Off The Grid

Say hello to my little friend.

So, funny story. The other night, I was half asleep when I set my alarm on my old iphone... and instead of setting the phone back on the nightstand, I (accidentally) placed it in my mug of WATER. I didn't even realize it until two hours later, when I went to take a sip of water, and my phone literally hit me in the face. Let's just say it was too late to be salvaged. At least I had it a while..

So I proceeded through the next few days "off the grid" without my cell phone. I guess I wasn't really.. I had my work cell phone, and of course the computer at home. To be honest, I even had our home phone! But I have to say, without facebook to fall back on as a mode of communication to mass groups of people (since I deactivated my account in January), I really felt disconnected. Since our phones are holders of so much information now, I felt a little lost with out it. I felt so unreachable. Hardly anyone knows my home phone number, and so many of us text now, I imagined people texting me and thinking I just wasn't responding. Obviously, I'm not that popular, and I'm sure that didn't even happen, but I thought it was an interesting reflection. 

Anyway, the next order of business: finding a suitable new case to fit the my new phone: 

So far, I'm digging this gold on gold! What do you think? 

How would you do without your personal  phone for 3 or 4 days?

This is brilliant.

I love this post so much. The Secret Problems of Other Couples gives a crucial perspective to what is considered a "good enough" relationship. The article points out that our idea of a good enough relationship is unfairly biased, and I can relate. Since I think the video and article does this topic more justice than I can put into words, I'll just encourage you to read it.

(Imagine: Will and Kate probably struggle too!)

Holiday Cheer

There isn't anything terrible about this two year old. Check out our first pro family picture session we did with Megan Small, a local Alamedan photographer:

Megan was so sweet, and her mom was the best assistant (luring James to smile with funny duck impressions, bubbles, and COOKIES!)

Best of all, the Oakland Redwoods where we took these photos were beautiful. It reminded me so much of Temescal Canyon, where we got married. It was a fun outing and I look forward to going back with James and Zac for a hike someday soon!

Music

You know that music that just brings you back? The Wallflowers, Vertical Horizon, Matchbox 20, Alanis Morrisette, Third Eye Blind. Those do it for me.

I was just listening to the 90s Pop station on Pandora, and after quickly giving a "thumbs down" to the Spice Girls and Backstreet Boys, I was able to mold this type of 90s alternative theme music that defined much of my adolescence. And let me add, there were so many one.hit.wonders (although very credible one hits!). But it's amazing how listening to a music album could be like looking at a picture album, you know? Music can bring back so many memories and feelings, like those decades ago aren't actually that far away.

What music does that for you?

Cut a rug!

We bought a rug!

The Snow Peak Wool Rug from West Elm to be exact.

It took (literally) months of deliberation, planning, justifying, receiving donations, and being neurotic, but it's official- it's on it's way now!

I know it seems ridiculous. I mean at least to me. Seriously, how much thought can go into one.freaking.thing. I like white, but what sane mother of a two year old buys a white rug? I like shag, but Zac says shag will be too hard to clean. I even got a free design consultation from West Elm. (did you know that exists!? Kind of overrated, I have to admit). Although, it did help steer me in the right direction. I can't wait to show you an "after" picture of it in our living room once it arrives.

Next up is a coffee table! Any suggestions? At this rate, we'll buy one by 2015! ;)

What I do without cable:

I buy more books than I probably should:

In this case, polar opposite type books. I used to have a goal of reading all the classics (i.e., Invisible Man) that I never read growing up. Although I was always a good student, I was never much of a reader as a kid, so I had lots of catching up to do. So, in college I read things like The Fountainhead (loved it) and Anna Karenina (never finished it) for "fun".

But in recent years, I've been more into fiction and books that require less thinking. I suppose this genre change has been partially in response to all of the stressors I deal with in my life as a social worker. When I'm reading fiction now, I often want to wind down, not get stirred up. So when I bought Invisible Man yesterday, I figured I should temper it with something that might make me laugh a bit. And so far, Mindy Kaling does not disappoint. I recommend it already!

What are you reading lately? I also bought James this book since it features a little boy named Sam who likes to dance.. just like his dancing Uncle Sam! ;)

Before He Turns Two (in a month!)

The many faces of James: 

Imitating (what I think looks like) a tourist with that cap:

Making funny faces at ourselves to the camera:

Being his sweet self at the bagel shop: 

I wanted to use this space to help me log James' growth and help me remember some of his milestones. At this point, he's talking up a storm (as my mom would say:). Today, he started saying "open/ close" when playing with his legs and opening and closing them (which I consider impressive, unprompted correlations-- but you know, I'm biased). He says "chocolate milk "A LOT. haha. This morning, when I opened the door at 6:15 in response to his "MA MA" calls, he greeted me with "Morning!" just like I usually greet him. It's pretty amazing, and I can actually feel my heart warm and my lips turn into a smile as I write this and reflect on all the loveliness that is watching a human being grow up. It's very easy (for me, and I'm sure many of us) to focus on the challenges of the every day.. and there are challenges every day don't get me wrong, but it makes taking the time to stop and reflect on all the glorious goodness that is also in that every day that much more important.

I hope you're all doing well. I know I haven't been in a blog writing mood lately. I think in response to coping with the many changes that have recently gone on in my little family's lives (moving to the bay area, finding an apartment, a job, child care, turning 30 (!), missing my friends and family, and adjusting to all of that..), lately all I want to do is either straighten up our house (challenging with a 1.75 year old), or veg out and watch Felicity after a long day (I'm on Season 4!). As the summer nears its final stage though, I see myself doing more yoga and hopefully writing a bit more.

So here's to lofty goals! :)