baked goods

Sunrise on my birthday

2012-02-08T11:40:00.000-05:00

2012-02-08T11:39:00.000-05:00

Education

2012-01-26T11:32:00.001-05:00

Ella: I know how to spell poop and boobs and butt.

I'm sure that will come in handy :-)

No more photos

2012-01-26T11:31:00.001-05:00

Cartoon yoga

2012-01-26T11:30:00.002-05:00

'do

2012-01-26T11:30:00.001-05:00

5 going on 15

2011-11-13T19:22:00.000-05:00

Li'l Swimmer

2011-11-13T19:21:00.000-05:00

Twisting the knife

2011-11-11T18:02:00.002-05:00

Ella: I wish I had a sweet mom—one that wasn't so mean.
Me: I'm sweet, aren't I?
Ella: Not as sweet as other people's moms... but I still love you.

A natural progression

2011-11-04T14:52:00.003-05:00

It's been such a long time since I actually wrote something on here. This blog has definitely become a repository of Ella photos and quick updates on our busy lives. But I'm going to try to take five minutes to write a little something. If you find this kind of thing boring, feel free to check back when I've uploaded some cute photos. If not, read on...

Ok. I've been vegetarian for over fourteen (14!) years now. With no lapses. So after watching the documentary Forks Over Knives a few months ago, I decided to see if I could cut out (or at least significantly reduce) my dairy intake. The part where the surgeon was removing the cholesterol from someone's arteries was what did it. Really, really disgusting. But I highly recommend the documentary. It's streaming on Netflix if you have access to that sort of thing...

So I went a few weeks only having dairy every once in a while. And then I cut it out completely. It was easy. And I haven't really missed it. I am now starting the third month of eating vegan and it's been great. I never really considered doing this in the past because I always thought I couldn't live without things like cheese and ice cream. But I don't miss them. Instead, I'm spending a little more time cooking and am relying less on butter and cheese to add excitement to our meals. And we're not eating stir fry and rice every night. I've even been baking cupcakes and pies—all vegan. It's really easy to just not add the butter and the eggs. And there are so many great resources out there now, too.

Some people think I'm crazy. Even Brady is reluctant to embrace my new way of eating. But we've been eating lots of great meals (butternut squash curry, potato & kale soup, vegan spanakopita, calzones...). And I'm the one that does the cooking around here, so the family better get used to it :-) We still keep string cheese, yogurt and milk around for Ella. But I'm now using soy, almond and coconut milk in my coffee and baking. And last week, I found out that my cholesterol is still high. The nurse told me to eat more fiber (not humanly possible) and exercise more (now going to the gym 4-5 times/week). But the problem is genetic, so it's a good thing that I have no problem cutting out all animal products from my diet. I can't even imagine what my cholesterol would be if I did eat meat. I'd probably be on statins. So it's my plan to continue eating this way.

What I'm asking of you is to be supportive. I know that for most people it's a major pain in the ass to accommodate for a vegan. So if I'm coming to your house, I'd be happy to cook/bring something over/share a recipe. But I also don't want to hear any judgment on my decision to eat this way. Because it's just that—my decision. I'm doing it for myself and for my family—because I want to be around for a while. And who knows, you might just like it too :-)

Constantly reminding myself

2011-11-03T22:54:00.002-05:00

In no particular order:

1. Mistakes are much more valuable than perfection.
2. Life is too short to keep an immaculate house.
3. I can always say "no."
4. I have amazing friends and I need to see them more often.
5. Five-year-olds are always right.
6. It's ok that I don't have anything that matches.
7. Nobody cares what my hair looks like.
8. I can't please everyone... and sometimes I can't please anyone at all.
9. I make too many lists.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T14:41:00.002-05:00

Pretty in Pink

2011-10-19T14:22:00.002-05:00

(see full image)

Maui August/September 2011

2011-09-29T13:50:00.000-05:00

Fifth Birthday

2011-09-29T13:32:00.006-05:00

True

2011-08-26T08:10:00.001-05:00

Ella right after waking up: My hair looks ridiclious.

Five

2011-08-25T12:51:00.003-05:00

The best thing I heard all day

2011-08-25T11:34:00.000-05:00

Ella told me, "I love you so much I'm going to throw up."

