JUST CLOWNING AROUND

This weekend the Teter's were in town.  We had a great time cruising around, had an adult-only dinner at Il Buco, and hit up the lanes at Brooklyn Bowl.  We also stopped by this Levi's project downtown called the Photo Workshop.  They have tones of antique cameras you could rent, photo sets where you could do a shoot, and all these Macs set up so you could do photo editing.  We weren't quite sure what it was all about - the scene was a bit overwhelming!  They did, however,  have a cool photo booth that we took advantage of.   Good friends, good times.

TIME

So now that I am officially a working mom I find that there is just not enough time in the day.  Now more than ever, I wish that there could be 75 minutes in every hour instead of just 60.  That would leave more time with my little person, more time with Nate, more time to blog, to knit, cook a good meal, and go for a long run.  More time to organize my photos, to take photos for that matter!  More time to send that last email, to run the numbers and triple check the budget.  More time to keep in touch and tell my friends and family how much I love them.  More time to Christmas shop and decorate.  I find as the days go on, it gets harder for me to sit still and to relax for a moment when there is one.  There is just too much to do.  Rush, rush, rush.  So much to cram into every 60 minutes of the hour.  For now I will relish the 15 minutes of a hot morning shower and the moments at the end of the day when I get to rock Annabelle to sleep to the sounds of violins playing Chopin on the ipod.  It is my New Year's Resolution to be present.  Since time is becoming even more precious - I want to be physically and mentally present with each moment I have.

That said, I apologize for radio silence on the blog.  I know my blog is one of the things I enjoy doing that is going take a hit due to lack of time.  I will try my best to keep it somewhat up-to-date, though I know many more days will go by between entries. 

Off to go spend some quality time with my favorite two people...

THE BUG

The flu bug blew through the Ellis apartment this week.  It started on Tuesday night.  It was the lighting of the Holiday tree at Bleeker St. Park.  I planned to get off work a little early and meet our nanny there with Annabelle.  Upon arrival to the park, I said a quick hello to some of my mommy friends, and quickly scanned the crowd for my little one.  She was nowhere to be found.  I headed home to find Annabelle with sunken red eyes, a yellow-ish tone, nauseous.  Nothing is sader than seeing your little girl throw up.  I had know idea that tiny little humans have the exact reactions as their adult counterparts when sick.  Poor little dumpling.  She tossed and turned all night and we tried to comfort her.  Thankfully her six month check up was the next morning so we could get a professional opinion on what to do.  While waiting for her appointment, A. lost her cookies all over the waiting room - a real treat for the other parents waiting.  The doctor assured us that the stomach virus was going around and to watch for dehydration by giving her Pedialyte at intervals throughout the day.  She weighed in at just 14 pounds, lighter than I expected, but the doc said not to worry, and that she is just long and lean (she is still in the 84% for height - Nate says she is lean and mean).  The doc also warned that the virus is contagious and to be careful.  Turns out the doctor was right and by 3:00 am, I was feeling the symptoms, followed by Nathan around 5:00.  Both of us were down for the count and could not have been more happy to see the nanny walk through the door at 8:15.  We hope she doesn't catch the bug next. Throughout the day Annabelle showed signs of improvement and by her evening bath she was smiling and laughing again.  Nate and I are still ache-y break-y, but hoping to kick this darn bug by tomorrow.  My best lady, Dion, arrives for a visit tomorrow and it would be terrible for us all to be sick.  Plus she went through this with her own little ones a few weeks ago.

Keep your fingers crossed that team Ellis is on the mend.

HAPPY 0.5!

 Today is Annabelle's 6 month B-Day.  Annie E., you are the apple of my eye!  Love you.

M.N.O.

Last night was our 2nd official M.N.O. (Mom's Night Out).  A few months back at one of our playgroups, the moms decided it would be fun to have a night out sans babies, so on that following Wednesday after we put our babes down to sleep, the mamas left the daddies in charge we headed to a local wine bar.  Strange as it was to see each other without the babes in tow, we had a great time and decided it must be done again.  Since then, it has been decided that M.N.O. will be a reoccurring event on the first Wednesday of the month.  I am thrilled about this - considering this is a mommy event I can still go to.

