18th century Nursery Rhymes and Fun with Words

Evelyn is nearing the eighteen month mark and she has become quite verbal; I am really enjoying this stage. It is endlessly entertaining to ask her to say a new word, something I do because she enjoys saying new words-- not simply for my own pleasure. Today, for instance, she learned to say the words "flexible" and "attention." She has also been stringing three words together into sentences pretty regularly: "Cut the carrot, please" (please is usually signed at this point) or "Where the doll?"

I'm not sure what the main catalyst for this language development is, probably a combination of genetics and her environment-- all of the talking, reading, and singing that we do in our daily lives. I suspect that reading has played a large part. Books are always available and Evie is aware that Mama and Daddy are always working on a book or two. We assembled a display-style bookshelf in addition to the totes of books in the living room.

We have been reading to Evelyn since she was born and for the past several months she has taken a special interest in reading her own books or nursery rhymes. She has memorized quite a few of the stories. I sang a rhyme to her in the car today and stopped short; my attention momentarily pulled away from the song. Not to worry, Evie took over! Chris told me later that she has been finishing the rhymes with him for a few days. Chris sings most of the line and then pauses for Evie to finish it. Here is their favorite: "Sing a song of sixpence, a pocket full of rye. Four-and-twenty blackbirds baked in a pie. When the pie was opened, the birds began to sing. Wasn't that a dainty dish to put before the king?"

At any rate, it is a lot of fun to watch Evie develop a passion for reading and language and I am continually amazed by the things that pop out of her mouth; I love having a little window into her mind.

Snapshot: What's cooking?

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!
(broadcasting with pride from a battery and 99% plastic-free zone)





















The best gifts are of course the intangible ones: the presence of beloved family members, a beautiful Christmas Mass this morning, and the absolute joy shining from Evie's blue eyes as she giggles and plays chase with her uncles, brings her "Dabo" a book to read together, or enjoys an up-close view of the handbells with Mimi.

Mini-Post: Thankful!

I just want to say that I am so, so thankful for the friends Evie and I have made in the Seattle area. Life as a stay-at-home mom (and life as a person in a new city, regardless of occupation) has the potential to be isolating, and I am so happy that it isn't for me. Sure, I have moments (and days) that seem unending or lonely, but by and large I have a great social outlet. And, actually, it is much more than an "outlet;" I would gladly hand over my last clean shirt to many of the Mama friends I've made and as the mother of a tot, I think that says something!

Hi Baby!

I had another appointment with my midwife this morning and after a great chat, and some back-and-forth about what on earth I can try to eat in the morning to get some more calories and protein into my body (food allergies are such a bummer sometimes!), she checked my weight, blood pressure, and fundal height. Everything looks perfectly healthy and normal but we could not hear baby's heart tones with the doppler after quite a while. We heard the heart beat at our ten week appointment and everything indicated a healthy pregnancy, but rather than have me worry all through Christmas and New Year's until my next appointment, my midwife strongly recommended a quick ultrasound to do a viability check.

My own heart raced a bit as I drove over to another office for the ultrasound, but it quickly calmed as I saw a little baby the size of a lemon, kicking his or her feet and we saw the heart beating. 162 beats per minute-- faster than Evelyn's ever was during pregnancy! I had only anticipated one ultrasound for this pregnancy and I only had one when I was carrying Evie-- I have low risk, normal pregnancies and I like to limit ultrasound heat exposure, but this three minute scan certainly did put my mind at ease! On the way home, I asked Evelyn if she was having a baby brother or a baby sister. She answered, "baby sis!" . . . my guess is that she can't say "brother" at all, it is a tough word. So, Evie's vote is "girl," my Dad is thinking "boy," and I just KNOW we are having a baby.

An Entire Day to Yourself

What would you do with a whole day to yourself? My first thought is to sleep at least nine hours in a row and then eat a leisurely breakfast-- on an actual plate (not just a yogurt out of the container). I would love to go to the spa for a massage and a vichy shower treatment. I'd read a good novel, maybe an old favorite like "The World According to Garp" or maybe a new book I haven't had the chance to enjoy. I'd remember to drink plenty of water and take the time to make a delicious green salad for lunch.

Honestly, I almost can't fathom having that much time on hands. My mind jumps ahead to the household tasks I could accomplish if uninterrupted and, certainly, by the end of twenty-four hours I would miss my husband and daughter. I don't think I'll be ready anytime soon to actually spend a whole day away from Evie (or Chris-- we haven't been apart for more than the length of a work day since we married) but it is fun to daydream, especially after a hectic day!

Snapshot: Winter Fountain

A Fabulous Idea

One of the (many) benefits of living in the Seattle-area is the accessibility of beverages (and breakfast snacks) on-the-go. No need to walk into a shop to order your latte or purchase a scone, just drive up to any of the dozens of espresso booths you're bound to pass on your way to work or home. For parents of young babies and tots who tend to sleep in the car, the drive-through option is especially helpful. So, these booths are great, but where am I going with this?

No, I am not opening my own espresso stand. Instead, I find myself dreaming of a fresh fruit or salad drive-through! I wish someone would tack a drive-up window onto a healthy restaurant. As someone who cannot eat any of the food items at a typical coffee place, I often myself wishing for a little drive-through fruit stand. Most of the time I remember to bring a healthy snack in the car if it looks like Evie will fall asleep and we will be in the car for a while, but sometimes she just drifts off to sleep at unexpected times and I enjoy the quiet . . . until I realize that I've skipped breakfast and missed lunch and I am absolutely famished. In these moments, I try to convince myself that a little gluten won't hurt, except that by now, I know that it really will and the delicious piece of bread is not worth it.

