Growing Healthy

I love thinking about food. Ingredients I've never tried excite me, as does exploring the cuisines of other cultures. Eating a healthy diet has become especially important since I've become a mother and wife. Still, it is difficult to stay on track and be healthy as consistently as I want to. I am pleased to say we don't eat fast food more than once every few months. We eat more meat and dairy than I want us to, and we don't exercise anywhere near enough. These are changes I am hoping to make by the end of the year.

I started by purchasing mason jars, and am making easy salads to go for Alan and myself. Central Market's bulk foods area has been enormously helpful- they carry raw nut and grain mixes that make great salad toppings, and granola's that use natural alternatives to sugar (palm sugar, agave nectar, etc) that are delicious with yogurt and fresh fruit. Alan is more picky than I am, but surprisingly willing to try new things. He was raised on Hamburger Helper, so he's really come a long way. 

Emmylou's health is the most important thing in our life. We need to make changes in our lifestyle to ensure that she never has to make such a change in hers. This is our time to become healthy, and hers to grow healthy.

Love,

L

Belated Birthday Photos

We had a little backyard picnic/pool party for Emmylou's first birthday. Mimosas, juice, Izze sodas, and beer. Veggie wraps, chicken salad sandwiches, ham and cheddar, and peanut butter and jelly wraps. Sesame sticks, goldfish, happy panda, and a few other snacks that are currently escaping my memory. Mostly, I invited friends with kids, but some kidless friends came too. I don't think it was quite as much fun for them, since the kids were the center of attention. I'm not sure if I should have invited more kidless friends, so there were more people to socialize with, or just invited friends with kids. Or maybe it was fine just like it was. I suppose we shall see what next year brings. I don't want anyone to feel left out, but would anyone really feel that way? I'm sure there are plenty of people who don't want to buy yet another gift, spend a whole day off at a party they aren't really having fun at, etc. Maybe an open invite is the way to go. And of course, I don't ever want someone to feel obligated to get Emmylou a gift. Their presence is more than enough, this kiddo isn't hurting for anything! Anyway, on to the pictures.

June and July

Emmylou is 13 months, 5 days, and 4 minutes old! haha
She loves keys, still. We finally have a collection of real keys, on a real keyring, with a keychain that's all her own. Recently she's been wanting to find keyholes to put the keys in too. Anything with a lid is fair game. Putting the lid on, taking it off, putting it back on again.. hours of entertainment right there! She has mastered stacking rings on a tower. Pushing carts, or stools, or whatever can be pushed around is another hobby. Last but certainly not least, being in the driver's seat of the car or on the motorcycle and playing with the wheel, windshield wipers, various buttons, and air conditioning vents is quite the treat.
She isn't saying any words perfectly. We understand when she's trying to say "down", "more", "juice", "shoes", "dog" and a few other words. She also loves to bark and roar. She loves animals- toys, or real. She also loves shoes. When we go out to restaurants, she will walk around and try to take other ladies' shoes. It's hilarious, and she definitely likes the sparkly ones.

Now, an update on any events.

Emmylou is quite the swimmer. We've been in the pool at least every week, sometimes a few times a week. I've been looking for a swim class to sign her up for, I really think she's ready for it. Her great grandparents and great uncle were in town last week, so we got to spend a lot of time with them. They even went for a swim! Yesterday, Ashley, Ali, and I took Maddox, Ojai, and Emmylou to the children's museum for a few hours, which was a blast. I think Emmylou really benefits from those playdates.. she loves being around other kiddos.

