Alaska!

Aren't all of you dear readers so excited to see another post! I can't believe I've posted four times in the past three weeks!

Welcome to Alaska. First, I'm going to mention that this post is going to be exceptionally long because of all of the photos I've added. This is a very tiny representation of the 600+ photos we took along the way, but they tell the story and show just how beautiful Alaska is. So, if photos irritate you, consider yourself pissed now and save yourself the trouble- because there are LOTS of them.

So, here we go, to the last frontier!

We traveled to Anchorage because I had some consulting to do with Anchorage public schools- and along the way made a sort of mini-vacation of our stay. On our first day we decided, sort of on a wim, to hike up flattop mountain. It was a beautifully clear day, so we wanted to take full advantage of the views- so off we went in our rental car. When we found our way to the park we noticed a serious-looking crew of folks. When I first saw them I thought there was no way we were hiking 'spur of the minute' unprepared. Neither of us had hiking boots, or Yak Traks or anything to help with slipping, sliding or basically falling down and creating or being part of an avalanche. But, hey, we were up for it, so we tured a blind eye to the people with their hiking poles, snow shoes, radar beacons and packs and started to trudge it up the mountain.

The weather in Anchorage was actually pretty warm- in the high 30's with no snow on the ground, but mountains have lots of snow and we were in the thick of it. So, we tried to stay on the trail and tread carefully. Off we went.
The views were spectacular, which made us forget about all the danger. We spent a lot of time taking in the view of mountains around us and of Anchorage down below. We loved being alone among the pristine envioronment and the crystal-encrusted snow.
It wasn't long into hiking along that we started to notice tracks from downhill skis. Flatttop is a great mountain to climb because it really isn't all that steep- its very flat at the top (hence the name), but the trail up can get a bit slick and there is some rock scrambling (or in this case, snow scrambling), but I image if you could lug your skis up there, it would make for some fantastic runs for an experienced skier.
It wasn't far into our hike that we stumbled upon this scenario. There was a patch of snow that had been entirely troden through by footprints- much like a grid. We found out that there was a search and rescue for a skier going on. We had a really hard time telling if it was a drill or the real thing because everything was so mechanical about how these people worked. As we hiked we watched them talk about an avalanche, and spiked the slopes looking for people who were or might be burried. It was both frightening and engaging- I couldn't help but watch these people and wondering if was just a drill, but at the same time I was concerned that there might actually be a skier buried in that area.
As we trekked in toward the peak we had a fantastic view of Anchorage, the mountain range of the lengend of the sleeping lady and Mt. Mckinley in the distance.

So, after returning from our hike, being unprepared as I mentioned when we started out, I was soaked. These are the shoes I wore. Ridiculous. I know. But, I managed, even though we had to ride back to the city with the heat on high so my toes could defrost.

For the weekend we decided to take the Alaska Railroad up to Talkeetna. Here is our train as we boarded it Saturday morning.


While we were on the train we made our way through famous Wasilla, home of the infamous Sarah Palin. It was gone in a blink of an eye on train, but not without the conductor first pointing out her previous residence.

What's that in the picture you say? Nope, its not a bird house. Its actually a 7 story home, owned by some crazy attorney in Anchorage. His idea was that if he built the turret tall enough to see Mt. McKinley over the trees he'd always have a spectacular view. Turns out the turret isn't finished yet, and hasn't been for the past, say 10 years, but someday, this guy will actually get to go up there and view Mt. McKinley.
Here we are riding along again. The baggage car was open on either side for us to poke around in and it offered the perfect opportunity to take photos out the side. Drew and I were prentending to be the Box Car Children.
Look! Its Mt. McKinley, from way far off, in a train car. It was our first view of it making it clearly identifiable. In a few short hours we would be flying right inside the mountain range, landing next to the grand Mt. McKinley.

Throughout our travels in Alaska I thought we would most certainly see many moose, as the last time that I was here I saw them all over. But this time they weren't out and about. The only two moose we saw were these loners, walking along the tracks as we traveled past.
Once we arrived in Talkeetna we quickly settled our goods in, and then took a short trip over to the Talkeetna Air Taxi service to take a flight to Mt. McKinley and land in Sheldon Ampitheater, after touring Ruth's glacier. We had to wear these lovely mukluks to keep the snow out of our shoes and pants since it was so fresh on the glacier.


