First Real Ride in quite some time...

My last real mountain bike ride was a lovely winter ride in Callahan State Forest in January 2007. Despite being pregnant and needing to keep my heart rate low, it was a stellar ride. Crisp, clean air, and awesome trails that we had all to ourselves. It has been 15 months since that ride.

Today was a good day to hit the single track. It was an amazing day - bright blue skies, and temps in the 70's. After BDP got home from his 2.5 hour ride, I put to baby to bed and promptly put the rubber to the road. I was sooooo happy. I rode out from our house to Upton State Forest, and did a short little stretch of single track. I was gone for just over an hour, and boy do I feel it. 15 months off the bike really take their toll! This was the first time I had ridden my bike since it got all of its upgrades: I9 wheels, disc brakes, and purdy pink cable housing. My husband even had pink flower stickers made with my name on them to put on the bike. 

So, now its time to get the miles in before we head to Crested Butte. 

I also want to tell everyone how happy I am that its finally getting nice here. I got the season's first sun burn yesterday as I worked out in the front yard. I feel ALIVE! My son slept for two hours yesterday and again for an hour and half this morning, which allowed me to transplant three bushes and re-do my walkway. What an accommodating boy.

Enjoy the weather ya'll. I know we will.

You just can't get much cuter than this...

Bath time at the Pierce house. (4/8/08)

Monkey Man (Pics from 3/29/08)

Uli's Woolies

Well... after many many months of people asking where I got Uli's wool pants, BDP talked me into carrying business cards to hand out for interested users. Not only does it give people my contact info to buy the pants (a.k.a. 'longies'), but it offers me a way to start a little business on the side and make a little cash (it also serves to fuel my campaign to cloth diaper all babies)! I have been a little reluctant to initiate this for two reasons: I don't want to be too commited to something, nor do I want to get crushed when I fail to attract any business. I can tell you I am a bit nervous even writing this post, as it makes the thing that much more real.

We chose a name this afternoon, and its really cute. We are going to register the domain name this afternoon, and I think that I will probably ask a dear friend ('brotha!') to create my website. I need to take some pics of what I have made to date, and then get crankin on the crochet hook. My niche will be organic soakers and longies. It may take some doing, since organic wool is expensive. I may also need to learn how to dye the yarn, as my preliminary research hasn't revealed a whole lot of options for colors in organic wool!

So, be on the look out for my new business and website: www.uliswoolies.com.

Wish me luck.

At Home

I am home now! It's been great, so rewarding but so tiring! We have been out and about a little bit, with some hikes thrown in during the week. I have cooked every night I've been home, which has been awesome. I am so sick of take out! We are getting into a good groove, and I can't wait to grow with my son!

Family hike on the Charm Bracelet Trail around Westborough, Easter Sunday. Didn't see any bunnies.

I forgot the best one!

One more picture - it's the best of the bunch. Uli at his 6 months check-up: 17 lbs, 26.5 inches. What you can't see in the picture is that it was really warm in the exam room, and apparantely my son was very comfy. He peed all over the scale. :)

It's Official

My stint as a Project Manager in clinical research ended peacefully and without much ado yesterday, which was exactly how I wanted it to end. A peaceful transition into SAH-motherhood is what I need, although the peaceful part is in question as I listen to my son sadly moan upstairs as he drifts off for his morning nap.

I have a few pictures to post today, here they are:

Momma, LaLa and Uli playing around a few weeks ago. (2/25/08)

Uli and I went hiking last Friday (3/7/08) in Upton State Park since it was so gorgeous out. The snow was melting, and most of the trails were in awesome condition (some were a bit swampy, and some were still icey, but I had my spikes on my shoes and poles to keep us stable). Uli loved being outside and was particularly intrigued with the running streams.

And, oh yes, I turned 30 last week. I still am having a hard time wrapping my brain around the fact that I have been tormenting my parents for 30 years now. Hardly seems like a blink of an eye. My lovely husband took me to a fabuluous Italian bistro for dinner with my dear friends Virg and Natron, and bought be the much coveted Henry Cuir bag and PS Teslar watch (He listened to me!). My mother bought me 30 irises and took me for a luxurious spa day and wonderful dinner with my sister. It couldn't have been a better celebration.

Awww....

Me and my man at my holiday party early December. We're so dorky we're cute.

Good News!

I have finally made the decision to be a Stay-at-Home-Mommy (SAHM). My tentative last day as a Clinical Project Manager is March 13th, unless I can finagle it to be earlier. I am so happy I get to spend more time with my son. It will also be nice to spend some real time with my mom, and not to be so stressed out with work.

BDP got a new camera last week. Here are some new pictures of Uli-Man.

