The one with the birthday supper and the baby gates

January is also a misleader to me. I'm busy but I can't tell you doing what... maybe just staying warm! We've actually had a temperature break with a little bit of needed melting occurring. We can actually see the driveway under the compacted snow now.

To catch up on two weekends, let's start with heading out to the farm to celebrate Grandma's birthday with the family. Mom put together a roast beef dinner and I supplied cake/dessert afterwards with personalized cheesecakes. Eleanor provided the dinner entertainment to the group by chowing on green beans, roast beef, and toast. She also provided a meal to the dog who enjoyed her scraps!

Some other things we've gotten done the past two weekends include cleaning the house, shampooing the carpet, and playing around. Matt and Eleanor got another baby gate up... with all the lock systems around the house we look like the Panama canal. But we need them because someone is so busy. I looked over at one point and she had decided it was time for her to go upstairs and had made it up 3 stairs before I got over to her.

We headed back out the farm this past weekend but they were very busy outside, instead Eleanor stole some of Grandma's blueberries and cheese and we had a snack while Matt worked on cameras.

We also surrendered Sam to the rescue this past weekend. It was a big decision for us to make but we weren't ready for a dog, especially a dog that required so much one-on-one training. We'd rather have him with a family that is looking for a companion and is good to play and be there for him. Someday in the distant future we may look at a puppy to train for hunting but we are in no hurry.

We had some company on Sunday. BettyJo and her finance, Wes, came for breakfast brunch. Was nice to catch up with her and her about Scentsy happenings and personal items.

Matt has been busy with legislative session this go around. I've been busy being irritated with them. I don't appreciate their rudeness (especially the house) and think they could handle being brought into the current century. He's been there to represent AAND and has been enjoying the "game" of it all and the planning. I told him I'm ready for session to be over. His response was that we haven't even been in it for a month yet. Other news on the workfront is that I had a take-your-mother-to-work event OR maybe it was the other way around. I attended the Energy Generation Conference to compare how they work the Event Center - which is where we too had our conference. I was more out of my element but she was familiar and has been a regular on a yearly basis.

In the meantime... the house just has to get healthy... we have all been sick lately. Matt said he was fine until Eleanor and I kissed him/licked his eyeball.

Best meal: tough one... food has been a blur lately. Matt did make me salmon this past weekend... and it continues to be a favorite.

Saturday morning.
ALR: What time did you come to bed last night?
MJR: 10:30 - when you shut the lights out on me.
ALR begins laughing: I put the lamp on a timer... it turns on at 7:00 and automatically turns off at 10:30.
MJR: oh.
ALR: So what did you think when it turned off?
MJR: Well, I said outloud: What does it matter if I come to bed late?
MJR: And then I was mad at you.
MJR: And then I said, Well maybe you wanted something.
ALR: And what did you think when you came upstairs and I was unconscious.
MJR: I was confused.
ALR: And now?
MJR: Now I get it.

2016 Christmas Card

2016....it's been a "changing" year.

So much has changed in such a short period of time. Below is in no particular order.

1. I changed shapes. 
I went from a recognizable form to a very uncomfortable pregnant lady. April was the longest month ever - I've never groaned so much in my life.

2. Two became three! We welcomed Eleanor into the world! 
She's been the biggest change of all, changing our household, our family, our world, our house, our travel plans, EVERYTHING.... you name it, she's impacted it. We laugh at her growth and changes and find ourselves sometimes just sitting and watching her. Sure, we don't get as much done, we don't sleep as much, we more laundry loads, we use more stain resister, and we snuggle more. And she's a big fan of the raspberry.

3. We said good-bye to TonyDanza. 
This was a hard one for me. He just wasn't doing well and I hated to see him suffering.

4. Political change and protests
During the last couple months of the year, we watched the world change. Between the DAPL protest, the presidential election, and the new governor... we watched the things we knew shift. Matt and I've had a lot of conversations about the impacts and ramifications all of these decisions have on our community. It's been an interesting time and as a first time parent, I am already worried how to shelter our daughter from the hurt and meanness of our world.

