Countdown....

So I leave in just a few hours now for SF and visiting my Best Friend. The only problem is... I seem to have a stomach issue today. I was up at 5am with bad stomach cramps and let's just say I was in the potty a while this am... and I haven't thrown up. But I took B to preschool.. cause he was feelign great and I just made sure to wash hands a lot and not touch anyone. Turns out half the kids were not there today - why? A stomach bug! Oh no!
I was sorta hoping mine was a side effect of taking too much AIRBORNE. that happened to me last year. No cold - but stomach issues.
I still have escaped this horrible cold my DH and B has had.. they are both on the mend now too.
Okay, so let's just hope whatever this is= that I will be over it by tomorrow morning when I get on a plane at 7am. I have a huge day and night planned.
will update with pics and info when I return!
Peace! okay - Namaste!

City Livin'

I love the city. I always have. I was convinced I would end up living in Manhattan - (course I never did). But I love the city. There is so much to offer. I have lived in Boston, San Francisco, and now Seattle.
Today was a perfect example of why I love living in the city with a baby...
It was a typical cloudy, stormy day here in Seattle and I thought - why don't we go to the aquarium? It is 15 minutes away! And each year for Mother's day, my DH gets us all a membership to the zoo (I can walk to that!) and teh aquarium.
They are doing construction at the aquarium here, so it will be even better. But it is just fun to walk through with B. They have the tide pools you can put your hands in and they have fun fish and birds all around. Above - B is looking into a tank of Jelly Fish. So Fun. and on the right is just a cool fish we saw.
Also, right near the aquarium is the famous Pike's Place market, ya know, where they throw the fish? Well, there is a place at the end of the market that makes homemade mini donuts. I have made it a tradition that when B and I go to the market we get these. Today, after a walk through the aquarium, I said "B, wanna go to the market?" he said. "Yes, DONUTS!" I mean, so cute!
so off we went - 5 minutes away to enjoy the market and donuts. When we got to the donut place, B was just smiling and waiting. I noticed a little old lady - watching us. When we got our hot donuts and B said "Donuts mommy!" with a huge smile. The old lady said, "Goodness your son is so sweet, I hope you know that!" I said "thank you, I do actually." and walked away.

Gosh, I love the city!....

Happiness is....

Did you ever have one of those days where you really thought - "I am so lucky. I am so Happy!"?
That is me today!
Okay to start.... look at my kid B. Here he is with a new sweater on - I mean, seriously, I know I am biased - but he is so sweet! and so cute! and okay - sooooo smart!
Did I already tell you all that he can read!? Okay, he is only two and a half but he has memorized so many books now - word for word! And turns the pages at the exact right spot! It really seems like he is reading, when I know he isn't - I, in fact, did this as a child too, apparently!

Anyways, back to the topic... I feel really lucky and happy today. I have a great family... a great DH, a sweet, amazing baby...
I have incredible friends too! Like my friend Karen, who sent me flowers 'just because!' - okay, maybe it was because I was being a baby... but the point is not the gift, but the thoughtfulness. I cannot believe how thoughtful she is! and so many other people in my life. I am truly blessed.
I love teaching yoga, I love being able to be home with B and watching him grow, I love living in Seattle, I love my husband, I love my friends, I love fall, I even love my pink velor pants I am wearing now!
Okay maybe this is obnoxious - but let me just say this... a long time ago - I decided to Choose Happiness. You can, you know: Choose to find happiness in your life. It is there.. I promise!

Airborne and Crusty Noses

So B is getting better... a little more clingy than usual - but here he is right after preschool this am - a little bit of a Krusty nose... still cute though. Above that is a pic I snapped of the two of us - You can see my new haircut a little - I chopped several inches off.
So as you can see looking happy today - just still a little runny and kusty. I Hope I do not get this cold before I leave on saturday am. I am taking tons of AIRBORNE... and I have to say it has not let me down yet. I totally believe in that stuff! No other herbal medicine has ever worked for me - but this stuff is great.Last winter it saved me!

okay - talked to Steph yesterday getting psyched about SF. Still a little sad/nervous about leavign B but he will be fine. Isn't it funny how moms just want a break - and then we get one and we are like - "Um, do I really have to LEAVE him?"

