atomic lily

So Far

2012-02-10T14:59:00.000-08:00

Here's where we are at so far. we are waiting for the dirt to settle and then the front yard will have 2-3" of pea gravel to replace the dirt. We will then need to put in our gate and ipe screens, a deck on the shed, a trellis on the one side of the shed, and build raised beds, a sandbox and ted will do a rock sculpture all in the front. And then there's the plants. But we are on our way.

Landscape Work

2012-02-06T12:42:00.000-08:00

After 5 long years of drawing and dreaming, we are finally installing our garden, and are super excited about the project. We got a great bid on the project with good contractors, a great investment in our property, and will give us so much more space by creating more outdoor rooms. It's still a lot of money, so we are likely to have to give up a lot of things this year, but hopefully it will also help me get more work in the door.

Here are some photos of the work in process. The garden is done yet. i'll take more photos as we go along.

Birthdays

2012-01-23T08:19:00.001-08:00

It's a big birthday month. My newphew John turned 18 on jan. 20th, my brother Gavin turns 22 on the 29th and today, is my dad's birthday.
Here's a little something to help him celebrate:

CLICK HERE

oh, and happy new year, everyone. i'm a little behind.

Merry Christmas Early!

2011-12-14T22:28:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday, Nana

2011-12-13T07:54:00.000-08:00

Click here for a special birthday message.

Co-op Holiday Party

2011-12-12T22:29:00.000-08:00

Dentist

2011-12-03T21:54:00.001-08:00

Una went to the dentist on thursday. And i'm serious, she was absolutely amazing. She sat in my lap while i had my teeth cleaned and then sat in my lap to get her teeth cleaned. She let Kim, our hygienist, polish her teeth, all of them, front and back. She also let her floss them and put that suction tube in her mouth to get the water when she rinsed them. Kim called it Mr. Thirsty, but Una likes to call it Mr. Drink. The hygienist kept saying she was the best patient (at 2 years) that she's ever had. Other hygienists even came back to meet Una. Then she let the dentist put that spikey hook thing in her mouth and count every tooth. He said she has very healthy and pretty teeth. Yay! Then, while he was looking at mine, Kim gave Una a fluoride treatment. I heard them over there doing it and Una just cracked me up cuz she sounded like a very very mature 2 year old. it's that thing again where she can sound way older than she is, but still with all the cuteness of a little peanut. All in all, we had a great trip. I'm so happy it was a good experience. Una can't wait to go back.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-12-01T17:27:00.001-08:00

Lots of fun, lots of friends, lots of good food. And it stopped raining too!

Quiet Time

2011-11-24T07:43:00.001-08:00

She doesn't nap much anymore, but she's an avid reader. Una's private library...

Roller Skating

2011-11-10T07:40:00.001-08:00

Una, Hattie and Eric

Una, Eric, Hattie and Ellen

Girlie cuteness!

Tutu and Headband a la Aunt Belle

I took Una roller skating for the first time yesterday. We had a blast! Her little friend Hattie has been going for a while now, and it was fun to hang out with her and her parents. The rink at Oaks Bottom is a classic. Pipe organ and all. Loved it!

Autumn-ness and Red Dress

2011-11-09T14:27:00.000-08:00

Hershey Park Happy

2011-11-06T20:36:00.000-08:00

I forgot that i had not published these from my trip home in October. What a great long weekend!

Breakfast with Pop, Nanny, Johnny and my dad

Classic Ride with Jen and her girls

Leila

Neve

Clyde

Kissing Tower

views from the kissing tower

Kissing in the Kissing Tower

and then there were the cars

Clyde's first time at the wheel

proud mom

see

gangs all here

It's beginning to look a lot like tutu love

2011-11-02T21:50:00.000-07:00

After our party, Una dived into my discarded costume that was laying on the bed. While i was taking these photos she said, "I'm Gene Kelly, momma." And i was thinking in my head Grace Kelly and wondering what the hell? how does she know who she is? But then she said, "I'm Gene Kelly, Momma, from the Muppet Show." and the lights came on. We watched it last week. However, I'm still blown away. I mean, that's a pretty big concept to put together based on tutu's and sequins.

First Trick or Treat

2011-10-31T22:16:00.000-07:00

Una and I watched The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown on friday night to give Una a little clue into what this whole Halloween thing was about. I think that helped. She was really excited to get into her costume and go out trick or treating. However, she got a little nervous at the first house, almost didn't make it to the second and had to be slowly talked into the rest of our block. She was pretty excited about going home and eating her candy. So after about 6 houses we went home. But then she got a second wind after watching several kids come to the door and getting candy out of a big bowl that clearly wasn't for her, and Una and i went back out for round two while ted carved pumpkins and answered the door. Una got it this time. She LOVED it and had so much fun. I felt like i was suddenly running around the neighborhood with a little lady. I didn't know Anne or Ted when they were little (obviously), but i feel like Una is just like them from all the stories i hear. How she can be so little and so grown up at the same time is mind blowing to me, and man, the cute factor is off the charts. We had fun. At bedtime, while ted and i were cleaning the kitchen she yelled out a random, "Happy Halloween!" from her bed. She kills me.

