beyondtwilight

Fast Cars

2008-06-23T08:41:00.000-06:00

Longest day of the year!

2008-06-22T21:26:00.010-06:00

This weekend is the summer solstice. I love the long days and warm nights. Summer is here and its' been a while since I've posted. I'm sorry for checking out for a little while. I'd give you a list of excuses like, my camera went missing, we've been busy, Bugs hasn't been doing anything interesting...but, we all know those are not going to fly. I've just chosen to do other things. I hope to make it up to you with some new pictures and videos.

Here is a video from June 5th. I think Bugs is really lucky to have a dad like Matt. He will teach her good rhythm and not to take herself too seriously.

Acoustic Haven from susan shultz on Vimeo.

Friday, we hiked up to this waterfall along the Hesse trail in Eldora. This is the trial that Mark and Cindy hiked with us with a little wee Haven.

Haven enjoyed sucking on a mango skin for a long time. Lesson here...mangos are the BEST hiking snack...you need to bring a good knife.

And, again with the mango, Shyla, Neddy, and Dad.

Uh oh. I dropped my mango!

Today we went for another hike and payed close attention to the macro-world.

We carry her and she sleeps...we are blessed with a child who loves her sleep!

Out on the Weekend

2008-05-18T19:31:00.005-06:00

We stepped up our camping this year with a karmically broken in by our best friends pop-up. We got it out this weekend and bonded with nature for a full 24 hours. We sat, we ate, we swung, we walked, and watched the ambers go out.

Bugs climbed on her camping chair. Someday she will sit it in along side us and we will be still together. But, not yet.

Shyla is always in her element in the woods. She reads the newspaper and makes us dinner. Or, she cries at the door and goes piphogs crazy.

The other side of sick

2008-05-13T19:51:00.004-06:00

Check out some new pictures here>>>

http://picasaweb.google.com/SHMShultz/Month9Movin

Emerging from the other side of virus infestation hungrier, faster, more ambitious, and down right defiant. I love it. She's getting to be a grubby little kid.

We had a nice weekend hanging around, enjoying recovery and the beginnings of spring. The family treated me well for Mother's day letting me sleep in and sharing a nice long hike up bear canyon. We shared an avacado and cheese sandwich with bugs and said happy mothers day to the loving families we passed in true Boulder style. There was a silent appreciation uttered through upturned lips with a woman wiping her childs runny nose. Someday that child will have a child of her own, and truly understand what her mother meant by that care. I'm starting to understand the joy, undefinable love, sacrifice, worry, pride, struggle for time, and selflessness that a mother has for her child.

Here's a lazy day picture of my new love....the quilt on the bed of course!

Spruced Up

2008-04-28T17:19:00.003-06:00

Before:

After:

I didn't think I'd do the barrett thing...but it's too sweet to pass up. Good to have options. That's the line I'm going to use to get her to like her curly hair. That and be thankful you live in the dry climate of Colorado...you'd really hate your mother if you had those curls in the humidity:)

Shyla says, "What's so funny? and, give me my baby?"

2008-04-28T17:04:00.003-06:00

Grandpa Anapol was so nice to get Haven this doll on her visit to Boston. Unfortunetly, Shyla loved the doll so much she took her outside and buried her in the backyard. When Shyla brought the doll inside for bed, we took the doll away from her and put her on top of the fridge, out of site. Oh, Shyla wanted to be that dolls mother so bad she cried and cried. It must be her nurturing side stimulated by Bug's (Snug Bug's...) arrival.

Untitled from susan shultz on Vimeo.

I was afraid of water, but not anymore!

2008-04-08T20:15:00.003-06:00

Not if you heat the hottub to 97 and suit me with a Driving Miss Daisies Hat.

Lap Swim Next from susan shultz on Vimeo.

Florida. It's beautiful. Flat. But beautiful. The pelicans make you feel you are amoungst dinasours. The Bougainvillia flowering vines and bushes around where my parents live captivate with a welcome of pink flowers. I say I love Colorado for the mountains. But, the lushness of the tropical environment certainly holds a candle to the mountains, surfaces breathing water right in front of you. But being away from the mountains leaves me wanting. I'll give up the wet for the elevations gain. The ocean for the rocks. The Bouganvillia for the Aspens. I get to have my cake and eat it too. Visiting the east, because of nature, or more importantly because of relationships...we live well.

I have so much more to share, it's been a busy couple weeks. I haven't even touched on meeting a new miricale. The second born. We are the chosen ones...just keep it to yourself.

Zach Attack, not Jack or Mac,
wondering if he should pack,
stick around, sit on your sac.
use your voice, you'll get the nac.

