Moonlighting

Wait a minute....I'm still pregnant....what is going on here??

**This is our friend Jess's baby, Hudson - out for his first visit to work. Cute little guy.

Looks like he's got a good hold on him, that baby's going nowhere! 17 days and counting....if you're counting, but who's counting?

GO PACK GO!!

Well, it's certainly not the best pic....but I don't know that I can take a good picture these days. So here ya go, another belly shot. 22 days and counting. I can't wait....maybe someday I'll be able to wear my jersey again.

Playing Hockey

We've got a little hockey player on our hands! Cash LOVES 'playing hockey', i.e. skating in the hockey rink with his Dad. When he can stand on his own, he can wield a hockey stick, but until then, he's dangerous enough. I'm sure that Brent got more of a workout than he anticipated by skating for an hour with Cash, but I think it was worth it for both of them. All Cash wanted to do was 'get down, play hockey!' so Brent was bent over the whole time, holding him up. Probably would've worked out better if Cash was taller or Brent was shorter! They had a blast and now Cash practices his skating in the living room and tells anyone who'll listen that he's going to play hockey next weekend. I'll give you one guess as to what we're doing this weekend. :) Cash even threw down when we had to leave - yes, there was kicking of feet (with skates still on, you gotta be quick to keep your fingers) and he even pushed at my hands while screaming, 'PLAY HOCKEY!!!'. It was special. Maybe I'll skip out this weekend and miss the screaming fit when they have to go home....you know, I DO have a ton of studying to do! :)

Bellies

I'm not so sure who's is bigger. This is one of the least flattering pictures of me, but it's not all about me anymore, right? Cash sure looks cute! :) And yes, those are Brent's clothes -- and I apologize for the little bit of my belly sticking out. Sheesh -- why did I even post this thing?!?

Bear with me as I try to keep up on this blog. I have enrolled in college yet again and am pursuing my Nursing degree. I have a ways to go and this might not be the best timing, but after much thought I have finally decided that Nursing is something that I will enjoy and that will allow me to spend as much time with my family as possible. I am looking forward to my new adventure and wish Brent lots of luck on his Daddy daycare duties.

5 weeks and counting.

GGO

Rico's xmas present to Cash -- a silly string attack!

Grandma and Grandpa Olson came over on Xmas day and left on New Year's Eve day this year (I guess that was last year). I didn't get a chance to say much about their visit, so I thought I'd add a little since Cash is taking a power nap and Brent is off cutting wood (my how times have changed....). Before I get going though.....have you ever had smoked gouda?!? It is amazing and everyone should try it. It's out of my normal comfort zone when it comes to food, but I tried it the other weekend at our neighbor's house and fell in love. I was a little worried that it might be in the 'don't eat' list of my pregnancy sheet, but turns out it's pasteurized and safe, safe, safe. I LOVE IT! It will become a staple in our home right next to yogurt.

Back to GGO. They arrived with most of Fargo in tow - lots of gifts for Cash and for us. It was Christmas for a good 4 days here! :) We really did have a great time and Cash loved opening all of the gifts, not just his, but everybody's. He's pretty good at opening the packages, then he pulls out whatever he got and says 'open it, open it', plays for a minute and goes back to opening more gifts. Next year I'll wrap boxes.

We were fortunate for GGO to show up when they did since our daycare was shut down for that entire week and both Brent and I had to work. So....they were on Grandma and Grandpa daycare duty. They did a wonderful job and Cash had a great time. He was introduced to Sesame Street and I'm guessing he must have been introduced to Scooby Doo because he keeps talking about watching that and we've never had it on - of course that could be a daycare thing too. Who knows. He refined his tackle football skills, shot some hoops, played with all of his new toys, and begged for yogurt. For those of you who don't know, Cash has a huge yogurt problem. We've found that he will ask for yogurt if he is hungry, sad, tired, grouchy, etc.....it's his go to, right next to fruit snacks. Did I mention that Cash single handedly donated over $60 to breast cancer awareness with all of the yogurt tops we turned in?!? I told you he was a good kid!

With all of the excitement over the holidays, I didn't get a single picture of GGO with Cash. Big Jim managed to find a few and email them my way, so I thought I'd better get those ones up on the blog to prove it actually happened.