Minne Mouse

2011-10-31T22:06:00.001-07:00

Tabitha Rhodes took these adorable photos of Una. Best ones, hands down!

Annual Halloween Party!

2011-10-31T22:04:00.001-07:00

What can i say, we love having a whole bunch of people over and making a great big mess!

For Grandpa

2011-10-27T16:27:00.001-07:00

Today is Grandpa Tim's Birthday. Let the merriment begin!

40 Rock

2011-10-26T21:07:00.000-07:00

I had decided that instead of having one huge celebration for my birthday (of course Ted did throw me a big party anyways), that perhaps, i'd make a year out of it. This was inspired after my friend Erika asked me if i'd made my list of things that i wanted to do for my 40th year. Good idea, i thought! Well, half-marathon was number one, and performing again was number two. I hope to do a lot more of this, but we'll see. It was ALOT of fun! Special thanks to my darlin' husband for capturing it on video.

Hershey Half

2011-10-23T09:02:00.000-07:00

Marcia, Tara, and Kathy

On Sunday, October 16th, Marcia, Kathy and myself ran theHershey Half Marathon. What an experience! It was a gorgeous fall day, perfectfor running. My high school cross-country coach was working the water stop atmile 5, and i got to give him a big hug. Jenny Jones, my very oldest and one ofmy dearest friends, drove down from Connecticut to watch the race and was outon her mom's lawn with her girls cheering us on, and my dad was at mile 9,right in front of the old junior high track that i used to compete on. I had anawesome race and enjoyed all 12 weeks of my training. At mile 11, i decided togo for it and at about mile 12.5 my left arch completely freaked out on me, andi started limping. But, I was determined to finish strong, because i feltstrong. It was crazy awesome, tearing around the corner into the Hersheystadium, the crowd cheering, people yelling out my name, and the music pumping.Just for a moment, i was 15 again (cleverly disguised in a 40 year old body)when I ran like my life depended on it for no other reason than it was in myblood. I ran the race in 2:03:21 and placed 1588 out of 5000 runners. Not badfor a first time. i was actually thrilled because my goal was 2:10:00, but ifmy arch hadn't lost it, i think i could have come in under 2 hours.

I flew home alone to do this, after deciding that i needed something big to christen my 40th year of life. Originally, i had said no to theidea, but found inspiration in my daughter, who adores running at the age of 2,and from a book called Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. Both reminded mewhy i loved to run, why i ever ran, and why i wanted to do it again; watchingUna running with her hands up in the air and laughing out of pure joy and merunning after her thinking, “That’s how I used to feel.” In the book, it talkedabout what makes a good runner a great runner, and one of the reasons is simplybecause that person LOVES to run. They don’t do it to win awards or to fit intosize 4 jeans; it’s not a chore or something they have to do. They run becausethey actually enjoy it, and because it’s in our genes. “If you don't think youwere born to run you're not only denying history. You're denying who you are.”

However, I think what made the biggest impression on me wasthe idea that there is a connection between the capacity to love running andthe capacity to love. “We wouldn't be alive without love, we wouldn't havesurvived without running. Maybe we shouldn't be surprised that getting betterat one could make you better at the other.” That struck a chord with me becauseI know it’s true for myself. I am way more excited about life and my fellow manwhen I am running on a regular basis. In addition, some of my strongestfriendships are with people with whom I ran. It seems like the act of runningtogether somehow forms bonds between people that are unbreakable, no matter whatthe distance and time that comes between you. Somehow, you become family in areally weird and unlikely way, but it’s there nonetheless. “The reason we raceisn't so much to beat each other,... but to be with each other.” And, while Idon’t think that this book is the end all be all, I really gleaned a lot of usefulstuff from it, for myself, and I really appreciate how it put me back in touchwith something so basic and primal, something that makes me feel free and fulland able to love and appreciate the world around me, while at the same timegiving me the capacity to believe in myself, that I am capable…of many, manythings. “We've got a motto here-you're tougher than you think you are, and youcan do more than you think you can.”

~ the above quotes are from Born to Run, by ChristopherMcDougall

Here is a link to photos from the event (the photos are way too expensive to buy). My bib number is 3276.

http://www.hersheyeventphotos.com/hhm11.php

A Song for You

2011-10-12T09:50:00.001-07:00

Grandma Gloria's birthday was on Oct 6th, and Una sent her a little song. Thought i'd share because it's so darn cute.

More Family Photos

2011-10-08T10:33:00.000-07:00

Alrighty, here's the last of our vacation photos to PA. We had such a good time. Love to all!

Uncle Gavin and Una

Aunt Shirley

On my dad's porch

Gavin's puppies

Need a good home!