5. We became a dog household
We rescued Sam in November, a 7 year old English Pointer, who needs some work. He has a few things he needs to learn (like his name and some basic commands), and his shortcoming, just as his deafness are hard for him but we see this as a good test to if we are "dog people."


6. We welcomed Eric to stay with us while he finds his place in ND.
Eric moved into the basement in September after moving home from Mississippi. It's been good for the family as he gets to know Eleanor and I a little better and become more comfortable with her. He's quick to help out when asked.

7. We learned to travel with an infant.
I didn't say we were good at this or that we've mastered it. We just learned how it's so different. Now things include multiple bags or items and we don't just pick up and go like we'd like.

8. We made major improvements to the house.
Starting the first of the year with backsplash, wallpaper removal, shower door removal, painting, nursery designing, to new flooring, new lighting, new furniture, 2 tvs, a slew of baby equipment, and probably my favorite, some pictures up on the wall! This is the longest we've been in a house together and it feels amazing to make it ours.

So from our house to yours... may 2016 have been a wonderful year for you - it's one we will never forget - no matter how it blurred by!

Love, the Remynses 
Matt, Amanda, and Eleanor

May 2017 have more changes.

Reverberation (ri vurbuhrey shuhn)

Well, it's so obvious, especially when I compared Alice and Len this past weekend, that my baby is growing up. I see her deliberate moves, I see her eating solids, I see her rolling over, and I see her getting frustrated with things - whether it's herself getting centered on a chair or with toys and situations. She's finding her voice in this big world. I want to hold on to every moment and she seems to be changing quicker than I realize. As we took her 5 month photo shoot, I watched her rip her belly sticker from her shirt and thought, hmmm, these photo sessions aren't going to get any easier. 

On the food front, she's starting to get the hang of solids... don't get me wrong, we still are struggling. She grabs the spoon, she wants to feel the food in her mouth - with her hand, she thinks we aren't feeding her fast enough sometimes, but she's tried a few things and stained a few articles of clothing. I think we are getting 90% of each meal inside of her, which is better than when we started.

On the cat front, things may be improving there too. They have never hated her, but there's been a clear avoidance. Now they'll jump on the bed to take a look or jump in the tub to see what's going on.... Len will watch them and has reached out to grab them. We are starting to work on already "petting the kitty nice."

The weekend was a busy weekend...We went back for Matt's unofficial 10 year reunion. Since Eleanor's been born he's gotten a bit sentimental and nostalgic for "the good ol'days." We contacted Pinkertons to see if they were interested in coming back and taking in some of the homecoming weekend.

There was a lot prep as traveling now has involved more lists. We pack our bags and then also pack her bag and her sleeping equipment and eating equipment and toys and extra blankets... and pretty soon I find myself using a cart just to get things into our room. By the way, she didn't really care.

The first night, we had drinks and a tour of the house. I've seen pics and video but nothing compares to actually seeing it in person. Matt had a couple different rooms and I got to see a few of them. I was surprised at how big the house was. We met some of the current members and pledges. They were supper accommodating and nice, especially to us wives! We were also very appreciative to Allison's mom, who took on babysitting both Oliver and Eleanor while we went out. I was so glad she behaved herself well!

Laying in bed on Friday night,
ALR: So, what did you think of the house seeing it now?
MJR: Oh, it looked really good!
ALR: What?!
MJR: yeah, it was in good shape and they cleaned it up nice!
ALR: Seriously?
MJR: You didn't think so?
ALR: Did they give out free tetanus shots if you lived there or did they require proof before you could move in?
MJR: Awww, come'on it wasn't that bad.
ALR: Did you ever take your shoes off?
MJR: I walked around barefoot all the time.
ALR: I just threw up a bit in my mouth.

On Saturday, we had a full day. We did not attend the parade but we did a little around the down drive before heading to Green Mill for deep dish pizza with the Pinkerton posse. It was great to watch Oliver scarf food down by the handful... made me realize that in short order my sassy redhead will be in
the same boat! From there, we headed to the game. We had necessary equipment to watch the game... the carrier (which she is awesome in), baby noise mufflers, and the smallest foam finger that you ever did see. She was awesome during the game. UND won over Southern Utah but my favorite was during the third quarter (after her second quarter nap) was when she found her cheering voice! We hear the tiniest screams and when we looked down there she was cheering/screaming away! She didn't fuss/she didn't squabble the entire game! She even drew some admiration on how cute of baby she was - I think it was the sprout pony tail!

