White Water Rafting

I am going to repost this again at a later date when I can get pictures to post.

What an awsome weekend! Much different than anticipated and not at all what I had planned for...but awsome nonetheless. My original plan was to head down with the girls and hang out while they went rafting. I brought all my food, because their food was included in the trip. I also packed my scrapbooking stuff and a couple of good magazines. I was really looking forward to just relaxing with no responsibilites all day Saturday. They would get back from rafting around 1:00 and sleep for a couple of hours, come back and sleep and then everyone would be ready to have a good time that night. Here is what really happened.

ROADTRIP

We finally decided who was riding with who and when we would leave on the morning we left. There were 8 of us that headed out from MI and one that joined us from Lousiana. Brandi met me in Ann Arbor and we carpooled down from there. The rest headed out from the Detroit area. We all ended up leaving around the same time even though one car was planning on leaving around noon. That's just the way this trip went. Brandi and I made it down to West Virginia without a hitch. (It wasn't until after we arrived that we found out there was a much easier and faster way to get there, but it made for a good road trip) That is until we got to Hwy 19. We were only supposed to be on that road for 17.5 miles. However we were talking and Brandi apparently needs glasses to see in the dark (something I didn't fing out until we had missed the signs twice). And we spent 2 hours on Hwy 19, back and forth. Stopping and asking directions. Now to our credit, the fog was so thick we couldn't tell we were on a 1/4 mile long bridge (it wasn't until the next day in the day light did I realize we had driven over it 4 times). At any rate...we finally stopped and bought a map. We set the trip meter and we didn't talk. When we finally saw the signs we couldn't believe we had missed the signs so many times. But we made it and pulled it around 1:00am.

SETING UP CAMP

We arrived about the same time as one of the other cars. They were just setting up their tent when we got there, and we quickly followed suit. About an hour or so after we arrived, the 3rd car arrived. Half way through our trip down we got a call from Tierney (the one flying in from Louisiana), telling us that she was stuck on the runway and wasn't going to make her connecting flight. She only had two options...fly to Columbus when she finally got into Atlanta and drive down from Columbus or drive from Atlanta. She chose the latter and pulled in just in time to get her wet suit on and board the bus for the rafting trip...she wins for the most extreme roadtrip!

Once we got our tents set up a couple of guys were walked around and offered us some wood;) and got our campfire going. What nice guys! But the best part of them stopping buy was the fact that we got to talking and found out that they had a spot on their raft. One of their guys didn't show up and the spot was already paid for. They said that I was more than welcome to fill the spot if I really wanted to go. I really debated going because I was all set to rest and relax on Saturday...but how could I really pass up this opportunity, I mean it was free and all. So they went back to their camp and we waited up for T...well we tried to, but by 4:00am we couldn't hold out any longer. So we all turned in for what would be a whole hour of sleep.

TODAY WE RAFT

At 5:00am my phone started ringing, only I wasn't cooherent enough to figure out what was going on. Brandi handed me the phone, only I thought it was just my alarm going off. Nope it was Tierney trying to figure where she was. She called Beth and I heard them talking. Once I woke up enough to figure out what was going on, I got on the phone and guided her in (we had just spent 2 hours on the road that she was now on, so we were experts at figuring out where she was:)

At 6:30am Tierney arrived...just in time to put her wet suit on and join the rest of the gang to head out on their white water rafting expedition. What a crazy chica!! Or should I say "Extreme Chica" She definatley earned the bragging rights...but definitely deserve a pat on the back for trying to stay awake for her;) hehehe We tried! As soon as she arrived I was off to pump and figure out where these guys that had offered me a spot on their raft were. I walked around the "campground" (actually it was just a big field where everyone pulled in and set up camp...great set up actually). I knew the general direction they were in, but it was pitch black out when they came by the night before...so I just started asking if there was a Tim or an Allen with their group. Eventually I found the right camp site. I think they were a bit shocked when I came by. But it didn't take them long to all warm up to the idea and were welcoming me into their little group. There were 6 guys. I know, how crazy is that. I come to West Virginia with 8 girls and end up rafting with a bunch of guys. It was a ton of fun though!