For You

2011-08-25T08:01:00.002-05:00

The girls

2011-08-18T08:30:00.001-05:00

Ella just told me that...

2011-07-11T17:32:00.000-05:00

she's going to sell me to another little girl. This was just after she said that I was "the baddest mama EVER!"

:-)

Congratulations to Andrew + Lisa!

2011-06-28T14:51:00.001-05:00

This weekend, my little brother got married!!!!!!!!!!! (I'm a little excited)

Here are a few photos.

American Visionary Art Museum with Ji Sun!!!!!

2011-06-13T11:02:00.000-05:00

Ouch!

2011-06-08T14:29:00.003-05:00

I'm a little reluctant to even post this... but Ella said something incredibly funny (and awful) today.

A little background:
After frantically searching for my keys this morning, I came to the conclusion that Brady must have accidentally taken them to work (60 miles away). Luckily, I found the valet key to one of the cars so I was finally able to get Ella to school. In the middle of the fiasco, this is what Ella had to say:

"Daddy isn't a very good husband, is he?"

Happy Birthday, Andrew!

2011-05-18T08:14:00.002-05:00

from Ella and her bed head...

Friday = Snow Day

2011-04-29T09:12:00.000-05:00

(see full image)

Yes.

2011-04-28T13:01:00.002-05:00

READ THIS >

Snowing again.

2011-04-26T10:56:00.002-05:00

Yep. It's snowing... again. And it reminded me of what Ella said when we woke up to 4 inches of snow on Friday (Earth Day).

Ella: And that's why I didn't want to move here.

Happy Easter

2011-04-25T13:45:00.000-05:00

Hot Date

2011-04-25T13:44:00.001-05:00

Profound

2011-04-17T10:32:00.001-05:00

Ella, this morning: All of the illustrators who wrote my books are dead.

Schoolin'

2011-04-15T15:09:00.002-05:00

Ella with her continent map :-)

Oh, really.

2011-04-13T18:08:00.001-05:00

Ella: Ten is the last number in the whole wide world. We'll NEVER be that old.

Vintage Ella

2011-03-03T16:06:00.002-05:00

Thanks to Rennell for sending this clip :-)

p.s. this one's for you Ji Sun!

Hello from Idaho!

2011-03-03T15:58:00.002-05:00

It's official—we now live in Idaho! We arrived safely a week and a half ago and are still settling into our new routine. Ella is enrolled at a new Montessori school Monday-Thursday and is doing well. We're all incredibly tired. Brady's new schedule has us waking up INCREDIBLY early. It's definitely been an adjustment. I hope to post photos of the new house... and Ella very soon.

Take care.

"Mom, you're making everything so difficult!"

2011-01-31T19:20:00.000-05:00

screamed Ella. Oh boy!

Overheard times lots

2011-01-26T13:00:00.002-05:00

Monday:
Me, doing a pilates video on the TV... Ella trying to follow along while wearing only a t-shirt, undies and a bathroom (Big Lebowski-style). She says, "This looks dangerous."

Sunday:
Brady and Ella were drawing a crazy picture at a restaurant—Ella created a house and Brady a house-eating monster. Ella took a look at it and said, "He looks like he's in bad shape."

Last week:
Ella said (out of the blue), "I'm not four and a half, I'm just plain four."

The Move

2011-01-26T12:26:00.004-05:00

It's been quite a while since my last post, and for good reason. Since then, we've gone househunting/bought a new house and put our current house up for rent. The movers are showing up on my birthday and we're leaving a week later for Idaho Falls, where we'll be living for the next five years (transferred for Brady's work). While I'm not too keen on having to move, it will be nice to be closer to family. I'm really going to miss the Seattle-area, the ocean, the international airport...

But we're trading it for a slightly larger community, proximity to Yellowstone and Jackson Hole and a much lower cost of living. We'll have plenty of room for visitors in our new place, so please, please, please don't be strangers. We love guests.

More soon, I hope.

Overheard

2010-12-05T21:26:00.003-05:00

We took Ella to see Tangled while we were in Pittsburgh last week. During the previews, a promo for some Justin Bieber movie/biopic/monstrosity came on and Ella said, "That just looks so terrible."

