Zora Travels

Visitors and Galloshes

My friend Claire wrote a post recently about her "chosen family" and this has resonated with me this week as I think of the lovely people who have recently visited our home.  To many their "family" may only mean those they were raised to love and respect.  For me, just like for Claire, my friends are absolutely a huge part of who I consider "family." They are those that I have chosen to link my heart and mind.  They spend their time with me, my daughter, my husband to cultivate our friendships and build our bonds.  Words and stories and memories are woven. I am absolutely lost without regular contact with the women I call friends.

Nora's life will be filled with all types of "family" and we have been so fortunate lately that our home has been abuzz.

Lorraine and Michael helped to create a memorable "first bbq." 

 

Claire, Greg, and Veronica stopped by for some fajitas and fun.  Here V fiddles with both a tambourine and the drum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nora sporting her new hair-do, courtesy of her "Nona" (my mom).  My mom, by the way, doesn't just do Nora's hair, she has been an AMAZING source of support to allow me some much-needed "me time" lately.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lulu and I enjoyed our inaugural walk in galloshes.   A special moment for me...an`avid lover of the gallosh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lisa and Carrie came with their pint-sized Ruby and Ollie to frolic outside after a long rain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four generations of my family enjoying the State of the Union speech last night. Nora would clap with the Democrats and even says "Bama, Bama, Bama."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She's trying on Daddy's gloves. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And although I never would have believed it, she actually LOVES drinking kale smoothies.  I thought moms were making this up...but if you bury raw kale in the blender with some sort of milk base (we use hemp milk), wee bit of juice, frozen fruit, flax seed, and cottage cheese...she GULPS it down with glee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look at those peepers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We enjoyed a crisp morning at the Nature Center near our house.  Ruby and Carrie were our partners-in-crime.  Here the girls touch the antlers and skulls on display.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rock climbing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This girl will climb any rock she sees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ruby's infamous "mad dog" face.

Busy New Year

It is a brilliant new year.  Southern California remains blissfully warm and winter light splashes against pale blue skies and snow-tickled mountains in the distance.  There are days...in our new home...that the mountains can be seen on walks.  

We are still unpacking and settling in.  It goes painfully slow with an active and needy toddler at my side.  And regarding decorating, man is it tough to drive through those first nails.  Each hole is considered over a lengthy discussion...and in the end, the art remains piled in or bedroom and we keep the pristine blank walls unscathed.

 

Nora is seriously smitten with our new 'hood.  There are at least 15 kids under the age of 12 that live on our street.   A large gaggle of girls and boys play each afternoon outside.  Nora was enamored with them since our first walk.  But they initially took no interest.  I finally had to walk up to them and tell them just how much they excite Lulu.  They instantly warmed to her and now they clamor for her attention.  When they see us approaching, they run screaming, "Nora, Nora, Nora" and I feel her body electrify with both nerves and glee.  She sits with them for an hour...not making a peep...just soaking in their awesomeness (here they teach her how to stir pretend food).

 

There are horses to ride.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Babies to nurture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leopard hats to wear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear friends to visit (and stairs to climb).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skateparks to observe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Puddles to jump in (and then quickly realize your feet get wet).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Songs that need dancing (while Daniel wipes up the now daily Max piss).

 

And most days need a warm bath...as our adventurer continues to love getting dirty.  In the video below, she shows off her German (Ich bin sehr stolz an Die...und Herzlichen Willkommen Erica).

Love in Vegas

It was this time of year back in 2006 that I first met Daniel's family.  We had been dating since April.  A beautiful romance that had blossomed through train rides to San Francisco, road trips to Mexico, and emails and postcards sent from Croatian islands and Prague pubs as I backpacked on a prior-to-meeting-him European adventure.

Finally, I was flying into the blue desert valley of a Vegas at winter to "meet the parents" (and sister). Daniel and I held hands and walked into the Bellagio to find his familial trio near the dangling glass flowers.  We feasted on the elaborate buffet and I watched in awe as Annalisa piled a Rockett-sized ensemble of crab legs on her plate.  I think she only ate crab legs.  Neighboring children from the family next to us screamed and climbed behind Ma's head on the booth ledge...their feet occasionally kicking her.  We all sat stunned with judgement (which I maintain is still justified) and in awe at how horribly they were allowed to behave.  They did; however, in hindsight, provide a distracting backdrop to fill in any awkward silences.

