One Proud Puppy!!

After a few times hearing "OH NO!!!" after Logan had been running amuck buck naked in the boat, only to then guide me to where he had freshly peed all over the floor, the couch, beside the toilet... well you get the point, did I realize it's time for a big boy potty!  We took him with us to the store to pick it out, where he literally test drove each and every one. Not only by sitting on them ALL but by also pushing them up and down the aisle like he was a drag racing king.  I was surprised though as soon as we got home and opened the box he was obsessed with it, even insisting on sitting correctly on it (proper penis placement and everything!!)  I am ever so grateful he has his Daddy's trait of attention to detail and will hopefully choose to pee inside the bowl.  As we busied ourselves with making dinner, lo and behold..... we had pee in the potty ( and a foot, but I'm not one for details ;) !  Here is the our Potty Champion, oozing with pride!

~This Moment~

this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.   This moment via SouleMama

This Moment~ Too Much Fun Tickling The Cat

Happy Earth Day!

Claiming the cats bed...both to her and my dismay!
He ends up covered in hair head to toe

I spent a wonderful day outside with my little man today.  The weather has finally warmed a bit and we were able to shed a few layers, the most important one... the rain jackets!  It felt so good to feel the warmth of the sun as we celebrated Earth Day together.  There is a little beach right by the marina and L had a fantastic time climbing logs, throwing rocks in the water, and slapping around slimy seaweed.  It's is so fun watching him explore and be so enthralled with a rock or a stick.  We spent over an hour on the beach and he quietly played the entire time, inviting me into his little world when he needed help manouvering over a big log or throwing an especially large rock. My mission on the beach today was to collect rocks and sticks to make some natural crafts. I saw a tutorial on making rocks into Easter Eggs by felting them (like you can with soaps) they looked beautiful and I thought it'd be a great alternative to the usual plastic eggs.  I carefully selected my egg shaped rocks and while L was napping I felted them up, they turned out beautiful and I couldn't wait to give them to Logan.  What I should of remembered was how much he LOVED THROWING the rocks at the beach.... so of course as soon as I gave them to him they went flying across the boat.  Guess we'll have to needle felt some eggs that won't break my mirrors!  I just tucked in my tuckered out little nome,  he is so precious and I feel so grateful I am able to watch him grow.  I hope he learns to tread lightly on the earth and to embrace the beauty that surrounds him each and every day.

He pick the BIGGEST rock he could possibly muster and then throw it an inch or two.
I kept trying to convince him go for the smaller ones but to no avail.

His favorite was definitely the slimy seaweed.

He's got the WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS....

