in our arms

Welcome to our world little one. We are so very happy you are here. How can it already be a week ago that you arrived? Your birth last Wednesday filled me with such love, strength, and beauty. You did so well little one, staying strong and steady throughout the long labor. Me, you, and daddy worked collectively to bring you into this world and that journey created a deep entwinement of our hearts. I know it. I feel it.

You are a gift, John Paul. You and your brother are two special, special blessings bestowed on me and your daddy. We promise to nurture you and love you and hold you, now until forever. Happy one week, my sweet boy.

cease the day

Mr. Alcott off to cease the day.

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don't go back to sleep.
You must ask for what you really want.
Don't go back to sleep. ~ Rumi

Ryan, have I mentioned lately how proud and thankful I am to be your partner? You exceed everything I hoped for in a husband. An ambitious, hard-working man, who also happens to be a wonderful friend, father, and provider. You are my best decision.

bébé

Last weekend we got together with a family friend to shoot a few maternity photos. Such a fabulous time! While pregnant with Theodore, I never did such a session and had a little regret over it. This time I decided to bare the belly and carve out a morning for photos. So happy I did, love the results!

Teddy's eyes make me melt! And I've got to say, I'm lovin' that sexy, long-haired, bearded boy, too.

Happy Saturday, loves. Only 2 more fall between us and the due date. 17 days! So close to meeting this sweet, sweet gift who already fills our hearts, minds, and conversations. So close to meeting our son. So close to meeting Theodore's brother. Can you believe it?!?

twin cities

Because I love Minneapolis. And I bet you do, too. Check this out. Good stuff. Especially #46.

nature's bounty

This is, I think,
what holiness is:
the natural world,
where every moment is full
of the passion to keep moving.
I've knelt there,
and so have you,
hanging on
to what you love,
to what is lovely. - Mary Oliver

Theodore had a magnificant time playing in the snow. His adventures were made extra sweet by Ryan's arrival home a few minutes after we stepped out into the white wonderland. He'd been away for 6 days. Below is a special bonus photo of their reunion.



Those two hold
every.
little.
bit of my heart.

our new home

Oh My! I can hardly believe it's been nearly a month since my last posting! We've been busy bees working, getting ready for baby, AND purchasing our first HOUSE! We closed on October 22nd and have slowly been moving things in, making small renovations (mostly painting, wall/ceiling repair, etc.), and doing some yard work. It's a character-filled 1925 farmhouse. Originally set on 60 acres, the section we purchased was at some point broken off into 5 acres. Our 5 acres is still surrounded by the remaining 55 acres of undisturbed, uninhabited land. Very fun!

The beautiful barn is one of our favorite things about the property. When you sit in the kitchen, the windows face it's huge facade and create such a feeling of serenity and solitude. It's wonderful.



We also envision many afternoons spent rocking on the adorable, white swing. Theodore (in his 2-year old glory) is already terribly possessive of the it, so Ry and I take our turns during nap time.

The holiday season and birth of our sweet second is fast approaching and with it more busyness, but we feel such peace being in our new home. The last four years of traveling have been wonderful and allowed us to explore many new places, but we've long been in need of a home base for our little family. This place is home.

the boys club

Uncle Johnny, Theodore, Grandpa Morrow. Buffalo, MN

"He who walks with the wise grows wise..." ~ Proverbs 13:20

Something tells me our winter arrival will fit in just fine with the family.

All the boys are just waiting to include him in on the adventures.

deodorant-wearing monkey boy

Teddy, we are so glad you're ours.

You really are the best, our funny little monkey.

cottonwoods

CWs along my Red River bike route. Grand Forks, ND

I'm convinced that when the breeze blows through a Cottonwood tree it creates a distinct whisper. A sound different from the rustles of an Oak or Maple. Growing up on a lake in central Minnesota, I heard the Cottonwood whisper often. The shoreline was abundant with the huge old trees. My neighbor had a hammock that hung in small grove of Cottonwoods and whenever they were out of town, I'd sneak over and lie under the big trees dreaming dreams and praying prayers. Their limbs always felt like an embrace. When I was older and going for runs around the lake, I'd take care to note the biggest and most beautiful of the trees along my route. The Cottonwood was the tree of my childhood. My dad has since moved from the house I grew up in, but I was touched to see he planted three Cottonwoods at his new home. I think he missed the sweet softwoods. Below is a photo of our home right after it was built in 1980.