Nanny and Una

Pop and Una

Friday night at Jon and Chandneary's house

Ruthless.

Jon and Chandneary

The Byler Reunion

Johnny, Asten and Matt

Post reunion bonfire

Visiting Grandma Gloria

2011-10-04T16:27:00.000-07:00

We also had lots of fun visiting Grandma Gloria. We went out to lunch in Red Lion and then found a fun little park at the top of a hill. Then we spent some time at her house visiting with the puppies, and goats, and horses, oh my! Love u, grandma!

and here's a few photos of Una and Kathy. we met her out for Thai food one night! Yum!

More Fun with Grandpa

2011-10-02T09:17:00.000-07:00

Una sporting adorable pants made by Ivy

The Mansion at Cornwall Furnace

Outside of the mansion

Pay masters building

We visited the Cornwall Furnace, in the little town of Cornwall which is about 20 mins from my dad's house. I didn't take any photos of the furnace because i was too busy chasing Una and making sure she didn't fall thru the floors or down stairs. It was really amazing though. the whole little town was built around the industry and has amazing stone work because the founder was actually a stone mason and not very good at Iron Ore. Here's a link with some great photos if you want more info:

Cornwall Furnace Tour

We also went to Mount Gretna, because it was close by, and saw the little town and the lake. I love this place because it's as if you go back in time. Also, it feels like i just stepped into a scene of the movie Dirty Dancing. Not sure why i didn't spend more time here growing up, but next summer we'll have to take Una for sure.

Mount Gretna Resort

We also took ted on a hike to Governer Dick. It's an easy one mile walk through the forest to a tower that gives you a nice view of the countryside. I used to hike it as a kid and teenager. The McCorkles, my nanny's family, made it a tradition at their reunions each year.

Governer Dick Link

And, even tho una really wanted to crawl up 10 sets of ladder rungs, we didn't let her, but instead sent her daddy to the top for a look-see.

Bandit and Valley Forge

2011-09-30T18:09:00.000-07:00

Una and Bandit, my dad's kitten, became fast friends. He was really good with her minus a few frisky kitten moments, such as hiding in the bushes and jumping out at her. Every morning he'd be at the screen door waiting for the breakfast crowd to let him in. Nice kitty.

We usually go on a few excursions. this time to Valley Forge and the Wharton Esherick Gallery. What a lovely day.

Lunch in Phoenixville, PA

Washington Memorial Chapel Door

Washington Memorial Chapel

These are the moments i count as blessed. A perfect late summer evening.

Outhouse at Wharton Esherick Gallery. Nice.

Nanny's 78th Birthday Party

2011-09-26T16:54:00.000-07:00

My Nanny turned 78 on September 17, the day we arrived. We had a party for her the next day. It was fun and the weather was lovely. So nice to be home.

Nanny, Pop and her kids.

Playing on the foundation of the old chicken coop.

Most of the grand and great grand kids.

Matt and Justin

More kids

Aunt Sherry with her daughter in laws: Amy and Kathleen

Isabella and her mom, Jess

Nanny and Pop's back yard

Nanny with her dog Fancy, her sister Sandy and my mom, Gloria

Old farm stuff, beautiful and rusty.

Sherry and Una

Me, Una and Mom

Surprise! You're 40!

2011-09-16T22:52:00.000-07:00

Scenes from my surprise birthday party, photos thanks to Laurie Matthews! Patty took me out to get my nails done. they were super, duper sparkly silver, fingers and toes. i love them! when we came home, my house was full of people who had decorated the house and made amazing food. here we all are eating it out on the patio, just like i always dreamed of using the space. what fun! Ted went all out. Many, many thanks to him, as well as Laura Prisbe, for getting a most delicious red velvet cake, Diane Back and Laurie Matthews for preparing food, decorating and organizing and Patty, for a great afternoon of distraction. xoxo.

Waking Up Full of Awesome

2011-09-09T21:32:00.000-07:00

I found the following article thru my friend Kathy Krall on the eve of my 40th birthday and posted it on facebook. i'm reposting here for the non-FB people to read because it is truly awesome, and was the perfect thing to kick-star year 4-0! enjoy! on a sad note, my camera officially is broken, so i am in picture withdrawl.

Waking UpFull of Awesome

August 3rd, 2011 | Author: melissa

There was a time when you were five years old,

and you woke up full of awesome.

You knew you were awesome.

You loved yourself.

You thought you were beautiful,

even with missing teeth and messy hair and mismatched socksinside your grubby sneakers.

You loved your body, and the things it could do.

You thought you were strong.

You knew you were smart.

Do you still have it?

The awesome.

Did someone take it from you?

Did you let them?

Did you hand it over, because someone told you weren’tbeautiful enough, thin enough, smart enough, good enough?

Why the hell would you listen to them?

Did you consider they might be full of shit?

