to canada, and beyond!

I've realized that I use the "Ready? Set. GO!" a lot. I use it in videos, so Blake knows when to start performing. I use it to mentally prepare myself for something like putting on a swimsuit in order to have fun, rather than to feel badly about myself (side note: I was the only adult female actually IN the pool at the hotel I mentioned in a previous post, and I had an absolute blast with Blake and Reagan, a cousin's daughter). I also use it to prepare you. I just finished processing over 60 pics, many of which I'm going to post and talk about so you have context.

Ready?

Set.

GO!

Reese featured this on her blog, and I stole it. I am not ashamed. Mom and Dad came for a visit in May, and Grammie snagged some double baby time. It's just a beautiful and unusually GOOD photo of three typically beautiful folks. Vesper has Grammie's iPhone. All she does is hit the home key, but she's dangerously close to figuring out how to unlock Apple devices. Terrifying.

The next story comes BEFORE the photo. Dad asked for some help with his logo. As in, helping him find where he put it on his computer, and possibly some help with the file itself so he could submit to an online list of home experts in Yellowstone County. After finding some pretty low-resolution files and asking about specific file types, he said, "Yeah, I remember one of the scans being REALLY big. It took up a lot of space. Is that what you need?"

"No, Dad. The company that made your logo should have the original .EPS file. Can I contact them?"

"Oh," Dad says. "Mike Mahoney did the original. I have it right here." And he handed me this:

I found the high-resolution version (a scan, as he said) I needed, made the changes HE needed, and proceeded to save it in a few obvious places on his computer so one or both of us could find it again. He proceeded to find me all the examples of how it USED to be done for business cards, envelopes, and letterhead. Cut and paste was a very, ah, analog affair. It is amazing to me the amount of progress that's occurred in my own lifetime that I'm largely unaware of.

Dad gave Blake a very old digital camera (very old digital camera = circa very late 1990s or very early 2000s), since Blake's shown an interest in photography. He owns the copyright on this one.

And now, some context before the next stack of pics. We went to Canada to meet ALL of Rob's family, and that is nothing to sneeze at. First, we were in Peachland for a Bedford family reunion, and lo, there are many Bedfords. I had a cheat sheet (thanks to a long conversation with my immediate in-laws about the family tree a few months ago), which seemed to impress everyone. I volunteered for something that ended up with me putting a ridiculously large marshmallow in my mouth and attempting to name all the people I knew.

There were several "Thing 1" and "Thing 2," but with the enormous marshmallow (I could have used it as a pillow), I don't think anyone could tell. I met scads of folks I'd only previously known through Facebook, and it was overwhelming and wonderful to finally put faces to names. The amount of blending on that side of the family, and of which I'm a direct beneficiary, is incredible to behold. I didn't get many pictures of that time (Vesper and I were fighting, due to her abnormally early waking hours and my desire to put a pillow over my head to drown out her noise). Blake was surrounded with a glory of cousins and was shocked that he had GIRL COUSINS! He got stung by a wasp, jumped on the two trampolines, was flung from the merry-go-round, and pretty much had the best time ever.

So, there are five Bedford brothers, all with children, some with grandchildren. This is Dan's family (he is the youngest Bedford brother and has no grandchildren... yet!): I would pretend I could confidently name them all without help from Rob, but that is a lie. I know there's a Ben, a Noah, a Levi, a Linnea (Lynn-EH-ah), and his wife's name is Mary-Ann. Ta da!

The Bedford family has awkward "before" photos, too! I BELONG HERE.

Part of the family reunion involved wearing attire that easily identified which brother's family you were part of. I think the Dan Bedford family skipped that part, and we, the Yankees, opted for a red, white, and blue coordination rather than match-matchy-matchy. I even found a Star Wars shirt for Blake in the correct color scheme.

The much more flattering "after" photo.

This child is just remarkably pretty. I would say that I am biased, but strangers regularly stop me to tell me so, which makes me believe it must simply be true.

