UPdate: Onward an UPward!

Guys, I'm sorry I haven't posted in a long time.

Milo's doing well, we had his 1 year appointment and he is almost entirely average (maybe a bit of a big noggin and a skinny bod, but overall regular and healthy). He's learned how to walk and rarely crawls anymore. He loves answering questions ("Dah!" for yes and silence for no, "Noinoinoi" for wanting and he just mumbles words to himself all day long). He's a real toddler now, no doubt about it. MY BABY IS A TODDLER! holy smokes.

We're still boarding dogs, which has been a nice bit of spending money lately. As the summer is winding down, which I really appreciate because it seems like we've been nonstop since like May, we're getting ready to build our own small company! I don't want to divulge too much, but my goal is to have it launched by the end of the year. We're still in the conceptualizing and planning stages, but I'm really excited about it and I know that we have a lot of support! {THANKS IN ADVANCE}

As we get more information and such, I'll let you guys know. It is entirely possible that this blog will be assimilated into the company blog (or I'll just leave it separate for my own personal ramblings), but we'll see, obviously.

I think that's all for now. Follow me on instagram (@regulardonners) and facebook and snapchat (ellendonner) and twitter (@donnermom).

Love,
Miss Ellen

Minnesota Trip 2016

Now that things have settled a bit...

We just got back from our big trip to Minnesota (the biggest one we've had yet, but like the 6th overall). Milo and I flew United (with only one mishap that had me running from gate B93 to gate B18 in Denver) and Sean took Strider on a very long drive (where he almost died on a cliff because of a spider). We all made it safely and visited some family and then took a mini-trip up to Duluth for the day to see Lake Superior. It was so pretty! Milo loved it. 

Then, after a few days at my in-laws, we took another mini-trip up the the cities to visit our friends the Penny's and their daughter Parker. They swam for a while and we had a barbeque with Bloom and the Smith's and their boys. So fun!

Then we went to the zoo with the Penny's and Sean's brother Brady and his family. Milo loves animals, he kept pointing at every animal he could. Even though he hadn't had a nap, he was so happy, which made things way better. He especially loved the monkeys! Probably cuz he is one.

When we got back to Waseca, more of Sean's siblings and their families were there. Milo loved playing in Grandma and Grandpa's HUGE yard! He started walking around more than crawling and babbling the whole way. He got nice and dirty a few times, which was perfect. 

This is only a very small view of it. Trust me.

Soon enough, we had picked up the camper and were on our way to Forestville State Park for a Donner Family reunion! It was the first time all the siblings had been together since 2008 and, as you could imagine, SO many people had joined the family since then (in total, there were 15 adults, 3 babies, and 2 dogs present for camping). We went on 2 hikes, walked by the river near our sites, and Milo was taken all the way around a few times by various aunts and uncles. We had some really good food and were only rained on at night (which wasn't a problem because camper). 

It was great seeing everyone! 

The Siblings 

Milo and Uncle Jeremiah

Milo and Aurora in the blow-up pool

On a hike

After camping, we said goodbye to a few of the Donner siblings and went back to Waseca where we had a Minnesota birthday party for Milo where he smashed his second 1st birthday cake like a boss (and got tons of fun presents). Also, in case you're wondering, Hy-Vee has some of the most delicious cake. I was thoroughly impressed, as was everyone who had some at the party.

This was Bloom's picture. (THANKS A LOT, BLOOM).

We were considering throwing the high chair in the lake or garbage because it was so messy. HAH.

Sean left the day after the party so he could make it home for sure before we flew in (turns out... too early).  Before Sean left, we went to the park for lunch and then visited his grandmother's grave. It was really special and it was raining when we got there, as if she was crying because she was happy to see us. 

Milo Fox riding a statue fox!

Milo, Daddy and Great-Grandma Grant

Laurelin (Sean's youngest sister) and I completed "Operation B-Town" and redecorated the parent's bathroom. It was great to see how excited Missy was! At first, she thought we'd just folded the towels and put them on the back of the toilet, haha! Laurelin put up the hand-towel hook up all by herself, which was a feat because there was a tiny screw that we didn't have a small enough tool for. 

We also did a good bit of cleaning and throwing away old stuff.

Sean's mom and I also went on a Rochester adventure the day before Milo and I left. It was really nice being able to spend time with her and I know she misses her grandkids a lot, so it was good to have those extra days, even if it meant a little homesickness. 

Our last day was last Thursday and it was truly bittersweet. I was so excited to finally be back in my own home with all my stuff after not having much for so long, but at the same time I knew we'd really miss being there and spending time with our family. 