Miss Independent

Little Miss Evie has been reading (aloud) in the living room for a solid forty minutes as Chris and I sort through some bills and discuss cell phone plans. This is exciting to us for a couple of reasons: First, her vocabulary and ability to put two and three words together in a sentence amazes us almost daily. Second-- woohoo! We can have an uninterrupted conversation.

'Tis the Season!

Now that Advent is upon is, it finally seems appropriate that Evelyn's favorite song du jour is "The Little Drummer Boy." She requests the song by singing "Come," and waiting for us to chime in and then we all pat the drum beats onto our laps. This December is already much busier than last year's Christmas season, and it is already more fun! We've gone with our Attachment Parenting group to see the Christmas lights at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens and we have a couple of Holiday parties this weekend.

Our Christmas lights are outside the house and I've made my own holly swags (we have a holly berry bush, I'm not sure what the actual name of the plant is) to hang. Evelyn and I have a paper chain counting down the days until Christmas and Chris found some mistletoe (now, if only we can keep it securely hanging in a doorway. . .). We will most likely cut down a Christmas tree this Sunday or Monday. I have looked into artificial trees, but they are actually arguably worse for the environment given the chemicals used to manufacture the trees!-- at least the tree farmers continuously replant their noble spruces and douglas firs.

Side note: I was planning to post a big commentary on some parenting habits that absolutely drive me crazy, but I (thankfully) realized that the most offensive habit of all is passing judgment, especially in a way that is unlikely to result in anything positive. So, I will withhold mine and redirect my energy toward the simple joys that we all overlook during this busy time of year.

Snapshot: A Happy Tot

Soundtrack: Not-quite rainy, but very damp and gray day

1. 'Round Here by Counting Crows

2. I'm On Fire by Bruce Springsteen

3. Fast Car by Tracy Chapman (preferably acoustic version)

4. 32 Flavors by Ani Difranco

5. Silent All These Years by Tori Amos

and finally . . .

6. Have You Forgotten by Red House Painters

The Making of a Big Sister

Yesterday morning, the whole family went to our midwife's office for my second appointment. Evelyn is going to be a big sister in mid-June. We had the thrill of hearing baby's heartbeat! It's always reassuring to hear that steady beat, especially early in pregnancy when there aren't really any physical signs of the coming attraction. Generally, I feel great. Much like my first trimester with Evelyn, I haven't been hungry at all and now that I have a restricted diet due to food allergies, I've actually gone down a clothing size in the past two months.

Evelyn doesn't quite understand that there is a baby coming because it is a pretty abstract concept for a sixteen month-old to wrap her head around. She'll be a little more than 23 months old when she becomes a big sister and I know she'll be a terrific one. All of my childhood memories are intertwined with shared experiences with my siblings. My younger sister Jess was my very first best friend and I cannot wait for Evelyn to experience that.

Push Reel Update: In case you were holding your breath. . .

It's been several months since we moved into our first house and I thought a "house update" was in order. I've written about our choice to purchase an environmentally-friendly, extremely economical push reel mower. Having spent many summer days riding a John Deere mower across acres and acres of grass, around a large pond and up and down small hills, I have experience with yard maintenance and landscaping. I know a good mower when I use one.

The push reel mower has surprised us in that it does actually cut wet grass (we're entering the rainy season here in the Seattle area, and the grass does continue to grow a bit). I wish I could report that we've been pleasantly surprised by many other aspects of the mower, but I cannot. We have a huge, about five stories?, pine tree in our front lawn. Therefore, we have no fewer than 456,798 pine cones in our front yard at any given moment. Every single time one of the mower blades bumps into a pine cone, the blades jam. Because the push reel mower requires actual physical strength to propel forward, the jam results in a shoulder jam of sorts. (If you are familiar with shoveling snow, imagine that you're pushing the shovel as hard as you can and then you hit some ice and you're thrust backward a bit. It hurts.)

So, aside from the constant jamming of the blades (and subsequent pine cone retrieval from said blades while Evelyn frolics about in the compost), the mower is just dandy! One solution we've tried to implement is the "Pine Cone Game." We get Evelyn excited about collecting pine cones and putting them into a box. She is awesome at this game and she likes it, but there are just too many pine cones. None of us really has the desire to collect pine cones for an hour and a half (before then spending an hour using the push reel mower). We have precious little time outside during the fall and winter months when it is not drizzling, is it so wrong to want to enjoy that time? Still, we don't have immediate plans to replace the mower. It works, but it definitely sucks the fun out of lawn care.

Gluten-free baking-- I'm ready!

After a lengthy trip to Whole Foods (because I just could not find everything I was looking for at the co-op where we usually get our groceries), I have a fully-stocked baking pantry. I've found a number of (hopefully) good recipes for gluten-free muffins, pot pies, breads, and cookies.

I've never loved spending hours in the kitchen. I would prefer to spend those hours engaged in discussions, or reading new books and articles, or hiking, or. . . anything! Nevertheless, I am going to at least try to learn to bake some gluten-free goods. Perhaps it is my competitive streak, but I look at other mothers who seem to cook from scratch regularly and keep a lovely home and I feel the need to step up my game!

The Ride of Her Life!