Keeping it in perspective....

B is slowly getting better - day three of this nasty cold. He is napping now (and I hope he does for a while!) It's no biggie really - just miserable for him, but we are taking it in stride.
I love Yoga for that - forcing you to keep everything in perspective, taking it in stride. I am so bad at that normally, but I work on it through yoga.
Like the mommy thing - I was walking this am with two of my dear friends... both mommies and we were talking about how hard it is to accept when your kid is doing something 'bad." You know, like not sharing, having a temper tantrum, or not listening. Why are we okay with it when other people's kids do this, but when our kids do it, we feel like a failure? These are some things I am working through - and luckily yoga helps me do that. B is actually doing great right now, better this week with sharing - fewer to no tantrums. I mean, he is two - we are both doing a-okay!
Also, I always sign up to do these group gift exchanges or group fundraising or group anything really and I get so excited about it... but I always seem more excited about these things than others. I love to give gifts - but can't someone be excited to give me one too? I love fundraising, but do I really have to be the one of the only ones working so hard at it? I love being excited with and for a group - but not everyone is in the same place. I guess I am writing this to make myself feel better - I am going to stay the excited person, I will accept it when I don't 'get back' - that is not why I do anything. I need to do things to make others feel good - and not worry about me... ya know? Just another way yoga can help me be more self-less... more giving... and more accepting.
AAAAAHHHHH, I am a work in progress :)

No date for the needy

just a quick post today... despite the need for a date night - it is not to be. Poor B is sick. I had a feeling last night and all night he was whiney. Woke up with a very snotty nose. well, we had to skip our last swim lesson and no date night for the parents. Bummer.
I did get my hair cut and finally my brows waxed - phew - feel so much better.
oh well, a different weekend than planned.. but it is okay. oh yeah - poor B slept for 4.5 hours for a nap!!! we will see how tonight's sleep goes ....

Just checking in....

What a great day so far! B was so awesome at preschool. He hardly played near me at all... and no tantrums or yelling. What a success and it only took a week for him to get adjusted. Next I need to get him to go that one day a week without me :)
Things are panning out well for the Chair position too. Tons of work still - but I can see this job will get easier once everyone is doing their jobs. The 'snack schedule' lady was so nice to me today. volunteering to host the holiday party, volunteering to be the special events planner and cleaning up extra after class... Um, okay jeckle! :)
The Passion party was a kick. I am amazed what people buy and use... really, am I a prude?
Well, I bought a few things... we will see if I am actually daring enough to use them :)
Big big weekend... cannot wait for date night tomorow... and getting my hair cut.
also, cannot believe my trip to SF is so soon... I am nervous about leaving B - but excited for a girls weekend!

Playdates and Passion

This morning B and I were invited for a playdate. The mom who asked us was a former prenatal yoga student of mine. She has two children - a little girl almost a year older than B and a baby boy who is one year. I don't know her that well, and B doesn't know them at all.
B was shy starting out.. then warmed up a bit. The little girl was so sweet and very very outgoing. B takes more time than that to warm up, ya know? Anyways, for me the conversation was that ackward new friendship kind... and well after almost an hour and a half, I was nearly ready to go. Then B wanted to do something that the little girl was doing - and B decided he would scream in her face. Oops. To me, this seems normal for B - he is shy, tempermental and well, is in a stage where if he doesn't get what he wants - he screams. NICE. Friends understand this... but this mom gave B and I a look like "Um, what the heck?" Oh well... we left and B has been a joy the rest of the day.
Last night's yoga class was PACKED again. I am so so excited about this. I feel like after 2 and a half years I finally have a following. It makes me feel so great! and best of all the group fitness coordinator noticed and congratulated me :)
Tonight I am going to a Passion Party. And just in time too - my DH and I have a date on saturday... YEE HAA! The party should actually be really funny.
Oh yeah, crazy day today... my closest, bestest coop mom friend dropped out of coop preschool today. I am really bummed. But I know I will see her still.. just sad not to share this with her.
That's a wrap - all the latest... talk again soon - peace out

