On The Yoga Road Again.

It has been approximately a year & 2 months since this 28-year old body has practiced yoga.  I was still instructing Pilates with a little Yoga mixed in when I found out I was pregnant in March 09...I planned on instructing throughout my pregnancy...I knew the benefits of doing so, but my nauseousness was too intense for me to engage in anything of the sort.  It made me sad & I ended up quitting both of my classes way before I wanted to take leave...but I knew I wouldn't be able to teach an hour class feeling like at any moment I could vomit!  That is not therapeutic for anyone to see (I don't think).  At that point in about April-ish I stopped practicing Yoga/Pilates & it is NOW that I NEED to begin again.  I have found it hard to use my free time when Oliver naps to take the time for it...always something "more important" to do...but I vowed today, I WILL use his morning naptime to Yoga myself.  I am so excited because my body was so different when I was practicing 3-5 times a week & I can't wait to feel like that again...but I will have to take it slow...real slow...my aging & underflexed body is going to have to ease back into it.  But it was refreshing none-the-less...at my 10 minute premier!

We've had a lot of  'Are you kidding me with this?!?!' moments lately...

Not an uncommon expression in our household...& mostly it is a direct result of living with two boys!  (Yes I meant to say boys)  =)  So, here's one...

He officially is up & rocking & rolling on his knees.  He hasn't moved forward but will work it backwards still...typically getting his feet lodged (so he thinks) underneath the couch, which results in him screaming to be let free.  I love it...but it's nutty!

Spa of The Rockies.

...don't mind if I do!  If I hadn't mentioned before, Oliver did above & beyond his first Mother's day...a mini rejuv package to the Spa of The Rockies!!!  Someone must've known Mama needed a little pampering & relaxation =)  It was a perfect way to spend a rainy cold weekend here in the mountains.  I left O & his Father together for like the longest amount of time together yet...6 1/2 hours.  It was great for them to have some hangout time, despite the rain & inability to go outdoors & do anything recreational.  Oliver napped for his Dad 3ish hours...how in the heck did he manage to get him down for that long of a nap boggles my mind but okay!?  I spent the afternoon getting massaged, pampered & chillaxed...& I think I drank enough detox tea to cover me for a year.  After I got home, we made homemade pizza, lounged around & watched the move, The Jerk...haha I always love watching that movie!!!  Then I received a fun call from my friends Hillary & Wendy from back in Holstein.  It was our 10-year class reunion celebration Saturday night & I was sad I had to opt out this year.  Our 5-year was pretty large & in charge (I had something to do with the planning of that, so of course it was awesome =)!  I was glad I got a call from the celebration, even though I couldn't understand anything anyone was saying...it was still nice to make an "appearance".  So that pretty much concluded our dreary somewhat uneventful weekend...as I type, it is still raining, Oliver is asleep & I'm sipping on a nice glass of Hess Chardonnay...I guess not a bad way to end the weekend at all ;) 

More from The Spa...

The Spa of The Rockies is located in congruence with the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool...the largest hot springs pool in the world.  The geothermic-heated water looks sooooooo tempting. 

Hoping to plan a day there with Oliver!

Although the spa is fairly new (2008 I believe it opened), the pool has been an attraction for years!
...it was even featured in an 'Ultimate Guide to Grooming' Playboy magazine article.
(Jan/Feb issue FYI).

When the cold air breezes by, it produces hot steam that rises up.

Photo credit to GLENWOOD HOT SPRINGS.

(c'mon I already mentioned it was a cold & rainy day...thanks Hot Springs).

Seven. Mo.

Oliver Grows.

Two teeth have sprouted...& hopefully a little break in the process (I officially dub the teething process the most painful thing since pre-epidural labor...ouch).

Sitting up without support!

Strong legs...gotta love those Hanson legs!

Hair is finally growing in...fun fluffy baby hair.

Taking part in more independent play time...but he still loves his Mama right close =)

Loves swinging in the swing at the park...good thing Gma & Gpa Hanny live so close to the park in Holstein ;)

Loves a variety of foods...so far...

sweet potatoes

carrots

squash

peas

bananas

apples

next week...green beans!

I love watching him try a new flavor...he has mastered the "MmmMmmmmm" after he takes a bite!

Enjoys...or tolerates hiking with Mom & Dad.

Cruises the floor by rolling all over...& finding things he should not be getting into...& it starts!

Cruises on his tummy backwards...it's not quite a crawl or a scoot...so we'll see where this goes...

Is finally old enough to wear sunscreen...big whoop...but it is...because before I was so afraid about taking him out in the sunshine...& I DO NOT want to live through the repercussions of a sunburnt baby! Youch for all of us!

