Go Bake a Cake

February 14, 2013
Almost 15 months

I've discovered something about myself.  When all goes to chaos and nothing seems like it is going right, I bake.  The methodical nature of baking takes me out of this not-so-happy place and into this euphoric place.  It's just that easy.

Take this morning, for instance.  Colter and I were not in our normal grind together.  He was annoying me and I am pretty darn sure that I was annoying him.  It's Valentine's Day for crying out loud!  The day of LOVE not of annoyance.  I kept trying over and over and over again to set things right:

Colter stepped into the dog bowl.
I let him play with the spatula (seriously cool, mind you).

Colter took a handful of dirt out of our most beloved plant and ate it.
I gave him an oatmeal cookie.

Colter tore apart my card drawer and ate a few envelopes.
I made finger paint valentines with him.

This just went on and on and on.  Colter being a toddler.  And me desperately trying to entertain my Curious George.  I got progressively more upset - which I am pretty sure Colter sensed and took full advantage of - until I just couldn't handle my child any longer.

So Colter took a nap.
And I baked a cake.

Now I'm slowly getting back into my happy place.  I've had a handful of chocolate chips (a quick fix for sure) and the smell of a vanilla chocolate chip bundt cake starts to fill my house.  If all goes well, by the time Colter wakes up, I'll be staring at a gorgeous heart-shaped bundt cake and feeling the love.

I promise a picture if all goes as planned.

You know what's worse?  I made ramen for CJ at lunch.  Ramen!  On Valentine's Day.  What is wrong with me?!  I'll have to make up for it with some homemade chili and cornbread for dinner.  And a heart-shaped vanilla bundt cake.  If that doesn't get me forgiven, I'm pretty sure I'm screwed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's an hour later....apparently there is a reason why you use small chocolate chips in the recipe and not large.  It might not look pretty.  But it sure tastes good.

And valentines are hanging to dry.

My child is up and Owen is following him obediently through the house as he dumps organic corn flakes throughout the house.  I suppose all there is left to do is go outside.  It's Valentine's Day, afterall.

Do What You Love

February 1, 2013
14 months and a few weeks

We did something really crazy:  we took our child backcountry skiing.

Backcountry with the Malcolms

I'd say we subscribe by the philosophy "Do you what you love and bring your kid along".  I know people who stopped living the second they had a kid.  One mother lives in San Diego and her child had never been to the beach at 2 years old.  She said it was too much work.  Trust me, lady, it doesn't get any easier.  Start 'em young and they won't question when you go off galavanting up mountains.  But that's just us.

I felt honored by my cousin's post on facebook: You guys rock. Perfect example how to do the things you love AND have a kid.

All that Colter knows is exploring with us.  He loves walking.  But man oh man he loves riding around in that Kelty Backpack too.  I know this won't last forever.  I'll take what I can get.  He still sqeauls with delight when we count to three and swing the pack up onto our shoulders.




The boys ready to head out

We ventured out Day 1 on our cross country skiis.  It was a chilly day and we thoughtfully limited our ski to under an hour (see previous blog for Colter's temperature tolerance).  The snow was light and fluffy.  It was laughable how good it was. 

Gliding through the Aspens

 

Disappearing into the forest

We scoped out our route and determined that we would have to return for Day 2 with our AT skiis.  It was just too good to be true.

Mama getting her glide on



Colter's Hill

The photo above shows a great shot of what has become known as Colter's Hill.  Our boy's first backcountry ski.  We had to name it after him. 

Day 2 ended up being significantly warmer allowing us the liberty of staying out longer and subsequently gaining some elevation.  Up, up, up we went.  Owen was in heaven.  Romping around, running up and down and up and down (and up and down times, like, a thousand).  After several traverses across the hill, we determined our line.  We took a quick family photo at the top (see first photo) and then pointed them downhill.

My hubby gave me the first line - what a sweetie!  Owen naturally messed up my rhythm by running over my skiis several times.  It's all good.  CJ followed - he never ceases to impress me with his smooth turns with a 25 pound mover on his back.  He railed out on a hidden log and they gracefully slid to the ground.  They both had huge grins.




Up...

Up...

Colter in his element

Monday Monday

January 28, 2013
14 months and a week or so






We have had what I would consider a perfect day.  Colter's bottom tooth finally cut through which left us with happy days and sleep-filled nights.  Whatever advice I have ever gotten about teething does not do it justice.  It really does go on and on and on and on.  Does it ever end?!  Thank goodness it doesn't last forever.  But when you are in the midst of it, it feels like a bloody eternity.  Ibuprofen you are my hero.

