granny lory came to visit a couple weeks ago. she stayed with us for a couple days. maple was happy to have lots of attention, a trip to the park in west jefferson and lots of story reading. oh and the big bowl of ice cream granny shared with her that she talked about for almost a week. "granny ice cream. granny ice cream. granny ice cream." alaska had fun to and got to share lots of big smiles and cuddles with her. it was a very nice couple of days. we all hope she comes back soon. 
we also have got TWO visits from opa, one on fathers day and the other last thursday. he came up to watch maple while we took alaska down to the urologist in winston (longest dr. appt EVER!!) thank you so much opa for helping us out. it would have been miserable to have maple trapped in that dr's office for 4 hours.
and even though it was a LONG LONG visit to the urologist, it was also positive. alaska had a new ultrasound on his kidneys. they are looking better, though his ureters are still very stretched out. we are moving in the right direction though. also the dr mclorie could not feel his kidneys anymore which is really good. i told him about alaskas inguinal hernia too. i haven't seen it pop out at all in the last month and he said sometimes in young babies they will heal on their own. so hopefully that is the case. we go back in another 3 months for another ultrasound.
ben's back cooking at the restaurant. we lost one of our shift leaders a couple weeks ago so he is back working hard on a fuller than full time basis. he is exhausted but feeling good to put his energy back into coyote. i am at home with 2 kiddos and that's been positive too. its been a big change having daddy gone all day but we are settling into some good routines and a few days a week i manage to get both of them down for naps at the same time, makes me feel like supermom. so not quite what we expected but still a good welcome change for us.
i have been gluten free for the last week. poor alaska has some kind of food sensitivity and we are trying to pin it down. i cut out dairy almost six weeks ago, then soy 2 weeks ago, now we are trying gluten. i'm amazed that its really not that hard. i actually have been enjoying my millet bread, rice cakes, and quinoa. and thank you bobs red mill for making so many gluten free baking mixes. plus its been helpful for my efforts to lose his baby weight. (yes i am still wearing maternity pants, hopefully not for much longer!)
i started knitting a hat. i'm going to finish it too. i have doubts whether it will actually fit anyone though. it looks too big for maple and too small for me. oh well, at least i am learning something new and aiming to master the circular and double pointed needles. we may count this project as pure practice. but i'm hoping to gain the skills to make winter hats for kiddies and maybe some mittens too. and maybe some legwarmers.
also started brainstorming some christmas ideas, yes we are already halfway there folks. it will be here before we know it and i need to get started on my crafting NOW if i'm going to accomplish anything.
yeah i changed my template too.
just hanging out with kiddos. can't wait to munch on the canteloupe we picked up at the farmers market yesterday. an easy breezy sunday here, watching the muppet movie, folding clothes, and laundering diapers. 
