Rabbit stew

While I cleaned up the lunch dishes Jace played on the kitchen floor. That's a stuffed rabbit that he is whipping up in the saucepan.
He makes me laugh.

Joel will be home tomorrow evening! I can't wait.

A very special Happy Birthday to
Grandma Courtney today! Love You!

Yuck

Jace had a tough night. He never really woke up but I could hear him moving around and fussing a few times in the night. This morning he started whining very early. When I checked on him he seemed to be sleeping but he just couldn't get quiet for more than a few minutes. When I decided to wake him up I discovered the very stinky reason that he was uncomfortable. Yuck. Poor guy is definitely fighting a virus. Today his nose was a leaky faucet. He was tired and clingy this morning. He didn't want to take out the Binky even when he would sneeze and snot would glop over the pacifier. Yuck, yuck, yuck.

We took it easy this morning and he went down for an early nap. I was bummed cause we missed the church picnic that was the reason we came back to Denver yesterday. Jace took a nice long, peaceful nap and seemed to feel better this afternoon. His nose didn't stop drip, drip, dripping but he was otherwise OK.

Tonight his bath time was fun. We splashed and played. He was easy to put to bed tonight. He fell asleep in my arms right after the light went out. Sleep tight little man.

Chasing a bug.

Home again

Before Jace the journey from Denver to Wray was two and a half hours. Now it is an all day affair. After a good night sleep and a yummy breakfast we packed up the car. We spent an hour or so saying goodbye before getting on the road. Jace slept restlessly from Wray to Akron. At Fort Morgan we met the Cranwell family for a fun lunch. Jace was excited to see the kids and as soon as he had a little bit to eat he started showing off and trying to get thier attention. After lunch we visited at their house where Dylan let Jace feed treats to the dog, Matt and Taylor let Jace play with the toys in her room. The time spent at Cranwell's tired Jace out and he slept more soundly the rest of the way home.
It felt like a very long day. Jace had a runny nose. I'm not sure if he is showing some signs of the allergies that I always experience in Wray or if he is fighting a cold. I've never wiped his nose so many times in a day. Hopefully, he will get some good sleep. I'm thrilled to be sleeping at home tonight. Just wish that Joel was home also.

My favorite view on the long drive.

Jace didn't sleep well last night. Which means I didn't sleep well last night. Which means I'm having trouble thinking straight tonight. I'm headed for bed ASAP.

Joel is in NM again. This time in Gallop, near the Arizona border.

We got a late start this morning after loosing at least an hour of sleep in the night. We went out to lunch. Jace went to the park with my Dad for a bit while my Mom and I shopped. When we returned to get them Jace was in desperate need of a fresh diaper and ended up getting his whole outfit changed right there on the park picnic table. Jace took an afternoon nap, my Mom canned sweet pickles and I worked on homework. When Jace got up from his nap I carried him upstairs, stood him up in a chair and started to go make his afternoon snack. I hadn't even completely let go of him yet when he turned, slipped and bonked his head on the kitchen table. I felt so bad. I thought for sure he would have a shiner because he hit his eyebrow. Grandma Joy and I calmed him down and fed him a snack then he perked up. We spent this evening playing first in the basement and then outside while my Dad grilled steaks. Jace threw more golf balls around the yard and got very interested in a grasshopper. He ate lots of green beans and steak for dinner. Tonight the eyebrow is just a little puffy.

New Pick-Up Truck

Joel is back to work which means back to traveling. Jace and I are in Wray for a quick visit. We arrived yesterday evening. Jace did the drive really well. He slept for about an hour then we stopped and he ran around a little park at Akron. We drove through a rain storm at Otis. I was a distracted driver because whenever the windshield wipers would go Jace would wave his arm back and forth mimicking the sweep of the blades. It was so cute I was cracking up.

In Wray Jace refused to go in the house. He just wanted to play outside. My Dad got out his golf bag and let Jace throw golf balls around the yard. We hunted cucumbers in the garden and finally decided to go inside when the mosquitoes started attacking us.

Today Jace played all over the house. There are messes in almost every room, evidence that Jace is here. He helped my Mom do the dishes after lunch. When I left the room he was standing on a chair next to my Mom at the sink. When I returned I found him bare chested loading the dishwasher. Apparently there was a water incident and his shirt had to go to the dryer.

It has been exactly two weeks since my Dad's car accident. He seems to be feeling pretty good. Today he went to Greeley to get a new pick-up.

It already has little hand prints all over it and good luck trying to figure out how to undo any button pushing that may have happened while Jace was behind the wheel.

catch up

Wow, it has been a while since I posted. We have stayed busy. Joel was home for a week and a half. That was great. At the end of each day I was just to tired to sit down and try to write anything cohesive.

Here are some catch up photos:

We wished farewell to Jim and Gail (Aunt Debbie's brother and his wife) at a party at their 101 year old home near Old South Pearl St. in Denver. They are relocating to California.