Monday.  We didn't go anywhere.  We stayed home.  Home Sweet Home.  We enjoyed a mellow morning- it had snowed the previous night and we geared up and spent time outside.  Papa shoveling the drive, Mama taking pictures and watching Colter, Owen playing with his ball and Colter toddling about.

 

 

It came time for Colter's nap.  CJ and I decided to make a brunch feast and watch a movie.  Sigh.  Halfway through pancakes, bacon and eggs the following conversation took place:

 

 

Heather: Naptime truly does rock.

CJ: Yeah.

Heather: It is God's gift to us.

CJ:  It means Jesus loves us.

Heather: Amen.

 

 

At which point we both just start hysterically laughing.  That is the truth.

 

 

Colter woke (naptime always ends too quickly) and we decided on a snow hike out to the rim.  I love this time of year at the Canyon.  We literally saw 1 other person as we walked along the rim.  ONE person.  Granted it is mid-week but I love it when the Canyon is ours for the taking.  Makes me feel like we own a piece of it- just for a time.  It was a cold, windy evening but the sunset was magnficant. 

 

Our Canyon



Love my family



Windy day



CJ walking to nowhere



Happy day


 

We lingered a bit longer than we should have on the rim.  I know the rule with Colter - depending on the temperature outside, he can only last so long.  Above 32 F, he is good forever.  Between 20-32, no more than an hour.  10-20? 30 minutes max.  Less than 10....well, I try to avoid taking my child outside for any length of time when it is single digits.  That is just cruel.

 

Anyways, we were there more than an hour. Probably closer to 90 minutes.  It was less than 30 degrees, probably closer to 20 (especially with the windchill).  Colter was a trooper.  He didn't peep until a few minutes from home.  His poor little hands were quite cold.  CJ (an expert on frozen extremities) promptly made the boy a luke warm bath.  I fixed him hot dog and ketchup.  Yogurt.  Mango.  He ate dinner in the bathtub.  I am pretty sure by the time he went to bed, all cold was forgotten.  I mean, really, how often do you get to eat dinner in the bathtub when you are 14 months old?  I am pretty sure he was in heaven.

 

Adorable.

 

 

Notice the war wounds on his nose from Colter v. Driveway



Bathtime fun with Papa.

 



Ready. . .set. . .go!

January 8, 2013
A week until 14 months

We have a walker! 

My little man took his first steps on New Years Day.  With Grandma and Grandpa.  In Durango.  It was perfect. I was so hoping he would wait until he saw his grandparents:  In fact, I even told him a few nights before that if he was saving the first steps for some big event that I knew just the perfect time. 

Since day 1 that boy has had good timing. Waited for Grandma's Thanksgiving Break before making his big appearance.  Crawled for the first time with Grandma.  Took his first steps with Grandma.  Someone knows who to brownnose ;-)

I've seen Colter take about 10-12 steps on his own before tumbling to the ground (gracefully as all toddlers do).  But his most favorite thing is grabbing hold of my pointer finger and walking alongside his Mama.  I don't know what it is but when his little hand wraps around my finger I just about die and go to heaven.  And then he looks up at me with those big blue eyes and smiles.  Sigh.

Today I needed to go next door for some sesame seeds (which she didn't have either....the downfall of living at one of the Seven Wonders of the World:  no sesame seeds).  I decided to let Colter walk there.  Ten minutes and about 30 rocks/snow piles/sticks later we got there.  It was a beautiful, warm winter afternoon and I didn't mind one bit.  Colter thoroughly enjoyed himself.  One of those kind of walks that I will remember forever.


What I've learned from Week One with a walker:
1. Slow down. Slow WAY down. Relish the moments my 13 month old wants to hold my finger and walk down the driveway. Priceless.

2. Embrace the moment when things just "pop" up. Just because I'm headed somewhere doesn't mean I can't enjoy a distraction. Stop and smell the snow.

We also enjoyed a few days down in Sedona.  Ventured out along Wet Beaver about 4 miles in to a place called The Crack.  I cringe thinking who came up with these names.  Either way, a beautiful place to spend a lovely January day.  It was -15 up at the Canyon but down in Sedona it was in the 40s. 



Exploring The Crack with Papa

 

Our wonder dog, Owen, who will go swimming in 40 degree water when it's 40 degrees outside.  Crazy cat.

 

A quiet moment