Brag Talking
Last week our computer up and decided to partially die and it pretty much freaked me out because I have an infinite number of unfinished photo projects on it. We think we’re backed up, but I pretty much NEVER want to lose anything.
Barry had gone surfing and I needed to get our gigantic computer to the mall on a SATURDAY. First, I hate the mall and try my best to avoid it, but the Apple store is at the mall. Second, our computer is a huge 27″ beast and there is no way to make it smaller. I tried a rolling suitcase, a wagon, and the only way I was going to get it to the store was to carry it. Third, and finally, Audrey isn’t really old enough to know when the best times to stay close/hold hands are….maybe when she’s 15.
Since I needed my hands, I decided to pile Audrey into our huge backpacking bag and hope for the best. As we were walking across the parking lot a friendly lady asked to assist us. I told her there wasn’t much she could do because if she dropped my computer, I’d never forgive her….and I didn’t even know her. She walked with us the entire way, just for her peace of mind, I think. We were early to our appointment, but thankfully the guys at the store took the computer off my hands immediately.
The guy (not quite a man…not really a boy….) was super helpful as he ran some diagnostic tests to determine that it was most likely a broken video card. Audrey fell asleep in the backpack and I’d passed my phone to Maggie and she proceeded to take 89 selfies. Ninety minutes later, we walked out of the store leaving our computer there into the fresh-air walking area. Audrey had woken up at the end and was voicing her distaste for the backpack, so we got out at exactly the right time.
Before we’d left home, I’d stuffed Maggie’s vest pocket with pennies for the fountain and the girls spent some time letting them kerplunk into the water while I contemplated our next move. I’d also packed lunch, but I was feeling brave and we hit up Blue C Sushi. The girls consumed California Rolls and I sipped on some tea while I reflected on our morning.
It isn’t often that I feel like I’m doing a good job at this mothering thing….there’s always something that I feel like I’m totally sucking at or irritated with. I really don’t enjoy taking my children to stores or even restaurants, mostly because it means more work for me managing them and their behavior. But while I was watching them cram Cali rolls into their mouths, with our huge backpack sharing Maggie’s side of the booth, I felt pretty good about it all. I’m full aware that a day will come that a quick trip to the mall and lunch before heading home, won’t feel like I’ve scaled a mountain, but that chilly day last week, I let myself have that moment.
And our computer is back home and running just fine.
I let Barry go pick it up. Alone.
2013 in Review
JANUARY
The first month of 2013 will forever be the month that we became a family of four (five if you count Sydney). Audrey Bell came into the world on the 20th of the month and everything before that, the not so fun ending to my pregnancy, seemed like a distant memory almost immediately. Maggie was smitten with her sister and has since proven to be Audrey’s biggest fan and fiercest protector. Other than having a baby, me finishing work, and a few other things, January was a month of hibernation and waiting.
FEBRUARY
We went to Skagit County to celebrate Grandpa Rhone’s 90th and realized that traveling with a newborn might be easier than traveling with a toddler (ha!). Maggie started nursing New Baby, permanently wore her tiara on her head and danced every single chance she got. The soundtrack of our lives became tiny baby cries, Maggie’s piano….along with her harmonica. That’s the sound of love, Baby, the sound of love.
MARCH
We gifted Maggie with a pair of tap shoes that she insisted on wearing everywhere. We also took Maggie’s annual birthday picture in anticipation for her invitations and party, which she planned on her own, asking for ‘marchers with instruments’. We went up to visit the grandparents and had a quick photo session in the daffodils, always a bit too late for the tulips.
APRIL
The tap dancing and harmonica playing continued to be a source of entertainment, we finally went to Harrison Hot Springs with my parents (and loved it!), and celebrated Maggie’s birthday exactly the way she wanted it. I also think March was the month that we started to get out of the house a bit more. Maggie started to take a 5 week ballet class and the weather started to become a bit more enjoyable. We also had to start buckling Audrey into the swing…
MAY
With May came the start of the time in the year where we fling open our doors and begin to use our backyard as an extension of our home. We bundle up and peel off layers as the sun plays peek-a-boo with us. No big trips for the month of May, but a few visitors here and there. Audrey started to spend lots of time observing from the Bumbo as the rest of us did different jobs. My Dad came down with Izak and Rich to update our parking situation.
JUNE
In February Barry had gifted me a stay at Chico Hot Springs for my 33 1/3 birthday in June and so we hit the road for about ten days and drove to one of my most favorite places. It was mostly a good trip, but unpacking and packing with two young children made for some weary times. My camera also died, which forced me to enjoy the trip in a different way, which was a good lesson in enjoying life, rather than focusing on documenting life. Barry picked up a long board in Missoula (love that place, too) and we busted it out on most pit stops. Chico didn’t disappoint in any capacity, if anything we wished we’d chosen to have more time there. The day after we returned from our trip, Barry did a triathlon, placing 5th in his age bracket (out of 100 or so). We also celebrated Kara and Ryan’s December wedding with a reception at the beach.