High fives all around.

This girl LOVES to draw.

2010-11-16T21:25:00.001-05:00

A cupcake... :-)

And on a happier note...

2010-11-15T13:22:00.002-05:00

Here are some old photos so I can remember what Ella was like before she started bossing me around.

Happy Halloween?

2010-10-31T22:32:00.006-05:00

Ella and I went into Seattle today for the Halloween edition of the KEXP Dance Party. We saw several girls dressed up like Dorothy, but I think it's safe to say that mine was the most ill-behaved. And after a very public tantrum, complete with sobbing, shrieking and a full-body flail, we can finally say, "There's no place like home."

Good night. Until next year...

Overheard

2010-10-28T20:24:00.001-05:00

Ella (looking at her Tinkerbell phone): Another email? UUUGGGHHHHHH!

Me: who's it from?

Ella: Uncle Andy. I'm not answering... (pause)
ANOTHER email? UUUuGGGgHHhHh!!!!! It's all JUNK!

Me: hahaahahahahaha!!!!!!

In the Night Kitchen

2010-10-28T15:40:00.005-05:00

In the Night Kitchen
Originally uploaded by amber haynes

A bedtime story... as "read" by Ella.

UPDATE: Just figured out that this only uploaded 90 seconds of the story... before it's abruptly cut off. Consider it a teaser... :-)

Overheard

2010-10-08T15:22:00.000-05:00

Me: I really wish you would have taken a nap.
Ella: I am just so not tired.

Pennsylvania

2010-09-20T10:55:00.003-05:00

We've just returned from a short weekend trip to Pennsylvania for a friend's wedding. We had a great time! But now we're tired and recovering. Thank goodness Ella is in school. I know I haven't written anything in ages. I haven't felt like it. But a lot has happened. And I know I need to write about it. Soon enough. In the meantime, here are the photos from our trip.

Huckleberry Festival

2010-08-24T17:00:00.002-05:00

Overheard at the airport

2010-08-24T16:59:00.002-05:00

... to some random lady that sat next to us.

Ella: I drank so much chocolate milk that I can hardly breathe!

Overheard

2010-08-09T09:45:00.002-05:00

On Friday, we picked some blackberries down the street. When Brady went further down the street without us, this is what went down...

Ella: Daddy! I want Daddy! Where did Daddy go?
Me: He ran away. You're stuck with your old mom.
Ella: You're NOT old. How many times do I have to tell you? You're not old.
Me: *big smile*

p.s. It's really been a month since my last post? Golly gee...

Victoria BC

2010-07-07T18:25:00.003-05:00

Transportation

2010-07-02T20:57:00.004-05:00

Ella's latest drawings...

She tells me that the guy in the last one is jumping out of the car to get breakfast...

Obsession

2010-06-17T15:48:00.003-05:00

I have recently become obsessed with sewing. Maybe addicted is a better word. I can't stop sewing. I'm not making anything all that difficult, as I'm trying to teach myself how to actually sew... all using free tutorials I've found online, or just making things up as I go. I have yet to use a pattern—I'm afraid of messing it up... so I'll just wait until I get a little better before I make something that requires an actual pattern.

Here are a few of the projects I've completed in the last few weeks.

A Bunch of Random Stuff

2010-06-08T17:05:00.003-05:00

Posing.

Viking Festival in Poulsbo.

All dressed up.

My latest sewing creation. I am addicted. Really.

Beautiful baby girl.

Because it's been brought to my attention that the blog hasn't been updated in nearly a month. To tell you the truth, I just haven't felt like blogging. Until I do, here are a few photos!

Ella + Cousin Sammi!

2010-05-12T13:11:00.002-05:00

Andrew's Graduation from Carroll

2010-05-12T13:07:00.001-05:00

Visiting with Papa Chris + Fancy Nancy

2010-05-06T17:51:00.002-05:00

Off to Montana

2010-04-30T18:50:00.002-05:00

We're off to Montana in the morning. We've been keeping up with Brady via Skype (I can't say enough good things about Skype), and our time apart has gone by quickly. If you're around, Ella and I will be hanging out in T. Falls most of next week... then we're on our way to Helena for Andrew's graduation from Carroll College—woohoo!!!!