Hump-Day

It is mid-week and I am feeling better! I had such a full class last night in yoga. 25 people in that tiny room where I teach. I tried to teach a little different class, and with it being so full - I was a little out of synch. But many many students came up to me at the end and expressed gratitude and appreciation for the class... so I guess it was okay. I am looking forward to tonight's class, just to have another chance, ya know?
today, B and some friends in the neighborhood tried out a Gymboree Art class. It was great to get out to do something organized as a group. Fun to get hands in paint, etc.
It is a busy week again for B and I. With speech therapy on Monday, School on Tuesday and Friday, Gymboree today and tomorrow a playdate in the am with a former prenatal yoga student of mine. For me I have yoga tonight, last night, Thursday I have a Passion party (that should be fun!), Friday a friend and her daughter come for dinner, Saturday is date night with my DH (THANK GOODNESS), and I get my hair cut, and sunday I teach yoga again. PHEW!
Next weekend I am heading to SF to visit my best friend for her Bday. It will be me traveling alone so I will really miss B and my DH.... but the trip will be good for all of us.
A busy busy time - fall is for us. October looks really crazy between my trip to SF, yoga teacher training, our six year anniversary, and my mom visiting... wow!
Time is rushing past me! I must remember to abide by that yogic principal "appreciate each moment, living each moment to its fullest."
I will do that! :)

Letting Go.....

Letting Go. Can I just say I am terrible at letting go? Really of anything. When I think about my 'yogic journey,' my "yogic path" I always come back to this: Letting go.
I need to learn to let go of so many things - let's see...
1) I need to learn that when B freaks out anytime he doesn't get his way, it is not my 'fault.' It is B being two. It is B being the product of two very emotional people. But it is 'okay' - I need to let go of the 'guilt.'

2) I need to learn that when there is a question, concern or problem at preschool coop - just because I am the Chair of the board - it is not always my 'fault' or really my problem. I need to let go of trying to carry the whole burdon. no one is expecting me to... I do this to myself.

3) I need to learn that when my DH is not happy with his job - it is not my role to 'fix it.' It is also not my 'fault' he is unhappy. I need to let go of the pressure and guilt.

4) I need to learn to let go of 'friends for seasons' when the season is over. And when that happens, I need to remember, it is not just me and my fault the friendship didn't last forever. It is just the way of some friendships. I need to let go without pain and burdon.

5) I need to learn to accept that I am not perfect. I am trying. Trying my best to be the best person, best friend, best wife and most of all best mom, I can. And I need to learn to let go of any guilt that I am not perfect. I need to just be me in the best way I possibly can. I need to let go....

Ah, the Weekend...

So my Dh's cousin is still here - and we are having a great weekend. The pic above (doesn't look very clear to me oops) is from a Seattle boat tour we all did together yesterday. It was nice to get out on the water... and I swear, I always learn something. After the tour, we all went out to dinner, it really was nice, beautiful weather... just a great time. B napped a really long time, then we had a big steak dinner. YUM! oh yeah, and Brownies for dessert. Double YUM!
Today I was able to be a student in the yoga class I am taking over next week. I wanted to see what the previous teacher did - and what students in this higher level class expect. It was great. Tough, but great. It will definately be a challange for me. i will keep you all posted as it goes along.
during B's nap today I ran errands, one of which was to get my oil changed. I pulled up and the woman working at Jiffy Lube looked at me weird... I was like - ah, great. Anyways, I got out of the car and she said "I hope you are here for an oil change!" I said , "Um yes, why?" She said "Hear that clicking?(I did) that sound is your gasgets. You are almost out of oil!" oops! anyways, fixed now, no clicking :)
Then I went to our backyard to cut down my sunflowers to bring into preschool. The teacher wants to have the kids pick out the seeds. Look at that pic! (above) My sunflowers this year were GIANT.
So that is everything for now...
now too excitng I guess. will update more tomorrow :)
Happy weekend

Friday!

