"Long time gone..."

So...we went to an 80's party for New Year's Eve this year. Well, we went over to some friends' house & then "kinda' " went to the 80's party. The dinner was the best part (I mean, aside from the dressing up). Don't we look "totally awesome, for sure?"
The 80's crowd. Very hp and cool - like Flashdance exploded. We purposely didn't smile - so "Less than Zero."
My brother, Supermodel D and SDJ, who babysat for the kids while we went out.
SDJ, who fell so totally asleep that she couldn't hear us pounding on the door when we got back to the house. Maybe not the first choice for late-night sitter :) She's the best, though.

Well - from the looks of it, I've been out of the blog for about 6 days. It feels like longer since Buck and I have been running around like crazy people pretty consistantly. Nothing like a "baby schedule" to keep a person just this side of swamped.

Here's what we're up to in a nut-shell ("Look! It's us in a nutshell" - sorry, couldn't resist):

Mon - Mom's "time out" which includes 2 hours of mom bootcamp while Buck plays in the daycare.
Tues - Gymboree (yeah!)
Wed - Play gym time, "open gym" time (baby play equiptment and songs), "moms with abs" (don't laugh) and snowboarding lessons (for me in the evening)
Thurs-Regnum Christie Team meeting (like a prayer group/Bible study with a lot of talking thrown it). Also, about 20 kids are at this meeting for nearly 3 hours. It's a LOUD meeting, but fun.
Fri - FREE DAY. This is the day I grocery shop. Buck does not particularly like shopping so thank goodness that Safeway has the little "car carts" where Buck can drive while I spend 100's of dollars on very few groceries (missing the States when it comes to prices).

Sat and Sun dad is home - except THIS SUNDAY because DAD IS GOING TO THE SUPERBOWL IN FLORIDA!! Yep - he's on his way to the "big show." It's a big deal here in cold Calgary to be heading out to sunny FLA. I'm very jealous. :)

"A shower a day keeps the odor away!"

Gpa Joad & Buck. My parents were slaves to this child and his riding toy.
Evidence of enslavement photo 2 - Buck wasn't happy that I made him stop to take a picture.
Buck and his cousin SDJ. Feel free to browse past posts for other pictures of the adorable 2some.
E-locito & Buck. E-lo has grown leaps and bounds since his pictures at the beach last August. So amazing!!
SDJ, J-lo and Supermodel D in a photo of 2 generations of gorgeous women. J-lo is E-locito's mamacita :)

The title a little jingle - not really a song I guess.

Buck has decided that he only wants to take showers now. He is protesting the bath and immediately runs for the Master Bedroom shower when I say "bath time." He loves to stand in the spray of the water with his face down. I'm assuming that he's watching the "rain" flow from his head. He can't get enough of it -- and bad mommy that I am -- I let his fingers get all pruney and his skin gets a touch pink from the heat of the shower. I am thinking that I'll only have a limited time to shower with my son, so I'm enjoying his little pot belly while I can.

Of course, he peed on me yesterday and started to laugh uncontrolably. A definite sign that his testorsterone is in tact (is that how I spell tact?) No time to look it up.

God Bless my aunt and uncle who are off on a cruise to sail around the Cape of Good Horn (?) the very bottom of South America. Incredible.

"We're having a heat wave...a tropical heat wave"

Our "two babies" met over Christmas. This was the first time that Bailey and Buck could interact. Buck was ecstatic. Bailey wanted some food. But it was great.
Most people know that Bailey went to live with RKZ's parents in Co Springs when we moved to Canada. He is thriving there & is much happier than when he was with us. All of the Grady men seem to love Bailey.
Bailey gets a much needed tummy rub :) I don't think he can scratch his own tummy anymore. It's so fat!! :)

Ok, so it's about 42 F/5 C right now (or early in the day, at least) which seems so incredibly warm that Buck and I were able to enjoy the fad of wearing a vest over a long sleeve shirt (we're so hip) instead of a jacket. Tomorrow, we're even planning to enjoy the zoo again - since our first trip was in -20 weather (does it really matter if that's F or C - it's just cold).

