Looking forward to the sun!

I can’t even describe how badly I want the weather to be nice again! Early this month the sun came out, full blast, and we all packed up and went down to the Square and had a day of sun and relaxation! It was lovely. Andor played and played and played. Of course, the weather went back to it’s normal cold and rainy and we went back to being inside and waiting out the rain with books and snacks and rolling cars around on the floor. Ho hum …

It’s supposed to be nice and sunny this weekend, so, we’ll see,

We’re all settled in to the new place now. We had Cal’s parents over for a little dinner of artichokes, salad, mussels, and blueberry gallette to break it in officially. Next I’ll have to have a little get together/ house warming party. My friends have to actually be available though. I’ll poll later on facebook to see if people are available next week

What else? Andor has started to do kiss sounds..mmuuuuumua! He also stands at the door waving, indicating that it’s time to go outside now! We went to the zoo on $2 Tuesday, and he tried to hug the big Amazon fish, while he cooed, “woooaaa, wooaaa”. He likes fish. The big cats were a hit too.

Soon enough, the sun will be blazing and I will be watching Andor splash in the water fountains!

That’s the update.

Andor is waking up and I need to go.

More later.

Unresolved and Solving

Here we are, three months into the new year and my poor ignored resolutions are yet to be reached. Blogging twice a week isn’t impossible, but I choose to read or play with my son when I have the time. I’m just not motivated to write that much. I think I ought to change the resolution to read: to blog at least twice a month! That is more realistic. Also loosing ten more pounds has turned into 15 because I seem to have put on a little weight since Andor started eating more solids! It’s a trap! I want to keep the food he doesn’t eat from being wasted, so I eat it! It’s no good, and If I keep it up I’ll be sorry. Eat less move more is my mantra. When we move into the new space it will be a lot easier to work out everyday, that and this summer the baby will be running around and I can chase him! I know I can take this weight off, I just have to be mindful. That’s enough about resolutions.

Andor is walking. He gave up on crawling almost all together and walks around looking so thrilled about it. I think it’s awesome. He is also getting the teeth next to his two front teeth and frozen blueberries seem to be the only thing he really wants to eat. I don’t blame him, they’re yummy. The sweater jacket he’s wearing in this picture is his new favorite thing. He points at it, barks “that” and when I give it to him he wanders around with it, sometimes pressing it to his cheek lovingly. I’m not sure what it is about the thing. It’s a vintage I picked up at the bins. He oves it. He knows that it’s his, and perhaps he associates it with going outside. I don’t know.

So, we move out of this tiny little place on the 28th, and into a 2 bedroom that is nearly three times the size of our current apartment. It will be just a few minutes from Cal’s work in Beaverton. We will be so happy with more space and to have Cal home more. Andor really really loves hanging out with his daddy, and well, so do I. I can’t wait to get to know the neighborhood. I have spent a little time in google maps looking for a few things, but I’m much better at exploring in person. There are many asian markets in the area that i can’t wait to check out. Also, the library and a couple of parks are close.

Anyhow, these days are spent slowly packing and cleaning and organizing and playing with Andor. I love being able to take my time to pack up the house, and go through everything. I can stop everything and entertain Andor or go for a walk or cook and not sweat it. It’s nice. It’s pretty amazing how much stuff we have packed into this tiny space and how little of it is used because it’s in perpetual storage.

That will change in the new place! The next blog will be after we’ve moved in and there will be many pictures!

We are all going to be moving to Beaverton in 30 days. We have the opportunity to almost triple our living space for just a hundred dollars more a month, and also, we’ll cut almost 3 hours of travel time out of Cal’s day, freeing him up for more time with the family.

This is certainly a bittersweet moment, as I will greatly miss my neighborhood and my neighbors, but the time has come.

So, with that, I have made a list of things that I wish to have to fill my new space and make it a home. If you have any of the following things that you’d like to donate, I will gladly take the off of your hands. It’s not exhaustive, so, if there is something lurking in your storage taking up space that you were going to get rid of that you think I might need, let me know.