On another note, baby #2 is coming along just fine. I asked my midwife at my last appointment if she was absolutely positive that this baby was coming March 1 -- now that Brent and I talk about it, we're thinking it might be March 6, but the date has gone from late Feb. to early March -- you can't rush or necessarily time these things -- anyhow, the answer was yes. I can't believe it, the baby seems like it's sooooo low, but turns out that the reason is not because the baby's ready to make it's debut, but because things are now 'saggy'. Yep, that's what I was told, I'm saggy. Fantastic. Just what a pregnant lady wants to hear -- as if I couldn't have told you that one -- tell....not be told....that's the key to happy pregnant ladies. Don't tell them anything, let them tell themselves!

**Cash did get his hair cut while Grandma and Grandpa Olson were here....it looks a hundred times better than the mop he's sporting in these pics!

Dance Off

I know that this is super blurry and that JW is going to kill me, but I couldn't resist. Turn up your speakers.

Goodbye 2010

Cash's present from Uncle Rico - he loads all of the trucks he can find in the back and then dumps them all out and starts over. Good trick!

Here I sit....New Year's Eve....at Brent's hotel. It was either this or go to bed at 8:30 when Cash did. Lame. I chose to come here and be a bouncer for the night. hahaha I suppose everyone would like me better if I had chosen the latter. Oh well, I thought it might be kind of fun to 'work' with Brent for the night -- although all I've done so far is surf the web and update the blog. I'd get canned if I really worked here, in fact I probably wouldn't get hired. Now that we're hitched, I'll never know - you can't hire your wife no matter how good of a bouncer she is.

Brent's folks made it over on Xmas day.....Cash has had a great week hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa Olson -- they've done tons of playing and watching Sesame Street, reading and playing tackle football. Cash can put quite the hit on a person - this is advanced warning to Grandma and Grandpa Hobbs for when you come out for baby time! I don't know if it's such a good thing, but we all think it's funny....of course until he gains another 50 pounds and puts someone to the ground for real. Yikes. We'll have to put a stop to that one soon....very soon.

And....to close out 2010....in the words of Cash, 'Happy Toddy!' (I have no idea how he got that from Happy New Year, but we'll stick with it).

Be warned: If you come to our house for Christmas, Cash will steal your presents.

Cake time!

This is only the beginning of present opening. I hate to see what next year will bring.

Happy Birthday Cash!

Cash turned 2 today! We had a great birthday party (just the 3 of us - with Jim & Jean on a Skype call) - ate some tater tot casserole...a little bit of Shrek cake (I think Cash had too much casserole...or he doesn't like cake)...and a LOT of present opening. I don't know if my heart can take too many more days of this -- we had a little meltdown when the 4 wheeler wouldn't work.

Lesson #1: Open all packages that say 'assembly required', assemble, charge batteries and make sure it works. Slap a bow on it and burn the box. Next year. Lesson #2: Don't get anything for your child that your husband may feel inclined to play with. Example: baseball tee, bat and ball. Turns out both Brent and Cash are highly capable baseball players. We're going to have dents in our walls. Lesson #3: A piggy bank that says Touchdown! means just that -- every time. Cash loves it, we thought it was really cute and had to convince him that this is one football we don't throw. Word from the wise, never have any money saved up in a jar before using a talking piggy bank. A few quarters a day is one thing....5 bucks or so of change is another.

Thanks to all for the wonderful presents, cards, calls and birthday wishes! Cash loves it and so do we. We're glad so many people take such good care of him and send so much love. Oh....and we're really glad for stickers and coloring books. Many times nothing makes him happier. Although you may not know that stickers actually peel up the laminate on dining room tables. Should've put that in my lessons section. Oh well, new furniture for me -- I can't wait for my birthday! hahaha

Ahhhhh, the things you learn as parents. This is stuff that has somehow become a silent rite of passage - much like pregnancy. If anyone has any questions about pregnancy or years 0-2, please feel free to call me....I will give you the entire truth (all of the details, wanted and unwanted) and make sure that you don't have to find things out the hard way as we have. You're welcome. It's my Christmas present to you all.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CASH!!!

**Pictures to come**

I promised....

Sorry -- gotta turn your head sideways to get the full effect. My video skills are obviously lacking effort.

A second look....

Mornin'!

