Don's Last Night

I'm sitting on the couch with my laptop, watching Don Shelby's final newscast on WCCO 4 News at 10. It's bittersweet. I'm happy for him as he heads into retirement. He's a grandpa now, and is still full of life, energy and adventure. I'm glad that he gets to move into this phase of his life.

But I feel the very real sadness that must be upon the newsroom tonight. I was a part of that newsroom for about four years, a very tiny fraction of his very long, very successful career.

I remember the first time I ever sat in the newsroom as an intern. Don came strolling into the room that night playing a mournful song on an Irish flute. It was very strange, and I remember thinking, What kind of guy is this he? Is he some new age, ex-hippy tree worshiper? He did that the next two or three nights, as well.

Turns out it was just a fad. I'd quickly learn he goes through a lot of fads, quirky things that he thinks are interesting and tries out for a little while.

I eventually got hired as a production assistant, and then a writer for the 10 pm show and got to sit right next to him. As I got to know him, I realized he is just as much of a great man in real life as he seems on TV. He is genuinely a very kind, funny, enthusiastic, hard-working man, and it always blessed me that he would take time out to talk to me and show a genuine interest in my life and career.

I remember very vividly when I told him I was leaving my producer job to be a stay-at-home mom. He looked me square in the eye and said he was proud of that decision and gave me a hug. Family, to him, was always the most important thing in his life, and I'm so happy he gets to be with his more now.

Don made a big difference in the newsroom. He has been passionate about what he does and has literally changed lives. I'm not saying I agree with everything he is and stands for, but I respect him for doing what he's done and will miss his face on the air from my spot here on the couch.

Best of life, love & family to you, Don. I know your presence will be very dearly missed.

2 Years & 2 Months

Ruby and Rosie both had checkups this week, Ruby for her 2-year well child and Rosie for her 2-month.

Ruby, bless her heart, seems to be taking after her mommy. She was 34" tall, which is only 41%, and a whopping 31 pounds, which is 88%! Short and solid. Like her mama. :)


My goodness is she sweet -- and funny, too. Her quote of the week was as she pointed to her nipples: "Look, Mom! Two buttons!"

Rosie continues to grow and grow, and she's becoming more and more smiley and interactive every day. She bats at dangling toys with her hands and is proving herself ambidextrous when it comes to thumb sucking.


Rosie is tipping the scales at 13.3 pounds (94%!!!), and she was 23 1/2" tall (85%).


We are on weekend #4 of JP being gone hunting. In my heart I'm so happy that he's found a hobby he loves, keeps him active, and gives him a chance for camaraderie with his guy friends. Buuuuuuut, let's be real. In reality, I'm tired of spending weekends alone with the kids and dogs, and selfishly look forward to the end of deer season. Bird season isn't so bad. I feel like I went from nothing to full-tilt-boogie hunter's wife in one year. Oh wait -- I DID! :)

In the meantime, we're keeping busy. Tonight the girls and I are having a sleepover in Mommy's room, and tomorrow we have errands to run and friends coming over to stay the night. Then on Saturday, Rae is having a sleepover with Ava, and I guess Ruby, Rosie and I will kick it at home one more night before Daddy returns.

Sorry I haven't been keeping up with this blog more often. I do a lot of communicating on facebook, and I know some of you are not on there to keep up-to-date. I've been spending a lot of my free time editing photos. I did a family shoot for my friend Crystal and took head shots for a "ladies night" at my Dad's church. All the gals came together and did each others hair & makeup (other's? others'? Help me Jon or Deb!), then I took glamor shots...lol! Maybe I'll post some when I'm done editing them all...maybe.

Pictures, Stories and Quotes

Today at the park, a local photographer asked if he could take pictures of the girls playing on the warm, November day. I told him of course. Moments later he says, "I think one of them is eating dirt." I replied, "Yep, that's pretty normal."


___________________________________

Ruby: "What's this?" (pointing)
Me: "That's my belly."
Ruby: (laughing) "Your belly so BIG!"

___________________________________

Rae: "Mom, I need your help. I have three stuffs, but only two hands. And I was gonna have Ruby help me, but she stole my grape."

___________________________________

Rae: "Mom, can you fill up my ukulele?"
Me: "Your what?"
Rae: "My ukulele. That's what I call my cup, because when I drink chocolate milk it kind of sounds like a ukulele."

___________________________________

Ruby

___________________________________

JP & Rae built a tree stand in our back yard. The other night, JP crept quietly into the woods and saw 6 deer in there. Yesterday, Rae sat out with him in the stand for the first time.


__________________________________

And finally, thumb sucker #3 -- Rosie! She's smiling and cooing all the time now. I'm absolutely smitten with her.