Walnut Babies

I had a wonderful Christmas surprise this year that deserves it's own post.
I'm warning you now that this is a LONG story, so stop reading now if you're not up for it!
As a child in Montana I enjoyed an annual tradition of heading out to a snow covered old teacher's college in some tiny town on the weekend after Thanksgiving.  They had the whole thing (lots of tiny cottages) set up to sell different holiday handicrafts.  In one section the buildings were short and adults were not allowed. Each year I would purchase different ornaments and gifts, but there was one thing I got most excited for every year...Walnut Babies.  Each year I would pick a new special little one to add to my collection and oh how I loved them.  They alone probably held over half of my childhood excitement about christmas each year-all in a tiny little walnut shell.
3 years ago when Luke was on the brink of adult puphood and gaining more and more freedom by the day, he made a choice that would send him back into the doghouse and was the demise of nearly all my walnut babies.  Ryan and I were meeting eachother and friends downtown for a holiday celebration and I left Luke out and free in the house, as we had done several times.  On the way to meet Ryan, I called him and said, "what if Luke lays in that crate all day staring at the Christmas tree thinking how much he can't wait to get his paws on it?"  We collectivley decided he would be fine and had a great evening.  As we drove separately Ryan was walking back out of the house to meet me when I got home.  He gave me a big hug and told me to take a deep breath.  Luke had DESTROYED more than half the ornaments on the tree.  The low hanging fruit were obviously the first to go and he had definitely shaken the tree to get the higher ornaments to fall.  I mean he chewed multiple glass balls to bits.  Was one not enough?  I did not speak to him beyond necessity for at least a week.  I was very sad.
Christmas Eve after dinner, Molly insisted I open a gift.  She said it was from her boyfriend, JP, who I affectionately refer to as J. Pizzle, and that it was appropriate to open early.  It was a small package wrapped in tissue and the minute I got one peak at that precious little cuteness, my head fell into my hands in tears.  I had told JP the Luke story when we were in Denver in early December and he took it upon himself (with no help from Molly,) to make me a family of Walnut Babies-one for each member of our family.  The little blankets even coordinated to the point that Ben's is a mixture of mine and Ryan's.  Because only joyful tears can express my thankfulness, all I can say is, 
                                     Thank You J. Pizzle.  You brought joy to my heart this Christmas.

All that remains of my childhood babies.  The shell is crushed so she lives in this plastic baggie.

Our Walnut Family

Little Ben Walnut

Ryan Walnut

Jess Walnut

Famous

So, a couple weeks before Christmas I finally got around to putting Ben's room on Rate my Space.  For those not in-the-know, it's a part of HGTV's website where you can view and rate people's real spaces, renovations, decor, and offer ideas for updates.  
His room received rave reviews and one extra pleasant surprise.  A very sweet woman wrote to me and asked if she could feature Ben's room on her Buy Modern Baby blog!!  She runs a Buy Modern Baby website and complimentary blog where she features products and "real" rooms.  Of course I obliged and feel absolutely thrilled.  I believe all decor should be done for yourself and/or your family and not to please others, but to have someone who does modern design for a living compliment my choices meant the world to me, especially because Ben's room was a departure from my typically more traditional decor choices.
It may be as close to famous as this housewife ever gets, but I'll take it!!

http://buymodernbaby.com/blog/2010/12/28/real-room-tour-racing-inspired-modern-nursery/

