Beaktweets

swingin'

2012-01-26T06:00:00.000-08:00

Chris was away for a long weekend this past weekend. Let's just say I wasn't cut out to be a single mom or a wife whose husband travels. I was absolutely miserable by the time he arrived home. I am so, so happy to have him back.

While it was definitely hard, I do have to admit that the extra one-on-one time with Meredith was really bonding. I feel even closer to her now than I did before. One of her new favorite things to do at the park is swing with me. I love it.

Sewing.

2012-01-24T10:02:00.000-08:00

Growing up, my mom sewed. I'm not sure how much or how frequently, but I have many vivid memories of watching her thread the machine, press the foot pedal and watch as the needle sped up and down, up and down. When my parents moved to Texas a couple of years ago, I got my mom's old machine. That was two and a half years ago and it's sat collecting dust since then. Last week I finally took it in to get tuned up. The woman at the store obviously thought I should just spend the money on a newfangled computerized machine, but I held out. I wanted to use my mom's machine. So after two days' wait, I went and fetched my shiny old machine and some fabric. I wasn't sure where to start so I picked a pillowcase and used Elizabeth's step-by-step tutorial. I hadn't sewn in so long. I'm pretty sure I hadn't since middle school home ec class. It took me a while to remember all the things like threading the bobbin and threading the machine. I wish I could say it was all smooth sailing, but it wasn't. I had a few issues, but overall, for a first attempt, I felt successful. I love how the pillow turned out, even though it's far from perfect. And now I'm excited for more projects!

oh, this kid.

2012-01-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

Oh, this kid, this kid. I just love her so much. It's like my heart has gone and exploded about 12 sizes larger in the last week and i just can't get enough. She's babbling and singing and using words. She's hugging the lambs in her books and squeezing as many stuffed animals as her little arms will hold while squealing with joy. She is building towers with her stacking cups and knocking them down. She is putting things in and out, in and out, in and out of the washing machine. She plays with water as long we'll let her and loves drinking straight from the faucet. She feeds herself yogurt and oatmeal with a spoon and makes the biggest mess you ever did see. She stands on our bed and falls face first onto a pile of pillows, giggling wildly. She puts a bucket on the crook of her elbow, heads for the door and tells us, "Bye!" as she heads off to shop or find Mickey Mouse in real life, or something. She grabs my face between her two little hands and leans forward to give me the sweetest kiss you ever did receive. She hugs my neck so tight my head might pop off.

She is my daughter and some days I just can't quite believe my luck.

Caramelized Onion Foccacia

2012-01-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

For our anniversary, I wanted to make some yummy bread to go with the steak and veggies we were planning to grill. I have this great new cookbook, The Mixer Bible, to use with my new stand mixer and I'm loving all the recipes. Foccacia with Caramelized Onions stood out to me, so I decided to give it a try. I'm so glad I did. It was so delicious. Other than taking a decent amount of time, like all yeast breads, it wasn't difficult. I did over cook it by a few minutes, but it still tasted great :) The recipe is from the cookbook, but you can also find it here.

Walk along the pier.

2012-01-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, we ventured into San Francisco. It was another perfect California day. I can't quite believe how many perfect days we've had since moving here two months ago. I think it's been an extra kind winter, but I like to think it will always be this wonderful.

We started at the Ferry Building and made our way up to Ghiradhelli Square with the promise of delicious sundaes keeping us going. We got to see the sea lions at Pier 39, the tackiness of Fisherman's Wharf and beauty of the ocean and grass a little further north. Meredith was a champ while we strolled, soaked up and sun and got our first glimpse of real life nudists (yuck).

Santa Cruz

2012-01-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we set off for Santa Cruz with our friends. It was a beautiful sunshine-y day and we were excited for a drive through the mountains that would end at the beach. The day didn't disappoint as we enjoyed sand, sun, saltwater and strolling through the downtown.

Friday Links

2012-01-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

My oldest friend, Alicia, and her husband are coming in town this weekend. I am SO excited. While we're off exploring this excellent city of ours, I have some links to share.

This week we enjoyed a couple really tasty meals: Corn & Black Bean Quinoa and Stuffing Stuffed Pork Chops (Thanks, Val!). For the quinoa recipe, I didn't serve it as a cold salad, but instead sauteed and warmed up all the ingredients. It was very tasty and very hearty. And the pork chops? I mostly needed an excuse for stuffing. I can't quite let go of that part of the holidays.

I loved Mandy's post about her bra fitting. She has such a hysterical way of writing. I must admit, I've never had a bra fitting! She makes me think I should get one. I believe it'd be quite depressing with my current, post-breastfeeding situation.

My friend Shannen is starting a book club! The first book is Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. Can you believe I have never read it? Well, me neither! I'm so happy to have a reason to finally get to it. You should join in the discussion, too!

Do you read Cupcakes and Cashmere? I love her blog, but her outfits don't typically relate much to my mommy at the park lifestyle. This outfit, while not something I'd be able to wear daily, was just so beautiful.

Did you read Elizabeth's post last Friday? It was so, so good and reading the comments made me think about so much. The thing that has stuck with me all week is that I would like to spend more time engaging with Meredith than checking through blogs and twitter. I've been doing a lot more lap reading and rug playing this week and I have to say, it feels good.

an adventure with my girl.

2012-01-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, we set off on adventure. I just woke up with the feeling that we needed to do something special, just us. The stars seemed to align as we easily found a parking place, spotted a giant rubber ducky on the roof and walked along hand in hand towards our destination, the children's discovery museum.

I love this age, when the pigeons in the courtyard and the stairs between exhibits are as fascinating and brain-growing as the museum itself.

Her eyes widen in fear as planes fly overhead. Her voice squeaks with excitement as birds suddenly descend all around us. Her head is quickly directed upward as she watches a ball make its way through a bumbling maze. She picks up a paintbrush wet and heavy with the paint of children that have come before her. As she runs her brush across the white canvas it's like magic before her eyes as it instantly changes colors.

She takes it all in and it's as if she is growing into a little girl before my very eyes.

Some days, I am distracted with email checking, blog reading, chore list making, even though physically I am right next to her. But not yesterdat. Yesterdat I found myself soaking up each minute and marveling at how this child that I birthed, seemingly just yesterday, is now talking, walking, exploring and making art.

Wordless Wednesday: Toddlerhood

2012-01-11T08:05:00.000-08:00

A team effort.

2012-01-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

On our anniversary, I had grand plans of getting up early and making an anniversary worthy breakfast while husband and baby slept on, unaware. As soon as I was up and had the ingredients out, so was our little one. I fed her breakfast and once she finished eating she was curious about what I was up to. As you know (I think), I love to bake. As Meredith toddled up onto a chair, working alongside me, dumping ingredients into the mixing bowl, this one big hope that felt so far away had suddenly arrived. There are so many things about parenthood that felt so far away when Meredith was just born and now, after the quick blink of an eye, they are here. Getting to bake with my little girl just about takes the cake.

Steppin' Out: 1/8

2012-01-08T13:09:00.000-08:00

This morning we stepped out to church. We've been slowly looking for a new church home and today was a step in the right direction.

My little lady looked absolutely adorable in her new striped shirt and I'm super happy with some of my outlet shopping purchases from Saturday. Chris was looking mighty handsome, too.

On Meredith

Top: Carter's

Jeans: Thrifted Gap

Shoes: Target

On Me:

Cardigan & Shirt: J. Crew Outlet

Pants: Forever 21

Shoes: Lucky Brand from Dillard's

On Chris:

Jacket: Banana Republic

Shirt:Macy's

Pants: Ralph Lauren Outlet

Shoes: Converse

Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters

Linking up with Mandy at Harper's Happenings!

5 years.

2012-01-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

night we got engaged :)

honeymoon!

our first married trip after our honeymoon. a camping trip to Virginia. have I ever told you how we almost froze to death? i should someday.

soon after our engagement

baaaaabies! early college i think?

Five years ago, we made a forever commitment to one another. We shared these vows in front of our family and dearest friends.

"I, Claire, take you, Chris, to be my husband; to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish always."

I will be faithful to you and honest with you;
I will respect, trust, help and care for you;
I will share my life with you;
I will forgive you as we have been forgiven;
And I will try with you to better understand ourselves, the world, and God;
Through the best and the worst of what is to come as long as we both shall live."

I am so glad we made these promises. Have our five years of marriage been perfect? No. But they have been amazing. We have shared countless adventures. We have shared countless laughs. We created a little life and have worked on raising her together.

We have also shared tears, hard decisions, rough patches and miscommunications. I haven't always forgiven as I've been forgiven, but have instead held onto wrongdoings (actual or perceived) longer than I should. I have had unrealistic expectations.

I haven't looked at our vows in a really long time, but it makes me happy to read them and know we're working at it. We are faithful to each other. We are honest with each other. Sometimes it takes some coaxing from Chris to get me to talk about what's tossing about in my brain, but we do it. We share our life. My favorite things to do and my favorite memories are with him. Through the good and easy times and the harder times, I love him.

Happy Anniversary, my dear, dear husband. I love you.

Christmas Vacation.

2012-01-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

Somehow Christmas already feels a million miles away, but I still wanted to post some pictures because we enjoyed a wonderful two weeks in Texas. I was like a sponge soaking up moments baking, laughing, shopping, walking, watching TV and sharing meals with my family. I took naps. I read. I watched The Price is Right and The Help. We decorated cookies. We chased a toddler. We opened presents. We ate. It was perfect. We are happy to be back home, but those two weeks were just what we needed. Here are a few snippets of our trip.

My hopes for 2012

2012-01-04T08:23:00.000-08:00

It's funny that when I asked my blogging friends to help with guest posts on New Year's resolutions, I hadn't thought about my own at all. After reading through them all, my mind started ticking away at what I'm hoping for the next year.

I started by going through last year's resolutions and honestly? I think I did pretty good. My goals were pretty simple: read, run, stress less, focus on the positive and get dressed up more. When I think back to January, I really have made a lot of progress. Less PJs, more stories tucked into the folds of my brain and a little less tightly wound. But I didn't ever do a fishtail braid! Drat!

