Catch up

So, I was trying to clean my house (ie clean the windows... which have never been done?!) and the backyard, so now I'm playing catch up.

On Friday, we celebrated our anniversary at one of the best restaurants I've been to in SF so far. It's called La Folie, and it was so delicious, I'm still thinking about it. Of course, it was a chunk of change, but worth every cent. We had 5 courses, and ate for 3 hours. It was heaven.

On Saturday, we attacked our backyard. Behind Maddie's bedroom, there is a little square area that used to be filled with random left over material from the construction process... but we decided to make it a little play area for the kids. After much debate, we decided that we would fill it up with rubber bark (not sand, not wood chips, not bouncy stuff from the playgrounds). It's perfect for landing, playing and clean up.


It was grueling... especially because we accidentally chose the hottest days we have felt this summer (100 degrees?)...


And, because the dirt back there was harder than cement. It took so long to excavate most of the dirt to make it level.... and then there were these roots (left over from the trees that used to be there.... Urg.)

Here is what it sort of looks like now:


Poor Steve looks like he just got up from being hit by a garbage truck, but it makes you appreciate how hard it was.

And, to appreciate this hard work even more... this is what our backyard looked like when we bought this house:


It has come a long way baby. And, that is an understatement.

On Sunday, we relaxed our pants off.

And, today we cleaned out our vegetable garden to get ready for some new plants for the fall and winter. We picked the last cucumbers... and a large mouse seemed to have bitten in each one of them when I wasn't looking?



And here she is:

August 28th

Steve and I have been married ten years. It is surreal to feel life passing so quickly, especially on days like this.

Ten years ago, I had a very different perception of what love was and how marriage would be. It was more of a Hollywoodized fairytale version where I thought everything would be more or less perfect- we would have fabulous careers, a beautiful family, would never argue, and would happily go grocery shopping together.

Now, I'd like to think that I'm getting a better grasp of what love is (in the romantic sense). Of course, this is going to be a lifetime of learning, but I'm starting to see it as I live it. It's just one of those things that you have to do in order to understand (just like you don't really understand how it it is to have a child until you have one).

I think the biggest lesson I've learned is sort of summarized in this quote I've kept:

"A true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that’s holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soul mate is probably the most important person you’ll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake."

My perception of love before was the common one- that there was a person out there that would be "my someone." But, really, my true soul mate, is one that has the gumption to make me a better person, even if it isn't easy. And, that I would do the same for him.

So, these 10 years of marriage haven't been easy. It is work. It does take time and patience and long suffering and understanding. But, if I take a break and catch my breath like today, I see that I'm becoming a better person because of him. He is my everything. He uplifts me in the most important ways- in my in my quest to be the person I am destined to be.

Steve, thank you for always being there for me. For being my strength. For being my hope. For being a wonderful father. For being my companion and partner. For being patient. For being my soul mate.

Our little one

Steve and I talk all the time about how sweet this little one is. Sure, she's dramatic and often times a piece of work, but that is what is so charming about her. She is honest and is full of charisma. She dances around the house all day. She loves dance parties. Her favorite color is blue... no green... no purple. Her favorite book is Fancy Nancy, and she will read it three times in a row. Her knee always hurts. She loves to play in dirt. She doesn't like shoes. Barbeque chicken and green beans is her favorite. She says "Cinderbella and Beauty Sleeping." She gives her dad hair cuts. She loves gum, and has a great imagination. She makes a killer sand chocolate cake. I love the way she jumps on my back when I hunch over, the way she sings at the top of her lungs, and wants to help us whenever we're doing a project. She is a messy kid, no really- she is messy, and I think "messier" than most. Every morning she either eats toast or oatmeal, but nothing else.

We just love her.

The inevitable

Even though it seems like Maddie was born yesterday, she is now big enough to cut out her naps. We've realized this because she was going to bed at 9:30 or 10:00 each night, which isn't the ideal, right?

It has definitely made my life more difficult and less serene in the afternoons, but when Emilie is sleeping, I'm trying to make it our time. It's fun to just focus on her, which I feel like I don't do enough of.

Our little friend the pacifier is also gone as well. We lost it in an amusement park by our house (wink wink). The first night, we had 30 min of crying, the second night it was 20, and then 6...

A family portrait

We have been trying to get our family photos done for such a long time, and finally got around to it last week... with much thanks to my friend L. I thought a lot about how we should pose, and then came across lying on the grass looking up. I love it. I think I'm going to get this one printed on canvas...