It was freezing. I wasn't even tempted to join him, and this was before my pledge, anyway.

He lasted all of 15 minutes in this pool (in a narrow valley, the camp where we were was significantly cooler than the rest of the town - I got a sunburn in mere moments on a deck in town, but the camp was heavily shaded most of the day).

During an informal church service on Sunday, all the family members who had been on any sort of mission trip recently shared about their experiences. Vesper simply lent Bethany moral support, as Bethany shared about her short term stint with an oral surgical team in Guatemala. She was with the pharmacy part of the team, since she is a real, live doctor. Doctor Auntie Bip, that's what we call her.

We got a little bit of one-on-one time with a few of the cousins, including Cherie, her husband Damian, and their sweet boy, Declan. It was their deck that sunburnt me, but I was so happy to just be warm that I did not care! Peachland is a lovely temperate little paradise in the mountains, on a lake, and with weather warm enough to grow - surprise! - peaches, among other fruits that we were there too early to partake in. Rob's not-so-secret hope is that I will fall in love with the area and demand we move the family. I told him I could fall in love with almost anywhere that provided us a living.

Except the deep South. I think I would melt.

My boys, in the lake.

How Blake spent much of the next portion of the drive, where we journeyed to Vancouver to visit the Taylor side of the family. It rained for most of our time there, so we went to Ikea (spent almost nothing!), and did important things like stock up on chocolate Smarties and ketchup chips. I finally got to meet Rob's grandparents (Vesper's middle name honors his grandmother, Eileen), and Blake went from a glory of cousins to one cousin in particular who loved all the same things: Spiderman, Legos, Super Mario Brothers, Star Wars. This might have been his favorite trip of all time, made even better by the fact that he missed the entire last week of school for it!

Sleepless in Canada. This little turd and I were not on ideal terms for most of the trip. Even in the car, she wouldn't really nap. Unfortunately, this makes her just like her mother.

Selfie of the parental units. We look so cool and out of focus.

A snap of the sleeping Blake. When I showed my mother these pics, she exclaimed, "OH! That seat goes back! He could have laid down!" She had very graciously loaned us the van (more comfortable and roomy than either of our cars) for the trip, but had neglected to tell us ALL of the features until we got back.

We had a grand time, and I look forward to getting to know some of the adult cousins even better, for they seem like they could be kindred spirits. Peachland is also home to some impressive vineyards, so I'd like to go back and get to actually tour some. I'm sure Rob won't mind.

video bonanza - we have a one-year-old!

Warning: editing my photos takes long enough. Editing my videos isn't even on the docket. Rob is embarrassed for me, but I am embarrassed for HIM, because I STILL haven't seen our wedding video. So, here you go! Enjoy.

What we did last week, to prepare for this week:

What we did last month, to prepare for future funsies with an upwardly mobile baby:

What we did in Canada, because it was too rainy to be outside:

What we did at a park in Townsend, because V could not wait any longer to get her diaper changed and eat lunch:

What Grammie & Papaw gave V for her first birthday, because fun in the sun is great, but sunburns are to be avoided:

What we did the day after we spent a week in Canada, because she won't care that we punted on her first birthday, and it was a ton of fun, and who needs rest anyway?!

a promise to my kids, in swimsuit season

I'm headed to a hotel with a pool this weekend. Blake loves hotel swimming pools. Adores them, really. Vesper also loves to play in the water. And so I am left in a quandary: do I join them and don the dreaded swimsuit, or do I hope some older child or other family member will play with Blake so that I can remain safely clothed on the deck?

Zach Galifianakis, swim calendar, 2010

Like many women, I don't tug on a swimsuit, look in the mirror, and think with satisfaction, "YES! That is exactly how I want to look in such a tiny amount of stretchy material." I avoid the mirror, or look with discouraged eyes at my muffin top, pasty pale skin, and visible veins, and secretly plot cosmetic surgeries we cannot afford and which I'd be terrified to undergo even if money were no object.

