Happy 3rd Birthday Aven Lily

Hard to believe it has been 3 years already and my oh my how life has changed.  From one baby and parenthood to a toddler and a newborn; hard to imagine my life any other way now.  

We had a wonderful weekend of celebrating Aven's 3rd birthday with friends and a big party as well as a visit from Ahma and Boppa (Abe's parents).  It was  a busy weekend with too late of bedtimes and a lot of stimulation but it was a celebratory weekend nonetheless.  

Aven is quite the little 3 year old and she is in full force.  Things she (still) loves:

• her babies (she even got a doll pram for her birthday)
• her blankets, her favorite is still froggie, then people and then flower
• her books (although this has taken a recent increase in interest)  this girl loves to go to the library, participate in storytime and crafts, check out loads of books and sneak out of bed to read them when she should be going to bed.  She will spend hours sitting and listening if we'd just sit and read books to her and she loves reading them to herself, us and her dolls and Elodie.  I am so happy that she loves to interact with books; I hope this doesn't disappear.
• her imagination (although she doesn't have any make believe friends, she is so inventive with her toys and with our things- it is so neat to see a child's mind at work constructing a little world around herself with objects as they take alternative forms)
• the sun (the girl loves to be outside; always has)  now she can open the back door, put on her shoes and play in the yard all by herself.  She loves her flip-flops, skirts and short sleeve shirts and sunglasses and would spend all day at the park if you'd let her).
• sweets (she is her mama's girl- she loves anything sweet and would eat them all day if I'd let her);  for her birthday she requested pink candy canes and green pie!
• fruit- this girl has always loved her fruit- she has never been big on vegetables (maybe someday) but she will easily eat 5+clementines if I let her and she has no problem eating a bowl of strawberries or a full pear
• music- she is so good at remembering words to songs- tonight she sang the whole "take me out to the ball game" song that she must have heard at school.  The girl also loves to dance.  Almost every time we get in the car she asks for kids music please.

Lunch of the Birthday Girl (clementines, oatmeal and superfood juice with a pink straw)

Dad flashes his "3" sign

Loot from the party (hats and decor)

Aven Lily, you are growing up into quite the little girl.  I am so awed and proud of who you are becoming.  You are so intelligent, kind, funny, sweet, creative, voracious in appetite, loving, social and unique and I am so proud to be your mama.  You make me laugh every day and you can challenge me like no one else (maybe your sister someday).  You have taught me so much about myself and about how to live life fresh and with full force.  Thank you for the privilege of being your Mama.  I can't wait to see what this next year will bring and the adventures we'll have of you being 3.

Happy 3rd Birthday Aven 

Happy Valentines Day

aven making homemade valentines

mommy making homemade valentines

valentines day margaritas 

love & wonder

little miss "e's" first valentines day

sailing along into the holidays

Dear friends, I can't believe its been a month already since I posted and I missed the cool date by a few minutes (12/12/12).  I'm sitting in the quiet of my house, dog is snoring and Aven is asleep and Abe has wandered up to bed after falling asleep on the couch.  I am enjoying the shadows of the Christmas tree and twinkling lights illuminating the cool evening and early morning moments.  It will not be this quiet a month from now holding a newborn baby and adjusting to life with two kids.

Had a doctors appointment today and as much as I am getting anxious to have this baby I am a little scared too.  My due date is only 3 1/2 weeks away and there is still so much to do between now and whenever she enters this world!  The Christmas tree is bare underneath, the meal plans for hosting my family to complete, the bags to pack the plans to make, oh so much to do.

Just wanted to take a few moments to catch you up on the last month.  We have been trying to spend more time together as a family.  It has been really special seeing Aven embrace the Christmas season and her excitement about the wonder and magic of Christmas.  She doesn't even know that she'll get presents or how lucky and blessed we are.  She loves the white twinkle of the trees, the ornaments that decorate our tree and her room, the fun music and the sprinkles on cookies.  She lights up and gets excited about the wonder of it all and I think that is why kids can really remind you of how magical Christmas is.  I have also been really trying to enjoy having this little amazing person in my life before another one enters and to hold onto the moments with her only.  She is so smart and captivating and there are so many little things she does that I don't ever want to forget.  She is so sweet and sassy and fun and playful and I know soon I will have baby brain and be sleep deprived and focused on nursing a new little one.

