A mix of Old and New

I finally got my bike all spiffied up for a spin with the kiddo. It cost a bunch, but boy has it been worth it (the two whole times I've gone out so far!). We had tried to put Kaleb in one of those trailers that you can tow, but he would go spread eagle and scream, and pretty much make it difficult to even get him inside one, let alone strapped in and enjoying a ride. So I had given up on that idea. Then, got the baby seat put on the back... hoping with all my fingers and toes crossed that he would go along with the plan.

So, our first trip was this past Saturday. Since it was our first, and our previous attempt had failed in the trailer, I wasn't too expectant of a nice long ride, so silly me, I had heavy jeans on, no helmets for either of us, and just put him in to take a spin around the block. IT was HOT, even though it was overcast, and old memories of biking came flooding back, in addition to things I should have prepared for.

About an hour later, dripping in sweat, a soaking wet pant leg rolled up so as not to get caught in the bike, eyes dripping in sweat, and a list of things I wanted to make sure I had prepared for next trip, we came in, both of us excited and happy about biking. I had this plan: next time, I would take WATER for me and the kiddo, I would put sunscreen on him, get helmets (of course!), even invest in a little mirror so I could see him enjoying his ride, wear my biking shorts with the lovely padding, sunglasses, etc.

But in the back of my mind, I just KNEW that the next ride, after all the preparation would not go as hoped. I figured I would spent forever lathering him up in sunscreen, he would refuse to wear his helmet and glasses, would scream bloody murder and not want to go.

After our bike ride Saturday, we went and bought Kaleb a bike helmet. He actually LOVED it, and the first time I put it on him, he spun around in circles singing.



We lathered him up this morning, and he spent the entire attempt to get ready screaming. (He was tired, but refusing to take a nap, so I'll give him that). But I was fearing that my fear was going to be reality. I got the water bottle attached, wore my biking shorts, got our helmets and sunglasses on (forgot the mirror, a cell phone, and a credit card), and got him in. The second he was placed in the seat, he calmed right down and stopped screaming.



WE had a very lovely ride, and I realized even more things I forgot. But, at least Kaleb had sunscreen, and we had water, and my pants weren't getting caught.


Oh the memories of the good ol' days before pregnancy, when I used to do a lot of biking. It was so refreshing, as I was pumping up those hills, working out like I used to, with a little guy in the back enjoying the trucks, cars, train tracks, and everything else we saw. In fact, I think his favorite thing he saw was a lake with a fountain in it, he wanted to go play in it! I thoroughly enjoyed it, feeling great biking (except for the hands that hurt, and the butt, etc.) and exhilarated by doing something I had done pre-pregnancy! And this time toting a 30 some odd pound kiddo in the back, making it a little trickier for stopping, starting, turning, etc.

Probably one of the best moments was when we were back. WE got to go inside an air conditioned house, sit on little chairs in the kitchen, and suck on ice cubes, after drinking some more water. Kaleb LOVED that part, and ate so many ice cubes that he started getting the shivers, but didn't want to stop. And I had that feeling of accomplishment, having had a great workout and exhausted, and we both were happy in the end. Can't complain about that one bit!

Now my biking memories will probably have Kaleb in them. :)

Skunked for Mother's day?

Sunday morning, before getting out of bed, we were greeted with a very pungent, nasty fragrance in our noses. So badly, I could taste it, close to tears. Our entire house REEKED of skunk.

Unfortunately for us, it was fairly chilly and windy, but we opened up all the windows and doors to try and air out that NASTY SKUNK smell. It was chilly in the house, but we were leaving for the day, so only had to deal with it for the AM and the PM.

Larry called a skunk exterminator who had set a skunk trap at the neighbors Saturday. Our other neighbor had filled in the hole under her stairs that the skunk apparently is living in (and nesting, so about to have babies), so the theory is that the skunk was pretty mad about being trapped in the hole/tunnel which is right by our foundation, and sprayed. The smell and whatever came through the foundation and the smell was seeping up through the sump pump. They taped up the holes around the sump pump to aid in keeping more smell out. Set another trap, and we are HOPING to see a skunk in that trap in the next few days.

Another unfortunate thing about the skunk (there are many, if you just think about it) is the trap is right next to our front door, so any time you go in or out of the house... you had better HOPE there isn't a skunk in that trap. But, at the same time, we want that skunk trapped ASAP, otherwise we are going to have LOTS and LOTS of stinky skunks running around under our house, and they can't extract them until the babies are self sufficient, apparently.

So, needless to say, it was a STINKY MOTHER's DAY!