Dyeing Eggs

Dyeing Easter eggs this year was so much fun! Isla was totally into it which made it wonderful experience. Every part of it thrilled her which was fun to watch. She loved lowering the eggs into the water on the spoon "elevator" and then giggled with glee when they would emerge a completely different color. She loved the yellow eggs best (may go hand in hand with her love of Ducky?) Anyway, let me back up a bit. This year, I finally identified that dyeing eggs really stresses me out. I'm serious. I am too much of a perfectionist I guess and there is no perfection when it comes to dyeing eggs. Instead, there lots of asymmetry and eggs that reject color in certain spots for whatever reason. And I don't handle either of those things very well (or at least haven't in the past). Silly, I know, but the first step is admitting it. Anyhow, the beauty this year, was that Isla was did an amazing job and I was freed of the responsibility of making beautiful eggs. Win-win!

 It was Gideon's first year dyeing eggs and he showed us up with his unique technique. Don't judge! He's free-styling! Sometimes he's too cute for words.

 

 Gideon wore one of my Dad's shirts and Isla wore the old shirt that I used to wear to protect my clothes when I was little (probably also my Dad's). Isla overheard me telling Gideon he looked a little like Jesus in his robe and she proceeded to pull down a kid's coloring picture of Jesus from the fridge to show him. :)  Kids are such a joy!

 

Saturday in Hippie Town

 How did I spend the first 18 years of my life in Bellingham and not realize it was a totally a hippie town?! All I can say is I led a very sheltered life. But when the sun shines, everyone comes out of the woodwork, including the hippies. Oh how I adore Bellingham!

 We spent a glorious weekend in my hometown, celebrating Easter with my family and savoring every last drop of sunshine. We visited the Saturday farmer's market which is where I was reminded of Bellingham's, shall we say, character.

 I've been busy introducing Emma to this thing called the sun and she seems to rather enjoy it!

 

 A good ol' fashioned self-portrait, just like when we were dating. 

 I guess Isla needs to be reintroduced to the sun as well--it's been hibernating for quite some time.

Our weekend was laid back; relaxing and eating were the only two things on the agenda.

  I love how Emma and Gid have almost the exact same expression on their faces in the next 2 shots.

What fun to have cousins so close in age with a 4th on the way!

 Hope you felt as blessed by the sunshine this weekend as we did!

5 Years of Wedded Bliss

 A few weeks ago on St Patrick's Day, Graham and I cheered to 5 years of married life together! We spent a wonderful, packed-to-the-brim 24+ hours, just the two of us, reminiscing about the journey and how we got to where we are now.

My sweet, romantic husband prepared a stack of numbered envelopes for me to open throughout the day which gave me clues as to our next activity. After dropping the girls off at their grandparents, we started with brunch at Volterra in Ballard, an Italian restaurant we visited while dating (and the location of a rather tell-tale conversation, I might add!) Next was a trip downtown to shop for skinny jeans (Graham was going for a "taste of Europe" theme) and I actually found and purchased TWO pairs. We had a quick lunch at our favorite spot in Pike Place Market, Piroshky Piroshky before it was time to pick up the girls and bring them to their overnight babysitters. Graham had planned to take me through the market to pick out a bouquet of flowers as we very seriously considered buying whatever flowers happened to be in season at Pike Place for our wedding bouquets. We've always wondered what kind of flowers they would have been and what better way to find out than to walk through on your anniversary? But we ran out of time. Next year maybe! We also had to defer a quick wine tasting at a favorite Truffle Cafe to another day as we wanted to maximize our time relaxing at the hotel.

 Our wonderful friend Amy (who has been a part of our anniversary lodging for 3 years counting now) hooked us up with an amazing suite at Hotel Bellevue. I mean seriously, we had an entire living room complete with glass chandelier and everything!

 The bedroom portion of the suite was larger than our living room at home and was decked out with red rose petals in the shape of a heart.

 I know I'm weird, but I had to get a shot of the bathroom too! But I only photographed one of the bathroom (yes there were TWO!)

 Upon arrival at the hotel, we were greeted by name (by employees other than Amy I might add!) and were handed glasses of champagne. Up in our room, chocolate-covered strawberries and a beautiful potted orchid and a full bottle of champagne awaited--royal treatment for sure!

 I love tradition and so have done my best to align my anniversary gifts with the traditional gift suggestion for each year of marriage. Graham is not a gift person and would prefer "consumables" or activities/memory-builders and so this a proven challenging, requiring extra imagination and creative juices. The theme for 5 years of marriage is wood so I selected a old-vine zinfandel (supposedly a US version of a primitivo) that sported wood undertones. Graham had been wanting to get his hands on an old zin to see if it was any good so I think he was quite pleased.

I also enlarged this photo from our engagement shoot and made a card out of it (get it? tree = wood).

