Zora Travels

Noodle's on the move!

Nora is scooting.  It's not much, mere inches...but she moves with serious intent.  She's looking at toys or blocks and getting there with a combination of rolls and scooches.  This video is from yesterday afternoon and already today she is tucking her knees even higher under her tummy and jiggling towards the toys.

Does this mean we have to start baby-proofing?  Cupboards that can't be opened, fireplace padded, wine rack emptied?  Oy vey - I suppose it does.  I sort of enjoyed Nuglett being exactly where I put her.

 

 

Below is a special video for Noodle's cousins, Sam & Rebecca.  I miss these two so much.  Every day they are in my mind.  Something about Sam losing a tooth recently just made me all mushy for their little arms and sweet kisses.  Sam asking me to play hide-and-seek, Rebecca with her yogurt-coated mouth and enormous smile.  MUST get to Washington soon...have her breathe in the crisp Evergreen State air, pink blossoms exploding on the apple trees, the Columbia glistening between the hills.  It will always be going home for me - although I've been here in So Cal for 23 years.

Little Squawker

It's been a splendid week getting to know our Little Squawker.  Her furrowed brows, her raspy cries, her trembling bottom lip and trilling tongue as she reaches fervored pitch.  Nora would not currently be described as a "mellow" or "chill" baby.  She is "sensitive" and makes her opinions apparent.  She likes to be held...all the time.  She likes to nurse...all the time.

But our spitfire has captured our hearts.  Her cries, when I know they come from vibrancy and not a situation that needs a remedy, rattle my brain and fray my nerves ever-so-slightly...but I focus on the electricity of her personality.  She will not be a wall flower.  She will stand her ground.  Question authority.  Inquire deeply.  Probe fervently. And as a newborn - this translates into crying.

 

But she will one day enjoy the company of sweet Rebecca to help her find a peaceful state...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and jovial Sam to help her find the punchline of every joke.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And at the end of the day, there will always be warm arms in which to nestle, dream, and rest.

Just don't dare try and put her down.

Tenth summer of bliss!

This week there have been countless moments that I want to hold in my mind forever.  Sitting in a warm beach chair with my toes wedged under damp sand...eyes affixed on the horizon with the sounds of splashing surf upon the shore in Carlsbad.  Rebecca's squeals as she holds tightly to both of my index fingers, leaping into the air as the wave whispers its last breath around our ankles.  Sam pulling at his surfboard shorts, hiking them ever-higher, struggling sincerely with what to do with the three sand crabs inside his blue pail (he finally, with sulking lips,let them go).

Conversations with my father about his impending retirement, potential hobbies, love of the ocean and need to wear sunblock.  Hearing my voice nag him to keep his hat on, put on more suncream, put back on his shirt, for God's sake!  Loving the smile and joy in his face as he spends time with his two children and two of his grandkids. 

Sliding my pregnant belly into a kiddie-pool in my mom's back yard.  Hours spent frolicking with Sam and Rebecca...turning delicate pink bougainvillea flowers into translucent alien skin, tiny leaves into boats, and the fact that everything, truly every thing can potentially become a sword.  What's up with boys and swords, anyway? 

And breakfasts with grandparents.  Seeing the exact image of my father's face thirty years from now reflected in my grandfather.  Cherishing moments of Sam trying to eat french toast without cutting it, Rebecca playing "wink, wink" across the table, Mema talking to me about Southern pork chop recipes, and my father and grandfather laughing - with identical tones - just one throat a bit more seasoned.

I pinch myself sometimes.  Although this is my 10th summer vacation as a teacher...it never fails to impress me that I don't have to work during this glorious, warm, breezy, relaxing season.  I don't know how others do it.  The incredible fortune of every July - and I mean every July of my entire post-college life (with the exception of one summer at 826LA with Claire) - having to prioritize which novel, which craft project, which letter to write, which exercise class to attend, and which restaurant to patronize for lunch.  Summer decisions of the teacher.  I suppose this summer the reading list has changed: Healthy Sleep Habits, Happiest Baby on the Block, Baby Hearts, Baby Minds, Birthing from Within, Gentle Birth Choices  but overall it is still a golden pool of time, choice, and ease.  I suppose it is probably the last summer that I describe that way for a while...since next summer, with a 9 month old may not feel as fancy-free.  But we shall see.  I'll have to come back to this post in July of next year and reflect upon how this month has changed.