Uli eating his lunch. (2/10/08)

Preparing for food... (2/10/08)

I took this one. My two dorks. (1/19/08)

Two Posts in One Day

Well, I also have new pics of Uli, so I have to post those as well. Brian and I are both hiding out in the office as we listen to our son 'cry it out' in the bedroom. This is apparantly where I will diverge from attachment parenting. The boy needed to sleep and I need some autonomy. So far, its working. Not fun, but getting better.

This is how things look while I am at work. LaLa, Uli, and the Pud-cicle. (1/21/08)

This is Uli's new trick. He loves to drink out of other people's cups. He actually drinks the water pretty well! (2/1/08)

(1/21/08)

Bike Porn

Okay, I need to stray from the family posts and post a picture of my trusty steed. My wonderful husband bought I9 wheels for me for Christmas, and he finally intalled them for me. I also have pink cable housing to compliment the pink ano wheels. It's hot.

Oh - and for those of you who know me to be a macho "I'll do it myself" person, I don't do bike maintenance anymore because I can never find the tools. If BDP kept the tool bench clean and the tools where they belong, I would work on my bike. Since only he knows the organization within his mess, his punishment is to work on my bike. Probably not punishment to him, and I can't say I miss getting greasy.

Here's my Lovely:

The Business of Being Born

This is a new movie that was released into theatre's recently. I've not yet seen it, but I am already pre-ordered for the DVD. My midwife (I LOVE you, Nancy!) was interviewed for the movie, so I know there will be good stuff in it. I cry every time I watch the trailer.

Link is to the right. Watch the trailer. Beware, have some tissues handy.

The Pud Fights Back

Nemo has been quite good with Uli since his birth, and with the exception of Nemo's habit of talking too much, everyone gets along well. Nemo cleans up after Uli, plays with him, and is even somewhat protective.


Until yesterday...

I guess Nemo decided that it's never too early to start teaching the munchkin how to share. Nemo hopped up into the Uli's bouncy seat yesterday afternoon and made himself quite comfortable. (1/18/08)

Hiking!

We went for a nice hike this morning and were able to take the baby back pack out for its maiden voyage. It was so good to get outside and reset the brain and body. Uli loved the whole thing - he chattered to his Daddy most of the hike.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

It's been an awesome start to the new year... Uli has stopped sleeping at night and now resists naps. Needless to say, we're all sleep deprived in this house, even without attending a New Year's Party! Here are a few pictures from Christmas at the Pierce house...

Have you seen the Jumpin' Man? (12/31/07)

Melanie's Opa flew up from North Carolina for Christmas. Uli and Opa loved each other! (12/25/07)

First night sitting in a high-chair at the dinner table. He played and watched us eat! (12/30/07)

Back to work

now I really have no time. here's some recent photos... more to come soon.

Turkey Day 11/22/07

12/13/07

12/13/07

Oma's Christening Gown

Well, the little man may not be subjected to the formality of a traditional christening, but he will have to suffer the tradition of wearing the gown. Lala got him dressed this morning while Mom was showering and unable to protest.

The gown was handmade by my great-great grandmother, Emma Gregory. My Oma and all her siblings wore the gown for their christenings, my father and his siblings all wore it, and my sister and I both wore it. It's a beautiful gown and really shows how much love and care used to go into clothes. The picture doesn't show detail of the gown, but the detail of Uli's awfully cute.

Right on with traditions.

Can you believe Papo wore that once? (11/25/07)

Toys for Christmas

So, it may be tough to get toys for Christmas for the Uli man. We just watched the news and the recommendation from several groups was to not buy any toys from China that a child under 2 would put in his mouth. Guess we're going to have to get old fashioned and buy wooden toys and paint them ourselves. Or... buy American made - does the good old USA make toys any more???

I think I'll just get him a carrier so that we can start hiking with him after Christmas.

We're also all organic now for the munchkin's clothes. Trust me, I did not make this decision, although I was probably the catalyst for my husband's newest neuroses. Baby skin is apparantly significantly thinner than adult skin, and therefore absorbs a lot more chemicals than adult skin. No chemicals for the Uli man. We didn't have a homebirth to avoid drug exposure only to allow for chemical exposure through his clothes. Oh, and just in case you were wondering, he isn't exposed to chemicals through his food either - I only eat organic foods. Only chemicals Uli man gets is from the air... considering we live in a fairly rural area, I am thinking his exposure is not too bad.

Picture of the cutie:

No caffeine in the house...

There are no caffeinated coffee beans in the house. This is a tragedy, and frankly, its dangerous to those who come into contact with me. I should put a warning sign out front to warn visitors: uncaffeinated, sleep-deprived Melanie on the loose...

Luckily, we just got a Starbucks that's a five minute walk from my front door. The world is safe for another day.

Uli and I made our coffee run this morning at about 9 am. It was near 40 degrees out. He got to wear his new Capilene. Here's how cute we were:

For tonight's entertainment...

We have the amazing Daddy!!! Not just for bath time anymore, he's now playing at changing tables near you.

Night time bath and massage (10/25/07)