Funny story! Amy had told us the hotel had a town car that could drive us to and from dinner. Graham had texted her the location and time of our dinner reservations (I didn't know where we were going) but never heard anything back. Once we arrived at the hotel, he called down to see if we did indeed have a ride but the concierge informed him that our restaurant was outside of the car's driving radius. Oh well! Our sporty mini van was a great second option! I needed to pump before dinner so decided--voila--I could pump in the van en route to the restaurant and save time. Perfect, right? Well, we went down to the lobby, pump in arm and immediately about 4 guys scurried out front to open the hotel doors followed by the doors of the white BMW sitting out front. I noticed the kafluffal but assumed there was some special behind us and so kept walking. Like literally walked right past the open car door 2 feet away from me. After some scurrying,  one of the guys chased us down and asked "Aren't you two going to the Barking Frog for dinner?" We were totally confused and said that yes we were but we'd been told the car couldn't drive us that far. The guy told us, on the contrary, they'd actually brought in an extra driver just for the very task of driving us!!! Wow! We felt awful for walking by them but, we are not used to such service! It wasn't until we were in the car (complete with individual DVD players and reclining back seats, I might add), that I realized pumping was not going to happen. Unless of course the restaurant just so happened to have outlets inside the bathroom stalls (which it didn't). So much for our brilliant plan!

Dinner at the Barking Frog was incredible, as usual. We were served complimentary flutes of champagne along with their to-die-for Grand Marnier Prawn appetizer (Amy's husband Sam knows the owner of the Willows and gave them the heads up we were coming....) Then I just had to try the Buttermilk Fried Quail with Black Pepper Waffle and Maple Chicken Demi. It was better than I could have imagined. Super crispy and delicious! Pardon the cell phone quality picture but it was truly superb!

 For our main courses, I had scallops over the best coconut curry risotto I've ever tasted. Actually the best risotto I've ever had period. And the most beautiful--fluorescent yellow with flecks of lime green and finished with lavendar flowers. Why don't I order risotto more? Graham had the duck breast with citrus and cocoa farro that was ok but I definitely "won" if our entrees were competing. We both went with the waitress' wine recommendations and it turns out I had me a $17 (!!!) glass of wine! Good thing it was our anniversary! :)

Graham spoiled me and got me some sparkly earrings and a cookbook with recipes from many of the most famous restaurants in the Seattle area (Barking Frog included). What a wonderful first night away since Emma's arrival! Thanks to the Croziers and Welchs for keeping the girls!

10K - check!

Well, it's March 31st and I'm slowly crossing things off my New Years resolution list. On Sunday, I successfully finished my first 10K! Unfortunately (or fortunately?), I have no cute pictures to prove it! I did get an email about purchasing some professional race photos but let's just say I'm not all that photogenic when I run so that won't be happening!!

Anyway, for a bit there I was pretty sure this was going to be the last of my post-baby running "career." But then my competitive nature kicked in high gear and I figure since I've come this far, why not keep going? I mean, once I quit, I won't want to work up to this mileage ever again.... As you can see, I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with running. There are days when I feel incredible and days where I dread running like the plague. I'm told this is normal.

Back to the 10K...Umm, let's just start off by saying you were all right: Mercer Island is NOT flat! I figured that since we'd be running near the water, it couldn't be all that hilly. Think again. I'm pretty sure there was a new, long hill just about every mile which nearly killed me. Oh and then there was the lady at the 2nd to last hill yelling "Last hill! Almost there!" She would have totally gotten my hopes up had I not already seen that the race finished. on. a. hill. (evil!) Instead, I nearly knocked her over and yelled back "No it's not!! There's still a super steep one coming, Lady!" Ok, so I didn't really yell anything but did I mention this race worked me to my core? I found myself really wanting to walk around mile 4.5 or 5 when the hills kept coming and wished there was someone there yelling for me to keep running (maybe I should have appreciated that lady more...) I had lots of time to think of all the ways running a race parallels childbirth and that I was ready for the narcotics right about then. Running is teaching me a lot about myself!

But, I think my "training" (i.e. running while pushing ~80 lbs of kid, car seat and stroller) must have worked in my favor because, surprisingly, I was able to pass a lot of people on the uphill stretches despite my mostly flat training runs. I finished the race in 53 minutes and 56 seconds at a 8:41 min/mile. I didn't really have a goal other than to run the whole way and cross the finish line. But I discovered I was much faster than I realized and was quite pleased with my time. At first when I read the results, I thought it said I got 67th in my division (25-29 year olds) and I couldn't help but think: Forget this!! If I ran THAT hard and still only got 67th in my division, this is NOT worth my while! Wait a second, were there even 67 people in my division? Did they ALL beat me? Anyway, I came to realize I'd misread the results. I actually placed 8th (8th!!!!) in my division (out of 56), 66th out of the 374 females and 173rd out of the 620 racers overall.