Today at Crossroads, I decided that Evelyn would probably be old enough to enjoy one of the little rides. She's finally finished with putting everything in her mouth, so I felt pretty confident that she wouldn't immediately catch some sort of virus upon sitting on the ride. Anyway, we found a little roadster and I fished some quarters out of my wallet. (Each ride is only one quarter!)

The car started to jostle about a bit and Evelyn's entire face lit up. She LOVED the car ride! She rode four times in a row and then we said "bye bye, car!"

Look at that smile!

"Boo!"

Our first Halloween in our new house was pretty tame. Our neighbors have told us tales of hundreds of trick-or-treaters traipsing through the neighborhood, but we only saw a dozen or so. We do live on a rather quiet street, as opposed to the center of the neighborhood, so the lack of heavy trick-or-treat traffic makes sense. It was fun though!

We also took Evelyn to about six nearby houses, mostly just to say hello (or in Evie's case, "boo") to our new neighbors. I'm not comfortable offering candy (most of which Evie wouldn't be able to chew) to a toddler whose age I am still counting in months, but Evelyn did not even notice its absence. We enjoyed getting to know our neighbors a little better. This afternoon, as I pruned some of our bushes and prepared our garden for colder weather, I was overcome with a sense of "home-sweet-home." We're definitely settling in.

Snapshot: Happy Halloween!

Empathy

Evelyn's sense of empathy has really developed this month. Since the late spring, she has shown concern for playmates or other children who cry or seem upset. After acknowledging that, yes, the boy or girl looked sad, I reassured her that they would be OK. We watched as the child's mother or father offered comfort. Lately though, Evie has become aware of the feelings of the characters in her books. Whether it is surprise, delight, or sadness, Evelyn takes note of the emotion. When we read this book (below), Evelyn insists that we return again and again to the page depicting the main character's heartbroken state. (The little gosling lost her favorite bright red boots).

Even though the character spots her missing boots on the very next page, Evelyn is practically obsessed with the tear coming from the little pencil and water color eye. She wanted to know what it was, and subsequently learned the words "tear" and "sad."

Eventually, Evelyn lets us move on to the happy ending (spoiler alert: the gosling makes a new friend in the would-be boot thief).

Sleepless Nights

Poor Evie has a cold. She is so congested that it's hard to breathe through her nose, let alone while laying down. So, my baby has been waking a lot at night for comfort. We cuddle, I sit up and prop her up against me so that she can breathe easier and drift back to sleep for, hopefully, more than thirty minutes before starting the cycle again. I cannot wait for this cold to pass. Even naps are impossibly short and so we are adding to our family sleep deficit.

Snapshot: Kisses!

Snapshot: Summer Memory-- Massachusetts Tractor Ride

Fifteen Months!

I recently composed a list of the new things Evelyn has been doing (late summer/ early fall). There isn't much room in our baby book for "new things" or for more than just her first words (and I think the tenth or thirtieth words or equally exciting!) so I've started a new system. I send myself a daily email of Evie's new words and discoveries. The downside, however, is that I now have dozens of little email documents rather than one readily available list. So, I am coming up with a new system. Until I figure that out, I thought I would try to pull together some of the highlights into a post.

Recent "accomplishments"/ discoveries:

high five

"I don't know" hands out pose

"tickle tickle"

holds drink for mommy/ likes to share straw, bites of food (one for evie, one for mommy)

twirls (one arm leads the way)

plays with dollhouse and kitchen set, plays tea party and feeds animal friends

pants like a dog and says "dog"

can do all of the motions for "pat-a-cake"

can find nose, eye, head, belly button, hand, foot, tongue, teeth, ear, elbow, knee, toes, eyelashes, cheeks

responds to simple commands without gestures (please put laundry into basket- from dryer) fun game!

uses fork/spoon

drinks from regular cup

enjoys stairs

goes down big slide alone (doesn't like to do it with mom)

can remove shirt

fits shapes into correct spot after one or two attempts

walks up and down steps- handrail or mom's hand-- sometimes alternates feet going up stairs

brushes her own teeth

rocks her arms and says "baby"

moves both feet independently/ taps feet while dancing (rather than just squatting or wiggling her hips)

twirls in a circle

runs in a circle - can play ring-around-the-rosie

hugs

gives actual kisses

New things Evie says:

apple, avocado ("ak"), sock ("ock"), shoe, elbow, pumpkin ("pumpk"), belly button, down, mouth, no, yeah, book, truck, car, beard, buckle ("buck"), done, ice, buck buck (as in "what does a chicken say?"), baaa (sheep), la la la (singing), banana (nanana), walk, poop, water, flower, airplane ("ap-ane"), grass ("grah"), chick, broccoli ("brok"), juice, boo!

I think I'll stop there. My point is that Evie's language, comprehension, and fine motor skills have been kicking into over-drive lately and it is really exciting to watch her "wheels turn" as she understands more and more of what is going on around her. She is also more fun than ever; she is great company!

Snapshot: Harvest

Little Girls

Today, Evelyn sat on the bathroom counter as I applied make-up. For the first time, I allowed her to go through my rather sizable make-up bag. She pulled out the blush brush and pretended to put it on her cheeks. She held the eyelash curler up to (but several inches away from) her eyes. How on earth did she know what to do with each of these tools?