Good mornin' to all! Hope your Cheerios are as good as mine....

Home stretch

I never thought we'd make it....the 7th inning stretch....the 7th month....the 3rd trimester. Holy crap. This baby making is really a bad set up. I was discussing this the other day with a few coworkers -- don't you think that we could've had a nice set up with eggs or something? Just plop out an egg (yes I know that 'plop' isn't the ideal term here....), put it somewhere nice and warm, sit on it when we have a chance, put it under a heat lamp when we're out and about, wait 21 days and have a baby?!? Who's brilliant idea was this anyway? I think there may be a flaw....9 months....sheesh! Have I ever mentioned that I am not a good pregnant lady? I love my babies and love it when they arrive, but the process of getting there is a totally different story.

Now that I got that out of my system. I had my check up yesterday and everything checked out. Nothing new, nothing exciting -- there's still a baby in there and it's WILD. Fantastic! My theory is wild in the belly = sweet and calm in the real world. Keep your fingers crossed and stop laughing at what you think we're in for.

Cash turned in his official alarm clock duties this morning. I just talked to Brent and he was on his way in to get the little guy up and running. Yesterday was a different story. Cash made sure that we were all getting up at 6:30 - he came in and stood at the end of the bed, sucking his thumb (of course) and said, 'A work?!?'. Yes....we're going to work and thank you alarm clock -- turns out Brent had intention of sleeping in and I didn't have an alarm clock...thank you Cash. What a responsible little guy we have. Guess it's time to line him out with a job or something, huh?!? Moving right along.

We have finally converted to a toddler bed. Cash has done surprisingly well. As with most things, I think that Brent and I were more nervous about the whole thing than Cash was. He's been sleeping on the big boy mats at daycare so we figured, why not?!? Plus....with baby #2 coming, it's likely going to be easier to transition now than to do it when we are in the middle of night feedings and such. How'd we get to be such smart parents? Now....potty training. There's still poop discussions at the house and a few talks of pee, but nothing ground breaking in the world of big boy potty's yet. We'll keep you posted -- I know you want to hear about it. Until then....

Windsor

Brent's dog of 14 years passed away today - he had a great, long life. Lots of birds and lots of good times.

Ladies Man

Cash and his girls (Landyn and Taylor)

Family time

Sweet and nice.....

Everybody OUT! (Cash needed a little ME time)

A few weeks ago we made it over to Mom and Dad's house for a brief rendezvous with Mike and Crissy and the kids. We had a good time, but maybe next time we'll meet when the kids can play outside. I think Dad's ears are still ringing! :)

Cash is still talking about Grandpa's chair and Uncle Mike. Anytime Brent says 'Thanks Buddy', Cash chimes in with 'A Mike!'. Good times!

Water

"A waaaater.....a wa-Ter.....aaaaa waaattterrr....A WATER!'

Now - imagine that going on for a good 5 minutes solid. Brent and I considered walking out last night. An organized, 'we can't take it anymore' sit-in on the porch....with the door closed....and Cash sitting inside, enjoying his water....but we didn't.

Cash has a terrible issue. He's a repeater. He finds one thing that he can't stop thinking about and then....he can't stop talking about it. We're working on the big boy cup these days. He takes about 3 good sips, then tends to pour it down himself or on the table. Either way, water was on his mind (and all down his shirt) last night.

Sometimes I wonder if you could use a small child as a form of getting people to talk. I'd tell 'em anything they wanted to hear in less than 30 seconds....guaranteed.

Pumpkin carving

We did a little pumpkin carving last night. Cash sat through 2 cleanings of pumpkin guts and then was off to bigger and better things.....leaving us to carve and bake seeds. It was actually kind of fun and it was so nice to see our pumpkins actually carved this year instead of just sitting out and getting moldy. Yes, we did that last year....and maybe the year before.....

And no....he's not crying in the last picture, he was just really getting into it -- those seeds are slippery!

My Ann

Nope, we don't have our very own Ann. My Ann is Spiderman -- it's all coming together for you now, isn't it? Yep, Cash is going to be Spiderman this year for Halloween. He LOVES Spiderman. He loves to wear his mask, then he'll run over to the oven to see himself (vain little boy), stick both of his arms out in front of him and yell, "MY ANNNNNN!!!!". It's pretty darn cute. We have a little video that I'll put on here soon. We no longer have internet at home, so I have to do the blog from Brent's office if I want pics/videos. Times are changing....and for the better.