Missy and Laurelin dropped us off at the airport security line. Let me tell you, the MSP airport is only like 1000% better and easier to get through than SLC. We went through without any problems, everyone was really nice, and I didn't have to go through any unnecessary rigamarole (SLC - shoes off, hands tested, liquids tested, electronics in separate bin, heavy trafficked lines. MSP - shoes on, no testing, TSA Agent helped with the stroller, liquids still tested, electronics still away)

But beyond the airport was a pain in the rear end. Milo and I flew Frontier on the way back and, to say it was uncomfortable and difficult would be an understatement. Their seats are extremely uncomfortable, their tray tables are the size of a postcard, and there are no amenities whatsoever. 

We got to Denver airport just fine, but from then on was the worst. We had a 3 hour layover, which I didn't mind, but when the time was coming to board the airplane, no one was at our gate. So after checking on the app to see where flights were, it was at the next gate down (which I was never notified of, either over intercom, phone notification, or boarding pass change via the app). We were some of the last ones to board.

There was something wrong with the tickets next to me, so a flight attendant sat there for a minute and then left because her connection was too tight in SLC and we were taking forever to leave. So I got the whole row to myself, which was incredible. Milo fell asleep on take-off and it was smooth sailing. 

Then, the worst of it happened. We landed in SLC and were stuck on the tarmac for an extra hour + because there was a broken plane at our gate (because apparently it's impossible to tow an airplane to an unused area to fix it (it's not impossible to tow an airplane, I saw someone else do it)) and we had to use a different gate. When we finally deplaned, I met Sean at baggage claim, where he'd been waiting for 2 hours already. 

Our carseat kept never coming. And never coming. So we talked to the baggage lady for Frontier (who was incredibly nice and helpful) and they'd lost our carseat. UUGH. So we got a loaner from them and they dropped our carseat off after a day and a half and took back their loaner. 

But before we left the parking lot (almost 2 hours after we'd planned to), the pay-parking booth broke on us. They had to pull everyone out of our line and into other lines and we had to finagle our way to the farthest booth to pay double what parking should've been. 

Eventually, after battling construction traffic at 10:30 at night, we made it home and Milo was SO excited to see all the things he remembered. He kept pointing and babbling about every little thing.  

It really is nice to be home and settled for a while. It was also really fun to be away for a while.

The Small Moments

Milo has been whining nearly non-stop all day. I'm pretty sure he's teething, like one does before a big trip. Seriously... It was a rough day. It's been a rough couple of days. I'm stressed and nervous for the flight/rest of the trip, I'm tired of listening to so much whining all day, and I wish Sean could be home more often so things can be easier.

But that's not how it works. And I'm here rocking a kid back to sleep after not letting me put him down twice already.

The thing is, I love rocking him when he's asleep. It's the only time he will ever cuddle on me and I love it. I am wishing, though, that I could go to bed. And as much fun as it seems to co-sleep, I am such a light sleeper and I just don't want to deal with all that.

Right now, Milo has his arms out on either side of me, his head down and asleep on my chest, and the rest of him cuddled up under his baseball blanket in his monster jammies. It's adorable and I wish I could take a picture.

There was one time today where I made Sean take out the dogs and the boy do I could get dinner started uninterrupted. It was magical besides that I had to touch gross raw chicken.

Anyway, what I'm saying is that every time I want to start freaking out or moving forward with things, I need to be better at remembering to breathe in the small moments surrounding the big things. That's where the best memories are made.

I'm going to go ahead and attempt to put him down again because my back is aching. Wish me luck.

Miss Ellen

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY, MILO!

Today, Milo turned 1. My little boy is almost not even a baby anymore!! I'm so excited and so sad. Watching babies grow up is incredibly bittersweet.

Milo LOVES:

• Playing with absolutely anything
• Avocados and baby cheetos
• Reading stories
• Going places
• Paw Patrol, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Doc McStuffins, Dinosaur Train
• His stuffed animals 
• Mom, Dad, and Strider
• When Dad comes home

Milo HATES:

• Staying up too far past his bedtime
• Leafy greens (vegetables are usually okay, though)
• Having his face wiped/nose blown
• Sitting in his high chair after he's done eating

Here are some pictures our friend took for us! 

 

ISN'T SHE SO GOOD??! I'm obsessed with these pictures. 

Anyway, I'm going to get back to celebrating. 

Love, Ellen

The Up and Down days

It's commonly known that being a SAHM has good days and bad days. There's days where your house is clean and the kids get along and it's great, and there's days where there's nothing but whiny kids and a constant mess.

I don't know about other moms, but my days are more often full of highs and lows rather than an entire good day or bad. For example, here was my day today:

I woke up at a reasonable time (7:15) to Milo waking up. I got us up, baked bran muffins for breakfast, and then we played for a bit. I made a menu for the next 2 weeks and figured out a list of things we'll need. Then I got Milo and myself dressed and we went shopping. In the baby section, I helped a lady buy things last minute for her daughter whose water broke with her 4th kid after they moved here recently from Chicago. Then I helped get a half gallon of milk for a wheelchair-bound woman. I checked out, got home, put away groceries and got Milo down for a nap. I unloaded the dishwasher, showered, and took a little personal time. When Milo woke up, I made lunch and we played a little more.