Welcome to the world.

On the move

2008-03-10T20:25:00.006-06:00

It's kind of ironic that we call Snugs, Snugs. She's not very Snuggly. She rather fall asleep in her crib than in your arms. She does push ups of your chest if you hug her in tight. She's working on her independence already. Just over the weekend she started doing this...

movin movin movin from susan shultz on Vimeo.

We also had a beautiful weekend and went for a hike with our good friend Big Daddy. He just got back from Argentina where he volunteered at a hospital and practiced lots of spanish. If he could have one wish, it would be to speak all languages. Good wish, don't you think?

Haven also got to spend some time with her friend Max. Max's MOM was 6 weeks ahead of me on the baby train. We are blessed yet again to have this family to raise our children with.

Saturday Sunshine brings Sunday Snow

2008-03-02T18:36:00.005-07:00

I was actually happy to see a cold, snowy day today. Perfect for staying inside and being crafty. We spent the time doing our own thing, and playing with The Snuggle between naps...which she took beautfully today, along with 2 nights in a row sleeping from 7 to 7 straight!

She practiced sitting up today, saying, "dadadaddada" and eating her toys.

Matt practiced his dough recipes, both his pizza pocket nacho bits, and this family blue ribbon recipe..

I practiced my sewing, making bibs out of random scraps and the many receiving blankets Haven no longer uses. Notice the pin cushion Cindy (Matt's mom) made out of her wool. I love it!

These are the days that are truely special, and we didn't even leave the house.

Eldorado Days

2008-03-02T11:59:00.005-07:00

So, it's a pretty bad quality video, so watch at your own risk, it may make you dizzy.

Eldorado Springs Canyon March 1, 2008 from susan shultz on Vimeo.

You know the drill, new pictures posted...starting month 7!

http://picasaweb.google.com/SHMShultz/HavenMonth7

Missing you

2008-02-29T21:17:00.005-07:00

The last couple years, we've had a Turner-Shultz X-Mas. It didn't work out this year, and Matt and I just this past weekend got to go away for the first time with Snuggli. It took a new yakama space booster to fit anything other than the dogs and the baby...but away we got. We had a soul drenching weekend, but I heard often, "I miss that Byron". We are blessed to have friends that new you when, and have continued to grow with you, teach you, and get you.

Years past:

Uphill snowshoe

They all get along when there are no boundries and no territory...

Ahhh, I love those guys. The weather is warming, the days are getting longer...and the mountain passes, more passable.

I have more to say and show, but it's warm and sunny today and the whole family is going hiking. We are so lucky to be able to say that!

I deliver

2008-02-22T14:10:00.001-07:00

Here is the picture I promised of Snugs butt up in the air sucking her thumb. Isn't it delicious?

Thumbsucker

2008-02-21T20:05:00.003-07:00

The snuggli is a thumbsucker. It started a few days ago and cracks me up everytime I see that satisfying thumbsucking face. The noise, the underlying grin...she looks truely proud of herself. She's been grunting a lot too. A low deep in the belly grumble. Can you hear it? Urrrrrrrrrurrrr. I'll have to get a picture of her grunting through a mouth full of thumb.

We are going to a cabin in the woods north of fort collins this weekend. This is Matt and my kind of vacation. Pack the essentials, drive a few hours in to a remote location with our dogs, books, laptop, movies, speakers, groceries, chess, wine, and beer. (To yoga, to yogurt, to rice and beans and cheese)

Does anyone get the Rent reference? If not, sorry for the intrusion.

3 days off work, and 3 days with Haven, the dogs, Matt and 700 sq feet of cabin.

Picture Upload all at Once

2008-02-17T20:25:00.005-07:00

http://picasaweb.google.com/SHMShultz/HavenMonth6

Massive photo upload

Snuggleicious loves Whole Foods. It's a safe place to go when you aren't sure how she's going to act in public...maybe it's the dim, soft lighting or the yummy food that she subconciously already understands, but 9 times out of ten, she's pleseant when we go there. Caroline, back me up, I know your clan enjoys the bulk section more than your average Joe.

We took a nice little Sunday trip there today. I had a recipe in mind, and ended up with this:

Halibut wrapped in philo dough with new potatos and asparagus...YUM. My question is, what's the deal with cream sauces. It was supposed to have a lemon cream sauce but twice I tried and the lemon curdled the cream...almost as gross as cottage cheese.

I just reread my post, and realized I spelled a few words wrong (ok, more than not). Instead of fixing them, I'm going to leave them. Consider it endearing...a character flaw overshadowed with my aptitude for science and numbers...

