Our Life Lately 9.3.14

I used to post picture updates like this often, but there are so many sweet moments in daily life that I don't capture in pictures.   Partly because I don't have a camera phone (crazy, right?) and partly because we are on a hands-free journey right now. But here are a few!

OUR GARDEN OF DELIGHTS: Every morning, Sisi and I run outside to see how many passion flowers have popped open.  I will always be fascinated by these freakish blooms, and the fact that they only stay open for one day makes them even more special.  Still haven't seen any passion fruit yet.

BABY "SPRINKLE". I helped throw a mellow baby shower for a sweet friend at church.  It's her third baby, so she didn't want a big fuss.  Good food, pretty flowers, and sweet friends were all we needed.

Which one is 8 months preggers?? :) 

Thank you Trader Joe's for the cheap stock, snapdragons, mums and roses.  $30.00 of flowers was more than enough to decorate the whole house.

CAMPING TRIP:  We had our first family camping trip in a pretty remote part of Big Bear.  And about an hour after we arrived and set up camp, a very large bear came super close to us.  He was sitting kind of dopey-like on his haunches, staring at Joe, just hoping he'd share our pulled pork with him. Us women-folk jumped into the truck, and Joe scared him away with a rusty old machete. The first thing I said to Joe was, "You said there were no bears in Big Bear!!!"  I guess there are, but they are more like raccoons than bears.  Still gave this suburbanite a scare!

belly shot, about 22 weeks.  I'm 25 weeks now and feel twice as big as this pic!

 

Joe's camping coffee setup.

Joe said that this was a more comfortable spot to sleep than the tent!  

He scampered up that rock face in 2 minutes like a squirrel.  My husband is such a stud.

Sheep's milk yogurt with grain-free granola (essentially "nut-ola") for breakfast.  

FAMIILY DINNERS. Lately, most of our dinners take place al fresco, on the patio.  This was a particularly yummy paleo meal- cauliflower mash, almond flour breaded pork chops, and artichokes dipped in drawn butter. 

I am also heeding the advice in the book French Kids Eat Everything by making dinner time special every night.  An everyday dinner is the perfect occasion for candles, flowers, and music.  I even splurged on real cloth napkins yesterday, which is a first.  I am also making an effort to sit still and wait for Joe and Sisi to finish eating before I hop up and tackle the dishes.  This is a tough one, since I'm always the first one done and I am eager to get on with the clean-up duties.  But dinner time is such a special time and should be savored, right?

Not pictured: a major water damage/mold issue in our home, scouring craigslist daily for furniture for baby #2's nursery, and lots of etsy mask orders. 

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East Coast Trip Part 3: Gloucester, MA

Joe's parents have an amazing and kind of spooky home on the Gloucester Harbor.  It's our 3rd time visiting this fisherman's town, and we love it.  In the early morning at sunrise, the lobster fishermen are sailing out to sea, I reckon there's no better coastal view.  

Morning coffee and a 40 foot drop... 

 Gloucester cousins!

Buns and bouys...

The dangerous grassy balcony with no walls. 

As Joe pushed Sisi around town in her stroller, someone actually yelled to us across the street, "I've never seen that before in Gloucester!"  We were so confused.  He said he'd never seen a dad push a stroller in this town before.  I guess Italian machismo is alive and well there??

I gave her a mint, and she was stoked.

We took a day trip to Boston, and pretty much walked the entire city. So awesome that Sisi still fits in the ergo carrier! 

Holocaust Memorial.  What an elegant and poignant monument.

 

Seaweed and sardine snack break at Quincy Market.  It was at this point several Asian tourists began to take pictures and videos of Sisi, and I'm not sure why.  Was it the Hello Kitty sweater?  The fact that she was eating seaweed and sardines?  The fact that she is part Asian?  

 

Back in Gloucester..

Strolling through Rockport, a picturesque coastal town...

And of course, a seafood feast on our last night! Lobsters, crabs, clam steamers, and more. Thanks to our Gloucester family for hooking it up!

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East Coast Trip Part 2: The Berkshires, MA

We actually intended to stop by Vermont on the way from New York to Gloucester Massachusetts. Then two days before my trip, Joe asked, "Did you even map out the route from Montauk to Vermont?  It's like a 9 hour drive."  Whoops!  I just assumed Vermont was on the way to Gloucester. We ended up cancelling Vermont because a 9 hour drive with a 2 year old is not my idea of a good time. Just not worth it for a few days of Vermont (as stunning as Vermont is!)

Instead, we spent two relaxing days in Western Massachusetts where we had our fill of woods, farms, and gorgeous "ponds" (what they call ponds, I call huge lakes!)  It was exactly what we craved.

On the way to the Berkshires.

We got to stay in this amazing cabin in the woods, which I found on AirBNB.  I highly recommend it for a fun getaway!  No TV, but beautiful scenery, funky retro modern furniture, and a wood stove that we gathered around each night.

Wandering around Gould Farm. Sisi's saying "Moo!" 

 

Ice cold water!  Joe swam all the way to the trees in the background. Such a stud!

Hand tied wildflower bouquets.  I think Sisi has a talent for flower arranging!

Next stop: Gloucester, Mass!  Coming soon!!

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East Coast Trip Part 1: Montauk, NY

We kicked off our East Coast trip with 3 lovely days in Montauk, NY, for my dear friend Julie's wedding. We took my mom, and I declare she's the best travel buddy. She was cheerful, helpful, and I don't think she uttered one complaint the whole trip. So many of my friends gasp when I tell them this, because travelling with their moms would be a nightmare.  We brought her with us not only to help with Sisi (so I could focus on my bridesmaid duties) but to treat my mom to a much deserved getaway.

I can definitely see why Julie loves Montauk and chose it for her wedding- it's like a little slice of California. I fell in love right away! There are beautiful sandy beaches and even surfing!  No time to hang ten this trip, but I definitely want to try surfing Atlantic waters someday.

The rehearsal dinner was on a dock at sunset.  Big fat lobsters with drawn butter.  Absolutely incredible!

 

And now, the highlight of the trip- the actual wedding day!  The crafty bride did all the decorations, signage, and florals herself with no wedding planner.  She was probably really stressed, but she never showed it. She even arranged a yoga class with the bridesmaids the morning of the wedding.  It really set the tone for the rest of the day.  

(The following pics I stole from my friend Stephanie...Thanks Steph!)

One of the many adorable handmade touches.

 I think the camera stretched out our foreheads.  No way are our heads are that massive!

 The high school gang, reunited for the nuptials.  

The bride sang a tribute to her hubby and I was one of the background singers :)

 Me and my baby doll, looking a bit worn out already.  Once the band started playing Katy Perry and Beyonce, she livened up a bit.  Then she had a crazy meltdown and I knew it was time to bring her up to Nana's room so I could continue dancing the night away.

Next stop- The Berkshires, Massachusetts!  Coming soon!

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