September 21, 2011
It's amazing to think that a year ago we were making our way across the country, sad to be leaving our friends and beloved Boulder, wondering what was in store for us in Portland. It has been quite a journey, very hard at times and also a learning experience. I have made lots of new friends and friends for Jacob, which is so wonderful. Even though they are new relationships, I know I can call an assortment of people and get support when I need it. That group has really and truly been a lifesaver this year. We've seen many beautiful places, eaten some delicious fruits and been to the coast several times. We've also had our share of grey weather, parenting struggles (which would have occurred anyway) and adapting to a new area. Overall, I'd say I'm very proud of us. We're in a very different, and better, place than we were a year ago. I can't complain (too much :) ).
We'll be on the road for the next few days so I might not get a chance to write. We'll be celebrating our 4th anniversary this Saturday, at someone else's wedding. Better than last year, though, when we were in Seattle watching The 6th Sense. Not an anniversary movie...
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Day 359
September 20, 2011
We went to our neighbour, Sarah's, house this morning to watch her kids for a bit. It was fun. Jacob was getting a little crazed over some of their toys but things evened out after a bit, and everyone had fun. Now, he keeps asking to go over there. Very cute.
We're preparing for another roadtrip in a couple of days. California this time for one of Fraser's childhood friend's wedding. It should be interesting. Hopefully the car ride isn't too bad. It's about a ten hour drive total that we'll break up into two days.
We went to our neighbour, Sarah's, house this morning to watch her kids for a bit. It was fun. Jacob was getting a little crazed over some of their toys but things evened out after a bit, and everyone had fun. Now, he keeps asking to go over there. Very cute.
We're preparing for another roadtrip in a couple of days. California this time for one of Fraser's childhood friend's wedding. It should be interesting. Hopefully the car ride isn't too bad. It's about a ten hour drive total that we'll break up into two days.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Day 358: A Vaux Swifts Experience
September 19, 2011
Started the morning off at the gym with my neighbour, Sarah. We are trying to motivate each other and keep each other accountable. And it's much for fun to do weights or aerobic machines with someone to talk to.
It was also a beautiful day today! Sunny and warm. Jacob naps right during the middle of the day, unfortunately, and he didn't want to go out after his nap! I could not believe it. But we did get together with Melissa, Julia and their families tonight to watch some Vaux Swifts. They roost in a chimney of one schools here. The sky fills up with swifts (they counted 6,000 last night) and then they funnel into the chimney at dusk. Really pretty cool to watch. Tonight they swirled a lot and headed down into the chimney piecemeal, it seemed like. Apparently, lots of times they really form a tighter funnel and then just plunge in, on the backs of each other they're so close. Still, we had a nice picnic and play time outside. I had some nice time with the moms.
Jacob was playing with two of his friends. Their dads were around with them, but I was also keeping an eye on him. At one point, he was across the field from me with one boy and his dad while I was talking to Tiffany. I tell her I need to go to him now. I walk across to them and when I get there, he's gone. The dad tells me he said, "Mommy" and ran off so he assumed Jacob had seen me. It was pretty dark at this point, hundreds of people around starting to get up and leave. I had no idea where Jacob was. I have never been so scared in my life. We spread out and I started running around, shouting his name, having no idea what I was going to do if I couldn't find him. Probably only five minutes went by when Julia called out that she had him. Thank everything holy. We were both crying. The group gave us an embracing hug, Mel and Julia telling me stories of how similar things have happened to them. It would be so easy to blame myself, and yes, I have learned an important lesson about staying closer. And it can happen like this, in a minute. Terrifying to think that I lost my child. Thank God for how it turned out.
Started the morning off at the gym with my neighbour, Sarah. We are trying to motivate each other and keep each other accountable. And it's much for fun to do weights or aerobic machines with someone to talk to.