Last night Maureen, Cate, Ali and Wendy surprised me with a "back to work" gift.  I unwrapped the gift to find a beautifully designed calendar that was so tasteful and thoughtful it brought tears to my eyes.  Those sneaky mommies had contrived a way to contact Nate to get him to send over pics of Annabelle and the family over the past 6 months.  They compiled those photos along with some of their own to design and print a calendar for my office at work.  Ali and Maureen are both graphic designers, Cate does interior design, and Wendy is my crafty knitter friend - all with an amazing taste - so it is no wonder that this piece turned out so beautiful.  I am so excited to put it in my office as reminders of them along with Annabelle!  I know I have said it before, but I am so thankful for these amazing friends who have helped make mommy-hood so much fun.  Looking forward to the next M.N.O.

DAY 1

I survived Day 1 back at work. It was tough, but I got through it and today was a little easier. My day went something like this:  I woke up early to shower and get ready before Annabelle rose so I could maximize my hour and half of morning play with her. I was feeling all mentally strong until our nanny arrived. Then I got sad. Saying goodbye was super hard. Annabelle was sitting on her mat smiling up at me with those rosy cheeks and my heart just broke. I left quickly, because I knew if I dragged it out, I would really loose it. I was thankful that the morning air was chilly and felt good against my hot teary face.  I gained some composure as I walked to the train.

I had forgotten what it was like taking the morning commute during rush hour. Yuck! I found myself shoving myself and my not-so-stylish Medela Pump N' Style against complete strangers attempting to get on the F train before the doors shut. Man, that thing is heavy and awkward to lug around. I guess I will have to get used to it.  I was still a bit fragile upon arrival to my office and had a few tears when I saw my boss, but soon enough I was feeling a bit like the old Cathi. I had to spend an hour on the phone with IT getting my computer login figured out only to find 2,800 emails in my inbox! Many were junk mail, but still! Also, the girl whose job I am replacing sat in my office for over 5 years, so there is a ton of stuff to sort through and trash. I think she saved everything! There are boxes upon boxes of gift with purchase bags, competitive product and so much literature. I am fortunate that everyone seemed pretty understanding and mostly just stopped by to say hi and ask about A. By the end of the day I was in a groove, though I have a lot to catch up on and a lot to learn.  I will be shadowing the current Haircare Sr. Manager for the next two weeks, which will be nice to help me transition and get into the swing of things again.

I left a little early at about 4:45 and I arrived home to find Annabelle all smiles. It seems like she had a good day. She went to the park and story hour. I took my time putting her to bed tonight, giving her 6 stories, extra rocking, a few songs and some good old fashioned breast milk. She is going to be one spoiled girl due to her mom's guilt.  It is strange how I can get into a project and be working, yet my mind is wondering what our girl is up to.  Is she napping, laughing, eating?  I already miss my days at home with her and am counting down until the weekend.

MONDAY, MONDAY

Today marks my last day of "official" maternity leave.  What I mean by that is, it is the last normal weekday I have before going back a week from today.  Tomorrow morning we leave for California to celebrate Thanksgiving at Diane and Michael's.  We are very much looking forward to our annual visit up to Petaluma. Can't wait to spend time with the family and relax on the homestead.  Although Annabelle has already taken the flight to Cali three times since she was born, I am anticipating this flight may be differnt.  In the last month or so, she has become so much more alert.  She is a wiggle worm that still loves to stand when we hold her, but has now been mastering sitting by herself.  She has gone from being quite serious, to a really smiley baby and has been testing out those vocal chords.  She continues with her ah's, oh's and om's, but also has added some teradacto "dinasaur-like" shrieks to the mix.  Should be interesting on the flight.  I can hear a bit of a cough brewing in her chest, and her forehead feels a bit hot.  Hopefully this won't develop into anything serious before we leave. 

Aside from packing, we are going to enjoy this last beautiful Monday, in the same fashion we have for the last 6 months.  We will hit up our mama/baby yoga class in the morning and then go to our West Village Parents Playgroup in the afternoon.  Our Monday playgroup has been such a blessing to me.  I have met so many great moms that I know I will keep in close contact with long after returning to my desk on 5th Ave.  It is a gorgeous sunny day today and I am loving every minute of it!

GRAY DAYS

Last night a rain storm swept through the city removing most of the remaining leaves from their branches.  From my bedroom window I look down at the soggy sidewalks covered in fleck of gold, yellow and orange.  The branches are almost barren, looking skeletal and gray, matching my mood.  It is hard to believe that almost six months has gone by from when I looked out the same window holding my newborn baby and the leaves were newly spouted and a brilliant green.  It is as if the seasons know that my time at home with Annabelle is almost over.