We sign in, get our wet suits and get ready to board the bus to begin our rafting excursion. It began with a guy video taping us as we walked single file down the sidewalk to the shack where we got our equipment. I didn't know what else to do, so I did the "SuperStar" pose. And it made me famous...well kind of. It got me a spot on the DVD that they sold after the trip. I was the opening credits for our trip down the Gauley. To funny actually. If I ever figure out how to post movies...I will definitely have to post it. It was awsome.

RAFTING ON THE GAULEY RIVER

We deboard the bus and make our way to our raft with our guide, LJ (who was very cute, but who isn't attractive when they are holding your life in their hands for 6 hours). (Tracy if you happen to read this you will get a good laugh at his name). All 7 guys and myself climb aboard our raft and we head off down the river. The rush began while going over the first rapid "Insignificant". I don't remember the names of all the rapids, but this one I couldn't forget because it was the only rapids where anything bad happened. We must have hit it at a bad angle because our raft guide got bucked up and landed in the middle of the raft. He ended up with a pretty nasty looking cut on his knee and he landed on my hand. My first instinct was that it was broken...but thank goodness it was only bruised and not a very bad bruise at that. LJ's cut didn't turn out to be to bad either, thank goodness. The rest of the rapids (The Box, Hawaii 5-o, Fuzzy box of Kittens, Pillow Rock, etc) were pretty uneventful, but not without the adrenaline rush that keeps you coming back. I did fall out on the last two rapids, but they were the ones that the rafting guides were trying to dump us on. All in all an awsome ride and I can't wait to come back next year. If you want an account of the other girls trip you can go to http://parksnrec.blogspot.com/ to get Kari's account of the weekend.

When we got back we showered and all gathered around to watch the movie of our trip. (Side bar; LJ's 4 year old sun was running around while we were watching the video and got stung by a bee. Poor little guy! But this little boy has already gone rafting and jumped off a 25 ft rock. I couldn't believe it. Crazy stuff!) It was a great way to end the rafting trip...watching everything in slow motion on the big screen!!!

Later on that night we reconviened at the bar that is located right on the premises. What a great set up. Everyone can get together and have a drink and no one has to worry about driving anywhere. Our plan was to go up to the bar to have a couple of drinks and then head back for a bon fire and s'mores. The group I rafted with all headed up to the bar shortly after we did and we ended up staying up there all night. We had such a great time! And by the end of the evening the two groups had melded into one. What a great time!!!

I ended up crashing at midnight. I knew I would have to drive the next day and I couldn't hold my eyes open anymore. The rest of the gang had more energy than I and came back much later and stayed up for a campfire. I never heard them come back (except when Tierney climbed into bed, she almost got mauled by me, because I didn't know what was going on. I had ear plugs in and a mask over my eyes...it was a very strange feeling). Other than that I slept like a baby all night!!

HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN

Trip home was relatively uneventful, except for the constant grinding of my brake pads on medal. On our way down I started hearing the tell tale sign of the brake pads wearing through (well I didn't recognize it as a tell tale sign...I was pretty sure but not positive). I took it in to town on Saturday, but everyone was closed and couldn't do anything about it. So I risked the trip home. Unfortunatley a trip that was going to be relatively unexpensive, turned into a very expensive trip. Because I couldn't get them fixed down in WV, I had to drive the whole way back and it destroyed the rotors. But it was an awsome trip and I am not sure I wouldn't have done it again even knowing. Such is life!

When I got home I walked into the living room and Josiah turned around, saw me and started to smile really big. Then he started to dance and giggle. I think he was pretty excited to see me. Either that, or he was glad that the "boobs" had returned:) The boys had a good weekend and I was glad to be back home with them both!! I had missed them:)

I can't wait for next year!!! What an experience!!