Expect pictures soon!

A Little Night Music

2010-04-26T21:02:00.002-05:00

just us girls.

2010-04-22T17:22:00.002-05:00

Brady's headed out to Japan tomorrow for work and won't be back until mid-May. Though I'm sure it's exciting for Brady to visit somewhere new, Ella and I aren't too thrilled with the idea of being apart for so long. Ella is particularly sensitive to his absences and this one will be the longest (three weeks) we've had in quite some time.

We're going to try to fill our time with lots of visits to friends and then a trip to Montana to see family. We'll be there from May 4—May 10 for my brother's graduation from Carroll College in Helena. (Go Andrew!)

If any of you are bored, feel free to come on over! We'd love the company :-)

nice shades.

2010-04-20T11:53:00.002-05:00

le artiste

2010-04-13T16:48:00.001-05:00

Ella's rendition of our Mt. Rainier hiking excursion.

Fresh out of Ella's mouth

2010-04-11T12:04:00.001-05:00

Ella: I want to go to McDonald's.

And then my heart stopped.

i want these

2010-04-01T15:26:00.002-05:00

not so much for ella, but maybe just for me :-)

check out their site for the cutest kids' shoes ever...

Overheard

2010-03-19T17:18:00.001-05:00

Ella just woke up from her nap and yelled downstairs to me, "Mama! I
want to be a famous artist!"

That's my girl.

Reykjavik

2010-03-18T17:42:00.002-05:00

Home again, home again...

2010-03-14T12:54:00.003-05:00

We're back. And I think that Ella got even cuter while I was away.

Random

2010-03-13T01:54:00.001-05:00

We went to a great bar last night... And it was playing hilarious 80s music videos on a big screen. Fantastic!

Biers

2010-03-13T01:52:00.000-05:00

Pancakes and waffles

2010-03-13T01:51:00.000-05:00

Our last dinner in Amsterdam.

Heineken Experience

2010-03-11T09:41:00.001-05:00

I'd like some fries with my mayo

2010-03-10T09:31:00.000-05:00

St. Bavo Church, Haarlem

2010-03-10T09:30:00.000-05:00

Mint thee

2010-03-10T05:13:00.001-05:00

Sent from my iPhone

Brunch at La Place

2010-03-10T05:12:00.001-05:00

Haarlem V & D Department store. Yum.

Sensory Overload

2010-03-10T01:26:00.001-05:00

Just waking up here in Amsterdam. The weather is gorgeous-no clouds and lots of sunshine, but COLD!!!!! I'm amazed at how many tourists there are at this time of year. Andrew and I walked around for hours yesterday to get oriented and had some great Indian food last night. And we finally got some sleep -- Iceland was definitely not good to us in the sleep dept.

More soon!

Amsterdam

2010-03-09T08:44:00.000-05:00

We're here. Safe and sound-more soon!

Blue lagoon

2010-03-08T10:22:00.001-05:00

Sent from my iPhone

Relaxed... Almost

2010-03-08T02:54:00.000-05:00

We had a great day in Reykjavik yesterday. After settling in to our
ridiculously huge room (there was a mix up so we got a two-bedroom),
we visited a few museums and enjoyed one of the city's many thermal
pools/hot pots-just a short walk from our room. This morning we're off
to the Blue Lagoon.

A chilly walk

2010-03-07T05:17:00.000-05:00

We have arrived

2010-03-07T03:35:00.001-05:00

We made it to Reykjavik and are just waiting for our hotel room to be
ready. It's about 32 degrees with a dusting of snow on the ground.
Lovely Iceland weather!

Away We Go

2010-03-06T14:19:00.001-05:00

My brother Andrew and I are leaving this afternoon for a little vacation—we're flying to Iceland for a few days and then to Amsterdam. I'm going to try to keep everyone posted on our travels in the next week... so check back soon!

Bon Voyage!

I love these conversations.