RKZ is off on a trip again - thankfully only for 3 days. I spent the second 1/2 of the day spending around $100.00 (Canadian) on socks and shoes for Buck. Yeah, he's grown in the last 3 months from a size 5 to a 6. This entails packing up some really cute shoes that will (in the words of the sales lady) "cramp" his feet & I also have to pack away about 15 pairs of socks. I first noticed the foot growth when I saw that the "heel" of Buck's socks only reached his toddler foot arch (almost non-existent). I thought it might be time to invest in some new shoes.

Invest is the best word, of course, since good toddler shoes (Stride Rite) are about $50 here. Insane for a pair of shoes that will only last 4 months, but, of course, I buy them because of all the literature out there about early walkers having really good shoes. I'm afraid he'll need orthodics if I don't take good care of his feet now. Isn't that strange?

Well - another packed week of baby gym classes, the zoo and mom work-outs. It's a good life if you can get it. I miss RKZ, of course, we're very excited to have some time together someday.

"It's rainin' again..."

This is the Grady mountain cabin in winter. The garage is a new addition and the cabin itself is longer. Some amazing renovations inside.
Uncle looking Rico Suave on the 4 wheeler.
The family enjoys a bit of mountain sledding - complete with toques.
Me hanging out in the new garage (probably looking for a beer!)
Buck in his snow suit. Believe it or not, he has already grown out of it (basically) from the fall until now.
Gma and Gpa in working slow-cooker magic in the cabin kitchen.
Uncle, Buck & RKZ share a love for 4 wheeling - and "the shadow" captures it all on film. I'm really as skinny as this shadow makes me look, by the way. :)
Buck seemingly NOT enjoying his 1st 4 wheeler ride. He was much happier during ride #2
Daddy is intent on Buck loving snow sports. He really did like the sled being pulled by the 4 wheeler, even if it seemed a bit dangerous to mommy.

I only use this song because baby committments (sp) have started up again and Buck and I have been going non-stop for the last 4 days. It's insane the amount of activity that can be crammed into one child's life (and his mommies). Biggest events - we have a great kid's gym class on Wednesdays, I have a "mom's with abs" class on the same day -- we'll see how that works out -- and I am taking some refresher snowboarding classes at the Canada Olympic Park (home of '88 winter olympics). I had a wonderful time and I'll tell you more about it next week when I can see out of my bleary (because of fatigue) eyes.

"Blue Moon..."

More Christmas photos! Uncle Stud :) and Auntie HAG (RKZ's idea)
The G family. This is the picture we show the world...
...This is a little more like the family. At least the kids are all looking in this one :)
Jay Cutler, Buck and me. I cut all of my hair off a few days ago, so I look different now.
Couldn't remember if I already used this picture. I love it. Buck's cousins.
HAG and Buck. He spent a lot of time with his Aunt (lucky break for me!)
Buck's cousins -- Looking good in their matching sweaters. Love the ever-present Gameboy (every picture of a boy over 5 seems to have one)

This morning, Buck and I spent about 15 minutes looking at the moon. It's a tiny crescent moon, just like they use in all of Buck's picture books (except for Goodnight Moon, but you get the picture). Buck was so excited to see it, we had to open the front door and look out of all of the 4 windows (2 different levels) where we could see the moon. This involved walking up and down the stairs a number of times. I was tempted to say 'no' to the second trip up but then I realized that, too soon, Buck will not be impressed by the moon. He'll be "over it" and I will be wishing that we could walk up the stairs and just stare at the moon for awhile -- so I'm not wasting the experience.

I will be finished with the Christmas pictures soon. I might just post a bunch in the next few days in order to get back in time with the posts.

"You're beautiful!"

Auntie H and Pagina looking beautiful!
Uncle being his cool self on Christmas Eve. 21 years of good-lookin' :)
Every Christmas Eve, Grandpa Duke reads (or says) "The Night Before Christmas" to the kids (and the big kids also). Grandma thought it'd be a good idea to get a nice edition of the classic this year, rather than rely on memory. That's good thinkin', Grandma!
Here is the younger crowd (and Jay Cutler) listening to the story. Notice Buck is downing his milk like a champ.

