Oh, the places we'll go...

So much to report, so little time. It was a crazy week, filled with work, play, laundry, packing, cleaning... and teething. I am happy to report that Ella's first tooth has FINALLY broken through her gums. She is chewing on ANYTHING she can get her chubby little hands on. We made a quick trip to CVS today to stock up on every teething product available to help us get through our 6 hour flight to Montana tomorrow. I just hope she can sleep part of the time. We arrive in Missoula at 1 tomorrow afternoon and I can't wait!!!!!

I went into the office twice this week and also worked some while Ella was napping. I never seem to catch up on everything... On Wednesday, Brady and I met up with some friends at Matchbox near Chinatown. I ordered my first beer since 2005 (and only about my third one EVER) - I don't normally like it, but they had Allagash White on tap and I thought it would go well with pizza. It was good. Brady and I also shared dessert, molten chocolate cake... yum. And even better because I didn't have to make it :-)

Now I'm just trying to get everything ready for tomorrow. I'm sure I'll forget something, but as long as I have Ella, I'm set!

Looking forward to taking lots of photos. Expect some new ones when we return on May 8th! Take care!!!!

Welcome Back...

It's a bit belated, but... Welcome Back, Ji Sun! After nearly six months in New Zealand, Ji Sun is back. Yay! Ella and I had a wonderful visit with her last week and hope to have many more in the near future. :-)

Running!

I recently purchased a used jogging stroller for Ella and am finally using it. This morning we went for a half an hour run and boy, am I tired. It is so much more work running zombie-like, with my arms stretched out in front, pushing 25+ pounds (stroller + ella). A little goes a long way, I guess. My hope is to replace our morning walk with a morning run on most days of the week. Ella seems to like going fast and I'm going to like getting back to my old self... someday.

The weather has turned from winter to summer in only a few days and we have discovered that Ella absolutely despises the heat (just like her mom!). The times we have gone out, we dress her in practically nothing and try to keep her in the shade. But the whole time she has a pissed-off-at-the-world look about her, which shows in the scowl on her face and the slump in her shoulders. She didn't crack one smile. Not even a little one. Not for anyone. It is going to be a long summer...

Luckily, we're off to Montana on Saturday!

Letting Go

This weekend, I finally let go of nearly all of my school projects, dating back as far as 1998. I think that the only reason I kept them that long was that the process and labor involved in creating them was still too close. I didn't feel right just tossing away years of work. But I'm way past that now. I took photos of my best projects and said goodbye to the rest. It feels great! I still have a long way to go, but it's a start. Also included in the big purge were three garbage bags of clothes (Brady's and mine) that were donated to a local non-profit yesterday. Now our closet and dresser are much lighter and easy to navigate. I just hope we can keep it that way.

The point of all of this was to free ourselves of unnecessary clutter and make more room for Ella. But it made me realize that we really have way too much stuff. WAY, WAY, WAY TOO MUCH! I know that a lot of it comes from my "need" to be crafty and my fear of throwing anything away, lest I can't live without it once "it" is gone. But what am I really holding onto? And more importantly, why? I just need to remember to let it go and move on... and make space for my chubby little girl... to crawl (backwards) and roll and giggle and to continue to make our lives absolutely wonderful :-)

Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have way too much fun with this girl!

Blah

Where has the time gone?

I just realized I haven't taken any photos of Ella since last week! Life has been a little crazy around here lately. I'm working a little more than I'd like and am trying to get this house cleaned, which seems like an insurmountable task. As soon as I get one part clean, we get another dirty. It's a bit frustrating, but nothing to lose sleep over.

Next weekend (April 28), Ella and I will be flying to Montana to stay for a little over a week. I am anxiously awaiting a vacation, but kind of dreading the cross-country flight. Ella is still the most wonderful little girl, but she requires constant entertainment. It should be interesting. I will be tired when I arrive. Very tired.

Morning Silliness

Spring Cleaning

It's that time of year again... time to clean out the closets, scrub the floors, and simplify, simplify, simplify. I began the process of purging our accumulation of excess crap (for lack of a better term) before I had Ella, but there's still so much more to be done. And it's become even more apparent that we need to downsize ever since she showed up. There are just too many things that I'll either never use, never fit into, or didn't need in the first place. And they need to be gone... NOW!

I suppose I should warn you now that this post won't have any cute pictures (you probably already figured that out) and will most definitely be at least a little bit preachy. But I feel the need to impart some wisdom and am using the upcoming Earth Day (April 22) as an excuse to do so. Here goes...

While I have always tried to be as environmentally-friendly as possible in my daily practices, my resolve has strengthened in the last year or so. Why? We absolutely, positively have to do something to make sure that the earth that we leave our children and grandchildren is worth inheriting. So on the subject of cleaning... Did you know that most of the conventional products used in households all over the country are petroleum derivatives? Yes. Not only are we dependent on oil for our cars, but also for the cleaners/detergents we use and the plastic containers in which they are sold. Additionally, they are incredibly toxic both to humans and to the environment. Here's an article if you'd like to read more about it.

On a brighter note, here are some of the products we use and really like. And since they're non-toxic, my house smells better and I'm not so worried about little Ella being exposed to nasty crap that will make her sick. Sure, some of these cost a little more. But it's all worth it. Really. Even using good old vinegar and water or baking soda will work.

LifeTree Bathroom Cleaner - works for toilet, tub and sink
Ecover - cleansing scrub, dishwashing liquid, etc.
Method Wood for Good - it smells like almond
Seventh Generation - detergent, chlorine-free diapers + paper towels

Check them out. And let me know if you end up using any of them or have questions. I know I won't convince any of you to become vegetarians, but this is a start :-)

Hahahahahaha

Happy Easter

Lessons Learned

Lesson #1
Don't ever leave a 7-month-old unattended... especially one laying on a couch... even if you're only going across the room to throw away a nasty diaper. She will roll off, bump her head, and let out heartbreaking cries. Yes, this happened Thursday. It was traumatizing - for me, anyway. Ella was fine after about a minute of crying. All she has to show for it is a little scrape on the right side of her nose. No bruises. I guess we were lucky. The whole time (all 5 seconds of it) I was on my way to the garbage, I kept thinking, "She's going to roll off. She's going to roll off." She did.

Lesson #2
When Brady's gone, bad things happen. It's true. First the couch mishap and then Thursday night I got absolutely no sleep because I had a terrible fever and was achy all over. Ella was about the only thing that made my Friday bearable. I felt awful all day - headache, body aches, dizziness, etc. It was difficult taking care of her, but at least she kept me distracted. I ate lots of soup and dry toast and am happy to report that I'm feeling much better today. Still a bit of a headache, but after a full night's sleep (finally), I'm practically as good as new.

Lesson #3
Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line! This one is self-explanatory.

Serious Fun

Just got back from the park and little miss crabby pants is attempting to take a nap. She didn't have any fun today. Not one bit. It seems she's too serious for that. Apparently there are a lot of things on this nearly 7-month old's mind and she can't be bothered with silliness. :-)

Sleepy