Earlier this year, I took Layla to the doctor because she had been sick for a couple days. I was most concerned about the lethargy (and the full day of puking she had had). Apparently she been hit with 2 viruses at the same time and her little body was working overtime. The doctor determined that her cold virus had led to a respiratory infection, one ear infection and the start of a second ear infection.
It was the silliest and simplest of quotes that was my ah-ha moment earlier this year.
“I’m the girl who listens to gangster rap … on her way to the farmer’s market after yoga”
It spoke to me. Not only because it’s 100% true for me but because it’s showing that we can be both things, or all things, at the same time. Just because I eat organic food and read self-help books doesn’t mean I don’t equally enjoy drinking (non-organic) wine and watching trashy reality TV.
This is obvious (and automatic) to some, but not to me. It’s becoming much clearer but shit, it’s taken a long time to get here.
It was my birthday. August 5th. 2015 and 2018. But if you asked my daughters (Ellie in 2015 and Layla in 2018), they would try really hard to convince you otherwise. Same day, 3 years apart, both girls 2 years old. Both girls stubborn and bull-headed. Both girls wrong, for those keeping record.
Please don’t hold it against me when you’re older, Layla! Ok, so you didn’t get a big blow out birthday like your sister did when she turned two… but you did get to celebrate your second birthday on the beach – and that’s your favorite place ever. And with cake. And with Uncle Chris documenting it for all of us.
Layla’s birthday is around the corner so Chris keeps giving me the side-eye. He’s wondering if I’m gonna get crazy with the coordinating and DIY like we did for both Ellie’s first two birthdays. He thinks I’m nuts, like who would really WANT to spend so much time and energy (and money) on a kid’s birthday party? And one they won’t even remember. I get it. It’s not everyone’s idea of fun. But it is mine.
“I think I’m going to Africa,” my younger sister declared to me a year ago. “Well wait, I wanna go to Africa too!” was my whiny big sister response. And that’s how it started. I turned to Chris with my eyebrows raised and he shrugged, “sure, go!” A week or two later it was confirmed. It’s been years since I traveled just to travel and I knew this trip would feed my soul. And Kenya did just that.
Lucy (the dog) spent the weekend with us last weekend and Ellie couldn’t help but want to dress her up every chance she got. So I returned the favor and dressed the girls up similarly. I’m not sure, can you tell who had the most fun with this? 😉 I don’t know how I ended up with such a girly-girl but to see her smile is worth all the tutus and frill.
It’s been quiet over here on the blogging-front. I’m not exactly sure why other than I’ve been trying to slow down. In general, in life. This constant nagging, pulling feeling of “I have to do this right away! I must get this done now!” is exhausting. I mean, I have two kids for that (half joking). I don’t need to add more pressure and unnecessary stress to my life. Not that blogging is always stressful, but it can be. It can also be a cathartic, supportive experience. As I write this now, like I’m writing in my journal, I feel grateful to have this space. I’m writing as I feel inspired, and not because of some imaginary rule or deadline I set for myself. That’s not how I want to operate anymore. I’m instead working on the art of slowing down.
Time is a thief. We all know this now. Especially as parents, we feel the panic of time moving so quickly. For me it’s always around Christmas that I am particularly aware of how fast the year has flown by. I always set similar goals for the New Year – to be more present, to document and journal more, and to enjoy the ups and the downs of whatever stage my kids are in. In that vein, I’m sharing this little End of Year Survey I made to lightly touch on those goals. Read more
San Diego isn’t known for its changing seasons but we were still surprised to wake up to 85 degree weather on Thanksgiving Day. A quick poll of our guests and we unanimously decided to eat our feast outside. Luckily our thanksgiving table decor translated well to our backyard picnic table.