Letter Month Eighteen

Dear Sena,
I'm trying to gather my thoughts, and you, my little actress, are saying your "good nights" in your room (into the monitor). "Night night, papa". "Night night, mama". "And, next I'd like to thank everyone who helped me achieve this Oscar.. especially my mama."

No, seriously. You've become quite the actress. Whenever you think you've done something stellar, you clap your hands, and look around. Why isn't everyone clapping? And, until everyone is- you continue to look with amazement. "Aren't you in awe with me?" Love, we are. Don't worry.




You've picked up some new dance moves, too. I'm hoping to post a video here shortly so everyone can see, but this past weekend at Marissa's wedding in Santa Fe, you stepped out onto the empty dance floor, bent your knees and shook your bootie. Yep, you do the bootie dance. And unlike the "shoulder dance", I have no idea where you got this one. (The shoulder dance is COMPLETELY your father.)


Last weekend we took you to Santa Fe. Yes, we forced you into 12 hours in the car, spread over three days, during which you took a total of 2 20-minute naps. You don't like sleeping in the car, which is mostly my fault, since I never want you to sleep in the car and instead sing annoying songs and poke your feet to keep you awake. No wonder you were looking at me crazy when I tried to sing you to sleep half-way to New Mexico. (And the time you did fall asleep you were eating a snack... while sleeping you went back to eating, which eventually woke you up. Hmm.. eating.. sleeping.. Eating wins every time.)

I though you had enough avocado in New Mexico to last you a lifetime, but over the last two days every time I ask you what you want (for lunch, dinner, your 10th snack of the day), your answer is always the same- ava. Papa pointed out that it is probably good that I didn't name you Ava. (The name was on my list- but not your father's.)

Your vocabulary is amazing. You try to repeat everything (even trying "Mexico"). You said pinecone yesterday at the park. This should be a BIG SIGN TO YOUR PARENTS that they need to watch their language, but we're a bit slow. So, sorry Grandma & Grandpa if your precious grandaughter says a cuss word. We will take the blame for that. (Although Grandpa Thomas did teach you DUMP. Seems like a really necessary word to know!)

You've started swim lessons again and love the pool. You get incredibly still when floating on your back, as if you're in a dream. I want to catch it on camera, because it is the most serene, and peaceful moment—I do wonder what you're thinking. Is it "if I lie really still mama will let me up?" Or, "if I lie really still everyone stops talking?"!

One last anecdote for the month. Mama took you to a playgroup this week: there were 4 boys, and 2 girls (Thanks Natalie!) And love, you are such a girl. Next to these guys you look so dainty, so precious, so "don't push her over or I'll punch you" that I just want to eat you up.

I can't believe you're 1 1/2 honey. I can't believe how quickly the time passes, but I must say, you bring so much joy to your father and me. So, now it's time for my thank you's.. "thank you Sena..."


love,
mama

Viva la Healing Lifestyles!

So, Healing Lifestyles & Spas is officially back! And, in honor of this re-birth, we have TONS of great giveaways on the site, including a spa trip to Ojai, $100 skincare package for Kimberly Parry Organics, and more. Please check it out, pass it along, share, drool. You get the idea.

Sena & Papa

Letter Month Seventeen

Dear Sena,
I'm exhausted. In a matter of two weeks, you've gone from moving around to jetting around at a speed even an espresso-infused mama can't keep up with. At the same time, it is hilarious to see what you do—it gives me a little glimpse into your mind and your thoughts. "Hmm.. Coloring time. [sit down, empty crayons], Oh wait, the front door is open...[run to front door] Outside, Outside! Wait, maybe I'm hungry.. [jet back to highchair', 'num-num'"

And, the "num-num" is the one thing you're up for doing all the time. Apparently, Grandma Debbie says I was the same way. (Hence the Buddha belly at age 2.) The problem is you don't give me much of a heads up. You just decide you're hungry and head to your highchair and I have a matter of seconds to concoct what your fifth snack of the day is going to be, and how I'm going to make it healthy, when you've just about eaten everything I had planned for the entire day by 2 p.m. I guess I shouldn't complain. A good eater is better than a no-eater!

We've had an incredibly busy month. Aunt Tanya and cousins Ella and Shiloh came to visit us in Colorado. Although they stayed with Grandma Sheree, you were entranced with Ella, saying "Ella" nearly every time you woke up or remembered that you had a beautiful cousin to follow around. I can only imagine what it will be like next time we see them; hopefully, Ella will enjoy the constant sidekick.