We then walked through the winter wonderland that only a Vegas casino can provide.

Five winters later, Vegas still stuns me with her winter landscape...completely unlike both my urban LA home and snowy memories of a Northwest childhood.  Nora's chest rattles with the second day of a chest cold. Daniel and I each sniffle and snort and snot through the beginning of our own pair of matching colds. Thus, I am able to blissfully post for the third time in three days.

Here are the striking photos of yesterday's walk in the desert scape behind my in-laws house.  Stark in forms, rich in blue and sand and sky, cracked earth and one colorful explorer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Final Vermont Play Date

I have long wanted to write about this special visit from Margie and Noah at the end of November. Since this blog serves as my journal...for my late-night-memory-jarring perusals of what life used to be, I wanted to post some of my favorite pics of Nora and her little friend Noah.

It was only a week before we would depart our home of five years on Vermont and head up towards the suburbia we now call home.  The sun was setting.  The tots were ablaze with energy and excitement and freshly-minted running ability.

I met Margie nearly a year ago.  We both had four-month old peanuts and a bit of cabin fever.  There were a few blankets spread upon the ground at an oceanside park for a picnic...we both had a desire to eat but a quandry of what to do with our babes.  Taking turns was a natural option.  And there it was - the meeting of Noodle and Nobey.  Our sweet outfitted squishies lying upon the colorful blankets.  Since then there have been many fabulous playdates.  Fewer than Margie and I would like...but there have also been more ladies-only cocktail celebrations.  Her friendship has become a true source of support, laughter, and understanding.  This picture is from their first solo-playdate.

So, here's our busy bees in action.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Throw your hands up!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A cute factor that's over-the-moon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Margie and her boy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

clobbering

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

flowing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

running

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

departing

Holiday Blur

Merry merry to my beloved eight readers.  I have lacked Internet or time or energy or proper mood to post for such a very long time.  Tonight, with a belly full of dinner, a sleeping baby, the sounds of Andrea Bocelli melting "Ave Maria" into the air, I have sat down determined to post.  Something.  Anything.  Short or Long. Words or pictures.

The holidays have been a blur. Not just because of the whirlwind of activity but the flurry that is my daughter.  With her 15 months of vigor and scant interest in "independent time," I find us attached at the hip.  

She's my sidekick....

• When she wakes up around 5am.
• As I make breakfast.
• When I sweep the floor.
• As I go to the bathroom.
• When I wash/dry/fold diapers.
• As I clean the cat boxes.
• When I packed the old house.
• As I unpacked at the new house.
• When I made Christmas cards.
• As I mailed the Christmas cards.
• When I bought Christmas presents for all of my family and Daniel's.
• As I mailed some gifts at the post office.
• When I wrapped all the remaining gifts.
• As we celebrated Christmas Eve at my Mom's.
• When we flew to Vegas to Daniel's family on Christmas Day.
• As she eats dinner.
• When she falls asleep around 7pm.

Always near.

But I know and I savor and I linger in the sweet moments that we have together each day...just as I wish and pray and hope for a few minutes without her.  This balance between wanting her snuggled to my chest, patting my face with her velvet palm, slowly blinking her aburdly long lashes, wisps of hair spraying out behind her ears and hoping for space to write, to think, to read, to just be alone.

My second Christmas Season as a mother has come and went.  Most of my important memories were created...the sugar cookie baking, the decorating of a Christmas bush (rosemary, to be exact), the hanging of the parole, and the sipping of egg nog (which Lulu adored).

New traditions also began.  The pitter-patter of visiting toddlers exchanging gifts with Nora.  Her whimsical crayon scribbles on Christmas cards.  A new hearth holding our stockings.  

And now some pictures.  Of celebrations, of family, and of our amazing and cuddly Blur.