I will also be announcing a going away party soon.

Wish List:

Toaster
Large Stock Pot
Medium pot
Small Pot
Durable Couch
Complete silverware set
Steak Knives
Dry goods containers
Prints and Pictures
Toy Organizing something
Baby bookshelf
Train table
Toddler Bed
Plants

My Best Friend’s Wedding

These photos and this blog were a long time coming, but they’re here! I can’t even describe how well the wedding went, despite the weather nearly causing many tempers to be tested and chain application challenged! All went well, no one fainted or gave drunken toasts, the food was good and the staff was very helpful.

We were at the Bonneville Day Spa in Washington, accommodations were perfect and very comfortable, and we spent the night after the wedding lounging in the hot tub outside, surrounded by snow drifts and cool fresh air. It was very nice.

So, now that the pictures are in, we can pour over the memories, and decided which one of these things to print. I think this picture is a candidate for printing for my wall for sure.

Good times and so forth

This year, so far, has been great. Day by day I get more and more used to being exclusively a mom, and lose a little of the guilt of not being at work everyday. It’s tough when you’ve been made to believe that a person’s worth is merely what they can earn in dollars. I work on it a little every day. Whenever I feel the feeling start to creep up, I look at my beautiful, relaxed, happy son and my clean apartment, and know that I oughtn’t feel even a little guilty.

I chopped my hair, the choice was to perm it again (too expensive) or cut it off. So I cut it. It looks nice. Short hair really looks the best on me anyway. I look fresh and clean and modern once again.

What else. Andor is still a little pea. He’s 28 inches and 18 pounds. A little guy. He comes in at the 17th percentile in height and the 3rd percentile in weight on the World Health Organizations Exclusively Breast Fed Growth Chart. He is meeting and exceeding all of his milestones. He has a few signs already: all done, more, hi, hot, and pointing at what he wants. Pretty darn good for a ten month old

Cal and I are discussing the size of our apartment. It’s really really small and we are close to outgrowing it. Perhaps we will end up nearer to his work by the end of the year. Beaverton Ahoy! Keep your eyes peeled for me .. ok? Something on the Max line, no more than $600, near Millikan and Murray.  I’m not too thrilled to have to leave my precious pearl, but, size does matter in this case.  We have 6 months of weather that just isn’t fit for a toddler.

Nothing else is really all that new.

More later.

Lorenzo’s

Lorenzo’s is truly one of Portland’s best Italian restaurants.   The food is honest, simple, and fresh.  Lorenzo cares deeply about your taste buds and truly wants you to eat well and enjoy yourself.  These days you will find him back in the kitchen, cooking every dish, with the love and attention that you can see and taste in every plate.

The salads are dressed to perfection, the pasta is toothy, and the sauces are fantastico.   The restaurant itself has undergone a few changes for the better, growing up and into it’s own.  The deli style counter service has changed to full a full sit down service and the chalk board of specials is now given to you table side by a waiter, making the whole Lorenzo’s experience more relaxed and yet, somehow, more formal.

The addition of a full bar in the back, where the deli case used to be, is great for watching the action in the kitchen.  The drink specials are straight forward and absolutely affordable.

My lunch of an organic salad tossed in red wine vinaigrette, bread with oil and vinegar, a giant rustic raviolo of the day, and a glass of Montepulciano was perfect.  The raviolo had roasted butternut squash, caramelized onions, prosciutto (added for $1 more), a silky cream sauce and fresh sage and toasted almonds.  No kidding, all of this for $13.50!  I was full, happy and relaxed and spent a little time just taking it all in on the big comfy couch.

Besides the great food, no one seemed to mind that my son, 10 months old, was with me.  In fact, you might say that Lorenzo’s and Lorenzo himself are quite child friendly.

I highly recommend the food here.

Hello 2009!

 

2008 is over and another year has just begun!