My Sweet Pea xo

1 Month Anniversary!

I sit here quietly on the boat, just the humming of the heater and (thankfully) the stillness of the water surrounds me.  The last month has passed quickly, as we acclimated to the our new home and new lifestyle.  It was a huge relief to be finished with the house and to focus fully on our "new" life.  It was a beautiful way to transition as we were here for 2 weeks on the boat and then took a week vacation to Mexico.  It was wonderful to get the tedious task of organizing done and then to take a much needed break.  We were able to reconnect with each other as a family, take a deep breath and rejuvenate our souls as our skin soaked in the warm sun.  We were able to return refreshed and inspired to keep on task and head south asap!!  The winter storms keep rearing their ugly head and have made us long desperately for spring to return.  After a few days of storms one right after another, I finally broke down and took some Gravol.  Luckily it relieved the nausea and I was able to get a good night sleep and start fresh the next day.  The 'calm after the storm' is always such a welcomed one
I had a bottle of champagne in the fridge, and wanted to celebrate......I know I should wait until G is home to celebrate with me, but after finishing cleaning up and the baby is quietly sleeping I wanted to relax and take a moment to reflect.  So I guess  you've figured by now, I decided to drink now and ask for forgiveness later!
I just feel so grateful, for so many reasons.... to start with I can't tell you how much I love the boyish grin on Gordon's face before he goes to sleep at night.  He is so happy down here, so completely at peace.  It makes all the tough days so worth it.  He told me the most romantic thing the other night as we curled up in our little bunks and reached across to hold each others hand...." I want to grow old with you in small spaces. "  It is so hard to put words to the way I felt after hearing that.  I love that there is a beautifully intricate dance that must occur daily for us to live together here.  A true sense of teamwork, an unspoken knowing of each others moods and needs.  The importance of working through problems together , as there is no room for hidden agendas or unspoken feelings.
Logan has adapted seamlessly, he is enjoying the boat and it has also proved to be a great time to implement some much needed changes in his routine.  We've started a new napping schedule and also started weaning him (partially) from the "All-Can-Eat Breastraunt".  He is growing so fast, it's hard to believe he is no longer my "baby".  He brings such absolute joy to my life and I am so grateful that I am able to stay home with him and enjoy every minute of his being.  It is so pure and full of love, it is such a gift to be able to look at life through his eyes.  He's talking more and more everyday.  Continues to be sweet, silly and oh so loving.  He loves giving his kitty "teats" and have caught him doing the 'one for you, one for me' bit.  We bought Malloreigh a kitty bed the other day (in hopes to contain her copious amounts of fur) and he quietly goes up to the poor sleeping kitty, yells "GO" and pulls the bed out from under her and proceeds to curl up into a ball and try and fit himself into the bed. Usually this is after I have finally gotten him dressed for the day and we are just about to leave.....now COVERED in cat hair!!
I have to admit living in such a small space is a bit trying with a cat, the hair just seems endless!  My once adventurous cat now refuses to go outside unless I physically put her out there and close the door.  Then restless and rambuncous, she rustles around all night long.  I've started putting her on the same program as Logan, she has mandatory outdoor time.  It is in hopes that she will appreciate her time indoors and either play quietly or sleep.  Unfortunately she's not as easy to train as Logan is!
Overall, I feel bit surprised actually that things have gone as smoothly as they have.  There have been some really trying days (believe me!!) but it definitely seems doable. We're definitely getting into a groove down here and figuring out a system.  I have to admit I am a bit of a princess and do have a microwave and a crockpot as well.  I figure, we're not going off shore yet, so I might as well live it up while I can!!  There are just some things in life that make living with a toddler SO much easier!  I'll have to go through my own weaning process when the time comes... but in the meantime I'm going to live high on the hog!

Finally Aboard And Making It Home

Well it seems unbelievable that we have actually been living on the boat now for 9 days!  This past month has been a whirlwind of projects between wrapping up projects in the house (and everything breaking last minute - fridge, faucets....) and prepping the boat for us to live aboard.  I feel like I've been in a daze this past week, decompressing and adjusting all at the same time.  Luckily, other than trying to find places for the many many bags of belongings we brought down, it has been pretty seamless.
The first night down, I see it as my "Initiation night".  One of our classic Pacific Northwest storms was rolling through, it packed a bit of a punch though with winds up to 90kmph and sustained high winds ALL night long.  After a long day of packing and cleaning, I couldn't wait to just lie down and pass out, unfortunately  Mother Nature had other plans for me.  The boat was rocking and rolling all night long.  The winds would press the boat on its side and then drop, the fenders constantly squeaked as they protested taking on the weight of the boat as it forced itself over and over onto our neighbors boat.  I thought maybe after a bit it would quiet down, but no such luck, this baby was gonna go all night long!  The boys on the other hand slept like a rock.  G did wake up at one point, I watched him silently waiting to see what he was checking....he got closer and closer.  "Are you awake?"  Yesss....  "Oh good, your were freaking me out for a second, I thought you were sleeping with your eyes open!"  I wish I could have kept my eye on things as I slept, I guess that's a skill I will acquire as I become an old salt.  Needless to say, it was a difficult  putting in a full day of cleaning and packing at the house on zero sleep.  Emotions were labile to say the least.  Breaking down Logan's crib and packing away his room did make me stop for a minute. With a tear in my eye, my heart hoping we were making the right decision for him and us as a family.   At that moment it all finally seemed real.  Previously I had just been going from one task to the next, crossing things off the to-do list.  But now as I saw my little boys life as he new it was about to change, and I had to believe in what my heart has been saying all along, it is going to be a wonderful adventure.