Dear Emmylou

Emmylou,
It has been far too long since I have posted something for you. I am sorry! Hopefully I can re-cap a whole month for you.
You are 11 months, for 2 more days. On Sunday, May 27th, you turn one. ONE. Admittedly, I tear up every time I think about it. You love dancing, and walking around waving your hands in the air. Car rides still aren't your favorite, unless we're making fun noises.
Last week, I had my radioactive iodine treatment. That meant 8 days without you. It was tough. We Skyped, though, and that really helped. During the day, I would watch you play outside through Leela's bedroom window, where I was confined for those days. It was so hard not to run out, pick you up and swing you around and give you 8 days worth of kisses and raspberries and hugs. Reuniting with you was easy peasy. Your dad brought you over to Leela's house, I was sitting on the couch. You walked in, noticed me, and stared. I acted very nonchalant, as if those 8 days had never happened, and we went on from there.
The Friday prior to the treatment was my last final for the semester. Despite needing to adjust to lots of changes outside of school (new baby, new job, etc.), my grades didn't suffer. I am nearing the end of my culinary classes! Also, I think I have finally hit on the perfect idea for a business, and even wrote a research paper and presentation on it for a business class that went over really, really well. That little test-run gave me some confidence, and good feedback from peers and our professor.
More about you, Emmylou. Recently, you fell in love with the pool. For your birthday, we're having a picnic/pool party, which suits you perfectly I think. You hug every child you encounter. It is the sweetest thing, and I hate to think that someday you will lose that. The dreamer in me hopes that you never will. I want you to grow up in a world where you can go up and hug anyone, and that that embrace will be returned. That isn't the world we live in, and it will be interesting to navigate these years that you're not aware of that. Maybe we'll just go buy an island, and turn it into a community where everyone contributes their part and success is defined by our ability to be self-sufficient. I sound like a hippie. At what age will she learn that not everyone likes hugs? It is sickening to realize how quickly that perfect innocence fades. Already when she hugs another child, and it's obvious that child doesn't like it, I pull her towards me and tell her that not everyone likes hugs. Momma will ALWAYS love hugs.

Love,
L

10 Months!

Woot! You're almost one Emmylou! This morning you took some steps unassisted. You have done it a couple of times before, but it was the first time your daddy got to see it. He got SO excited, it was adorable. I made you some homemade formula for the first time the other day, and am relieved to announce you loved it, and it didn't cause any tummy troubles like powder formula did. Plus, it was easy to make. I wonder if I could make this stuff for other people's babies? It has really helped me feel less stressed about pumping enough for you, and it's going to make weaning a bit easier when the time comes for the radioactive iodine treatments.
During your 9th month you sprouted 4 teeth- two on top, two on bottom. front and center.
Random cute story from this morning: You were cruising around our bedroom and saw daddy, so you rushed over to him (letting go of the bed in the process, first time he's seen you take steps without holding on!) and he picked you up and gave you kisses. After a minute, you started fussing and kicking like you wanted to be put down, but once on the floor you started crying. He picked you up and you still cried, so he handed you to me. You kept fussing, and reaching for him, but when I handed you back, you reached for me. So daddy and I both held/hugged you and suddenly everything was right in your world. Precious.

Oh, also daddy got a job at a tattoo shop near our house, so in the next week there won't be any more daily drives out to Clear Lake!! I am nervous and excited. This will be the first tattoo shop change he's ever made.

Love,
L

March 12- At the Park with Mom and Dad

Radiation Update

For the past few months, I have been really uncertain about what's happening with my radiation treatments. The doctor I am going to is one of the best in the country, but impossible to get a hold of. His assistant is awful; she never returns phone calls, nor does she have any recollection of what is going on with me. You would think that after a year, she would have some idea of who I am. So, I finally went to his office to try to talk to him, and get some blood work done while I was there. His assistant was totally incapable of even trying to get him to see me, but at least she did have him call me while I was there. Early in February, his assistant had told me that it appeared that the radiation was not necessary, and to just come back for more blood work in March to make sure my thyroid levels were good. After speaking with the doctor on Monday, he said that I absolutely still needed the treatments, and should start within the next 4-6 weeks. It's going to have to wait until May, when school gets out. At least I will be able to nurse Emmylou for a little while longer. Maybe we'll feel more ready by then. The family is relieved that the confusion has cleared up, too.

Dear Emmylou

Dear Emmylou,

You're becoming more attached to your daddy lately, and I can see how happy that makes him. He has the pleasure of spending 3 full days a week with you. I get one randomly selected day every week to spend fully with you.  On that day, I wake up around 7 am and start getting things done around the house. I wait a bit impatiently to hear the sound of you waking up, ready to whisk you out of bed for a little snuggle time. While I know that at some point, we will have to run errands, I always make time for the park or some other outing that you will enjoy.