Zora Travels

Mother's Day

Slippered-feet pitter-pattered down the hallway yesterday at 7:45am.  It had been a rough night for all of us.  Nora is welcoming the arrival of her two-year molars...and they are causing quite the ruckus. She was up with screams and moans and wiggles every 1-2 hours all night long...I watched her on the monitor and waiting with baited breath for a few minutes each time to see if she'd fall back asleep or needed comfort.  Her 5:00am nursing session was non-negotiable and after rocking her to sleep until 5:30am, I fell into bed exhausted...praying that Daniel would let me sleep in.  (But, I mean, it was Mother's Day...so did he really have a choice?)

So, back to those pitter-pattering feet.  As the door creaked open, Nora was yammering on about something.  As I blinked in the rays of morning light pooling on the bed from the opening curtains...I caught her message, "Happy Mama's Day" she chirped over and over and over as she grasped at the comforter to pull herself up upon the bed.  What a mountain of changes have passed since last year's holiday to moms!  

 Mother's Day 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My chubby, sparse-haired, one-tooth babbling baby has now become a running, curly-haired, toothy toddler.  After opening up some awesome gifts (a new video/photo pocket camera & summer maternity clothes), we enjoyed a beautiful day of blue skies and whipping winds down at Sunset Beach and then an evening at my mom's house.  

Nora was completely unamused by a windy beach or water that had loud and frothy waves licking at her toes.  It was not the "beach" of her recent memory down at the penninsula in Long Beach...the one with warm sand, no waves, and a gentle slope into the water that allows her to play up to her neck in the salty pool. She protested often and LOUDLY...and finally, she cracked us up so much with her misery, that we packed up and headed home for lunch.  Thanking our lucky stars for the beans and rice we had on hand. If you are looking to warm Lulu's heart, it's currently all about the Spanish rice and pinto beans...a veritable bucket of salt (although I rinse the beans vigorously).  She gobbles this concoction down and howls for it daily.

Here are some of the best pics of the day...and some videos from this year and last year.

 

 

Making castles with her dad.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even little Smüdgie felt the warmth of the sun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Me and my 22 week-old sweet pea.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snuggles in the cold wind...complete with my unrubbed mineral-sunblock (Hello, Daniel!  Can you help a woman out?)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investigating the sand between her toes.  She is obsessed with getting rid of any foreign debris in her toes and on her hands lately.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Her cheesy grin.  A new talent has arisen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Her grin a year ago.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One slightly-buried foot, one ruby-painted foot, and the tiniest one freaking out that it might get gritty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caught a picture with my step-dad, John.  A bbq in their gorgeous back yard to end the day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video Mania

The Day begins with a coached "excited face," "Happy Mama's Day!" and "I love you!"...but you can hear her sweet voice, coached or not! (Please ignore my just-woke-up hair...the cute factor overrode my vanity.)

Beach meltdown:

 

A year ago: Time is flying!

"Snowflakes on our nose and our lashes"

There are words...but this montage took so long...it will have to do for now.  Be sure you have 8+ minutes to spare!

 

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Winter Days

The only sounds I hear are those of birds squawking overhead and Sophie's id tag clanging against her food dish.  Nora is spending time with her Nona.  These visits supply my mom with ample cuddles, new words, and Lulu's latest dance moves...while I tend to crawl in bed for a nap, clean the house, or run the endless errand.  I try with an occasional gift card for Trader Joes or movie tickets or photos to say "thank you" for this gift of free time...but in the end, I suppose we all come out winners...and the small gifts will keep coming, too!

This past weekend was glorious.  One of those "do-no-ever-forget-this time" weekends.  Daniel and I both laughed as we sat upon a picnic blanket at the park, watching Nora run behind a big tree and "surprise" us on the other side.  We both blinked the scene in as she chuckled and we laughed and the air was warm and the breeze was gentle.  

