What's new with the Gacniks?

Well, I can tell you what is not new with the Gacniks....no new baby yet. I can't coax this little lady to make her debut, regardless what spicy food I eat or how long I'm on my feet every day. Yesterday I cleaned the house, baked in the kitchen some fresh apple bread, bribed the family to go for a long walk (followed by ice cream of course), made dinner and still nothing. I'm telling you, this little lady may be a touch stubborn. Jeremy and I have no idea why.....just kidding. Maddie and Luke are doing great. We ventured to the apple orchard this weekend to pick some apples and go for a tractor/wagon ride. If you ask Luke, his farmer buddy was really nice and a good driver of the old tractor. It doesn't take much to excite a 2.5 year old. Maddie was on a hunt for the BIGGEST apple and found one. How is Jeremy? He's doing well and is probably more worried about me going into labor or doing something inappropriate...like climbing on/off wagons for tractor wagon rides. Or let's see, jogging during a "walk" to offer incentive to this baby. I guess I can see why he just shakes his head with my crazy shenanigans. He's a good sport though! We are hoping the weather holds out a bit longer so the kids can continue to play outside, ride bikes and just enjoy what's left of summer. Fall is definitely in the air in Minnesota, as the leaves are all changing colors and display a beautiful yellow, orange and red vibrant color. We know one thing in life and that is by mid-day Oct. 8 a new little Gacnik will be welcomed to MN. Even though we are yet to have a name for the little lady, we are just hoping for a happy and healthy little baby and delivery. Cheers everyone!

Miss Maddie is 5...

...where did the time go?! Well, Maddie turned 5 a week ago. Gosh, she is growing up fast, too fast!!!

We had a fun party this year. Since the party was so close to the new baby's due date, we had to keep it simple for anyone to pull-off in case we were at the hospital. So, we did the unthinkable and what we said would never happen, we approved the princess party. Yes, Elsa herself stopped by our house and entertained 5 little girls and one loving brother for an hour and a half. Let me just say that was the SMARTEST thing we have ever done. If I recall, Jeremy cracked a beer open at one point as he kicked back and watched. The princess literally did it all. Heck, she even brought the cupcakes. Money well spent people....that's the opinion of one very pregnant mama! Anyway, the kids loved it and Maddie now wants to visit Annadale (sp?) where Elsa is from and Luke asked for Ana to visit for his birthday. Funny. Safe to say they had the time of their lives!!! The little lady has certainly grown up too fast. She was very excited to get a new-to-her bike on her birthday and has been on it non-stop.

Old man Elvis

There are many things in life we ignore and one of these is that everything has a lifecycle. All relationships have a start, a middle and eventually and ending…a goodbye for now.

We experienced another one of these moments last week. Our buddy Elvis joined his friends, Sadie and Dibs, and I’m sure is now drinking from a bottomless bowl of cold water (or a toilet if someone left the lid up). He was a great dog and a loyal companion. I relate the relationship to this guy as one of unconditional love. Elvis was the man in my life, long before Jeremy, the kids or other dogs were around. He was a great dog, a stubborn one at times who would let me know if I wasn’t giving him enough attention, but a great dog. The gentlest of breeds and welcoming to anyone….especially if they had a treat. He handled each of the relocations like a champ and welcomed every adventure. We are all adjusting to our new normal without our old buddy, but it was time. We are thankful for the last year, but on Labor Day I finally accepted the decision I had to make. Jeremy always told me it would be my decision since he was my dog, and trust me, making this decision 35 weeks pregnant was the last thing I wanted to do. But, I also knew I was being selfish not making the decision. Everyone is adapting at their own pace. Maddie asked last week at bedtime if we could get another “Elvis” and I said we would in time. Most likely though, the next one would have a different name. She was okay with that. She and Luke loved the big guy.

Bailey is adjusting to her new normal and overall is doing well. She really has taken to all the extra loving and treats. There has been no shortage of either of those.

So anyway, we will miss the guy who tore through my garbage when he was 2 years old and strung it all over my house….the guy who was so proud of himself when he discovered and “took care of” a rabbits nest in my back yard at the age of 4….. the guy who let Maddie sit on him like a horse…..and the guy who welcomed every one of my family members like long lost friends.