That night we had the formal for the Beta house. We dropped Len off with a team of babysitters who were excited to see her and headed off in our best dressed. This was my first "frat party" and it was an eye opener, I won't lie...I've been out of college for 9 years and it felt suddenly like 29 years! Everyone was supper nice and they had the party right at the house. The food was good, the music was loud, the dance floor was sticky from drinks, and if you were thirsty - it was your own fault... I am trying to decide what was my favorite - spending some time talking with Allison (as her and John are at the same space in their lives) or watching our men enjoy their alumni status and relive a bit of their glory days.

ALR and Allison standing on the balcony, men are behind with college kids.
MJR: Well boys, when I was risk management officer...
ALR to Allison: Oh, great... this sounds like a party conversation starter.
More gloating and boosting overheard in background
MJR and John: Yeah! We'll go play beer pong!
ALR to Allison: I've never seen Matt play beer pong in the past 5 years.
Allison: I've seen them play beer pong. They weren't very good when they lived here.

We had to leave earlier than the boys wanted us to... they were hoping we'd leave them there. We picked up Len from Scraperville and headed back to the hotel. We ended up sitting and visiting until 2:00 that morning about anything and everything, conversations that Matt and I have been waiting to have. The next morning, Eleanor woke up at 6:00, and she really couldn't be convinced to go back to sleep. We got ready, had breakfast, said our goodbyes and headed home. We can't party like we used to because it was the longest drive ever back home! At least we had a sleepyhead in the backseat who slept all the way from GF to Steele.
We both went to bed early and slept hard!

Best meal: Red pepper tacos! mmmmm!

MJR and John talking to pledges
Pledge: So man, I just want to talk about your jobs. What do you do?
MJR gives briefish explanation
John: I'm a commercial pilot.
Pledge: That's What I Want To DO! Which one?
John: Delta
Pledge: Yeah, dude! That's awesome! I gotta know, how much do you make?

MJR, John, and multiple Betas walking down the hall
John: Yeah, that's Berg's room.
MJR: That's the one where that chick (ruined) his carpet.
Beta guy: Hey, that's my room!

MJR to Allison and ALR: Yeah so John and I are going through the guys' rooms and getting beer?
ALR: Getting beers?
MJR: yeah, we are either going in taking them out of their fridges or walking in and saying Give us a beer.
ALR: Can you do that?
John: We're alumni.
MJR: If they don't want their beer taken, they should have taken locked their door!

Sunday morning
ALR: I'm sorry you had to go home early because we had to pick up our daughter.
MJR: It's okay, the way John and I were going, we were headed down a dangerous path.

Endure (en-dyoor)

Here's the deal... I don't know if there is an actual baby in there anymore. I think last summer I ate a watermelon seed. Now it has lodged in my intestinal wall and due to the environment and conditions, it has taken root and grown. It's become a full sized watermelon - ready to be harvested and what not, just in time for summer! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. I don't think she's ever going to come out.

She did get a little special attention this week as I did a story for the local news on the infant at work program. Was a nice piece that I didn't prepare for... well that story was picked up by the Today Show. At last look it was viewed over 527K times. Was a bit overwhelming.
ALR: Oh my gosh. It was picked up by the Today Show.
MJR: Well I was in USA Today, once.
ALR: There's 472 comments.
MJR: I was in every hotel.
ALR: You do know this isn't a competition.
MJR: Well, you aren't the only big deal.