So interactive with playing, "talking" & paying attention to everything Mom & Dad do...& eat...he looks at you with those longing eyes saying "please can I have a bite of your cheeseburger...pleeeeeeeeaaaaaaase".  Aww.
Is becoming quite the comedian or at least knows how to lighten the mood in a tense moment...let me indulge you in a story to back up my claim...
We were sitting at the DMV a couple weeks back for what seemed like half a day, Michael was determined to get his driver's license...& you know how everyone around the DMV are...moody.  Either because they're working & apparently it's the most miserable job in the world (idk) or when you take your number, it's 85 & they're serving number 19.  It was in a sweet little mall (not really) but Oliver & I ventured around checking out Hot Topic & the Hallmark store anyway.  When we came back to check on Daddy...they were still serving number 19, so we toured off again, bought some exciting burp rags, went back again...still 19...seriously?!  By this time O was hungry so we found some plush seating in the middle of the mall & I fed him.  This time when we went back, Mike was still sitting in the same spot & I don't even think I looked to see what number they were on.  So exactly how it goes there...frustrating.  We found a seat next to Daddy & we're there for 30 seconds & Oliver rips the biggest juiciest belch ever!  I checked my shoulder & everyone around us cracked up...& you know just before that they were scowling & about ready to pull their hair out.  I'm glad our little man is funny & he knows it too because he laughed at himself =)

Loves being outdoors!

Refuses to have his diaper changed laying on his back...once that diaper is off, he flips to his tummy...so instead of an unnecessary fight...I have mastered the diaper change on his tummy.

Tries very hard & is so close to getting up on those knees into a crawl position.

Gives the most heartbreaking smiles...this is going to wreak havoc in the future for sure ;)

Hates to end bathtime...he would stay in there for hours, but c'mon he can only go so far without that little weiner going off...I'm sure I don't catch it as often as it happens!
He knows his Daddy as 'the morning man'.  He knows when Daddy's up, so he will wake up & if Michael doesn't pick him up while he's getting ready, Oliver gets sad & cries...it's really sweet...& heartbreaking at the same time.
...and he knows Mama as...the funniest person ever in this world =)  I really am, so there's no surprise there. Ha!

His well check appointment is set up for tomorrow...so I will have to come back & update his stats for ya.  We were off a month with the move, so his six.mo checkup is really happening this month.  I can't wait to see what our little sack of tatoes weighs...we don't own a scale & I'm a horrible judge, so I am excited to hear how much he has grown...because we can obviously see how much he has!

We love you our little explorer man!

...friday 6.11.10 back with stats...
height. 27 3/4 in
weight. 18lbs13oz
all systems go!

What The Elk Was That...This Shiz is Bananas

Yet another wildlife post...this time...peaceful & from the car. We took an evening drive at dusk...my favorite time of the day. We took a familiar route, only this time we remembered the binoculars. With a spectacular sunset behind us (no photos of that), I finally was able to spot my first elk! Well...Mike spotted it & then coached me with the binocs, locating where he was. And there he stood...I am so fascinated with them I don't know!?

Ok, that photo was a fake out...I did not photograph him, but I needed to show you some sort of image of what I saw...I had forgotten my camera =( I will, however, remember in the future! The gorgeous sunsets are definately worth snapping here as well!

Our weekend was full of beautiful warm weather!  Basalt was having a little festival on Saturday, so we headed downtown to check it out. A bit disappointed, because I was hoping to see a carnival (one of my goals to attend one this summer). The festival was ok-ish...I think it was just a small celebration for...well...we never found out what it was for, but there was free food from one of my favorite resturants here, Smoke, so I didn't really care what it was regarding. The sun was so hot & I once again forgot my camera! I'm slacking, I know. There wasn't much except a lot of people eating food, a firetruck, some guy playing guitar & singing & many dogs & kids. This photo was snapped on my phone...

Oliver started bananas yesterday. Ummm...not as enthusiastic of a reaction as the veggies. They add citric acid to them...I believe so they don't spoil (??? correct me if I'm wrong, I'm just guessing), & they completely throw off the experience of eating bananas, I think. They smell funked, but Oliver doesn't know the difference yet, it's just a new flav to him. He started off ok with them & then the more he ate them, his sour facial expression & head shaking became more & more extreme!

(Nevermind the whistling noise at the end...it's just Mikey trying to get Oliver's attention).

And some other random eating food photos. 

"Ok, so I think I can just do this by myself now"

And more naked jumping time =)

Might As Well Be Walking on the Sun!

