Keeping Busy...

Right now, I am...

...laughing multiple times a day as I watch Riggs and Tutka interact together.  It amazes me how gentle and patient Tutka is with Riggs, especially when Riggs isn't quite so gentle himself.  It's what we were hoping for when we added Tutka to our family with Riggs so young (they are only a month and two days apart), and it's satisfying to see their relationship developing so nicely.  

...about to enter the strange couple of weeks in between fall and winter.  I love fall, and I love winter, but I'm not so sure about the drab days that are usually October in Alaska.  Out here in our little corner of the Butte, the constant rain and wind have stripped the trees of nearly all the leaves and I know one day soon we will wake up to find those beautiful colors have all turned to brown and the glory days of fall will be over.  Then the scramble will really begin to get everything buckled down for the first snow...I'm hoping to get some Christmas lights up at some point during October, before the snow begins to fly.  One (of the many) things I love about our new house is the outlets up under the eve of the roof which are connected to a light switch inside the house just for Christmas lights.  Now I just have to decide whether or not we will put up white lights or those big, ceramic colored lights...

...having the time of my life watching Riggs grow and change and learn.  He is so mobile now, although he still isn't quite crawling.  He can army crawl all around but when he's up on his hands and knees, he hasn't quite figured out how to move his arms at the same time as his legs.  Now that he can get around and get into things, he is happy to spend nearly the entire day (between naps and meals) down on the floor just hanging out and doing his thing.  It's amazing to see how independent he is.  He is also starting to really understand cause and effect, and can really play in a more interactive way because of it.

Here is a video of Riggs playing with his Opa and Oma (Steve's dad and his wife, Dorle) when they visited this past weekend:

::growing gratitude::

Right now, I am...

...thankful that, although we lost power for two days, we didn't have any damage to our home, cars, or garage.

...in awe of the raw force of nature.

...surprised by how much I enjoyed not having power.  The only thing that bothered me was worrying about the frozen fish we had in the freezer thawing out (it didn't).

...happy that I captured Riggs as he is now, his arms and legs nearly always moving when he is interested in or excited about something.  He is getting to be such a big boy, moving rapidly from infant to toddler, so busy all the time.

...in love with his rolls and dimples and creases.  How could something be so scrumptious?

...surprised that we woke up to such a hard frost this morning and temperatures in the twenties, 26 degrees Fahrenheit to be exact.  Fall really is here!

right now...

Right now I am...

...so thankful to have such a wonderful u-pick farm across the "street" from us.  I biked over there yesterday, and loved being able to leave my (not too expensive but completely invaluable to me) bike and baby trailer just leaning again the barn while I went out to pick what I needed for dinner, here and there, in the fields.  Then, to my complete embarrassment, I realized (after picking everything) that I had forgotten my wallet at home.  Cue the most gracious and friendly ladies ever who provided many easy options for me to continue home with my purchases.  I love Pyrahs!  Despite the mishap, I biked home with strawberry and rhubarb plants as well as some freshly picked strawberries and some greens for our dinner.

...enjoying more and more time spent outdoors since moving to our new home.  There are so many beautiful things to do outside, including just sitting in the yard and watching the leggy spiders scurry past me.

...watching the colors change to fall and loving it!

...digging in the yard.  I'm making space for the new plants from Pyrah's and for the three bags of spring bulbs I picked up the other day.

...amazed by the way that Riggs' so carefully inspects his surroundings, finding a sense of wonder in the simple things, like the way his shadow moves as he does.

...satisfied with the strawberry-rhubarb pie I made last night with all locally grown fruit (and honey!).  

...settling in so comfortably to this new life in our new home.

Right Now, I am

Right now, I am...

...thinking of how I need to get some more packing done today.  I was happy to get a bit done this morning before baby woke up and then again after he ate.  I have nearly all of his room packed up and nearly all the books done as well.  Today my goal is to fill the six boxes I have remaining before heading out this evening to get more boxes and start again tomorrow.  

...listening to Riggs softly cooing and fussing as he drifts off to sleep in his crib.  I love to hear the little sounds he makes as he falls asleep.  Often he will silently go to sleep, but sometimes he will make little cooing and whining noises as he fights his impending visit to dreamland.  He rarely full out cries unless I have put him to bed too late and he is overtired.  Such a little sweetheart! 

...happy that Steve and I got out yesterday to go on a family walk.  Despite the colder temperatures, dark gray skies and rain, we had a lovely time.  It was nice and quiet, we only four other people walking and a few cyclists during the hour and a half we were out.

...impressed with how well our puppy Tutka is doing with potty training and basic commands.  Despite the harder moments (barking at 3 am for the tenth small drink of water that night) he has already brought so much joy to our little family.

...thankful that there are blue skies and sunshine outside today.  Once Riggs wakes up from his nap we will head outside to feel the warmth on our faces and breath in some much needed fresh air.

...surprised that the snow has melted so fast.  On our walk yesterday we noticed that the snow on the mountains has barely been melting, I think there will still be snow throughout the entire summer and into the fall.  We saw one of the guns they use for avalanche management on our walk too, it was so big and somewhat eerie looking at first looming up ahead of us on the trail.

...hungry for a good book to read.  Unfortunately all of mine are packed up so I will have to make do with listening to books on audible.com for now.  Once we have gotten settled into our new house I will make it a priority to find some books to read this summer, especially since I am signing myself and Riggs up for the Summer Reading Program through the Palmer Public Library beginning June 4th.  {There is a summer reading program being offered through the Loussac Library in Anchorage as well beginning on May 12.}

...grateful for my husband for all that he does for me.  He has been such an amazing friend for the last seven years and I am so glad to have him in my life.  Having a new baby has been very fun and rewarding for me personally (and for him), but I know that he probably misses the attention he used to get from me, that is now mostly focused on Riggs.  Despite this he has been unbelievably helpful and supportive for the last four months (and before that during my pregnancy) and has truly blown me away with his capacity for compassion and understanding.  Both Riggs and I are very lucky and blessed to have him in our lives.

...excited about being in our new home somewhat shocked that moving day is coming up so quickly!

...thinking that I had better say goodbye and get back to packing.  Happy Monday everyone!