Happy Zephyr is one year old. We had an awesome party for him the day after me and the (little) boys got back to CR from a VERY extended Christmas trip in SD. Pinatas with kids under 4.... danger danger! He is running now (yes, skipped the walking as expected) and trying out for the bull riding by sitting on his rocking chair backward and bucking until he feels really nuts and then lets go with the biggest, craziest smile you have ever seen. This kid is nothing but FUN! I love that Happy and Otis have such very different personalities. It was a challenge at first until I finally LET GO and realized that its more fun if mom just BACKS OFF and lets them. Humbling this whole parenting thing.... like 200% more of my daily dose of self critique than probably healthy. It is very nice to be home and back into a rythm. Where is Joe though? He is on a well deserved surf trip in California (geez, weren't we just there- oh yeah, but he was in CR then!)- I just wish I could appear in his world after the kids were asleep and the surf camp let him go! I miss the days of long drawn out chats that Joe and I so famously had. We did have a babysitter a few nights ago. That turned out to be a super fun night- but I drank WAY too much rum, didn't eat and didn't drink water. Yeah, it was a few days later that I came to. Unfortunate that I have lost my memory with age- ugh. Next babysitter night I had to promise Joe that I would stick to a few beverages (without enough sugar to give me sores on my tounge) and eat. At least then he would be able to understand what I was mumbling between sips and bites. I am going to go check out a pre-K school tomorrow with Otis. We had no intention of him going to school, let alone pre-school; that is until we realized he cannot communicate with children. He gets really freaked out around kids. He prefers playing with the mommies at playgroup. I think he is going to be STOKED when he makes his first friend that wants to play the same game OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN more than any patient woman that he pegs in the surf camp! Not to mention little Happiness getting some time to do his own thing too. Now's the time for little men to be little men! (and no, I won't cry.... much....) I'll keep you posted.

Otis

special moment.... today My little inquisitive Otis talked to me about life before Otis
He asked,
"Remember Mommy? When Otis lived in your tummy? Mommy, were there windows in your tummy?"
Although I was unable to answer you today beyond a tearful smile, my answer is...
Yes, there was a window... into your Mommy's heart baby boy, only into my heart.

been awhile

Wow, I cannot believe that my last post I was, well, right where I am now! Otis, Happy and I have been in San Diego for just over an (unexpected) month. We are packing up the OB Cottages and set out to live a simpler (and yes, more financially savvy) life in ONE country. Joe and I met in Orlando, Florida for the Surf Expo and had our first 4 days, 3 night vacation together (just us) since the boys were born. It turns out, it wasn't long enough!!!!

I am missing Joe- not feeling particularly insightful at the moment, but wanted to just say hello to my boys (I hope they will someday read this to learn a little history of their lives). Otis and Happy are amazing creatures. I could not ask for a more conducive life to be able to watch their every move in awe, and with front row tickets! I treasure these years with them, I thank Joe for allowing me the unpressed time to have with them and hope that my unfaltering attention will help them to continue to be kind, conscientious people in a world that can offer so much. The trick is to listen to the heat of the earth below you, sway with the winds above you and remember that each day is a gift, not only for you, but for the people who get to see your smiling face and feel your warmth of character.

There is magic in the eyes and words of our new president. Not for just his plans and tactics, but for the fact that despite all that he is expected to maintain, salvage and make better in this WORLD he is EXCITED to be the president. He is looking forward to being the one that wakes up to those challenges for all of us every day.

Motherhood makes me yearn for every person to be a gift for me. Why not smile? Why not think about what a gift it is when someone notices your face and smiles.
Just a smile can change EVERYTHING. Its our way of sharing our energy...
And mom always taught us to share.