Then there was our beach day.  A hot Sunday that beckoned for an ice-cream cone filled with homemade tiramasu gelato. Nora's first...and surely, one of many to come.  She loved sharing licks with Daniel and I and was quite pissed when we gobbled up the last pointy tip of cone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the sun set on the horizon, the waves lapped up on the shore of Seal Beach, and Daniel pointed out something to his girl.  I thought this picture was lovely.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The loves of my life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My happy feet in the (freezing cold) sand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our ray of sunshine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lulu Bell has a new game where she approaches me with her cheeks puffed out with air.  She's asking me to puff up my cheeks and then blow air and kisses into her neck and sides...which she readily opens.  I gladly comply.  So here she is opening up the side of her neck for the onslaught...I'm inhaling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the wondrous exhale, full of twisting, giggles, and absolute joy. 

 

Mmmm, I love this little girl.

Pumpkins & Picnics

There is a blissful sweetness to fall.  It has always meant my birthday (celebrated this year with a small family dinner), leaves changing colors, a crispness in the air, and pumpkins.  

I have never been a fan of Halloween.  Rarely dressing up and going to great lengths to darken the house, block access to the door with benches, and ignoring any adventurous trick-or-treaters who brave the obstacle course and knock on the door.

 

 

This year, Halloween took on a different flavor. An adorable costume, well-loved last year, landed in my lap (Thanks, Liz)...and suddenly, my little lion was roaring into a new level of cuteness.  I can hardly stand it.  And not only Nora, but her entire clan of animal, fruit, and funky friends...all clad in their finery at a warm afternoon picnic in the park just made me smile so much today.

 

 
A lioness, a skunk, and a cow went to a picnic. 

 

 

 

The cave boy (that's her b-day friend, Shane) ran away in terror from the attacking lioness and skunk.

 

 

 

And finally, all of us moms managed to wrangle our vibrant characters for a picture.

 

Some other favorite costumed cuties. A Buddhist monk, twin strawberries, and Wonder Girl.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We roared into our morning with a visit to the local pumpkin patch with velvet-tongued goats nibbling kibble from Nora's hands, lovely turquoise carousel horses making her squeal with delight, and mountains of pumpkins and hay.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pensive in the corn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The memories from today shall long linger.  

Oh, I'm a Halloween fan now...boy, oh, boy.

Fotos am Sonntag: Week 48 - Standing Alone

Nora stood yesterday - THREE times.  We were down on the peninsula here in Long Beach.  Daniel and I standing in the sun.  Nora under the umbrella in the shade. 

Suddenly she was standing...

She's holding onto the umbrella pole, I thought.

I checked.

She wasn't.

It's a fluke.

She stood again...and again.

 

We were thrilled!  What fun to know that she's tall in the world on her own.  Next comes walking...but we're in no rush.  I know that we'll miss the pitter-patter slapping of her hands and knees on the floors once she's toddling around.

Here are some of the best pics from our first day home from Boston.  From cobblestone streets to sandy beaches...life is good!

**We rented a paddleboard for the weekend...it was so much fun! There are pictures of me in my swimsuit with Nora; however, they caused me great trauma...and could not be posted.  It's time to return to bootcamp this week...and savor only memories of Boston's cannolis, muffins, and chocolates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make Way for Ducklings

Entrance to the Public Garden (1832)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loving Bean Town

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Famous Swan Boats

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking at the actual swans in the pond below

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nora enamored with the ducks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gleeful at the "Make Way for Ducklings" bronze

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not so gleeful as Daniel sets her upon a duckling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angel Wings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How the cool kids ride...in the Ergo on Daddy with the Lonely Planet guidebook in use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hands on the Firefighters Memorial

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Church of Christian Science

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**What's that**

How's her sleep?

Ummm...just enjoy the pictures.  Imagine hours of sleep for all of us.

I'll imagine it, too.

Splish-Splash

Directions for a great afternoon:

• Collect three chubby babies
• Put them each in swim diapers
• Fill a $5 pool from Target
• Throw in a few cheap plastic toys
• Let babies frolic whilst moms eat watermelon
• Dry babies
• Watch them eat teething biscuits whilst continuing to chat

**It's that simple.

So, when the moments come of exhaustion, frustration, envy, isolation, and stunted intellect, I want to remember a day like today.  A crisp morning send off to Daniel, followed by talking in the driveway to nice neighbors.  A bootcamp workout in the shade while my mom cared for Noodle (thanks, Mom!).  A late morning coffee with friends and their babies.  And an afternoon of play like the one above. 

