March 2011
1 post
you totally thought I abandoned you didn’t you?
I’m sorry.
I’ve been really busy with lots of really exciting and not so exciting things and this blog has suffered the consequences.
It’s not your fault. So please, don’t blame yourself.
Just know that I think of you often, that I come by to lurk and check out what’s new in this corner of the world, and that I...
January 2011
4 posts
a birthday party
Today we celebrated the culmination of O’s third year on this planet with a party.
Almost 2 weeks after her actual day, she was more than ready to celebrate with her friends. We have been talking about it for at least that long.
It was a great day. Beautiful So Cal weather… warm, a slight breeze, sun. Ahhh. The endorphins and vitamin D are flowing once again.
It’s funny how...
The Orange Crayon
It was a sad day yesterday.
At the end of bath time with the water draining from the tub, O, per usual, stayed behind to get a little alone time while I got M dressed. She was enjoying drawing all over the bathtub with her favorite, barely usable decapitated bathtub crayons.
When I returned, she was looking slightly forlorn with a finger down the drain. She calmly asked whether I might be able...
You May Be Wondering
A couple things.
Like why I never post.
Or why I haven’t posted a picture in eons even though I have that new fancy camera.
Or why it has been colder despite global warming.
and lucky you, I have the answer to all THREE!
I almost never post anymore because I suddenly have gotten a little busier and am simultaneously feeling less inspired. Which is sad. On all accounts. I have much to be...
My Biggest
Three years ago today, at 3:10 PM, my littlest biggest was born.
I have so many cliche sentences rolling around in my mind right now how did we get here so quickly? where did the time go? it was like yesterday. they grow up so fast. my world is so different now that she is here.
And it is all true.
It’s hard to imagine what life was like before she was in my world. Before I knew what it...
December 2010
3 posts
The Best Christmas
It’s been pretty magical. Lots of love and laughs. Culminating in the best surprise revealed in an unsramble of letters found in my Christmas morning gifts; a surprise jaunt to NYC for new years with the hubs. He planned childcare, bought the tickets, secured a place to stay all without me having any idea. He’s pretty great.
Santa - Take Two
So if you are one of the lucky few to be subject to my blog in its early days (a whopping almost year ago!), you may recall one of my first posts about Santa. If you don’t want to click the link to read the post, I’ll give you the skinny:
I kind of bash Old Saint Nick for being a creepy lie we tell our kids and as such, teach them to lie themselves.
Ok, not quite so harsh, but you...
Re-entry
I’m having a hard time getting back into the swing of things after having over a week off for Thanksgiving. With the rest of the holidays on the horizon, my mind is over pre-occupied.
It was more than wonderful to be with family for our trip. It’s so fun seeing the girls begin to enjoy things with much more enthusiasm and awareness.
M is finding her rhythm and both girls have always...
November 2010
5 posts
Light at The End of The Tunnel
I can see it.
The light is starting to penetrate the darkness, of sleep deprivation, of baby dependence (which also has its joys don’t get me wrong- just a different kind of light, the kind that comes in from underfoot and warms the toes.)
I can see rays of light as they stream in the tunnel as though making it past tiny cracks through a window blind, highlighting the carpet below.
The...
spending time with children makes mothers about as... →
Great exploration of why parenting is both addictive and stressful.
LiLala Couture
Must share with you the launching of a great online boutique for lovely, magical, one of a kind aprons and tutus LiLala Couture. One of my favorite ladies has finally decided to share her talents… please go check out her site and buy a coupla things if you feel so inspired. She also has a blog linked to the website where she gives us a little insight into her creative, entertaining mind.
...
Thank god for iPhones.
I’m not sure what parents of small children did with sleeping children in the car before them.
We are sitting outside my house… Waiting for M to wake up from her nap post the zoo. I’ve checked my email, caught up on my favorite blogs, pondered current events and the status of my life.
Now I’m feeling a little sleepy myself but you know as soon...
October 2010
7 posts
A Pre/Post Pregnancy Must Read
Ok so… I really think we all should read this. It honestly has helped me come to terms with the crazy body transformation that is pregnancy and life beyond. Helped me take a critical look at what our crazy culture and society are telling all of us about how, when and why we need to get our “old” bodies back. That statement in and of itself is such a crazy idea! Old body? Hey...
Somebody
Is walking all over the place these days.
The day of our birthday party, she decided the audience was all she needed to take off.
The day after, she was like a new girl. Toddling around, getting into the mix of it all, dancing and singing. Laughing. Lots of laughing.
I’m relieved and nostalgic in this transition from babyhood to toddlerhood. Excited about the growing independence,...
