Sights and sounds of San Francisco

Looking over at Buena Vista park this fine fall lunch hour and I see a paint crew playing a breaktime soccer scrimmage to the sounds of kids pelting out God Bless America from the playground. The Giant's World Series fever could have something to do with the singing.

Most of all, I was happy to have a play date in the park with Noah.

Kindergarten and beyond

Today we drove by Daddy's high school on our way haircuts for the boys. Clearly we weren't heading to our local hair salon since we found ourselves Moraga. Our much loved CLIF hair.stylist invited us to her house for weekend trims.

Eric, who began kindergarten in September, had lots of questions about when Daddy went to school here. "How old he was? Did he know to drive? How did get old enough? How is it different from my school".

Eric's first lost tooth

 He scored a 1979 Silver Dollar that once belonged to a little figure skater. She received this coin from her skating coach, Myrna Smith, after successfully landing her axel. This little skater is all grown up and donated the coin to the Tooth Fairy to share with Eric when his first tooth fell out.

Your children are not your children.......Kahlil Gibran

So much to celebrate that I haven't even had time to post about. Eric turning 6 and starting kindergarten and soccer team all in one week! Not to mention the 10th anniversary of the marriage of his Momma and Dadda.

Here is something I read to remind me of the role I play has a parent to this beautiful boys.

On Children
 Kahlil Gibran

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

To work or stay home, that is the question, or is it?

We all do the math, playing out different scenarios. Many mothers and fathers have no choice but for both to work full-time, especially if you live anywhere urban and in demand like the Bay Area.

We have played out several scenarios ourselves. One scenario moves us to a sweet little mountain town  in Montana like Bozeman that would allow us to share our passion for the outdoors, winter sports, and just a more simple way of being with our boys. This scenario also has only one parent working full-time while the other attends to the full time to the daily needs of the family.Which everyone know requires both parents to put in overtime after hours:)

As Eric begins kindergarten this fall and both of our jobs and homeowning pressures seem to get even more demanding, the drumbeat call of Bozeman seems to get louder and louder for me. Of course it has been a long time since I have spent a winter there but with the right gear  and the right price to take your family skiing every weekend you can weather and temperature, right?!

The cost of living the life we want to live and raising our kids in the way we have dreamed of just seems so out of hand it makes a person wonder if "here" is worth it.

With both of us working full-time we have needed to find the best way for  our kindergartener  to spend  the other half of his day. He is used to a full pre-K day of full attention! What insane person set up a public school system that short changes a kid's opportunity for learning with a 3 - 4 hour school day, and then loads on homework (before they are developmentally ready for it)that has to be completed by their parents during their precious family hours when parent's get home from work and bedtime. This system clearly dates back to the days when one parent was able to be home.

When we looked at the price for after-school care and before-school care and saw what of attention we  were paying for we decided for the price and value we might be better off looking at a private school. We found a sweet little private school with a full school day and year-round teaching until the 4th grade. Eric's class has only 12 students and along with learning to read, write, and do math he will have weekly classes of music, art, science, Spanish, dance, and gym. Perfect for Eric whose interest in learning is massive!

And it is perfect for us because we know that while we are at work  forging away at some sort of career our impressionable little boy is getting the caring attention he needs at such a young, impressionable age. Private school is priceless for this at least until we decide to flip our entire lifestyle for a scenario where one of us is home.

Our gradute

Ready for first day Mt Whitney Pre-School September 2010

Graduating Pre-K Mt Denali June 201

Eric started attending Clif Bar Base Children's Creative Learning Center the first day it opened, September 9 2010. He was thrilled have somewhere new to explore and new friends to meet. Momma was thrilled to have him right next door, on site at CLIF BAR. He was so excited that first day to pile into the car and drive to "work" with Momma.