New Day Care: Kim's House

I can't believe I forgot to post about our new day care. This was one of the best decisions I have made regarding Josiah to date!

The old day care was alright. They took care of him, fed him, changed his diapers and recorded the time when they did it and whether it was pee or poop. That's all fine and dandy, but I didn't feel like they really loved our little baby. I didn't feel like they interacted with him or were silly with him. I never witnessed them being excited to see him when we dropped him off in the morning and the hardest part of all was that they rarely ever filled us in on his goings on for the day. I was missing out on a big part of my babies day and I wanted a glimpse, a little tid bit about his day. The "babysitters" as I like to call them were so quiet and withdrawn that I could never get even a feel for how his day had been let alone learn about what fun things he had done or even if he had had a bad day. The Day Care Center always said that it was so great that the "babysitters" were so calm with the babies. But I wanted them to have fun and run around and be silly like we were...I wanted us to be there.

So finally I made the decision to find a new day care. I had my name on a waiting list at a women from our church's home day care. I had a feeling that an opening wouldn't come up, but I called her to make sure and she gave me the name of a women down the street from her that she knew and could give her personal recommendation. Plus she knew that this women had an opening. So I called this other women that day and agreed to set up a time where we could get together and chat. But with Josiah's nap/eating schedule and with her day care schedule we couldn't set a time. She told me to just come by whenever it was convenient. Well, that night Josiah woke up from his nap a little early, and Dan and I grabbed quick bite to eat and I gave her a call to see if we could come that night. I felt bad that it was later in the evening. But it turned out to be a perfect time to get together. There were no other kids running around, we had all eaton and were just relaxed and she could give us her full attention. Plus we got to meet her husband and her 2 kids. Dan and I left her house knowing that this was where we wanted Josiah.

I called early the next day to find out how they felt about us and Josiah. She told me that when we left she told her husband that "God was Good" to have brought us to her at the time He did. The little boy that was leaving her day care was only leaving because he was starting kindergarten and lived in a different school district. But they still come to visit once a week because the little boy misses it so much. Dan and I were so excited. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. That little boy's last day was on Thursday of that week, but I had to call the old day care to find out when we could leave.

I was nervous about leaving the other day care. I wasn't sure how they would handle the situation. I wasn't sure if I had to give a 2 weeks notice and if I had to do that, I could just feel the anxiety building about having to leave him there for 2 more weeks. I wanted him out of there that bad. But I think they were glad because it had become so tense between the "babysitters" and I. I told them I would finish out the week, which was actually only one more day and then we would be done. They were all very civil to us and they took good care of him on that last day. I picked him up on the last day and I was so excited that we would be starting the new day care the following week.

We feel so blessed by this new day care provider. I keep saying "babysitters" for the other day care, because that is what they were. They were 20 years old, with no children of their own and it was a job to them...a job I don't think they even liked. Unfortunetly that "job" was to take care of my kid and if they didn't like taking care of my kid it was time to go.

It was definitley God's timing! I had been wanting to leave for quite some time, but I didn't actively start looking until that day that I called and talked (and met) our new day care. I think the reason I like it so much is because I feel like another mom is taking care of my child and that makes me feel good. I, as his mom, can't be there during the day...so the next best thing is another mom.

I hadn't realized how much anxiety and stress it was causing to have Josiah in a day care that I didn't feel comfortable with. I didn't realize it until on that first day I took him to "Kim's House," the stress was completely gone . God is Good!!

West Virginia Here I Come!