Much like last year, I'm going to keep it simple. Lots of the goals will be the same.

I want to keep running. I'm working through Couch to 5K and for the first time since before I was pregnant with Meredith, I think I can stick with it.

I want to keep reading. Reading just makes me happy.

I'd like to purge my closet and really work on only keeping and buying items that I really like (not just things that are on sale and, therefore, cute-ish).

I'd like to keep exploring our new area by visiting Lake Tahoe and/or Yosemite. I'd also love to visit wine country and Big Sur. I'm looking forward to some West Coast camping.

I hope to give more attention to my marriage. Raising a toddler plus the fatigue that settles into my bones after a long day often results in Chris not getting the best of my attention. And oh, how I love that man. He deserves the best.

I hope to keep working on staying present with Meredith. It is so easy to get distracted with household chores or even this blog, but I want to be more engaged with my little lady in the little moments of our day.

I hope to strengthen and deepen the new friendships I've made here, and afar.

I think that about covers it. If I can achieve most of these things I think it will be a successful year.

A year in review: 2011

2011-12-30T06:00:00.000-08:00

I was tempted to jump ahead and just give you my resolutions for 2012. But as I've read other people's yearly reviews and as I've reflected on 2011, I realized this year is due a little respect. Every year brings a lot of change, I think, but for some reason this year is feeling especially important. While it wasn't the year I became a mother, I think it's the year I came into my own.

I started 2011 thrilled to be a mom, but tired, lonely and sad. I have so many bittersweet memories from January and February. I was so, so happy to be watching my baby girl learn- sitting, crawling, giggling and playing her in her jumperoo but so many of those memories are tinged with sadness. I felt isolated and I felt trapped inside, literally, because of the mounds of snow and sheets of ice. I remember many tear-filled calls to my mom, feeling like I was trying so hard to make new mom friends and feeling like I was failing. Many of my friends with babies were headed back to work and others felt equally trapped at home because of the weather.

As the snow melted, my heart warmed and felt more happy. We got out. We went on day trips. We took an overnight trip. We celebrated the milestones of our baby's growth.

In May we celebrated my first Mother's Day and I remember feeling like a weight had been lifted from me. I had survived nearly a year as a mama. It had been hard and exhausting, but I had done it and I was (and am) so much better for it. I think as a mom it's easy to feel like the little things you do go unnoticed and that day I felt appreciated. It was perfect timing.

June was an amazing month. Chris celebrated his first Father's Day. Meredith turned one! We went on an amazing vacation to Bar Harbor, Maine.

July treated us to another great vacation on Martha's Vineyard. And also? Meredith weaned herself and started sleeping though the night (finally!).

August took us to Cape Cod and New York City. Right at the end of August, life's tectonic plates started shifting ever so slightly in preparation of a huge life change.

In September we took a whirlwind trip to the San Francisco bay area which would lead us to make a big decision to move across the country.

October was full of packing and goodbyes as we set off on a new adventure in California on the 30th.

November was full of unpacking, settling in and many hellos as we attempted to make new friends. We celebrated our first California Thanksgiving with my family and relished in the wonderful weather.

December was festive and exciting. By the end I felt spent. Drained from so many conversations with new friends and putting myself out there much more than normal. Grateful for all the people I've met, but tired, we set off for Texas where I've napped every day and savored time with my family in a quiet little town.

We will ring in the new year here, feeling rested and rejuvenated and ready for the new friends, challenges and exciting things 2012 will bring.

Hooray for 2012. I feel much more emotionally healthy. I am so in love with my husband and daughter. I have the prospect of many new friends. I am blessed more than any girl could ever deserve.

Hopes for 2012: Life and Oh-La-Dee-Dah

2011-12-29T07:00:00.000-08:00

Today Jodi is here sharing a couple of her goals for 2012. I've told you you before and have linked to her several times. I love her perspective on motherhood and on being a wife. I'm so glad to know her in real life now, too.

***

Hi, I'm Jodi and I blog over at Life and Oh-La-Dee-Dah. I'm so excited to be guest posting over here! I have loved reading Claire's blog for a while now and just recently got the pleasure of meeting her and sweet little Meredith in person. I'm so excited that they moved out this way and that we're able to be friends both in blog world and in real life.

With the holidays and the new year's soon arrival, I've been thinking a lot about the past year and taking note of the things we've accomplished as a family and what areas I've grown in personally. It's nice to look back on those things; It sort of motivates me to set new goals and move forward. I love beginning a new year with a set of goals to achieve. It sets the tone for purposeful year, don't you think?

There are so many goals under the category "Family", from financially to relationally, but this year my favorite, is to do a new family activity at least once a month. We aren't always great about exploring new areas where we live, but since we recently moved to California, we have a lot of great new places to explore. I love making memories with our boys and I hope they look back after they're grown and remember fondly the state parks we visited, the beach trips we took or the museums we strolled through.

A goal that I listed out last year for myself was to exercise consistently, and it's one that I wasn't very good about keeping. Having two young children doesn't leave a lot of time for extras, but this year I'm aiming to make it a priority by readjusting my schedule and allowing room for error. I often feel like if I miss a day, then the whole week is shot, and then the whole month and so on. I'm reminding myself that consistency doesn't have to be two hours a day, it can be one hour three times a week or once every day for 30 minutes. I've already started and I feel like I'm gaining momentum.

So, as the new year approaches, I'm adding new goals and continuing old and I am really excited to see what 2012 brings. Do you set goals each new year? Are you strict about keeping them or do you give yourself some flexibility?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and thank you so much Claire for having me here!

***

Now go check out her blog!

Anna of Dear Friend: Let's Dance

2011-12-27T07:00:00.000-08:00

Today Anna of Dear Friend is telling us about her hopes for 2012. Anna is a blogging friend turned real friend. She is one of the sweetest people I have ever encountered. Anna is so full of positivity and because of that is so much fun to be around. I really hate being clear across the country from her now. Enjoy her post. It's a perfect glimpse of who she is and what her blog is like.

***

Hey there, everyone! So nice to meet you! I’m Anna from over at Dear Friend and I’m so happy to be here today guest posting on Beaktweets. Claire and I became real life friends back in Boston and now that she’s across the country we continue to keep in touch daily through through our blogs and twitter. What would we do without them?!

So this is a post about 2012: To the unknown that lies ahead, and the excitement and curiosity of wondering what surprises it will bring. But before 2012, I’d like to take just a moment to reflect on 2011. Because for me, it was a great year. I’ve made more memories than I can count with the people who are dearest to me and I am thankful everyday for this beautiful life.

As I embark on the new year I am excited for lots of new things (many of which are unknown at this point), but also the ability to practice some of the old things in my life as well.

Here are some things I want to remember as I dance through 2012:

Slow down.

In this busy place called life it’s so important to take the time to enjoy the little things. Stop and take pictures. Read more books. Call your friends. Write handwritten letters. Dance around your apartment. Take in the sunsets. Relish in old photographs. Give long hugs. Be yourself.

Try your best.

As a teacher, it’s easy to get caught up in what’s missing in education. And on a larger scale, as humans it's easy to get caught up in the things we cannot do rather than rejoicing in the things we can. So let’s not remember to look closely at what’s there. Take time for each individual task. Arrive early, don’t stay too late. Have fun. Be silly. Be honest. Be proud.

Keep in touch.

Family and friends are everything. Be present. Stay connected. Remember birthdays. Write emails. Call home. Be conscious of those who've made you the unique person you are today. Listen, talk, be there for the people who are most important to you. Show appreciation. Give thanks. Say I love you.

Smile.

Look for the happy in things. Lend a hand. Be spontaneous. Wherever there is darkness remember the light is somewhere close by. Show empathy and compassion. Make someone feel good and important. Give compliments. Pay it forward. Spread joy. Show love. BE KIND.

The new year is closer than we think and I'm really looking forward to it. I wish you all these things and more as you dance into 2012 as well. Above all things I wish you happiness and good health-- and a glass of bubbly with your favorites. Cheers! ♥

***

Now go check out Anna's blog!

Family.

2011-12-26T06:39:00.000-08:00

"All because two people fell in love"

Do you know this saying? Since being in Abilene I have been feeling so grateful for my parents and the family they've created. I love their cozy home. I love my siblings and the easy banter. I love my parents and the comfort that just their presence provides. I am so glad they fell in love and have stayed in love for so long.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-23T14:32:00.000-08:00

From our home to yours, we're wishing you a very Merry Christmas. I truly hope you are enjoying the company of family and friends, treating yourself to tasty foods and a little extra relaxation.

Hopes for 2012: Orange and Barrel

2011-12-22T07:00:00.000-08:00

Today Em from Orange and Barrel is guest posting and sharing her hopes for 2012. I have known Emerson since high school in Atlanta, but we really became friends through blogging. I love her blog and have especially loved reading about her recent wedding. So without further ado, here's Em!

***

First, I want to thank Claire for allowing me to guest post. I was thinking about how long I have known Claire and I was thinking it had to be about ten years and then I realized it was probably longer and now I feel old.

What did I learn this year? I was thinking about this question on my drive home. I live in Santa Barbara but I work at the very edge of Los Angeles County, for anyone familiar with Southern California there is an entire county between those locations -- but the upside is lots of time to think in my car.

In 2011, both my parents battled cancer. Seriously, both. How does that even happen?

In 2011, I took the California Bar, twice, and didn't pass either time. Seriously, both. How does that even happen?

I am not one to pass out wisdom, I am too young and inexperienced for all that jazz, but I did learn in 2011 that good things can come from unexpected places. My family grew closer as a result of the cancer(s) and not passing the bar(s) lead to some serious conversations about turning the boat around with my then boyfriend, turned fiance, turned husband all within a little over three months.

In 2011, I got married.

In a quiet and intimate ceremony at San Francisco City Hall. It was beautiful. When I look back on it (we have been married for five weeks) I still get goosebumps. The following weekend we threw a big fairly traditional, gray and yellow clad, reception in Topanga Hills (always makes me think of Boy Meets World) a little area tucked away in Los Angeles.

I got to have my (cup)cake and eat it too. We had a quiet ceremony and a beautiful party. Seriously both. How does that even happen?