My friends Olona and Rachel ran the race with me and were great motivators. Before the race, they almost had me convinced to sign up for the Rock N Roll half marathon in June but then during the race all I could think was "I'm never doing this EVER again!" But then I guess runner's amnesia kicked in (does that exist?) and all of a sudden a 1/2 marathon doesn't sound nearly so bad. I can't believe I'm even saying that!!!! Olona keeps telling me I'm a runner and I think I might be, at least when I have a buddy to talk to and keep me distracted. Yesterday I wanted to prove to myself I wasn't a quitter so went out and ran 7 miles, pushing both girls in the stroller, in the rain. I felt awful and almost quit at least 3 times in the first 20 minutes but I'd told my mom and sister I was going on a "long" run so made myself keep going. And I did it! And felt really good by the end of it (thanks Hunger Games sound recording for keeping me company!)

May 19th. Seattle's Best 15K. Lake Union. We'll see how it goes. If I can comfortably do it, you might just see my name on the registration for the Rock N Roll. Maybe.

Emma: 7 Months

Sweet Emma girl is now "mobile" in that  she started rolling around the room. She loves the freedom both rolling and sitting gives her I think as she was often bored just laying on the floor and now she has the ability to change her scenery. I often find her halfway under the bed or coffee table, just tugging on whatever she can find, usually electrical cords or curtains.

We've added black beans, beef, oatmeal, chicken, sweet potatoes, green peas, apples and bananas to Emma's solid repertoire. All have been accepted favorably except maybe for the black beans which I'm trying to mix with other foods (avocado or sweet potato) as she often gags when I give them to her plain. I couldn't hold myself back and started adding spices and seasonings to the meats. Maybe I should do the same with the beans? Here is an awesome shot of her first time in the big girl high chair at my parents--totally looks like she's drowning in it!

Oh and the peas...she LOVED them but then we proceeded to go through about 6 diapers and 2 1/2 outfits in 4 hours. She ended the play date we were attending naked except for a zip up sweatshirt and a diaper. And she pooped on the carpet. I don't know how it happened exactly but at that point she was topless and just sitting up playing with toys. Next thing I knew, I looked over and there was poo up her back and behind her on the carpet-embarrassing! Needless to say, I'm feeling cautious about trying peas again. At least I know what to give her when she gets stopped up (which she had been prior...)

I must mention one other thing before I move on: Emma has a strange relationship with our Bumbo seat. We have been sitting her in it to feed her solids but that needs to change ASAP. There is something about the positioning of it that makes her poop instantly when she sits in it. Every time. Sorry for the TMI but I've never seen anything like it. It had been just a tiny turd that would get stuck in her crack (a total waste of a diaper) until the peas that is... Thankfully my cousin offered up her Ikea highchair and it seems the bodily functions have died down at dinner time.

We left Emma overnight for the 1st time on our anniversary (can I just say our friends are awesome to take 2 young kids for a night???!) She reportedly woke up earlier than usual at 1 am but then went back to sleep without a bottle and slept until 8 or 8:30!! What? I'm glad to know she's capable of making it through the night without eating but we have yet to be so lucky.

And while I'm on the topic of sleep, we attempted to get rid of the swaddle earlier in the month (by removing one arm at a time) but it went horribly and so when our Dr gave us the ok to continue to swaddle, we happily pulled it back out. But since then, Emma figured out how to roll over to her tummy while swaddled which totally freaked her out so it was truly time to let it go. This time we took it away cold turkey on Sunday and put her in a sleep sack instead. Let's just say we began Monday morning for the day at 4:45 AM. :) But since then night times are better, naps are still a challenge. Now that she has figured out how to roll, she seems to only sleep on her tummy, even though she fights it tooth and nail. I've found her with binky back in mouth after some crying episodes so I think she finally figured out how to put it in her mouth and let go!

Emma is babbling now so we are enjoying lots of "Da-da-da" contributions at our rather chaotic dinner table. The video above portrays this although it's missing Isla's confused exclaimation "Mom! Why is she calling you Da-da!?"
Emma loves being held (and you can't leave the room or set her down if she's over-tired), but she's overall a happy and very easily entertained baby when left sitting with a toy or her big sister...

Isla: 2 Years, 7 Months

 This big girl is becoming quite the little ham! She loves to make cheesy faces (good pictures are hard to come by these days) and show off when any company is around yet she also has a shy side to her as well. It's difficult to say at this point whether she's an extrovert or introvert but it sure is fun to see her personality shine! Isla loves people watching and wants to know the names of everyone we pass but refuses to ask them herself. She is very independent right now and wants to do everything by herself (pick her clothes, buckle her carseat, wash her hands).