Some of my favorite things that Aven is doing these days:

• she always wants to know people's names- in the grocery store line she will ask the checker "and what is your name?"  and then of course she'll volunteer her own too.  When new people come to our house she asks what their name is and introduces them to the house and the dogs and tells them her name.  She is not shy and is so friendly and outgoing with everyone, it warms my heart and makes me happy to see so much joy exude from this little person
• she is the sweetest caretaker- for a long time she has loved taking care of her babies but the ways in which she does it are so instinctual for her, she carries all sorts of babies and stuffed animals around, wraps them up, cares for them, shushes them to sleep, sings them songs in her bed, snuggles with them, picks them up when they get booboos and kisses them and generally always has at least one she is taking care of - I think she will be a helpful and loving big sister and I can't wait to see the way she will dote on her new little sister
• giving- Aven is always so giving with those around her; she shares her cookies, her toys and never really seems to be too possessive of her things.  When friends come over she wants to share and play with them and isn't concerned with having "her" toys to herself.
• conversation- it is fun now that Aven is so verbal to actually have a conversation with her in the car driving home asking her about school or about what she did at a friends house, she gets so animated in telling the details and stories of her day.  She is very opinionated and articulate so she can really explain everything that happened in detail.  She is also very observant and notices all kinds of small details that I pass over.  Not only this but she remembers them later.  We were at the grocery store and she was asking me, what is the yellow and black thing Mommy?  It took me quite a while to realize that she was taking about an antennae topper that was Mickey Mouse.  Now every time we go to the grocery store she asks me if we'll see the Mickey Mouse again?  What a memory!

Life is busy and having a baby in the midst of the holiday season feels a bit crazy but it is also keeping me a little distracted too :)  It is fully fall (and almost winter) with mostly rainy days and too many hours in the dark each day but in 9 days that will start to go the other way and I can't wait.  I wonder if we'll see snow this winter.  

Nothing terribly new to report, just musings on everyday life and mother hood.

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July

...to fireworks...to food...to friends...to neighbors walking by who join in the celebration...to family visits...to sparklers and surprises and ridiculous silliness of friends...to 2 year olds and 7 year olds and babies and Dads, the celebration was fun!

Thanks for helping us celebrate (again) - to the Youngs & the York Neighborhood.  It was a beautiful day and seeing the smiles and giggles of the kids with their red/white/blue popsicles and sparklers brought a smile to everyone's face.

Mother's Day

It is funny.  My daughter was born a little over 2 years ago but this is the first year I really feel like Mother's Day is important to me.  The first year she was only a few weeks old and the reality of motherhood wasn't really real to me yet.  Last year I felt it was important but this year I really realize it is a part of my identity.

Juggling a kiddo, a marriage, work, Bible Study, dog walks and favors for friends, social engagements, baby showers, exercise, grocery shopping, paying the bills, weeding and all the rest really seemed to hit me this year.  So I did the best thing I could yesterday, I ignored it!!

My poor husband.  He tries to do something nice like pick out new clothes or have a handmade bag made for my camera or something else unique and then it never really seems to work for me; this Mother's Day was no exception.  He had planned to go to Seattle for the day to all of our old haunts and visit our old apartments, walk around and see our old neighborhoods and then culminate the day with dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Rialto.  When he announced this to me, I didn't exactly jump with joy.  It was supposed to be a beautiful day and I didn't feel like sitting in the car all day with a 2 year old and 2 hot dogs.  Also I had to take care of a friends dogs in the morning and in the late afternoon which would put a time crunch on things.

Instead, we went as the day took us.  Got up early and took care of my friend's doggies, made some breakfast, walked to church in the early morning sun.  Had lunch and got my daughter down for a nap. Then I sat in my back yard in a lawn chair in the sun and read my book while sipping a delicious sparkling ginger and lemon peel water.  Afterwards, I cam inside and continued reading which then transitioned into a mid afternoon nap.  I never let myself do that, it was awesome!  Did some putzy things around the house and then picked up Beatrice & Chip (friend's dogs) and took them on a long hike with my doggies and family.

Afterwards we went and picked up Thai food from Busara and had a picnic on our lawn before putting Aven down for bed.  Curled up and watched a few episodes of Downton Abbey (if you haven't seen this BBC publication, I highly recommend it!) and curled up for the night.