Logan has taken on his new life with gusto, his first night as he quickly scrambled up the steps up into his room, he turned around with a huge grin and shouted "WOW"!  It is  my little mountain goats heaven as he can reach everything.  We are slowly learning what we can and cannot climb on or touch.  He's also learned how to let himself out of his crib, it at least keeps him from rolling out of bed while sleeping.  Guess we're moving to the concept of a toddler bed whether we like it or not!  He loves all the walks we go on now.  He has his little loop down pat, kissing all his favorite wood carvings as we go along.  Mastering the stairs as we go up and down and up and down over and over again.  He has been such a little trooper, never skipping a beat and embracing each moment, each new experience with grace and excitement.  He definitely could teach me a thing or two!

The stove is working beautifully and so is the fridge. I feel so lucky to have hot water as well.  It does amaze me though how much water we go through.  I think we emptied our tanks after a day and a half (and I thought I was being conservative!) and used much more drinking water than I thought we would too.  I have lots to learn, but am enjoying the process.

Here is a peek into our first week:

Logan's room in v-berth

My caveman lighting his first fire on the stove!

Celebrating our first dinner

SUPER MOON

Checking in with Eagleman on our evening walk

Loves brushing his teeth now that he can stare at himself and make funny faces in the mirror.  Crazy hair = shinier teeth

Parking lot puddles create hours of entertainment

Checking out the beach, honing his goaty abilities... those logs are slippery when wet.

It's Coming Together!!

The count down continues, and the days are slipping by so fast now.  So many projects to do and so little time.  There is nothing more rewarding though when you see a project finally coming to an end. Though there is still the last bits to do on all of these projects I thought I'd post an update.  Gordon has done such a amazing job. It seems surreal at times that this is actually finally happening!

I know the picture of the head may not seem super impressive but believe me if you look back at the old pictures they are.  I no longer feel like I am in a grungy gas station bathroom or could catch some obscure disease.  With all the caulking and old stains, no matter how much you cleaned it just looked, well gross.  But now!!!  Oh my, it's just breathtaking when I walk in there!  SO CLEAN (*can you see me smiling* ).  Sorry the doors are missing, they are at the house drying.
I also found some adorable Wall Decals that I thought we could put up so it doesn't seem so sterile and gives Logan something to play with (you can close off the area to the actual head and it leaves a small play area).  I'm in love with the Baby Elephant Chalkboard, now that he is starting to draw, and chalk wipes away much easier than markers!  Anyway I digress.... onto the rest of the projects.

Head floor, Hazmat suit no longer required.

So Shiny & Clean, Yay!

Port side head

To the left is our custom made cutting board (which is attached to the lid of the fridge) made by our wonderful friend Jim!  G also found a new piece of formica to match the existing counter tops.  The lid still needs to be mounted, but all of G's measurements were perfect and it has turned out beautifully.  So much more space than the old design, and super organized to boot!

New Dickinson 3 burner stove and custom made cutting board!

Custom made fridge (we've even got ICE CUBES) Everything fits Just So!

The house is a work in progress, it's all the little things - emptying the file cabinets, boxing up the millions of pictures I seem to have stashed EVERYWHERE, unpacking (for the first time) and repacking boxes from the last move.  Through it all I realize I have a bit of a problem, I hoard things..... books, beads, craft supplies, fabric, did I mention books. Getting one of those Kindle's is looking better and better after hauling multiple boxes of books to the garage.  I just can't bear to part with them (and I do read them again) .... ok I'll stop trying to justify.

Anyway, it is all starting to come together, despite an entire month of continuous illness shared between the three of us(cold, stomach flu, pink eye, cold again) and the glorious onset of the terrible two's ( they are SO fun L thought he'd start early!)  G is now off for the next few days and it is the final push to finish up projects and start moving  the last bits out of the house and start moving our carefully selected items onto the boat!

Looking forward to the next post of COMPLETED PROJECTS!!!!!!!!!!