 

 

 Lovin' her some Nog.  Good girl.  Like your Mum!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three of my favorite things.  Parole (illuminated shell star from the Philipines), angel topper, and a decorated Christmas tree (or rosemary bush when you just moved in and are leaving for a week on Christmas day).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our new mantel (and the soon-to-be-painted livingroom wall)...bedecked with Christmas cards and our stockings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A "it's getting late folks" family shot in front of my Mom's finery.  Noodle is really thrilled it's Christmas Eve...she just wishes it could be celebrated a few hours earlier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grandma Lola.  Can it get more luminescent than this octogenarian and our sweet pea?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let the unwrapping begin.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Behold - wooden fruit and a wooden knife.  Cut, cut, cut.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The three cutest booties in Vegas.  Nora with her cousins, Che Che and Bea.

 

 

 

 

"Wow, fish."

 

 

 

 

 

"Show me again, Ninang Daisy."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Che Che thinks that Nora kissing her reflection is the funniest thing EVER.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nora agrees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The "Mom is a whopping two feet away from me" shot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recovered.

 

 

 

 

 

Fun at Sunset Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Lemme go, lemme go, lemme go down."

 

 

 

 

 

"more, more, more, more"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Dog, dog, dog, dog, dooooog!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A toddler on a mission.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Dad, you're so funny!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snuggles.

Nestled

At 9am sharp, they arrived tattooed and smiling. They literally ran to and from the truck...creating a tetris miracle of stuffing and stacking.

By 2pm, we were in like Flynn, raking leaves, meeting neighbors and their dogs, unpacking essentials. Marveling at how much crap we have.

The television is purposefully buried in the garage.

The cats are pissing on our new wood floors.

The baby is sleeping in a room with foil curtains.

We are home and my hair brush is missing.

Home Stretch

I know, I know.  It's been a very LONG time.  This computer no longer uploads photos and the video-recorder has a dead battery (and batteries are now buried in a box).  So, all you'll get are my words. 

We move this Sunday.  A gigantic truck will pull in, out will pop four tattooed-burly mean wearing back braces and smiles.  They will gingerly place all treasured items and furniture into the truck.  Within hours we will be settled in to our new home, roasting chestnuts, and listening to Bing Crosby's "White Christmas."

Wait, w.a.i.t.one.second...that was just a dream I had.

Yet, the truth could be closer than I think.  Four men will arrive at 9:00am.  Inked flesh, maybe not. Smiles, we shall see.  But the truck will fill, felt-padded furniture will be dropped, and we will call a new nook of Long Beach home.

That night, strange streetlights will spill new shadows across our bed.  Dark forms of boxes will pepper the corners and shiny wood floors throughout our home.  Nora will slumber in her turquoise-splashed room.  Foil taped to her windows (since her curtains are a project my mom & I want to tackle with more time and love).  Maxwell and Sophie will be confused and scampering behind mountains of crap, their fur sticking to strands of brown tape curling back from opened boxes.

And in the midst of this nerve-wracking move (of which Daniel claims is "no big deal"...while, my mom friends say it is close to the stress of a divorce), I will seek solace and comfort in the sweet smell of pine and the soothing balm of the Christmas season.  Yes, folks, we are going to get a tree.   Our evergreen friend will have a brief stint...but it is needed.  For my heart and my hands and my family. This is my favorite time of the year!

There are holiday traditions that are so deeply ingrained in the folds of my mind, that not even piles of boxes and daunting house projects can put asunder.

• My mom and I will bake sugar cookies and paint ornaments (with Nora assisting).
• We will poke clove sticks into an orange and hang it by a ribbon.
• Apple cider with cinnamon sticks will bubble on the stove.
• Eggnog spiked with rum will be sipped.
• Daniel and I will unpack each ornament from my childhood and travels and our marriage, and hang them upon the tree (still reserving the glass ones for future years).
• The parole will be hung and dance light in our front window.
• Stockings will be hung above the fireplace.
• The cats will knock pine needles and ornaments down.
• Nora will eat pine needles and grab more ornaments down.
• ...and Christmas music will fill the air...

We will be home and 'tis the season.

 

 

"Sticky Fingers" Debut

When I think back to my early childhood days in the Methow Valley, creativity, freedom, imagination and fun come to mind.  There was no television in our house (not because of a parenting-philosophy but due to a lack of reception)...so the hours had to be filled with a lot of solo-play.