2010-02-18T16:30:00.003-05:00

Today has been the most beautiful day—blue skies and warm weather (for February)... and on the way to daycare this morning, Ella told me to look outside at the jingle bell clouds (contrails) and they DID look like little bells. She asked what they were from and I told her they were from airplanes/jets. So naturally, she asked HOW they made those... and so I told her to ask her dad, or better yet, ask her Uncle Trouble who is a pilot. And Ella said, "Like Mickey? From In the Night Kitchen?"

EXACTLY.

Games

2010-02-18T16:28:00.002-05:00

Last night, we taught Ella how to play chicken scratch (dominoes). She did a great job counting all of the dots and she proved to be great at picking out tiles because in the end, Ella was the winner! :-)

Hmmm

2010-02-09T18:40:00.001-05:00

Ella (talking to me): I worry about you sometimes.

Little Gymnast

2010-01-26T09:14:00.002-05:00

Another rare sighting

2010-01-23T09:59:00.002-05:00

To make a short story long...

2010-01-23T00:29:00.005-05:00

Ella said the cutest thing earlier tonight...

After dinner, we were going to share the last cupcake—split three ways. Ella and I ate our portions and left the last part on the counter for Brady. Then we went upstairs to help him finish packing (he's flying out tonight—to Grand Cayman!). A few minutes later, I noticed that Ella was gone. I called for her and she said she was downstairs. I asked her what she was doing and she said, "nothing!".. which meant that she was definitely up to something.

So, I went downstairs and she was hiding under the table in the dining room—just sitting cross legged, waiting for someone to find her. I said hello and went into the kitchen. A few seconds later, Ella entered the room... and this is what she said:

But see, there's a problem. I snuck downstairs and took a bite of Daddy's cupcake. I'm really very sorry, Mama. (sad eyes, pouty face, big hug)

How could I ever be mad at that? :-)

Flashback

2010-01-21T16:57:00.000-05:00

I ran across this photo today... boy, was Ella cute :-)

And yet another...

2010-01-20T12:30:00.002-05:00

I received yet another hilarious email from Kathy, Ella's day care provider... apparently Ella told her that she has cotton candy in her nose (she's been a bit stuffed up the last few days). Then Kathy asked her what color it was... pink (of course)!

Photos!

2010-01-07T22:49:00.000-05:00

Ella's new canopy!

Opening the advent calendar.

Reading a story with daddy...

Off the charts

2010-01-07T15:08:00.002-05:00

So, I went in for my stress echo on Tuesday and all that it determined is that the health of my heart is quite literally off the charts. The test consisted of walking/running on a treadmill at a serious incline (that increased every three minutes) while hooked up to an EKG and blood pressure monitor. I almost finished the test—they only let you go for a total of 21 minutes (apparently most people stop before 10 minutes)... but some of the monitors started falling off (hello, I'm sweaty) and the nurse kept trying to put them back on—as I'm running up a 20% incline. So I finally said that I was done at about 17 minutes. Then they took an ultrasound of my heart at about 180 beats per minute and compared it to an ultrasound of my heart at a more normal pace. Conclusion: whatever was ailing me probably has nothing to do with my heart.

I go in for another follow-up with my actual doctor next week. But I'm guessing everything that happened to me was all just a fluke and that I can go back to normal—a little more cautious, a lot less dehydrated, and with a few hefty health care bills.

Hearsay

2009-12-31T12:38:00.002-05:00

Ella's day care provider, Miss Kathy wrote to me yesterday about something funny Ella said... that went a little something like this:

After taking a toy from one of the babies, Miss Kathy asked Ella why she did that. And Ella said, "I just have bad manners."

Um, yes. Yes you do.

And since you've all been so patient...

2009-12-23T17:32:00.002-05:00

here's a cute photo of Ella. Merry Christmas!

Paranoia... An Update

2009-12-23T17:19:00.004-05:00

Well, if you've read the previous post then you're probably wondering what's going on... and the simple answer is that we just don't know—yet. I went in today for a follow-up appointment, because I am not at all satisfied with my diagnosis. What I'm really looking for is the root of the problem. Whether I had a clot or or just had an elevated test result seems beside the point. If I don't know the cause then it doesn't do anyone any bit of good. So... here's where we are now.