First Christmas

...................and first cereal and first attempt at the johnny jump-up and first time to Lucciano's.
Ben's first Christmas festivities began when Meemee arrived Wednesday afternoon. Neighbors Bruce and Cheryl stopped by in the evening to exchange gifts and enjoy some goodies. 
We spent Thursday doing last minute grocery shopping and planning Meemee's bathroom renovation at the HD and Lowe's.  Ben actually slept through the whole thing-yep-four hours! and of course finally needed to eat just as we were leaving the hot mess called a grocery store the day before Christmas.  Nothing a little Starbreak couldn't handle :).
Friday we relaxed and waited for Tante's arrival.  We were unable to go to Mass on Christmas Eve as even 15 minutes early there was NO room at the Inn.  We headed home where friends Rob and Lynn joined us for dinner and merriment.  We were all asleep by 10 with visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads.  
I got up at 4:30 to finish my Santerly duties and Mom and Molly were awake shortly after 5.  We convinced Ryan to get up and open adult stockings as we waited and waited and waited for Ben to awaken.  He finally did shortly after 6 and the real fun began.  The biggest surprises were Molly's unexpected snow shoes that Santa set up and even set on snow for display purposes, and the TRAIN!  Yes, doesn't every 4 month old little boy need a real deal Lionel O gauge train???? Meemee says it was as much to vex his parents as bring him joy and I think she's right as I've already asked Ryan to build a platform and begun dreaming of the adorable town I can create in the center.  We enjoyed prime rib, au gratin potatoes, brussels sprouts, and salad for Christmas Dinner along with a delicious Beaujoulais (thanks Rob and Lynn.)
Sunday included some post Christmas shopping and our first movie in a theatre since Ben's arrival.  With Meemee babysitting, Molly, Ryan and I saw Little Fockers, which was just as hilarious as expected.  We celebrated being together one last time at Lucciano's on Sunday night, (thanks again Mom.)  Ben was great at dinner and really loved the live music and smiled adoringly at the keyboard player. 
Mom and Molly headed home Monday and the preparations began for Nana Pat and Grandpa Jim's arrival on Tuesday......

Getting a little more in each day!

The jumping, too has improved immensely in the last week.

Family pic-thanks Molly for the matching PJ's.

Tuckered out after all those gifts.

Max the Grinch dog has become "the one."

Opening the first present

Ben's overflowing first stocking

With the train

Holy Moly!

First Family Christmas

4 months!!.......

seems like such a small amount of time, but OH MY!! how Ben has changed.  Just a reminder to all you very new moms to soak up every second.  We had his 4 month check-up today and everything looks good.  He is meeting all his milestones and is ahead on a couple but apparently should be squealing more-which he only does a couple times a day :(.
Our goals by our next visit at 6 months are to roll over both ways and to put something from one hand into the other-we'll get started stat! Actually, I think milestones and tracking are great tools, but you could also drive yourself crazy comparing, tracking, and worrying.  Sometimes you have to throw all that out the window and enjoy who your little person is today because tomorrow he'll be different :)
Just like last time, we both cried at shot time.  I should say I cried and Ben, well, Ben turned blood red could hardly breathe, and then wow! did he scream.  And cried real tears-which he rarely does.  Absolutely broke my heart.  I guess I have 2 months to prepare for the next one.
I know you're only here for the stats, so...
Benjamin Ryan Heimer at 4 months and 1 day old weighs in at 17lbs. 3.2 oz-86th percentile, is 24.5 in. long-33rd percentile, and has a head circumference of 41.5 cm-30th percentile.

We got the go ahead for rice cereal, so we'll try that in the next few days and yellow veggies in a month!!  I must share that the PA said, "well if he seems unsatisfied by the formula, you should try the rice cereal right away."  

In my head I'm thinking, "lady, does that naked perfect chunky monkey with thighs as big as your arms (and screaming to be nibbled) laying before you look like any part of what he eats is unsatisfying???" but I politely say, "yeah, we'll give it a try."

Christmas Card Cast-Offs

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
The packages wrapped, the cards sent by air....


Yes the cards have been sent, and if by some chance you read this blog and did not get one, (this would be a true Christmas miracle) let me know and I'll send one off to you!!


The Holiday card was full of changes this year.  There were no pups, no parents, and no letter.  We figured the two previous letters of the year covered just about everything and really no one cares about us or the pups anymore and we're very well aware!


We took Ben's photos for the card in two different photo shoots and I thought I'd share some from the cutting room floor.........

 One of our Favs

Why yes, I am the best present

Nutcracker face

"Mom, really!! with this outfit?,  remember I have no neck!!"

SANTA!!!

SANTA! is in all caps because when I say the word, in my head it sounds like Will Ferrell in Elf when he sees SANTA! in NYC for the first time since leaving the North Pole. In fact, I think I'll go watch Elf for the third time this season as soon as I finish this post.


We made the trek today to see Santa.  The line wasn't too long and despite my skepticism, the picture they took (required if you wanted to take your own) actually turned out great!
We had to wake Ben up but he happily obliged his crazy parents and sat with the fat stranger in the red suit. This particular Santa was pretty good looking and the nice looking suit and set probably had a lot to do with it being a for-profit operation.


The mall was a zoo but it didn't really bother me-probably because I didn't have to be there chasing down a last minute gift-just another testament to getting the Holiday tasks wrapped up early!!


