And then miracles happen. Not just one but floods and floods of little miracles that make it possible to keep going and to fight another day. And there are so many of these miracles that your tears of fear and exhaustion turn to tears of gratitude. And then the blessings still keep coming and you think... "Well now You're just showing off."
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
When God steps in
You know when you are trying to make the right choices and the right sacrifices in your life, but you find yourself facing an ugly uphill battle that you know you don't have the strength for? And then you lay it all down at God's feet and say, I've done all I can, I am willing to keep going, but I cannot go one step further on my own.
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Childhood Memories
"I have a theory that children remember two things—when you weren't there and when they threw up."- Nora Ephron
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Sometimes I still read books... OK they are audiobooks, but still...
Malcolm Gladwell showed up on HONY today and I recognized him!
And then I googled it to make sure I was right. And I was.
For some reason this gives me hope that I haven't completely lost touch with the educated-thinking-adult population of the world.
The toddlers can take away my high heels, my blow-dried hair and my sense of accomplishment, but they haven't taken my brain. Not yet sir, not yet.
And then I googled it to make sure I was right. And I was.
For some reason this gives me hope that I haven't completely lost touch with the educated-thinking-adult population of the world.
The toddlers can take away my high heels, my blow-dried hair and my sense of accomplishment, but they haven't taken my brain. Not yet sir, not yet.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Baby Girl Wish List
When I'm not working or trying to keep Milo from writing on the walls (I mostly fail at this) I find myself daydreaming about baby products... Mostly it's stuff I've discovered since he was born and wished I had, or stuff that I think will help with the transition to two.
When it comes to mom-products, I'm all about crowd-sourcing so if you have had experience with something on this list that you loved or hated, or if you know of something amazing that I've missed, prettiest-of-pleases tell me.
1) Solly Baby Wrap - A friend of a friend here in San Diego is the creator of these amazing things and they just look so soft and comfy! I love my Ergo for tromping around town and working and especially as baby gets older its nice to have something hardy that can handle the weight of a toddler. But for those first few newborn months of super soft squishy babyness, doesn't this look dreamy? Plus, it will keep baby girl out of reach of pokey little toddler fingesr while also keeping my hands free to remove sticky-ness from said toddler fingers. Coral or Grey Stripe? Although at a price tag of $65, this would be a personal splurge.
2) B.O.B. double stroller - Maybe its because I live near La Jolla, but these uber-expensive joggers are everywhere. Everyone I know seems to have them. At Stroller Strides last week, I kid you not: 90% B.O.B. duallies. I caught the bug, they are super cool, but at a heart stopping retail price-tag of $709, we may have to go with something more pedestrian, like a Baby Trend. Unless Santa wants to give me a Craigslist miracle.
3) Bumbo - The ubiquitous plastic baby bumper seat. I didn't have one with Milo, and wished that I did almost daily. Why didn't I just go get one? Because I thought its usefulness would be short lived. I think I under estimated to awesomeness of anything that helps keep your baby upright. Babies love to sit up and they burp better that way. It's the little things. Odds are high that I'll be able to snag one of these off someone who is done having kids and feels like making room in their storage space. Right? Maybe? Please? In aqua.
4) Carseat Canopy - I have a very blue, very masculine one already, but practical or not, I want a girly one for baby girl. Grey chevron? Lilac? I would take neon pink if they had any this season. But good-heavens no fuchsia. NEVER fuchsia.
What am I missing? Educate me. I'm listening.
When it comes to mom-products, I'm all about crowd-sourcing so if you have had experience with something on this list that you loved or hated, or if you know of something amazing that I've missed, prettiest-of-pleases tell me.
1) Solly Baby Wrap - A friend of a friend here in San Diego is the creator of these amazing things and they just look so soft and comfy! I love my Ergo for tromping around town and working and especially as baby gets older its nice to have something hardy that can handle the weight of a toddler. But for those first few newborn months of super soft squishy babyness, doesn't this look dreamy? Plus, it will keep baby girl out of reach of pokey little toddler fingesr while also keeping my hands free to remove sticky-ness from said toddler fingers. Coral or Grey Stripe? Although at a price tag of $65, this would be a personal splurge.
2) B.O.B. double stroller - Maybe its because I live near La Jolla, but these uber-expensive joggers are everywhere. Everyone I know seems to have them. At Stroller Strides last week, I kid you not: 90% B.O.B. duallies. I caught the bug, they are super cool, but at a heart stopping retail price-tag of $709, we may have to go with something more pedestrian, like a Baby Trend. Unless Santa wants to give me a Craigslist miracle.
3) Bumbo - The ubiquitous plastic baby bumper seat. I didn't have one with Milo, and wished that I did almost daily. Why didn't I just go get one? Because I thought its usefulness would be short lived. I think I under estimated to awesomeness of anything that helps keep your baby upright. Babies love to sit up and they burp better that way. It's the little things. Odds are high that I'll be able to snag one of these off someone who is done having kids and feels like making room in their storage space. Right? Maybe? Please? In aqua.