It's been a long week lugging her around while she takes her merry time deciding when to come out. The highlight has been that it's spring clean up week in Bismarck. That means that people can put any junk out on the curb and it will be picked up no questions asked on your regularly scheduled garbage clean up day. This also means that it's personal scavenger hunt week. Matt and I get into his truck and drive around town to collect items that we deem our new treasures.
Items we "acquired":

• Weed Whacker
• Pressure Washer
• Hose Reel
• Garage Vacuum
• Patio Table
• Wagon
• Metal Stool

Sure the items are great to gather, but it also kills me to watch the other scavengers! We followed a guy with a trailer picking up mowers - it wasn't a little trailer either. Matt had some tinkering to do on some of the pieces, I'm okay with that because after all, "a $400 pressure washer doesn't fix itself."

The other big happenings, aside from me, is the yard. Matt has been working in the yard (specifically the lawn) but we also determined we are amazing at growing onions and garlic, maybe not so good at the shallots though. With the rain and the sun, we could practically see them grow. Way better than last year!
With the warming temps we tend to take the cats out more - to help their birding skills-let's be honest, they eat grass and roll around. We check out the garden growth, and enjoy my trees! It's my favorite thing about spring is their happy blooms. It keeps for such a short time but it makes things so wonderful!

 We also worked on the final items of the nursery - the baby monitor. With this up and running, we are as ready as we are going to be. Matt and I tested the monitor too. He figured we have range all the way to the garden!

We are pretty happy with how everything turned out. We didn't exactly go with a theme, I just wanted a clean look. I'm sure there will be more organization when she comes. Will give me time to work on my system. I feel like I'm in a good spot for clothing though. Between a couple packages that we found online and Tiffany and Judy giving us a bunch - I've got her dresser ready for up to 6mo size clothing. I'm sure we'll burn through everything pretty quick.

We spent Mother's Day weekend in the most appropriate way - with the mothers/soon to be grandmothers. Saturday morning, we made breakfast for my mother and spent some of the day with her. Matt even played the awesome card and got some of her yard work started. Sunday, Michele and Randy came down and we went to Runnings, spent some time in the yard with the cats, and then Matt made supper. We were able to catch both mothers up with the most recent update from our appointment. Her heatbeat was 145 and Matt thinks she's looking like him... I think she just looks crunched/scrunched.

Best meal: Matt did our first pizza on the grill of the season for Mother's Day per his mother's request. Was crispy and wonderful.

Name of the week: We did tell our parents that it ends in an N. That was kinda a lie. What we plan to call her ends in an N, not the name that we've officially selected.
Cravings: Burgers, Tacos, Chick-fil-a Frozen Lemonade
Pregnancy Symptoms: exhaustion, swelling, snoring, looking ready to pop, frustration, an acute sense of what gravity feels like, sweating, inability to sleep, get comfy, or get up from any sort of reclining position unassisted.

Monday am
MJR: No baby?
ALR: No baby.
Tuesday am
MJR: No baby?
ALR: No baby.
Wednesday am
MJR: No baby?
ALR sighs: No baby.
Thursday am
ALR: No baby.
MJR leans forward: Okay (insert baby name), it's time to get out. You've really frustrated your mother, I can tell just by looking at her.

Matriarch (maytree-arc)

Walking through the mall.
MJR: I'm surprised you pregnant women don't have a signal to each other.
ALR: Signal?
MJR: When you walk by each other, you know, like motorcycle riders.

The week started out with some rain but it's been beautiful... we can practically see the garden growing! The garlic and the onions are looking pretty good - we may have a better crop this year than last! The buds are on the trees and the grass has really greened up. It probably would be extremely wonderful but the cats are pissed at Matt. he fertilized he lawn, which made it unable for them to go outside for a couple days so now they sit at the window and have loud, sorrowful, pity parties!

While the week had some high activities, one of them was the completion of the light replacement. Makes me so happy to see 1. more light in the room, 2 those crappy old wood relics removed from the house.

While the weekdays were full, the weekend was really the highlight. On Saturday, we worked on errands specific to the house. We stopped by Cashman's to talk about landscaping, we looked at grills, we picked up some necessary items and came home. Matt thinks I'm nesting...to which I say, no. I'm not driven to vacuum, or dust, or whatnot but it feels good to see the house a bit organized.