I am rounding out 2011 with a job at a new firm and newlywed bliss, all things that came out of some-not-good-moments.

So 2012? I am taking a lesson from 2011, plan for the worst, expect the best, stay flexible, be open to opportunities, work hard, and whenever something awful happens (and it will) handle it with as much grace as possible.

And I am going to work out.

No, I am going to eat more cupcakes.

Happy Holidays and a very Happy 2011 to you and yours.

***

Now go check out her blog!

Hopes for 2012: Malisa Price

2011-12-21T07:00:00.000-08:00

Today we have Malisa here sharing some New Year's resolution advice!

***

Hello! My name is Malisa and I blog at malisaprice.com. Claire and I met through our mutual friend, Jodi. Today, I am looking forward to sharing my goal experience with you all.
Two years ago, I heard one of my all-time favorite speakers and financial advisers ever, discuss goals versus resolutions. When Dave Ramsey said that goals were specific, measurable, your own, written down, and had an end date. I had an epiphany. Those elements were ALL missing in my previous New Year's Resolutions.
Sure, I had wanted to lose weight, exercise more, read more, and all of the other wonderful resolutions myself and everyone else attempts. But these resolutions never lasted longer than about 2 minutes (the time it took for me to see a slice of cake or realize it was cold outside and there was no way I was leaving the couch to go for a walk).
In January 2010, I typed up some goals for myself. On the top I wrote my criteria: specific, written, time limit, measurable, and yours. I then wrote 6 goals that were all important to me. I wasn't writing this list so my husband would be impressed or that I could boast about it to other people, these were all things that I truly desired to do.
I then hung this standard, typical and plain piece of paper in my cubicle at work. It was taped in a spot that no one could see unless they were standing inside my cubicle. Each time I finished something on the list, I would write it down. It felt great to see progress being made!
One of my goals was to walk 365 miles in 2010. To measure my walking progress, I had a separate chart that I filled in for each mile I completed. I am so lucky to work nearby one of the most beautiful parks in California and one time around the park is 1 mile! This was a great way for me to calculate my miles and see the dent I was making in this goal.
At the end of the year, I was very happy with my progress. So happy, that I've kept the piece of paper! Here's what my goal chart looked liked:

Even though I had WONDERFUL success with my goals for 2010, this did not translate to 2011. Confession time: I didn't write my goals down for 2011. In fact, as I sit here with 2011 coming to a rapid close, I can't even remember what they were, except for two: finishing my Master's degree and saving cash to buy a new car. We did complete both of those but I'm sure there were more that I can't remember.
I learned that if I want to complete my goals, I must write them down. They also need to be something that matters enough to me to specify what I want to accomplish. Then, all I need to do, is take the steps to begin working on them! One-by-one.

Malisa blogs about cooking, crafting, and opinions about the world around her. She loves sharing the latest recipe she's modified and easy DIY crafts. Malisa enjoys discussing her experiences as a married woman and a follower of Christ in the 21st Century.

Website: malisaprice.com Twitter: @malisaprice

We're here.

2011-12-20T12:20:00.000-08:00

Being home feels so good. As soon as we were here a weight was lifted from me and I felt at peace. One of the first things we did was light up a fire outside to enjoy the brisk winter night under my parents' pergola. It was a perfect night spent drinking hot chocolate, making s'mores and chatting with my grandfather, parents and siblings.

Hopes for 2012: Skinny Jeans & a Chai Latte

2011-12-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

I have known Kristin for a long time. I'm thinking middle school or high school. I could bust out an embarrassing picture of us, but I'm going to restrain myself. Once I moved to Boston we lost touch, but blogging brought us back together post-college. I love reading her blog and she is one of my greatest running inspirations. So, here she is to share some of her goals for 2012.

***

I'm Kristin over at Skinny Jeans & a Chai Latte. I'm so grateful Claire asked me to guest post for her while she's enjoying wonderful time traveling and visiting with family and friends!

I cannot believe 2012 is on the horizon already! 2011 brought lots of good, lots of terrible, and lots of interesting change. I'm so happy to be able to look towards a new year! While reviewing last years happenings, I'm setting my sights on a few new things.

My main goal last year was to run. Run I did.

Back in March and April, I could barely run one or two miles. On November 13, 2011, I finished my first half marathon. While I haven't done much running since the half (aside from an awesome 5k where I achieved a new 5k personal record). Running has become a part of my life, and I really want to keep it that way.

The new 2012 running goal: Run another half marathon and/or run a race every month for at least 8 months out of the year. That's a lot of money to dish out on running, but it's worth it for the way it makes me feel!

Every January, D (my husband) and I do what we have coined "No-Meat January." It's sort of a way to renew and refresh going into the new year. It's also a fabulous way for us to think outside the box.

[Image via Google]

The new 2012 eating goal: Go semi-pescatarian. I'm pretty sure pescatarian is not "real." I'm also not too sure how many "real" vegetarians shun those who pose as vegetarian while still eating fish. After doing my research this year, I decided to make a decision that felt morally right for me. My opinion (which I am in no way pushing on to others) is that it feels morally wrong to eat something that has been raised/kept alive for slaughter. Since D's dad is a hunter and deer live on their own in the wild, I still plan to eat venison. I'll ease into the less meat lifestyle by including fish/seafood...plus I just love sushi too much :)

I'm absolutely obsessed with traveling. If I could find some logical/realistic way to make traveling my career, I would.

[NYC, April 2011]

D and I were lucky enough to be able to make two "big" trips this year, one domestic and one international. Although I guess the Bahamas may not be officially considered international, but you do have to have a passport to get there!

The new 2012 travel goal: California! D started mentioning using our tax return to fix up our house...ugh groan. I like to spend my money traveling! The next big trip in my mind is California.

If 2011 has taught me anything though, it's to live in the moment and enjoy all the wonderful memories I have with those close to me. If we don't get to take a big trip, I'll savor the day trips we're able to take to the beach. If I slip up with my less meat mentality, tomorrow is a new day. If I don't make it to that next half marathon, I'll be happy with the new, faster races I can/did complete. I'm definitely looking forward to a fresh beginning in 2012.

***

Now go check out Kristin's blog!

Siblings (?)

2011-12-19T09:42:00.000-08:00

So, lately, it seems like between the blogging world and my real life friends & acquaintances, there are loads of baby #2's on the way. For a long, long time I've said I want my babies about two and a half years apart. These pregnancy announcements have been sending me into freak out mode. Is Meredith going to be too old for her sibling?? Will they even, ever be friends?? We've already missed the 18 month separation mark (since she'll be 18 months in under two weeks!) so I suppose there's no point in fretting about it. On the one hand it feels so soon to be thinking about getting pregnant again, but on the other I feel the time atickin'.

I guess I'm just wondering: if you have children, what age separation do you like? If you don't, how long do you imagine you'll wait between babies?

image

Hopes for 2012: Guest Post Series

2011-12-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

As you read this I am flying through the air with my little family towards Texas to spend a couple weeks with my family for my birthday, Christmas and New Years. While I'm away I'll pop in here and there, but I also have some wonderful guest posts from some of my favorite bloggers. They will be sharing some of the hopes and goals for 2012. I hope you enjoy reading!

A Perfect Day.

2011-12-17T22:14:00.000-08:00

Today I lived a perfect day. As we drove home after dinner and meeting with Santa Claus, Chris described today as a perfect Claire chill day and that's exactly what it was. It was like a dream day for me.

We lounged in our pajamas until after noon. Chris and I enjoyed a classic Saturday breakfast of eggs and bacon while Meredith napped. And as her nap continued I snuggled into the couch to read. Once Meredith woke up we very slowly got ourselves ready and walked over the park. We woke to a house that was icy cold which deceived us into thinking it was a chilly day outside. In reality, it was one of those perfectly blue sky, warm days. We shed our layers as we pushed our sweet girl on the swings and chased her around leaf covered fields.

Eventually we headed home so our sandy baby could bathe and nap again. I read some more and napped myself. Once we all were awake we got ready for an outing to meet Santa and have dinner. When we arrived to the mall, we were told Santa was just leaving to "go feed the reindeer" and wouldn't be back for several hours. I shook off my disappointment as we headed to dinner. We enjoyed an unusually peaceful dinner and afterwards got hot chocolate.

As we waited to for it be made I spied Santa Claus! I followed him to his little village. He was miraculously back much earlier than anticipated. Chris was such a good sport and let us wait in line to meet the jolly fellow. And he really was a great Santa. He was so sweet to us and took plenty of time to let Meredith warm up to him. Our picture isn't exactly the best picture you ever did see, but it was a wonderful experience.

Once home, we put our babe to bed and had our own little Christmas together. We decided not to try to bring our gifts for each other back and forth so we exchanged gifts tonight. I'm a happy wife tonight as I'm now the proud owner of my very own Kitchenaid Mixer. I've been wanting one for years, but have never really asked for one because they are pricey. I'm so thrilled to finally have one!

So that was our day. It may not read as anything special to you, but it was the exact day I needed. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Ten Little Traganos Things

2011-12-16T09:26:00.000-08:00

Linking up with E Tells Tales again!

1. Thank Goodness it's Friday. It's been one of those weeks. I am so ready for Chris to be home for the weekend and for us to fly outta here on Monday morning.

2. Have you tried the Astounding Multi Flavor Joe-Joes? Oh.My.Goodness. They are seriously the yummiest store bought cookies I've ever had. The peppermint and ginger ones are my favorite.

3. When you find yourself yelling at your husband and crying over the shipping of Christmas boxes you know you've reached your limit. Time for a vacation (ie. Monday). Also, this emotional state I'm in explains the mass consumption of aforementioned cookies.

4. Two soup recipes today. First, my mom's chili. 1 lb ground beef, 2 cans diced tomatoes, 2 cans rotel tomatoes, 2 cans tomato soup, 1 can light red kidney beans and about 3/4 can of water. Brown beef. Once brown, dump in everything else. Cover liquid in chili powder (does that make any sense?). Simmer for about 45 minutes. Serve over elbow noodles and top with shredded cheese and sour cream. This soup is perfect for a cozy night in or when serving dinner to the masses.