Yesterday I came home from a ladies weekend getaway. This is one of only 10 pictures I took… 8 of the others are also of food. I got one shot of 2 of the 3 friends I visited. I guess I had too much fun to take pictures.
Ahhh. Ladies. What a blast. Good for the soul. Thank you.
Yummy Day
Today’s my birthday.
It was a pretty good day, given that not much of my life changes just because it happens to be my special day.
If you are a parent, you know what I mean. I still had to feed the kids and all that jazz. Not that I minded today. They were in pretty good moods and made it easy to feel good about growing one year older.
I’ve had my birthday present for almost a...
I just want to be a pumpkin...
I had so many great ideas for Halloween costumes this year.
O wasn’t having it.
What do you want to be then? I asked.
A pumpkin. She says.
Really? How about Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz?
no.
Or Olivia?
no.
I want to be a pumpkin.
And she will not be dissuaded. Not that I mind. I think it’s cute she has made a decision and is sticking with it.
Etsy to my rescue since I...
A Year Ago
I was going to bed wondering whether I was going to go into labor again. Curious about whether the little being inside my belly was going to want to come out. Or whether, she really wanted to wait a few more days before making her appearance into this world.
She chose to get things going sometime in the night. Her sister, finally, chose to sleep through the night. Giving their mother space and...
It's raining.
And it feels great.
Cathartic and refreshing.
A rain of transition and new beginnings.
M and I went out and sat in it for a minute. Just enjoying the tickle of raindrops on our shoulders and listening in awe at the amazing thunder as the lightening passes overhead.
And now, enjoying the pitter patter on the roof and watching as the steady rain encourages leaves to fall.
Fall.
Ahhh.
...
September 2010
7 posts
I've been gone
And now I’m back. I’m not sure what will become of this little space of the internet, so I’m going to try to not send out any expectations.
As you may have gathered, I’m in a bit of a rut. And running a little bit on empty here. Just lots going on. Nothing too devastating or incapacitating, just lots and LOTS of everyday stuff. I’d like nothing more than a solid week...
The B Student
I’ve always considered myself to be a “generalist.” A jack of all trades, master of none. You know the lingo. I see this quality as my greatest strength and also my greatest weakness. I can be functional at almost anything… The drawback, the darkside, is that stinking master of none part. I live life feeling like I’m doing really OK with most everything, but never...
3 tags
What's Up Party People?
Miss me?
I’ve missed you. Just been a little crazy busy around these parts and hence the blog is suffering. Right now I’m in dire need of some chocolate, but there is none to be found in my office. What is a girl to do? I could actually leave the office and go grab a cupcake. Hmm. Perhaps. We shall see. I’ve depleted my supply of ice breakers sours and am about to resort to...
The Wilderness Downtown
Ok. So if the idea of having to download another web browser has dissuaded you from checking out this amazingly cool interactive movie, then know that I used Safari today and it worked fine.
Please do it.
It’s really cool.
Especially if you like Arcade Fire.
And are nostalgic.
thewildernessdowntown.com
Go.
My Wilderness Downtown →
So before you click my link go download google chrome then go to thewildernessdowntown.com, type in your childhood address, and get ready for a really cool experience.
I would tell you more, but I don’t want to ruin it for you.
And if I’m late in the game here and you are already in the know, oh well, it’s still cool :)
Then come back and tell me what you think.
Making the Switch
Since I’m boycotting Target right now, I’ve found myself shopping at Whole Foods for all the things I would normally get at Target. Toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo, toothpaste, detergent, sponges, and on and on. Thankfully one positive about Target is their increased supply of environmentally friendly and natural products. And thankfully I’ve already made the switch to more...
August 2010
14 posts
Groovy
I know I’ve posted about this before, but really it’s amazing.
I was listening to Pandora today and a Jose Gonzales song came on. I was like, “oh, I love me some Jose! I want more!”
So I went over to Groove Shark and listened to the whole album. For. Free.
Such a good song: Heartbeats.
YES!
Look what was waiting for me at the office today:
I’m am so excited! Don’t know how I will work today… or take care of the kids… or do anything until this is finished.
(clickity click)
3 tags
DUDE!
Today was an awesome day!
I finally did this:
and it was all sorts of awesome. it has been so long that i totally felt yoga drunk. know what i mean?
timing wise it worked out awesomely. it’s been an extremely slow week at work so i have been taking advantage and having some “me” time.
i think i worked a sum total of 3.5 hours today.
rad.
because i left at 2:30 and went to...