Today I trained our nanny and it was harder than I expected.  Not so much the physical training, but watching someone else do with Annabelle the daily things I hold so dear.  I am already worried.  Will our nanny be good enough?  Will she sing to her and make her laugh?  Will she spend time with her teaching her colors and shapes?  Will she read to her, and encourage her to love books?  Will she play with her on the floor and make sure she gets strong?  Will she love her and keep her safe?  I am sure she will, though not the same way I do.  Tonight as I rocked Annabelle to sleep for her evening nap, I held her much longer than usual after she drifted off.  How much I love those sleepy eyes, her little breath, the way her tiny body curls around me.  How fast the time has gone.  How I would love to have those same six months all over again.  So far I am not a fan of the gray days.

SWINGERS

A few days ago two of mommy friends and I were discussing the next phase of entertainment for our 5-month-olds.  All three of us vowed when we were pregnant that we would not let our apartments turn into romper rooms with terrible plastic monstrosities that light up and play music.  Given our limited living quarters - "we just didn't have the space." I remember discussing with Dion (my more experienced mommy best friend), and claiming we wouldn't get a swing or an activity gym - out of the question!

Well, since the kiddos have arrived, all three of us have folded.  The first night Annabelle wouldn't go down to sleep, Nathan and I purchased a Fisher Price swing the very next day.  Yucky plastic-y piece #1, followed by an exersaucer, and a doorway jumper. I am foreseeing a Barbie Dream House in our future.  Dion, you were absolutely right.  The babes need to entertained, and we need somewhere to put them. When guests now enter the Ellis apartment, they may mistake it for Gymboree.  Pre-baby, my friend Maureen, thought this was the ideal swing for their apartment.  Minimalistic, modern, and simple.  Love it.  We both agreed, however, it will not be as fun as a plastic monstrosity that lights up and plays music.  Hmmm.

 Another great apartment swing - check out this cool trapeze swing seen on Cup of Jo.

 

That said, Annabelle has reached a new milestone and now goes on swings at the park.  At first she didn't know what to make of it, but now she seems to love the cool breeze in her face (soon to be cold breeze) and smiles as she swings back and forth.  Such a big girl.

HINTS OF HOLIDAYS

Yesterday I received my December issue of Real Simple Magazine in the mail and as I thumbed through the pages I could feel familiar stirring of excitement and anticipation of the upcoming Holidays.  It is still two weeks until Thanksgiving and already I am plotting out what I want to bake, the yarn wreath I want to craft for our front door, choosing a family Christmas card, knitting some homemade gifts and enjoying the transformation New York goes through during the Holidays.  This morning on NPR I heard the Christmas tree will be delivered via crane to Rockefeller Center today and already Christmas lights are sprouting up store windows and in the trees around town.  I love the thoughtfulness the Holidays brings - reflecting on the passing year, relishing traditions, and treasuring loved ones.  I am most looking forward to celebrating Annie E's first Christmas and spending time with friends and family.  Having a child brings a whole new meaning to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's.  I look forward sharing everything I enjoyed about the Holidays as a child with Annabelle.  When I was small I assumed everyone had a similar Holiday experience to mine.  When I moved away from home, I realized that was not the case - not even close.  I appreciate so much how my mom goes to so much trouble every year to make the Holidays so special for us kids.  I know she would say she loves doing it, but it truly is tremendous the amount of love and tradition that is poured into the baking, the decorating, the music, and the stories each year.  It is because of her, I too, love getting in the spirit.  Living so far from home I miss pulling out the boxes of decorations with the family, stringing up the lights and all of the preparation, that is mostly about spending time together rather than making the home festive, though that is the spectacular result!

One of the features in Real Simple was about looking at the Holidays Through Another Lens.  Eight artists documented in photos where they have found inspiration in this beautiful season.  One photographer, Nicholas McElroy, submitted the following photo.  He took it during winter break during college.  Every year he would drive from Santa Fe (where he attended school) to his parents' house in Seattle. This particular photo was captured on a desolate stretch of road in southern Utah during the journey.  He said, "I couldn't resist jumping out to experience the sense of total silence you get in such a remote location and to observe the way the weather made the sky and earth blend together.  I didn't linger too long, however, since I  couldn't wait to get home to see family and friends." I know the feeling!  Aside from being a great pic, this photo grabbed my attention because my dad has a similar Volvo that has been in the family since the 60's.  We grew up hearing stories of the "snow Volvo" and I imagine it looking somewhat like this.  Dad, this one's for you!