Sunday, we headed down to Lemmon (SD) to celebrate my Grandma Elaine's 85th birthday with an open house. It was a packed facility! Not only did a lot of family travel from all over to see her but she had friends and relatives stop in as well to celebrate. There were stories shared of her and her milestone events but I couldn't help but think there were details missing that proved what type of person she is. Yes, she bakes bread. Yes, she is a mother and a wife. But she is also devoted to her family. No one mentioned the amount of stamps that she probably goes through in a week. The amount of chicken she's fried to make her family happy. The amount of times she's asked "What would you like to have to eat while you are here?" The record keeping that she's done, her blogging before blogging was a thing. Her trips to grandkids' games/events. Her scrabble, her crosswords, her wordfinds, her marbles. Her love of friends. Her hard work (she continues to do more before noon than I do all day). Her devotion to her faith. Her coming to your need, all you have to do is ask. Yes, she is my Grandmother. Yes, I'd take a babe ruth bar without hesitation... but I know there's more that people may forget at first glance.

Was good to see family too at the open house. We had a lot of baby questions, which was touching because I know the family is excited to meet her. It's amazing when I start to think of how big just one side is and what she's coming into. My 2 grandparents had 6 kids, who all got married and had children who are now having children. So that's 2 + 12 (children) + 23 (grandchildren and spouses) + 12 (great-grandchildren) + 3 (babies on the way) = 52 people (and counting). After the open house, a good portion of this 52 went over to Heather Jo and Brad's house for pizza and talking. They had a beautiful space for it and was fun to gather together. The only thing that made me mad was I wish I had gotten pictures of the group! Didn't realize until I got into the vehicle - was too busy catching up!

Best meal: We had walleye this week. Matt made a jerk walleye sandwich, as a nod to our last trip to Florida. I was so happy to be having fish, I had it just seasoned up with rice on the side.

Name of the week: I've been leading you all astray for so long... we've had her name choices selected

for a couple months now - actually we were down to two when we found out she was a she.
Uncle Harry did think it was a beautiful option if we named the baby after him. I told him to not get his hopes up.
Cravings: Red Pepper Tacos
Pregnancy Symptoms: uncomfortable, EXHAUSTED, continued snoring, the size of a large house-despite this, both her and I are thinking she's out of room.
At our weekly appointment, her heartbeat was at 156... she's been keeping it right around there. However when we asked about progress, we were told "See you next week! You can prove us wrong, but we'd be surprised."

ALR: It was a nice day!
MJR: Yeah, was good to talk to your cousins.
ALR: I'm glad you enjoy them.
MJR: I told them about your snoring.
ALR: WHAT?!
MJR: It's okay, I think their wives did it too.
ALR: Well....
MJR: I also told them that you bought 900 diapers.
ALR: I did not!
MJR: You did too, I went and counted them.
ALR: You went and counted them?!
MJR: Yes. I wanted to see how many that bought us.
ALR: It was a SALE!! I had to buy that many to get the sale!! Did you tell them that?
MJR: No.
ALR: Great, now they think I'm crazy. I can't believe you had enough time to go in and count boxes of diapers. I'd like you to use your time for good.

Avocation (av-uh-key-shun)

Well the critics have reviewed the blog and they have deemed we are boring. I feel like I should add a disclaimer to our page... never have I stated that I live an exciting life! In fact, I often tell people these are our daily happenings of an old married boring foodie couple! Lucky for the critics, it's been a much more interesting week.

 It was a week that Matt looks forward to all year... no not Valentine's Day.. Butchering weekend! He plans and researches and digs out all the crap and reviews recipes and gets excited. I love that he has hobbies but sometimes they do amaze me. Butchering weekend officially kicked off with three pigs on Friday night. Matt, Dad, and Michele took on a lot of the butchering! I did not think I could stomach the process so I prepped items at the house! By the time we came out on Saturday we were in full go mode. Saturday we broke down all the pigs, packaged the main cuts, made sausage, and cleaned up and hauled it all home. By the end of Saturday, we were exhausted! Matt and I ended up with sage breakfast sausage, beer brats, and country sausage for our half.