Wouldn’t that be nuts, to tell my little girl below that inanother five or ten years she might hate herself because she doesn’t look likea starving and Photoshopped fashion model?

Or even more bizarre, that she should be sexy over smart,beautiful over bold?

Are you freaking kidding me?

Look at her. She is full of awesome.

You were, once. Maybe you still are. Maybe you are in theprocess of getting it back.

All I know is that if you aren’t waking up feeling like thisabout yourself, you are really missing out.

Amelia says Good Morning.

Turtle Lake

2011-09-04T08:51:00.000-07:00

Arriving at the Lake

Grandpa D's maiden voyage

The Queen Mary

First sunset of the week. Yay, Turtle Lake!

Splish Splash with Aunt Belle

Cutie Pies!

Gotta get in!

Uncle Timmy looking very GQ with his over the shoulder look!

Swimming!

Lots of walks

Daddy's rock

and then the scrabble game!

Look at this board. just look at it!

Morning fires

Morning light

Give me the keys, Grandpa! I'll drive!

Itasca State Park

Headwaters of the Great Mississippi

Una, Ted and Grandpa D crossing the headwaters.

Standing over the Mississippi

The Group!

Piggies

I Love this photo

Time with Nana and Fanny

Oh, Turtle Lake. You are such a dear friend.
Thank you, thank you,
for such lovely memories.
Until next time...

Nikolai

2011-08-29T21:35:00.000-07:00

The next day (being sunday, aug 14) we went to see Nikolai, Nastia and Stephan, in their new place in Minneapolis. They just moved from Portland in July, and we've missed them at Co-op so much! Turns out they live right down the street from Damian and Jamie and Alexi. Small world. Anyways, the kids were so excited to see each other. Una had been asking about Nikolai for weeks. We all had a lot of fun and shared a yummy breakfast, thanks to Nastia and Stephan. It was really nice to see them settled, or almost settled, in their new place, and we're really happy to have even more great people to visit when we are in town. (i did have THE cutest video of Una and Nikolai jumping on his bed, but accidentally erased it. i was so bummed.)

Meeting Baby Ray

2011-08-29T20:56:00.000-07:00

On Nana and Grandpa's new deck.

Someone is just too cute.

Gift for Baby Ray

What a cutie pie!

Sarah, Manny and Baby Ray

I'm way behind on postings, again!

Our trip to Minnesota began with a party at Sarah and Manny's house a few hours after we landed in Minneapolis. We were very excited to meet Baby Ray, who is just darling, and who has made both of his equally darling parents so happy. This is the way to start out a vacation: lots and lots of great food and even better company. Sara Fish and her daughters, as well as Damian, Jamie and Alexi Zeus were also there on this perfect summer evening. Thanks to everyone for being just so damn enjoyable and lovely.

Pixie

2011-08-12T22:45:00.001-07:00

I swear, i was only going to take one picture. Little Miss Pixie Poo sporting her cute hand-me-downs, the apron that Marcia got for her last year, and a pony tail just like Pam's. Pony tail = Pam to Una. Pam of Marc and Pam Chapin fame.

We are off to Minnesota tomorrow! So adios for the next week. Hoping for some hot weather. bring it! And super excited that my dad will be joining us at the Lake for the first time. Yee haw!

Flirty 30

2011-08-10T09:59:00.000-07:00

Has it really been 30 years since my rockstar sister broke the scene? Here is a little something to help her celebrate this big day. And remember sis, you're not old, you're just old enough to know who you are and young enough to enjoy it. 30 is awesome!

The Asten Collection: Click Here

Adventures

2011-08-07T21:42:00.000-07:00

Una and Kathy @ Mt. Hood

So i'm a little behind on my postings....Kathy, Una and I had a series of very fun adventures. We went to Mt. St. Helens and did a quick visit. Kathy kept calling it "Una's Mountain" and so, now she calls it that too! Man, it is so beautiful there, but it's a harsh beauty. i didn't even manage to take photos. Kathy loved it and since then, we've decided that we need to come back and hike the summit. The next day, we went to Mt. Hood where people were still snowboarding, but also warm enough for people to be swimming in the outdoor pool. Una and i spent some time playing in the snow while Kathy explored more. I had to literally drag Una out of there. She loved the snow and grabbed a handful to take home. Then started crying when it melted in her hands in the car. We also fit a trip to the Gorge in there, and a little Portland: some shopping, a tour of Bullseye with Ted, and also a dinner out. We ate at Bamboo Sushi, and man, it was good. a perfect outing sitting at a table with the wall open to the air outside, gorgeous sunny evening, incredible food, incredible company, and Una chowing down every thing. I just kept watching her in awe while she sat at the table with us all proper like in her cute sundress and shoving a sushi roll in her mouth with delight. And me thinking,"This is really my kid?" i was such a picky eater....ok, i still am sometimes.