I remember spinning tales and worlds and stories for hours with my mother's Readers Digest magazines. Gathering leaves and sticks and stones to block up the trickling Pete's Creek. Running with Sandy (our cockerspaniel) underneath the canopy of pines, crunching fallen needles, looking up into the boughs for wasp nests.  Entire afternoons between lunch and dinner spent playing outside...often by myself.  Or inside with my pretend kitchen, plastic food, and baby dolls.  

These days fed my soul.  Sparked my imagination.  My childhood was absolutely ideal.

Roaming carefree amidst 30+ acres will never be Nora's experience.  Our trees sprout from concrete boxes. Flowers bloom in planters.  Dogs walk by on leashes or muzzles.  Walks occur on sidewalks.  I will never tell her at the age of five or six that she should go outside and play and come back for lunch.

But how can I inspire her to be independent, secure, and confident...despite needing to hover far closer than my mother did?

There has to be a way to bring some creative exploration into her life.  A few weeks ago, as I sat thinking about how I could infuse more free-spirited play into our lives, I was pointed in the direction of this website. Granted, these women appear to have unlimited financial resources, a bit too high of a threshold for mess, and much to Daniel's chagrin, seemingly no problem using nutritious food sources for play materials (for instance dozens of eggs cracked into a tub merely for the fun of it).

And since purchasing all the materials necessary for some of these projects seemed daunting, I thought why not create a co-op?  A collective of other moms with toddlers who all share a common vision for hostingplaydates and sharing in the cost of materials.

From this initial seed, the ball started rolling...emails and facebook posts were sent, an organizer meeting occurred, and 24 moms are now members of the merry co-op.

Fast forward a few weeks and "Sticky Fingers" is now up and running. Our very first sensory playdate was held on a gorgeous crisp fall afternoon in the park.  Super Mom, Natalie, who also scribes her creative mothering blog here, hosted the first playdate.

 

Nora getting her squish on with mounds of spiced homemade playdough.

 

 

 

Ruby wonders what I'm doing.

 

 

 

 

 

 Caroline presses out blueberry-flavored playdoughin the garlic press.  Amazing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Carrie snuggles her precious Ruby.

 

 Jennifer making footprints with Liam.

 

 

 

 

 

The talented playdough maker, Natalie, and her daughter Olive. 

 

 

Daniel's mother also joined us at the park.  She is a lovely woman of very few words...so not quite sure what she thought of Nora being barefoot in the cool damp grass, stepping in pumpkin-pie scented dough, squeezing out purple hair, and chewing on fallen sticks.  

I can only hope she doesn't think I'm too crazy. (She has no idea just how "hippie" I am at heart. How I went barefoot for entire years of high school...feet pitch black from walking, bells tinkling along the hem of my skirt...well, now she knows.)  

My desire for Nora to get dirty, messy, and sticky is strong.   I adored that aspect of my childhood and I'm excited to pass it on to Lulu Bell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loi's visit allowed us to dive head first into the packing adventure.  We are only a few weeks away from the big move across town...and I'm a bit overwhelmed with all that lies before us.  

But it will all get done and Daniel and I are so fortunate to have his mom and my mom happy to watch Noodle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's Nora making her first hand turkey with my mom. Certainly a keepsake for years to come. Doesn't everyone love a good hand turkey?

 

 

 

 

Fancy a Shave?

So, folks, it's Day 8 of "Operation Green Snot," yet, these hardwood floors are echoing once again with the pitter-patter and excited Noodle trills and shrieks.  She's BACK...a wee bit snotty, so still off-limits to her pint-sized amigos, but back to eating, pooping, laughing, and scurrying about

*Did you note the absence of "sleeping" in that list?  I know that you did, JeeYoung & Daniela!

Sleep is still an elusive concept for Ms. Saucy. She is back up to some very old tricks...and being totally (and properly) indulged under the protection of "poor sick baby."  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here she is asleep in my arms on Day 5.  This hasn't happened since she was 6 weeks old.

Today, she nursed her entire hour nap.  I know, I know.  Slippery slope.

 

 

 

 

 

And it's her lucky day because she is about to be shielded by the visit of her beloved Lola.  We shield all our visitors (who sleep only feet away from her door) from Nora's scream-spectacular.  Lucky, lucky girl.