5. Butternut squash soup. So good. Ours was too chunky because I killed my handmixer by cooking it on the stovetop (yikes!) while blending the soup.

6. I thrifted this Christmas skirt over the weekend and I can't wait to wear it. Also, check out Jodi's adorable Christmas plaid.

7. This year I bought white craft paper and decorated it with washi tape and potato stamping. It was so fun to do and I love the way it turned out. Do you have a wrapping system? My mom often wraps each person's presents in his or her own paper. It's clever.

8. Anna posted this crazytown Rory Gilmore reading list. It's such a long list I haven't even taken the time to see what books I've read off of it. While making reading all of them a goal is a bit daunting, I think I will use the list as a reference for ideas.

9. Speaking of reading, I'm trying to get into Goodreads. If you're on it, let's be friends. I love having friends' recommendations for reading. When I'm in the reading zone, I need a list of books to read so I stay in the zone. Otherwise, I lose my mojo and stop reading altogether for a while.

10. I have some new year's resolution themed guest posts coming up next week. I'm so excited to share them! I have room for a couple more. If you're interested, let me know :)

Happy Weekend!!

Bits + Pieces

2011-12-15T08:47:00.000-08:00

Do you read Bleubird? She has such a beautiful blog and her Bits + Pieces series is probably my favorite. She has a great way of capturing everyday moments. Today I wanted to share a few of our bits & pieces from our week.

oh, this time of year.

2011-12-13T21:37:00.000-08:00

This time of year is magical. This time of year is busy. This time of year is exciting, stressful, happy and tiring. I find myself wanting to get out and spend time with friends. I find myself wanting to stay in wearing pajamas to watch TV with my sweet little girl.

I want to drive listening to music and the chattering of my baby in the backseat. I want to use that precious car time to call friends back home.

I want to be here in California enjoying the cool, crisp air on evening walks. I want to be here in California exploring new places and making new friends. I want to be back in Boston with my friends. I want to meet all the new babies and see growing baby bumps. I want to sit over coffee and hear the stories of exciting new news. I want to sink into a comfy couch with an old friend and watch a Christmas movie.

You see? I am torn. I am loving where I am and missing where I'm not. I am simultaneously exhilarated and exhausted. On the one hand I feel accomplished and settled and on the other I feel like there is so much more left to do.

I supposed these things are all a part of the holidays and also moving. I think Christmas is so cherished because it forces us to slow down and spend time with those we love. The tricky thing about that, though, is that getting to that point of slowing down and enjoying friends and family takes a lot of work. So right now I will remind myself to take deep breaths, enjoy a couple greasy hair/PJ days while I scramble to get everything done, knowing that in less than a week things will be completely different and much more calm.

Bobs & Ombre.

2011-12-13T08:17:00.000-08:00

I have loooong hair. I love long hair. But honestly? I havent been able to regularly style it in quite sometime. I could get away with wet, wavy hair in the summer, but as the cold creeps in, it's just not cutting it anymore. Because of this, I find myself longing for a new 'do. I've been loving pictures of shoulder-length bobs, especially those of the wavy variety. I've never been a fan of shoulder length hair- it feels non-committal like you aren't up for a long coif, but you aren't brave enough to hack it off. But at this point? It seems like the perfect not too long and not too short length.

Also, I've been loving two tone hair. It seems like a fun, but low key way to spice up your 'do, but manage to avoid getting roots at the same time.

What do you think? Are you a fan of these styles? Are you a short hair or long hair person?

Big Basin State Park

2011-12-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

On Saturday we woke up ready for an adventure. We had a few places in mind that ended up being too far for a quick day trip, so we settled on Big Basin which ended up being perfect. It was a long, mountainous, windy drive with great views. By the end I was a bit carsick, but the beauty was worth it.

Big Basin is another forest of redwood trees. much like Muir Woods, but less busy and a bit more wild feeling. We took a short trail and let Meredith roam about, which made it slow going, but really fun.

This outing was yet another reminder that we've moved to a truly, incredibly beautiful state.

A perfect Sunday.

2011-12-11T15:09:00.000-08:00

All too often I (inwardly) bemoan my inability to do whatever I want on the weekends, thanks to a certain toddler. Obviously this is selfish and obviously my life is more full in ways it wasn't pre-baby. BUT. Sometimes I just want to take a nap. Sometimes I just want to watch a movie. Sometimes I just want to eat a peaceful lunch.

And you know what? Today I got to. Meredith took an unexpected long morning nap so I got to hang some instagram pictures and (finally) put up an album on Facebook. Once she woke, we strolled the farmer's market with a very happy toddler. Then we came home and made some deeelicious sandwiches which I enjoyed while Meredith played.

AND THEN we turned on The Great Muppet Caper. Meredith happily watched some of the movie and then happily played around the living room for the rest.

It was a simple day. It was so nice. It was family time and individual time and time to just do whatever. We've been so busy getting settled and getting out to explore that today felt like a much needed chill day.

10 Little Traganos Things

2011-12-09T08:33:00.000-08:00

So E over at E Tells Tales does a weekly recap most Fridays (called Ten Little Ivie Things) and today she's made it into a link-up! So, I'm linking up! Here are 10 little Traganos things.

1. Meredith has been enjoying a new, fun activity in the evenings this week. Pretty awesome, huh?

2. Do you read Kelle Hampton? If not, you should. And also if not, you have to check out her North Pole party. It seemed like the most magical night for the little girls in attendance.

3. After seeing several Pinterest pictures of twinkle light Christmas cards, I gave it a try. I didn't get one I wanted to mail out, but I'm pretty happy with them still.

4. We ended up picking a family picture instead and ordered our pictures through Tiny Prints. They came yesterday and I'm so happy with them!

5. Is there anything cuter than a baby in cheetah pants with black flats? Doubt it.

6. We are having a date night tonight! First since the move. We have made some new friends here with a daughter with the exact same birthday as Meredith. We've decided to do a babysitting swap for date nights. So excited!

7. Did you read C. Jane's story of Erin Caroline's birth this week? OH.MY.GOODNESS. I don't think I'd feel comfortable enough, but at the same time, reading her story was like reading a dream I never knew I had come true.

8. This was a week for gift guides in blogging land. Here are a few of my favorites: Anna's and Joanna's.

9. My favorite meal this week was carnitas tacos. I used Smitten Kitchen's recipe. Easy (but a time committment) and so yummy.

10. I baked a couple times, too. My favorite? Homemade chocolate chip cookies, except instead of chocolate chips I added crushed peanut butter M&Ms (in Christmas colors!). I know! Delicious! Go bake some! Tollhouse chocolate chip bag recipe, duh. Chris said they were the best cookies he's ever had!!

A Day in Pictures

2011-12-08T10:45:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday I decided to try to capture a picture per hour. I didn't every hour, but these do give a good idea of how our day went. It was a beautiful day outside, we got some important errands done and even got to see Chris in the middle of the day :)

morning cartoons with dad.

back scratcher :)

trying a new no-heat curl method.

looked decent for all of 3 minutes.

quiet reading in her room

spilled spices

time for baby locks :(

limited spice rack access

morning naptime :)

surprise visit to daddy!

treated myself to in n out because... why not?

peek-a-boo!

buh-bye!

afternoon naptime!

A New Design

2011-12-07T09:55:00.000-08:00

Well, I have a new design. I have been wanting a change for a long time, but haven't gotten around to it. Yesterday I started tinkering in Chris's photoshop and got determined. I'm really happy with it. I like how girly it is. What do you think? Give it to me straight. Also let me know if anything isn't working :)

I loved my bird, but I was just ready for a change. Also, have you been here long enough to remember this bird? She was my favorite.

In case you are wondering, I used a free template from Pugly Pixel and tweaked it a bit. I made the banner in photoshop and used Jess's tutorial for the buttons underneath the header.

Happy Birthday to sweet 1 year old.

2011-12-07T05:00:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday, Madilynn! We have loved watching you grow this year and wish we were with you to celebrate today. Enjoy being one :)

Looking like Christmas

2011-12-06T06:00:00.003-08:00

The sun is shining bright and warm and the grass keeps growing green, it doesn't look much like Christmas outside (but trust me, I'm not complaining!). Inside is a different story :) I shared our outside lights earlier in the week, but today you get to see the inside.

oh! we also (finally) have a tree up. pictures of that to come.

Rancho San Antonio

2011-12-05T12:00:00.000-08:00

This weekend we were feeling the need to get out and explore but also get some exercise. We had heard about Rancho San Antonio Open Space Reserve, so we decided to check it out. We will certainly go back. It was a gorgeous spot with endless opportunity for exploring. There are loads of trails for pedestrians, bikers and even horses. About a mile into the trail there is also a little farm with chickens, ducks, sheep, a cow, a goat, a rabbit and a kitten. It was the perfect chance to let Meredith stretch her legs in the middle of our hike.

Guest post over at Life and Oh-La-Dee-Dah!

2011-12-05T08:35:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends! Do you read Jodi's blog? If not, you really need to start. She's one of my favorite writers. She has a great perspective on motherhood and always inspires me to cherish the little moments with Meredith even more. I'm over there guest posting on making my house a home. Check it out!

A Christmas Memory.

2011-12-04T19:33:00.000-08:00

It seems one of the greatest criticisms of bloggers (mostly those of the mommying persuasion) is only presenting the happiest, cleanest, most perfect of moments. So instead of just throwing up my Christmas pictures, I think I'll just keep it real :)

I've been so excited to put up lights outside our house. We've never lived somewhere where that was possible, so having our own place to decorate felt very exciting. We finally got to it today. First we had to go buy a ladder. It ended up being a bit too short. So poor Chris was balancing on our ladder while on his tippy toes trying hang the lights. Meanwhile, I am trying hand him the lights and keep an eye on Meredith. She is running in and out of the house, toddling to the neighbor's house, knocking on their front door, scream crying because one of her toys is stuck and walking dangerously close to the road.

We ended up having the wrong extension cords so Chris had to go back out. While he went out, I decided to set up our new artificial Christmas tree. As I tried to assemble it, Meredith was climbing on the couch or her rocking chair and falling out after each attempt, resulting in a crying toddler mess.