NAPS

Naps are still a bit of a mystery in our house.  Annabelle still takes 3-4 naps a day however when they will occur varies. One of the many joys about nap time is going in to get her out of her crib when she wakes.  As soon as she notices you in the room, her face lights up with the biggest grin and her little feet start kicking with excitement.  Can't beat it :)

ANOTHER BIRTHDAY!

Another Birthday just snuck up on me!  Wishing my little brother, Jamie, a very happy birthday.  Hope this year is filled with love and happiness. Here is an oldie but goodie...(the pic, not you!)

SNUG AS A BUG

The temperature is rapidly dropping on the East Coast.  We have found one of the best ways to tote Annie E around the city while keeping her warm is inside dad's puffy North Face jacket.  Here is a pic from Halloween night.  Snug as a bug!

ITSY BITSY

Since Annabelle was about 8 weeks old we have been hitting up a mom/baby yoga class at Karma Kids Yoga.  She seems to love it and I even get a tiny bit of a workout.  One of the songs we sing in the class is the yogi version of the Itsy Bitsy Spider which I think is pretty cute.  For little ones like my nephew, Hunter, who love the traditional Itsy Bitsy Spider, this makes the perfect second verse to keep the smiles going.

The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout.
(climbing spider hands)
To ask the great big universe what life was all about.
(palms up at shoulders)
The stars in the sky said everything was great.
 (flicking fingers like little starbursts overhead)
So the itsy bitsy spider went OM
(namaste hands overhead)
to meditate.
(elbows on knees palms up)

ROSEBROOK MEYER

True to my love of fine stationary, I am relishing the brand new collection of wedding stationary designed by one of my West Village mommy friends, Maureen, and her business partner, Ashley.  They recently launched their website and it looks just gorgeous: rosebrookmeyer.com.  Their typography-focused designs are clean and elegant and overall just stunning.   I highly recommend to any bride-to-be!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD

Yesterday was my dad's B-Day.  Happy Birthday Dad!  Sending Papa John our love and best birthday wishes from the NYC!  Wish we could be there to celebrate.

BANANABELLE

Yesterday was the West Village Infant/Toddler Parade at Bleeker Street Playground.  Kids, and some parents too, dressed up in their Halloween digs for trick-or-treating, music, playtime, pictures and hayrides.  Annabelle was a bit too little to enjoy most of what was going on, but we had a good time putting her in her 'Bananabelle' costume and meeting up with our friends and their babies. We are looking forward to a couple more Halloween festivities next weekend so Bananabelle will be back.

,

Here are the ladies con kiddos:  Wendy with Jackson (cow), Me with A. (banana), Jen with Carson (skunk), Maureen with Violet (Cat and the Hat).  The festivities were a little much for Violet.  She opted for a cat nap.

BIKE TRICKS

On our anniversary, Adrienne texted me this great photo of a girl doing a bike trick.  This very trick happen to be one of my signature bike trick maneuvers when living in Newport though I never attempted it wearing a bushel of balloons.  The traffic in New York does not allow for many bike tricks, but I like to think if was back on the Newport boardwalk the trick would come back to me.  Like riding a bike, right?

THREE YEARS AGO

Three years ago today a small group of dear family and friends gathered in Zihuatanejo, Mexico to celebrate our marriage.  Under the blazing Mexican sun we exchanged our vows, promised ourselves to one another, and began a new chapter of our lives.   So many more memories have unfolded since that favorite day, and today I love you more than ever.  Happy Anniversary Nathan!  May all the rest of our days be filled love, laughter, and happiness.  xo.

ROCK STAR

I wanted to share Annabelle's favorite new pastime - rock star.  She loves when we hold her in front of the mirror, giving her the opportunity to shake her maraca and sing into it like a microphone.  So far she only knows one song, "Aaahhhhhh", but it is a start.  Check it out. 

IN THE NEWS

Today's edition of the New York Times featured a large scale aerial view photo of our very own Abingdon Square.  The image was taken from the same perspective as out apartment's view, however we are on the third floor, so we see the the trees rather than the tree tops from our bedroom.  In this photo, however you can see our first New York apartment just across the square.  If you look to the top of the photo it is the melon colored building mid block. The article accompanying the photo is all about how living near small, parks in the city offers light, breathing room, and a sense of intimacy.  We both feel quite lucky to have landed here, remembering back to that summer in 2007 when Nathan and I spent a fast and furious weekend with a broker visiting 12 apartments in two days trying to find a place to live before we moved here.  The converted 1 bedroom on Abingdon Square was the last apartment of the 12 that we saw, just hours before our flight back to Cali.  It was small, just about 500 square feet or so, but the kitchen and bath had been remodeled and, as the article mentioned, the light was fabulous.  The park view added such charm.  We loved the greenery, the shady serenity of the the tall trees, the beautiful landscaping, and the lovely mix of people sitting on the benches that border the park. We joked it was our front yard with company over all the time. When we decided to move to a slightly larger apartment a little over a year later, we did not go far, just across the square in fact.  We loved the neighborhood, the light, and of course, the park.  The bummer part of the article is, with such great press, the rent is sure to take a hike.

