Mantle Scape: Autumn 2010

Notre Dame Boys

Summer Fun in Milwaukee

Oscar and I got to go to Milwaukee this summer for a week of fun with Grandma and Poppa...including a mega-walk through the flower gardens, a picnic at Poppa's work, and of course: DONUTS at Cranky Al's--now a tradition!





We also flew home (due to some great rates we found), and Oscar walked the WHOLE AIRPORT with his luggage and was so excited for the plane ride to have his OWN seat. He kept looking at me and saying, "Mama? Are you ready? I'm ready!" Adorable. (The cookies sure helped, too!)

Farewell, Friend

We had to say goodbye to a dear friend recently--our 120-year-old Elm tree in our backyard. It may sound trite, but that tree has provided many-a-shaded picnic and lolly-gag-swing-time, and exploration to Oscar.

It was discovered to have Dutch Elm Disease. Sigh. So, the city mandated that it be taken down. It was 10'2" around and the lack of shade will greatly affect our yard and the yards of several neighbors.



Needless to say, I'm heartbroken, but alas...life goes on and we'll look for some positives: perhaps a vegetable garden is in our future? Plus, watching the tree come down was a fascinating experience, and with all the construction trucks in our driveway, Oscar was beyond pleased. :)

Introducing: Ruby Alice Melander!

So, I realize that it's been WAAAAAAAY too long since I've posted anything, but we've had a good excuse: we just had a baby! (Did I even mention that I was pregnant? Hmmm... Sorry about that) Regardless, we have a new little bundle in our family: Miss Ruby Alice Melander (named after two of her great-grandmothers).


She came into the world a tad early--7 weeks early to be exact. Weighing in at 4lbs 9oz. She came out screaming--a great sign of her lung capacity, 18". And, she has been doing super well ever since. She is still in the hospital in the special care unit, so it's been hard not showing her off to everyone in person, but for now, pictures will have to do.


Oscar has been a GREAT big brother so far. Ruby "gave" him a gift of a baby doll of his very own, which he promptly named Ruby. :) He has been a trooper with all the juggling to and fro from the hospital and different caregivers while Mommy is with baby Ruby, and Dave has been a rockstar taking care of all of us with amazing fortitude.


We appreciate all the well-wishes and prayers. God's peace has been SO PREVALENT throughout this entire process, and we praise Him for life and bodies and family and friends and everything that is good, because we know He is behind it all.


I promise, we will be part of the world again sometime soon...as soon as we get Ruby home (TBD--a week more? Two?) and settled, we'll contact you to come and meet and greet. Until then, stay cozy and hopefully we'll put more pictures up soon!