I am venturing out of state this weekend, with no Josiah in tow! I am on my own for a girls weekend. The boys have to stay home, but I am sure they will have lots o fun! The Yaya's had been planning on going white water rafting and at the time they were planning it, I didn't think I could swing the money, so I decided not to go. But then after some thinking and Dan planning 2 hunting trips for this fall, I decided I would find the money if there was still a spot for me. Unfortunately, 2 days before I decided I kind of wanted to go, Beth filled the final spot. But I decided that I still wanted to get away and if I went, all 5 of us would be together for the weekend. After I thought about it more I realized that it would be a really nice opportunity to have some alone time...some time with no responsibilities...some time to nap as desired:) It has definitely been difficult to pack for this trip though, because everyone else's food is included in the rafting package. So I have to bring enough food for just me, plus snacky stuff for the group. I think I have done a good job planning, but alas I still will end up bringing to much stuff!! Thank goodness I got out of work a little early today, so I could go grocery shopping and clean out my car. Dan picked up Josiah from day care so that gave me just enough time to get most of the stuff done. I should be able to finish up tomorrow morning. I am dropping Josiah off at day care at 1:00pm and heading to Detroit where we are all meeting up to head out.

It should be a fun trip...a quick one, but it should be fun! I am looking forward to having some girlfriend time around a camp fire! Always a good time!

Haircut!

I decided that my hair was feeling frumpy already. That is the downfall of short haircuts and prenatal vitamins (no, not pregnant! Just taking them because I am still breastfeeding!). So this time I asked for more layers and I really like the back. The front is a little difficult to work with, but I just have to figure out how to manage it:) Overall I think I like it and I can still get it into a ponytail!!! A definate bonus.

Favorite Pic's from August (cont.)

This was probably my favorite picture in August, taken in the morning right before we had to leave for work.
My big boy is standing!

Mom and Josiah having fun!
Right after a bath...those big eyes just melt my heart.
Josiah can be entertained for hours by wheels...cars, trucks, dump trucks, he's not partial!

Mom and Josiah laughing at something silly.
Josiah being sad and mom playing along.
All smiles!

Favorite Pic's from August

Watching dad fly his remote control airplanes down at the school.

Chillin with dad
Close up of his cute feet;)
Dad and Josiah on lawnmower...I think that was the last time our lawn got mowed and that was back in the beginning of August...needless to say, it needs to be mowed again!
Posing in an Grandma Julie gave Josiah.
Just a cute picture
That's our little stair master...if we aren't careful, he has been known to sneak under adult radar and climb to the landing before we know he's gone.
I just love those big eyes, especially right after or during a bath.
He really loves the big bathtub. And it is so much easier to bath him than using that blow up duck tub.

9 Month Pictures

I decided since I love taking pictures so much that I wanted to have a sort of mini studio in my house. At least a place that I can have a solid background to get a few cute pictures every month. The only real downside is that I can't control lighting and so there are often shadows, but for the most part I had fun and I got a couple of great shots:) The last picture was one I was going to post with the "Little Man in a Big Chair post, but I couldn't get the picture to upload, so I thought I would include it here!

Are we done yet mom?

3rd Annual Labor Day Camping Trip

The Campsite

This year was different than years past. The dynamic had changed and I don't think any of us had anticipated how much it had changed. Having a baby changes everything. When Dan and I went camping, it wasn't much different than the lives we live at home, we were just eating and sleeping in a different place. But when more people were brought into the mix, it was difficult to find the balance. I think the hardest part was how nap time = quiet time and when we put Josiah to bed at night that we were also very quiet. We had just grown accustomed to this way of life, but I hated having to remind them to be quiet...not because they weren't being quiet, but because I was paranoid that they might forget and Josiah would wake up. I was on pins and needles a good majority of the camping trip...worrying that any noise we make would wake him up. Naptimes were fine, but at night every little movement of the camper woke him up, every cough, every snore, every toss and turn. I think my blood pressure was at the hypertensive stage, because my heart was racing all night, and I could barely sleep I was so on edge. The main cause of all this was the fact that Josiah was teething. And not just cutting one or two teeth. He had 5 teeth coming in, 3 of which he cut while we were camping. As a result he ended up sleeping with us quite a bit and nursed several times a night, but we got through it. By the third night, I was so tired I hardly heard him until he really cried out.