Can you see the little green plate? Its the inspection plate in our little plane, the Otter. The plane was built in 1954. This didn't make me feel all that safe when we were in the air, but it turned out fine as the little Otter got us to and from Denali without a problem.





While we were in Denali national park our pilot took us around a series of glaciers. To add some perspective to this particular glacier he noted that each of these "cracks" is between 100 and 200 feet deep. It really captures the enormity of the glacier.




This is an outhouse right smack dab in the middle of Denali. Before it became a national park one of the first men to reach the summit built a tiny little cabin right at the base camp. It obviously doesn't have any electricity or running water, so this little outhouse right next to it, is the only accomodation available to those people who do rent it. Yes, its true, people do rent it, still!

On our way back to the airport I got to be the co-pilot, which made for a fantastic perspective. I was mesmerized by all of the gauges and dials. I did happen to find the gas gauges though and noticed we were going to be cutting it close. It turns out in airplanes you can regulate how you many gallons of gas you burn per hour. Our pilot slowed us down to make us burn less per hour so we would make it home without running out of gas.
Along the way our pilot pointed out these tiny dots. Can you see them? there are two groups of tiny little dots.
Upon zooming in you can see that they are actually tents. These are the tents of the crazy fools who made camp on the south face to climb Mt. McKinley in the middle of winter. CRAZY people.
After our weekend in Talkeetna I had to go to work for the school district, while Drew took a day Trip down to Seward to go on an ocean tour. While he was out on his tour he saw these mountain goats climbing along the mountain side.
and these lazy seals.
And this giant lug of a sealion.
The view was spectacular, but sadly, he didn't see any whales.
Seward waved goodbye to Drew with its beautiful harbor and mountain range in the background.
We ended our trip with a few late night dinners in Anchorage, before heading back home on Wednesday. We were able to enojy the vacation and it was rather akward to be without Collin for nearly six days. During our vacation Drew's parents took care of him at our house (read spoiled him with attention and love)-- by the time we were on our way home I was in a serious sate of homesickness to see our little guy.

But even though we missed Collin like crazy, the trip was a once in a lifetime opportunity- so we seized it, and we're so glad that we did.

11 months

Its been an incredible journey this far and since we usually spend each month writing a letter to Collin about his month, I thought this month we'd take a different perspective and create a blog where Collin writes us a letter.

Dear Momma and Daddy,

I'm Eleven Months old now and everyday I learn something new. This month you probably have seen me trying desperately hard to quickly get into the garbage, to empty or splash in the dog water bowl or to climb the stars when you're not looking. I don't know what I love more the sense of adventure or the look on your face when you see me making mischief.
This month I've been working overtime on accomplishments. I fooled all of your expectations by both standing by myself and starting to crawl like a normal baby all on the same day-- although sometimes I revert back to army crawling because I can get where I want to go more quickly. I now have 4 teeth and 2 more that are about to break through my gums, leaving me a bit fussy and sassy too.
I really love to be with you both. In the mornings I love spending time with mommy, who always plays with me before heading off to work, and in the afternoons I get to take walks and play outside with daddy. Lately, I can't hug them enough, as every time I find my way into their arms I nuzzle into their necks and snuggle tightly. This makes mommy and daddy smile because they love to cuddle with me.
I'm trying really hard to walk, but I just haven't gotten the hang of it yet. I grab on to mommy or daddy's fingers and they walk me around the house and yard. I try to walk quickly, almost run, forgetting that they have to keep up, so sometimes I end up on my bottom.

Its spring now! I love to be outside. I can't get enough of our backyard and the plants in it. Daddy walks me around the yard and lets me touch the blades of grass and leaves as he tells me all about what we have growing in our garden. He's starting me early on all of this horticulture stuff.
Sometimes I get a little bit sassy and tell mommy and daddy how frustrated I am that they are trying to feed me avocado again (Yuck! I've decided I don't like Avocado!!!), or trying to put me down for a nap when I'm not very tired, or when they stop me from grabbing the dog's toys, or even when I'm in the car seat for a little bit too long and want OUT!!!. I let them know as best I can that these things must stop! I just wish they would listen better though.