Hello all! It is Friday! Yippee. I didn't get to update yesterday, too much going on... and we have an out of town guest in our guestroom... that's where the computer is - ;)
anyways. I got to sneak in here today... while B is napping. Second day of preschool was a little tougher. B is really at a "MINE!" stage and that makes it a little difficult. Plus it was the first time with all 20 children and 20 parents together for preschool and I guess that can be overwhelming. B was frustrated for sure! Then he didn't want to nap, but boy did he need it... why do kids fight naps when they need it most?
Oh well, he is napping now and I will get to read and hopefully finish a lame book I am reading so I can move on to something more interesting like "Girl with a Pearl Earring" or "Call Girl." I think those may be the top two books in line next.
I took this picture this morning before school, sometimes I like to dress alike :0) silly, huh? but I love these hats.
Tomorrow we are taking our guest on a boat cruise and tonight we are eating take-out Chinese. Isn't it nice to get treats yourself when guests are at your house? Honestly, that is all that is happening today - I will update again soon.

New beginnings....

I love the fall, it is all about new beginnings. That is how I feel anyways. New school, new friends, new clothes, planning vacations. I even love fall weather.
So I just took on teaching another yoga class. This brings me to three a week. It doesn't sound like much, but I swear, it is! I am excited and a little nervous. I will make a few more bucks a week, and try to put the money I make from this extra class, into savings. The class is a little bit more rigerous than I normally teach, and it is longer (but more money too!). I will attend the class this sunday as a student, since it is the teacher's last day, to see and understand what the students expect.
I don't like the idea of taking time away from family with a weekend class, but well, we need to beef up savings. So wish me luck, okay?!

I went to visit a sweet friend today. Took about an hour to drive up to her house... and B was an angel. We had a great visit and the kids played wonderfully. I stopped at the outlets on the way home, again B was GREAT... and got a couple things for both B and I.
Drove home, had lunch and now B is napping. I will be teaching tonight and I am already beat... but maybe I will go rest now :)

Thomas and preschool

Yesterday during B's nap his Thomas costume came in the mail. When he woke up I told him I had a very special treat for him. I pulled out the costume put it on him and he said, "Thomas momma, Thomas!" I said, "do you want to look in a mirror?" He agreed and when he did he leaned over and gave me a big hug and said "I LOVE IT!"
so sweet!
Preschool could not have been better today. B loves Teacher Caroline and luckily there are many children in this class, who were with us last year, so B feels right at home. He played at the water table, played with legos and most of all loved circle time (just like last year).
The whole experience this morning made me feel so happy, and reminded me, again, why I do this coop preschool. B loves it. He thrives there. Phew!

From Baby to Big Boy

This is a big week for B (and of course, me). First up, this morning he had an evaluation with his speech therapist. B has been going to speech for a year now and thanks to working with the therapist and myself, he has come a long way. He will still need to be tested by the school department, but in this evaluation today, the therapist was encouraging. She told me " I scored a test from B's work and he is testing at between two years seven months and two years eight months for his expressive speech." I added up in my head and said - "Wait, that is what he is - two years and seven and a half months." she said - "right, he is testing right on target!" So the therapy worked. B is even with his peers when it comes to speech - yippee! I feel like we have worked so hard to get here - and it was all worth it. What a great day.
Tomorrow we head to preschool Granted we did go to coop preschool last year. But it was one day a week, and I was always there. This year, Preschool is twice a week... and eventually, B will go once with me and once without me. I think that will be harder on me, than him ;)
My baby is growing up so fast. I cannot believe it. Oh, and within the last week, he PEED on the POTTY - for the first time. Wow. I know, spoken like a true mom - but isn't my kid awesome :)

Remembering and Celebrating....