Our cars (seven) outnumber our baby dolls (two), we play with balls and blocks and books. We never wanted Evie to feel as though her actions needed to be boxed into a pink category of appropriate play. Of course she enjoys pushing a little baby stroller, but so do the little boys we play with-- it is fun to push something that is your size. And yet, the gender stereotype stronghold in our home has always been the bathroom mirror. From birth, Evie has been aware of my morning routine. That means she has always known that I use a hair dryer and flat iron or curling iron each morning and then I open a pretty bag and extract magical brushes and mascara wands. She watches as I paint my face, cover the parts I deem imperfect, as I "enhance" each part of my face. Every day. At first, I was adamant that Evie not watch. I didn't want to her to grow up thinking that she, too, would need to cover up and curl and spray in order to face the day. But at some point, maybe when she could crawl (about six months), she insisted on staying nearby. Babies like to know where their mothers are. She'd play with toys on the floor while I completed my daily ritual.

In all honesty, I haven't left the house without make-up since I first discovered mascara in middle school. My eyelashes are very light and I always felt more confident with a little definition. Now, aside from aesthetics, the thing I love most about this ritual of "remaking" myself, is the mindless rhythm. I know exactly what to do, I know the order. I don't have to think about household worries. I can let my mind wander; I daydream. It's my time. And so, I don't have any plans to drastically alter this morning routine. But, in the interest of the self-esteem of my daughter, I think I will spend more time letting her catch me with a book or with my journal, and perhaps a little less time in front of the mirror.

Snapshot: Seattle skyline and scuba divers

Snapshot: Daddy's Girl

My Daily Bread

No, I'm not writing about Jesus, I am writing about warm, straight from the oven whole wheat bread. (And, as it happens, I am also referring to these forbidden fruits: gluten in all forms, rye, spelt, egg yolks and whites, baker's yeast, asparagus, and-- let's not forget-- oysters.) Grains are an important part of the USDA's food pyramid and they have always been a staple in my diet until very recently. And, judging by the increasing allergen disclaimers in grocery stores proclaiming certain shelves "gluten-free," I am not alone in excluding certain foods. Why does it seem like more people are talking about going gluten-free and avoiding dairy or soy? I think there are two major reasons for this "increase" in food allergies and intolerance: 1) awareness that food affects some people adversely as opposed to just living with an upset stomach and 2) an increase in soy lecithin, corn, and gluten in every imaginable processed food item. We are being completely over-exposed to these ingredients and, for some, there is a real downside. I have had a "sensitive stomach" as long as I can remember. At different times, I have blamed this sensitivity on caffeine (which is something I have not consumed since my junior year of college because it did actually make things worse), chocolate, and dairy. Not once did I question bread.

In the past, I often considered a whole wheat bagel or a piece of dry toast as safe items to eat in the event of intestinal upset. I'm sure that my living across the street from a glorious bakery for one year in college played a role in making 2004 the year I finally saw a doctor about my symptoms. He ordered a lactose intolerance test, which came back "normal" and then he declared that I had Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Anxiety. (And honestly, I knew lots of folks who dealt with anxiety in college and none of them seemed to be skipping out on social events due to awful stomach aches.) Unfortunately, he did not propose any ideas for treatment other than to avoid foods that seemed to make the pain worse and take up a stress-relieving activity like yoga. Plank pose is fun, but nothing improved and I was never really able to link a specific food to irritation because, as I have now learned, food intolerance might actually have a delayed onset. This means that something I ate two days ago could be responsible for the pain and discomfort I feel today.

Fast forward to 2009 and I now know the culprits behind all of this discomfort. Avoiding these foods, however, is proving to be extremely difficult. Unless I cook every meal from scratch, some ingredients like gluten or yeast seem to be lurking in every bite. Add to this the fact that this month has included a lovely anniversary dinner at an Italian restaurant, a birthday cake, and some bagels my husband brought home from Costco (way too many bagels for one person, really), and I feel like I am back at square one. This time it actually feels worse. I think my body was finally settling into a normal state and then, bam! Here I am again. It is time to get serious about the elimination diet, and this time, I am not making any exceptions (I'm looking at you, beautiful artisan bread at Whole Foods!).

Snapshot: This Sippy cup makes a fabulous teether!

Up, up, and away!

This morning, at an hour so early the sun had not yet risen into our slice of sky, Evie decided that it was time to get out of bed. Usually, we can snuggle with her and keep her in bed for at least twenty minutes after she wakes for the day. Not today. So, sleepy and stumbling in the darkness, we all got out of bed. Naturally, it was only a matter of time before Evelyn went to the sliding door that leads to the deck and asked to go outside. Have I mentioned how much she loves being outside, in her very own yard?

Although today will be hot, the early morning was quite cool and there was still dew on the grass, so we found socks, shoes, and a sweatshirt before heading outside. Mr. Soleil graced us with his magnificent presence and we kicked the soccer ball around a bit. Then, the morning took a magical turn as Evelyn discovered something in the sky she had never seen before. A colorful, enormous balloon! She could not believe it.

Snapshot: Laptop time

Going Home: Part Two

After a lovely visit with family and a beautiful (and fun!) wedding, we loaded our rental car* and set out for the New York State Thruway. Thankfully we had great weather and a we were traveling with a, by then, seasoned traveler. Evelyn surpassed all of our expectations in the travel department. We had a four-and-a-half hour flight, an hour layover, and an almost two-hour flight on a small plane.

In the interest of disclosure, here is a list of items we brought on the plane and in the car:

1. Car Seat. We bought Evie her own seat for all three of our flights. I think it was money very well spent. She had her own (familiar) space and although she did spend at least half of our in-flight time on either my or husband's lap, it was great to have the use of my arms for much of the time. I also know that the car seat is by far the safest place for a little one to be in the event of turbulence.