Blake doesn't see that, though. He sees me in a swimsuit as game, up for fun, ready to play, but maybe please don't splash my face.

My pledge to Blake, today: I will get in the pool and play with you.

I will set aside my insecurities about my body, remembering that no one else is as critical of me as me, and no else really notices or cares that I do not have the body of a swimsuit model. No one expects me to, either.

I will set aside my selfishness and vanity and get my hair wet and have mascara down my face and get splashed and dunk you and maybe let you push me in.

I might even let someone take a photo of us playing together, because what you will see and remember is the part about us playing together, and not Mom's squishy tummy, dimpled thighs, raccoon face.

That's the part I want to remember, too. The part where I laid down the thing that seemed so important to me (the towel) and picked up my kid and threw you in the pool, then jumped in after. I want to have more fun in that pool than you do.

Ready?

Set...

GO.

wrapping this up

Remember once upon a time when I promised to meter photos out in a few days? This is the last of them. God help me when I offload what's CURRENTLY on my camera (B playing with V in her walker, time in Canada, V's first birthday party {WAT? STAHP, ADDIE, SHE IS NOT ONE ALREADY!}, and the start of summer). I have no stories, really, because I have decided that I am the type of person who has stories when things are hard or my mental state is fragile (read: borderline depressed). Rob and I aren't in the midst of drama, there's no conflict - not that I could talk about it here anyway - no major upsets or excitement or whatever. Things are just easy-going-ish, I'm in a generally positive place, and the sarcasm and biting humor that tide me over in the hard times just sound mean and bitter right now. Made up, like I'm trying too hard to find funny in the mundane life of homework and diapers.

Oh, but here's a story for you. The three of us with teeth worth looking at have had dentist appointments recently. Blake had a filling while I had my x-rays and exam, and on the last tooth she prodded, there was a sticking that I know means a cavity. I muttered a very bad word very quietly, and she exclaimed, for Blake's benefit, "Oh, your mom has a cavity bug, too! She's going to have a filling just like you did. Darn it!"

Me, glumly, "Yep. That's what I said: darn it."

Blake chirped, "Really? I didn't hear you say that. I heard you say something else."

I turned beet red while the dentist lost her mind laughing along with the dental tech. Seriously, doubled over, laughing.

There. There is your story. I might always have THOSE kinds of stories: the ones where I mortify myself. Two more just came to mind, in fact, but I'll save those for later! And, I'm sure Rob will appreciate me pointing out that, of the three of us, he is the only one who did NOT have a cavity this time! Well done, you jerk.

See? Bitter and mean. BWAHAHAHAHA!

Safety first, guys. We're really serious about it around here. What you can't see are the shin guards and ankle protectors we walkers need when little miss is scooting around.

"What's in THIS one?"

She's very curious about all the cabinets, but the handy walker only permits them to open a little way. She can't even see in them, it's such a small opening, unless she cranes way over. No fingers pinched yet, but I'm sure that will come, as will me discovering kitchen errata scattered all around an impish beauty who still doesn't understand the word "No." And man, can she get around in this bad boy. We had her outside with it, barefoot, and she got two blisters on a big toe with all her walking! Little tenderfoot.

Blake at the Fun Run! I love this: our schools put on one fundraiser. Kids run for 30 minutes and raise flat sums or a per lap amount. I'm paying him to exercise, 100% of the funds stay with the school, and I don't have to wonder where to put the overpriced candy/wrapping paper/decor of other fundraisers.

It was a lovely warm day for it, too, and the little bugger ran 30 laps!

V, cheering him on by her presence. We crouched by the side of the track and high-fived kids as they went past, and I loved knowing all the names of all the kids in Blake's class. I volunteered once a week, often bringing V in with me, and getting to know his classmates was good for me. Knowing the kids and having the kids know me helped when setting up play dates with some of them, it helped if Blake was in conflict to be able to assess and counsel him based on what I knew of individuals, and added bonus: they all wrote me a thank you note at the end of the year. I thought I'd just read them and toss them, but I will keep every single one. They are dear and hilarious and a precious snapshot of what is important to second-graders: Vesper. 100% of them thanked me for bringing her in and mentioned how cute she was. I hope I can make the same commitment each year for each kid - I get as much as I give!