She did such a great job, and with some help from photoshop (we weren't all smiling at the same times... I had to paste two photos together), I think it really turned out :)

I think portraits like this are necessary to have on the more frequent days when we have bags under our eyes, gum in maddie's hair, food on emi's face, spit up on our clothes... you get the idea :)

A great surprise

Steve's mom surprised us with a visit this week, and it has been great to have her play with us, and just be around. We haven't done anything fancy, but I know Maddie has loved to play with her and just follow her around. She's also let us go on a date and have some breaks, which is absolute heaven. thank you.

here's some pics--
maddie has been a little goof walking around with this hat. i think she looks like a female version of huckleberry fin.

so cute.

again, so cute.

emi is just about the happiest/smiliest baby ever.

i love this pic of maddie for some reason. the peaceful/childlike quality is to remember.

waiting in line for the train.

eating treats...

running at the park.

the simplicities of life are the best.

Eat your Spinach

My energy level has been plummeting like nobodies business lately. Almost to the point where I couldn't stand up anymore. Usually, by this point, I then realize that it's probably my iron levels... (I've always been anemic).

So, this morning, Steve cooked me this:

It's kind of disgusting (or delicious if you are a red blooded male), that I ate this for breakfast, but it's almost like medicine. I feel like a completely different person today.

Can't wait

Diana Krall is just about one of my all time favorite singers/performers. She is coming into town and I IMMEDIATELY bought tickets for Steve and I for next Wednesday's performance.

I CAN'T WAIT.

Digging in

As Steve will proudly tell you, I am not really the organizer in our house. Yes, I'm clean, but I love to throw things behind closed doors in any way that I can, and then just close the door- and things are clean :).

Organizing is really hard for me, so the thought of organizing Maddie and Emilie clothes was giving me a headache. But, the closet was getting out of control.

This is what I did yesterday:

Seperated each item into piles (pants with pants etc), and then tried my best to subclassify into 6-12 mo, 12-18 mo, etc etc.

Then, went to Target, bought bins, put the bins on a rack, labeled the bins, and took a huge breath of relief and fell on the couch in utter exhaustion.

Where should I put this one?

Food Styling

If I could be anyone for one day, I would LOVE to be a food stylist/photographer that worked for a magazine like Martha Stewart or Real Simple or Gourmet. The way they make food into art is just amazing.

They have a gift to transform the ordinary into extraordinary. I have been following (ok, maybe stocking) this photographer's blog for a while now, and he has classes that start at 5K for 3 days. Yes, it's expensive. And, that's why I won't be doing it. But, I can dream, right?

An open invitation

Running has been fairly easy for me in my life...until these past couple of months. Why can't I run more than 3 miles? I just stop. I don't want to run anymore, and don't have the will to keep on going.

This isn't what should be happening- especially because I want my prize- the Tiffany necklace that each runner gets after the race.

I wonder what it will look like this year?

So- I've printed out my 10 week half marathon training schedule, and I have to stick to it from now on, or I'm toast.

Please accept this open invitation to anyone who would like to join me. Or, you can ride a bike and yell at me to run faster. Take your pick :)

This is going to be my theme:

"Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired in the morning, noon, and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired." - George S. Patton, U.S. Army General, 1912 Olympian

We'll see if Mr. Patton is right...

Fences Make Good Neighbors

I know it doesn't seem exciting, but, completing our fence is probably one of most exciting things that has happened on our house this summer! Before the fence, we have basically been living in a fish bowl- everyone could see everything and everyone in our house at all hours of the day. Now, we have an enclosed place for the kids to play and can enjoy some seperation from our neighbors.

The guy we hired is wonderful. If you need a fence, please call me. His professionalism/workmanship and prices were top notch.

The fence quickly getting done throughout the day:

Our beloved back fence:

From the pic, it doesn't seem that great, but it is a 180 change from what we had before.

We are excited to get some sprinkers in, finally plant some shrubbery and enjoy the American Dream. ;)

Why haven't I been to a wedding like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0&feature=related

Project #1

I mentioned earlier this week that I was going to work on some projects. One project is to dust off the cobwebs off my website, and breath some life into some photos I've been wanting to do in a long time.

I headed to the art store and fooled around with some backgrounds today that I think turned out pretty well. So far, my favorite is the orange above. But, I also like the yellow and blue. I'll have to think about clothes that will compliment the backgrounds- probably opposite in the color wheel would be cool...