4) Carseat Canopy - I have a very blue, very masculine one already, but practical or not, I want a girly one for baby girl. Grey chevron? Lilac? I would take neon pink if they had any this season. But good-heavens no fuchsia. NEVER fuchsia.
What am I missing? Educate me. I'm listening.
"Where'd You Go, Bernadette?" by Maria Semple
This book is clever, insightful, unique, snarky, hilarious and surprising. The kind of book that is fun to read (a la Mortal Instruments) but still makes you feel smart (a la Kite Runner). Try it, you're welcome.
Books are the food of love
“They had only ever discussed books but what, in this life, is more personal than books?” – Gabrielle Zevin
Oh hey Old Self, there you are!
Sometimes when Milton is napping I put on JJ Grey & Mofro and hang out in the kitchen trying out a new recipe.
It is on those days that I feel like a person, perhaps even a woman, and not just a mom.
It is on those days that I feel like a person, perhaps even a woman, and not just a mom.
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Monday, July 14, 2014
For today
I find myself lingering in the moments alone with my son. I hold him a little too long before I put him in bed at night and I kiss him too many times when he wakes up in the morning. If he is enraptured by a small shovel and some sand I will sit a watch him until he's finished, heedless of whatever responsibilities loom outside of that perfect moment. We spend so much time together, hours piled into days on end, interrupted only briefly by outsiders. Whenever he's within arms reach I run my fingers through his hair and brush it off his forehead.
I catch myself thinking 100 times a day how incredible he is - how beautiful his face, how charming his giggle, how engaging his personality. He has a facial expression for every nuance of every situation. When he's learning something new his body becomes very still but his eyes are laser focused. When he's content his face is completely relaxed and his eyes will drift about in casual observation. When he's up to something he will look at me sideways with his eyebrows raised. When he's happy his smile is so bright you could see it from outer space.
Our time together has always been precious, but it seems more urgent now that change is on the horizon. In a few short months he will have a sister and our alone time will inevitably diminish. I have decided not to mourn this change. I believe that the joy will outweigh the loss and I do not mourn. But I do allow myself the indulgence of savoring, of allowing each exquisite moment to last as long as possible.
Change comes soon enough and childhood is too terribly short, but today, he is small and he is mine.
I catch myself thinking 100 times a day how incredible he is - how beautiful his face, how charming his giggle, how engaging his personality. He has a facial expression for every nuance of every situation. When he's learning something new his body becomes very still but his eyes are laser focused. When he's content his face is completely relaxed and his eyes will drift about in casual observation. When he's up to something he will look at me sideways with his eyebrows raised. When he's happy his smile is so bright you could see it from outer space.
Our time together has always been precious, but it seems more urgent now that change is on the horizon. In a few short months he will have a sister and our alone time will inevitably diminish. I have decided not to mourn this change. I believe that the joy will outweigh the loss and I do not mourn. But I do allow myself the indulgence of savoring, of allowing each exquisite moment to last as long as possible.
Change comes soon enough and childhood is too terribly short, but today, he is small and he is mine.
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Yum
Lately, I am captivated by images of little blonde girls being spunky and adorable. Whatever that's about.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Winning at online shopping
Now that I have a toddler who doesn't like napping, doesn't like shopping carts and doesn't like the stroller, I have learned to love online shopping. I love online shopping because it can be done without having to make a second trip through the store to pick up all of the cheerios and/or fruit snacks that my darling one threw dropped on the first trip through the store.
Two of my favorite tricks for online shopping:
1) Retail Me Not. Before I check out anywhere, I always google "_____ (name of the store) promo code." Nearly every time I do this, RetailMeNot has a nifty little coupon code that will knock 20% of my total order, give me free shipping, or otherwise make me feel smart and thrifty!
2) Amazon Prime. Worth it. My family all shares one account. We get free streaming TV and movies and we get free two-day shipping. This makes Amazon the most cost-effective place to shop almost always. Again, before I click the "check out" button on any other site, I do a quick check to see if I can find it on Amazon, for cheaper and with free shipping. Usually, I can.
My last piece of advice is not really a trick, but a mantra: You CAN find what you are looking for. It's the INTERNET, it's out there. You just have to know what to look for and be determined enough to find it. And you will.
And that's how to win at online shopping.
Two of my favorite tricks for online shopping:
1) Retail Me Not. Before I check out anywhere, I always google "_____ (name of the store) promo code." Nearly every time I do this, RetailMeNot has a nifty little coupon code that will knock 20% of my total order, give me free shipping, or otherwise make me feel smart and thrifty!