Hiatus

2008-02-16T17:35:00.011-07:00

It's been a long week at work, and I've neglected to post. Believe me, this site is not the only thing that's felt the impact.
V-day has come and gone with little notice around here. We are not the celebrating kind when it comes to the hallmark holidays and are more apt to indulge in gifts or dinners for no reason at all. We like to think L-O-V-E is shown in the little sentiments of support and gratitude that may go by the wasteside and unoticed at times...until one of us is feeling the weight of the world...like me this past week...and that silent spoken L-O-V-E is felt in it's entirety.

I made this wall art a while back and captured a picture of it today. Happy Valentines Day.

We also cleared the landing behind the fishtank and usually have quiet time before bed with Snug Bug sitting up there watching the fish, reading a book, or having a sing-along...

Haven is changing so much lately, starting to balance herself and contemplate her surroundings. We tried to give her some solids a couple weeks ago, but she doesn't seem that interested yet. She spit most of it out:

Don't give up on this blog...I enjoy it, and will continue. Sometimes the hours in the day just slip on by.

Much to know about meat

2008-01-30T19:16:00.000-07:00

I've never been a red meat eater. I would order the Filet-o-fish at Micky D's when I was a kid...never the hamburger. I ate pseudo vegetarian for years (never gave up the fish). Then there was this one day...around the time Haven started knocking on my womb, I had a craving. "Matt", I says to my vulnerable husband at the mercy of his pregnant wife. "I think I want to eat a steak". Off to Wild Oats we go in search of a piece of red meat to crave my carnivorious, low iron needs. As I'm looking at the meat counter, the following conversation ensues.

"What kind do we get"
"We should go with the tenderolion"
"It's $20/lb. These others are only $5/lb"
"You're a picky eater Susan...you don't eat red meat, we should go with the Tenderloin"
"I don't think we should spend that much on one meal, I'm confused, I'm I'm I'm going to cry..."

Yes, my one and only hormonal breakdown was at the meat counter of Wild Oats. And, Matt was right. I only like tenderloin. And, I still do. Tonight Matt is dusting of the snowfall to make a steak.

...and do YOU put away your deck furniture in the winter?

Firsts

2008-01-27T09:09:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I feel like I can see what a beautiful person Haven is becoming. She is a soft, gentle spirit. She's just shaping her world view and it feels good that we can surround her with such a safe and positive energy everyday. In her eyes, this is a world without poverty, war, prejudice, or hate. She sees love and support between friends and family, encouragement to be and do, not to be afraid. Not a day, hardly an hour goes by right now that I'm not thankful for something. You are all a part of that, and I thank you. I must have done something good along the way to be born into this lot in life.

Yesterday was a day of firsts. We rented skins for my skis and the ski package for the chariot and headed to the mountains. 2 dogs, the 3 of us, the chariot, skis and 3 friends.

We had a blast. Snugs was a trooper and took one for the team, braving the cold and wind for us all to have fun. The hike was followed by a family style meal and warm chai.

Hmmmmm

2008-01-24T20:45:00.000-07:00

We thought a lot about how the dogs would react to a little snuggly around. Would they get the kind of attention they got BB (like, before baby, jeez). They were the topic of, maybe 30% of conversation between Matt and I and most of the pictures on the camera. We'll I'm happy to report the introduction has posed no problems as of yet. They are just getting to know each other and are still getting love by us.

Let me introduce Mr Fast Neddy Nederland the No Nuts (excuse the language) Nizzled Spagettiman. (names changed for privacy of course.

Do I have to be cohesive in my thoughts for this blog or am I going to be true to the way my brain really thinks and skip from one thought to the next? On to the next topic. I was a bit crafty over the winter break and got all this fabric and sewing supplies, knitt a pair of pants with my mom, set up a sewing room. I'm divulging my craft love right now that you will see demontrated here in many ways. Like this.

I made this crayon roll from a pattern I got from www.housepants.blogspot.com. (hyperlink work please! I'm trying to give credit here). This is for my sister's littleman Max. Soon enough he'll love his crayons and will be able to have his hip mom with her hip crayon case in her hip anthropologie bag (don't even get me started on Anthropologie...I will let you dress me blindfolded from that store). Oh, and I use that bag everyday Rob...every day!

OK 2 more thoughts, are you still with me?

Remember this one?

We'll she's gonna be a breakdancer.

Things that make you go hmmmm

..

Enjoy the twilight people.

new appreciation

2008-01-22T12:02:00.000-07:00

Matt and I are uncovering the cobwebs of winter sickness that hit us over the weekend. You know, the gut wrenching stomach kind...