Throughout all this I just kept thinking that her reaction to the lights (she's been obsessed lately) would make it worth it. But really? She could not have cared less once we turned them all on. She said, "Lights!" once but then wanted down to be free to explore. C'est la vie!

By the end of the day, now that she's in bed and I have dinner and a beer in front of me, I'm still glad we did it. For one, it's up to us to make traditions. Christmas is such a special time and even though she may not appreciate it this year, I know she will eventually.

In closing, Dad, thanks for hanging all our lights ever year. I don't remember if you ever got frustrated with us, but I'm sure for more than one year we didn't make your job any easier. One of my happiest memories is seeing our house all lit up each year and I know it's because of your willingness to hang them that I have those happy memories. Chris, here's to many more years to come full of afternoons racing against the setting sun, begging our child to behave and squabbling with each other as we try not to kill each other :)

And now, without further ado, our house:

A Month.

2011-12-03T19:14:00.000-08:00

We've been here a month. A little more, actually. Most days it feels like much longer and I mean that in a good way. Our house is pretty settled and we're getting to know the area. I can get to the grocery store, Target and various other shopping destinations without any trouble. I'm even starting to have a pretty good feel for how the towns and roads relate to one another. Just this week Meredith and I have started to find a new routine with going to parks, going on walks, visiting the library and doing things around the house.

The other thing that has made this transition smoother is the people we've met. I have met a few other moms that have quickly allowed me to feel like I am creating new friendships. We've had several park & library playdates already. We even bumped into a friend at the park yesterday, which is one of the things I was scared about missing when leaving a place we were so familiar with.

Almost everyday, at least once, I am stopped in my tracks at the beauty of where we live. The sun shines brightly and more warmly here. The cold weather is coming, but the days have been perfect for the most part. The views of mountains keep surprising me. The different plant life fascinates me- from citrus trees, to succulents, to trees with the biggest leaves I've ever seen, to palm trees.

I just can't keep thinking how perfect of a fit this place seems. Things have gone so smoothly. We love our house, neighborhood and are finding friends. What more could we ask for? We are feeling so thankful for our new home and the blessings that have come with this move.

Toddlerhood, V2.

2011-11-29T21:36:00.000-08:00

A park, pizza and falling in love with a city.

2011-11-28T22:11:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, after a few days of fighting colds, stuffing our faces with turkey and saying goodbye to my parents and sister, my brother, Chris, Meredith and I headed into the city to have ourselves a perfectly touristy day. It did not disappoint. We started by picking up pizza from Pizzeria Delfina in Pacific Heights. We then drove over the Alamo Square Park, parked the car and braved the hills to find the perfect picnic spot.The perfect spot? A sunny, grassy spot overlooking the Painted Ladies.

Of course all we talked about was Full House. Right? Can you think of anything else when you see those houses? As we debated filming our own intro video (we didn't) we enjoyed the best pizza I've ever had (for real!). I had the prosciutto pie and it was seriously delicious.

After lunch, we drove to the actual Full House home not to far away. 1709 Broderick St, in case you were wondering. We snapped a few pictures and headed toward the crookedest street in the world, Lombard St between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets. It was great, though I find going down the hill at the intersection of Divisadero and Broadway to be even crazier.

After our crazy drive, we headed for Ghiradelli Square. We weren't quite ready for ice cream and chocolate so we roamed about, eventually walking out on Fort Mason pier which had amazing views of the bay and Alcatraz. After our long walk, we had worked up an appetite and headed for Ghiradelli Square for ice cream.

Tired and full, we returned to our car to head home a little more in love with this fantastic city.

Thankful

2011-11-22T09:04:00.001-08:00

It's the time of year to stop for a minute and think about gratitude. I have so much to be thankful for. Here's a little list of a few.

our new house

skype/facebook/texts/phonecalls for keeping in touch

the way meredith says, "hi mama"

how meredith says "baaa" and "mooo" for sheep and cow sounds

getting to see the world through a toddler's eyes

being on the most excellent adventure with my two favorite people in the world

evenings spent on the couch talking with (or just being next to) my husband

new dishes

new sheets

being near so many beautiful new places for us to explore like lake tahoe and yosemite

the promise of visitors in our new home

my mama and talking to her on the phone everyday

a job for my husband that is stable and makes him happy

kisses from my baby girl

the convenience of our new neighborhood

having already met three mamas who i can befriend

my new running shoes

the fact that meredith got to meet her great-great grandfather before he passed away

getting to spend thanksgiving with my family

How about you? What are you most thankful for this year?

image here and here.
inspiration for this post here.

Toddlerhood.

2011-11-21T17:28:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned yesterday, this time in Meredith's life is exhausting. It is also awe-inspiring. She is learning new things everyday and really taking in the world around her.

yes, that is a shovel in the VCR

she actually kept her headband on for half an hour because she looked pweeettty.

Random thoughts for a sunday.

2011-11-20T20:27:00.000-08:00

1. I love my home. It's really, really coming together. After lots of hard work this weekend, it really feels like home.

2. My family is coming in town this week. Have I told you that? My brother arrives in the morning and the rest get here Wednesday. Chris and I are so excited to have people to show off our new neighborhood. I hope they love it like we do. I think they will.

3. Did you know Thanksgiving is on Thursday?? Gosh, I've been running around like a mad woman getting ready for it without really thinking about what it is. The food, the family time and the chance to take a break from normal routine. I'm really so happy.

4. Meredith is almost 17 months. This is stage is the most exciting and the most exhausting yet. I have never felt more relieved to see bedtime o'clock strike on the clock. She's into everything, testing boundaries and discovering new things every minute of everyday.

5. Did you watch the AMAs tonight? They make me feel old. Like, who are these babies singing songs? And how does half this stuff even count as music? Kids these days. Nicki Minaj's outfit made me want to throw up (I had to google her name).

6. I have been so busy trying to get this house in order that I'm not sure it's sunk in that I live on the other side of the country now and am far, far away from my friends. I'm thinking it might strike after Thanksgiving. I'll keep you posted.

7. I go to Target everyday now.

8. I have a bright blue dining room table now.

9. Everywhere I drive I can see mountains and palm trees. Chris keeps calling it Paradise and I have to say, I agree. We met some people today that said the weather was as bad as it gets. It was 50 and rainy. I can live with that.

10. Since moving we've been having nightly family dance parties. Meredith can seriously get down. I love it. We like to jam to I Gotta Feeling, Party Rock Anthem and Moves Like Jagger. Any songs we should add?

11. I have made some of these foods in the last couple of weeks. I would recommend them all, especially if you are in need of some comfort food, which apparently we have been.

Tamale Pie
BBQ Chicken
Buffalo Chicken
Oreo Brownies (doooo it!) (i didn't add the chocolate syrup or ice cream. just batter & oreos)
Mellow Mushroom buffalo chicken copycat

12. I kind of (really) want a hot pink Christmas tree this year.

13. I kind of (really) want to see The Descendents.

Embroidered Hands: An easy DIY

2011-11-18T08:49:00.001-08:00

A few weeks ago I saw this image on Pinterest and knew I had to make it. Last night I did. I have to say, it was really easy and I've never done any needlework like this before. It took me about two hours. I did it while I watched Private Practice (does anyone still watch it? I haven't all season. Gosh, it's just so dramatic). Anyway. I highly recommend this craft for anyone to try! I'm hoping to do one every year to document the growth of our family.

Materials:
Embroidery hoop
Embroidery needle
Embroidery fabric (bought a small roll of it at Michael's. maybe you can use other kinds of fabric?)
Embroidery floss (one color per hand you'll stitch)
Pencil
Optional:
Paper
Acrylic craft Paint
Paintbrush

Directions:
1. Place fabric into embroidery hoop, making sure it's nice and tight.
2. If you aren't doing a wiggly baby, you can skip to step 4. A baby (at least mine) won't sit still long enough to trace her hand so this was my solution. Paint baby's hand. Do it nice and thick. Place baby's hand on white paper to make a print. I made several prints with the first coat of paint until I got a print that I could work with.

3. Cut out handprint once dry.

4. Trace hand (or handprint) onto fabric.

5. Thread needle.

6. Begin stitching. I used this tutorial and used the backstitch. It was very simple and quick.

7. Stitch all around the hand until complete
8. Trace next hand, switch colors in your needle and stitch through completion.

9. Repeat these steps for all hands.

10. Make ready for display. You could leave it in the hoop or transfer it to a frame. I haven't decided what I'm doing yet. I will probably leave it in the hoop and make it part of a gallery wall I'm working on. Oh, and I still need to add the year. I will likely just add it in sharpie.

Please let me know if you try it! I had so much fun making it!

PS. apologies if I used the wrong terminology for this stuff :)

A date with me, myself and I.

2011-11-15T10:00:00.000-08:00

On Sunday morning, after I had woken up a bundle of anxiety and stress over all!the!things! we needed to do around the house, Chris declared that I must go out and see a movie that night. I agreed. I knew I needed it. After two weeks here the only time I had spent by myself was a five minute CVS run for chocolate frosting. That is not enough, espcially with my stress levels with the move and the extra fussiness of a certain toddler housemate of mine.

By 6:00 on Sunday night I was ready. I hopped in the car and headed for errands and sushi. Except halfway there I decided to ditch the errands and just get sushi. I'm so glad I did. I had a delicious dinner of sushi which I enjoyed while reading my Kindle. I shamelessly stuffed my face with some of the yummiest rolls I've ever had.

After dinner I drover over to the movie theater. I got a tiny bit spooked while parking. I've found I get a lot more scared here, I think simply because it's a new place and I don't know it's safe like I did in my old home. Anyway, after scurrying into the mall where the theater was I grabbed some candy and coke and got cozy in my seat.

I decided to see J. Edgar. By the end of the movie, I was happy to have seen it. There were parts that were slow, but overall he was an interesting character/man. I'd recommend it.

Bottom line: if you are a mama/wife/person, take yourself out every once in a while. I thought I might feel awkward, but I definitely didn't. I got to read, eat my favorite food, sit quietly in a theater and not think about anything related to unpacking/getting settled. It was perfect.