It was also a beautiful day today! Sunny and warm. Jacob naps right during the middle of the day, unfortunately, and he didn't want to go out after his nap! I could not believe it. But we did get together with Melissa, Julia and their families tonight to watch some Vaux Swifts. They roost in a chimney of one schools here. The sky fills up with swifts (they counted 6,000 last night) and then they funnel into the chimney at dusk. Really pretty cool to watch. Tonight they swirled a lot and headed down into the chimney piecemeal, it seemed like. Apparently, lots of times they really form a tighter funnel and then just plunge in, on the backs of each other they're so close. Still, we had a nice picnic and play time outside. I had some nice time with the moms.
Jacob was playing with two of his friends. Their dads were around with them, but I was also keeping an eye on him. At one point, he was across the field from me with one boy and his dad while I was talking to Tiffany. I tell her I need to go to him now. I walk across to them and when I get there, he's gone. The dad tells me he said, "Mommy" and ran off so he assumed Jacob had seen me. It was pretty dark at this point, hundreds of people around starting to get up and leave. I had no idea where Jacob was. I have never been so scared in my life. We spread out and I started running around, shouting his name, having no idea what I was going to do if I couldn't find him. Probably only five minutes went by when Julia called out that she had him. Thank everything holy. We were both crying. The group gave us an embracing hug, Mel and Julia telling me stories of how similar things have happened to them. It would be so easy to blame myself, and yes, I have learned an important lesson about staying closer. And it can happen like this, in a minute. Terrifying to think that I lost my child. Thank God for how it turned out.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Day 357
September 18, 2011
Jacob and I have had a great day. I've put on my patience hat again and tried to look at things differently. I also read some more of The Emotional Life of a Toddler last night which helps with the perspective issues.
Fraser's grandfather passed away so he's down in Texas today and tomorrow. Jacob and I made homemade blueberry jam this morning before going to my pilates class. Even I was impressed.
I was just a busy bee during nap time (which I'm regretting now). I finished a second batch of jam, cleaned up the kitchen, talked to my granny (which was wonderful) and sewed a bunch on my t-shirt quilt. Of course, now it's not even nine o' clock and I'm about to pass out. That's what I get.
Jacobisms:
Yesterday, Fraser said holy sh*t while Jacob was sitting next to him. He'd made a plane reservation for the wrong weekend instead of this one for his grandfather's funeral. So then Jacob says, very matter of factly, "Why did Daddy say holy sh*t?" It was really adorable. And of course, he has no idea of what he just said.
He was saying goodnight to me last night and going upstairs with Fraser for bedtime. I told him to sleep well. He said, "You sleep well, too."
Today at nap time and bed time I heard Jacob singing his ABC's. The good news - he's not tone deaf. The "bad" news - he's only up to G. This is how he sings it, "A, B, C, D, E, F, G, Now I know my ABC's. Next time won't you sing with me." It's adorable. I do have it on film and if I can ever figure out how to get a video on this site (I have tried the obvious), I'll put it up.
Jacob and I have had a great day. I've put on my patience hat again and tried to look at things differently. I also read some more of The Emotional Life of a Toddler last night which helps with the perspective issues.
Fraser's grandfather passed away so he's down in Texas today and tomorrow. Jacob and I made homemade blueberry jam this morning before going to my pilates class. Even I was impressed.
I was just a busy bee during nap time (which I'm regretting now). I finished a second batch of jam, cleaned up the kitchen, talked to my granny (which was wonderful) and sewed a bunch on my t-shirt quilt. Of course, now it's not even nine o' clock and I'm about to pass out. That's what I get.
Jacobisms:
Yesterday, Fraser said holy sh*t while Jacob was sitting next to him. He'd made a plane reservation for the wrong weekend instead of this one for his grandfather's funeral. So then Jacob says, very matter of factly, "Why did Daddy say holy sh*t?" It was really adorable. And of course, he has no idea of what he just said.
He was saying goodnight to me last night and going upstairs with Fraser for bedtime. I told him to sleep well. He said, "You sleep well, too."