Eric's first day care was spitting distance from our house. Our first drive to  BASE CAMP it was as if his whole world had just expanded exponentially.  I had never seen anyone so enthusiastic spotting the BART train and the AM-Train (aka Amtrak).  It was then we began our game of "who can call BART first" and getting excited when we saw two crisscross .

Eric and Momma ready for first day at Base Camp

Soon after, Noah joined in the fun and began his Base Camp experience as one of the first infants to attend. Both boys have grown leaps and bounds since we started. Noah moving through infant(Mt Hood), toddler (Mt Shasta), and now jr. pre-school(Mt Raineer). Eric began in pre-school(Mt Whitney), then pre-k (Mt Denali).

On June 21,2012 Eric celebrated as the first graduating pre-k class from Clif Bar Base Camp. The ceremony included his close-knit friends. They performed the song "The World is Our Rainbow" and each received their pre-k diplomas. My heart melted and when the moved their little tassels across their faces the stream of tears came pouring out.

You see, it wasn't just my five year-old standing there so proud and joyful. It was my 1 pound 14 ounces preemie baby big and strong; healthy and happy standing in the Clif Bar auditorium in front of so many of our Clif Bar friends that supported us through his tiny times. There he stood proud and strong not only bringing tears and smiles to Momma's face but all those from CLIF who know his story. It was very special.

Now we move on to our newest adventure. Kindergarten for Eric, and for Noah creating daily identity a bit more separate from his favorite person, his brother.

Base Camp is a special place bringing together compassionate big-hearted kids who, much like their parents on the other side of the wall, race laps, tell stories, and strive for the top.

Miss Sayaka & Class

Special Friends Nolan Fay & Eric

Great Buddies & lovers of italia Logan Simmons & Eric

Good morning at Base Camp

From basket ball hoop box to who knows! Space ship? Shark? Boat?

Swimming leaps

Eric has moved over to the big pool. His comfort level in the pool has made huge leaps this summer! He is relaxed which us a big change fro last summer's 2x4 stiffness. He is working really hard on floating by himself. He is close. He is in the 4ft deep section and so excited to be strong enough to be in the big pool.

He also had an excellent swimming partner named Tennyson. Perfect match and egged..I mean encouraged each other on.

Noah gets a little off the top...and the back and the front

Noah had is first ever hair cut last week. Momma hasn't e en done a little trim!  He is not a fan of me taking a comb to his hair so I knew a haircut could pose difficulties.  Eric however has this haircut thing down so I took them both to our in-house hair dresser at CLIF (who is conviently also a photographer) and she gave them both some.style. Eric going first was bound to make Noah anxious to do it too and it did. He sat still and smiled at me, the mirror and Karen Drinkwater ( haircutter to children extrordinare). He did great and she didn't cut too much because of how baby-fine it is but she DID cut his little mullet clean off...phew.

Brother sister duo of Logan and Sabina Simmons also came over from base camp to get in on the action and Sabina's first haircut too. It was a part!

Freedom

So rare to have freedom from work and school on a Wednesday. God Bless America on this 4th of July for all we have. We let our freedom ring by attending the second longest 4th of July parade in all of America, right here in our hometown. High school marching bands, cheerleaders, city officials, local clubs and business floats, horses, bikers, old cars carrying poet laureates,  you name it. We sat curbside for two hours in front of our friend's house.

From there, we expressed our freedom by blocking off our street and joining our neighbors at the annual San Antonio block party. The grills and casseroles came out as did tons of red, white, and blue treats. Our street is also loaded with inspiring musicians who entertained us for hours. Eric was in awe of the teenagers playing guitar, drums, and singing. You could see his mind whirling with the possibilities. He joined in with his drum and Noah followed along with his bongos. Music continued into the early evening. We had a lovely day connecting with our locals and just playing.

Here is a clip of pure freedom and fun. I dare you to strip down yourself while watching and just be free. Let our drummer kick.