Muir Woods (picture heavy)

2011-11-14T18:50:00.000-08:00

On Saturday we decided to take a break from chores around the house and get out to explore. We had decided a while ago that Muir Woods would be one of our first adventures.

To say it was magical sounds silly, but there isn't a better word for it. It was like walking into another world. The dark, wet air was cool and fresh. The canopy created by the tallest trees in the world left me feeling transported into a giant fort. But instead of sheets held up by dining room chairs, there were branches meeting with one another up above and felled trees coated with velvety moss.

Seeing these trees towering above was a dream come true. I remember learning about them in elementary school and, at the time, it seemed nearly impossible that I would ever get to see them in person. As we entered the gate and got our first glimpse I felt tears prick the inside of my eyes. It felt miraculous, being there, seeing these trees reach so high you can't see the peak. As we walked through the park, it just didn't feel real. It felt like a movie set, or a photoshopped picture or a figment of my imagination. Meredith, at every turn, sighed in awe, "Wow!" over and over again, as if we were all walking through a dream.

But it was real. And I live here. And I just feel so grateful to God for the chance to have this adventure and for the chance to witness his majesty in creation.

A Sunny Outing

2011-11-11T21:42:00.001-08:00

Poor Meredith has been suffering through many, many chores and errands as I try to get our house in order. Earlier in the week, on a particularly beautiful day, I decided to get out and just have fun with Meredith. We headed over to Shoreline at Mountain View Park. I was so excited to get my first sighting of the bay. I have to say it did not disappoint. It wasn't my favorite park ever, but it was a gorgeous day with a gorgeous view.

smarty pants.

2011-11-08T21:34:00.000-08:00

love this little girl.

sick day.

2011-11-08T11:25:00.001-08:00

today we have a little sick baby. she's running a fever and extra sleepy & cuddly, but otherwise seems fine. we are spending our day on the couch, watching movies and taking it easy in general. i'm taking advantage of this sick day to take a break myself. when my house in boxes and still fairly cluttered, it's hard for me to relax. so, today, i am. i am watching shows during nap, prepping dinner in my crockpot and in general relaxing. i gotta say, it feels good.

A new farmer's market

2011-11-07T12:36:00.000-08:00

I've mentioned before (here and here) that I loved our Arlington Farmer's Market. I was thrilled to find out on Saturday that the Farmer's Market in our new town is even more loveable. It is huge with lots of vendor stands bursting with produce. By this time of year in New England most farmer's markets have closed for the year, but ours is going strong and will be open all year (I believe). I also love that it's on Saturday so we can make a family outing of it.

scenes from a move.

2011-11-04T12:12:00.000-07:00

below are some pictures of our house & move in various states of disarray. today was the first day i woke up feeling like the house isn't a complete stress bomb. yesterday i got all the boxes in the living room, dining area & kitchen opened so our main living area is feeling very happy. it isn't decorated or perfectly put together, but it is liveable. the other rooms are coming along nicely, too. it has felt like such a big accomplishment getting so much unpacked with a toddler. i am happy, relieved and tired :)

happy weekend!


love our living room.

living room arrangement before adding extras :)

pretty kitchen countertops.

i have a dishwasher!!!!!!

huge window for light and people watching :)

view from window above our bed.

fun time with dad.

peek a boo with a placemat.

Stanford

2011-11-03T14:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning we decided to take some time off from unpacking and go enjoy our new neighborhood. Chris found a Brooklyn style bagel shop near Standford so we headed out for a quick drive west for bagels. After breakfast we decided to drive around Standford. It is a stunning campus. I was so intrigued we decided to stroll around for a while, soaking up the sun and beauty. Meredith loved having yet another new place to explore and we enjoyed being out of the house and resting our muscles.

so many bikes! everyone bikes around to class!

the drive into the campus

we're here!

2011-11-01T20:12:00.000-07:00

We made it to California! It's been a whirlwind 48 hours, but all things considered, thins are going really smoothly. There have been moments of feeling intensely overwhelmed, but those have been greatly outnumbered by the moments of excitement. We are quickly falling in love with our area. We can walk to a Starbucks, Target, beautiful playground and cute downtown area. The weather has been like a perfect June day for the last couple of days. The people here are friendly. Our neighbor already brought us cookies and takeout menus! So far, we are feeling really, really happy. Also? really, really tired. Here are a few snapshots of our first days in California!

boston, you've been my home.

2011-10-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

A smattering of places I will miss. I will mostly miss the people, but I have to say, New England has some truly amazing places to see and visit.

air travel advice pleeeeease!

2011-10-28T07:56:00.000-07:00

Ok, blogging mamas, I need your advice. We are flying cross country on Sunday. I'm scared. It's a 6 hour direct flight. We land 11:30pm our time (8:30 local) so hopefully she'll sleep for the last few hours, but the first few hours are cause for concern. So I need two things from you:

1) We bought Meredith her own seat. Should we bring her car seat on the plane or not? I think yes, because if she sleeps she won't be in my arms causing me back & arm pain. She also might contentedly watch her videos from her seat. I think no, because if she doesn't sleep and is fussy that car seat will be taking up precious room for stretching out and playing. What would you do??

2) Activity ideas! We are bringing some of her favorite books, videos, snacks and drinks. What else? This is our first time flying with a walking, talking toddler!

image

checking in.

2011-10-27T08:31:00.000-07:00

Hi friends! I just wanted to check in. In all honesty, I have no coherent thoughts for you. We are vagabonds moving from friends' house to friends' house, soaking up our final days in Boston. The weather is gloomy and rainy today and I'm writing this form my best friend's couch. There have been so many moments this week that I've wondered why on earth we are doing this. Why are we leaving a place with the most beautiful fall season one could ever imagine? Why are we leaving a place with playgrounds Meredith and I love? Why are we leaving a place with friends we are so comfortable with that we lounge on their couch in PJs and no makeup? Why are we taking Meredith away from her grandparents? Why are we leaving a place that we know like the back of our hands? We are about to get lost a lot. We are about to find new parks. We are about to find new friends. We are about to get to know a whole new weather system. And while this is exciting on the one hand, it is overwhelming on the other.

Don't get me wrong, I do not regret our decision, but as the reality of this move starts to sink in, it really feels intense. I'm ready to leave. I'm ready for life to be out of this limbo. I'm not ready for goodbyes. My stomach clenches just thinking about it, but I am ready to start to get settled in our new home.

Thanks for stopping by today friends :) Thanks for your patience in my moving rambles. Things will hopefully get back to normal in a couple of weeks.

image source

Moving on.

2011-10-25T07:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we said goodbye to our home. I felt much more emotional leaving it than I had expected. My sadness mostly stems from the fact that this home is where we became parents. It's the place we brought Meredith home from the hospital. These past 16 months have been amazing. The memories we've made are countless. As we packed up our home, I had visions of myself bouncing my newborn to sleep in her darkened nursery. I remembered back to the long, cold winter when we played on the living room rug and built forts. I remembered watching her crawl for the first time. I remembered giving her solids for the first time. I remembered watching her play with tupperware in the kitchen and climbing into the cabinets as I packed. I remembered the progression of bath time- from lazing in the bath sling to splashing wildly in the tub. So so many memories in that little blue house. As we drove away last night, tears streaming down my face, I tried to remind myself that the wonderful thing about memories is they come with you.

Packing up & a guest post!

2011-10-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

Our weekend will be looking at lot like this. When my heart stops beating so fast I think I'll have a heart attack, I'll be back here with some more coherent thoughts. In the meantime, you can find me over at Lovely Little Things with some wedding advice. Happy Wedding weekend, Michelle!

lately.

2011-10-20T09:10:00.000-07:00

Preparing for a move is stressful & tiring. There's always so much to do that it can be hard to calm your mind. Having Meredith has helped, though. She has forced us to stop, read a book, blow raspberries on her belly, dance, cuddle while watching tv. Basically, she has forced some semblance of normalcy. So, here is our normal lately.

Orchard House

2011-10-19T18:06:00.001-07:00

On our way out to Honey Pot Hill a couple of weeks ago, I saw a sign for Orchard House and was reminded of my hope to visit there someday. When Bridget mentioned it in her post earlier this week I took it as a sign that it was high time I go... especially since my chances to go are rapidly dwindling.

The drive was fairly short for me, but oh, so beautiful. As I walked up to the house I was flashed back to the opening scene of Little Women and I was a happy girl.

Weird story: As the tour was starting, a woman motioned to me to come into the next room. Having no idea who she was, I resisited, but she persisted. When I walked over, I realized she volunteered at the house and was "offering" to take me on a private tour. When I saw offering, she was really requiring it of me. Why? Because of Meredith. While she didn't come right out and say it, it was clear that was why. It really rubbed me the wrong way. I didn't like being singled out because I had a toddler with me. In some cases, the chance to have a private tour would be welcomed, but it just felt so strange in this one. What do you think? Was I being too sensitive? Or would you have felt funny too?

After the tour, Meredith explored the grounds, while I breathed in deeply the crisp, fall air and enjoyed the bright yellows decorating the trees.

Steppin' Out: Wedding Style!

2011-10-17T14:10:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the wedding of some of our good friends. It was a perfect fall day and the bride and groom were beaming with joy. The ceremony took place in one of the most beautiful venues I've ever seen. We had a great time getting dressed up and having a baby-free day. It was also amazing to have my mom in town for the weekend.

Dress: Macy's // Tights: Target // Earrings: Macy's // Shoes: Filene's (from my BFF's 21st Bday. Oldies!)

ps. Thanks for all your advice on this post. I chose #2 :) Except I was in the comfy ones by the reception. I'm weak when it comes to heels.

Mommy time.

2011-10-14T04:00:00.000-07:00

In a few short hours, my mom will be touching down here in Boston for the weekend. I am always excited when a visit with her (or any of my family members) is coming, but this time it's different. This time I really need my mom.

I love my life- being a wife, being a mom and preparing for this adventure out west, but sometimes it starts to feel like a lot. Sometimes being an adult isn't all fun and games. In the past month I feel like I've made more big decisions than I ever have- to actually move, which company to hire, which house to live in, etc. I have felt a lot of pressure- to get the house packed up, to see all my friends before moving, to still stay focused and attentive as a mom.