2) Amazon Prime. Worth it. My family all shares one account. We get free streaming TV and movies and we get free two-day shipping. This makes Amazon the most cost-effective place to shop almost always. Again, before I click the "check out" button on any other site, I do a quick check to see if I can find it on Amazon, for cheaper and with free shipping. Usually, I can.
My last piece of advice is not really a trick, but a mantra: You CAN find what you are looking for. It's the INTERNET, it's out there. You just have to know what to look for and be determined enough to find it. And you will.
And that's how to win at online shopping.
Flower Chandelier
I'm dreamily in love with this Flower Chandelier project. I need a party to throw or some other fabulous excuse to make one. Ummm... It's Tuesday! Perfect reason to buy fresh flowers and hang them from the ceiling.
Monday, May 12, 2014
Friday, May 9, 2014
Birkenstocks. Yes, really.
Can you BELIEVE Birkenstocks have made a comeback??? I mean, I haven't see many around SoCal yet, but granted I don't get out much these days. I've only seen them on hyper-fashion forward blogs and East Coast fashionista friends.
It's like a pregnant woman's dream come true. I'll take them in this color please.
It's like a pregnant woman's dream come true. I'll take them in this color please.
On having a girl
It's a girl... This little lump protruding from my lower abdomen that makes me feel like I'm sleeping on a baked potato.
A girl? But I only have boys. Well, I only have one boy. But that's all I know. And I was mentallyprepared committed to having another one. I could see it... My two little blond gentleman-rascals, 21 months apart, simultaneously roughing and charming their way through childhood - preferably wearing bow ties.
But it's a girl. Suddenly I'm now picturing my son and daughter with disparate interest amid constant bickering.... I know, I know... Boys fight too. It doesn't make sense... Did I mention I'm pregnant? Not a lot of logic going around these days.
So I went shopping. I thought maybe if I started collecting a few baby girl things that I'd start to feel ready for a baby girl. It was slow going at first - most things looked super-cheesy to me. Cartoony characters, declarations of being somebody's princess, a zebra stripes were not easing my discomfort.
But then I saw the most beautiful dress. It was white eyelet lace with bright blue embroidery around the edges. I stopped dead in my tracks and stared at it while my toddler threw cheese-its all over the store. All of a sudden I could see my daughter wearing that dress - all blond hair and giggles and white cotton. My Daughter.
And then she became real and she became mine and I could see her and Milo together, having adventures and discovering the world... with a side of mild squabbling of course. My Kids.
So now she's not just a girl, but our girl.
And she's got some really cute dresses waiting for her.
A girl? But I only have boys. Well, I only have one boy. But that's all I know. And I was mentally
But it's a girl. Suddenly I'm now picturing my son and daughter with disparate interest amid constant bickering.... I know, I know... Boys fight too. It doesn't make sense... Did I mention I'm pregnant? Not a lot of logic going around these days.
So I went shopping. I thought maybe if I started collecting a few baby girl things that I'd start to feel ready for a baby girl. It was slow going at first - most things looked super-cheesy to me. Cartoony characters, declarations of being somebody's princess, a zebra stripes were not easing my discomfort.
But then I saw the most beautiful dress. It was white eyelet lace with bright blue embroidery around the edges. I stopped dead in my tracks and stared at it while my toddler threw cheese-its all over the store. All of a sudden I could see my daughter wearing that dress - all blond hair and giggles and white cotton. My Daughter.
And then she became real and she became mine and I could see her and Milo together, having adventures and discovering the world... with a side of mild squabbling of course. My Kids.
So now she's not just a girl, but our girl.
And she's got some really cute dresses waiting for her.
Two Ingredient Sandwiches
There's nothing like pregnancy to absolutely demolish my desire to cook. So it's been a lot of microwave burritos and protein shakes around here since we've been expecting baby girl. Aaaand if I'm being completely honest, my favorite delivery places have been getting more attention too. Baby girl likes Thai food, what can I say?
Plus, it's California, and it's hot. Yet another reason to avoid both the oven and the stove.
However, via the big beautiful blog-o-sphere, I discovered THIS amazing list of super-tasty two ingredient sandwiches! My preggo cravings' interest has been piqued. I'm especially excited about the gouda and almond butter, but I'm not sure I'm brave enough to go all French with the salted butter and raw radish.
Not included on that list, but one of my personal favorites is brie and apricot jam. This is especially good when grilled panini-style between little baguette slices and served as appetizers.
Plus, it's California, and it's hot. Yet another reason to avoid both the oven and the stove.
However, via the big beautiful blog-o-sphere, I discovered THIS amazing list of super-tasty two ingredient sandwiches! My preggo cravings' interest has been piqued. I'm especially excited about the gouda and almond butter, but I'm not sure I'm brave enough to go all French with the salted butter and raw radish.
Not included on that list, but one of my personal favorites is brie and apricot jam. This is especially good when grilled panini-style between little baguette slices and served as appetizers.
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