Then and now

A lot has happened since I last posted on Mother's Day weekend. I didn't mention then but my big gift for Mother's Day is a trip that I leave on tomorrow with my friend Jen. We're flying to Mesa, AZ for a hot and sunny weekend by the pool. It will be my third time away from Madeleine (second from Parker) and first real vacation without the family since having Madeleine. I've packed a novel, some sudoku, and yarn to make another hat. Blissful relaxation here I come!

Springtime fun: drawing, teaching little bro, twirling, and evidence of an artist at work

My weekend away comes in the midst of Justin working a retreat last weekend and going to a conference in NM next weekend. We haven't and won't get much time to spend together but we're trying to make the most of it by playing outside whenever it's sunny and eating ice cream when the awesome yellow Big Dipper truck (our local homemade ice cream shop) drives through the neighborhood. Here I am running home to get money last week when we saw the truck while taking Drake for a walk. The kids were cheering, "run Momma run!"

Justin and the kids indulged in scoops of white mint Oreo while my efforts were rewarded with a special scoop of Coldsmoke: a flavor that uses Kettlehouse brewery's awesome Coldsmoke beer. I know...beer ice cream? It's really good!

The work in the basement has finally finished so we've reinhabited the space and are so grateful for having it! We're hoping to install a window or two down there to make it more inviting this summer when it gets too hot to play upstairs. Plus I'm now motivated to pick out some paint and make that space more personal.

There's so much more to tell but I lack the time and energy right now to share so you'll have to stay tuned. Up next: Bono, the behemoth, and an little independent woman.

Crafting

Since my sewing machine has been inaccessible in our still unfinished basement, I dug out some yarn and my crochet hooks. I found a pattern for this cute hat online and couldn't resist making it for Madeleine. I'm thinking I'll even try to make one for myself soon.

She really liked wearing it with all of her yard sale jewelry and then goofing off for the camera. (I hadn't added the button to the middle of the flower yet so that's what it looks like without one.)

Spring, Montana style

This spring we've had crazy weather...30s to 70s...snow, sleet, rain, sun. We're expecting highs in the 40s this week and snow. We're desperate for the rain because we had a very dry winter. Hopefully this chilly wet week will postpone the start of fire season and prolong fishing season this summer.

Flower power

Wildflowers are in bloom again, proving that summer is on the way. I found these pretty specimens on our walk up the hill behind our house this weekend. I didn't figure out how to use the super macro setting on my new camera until part way through the walk, hence the distant first few pictures.

Bulbiferous prairie star

Nuttall's rockcress

leaves of lupine (flowers don't bloom until June)

Sagebrush buttercup

Yellow bell

Leafy bluebells

Few-flowered shooting star

Few-flowered shooting star

Prairie smoke

Small, Medium, and Large

The youngest Clines all had their doctor's check-ups last week in the midst of flood clean-up.

Parker was first. He has continued on the average path for size: 27lbs. (65th%), 32.5" for height (57th%), and 50cm head circumference (95th%). So the kid has a big head but it's an awfully cute big head! His vocabulary is pretty sophisticated, even if we're the only ones who understand him. It helps that his big sis is incredibly verbal. Because he is still a pretty picky eater the pediatrician suggested that I stick to what works and incorporate smoothies into every day since he'll slurp them down with gusto. Added protein powder and flax seed make it a nutritious and delicious afternoon snack.

Madeleine's appointment was next. She hasn't slowed down when it comes to growing. She's 40.5" tall (98th%) and 35lbs. (83rd%). They stop measuring head circumference after age 2 but I'm guessing she's got a good sized melon on her shoulders too. Her socialization skills have improved drastically and she's become much more comfortable around strangers, making it easier to go to church, the park, friends' houses, etc. She is still reluctant to sleep in her toddler bed and as I'm testing today doesn't seem ready to sleep without a diaper on. It's really hard to know when to push her and when to let her decide when she's ready for different maturing opportunities. Her independent 3-year old spirit often butts heads with my agenda but we're learning how to negotiate this new territory.

Drake's check-up was the most enlightening one of the week. Apparently I hadn't picked him up before getting him weighed at the vet. He was only 48lbs. (Maggie was always around 43lbs. and was considered trim). The vet guessed that he had been neglected for some time or had been out on his own for a while resulting in the low body weight. She advised us to feed him puppy chow and get him lots of exercise to build up muscles around his shoulders, spine, ribs, and hips. Too bad I can't just give him some of my excess fluff! Actually, I think we'll have a mutually beneficial relationship: I work off pounds running and walking him and he builds muscle. She wants to weigh him again in a month to make sure he's gaining weight. We're hoping to get him closer to 60lbs. as fall approaches. For now it's fine he's smaller; it makes it easier to control him when he sees a squirrel or cat while we're out for walks.

Madeleine's refusing to cooperate for nap today so I'm off to do some negotiating. Wish me luck.

Good news

It was the repair man's fault (he even confessed and subsequently apologized) which means we shouldn't have to pay the deductible. Hooray! Unfortunately it also means there may be more things slowing the construction process down as multiple insurance companies are involved but it won't prevent us from moving forward. The carpets are almost dry and once that's done and the adjuster makes his/her visit we should be able to proceed towards getting some new padding (which needed to be pulled up after all) and hardwood floors. We're hoping that it will all be completed by June. I got my washing machine fixed correctly this afternoon...the repairman ran it three times to make sure it worked properly...but it's too bloody hot and humid in the basement to be down there so I'll wait until the restoration company checks things tomorrow to hopefully tell us the carpets are dry and the heaters/blowers can be turned off. Then I can start to work on our mountain of laundry.

Spring

It snowed on Tuesday. Tomorrow is supposed to be 70. Spring in Montana requires down jackets and Chacos to be kept out by the front door.

My starters for the garden were not impressed by the snow.

Because of our often cloudy and gray spring days these starters have been very grateful for the skylight Justin installed on Easter Sunday in the bathroom. It provides tons of light and snuggled by the heater in ziplock bags makes it a virtual greenhouse for these little guys. So far I've only started some herbs and peppers but with the beautiful forecast for tomorrow I think the tomatoes may get a turn to spout.

And I had to share this moment. My favorite memory of Madeleine and Maggie is when she'd pick out books and read them to her. I'm glad to see the tradition will continue, even if it is bittersweet.