McMenamins is a uniquely Northwest experience. Sure, the food is largely the same no matter which McMenamin’s restaurant you visit, but the burgers are good, the atmosphere is relaxed (and kid friendly) and the decor is inspiring. Just love these lights and even the website is funky. I would show more but I need to save something for the remaining 300+ photos this year. 🙂

Two photo Saturday – I couldn’t decide between the photo that tells the story and the one that provides a pop of colour.

This bike was Thomas’ main Christmas gift this year. Growing up in Australia, you would go outside on Christmas day and kids would be riding their new bikes or trying out their new rollerskates or other brand new gifts from Santa in the warm summer weather. Unfortunately the northern hemisphere doesn’t allow the same freedom. Rain and cold mean that full enjoyment of these types of gifts has to wait until the rain (or worse, snow) stops.

We have had few days like that since Xmas thanks to above average rainfall. Whe you live in the northwesr, above average equates to a hell of a lot of rain. But today the rain let up, the sun came out for a few minutes and Thomas was even feeling better – so the bike came out.

At first he was tentative but after seeing daddy on his bike, Thomas finally worked up the courage and actually enjoyed Kei pushing him – for about 5 minutes anyway. Which is 5 minutes longer than anytime he has spent on the bike since he got it just over a month ago. And, yes, you are seeing correctly. This bike has no pedals. It is supposed to help with balance so a child can learn to ride without training wheels. The idea is that he pushes himself along with his feet. When they touch the ground properly it may be easier.

And on to photo #2 for today… I think this could be a gap commercial. 🙂

Another Xmas present that hasn’t seen too much love, but I have to admit that it’s a little too big. I am anticipating lots of fun colourful photos in this hat next winter…

The TIVO Saga
This little package arrived today and, barring any major technical malfunction, is not leaving this house! This is TIVO #4 to enter the Ishida house – the saga… 

Tivo #1: Purchased just before we decided to re-evaluate our cable service (most cable set-ups now come with DVR). Ended up downgrading altogether and the TIVO went back.

Tivo #2: 2 years later – Bought on a whim during a visit to CompUSA. Also during a time when we were talking about house renovations. Decided we didn’t really need it and took it back unopened and unconnected – although it did sit in the unopened box in the living room for a few days.

Tivo #3: Last week – Kei suprises me by walking through the door with a TIVO after stopping in at Best Buy. This time it looks like it’s going to work out. The stars are aligned. We connect the box, subscribed to the service, set up our season pass recordings and play around with pausing live TV. The machine shuts down. Oh, must have pushed the wrong button by accident. Next morning – machine shuts down again, then again. This time no one is near the remote. Investigations reveal a problem with the machine’s hard drive. After deleting our preferences Kei takes it back to the store for a refund. The taste of viewing convenience is still on our tongues.

Tivo #4: Today – The wonderful DHL driver delivers a brand new TIVO (from TIVO this time). It didn’t quite arrive in time for Survivor or Lost but it’s here. Now it sits in the middle of the floor taunting me until Kei gets home. I probably could set it up myself but Kei is just so good at it. 🙂

So now I sit and wait for TIVO to change my life. At least I’ve heard that’s what happens… I’ll keep you posted.

Not quite back to his normal self but feeling better. Thomas was even laughing and much more cooperative than he has been lately. When Thomas is sick it affects his whole personality. He is clingy, grouchy and generally difficult to be around – Much like his father when HE’s sick. 🙂

Glad to see things are looking up. Back to daycare today. It’s now after 4pm and no phone call to pick him up so I have my fingers crossed.

Still Sick. Thomas was pretty good for most of the day on Wednesday but went suddenly quiet, just sitting in his chair and asking Kei to leave him alone. Then he threw up – good times! This photo was taken after we gave him a quick shower. He soon fell asleep in this position and I think Kei enjoyed the cuddle time before we put him to bed.

I feel like Thomas has just been sick with one thing after another for the last three weeks. I am ready for this phase to be over.

Kei just bought a couple of new games for the Wii so this has been a common sight the last few days. I really enjoyed playing the Wii at first but get bored with it quickly.

The latest game is called Trauma Center (or something like that) and you actually perform “operations”. It takes skill and patience – patience that has been used up looking after Thomas lately so I can’t waste any on this game. 🙂

This is one of the best books I have read in a long time but wow – what an emotional rollercoaster. It’s not often that a book makes me cry but some sections of this one were very hard to read. Not because of the way it is written (and it is beautifully written), but because the subject matter is just so brutal, yet realistic. I usually read right before I go to sleep and this book was responsible for a few bad dreams. That being said, it is well worth the effort and the story will linger for a long time after you finish the last page. 

I am now reading a book by Jodie Piccoult called Vanishing acts and so far so good. Have any more suggestions? I am on a bit of a reading kick right now.

Oh, and I’ve been playing around with my brand new lens. Seriously, it has made such a huge difference with taking photos indoors and during this dreary Portland winter that is very important. This lens was recommended by Karen Russell on her blog. She lives in Oregon as well so I guess she understands low lighting situations. :).

I am also trying to learn and shoot in manual. It will be a learning curve but I need to learn how to use the camera properly.

So we were “watching” the Superbowl (I don’t even know who was playing) when the halftime show came on…. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. I mean, I know they’re a classic band and everything but are they really that scared of finding an act from at least this decade? Something a little more edgy?

Anyway, a few moments of watching the band playing their instruments, Thomas turns to me and says “I have to get my guitar” like it’s his mission. Like he HAS to play because the fever is driving him to it. So off he goes, grabs his guitar, asks me to help him to put on his strap and proceeds to play along… for about 1 minute. I guess the fever is quickly relieved with a few strums. 🙂 

It snowed in Portland! OK – it may not look impressive and none of it actually stuck to the ground but it DID snow. Since we have lived here we have experienced two or three major snow/ice storms that have closed down schools. One of them was last year, just after Thomas started walking and he was rather unimpressed with the whole thing. I think it was the fact that he was already unsteady on his feet and a few inches of the white stuff didn’t help.

As much as I hate snow, I would love Thomas to see some at our house this year. I think he would really enjoy it and I would enjoy watching him – and taking photos of course. For now, this rather pathetic display of snowfall will have to do.

My sick little baby. He has just not been himself this past week and woke up complaining of a sore ear on Friday so I took him to the doctor. Sure enough, the beginnings of an ear infection. Thankfully it’s not too serious. I am going to give him pain medication only if he needs it and give him antibiotics if it gets worse.

Unfortunately it means missing out on a bunch of things this weekend – potluck with friends on Friday and birthday party and swimming lesson on Saturday. This is the second weekend in a row that we have had to cancel plans due to Thomas being sick and I am starting to feel a little shut in. Hoping he is back to normal next week.