2. Magna-Doodle. Evie had never seen one before our trip and she absolutely loved drawing with the "pen." This bought us at least an hour on our first flight and an hour (total time, not sixty minutes straight) on our road trip.

3. Hand puppet/ finger puppet. Before our trip, I brought Evie to a toy store and let her choose a new soft lovey for the plane. She selected a kangaroo puppet with a joey finger puppet in her pouch.

4. Pony. We brought one of Evie's favorite soft toys along for the trip. Pony is such a good sport. That horse will drink whatever Evie offers her and she always seems to be hungry! "Feeding Pony" is one of our favorite games.

5. Five of Evie's favorite books. (But Not the Hippopatomus, The Foot Book, Mama Hugs, Fruit, and Goodnight Seattle)

6. Lunchbox filled with favorites: quinoa, steamed broccoli, grapes cut into quarters, and O cereal.

7. My digital camera. Evie is distracted by the pictures and videos in a pinch.

I'm sure I am forgetting a few things, but this was our main list, alongside obvious items like extra clothing, diapers, wipes, cups for water, and my own personal items. My husband and I took turns sitting next to Evie, who had the window seat-- also a great distraction!-- and she nursed as often as she liked just as she does at home. In the airport, we carried her in the Ergo so we were able to avoid the hassle of a stroller. The Ergo weighs next to nothing and fit easily in our carry-on bag. Evelyn did not cry once until the flight home when she was startled out of a sound sleep by an intercom announcement. It was an evening flight (six hours) and she did sleep for about half of it. Not too shabby!

Still to come:

Part 3: Our time in Massachusetts!

*Hyundai Sonata- we were so pleasantly surprised by the smooth ride and the roomy interior, highly recommend if you're on the prowl for a comfortable but cost-effective sedan.

Snapshot: Big Girls Play with Dollhouses

Going Home: Part One

After almost two years away from my hometown, I've learned that it isn't as static as I once imagined. The town has changed right along with me. While we certainly recognized each other, there were some surprises. New shopping centers have claimed land that once rolled into the horizon, supporting old farmhouses. The change is not necessarily negative, it has drawn more business into the area, but it has also irreversibly altered both the physical landscape and the local market.

People, of course, have grown and changed in all sorts of ways and my family is no exception. My youngest sibling now a man, my younger sister a stunning bride, my youngest sister a hard-working mother with a new internship. But in all of the ways that matter, we are the same. The playful teasing and the easy conversation. All of the women in my family, when we are together, fall into an excited and animated talk. Our words and laughter tangle together until we are finishing the sentences and thoughts of one another.

One of the most lovely sights has been my daughter and my mother, giggling and playing easily. Evelyn loved her grandmother instantly. I think she just knew. In fact, Evie has slipped quite comfortably into relationships with family members she'd never before seen, taking my grandfather by the hand and offering pebbles and rocks. She hugged all of her aunts and uncles and cousins. I am so proud of her and I can't wait to begin the next leg of our trip so that the rest of our family can experience the joy that Evelyn seems to spread everywhere she goes. Evie as a one -year-old has a contagious, even palpable happiness and it must be shared!

Toddlers do this, right?

Curse the day that Web MD, shiny and new, first enabled nervous mothers to input "symptoms" and diagnose their little ones with all manner of serious illnesses. For the past two (three?) weeks, Evelyn has been pausing-- sometimes in the middle of play-- to squat for a few seconds. We thought nothing of it at first, because, don't all toddlers squat? It's a newfound skill, it must be exercised! But she keeps doing it and we are wondering if everything is all right. (No, she isn't constipated, so that's not the issue at hand.)

Today I did an internet search for "toddler squatting" and one of the first articles to pop up included this frightening tidbit. I called our ND (because she will personally return my call, unlike the call service at the pediatricians) and I am sure that she will tell me that she does not think Evie has a congenital heart disease. Still, those words make me nervous.

Is There a "Raindance" to Invoke Calm Travels?

Before traveling anywhere by plane with Evelyn, we have taken to holding a ceremonial "week of worry" in our household.* If I conjure up every possible combination of potential disasters at the airport or on the plane or while visiting relatives, I'll be prepared to handle them, right? Of course, this is almost never the case. I spend countless hours and days worrying about things over which I have little-to-no control; I know that Evie senses my stress. She is hugging me more and waking every hour at night.

We are practicing our relaxation and trying to remain calm in the midst of household errands (the mortgage isn't going to pay itself!) and preparing for a fourteen-hour day of travel. We've been listening to Enya and our favorite Ani Difranco songs (from her album, "Red Letter Year") and driving through the countryside and playing at the park. This seems to help Evelyn a lot. She has taken to falling asleep in the car, a skill I hope will translate into even a small amount of sleep on the airplane.

I have lists of carry-on items, clothes to pack, and a bridesmaid dress to remember. I'm sure we'll forget something, but hopefully it won't be the things essential for a somewhat smooth flight: car seat, water, diapers/wipes, snacks, a few books and toys for Evie, earplugs. . . I jest. But all of the travel will absolutely pay off when I have the honor of standing next to my younger sister on her wedding day.

I am so glad she has found her love, someone as hardworking and as playful as she. I'm thrilled that they are entering into a brand new marriage. It's going to be such a beautiful day, and the start of a truly wonderful new life for them. And really, it has been way too long since my sisters and brother and I have been in the same state, let alone the same room. I can't wait for Evie to be a part of it all, even if it means enduring a few hassles on the way.

*This is only our second round-trip flight with Evie, so I have high hopes that our worry-fest will become a thing of the past as she gets older.