ABINGDON SQUARE PARK, a 0.222-acre triangle of greenery in the West Village, is not a place that requires much time for exploration. A lap of its curving byways, around a manicured garden island, takes just a minute or two. Indeed, most everyone there on a recent sunny Saturday was partaking in the square’s main day-to-day activity: sitting on benches.

Yet that is a pleasure, devotees say, that should not be understated. For neighbors of the park it is a place to read, to sit quietly in the shade, to meet friends and in general to retreat from the busy streets just a few steps away. The advantages of life near a big park, with acres of forest and lawn, are well known and well chronicled. But living on a square like Abingdon, or any of a handful of other patches of greenery tucked in around New York, is a more intimate and private experience.  

“It’s not Central Park; it’s not Prospect Park; it’s not Battry Park,” he said. “You kind of lose yourself in those kinds of parks. In the smaller parks, you find yourself.”

AUTUMN AT BEAR MOUNTAIN

Autumn is certainly in the air.  On Sunday we opted for a picnic out of the city.  We drove an hour North to Bear Mountain to take in some crisp air and fall foliage.  The leaves are just starting to change.  Everywhere you looked there were splashes of orange, red, and yellow amongst the green forests.  Our picnic did not really last too long.  Seconds after this pic was taken, Annabelle fromage'd all over Nathan.  Too much airplane I guess.  Not 5 minutes later she had a major blowout on mom.  Oh well!  For the short time we were there we enjoyed the lake views and autumn in New York.  We journeyed home slightly smellier than when we left - such is life with a baby.

PORTRAIT

Strolling through Soho on Saturday afternoon we stumbled upon an artist painting portraits for donation at the Housing Works Thrift Shop.  We couldn't resist. 

FOR THE BIRDS

So going cold turkey is for the birds.  We did okay last night with our attempt at skipping the feed, though not great.  I am too much of a softie to truly let Annabelle cry it out.  She woke up at 5:00 and we gave her the paci.  She dozed off until 5:20 when she woke again.  I gave her the paci for a second time and she slept until 5:40 when she woke up again, this time hungry.  She began to cry and it was killing me.  Bruce and Walter went into the room and began pacing in front of the crib.  Her crying was clearly concerning them too.  After 5 minutes I picked her up and fed the poor child.  We didn't quite make it until 6:00, but then again Annabelle doesn't know how to tell time.  All she knows is she is hungry and I, as her mother, want to provide.  So much for tough love.  My new strategy is we will ease into it and try to get her to go a little later each night.  On a happy note, she seemed to not mind ditching the swaddle.  She fell asleep no problem.  I am finding sleep is a tricky thing and everyone has their own opinion on what's best.  You don't know until you try and we will continue on searching for the strategy that works best for Annabelle.  It is not worth breaking both our hearts and I have no doubt she will get there eventually. 

COLD TURKEY

Today was Annabelle's 4 month doctor's appointment.  She is a healthy baby girl weighing in at 12lbs. 13oz. and is 25.3 inches tall.  She is in the 30% percentile for weight and 82% for height, so she remains on the tall side.  In the words of Aunt Ade, "no front row for her!" 

The pediatrician kicked off the visit by asking us Annabelle was sleeping through the night.  Though she has always been a good sleeper, she recently has been waking up at 4:15 every morning like clock work for a feeding. The doc asked if I ever attempted to NOT feed her at 4:15 and let her try to go back to sleep herself.  "Ummm, no."  To this day we have not let her "cry it out".  The doctor felt though, it is time to try to work through the 4:15 feeding.  She insisted that Annabelle is old enough and weighs enough to make it a full night and recommended that tonight we give it a try and not feed her until 6:00 am.  She also recommended that we don't sleep in the same room as Annabelle for a few days since she can smell us and sense that we are there.  Lastly, she confirmed what I read in an article: that we should no longer be swaddling her.  Supposedly we are inhibiting her from utilizing her muscles and her ability to self-soothe.  So tonight we go cold turkey - no swaddle, no 4:15 feed.  It will be tough, but I am willing to give it a shot.  The idea of not feeding and then pumping in the wee hours of the morning sounds like a dream come true!  Since Nate and I will be having a sleep over in the living room, I am thinking we will make a night of it.  Pull out the sleeping bags, pop some popcorn, and put on a movie.  I'll let you know how it goes.   Keeping our fingers crossed that Annie E pulls through with flying colors.