I am awaiting the results of yet another series of blood tests, just to make sure nothing else comes back with a strange level of this, that or the other. I have also been instructed not to engage in any exercise. No running. No biking. No gym. A leisurely walk is ok, but nothing that elevates my heart rate... which brings me to the next test to which I'll be subjected. Sometime in the near future (who knows when—why did this have to happen near Christmas?), I'll have to go back to the hospital for a stress echocardiogram. Basically, the doctor wants to check to see if there's something abnormal going on with my heart that can't be detected with all of the other tests they've already conducted. So until that happens, it's rest for me!

I'm going a little stir-crazy. I feel fine. I'm just a little sore in a few places. Tense, really. This whole situation has been a little stressful. And has left me a bit paranoid. It happened so suddenly, so who's to say it won't happen again. At least that's what is lurking in the back of my mind. Long story short, I am happy to subject myself to further scrutiny (and regular blood-letting), so we can rule out anything major. Let's just hope there's nothing to be found and I can get back to "normal" soon.

The waiting is the hardest part, right?

How to scare the $*@t out of your family without even trying.

2009-12-20T10:48:00.004-05:00

We had a little scare this weekend...

On the way to dinner Friday night, I started feeling a bit under the weather. My chest hurt a bit and then I felt very dizzy and weak. I went to get out of the car and after standing up for a few seconds, I fainted. Thank goodness Brady was there to catch me. We went straight home and eventually decided to go to urgent care. Wessley stayed home and watched Ella (so glad he was around!). We went in, they hooked me up to an EKG, took some blood and gave me a chest x-ray. Everything came back fine and we were told to go home and wait for the results of the blood test, but that they didn't expect anything abnormal.

A few hours later, we got a call from the doctor and I was told to go to the ER immediately because the blood test came up positive for the "possibility" of a blood clot. And considering my symptoms, I needed to be checked right away for a pulmonary embolism. So Brady and I drove to Bremerton and got to hang out in hospital for a few hours while I was poked and prodded. I got more blood and urine tests, as well as a CT scan of my chest (complete with the iodine/dye via IV that was probably the most uncomfortable part of the night). Everything came back normal. So I was sent home a little after midnight. The diagnosis—I probably had a small clot that resolved itself. Where it came from or how it got there is anybody's guess. I was also told that I'm quite dehydrated—no surprise to me. I am notoriously bad about drinking water... and exercising very hard. Not a good combination.

Brady was able to stay home with me (he starts back to work this afternoon) and I spent most of yesterday in bed. I am feeling a bit better—still kind of tired, but not so dizzy and definitely not fainting. I've decided to start taking a baby asprin every day for a while... and to carry some in my purse, just in case.

All in all, it was a very sudden, frightening experience. Lessons learned: drink more water, stress less, and relax more. I'm too young for all of this. Oh, and next year—I'm going on vacation for Christmas.

Proof that Ella is still cute

2009-12-18T18:52:00.000-05:00

What?

2009-12-16T11:58:00.001-05:00

Ella: I just have one brother. It's rock 'n' roll.

Overheard

2009-12-14T15:09:00.002-05:00

Ella: Did you eat while I was in your belly?
Me: Yes.
Ella: Didn't you get food all over me?

----------------------------------------

Ella: Mom. Why does everyone have Christmas lights except us?
Me: Because your parents are grinchy.

----------------------------------------

Ella: Mom. I've got a problem.
Me: What's wrong?
Ella: You see, I'm afraid of the dark. And there's a monster that lives in my closet...

Montana

2009-12-09T15:28:00.002-05:00

Frosting the brownies.

Tub time with cousin Logan.

Reading with Papa Chris.

A chilly walk to the island.

Tuckered out on the drive home.

Thanksgiving

2009-11-24T18:02:00.002-05:00

We're off to Montana for Thanksgiving this year. Brady and I have been making separate trips back home for years, so it will be nice to finally be visiting together. It comes as a welcome break, as he and I are a bit burnt out. I have had a constant flood of projects and Brady has been working extra—including a week of swing shift (blech!). Ella has started swimming lessons at the local high school pool. We're just a week in, but it's been fun so far. Hopefully she'll decide to trust that we're not going to make her go under water. Next up, I'll be looking into preschools...

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!