I am referring to the intensity of the sun here in CO...there's more that comes with this elevation than just snow ;)  I feel like I'm five feet from that thing when I step outside...I was never an avid sunscreen user until now!  If I don't I will permanently have a sweet farmers tan that is in no way flattering!  Speaking of wanting to step outside...I had another incident that caused me to not want to step outside for a while.  The other day as Oliver and I were on our usual walking path, we were passing the little park & I noticed a new unfamiliar sign had been posted.  Curious because I'm pretty sure I saw a picture of a wild animal on it...so I strolled us over to check it out & this is what I had to attend to now...

Friggin Mountain Lions!

Yes, these cute kitties have been spotted in our area...to what extent & exactly where...I don't know, but it was enough information for me to get the heck outta there!  But not before I read how to defend yourself & your children in case you had one hot on your case!  I now feared the mountain lion & as I'm trying to get us back on track...my fear turned to goosebumps & then a little bit of nauseousness & then back to fear as a snake slithered over my feet.  Ugh!  Time to get back home!!!  Our walk back was a little more amped up, quicker-paced & a lot more paranoid.  I let my fear take over & spent the next couple very nice days in doors being a scaredy cat!  I have since faced the fears & Oliver & I resumed our walks, but since I don't believe I'm a very lucky person, I make sure to attach eyes to the back of my head.  And today, as I blog & Oliver sleeps in the bicycle trailer, it marks my first ride with him attached to my bike, instead of Daddy's.  It didn't last long, not because it's hard, but because I was so nervous it wasn't attached right & he was going to become unattached & fly off into the street.  I know!  Horrible thought, but I was once again being Narotic New Mommy!  Besides me checking the clamp a million times, it was a great little time! 

I have to thank our friend Libba South (she just recently became a South...I'm not quite used to it, but it has such a ring).  Anyway, I do need to thank her for Oliver's new favorite obsession!  Baby Einstein Octopus...that thing sings & speaks in 3 different languages.  I suppose the three language option does help in relieving some of the annoyance of hearing the same songs over & over & over & over again, but nonetheless =)...thanks Libba!  There is an OFF option, but we love how excited he gets when he hasn't played with him for about 5 minutes!     

Naked Octopus Jumping Time.

Give Peas A Chance.

Well you can probably figure out that we have added peas into Oliver's diet.  My opinion...gross!  Mike liked them.  And Oliver....once again it's a success.  Loves his peas =)  We are 4 for 4 now on the our veggies!  Oliver has really begun to move around.  Now that he's mastered the art of rolling over & back & sideways & all over...diaper changes have become almost impossible!  He's getting better at sitting up still & chose to do so in the bathtub today...face planting into the water.  Yikes!  I was there the whole time & no harm was done, so no worries!  Just reiterates the fact that we CANNOT turn our backs anymore!!!  Another new one in Olly World...squealing!  Squealy Dan.  That's what I call him.  Is this a phase or should I be concerned about something?!?!  It's like a constant thing...I want to blame it on teething, but I just don't know!  Yikes again.  And fart noises...he takes great joy in making fart noises.  But who doesn't like making fart noises.  This isn't a concern, just noteworthy & funny.  And one more Olly personality trait...loves naked time.  It's a battle to put clothes on after bathtime or diaper changes or wardrobe changes...it's actually a battle not worth having, so our child is usually naked now most of the time.

Peas-ful Baby.

Sophie is MIA, Great Grandparents & Randoms.

I just read my friend Wendy's blog & it reminded me that throughout my posts, I have so many other photos that don't get put up. These events are none the less important, so I thought it was time to scan the Photo Library & get some of those lost but not forgotten memories out into blogland. Wendy was sharing her & her baby's visit to see the great grandparents (residing in Holstein). Oliver & I had a similar visit just before we took off for the Rockies. Our visit was to the nursing home in Holstein where my maternal grandfather resides...just about a half block from the home him & my grandmother lived. Grandma still lives in that house & it brings back sooooo many memories, because they were such a huge part of our lives growing up & still are! It's always a little heartbreaking to see someone you love in such an environment & condition, but I am so glad that he has the ability to meet his first great grandchild! Here was their visit...Grandpa was bragging to the nurses, other residents & visitors that Oliver was just the greatest thing ever! =)

Randoms...on the tummy...

"Babies...nature's way of showing people what the world looks like at 2:00 aM"

After bathtime in my Monkey towel from Aunt Liz!

Sitting up without support a little more everyday...not quite there yet though.

Winter Squash anyone?!

I love it when he hovers! =)

So rough...so rough...

My boys lounging around.

Okoboji shout out!

On one of our 'where does this road lead to' roadtrips...

And finally...I just got done filling out the Missing Giraffes Report...Sophie "the amazing teething toy"  has gone missing...somewhere during our camping trip preparation...Sophie wandered off & it's a sad sad story for all of us around here.

Thank goodness I just hopped online & there should be a replacement Sophie in about 3-5 days!

And I just had to repost this photo because it's my new favorite!!!