Suddenly Summer

After a long, cold spring, this weekend has suddenly become summer. We had temps in the mid 80s today, and forecasts for even warmer weather tomorrow. After deciding to ignore our "To Do" lists, we took advantage of the warm weather and headed to the mountains for a hike. We like to explore new areas, so today we went about an hour north to the mountains outside of Helena, the state capital. The trail was only ten miles outside of town, but the last five or so were Subaru-worthy miles. We managed to hike about four miles, enjoying some vistas of various mountain ranges, a few wide open meadows just barely greening, and the beginnings of summer wildflowers.

After the hike, we headed into town for a late lunch. Claire was ready to move around after being confined to the backpack, and since we had the outdoor patio to ourselves, we let her roam. Of course she was filthy in about 30 seconds. I'm discovering as we spend more time outside that maybe I am ready for her to start walking. A crawling baby and sidewalks, concrete, our dirty front porch just don't mix well. (I'm trying to favor letting her explore over keeping the cute clothes clean, can you tell?)

Mother's Day

Last year I felt lucky to be able to spend Mother's Day with my new daughter AND my mom, and this year I was blessed enough to repeat the experience. While Nate is hunting, my parents are keeping me company and helping with Claire. We've had more cold spring weather (it's only 44 degrees as I write this), so we've been a little house bound, aside from some time Saturday morning cleaning up the flower beds in preparation of the perennials maybe beginning to show up by June.

Claire loves being outside; she often whines when we come in and whenever the front door is opened, she will make a beeline for it! Here she is enjoying some time with dirt.

My parents are watching Claire at home while I'm at school in the morning. This means Grandma is enjoying some extra cuddles, and Grandpa introduced Claire to one of his favorite treats this afternoon--ice cream.

I'm not sure who to blame for her fascination with beer bottles, but maybe she'll get it out of her system early? (These are empties; I promise.)

Changes for a One Year Old

We've been commenting this week how Claire suddenly seems more and more like a toddler and less like a baby since turning one. She's had her official one year appointment (20 pounds 10 ounces, 29 1/2 inches; both = 50%). She has moved into a different car seat. She's imitating our words and actions more and more (time to watch what we say and do I guess!). She now has two more teeth, for a total of six. And the big change for both of us, I'm in the process of weaning her. She isn't walking yet, but makes her way along the furniture more and more and loves to climb the porch stairs when we are playing outside.

We enjoyed a hike today along the Madison River. Things are finally starting to green up a little here; trees and bushes are just starting to bud. I did spot a few wildflowers on our hike, which makes me excited to get some color in our planters.

Nate's looking forward to his annual Spring turkey hunt in Eastern Montana and South Dakota next week (which he missed last year because of Claire's birth), and I'm thankful my parents will be here visiting to keep Claire and I company part of the time he's gone.

What a Birthday Weekend!

We are catching our breath after a whirlwind birthday weekend with Nate's family here to help us celebrate the occasion. Here's a brief play by play of the major events; they were sandwiched between many wonderfully sweet moments of cousins playing together, great conversations, and shared meals.

THURSDAY: Nate's mom, sister Sarah, and her three kids Sam (8), Will (5) and Julia (1 1/2) arrive from New York...their luggage does not. After much waiting at the airport and then a quick trip to Bozeman to Target, they arrive out in Three Forks. The boys had never met Claire, and as she is their only cousin, were thrilled to greet her, hug her and play with her.

FRIDAY: (Claire's B-day) We beat the snow and managed to get a short hike in at nearby Headwaters State Park (the Headwaters of the Missouri River just down the road). After afternoon naps we opened presents. We all ate dinner together, and, the moment I was waiting for, Claire's first cake. (I was brave and attempted a three layer cake!) She dug into it very seriously, eating it with both hands, but nonchalantly like she gets it everyday!

SATURDAY: We decided to attend the annual Horse Roundup in Three Forks. A local ranch moves their herd of horses from winter to summer pasture and herd them right through "downtown" Three Forks. The town has made it into a bit of an event with barbecues, stage coach rides, etc. The horses were supposed to come through town sometime between 12-2 PM. They actually didn't make it until after 3 PM, so we had plenty of time to take in the sights...and were very ready for the horses to arrive. I have to admit, I haven't seen a large herd of horses at close range before and seeing them run ten feet away was a pretty cool sight, even if it did only last for two minutes!