I have a few very different thoughts today... first I'll start with the 'remembering.'
It is hard to believe it has already been four years since 9/11 . Granted, so much has happened both in my little world, and the world at large, since then. But in so many ways 9/11 is so fresh, it feels like yesterday.
It is one of those moments in a person's life where they remember EXACTLY where they were when they heard the news. For my parents, that moment was when Kennedy was shot and killed. For me, it is 9/11.
I was living large at the time. In San Fran, having wine parties with friends, buying lots of clothes, going out to dinner often, working as a television news producer. My Dh and I were planning a trip to Greece with six other friends. We were to leave on 9/14... the Friday after 9/11. We had just moved into a new house and had no cable... so our TV was staticky at best. We got a wake-up call from one of our best friends who had, at one point, worked in NYC and had many friends and family there. She called at 6:14am. When the first plane hit. We turned on our TV, we could barely make out the picture of the twin towers, when the second plane hit, Live. My DH and I gasped. I think I remember one of us saying... "what is going on?" We went to that best friends's house to watch a better TV. Because the gravity of the situation was still unfolding, and we were still preparing to leave the country in a few days, I felt I needed to go to work. Just before I left, I found out, one of our best friends, one of the people we were to be going to Greece with, had taken off on a plane, from NYC bound for San Fran... at 9am that morning. I was sick. Could this really touch that close to home? His wife had watched the plane take off, heard the news and tried to contact him via cellphone. Hours passed, no word. Then, while I was at work, I found out, our friend (Dante) had landed safely in Kansas City and would drive the rest of the way to San Francisco.
Anyways, to make a long story short, we all made it to Greece that week. Just two days later than planned. While we stayed on course for that trip, our lives were forever changed. Almost every couple we traveled with that September got pregnant within a year. The only couple that didn't - didn't want to have children. My DH lost his job on 9/12 and within a year, we moved to Seattle.
Priorities are different now. Family tops the list, not just "good times." Those friends we traveled with ARE part of my family and always will be. We were together during a time we will never forget.
******
Switching gears A LOT... this weekend I had some great bonding time with B. My Dh wasn't feeling great... so I took the opportunity to takeBen back to the locks - even in the rain. See pic at top. (I am still trying to figure this blog thing out) and we went to the zoo. It doesn't look like Ben is too happy, but I swear he was :)
I cannot believe how much I love this little boy. I love everything about him, really, I do. What a gift the year of 9/11 brought us.

Weekend Family Time

Ahhhh, the weekends. I am already feeling back to normal after the Bitch-patrol the other night :)
anyways, B decided he wasn't going to nap yesterday, even though he was up four times during the nite asking for "MMMMMIIIIILLLTTTTT, MMMMOMMMMAAAAA!"
In the end, I gave up on the nap and took him to the locks. B is so sweet about boats and the locks he is constantly saying "See Boats, See Gates, See Locks, Momma!!!"
I love that he loves boats.... Erica (our neighbor) even told me, when she watched him yesterday (while I had a meeting) He actually BUILT his OWN Lock... and said, "Boats, Gates, Locks!" I mean, will he be an engineer depite his parents? ;)
B and I woke up this morning and it was dark and rainy so we snuck into The big bed where Dada was - and cuddled all together... and talked. Ahhh, I love my boys!
Oh yeah, forgot to say, the meeting I went to Friday, was another thing for coop. I was reminded why I do all this... for B. He loves school... and I want him to continue loving school. AND I have met one of my best friends EVER thanks to coop. So I guess the BIOCHES are worth battling :)

THE SNACK SCHEDULE???!!!