1 tag
The Monster in the Closet →
You may have heard by now about the AOL news article about the woman who killed her two boys and the incorrect blanket statement an “expert” was quoted as saying that postpartum depression essentially does not exist. After an uproar the quote has since been removed. It has, though, sparked multiple discussions about the continued shame and misinformation about this debilitating...
3 tags
I need a new look
Do you think looking like January Jones in this photo is too much to ask?
Yeah me too.
How bout the hair? Doable? Hmm.
I finally scheduled a local hair appointment. I’m starting to resemble a middle aged, coked out wino. Other days, an Amish homemaker. Either way, it’s time. Why did I wait so long? Oh.
Well.
It’s complicated.
My favorite hairstylist in the world just so...
2 tags
If you haven't noticed...
I’ve been a little distracted lately.
Like everyone else I know, there is a lot going on right now.
I find myself daydreaming about what it would be like to truly have some lazy days of summer. Remember what it was like to get out of school for the summer? Remember days spent running around in the heat with your siblings, turning on the sprinklers and eating homemade popsicles? Remember...
psychologically speaking: poetry as tonic, #24 →
The Peace of Wild Things
When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild…
1 tag
Time
It’s time for time to lay off a bit.
Today is a big day. Little baby M is not so little anymore. She’s 10 months old. Wow. Where did the time go? On top of that, it’s big girl O’s last day as “bunny”. Tomorrow she moves on to a new preschool. I can’t believe this day is here. It seems like only yesterday she was just starting daycare. She had very...
OMMMOTW- A Haiku
This is a haiku I’ve had on hold for a few weeks as my sister and I tried to figure out the best way to turn a 7-5-7 poem into true haiku format.
My silly English major sister had a mommy of 3 lapse of memory about what constitutes a haiku. :) love you sis and thanks!
(and Ane, thank you so much for emailing me a moment. I think it’s great. I’m honoring your request that I...
My Favorite...
Part of the day has been that first, warm, sweet …
sip of coffee.
I imagine I’m trying to chase that feeling the rest of the day.
I’m fully aware you could replace coffee with some elicit drug in this scenario and you might actually be worried about me.
But, do not fear. I’m ok really.
Project “working on sleep” is on hold for a few days as M and O both...
I heard..
that somebody out there reading this has an Officially My Mother Moment to share.
And I heard you were gonna email it to me tonight.
Right?
Come on.
Please!?
My girls and I just had a breakfast table dance...
Fear and Running
So it happened. For the first time, I had to leave the grocery store without the groceries. I abandoned ship. Leaving my basket full of items needed, on the floor, next to the bananas.
It’s my fault really. I was being selfish. Wanting to get too much accomplished in a day when both the kids had minimal car naps, and there was plenty of snot dribbling down noses. But we needed eggs,...
July 2010
21 posts
Working On Sleep
There is a lot of this:
Happening in my house this week.
Baby M is dealing with a bit of separation anxiety.
AND we are “working on sleep”
I say that, because I am still afraid of the term “sleep training” and find the term “sleep learning” a little inaccurate for my family.
So, “working on sleep” makes me feel a little better. It implies that...
The Good Life: Phenomenal Woman →
by Maya Angelou
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size But when I start to tell them, They think I’m telling lies. I say, It’s in the reach of my arms The span of my hips, The stride of my step, The curl of my lips. I’m a woman …
One of my all time favorites.
OMMMOTW
Hiya. I am without submissions this week. Sadly. And I’m out of ideas. Sadly. And so I’m sure you are REALLY excited to keep reading my blog huh? Promise me you’ll stay :). I promise I won’t write about pumping for at least a week.
Maybe a week hiatus from OMMMOTWs is a good thing. A little time to mull it all over. Maybe it will get your wheels a turnin.
Until then,...
Redemption
This morning I found the man who offered to help me yesterday. He was apologetic about the dismissive attitude I received yesterday and offered to help me out today.
Now, thankfully, I’m pumping in a storage room with lights next to a couple of bikes and uniforms. I even have a seat, a wheelchair.
It’s private, and clean.
Rafael told me he was in the same situation many years ago...
More than another PIP post
So I know all I’ve been doing has been ranting about the lack of PIP support I’ve encountered along my travels. And for that, I apologize.
I guess it just really sucks to be confronted with a complete lack of empathy and understanding for something that should be so basic:
An infant’s right to food. A mother’s ability (personal willingness and external support included)...
Pissed!
Double Tree in Chicago can bite me!
This am I spoke to a very nice gentleman who assured me there would be a private space for me to pump today that was NOT a bathroom stall.
I felt good. Pleased. Like the world has some understanding and appreciation for us breastfeeding mothers.
This afternoon there is a different concierge. And she’s a biotch.
” no ma’am. You’ll...