I can see this being a really useful tool in processing all of the creative ideas I have, as well as the challenges I come across. Maybe I'll just ramble. But maybe, most importantly, I'll feel less isolated and reminded of my talents and strengths outside of mothering. It will be a practice. I can tell you I already like the feeling of having something else to do besides caring for my daughter. (which I LOVE)
A good way to kick off, would be with a visual recap of 2016 (inspired by soulemama.com)...which mainly consists of pictures of my amazing daughter because that's what I've been doing for two years. (hence the feeling of isolation-at times;) I thought about starting off talking about the last two years, and how hard some parts were...but after some thought, I realized the best thing to do is move forward. Whenever I've rehashed the shitty things that have occurred, it doesn't make me feel better. Wow! Declaring this actually makes me feel a lot more free. Who knew!? See, this space is already useful.
So here's to the present and the future! (but first a recap:)
xo
January
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| Sylvi turns one! |
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| yay for rain pants! |
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| city living. bed moves to living room and we all start sleeping through the night. |
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Aunty Coco & Uncle Dan up from LA to celebrate
Sylvi's Bday at Grandma Judy's.
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| First time eating frosting. Last time mama tries to experiment with cake recipes. |
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
October
We had our friend Joy take pictures commemorating Sylvi turning one,
but we never printed them or shared them. (doh)
First plane ride to visit cousins in Virginia.
Big cousin Lilah.
We went to VA to celebrate my niece, Josie's 10th birthday. My sister in law passed away just one month prior to this after being on a ventilator in the ICU for 6 months. It was more emotional for me than I expected. My big brother is doing an amazing job as a single Dad in med school with three kids.
on the trail
standing more...
first time to Little Farm
March
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| Jammin'! |
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| Welcoming spring on our table |
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| I dyed wooden eggs with tea and spices for Easter since no one else besides me eats boiled eggs. |
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| First haircut! |
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| I cut off Sylvi's mullet. |
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| Treehouse Nursery in the Presidio. |
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| The kids at play at the Treehouse Nursery where I held camps during their school breaks. |
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| I'm still working on the throw blanket I started when I was pregnant. |
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| Rain gear in full effect up on Bernal Hill |
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| Papa visits from Massachusetts! |
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| The beach at Crissy Field |
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| First time at Lake Anza |
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| Amazing Lifeways natural dye workshop at Marin Waldorf School. My favorite part of this workshop is connecting with all of the other Waldorf mama's. |
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| Mama Belly. Mama boobs. Baby belly. Mother's Day has a whole new meaning. |
A parade in Pescadero for Mother's Day.
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| Mother's Day major allergic reaction to essential oil I was using for Sylvi's teething. Makes me aware of the importance of self car.e. I started seeing a chiro that specializes in allergies, and I discover just how much food I'm allergic to. |
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| On the trail again. Glen Canyon, SF. |
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| Preparing for our move to the east bay! |
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| Sylvi walks! |
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| Bolinas. Our favorite beach! |
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| We filmed a little Justin Timberlake dance party at the Verdi Club... our cousin Llu put together clips for my brother in law Dan to lift up his spirits as he battled with cancer. |
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| Annual summer camping trip. This time with Papa Jim and Gappy! |
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| Salt Point State Park...brrrrrr! |
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| During nap. Mama drinks. |
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| Sylvi napping in the tent! |
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| Daddy napping outside the tent! |
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| Moving Day. I let Sylvi play with the keys, and the wind closed the door and then I heard "beep!" She locked herself in! They discpatched the wrong truck so they sent another one with the special kit to break in. We had 8 firefighters surrounding our car. What a sight! |
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| I packed Sylvi's room, and other things I didn't want the movers to handle in the car. Dad was in LA with Uncle Dan. I accidentally got my keys stuck in the cargo box and started driving without it locked. Luckily there was so much traffic, that we went slow. As I pulled off at Treasure Island, the cargo box flew open and out went our comforter. So glad that didn't happen on the bridge! I was able to retrieve it thankfully. Moving is always an adventure! |
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| Our new pad. It was a lot of work to move with a toddler, especially with Jason in LA. I could handle the front end, J's Dad watched Sylvi for the morning. But once I was headed over I was overwhelmed with the idea of setting up Sylvi's room, plus handling dinner. Luckily I had a friend bring us dinner. It was nice to have some company. |
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| First time bringing Sylvi "home" to New England! Second cross country flight and we scored a whole row! We almost missed our flight because J and I still haven't mastered flying with a child and our instruments. |
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| Naptime with Papa at Wingaersheek Beach |
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| Wingaersheek Beach |
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| At my childhood home in Rowley, MA (aka Nini's house:) |
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| Nini and Sylvi trying to stay cool. |
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| Our view from our lakehouse rental in NH. |
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| No surprise my BFF makes amazing kids. |
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| First Canoe ride! |
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| cousins! |
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| We headed back to LA so J could be with Uncle Dan while Aunty Coco worked for a little bit. |
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| On the trail down at Arroyo in Pasadena. Must walk doggies. It's so hot here! |
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| At our friend's Rob and Benjie's in Pasadena. |
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| The morning after Uncle Dan passed away...he was diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer the week Sylvi was born. Having her in our lives during this time has been such a blessing. |
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| morning snuggles with Daddy...what would we do with out Sylvi? |
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| Throughout Dan's battle with cancer, friends gathered from all over the world virtually for a healing mediation at 7pm on Sundays. The Sunday after Dan passed, friends and family gathered and mediated together at our air b n b in LA, blessing his spirit, and showing it light. |
September
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| tot friends in Tilden. |
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| Playing with her new kitchen! yay craigslist! |
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| Spur of the moment stop for pizza at Cheeseboard. Always good live music. It was cool to be able to show Sylvi a bass in real life. |
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| Back in LA with our fur cousins Fergie and Walter to |
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| A glimpse of the Dan's Celebration of Life at Rob & Benjie's house. We held a service for Dan in a movie theater in Pasadena where we played some videos and slideshows, and heard some very special words from Nicole, Jason, Rob and Papa Jim. It was so special and reflected Dan so well. No surprise that there was a tremendous turnout. It was moving to see the impact he had on people. |
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| we couldn't keep Sylvi out of the pool. She saw all the big kids swimming! |
October
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| Mama got a new ride! Our new second car:) |
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| Cousin Anne's desert wedding in Joshua Tree. |
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| reunited with her little cousin Ruby! |
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| the desert is hot. |
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| Ruby! |
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| Creative cousins. |
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| First time playing in the rain! Sylvi wasn't walking yet during our rainy season last year. |
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| First time trick or treating! |
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| Trying out the drums at Rock Band Land. |
November
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| Our outdoor toddler class at the East Bay Waldorf School. We've been doing parent-child classes here since Sylvi was about 8 months. |
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| Teacher Jennifer with Sylvi and Abby. |
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| it's dark early...so we walk with a lantern. |
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| self care in the woods. |
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| ThanksgivingJason's first attempt at making the turkey. Dan was the one who made the turkey every year. Miraculously it came out delicious! |
December
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| Winter in Sylvi's room |
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| tis the season for some baking |
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| Beeswax candle I made at my friend Rebecca's candle making party. |
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| Magical Christmas train in Fort Bragg. |
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| Making Daddy's Birthday cake on my new Kitchenaid mixer. |
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| it's raining! |
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| Dressed up! Blurry picture. |
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| hot cider yum! |
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Christmas Eve. First time doing presents with Sylvi.
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