This month I got to have my first ride in our new Burley. Daddy put my helmet on and I wasn't very excited. The helmet is a bit bulky, but I thought it was funny to watch mommy and daddy put their helmets on. We all looked funny. I got in the Burley and when daddy went over the hill my helmet slid forward and I couldn't see at all, which made me mad, so I started to fuss and I wasn't happy until we got to the park where I got to swing! I love swinging!

I've started enjoying more "table ready"food, and less and less homemade baby food. I try to eat whatever mommy and daddy are eating, within reason, and with my birthday quickly approaching mommy is giving me bits of food with sugars here and there so I don't got into a sugar coma when I get my birthday cake!

I've been sleeping a lot too. Daddy thinks I'm just like mommy, who loves to sleep. Just the other day my first nap was for over 3 hours! Mommy thinks I am growing, which is always true.

During this month Grandma and Grandpa Hollman came to stay with me for 6 days while Mommy and Daddy went to Alaska. It was so fun to play with them, but when mommy and daddy got home I realized how much I missed them. For a few days later I was like a baby koala, stuck to mommy's side.

I've also learned to say "no", which I do to daddy when he's trying to feed me something I don't like. Sometimes I wave goodbye too, but I'm still not very consistent about it. I try to wave to mommy when she heads out to work, and sometimes I wave to Lori when she's leaving for the day. I also point. Point to this, point to that. I locate what I want and point point point to it. Apparently mommy and daddy think its very funny.

During this months, this 11 month span of development, I've grown to toddler-like heights. I'm ready to run, if I could just get my feet to coordinate with my ideas. I love my books and toys and playing with mommy and daddy. I give hugs and kisses and smile, because everyday they shower me with love. I love walks and to sing in church (even when I'm not really supposed to be singing), to watch my puppy and to chase the vacuum. Its silly, but so much fun!

I can't wait to turn 1, in a mere 30 days. I can't wait to eat cake and open presents and spend time with all of my family. I can't wait to stride into toddler-hood with confidence. I can't wait to play outside, make more friends and learn from my mistakes to improve my skills. I'm anxious for everyday that I wake up to mommy and daddy, for every hug and kiss, for every story read and for every adventure.

I'm 11 months, ready to be 12!

Love
Collin

Flash Back....

We are quickly approaching Collin's first birthday- 12 months, come and gone in a blink of an eye. Along the way we've learned a lot about parenting, and in general a lot about life. Its funny how children teach you so much so effortlessly :)

All of this reminiscing got me reflecting on preparing for Collin and all of the "how to guides" we buried ourselves in. We approached parenting like cramming for the GRA. The more information the better- and boy did we consume resources. Books, website, experts, professionals, --you name it, we consulted it. My use of Psych Info and EBSCO Host search engines definitely made use of the subscription. By the time we were heading to the hospital we had all too many gadgets, books and supplies for the baby. We even packed three books in the hospital bag-- you know, in case we had time to read more about what we should be prepared for.

Oh, how little we knew about the adventure to come...

Time?!? What extra time?!? We haven't had 5 minutes to breathe over the course of the the past year, save for vacations and work related trips that I had to take without Collin.

When we were awaiting this little guy I posted a post about baby gear- the good, the bad and the ugly- (my opinion of course), and in some cases, I've totally eaten my words. Here's my revisiting of the post:

First, the top three images in the post, where I made fun of all the "CRAZY" things available to new parents- are all things we now own! Yep, you name them, we have them. We have a swaddle- its for when infants are tiny and need to be swaddled in a blanket- this blanket and onesie in one for convenience. We have snappis- they are the ace bandage-like devices used to connect the sides of cloth diapers (which we use), and we also have a bumbo, which is a soft seat used to help babies sit up before they can do it themselves. Swallowing foot now...

On to the top 10, and the ones that wound up in our house, such as #9, the hooter hider. Well, sort of. I got a lot of flack about this one, as I made fun of it, but I think people didn't gather that I was making fun of the name of the product, not the product itself, so I do indeed have a nursing cover. Mine is from Bebe Au Lait, and is called, appropriately, the nursing cover- not "Hooter Hider", so while I do my share of hooter hiding, its not with a piece of fabric so aptly labeled.