I also must mention the adorable outfit from neighbors Bruce and Cheryl.  My typical pick might have been more argyle than snowman, but I was very thankful for the Cute today!!


Without further ado...

Sleeping in line

Slowly Waking Up

 Am I Next??

With the Jolly Fat Man Himself

Filled with joy and comfort knowing his wish list is in good hands

Mystery Solved

I've long pondered my deep obsession with all things potato and wondered, why??
Sure, I was born and partially reared a stone's throw from Idaho, and there's a wee bit o' Irish blood in my veins, but neither of these seemed reason enough to justify my intense liking.
Today while making my Christmas grocery shopping list-it came to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Swedish potato sausage, potato lefse (kind of a potato tortilla), my Grandpa and his KLUB (weird meat and potato dumpling)...........
While to most, we Swedes are famous for long legs, blonde hair and bank accounts ( I guess that's the Swiss)-there it is!!  Potatoes are a part of me-literally-and after 30 years-MYSTERY SOLVED!!!

O Christmas Tree

While driving last week I noticed a sign for the Prairie Pines Christmas Tree farm.  After a quick Facebook inquiry I learned that indeed you can go to such a place and actually cut down a tree-not unlike I'm used to in the mountains in Colorado.  Ok, so A LOT unlike I'm used to, but I tried!!
We bundled up Saturday morning, packed the saws, and set out on our first Midwest Christmas tree adventure.  Unfortunately, we didn't make it far...not past the check-in point in-fact.  In another of life's lessons of supply and demand, evergreens are expensive in Kansas-at least at Prairie Pines.  Had it not been for the 50 MPH winds and bone-chilling cold, we might have wandered a bit.

 Unsure

Finally putting the car seat cocoon to use

Instead we headed for Lowe's and then to Dillon's where we got all the boughs and pine garland necessary for all my decor, a poinsettia, and the tree for less than half of what a similar tree would have cost at Prairie Pines.  Maybe if they paint a big cardboard back drop to look like mountains I'll hand over the cash next year!


Tree to be revealed in a later post...

Colorful Colorado

Ryan and I got word a few weeks ago that he'd be heading to Paris for a week for work.  We also knew he'd have to fly directly back to Denver to defend his Masters Thesis in Fort Collins in the days following.  So....(lightbulb), why wouldn't I head home for a few days and we could drive back to Wichita together???


Sunday after Thanksgiving Ben and I drove back with Tante Mollusk to Denver.  We stayed with my Mom (Ben's Mee Mee) for ten days as his Nana Pat (Ryan's Mom) was traveling for work.  We tried to keep our social obligations light as they've made us crazy in the past and that was without a baby!


We had fun seeing friends, painting ceramics, strolling through Olde Town Arvada and Cherry Creek to Christmas shop, visiting Great Grandma Heimer, and enjoying Ben's first visits to some special places.
Ben went to Hapa sushi restaurant where mom and dad had their first date, had breakfast at hipster haunt Steuben's, and stood in line with Mee Mee for KBCO Studio C Volume 22.  It's crazy to think Ben may one day be listening to Studio C Volume's in the 40's.  By then they'll surely handout online redemption codes for downloads instead of actual CD's.

 Tante Mollusk is pretty proud of this shirt

 Cold Toes

Cute Toes

Steubens

Bundled for Studio C

Studio C with Mee Mee

A visit with Grace and Sara

Ryan flew in Sunday after long delays in Paris and Chicago and headed to Fort Collins Monday to begin his Master's Defense.  By Tuesday afternoon he had passed with flying colors.  An accomplishment ten years in the making (six of which I've been a part of) led me to weep upon completion.  I'm so proud of Ryan's perseverance, the things his accomplishment will do for our family, and of the example a higher degree will set for Ben.  


On Wednesday the 8th we made the bittersweet trip home as a family.  I learned a lot on this trip......
*A reminder that KBCO streams online so I can still listen to Brett and Ginger each day :)
*That it's ok not to see everyone everytime-(it makes everything more enjoyable for everyone)
*That Ben will form bonds with the people important to us even if we stay in Wichita a few more years
*I really missed our friends in Wichita and day-to-day activities that are what life's all about (it will be hard to move home whenever we do.)

Trying on Hats at Cherry Creek

"Anyone need a ride?"