On Sunday we had a few other things happening, we took in the sport show briefly before Matt and I went home for him to begin smoking. His smoker hasn't had much of a work out since the pregnancy and now it's making up for it. He has smoked 20 pounds of polish sausage, almost 70 pounds of Country sausage, 5 pounds of summer sausage, 5 pounds of trail bologna, and 12 pounds of polish game sausage. The game sausage came from Matt's waterfowl hunts this past year. Him and I had that prepped and then finished out on Sunday as well. TonyDanza liked sausage making real well at first until he ate two casings and some floor meat....then he got an upset stomach. Poor thing! Lola was just happy the smoking was happening because she snuck out the door whenever Matt opened it to check, adjust, etc.

Monday was another day of smoking. Aside from that we also squeezed some baby things in... we took a tour of her day care. Matt wasn't too sure about the noise and the whatnot but I credit that to us not being used to how noisy kids really can be. We also had our 28 week check-up. She's doing really well. Heartbeat was 151 and she was very active during the appointment, it could have been during due to the glucose orange soda drink but while we were listening for her heart she kept kicking or hitting the Doppler. I passed my glucose test but they were concerned about my iron levels - which given my family history isn't a huge surprise. Either way, it was a good appointment and it's hard to believe that we are officially in the third trimester....we have a lot of stuff to do to prepare but I think mentally prepare is the biggest for the both of us!

We did have to modify our Valentine's Day tradition. I will admit I miss the surf and turf (we only had the surf) but it was good to connect with my wonderful husband and enjoy things together - I guess that's the most important thing.

Best meal: We took Randy and Michele to Fireflour...I love that place! Runner up was turkey dinner during butchering, I didn't really get to enjoy turkey this past holiday and made up for it with this meal and the leftovers!

Name of the week: Ainsley
Cravings: taco bell food, fish tacos, seafood,
Pregnancy Symptoms: breathlessness, arms that fall asleep at night, weird dreams, sleepless nights, night sweats, frequent trips to the bathroom,

MJR: Perry, this is all the sidepork that you have.
Randy: What is side pork?
Perry: Side pork is just like bacon..
ALR interrupts: If bacon were gross.
Perry: It's uncured, unsmoked bacon. It's like taking any piece of pork, frying it up, adding a little bit of salt.You could do it with any piece of the hog but it's the same cut where bacon comes from.
Randy: I love bacon.

Languid (lang-gwid)

A slow weekend... so there may be a trend as we've been taking it easy the past couple weeks. It may also be because I'm small-condo sized and enjoy the homebody ways lately. This taking it easy has also been killing Matt who has cabin fever and travel fever. I get the travel fever, I want to go places too... after all we really don't have a trip on the books until this coming fall - we never go this long without some sort of plan. 

We started the weekend at my parents' house, catching up on our herd. Matt keeps track of the comings and goings and I came along for the company and supper. Saturday wasn't too exciting. We ran a few errands around town but mostly crashed with the cats. I tried to catch up on some sleep so I napped a bit. Matt and I ended up doing pretty well for dinner though. It's been nice enough to grill as the weather is still in the 20's, 30's, and 40's. I made popovers Matt grilled the chops and asparagus. Sunday was the Super Bowl. We didn't have anything else planned either. I ended up getting a little sick so I took it easy. We are nearing the end of the second trimester... which means that it's going to be an uphill battle from here on out! 3 months left but they'll be the hardest! I still have worries but I'm assuming that may never go away.

Best meal: Mom made me potato soup which is always a favorite in  my world. Matt's not a fan so she made him tacos. 

Name of the week: Aileen
Cravings: milk, skittles
Pregnancy symptoms: frequent trips to the bathroom, night sweats, increase in size, tight shoes (which could be a result of growing feet), lack of sleep, absentmindedness (mom-nesia), baby movements

MJR walks into kitchen: Is that my shirt?
ALR: Yes.
MJR stares back
ALR lamenting: I wanted to be comfortable!! All my t-shirts are getting snug and don't feel good!
MJR: It's fine, I just didn't know we were to that stage yet.
ALR: Well, I'm not tickled about it either. (looking pathetic)