WHOoo WHOOOO?

Don't you just love flea markets?  Vendor after vendor selling previously owned items that they feel someone else might find value in.  I love how amongst what appears as junk, a certain item will call out to you.  A true treasure.  The perfect something to fit your eclectic taste.  I found this treasure at the Petaluma flea market when we were visiting Diane and Michael.  Carved from solid wood this owl now chills in our living room.  Whoooooo'd of thought?

SKYPE, FINALLY!

I am all set up finally and ready to chat thanks to my dear friend, Kelly, who purchased us a skype camera as a welcome gift for Annabelle.  My skype name is cathiellis (real original, I know).  Add me to your contacts and let's set a date.  Can't wait to see your faces!  Morning coffee, anyone?

HELLO OCTOBER

 Another weekend has flown by and we have officially entered October.  To kick things off for the month, I headed uptown to have lunch with my boss.  We put the luncheon on our calendars a few weeks ago so we could discuss my return to work.  I dropped Annabelle off in Times Square with Nathan, thew on a pair of heels and cut across Bryant Park and up 5th Avenue to my office for the first time in months.  For a minute I was the old Cathi, minus the Baby Bjorn sticking out of my purse.  My feet and heart instantly began to ache - my feet from the heels and my heart from knowing that I have less than two months left at home with our little girl.  I plan to enjoy every minute of that time, because when I return at the end of November I will have my work cut out for me.  The company is restructuring the Marketing Department and rather than return to my old position as Marketing Director of Styling they have offered me the Director of Haircare position.  I will have a new team as well as a much larger budget and product portfolio to manage. Such begins my role as a working mother, forever searching for that perfect work/life balance.  In the spirit of taking care of business, later that evening we solidified a nanny for Annabelle.  She came to us through a referral and has a reputation for being incredibly loving, responsible and awesome with children.  I feel good about our choice and am also relieved to have found her so early on.  Such a major check on the check off list.

Saturday was one of those beautiful, sunny fall afternoons.  The sky was a magnificent blue with a crisp breeze blowing white clouds across the sky.  The Village was bustling and everyone was out and about getting their fix of outdoors before the weather turns frosty.  The three of us headed to the Charles Street Pier on the Hudson for a picnic and game of smash ball.  One thing I love about New York how much the locals utilize public spaces.  On the same short pier there were kids and adults alike practicing yoga, playing tag, football, soccer, whiffle ball, and doing calisthenics -- a whole lot going on.  After hitting our 2010 summer record of 86 smashball hits, we headed indoors for a ratatouille dinner inspired by the lovely meal Diane cooked for us in Petaluma last week.   Here's the prep. Delicious.

Sunday we hopped the subway to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.  One of the exhibits featured stick structures that look like something from Where the Wild Things Are.  These monumental huts were created by the artist Patrick Dougherty.  They were supposed to only be in the Gardens through August, so we were pleasantly surprised to find they were still there.

Dougherty crafts large-scale sculptures from saplings: weaving, snagging, and flexing sticks into playful, nestlike architectural forms that evoke themes of shelter, habitat, and sustainability. Created of organic matter, his works have a natural life cycle, changing over time as the sticks settle and decay, eventually returning to the earth they grew from.

Here are some other shots from our visit.  Hoping you had a lovely weekend, too!

FOR TEGAN

 Dear Tegan,
Thank you so much for allowing me to share in the celebration of your marriage to Ben this past weekend.  You were absolutely glowing, head-to-toe, with your infectious laugh and beautiful smile.  The evening was truly enchanting.  If nymphs and fairies exist, I am sure they were in attendance as you exchanged vows under the canopy of pine trees with a warm breeze blowing.  Loved, loved, loved all of the wonderful details you put together - vintage mugs for each guest, the polaroid station with wooden frames hanging from the trees, white lights and tiki torches lighting up the night, the tree house honeymoon suite, vintage church pews for ceremony seating, a glowing teepee for the kiddos to play in, a rope swing, homemade guacamole sampling to compliment the taco truck feast, homemade snowball cookies and candy apples set on sticks, beautiful wild flowers everywhere, and the bomb dance mix to get your guests moving.  Wow!   You could tell that so much love and creativity was poored into every detail.  It was truly one of the most magical events I have ever attended. 

