Emotions Have Taken Over

I'm sitting here, attempting to be diligent in properly planning appropriate Christmas presents for our family, and as I "attempt" to do so, all I can do is fight so hard to hold the tears back. I can't blame Pandora, although the music is perfect in every way. I feel as though I must document what my soul is feeling because it is raw and genuine. 

Forgive me...

As I sit here in front of this screen, sorting file after file for the perfect picture to tell our little Lola's story, I am overcome with emotion. What a wonderful year it has been! I feel as though I have become consumed with motherhood, with familyhood, with making it the most perfect embodiment of what I think a family should be. I feel like I have, somewhat, underestimated the wonderfulness that is our family. Not just our little pod of love, but our families. The two families that have come together to create this beautiful co-existence of love. As I flip through, somewhere between folder 24 and 4 all I see is love. I am overwhelmed with emotion. This is what family looks like!

 

I came to the realization that family cannot be measured by number of people, lack of roles, or quantity of dads, moms, or grandparents. Families can only be measured by the amounts of love you feel. I think it is easy to forget about the love that we have for one another when life's messy turns come into play. I know, first hand, that my family is not, at all, the classic, tradition prototype of what a family should look like. And I'm okay with that. I can honestly say I feel more love now, in this moment, than I ever have before. Our family is setting up a foundation of confidence, acceptance, and support for Lola. And that's all I can ask for!

Leaps & Bounds

Lola and I strolled on over to Freemont Park for our weekly ritual of Farmer's Market shopping.The sun was out, but Autumn was in the air. The air was crisp as can be, blowing gently through the trees as the sun illuminated the chalk-kissed sidewalk. Soon the leaves will be every shade of orange, yellow, red, and brown.

I am simply amazed at how big my pumpkin is. Fifteen months ago, she was only a swaddled little babe in my arms. She is now a little girl, loving little girl things, flowers of all sorts, butterfly kisses, bubbles, cute little dogs...and big ones too! She has the most wonderful fascination with eyelashes. I must say, I was pretty nervous when she first discovered them. She walked about for a couple days constantly stabbing her eye with that little pointer finger of hers. Weird. Now she resorts to butterfly kissing her big toes every time I change her diapers. Imagine that!
Her new discoveries make it apparent that she is growing up. She moves around the apartment like she knows exactly what she is doing and where she is going. I no longer underestimate her. When we go on walks, I occasionally let her "run free", usually when we are a couple streets from the apartment. The other day, we turned the corner to the street we live on. She walked up to our apartment entry way and strolled on in and proceeded to go up the step that leads to our front door. She has definetly got her walking skills down! She is now, also a pro at scaling up the playground and wobbling her way across the bridge to the other side. It is pretty amazing to see her thinking her way through her next strategically placed step. 

 

"Alas, I have made it!"

We attended Chalk It Up this past weekend and got a sneak peak at the pieces of art that would surround "our park" for the weeks to come. Some of them were fun, or merely advertisements, but I was impressed by those with so much detail. It was great to finally see the finished product! Freemont Park is now framed beautifully by vibrantly colored pieces of art. I love Sacramento!

Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day weekend brought my parents and sister up from Southern California to visit! What a treat! I only get to see them about every four months, so when that time rolls around I'm always thrilled. It must be difficult to be a grandparent and be hundreds of miles away from a grandchild. Nevertheless, we made it count, full of smiles, laughs, and Lola snuggles!

We took a stroll by Freemont Park where Chalk It Up was happening. It was the perfect place to take my parents to see, first hand, what Sacramento is all about. The park was filled, corner to corner, with locals- artists, volunteers, businesses, and musicians- all there for the same reason. You could really feel the sense of community.

I love when I get to see my sister! She is such a wonderful being and one of the greatest blessings in my life. I always wish I could see more of her. I love her! And it's obvious, Lola loves her too!

 

It is so wonderful to see my family. I really wish it could happen more often. But the chances we do get with one another are always extra special.

I get to see my sister tomorrow!

More to come...