Oh, one more update. Cash now announces his (and other people's) toots. Mom asked me last night if he says 'excuse me' afterwards, but I had to admit that we were too busy laughing about him saying it to teach any type of manners. It's just so funny when he looks at you and says 'Toots!' with a big smile on his face. Someday we'll become parents.

FOOTBALL!!

If I haven't mentioned this before.....Cash absolutely, without a doubt, LOVES football. It's a little scary sometimes. All he talks about is football. We get home from work/school and he asks for football. Did you know that football is only on 3 days week? This is not helping us any. He loves to sit on the couch and yell at the TV. I don't know who taught him that.....and then he yells, TOUCHDOWN!!! and throws his hands in the air -- even when there hasn't been a touchdown. He's an optimist!

We've made it to 2 Griz games and have been able to sit until about the 4th quarter, then it's time to go home. Which works out just fine because that way we can beat the rush. This last weekend he got to wear his new shirt from his Godmama, Jenny. He liked pointing out the football on the shirt. Thanks Jenny!

Four

We got to see 4 yesterday -- I guess that's our new name so that we don't have to call the new baby 'It'. Or Cousin It. I think that we mentioned the name 2 as well -- I don't know. Any even number will do I suppose. This picture made us laugh - 4 has it's little thumb stuck in it's eye. My first thought was of Airplane -- "I picked a heck of a day to quit drinking". You may need to rent that one! 4 kept opening it's mouth and looked like was taking a stab at thumb sucking, but this is where the thumb ultimately ended up. There was lots of waving going on as well. Does it seem weird to anyone else that you can see inside your own belly. That seems weird to me. The technician and I were joking that someday, some baby is going to sue for invasion of privacy -- they'll say that they were traumatized for life after what happened to them in the womb. Mark that on your calendar....if it comes up....it was my idea -- and we can throw the technician a bone as well.

Anyhow....the little one was all tucked up like a ball and squirming all around. I think we ended up in there a little longer than we should have, waiting for 4 to stop moving so they could get their measurements. Honestly, I almost fell asleep. It's so dark in there and there's just the light of the screen....nobody's talking....I was tired when I left!

For those of you that thought we couldn't hold out again.....we did. We still don't know if we're having a boy or a girl. And neither does the technician. We'll have to wait until the first week of March - my due date is anywhere from the 1st to the 6th from what I've been told up until now. 4 will come when ready...just as Cash did...except I hope that we don't have boot 4 out like we had to with Cash! Guess I was just prepping for when he's 18.

We pooped!

Yes, I know you're all dying for this post to show up and I know that you're on the edge of your seats reading about this. Or, you may be wondering if you should continue to read -- that's your call.

WE POOPED! Well.....Cash pooped.....on the big boy potty. As I mentioned before, he's not too keen on sitting on his potty with his diaper off (guess that thing's getting tossed!) so we tried the big boy potty with no diaper and lo and behold.....A POOP!

Play by play:

Cash: 'Poop'
Brent and Amy: 'Well, we'd better get to the potty'
**tried his potty, but no go
Brent: 'I think he's going right now'
Amy: 'Well, put him on the big potty! Quick!'
**and then it happened -- and we cheered -- we didn't sing a song we just high fived and clapped, told him way to go and let him revel in his moment. Then we had to look and flush -- and clapped more -- then talked about it the rest of the night. I wonder if Joy to the World would've been a good song to sing....not the xmas one, but the fun one that sings about fishies, you know the one. Still taking suggestions.

There. You just read about poop. Aren't you glad you follow this blog?!?

AUGUST 16TH??

Holy crap -- the last time I posted anything to this blog was August 16th?!? I wonder if the powers that be can fire me from this job. I would deserve it.

Speaking of jobs, I am applying (yes, again) for a new job, but at the same location. There are a few permanents opening up and I'm hoping, praying, talking to whoever will listen, keeping my fingers and toes crossed.....well, you get the point......that this one comes through. Let's hope that all of this hoping, etc. pays off and I land a PERMANENT job. Is it even possible?!?