But you know what's going to happen in a week?  The World Premier of the "Boo Hoo All Night Show." That familiar story arch that's acted out throughout the toddler cribs of America.

And what have we been up to on our eighth painful day of shunning playdates and germ-sharing?  Some more stabs at sensory play.  Free-form imaginative play where I disconnect from my Facebook/Words with Friends addiction, tune into watching Nora frolic, and allow her to explore and get messy...very messy.

Today started with an epic FAIL on the "Build a Fort" invitation.  I covered the couch, coffee table and ottoman with blankets and proceeded to entice my daughter by slithering on my belly, through clumps of cat hair, crushed Cheerios, and grains of kitty litter.  

My butt stuck up so high that I kept destroying the fort as I moved through.  Every time I would come up sweaty from a tunnel, I would find her staring at me, knitted brows, questioning my sanity.  Completely still.  Unwilling to climb into the fortress.  Confused as to why I was squealing and giggling underneath the blankets.

 

I felt a bit stupid, disheveled, and coated in cat hair.  I set out to find us another activity.  

 

Whilst rifling through the bathroom cupboards, I came across an ancient (certainly toxic) electric blue shaving cream.  It would never make it onto our skins...so why not into a sensory tub filled with fluffy cream? 

 

The Invitation:

• plastic tub 
• shaving cream
• paint brushes
• golf balls
• ice cubes
• spoons
• various cups and tupperware containers

Sensory Vocabulary:

fluffy, creamy, cold, wet, dry, slippery, rough

 

And what did Noodle think?  Well, the pictures tell the tale.  She kept HERSELF amused (with me nearby) for 51 minutes (yes, I noted the time on the photos).  This was fabulous...for both of us.  Our minds and imaginations went wild.  We were outside on a warm fall day.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Hmmm, what's this stuff?"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Cool, slimy golf ball and a cold ice cube."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Look, Dad, doesn't this look fun?"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"I think I'll paint my feet."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Mom, you need some, too."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Focus. Focus. Focus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Excuse me, I'm playing here."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And look, John, you would be proud.  A petite painter who always washes her brushes!

 

 

 

This photo is for Grandpa John & Grandpa Steve.  The painter and the golfer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not so fun when I brought her inside for a warm bath.

 

*Look closely, there are some glistening tears involved.

 

 

It was heaven.  Pure joy, laughter, bonding, and fun.  

Round and Round: Day 6

It is Day Six.  The sixth day of Nora feeling sick and tired.  Yesterday, the doctor confirmed my suspicion.  Her cold had manifested during the week into double ear infections.  She has now sipped three doses of electric pink bubblegum-flavored antibiotics...to no avail.  The moaning, clinginess, exhaustion, and nursing continue.  She still refuses all other food, any other comfort.

***Remind me with the next baby to PLEASE teach the little one to take comfort at night with Daddy, too. Being the sole provider of night-owl pats, hugs, and rocking...night after night...for hours and hours...while the other parents snoozes...leads to a tinge of resentment during the day.  Granted, I am JUST as responsible for creating this inbalance...but it's not the best set-up.

 

Even my mom's butternut squash soup, corn bread from scratch smeared with butter, and warm apple-oatmeal crisp couldn't entice Noodle to eat.  It's only All-Boob-All-the-Time. 

But maybe I'm losing weight!  Hey, now that's a positive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, what does a family do on a marvelous three day weekend with a sick baby (after we've canceled all our fun plans)?  We pull out the sofa bed, pile up the pillows, and play a game of "Round and Round" with the little snot-faced cutie.

You have to REALLY love Budda-Bee-Bee to watch this video.  But I think it's great.  She also said TWO more German words today..."Tschuess" and "Nase."  You can hear her little "Bye" and "Tschuess" (German for "bye"), if you listen closely.  Note her clasping her hands casually behind her back as she wanders around the corner.  Love that.  Again, this video will bore 99.99999% of you.

(Keep in mind this is also my 6th day in the house, I've finished a novel, burned my eyes on facebook, Words with Friends, the newspaper, and knitted half a hat for Lulu Bell.  Videotaping the mundane is a wecome relief.)