So, really, I just can't wait to see my mom, to be a daughter for a little bit and not the one in charge of making lots of decisions. It's like when you're sick and all you want if for your mom to bring you some chicken noodle soup. This weekend is my healing soup.

A Goodbye

2011-10-13T06:18:00.000-07:00

first dr's visit :)

To Meredith's Pediatrician,

Thank you for taking such good care of my little girl, since before she was even born. I will probably always remember the first time I met you, just weeks before the first time I met Meredith outside the womb. You immediately put me at ease. You were young, but I could tell you were good. We chose you and I'm so glad we did.

You have taken such great care with her. You have answered each of my questions patiently and never once made me feel stupid. You have taken my concerns seriously and helped me find solutions to her skin problems. You have never made me feel like a failure when I felt like one after allergic reactions to food. You have made Meredith laugh through exams and you have put her at ease when she's known she's in a new place.

I had visions of you being Meredith's doctor until she no longer saw a pediatrician. I pictured her growing up, seeing you. I imagined you having the awkward puberty & sex talks with her, doing a much better job than my poor doctor did. I saw you sending her off into the world of grown ups, one of your first patients to have seen from birth to graduation.

You were one of the first people I thought of when we decided to move. I have trusted you implicitly. I am sad to leave behind such an incredible pediatrician. I am hoping and praying we find a pediatrician we like just as much as you, but you've set the bar high.

Thank you, Doctor, for taking care of my girl.

Wordless(ish) Wednesday: Shoe Advice

2011-10-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

We are headed to a wedding this weekend and I couldn't be more excited. I have a fun red dress picked out, but now I need help with my shoes. Assuming the weather is cool enough I'm planning on wearing black tights. But which shoes?? Which of these three would you wear?

probably my favorite, but is sandals with tights a thing?

Some oldies, but goodies

Plain jane (obvi), but suuuuuper comfy.

Advice, please!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Brownies

2011-10-11T07:13:00.000-07:00

One of my friends pinned this Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Brownie recipe on Pinterest last week and I had been craving it since. I saw the recipe soon after making apple crisp so I had to finish that first :) Last night I decided I had had enough apple crisp and decided to make the brownies. I was not disappointed. The flavor was delicious. I will say the texture was a bit unique, almost rubbery. They were still super tasty, especially hot. I think the texture was due to the fact that I substituted applesauce for the egg. Also, pumpkin in baked goods tends to result in a different texture in general. So, I would highly recommend these! Head here for the recipe.

ps. As I am writing this, I am using some of the leftover pumpkin in a bowl of warm oatmeal. Tasty!

Well, it's official.

2011-10-10T11:14:00.000-07:00

This moving thing is really happening. That up there is our new little cutie house. Chris took care of our living situation last week. Today we booked the moving company, car transportation company and our one-way flights. Our stuff will ship out two weeks from today. We will fly out three weeks from yesterday. It's hard to believe it's all coming together so smoothly. We really are moving to other coast! Right now I'm mostly just feeling relieved that the details are working out. I have a feeling the sadness will hit me once we actually are out there.

Apple Picking.

2011-10-10T05:41:00.001-07:00

Last week, I told you I was hoping to go apple picking. While the weather wasn't what my apple picking dreams are made of, it was nice enough outside to make the trip. We had a wonderful day as a family. A peaceful drive through the foliage, hearing the endless laughter of little ones on field trips and watching Meredith go to town on a whole apple were the highlights. Oh, and of course warm apple cider donuts. Here are some pictures and another little video of our day.

ps. best picture ever? i think so.

Happy Saturday!

2011-10-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

We are off on a mommy-daughter adventure today. I'm taking Meredith to a museum I went to with my little Kinders. I am so looking forward to seeing it through her eyes. I'm also excited just to be out and about soaking up sunshine and the warm, fall air. I hope you enjoy your Saturday. Hugs!

This pond.

2011-10-07T07:06:00.000-07:00

This pond.

This pond has watched the growing of our love. It has celebrated our engagement.

It has celebrated our victories: marriage, college graduation, pregnancy.

This pond has kept us company on quiet evening strolls.

This pond has observed the swelling of my belly and listened as we hoped for the start of labor.

This pond comforted me during the newborn witching hours, rocking my crying baby to sleep.

This pond has served as a sounding board as we resolved conflict, discussed friendships and made big decisions about church, jobs and moving.

This pond has been witness to cheerful, tearful, excited, scared prayers, listening as we've offered them up to the heavens.

This pond has offered it's entertainment through bird watching, splashing at the beach, playing at the park and seeing sunbathing turtles.

This pond watched me become a wife, a mother and a woman. I will miss it.

I am learning...

2011-10-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

...that stress causes me:

1. To be very tired. I've been napping almost everyday.

2. To have bags and dry skin under my eyes.

3. To eat my weight in dessert.

Ready for things to calm down, but it still is going to be a while.

image.

Wordless Wednesday: Apple Crisp

2011-10-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

Autumn.

2011-10-04T17:49:00.000-07:00

I want to be here. Wrapped in a blanket. Drinking hot chocolate. Wearing uggs. Rocking back and forth next to my love.

Source via Bloom

Apple Picking.

2011-10-03T18:10:00.000-07:00

We haven't been apple picking yet this year and it's breaking my heart. It seems like it's been an exceptionally rainy & hot fall seasons so far. There have hardly been any days that seem like the perfect apple picking day. Tomorrow we are hoping to go, but once again the forecast is not great. I've been pinning away tonight, thinking about the yummy things I want to make tomorrow night and later in the week.

Do you like apple picking? What is your favorite apple treat?

Oh! PS- for you computer geeks out there (ie. my husband) check out this apple pie.

food images: 1 2 3 4

Nothing But Love... (IX)

2011-09-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

It's been a looooong time since I've done one of these! Colin Firth is oh, so deserving.

I love this clip of Colin Firth on Ellen

And also, how great is this quote? As I've shared before I feel the same way. I get lost in my books. I find myself in a melancholy mood when I'm reading a sad book or worrying about the characters when I'm away from the text. Such.a.nerd.

Are you a Colin Firth fan? What are your favorite movies of his? I love The King's Speech, Bridget Jones' Diary and Love Actually.

images

1 2 3 4

Wordless Wednesday: hanging out

2011-09-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

Chana Masala

2011-09-27T05:00:00.001-07:00

Ever since I was first introduced to Indian food in late high school/early college I have loved chana masala. While I've started experimenting with making Indian food over the last few months, I had yet to try chana masala, mostly because my husband is a meat-tarian. He has trouble eating a meat-free meal. But he is a good sport about it every once in a while, so we gave it a try last night.

I followed Smitten Kitchen's recipe, which you can find here. I have to admit I was really impressed with myself using so many spices for one meal. Chris even asked if I had used a sauce base. I was pretty proud to say I had totally made it from scratch. My only complaint is that the flavors weren't as rich as I might've expected from so many spices. Next time I will try making this in my crock pot (without the added water). I think this will allow the chickpeas to better soak up the flavors.

I served the chickpeas over jasmine rice with garlic (store bought) naan. I buttered the naan and warmed it on a pan. It was basically heaven on a plate.

Are you an Indian food lover? Let me know if you try it!

home style.

2011-09-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

One of the things I am most excited about with our move is getting to redecorate. Since we've gotten married, we always rented our homes, so I've never gotten into the mindset of making our house a home in terms of decorations. I've decided it's time to finally commit the time and resources to making our house the way I'd like it to be, rental and all. I think it will be really important for us to feel really happy in our new home because we won't have lots of other familiar things around us. Right now I'm thinking I'd like a teal, red and yellow color scheme, but who knows!? I could definitely change my mind. What color combinations have you been loving lately? I'm also hoping to incorporate multiple textures & patterns which is a big deal for me. I'm usually fixated on perfect matching.

images: 1 2 3 4 5

florence.

2011-09-24T05:00:00.001-07:00

oh, florence. i love you. really, i do. i swear there were days last ~~long, miserable, cold, snowy~~ winter that i wouldn't have survived if it weren't for Dog Days of Summer and the dance parties you encouraged. thank you.

and thank you for this new song. i have a feeling this might be the anthem of our move, for those long, lonely days that i know will come even though i'm excited about our adventure.

what do you think? do you like it? are you a florence + the machine fan?

ps. i know i've been a little video happy lately. i'd say i'll stop soon, but no promises.

a family day.

2011-09-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

I was going to save this for next week, but honestly? I was too excited to share this little video of our family day. We spent the day together at the Boston Children's Museum and it was amazing. The three of us had so much fun exploring. Chris and I enjoyed every minute of watching Meredith discover and learn. Cheesy, but true. We also got lunch at the new Legal Harborside (bucket list!) which was delicious. If it weren't for the killer migraine I got later, it would have been a completely perfect day. Hope you enjoy our little video :)

a night at the park

2011-09-22T05:00:00.003-07:00

yesterday was chris's last day of working at Harvard so my little lady and i were on our own for the evening. after a late afternoon nap for both of us, we headed to one of my favorite parks in town. let me tell ya, the 5 o'clock hour is the hour for the park. not too many children, but enough for quality people watching. cool, but not too cool and no sweating. only problem: bugs.

meredith and i had a grand ol' time. enjoy some pictures and a wittle video i put together.

A night at the park. from Beaktweets on Vimeo.

Wordless Wednesday: lately

2011-09-21T07:05:00.000-07:00

some songs for a rainy day.

2011-09-20T08:38:00.000-07:00

i'm sitting on my kitchen floor surrounded by packing paper and awkwardly packed boxes. the rain is trickling out of the sky here and there. i'm listening to my rosie thomas pandora station and feeling somewhat melancholy. you know that music that you love but also makes you want to cry? here are some of the tunes that i'm humming along to this morning.

the swell season
falling slowly

ray lamontagne
within you

amos lee
the wind

Becoming a mother

2011-09-19T05:00:00.002-07:00

Becoming a mother
has made me
weaker, and
stronger, and
better.

Weaker because
I am no longer able
hold back my tears
or hide my emotions.

Stronger because
I am no longer
ashamed to let those tears
stream, or
let my love be
known.

