walking in the city

I never thought I'd say and really, really feel it but, I do.  I miss it!  

Its second nature to commute by walking and pushing a stroller.  

A typical day - that I'm so accustomed to from living in the city - goes something like this:

my phone, keys and wallet have their little pouch,

its a (sm) wallet because you're sort of asking for it if you try to carry a big purse around, 

my water goes in its little spot, 

there's no problem navigating through the busy sidewalks and crosswalks WITH a stroller,

dodging "stuff" on the ground or veering to avoid a "unique" someone never slows my step,

even though a few nice people open doors for me, my body knows just what to do to get me and the stroller through the big doors,

shopping is a cinch, I'm still always prepared with a snack, a drink, a random toy that will entertain my toddler while we wait in any sort of line,

not waiting for the walk sign?  no problem, I still don't do that.  as long as its clear, I know i'm fine (we might need to change that here)...

ah... this simple rhythm of navigating the city streets.

New York City, you made me into some sort of city girl.  

The daily grind just doesn't feel the same without you.  

My driving a car, though so appreciated and much, is somehow foreign to me. 

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* THIS POST IS DUE TO THIS:  We took Zack to a meeting in the city.  It was no new thing to pass the time on busy city streets.  Somehow the smells, the swearing, the crazies, the horns honking, the pigeons, the hustle and bustle of crossing the streets didn't phase me one bit.  I actually felt at home in walking around the city pushing a stroller full of our possessions.   (It all seemed so familiar and calming to Odin too.  That made me happy... my little city boy.)

image: is of my old neighborhood from before I met Zack.  I know this neighborhood so well and miss the shops, the food, the neighbors and Central Park just 2 long (but still such a short distance, that's just what you call them) blocks away.  I miss it!

birthday love

Its his birthday!

Today Zack has a busy day of work and meetings so we won't get to see him until tonight.
At least we can guarantee some candles, a song, and some DQ ice cream cake.

that's all he wants on his special day

he's a perfectly simple man and he's perfect for me!

So glad he's mine!

my long awaited and very special delivery

I mentioned a few weeks back that I was expecting a special delivery.  That delivery was all of my things from when I was growing up (journals and misc. favorite things).  It also included many special items and heirlooms from my 2 grandmothers who have pasted away.  I have been looking forward to having these things in my possession for years.  Now that we have a home with more space, I can finally fit these things in it.  Our dear family friend was kind enough to bring my delivery along with him on a business trip he had here.  Wow, was that ever the nicest thing!  I am so happy to have my THINGS!

*  Now I have to go through loads of fabric, clean and store dishes, sort through boxes of old journals and clothes...  What to do with everything?  Where to put it?  That is my latest project.  I am lucky that I have a little sewing room/studio of my own, though.  I'll make it work :-)

2nd year photo shoot

This morning Zack shot Odin in his new studio space.  It was a quick shoot before Zack had to run to work.  

I love how these pictures turned out.  He is a fun and funny kid these days... our little 2 year old!

Check out the photo shoot on Zack's blog.

happy birthday, my boy

... and now you're 2 years old!

Odin is the happiest kid around.  He makes us smile and laugh each day.  We're constantly saying to each other, "did you see that?  he's such a good boy" or "did you hear that?  he's so cute!".  We are so lucky to have him and we know it.  We cherish each moment, each new word, each hug and each new day with him.  This boy is a joy and we are nothing but blessed to have him in our lives.  I don't think I'll ever be able to stop kissing those cheeks and squeezing my little boy.  I just love you so, my Odin boy!

birthday eve

I usually do a post on Odin's birthdate, the 1st of each month but tomorrow is his actual Bday.  We have a doctor's appointment but after that we're going out to do something special for our little boy.  I am so grateful to be a mama and the fact that this boy is my first born, makes the whole experience so sweet.  He is such a good, good boy and oh, I love him so!

I am so grateful you are mine.

i'm 30 on the 30th

Its not my birthday, yet...  But I am at 30 weeks(!) I can't believe how time has flown this time.  Life is exciting, crazy and fun with a toddler but mix that with being pregnant and the energy level doesn't always keep up.  Here are some of my thoughts on this 2nd time around.  (I wish I would have written more of these thoughts my first pregnancy.)

On nesting...
Man, do I ever feel this in my bones.  I kind of feel lucky that I got to move in the middle of this pregnancy.  I have the ultimate opportunity to do some nesting, from decorating to rearranging to buying things to fill parts of our new home.  My mom is visiting in a few weeks and I hope to do a lot of the cutsie baby nesting stuff then...  Its pretty obvious that I have the nesting thing covered!

 On health & nutrition...
This time around is so different.  I started out much heavier than I did with Odin so I really wanted to make sure I didn't gain even half of what I gained with him - we'll just keep those numbers in the family for now.  I've been taking walks on those trails I dreamed of and I've been eating much less and much healthier.  Water is always by my side and showers are my energy boosters.  But, I could always do better.

On keeping the romance alive... 
The same month this baby is due is our 4th anniversary.  Nothing has really changed from the dating days meaning we still love spending every second with each other.  But, lets just say that being pregnant right now - large, round, slow and tired all the time is potentially rough on the relationship with the husband.  But, we do our best and are actually really good to spend time in the evenings  together, meeting at the park to fly kites at lunchtime on good days, we're very good about putting our toddler to bed promptly so the rest of the evening is ours, and most effective: our monthly anniversary dates  We're just so happy to be adding to the family we started together.

On pregnancy in general...  
I have been so grateful and happy being pregnant.  I know that not every woman has the opportunity or the health to have children and I am always thinking about this.  I am grateful I have a body that is set to have babies.  I have a very wonderful husband who makes each day possible to endure.  I love that we are adding to our family and that our little Odin will soon be a big brother.

... we feel so happy and blessed to have this baby on its way.  we're looking forward to this change.  here's to the 10 +/- weeks I have left.  I can't wait to meet you, my little girl!

reasons to celebrate in May

I like celebrating the little things in life.  So, here are the daily holidays I'll be referring to.  We have 2 birthdays this month and I'm sure we'll celebrate a few of the above too.  I like reasons to celebrate. Good bye, April...  I can't believe May is almost here!

** update **  Along with scrapbooking and bike month May is also Nat. Strawberry month!

ideas for our bedroom

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Our bedroom I fear will be the last place settled into.  For now my ideas will have to do.  The first picture shows what I want to do with the walls and the tree stump table is for our bathroom.  If you see a bright bedspread/duvet cover like the one pictured please let me know.  I really want bright colors in our room and home.   Ah, the fun of a work in progress...

today I thought we'd be busy

It turns out, we are all sick today.  We're just going to have to rest and relax.  We felt it coming on yesterday but like any other naive human we ignored the idea of it coming on.  Zack is still sleeping/snoring beside me.  I'm sneezing my brains out and sweet Odin is still in bed too.  There was so much to do in our little house today but all those things will just have to wait.  We'll be lucky if anyone feels like making  good meal.  (I'll have to be the one cause I'm craving pop up pancakes topped with strawberries, bananas, whipped cream and maple syrup.  Yum!)  

...  so much to do and so little energy with which to get it all done.  good intentions just don't make you better, unfortunately.

* image is of Odin when he climbed up on the table to smell our new flowers.  this boy is a keeper!