Snapshot: Make Magazine

Snapshot: Look, a carrot!

Homeowner Right of Passage: Mowing the Lawn

I have a confession to make and it is one that will warm my father's heart (because who else insisted that I mow five acres of land almost every weekend? Thank goodness the other twenty acres were wooded). I love landscaping and gardening. I love to mow the lawn. Maybe it's because I enjoy the outdoors and I like to feel the warm sun on my skin, maybe I enjoy the tangible evidence of my labors, or maybe it's because only the roar of John Deere mower can adequately shut out the rest of the world and provide precious mental clarity. Whatever the reason, I am happy to work outside in the yard.

When we decided to buy a house, we knew we wanted a decent yard to garden and to provide space for running and playing. While others might daydream about the curtains they'll choose for their new bedroom (our windows are still bare), I looked forward to the day we would select a lawn mower and gardening equipment. So, imagine my initial disappointment when my husband announced that he has always wanted an old-fashioned push reel lawn mower and come on, Linds, they're better for our health and for the environment! Well, we agreed to give it a try. If it didn't work out or if it was completely inadequate, we would be out $130 but we could always sell it on craigslist.

Today, we bought a Scotts classic push reel mower.

Some of its finer points include its very quiet blades. While the mower doesn't provide the buzzing hum to provide a bit of "alone-time," it was quiet enough not to wake our sleeping Evie. So, in a roundabout way, it did provide some of the aforementioned solitude. The mower also doubles as an exercise aid as it is not self-propelled. Am I really reaching to look for pros on a list pre-loaded with cons? Perhaps, but I am willing to give it a shot. The cons, as one might imagine, include the necessity of mowing the same line in the lawn several times to really cut all of the grass. I had to hand-pick about a dozen stubborn blades of grass. The mower is not self-propelled and we didn't get a mower with a bag for grass clippings, so we need to rake the lawn after mowing, although I recently discovered bag attachments for the push reel mowers, so this "con" may not sit on the list for long.

All in all, using a push reel mower was actually a fun experience, if only for the novelty of it. Time will tell whether this eco-friendly method becomes a staple of our lawn-care regimen. One thing is certain though, Evie loves her new yard! And so do we.

Snapshot: Pony Tail

Five Finger Inspection

This morning, Evelyn did something that 12 month olds the world over are doing right now, she tripped. She fell over, palms on the patio, and then stood back up and looked at her right hand. Was it OK, I asked her. Evie very thoughtfully waved with her right hand, rubbed her hands together, clapped, and then went back to playing with her ball. Her hand passed its inspection!

Milestone Alert: Baby's Got Bangs!

Pretty clips, pony tails, braids. . . we are fully initiated into the realm of toddler hair styling. And yet, Evelyn's long, baby-fine bangs slip into her eyes each day. After some discussion, Chris and I decided that while we did not want to cut Evie's hair yet (no baby's first lock of hair for the baby book), we do value her ability to see clearly. It was time for a little trim.

I should preface this post with a disclosure. I have a small pet-peeve when it comes to children's hair styles: your child can sport whatever style she likes, but please, please do not give her bangs that begin at the top of her head. These thick, bowl-cut resembling bangs do favors for no one. Honestly, it is not flattering and it looks a bit odd. With this minor consideration in mind, I took Evelyn to Common Folk Kids in Bellevue for a bangs trim.

The stylist was wonderful with little ones and she completely agreed that Evie's bangs just needed a little trim. Evelyn got to climb into a red race car. She wore a colorful cape (for about thirty seconds). She could tell that this would be serious business, best handled without the help of a jazzy '80's print. It's a good thing Mama was fast with the camera, Dada has a photo from his baby years just like this one and the resemblance is uncanny! We will have to find it for a side-by-side comparison.

Before Evie could blink, the stylist handed her a bucket of little toys and went to work snipping about an inch off of her bangs. Evidently she could sense what kind of gal Evelyn is, because there was a rubik's cube in the box and Evelyn loved it. It was just like Dada's.

Three minutes and $7 later, we were finished! Evelyn got a bright green balloon and she was quite interested in it. (This was surprising since she has been terrified of them lately.) We shared a cup of navy bean soup and chicken salad at Thyme for Soup and then headed over to Bed, Bath, & Beyond to check out the "Beyond." While browsing the drapes, the balloon mysteriously became free and floated to the rafters of the store. Evelyn pointed this out to me, and while she seemed agitated, I am not sure if she was upset that the balloon had escaped or if she was hoping for some recognition (I tied a tight knot around the stroller handle, Evelyn must have been working at it for a while).

Why didn't I just trim her bangs on my own at home, sans race car? Although I am quite adept at nursing while cleaning the kitchen and talking to my sister on the phone while composing a poem in iambic pentameter, I have not yet mastered the duel role of hair stylist/ photographer. Maybe next time.

Snapshot: Tea Time

Ch-ch-ch-changes

We are definitely a family in flux. Our new house (and the whole neighborhood actually) is great! It is exciting to be in our first house together and we feel blessed to be in this position. I mean, a few years ago we were both living with roommates in college. Nevertheless, routines, scenery, sleeping-- everything is fairly "off" for the time being. Boxes, though dwindling in number, comprise much of our indoor space and we are still making decisions about several large purchases (furniture, mostly). If this is stressful for us, as adults, it is doubly so for our little Evie. She's even taken to grinding her baby teeth a couple of times.