Yesterday I went for a bike ride along the Red River and couldn't help but stand in awe of the enormous Cottonwoods along the trail. Their leaves once again creating a notable sound, shaking and shimmering in the autumn air.

A memory rushed through me as I biked along:
* summer following 6th grade.
* lying on a pink blanket under the Cottonwood in my backyard.
* praying that the boy I'd so desperately crushed after the last nine months would return my sentiments at the start of a new school year.
* my mom coming out and offering words of understanding, easing my junior high heart ache.

The whisper of the trees brought me right back to that day....and I like things that remind me of my mama.

Portland

Portland Farmers Market. Oct. 2010

Home sweet home on a delicious Sunday morning. It's been a busy week playing catch up after my wonderful time in Portland last weekend, so I'm looking forward to a still day. This morning is hushed and perfect. My husband is peacefully sleeping next to me and Teddy boy is curled up in his cribie dreaming sweet baby dreams. I love being the first one up in the mornings. It means Ryan is home, as I'd never be up before him on a workday. But I'm rambling and the point is to share a few lovely Portland photos....

I had such a beautiful weekend. The perfect mix of adventures in a new city and relaxation with my nearest and dearest. To spend time with Lindsey, Reggie, and their new pup (by the way, they are fabulous puppy parents!) was precious. And now they're ENGAGED! Yes, that's right! I left for home last Monday and on Tuesday evening Reggie popped the question! I'm SO excited for this sweet, sweet couple. Wishing them a year full of beautiful blessings as they prepare for the big day next summer! And SERIOUSLY, how cute are they...

Lindsey and Reggie, thank you for all the thoughtfulness and sweetness. You are so kind. Love you mucho mucho and can't wait until Christmas!

sweet surprises

A couple months ago, a friend from Clarksville posted this on her Facebook page. Ryan and I completely teared up watching it. It's pretty awesome. The little doll, with whom the video opens, is also from Clarksville. Her elementary footage was shot at a school just down the street from my old apartment. :-)



Yesterday at the park, Teddy and I hung out with another mama about my age and her two-year old lad. After visiting for some time, I learned her husband has been deployed for the last seven months and will be gone at least another six. I can't even imagine. I struggle when Ry's out of town for a few days. Our military families are SUPERHEROS, no doubt about it.

tis the season

Nelson's corn maze and pumpkin patch. Emerado, ND. Sept 10'

Yesterday:

* Slept in. Until 9am! Virtually unheard of.

* Created huge train track through the living room. Thomas, James, and Percy loved it.

* Went to first pumpkin patch/corn maze.

* Discovered Theodore is terrified of black cats. Like really, really scared. Absolutely no idea why.

* Without naming names, one family member folded and put away an entire pile of dirt laundry.

Opps.

*Teddy announced at lunch that "Mama's soup looks just like a beach ball." Umm, okay.

* Went on a long, family bike ride in the evening. Happily discovered balancing my baby belly was no problem.

* Stopped for pizza along the route. +'s included patio seating and an awesome thin crust. -'s, a disgusting sauce on the BBQ chicken pizza.

* Declaration at bedtime that the two-year old "Wants to wear his zookeeper jammies." Zookeeper jammies? Again, umm okay....let me just pull those out.

South Dakota

Father and son. Uncle Bob's farm. Sept. 2010

Last weekend the Alcott trio (+ bebé en útero) drove to Sioux Falls, South Dakota for a celebration in honor of Ryan's maternal grandparents 60th wedding anniversary. It was truly a blessed event! How incredible is a 60th wedding anniversary!?! The best part is his grandparents are such lovebirds. They have the sort of partnership every marriage aims to create. We are lucky to have their beautiful example in our family. I wish I'd taken a photo of the honorary couple, but alas it slipped by too fast with few photos captured.