Happy Father's Day

Dear Dads, We tried to get the family together to all wish you a Happy Father's Day on video. After three takes and several near melt downs....as we say to the kids......"you get what you get"

 

Wishing our Fathers, Opa, Papa, and Grandpa Happy Father's Day: TAKE 1 ERIC VIDEOS

 

Wishing our Fathers, Opa, Papa, and Grandpa Happy Father's Day: TAKE 2 ERIC VIDEOS

 

Wishing our Fathers, Opa, Papa, and Grandpa Happy Father's Day: TAKE 3 ERIC VIDEOS 

After the attempt at the family video we escaped the confines of "melt-down-city", loaded our bikes and bike trailer and headed for the serenity of the Alameda Beach.

Aaron received a family-sized tent for Christmas, courtesy of my Dad and Jeanne's gracious gift card to Cabellas. This tent is a far-cry from the tents of the backpacking variety. It sleeps EIGHT! We are anticipating taking our nieces and nephews along on camping trips from time to time so we didn't mess around when it came to spaciousness. The tent practically spans the width of our backyard and can hold 3 double bed mattresses with ease. Backpacking more than one mile with this puppy would be a considerable strength training move.

Since the temps were hitting the rare 80 degree mark we decided to break in the tent with our first backyard camp out with boys night out. They were giddy with excitement and talked themselves to sleep as the watched the clouds pass over above. Noah made it all the way to 2:30 AM and then wanted to join Momma back inside in the comforts of her queen bed. Eric on the other hand got a solid sleep and didn't get up until his usual, sunrise.

Being it was Father's Day Momma didn't mind being banned from the tent this time and I am sure Dadda didn't want to sleep in on Father's Day or anything anyway.

Eg-gic

Since Noah began referring to his brother by name over a year ago (he started addressing Eric at age one) he has always replaced the "r" with double "g's" as in Eg-gic. Last week, at our leisurely Sunday morning breakfast, he went with the "w" instead of a double "g" and said "Ewic".

It was such a significant moment that will all paused and took note that he said Ewic. For the last week Eric has pretty much by Ewic. Today, however, I heard the ''w" sort of roll into and "r" .  He is working it.

Eric on the other hand, has taken special note of his brother's ever-growing ability to state how he feels or what he wants by using his words. Noah was setting up trains and cars right in the doorway to their bedroom and Eric blasts through. Noah quite clearly articulates, "Nooooo stay out of my way." Eric responds with, "Noah, good job using your words." It is so nice for Noah to have such a supportive big brother.

Non-stopable in Boston

In April Eric, Grandma Lorraine, and Momma had a fun filled trip to Boston.  We spent time with family, visited Fenway Park for the 100th Anniversary, road the T, Momma went to a conference and Eric and Grandma toured Boston on a trolley.

Little did we know until we arrived that we wiere staying right across the street from the Boston Marathon EXPO! We headed over to soak up the energy and excitement of all the "wicked fast runners"!

Little brother

He loves to swing, jump, slide. He also loves to rock out on his air guitar which I don't have picture our video of but thought I would note.

He also loves to play ball. Theming right now is base ball which is right on target since it tis the season. He says " Pitch me daddy" as he stand ready hit one across the living room. We just have to work on the bat throwing and biting when we miss.

Mattress discounters

Last December we did traded-up on beds for the boys. Momma had a difficult time putting the crib away but, Noah was quite ready for what seemed to be nothing more than a jail to go, bye, bye.

We also had very high hopes and low expectations that this trade-up would excite Noah so much that he might actually want to sleep the entire night in his own bed. Our expectations met the outcome because not even a new big boy bed was  more appealing than cuddling next to Momma and hogging Dadda's pillow while simultaneously  kicking him in the back.

If you know Momma, then you know that these brothers sleep like kings when it comes to mattresses. Breathing well while sleeping became a primary focus of learning for Momma prior to Eric's home front arrival. AND much like nutrition the more you dig, the more you understand, and the more informed your choices become.