I wanted you to know that when the guests were urged to get up and say a few words to the bride and groom, I was really tempted, though my own fears and self-consciousness kept me in my seat.  Not one for public speeches, I thought of all the things I wished to say.  Rather give a public declaration there, I hope you will accept this semi-public declaration on my blog (which I know you read) instead :)   I know we have not kept in the best touch over the past 15 years, but I am thankful for the fact we have been able to hold a friendship from a distance.  Whether through our blogs, facebook, updates from Ade, or the occasional times we have seen each other in person, I love seeing the beautiful person you have become: a runner, an amazing mother, a teacher, a master sewer, an adventurer, and now a wife.

If I had had the guts to stand in front of the microphone on Saturday I would have shared some of my favorite memories from our first year together at UCSB.  Often I hear people tell horror stories of their first year of college in the dorms.  I feel so lucky that I had such an opposite experience.  Thankfully you requested of Coach Pete to "live with a runner" before roommates were randomly assigned.  I remember the day Adrienne called and asked if I wanted to live with a girl named Tegan.  "She is trying out for UCSB cross-country, too, and I know you will like her."  Well, she was right.  When I arrived to San Nick with my family on move in day and saw the tiny blond-haired girl from Nor Cal there with her mom, I knew we would be friends.  Needless to say, I did not make the cross country team, and instead decided to join a sorority.  Despite the difference of our extra circular activities, we bonded as I curled my hair for sorority rush and you packed your bag for practice.  As I reflect back I think of all of our hilarious moments of that first year.  Both of us were on the 2-meal-a-day plan at the dining commons which was not enough for our voracious appetites.  We would sneak out rice and garbanzo beans, or makings for smoothies in our "tups" so we would be sure to have snacks back at the dorms.  That was after, of course, we blew through the packs of Pop Tarts and Power Bars my mom had packed for us at the beginning of the year.  I have fond memories of dancing to "Mikey's Mix Tapes" and acting out every karate chop of "Kung Fu Fighting".  You introduced me to a new range of music, and to this day I can't get enough of Joni Mitchell's Blue album.  Brandy, you ARE a fine girl, what a good wife you will be.  I recall a chocolate cake fight where your B-Day celebration resulted in yummy frosting in our hair, on our walls and all over our clothes.  Those clothes that were mostly our everyday uniform of Levi cords, vintage T's, and V-neck wool sweaters that we would borrow from each other doubling our wardrobes. There was the night we decided it was a good idea to take every freshman's right of passage and leap from the Goleta Pier into the dark ocean water below with the boys from the Santa Cruz dorms.  Yikes, you cracked your sternum, perhaps not our best judgment call.  When winter arrived we made a snow storm of construction paper flakes that adorned our closet walls until late spring, and who could forget dressing in hoodies to go spying on the boys we had crushes on.  Do you remember, embarrassingly enough, coloring ourselves with yellow highlighter so we would glow with the black light?   Oh, and dance parties at Eliza and Ade's.  I am sure I am forgetting so many of the things that kept us up talking late into the night, and laughing throughout the days.  I am so glad to have shared those moments with you.  So many firsts as we tread on our independence of moving away from home for the first time.  I hold those moments dearly as a huge part of my college experience that helped shape who I am today.

I just want to say thank you for your friendship and for the good memories.   May there be many more to come.  Also, a huge congratulations to you and Ben.  He seems to be your perfect soul mate - both gentle and kind - and clearly loves you and Loma very much.  Wishing you much love, laughter and happiness in all the years to come.

xo,
Cathi

p.s. I borrowed the image from your facebook :)

HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN - JIGGITY JIG

Right now I am pondering whether to begin sipping a steaming cup of coffee to start my day, or whether to hold off and see if Annabelle will fall back asleep so I can, too.  Last night was a late one.  Annabelle and I have finally returned from our last trip of the summer and though we had blast, I am glad to sit tight in New York for awhile.  I have just two short months left of maternity leave and I want to maximize quality time with our girl with minimal planes, trains, and automobiles.  Due to some stormy weather in New York, our flight was slightly delayed putting us at JFK at 1:00 am.  Nate picked us up at the airport and by 2:00 we were back in our cozy apartment for a final feeding, a little playtime and eventually bedtime. This final trip of the summer really put our travel skills to the test.  We flew to Las Vegas to spend time with my family who was attending my cousin's wedding at the Mandalay Bay.  Then from Vegas we flew to Northern California to attend the wedding of my roommate from freshman year at UCSB, Tegan.  Between hotel switches, layovers, and rental cars in a 4-day span, Annie E is proving herself to be quite the traveler.  At not even 4 months old she has been on a plane 7 times!  She seems to mostly sleep during travel time, adopting a "wake me when we get there" attitude.