We also found ourselves equipped with #3, a nursing stool. Actually, its a nursing stool built into the footstool for our rocking chair. And, its actually fairly handy, as when I was starting to nurse Collin, dealing with learning the whole process, putting my feet on the stool actually encouraged me to sit in a way that helped Collin latch on correctly-- so its not a total waste. It still seems kind of silly, that is until you put your feet on it as your nursing, then its actually quite nice. A little bit of heaven when all of the universe seems to be testing your pain tolerance.

Lucky for me, the 8 other items turned out to be truly useless or absurd.
But there are a few items that we found ourselves in need of, or hanging on to dearly as reference to good parenting, and now looking back, I wish someone would have pointed me in the right direction toward them...

1. Video Monitor! We have this one:
It lets us see Collin when he is sleeping which is fantastic because our room is on an entirely different floor and I feel much better about knowing when he is awake, restless, or just moving around in his sleep from way up in our room because I can see him. This is one of the few things I wish we would have bought right in the beginning. When Collin finally started sleeping through the night I was one paranoid momma. I wanted to check on him every 5 minutes. Is he breathing? Is he too close to the bumper? Is he warm enough? I nearly kept myself awake every night thinking about all of the potential reasons that Collin might need me, and to be honest, sometimes I still think some of those things- but the video monitor takes me from the range of obsessive-compulsive, to a bit more motherly but neurotic. I love being able to see Collin on the screen early in the morning as he's making sounds in his sleep and seeing him wake up to the sunshine as it creeps into the room.

2. Baby Einstein's Take-Along Tunes

When Collin was very little 0-3 months, and still going through the "adjusting to this world" and crying and fussy a lot of the time this was the only toy that he really liked. He loved listening to the music and seeing the lights. It was an essential piece of our diaper-bag necessities.After about 7 months he wasn't interested in it at all anymore, so we tucked it away, but just the other day he found it near the bottom of the toy bin and started pushing the buttons for music. He seems to like it all over again, which makes it multi-purpose, I guess.

3.Nuks!

We have these and boy have they been a life-saver. I always imagined that I would not give my babies pacifiers. I disliked the image of a toddler running around with a Nuk stuck in his mouth like a plug. BUT, along came reality. A whole two days after Collin was born we were in desperate need of a pacifier. He, according to his doctor and lactation consultant, "had one of the strongest sucking reflexes" they had ever seen. In the hospital, and in lots of books, they preach about not giving any pacifiers until 2-3 weeks to avoid "nipple confusion".
Well, that was pretty much ridiculous in this case. So, two days in we bought about a dozen pacifiers to see what worked. Turns out Collin liked the Nuk brand (which is not the brand I wanted him to like for the record), and they possessed incredible life-saving abilities. Now, 11 months later, Collin only uses a Nuk for nap time and bed time and I have no qualms about giving him one. I wish someone would have said its fine way back when...

4.Good Night Sleep Tight


This book was the perfect mix of Ferber and crazy over-protective mommy. As a nanny I was a perfect ferber-izer. I could get a baby on a sleep schedule in 3 days, max. But here I was, 6 months into parenting without a night time routine that took less than a half hour. We needed to make some changes. After reading an intense amount of literature about the topic I found myself afraid of Dr. Ferber and even more afraid of Dr. Weissbluth and company. I couldn't image letting Collin scream it out. A changed person I am apparently- as a mom I couldn't ferberize my kid for the life of me. This book, Good Night Sleep Tight by Kay West, was the perfect mix of letting Collin learn how to put himself to sleep and me not going crazy and crying on my own as he goes to sleep.

5. The Box Fan

Oh, the power of white noise! When Collin was very small and fussy (again during the 0-3 month phase) one of the only things that calmed him was laying on Drew's arm in the football hold in front of the box fan. He was calm right down and fall asleep or sit happily while Drew held him. We had no idea that the box fan was actually a baby essential.

So all in all, we made the mark on many of the items we had in preparing for Collin, but hind sight is always 20/20. For those new parents out there we hope to help even in the smallest way possible if it helps you feel good about parenting- because as we all know when we begin this adventure is like the blind leading the blind.

Next year we'll revisit the list to see just how we're doing with our parenting skills come 24 months along.

Happy Easter!