Anyways, we had just simply an AMAZING week with Ms. "Kafy", and we were all really sad to see her go home. Una kept asking for her the next day and i had to keep telling her she went home. It took a while to sink in. Thanks for the visit, Kath! You are such a rockstar, and i'm so lucky to know you.

Seattle Supreme

2011-08-04T14:16:00.000-07:00

Breakfast at Judy's.

City fashions.

Famous Fish Market.

Millions of peaches, peaches for free. ok just the tastings.

Seattle Public Library. Wow!

A lucky find. Art installation on the Seattle University Campus.

St. Ignatius Chapel

Gas Works Park

Olympic Sculpture Park

We really packed it in. Had a great weekend with lots of fun and gorgeous weather. Thanks so much Judy for having us!

Mt. Angel Abby

2011-08-02T08:23:00.000-07:00

Ms. Kathleen Krall arrived on thursday, and we went to Mt. Angel Abbey for a picnic and to hear the vespers. They were having a Bach Festival. Gorgeous place! Una immediately warmed up to Kathy. She also brought her a Curious George doll. Major points!

Quote

2011-07-27T21:35:00.000-07:00

Her Cuteness making pancakes with momma a couple of weeks ago...

This is one of those posts where the photos have nothing to do with the topic. Yesterday, Una fell down at co-op and got a bool-boo on her knee. Later that evening, she told us she needed a new banjo for it. All day today, she kept talking about her banjo, which i find so completely adorable that i haven't bothered to correct her. I guess if she's still calling a band-aide a banjo when she's in high school, i'll set her straight.

Shoes

2011-07-22T17:01:00.000-07:00

Una's latest movie. click here.

Blue Dress

2011-07-20T08:48:00.000-07:00

Someone loves my blue dress almost as much as i do.

Big Girl

2011-07-17T09:02:00.001-07:00

It's been a big week. A new step stool, so Una can finally wash her hands solo. She also decided to try out the dental floss after watching momma. Swimming lessons started this week, followed quickly by a cold...only in oregon do you see crowds of people dressed in fleece and tights around a swimming pool...and then...DA-DA-DA-DAAAAAA: the big girl bed! Una is actually still sleeping in it as i'm writing this(see photo below), and it's 9:30 am...she's never slept past 8:30. But, we noticed, at some point, she pulled in one of the pillows we had on the floor, so maybe she was up a little last night rearranging. Ted and i went out to an adult party last night, man that was fun and fancy, so we had a babysitter put her to bed in her big girl bed for the first time. i was worried we were leaving the babysitter with too much of a challenge, not knowing how Una would do, if she would stay in it or not. But, she did just fine. No reported problems at all, just right to sleep. Awesome.

I found these flash cards that are done by one of Una's favorite author, Todd Parr. She absolutely adores them, and we look at them almost every day. It's been a pretty awesome tool as well, for this age, as Una is just learning to "use her words" to tell us when something isn't right. We look at the cards, i say the word and describe what is happening. So, when she's melting down, i can say,

"Una, are you feeling sad?" she'll say, "NO!"

"Disappointed?"

"NO!"

"Are you feeling cranky?" (and i say it in a fake little cranky voice)

and then she usually laughs, because she loves the cranky card and saying cranky....and usually, when she's having a fit, cranky is the best word to describe how she's feeling.

Sometimes, it's hard to remember that this little person is just that, a little person, who has so much to learn and does not yet have all the skills to operate in a big girl world. I'm hoping that by giving her an education on learning to describe her feelings and communicate them effectively, we are giving her a strong foundation on the rest of what is to come. ABC's and 123's are a given, but emotional intelligence is really hard to learn and practice and not exactly valued in our society. As a fellow big girl, i can vouch for that and honestly say i'm still working on this one myself.

Oaks Bottom Amusement Park

2011-07-14T15:28:00.000-07:00

Oh man! Una and i had so much fun with our co-op friends. We went to Oaks Bottom, Una's first amusement park experience. they have special hours for the wee ones to enjoy the park. it was a perfect way to spend the morning. Growing up with Hershey Park, this place is like stepping back in time, and must be what Hershey Park was like in it's beginnings. It's really old fashioned, more like a fair, and set amongst the big old oak trees along the willamette river. Lots of picnic tables, a chu chu train ride, a dance pavillion and pay as you go rides if you like. the carrousel will turn 100 years old next year and is on the historic register. No surprise to me, Una ended up being the dare-devil of the group. She shrieked with delight on the spinning boat thing that made all us parents sickish. She went on the roller coaster twice...and the big slide. It reminded me of her aunt astey, who was a fearless child. When we went on rides together, i'd be screaming in terror and she'd be screaming out of pure joy...and there's 10 years between us.

First solo expedition. Hattie in the co-pilot seat.

The cars.

Here comes trouble...Hattie, Mirabelle and Una.

Una rode the carrousel twice. First time a horsey. Second time she opted for the froggy.

Ya gotta.

New shoes.