JULY
We spent the 4th of July at a cabin near Mount Baker with a group of friends, but the day before we enjoyed a gathering that Barry’s mom and dad hosted at their house. Aside from visiting family and friends, according to our pictures, we spent July at home and in our yard. Maggie became Lion Girl every night and charged from one end of the yard to the other, while her sister laughed and we commentated. I also started the project of taking a portrait of Audrey each day in her 6th month. Barry got a new truck, after driving a tiny red car that he never fit into. The night that we took the truck for a test drive we drove it to Seattle and ended on top of the Space Needle without a diaper or wipe in sight. Thankfully nobody pooped or puked. Very fun night and the truck has been a great addition.
AUGUST
The Adventures of Lion Girl continued with the heat of August, a game played during Special Time every night before bed. We also went on some epic tricycle rides, with Barry learning to long board. Maggie spent hours riding her tricycle this summer. The first weekend of the month we helped to celebrate my mom’s birthday by going Fake Camping at their house for a couple nights. We set up our tent and set up shop and it was the best way to do it this year. Trying to go real camping this year didn’t appeal to us with an infant, so the safe haven of my parents place was a perfect mesh of that. We went swimming/SUPing at Trafton, and aside from me having a bit of nervousness about Maggie on the board with Barry, it was superbly beautiful. My mom’s simple request to have us all together for this event is a tradition that I’ll probably eventually take on as my own. The end of Audrey’s portrait project came, but I think the month of taking intentional pictures each day taught me a lot about photography. August also was the month that Barry’s grandmother passed away. She was a firecracker of a woman and is greatly missed.
SEPTEMBER
September is one of my favorite months, maybe its the teacher in me, but it is the shoulder season before Summer ends and Fall takes over with the cold breeze. This September was full of bittersweet moments, however. Maggie started preschool three mornings a week and it was a rough start, with tears of sadness for her most mornings. Our calendar was full each weekend with Barry’s birthday falling on the same day that our friends Jeff and Allison got married. Maggie rocked it as a flower girl in their wedding, she was so brave and awesome. Audrey, as usual, was easy going and spent lots of time with Uncle Brian that weekend. Barry ran the Skagit Flats Half Marathon with a new PR. My mom and I hauled the girls around to different points and we were able to cheer Brian and Barry on. Fun race.
OCTOBER
Another trip to Harrison with my parents and brother, it isn’t Chico, but it is darn close. This time around, Barry and I took a night and went out to dinner at the fancy resturant. We’re not really go-out-to-eat people, but it was really great to have nice conversation over some yummy food and drinks. I also branched off for a walk of my own one morning along the lake. It was a swift walk, but going untethered sometimes feels so good, if only for a few minutes. Halloween happened. Maggie insisted on being a pumpkin, after origianlly planning on being a duck, and Audrey a lady bug. My mom’s quilting habit overflowed into our house and I tried to get some pictures of the girls with one as a background….it was chaos and hilarity all rolled into one. Maggie started to wear my necklace to school to help with her sadness about being there. It helped immensely and she became more confident about the experience.
NOVEMBER
Two Thanksgivings, a trip to Disneyland, and more bike riding was November in a nut shell. We also shot the annual Christmas card, which was a fun challenge. November was full of fun, we fondly look back on our trip to Disneyland as our first kid-centered vacation and it was delightful, shockingly so. Most likely our fullest month of the year, and finally feeling like we’ve hit our stride. Audrey crawling, crawling and Maggie ever present to keep her safe.
DECEMBER
Another full month with a trip to San Francisco, gingerbread house decorating and Christmas to celebrate. We joined Barry on a trip to San Francisco and stayed in the heart of the city at a fancy hotel. City living was really fun and interesting for the week that we were there, but the best times of the trip were the ones where we found places to run wild and free ~ the beach, parks and quiet little neighborhoods. When we got back from our trip, we took some time to visit grandparents and finally get our own home ready for the holidays. It snowed and we welcomed the couple inches with some playtime before it melted away quickly. Christmas was fractured this year, maybe it was our trip to California, or family not all being present, but good lessons for us and the need to start some of our own traditions in the coming years. We had the sweetest, most special time Christmas Eve morning with Maggie opening a couple presents from us and Sydney. We gave her a necklace to go with her ballerina music box and after she opened it, she stood and looked at it and then quietly hugged Barry and then me. After she put it on, she went and stood/danced in front of the mirror with it. Audrey mostly enjoyed ripping paper from leftover presents, but swooned over a particular baby doll and the photo book we made her. Barry and I didn’t exchange gifts, with the idea that we’re due for Spring Fling with each other after Audrey stops nursing. I love our little family with every little ounce of my heart. Great year.
