR sees tube in back of pickup bed.
MJR picks up tube, which is actually a fish.
ALR: Holy crap, okay, let me go get my camera. 

How to keep growing

Baby isn't the only thing growing. So am I, yikes! I don't think I was ready for that part. I know it's inevitable but I think women should go from not showing at all to 4 months pregnant, overnight. Is that too much to ask? This slow creep outside of the limitations of my jeans is a bit scary to me!

Name of the week: Elliot
Cravings: cold drinks.... milk, water, something besides water
Pregnancy symptoms: Breathlessness (stairs have become an aerobic workout it appears), fatigue, nauseous to certain smells (dead fish), and weight gain

Entering Target ALR goes towards belts.
MJR: Meet me in nuts and snacks.
ALR: Okay.
10 minutes later... ALR is in nuts and snacks. MJR is missing.
20 minutes later... ALR begins to wander store in search of missing MJR.
25 minutes later... ALR locates MJR in baby aisle.
ALR: You weren't in nuts and snacks.
MJR: I've been here for a little while. I think I've picked out our stuff.
ALR: Don't you think it's still early?
MJR: Yes but we need to get a feel for what we are getting. Do you know they have specific carseats for convertibles?
ALR: Show me.
ALR: Ah, no, that means that the car seat can change as the child grows bigger so you don't have to buy one each time they grow.
MJR: Oh, that makes way more sense.

**This post was post-dated and released at a later date for reasons determined by ALR/MJR

How to shoot a duck...

For those of you that may not be aware, last weekend was a big deal. Big. Deal. It's not because it was pheasant opener, it was the first big goose/duck hunting weekend Matt has had in a few years. He'd previously set up a date with friends of ours, Kim and John, and we headed out to Grand Forks with gun, ammo, and blind. 

The group conned me into agreement to go along without mentioning that meant a 4:15 wake up time. They take a trailer to drag out bag after bag of  fake geese. They rake corn stalks to further disguise the blinds and factor water, wind, hill size, spread, and more. The amount of setup was exhausting to watch, I was glad I had little responsibility. John and Kim not only outfit me in camouflage (an Amanda-first) but they also had a blind that I was able to use/sleep and snack in. 

Overall it wasn't bad. The hard part is the waking up and setting up/tearing down... and the tripping over all the dang corn stalks. The good part was you just lie there on the ground, eat snacks, and snooze while John calls the birds in and then everyone else shoots them.That's when I popped my head up to see the commotion. Then it's a kick watching Hale (John's son) get out and chase them down. I have a feeling that it's not the same when it's just Matt but overall I was pleasantly surprised. 

Matt was able to go out both Saturday and Sunday morning and while only two geese came in, they had good luck with all the ducks. The hard part was that the weather was almost too nice as Matt reminded me that he doesn't have any light weather hunting material and most of his goose stuff is for 30 degrees, not 70 or 80 (as it was on Sunday).

Was so nice to visit with John and Kim as they enjoy many of the things we do; food, traveling, hockey, and fun. They took us to a local hangout that they love, Little Bangkok. Matt loves the sushi and I went for the noodles this time... we've never had a bad meal there. We appreciated crashing at their house and hanging out and just visiting. I also love that they are very open to trying our canning creations. I think I wow'd them with my 2015 version of beet syrup!

Best meal: Little Bangkok... even the leftovers were amazing!

ALR sitting in truck, watching.
Gets out of truck. Wanders over to hustle and bustle coming out of trailer.
ALR: I feel like I'm watching a new culture. One where I don't understand the rules and whynots.
Kim Laughs: Yes, there is a lot going on.
ALR: I showed cattle for 10 years and I know there's a lot of pomp and circumstance with all the stuff but this is completely foreign to me. Bags, stands, signs, goose heads... and then John brings out ducks! It was a constant surprise.
Watching continues.
ALR: Does it usually smell like this?
MJR: No, John hit a fresh skunk with the trailer.

How to trudge along....

Two Months

Nothing too new and exciting happening, we are just passing time. Waiting to get further into the safe zone of the pregnancy. With both sets of parents knowing, they have provided support and have been checking on us. Matt has evaluated the size and scope of the nursery and has planned a preliminary layout that is defined by sunlight/draft and proximity to the closet. We are holding off doing anything more until the start of the new year when we know more about baby's for sure arrival. I know we are playing cautious but there are days when it seems to good to be true.

Name of the week: Riley
Cravings: nothing specific... thirsty a lot.
Pregnancy symptoms: Weight gain, being tired but not being able to sleep well at night.

MJR: Okay, so I've read month three in my book.
ALR: And what does it say is coming.
MJR: That you are going to get frustrated with your weight this month.
ALR: I believe that.
MJR: I also says that I'm going to get jealous because you are getting all the attention.
ALR: Oh?
MJR: Yeah, I think I'll be fine.
ALR: You'll manage?
MJR: Yeah, I'll be fine.

**This post was post-dated and released at a later date for reasons determined by ALR/MJR

How to say goodbye to summer....

It's not summer anymore, that's for sure. The weather has turned. We had beautiful days until this past weekend where it was windy and overcast and cold.

This week, we had my Aunt Lynn take some pictures of Matt and I. Christmas isn't right around the corner but I like to be prepared. Matt's always wanted to take fall pics and due to the wedding date/time, it has never worked out. i decided to change that this year. Lynn had a great setup between some huge stumps in the pasture and her garden, which was still in a beautiful bloom. It was going really well until we were finished. All of the sudden something seemed stuck under my eyelash. Whether it was a bite or a sting, I found myself at the clinic the next day. What a bummer!

Other highlights of the week include Matt finally getting out to use his goose blind. He'd been scouting on and off for a couple weeks but after finding some possibility, waking up at 4:00 to go out, set up and whatnot he finally got to use it. While he didn't end up with any birds, he still got a flavor of it and some dust on the blind.

On Sunday we headed out to the farm for working the calves in prepping them for weaning. I ran the books, which I like aside from getting chilled. Matt was part of the pushing crew. Was a good day, good to be done and warm up by the fire.

We did start the week off with a bang. Nike got her first time shave. I've got to say, she looked pretty dang good! Not like TD did when he got his haircut!

Best meal: we are slipping into comfort food season... this week we had tacos, ham, pizza, pasta, sloppy joes.

Earlier this summer....
MJR out in garage, ALR in house.
Door widely opens.
MJR: HONEY! I NEED CASH!
ALR: (Bewildered) What is going on?
MJR: The ice cream truck is here! We need cash! ICE CREAM!
ALR goes outside: I don't see it.
MJR: I know, but I can hear it.
ALR: But, I don't see it.
MJR: (Staring off into the distance) Damn, I bet it's on the next block.