I have been giving her a lot of extra physical touch, especially at night, to reassure her that everything is indeed OK, but the past few days were awful for her. She had her first real fever. It reached 103.5 F and she was just miserable. We spent a few hours on Saturday at the pediatrician's office. She had a test that induced heart-breaking cries. And honestly, I cried too. How can you hold your baby down and look at her red, puffy eyes without tearing up? How? Fortunately, everything looked normal. She just had a high fever, no other symptoms, no good explanation. And this morning, the fever broke. Evie slept in Dada's arms during much of Mass, and then kept sleeping in the Ergo carrier.

I am hopeful that this week will bring some calm to our household. Although I've only been able to secure help for three hours this week, I plan on using that time to set up our bedroom and try to unpack the rest of the living room so that we can have some comfortable, clean spaces to play. We're also picking up a preschool play gym of sorts, though it remains to be seen whether Evie will actually set aside her interest in the endless number of pine cones, rocks and sticks her new backyard has to offer. And, most of all, I am hoping that we will all begin to get more sleep!

*Disclaimer: plenty of lovely, happy things have happened this week, too. No Debbie Downer here! We met the neighbors and were invited to their annual BBQ. They're a great couple and we had a lot of fun. Evie and I also enjoyed going to the second meeting of the newly-formed LLL chapter nearby.

Mini-post

Evelyn said "water" today while we frolicked in the backyard and played with the garden hose. The temperature reached about 88 degrees this afternoon, so the cold "wawa" felt wonderful!

Mamas Galore!

I was going to write a little something about my newfound food allergies and how I am on a quest to strike all gluten, baker's yeast, (goodbye glorious whole grain bagels), eggs (eggs!), asparagus and oysters (not shedding a tear over that one) from my diet. But I don't really have too much to say as my quest has only just begun.

Instead, I'll write about my morning. Or maybe I should begin with last night? It's really all a blur at this point. Evelyn is working on her seventh tooth and she was unable to stay asleep for more than two consecutive hours. This translates to my inability to sleep. I have essentially been sleep-deprived for over a year, but last night was just unbearable. I can hardly keep my eyes open. Hopefully once this tooth comes through, we'll get back to our regular sleep routine of waking just once to nurse in the middle of the night. Needless to say though, this morning it was a bit of a challenge to get out the door, but we had plans by golly!

The maternal forces behind mothers' meetup groups were strong today. I hosted a coffee play date for the Attachment Parenting group I am involved with. I really love this group and Evie does too. We love the other Mamas and tots and we are pretty active with this group. Nevertheless, I am also somewhat involved in another Mom group (as well as a book club and a group for Moms, Dads, and kids). Well, the other Mom group was also meeting at the coffee shop and play area, as was another Mom group. It was quite the coincidence.

A few of the other ladies are in multiple groups as well. For a moment I saw flashes of high school cafeteria tables, wondering where to sit and wondering who would join which table but, hallelujah, I didn't sense a stitch of awkwardness. The more, the merrier I say! We had some great conversations and Evie enjoyed a game of "Let's Make my Exhausted Mother Run After Me as I Chase This Robin." We also played with the outdoor musical instruments at the Sensory Garden play area outside the coffee shop. All in all, the morning was a success. Now, I am just counting down the hours until my husband returns from work so that I can potentially rest my eyes (after I organize our paper work for our move and do 16, 789 loads of laundry, that is).

Summer Breeze

The boats in Yarrow Bay are bobbing gently and the tall grasses are swaying to the South. Evie is asleep. We've been enjoying one of the most beautiful summers I can remember: plenty of sunshine and warm, even hot, days. Somewhere on the lake, friends are water-skiing and families are tubing. I know this because we can hear their excited shouts echoing across the lake from our living room when our windows are open. I don't mind the noise. It reminds me of childhood days at my grandparents' house on Seneca Lake, one of New York's Finger Lakes.

We didn't water-ski, but we went on countless boat rides. I loved to feel the wind whip through my hair and I ignored the inevitable tangles. It felt like flying. We spent hours swimming in the lake and playing on the smooth slate rocks-- nature's slip-n-slides! The zebra muscles were sharp and the rocks were hot but we rarely stopped to put on water shoes before traipsing into the cool water. There is a feeling of immense freedom and inherent pleasure to be found in the shutting of one's eyes on a hot summer day. Laying back on a warm dock to dry after a swim, family (and cold drinks) close by.

I hope with all of my heart that Evelyn will have many memories like these. Memories which, for me, because of their innocence and unadulterated happiness, outshine and outlast the painful ones.

Doorknob:

"Read the directions and directly you will be directed in the right direction."*

Next week, we are scheduled to officially close on our first house. Our experiences with neighborhood-searching, house-hunting, and mortgage rate shopping have run the emotional gamut. From frustrating to exhilarating, we've now settled on anxious. As a "big-picture" thinker, I've been imagining the moment we can let Evie explore her new home and enjoy the backyard (if not the woods, yet). In my mind, our new house is rearranged and decorated the way we'd like and Evie is frolicking amidst the lilac bushes while I write. In order to progress to that point of sitting back and enjoying the fruits of our labor, I suppose we actually need to labor.

Fortunately, in the age-old romantic tradition of couples complementing one another**, my husband is largely a task-by-task thinker. And, while he may not be able to visualize what the new living room would like in a certain shade of olive, he is much better than I at hunkering down and knocking items off of our to-do list. Today we purchased new door hardware (a very classic and stylish handle set for the front door and a bronze lever handle for the door from the garage). We needed to change the locks anyway and decided that an upgrade was in order. After a little hemming and hawing about the merits of this door handle or that, Eve decided that, after approximately one and a half hours inside Home Depot, she had reached her limits and gave me a sweet, if exasperated, look which begged the question: could she please have her nap? We made our final decision, steered the loaded orange shopping cart to the checkout, and we are now the proud owners of new door handles (and a plethora of painting supplies).