I am now 19 weeks pregnant. I guess I don't put much on the blog when I'm pregnant (this is pure and simply an excuse....a bad one....for not being better about this blog - read on) because there's not much more to talk about than being pregnant. And, well, let's face it....pregnancy and I don't get along all that well. On a good note: I am no longer sick and am just getting big now. I should probably just be thankful....and I am. I swear. Now, onto bigger and better things. Tomorrow is our last ultrasound. This was supposed to happen 2 weeks ago, but they bumped us back. So, now the day has arrived that we can finally peek....and, NO we're not going to! Yet another surprise for us. It's so fun not to know....better than xmas, because honestly, I peek at my xmas gifts (or I buy them for myself and write 'from Cash' on the tags). I've read that the new baby is the size of a mango. Why, oh why, do they always refer to your baby as some sort of fruit or vegetable? Strange. Maybe someday I'll become a writer and come up with a better comparison. They start as a fruit, somehow hit a quarter and then head right back to the produce section. Very strange.

Cash is chatting away like crazy these days. Seems his little ears are much more tuned into swear words. How can that be? It's not like we're cussing every other sentence. It's random, it's only once a day (twice for Brent). And that's what he wants to say....and so clearly. Nice. We're working on our mouths and Cash is helping....I don't think this will take long. He loves all of his animals and especially loves to feed his horse, Bodie. He doesn't seem to have a fear in the world and Bodie is fairly patient with him and getting better every day. Cash seems to like his potty now -- he'll sit on it, but only with his diaper on. Who can blame the kid? Like Mom said, it's probably more comfy....a little more cushion. Maybe I'll have to upgrade to a cushier seat. Did you know that they make a potty that sings a song (one of three) if the deed is done?!? That's just crazy. Who comes up with this stuff? Needless to say....we have the VW of the potty world....and we'll sing our own song when the time comes. We'll have to think of a good one though.....I'm open to suggestions.

I suppose that's about all that's happening these days. Brent has spent some time out bow hunting, but has yet to put anything in the freezer. I'm sure it's just a poor excuse for guys poker night or something. :) Sounds like we'll hold off on hunting until rifle season for now -- I think that gives us a few weeks....don't worry, Mike, I won't start early! Other than that....chores, work and no blog. Now....let's see what kind of pictures I can come up with!

I think this was 14 weeks - no pictures of my face, because I'm grouchy.

Cash and his wild bed head (if you can tell)....with his slippers -- he loves to wear slippers!

This is a sick day -- we had to watch football all day and sit on the couch with his 'D' -- his blanket.

Getting ready to go for a jog.

Mike's surprise 'way to go' bbq.

Cora's pink shoes were a hit....except Cora wasn't having it. Who can blame her -- those pink shoes just aren't doing it for Cash. He sure loves to wear other people's shoes though. We need to start hiding ours from him!

Happy October!

10 weeks

I guess we'd better throw in a belly pic. This doesn't do it justice, the pics never do. I feel like I can't see my toes already. My body was definitely ready for this one.....I look like I did when I was 7 months pregnant with Cash. **sigh** Nothing you can do about it and it's worth every inch, every pound, every size up, every missing button.....every....anyhow, it's worth it! We're excited! We just found out last Thursday that our little tadpole is now 12 weeks old and he/she is due March 1st. Two (we're super original....countdown is on and this countdown ends at 2, not 0!) had a heartbeat of 175 bpm. This little one is on overdrive. Takes after Brent already.

More fun....funner.....more fun it is!

Weeeee!!! This is a pic from the Fargo fair. Cash was banned from most rides besides the carousel and the bouncers for the little guys because he was too short -- maybe next year. The boys hit up the carousel -- the idea of going around in circles that fast with the smell of french fries and elephant ears made me ill -- then Brent told the ticket taker to shove it after he charged both of them to ride. Sheesh! Carnies. So off we went to the bouncers -- this one seemed to be Cash's favorite, he cried when we pulled him off of the slide. :(



The dinosaur exhibit seemed like a good idea until we came across the Daddy of Dinos: T REX! Yikes! Let's get outta here, Mom!