I did manage to get a couple photos from our first morning there with a quick visit to Uncle Bob's farm. Ryan has three uncles with working farms in the area, so naturally these visits were a highlight of the trip for Teddy. When Ry and I were in high school, talking about careers and the paths we hoped to take through college, I half-jokingly half-seriously suggested a number of times that we move to South Dakota and become farmers. Obviously the logistics and financial reality of entering the farm industry from scratch in today's age would be VERY difficult, but my goodness...it may have been the perfect fit for our family. The best part, Ryan would never have to travel for work again. We'd always have him with us. And we really, really like him with us.

It's raining here today, so Ry is home. They don't work in the rain. Perfect. Hope you are spending the day with your lovies as well. Muah!

bedrooms

Lately I've been dreaming of bedrooms. I'm not sure if it's the return of pregnancy fatigue with the third trimester or if it's the cold, windy autumn weather. Either way, I find myself imagining beautiful, simple, sleepy sanctuaries. A place to lay my head each night. To read and cuddle with my lambs during the day. A cove to sneak away to with my love when the opportunities arise (will those moments still happen with two boys?) A room for my Grandmother's cedar chest, recently handed down. A place to exhale.

With that said, I had to share this recent post on one of my favorite decorating blogs, Decor 8. Photos came from a "favorite blogger bedroom" contest held at Norske Interior.

How all encompassingly yummy are each of these rooms?!? Click here for designer credits.

As long as I can remember, I've dreamed of a white bedroom, with wood floors, open windows, and flowers on the nightstand. These are all right up my alley, although I've a special fondness for the lace coverlet in photo two and the closet drape in photo four. Each is most certainly a place to exhale.

so long sweet summer...

....we will miss you.

joy

Alissa and Jake. Bennington, Vermont. Autumn 2009

Forever meant to walk together.

The most wonderful news was delivered to our family this past weekend! My dear sister-in-law, Ryan's youngest sister is getting married! We are thrilled! Truly, truly joyous for the beautiful couple! Their radiating elation penetrated deep into the whole family, as we all walked around with perma-grins for the remainder of the weekend. Lots of spontaneous giggles, happy tears, and memories filled our hearts. May the next nine months be a blessed and treasured time as they prepare for the BIG day!

Congratulations, Alissa and Jake! We love you!

"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."
~Isaiah 55:12

I've got friends with tractors

A couple weekends ago, Teddy and I went to the Nowthen Threshing Show with G & G Alcott. Ryan was en route back to Minnesota from Michigan and missed all the merry, but not to worry, I'm positive it will become an annual family event. It was just THAT much FUN!

Rows upon rows of tractors. All of Theodore's favorites were there, JDs, Fords, Allis Chalmers', Minneapolis Molines, the list goes on. Personally I favored the Demonstrator Farmalls. I wish I'd taken a long shot photo of the display area. It was impressive. Teddy could have spent hours looking at the big machines. Lucky for him, we entered a raffle to win a Moline. I'm positive we'll be receiving a call to come pick it up around the end of the month. ;-) What else is there to to do with our tractor lovin' boy except let him putt putt away...

A look at two of T's favorite songs. We watch these homemade videos many a morning over a bowl of cereal.

Cutting for Stone

This is FAB.U.LOUS.

Do read.

The Beginning

"Where did I come from?" the baby asked its mother.
She answered half crying, half laughing, and clasping the baby to her breast,-
You were hidden in my heart as its desire, my darling.
You were in the dolls of my childhood games.
In my hopes, in all my loves, in my life, and in the life of my mother you have lived.
In the lap of the eternal spirit who rules our home, you've been nursed for all the ages.

The Beginning ~ Rabindranath Tagore

25 weeks

25 weeks! 25 weeks along with our baby boy! How quickly this pregnancy is zipping by! I tend to measure time in seasons, and can hardly believe the summer is nearly behind us. That means one more lovely season and then it's time to meet my birthday present! :)

Our little one knows time is passing as well. A little peek into his world:

* He's about 1 1/2 lbs now! Roughly the size of an average rutabaga.

The baby is like a rutabaga? Hmm. Maybe not the best comparison to use for Teddy. Center photo via bourgeoisbee on Flicker.

* He stretches to an impressive length of 13 1/2 inches.

* His arms and legs continue to grow this week and have nearly reached their birth length.

* He's already grown enough hair to discern it's color and texture.

* His long, lean body is beginning to develop baby fat.

My growing belly is evidence to all the above!