it all started out bad... last night. Really, I got into a fight with my poor DH because he had to rush home for me to go to the meeting. I rushed out the door and the meeting just felt tense from the get-go. All of the parents have done coop before and have certain feelings of how it should be done. Well, to make a long story short, one mom, who was VERY vocal and seemed really angry the whole meeting ended the meeting by asking me (really rudely) Aren't we going to sign up for the snack schedule. I said " actually the person assigned to do the Calendar will assign the snack schedule." I closed the meeting - she came running up to me yelling... "well, when I did this coop four years ago, the Chair had a SIGN UP for the snacks AT THIS MEETING. Why didn't you do that? I mean you are going to assign it?! that doesn't seem right. I said, "well, I was just going by the guidelines I was left. but I am happy to try it your way." She kept saying "FORGET IT, FORGET IT!" and scoffing at me. UGH! I mean really, What is wrong with people - it is a FUCKING snack schedule! FOR A PRESCHOOL! Of course, over-sensitive me, started bawling when she walked away and I asked the teacher if I could PLEASE not be the Chair. I have put in so much work already and I cannot stand being treated like crap! It is a volunteer position, I mean for crying out loud - I was an Executive Television News Producer - why do I let these people get to me????!!!!!

Perfect Madness

Do you know the book, Perfect Madness? Or at least the concept? If not here it is:
today's stay at home mom is like no other. we were raised (mostly) in the late sixties and early seventies by products of the women's lib movement. What does that mean exactly - it means we were told we "could do anything we want in life" - we "can be anything we want" -
so we did - many of us started out our adult lives with 'high-power' jobs, college degrees - trying to be everything. and that is when it hit us - the most important things in life - come from family. So we started a family and the problem is we try to apply that same theory "you can be anything - you can do anything" - to mommyhood. We sign our kids up for all the best preschools - because let's face it that is the only way they will get into HARVARD, right? we make sure they have plenty of playdates. We sign them up for foreign language, sign language and speech lessons.... trying to give them the best the world has to offer. At the same time we require the best of us - we must have our "own" lives, our own friends and interests... and we must we the BEST.
All I can say is it is scary when a group of these same type of mom's get together. you hear things like "oh, is little johnney a 'slow talker?' My little Jenny can speak four languages already"
Anyways, I am stressed because Ben and I are in a coop preschool again this year and sometimes you have to face women like this. I am the 'Chair" of the board of the coop thsi year (because I am trying to do it all :)) and I have to lead the first parent meeting tonight. I am nervous about meeting some of these moms, whom I have already had run-ins via email.
At least I will have one of my best friends, Jen, by my side tonight...
Wish me luck okay? This is not rocket-science for goodness sake :)

Chocolate, friends and happiness...

So I am getting ready to head out for a long long walk with Ben and my neighbor and her two kids....
we are heading to a place called Cafe Balsalu - let me tell you - their chocolate crossants (sp?) are too die for. Our other neighbor, and friend, gave us each a gift card - so this is free. That way I can still honor my committment to "no paying for extras" this week... I gave what I could to the Red Cross. It wasn't much - but I can sacrifice starbucks, etc for a couple weeks. I also am making a committment in my yoga classes to ask people to think about those victims of Hurricane Katrina. We can all be so wrapped up in our own worlds, I just want my students to take a moment to think about our community - no matter whether they are next door or a plane ride away.
I love my friends = Erica for walking with me today, Jen for a surprise visit yesterday, Karen, for her awesome blog entry today, Lara for my gift card ;), and well so many more...
I love my husband, well, just because... He always rushes home to make sure I get to do all my extra curricular. He is awesome
I love Ben, well because.....

me 

my first post

so I am a newbie blogger... never done this before. I actually just got a journal from a sweet friend because I said I would never "blog" but here I am just days after that great gift - giving blogging a try. Who knows if I really will be able to do this... but what the heck right?