Legacy Park

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

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

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

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

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.

Beach Birthdays

We went to Gearhart to celebrate birthday month. We have lots of birthdays: Una and Renne on the 8th, Laurie on the 11th, Ted and my brother Matt on the 18th, and Jemiah and Poppa Dee Dee on the 29th. What better way to celebrate than with a relaxing 4 days at a gorgeous beach. we rented this awesome house that was on Ocean Ave with a view across the dunes to the Ocean.

The first day was really rainy.

We were still pretty darn happy to be here, despite the rain.

Una had some meltdowns. She's been having a tough couple of weeks.

But her and Nana spent lots of time playing Beauty Parlor.

The house rocked!

Dad made sausage and biscuits and homefries for breakfast.

Laurie joined us friday night.

Our path to the beach.

On the way into Gearhart.

At the Bakery.

Lots and lots of bananas.

Renne joined us saturday.

So did Alex, and she brought these gorgeous flowers for ted.

We also had sun. Glorious sun.

And lots of good food.

Sunset from our windows.

Una holding court, and handing out high 5's.

Alex is always a big hit.

Knock knock jokes...

Diggin' it.

Frisbee.

Band shot.

Fairy Godmother.

Cozy with Grandpa D.

Downward Dogs.

Still a little scarred of the ocean.

Una was in awe of Renne.

Birthday rainbows.

A rare lovely moment, just the 2 of us.

The beach was amazing on this morning, our last one. I'd never seen the water out so far. and the low angled light made it look like it went for miles and mile.

View of our house.

One last time to the beach.

And then we had to ride the carousel.

Una's first time. She was amazed.

Judy rode the easter bunny.

Sally rode too. She told the operator, an older man, "That was the most fun i've had since i was 10." And he said, "Well, It's about time!"

What a great get-a-way. Thank you to Alex, Renne, and Laurie for joining us and for all the great food and lovely birthday gifts. Nana, Grandpa and Judy, we miss u! Now, we are off to Sequim to see Aunt Marian. xo.