Pony

2011-07-14T15:25:00.000-07:00

What a find! I got this radio flyer pony for 6 bucks at a second hand store. Una loves it. She wants me to paint it pink. Pink pony.

It's Summertime!

2011-07-06T06:54:00.000-07:00

And we're getting Piggy with it!

My Two-er

2011-06-28T21:42:00.000-07:00

i let Una pick out her clothes this day...including the fishnets on the hands.

This two thing is pretty crazy. It keeps you on your toes. The other day i was thinking to myself how thankful i am that Una has been such a reasonable and relatively calm little "terrible two-er." She doesn't have alot of meltdowns, you can tell her what you need from her and most of the time she responds well. And she says, "Fankyou, Mommy!" all the time for all kinds of things, like when i help her get on her shoes, or if i give her a bowl of cheerios. It's so darling. Sometimes, she jumps the gun a little and says it before the request is even fulfilled. Like, she'll say, "I want cookies, fankyou mommy!" And it's really hard not to fulfill the request, even if it's inappropriate, because it's so darn cute and sincere. I think, "Damn, she's really putting on the pressure." Anyways, so yeah, she's been totally great. And then, the other morning she woke up and it was like all hell broke loose. There was a lot of "I want! I want!" and a lot of screaming even before i could even react to anything she was saying. And then, the classic terrible two meltdowns over everything and nothing. Suddenly, she didn't want to do anything, like change the diaper, or have some quiet time. however, this little two-er has one weakness. Music. I can say, "we need to change your diaper." and i get the big, "NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!" But if i start singing, "Follow me to diaper change, diaper change, diaper change (to the tune of mary had a little lamb), she instantly starts singing and follows me right in the room. It's like the Pied Piper. I'm even shocked sometimes, and thankful, for how well it works. Una is in LOVE with music. she sings constantly. She loves circle time at co-op, and she even started the kids singing, "Put your toes on the line on the line!" the other day, i was told, which is what the parents sing to get the kids ready to go outside. my little music freak, i love you.

Berry Picking

2011-06-26T20:37:00.001-07:00

We went berry picking with our Co-op out on Sauvie's Island at Kruger Farms. It was a gorgeous day, and the kids (and the adults) had a great time. Strawberries. We picked (and grazed) Strawberries. They also had some pigs and chickens. Una and Ksenia had a great time running back and forth to the chicken coop and the pig pen together.

Seamus

Baby Mason

Ksenia, Wade, and Hattie

Love the hat, and the glasses, Ksenia!

Ellen and Hattie

Mirabelle

Zane, Olivia and Natasha

Ellen and Hattie

Hope and Olivia

Note the appropriately themed attire on una.

Stephan, Nikolai, and Nastia

Elena and Isaac

Julie and Mirabelle

Nikolai and Una

Pillow Talk

2011-06-08T21:59:00.000-07:00

At bedtime, Una and i were looking at her Feelings Flash Cards that are done by the author Todd Parr. She's really into them. They are bright and have fun pictures describing such feelings as Delighted and Cranky. We looked at a few, but the Cuddly one caught her attention. She said, "i want Cuddly. I want to go to bed and have cozies." Cozies are her blankets that she sleeps with. So i put her in the crib, she laid down and i put the cozies on: Cozy 1(ladybugs from nana sally), Cozy 2(white croqueted afghan by nanny), Cozy 3(mod dots made by momma ra), and Cozy 4(croqueted afghan by aunt marian). Then i said, "Good night, baby. i had a really nice day with you." And she said, "i had a nice dinner. i had peas...and cherrios...with milk," as her eyes grew heavier and heavier, while surrounded by lots of hand made love, minnie mouse, and a piggy or two.

Weekend of Summer

2011-06-06T21:56:00.000-07:00

Summer happened this weekend. We were all in fits of delighted shock and wonder...and we ran outside and stayed there as much as possible. Una decided she wanted to wear her pink bathing suit and promptly dressed herself in her pink fur boots. We left the boots at home and headed down to Jamison Square, a park with a kid magnet fountain in the Pearl District in downtown Portland. It was a success. Saturday night, we had a picnic in Laurelhurst Park with Ivy. We had cupcakes. The park was teaming with people, and babies...and people smoking with babies. Whatever. On sunday we hiked around Powell Butte. Una walked up a super long and steep hill all by herself. i was impressed. Both days were just gorgeous and lots of fun.

Nifty Nifty Look Who's 50!