Bathing Babe

At the end of a long day, both Lola and I look forward to bath time. It is a chance for her to get her hair done up in such a way that only  80's hair bands would sport. A chance to play with her bath toys, splish-splashing around, while screeching those eardrum-busting notes. Pure silliness! It's a chance for me to breathe, take in the day and all its offerings, and realize that it was perfect in its own way. And as I sit, washing the day away from her, literally, I realize the fortune that I have been handed. Wow!!! 

There are many days where I sit on the other side of the tub, watching her splash around, listening to her blab about the the things that "matter", and I'm left speechless. She is true love and beauty and smarts, enveloped up, and sealed with a little bit of goofiness! And as the minutes turn into hours, and days, and years, and so on, I will cherish our evenings. I have LOVE!

All we are, we are

And everyday is a start

Of something beautiful.

 Alas, Picnic Wednesday has arrived. And hot enough to redden my freshly-sun screened babe. I got up early, in attempts to get out the door and beat the summer heat. In attempts. We finally made our way over to Le Petit Paris to get my morning fix, something caffeinated and something sinfully-unhealthy. I've only been in this adorable little shop a handful of times, but I'm totally in love with the ambiance and decor! It's very classic Paris meets Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinnette. The woman there has the most lovely French accent and makes the most lovely lattes. I think I may have found my new Monday/Wednesday/Friday guilty pleasure.

Despite the rising heat, we made it over to "our" park. Ah.....one of the advantages to living in Midtown, the variety of parks to choose from! We nestled under a tree and set up our spread. Books, blueberries, grapes, cookies, almonds, and our beverages, along with Lola's favorite, sidewalk chalk, for doodling later.

Aren't you just loving the vintage doilies???
not to mention...
the serial numbers on the jars! ;)

Lola played and played until, finally, she called it quits, her hair matted to her face, cheeks blushed, and arms rosier than her normal shade of plaster. The outing didn't last as long as our prior Picnic Wednesday. Nevertheless, just as fun.

It's Almost That Time Again...

As the Summer heat subsides, I begin to feel that little bit of pep-in-my-step. Autumn is right around the corner! Since moving up to Sacramento, I have fully become an addict for everything that is Fall-well almost everything. I always look forward to indulging in the changing of the leaves, the crisp air, and the desire to buy cinnamon scented pine cones for my apartment. In wearing brightly colored sweaters, hats, mittens, and scarves. In spending a morning at the grocery store buying all the perfect vegetables necessary to make the perfect homemade soup. In eating that soup. In trying out new recipes, in hopes of making some rather unexciting root veggies, exciting. In baking. In (hopefully) exercising- hopefully. 

 This time of year is always worth sticking out the horribly hot Summer for. Yes, that's right, Autumn. I'm still here! Your biggest fan, and I couldn't be more excited about your arrival. I can't wait to come out of the closet entitled, "Lovers Of All Things Pumpkin Flavored", and hold my head up high. There will no longer be a need for me to hang my head in shame because I've been secretly endulging in Pumpkin Loaf from Pete's Coffee or those delicious pumpkin muffins from The Bread Store. The ones with the crunchy tops and the most delicious pumkiny flavor. Yes!!!!!!!! I will soon, no longer, be an outcast! 

So when you're ready, Autumn, I'm ready!

We're Rich, Baby!

I really love our simple life. I love the way we walk to run our errands. I love the way we spend most of our days huddled in the same room. I love the way we all snuggle under the same roof, occasionally in the same bed. Occasionally.

I enjoy the morning breeze that strolls in and helps jump-start my mornings and the cool evenings that roll in and sweep up our day to reveal a sigh of relief. aaaahhhhh!!!! It's so forgiving. We may not have the nicest of places, but still I call it home.  It is not be the boxed up, high- rise, ultra-modern-offset-earth toned apartment that seem to suit many, but it is ours. It will always remain the fortress we brought our little Lola to. That day seems so long ago. It was, for the first time, our safe place, our nest, our perfect place to lay her sweet, little head down to rest. 

We need not be caught up with the  latest and greatest of flat-screen-plasma-what-have-you's, ultra-deluxe cable packages or the shiniest of stainless steel gadgets. We are rich in so many other ways. We are rich in Love. In Trust. In Commitment. We are rich in ways that many others are not. And for that, I am truly blessed.