Monthly Archives: May 2011

Mothers: Celebrating a Brand Spanking New One

I was granted an extra special gift just before Mothers’ Day – I became an Aunt for the 6th time. That’s nephew number 6 – apparently we’re strong with the boy genes on both sides of the family.

I love all of my nephews but the birth of this one was extra special. He was the first one born on my side of the family (and therefore likely sharing a few genes) and the very first one where I was able to experience his birth as it happened. And when I say “as it happened” I mean within the same day. And when I say “experience” I mean by email and phone. But I’ll take it. 🙂

Honestly, I didn’t expect to feel this connected to a child born on the other side of the world… and I didn’t expect to feel so removed from the celebration. Still, I know that this child and I are going to be tight. I mean we share a birth month, an astrological sign AND a chinese year of birth. Oh, and I may have had a little input on his name thanks to a well-timed phone call with my brother just before they made the big decision. See? We’re connected.

I have also never been so grateful for modern technology as I was tonight when we all had the opportunity to see him on the computer screen. Not quite the same as holding him but a lot more interaction than we would have had just a few years ago.

Introducing Charlie Benjamin… As you can see, he was happy to meet us too.

Congratulations Ben and Emma. We love him already.

Birthday 2011: Requesting a Do-Over

I had big plans for my 36th birthday – and by big plans I mean a couple of days off from work, doing just what I wanted to do. No schedule, no appointments, just a couple of days by myself with the opportunity to walk around and take  a few photos.

Well, apparently life doesn’t quite work like that.

Tuesday (my birthday) turned out to be a day with Thomas. But not my healthy, happy Thomas. Instead I found myself looking after a sick child who was recovering from the stomach bug that Samuel kindly shared with us last week.

We did the grocery shopping (Trader Joe’s AND new Seasons), spent a lot of time watching TV and generally hung out for most of the day while I carefully monitored his every move to make sure he wasn’t going to throw up.

It wasn’t quite like I had planned but, actually, it was nice. It took me back to those days when we used to spend time together before Samuel was born. Just the two of us.

By the time Kei and Samuel got home at around 5pm, Thomas had perked up enough to agree to a birthday dinner of sushi (for me and Kei) and Soba noodles (for him and Samuel).

And this is the part when I realize just how important it is for me to take photos… While the events of later in the evening dampened my entire perspective of the day (more to come on that), these photos show me just how wonderful and special my birthday really was.

At first Samuel was all cranky and refused to let me take his photo so I said “please let me take a picture… for my birthday…” I honestly didn’t think t would work but then I got this…

And even this…

And then another reminder of that how he and I are genetically linked with the tongue-sticking-out-thing.

After a delicious sushi dinner we headed across the street to pick up a little dessert from the food carts. Thomas treated me to a couple of my favourite photos of him ever.

And then the boys ate cookies while I watched them eat. Strange – I didn’t feel dessert (more to come on that later).

Nothing commands their attention quite like the promise of food.

This was followed by a little activity to work off some of that chocolate. I know this next photo has the wrong focus and Samuel’s head is in the way, but I adore it anyway.

We ended dinner with a walk around the neighborhood where I finally had my opportunity to take a few photos of Spring.

The rest of the evening had a lot of promise – Glee night with the girls, wine and cupcakes. It started well but I had to leave a little early. Seems the stomach bug had not passed me over and I was destined to lie on the couch for the next 24 hours while Thomas (who wasn’t quite over it either) was forced to keep himself entertained with Lego and TV (LOTS of TV).

So, I am looking forward to my do-over next weekend even though in retrospect it wasn’t all that bad. Still, there’s no harm in trying to make it absolutely perfect and extend my birthday celebrations in the meantime, right? 🙂

Thoughts on Thirty-Six

Today is my birthday. I turn 36. I’m a little conflicted.

Pro: I am well out of my 20’s – that frustrating period of time when I knew where I wanted to be in my life but also knew I had to wait many years to get there.
Con: I’m on the downhill slide to 40.

Pro: I have a wonderful husband and two gorgeous, intelligent, wonderful boys.
Con: I sometimes yearn for the days when I didn’t have to do someone else’s laundry (x3).

Pro: I am approaching an age bracket that has been fully endorsed by Oprah.
Con: I’m on the downhill slide to 40 (important fact that needs repeating)

Pro: I found my life’s passion in photography in my mid 30’s.
Con: I am a long way from financial independence.

Pro: I have the chance to celebrate another year of life.
Con: It’s likely I’ll have to celebrate it while holding a bucket for my vomiting child. Very sad, but true.
Pro: A night out with the girls and a date night with my husband will more than make up for it.
Con: I will still have to do laundry the next day.

Pro: I have friends, wonderful friends.
Con: I often wish I could be closer to my family AND have my friends close by.

Pro: I have 20/15 vision
Con: I had to undergo surgery and pay a LOT of money to get it – but it was worth every penny.

Pro: I  know where I want to be in terms of health, weight and career.
Con: I am not quite where I want to be in terms of health, weigh and career.
Pro: I KNOW where I want to be (just need to find the means for some…and motivation for others). Oh, and I am FINALLY embracing my enormous forehead.

Pros: I’m happy (with the occasional off day). I’m comfortable. I’m loved. I’m healthy. I’m getting French doors and a deck. I’m 36.

…and I’m just where I need (and want) to be – right now.

My Sweet Thing is a Sick Thing

So, while I was thinking about my photo for this weeks I Heart Faces challenge, I came across this photo that was a little bit soft (in color) and more than a little sweet – the face, the boy and, of course, the Reese’s treat courtesy of the Easter Bunny.

Sadly, the boy in the photo is not feeling well. He has the stomach bug that hit Samuel last week. Reports from others at daycare suggest that it will only last 24 hours and I’m hoping that’s true. I need my boy back to his usual self (but perhaps with a little less whining).

Count Me Inspired

Thanks to a little work commitment, I found myself at the TEDx Portland event yesterday. I was there to manage the photo booth at the Waggener Edstrom table which meant I spent a day taking photos (which I love, of course) but I ALSO had the opportunity to actually watch the speaker sessions.

In a word – Inspirational.

I laughed, I cried, I sat in awe of amazing talent. I’m still taking it all in.

Unfortunately my camera was connected to the booth for the entire day so I didn’t take any of my own photos, but I will share a few highlights with some pics stolen borrowed from the interweb.

Jim Riswold 

Two bouts with cancer. Brave, funny, incredible. In one very short presentation, this man managed to teach me one very important lesson – laugh at the bad guy.

Storm Large

The woman can sing… and write and speak. She came across as brave and vulnerable and real all at the same time.

Genevieve Bell

As soon as she started speaking I knew she’d have something wonderful to say. I mean the Aussie accent gave it away. 🙂 Seriously though, she gave legitimacy to boredom. Put down the technology and just let your mind rest for a while. Now THAT’s an idea I can get behind… and I’ll try it as soon as I’m done with this blog post.

Greg Bell

This man changed his priorities in life and lives them. Adopting “mind your own Bamboo” as a catchphrase.

On The Rocks

Like Glee only better and in person.

PHAME (Pacific Honored Artists, Musicians and Entertainers)

Proving that anyone can have a dream and follow it (and be amazing), despite the obstacles.

Of course there was so much – discussions on everything from food to architecture to the power grid. DEFINITELY going back next year and encouraging all my friends to do the same.