Garden is looking good

After we (I really should say Ryan) saved the garden, it's been doing awesome! We've had a great bean crop - my guess about 10 pounds of green beans and at least that many of yellow too. Huge summer squash. Huge zucchini. Lots of tomatoes on. Too many pumpkins to count. Tassels on the sweet corn. Flowers on the spaghetti squash. Nice look onions. A few jalapeño peppers.  It's gonna be a great year for RAD Farms.

And our helper!

Precious moments

I realized after a long crazy week that all I needed was a afternoon holding Greta while she napped and a book to read. I don't normally do that and usually tell mom to not do it but today it was just what the doctor ordered. I had an insane work week ahead as well and my first night away this week so I could see myself doing it again today.

Just can't get enough of this sweet baby girl. 

How do they do it

As I sit nursing and pumping at 4:30 am, I wonder how single parents do it. I am lucky enough to have a great husband who helps out a lot and yet I still feel like I could use more hours in the day, both to enjoy Greta and to get everything on my to-do list done. Maybe my expectations of what I can get done are just too high. Maybe I need to except the fact I'm not superwoman (Although that would help a lot). Maybe a maid would help. Maybe a personal chef would be great. Maybe another assistant at work would ease my mind. Maybe a laundry fairy would help. Maybe riding a train to work would be awesome because I could work on the way and not deal with traffic - or a helicopter that'd be even better a short commute then.

As you can tell I'm still trying to figure out that balance. Definitely not there yet but trying. Each day brings new challenges. Each day brings new things I miss. Each day though is another one I'm alive with a healthy beautiful baby girl and a hard working loving husband so I guess life isn't that bad and I shouldn't complain.

First call to the doctor

So Greta has had a little trouble in the vowel movement area. She hadn't gone since Monday. So Friday I finally call the doctor's office and talk with a great nurse. The recommendation give her some apple juice, up to 4 ounces in 24 hours. Okay... Sounds easy enough. I start with one ounce hoping it works its magic, but nothing. 2 hours later ounce #2.... And that seemed to work because and hour later she went. But since then nothing. Poor baby. Hoping she gets regular again.

She's trying hard to go here.

Love weekends

Weekends have a whole new meaning now that I'm back in the office 5 days a week and Greta is at daycare 5 days a week. I treasure them even more and want to be selfish and spend all my time with her.  So wish she didn't have to be there over 50 hours a week.  But she's a happy baby they always say.

A picture from her first day (not the outfit I sent her in - lol)

Bought tickets

Well I bought my first plane tickets for a trip at the end if the month. I kept hoping I wouldn't have to go, but no luck so I'll be leaving Greta the 31st at 4:30 am and won't be home until midnight the next night. I have no idea how I'm going to survive. Want to cry just thinking about it.

How can I leave this face?!?

Day care has begun

I think Monday was maybe one of the hardest mom things I've had to do yet (aside from labor, epidural, petosin, c-section, etc.)... I dropped Greta off at day care and left her there. Sounds easy enough... Pull up, sign her in, leave her with the day care people and leave. But not so easy. Lots if tears were shed by me.  However, Greta gave everyone big smiles.

The first day she went, I worked from home and went and visited at lunch and then picked her up about 4:30 - I'm impressed I made it that long.

Here's her report card (she gets one everyday)... I promise I won't post them all.

 

The next 2 days have been much easier, but I still hate leaving her. She's drank 3, 5 oz. bottle each day. Took good naps day 2 and 3. And has been enjoying the bigger (who are under 18 months) kids, even talked with one today for quite a while they said.

Despite the fact that I would prefer to be home with her every day or at least most days, I have to trust that God has a plan and I know He will keep Greta safe.

Garden make over

Sunday we worked hard to save the garden.... Mostly Ryan.

First he had to weed whack the grass. Then we raked the grass out.  Finally he took the rototiller to it and made it look okay.

The before...

The after...

 

Still not as good as last year, but 100 times better than before.

We also ate our first summer squash crop. Very tasty on the grill. But oh my are we going to have a lot!

Worth saving?

Today we are trying to figure out if the garden is worth saving. We didn't spray it for grass and weeds this year before planting and to say it mildly - it shows.

The sweet corn is round up ready so Ryan shot that yesterday - we'll see if it helps. 

This years crop might be a loss. Boooo!

Greta's Getaway

Summer vacation was finally here. We loaded (well Ryan loaded) up the truck. Bob, suitcases, pack-n-play, dogs, washing machine and more!

First stop- Ruth Lakke cabin in Curran. I got up at 4 to feed Greta and much to my surprise Ryan poked his head in at 4:30 and asked if I was ready. After I realized he was serious... We started to load up and got on the road a little after 7  and made it to our destination by 11.

 

 

4-wheeler, walks, boat ride, tractor ride, weed whacking and more! Great fun was had by all. I think Miller maybe had the most running in and out of the pond. 

Monday - up and at 'me again. Next stop  Arcadia and we made it by lunch with a sleeping baby! 

The next few days seemed like a blur. Golfing with Ryan was great (Greta was in good hands with grandma), a trip to Frankfort, shuffle board, family pictures, bike ride with K & K, golfing with Ryan and mom (thanks Aunt Mary for watching Greta), and finally a trip to the beach. Lots of fun was had by all! Was great to have babysitters in hand so Ryan and I could enjoy was husband and wife time too!

Funny picture of us dancing in the street, waiting for the parade to come around.

 

Then back home to catch up on yard and house stuff. And with the exception of the garden, everything was back to normal by last night.

Family pictures

A few of my favorites from our first family photos on the beach. Thanks mom for taking them!

First golfing trip

Ryan and I got to sneak away for a quick round of golf. He played really good - 1 over par and I didn't do too bad for my first time out.

Starting her young

Greta's first trip to the trading post during tot treats at camp for some ice cream. Mommy, daddy and grandma enjoyed some while Greta slept away.

Can't let Aunt Mary take her or I know she'll have her first taste... Because Karle was this old when I have her her first taste. I maybe know Mary was so upset. Sorry about that Mar!