Multnomah Falls

The Man and I spent the past weekend in Oregon by the Columbia River.  We were there for a marriage enrichment retreat.  You know, because traveling four hours south when you’re 35 weeks pregnant is a good idea.  We’ve been wanting to go to one for a few years and figured if we didn’t go to this one who knows when we’d get a chance to make it to one!  Anyway, it was fine and we had a great time.  We were encouraged by the things we have already been doing and given some great tools and ideas on how to improve.  One of my favorite parts of the weekend was date night. 

Separation

Once a month our church hosts Military Night Out. Volunteers from the congregation watch the kids of military members so the parents can have a night out.  They count us as military even though The Man is reserve.  We went for the first time last month (that would be March. Can you believe it’s April already?!?)

It was a little hard for me to leave Munchkin. I trust the people who were watching her, it’s just that she’s always with me or The Man and when my mom’s around, Nana.  She’s stayed with friends of ours twice, so it’s not like I’ve never left.  I just don’t do it a lot!  When I leave her, even with The Man, I feel like I’m forgetting something.  She’s my sidekick.  It’s weird to not have her with me.

She was fine when we left.  We went to a local Hibachi steakhouse and it was very delicious.  Of course I wondered how Munchkin was doing the whole time we were gone. I had told them that if she melted to call us and we would come get her. 

Well, when we got there we found a friend had just gotten her to sleep on his shoulder. He had gone out to dinner with his wife and they were just hanging out for a bit before going home with their kids. Anyway, we had been gone for two hours and she cried for all but 20 minutes of it! I felt so bad. My poor baby! Everyone there said it was fine and most of them have grown kids so they all know what it’s like. The can handle a crying baby just fine. My heart on the other hand, not so much. I thoroughly enjoyed dinner with my husband and I know we need it, it’s just hard knowing she was crying the whole time we were gone.

The Man got her and put her in the car and we came home.  He got her out and she woke up. He brought her into her room where I was and when she saw me she just lit up.  She reached for me and gave me a huge hug and snuggled her head into my shoulder. She also kicked her legs a little in a little happy dance.  She would then lift her head, look at me and give me another hug.  My heart just burst with love for her.  There’s nothing like having your child just wrap their arms around you and hold on for all they are worth.  I just love having that little head on my shoulder and those arms around me neck.

I’m hoping next month will be better.  Even if she cries, I’ll look forward to the end of the night hug!

Road Trip

We made our yearly trek down to Eugene, OR this past weekend to go to a Duck’s game.  I love going to games at Autzen stadium.  It’s so fun and I love the energy and excitement. 

We drove down on Friday.  Munchkin did great during the first half of the trip as she was asleep.  We stopped for lunch at Ruby Tuesdays and it as downhill from there.  We had to wake her up and we changed her but it was really hot out.  The A/C wasn’t working so we had the windows down in the truck.  It was just really hot and munchkin was uncomfortable, even though she was only in her diaper.  There was a lot of crying (screaming really) and heartache for mommy.  I was very thankful to arrive at my brother & sister in law’s house so we could calm her down.  She was  very happy to cool down!  She slept really well that night…the silver lining of getting so upset!

Saturday we went and finally bought her some duck gear.  We got her two cute onesies, a pair of pj’s and a headband.  She doesn’t love headband but I keep trying cause eventually she’ll get used to them! 

The Man and I went to the game while Munchkin stayed with Grammy, Grandpa and her Aunt and Uncle.  I think she had a good time being spoiled by family!  It was the longest that I had been away from her and leaving her with someone other than The Man and I was really ready snuggle with her by the time we got home.  We then had a great dinner with everyone.

Munchkin also made a new friend.  Her aunt and uncle have a 11 month old Jack Russell Terrier named Cooper.  Cooper was so interested in Munchkin!  He kept sniffing her and trying to give her kisses.  Munchkin wasn’t totally sure what she thought but she did pretty well.  I think she’ll have fun playing with him when she gets older.  We also think that Joey would have a great time playing with him!

I was also able to meet one of The Man’s aunts that he hadn’t seen in years.  It was fun to meet more family.

How was your weekend?

A Night Out

The Man and I sometimes get in a rut and don’t got out for a date night for a month or two…or three!  Oops, we know we need to work on that!  We’ve been wanting to see the Hunger Games.  He was on an underway when it first came out so I waited to see it and then we just couldn’t make it fit into our schedule.  Then I noticed that the drive in was showing it and we still couldn’t squeeze it in.  I was thinking that they weren’t showing it anymore but when I saw this weekend’s line up there it was, as the second feature! Score! Never mind that the first movie isn’t starting till 9:45.

So we decided to go.  We loaded up the puppies and our gear into the truck and headed to the dog park when Jeopardy! was over.  The goal was to tired Joey out so he wouldn’t bark while we were watching the movie.  There weren’t many people or puppies there but there were enough for Joey to run around with.  He ran around and made friends with a Collie that had the same colors as him, just longer fur.  They were very cute.

After about a 1/2 hour we loaded them back up and headed to the drive in.  We got there about 9:15 and had plenty of time to get settled.  We put the futon mattress in the bed of the truck and I brought some pillows and blankets so we made a nice little nest to relax on.  I had a hard time getting up so The Man had to help me.  It must have been a pretty funny sight!  He also had to lift the pups up but at least we didn’t have to worry about them going anywhere.  As the night got cooler it was nice to snuggle with them.  Joey did great and only whined a little bit during the first movie.  They both loved being able to curl up with us since they don’t get that very often at home anymore.

We saw Battleship and Hunger Games.  Both were good but I’m glad we saw both of them at the drive in.  We enjoyed giving commentary on them while we were watching.  Battleship was better than I expected but it was missing something.  I think adding some submarines in would have made it perfect but then I might be bias!  The Man and I both agree that it has a good soundtrack. 

Hunger Games was also good, just not as good as the book.  I’m glad I knew the story but I missed knowing what Katniss was thinking.  I did like how they showed the gamemakers controlling the game and the commentary.  I did not like Peeta.  He seemed cold or fake.  It’s just not how I saw him.  I thought Rue was absolutely adorable and wish she had had more screen time.  The movie left me feeling like something was missing so I’m rereading it for about the 13th time. 

Even though we didn’t get home till about 3am, we still had a great time!  We can’t wait to go back and do it again!

What’s your favorite nice weather date activity?