So for the first day and a half it was tough to relax. I felt as if it was just Josiah and I camping since I was having to tend to him while the others were doing their own thing, not always, but enought that I felt left out alot. Josiah was also very clingy and whiny. I fed him most of his meals and then when it came time for us to eat, Josiah decided it was time that he needed me and I didn't get to eat with everyone else. When I did ask for help, like having Dan change a diaper, it became an ordeal, so I stopped asking. Beyond that I just stopped asking because I didn't want to deal with confrontation on top of taking care of Josiah. Dan new something was wrong but had no idea what it was or what to do.

On Sunday I finally told him that I needed some time to myself. And I got just that. Mike and Dan went off to get wood to burn and Mindy and Josiah were taking a nap. I got out my scrapbooking stuff and emersed myself. It was so wonderful to be doing something other than caring for Josiah. I was taking time for myself.

The next step was to talk to Dan. Finally on Sunday, Dan and I went for a walk with Josiah and Buster and Mike and Mindy played cards. I finally told Dan how and why I was feeling the way I was feeling. Mike and Mindy finally had some time to themselves and when we got back from our long walk, I felt rejuvinated and ready to start our camping trip. I think that was what we all needed.

When we got back we decided to play cards, the four of us and I think it was at that point that we all started having fun together. Better late than never. Josiah even went down for a really long evening nap, which gave us some adult time which we all needed. Even when Josiah did wake up, he cooperated and sat on one of our laps while we continued to play cards!

I know I did alot of complaining and made it sound like Josiah was a nightmare on this trip...but he really was good most of the time. He just wanted someone close by all the time and he didn't play as well by himself as he normally does...but he still played by himself and had down time where we could get things done. I think it was just the fact that I was feeling so anxious that made things worse than they really were. It was so cute watching him walk around with his little push walker. On the first night I had him in a little camo outfit and he was crawling all around the campsite. You could hardly see him when he went underneath the picnic table. I wish I had gotten a picture, but we were to busy setting up;)

The food was great as well! We pretty much stuck to our menu and we had very little food left to bring home. Well we had alot left overs from one of our meals, but we were able to bring them home, and we are big fans of leftovers at our house:)

I am just so glad that we were all able to unwind and relax even if it wasn't until Sunday. It was enough time to enjoy what was left of the camping trip. We all slept in on Monday until 9:00am. I could hardly believe it when I looked at my watch. Josiah was definately feeling a bit better. We got up and around and had yet another great breakfast. By the time we were done with breakfast, Josiah was ready for a nap and that meant that we couldn't really start packing up. So we decided to play cards again. We were playing a game called "Spite and Mallous" Great Fun! We always love learning new card games. By the time Josiah woke up from his killer long nap (2 hours) we were done with lunch and ready to start packing up. We worked really well as a team to get packed up quickly. And were on our way home by 2:00pm. Who knows what next year will bring. But I have enjoyed our camping trips and hope we can continue to do them in the future.

Pictures to go with the last post!

Using Sippy Cup for 1st time...this sippy cup was actually my brother's and mine from when we were little. Kind of funny that this is the first sippy cup that he figured out how to use. The only catch is that there isn't a stopper so when he flings the cup around, water goes spraying everywhere..on the up side, he does love to play in water:)

Just relaxing at Grandma Sherry and Grandpa Bob's

I love these close up pictures.

Josiah and Grandpa Doug

Josiah, Grandpa Doug and Grandma Kathie
Dan really loved this picture, because you have to wonder exactly what this little guys is thinking!!
I took this picture because there is a similar picture of Dan at this age and they look like they could have been identical twins:) Once I get my scanner working I will post the pictures side by side. This was the great garage sale find...a Leap Frog play station for only $15...almost brand new! He loves to play with it!! And the cats love it too because they can walk under it and get the music to play:)

I am sooo glad that I finally got to post pictures!! I hate it when the picture blogger is not working, but so satisfying when it actually does! Hope you enjoyed! I can't believe that Josiah will be 9 months old tomorrow! Stay tuned for more pictures and an update on what he has been up to.