Jace spent the evening running up and down the sidewalks and wrestling two Golden Retrievers (trained therapy dogs so they were really tolerant).
We spent a terrific evening in Boulder at the Pearl Street Mall with Lea Ann, Pete and Patrick. Jace played on the statues, explored the wind-up toys in the toy store and devoured most of a burrito at dinner.

Pete, Jace and Patrick at the Into the Wind toy store.

Jace spent lots of time playing at Grandma and Grandpa Palmer's house. He would spend every waking minute outside if he could. Joel sized one of his hats way down so that Jace could try it on. Amazingly, he kept it on for a long time.

Some other note worthy stuff:

I worked a couple of days of student check-in at Cherry Creek High School. We were finally able to watch on of Janet's softball games. Joel and I left Jace at Palmer's house and enjoyed a Friday night Rockies game with Janet and Aaron. I started taking some Early Childhood Education classes at the local community college. Our crazy summer is just transforming into a crazy fall.

Upper Management

It's a good thing that Joel got most of the lawn mowed before Jace woke up from his nap. Once awake, Jace insisted on participating in the process.

Jace rode happily on Dad's shoulders waving, pointing and singing.

Oyster

Today Joel participated in the Denver Oyster Urban Adventure Race. Their team was one of 130 in the scavenger hunt type race that took them to various locations around Denver. The first leg of the race had Joel, Chris and Molly biking to the farmer's market at Cherry Creek and purchasing items starting with the letters in OYSTER. Next, Joel, Jessica and Aaron ran to a nearby hotel, up 14 flights of stairs to locate a destination flag. They then took a wrong turn and ended up on the wrong side of the Platte and decided to wade across in order to save time. At the destination they had to slide down a water slide then hurry back to the staging area. The third leg of the race had Molly, Chris and Grant paddling a kayak down the Platte. Aaron, Jessica and Joel, after a very short rest, ran again around downtown Denver locating Chipotle restaurants and a Deep Rock Water facility. They moved thirty 5 gallon water jugs. Molly, Chris and Grant were back on the course riding their bikes in search of a Westward newspaper and a specific cemetery. The final task had Jessica, Aaron and Joel running to a local bar where they had to taste and identify 4 different beers.

Jace, Elaine and I got downtown just in time to see the racers cross the finish line.

The team had fun and made great time. I haven't heard the official results but it looked like they finished in four and a half hours and placed around 40th.

This evening we had dinner in Marsik's backyard to celebrate. Jace did great considering he missed his nap time today. By the time we tucked him in he was at the Doom and Gloom stage of exhaustion.

The Turtles: Molly, Aaron, Chris, Grant, Jessica and Joel

looking pretty good at the end of a long race.

Some days are so routine that at the end of the day they are difficult to write about. Other days rattle your cage and change your perception. Those days are even more difficult to write about.

My Dad was in a car accident this morning and is recovering at the hospital tonight. We are counting our blessings because it looks like the only lasting damage will be to his Right ear (cosmetic not hearing). His pick-up was hit by a truck at a country road intersection where the corn was tall, reducing visibility, and there are no right of way signs (like most country roads). Speculation is that some debris from the bed of the pick-up came through the back window and caused the damage to his ear. It is amazing, looking at the vehicle, that his injuries were not worse. Again, I say, we are so blessed.

Jace and I are still in Wray. I was glad to be here to help in whatever small way I could today. Tomorrow Dad will probably be able to come home and start the longer part of his recovery. He is going to have to learn to take it easy for a while (that will be tough for him). Joel will be back in Denver tomorrow. I am anxious to see him, and hug him, and spend some time together as a family.

Tonight it is time for me to settle down and get some rest. Thank you to everyone for your concern and prayers.

Buckle Up!

Da's gone - day 5

In Wray:

Sampled Cinnamon toast crunch cereal,

Played some noisy, rowdy chase games with Grandpa Doug,

Took a short nap,

Had lunch at La Familia (Jace devoured a taco),

Delivered a surprise new chair to Grandpa Courtney,

Played with the box from the new chair,

Had homemade apple sauce for snack,

Ran up and down the drainage ditch next to Courtney's house,

Danced every time we noticed that the musical clock was chiming,

Picked vegetables from the garden (keeping a wary eye out for snakes),

Played in the sandbox,

Napped in the chair before dinner,

Ate some more sweet corn at dinner,

Flew stuffed eagles around the living room "Caw....caw....caw" (cause that's the sound we decided eagles make),

Took a bath,

Tucked in to bed.

Wow, that was a full day. I better get some sleep so that we can do some more tomorrow.

That's Grandma Joy pulling Jace around on part of the cardboard box. He seemed to think he was in a parade and kept waving.



Jace and his accomplices high jacked Grandpa Courtney's "Cadillac" and took it for a joyride.

sweet corn on the cob

We started the morning at Palmer's house. Went to church with my parents and Joel's parents. Jace got a bonk on his head in the nursery during the service. The poor volunteer ladies felt terrible about it.