The last year was, in some ways, the most difficult, and in some ways the most wonderful year so far in my life. I learned to finally let go of the notion that I can change anyone other than myself, a painful realization for someone like me, who really wants to help others find their joy. On the other hand, I learned that I can choose a happy family and friends, my own happiness, and my own well being! How beautiful a lesson to learn, and how much richer my life will be for it!

Now on to the new years resolutions!

I will:
Lose ten pounds
Create and stick to a schedule
Blog at least twice a week
Get more involved in my community.

Those things are within reach, reasonable, and throughly wonderful resolutions.

What about you? Any resolutions?

Health Care Reform

Presi​dent-​elect​ Obama​ has made it clear​ that healt​h care refor​m is one of his top prior​ities​.​ That’​s why the Obama​-​Biden​ Trans​ition​ is askin​g peopl​e to give their​ own thoug​hts and ideas​ for how to fix the syste​m at Healt​h Care Commu​nity Discu​ssion​s all acros​s the count​ry.​

I just signe​d up to host a Commu​nity Discu​ssion​,​ and I thoug​ht you might​ want to come.​ Here are the detai​ls:​

Date and time:​ Decem​ber 20th at 11:​00 am
Locat​ion:​920 NW Kearn​ey St. Portl​and Orego​n

There​ will be a space​ for the kids,​ and a paren​t volun​teer to watch​ them!​ 
Pleas​e RSVP as a comment or to my email!

After​,​ we’​re going​ to go carol​ing with the Centr​al Portl​and Famil​ies at 3:​30,​ and you’​re welco​me to join us!

Hope you can make it!

My Life

 

My life has changed so much since Andor was born.

This has been the best year of my life.

I’m happy and fulfilled and greatful.

Thanks to all my friends and family for your love.

Greatful

 

I am grateful for all the little moments that we have.
The little smiles, the kisses, the excitement, the dancing…

I live in your moment, with you.
Every little discovery you make I make with you.
Every cuddle you give I feel way down in my toes.
Every little sleep smile, and every little wave…

I am grateful.

My Birthday Dinner

 

George took me and the girls (Ocia and Abra) out to dinner for my birthday. We went to Lorenzo’s at 3807 N. Mississippi Avenue of course. I can’t help myself, it’s so good.

Go and eat, really.
If you’ve been before go again.  There have been some really nice changes made to the front of the house.

Go now.

Eat.

Seriously.

Got Advice?

 

  

Relax, I’m not pregnant again.

Many of you have asked for me to pass along some baby information, so here it is.

Books, articles, and videos about birth, babies, and being parents:

 

The Continuum Concept by Jean Liedloff
Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon-Rosegg
Hypnobirthing by Marie F. Mongan
The Baby Book by William Sears

http://www.promom.org/101/

Touch and Human Sexuality by Robert W. Hatfield, Ph.D.
Parenting from the Inside Out by by Daniel Siegel

The Business of Being Born a video 

Before you get pregnant, figure out how to stay home for the first few years of his or her life.  Your baby deserves to be raised by you!

Also, some basic advice.

Use midwives, avoid the medical birth/pregnancy.

Have your baby at home, or have a doula with you at hospital.

Get educated about birth and the process your body goes through.

Eat well, exercise and relax.

Chant .

Avoid frilly baby clothes, they are not practical.

Breast feed and co-sleep, you’ll sleep better and be more relaxed.

Take pictures of your belly growing.

Listen to your intuition, avoid too much intervention.

Get a sling, but wait until the baby is born, he or she will have a preference. I went through many types before I found one that worked.  Touch is paramount, babies belong in arms, not plastic containers.

Once you start showing, ladies will try and share their sometimes scary birth stories with you. Ask them politely to wait until you have your own story to share before they go on. Expecting to be scared and in pain can increase the likeliness of fear and pain.

Relax, your baby is probably fine, obsessing will not help anyone.

But many things second hand, they grow fast!

 

If any of you have any additional advice please feel free to comment!