A photo journal comprised of my thoughts on motherhood and other life happenings, as well as some of professional work as a photographer. Southern California is home.
We celebrated 60 years of love and dedication between Willy’s grandparents and started potty training Hoop, who was showing signs of being ready.
FEBRUARY
We dealt with what was in hindsight the worst of the terrible twos (it lasted a few months) and I opened up about how it took me longer to love and bond with Van.
MARCH
We made what we both decided was the best decision in our lives to date and hired house cleaners. They come every other week and it’s the best money spent ever. I also wrote about falling in love with Van.
APRIL
We made trips out to both Arizona and Palm Springs. It was the first, of what became many, trips to Palm Springs this year (most always for Willy’s work). We were happy when we got to tag along.
MAY
Potty training continued, with number two proving to be more difficult that number one. We also taught Hooper what a “ghost turd” is. I wrote about our struggles with Hooper’s eating and brought in an Occupational Therapist to help us. And we stayed at The Roosevelt Hotel during one of Willy’s work functions.
JUNE
Willy and I welcomed our first niece, Zoe. We spent more time in Palm Springs. And I wrote about being wild and free, one of my more meaningful posts – for me – to date.
JULY
The boys pretended that they like each other; it was brief. We celebrated both my birthday and Van’s birthday; it was his first. It was not my first.
AUGUST
Janet was in town and we hung out at the Huntington Library in Pasadena. I stopped breastfeeding and I wrote about the depression that followed. I also wrote about conquering the day and how hard it is – at times – to get two kids out of the house. If I only knew how difficult that would be after having back surgery…
SEPTEMBER
We drove down to visit my sister and her fiance, which also marks the day Hooper became obsessed with cats. He hasn’t stopped meowing or asking to be pet since then. We also met up with Sisilia Piring and her lovely family, marking the beginning of what has proven to be a beautiful friendship. And I finally got around to posting pics from Janet and I’s adventures to the Salton Sea, Salvation Mountain, and Joshua Tree.
OCTOBER
I had my surgery this month and spent two weeks in the hospital. Before hand, we made it to the pumpkin patch, spent time with family at the beach, and took another trip to the desert. I also joined the Childhood Unplugged movement.
I wrote some resolutions last year around this time. I had just started this blog and they were kinda silly and arguably cliche. Upon reading them, I thought, yeah yeah, I resolve to do that again this year. Turns out things like “eat better” require a complete lifestyle change. And well, making ten lifestyle changes is a hard thing to do. Since becoming a mom, I’ve realized the importance in setting small goals. If you don’t, you’ll spend every day beating yourself up for being such a loser.
So I’m keeping the resolutions to a minimum this year.
Last year, I resolved to work out. Do some yoga. That sorta thing. I did prenatal yoga throughout my pregnancy with Hooper. I did none with Van. Time wouldn’t allow. So, this resolution was a total flunk. I’m recycling this resolution again this year but am altering it. I have something planned later in the year that I’m not ready to talk about but it requires that I strengthen my abdominal and leg muscles. Considering my abdominal muscles are still separated from carrying my second over nine pound baby, this is no easy feat. Wish me luck.
I almost burst into a full blown giggle when I read that I resolved to buy a bigger home last year. Granted, we did look. We even put an offer down for one home and it didn’t work out. Ultimately we decided it would be more financially responsible to stay where we are. So I’m resolving to love the home I’m in. There are a few things I’m excited to change in the interior, so there’s that to look forward to. Which reminds me of the kitchen remodel tour I promised way back when and room tours of the boys’ rooms. Yes, yes, yes, I resolve to share those too.
I kept my resolution last year to continue blogging and I’m glad I did. The blogging community continuously inspires me. Building this blog has helped me grow too and part of me feels overcome with the same creative spirit that carried my wandering soul in my early 20’s. Errr ::scratches head:: That comment makes me feel kinda old. Scratch that early 20’s shit and lets leave it at I love the creative energy this blog brings me on a personal level.
Hope everyone had a fancy dance New Years. Feel free to share your resolutions as well, I’d love to hear.