We all went to breakfast after church then it was a mad dash to get packed and ready to head to Wray before Jace fell asleep. It didn't quite work out because Jace was asleep before we even got to our house to pack. He napped in his crib while I got ready to leave. I was so worried that he would be awake and grouchy for the entire drive. He was awake for the drive but did really well. He babbled and sang and played with Grandma Joy.

We made a short stop at the Walmart in Ft. Morgan for some shopping and a snack. Jace waved to everyone as we stood in the entry of the Walmart. He should definitely paid for his time as a greeter this afternoon.

At my parents house there are lots of spaces to explore and tons of toys in the basement. Jace got out the toy dishes and set them carefully all over the basement floor.

Dinner was fun because he was super hungry and gobbled all the hot dog, beans and corn that we put in front of him.

4 Grandparents & 1 Jace

My folks are in Denver today for a play. We saw August: Osage County at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. It was a very entertaining show and it was great to see a play for a change. Usually our season tickets are all musicals (of varying quality).

Jace spent the afternoon with Gary and Elaine. He didn't take much of a nap so I'm sure the Palmers are almost as tired as he was tonight. Jace and I enjoyed dinner tonight with all the Grandparents.

Joel worked all day in the stifling heat of Dallas, TX. He was so tired tonight and bummed that he couldn't be here with us.

When we got back from the show we found Jace playing outside in the water tub. His little diaper was so full it looked like it would burst. He kept asking Grandpa Gary for more sips of soda. He signs more and says, "Mooooooyyyyy".
Playing with Grandpa Doug and the Red Robin balloon on the way home from dinner.

Da's gone - day 2

This morning I read Jace the tractor board book 3 times. He re purposed the kitchen trash can into a foot stool (very handy for reaching things your Mom puts out of reach). We spent the afternoon at Palmer's house. Jace didn't want to go inside so we mostly played in the courtyard. When we did make him go in the house he read books and played with Grandma Elaine. We enjoyed our usual Friday evening dinner at Amigos. Jace does a great job eating a taco (without cheese). Jace discovered that he could watch cartoons on the video screen in Palmer's van. Tonight when we got home Jace saw the 3 year old neighbor boy outside and was very sad that I wouldn't let him play.
Joel worked in Atlanta this morning and then spent most of the day in the airport waiting for his flight. He made it to Dallas late tonight and will work through the weekend. He is definitely making up some hours. It is just a bummer that he has to be so far away. We miss him.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAN!

bed head

Napping can really goof up your hair.
This morning Joel left for Atlanta. Weird. He has never been there before. I thought the company was "regional". He is there today and tomorrow then flys to Dallas for several days. He will be back just in time to compete with some friends in the Denver Oyster, an "Urban Adventure Race".
Jace and I had a full day. Jace is amazing at spreading debris. There are toys, clothes and kitchen utensils everywhere.
This afternoon we ran some errands. In the children's section at the library there were two girls that were in my preschool class. If you've heard me tell some of the preschool stories you may know them as the girl who wore silk PJs on the day they served strawberries at lunch and the girl who insisted that we call her Steve Irwin. Anyway, they were playing a very elaborate game of restaurant in the library play area. One girl was taking food orders on the phone while the other was delivering the imaginary food to the imaginary customers. Jace watched them. I was looking for books and half paying attention. When I heard Jace babbling (a little louder than he should in the Library). He was standing at the window of the play house (he could only just peek over the sill) talking very intently to the little girl taking orders. She was surprised and whispered loudly to her friend, "the baby is talking to me." I couldn't help but laugh. I suggested that maybe he wanted to order something. The girls pretended to make and deliver his food. He was pleased with the attention.

Wed. night sailing

We have been to the Marina a few times for Wednesday night sailing but this was the first time we have had Jace out on the water. It was a beautiful evening. Jace did great but was very tired at the end of the evening. He fell asleep in the car on the way home and stayed asleep on Joel's shoulder when we got home.

Tomorrow Joel has to leave again for work. I have gotten so used to having him home I know it will be difficult to adjust.

I'm glad we were able to have a fun evening together.

sleep?

I think Jace has more teeth coming in. The last couple nights have been rough. Last night none of us were sleeping and there was a lot of crying between 1:30 and 3:40 a.m.
Yesterday Jace had a bit of a temperature but today he seemed fine. Hopefully tonight will be better.

Jace did not want to quiet down and nap this afternoon. When I put him in the crib he cried. Then he played and talked to himself. Then he yelled for Joel (who was at work), "Da!". Finally, after 20 minutes he got quiet. I waited a few minutes and then went to check on him. This is what I found.

I was a little worried about him getting uncomfortable or his legs getting too cold but I was more worried about how grumpy he would be without a nap. He slept like this for a whole 2 hours.