Minneapolis Getaway

When I moved up to Duluth I *knew* that I'd be back in the Cities ALLLL the time to visit friends and do fun city things. And before I knew it, there was a new house and unpacking and projects and a new dog and ... whew ... where did the time go? Has it really been that many months since I've been in Minneapolis?

Thankfully Erika lives right downtown, and with her new sleeper sofa, is ready to host overnight guests!


I spent 24 hours there last weekend, and it was the perfect getaway ... delicious brunches, eating in an outdoor cafe, neighborhood shops, 112 Eatery (their cheeseburger ... heaven topped with Brie!), a mini massage, hours on Erika and Aaron's balcony watching the world go by, a fabulous visit with Antonia, even a stop at the Pride parade. I'm already looking forward to the time I can, like Erika, enjoy a glass of red wine!

what i want

So, my also-pregnant friend wrote this blog post about what she wants when her pregnancy is over. I loved reading it and found it really interesting to realize that what I would want is very different from her list! So she got me thinking … and here is my list of what I want:

1) I’d really like to be able to lift heavy stuff and climb ladders. I hate not being able to lift bags of potting soil or turn on our living room ceiling fan … but I *promised* my parents I wouldn’t climb anything, so I don’t.

2) To be nausea- and headache-free. I’d say that I’d like to not be tired all the time, but I don’t expect THAT to change. I’m sure I’ll be able to list a whole host of physical symptoms by the end of this pregnancy.

3) Gin and tonics! And Leinie’s Summer Shandy. These are my summertime drinks and I don’t really feel like it’s summer without them. And I miss happy hours after work. They really aren’t the same without alcohol.

4) Here’s where Nina and I agree: Diet Coke!

5) Hot tubs and really hot baths … to be able to lounge in warmth without worry.

I claim the right to add to this list as the months go on!

A Friday Off From Work

I could have been at work today. I could have been in my office, working on our zoning code and attending a brown bag session with our planning commission. Whatever was I thinking taking the day off from work?

I mean, really. That harebrained idea of mine to use comp time only led to all sorts of craziness ... like a whole day spent with family in the sun, a day so filled with wonderful moments that one day stretched out long enough to be worth a whole week's vacation!

It started off at my mom's rummage sale. A confession: I love hanging out at family rummage sales. I don't like going to other people's rummage sales, but I love visiting with "customers" and organizing and displaying things, and watching used items go to other good homes. Yay! So I was in my glory today. And Ms. Piper really surprised me with what a good rummage sale companion she is! The hyper Piper was calm on a leash next to my chair, and greeted visitors ... and LOVED kids. Yes, her first children test was passed with flying colors, as she gave kids gentle kisses and seemed to really want to go see all the kids.

Around midday, Adam brought girlfriend Angie, along with kids Vaeda and Dominic, over to meet all of us. I loved them all instantly and had so much fun talking with them -- whether it was about Barbies, parenting, fishing, or having us all pick on Adam. Later they all came out to our house for an afternoon of fishing in the river and four wheeler rides. Two-year-old Vaeda even warmed up to us enough to ask me to pick her up ... winning my heart for good! My dad was out here mowing our lawn, and as I spent the afternoon keeping an eye on three dogs, making my dad coffee, and baking brownies, I felt overjoyed ... I have a place where family can gather, where people can come to relax by the river and have fun, and I am surrounded by family. Wow, I am blessed!

I spent the evening doing garden and yard chores, and met "neighbors" (they own land nearby) and watching Hannah and Piper stare at rabbits through the living room windows. All is well in my world.

I would've been happier had my hubby been here to share in the day, but in the end I couldn't have picked a better Friday to have taken off.

Two New Family Members!

2010 will be the year the Moses family nearly doubles!

First, as many of you have already heard, we are expecting a baby Moses to be born in mid-December. We were shocked to discover in the middle of our move into a new house that I was pregnant. We were so surprised, in fact, that I think it was only at our first ultrasound that we truly believed it.

We got to see the baby's heartbeat, so we know it is alive and well! What amazing technology we have to be able to see such things at such an early stage.

We'd been planning for some time to get a second dog, and decided that it made sense to adopt one sooner rather than later, so it has time to acclimate to our family and surroundings pre-baby. Yes, lots of people told us this was a bad idea, but I suspected that for the right dog, we could still provide a great home even when we are busy with a newborn. ABR found us just such a dog. Piper is two, but -- as her foster mom put it -- is "very low-maintenance." She is obsessed with being outside and, like Hannah, is occupied for long periods of time by looking out the window. She has a sweet, happy personality, and once inside is happy just to curl up and sleep! We had her stay with us for several days before making our decision, and could envision her being very happy in our house even if we aren't doting on her. A few pics of Miss Piper ...

While working in the garage, she spotted a wheelbarrow piled with a tarp, and decided it looked comfy, then proceeded to climb into it:


She and Hannah side by side, watching robins:


And finally, Piper and Hannah sharing a dog bed in Matt's office:


I'm excited that we get to raise a child that we get to teach to love dogs :).