I mostly just wanted to spend the day relaxing, enjoying the sun and good weather and with my family- success!

facing the new year

I know I say this every year but it is hard to believe the holidays have already come and gone.  This week we were graced with a beautiful snowfall and I have to keep reminding myself that Christmas has already passed!  With that the excitement, the travel, the cooking and baking and the ending of one year and the beginning of another have already happened.

For us it was a trip to Oregon to see family, time spent catching up with family and of course baking and eating.  It was Aven's second Christmas but the first one she could truly participate in which was fun.  Abe and I escaped to California for a night away from dogs and first time we were both away from Aven overnight (thank you Grandma's).   With this relaxation brought the craziness and the hecticness of a new year.

For me this year I feel the need to purge my things.  I have already gone through my closet twice and gotten rid of two bags of clothes and a bag of kids clothes too.  We have taken a few tools and small pieces of furniture to the reStore and I've already thought about how this year could look different.

Another year has begun and with it so many questions.  What will this next year bring?  Will I finally return to school, being a Master's Program?  Will we move away, finally remodel the kitchen and bath?  You know, just those minor questions that plague you daily.

I have also attempted to make a conscientious effort to slow down and enjoy the moments.  With a toddler and life at high speed, it is easy to miss the little moments that make life enjoyable.  It is easy to get caught up in the shopping, bill-paying, chore and errand running and forget to sit down on the ground and play wood-cutting fruit with your daughter or indulge in one more story or sit on the bench in the kitchen and share a bowl of yogurt or a banana together.  These moments are simple and in many ways ordinary but they are also the things that can bring you joy and help you to slow down and enjoy the intricacies of life.  A good friend (who is also the mom of twins) told me that she sometimes lets things go so that she can spend time with her kids.  This advice has left an impression on me.  She said, I am never going to look back at this time and think "gee, I wish I would have done more laundry or vacuumed more, but I might look back and wish I spent more time with my kids."  I try to focus on this thought when it is my day off and I am looking at a daunting list of chores.  Should I just give in and sit on the floor and scribble crayons with my daughter; should I spend some extra time making a meal for my family and sitting with my husband in his shop as he assembles cabinets or should I join the rat race and cram as much into a day, hour or minute that I can?

Don't get me wrong.  I am the queen of multi-tasking at both work and home.  If I am doing something, I am usually doing another at the same time but sometimes I force myself to STOP and just do ONE thing....or nothing at all.  That is also refreshing.

On another note, those of you who know me know that I don't ever make New Year's resolutions.  Mainly because I feel that people make them to break them; however this year I am focusing on a few things this year.

• slow down and enjoy time with my family
• make more food, cook more and use my wonderful kitchen gadgets
• finish my book club books (I don't know why this is so hard!)

Just a few things to get myself going.  This is a bit rambly but I haven't written awhile and I suppose it is the way my brain is going right now too.  And, it wouldn't be a complete blog post without a few pics.

Pic of Abe in Eureka, CA on our way to Fort Bragg just outside of Lost Coast Brewery where we stopped in for lunch.

Ahmah Bates, Aven & Daddy before the long ride home to Bellingham

Aven playing with her Hanukkah gift from Ahmah- only trouble is she fed all of the little candle flames (made of felt) to the dogs, literally....oops!

Aven and Cousin Asha Rose on Christmas morning- very focused on opening their gifts.

Aven and Daddy getting up close and personal with Granddad's neighbor chickens!  Notice Abe's face.

I do sincerely hope your holidays were well and that you have started 2012 with a fresh look;  that something on your mind or heart is helping to make your life better.  Here's to it all!  Blessings.

halloween

Hope yours was as happy as ours.  Aven giving the doggies dinner after Trick or treating.

Our own little wonder-woman, we love you.

these are a few of my favorite things...

a beautiful handmade scarf from my dear mother-in-law for Christmas with a darling little flower- thanks

Aven's first truck

Green Toys-Recycling Truck made of 100% recycled milk jugs, non-toxic and made in the USA- I want her to have a variety of toys

darling little Hazel Atlas Eggnog cups from my friend Kari for Christmas

another ridiculously cute handmade hat from Grandma to Aven- a little big for now but she'll be drop dead cute when it fits!