2011-06-02T11:44:00.000-07:00

Uncle Timmy is 50 years young today! And, in honor of this milestone, Ted has compiled the following for his brother:

50 things for you to consider doing now that you’re 50

Work for Bill Clinton
Work for Jimmy Carter
Work for Barack Obama
Work for the Nature Conservancy
Work for the Sierra Club
Go on a trek in Nepal
Work at a fast food joint just to see what it’s like
Watch this video on TED: http://www.ted.com/talks/jr_s_ted_prize_wish_use_art_to_turn_the_world_inside_out.html (you may need to sign up for TED, but it’s free and pretty amazing. Plus you can get subtitles for the talks!)
Start a dog walking business
Write another book with Cheo
Think about what we should build on the land.
Come to the lake this summer. It’s not worth missing. Ever.
Imagine that it is raining in New Mexico.
Go to a rain dance.
Write about the rain, how sometimes it evaporates before it hits the ground.
Find someplace to float.
Start doing yoga. Write about it. Or don’t write about it. Or don’t do it and write about that. Or have nothing to do with the whole thing.
Read poems by Mary Oliver and then write a Mary Oliver poem, but consider using the palette of Van Gogh and the smell of rain hitting the concrete on a hot day in Minnesota.
Study a foreign language and consider how different the world feels when everything has another name, cadence, poetry. Consider that this is different for every speaker of that language, and every speaker of every language.
Go to Yosemite and climb half dome
Hike the Appalachian Trail
Go back to Scotland and enjoy the right to roam, especially in the highlands. Consider the northern and northeastern coasts, which I can tell you about, and which are worth knowing.
Visit the Deep South of the United States. Go in Autumn. Buy produce from people along the roadside and talk with them.
Go to Machu Picchu
Go to Japan and spend time in Kyoto, or somewhere in the countryside, maybe even up in Hokkaido in the deep snow. You can probably get a residency.
Work on a sheep farm in New Zealand.
Consider Africa.
Go to the wilderness in your own backyard. Move very slowly. Don’t rush to do it. Take it in. It will be hard at first. Take a step and look down. Look up. Look to your left. Look to your right. Touch the tree bark. How many colors is it? Pick up a rock. Consider its perfection. Smell the air. Repeat. Try to see how slowly you can move. At some point stop entirely and make sure that you are seeing everything. If you stop for long enough there is a good chance that things will come to you: birds, lizards, small mammals. The object is to move the shortest distance in the longest time, until you know the place you are, are connected to it. If everything goes well, this noticing and quiet will lodge insider of you and expand your appreciation of everything.
This same approach can be taken in a city, but it is harder because the energy of the city is running contrary to this idea. But it is also worth trying.
Explore food. Real food. What are people eating in other neighborhoods? Taste your food. Eat your most fabulous meals in the middle of the day or very early in the evening. Savor the fact that you have food and can eat it.
Make up band names and imagine the music that they would play. Play that music.
Invent an artist and imagine the art that they would make. Make that art.
Watch as many things as you can done by this guy on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=tales+of+mere+existence&aq=f, especially “How To Break Up With Your Girlfriend in 64 Easy Steps.”
Write more. For yourself.
Write letters to people – not emails.
Have cake.
Go to the movies by yourself.
Get up really early and go someplace to watch the sunrise. That same day try to watch the sunset.
Go to used clothing stores. Try things on. Suits, fabulous printed shirts, pants. Explore. Clothes can make the man.
Talk to strangers.
Hold a sign.
Go to museums. Give yourself permission to walk quickly until something stops you. Don’t force it. When something stops you, enjoy it as long as you like, then move again until something else stops you.
See if you can get work on a farm, even one day a week.
Make something with your hands.
Take an accounting class. Why not?
Dream
Keep a dream journal.
Accept the love of others.
Love yourself.
Breathe in and out and in and out and in and out and in and out. Repeat in this pattern for at least another 50 years.

Happy Birthday, Uncle Timmy. We love you much!

xo, Ted, Tara and Una

Thane

2011-06-01T07:38:00.000-07:00

Thane Atticus Georgeton is hitting the scene...click here for video.

Memorial Day Weekend

2011-05-31T10:51:00.000-07:00

Oh, and just a little addition...when we went out to brunch on monday with the Georgetons, we sat down at our table. Una got herself all settled in her booster seat and then looked at me and said, "I want cupcakes, Mommy." it was so cute, i almost ordered one for her.

We went to Bend for Memorial Day to visit Kristin, Lee, Elia and Thane. We had lots of fun and it was nice to get over the mountains into the high desert. There was a nice walk along the river, bonfire and smores at Tracy and John's, performances by Thane, and cute hugs. Those two are so cute...little blondies bouncing around together. Thank you, Georgetons! We love u guys.

53rd Avenue Park

2011-05-28T11:57:00.000-07:00

Last week, Una and I visited this park in Hillsboro on a very sunny day. it kinda felt like we were at the beach! This is truly the biggest project that i've ever worked on, and i worked on it from it's master plan phase up into construction administration. And holy moly, did i learn alot. I can really claim this one as my design and it is super rewarding to walk through it and see people loving it and using the space just how you hoped they would. There's certainly things i wish came out differently...alot of the plants are struggling and that damn grout (that one wasn't my call)...but again, not bad for the first time i've ever designed a fountain. Thanks again to my dear friend Kristin and her business partner Sean for helping me make this a reality. They saved my butt.

