Whatever works.

Momma said that there would be days like this.........

Okay, so I cheated a little; the picture is from a couple of weeks ago. But the point is, as perfect as yesterday was, today has been a bit more challenging. Little West has been tired, but won't take a nap, which results in one cranky pants baby. So what do we do on a Sunday like this? Well, we head to the Bitterroot Brewery. Now, before you go and nominate us for parents of the year or contact Parents magazine to let them in on what new and innovative techniques we have our hands on, keep the following in mind.....We began our journey to the Brewery like so....






And we ended our journey like so....



You do the math. Once we got home, we got an extra hour of sleep out of him. Since then, he has been a happier baby, enjoyed a lovely bath and will hopefully head to sleep after the next feeding. No, we didn't put a beer in a bottle. But there is something about the ambient noise there that makes West absolutely catatonic. When we received advice from more experienced parents about adjusting to our little guy, a recurring theme emerged: Whatever works. I am not sure they had the above in mind, but, hey, it works. 'Nough said!

Happy Belated Birthday to a dear friend of ours..Melanie. Her birthday was yesterday. She is a glowing 25 years old, again :)

P.S.-Dalen wanted me to clarify from yesterday's post. He does not go and abandon his wife and young child on Saturdays just to ski. It is a work day for him. He takes the same group of kids on the Mountain for 7 weeks. The kids hone their skills in what Lost Trail calls the All Mountain Program. Frankly, if he wanted a day just to ski, I would never begrudge him. Dalen keeps our baby happy and taken care of during the week, and that is no small task.

Happy Saturday!

Saturday's are quickly becoming my favorite day of the week...and it is not just because it is a day off. I get Westin all to myself on Saturdays. Dalen goes skiing, and after a long week of not enough Westin-time, some one-on-one with my little cuddle-monkey makes everything right with the world again. Today was extra special because it started with pancakes. Yes, dairy-free pancakes are tasty, at least this mix (Cherrybrook Kitchens; a special thanks to my wonderful friend Betsy for sharing her favorite dairy-free treats) made with rice milk is really tasty. The pancakes turn out light and fluffy and keep everyone happy..especially little Westin. I even got a hot shower before the little man woke up. We played a good bit in the morning.
Aunt Shannon sent the most wonderful Christmas present to Westin...an exersaucer..Westin is still using the floor mat stage, but he LOVES it! We caught the end of the WVU/Louisville bball game...the 'Eers came back from a huge deficit to beat the Cardinals. Way to go Mountaineers!!! Then, Westin, Copper and I headed out for a long walk.


As you can see from the pictures, we got a little snow this week. Copper is extremely happy in this weather, as you would expect any 96 lb huskie-Chesapeake bay retriever to be. It actually snowed for three days straight, and we only ended up with about 3 inches...that's what happens when the flakes are small and dry. Today it was beautiful out! You can see the freezing fog as it was lifting out of the valley. Freezing fog is fog, only frozen. If it lifts fast enough and the sun is out, all of the trees and bushes glisten. This usually happens just in time for Christmas...all of the winter weather, except for the cold, is a bit late this year.
After the walk, everyone is happy and we even catch a long nap together (yes, all three of us). I think one of my favorite things about days with Westin are that they remind me that all you really need to be happy is a full belly and clean diaper. Well you know what I mean, it is the simple things that keep us the most satisfied.

Dear Noni

Dear Noni,
Thank you for coming and visiting. I really enjoyed getting to meet you. Thank you for holding me and helping me sleep. Mommy appreciated help with the dishes and some time to nap. I was glad that Auburn won the bowl game. I still don't know what all the overtime was about, but Mommy will teach me all about the game. I can't wait to see you again.
Love,
Westin


My Mom came and visited after Christmas for a couple of days. Dalen, Westin and I were in a bit of a frazzled state. Westin was crying and hurting after every feeding and no one was sleeping. Mom helped calm a little Bean, and she helped out around the house too. It was much appreciated. Now, Westin's little belly is maturing, and he doesn't have to endure delicious dairy, so feedings usually end with smiles instead of tears. She was the first Grandparent to come out. Montana can be a tricky place to travel to in the winter time. We are looking forward to future posts about more Grandparents and Aunt Shannon! :)

Inaugural post

Welcome!!

I meant to start this blog back when I looked like this....
I was 36 weeks pregnant and had no idea how profoundly my life was about to change. I mean I could sleep through the night (in my actual bed next to my husband), take long showers, eat chocolate and cheese and drink milk!
Then 2 weeks later on November 24, 2009, our little Bean, Westin Henry, was born at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, here in Hamilton, MT! He was 7lbs and 13 oz and 20" long, and truly amazing. Since then we have survived adventures in breast feeding (I am now eating a dairy-free diet AND limiting chocolate to help the little guy out), baths, trips to the doctor.We have confused a baby acne for a peanut-allergy...go ahead and laugh at the rookie parents.

Two months in and Westin knows how to smile and suck on his fist, but not how to sleep or that the fist he is sucking on is actually his :). The Bean loves hanging out with his Daddy during the day, while I am at work. Westin and Copper, the BearDog, are becoming friends. Although Copper wishes that Westin would cry less and wishes that he could give him walks, but is patient and kind nonetheless.

Westin weighs a whopping 12 lbs and 5 oz and is 23" long. Sorry to keep this first post short, but Bean had some vaccines today and is a little cranky pants...frankly, can't blame him. We are getting the Bean ready for daycare, because Dalen's guiding season (for those of you unfamiliar, he is a fly fishing guide) will start back up in a couple of months. Below is a picture from a happier time (I am sure Boppy did NOT intend for it's pillow to be used like this).