And somehow from there it spiraled and now I'm in a state of exhaustion. That doesn't seem like too much to me, but all plans of going swimming or taking the dog on a real walk or anything flew out the window and now I'm lying in bed typing this on my phone. I don't know whether or not Milo ever fell asleep, the tv is still on downstairs, and the dishes from lunch are still on the table. I've been kicked in the head, screamed at, and hit in the face with a plastic baseball bat (while talking on the phone), and I'm soooooooo ready for Sean to be home already. And I know he's exhausted too, which makes me feel even worse that there's leftovers still on the counter from days ago and I'm probably just going to nap.

And the problem doesn't even stop there. I have a serious phone addiction and it really puts a toll on my emotions when tragedy strikes, which has seemed nonstop lately. I want to stand up and fight for justice and peace and equality and there are so many worthy causes, but if I'm beat by 2 pm (and often a lot earlier) with a 1 year old, how am I supposed to be able to handle activism on top of that?

Some days start out with me knowing the day is going to suck and then somehow magically things get turned around and it ends pretty well, so that's fine, but all of this roller-coastering is making my head spin and my need for a nap even greater.

I guess what I'm trying to say is I probably need to get off my phone.

Anyway.
Thanks
Love, Miss Ellen

HI

So I know it has only been like 10 decades since I've posted. I have no idea what happened..

Here's a little run-down of what's been happening around here.

• All of May I had pneumonia. I'm better now, but it was a rough month. I was on an antibiotic that made me anxious and an insomniac, but everything worked out and I'm back in action.
• We're still in the planning stages of our big trip to MN. Plans have changed a little in that I'm flying with Milo and Sean's driving with Strider. It's going to be a ton easier that way besides that I've never flown by myself before. I'm not counting Milo because he's not going to be any help. Hah. I have lists going still, my plane ticket is bought, and plans are made. It's going to be fun!
• Sean is still plugging away at Domo, but he's really liking it. He doesn't come home as upset as he did some days at his last job, which I highly appreciate. 
• Milo is ALMOST A WHOLE YEAR OLD. I don't know how to wrap my head around it just yet. My baby! He's almost a TODDLER. He's starting to want to take steps and balance himself but he's still dependent on crawling. He loves reading and pulling every single toy out of his drawer. And he's not constipated anymore! (Halle-freakin'-lujah.) 
• We've started boarding dogs for a few reasons (spare cash, friends for strider, etc). And it's not bad. If anyone is interested, we have profiles through Rover.com and Dogvacay.com.
• Sean had his first real Father's Day! I'm so grateful for him and all he does for me and our family. He really steps in when I need it and I rely on him a lot. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY SEAN!
• Milo is getting really good at vocalizing. Which can mean that he lets you know when he's happy (giggling, always) or upset (tantrums). He loves saying Dadada and SSssss. He's still uninterested in Mama, but I'm not mad. 
• Milo LOVES the pool! He tries to get away from me when we're walking around the edge of the kiddie pool, but I will not let that happen. And he likes floating in his thing around the big pool. Also, for some reason, he loves the splash pad and touching the sprayers and getting it on his face. This kid, I swear.

Anyway, I'll try to post more often. And pictures. Or just check out my instagram @ellen_donner. I'll probably accept you. 

Love, Miss Ellen

Moms Don't Take Sick Days

Or weeks. Or months.

For the past two weeks, I've had a really bad cough, coupled with breathlessness (lack of oxygen), fatigue, and a slew of other minor aches. Today, I went to the doctor (after calling twice and visiting an instacare) and was diagnosed with walking pneumonia. He put me on an antibiotic and I'll keep using the inhaler I was given.

The problem is, my energy probably won't resume for another couple weeks.

No fun.

With Mother's Day being during my bought of illness, I've felt like a bad mom. I can't really play with Milo for very long, taking him upstairs for nap time is a feat, his lunches have largely been baby puffs and graham crackers. But his cheesy smile and adorable giggle help me remember that I'm only doing my best and it won't be awful forever.

We went to Wyoming this past weekend and it was pretty fun! We got to visit some of Sean's family and meet our new little nephew, Sirius. Sean got to go with his dad and brother to Devil's Tower and we all mostly just hung out. It's always nice seeing some family and we'll get to see everyone all together for the first time in several years in July. We can't wait!

Anyway, I'm going to go see if I can sneak in a nap before Milo wakes up.
Love, Miss Ellen