I chose this title song because it's annoying...also because it has been 0F/-17C and I feel like thinking that everything is beautiful instead of cold. You know that you've gotten used to a climate when 0 degrees doesn't even phase you. The above pictures help me keep warm with memories (cheesy, but true).

RKZ is in Chicago for the night. Last night, he was in Denver and had a chance to hang out with his younger brother, Uncle. I guess some of Uncle's frat brothers asked RKZ if he was Uncle's dad. Poor RKZ - facing mortality inches at a time. I still think RKZ is sexy and young - particularly because he is a year younger than myself. Also, he sends me nice presents through the mail while he's away. Thanks for the gift, honey :)

Buck and I have been non-stop going since our baby programs have started for the winter. I am looking forward to a Friday off so that we can finally get over to see CSG who escaped from the hospital. We also need to get some serious grocery shopping done. Tonight, I fed my mom's group (who stayed for dinner) cheese, black bean and green chili stuffed pitas! Everything was from the can, of course (not the cheese) - but I was thinking that if we had had Mexican cheese, I would have done Grandma Duchess proud with my green chili concoction.

Lastly, my family is beginning the long process of planning a family get-together this summer. Everyone is being so cool about everything. I just have to mention it in the blog.

This is a random posting. RAMBLE. sorry. It will be funny next time - at least to me.

"Welcome to the jungle!"

Every year around Christmas, Grandma Duchess and Grandpa Duke have a big "open house" party which draws a host of fun characters. Here are a few shots of the crowd. The woman in the first pic went to High School with RKZ. They have remained good friends.
Uncle with two of his High School friends. I think that the 3rd guy stayed that night and finished off the keg with Uncle (Yes, they are legal).
Some rowdy Knights of Columbus friends - The man closest to the camera is exactly the way this shot makes him out to be.
The rest of the KoC rowdies. The man in the back goes Christmas shopping for his wife on Christmas eve every year and ends the day at Hooters. RKZ normally goes. I guess this year Buck slowed him down :)
My one brother-in-law. Here, I guess he is adjusting the tree (or hiding his drink) - ha. ha.

It was 19F/-7C today (in Calgary), so what do Buck and I decide to do (with a couple of friends)? Of course, we went to the zoo. Now, there's no snow on the ground or anything - but it was incredibly cold. Thank God that there are a lot of indoor exhibits. We spent a lot of time looking at the monkeys (I was reminiscing about The Pigman for awhile) and they have a great "tropical forest" section. We took some pictures - but they will be saved for a later date after I have finished with the Christmas photos.

It's supposed to begin blizzarding tomorrow. RKZ is off on a work trip. Maybe Buck and I will nest here until he gets back - of course, we have some big plans already. And we still need to get over to the CSG (who escaped from the hospital - literally). I'll keep you posted.

"Here we come again..."

Big smiles at Grandpa and Grandma Grady's -- right before the big Open House.
"Uncle" with Buck and RKZ. Uncle is a big favorite with Buck & his smile proves it.
Buck's cousin, "Princess Pagina." This little girl is a dynamo and her personality is the only thing bigger than her cuteness. She is amazing.
Auntie HAG (RKZ's idea, H) - somehow all of my sister-in-law's look like TV stars. I'm still trying to get rid of my hormonal facial hair. This beauty is the mother of 3, so don't bother asking if you can date her :)

This week's posts will be a trip back in time as I post pictures from our Christmas and New Year's Eve (NYE). We had an excellent time in both Colorado & Reno....but incredibly, we barely escaped one blizzard only to be caught in the next. We were so lucky/blessed to be stuck at RKZ's parent's instead of in the middle of the Denver airport. It was a crazy travel experience, but one of the best holidays in a long time.

I hope that some of you have noticed that I've been off-line for a few days (weeks). Even though we arrived home on the 1st, I instantly came down with that insidious stomach flu (known as Norwalk Virus here in Canada). Interestingly, Norwalk is a yucky place in Southern California - you wouldn't want to live or visit there. I have been waiting to see if Buck or RKZ contracted the illness, but I guess they have super genes or something because they seem to be getting on fine.

More tomorrow! Happy New Year!