I learned a lot like what terrible materials mattresses are made from. Everything from vinyl/PVC and polyurethane foam, perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), questionable fire retardant chemicals, and antibacterial biocides. Many of these compounds are banned in Europe where precaution is favored versus the US approach that compounds are safe until proven harmful. There is not a lot of support for proving something already on the market ISN'T safe. I could go on.

In my research I also found that mattresses made out of healthier materials are REALLY high priced when compared to those made up of cheap, lightweight materials. This can be a hard pill to swallow because we are talking hundreds of dollars difference. Also not to be ignored is that these healthier mattresses are not always the solid fit they are said to be and can leave a gap in the crib. They are also A LOT heavier than the popular polyurethane foam mattresses.  What is a Momma to do? Someone has to have seen the opportunity here and designed an affordable, well made, lighter weight, no chemical mattress right?! YES! Naturepedic come to the rescue. The price point was much easier on the credit, but you can bet I am getting every penny out of these healthy mattresses not to mention the time and energy researching and acquiring  added to my value.

This brings me to the point. Eric's Naturepedic crib mattress has followed him from crib, to toddeler bed, to twin bed. With each bedsize increase we just stuffed more stuffed animals around the edge to make up the difference (finally a good use for stuffed animals!) until....last week when he fell out the side. He has been avoiding the right side of the bed because the stuffed animals don't hold his weight. So ....time for the Twin...Naturepedic again to the rescue. Since I  first discover this awesome company  fiver years ago they have much expanded their line to include Twin, Doubles, Queens, Kings, and accessories! SO we invested in a twin...moved Eric's crib mattress to Noah, and will sell Noah's crib mattress that he has hardly slept on anyway.

After all this and weighing the cost benefit analysis and carefully timing our mattress investment, the TWIN arrives special deliver and Eric's says, "Mom, did you get my new mattress at Mattress Discounters?"

As much as I would like to think Mattress Discounters is offering healthier mattresses at affordable prices, I just don't think they are there yet.

Naturepedic is an affordable investment but I guarantee you won't find it at Mattress Discounters.

Read more what you don't want your or your kid's mattresses: http://www.naturepedic.com/education/whatsnot.php#ixzz1u7GAB8fN

Easter

Easter weekend was celebrated with Oma and Opa. Fishing poles were cast. A hike was taken. Wild flowers were identified. Piggy back rides were had. Naps happened - on the trail.

Hard boiled eggs and little fingers were dyed.



57 colorfully filled eggs with toys and treats were found.

Baskets were bursting and chocolate and jelly beans were eaten at 8am....and all day long.

We had a wonderful time together.

So much to say

Let the pictures do the talking......

Rainy Day? Go to the Exploratorium!



Chef Eric! Works at "Little Village Cafe" at Clif Base Camp School 

Student Prepared "Picnic" at Clif Base Camp School

Bus ride to Park Street and back - cheap entertainment and so fun!

Characters!

Let the pictures do the talking......

Our newly decorated family room

A place for coffee, juice boxes, and sticky fingers? I think not

Noah is 2 part two

Happy Birthday Noah

Noah is 2 years old. Since he was born I have been trying to sit down and right about what it was like to be pregnant with Noah. Until now, I have been unable to do it. Maybe it has more to do with having two children with needs greater than my need to write my story. Or, maybe, it just takes that long to reflect on it enough to paint a picture with words. I know it took me that same amount of time to write about Eric’s days prior to his birthday. My sense is that it is the latter, especially since I have found no more time for writing today than I did 2 years ago.

Pregnancy is an uncomfortable life altering gift. I didn’t love being pregnant, but I did appreciate it for its wonder. I spent my second pregnancy cherishing the blessing of a second chance, a second chance to embrace ten months of an unfamiliar body, the necessary means of bringing sweet Noah into our family.

February 2010

Pregnancy was hard, it was uncomfortable, and cganged the way Aaron, Eric and I functioned. But it was wonderful in so many unexpected ways that today, two years later, when I see a pregnant woman, I smile.

