Oh time, how you go too fast. Life is wonderful and so busy with work and play! Now with my little free time during naps I am usually working instead of taking time to post life updates but that’s ok. Luckily working 10 hour weeks has been going really well and I feel free to enjoy my day as it comes but still find time to put in my hours too.

Today for example was beautiful out so work had nothing pressing going on - go figure, no one really relies on a 2 hour/day staff member - so I walked. I was outside walking the Sammamish River Trail with some friends starting at 11:15am and finally walking back in the door at 6pm 10 miles later! I was able to get a little work done this morning and the rest I finished up tonight but during daylight I got to enjoy the cloudless sky and warm weather!

Anyway, this post isn’t about today - which also happens to be my dad’s birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY). It’s about the last week and the weekend.

After a wonderful Mother’s Day, the week started off wonderfully. I babysat the twins on Monday and that evening Viv and I went to the YMCA to workout and meet Tyler for a swim. We hadn’t been to the pool since before our trip to Michigan. It was long overdue and very much missed.

It was nice having Tyler meet us there and we are going to try and make that our weekly thing during Ty’s lunch one day although it wasn’t the same without Kate and Vaughn.

The rest of the week went by rather quickly - per usual - and we had a few friends over for a BBQ (turned indoors) mid-week and I facilitated the Parent Support group for the first time since having Viv. It was emotional. It took every ounce of my being to hold back from shouting joyously at them all that it can be good and good things can happen. But of course, I didn’t because that’s not the point in their lives where that is helpful and they wouldn’t believe me. I wouldn’t have believed me when I was in their place a little over a year ago either. There were lots of tears and when I got home I think Vivian knew. Somehow my wonderful little daughter knew mommy needed some love and she woke up not two minutes of me walking in the door and she didn’t put herself back to sleep but needed comfort too.

So Ty brought her up to me to snuggle. We stared at each other and smiled and kissed. I gave her no less than a million kisses to make sure she was real and she was alive and well and here to stay. After some love and a bottle, she very easily went back to bed. She knew.

Such a big girl with her asparagus spear!

Friday we had a lovely and relaxing dinner with friends where Vivian did not want to go to sleep so since she was awake during dinner she got to try cooked asparagus for the first time ever. It was the first time we really let her have a piece of food to try and eat rather than just letting her lick and taste something like we’ve done with an apple slice or a carrot. She ended up holding it in her fist and trying to nosh on it for a while. I think she rather enjoyed it and did a great job handling her food even though all she really did was get flavor rather than swallow any substance - I’m probably not ready for her to go to solids quite yet.

My beautiful ballerina of a niece.

On Saturday I went to my niece, Marlee’s, first dance recital. It brought back a lot of my childhood memories. No I was not a dancer though, I just went to a lot of recitals to support my friends. Marlee was in two dances and she was fabulous - the little ones are always the best. After she was done we went backstage and I surprised her with flowers. I’m such a proud auntie.

After the recital, Katie and I picked up Sharmina and Jess and headed to a hotel downtown to start prepping with Angela and some other mamas for my second annual Mom Prom. This year was pretty intense. It was a blast though because I had lots of friends who were there and we had so much fun dancing and just letting loose!

Mamas getting rowdy at prom!

More of my mama friends - Eastside Mamas represent!

On Sunday, it was Glory’s 13th birthday but unfortunately she was put on the backburner as the day was all about pampering. A bunch of my Eastside Mamas got together and had a pampering party with a professional hairstylist, massage therapist and esthetician. We all took turns getting services while the others watched the babes. I enjoyed a relaxing facial to finish off a wonderful weekend.

The final phase of my blog transition is now complete. All blog posts from beginning to now should have updated and functioning internal links. If you notice a link that does not work and returns an error please contact me with the post you were on and the text of the link.

Last year, Mother’s Day was hard. Really hard. It’s hard to have a day for mothers but not be recognized as a mother by so many just because no one can see the baby you love.

Zachary’s bear with a blue star bow tie and
blanket and a star on his foot.

Sure, I was pregnant again last year, but getting “mother-to-be” congrats kind of hurt. In my eyes, I became a mother on November 10th, 2011 even though my son was not able to stay with us here on earth. So it was my first Mother’s Day but without a reason to celebrate. I really believe that loss mamas are mothers and should be celebrated too… It takes an even stronger mom to be able to let their child go and still live on.

So this year, I celebrate my strengths as a mom with an angel baby and a living baby. I know Zachary is watching down and celebrating with us. In fact, I got a gift yesterday. It was my Zachary Bear from Molly Bears. It is a teddy bear customized with special meaning to remember Zachary. It is also weighted to be exactly 1 pound 7.5 ounces as well as 10.75” long like Zachary.

I finally feel like I have so much to celebrate. I mean truly celebrate without reserve! I have an overwhelming amount of joy and love in my life. Every day I get to see the twinkle in my daughter’s eyes that brings so much peace and her big gummy grin that puts me into fits of laughter.