* Bonus points if you can identify the quotation.

** I wouldn't exactly say that we represent the old "opposites attract," we actually have quite a bit in common. Our methods of processing and relaying information, however, could hardly be more different.

***The font and size on blogger.com are rather uncooperative right now, I'll attempt to adjust them again in a while.

The Itsy Bitsy Spider

Evie has always like "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" song; she'd bop her head and dance while I sang it and she would watch carefully as my fingers climbed up an imaginary water spout. Now, however, she has upgraded her level of participation. She, too, can form the spider with her little hands and then make the big sweeping motions for the rain coming down and washing the spider out and it is just about the most precious thing I've ever seen.

Well, there is also this:

No thanks, Mama, I don't need any help.

And then there is this outfit.

So, I guess it's a toss up.

Twenty-Somethings

They're supposed to be young and beautiful and carefree, right? And style-savvy. I think I felt cute and stylish once, for about fifteen minutes in eighth grade before some angst-ridden peer noticed that I was looking rather confident that day and decided to make a snide remark about my clothing. (Ah middle school, and yet many people insist that school is the place kids learn about "social skills," haha. But I digress.)

Oh how I still detest Abercrombie & Fitch, and yes, those $95 jeans did come with the "dirty" and faded knees. Anyway, I've been thinking a bit about style this morning and how I might consider reclaiming or reinventing mine. Ann Taylor Loft is often my destination of choice, but I can't help wonder if its target demographic isn't a solid two decades away from me? I am not talented enough to design and create my own cute tops and A-line skirts (and where on earth I would be wearing a skirt, I do not know), so that option is temporarily out. I think I am stuck in a rut. I have never in my life been a sweatpants girl, but I've also never been a skinny jeans girl either. Actually, I'm always mistaken for older than I am (unless I pull my hair back, in which case I am instantly called "sweetheart" and "honey" and treated like a kid). Maybe it's the fact that I have a daughter, but I think it is probably the plain-Jane uniform of a top and jeans and the decidedly un-stylish flip-flops (although this winter I did purchase a pair of ballet flats).

So, what are twenty-something women supposed to wear? (And thirty-somethings, too, for that matter?) There must be something better than a cotton top and dark jeans. These concerns are largely superficial of course, but I do think it is important to take some personal pride in one's appearance and I am not content with the stereotype of the harried Mom schlepping around town with stains on her shirt, even if I do perpetuate it from time to time.

Her First Party

Very much like the afternoon she was born, her birthday was sunny and gorgeous, a hot day that epitomizes summer.  

She spent the afternoon in the shade of this magnificent tree, learning to run and climb around on its roots.  When the sun became too fierce, she took a reprieve in the lake, sand between her toes and in her belly button.

She was in great company:  baby friends and their lovely parents.  Smiles and laughter and encouraging faces.

 

She preferred the light sweet juices of a slice of watermelon to the vanilla cake with strawberry filling.

She opened a few gifts.  Books! A tea set!  Beautiful clothes!  A bouncing zebra to ride!  Some bamboo cutlery and a stainless steel water container of her very own!  She would have been thrilled with the boxes alone but she was very excited to play with these new things.

The day was perfect from start to finish.  Even the sunset joined in the celebration, echoing the colors of Evie's pink and purple balloons.

Cuter Than a Bug's Ear

I can't keep myself from photographing Evelyn every day.  She is just endlessly cute.  Honest.  I submit the following as evidence:

Flight of the Heron

Evelyn and I were taking an afternoon stroll along the lake when we come upon our friendly neighborhood heron (at least I think it is a heron).  And actually, the bird is rather shy.  Evelyn was miraculously quiet in the bird's presence, but I'm pretty sure that the small sound of my camera lens frightened him (or her?) away.

My video is in .AVI format and, although that format is supported on this website, it is having trouble loading.  So, in lieu of the footage, enjoy this photo!  We may have a soccer star on our hands.

Guest Post: What's For Dinner? by Chef E.

An Illustrated Guide to Spring Veggie Pasta Bake:

For this recipe, you will need:

Fresh Broccoli- chopped into tiny florets, Peas (about two cups), Fresh Zucchini- 2, sliced lengthwise into quarters and then chopped, a tub of Ricotta cheese, Eggs- 2, garlic- 2 cloves (or if your Mama is like mine and doesn't have fresh garlic on hand, use a pinch of powder), salt, pepper, Pasta (preferably shells), Olive Oil, a Mama.  

This last ingredient is key, because she basically prepares the meal for you with minimal intervention required.  

Whew, that was a lot of rinsing, chopping, and sauteing.  

I have to keep a close eye on Mama to be sure that she will not allow any lingering egg shell pieces in my ricotta cheese mixture. . . .  Success!  On to the pasta!

Nicely done, we want al dente pasta since it will be baking in the oven for twenty-five minutes (at 350 F).  Now, layer the pasta, ricotta cheese mixture, and veggies into the dish and sprinkle with fresh parmesan cheese and a pinch of pepper!  

Heck, let's make two.  We can freeze one and pull it out later instead of ordering take-out for the 783,498th time!  Delicious.  And now it is play time.