So far Snugs seems to have made it through without getting sick. I'm so glad for that. Must be the miracle milk. It was hard enough taking care of a healthy, easy, baby while we were sick, I can't even imagine taking care of her being sick too. And, seeing her in pain like I was feeling...how do you moms deal? This is where I was going with the new appreciation. MOMS! I don't even remember my mom being sick as a kid...but, I sure remember her taking care of me when I was sick. Chicken soup ready and waiting, blanky pulled out of storage, being check on and hugged when needed. Where you sick too through all that?

Your chariot awaits

2008-01-19T21:31:00.000-07:00

I've been holding out introducing the newest member of our family until I had a picture that would do justice. This is Haven's first portable device...only it holds her instead of her holding it. It will be mp3s and text messaging soon enough.

Today we all went out on a walk. It was 3.5 miles. I know this because Matt has a pedometer on his belt buckle. "Do you want to know how far I walked today" "How 'bout today?." This device measures steps. You could get the answer to, "How many steps have I taken today." You want to know who's working on taking steps? You guessed it.

Cobra, no hands.

Winter warmth

2008-01-19T09:49:00.000-07:00

It's been cold here in Colorado with gusty winds making it essential to have warm clothes to be fully happy. Thankfully Ohma is the best knitter I know. Being a novice knitter myself, I have enough experience to know what I'm talking about with Cindy's knitting skills...this said without even going into how she raises her own sheep, shears and spins the wool herself. She made us a blanket for our wedding present and it's my favorite home accessory.

On to how this relatees to Haven, since it ultimately aways does...

The sweater...look at the sweater! It's so beautiful. Thank You!

And this one just because...

2008-01-18T10:21:00.000-07:00

Haven loves Grandpa

Grandpa Time from susan shultz on Vimeo.

My parents came for a quick trip. They had some flying issues and only got to spend 2 full days with us. It was a busy 2 days, but we'll take what we can get. I love sharing Haven with them. I feel so blessed to have this little family unit, and it is only increased when we get to share with our parents. Isn't it true that sharing your happiness with your parents is such a gift? I've always felt that way...whether it was a good grade on a test, praise at work, engagement, pregnancy, how much Haven weights...I call my parents first. Thanks for spoiling us!

On another note, my girlfriend gave Haven this adorable plate as a baby gift. Thanks Larkyn! She also has an amazing style blog that I check out religiously. I have been turned onto great fabrics and artwork here www.littlewillow.com

Lucky to have talented friends

2008-01-10T12:31:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from my good friend Caroline who is starting her own photography business www.carolinecolvinphotography.com. Check her out:)

C~I'll collect my payout later. Thx for the exersaucer!

By the way,Matt took off his Icebreaker wool shirt (featured above) to put on a button-down prepster shirt for work today. Can you believe it? Some of you out there know what a momentuous occasion this is. He has been sleeping in it though to make up for the missed hours. We love them just the way they are:)

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da"

2008-01-09T09:57:00.000-07:00

THe snuggle's first guitar lesson and umpteenth Beatle sing along.

video trial

2008-01-07T12:11:00.000-07:00

Untitled from susan shultz on Vimeo.

Day One

2008-01-06T19:45:00.000-07:00

I'm starting this blog as a way to share the life of our family with those that I wish could be in it on a daily basis. OK, maybe not daily, but certainly more than they are due to time and space:) Somehow having a child makes sharing our lives with our families so much more important. I hope this helps you all feel a little more connected to the little Snuggli. We'll see how this evolves from being mostly about the baby, to interludes of my daily insanities and rambling thoughts. I'm going to jump right in on our nice little Sunday.

Today we took Snugs (aformentioned 4-month old, aka Snuggles, Snuggly, The Snugs) to the aquarium. She loves the fishtank at our house, so we thought we'd expand her horizons. She was bright eyed and intrigued the whole time. She would not nap until she was safely back in her pod, facing the familiar seatback of Silver Sally the Suburu.

side note: I'm not sure how I feel about the tigers at the aquarium. Not only are they out of place to be in the middle of a freeway in Denver...but, it's an aquarium, "aqua" refers to water, right?

Anyway, I think I saw Snugs balk at our not so shabby home aquarium upon our return. Is the magical awe we have to offer slipping away already? I don't really think so, since sticking out my tongue this evening seemed to be the mac daddy of tricks.

Tomorrow starts our first week of a full working schedule for both me and Matt. My maternity leave has slowly dwindled through holidays, 3 days a week, fridays off...to what it will remain indefinitely as 4 day work weeks. Matt starts his 3 day a week gig at the docs office. Matt and I feel lucky for the schedule we are starting with, and the amount of time we get to spend with Snugs.