In the evening there was even a moment that I will long savor.  I was standing in the kitchen, wrapping blue corn tortillas around veggie sausage links, blue cheese, and lettuce, as Nora played on the quilt with her wooden spoons.  NPR news prattled on about the only story of the past few days (someone prominent has apparently been killed).  Soon, I notice her heading off the quilt.  On the prowl.  Where will she go?  Towards the allure of the cat food?  To the DVD's and electronic equipment?  Towards Maxwell licking his areas on the rug?  To the pile of sandals and shoes?  Nope.  She pads and pads and shimmies her way straight towards me.  Suddenly my mouth is full of tacos and her little hands are smacking the tops off my feet.  Noodle just wanted some time with mama.  It had been too long.  Time granted, Buddha Bee Bee.

Here's some pics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pools & Flowers

Nora went for her first swim today.  Not the mere five inches of water in the bathtub...but the real deal.  Our neighbors and friends have a gorgeous sparkling and heated pool.  I stalk them on Facebook for any comments that allow me to insert how hot I am, how hot Nora is, and how much I love the water.  They always cave and either genuinely or out of pressure invite me over.  Today was hysterical.  The first post hit the page early in the day.  I glimpsed the various replies...lurking, waiting to pounce.  Finally, the moment struck.  I found the right words.  I garnered the, "Come on over" for which I'd been waiting.

And then it was, with superhero-speed, that I shed my clothes and put on my water wear.  Noodle was thrown to the ground, squeezed in to a swimming diaper, and donned her new swimsuit.  In under four minutes we were ready to go a'knocking on the gate.  I knew this seemed odd.  To quick.  Strange even.

I waited.  I explained to Noodle what we were going to do.  That swimming and water were two of my favorite things.  We remembered fondly my three weekly swim-aerobic classes while I was pregnant.  She knew.  I was beside myself with excitement.  I took this picture to pass the time.  (You see?  She's in a frenzy to get in that water, too.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We set our stuff upon the grass.  I acted calm, cool, and collected.  But my heart was beating fast as I smeared thick baby 50+ sunblock on Noodle's alabaster skin. 

 

My God, my child is pale.  Where exactly is Daniel's DNA expression in her skin?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, we approached the stairs and I descended with a relaxed little fish on my hip.  Her body glided into the water, her face alit with curiosity, her arms splashing the surface.  It was one of those moments where everything is perfect.  The warm wind swishing the trees.  The glistening sun.  The droplets of water beading up on Nora's sunblocked face.  Pure joy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Somehow yesterday and today wove memories so tightly within my motherhood memory that my heart feels full.  There are days when other moms talk of going back to work or already are.  They talk of adult interactions and purpose and professions and careers.  I sometimes feel small.  My mind withered. Spinning in the water with Nora today rejuvenated my soul. 

I also needed yesterday with the ten minutes that I spent alongside the neighbor's flower bed.  Nora was zipping along the sidewalk in her stroller.  I was sipping in the warming morning.  We passed a shoulder-high flower bed filled with a cacophony of wild flowers.  I had no where else to be.  There was no reason we couldn't stop.  I stepped on the parking brake and unclicked Noodle.  I held her high on my hip as we walked the length of the bed.  Orange, pink, purple, blue and white flowers trailing, spilling, and jetting all around us.  The aromas.  The textures.  The colors.  All of it explained to Nora.  She fingered them all.  Attempted to eat a few.  Managed to lick one.  And I was struck by the same feeling as this afternoon.  Pure joy.

This is exactly where I am supposed to be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A day at the park

Not a winter passes that I am not keenly aware of how grateful I am to live in Southern California.  The fact that it's mid-March and I can go to a park, kick off my flip-flops, and relax on the sun-warmed grass with my two favorite people - never fails to impress.  I remember living in four seasons...and I still enjoy visiting my childhood home...but the near-constant sunny weather is blissful.