Are you ready for my usual spiel about being ridiculously behind in blogging??? Well, I'll save you all the effort and let you review some previous posts if you are interested. As it turns out, it seems that being behind is a new way of life for me. Late, late, late! This is both alarming and uncomfortable for me, as prior to Collin, I was always punctual, even EARLY sometimes. I met deadlines, tackled tasks and made appointments with minutes to spare...Oh, those days of long-ago...

So, you can probably guess how all this persistent lateness attributed to Easter. The Easter Bunny wasn't able to get his basket's together until, oh, say the day before, and I wasn't able to pack things for Milwaukee, until, oh, say, 2 hours before we had to leave, leaving me in the lurch....

But...it turns out fine anyhow, as it always does. We spent Easter in Milwaukee with Drew's family and our weekend was sprinkled with FANTASTIC events.

Collin's first Easter was adorable.

Collin was so cute and cuddly. I can barely stand how adorable he's been being lately with his hugs and kisses. He loved playing with his new bubbles and new ball.

Collin also spent time hanging out with Grandpa Hollman (and Grandma too),

Taking family photographs

AND!!!!

Getting excited about the upcoming wedding events! Both Susie and Chris Taylor and Chris and Amy got engaged within a few weeks of each other, and we are climbing out of our skin excited about the pending nuptials! Congrats to everyone and we are so glad both Amy and Chris (Taylor) will now be full-fledge, card-carrying, Sheepshead playing and liverwurst eating Hollman family!

Collin got another package from Grandma and Papa Wackerle, and, as usual, he was more interested in the box than the gift inside.

With Easter this year, we've welcomed spring- warm weather, sunshine and flowers, which is so very welcome. The warm weather takes me back to these warm months last year when we were imminently awaiting Collin's arrival. I remember spending days just rocking in the rocking chair in his room, anxiously awaiting Collin's arrival. We were so anxious and ready, floating along on bright thoughts and anticipation for our new baby. Now, a year later, its hard to believe that our lives have changed so dramatically, but in the same thought, its hard not to believe. I can't imagine what we would be doing today without Collin. He's such a blessing in our lives and we're so lucky to have him.

When I reflect on Easter, and its accompanying Bible story, I find myself sympathizing with the intense distress Jesus suffered under, and struggle to understand how nearly a whole city could be so determined to convict him. It seems as though if more moms had been in the community when Jesus was convicted, less convicting would have actually occurred. I wonder where the mothers of those placed on the cross had to hide their hearts as their children carried the cross. Easter is a new beginning though, so I've leaped into a renewed faith and I'm finding my way with new intention and purpose.
As a parent I've changed in a lot of ways- one of the most direct changes is on my perception of pain, right and wrong and good and evil. I sympathize more and criticize less. I can barely stand to watch tragedies that involve children on television and in movies- I find myself instinctively wanting to protect them in their innocence. At Easter I've been thinking a lot about reaching out in the same way through the Bible- toward the positives in the world and away from the negative-- connecting with those who have more intense needs than my own. Being Altruistic feels good. I hope to pass it on.

This year, we're very blessed, a healthy baby, healthy family, TWO upcoming weddings and generous and caring people all around us. If Easter really is about new beginnings, and we're already starting from such a great place, I can only image where we are headed will be even better. I'm looking forward to seeing what the next year brings to our lives.

10 months

Oh Collin, you are 10 months old. Actually, you are 10.5 months old, and I continue to struggle to keep up. We're in double digits now and the pace feels like its increasing. Is there some sort of hidden age-inertia that I am unaware of?

At 10 months you've begun to let the world know all of your thoughts, good or bad. And boy oh boy can you be sassy. You have a new tooth on top, razor sharp, that you use more like a weapon than for eating food. You bite. Like you were a born carnivore. I'm already fearing your toddler years and the biting that might come with it. It in some ways is sweet, adorable even, to watch you assert yourself. In other ways its troubling that I (we) are the ones receving the brunt of your efforts to break skin.

Our days at 10 months are becoming busier due to your little life. We are so overwhelmingly occupied with giving you what you need to succeed. Sometimes I worry that we aren't giving you enough, and then I remember that we barely have time to breathe, so its likely your environment is full of appropriate stimuli. With a heavy background in child development I spend probably too much worrying about your development and not enough time enjoying the moments I have with you, but I'm trying to be better about that.