Better because
I can love,
empathize, and
care more.

Thoughts for a Friday

2011-09-16T05:07:00.001-07:00

Choosing health insurance is really overwhelming. I had this moments last night, while looking over plans that I felt very much like an adult. And then I called my dad for his help.

Monkey pajamas are the bee's knees. And these? Are size 2T. When did my baby get so huuuge?

I've started packing some boxes. The problems is that six weeks out you pack things you don't need for a while. These tend to be things like books and home decor. Our house has quickly started to look like we are leaving sooner than we are.

Is there anything better in the world than morning cuddles with your baby? Well, maybe watching her sleep late at night before going to bed.

My brother posted this video earlier in the week and I thought it was so amazing. I've watched it several times already.

I really would like to see The Head and the Heart here in Boston at the end of the month. Just need to make it happen, I suppose.

2011-09-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

See this guy? He is the best. The absolute best. The past three weeks have felt so insane, overwhelming, emotional and stressful. And if I'm being honest with myself, none of that is going to change anytime soon. We are busy getting estimates on our move. Chris is actually starting his new job in a week. We are trying to figure out how to rent an apartment/house from so stinkin' far away. I am starting to pack some boxes. We want to be sure to see all of our friends and maintain some sort of semblance of normalcy. We want to still be attentive parents. It feels like a whole lot. A whole, whole lot.

And yet, we've hardly fought. Like not at all. Our communication has been better than ever. We are learning quickly that we process things like this big move very differently. He wants to talk, talk, talk. I want to think, think, think. Normally, we'd fight over this issue of differences, but instead we've figured out how to allow both of us to have our needs met.

I've never felt so tired. Well, that might not be true considering I had a baby a year ago, but I am seriously tired. All the emotion (and allergies) are wearing me out. Chris is in the exact same boat (obviously) but he got up with Meredith this morning and took her for a walk so I could sleep an extra hour.

I just had to put it out in the universe. My husband is incredible. The fact that I get to go on this adventure with him and have my best friend by my side every step of the way makes it a whole lot less scary. I love you, baby.

Boston Bucket List

2011-09-13T05:00:00.001-07:00

Now that our news is out, I thought I'd share my Boston bucket list. It's not terribly long because we don't have a terribly long amount of time to get it all done. Hopefully this will get your mind turning to think of things you might want to do this autumn.

1. Apple picking at Honey Pot Hill
2. Pumpkin patch (maybe just for pictures? Bringing home a pumpkin might be pointless)
3. Parker's Maple Barn
4. Mike's Pastries for cannolis
5. Dinner at the Harborside Legal Seafood
6. Live it up at our friends' wedding!
7. Dinner/lunch/coffee/something with each of the friends/couples we'd like to see before leaving.
8. Drive along Memorial Drive an sunset or once it's dark. This view can't be beat.
9. Take lots of walks on the bike path, kicking up crunchy leaves & breathing in the perfect crisp fall air.
10. One last stroll around the Reflecting Pool, the spot where we got engaged.

Anything I should add? What would you want to do in your own town if you were about to move?

image source

BIG NEWS.

2011-09-12T04:00:00.005-07:00

People, we are moving. And not just down the street. Far. Far. Away. San Francisco far. 3,000 miles far.

Why? Because my husband got an amazing job opportunity that simply could not be turned down.

To say this process has been a whirlwind would be the understatement of the century. Less than two weeks between the first time Chris talked with the company and the time he accepted their job offer. We took a crazy, last minute trip to visit San Francisco over Labor Day weekend. I was there for 23 hours. Chris was there for 58 hours. We saw what we could see of our (then-maybe) new city and said lots and lots of prayers.

Ultimately, it seemed like the right thing to do. The company (Evernote) moved quickly and smoothly. It is a great fit for Chris. We liked the feel of the suburbs and felt excited about the chance to more thoroughly explore San Francisco. Meredith is at an extremely flexible age for moving. The thought of not shoveling snow for a six month long winter made us giddy like children on Christmas morning. It's an adventure.

So we have 7 weeks to pack up our lives here in Boston and head out west. How am I feeling? Like a rollercoaster. Sad, overwhelmed, thrilled, guilty, excited, anxious, happy all within minutes of each other, all throughout the day.

Boston has gradually over time started to feel like home. We have some truly amazing friends here. We have a great support system from Chris's family. It will be hard to leave the ones we love.

But we are excited. Our little family of three is setting out into the unknown (to us) hoping to make new friends, learn new things and grow closer to one another.

If you think of it, say a prayer as we prepare for this most excellent adventure. I will (obviously) be keeping you updated throughout this journey.

image source

Steppin' Out: 9/10

2011-09-11T06:53:00.000-07:00

Last night we stepped out to a wedding. It was the first wedding we've been to in quite some time. It's funny because we are now in the baby shower stage of parties, instead of weddings. But we do have one more wedding coming up this fall which we are pumped about (Chris is a groomsman!).

Last night's wedding was at a boat club along the Charles River. It was a beautiful spot and we enjoyed the view before the sun set.

My outfit:
Dress: TJ Maxx about 5 years ago (!!)
Shoes: Thrifted
Clutch: TJ Maxx (I think...)
Necklace: pearls from Chris for our second dating anniversary :)
Earrings: My grandmother's

Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

hi there!

2011-09-09T06:58:00.001-07:00

I'm sorry for my absence, dear blogging friends. Life has been unexpectedly crazy the last week. In times like these I find myself turning inward with little ability to adequately express how I'm feeling. I would love to write right now, but I just can't. So instead I will wish you a very happy weekend and promise to write on Monday.

Did you see Mandy's vacation? Chris and I went to the same resort as a late first anniversary gift to ourselves so it was super fun to "revisit" it through her blog.

Parker's birth story is up! I loved reading it and cried through the whole thing. The picture of Bridget holding him for the first time one of my favorites ever.

I saw this DIY post on Pinterest today and think it looks so fun (and super easy!) Also, this one is pretty cool, too.

I love this hair cut and this hair cut. I'm sure I'd regret it because I love long hair, but it is on the back burner of my mind for now.

OH! Also! Go check out my summer bucket list. I think summer is officially over after Labor Day. I'm pretty happy with how many things we actually did.

14 Months

2011-09-02T06:35:00.000-07:00

Meredith,
My sweet girl, you are now just a bit over 14 months. While 14 months isn't typically considered a huge milestone month, it has been a month of big change for you.

Most notably for me, you are now sleeping through the night. All of a sudden, after a summer of vacation of interrupted sleeping, you decided to sleep straight through. It's been amazing. Thank you. You are also napping for longer amounts of time, which has also been an extremely welcome change.

This month has been so much fun. Your personality is shining through more and more each day. You are making your opinions known. Suddenly, you have activities that you are obsessed with.

You love buckets and bags that you can put things in and out of. You love to read on your own, carefully turning each page. Your favorite books continue to be Chick and Toes, Ears & Nose.We're on our second copy of Chick and if we don't get a new Toes Ears & Nose soon, there will be nothing left to read. You also could get up and down off the couch for hours straight. You love to dance- to music from Juno Baby, your Fisher Price kitchen, your activity table or daddy's drumming. You love making your own music with your bongos and xylophone.

You took your first steps this month! You still mostly crawl, but are gradually able to take more steps before falling. You are cautiously determined.

You are such a sweet baby. You are generous with kisses and hugs. You beam with joy when you see your daddy when he returns from work. You love sleepy snuggles and random middle of the day snuggles. You've just started saying hi when you see people. You call me mama and daddy baba. I kind of love that you call him that.

Meredith, his list of your likes, dislikes, traits and qualities does not adequately capture the wonderful toddler you are. Not a day goes by that your daddy and I don't talk about how incredible you are. We feel blessed, more than we ever thought possible, by you, our little girl. I hope you always know how loved you are, by us and by our family and friends. One of my favorite things about you is how much you bright people's day by simply smiling. I hope that never changes.

With all my love,
Mama

ps. I can hardly believe this was you a year ago:

10 years.

2011-09-01T05:00:00.001-07:00

10 years ago my family pulled into Boston, our new home. I cannot believe it's been 10 years. I often still feel like I'm new here. I still consider Atlanta my home.

I am so thankful for my time here, though. I met my husband here, have made many good friends here and became a mommy here. It is a city I love. I love the four seasons. I love the skyline viewed from Memorial Drive. I love apple picking in the fall and laying out on Crane's Beach in the summer. I love the first snowfall each season and watching people break out their flip flops the first time the temperature hits 50. I love that I can walk to the grocery store, coffee shop or ice cream store. I love all the festivals and live music and endless options for restaurants.

I wonder if and when Boston will ever feel like home, if I'll ever consider myself from here. Regardless, whether we stay here for ever or move on one day, it is a place that has a special spot in my heart.

How about you? Where do you consider home? Is it where you live now or where you grew up? Or are those two places that same for you?

photo cred: joe mcanulty. my brother. image here. and because he's mad talented and hysterical, also find him here and here.

Wordless(ish) Wednesday: beaktw(eats)

2011-08-31T05:00:00.014-07:00

Sea scallops & shrimp in garlic butter. Recipe here.


Not pretty, but yum! And I don't like fresh basil :/

Roasted sweet potatoes & brussel sprouts. Recipe here.

Zucchini Bread

Zucchini Bread
From: Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook (my favorite cookbook for daily cooking & baking)

1-1/2 cups flour

1 tsp ground cinammon

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1 egg, beaten (I used egg substitute. Less fluffy & bit more dry but we got allergies, yo!)

1 cup sugar

1 cup finely shredded, unpeeled zucchini

1/4 cup cooking oil

1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted (or raisins ;) )

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease the bottom and 12 inch up sides of an 8x4x2-inch loaf pan; set aside. In a medium bowl combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, baking powder, and nutmeg. Make a well in center of flour mixture; set aside.

In another medium bowl combine egg, sugar, shredded zucchini, and oil. Add zucchini mixture all at once to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened (batter should be lumpy). Fold in nuts. Spoon batter into prepared pan.

Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool completely on a wire rack. Wrap and store overnight before slicing.

she's a lady at the dinner table :)