Until then, just four more days of my brother and Kathy's family visiting.  Four more days to have more hugs, wet kisses, tiny sticky hands, and belly laughs with my beloved niece and nephew.

Aunt Heaven

A summer evening with my brother's family.  I truly could not have asked for more.  A walk to our little elementary school park.  Playing pirate on the jungle gym. 

Watching Rebecca and Sam chase Uncle Daniel around, squealing with delight, seeing my brother's electric smile and hearing Kathy's gentle laugh.  It was bliss.

There are many children in my life who I adore...and every time I am able to hold, snuggle, twirl, kiss, and play with each of them...my heart soars.  Can I possibly have room for the enormous love that's impending for my own tiny baby?

And is it possible to ever take a still family photo with smiling young children?  I truly don't know how professional family photographers do it (Kristin, ideas?)

Being an aunt is the greatest role I've ever had!  What a divine summer.

Our Visit North

Not much energy to write...sorry, Courtney...but here's a photo/video montage from our trip up to Washington.  Oh, how I love visiting in winter. (Just visiting)  The snow was beautiful falling on our last day.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Robot Cat

One of my favorite people in the entire world turns 5 years old today!  Sam is a light in my life.  Such a smile, such a tiny row of little teeth, such a breathy way of asking "let's hide."  His giggles, squirming, and squeals are some of the greatest sounds ever.

When they visited this past February, all he wanted to do was play hide and seek.  The ecstasy in his voice when he'd ask to hide and then the loud outbursts as the "hunter" tried to find us were pure joy.  As Daniel would approach the door, he'd whisper "we're in here," and even though this revealed our stealth status he feels that everyone needs a hint...and it didn't stop the heart-beating twitching of his excitement under the covers.

So, this is the second year that I've cajoled Daniel into making him a "Happy Birthday" singing video.  And upon receiving it this morning, Kathy emailed me that he said "thanks" and that he wanted a Robot Dog.

Having no idea what that is...I decided that I could offer him a Robot Cat.

Here's the cheesy video.  Happiness is being an Auntie.  Happy Birthday, Sweet Sam.

Here Comes the Sun

As you read the post, play this in the background.  And here's a cheesy timer picture from an hour ago with the kittens, Max & Sophie.

My next unit for my 9th grade students is This Boy's Life.  A memoir by Tobias Wolff that follows a young man through his adolescence in the late 50's and early 60's.  I am obsessed with this unit.  My first five weeks have been comparable to the recent scene with my nephew at the dentist's office.  My students are the reluctant child with fears and unclarity being dragged towards literature (x-ray machines and chairs with large lights and instruments of torture).  I am the dentist...looming large overhead, shining light into their weak literacy and prodding into their writing deficits.  Their lack of rigor, homework, and mental challenge in past English classes is as obvious as the softening enamel of a cavity.  Fillings are needed.  Painful but necessary.

My lollipop is their improved reading and writing skills. Most don't want it.

I am struggling with my job lately.  My 170 students are typical 14 year olds...complete with attitudes, reluctance to work, preference for texting and myspace and facebook.  Every day my mind churns and swirls with potential hooks and lessons and ways to bring them hungry to the feast of words and language that satiate my belly.

So this next unit is my focus...my pet project.  Hours pouring over the memoir, the key quotes, the "fun" projects that will connect my students to this era of Americana when fathers knew best and everyone had happy days loving Lucy.  All of these shows will splash during class to entice.  My mother is making cd's of 50's and 60's music to play at the beginning and end of each lesson.  Movies such as, The Wanderers, American Graffiti, La Bamba, and This Boy's Life will add to the historical context of the experience.

Can I find my rhythm again as a teacher?  Can I serve these students with integrity and still salvage my personal life balance?  Is it possible to leave work and the 170 personalities of my scholars in the classroom each night and weekend...without the need for a daily rant and then subsequent hours of tweaking lessons for the next day?  Losing the mere three hours each night with Daniel (who just finished his 2nd week at work) to the computer, textbook, and grammar websites.

Daniel must be tired of hearing me talk about education.  I would normally turn to my colleagues.  Voicing my concerns with fellow teachers at lunch and saving more pleasant topics for home.  But I'm at a new school.  Eating every day alone.  Adjusting my presentations after each period to maximize their efficacy.  Lorraine did help dry my tears the other day with some great advice but it has been five years since I taught this grade level.  I fear I am not doing it well.