Me and my new mama runners :)

To celebrate I started the day with a wake up call at 6:30am from my hungry little hippo. She ate and went back down with ease. I then proceeded to get ready to go run my first postpartum 5K. I headed out to the Seattle Center to go to the Color Run which is considered “the happiest 5K on the planet!” I met up with some of my mom friends who were running with me.

I was really proud of myself and ran the entire race without stopping - even up a decent size hill to the end.

When I got home, Tyler and Viv were waiting for me and I quickly showered off all the colorful powder and then hung out with my man and baby. They had apparently run an errand to get me a hand-picked box of chocolates while I was running.

All colored up after the run!

Once I was cleaned off we had lunch and then Viv and I cuddled and took a snuggly 2.5 hour nap while Tyler power-washed the deck - we are ready for the summer BBQs now! Once we woke up we FaceTimed with my mom (and aunts, grandma and nana) and Tyler’s mom. Then rest of the day we are just planning on relaxing.

What a perfect day. Happy Mother’s Day to all my lovely earth mamas, angel mamas, moms-to-be and moms at heart. Much love and strength to all of you on this day for celebration!

Someone is trying to eat my chocolates!

You are five months! How is that even possible? You are no longer a newborn and just this week I put away the very last piece of 0-3 month clothing. You are officially and completely in the 3-6 month stuff. It sure is fun to dress you!

Besides growing like a weed, you are learning so much! Each day is a new adventure and it brings me so much joy watching you thrive. This week you learned to sit up and you have been rolling around like crazy. You don’t ever want to stop moving!

Your sleeping is getting better now that you are in your own room - you seem to like sleeping in a cave with complete darkness at night. In fact, two nights ago you seriously slept through the night… from 9pm to 8:44am without a single peep! I woke up Friday morning confused because the iPad (aka alarm clock) froze and said 5:12am and I realized it was much later and I couldn’t even really enjoy it because that was the one day we were supposed to be up at 7am. You sure like to play tricks on your mama! Next time you decide to sleep through, let’s have a chat the night before to make sure we don’t have an important appointment that we miss, ok?

I love you my smiley little miss. You already are growing up to be such a beautiful person - inside and out. I can’t wait for many more adventures with you, my love

A million kisses,
Mama

I’ve been thinking of you a lot baby boy. I don’t often get the chance to talk about you anymore because your sweet baby sister steals the limelight and that’s ok, she should. Yesterday, however, I got the rare opportunity to really talk about you and even show off your photo book to my other mommy friends. It was nice because showing you off really helps me connect better with people when they are willing and ask to see your book - your existence - instead of change the topic or shrug it off.

Talking about you and sharing you was much needed, especially since today it has been a year and a half since you came into our lives. Gosh how time really flies. I think about you and miss you every day and wish you were here but I do see you in so many things and places. My favorite thing is kissing Vivian’s forehead where you did - on her “angel kiss” birthmark. I know that is there because of you and it makes me smile.

Viv is starting to lose your features. It makes me wonder how you’d have grown out of the newborn look. I bet you’d have been a solid tanker like your daddy. One thing for sure, you’d have been a little sweetheart.

I miss you baby boy!

Love,
Mama

When I got home from my Michigan trip I had important things to do and people to see. When I left, I had two friends ready to pop. I told them to wait till I got home to give birth. Of course this was not taken well by Alyssa as she was due on my brother’s birthday (4/24). She was ready to meet her munchkin.

Turns out, her little babe sort of listened to me (sorry Alyssa) and was born on Monday, April 29th. Prior to her birth, she remained a mystery gender - Alyssa and Brian wanted a surprise. So into the world came beautiful little Leah.

On Wednesday, when Alyssa was ready for visitors, Angelica, Vivian and I went to the hospital to visit and meet baby Leah.

Alyssa with baby Leah, Me with Vivian and Angelica.

Angelica and me with baby Victoria.

On Friday, my friend Angelica had a scheduled c-section to have her daughter, Victoria. Since she was scheduled, Angelica was A-OK with my orders to not come early. Victoria was a compliant little lady.

So Friday evening, when Angelica was ready for visitors, I went to the hospital after putting Vivian to bed while Tyler stayed home to watch her. I got to spend a wonderful amount of time with Angelica and Victoria because I arrived right at the “changing of the guards” when her mom went home to take watch over Daniel - the big brother - and Eric came back to the hospital to stay with mom and new baby.

It sure was nice holding little babies. It made me realize I have no idea how Vivian got so big! She was born smaller than both babies but I just can’t even remember that and it was only five months ago!

Anyway, Viv is going to have some fun little girlfriends to play with as they all grow up. Congrats to both my mama friends and their adorable bundles of joy! Can you believe they are already a week and almost a week old?!?!

I can’t believe it has already been a week since returning from Michigan. Time flies! Anyway, I finished the tale of the first week in Michigan and left off on Wednesday.

Gramps and Vivian enjoying a good laugh.

Silly G.G. and goofy Vivi.

