Friday, February 28, 2014

i'm thankful for ...



My Belated Valentine's Gift from Jeff 

A lot of women want roses, me?  I requested a tote bag that said "I'm the captain now," because I became obsessed with Muse from Captain Phillips.  It's a weird obsession, I know, but I oddly found myself loving that little skinny Somali pirate, or maybe it was the actor.  Either way, that phrase is uttered at least five times a day in our house (solely by me, of course). So, Jeff took it a step further and reached out to artist Abbey Christine and she made me my very own Muse doll!  I can't imagine what she thought when she answered her phone and heard "my wife really wants a Muse doll for Valentine's Day."


It was a big hit, Abbey. Thank you Jeff for loving my strange sense of humor and for knowing me so well.  This doll is SO much better than a tote bag.




El Bachelor
*photo by thestar.com

I don't know why I can't quit this show, but after this season it is safe to say, no matter how cheesy and sleazy the bachelor, I still come back for more.  I wish I had a good answer, but as much as Juan Pabs "ees okay," grates on me, I just can't stop myself from watching.  At this point, I barely even pay attention to the two hours every Monday night, but I still turn it on.  That being said, for the first time in probably the entirety of the series (18 seasons!), a girl actually realized how much of a narcissist this guy really is (not asking one thing about her) and walked away.  And I can definitely say that if Andi is the next Bachelorette, I'm in. Who doesn't love a girl who brings a one piece on The Bachelor?

Amelia!
This week has involved a lot of watching Amelia gain her independence, even though she always looks back to make sure I'm there.  She's almost ten months and is getting so big. As much as I love seeing her explore, I feel like she is growing faster than I'm ready for.



The Goldfinch
*picture from amazon.com

I 'd heard so much about Donna Tartt's latest novel that I finally broke down and read all 771 pages, not certain if it would live up to the hype.  I mean 771 pages is a commitment, luckily I read it on my ipad, which kept me from looking at a heavy book thinking there's no way I'd be able to finish it.  While I don't know that I loved it as much as Stephen King, there were definitely nights where I was up well past my bedtime finishing a chapter, or sneaking a few pages in while Amelia was playing, because I just had to know what was going to happen.  Though protaginist Theo meets many characters over the ten years his life is covered, my favorite moments were his relationship with Boris.  I think Tartt nailed the reality of high school friendships -- of all that dead space and time in between school and sleep, where you really got to know your friends, simply hanging out and talking.  But the best thing about this book, was that it had me turning off the tv and actually reading.  Hallelujah!  Since Amelia has been born I've wasted so many nights sitting in front of the tv, too tired to move, watching some terrible show that I didn't even like.  It's been so refreshing to get excited about reading again.  Next up, The Rosie Project.




Friday, February 14, 2014

i'm thankful for ...

lunching with old friends (and new!)



lots of family cuddle time in our new bed


getting out of the house by myself, with zero baby gear and feeling like a normal person

 
watching amelia discover things that I take for granted


new hair!


Friday, February 7, 2014

i'm thankful for ...

Baby playdates at Huntington Gardens (love the stripes and polka dots these ladies have going on) -- and for meeting new mom friends who I already feel close with.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm a very social creature and part of my concern at being home with Amelia was feeling isolated.  I feel so lucky to have met great friends that we can both hang out with.



Dairy coming back into my life.  Say what you will about it not being great for us, but let me tell you my latte tastes so much better with real milk.


Our new king-sized tempur-pedic bed...sleeping in this is heaven.


These two.  It was a long journey to meet both of these guys, and I am thankful for them each and every day.


Having a connection with this little girl that I've never had with anyone





Wednesday, February 5, 2014

homemade pesto

Yesterday I had one of those days where I woke up tired and just kept going all day long, even though I wanted to crawl back in bed and take a nap.  Jeff and I took Amelia to her nine month check up in the morning, then he went off to work and I went to a coffee shop to work for a bit, then came back to play with a very active crawling baby girl, fed her, got her down to bed and went back to do more work. 

And while I was working, Jeff whipped up this delicious homemade pesto.  I love having a husband who's such an incredible cook.


Monday, February 3, 2014

catching up with old girlfriends

Last week one of my favorite Marys was in town from London.  She usually comes in at least once a year for work and extends it for a little vacation.  Every single time I see her, it's like no time has passed. 

We got quality time over dinners at Osteria Mozza and Katsuya and it was so amazing seeing her with Amelia. 

I met Eleanor over ten years ago when we were both working at Disney.  (I seriously think I've met almost all of my girlfriends -- and husband -- there.)  We were single together in LA for years and spent so many nights/days analyzing boys, watching Sex and the City, shopping, going out, having brunch and going on Sunday walks at the beach.  We did almost everything together.  I was devastated when she moved.

Now, we're both grown up and while we have an entirely different range of topics to discuss, it still feels exactly the same.  I just wish she would hurry up and move back already!