Wild Corvallis

One thing that I love about being back in Corvallis is how we exist fairly peacefully with nature here. Obviously we have the concrete and buildings which invade the wild, and I (as well as MANY other Corvallists) am bitter about Legend Homes building unnecessary McMansions (which, because of the low demand, they have only carved out the space and not built anything yet)over one of my favorite hiking paths. But for the most part, Corvallis is a very green town. On sunny days like we have had this week, everyone is out in their yard doing yardwork. None of this "hire a landscaper California-Style" for us! Instead, an amazing number of people have a wealth of knowledge about horticulture. Lucky for us, two of our neighbors are experts. We are constantly receiving gifts from various gardens, as well as being offered plants that our neighbors uproot. We try to return the favor, but as of yet, we lack the expertise!

I was reminded about Corvallis' wild side twice this week. On the happier note, as I was driving home this afternoon from Josh's work, traffic on a major street was stopped to let a small herd of deer cross--into our old apartment complex. This is by no means a rare occurance, and I always love taking Iris for walks out to that Northwest neighborhood and pointing out deer, rabbits, and other wildlife to her.

However, we did have a negative effect of the wild this week. Or, rather, a sad effect. We have a resident cougar in a neighborhood somewhat close to us. The neighborhood is across the highway from us, but it's not that unreasonable to keep a look out here, too. I'm used to cougar watches in the Northwest neighborhood, as it's so much closer to MacDonald Forest (OSU's research forest), but was surprised to hear that this cougar was within 300 yards of Wilson School, the elementary school closest to us. Now, I'm all for saving wildlife, and realize that it's our fault as a society that these wildcats are coming into town--we're invading their territory rather than them invading ours. However, I have found that I have developed something of a "mother bear" temperament, and now am against anything that might threaten my family. It's interesting, but it gives me a look at the way the pioneers must have seen nature--instead of same great pastoral view, they would have seen everything as a threat. It's amazing what kids will do to change your outlook!

But we're not changing any of our habits. Here in Oregon, cougars and other wildlife are a part of life--you simply take precautions. So we celebrated the short (but promising!) return of the sun by going to different parks. Iris has become quite a brave soul, and now goes down slides on her own.

I think she even shamed her friend Colin into going down on his own yesterday. He was pretty hesitant until she had slid down a few times. Linnea, on the other hand, seems to follow her mother's philosophy and just sit back and soak in the sun:

Too bad it's raining today. But the weathermen are optimistic, and so am I!

A Glimpse of my Future

Though I promised myself to try writing every day, I did take what I would assume to be a fully justified break--Linnea Coraline will be one week old tomorrow. But with the realization that I still have a napping toddler and a newborn who sleeps a lot also came the realization that I need, now more than ever, to take time for myself. So, once again, I am working to reorganize my life (scary how frequently that happens!).

This morning I got a taste of my life that is to come. Because Linnea is a bit jaundiced (though her numbers are beginning to come down, praise God), the doctor wanted to see her at one week rather than the normal two. The first thing I learned was to never make a Monday morning appointment (though I somehow immediately forgot this and made the same appointment for next week). The office was crazy--I've never seen it so busy! I had a stack of medical history and insurance forms to fill out while Josh kept an eye on Iris who kept trying to play with a little girl who had a cold. Suddenly, my mind went blank. The question? "Mother's age". I couldn't remember. And not only could I not remember, but I couldn't figure it out. I can usually do the math to add up my age, but somehow all of my math abilities went out the window with my final. (For the record, I got an "A" in the class while pregnant; quite an achievement for my 20%brain reduction!) I kept adding with difficulty, but couldn't figure out how 1982 to 2008 could only equal 26. If I was 25 when Iris was born, how could I only be 26 a year and a half later? After much convincing, Josh assured me that the numbers were correct.

But the busy waiting room, sick kids, and brain malfunctions were only the beginning. Once in the office, Iris began hamming it up for our entertainment. Among other things, she decided to sit sideways in Linnea's car seat and rock it back and forth. We are probably bad parents for laughing at something we've been trying to get her not to do, but that's what we did, and thus encouraged her. While Josh was busy at the scales with Linnea who, finding her diaper removed, took the opportunity to do her business, Iris decided to try the car seat trick once more. This resulted in her tripping over the side and falling onto the floor in tears. With both little ones crying, I attempted to calm Iris and Josh did the same with Linnea. Then of course, the doctor came in and upset Linnea even more with her exam. While Linnea cried Iris wore a very serious and worried look on her face (she really is doing well as a big sister). The funny thing was the Linnea cried less when the drew blood from her heel for the fifth time this week, than when the doctor listened to her heartbeat. At least we were spared more incidents by the time we left--or at least there were none that my fried brain can recall!

As we left the office, we joked about how chaotic we had just realized our lives have become. But, amidst the chaos, at least we will have good stories.