'A pontoon boat, what the hell are you going to do with a pontoon boat? Overtake Omaha beach??' If you've watched enough movies you'll appreciate that one. Anyhow, a local friend of Pam and Bruce's took us out on his pontoon boat for a quick ride around what looked like a small lake. Jerry even let Cash run the show for a few minutes -- a few short minutes! Cash seems to think he needs to touch ALL of the controls. We had a great time at the lake with all the fam -- I even got to experience my first tornado warning -- quick, to the bomb shelter! 'Auntie Em, Auntie Em, it's a twister!' except it was nothing like that. More like, holy crap! Run for it!!! :)

It must be getting late -- all of these movie lines are coming to me. Off to bed with hopes of feeling like $2 tomorrow instead of $1.50.

Why we have children

I just missed the photo of Brent tossing wood out of the back of the pickup and Cash tossing a branch out at the same time! Nuts. Too cute. It sure is a good thing we're having another baby -- I think we're going to need a few more cords of wood next year. Free labor....or is it more of paying off a debt owed??

On a side note -- it seems we are set for firewood this year and due to #2 coming, Brent has been forced to learn how to run the saw. A proud moment for both of us! :) Paul Bunyan himself.

Only one more big chore left -- hay. Luckily we have a tractor for that (or someone we know does).

Wait a minute......

Holy crap! It's true. The stick says so and this time there wasn't all the running around and re-reading the instructions....'what does it say about a FAINT pink line'....'oh, a line is a line??'.....'try another one'. Nope, just a phone call home and a few tears (happy that we get to give Cash a sib and sad that I'll be sick as a dog for 6 months).

In brief

I wanted to sit down and put in some great pictures of all of our family times in the past few weeks, but honestly....I'm busy! Have I already gone over this?? Oh well, you'll get it again. Between work and a side job, not to mention home and fun, we've been one busy family. We have managed to spend some time with both of our families and had a great time. Brent's folks and bro made it out for a visit and we spent lots of time just relaxing and enjoying some down time. We went up to Sullivan Lake (WA) and met up with Grandma and Grandpa Hobbs for Grandpa's birthday and a little R&R. Cash absolutely loved the water -- good thing that life jacket has a little handle on it, we can just pluck him right out of the water. Best invention ever.

We're looking forward to a weekend with friends in Choteau, MT for the 4th of July. We'll be hitting up a street dance, rodeo, smoker, fire works show, parade and some concerts in the park. Then I'll be off to White Sulfur Springs, MT for work.....where Brent and Cash will pick me up and we'll be headed to Fargo to be with family for about a week. Look out NoDak!

Enjoy the videos!!

Does anyone know a firefighter?

Who doesn't like a good bonfire?? I think we might have kept the neighbors on their toes, but we had a great time with friends and family. Brent's folks and brother made it out for a quick visit last month -- we figured we had just enough people for the perfect sized bucket brigade.

Cowboy #2

Never mind the Miller High Life.....focus on my little cowboy! :)

Real, live cowboy

It happened. I turned Brent into a cowboy. He turned me into the photographer. What the heck?!? Something's wrong here and I won't stand for it!!

Brent has been taking Bo-D out on some good rides here recently. One up behind the house with his Dad, brother and Glenn. Then another day or so later they rambled on for 25 + miles on a scouting trip. Can you believe that he asked me to hold dinner for him that night?!? Hmmm....we're going to have some talks.....and buy another horse. :) I'm so happy that Brent enjoys his horse time just as much as I do!! And I love that Bo-D poses so nicely for pictures.

A couple riding partners.

I'm not surprised

With a name like Cash, I'm not surprised that he will go on a 3 hour horseback ride and only cry when he has to get off the horse! With a mom like me, I'm not surprised that when he did get mad about getting off the horse....he REALLY got mad.

These are some pictures of Cash riding Pete with our good friend (and neighbor) Glenn. They got Pete for free because he was so wild and couldn't be broke. We thought he would be a good one for Cash to ride. :)

Hey -- what happened to MY horse?!?

Why read books.....

....when you can read the Victoria's Secret magazine? I can see we're going to have our hands full. After breakfast, Cash normally goes to his bookshelf and grabs Humpty Dumpty or Animal Noises, sometimes even Curious George. Not the other morning. That morning, he went to the magazines....he grabbed the best looking one....he smiled....he giggled....he crawled up in Brent's lap and held it out to read. Brent smiled....he giggled....held it out to read and said -- 'quick, take a picture'! And I did. And we're sharing.