 

 

Sundays are the greatest!  Well-rested from Saturday...no agenda...just cuddling, horrible Beatles crooning, and bare feet in the grass.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love feet pictures...always have.  For years it was just my feet - alone in Italy, alone in Portugal, alone in Guatemala...now my Loves wiggle their toes along mine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spectacular day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My two favorite people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I could eat them up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"May the force be with you."

 

I mean how perfect is this onesie for my Star Wars lovin' husband?  He was quite amused when I brought in Nora Skyhopper to see him as he was waking up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And yes, this weekend we took the leap into solid foods.  It was sort of anti-climactic.  Noodle wasn't that into it.  She allowed a bit of food into her mouth...but quickly resisted prefered to play with the spoon. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I suppose there are more exciting foods down the line that will spark her fancy.  We'll play with rice cereal for a few more weeks and then liven things up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luckily, we can still bonk heads for a good time.

Parachutes and Smiles

This morning was rocky.  I awoke at 4:50 and did some yoga.  I put on my workout wear.  I grabbed my banana.  I was creeping towards the back door at 5:23am...and then a SCREAM pierced the silent house.  A scream that could easily be heard from the nursery and echoed even louder from the monitor.  I panicked.  It was now or never for my 5:30am bootcamp.  She just ate at 4:00am...umm...do I let Daniel stumble awake to heat up a bottle...I could solve her cries in an instant... 

Within seconds I rushed into the nursery, foregoing the "shoes off" rule, scooped up a warm pile of sweet Noodle and settled in to nurse.  And as I sat and rocked, I knew...there would be no early morning exercise.

I felt irritated. Not at her but at the timing. These three bootcamps before dawn are my only hours each week that I get away, no babies, no cooking, no cleaning, no nursing...just following someone else's lead.  No talking.  Only listening.  The sound of my own breath, the quick beat of my heart.

Hours passed and I decided to take Nuggs to a bootcamp of a different sort -- "Mommy & Me."  It turned out to serve me an awesome burn...sore legs and arms and abs.  Just the way I like it.  Instead of crisp morning air and freezing hands, I was in a t-shirt and Nora was frolicking on a picnic blanket watching me hold plank.  Not better but different.

Today the scale told me the tale of a woman who has gained 18 lbs since giving birth.  It isn't hard to figure out why.  Eating too much.  Exercise is not my problem.  Plenty of it found around here.  I go to bootcamp, I walk twice a day, I go to the gym, I have been leading other mommies on stair stepping/strolling beach workouts.  It is simply too many calories in.  I can't seem to wrap my head around following the diabetic diet now that I'm not pregnant.  That was the healthiest I had EVER felt.  At 40+ weeks pregnant I had glowing skin, energy, yoga strengthened my body and calmed my mind, and my diet had a steady pulse of carbs for energy but not for roller coaster dives and dips.  Sweets had been eliminated...I barely even had a sweet tooth.  I said no with conviction and without hesitation to cakes, sugar, cookies or piles of bready goodness.  If I could only find myself once again saying no with ease.  If I could only find myself not turning to food when I'm bored.  If, If, If.

But as the hours passed, and I kept obsessing with this number on the scale...over these 18 lbs. since coming home from the hospital...I realized that the obsession doesn't change anything.  The number stays or probably goes up when I fixate and keep mindlessly munching.

So, I chose to relish my burning legs and arms while eating a salad.  I bundled up Nora and joined my new friends in the park for a picnic and singing adventure.   And as the rainbow-hued parachute rose and fell above her grinning face, I knew that her joy, these adventures, and our time together deserve more than my fixation on a number.

(*She's tricking you here by not smiling...she really did enjoy it!)

 

 

 

There were 18 beautiful things at the end of my day -- besides those lbs--  Margie & Noah; Kathy & Shane; Beth & Bailey; Chan & Justin; Karen & James; Remy & Kelsey; Kari & Dean; Laurie & Jack; Sylvia & Nick.  9 great women and their 9 adorable babies.

Sometimes it just takes a rainbow parachute and Nora's smile to make me snap out of it.