The Sweet in the bittersweet of our trip home was coming back to Riley Thomas Johnson, the beautiful son of Chrystal and TJ.  He was born on Sunday December 5th weighing 9lbs 6oz with more beautiful dark hair than I've ever seen on a baby.  He is the spitting image of his Dad-I'd say he's off to a great start!!  Welcome to the world Riley-we're so glad you could join us!!!

Ben's 1st Thanksgiving-Gobble! Gobble!

The experience of Ben's first months is a constant battle between hoping he'll just stop changing and growing, and looking forward to when he can participate and enjoy things more.  Thanksgiving was a day I found myself looking forward to when Ben can be as excited as the rest of us!
I was Thankful to get home from AZ a few days early to finish preparations for the big day.  Tante Mollusk drove in Wednesday night and the house was already filled with the smell of turkey thanks to friend TJ's recipe (so easy).  We were also surprised with Nana Pat who had been stranded in Dallas and stopped on her way home to Denver.  She took Molly's car from Wichita home so Molly got to drive with Ben and I back to Colorado on Sunday.
Chrystal and TJ and Baby Boy Johnson (still cooking then) also joined us.  I had told her weeks prior I'd be happy to cook enough for them though we all hoped they'd be busy with a new baby.
I don't think Ben's Turkey Day attire made it to dinner but I know the good smells kept him hungry.


On Friday morning, Mollusk and I attempted our first ever before dawn Black Friday shopping.  One or both of us almost always worked in retail over the years so we had traditionally saved our big shopping day for 12/26.  We arrived at Target at 3:45 am with cheap DVD's and a few other things on our list.  The line was LONG.  When I say LONG, I mean L       O          N           G!  Security stood in the parking lot to insure all in line got in before anyone who had just arrived.  We heard later on the news that it took 1.5 hours for the entire line to make it through the door-crazy!!  We were done at Target by 4:30 and hit Starbucks en route to Best Buy only to have a teen-age punk (ok, really he looked quite respectable) grab the last of what we had come for.  We were home by 6am, where Nana Pat was ready to hit the road to Denver and Molly headed back to bed.  
The rest of the weekend was filled with Baby-Booking, Christmas Card ordering,  fall decor take-down, movie watching, and a seven hour drive to Denver on Sunday for Ben and Molly and I.

 TJ making gravy (better than any I've ever made)

"Mom, the Turkey! I want it now!"

First Thanksgiving Meal

World Traveler

Ben is becoming a little world, (ok, USA) traveler much quicker than I expected.  My Grandmother had been in and out of the hospital, which, as some of you may have experienced, sometimes sadly becomes a standard practice in life.  The doctors called my Dad on November 15th and told him to come, as things had taken a bad turn.
On Thursday November 18th, Ben and I set off for Fountain Hills, AZ by way of Denver and the rental car terminal.  Ben was an absolute angel!! Thankfully both flights were quick and the layover was only an hour.  I tried to plan the bottles well and Ben hardly squeaked.  The ability to gate check the car seat and stroller really makes air travel easy.  The rental car terminal was a bit more tricky and I did not enjoy the audience of employees that gathered to watch as I struggled to install the car seat and load all the luggage.  Really, "a little help here!"
By the time we arrived my Grandfather had also been admitted to the hospital but was thankfully to be released later that day.  We picked up my Dad a few hours later and Ben got to meet Grandpa Ken for the first time.  
The visit was hard without any of our usual accoutrements and only one cousin to help with Ben as my Grandmother was the last matriarch there.  My Grandmother had an infection in her legs and therefore Ben could not visit.  We did take lots of pictures to her and she loved them.  I got to hold her hands and squeeze her and we got to tell each other how much we loved each other.  She even asked out of the blue why we all just couldn't move there to be close to one another.  I can't express how thankful I am that Ben and I went or for those moments holding her hand.
Ben and I headed home a bit earlier than expected on Sunday afternoon as my Dad had arrived a few days earlier than planned.
The following Saturday, on November 27th, another St. Theresa joined the others in heaven.  My Grandma Theresa was the wife and mother I have always hoped to be.  I know when I make her recipes that they taste just a little different because there aren't quite as many years of love in them, but one day....

I choose not to haul our DSLR so there are just a few pics from an old point and shoot that is obviously now in the trash!!

Ben with my cousin Kelley's daughter Halia

Gate Check Tag

Talking with Halia about the sleepover she had come from