Covert No Longer

A Day at the Beach, Take Two

Scenes from Francis Beach

Our last trip to the coast was windy. Very windy and very caloric. But fun.

Yesterday Viv and I returned to the beach with some dear friends. The weather was perfection. Absolutely delightful. Just the right amount of warmth and breeze and friendship thrown in with a lesson about how strollers and sand don't mix.

After a sit in the sand we drove to town for the best sandwiches and ate them on the deli's patio in the sunshine. Three friends, three babies, making memories. (I love making memories.)

Today I am going out to buy a beach umbrella (baby and I need shade!), a beach chair, and whatever other beach accoutrement I decide Viv and I will need for our summer beach trips. Because, honey, I plan to spend many-a-day at the beach making memories this summer.

A near-perfect Saturday.

How was yours?

The Girl Likes to Roll When No One is Looking

She's a covert roller. That's just how she rolls.

Nine Weeks

Or maybe it's been ten. I think I did week eight twice. In any event, I've completed the couch to 5K program.

My running routine has evolved over the weeks. I now roll out of bed at around 6-ish in the AM a few mornings a week. I leave Miss Viv and Vince to slumber and I walk, half asleep, down the street to the school and park. My old-lady knees were not taking kindly to the streets, and let's be honest, it's much easier to jog without pushing the jogging stroller. I huff and puff in an imperfect oval, crossing paths with the early morning neighborhood usuals: dog walkers, overfed park dwelling squirrels, tai chi practitioners, the octogenarian who walks gingerly and always says good morning to me with a warm smile and a bowed head.

When I want to stop, I think of Vivian. I say to myself I am so blessed to have this healthy body that can jog even though it's hard for me. I think of going home to make my coffee and eat my cereal topped with banana.

I am still a very s l o w jogger. Quite honestly, I probably walk faster than I jog. But that's ok. I have no need for speed. It's the feeling I have when I'm finished that I crave. The feeling that I can take on the day, joyfully and energetically. That is a gift I give my family and myself.

Ninety

It would have been my Grandma Vivian's 90th birthday today.

Happy Birthday, Grandma. I think of you each day - as my little Vivian exhibits the sweetness, feistiness, love of life and spunk that I so admired in you. Your wonderful spirit is never far from my heart.

I love this photo of my grandma. It was the early 1940s, and she was living in Hawaii when she had her first baby (my aunt). This picture captures Grandma nearing the end of her first year of motherhood, similar to where I am in time right now. I see a lot of myself when I look at this photo.

Happy Mother's Day

Dear Vivian {Month 9}

Dearest Dearheart,

9 months old

Nine months. I'm partial to this particular birthday because it's the ninth month, and you know how I feel about the number nine. But mostly I'm partial to it because this is just such a sweet time in your young life. You are busier by the day, sweeter and more joyful and more fun than the day before. I know next month I'll be writing just a slight variation on this theme - that life has gotten even sweeter and busier and more joyful with each passing day.

Busy girl! Surrounded by toys! Shaking the basket!

I love the way we start our day: after you eat, we get down on the floor to play. I sip hot coffee and eat cereal. Toys that were put away the previous night to prevent mom and dad from tripping all over them are set out on your blanket. The past couple weeks you have been showing a penchant for making a big old mess within about the first ten minutes of playing. AND I LOVE IT. I love the mess you make! You turn from side to side, reaching for toys and tossing them with reckless abandon over to the other side. You pick up a basket, lifting and tossing to get that toy sitting at the very bottom of it. It's awesome.

We're still working on eating solids. You tried pears the other day, and you were quite taken with them. You took a bite and opened your mouth for more. You've also enjoyed banana and avocado this month. But I think pears are the clear winner. You've been using your hands to pull your bottle toward your mouth when you want more. That is definitely a new development and one that makes me very happy - I call you "Voracious Vivian" when you do this - and it coincides with your habit of eating more and more happily lately.

Sweet Vivian

When I say your name, it sounds a little sing-song-ish. I can't help it. I love to say your name. And when I say it, I catch you smiling that sweet, sweet smile of yours. The smile that says, Yes, that's right, I'm Vivian. What's up? What are you going to tell me about next?

Our little ham

You've become quite the little ham. You and Dad were playing a week or two ago and the two of you were being cute (as usual), so I got the camera ready, called your name, and you looked over and smiled this smile that was made for the red carpet. You've done it a couple times since. I think it's hilarious. And I don't mind being your paparazzo. It's actually a pretty good gig.

On a walk at Hidden Villa Farm

In your helmet, so happy

Some other fun stuff from this month: You're loving the song 'Roll Over,' you loved our visit to Hidden Villa Farm and now you're enjoying the farm toys I couldn't resist getting you, and you are happily chewing on everything like mad - a carseat strap, toy, blanket - you don't discriminate, but no teeth yet. You got your helmet this month and have taken to it like a champ, but it has been a bit of a nightmare for me as we have spent a lot of time getting it adjusted to fit correctly. But I think we're finally back on track and I enjoy the way it accentuates the deliciousness of your chubby cheeks.

My precious baby girl

I celebrate everything that you are, Vivian. And you are so much to so many: lovely and sweet and funny and cuddly; strong and brave and resilient and charming. You are the daughter I am meant to mother. Knowing that that makes my heart soar with peace and happiness.

Oodles and noodles and doodles of love,
Mama

So Many Names for One Little Girl

While walking home from downtown the other week, I started thinking about all the little nicknames and terms of endearment Vivian has. Is it normal for a kid who's been on this planet for only 9 months to have so many different names? I blame it on Vince, of course.

In any event, like any good on-hiatus first grade teacher, I started creating a graphic organizer in my mind. When I got home, I put it on paper. It makes me happy.

The Kinds of Questions I Ask {No. 2}

I have writer's block. So here's another desert island question:

If you could only eat one type of food for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?


Wedding anniversary + Viv's birthday dinner celebration from last month, April 9 {Homemade Pollo Mole + tortillas + salad with cilantro pepita dressing}

Yes, most of my desert island questions revolve around food. But not all, I promise.