Today at nap time and bed time I heard Jacob singing his ABC's. The good news - he's not tone deaf. The "bad" news - he's only up to G. This is how he sings it, "A, B, C, D, E, F, G, Now I know my ABC's. Next time won't you sing with me." It's adorable. I do have it on film and if I can ever figure out how to get a video on this site (I have tried the obvious), I'll put it up.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Day 356
September 17, 2011
Even though we woke up to some nice, steady rain and some grey skies, we headed to the farmer's market. That's what you do here. Put on your rain gear and just go. We got lots of wonderful things today: Jacob picked out some brussels sprouts on a stalk. He remembers getting those when Mimi and Pop were here last November. So, we got those. And some amazing nectarines, beets, yellow tomatoes, raspberries, apples. Oh, yum.
Jacob was out of sorts, for sure, though, which was a bummer. At one point, he's walking along and hears the couple people playing music start up with Wagon Wheel. He gets this huge grin on his face and starts dancing/running over to the music. Adorable! We enjoyed that.
Pilates for me after and nap time for the boys. A huge fit after nap time for Jacob. It was like Fraser was trying to break his will. Totally crazy. The boy just works himself up like mad these days over.... whatever is going on in his little body. Hard to know what he needs at times like this.
Jacob was all about making the brussels sprouts, though! That's what helped get him out of his funk, actually. I made some chicken korma and the brussels sprouts. He was thrilled and enjoyed eating some of them. I cannot say enough times how wonderful it is when the food I spend time making actually tastes good and is actually eaten. So great!
Even though we woke up to some nice, steady rain and some grey skies, we headed to the farmer's market. That's what you do here. Put on your rain gear and just go. We got lots of wonderful things today: Jacob picked out some brussels sprouts on a stalk. He remembers getting those when Mimi and Pop were here last November. So, we got those. And some amazing nectarines, beets, yellow tomatoes, raspberries, apples. Oh, yum.
Jacob was out of sorts, for sure, though, which was a bummer. At one point, he's walking along and hears the couple people playing music start up with Wagon Wheel. He gets this huge grin on his face and starts dancing/running over to the music. Adorable! We enjoyed that.
Pilates for me after and nap time for the boys. A huge fit after nap time for Jacob. It was like Fraser was trying to break his will. Totally crazy. The boy just works himself up like mad these days over.... whatever is going on in his little body. Hard to know what he needs at times like this.
Jacob was all about making the brussels sprouts, though! That's what helped get him out of his funk, actually. I made some chicken korma and the brussels sprouts. He was thrilled and enjoyed eating some of them. I cannot say enough times how wonderful it is when the food I spend time making actually tastes good and is actually eaten. So great!
Day 355
September 16, 2011
Oh, Friday... Had a nice am workout. Hit the grocery store (again). No nap for the boy. Skyped with my family instead. That helped. Passed the time a bit with Grammy and Uncle Nick and Aunt Amy. Made some tasty butternut squash and chickpea soup for dinner which was a big hit. I love when that happens.
Fraser and I got to play some fun games too after Jacob went down - early :) Some Yahtzee which is just a classic in my family. And then some Sorry. I just got it recently for us and playing it now, by all the rules, makes it a bit more lively than I remember as a child. Good times.
Oh, Friday... Had a nice am workout. Hit the grocery store (again). No nap for the boy. Skyped with my family instead. That helped. Passed the time a bit with Grammy and Uncle Nick and Aunt Amy. Made some tasty butternut squash and chickpea soup for dinner which was a big hit. I love when that happens.
Fraser and I got to play some fun games too after Jacob went down - early :) Some Yahtzee which is just a classic in my family. And then some Sorry. I just got it recently for us and playing it now, by all the rules, makes it a bit more lively than I remember as a child. Good times.