SUNDAY: This day took us up into the mountains about an hour from our house to an old mining town called Elkhorn. Nate and I hadn't ever been there before, so it was fun to see somewhere new for us too. (We are always amazed at how within an hour of our house there is a lifetime of land to explore.) We enjoyed a picnic in the sun and wandered around the muddy streets checking out a few of the old buildings.

MONDAY: Sadly, the weekend came to a close. The group headed out on an early morning flight, faced a few delays on the trip home, but arrived safely. We loved having you Nema, Tia, Sam, Will and Julia. Thanks for making Claire's first birthday so memorable!

One year of blogging...getting ready for a 1st birthday

Happy Blogversary to me...it's been one year since I started this blog (thanks to Sara Leys for being my inspiration). Keeping friends and family posted on our life here in Montana over the past year has been fun, as has been reading the blogs of other moms. I find myself looking for those "blogable moments" throughout the week...sometimes, as you can tell, I have to look really hard. Last year at this time I posted this photo:

I'm not sure I remember what it felt like to have a stomach that big.

We are anticipating Claire's first birthday next week. We're excited that Nate's mom and sister with her kids will all be here to help us celebrate. Nate's birthday is also next week, and he's been busy researching and testing new fly rods, which will be his present from everyone. He found a good deal on a rod he'll be able to use for carp fishing here in Montana, striper fishing in Massachusetts, and salmon fishing in Washington. Here he is enjoying a few casts in front of the house. Stay tuned for lots of birthday photos next week!

Finally...A little touch of Spring!

No, the grass isn't green here yet. No, none of the flowers are blooming, nor do the trees have any buds. I actually won't be able to plant anything until the end of May. However, we finally had a day where the air felt warm, and it wasn't snowing. Nate's been working hard all day with some spring cleaning on the exterior of the house, so Claire, Hem and I took a walk after lunch. Hem was able to swim in a pond near our house again since the ice is finally off. He was itching for a bath as he ran straight for the water. Later, as Claire continued napping in her stroller I was able to read in the sun on the patio. When she woke up, Claire had fun exploring the yard a little bit (and I realized how much there is in a yard she can put in her mouth--pebbles, leaves, sticks, dog doo, deer doo...). We came inside and I was inspired to get all Claire's spring and summer clothes out (feeling optimistic that the warmer weather will continue). In honor of the day, I've copied a few line from a favorite poet of mine, G.M. Hopkins. They come from his poem entitled "Spring."

Nothing is so beautiful as Spring —

When weeds in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush;

Thrush's eggs look little low heavens, and thrush

Through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring

The ear, it strikes like lightnings to hear him sing;

The glassy peartree leaves and blooms, they brush

The descending blue; that blue is all in a rush

With richness; the racing lambs too have fair their fling.

One Long Week...

Observe this picture carefully. Can you see the snot running out of Claire's nose? Do you see the smears, both old and fresh, on my sweatshirt? That pretty much captures the past week. Claire's had a cold for almost 7 days now, and despite both Nate and I constantly wiping her nose, I think every article of my clothing has what appears to be slime trails left by slugs on the shoulders and around knee level. I also had a more stressful week at school as I had to spend two days in Bozeman scoring essays for the University System's writing assessment. Yesterday was my climb-the-walls day. Claire was particularly needy/whiny (I can't blame her). It was snowing, again. Nate was working outside on a house project all day. I was sick of cooking, but there aren't any decent places to each within 15 minutes. And while I was really starting to feel stir crazy, I couldn't justify driving 40 minutes each way to Bozeman just to get out of the house (and there is nothing in Three Forks worth getting out of the house for). Thank goodness I had my sappy, chick flick "Becoming Jane" (loosely biographical movie on the life of Jane Austen) to enjoy with a glass of wine after Claire went to bed. I've been on a bit of a Jane Austen kick since PBS has been airing movies made of her novels for the past few months. I'm inspired to reread her entire collection; so far I've only gotten through "Northanger Abby," but I'll have all summer, right?