She comes up with the funniest little phrases. Her latest is "Are you going to ______ (insert a whole multitude of activities: get dressed, put on your shoes, go potty etc)? Or not?" I don't know where the "or not" part came from but she says it all the time. The other night I was trying to get dinner on the table (which has become quite chaotic lately when Graham is working--cooking for Isla and I, getting Emma's food ready and all the while trying to entertain a baby who needs to nurse, eat solids and be in bed 5 minutes ago....) Anyway, back to the other night. I'm trying to dish up Isla's plate in between slipping spoonfuls of solids to Emma who is screeching every time time she is not receiving a bite, and also trying to feed myself somewhere in there. Isla had placed Ducky in an open seat at the table and she looks at me and in a totally no-duh sort of tone goes "Are you going to feed Ducky or not?" Ummm. Not!! Sorry girlfriend, but the live objects at the table take priority!

 I honestly could not have asked for a better relationship between Isla and Emma. Isla just adores her and is such a big help to me in keeping her entertained. That's one "easy" thing about having two--they occupy each other!!!

We got to go away for our anniversary and Isla stayed with our friends the Welchs. She is very much in the what and why phase and reportedly asked them what everything in their house was. Multiple times. She was also quite obsessed with their dog Clover and would not stop asking "Where's Clover's poop?" That's my girl!

Isla got to come and watch me run my 10K on Sunday. On Monday, she woke up and immediately wanted to go for a run herself. She loaded Ducky into her stroller and tied her "dog" (the pink balloon--her own idea!) to it and raced around the house. She named her dog "Marfa" (Martha), just like our friends' greyhound. Too funny!

 We've entered into a new phase of disobedience over the past few weeks that has been somewhat trying. Isla is testing, testing, testing and we are working on teaching her to obey the FIRST time. I've found myself, without realizing it asking her to do things over and over because it's hard to figure how much of it is that she's an easily-distracted 2-year-old and how much of it is defiance. Well, the defiance piece is a little more obvious these days (i.e. she runs the other way when we ask her to come here) so I'm focusing on following through if she doesn't obey the first time. Easier said than done!

After Isla has a time out, we always go to her and ask "Isla, do you know why you had a time out?" She started responding with "Wud I do, Mom?" and I have to fight so hard not to laugh every time!

Isla's current favorites include going to the library, feeding her Ducky and babies in Emma's new-to-us high chair, going to the park to swing on swings), going to the mall (I'm serious-she asks to do it almost every day), visiting coffee shops, painting, eating snacks (ok, that's not a new one!), and sitting on Mommy's potty (an attempt to let her feel in control to see if we make any progress!)

We have been working on identifying the letters and sounds of the alphabet. Isla has mastered "I for Isla, E for Emma, C for Crozier" and a few others. She finds them all over books and signs now which is fun. She also really enjoys it when we name all the things that we can think of that start with each letter. I usually say something like "C is for ____" and then make the "c" sound and let her fill in the blank with cat or car or what have you. The other day we started with A and wouldn't you know it, the first thing out of her mouth was "A is for a$$!!" I'm not joking. She does NOT hear that word in our household so I'm not sure if she thought she was making up a word or what. I tried SO hard not to give her any response but kids are amazing. They somehow just know they said something that riled you up so she proceeded to repeat it a few times. Oh Isla! :)

And lastly, Isla was soooo excited to realize that Daddy had a Sounders shirt, just like hers so they wore them together on Wednesday. She kept repeating "Daddy, you have a Sounders shirt too!??" She can kick a ball pretty well and we're trying to keep her to catch one but she continues to call all sports baseball. Or "baseketball" (now that's a new one!) Neither of us anticipate she'll have a career in athletics (coordination isn't her forte just yet) but one never knows!!

The Living Room

Our living room has been in desperate need of a little pick-me-up. We painted a lipstick red accent wall when we first moved in which we both have loved. But after spending a dark winter almost entirely at home while on maternity leave, I questioned whether we should go back to a more neutral color to add some cheer and make the room feel bigger. In the end, Graham still wanted to keep the wall red so I had to attack something else to satisfy my need for change. We purchased our Pottery Barn couch on Craigslist awhile back and it came with these drab, orangy-brown throw pillows "from Singapore" (or so we were told). Graham's always hated them and I got so used to them I never really noticed they didn't even match the room! When I was ordering the fabric for my dining chairs, I needed to spend only a few more dollars in order to get free shipping so thought, Why not pick out something to use to recover the pillows? I found this blog which I followed to make the easy-to-remove patterned covers and I was able to whip one out in less time than it took to watch an episode of Portlandia. Ironically enough, the blogger used a fabric nearly identical to the one I'd chosen! I just so happened to be at Costco last week and spotted the solid red pillows that matched perfectly and were CHEAP so I grabbed 'em. I couldn't have recovered mine for that price.

Here is the living room with the old hodge podge of pillows BEFORE:

 And now AFTER:

Next up? The lampshades!!