Our 10 month adventures greet the morning with your efforts to crawl off the bed. Your dad puts you in bed with me when he leaves in the morning, and this used to work perfectly, but now you are too fast and mommy's too tired, leaving you precariously balanced between being seatbelted next to me with my forearm, or hanging over the side of the bed ready to fall as I try to reel you back in by your feet. It makes for little rest and lots of silliness in the weee hours of the morning, but putting all need for sleep aside, I wouldn't change it for anything. This is the time of the day you are most vocal and sassy. You'll hit me right in the face to get me to get out of bad and all along the way tell me (with the most frustrated tone and excessive volume) just how annoying it is that I'm not up and ready to play with you. All, sigh, before 7 a.m.

Once we get out of bed you see this as a free pass to explore. As soon as you are dressed and have a fresh diaper you are off to the races. Directly to the dog's water bowl and to the bathroom to see what you can get into before I catch you. That is, until I stick you in your crib while I take a shower with some toys. When I return you are peeking through the bars of your bed with a little eye on me making sure I haven't gotten away, like a little prisoner to my efforts.

I pull you out and you sit, patiently in the bathroom and play with balls and other various toys that roll while I blow dry my hair. Every day I am amazed at how good you are an entertaining yourself. You're an amazing baby. So sweet and mild manners, inquisitive, clever and cute. We love you so very much.
Oddly enough, you like the blow dryer. You think it looks like fun and try really hard to touch it, while I try really hard not to let you touch it. HOT! I say. You look at me like I am crazy. You're starting to learn words now, and look at me daringly every time I say "no". "No Collin, don't touch the candles"- Collin reaches, tests (looks back and me and reaches, waits for me), "
No!", (Collin does it again), "Collin, No!", I repeat, and he smiles. All along never actually touching the candles, just looking at me and testing. Clever little stinker.

Then its time for breakfast. Boy, do you love your meals. You get excited and start clapping your hands once I get you settled in the highchair. Cherrios, oatmeal, strawberries, yogurt, graham crackers and water all find their way from your little fingers into your hair, under your eyes like a breakfast palmade. Just the other day I picked you up and there was food smushed on your back. How exactly it got there, I'm not sure. Houdini Eater.

After breakfast we play. You're very interested in cars now. You like to roll them and then crawl to where ever they roll and repeat. You also love blocks and picture books, specifically ones with photos of family in them. You have a soft cover album that is one of your favorites filled with all of your family members. Playing wears you out for your first nap, which you still, Thank God, take without trouble for 1.5 to 2 hours. I love that you sleep so much during nap times.

Once you wake up you're ready for lunch and then the fun begins. Walks to the park, playing with toys, toddling around on furniture, crawling toward corners and crevases we don't have baby proofed quite yet....

At 10 months you are trying to take steps, but seem to not notice that you can't walk. You stand up, hanging on to our fingers, step forward and let go, as if you are confident enough to just keep walking along. As it turns out though, you can't walk yet. So your soft cloth diaper sooths your fall as you find yourself on your bum, again.

As a mommy, 10 months has given me a glimpse to one year. I feel as though I am going to blink and you are going to be there, and I can't help but be sad. As we look back on your photos from when you were such a little infant we notice such an amazing transformation. While I am excited to move forward with you, I find myself hanging on to the baby you were. Won't you squeeze into this 9 month onsie just one more time? Can't you fit in your swaddler to cuddle for a few more days? Can we snuggle and read a book for at least a minute before you squirm down my lap to the floor to go on an explore...

Spring in Minnesota has sprung. Easter is here and its 75 degrees and sunny. Its a transformation of sorts. I'm rejuvinated by the spring weather, the new beginnings and the love we have in our family. As I look forward I see our spring and summer filled with lots of love, from playing in the yard to visits with family across the midwest--I always look forward to spring and summer because for me it instantly brings back many wonderful memories with family and friends on vacation, enjoying company and reveling in the outdoors. I hope for you that you are able to reach back to your youngest years and find fantastic memories, ones that mirror what I feel about our family and friends, a warmth that reminds me even though you are changing and growing up, every moment along the way leads to a wonderful memory.

So, Collin, as we approach 11 months, please try to humor mommy and allow me to hug you and kiss you more than you like, because I feel as though I've got to get my fill in now, before you go ahead and take on the world.

Love, love,love,
Mommy & Daddy