But "Here Comes the Sun" is playing.  Negativity is a habit.  Too much focus on the daily "thisclasssucks,f_ckthis, thisisboring,Ihatethisclass" instead of the interested eyes and bright smiles of a few faces that sit in my classroom.  Hands that extend towards mine with eagerness and respect.  Laughter that spills when my geeky grammar jokes fly.

I am turning over a new leaf.   The old leaf is still just on the other side.  Semi-transparent and sharing the same veins...but I'm turning.  This is the only life I believe I'll live.  Before me lies a day that shall never repeat.  A chance to show more kindness, patience, and appreciation for what I have, what I've known, and where I'll be.

Today, I shall write letters to a few friends.  Ever since my sister-in-law, Kathy, sent me an article about how the time on the internet can affect the quality of relationships, I've been trying to reach out more in a personal fashion to those I love.  A facebook post cannot ever equate to a voice on the phone.  An email can never replace a letter sitting in your mailbox.  A snapfish photo album will never thrill the way glossy prints feel in your hands.

I'm going to preheat the oven.  A salmon-feta strada is soaking in the fridge (thanks for the recipe, Claire).  Daniel (currently taking notes at his first sailing course) will come home in a few hours to the aroma of eggs, cheese, veggies, and salmon baking in a casserole dish (thanks, Janette).  Fresh basil and parsley atop.  A glass of chilled wine.  A smiling wife.

Can you beat that?  Eggs, cheese, wine, and wife.

Wonderous Weekend

To set the mood - BEFORE reading this post, please listen to this in the background.

 

Daniel sits across from me now.  His freshly-shaven chin leans into his hand (wedding ring visible).  Soca music spills from his laptop and competes with Garth Trinidad's radio show.  Every few minutes he reads more reviews and suggestions for our trip to St. Lucia that begins tonight.  Turns out that we are visiting during Carnival.  Imagine our luck....the streets erupt with elaborate costume parades, steel drum competitions, and soca dance parties.  Near our resort giant leatherback turtles sun themselves on the sand...snorkeling in crystal clear water beckons...and cocktails, adorned with umbrellas and fruit slices, will flow freely from the bar....and back in our ocean-view villa our very own "private plunge pool" awaits.

I can't wait for our honeymoon....I'm abuzz with excitement.  My dad will enjoy our home while we enjoy the sun in the Caribbean waters.  Neither of us have ever been to this nook of the planet.  And although we're staying in a fancy hotel, you can't take the "hosteling/mosquito-net-carrying" mindset out of us...we have packed tupperware to scoop up "inclusive meals" and jaunt off on the bus into various little towns.  Towns that offer fish-frys from old men on the beach, dancing circles that erupt near local bars, Rasta food, and sand bars that allow for hours of simple sitting.

But before our feet trapse in the waters at Jalousie, I wanted to share just a few of my favorite photographs from the weekend....with a wee bit of storytelling.  The professional photographs from the artistic Noa should be available in 5 more weeks.  We can't wait to share them.


Courtney flew down with her son (and my Godson) Jonah for the nuptial festivities.  Here we are at the rehearsal dinner.  I forced myself to sit apart from her because we often get consumed in our own side-story, gossip, and inside-jokes (a growing repertoire since we were 9 years old)...but we often raised our beers toward each other, winked, and shared knowing glances.  For her to stand as my matron-of-honor, holding my hands in the bridal salon, spraying my shaking legs with cooling mist (thanks, Claire), and delivering the only speech of the night that made me cry....was an amazing gift.

Of course, the time with my nephew Sam has been incredible.  If only they lived down the street.  If only I always knew the pajamas that fit him, the book he loved most, the way he likes his fruit sliced, the songs he most enjoys...these little details I capture and relish in his presence...with heartbreak that they will soon change and I'll be once again just the  "Auntie Zora on the phone."

But this weekend, I knew the story.  "Dumbo" on page 233 of his Disney book.  Kathy, my other fabulous bridesmaid, holds a reluctant Becca.

And well, I know she's my niece, but seriously....is there ANY cuter than Becca-Bean-Bear?  I could hold her, sniff her neck, wipe her wispy hair from her face, watch her squish raspberries, blow bubbles with her lips, and dazzle me with her four-tooth grin all day.  I want to stop time when I look at her.