Day 354
September 15, 2011
Crazy morning with Jacob. He's into things being HIS way. Things that I don't even know I'm doing or things I've done numerous times before or things that he's even asked me to do! Wrong. And not just, hey that's wrong. No. SCREAM!!!!! wrong. Totally hysterical fit, wrong. Whoa. P.A.T.I.E.N.C.E. Which I sometimes have lots of and sometimes...... not. Especially when someone is whining, screaming, yelling at me while clutching, climbing and hitting at me.
However, we were able to (eventually) make it out of the house. Thankfully, we had a playdate so we had a plan. Blueberry picking! The bushes were just loaded with berries. I held the bucket under the bush, gently wiggled my fingers over the fruit and watched the berries just plop into my bucket. I picked almost 11 lbs of berries in about half an hour. Seriously. I could have kept going. It was insane. And the berries are oh, so sweet!
Jacob had a good time "picking" with his friend, Preston. Picking and eating. Heehee.... Tiffany and Moses came too so it was a nice, little group. Good to chat with the ladies. We also got to check out their fruit harvester. It shakes the bushes gently and the berries fall off and then are lifted up on a conveyor belt and sorted. Very neat.
We spent a little bit of time at the beach there but it was cool, grey and a bit rainy so, no swimming today. Although I think Jacob would have if I'd have let him.
Day 353
September 14, 2011
Jacob wanted to go to a museum this morning. I didn't particularly but I had no better plans. So we headed to OMSI. I had the brilliant (if I do say so myself) idea to text my friend Tiffany to see if she and her son, Moses were around. It worked! Jacob got to play and have a great time (I really think he could live there) and I got to see another adult and have some nice conversation. Oh, I like it when things work like that.
The grey weather has started again. Last week we were in the 90's. This week, the 60's. And grey. Did I mention that? I love fall; it's my favourite season. Getting cozy on the chilly days, cooking yummy soups and lighting spice candles... love it. But does this really mean that we're going to be having this weather for another 8 months?! Because I'm not sure I'm up for that just yet. We just hit summer in July!
We did get some things made, though. I made homemade salsa. For dinner, I roasted a chicken which smelled wonderful and cooked artichokes. It was scrumptious. Everyone loved it. Jacob said, "This is delicious. Thanks, Jill." Yes, he said my name. I had to ask him what he said because I really couldn't believe it at first. I don't know what made him think of that. Fraser never calls me by my actual name. Too much!
Day 352
September 13, 2011
Much better space today. Got to the gym and the grocery store and felt more of the "home day" spirit. A nice relaxed day.
Day 351
September 12, 2011
Oh, a bit of the back from vacation blues today. Only for me, not the boy.
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| "Take a picture of me sleeping, Mommy" |
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| Oh, those tomatoes... |
Day 350: Cape Lookout
September 11, 2011
More beach time - a bit windier today. There was great fog rolling down over the hills and out over the ocean. It was just pouring down... really cool to see. Had to wake Jacob from his nap today -that he began at 11am!! Haha... Went to a seafood place - Schooners. Pretty good. Still nothing totally stellar that you would expect in these coastal areas, but.... better than the last joint after camping at Nahalem Bay. Stopped by the Tillamook creamery. Whoa. It's a madhouse. Lots to see, including the 50 flavours of ice cream. Okay, I'm not sure that it's that many but pretty close: Oregon strawberry, Oregon marionberry, mudslide, cookies n' cream, peach, all sorts of chocolate, vanillas, the list goes on. Jacob had his first very own ice cream cone. Very nice. He picked strawberry. I was totally nervous about it falling off his sugar cone (!) but he made it.
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| I'm just diggin' in the sand |
Friday, September 16, 2011
Day 349: Cape Lookout continued...
September 10, 2011
Fun day! Lots of beach time, relaxing. No nap for the boy, sadly. That made him a bit of a terror during parts of the afternoon but after a beautiful sunset and a little bit of campfire, he told us he was ready for bed. Perfect. Fraser and I had a nice time chatting around the campfire; fires always bring out some good conversation.
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| Just having fun... not having a fit |
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| Got a little too close... |
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| Where's my beer? |
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| Drinking "like Shilo kitty" |
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