Wednesday was full of fun! On my mom’s way to work she dropped me and Viv off at my grandparent’s place. We had a gourmet four course luncheon that my grandma prepared with my grandpa’s help I believe. It was a delicious salad, quiche, bread and coconut macaroons (yummm). We had plenty of time to relax and for them to really get to hold and visit with Vivian. She even took a cat-nap on the floor.

Amanda knows how to get Viv to smile!

Saying “cheese” like pros!

After spending the afternoon with my grandparents, Jesse and Amanda came over to hang out before we all went to Jill’s new house for dinner. We got Chinese takeout and enjoyed each other’s company.

Amanda, Ali with Viv, Jill, Jesse

Uncle Jamers sure is funny!

Thursday my parents, Viv and I went to dinner with my brother to celebrate his birthday which was the day before. We had a very nice dinner at Outback and then stopped by his apartment so I could meet his little kitty who looks exactly like a very miniature Lucifer! So cute that it made me want to shrink Lu.

Friday was another day with the girlfriends. Amanda and Jesse came over again - I couldn’t get enough of them and they couldn’t get enough of Viv - along with Brit before grabbing takeout from The Root Restaurant to take to Brit’s parent’s house to hang out since she had just gotten into town that afternoon. In fact, my house was her first stop! Once we were at Brit’s parent’s house Alex joined us. Finally we had to say goodnight when Viv decided she was D.O.N.E.

Brit, Jesse, Alex, Ali, Viv, Amanda

Saturday my parents, Viv and I got up early to head to Chicago.  My mom had a conference on Sunday for work so my dad and I decided to tag along. It was a great opportunity to see Leigh and my cousin Kelly.

See the door behind the tail? “N-10” is my dad’s hangar… Zachary can always be with him when he’s flying :)

The flight down to Chicago was both Viv and my first time in my dad’s new plane. It was a beautiful flight and Vivian did a great job and even tolerated the headset I put on her to block out the sound of the engine.

The zoo even had a farm!

We got in to Chicago in time for lunch. Leigh picked us up at the airport and we drove into the city. It was a gorgeous day so we strapped my dad up with Viv in the Ergo Baby carrier and we walked and walked and made it to the Lincoln Park Zoo. I had no idea Chicago had a free zoo but it was a very pleasant surprise! Viv slept for a good portion of the walk but I can only imagine how exciting going to the zoo will be in years to come! It will be an easy and cheap attraction for future visits!

On our way to the zoo!

After walking the day away, we were all getting pretty worn out so we stopped for a drink at Hugo’s Frog Bar before driving to dinner near my parents hotel which was outside of the city for the conference.

One of Vivi’s many pillow forts during the trip.

Leigh, Vivian and I went back to Leigh’s place and had a slumber party. Viv passed out in the car on the way home from dinner and then we all promptly went to sleep in Leigh’s bed. Of course, Vivian slept through the night from 11pm to about 7am when she was ready to start the day even if Leigh and I weren’t. I made a pillow fort for her on the floor to hang out while I semi-slept for another hour.

A Viv sandwich at lunch! Her first time
sitting like a big girl in a booth.

Kelly, Viv and Ali

While our Sunday started earlier than hoped, it was a great day. Leigh, Viv and I had a leisurely morning and Viv took a much needed morning nap. Then we met up with my cousin Kelly for lunch. It was really nice that my cousin could meet Viv since we always seem to miss each other on our visits to Michigan.

After our late lunch, Leigh, Viv and I packed up and picked up my parents before heading to the airport. It was a quick trip but it was so much fun.

Brit and Viv caught in a fit of giggles!

We ended up getting home for dinner and since Brittany was heading back to New York very early Monday morning, she stopped by for some last minute Vivi loving. It was so nice that her trip overlapped ours.

Monday was our final full day in Michigan. My mom’s friend Cathy stopped by in the morning to meet Viv and that evening was full of last minute meetings and goodbyes. My grandparents came over for dinner and to give Vivian some lasting kisses and hugs. Erica also came over since she was traveling for the majority of our trip but had gotten home just in time the night before. Of course, Jesse and Amanda had to stop by too since we won’t be back to Michigan until August.

Amanda, Jesse w/Vivi and Erica

Tuesday brought the end of our voyage. That morning we went to breakfast with Busha one last time (there were quite a few breakfasts during the trip but I forget which days and didn’t take pictures at all of them to jog my memory). After breakfast I went home and packed while Jesse and Amanda came over to hold Miss Vivian for every last available moment. It was sooo good to see so much of them!

Goodbye kisses from M.E.

Finally, around 2pm my mom, Viv and I loaded the car and headed to the airport. We had to make one quick stop first - to see Pops to say goodbye! So we stopped in at my dad’s office for some goodbye kisses and to be paraded around like the wonderful prize that Vivian is. My dad was so proud to show off his little granddaughter and it was so nice he could take a few minutes out of his busy workday to do so.

Once we got to the airport, we said our goodbyes and headed in to start our long voyage home. Viv did great and when we finally got home, everyone was happy to see Viv - of course daddy, but Lu and Glory too!

It’s good to be home! Somebody missed her daddy… and her doggy!