And this young man.  My, what a long journey it's been.  On the day he entered the world, I was anxiously awaiting his arrival along with Courtney's other family members.  We twiddled our thumbs, shot nervous smiles, and felt the sheer anticipation of this amazing boy.

His kind heart, outdoorsy spirit, and wild curls were a pure joy this weekend.  He listened to more topics (including me discussing bikini waxing, manny/peddys, bridal panic, and magic spandex underwear) than most young men his age should every have to.  He rode in the backseat of my car as we approached the wedding site...patient as I replayed my song for the day.

The rehearsal dinner was this golden evening when our two families, two sets of friends, gathered for a casual evening.  Lumpia and pancit were served while Bea (Daniel's Goddaughter & our flower girl) danced with Becca in the hallway.

And if only my immense gratitude for my mother could be captured in words.  Whether it be the ribbons dancing from flower balls, the bouquets and boutonnieres, the moss covered rocks, the shining vases filled with roses for Lola, the placecards swirled with calligraphy, the fountain bursting with succulents, the hosting of the rehearsal dinner, or the tugging of my magic underwear right before I walked down the aisle...she was my hero.  She is my treasured mother.

And she can sing, too.  Thanks to Ding & Daisy who brought their karaoke machine! (and to Daniela & Alyce for setting up the decorations!)

 

Days after the formal evenings...it was beach time!  Hours of sun-bathing, sandcastle building, and wave jumping took place.

 

Jonah also made an incredible friend in Eduard.  Another young man whose zest for life matches his own.

 

 

Sam is a blur in the midst of the men.  Shane, Daniel, John, and Steve all enjoyed watching him spin around the back yard.

 

We took a brief departure from our visiting family & friends and enjoyed a night at Crystal Cove.  Here is our first "vacation hand" picture.  Notice the rings!  It still makes me giddy to see it on his finger!

 

And with our wedding date inscribed in the sand, we bid adieu to the beach...at least for a few days...until we welcome the crashing waves once again on an island.

Insomnia, fly, & road trip II

It's nearly 3:00am.  My eyes are red and my throat parched....but the water is so far.  A fly buzzes incessantly around my head.  I can't sleep.  Partly because high-speed internet is so exciting and also because I waited until the two fathers in the house (my dad and brother) were sleeping to start scanning, printing, and creating their little Father's Day gifts.

The other contributor is the looming return leg of our road trip.  We'll depart for the 23 hour jaunt home in the morning...with ice in the cooler and tears streaming down my face as we roll down the driveway.  Rebecca's little hands grabbing at the air in a one-year old "goodbye" and Sam's little face shrinking in the background.

I created a photo/video montage of this leg of the journey.  The "Father's Day Weekend with Dad" portion.  I wanted to be only a click away from Sam's little voice and Becca's little ambling legs.  Oh, geography....it keeps me so far from all of these children and grownups that I love...yet, keeps me near to other children and grownups I love.  The agony of a California-Washington split.

Enjoy the montage...it's quite long...or not.  Soon I'll be home again and making coffee in between picture downloads.  Or perhaps we should get high-speed internet?

This fly simply won't leave me alone.  Maybe it's sending me a message, "It's 3am...you're driving 8 hours tomorrow...go to sleep."

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Home again, home again, jiggety-jog

Playing ping-pong with some of my favorite people.   Courtney, my best friend since we were 9 years old, her 2 year old son, Abram, and Daniel.  Courtney has played since she was little...her son, Jonah, is also talented.  Luckily, they divided up the Californians.

 Can Abram's sweet face be any cuter?

The friends (and my matron-of-honor...please don't forget the champagne, Courtney).

The river rafters set out for our majestic day down the river.  Carl, Court's husband, is always our trusty guide.

Courtney's oldest son, Jonah (and my Godson) and Abram.

Shane (my brother) and Kathy (his wife) arrive at my dad's house.  Little Becca is shy.

My dad, Steve, with all of his granddaughters.  Rebecca, Emily, and Claire.

My step-sisters, Rachel, Leah, and Krista (and their families) gave us an early wedding gift.  We wish they could come!  The big day is only 3 weeks away.

Sam loves him some Uncle Daniel.