Legacy Park

2011-05-27T15:08:00.000-07:00

Una and i have started to take little adventures on fridays. Today, we drove to Canby, in torrential rain, to see a park that i worked on and that was built three years ago. I had been meaning to visit it for a long time. I sure learned a lot on this project, alot of it the hard way, none the less. I think it turned out really well considering the client decided to do the construction administration itself. There was a lot of plant material that was not put in, and the biggest disappointment was the absence of the meadow planting which i think would put this park on the map. However, i understand it's a real challenge to get it established and to maintain it. From a maintenance stand point, simple is better, i guess, and they got what they wanted. Once the trees mature, the park will be even better. Overall, i was really pleased. It's always fun to walk through your paper make-believes.

On a side note, the park is adjacent to a middle school and off in the distance is a track. In the back of my mind i was thinking about walking over there with Una. She beat me to it, though, and soon enough we were running around the track. Genetics is something else. I'm pretty darn sure Una is going to be a runner...considering she can run 8 blocks at the age of 2. At least she has her clothes on...unlike me, who liked to be a streaker at that age.

Hey Jude

2011-05-23T11:53:00.000-07:00

And the Beat(les) goes on...click here...to watch another movie starring miss una belle crimson sawyer, star of stage and screen.

Yellow Submarine

2011-05-21T21:04:00.000-07:00

Looks like history is repeating itself...although Una doesn't call it Sa-Sa (like Aunt Belle did), she does ask for Submarine, every time we turn on the CD player.

Cute as a Cupcake

2011-05-06T16:26:00.000-07:00

Someone really likes my yellow jcrew sandals.

i like how the barrette matches the cupcake.

i also like how she let it in her hair.

Well, May is here already, and we are being treated with days filled with rain and clear blue sky days filled with GLORIOUS sunshine. I'll take it! I wanted to first send a shout out to my dad. Happy May, Dad (it's his favorite month). Also, thank you SO MUCH for making our compost bins (seen above). i'm still admiring them and i think they are just perfect for us. i've been able to spend a lot of time out in the garden lately.

Along with the weather cooperating, i decided to instate a mandatory nap for Una every day. We started a little quiet time routine where we change the diaper, get in the sleep sack and read books for about 30 mins. Then i put her in the crib and tell her i will be back when nap time is over. I set the timer for one hour. If she's not asleep when the timer goes off, i go get her. Most of the time she just screams in her crib...or sings. But, today she actually fell asleep (after crying for 30 mins.). It's been 11 days since we started the routine, so i call this progress.

I had given up on her napping, ever...except for the occasional zonk out in the car, but i'm taking a parenting class through my Co-op, and they stressed how important it was for their long term memory development and that they really shouldn't be giving up naps until the age of 3. So, i bit the bullet and decided we just had to do it. Turns out, routine and the big C word (consistency) is REALLY important. And it was REALLY hard for me to start. One: because i've always been challenged on the routine and consistency part, and Two: because i have a hard time listening to her cry. i know some moms can just tune it out and it doesn't bother them, but for me, i had to get over the awful feeling that i was abandoning her. I always worried that i was scaring her emotionally. What i've learned is that you are actually bolstering them emotionally by giving them boundaries and helping them learn to fall asleep themselves. And it's true. She wakes up much happier. After a horrific month of meltdowns and severe mommy separation anxiety, in the past 2 weeks, Una is truly blossoming into a calm, articulate, independent and happy little girl. She even asks for daddy first thing in the mornings, talks about him during the day, and wants to spend more time with him. Not that she wasn't happy to see him before, it's just that i couldn't walk five feet away from her without her freaking out, or pee without her sitting on my lap.

Ted and i also took a Parenting class together recently. We started using some of the tools we learned about a month ago, and i also attribute this to Una's improvement. That along with the Co-op has been just awesome. She now has a lot more structure and a lot more socialization with kids her own age and with other adults. It's also been really good for me too. I love working my shift and getting to know the other kids and parents. The change of scene is good for both of us.

Easter 2011

2011-04-30T15:07:00.001-07:00

Luckily, we were able to spend easter in Sequim again this year, spending time with Aunt Marian and her sons, John and Jerry. Also, Jerry's wife Nancy and his son Josh. They are my only family out here on the west coast, so it's nice to get up there once in a while to visit. Una was completely engrossed with Aunt Marian's russian dolls. She loved opening them all up, down to the tiny, teeny-ist wee little one. We also got to see Nay Nay. She gave us the grand tour of downtown Sequim, and it was sunny and beautiful. You could see those mountains, the great white jags piercing the blue sky. Aunt Marian is just the most darling of people and she's my aunt to boot. We always have a great time, and we're looking forward to our next visit. She let me borrow a bunch of her photos from days past, so we will need to return them, in person. I'm planning to scan them and make a book...hopefully in the near future.