Anyways, now that we are home, I am feeling the urge to blog and give an update on our girl.  She is changing so fast every week and I want to be sure to savor and document the moments of her short life so far.  Annabelle is more lovable than ever with her big cheeks that I just can't stop kissing.  When I kiss her little feet or her cheeks she opens her mouth in a big 'O' of happiness and attempts to get some laughs out that right now sound like "eh, eh, eh."  Speaking of laughs, to date we have had 4 good belly laughs from her.  They are not yet a regular occurrence, but when we are surprised by one, it is the most joyous sound to hear.  She has discovered her feet, as I mentioned in a previous post, and just loves to hold onto them when she is lying on her back, rolling side to side.  She has perfected "happy baby pose" which comes in handy during diaper changes.  Annabelle can now grasp her toys and tries to put everything in her mouth including her hands, which makes for a very drool-y baby.  We often now say to her in our best Julia Childs voice, "Hello, I'm Droolia Childs," which we think is much funnier than she does.  She continues to want to stand like a big girl with our support, strengthening her cute little legs that are getting chubbier by the day.  This is also helping her strengthen her neck muscles for added head support, though she still has a bit of a bobble head.  When standing she always looks side to side, back and forth, just to make sure she is not missing anything going on around her, reminding us of an owl with her big eyes.  Aunt Ade believes she comes from a long line of owl ancestors.  Her hair is a constant source of amusement for us, growing in at strange patterns.  The dark baby hair that never fell out, continues to grow longer competing with the new growth that is coming in lighter (almost blond).  The circular spiral pattern on the top of her head that we refer to as the "eye of the storm" is in full effect, as is the mullet-like long pieces in the back that we call her "mud flap."  Depending on the humidity, her hair can be curly or straight, giving her some versatile styling options.  Annabelle gets more vocal every day.  Her language of "om" is adding new sounds that she is beginning to string together into a babble.  She enjoys reading her books and tries to help turn the pages.  Her favorite books so far include the Baby Einstein Animal Book series, a gift from Barb Letterman, and My Cat Just Sleeps, a gift from the Boosers'.  She has proven that she can roll from her stomach to her back, though she only performs this move at her own will, and extremely sporadically.  Other miles stones: she can now ride in the Baby Bjorn or the Moby wrap facing out rather than in with her head on my chest.  I believe she enjoys this brand new view of the world.  I am loving introducing her to new games and songs and mostly dance around making funny faces and voices trying to get reactions out of her.  Some of her facial expressions remind me so much of Nathan and I see more and more of him in her everyday.  As she grows, so do her list of nick names which now include the following:

Annie E

Annabellita (my favorite)

Annabellewski (Bellewski for short)

Bella-rues (Her Russian Name)

Banana-Bell

Cabana Anna

Molly B (Courtesy of Grandpa Mike)

Pookie Bear (which I don't particularly like, but it keeps coming out of my mouth)

It will be amazing if she ever recognizes her real name since we continually call her by her nick-names!  Here is a recent picture taken the day before we left for our trip.  She is wearing her "Breastmilk - 100% Organic" Nutritional Facts shirt, a gift from Aunt Ade. 

P.S. Annie E is now napping and I just finished that steaming cup of coffee.  No sleep for mama.  Perhaps I will catch up during the afternoon nap.  :)  More on our trip later...

EL SAL

While Annabelle and I were visiting California, Nathan was doing some visiting of his own.  He was on a 'guys' surf trip' in El Salvador.  He had a great time with his buddies, Drew, JD and Jason and supposedly they scored some good waves.  Not being one of the guys, I clearly have never been on a 'guys' surf trip.  If I had, I guess it wouldn't be a 'guys trip' and for that matter, would be more of a family vaca than a 'surf trip'.  Anyway, how I imagine the 'guys' surf trip' is the boys surfing 4-5 times a day with breaks to eat, nap, and drink cervezas.  Repeat.  Here are some photos from their El Sal adventure.  Looks beautiful.  I hope to one day visit on a family vacation!