Baby Food in its many forms

I bought baby food for Maddie. I didn't even think about making it. Why? It's just easier, right? I'm not sure why I want to make it this time around to be honest. It's the same nutritional value, right? I guess the only argument I can give is that there is more variety in your babies diet if you make it. And, you can give yourself a pat on the back for all that hard work.

Today, I made a lot of baby food. I tried to do it two ways.

1) I poured the mixtures in normal ice cube trays and will pop them out of the trays and put them in zip locks to be taken out and used when I need them.

2) Bought these super cute containers to store them in and feed directly.

Not sure which way I prefer yet.

I must say that my recipe of butternut squash, and a yellow squash and zucchini from our garden was such a hit with Emilie today.

You wouldn't think that it matters, but it really does.

When I try to feed Emilie this:

(these are just regular green beans)

she screams, yells, arches her back to get out of her seat, refuses to eat, gets grouchy, makes life very very difficult. It is a snowball that you don't want to face.

So, it kind of does make a difference! All of that hard work paid off!

Moxie

Recently, I feel like I have been slightly overwhelmed with parenthood. These feelings are probably magnified because of sickness and no husband for a while, so I should give myself a break. But, it is one of the hardest things that I have yet to do in this life.

When I say hard, I don't mean that it isn't completely worthwhile, but if you want to be a good parent, it's a full time, round the clock, selfless job. I would be lying if I said that I don't miss putting on my clean cut suit, taking a shower in the morning at my own speed, looking somewhat put together, going into the office and being "on."

With the multitasking of being a mom, I haven't felt myself "on" for a while. By "on," I mean, having my brain focused and firing at its full potential. I know this kind of sounds sadistic, but I loved studying for the bar (the law exam every lawyer has to take.) I love the feeling of studying and studying until one day, it all makes sense. It has clicked. The lightbulb is on and you are ready to tackle any problem in front of you.

That said, I have to 100% agree with the cliches that - I wouldn't trade being a mom for anything, their childhood goes too fast, and I don't want to miss it.

So after thinking for a while, I've decided the solution is some Moxie. I haven't thought about this word for a while, but it is exactly what I need. Some Chuutzpah, spirit, fortitude, determination. And, to direct this new found Moxie into some new projects. I'm still mulling on which projects are deserving of this new found energy, but it's coming soon. They are brewing...

Training Wheels

A while ago, my BOB stroller (yes, expensive) was stollen outside our house. Not cool. Last week, Maddie's little bike was taken at the park (again, not cool). I guess I'm not used to guarding my stuff all the time, but I think I've learned my lesson.

Anyway- on the upside, we decided to replace her "baby" bike, with a real bike- training wheels and all ;)

Here is Steve putting it together with the ever anxious Maddie to get on it.

The girls waiting for it to be assembled.

A short pose before her first pushes.

And off she went.

And went. Kind of too fast for my own opinion and shock, but we went out and bought her some knee and elbow pads after this first ride.

Little Emi is next...

A memorable weekend

My great friend A got married tonight. This was a big occasion for us not only because we were so excited for the wedding, but because Maddie was the ring bearer. I know it's not that big of a deal, but to a 2 1/2 year old, it is a HUGE deal. We watched U tube videos, practiced walking through the house, went to the wedding rehearsal, and were just hoping that she 1) didn't fall or 2) get too scared to walk.

We are happy to report that she was stupendous! She made us both very proud :)

On a disturbing note- my camera is DEAD. Yes, DEAD. I am really upset about it, because it's one of my appendages, and a pretty expensive appendage that I need to fix pretty darn soon... so, we took the photos from our old old camera.

This is the couple after they danced the most amazing opening dance I've ever seen. They started with the typical (and shall we say somewhat boring wedding music?), and then broke out in this amazing swing/salsa choreographed performance. It made me want to take lessons with Steve.

The wedding was in Nestldown- a secret treasure on highway 17 to Santa Cruz. Aside from being gorgeous with ponds, gigantic redwoods, and flowers everywhere, it has a little train(?), little house (pictured above) that can only be described of as Snow White's house, enchanted sculptures everywhere, an enormous tree house... it is a pretty unique place.

I didn't have my camera when Maddie was walking down the aisle because we were trying to keep everything together, but this is Maddie afterwards. She was pretty happy.

(BTW- I had to make sure that Maddie stayed sitting for 1 hour, which was a huge challenge. POPROCKS saved our lives. She's never had them before, and was mesmorized at how they were popping in her mouth. They basically kept her entertained the entire time)

Dancing the night away.

We had a great time.

CONGRATULATIONS A AND D!