Abe's Bible Action figures from childhood- yes please! Most likely Simon Peter, Jesus (in his royal robes of course) and Samson. Can't wait until he has to explain these to Aven.

My sweet girl Ethel on Christmas day, just patiently waiting for some yummy scraps to fall on the floor and watching the babies play, laugh and scream.

Did I mention how talented my mother-in-law is? Here is Aven in her Bumbo with a handmade bib that doubles as a washcloth- so cute.

watching Eleanor share the limelight with babies-Asha was offering her present to Eleanor to help her open it, very sweet

watching the funny things kids do- cousin Asha carrying around someone's slipper at Christmas- who knows why it was so intriguing but it was

of course my little Aven patiently waiting for her Christmas meal in her vintage high chair, so cute!

* * * * * *

Hope your holiday was filled with some of your favorite things. Blessings to you in the coming new year.

It is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.....

Well, the official start for many is the day after Christmas. It is the day that used to be acceptable to start selling Christmas decorations and start preparing your home for the holiday cheer. Our season was jump started by about 3 inches of dusty white coating the ground on Thanksgiving. It was a beautiful day. It warmed up and melted that evening and all was back to new the next day. In our house, we didn't bust out the decorations until this last week. Abe and I got a Christmas tree at Youngstocks Farmstand here in Bellingham. While I will admit that it isn't as fun as trudging around in the snow searching for the perfect tree or even going to a tree farm and using their dull hacksaw to cut one down ourselves after wandering the aisles, we do enjoy the nostalgia of getting a tree (as opposed to the fake tree). It was a chilly Sunday evening but we got our complimentary free coffee and wandered around looking for an economy tree. One that would be cute and not too sparse but one that fit our budget too. It was pretty cute because I told Abe I had brought the camera and that I knew it was sort of cheesy but I wanted to have a photo taken with our tree. I honestly thought he would sort of make fun of me but instead he said, "yeah, we are capturing family memories." It was sweet.

The tree sat bare for a few days until my Mom and her husband, Bill, arrived. While we were all supposed to decorate the tree together, Abe said he'd "supervise" which apparently meant fall asleep on the couch while we decorate. Oh well, the lights were strung up, the ornaments hung including many handmade ornaments from my childhood. In fact, there are two simple construction paper candy canes with glitter that I made when I was who knows how small that have survived all these years. Nothing fancy. I do remember hanging them every year growing up though. I get really excited about decorating and someday would love to decorate the whole house! Last year my friend Kari and I came across an antique store with vintage Christmas Post Cards. They were so cute and I loved reading the messages on the back. Some were sentimental, sweet and sappy and some were cordial and plain. I selected two that were postmarked 1908. This was the year that my house was built so in my mind it was as if these were postcards that could have been received by the original owners of the house.

We had an early Christmas with my Mom and her husband and were generously showered with gifts, mostly for Aven. She was thoroughly entertained with the packaging and had to put every single piece of paper in her mouth. It was actually pretty entertaining. She got some Green Toys "My first Stacker," lots of cute books, some snack cups for traveling, baby food storage containers and an adorable plush fish bowl with assorted items that can be put in and taken out and that make fun noises when squeezed or touched. We had many ambitious plans to bake and cook but things take longer than they should and you end up changing the plans. It was so nice to see them and wonderful for Aven to interact and play with the grandparents.

Yesterday brought our annual Christmas Party. We usually do it open-house style to accommodate the large number of invitees. This year we had a great group. Lots of yummy snacks and wonderful people. I made an Olive Oil Citrus Cake from this book and it was super moist and yummy, highly recommended book & recipe. Always good to have friends over and have the house filled with laughter and voices, it makes me happy to have a bigger house to accommodate these sorts of things.

Today was the quiet after the storm. The house was already cleaned and decorated and there were enough leftovers to nibble on throughout the day. Aven was fussy this morning from her extremely interrupted sleep schedule last night but when she wasn't she was an absolute doll. She is starting to wheel herself in a circle and when she can get enough friction, she'll push her bum in the air and try to push forward (these are the precursors of crawling). I don't think she'll be quite there for Christmas but soon after I bet she will.

Well, the sights, the sounds and the smells of the season are about us. Hope yours is shaping up nicely and that you are spending enough time relaxing and having fun and not stressing about that Christmas list.

Happy holidays to all of you.