Oranges and water, post-run, with some of the girls in his class.

Oh good, two other boys snuck in. For a while there, Blake looked alarmingly like a ladies' man!

Hands down, baths are her favorite thing ever. She splashes excitedly with her hands when sitting up, and kicks her feet so energetically when lying down that I get absolutely soaked. 

Dad is SO FUNNY!

V, I hate to tell you, but you have a little something - a few little somethings, actually - stuck to you. Gosh, lady, check a mirror once in a while, am I right?!

best thing ever

This is about two months old, but it never GETS old, you know?

fires, babies, chocolate - but not in that order

Here's the last stack of what I managed to snap while all of us were together at the Myers' house:

Bing and Audrey - she looks SO much like Bing's mom, Marcia, and yet SO much like Lane, too. She's also got some pretty rad dancing skills whether she is standing or sitting.

Gunner and Audge, handing Papaw rocks. That diaper also seems full...

The folks built a new fire pit right off their deck, and it's become the new place to gather, so long as it's not raining. Notice my chocolate and grahams in the lower left, getting melty and warm? Yeah. Those come into play later.

Happy little dancer! In... jeggings?

Jetty, do you know where aunt Addie's chocolate went?

Turns out he just leaned in and swiped at it, then licked it off his hands. I will guard it more carefully next time! Or not. That's an awfully cutie face.

does it get any better than "awkward fun?"

 Some friends came up for the night, and we went on a hike. V was entranced by the new sights, smells, and touches. Rob was nonplussed about hiking, period.

 It's not what it looks like (us laughing at a crying baby)...

 ... really...

 ... she's laughing.

 Little spinach smile on my salad-loving buddy. Rob was not available for comment.

 All three of us girls managed to get to Billings for a night. Three daughters, nine grandkids, and it was pure chaos. This is Smitty and Papaw, burning dinner.

Double dose of blue-eyed beauty! Gunner G is Reese's one blue-eyed boy, and he looks so small because he's two or three feet behind Vesper. It's an optical illusion that makes my baby look ENORMOUS!

Throwbacks - I already posted these (and others) on Facebook, but I have friends who see this blog that aren't on the FB (stay strong, Jordans!). Thought you might enjoy the awkward fun!

 First day of school, backpacks and perms at the ready.

 My first hunting trip. I remember being particularly pleased with my bangs that day. Ah, thirteen... 

I don't miss you one bit.

Spirit days at school! (Spirit week: a full week of a different theme each day for homecoming.) One friend mused that I "do nerd" well, and Rob snickered.

R: Yeah, you do. You REALLY do.

A: Are you still talking about the picture?

R: (wicked laugh)

that month's worth of pictures isn't going anywhere!

You ready? I'll break the 40 or so pics into a few days, and then... VIDEOS! But first, I am going to make myself a cup of coffee.

Molly, JR, and Lili came up for a visit (Tito stayed at home with a grammie), and we let our babies look at each other. It is such fun to experience motherhood at the same time as people that I love... I got started so early, and then I was afraid I would be too late to the game, and look at that! God's timing is perfect.

My little violet.

One of my very dearest friends got married! And in a wondrous turn of events, I knew her husband from back when I did a five-week turn in Los Alamos, NM! The world is so small, except that it is NOT, but God is sovereign and makes a mockery of coincidence. Here, V gives T her blessing by way of a mildly concerned look, as in, "You sure about this guy?"

V may have a point...

I love these two. They are delightful. Rob took a bunch more "normal" pics, but I don't have those yet, and they aren't nearly as fun. Funny? Whatever.

This just after Vesper spit up down my dress. At least it was mine, not T's!

Gosh, I like you. You're nice. Am I laying it on too thick?

And on that note...