Gi-Gi also came to visit, which was really nice. It has been much too long since we've seen her, and I think she got a kick out of your words, especially since you can now say Gi-Gi. (Of course, Ella came first..)

Afterward, mama's parents came to visit, too. I was so proud of you- you warmed up to Grandma & Grandpa so quickly- and even gave them kisses! You loved the Gymboree class they signed you up for, and quickly absorbed the first class lesson: Up/Down. (In fact, we went shopping with Grandma Debbie and you told her to "up/down" for nearly five minutes! And she did it!) You loved having Grandpa Ron in the car with you, reading you stories, making funny sounds and teaching you "Zoom-Zoom". Grandpa Ron also taught you "Moo" and Grandma Debbie taught you your first color— "lellow". Which you picked up with ease. Your vocabulary is amazing, child.





Other visitors this month: Great Aunt Janet, Cousin Ashlee and her new husband Janos. I think you found Janos's accent interesting, and were a bit uncertain why he sounded different, but weren't so uncertain afterall—you gave him a "bump" [fist pump] that seemed to make his day.

Last but not least, we took you to Folks Fest with Aunt Tanya, Cousins Shiloh & Ella, and Juli, Chad, and Will. I was a bit skeptical how you'd do at an all-day concert, but you all had so much fun. Dancing, hula-hooping (Ella), and letting mama and papa and friends really enjoy the beautiful Colorado setting as well as amazing music. This is going to definitely be a new annual family outing. (Thanks to the Pearsons!)




Okay, that's it for today. Mama needs some rest.
love,
mama

5 Year Countdown

Today is our anniversary! We've been married five years, but together since about 1998. (Long story...)
So, as a tribute:
Year one: Married- moved to Portland, Oregon. Buy a dog. Decide Oregon was too rainy, or hot. Can't decide. Need to move again. Bought a house just before year 2.
Year two: Pack up car for second time in 9 months and move to Colorado. Steven gets a new job. We buy another dog. Time to dismantle new house. Install new kitchen, new bathroom and new bedroom. Need a hobby. Buy two cruiser bikes.
Year three: Steven quits his job to go back to school, just before we find out we're preggers with Sena. Time to renovate again. Move office for third time since living in house.
Year four: Sena is born. Can't remember much of the rest of the year.
Year five: Happy family.. Steven graduates.. Gets new job... We celebrate our fifth anniversary by buying our first new car. A bright, shiny silver one. Just checked and silver isn't until our 25th anniversary. Year five is wood.
Happy Anniversary Honey!

A few more pictures of Sena..and the Moose.

A few more pictures of this weekend at Devil's Thumb Ranch. And, a special thank you to Shanon for arranging it!

Juli also posted a few more pictures of the trip here.

I Love My Husband.

So, this past weekend I turned 30. A big milestone, but one that I somehow was putting to the back of my mind. I knew Steven had planned something to celebrate, but I had no idea what he had up his sleeve.. as it turned out, it was a lot!

On Friday he sent me an email saying he was going to take the afternoon off and treat me to a massage. Hooray! He also told me to "get ready," but how and why would one get ready for a massage... I didn't think anything of it. He showed up at the house, relatively stressed (we were late), and drove me into Boulder. We found the spa, and as he was driving by, I told him to let me out. (We were late- right??) He said, "no" quite emphatically. So, I stayed put. We parked the car and walked into the salon. As he was checking me in, I turned around and saw my sister, getting a pedicure. That's crazy! How funny that Carrie would get a pedicure today of all days? (Am I the slowest person around? I blame it on age.) And, then to my BIGGER surprise, sitting next to Carrie was Lori. My lovely Lori. My best friend from Pittsburgh!!!!!!! I started to cry of course.. Steven had planned for us to have manis/pedis and wine... which was followed by dinner with a few good friends. Did I say I love my husband?

Well, the following morning, he wakes me at 7 and says. "You need to pack." I replied, "For the day, or overnight?" He says overnight and that we're leaving at 10... The birthday surprise culminated with a trip to Devil's Thumb Ranch with the Pearsons and Lori, full of hiking, wine, dinners, wine, playing with the kiddos, fishing, wine. Did I say wine? I love my husband. I love my daughter. I love my friends. Thank you!