My second pregnancy while full term, was hardly uneventful. What it wasn’t was traumatic and there lies the difference. Instead of wishing away ten months of uncomfortable-ness I choose to embrace it as my chance to assist God in a miracle. This meant embracing the first trimester of unknowing. Every woman experiences the period of pregnancy with the same uneasiness about whether this baby will really result in more than just an embryo. You hope, you wish, you dream, and you are scared. Within the first three months of pregnancy we carry on knowing that nature may intervene when something isn't quite right.  I am forever grateful for not having to struggle during this time of pregnancy, the getting pregnant and staying pregnant part that so many of my family and friends, including my mother, persevered through.

The eventfulness of my pregnancy with Noah began first with the understanding that at 13 weeks Dr. Katz (the best in the world right in my “backyard”) would be sewing our little Noah inside me to keep him from “slipping” out too soon before our desired delivery. Between 12 and 13 weeks after we knew the pregnancy “took” it was time for the much anticipated cerclage to be welcomed to the party in my cervix. If it makes you uncomfortable to read the word cervix then you better stop here. A cerclage is a fancy word for a purse string stitch the cinches up those of us with “incompetent” cervix. NOTHING about me is incompetent, that I am confident of, EXCEPT my cervix.

I will leave most of the surgical placement of the cerclage to your imagination. If however you know the yoga pose of happy baby you can get a pretty good visual. Picture happy baby pose on a surgical table in a surgery room under bright lights with a curtain across your waist, a nurse holds your hand, and anesthesiologist at your side, the most talented cerclage surgeon in the world and his medical student with a needle and thread in their hand. Enough said.

I addition to the poor performance history of my cervix I also was told by Dr. Katz that it seemed I have and over-active uterus. This may not only explain WHY Eric arrived so early, but it could also explain a lot about Eric’s personality. An overactive uterus me be a source of multiple, consecutive sensations of pleasure BUT they are not great when you don’t want to have contractions. So to curb the enthusiasm of this womb for the time being, I endured twenty weeks straight of progesterone injections administered by nursing-assistant Aaron (my husband). These shots were given alternating left and right butt cheeks every Sunday. Eric found the whole event fascinating and it always lead to a series of questions and answers. Since the shots lovingly irritated my skin for an entire week Aaron endured me constantly, not very seductively, scratching my bum.

Speaking of seduction, there was to be none until after Noah was born (LONG AFTER). Doc Katz said the uterus would certainly contract and so long as it stopped contracting everything was fine. He said, “If it doesn’t stop contracting call me.”
Aaron and took one look at each other, remembered 96 days of NICU and all the worry that followed, and said, “No way. We are not going there!

There were some minor aches and pains; and as I became larger and larger and less and less mobile I learned to set strong boundaries around my time and physical capabilities. I learned how to ask for help and feel good about it. I learned to accept the help of others with more graciousness, and I learned that the need for rest and water should never be ignored. These lessons I have carried with me even now that Noah is two years old.

We had a few scares along the way that turned out to be nothing more than my body adjusting to the cerclage and my pelvis adjusting to the Noah growing inside me with very long feet. Over the holidays we had an emergency visit to check for a blood clot first in my legs and then in my lungs that turned out to be nothing more than a little pregnancy induced asthma. These were events of the very normal kind that happen throughout many normal pregnancies. Noah was a very normal pregnancy. I have also learned that no pregnancy is without event. It is all an event, and it is something I always want to remember. Many women I meet say they don’t remember being pregnant. I know I will remember always. Maybe it has to do with the gifts that come along with being mother to a very early preemie (of which there are many).

I remember very clearly the births of each of my children. I remember the sequences of events, the emotions, and the physical sensations. This leads me to part 2 of the “Noah is Turning 2 Years Old “ blog.

Sunday morning banana bread

In the shape of a car! Always a fan favorite. He usually eats one car and one truck.