project gilhooly

Year 6 is off to a snowy start

2012-01-19T15:44:00.000-08:00

Zeb's birthday present? A snow day.

For breakfast we had chocolate pancakes. We built 2 lego sets. He played a kinect video game while I got some work done. Then we set out to hike to Golden Gardens to play in the snow with Iko. We had many stops along the way to sit in the snow, tip it off of tree branches, slide down steps, roll down the trail, eat "snow cones" (from the top of wooden fence posts in the park), slide down the slide, then walk the hill and stairs back to the coffee shop for hot chocolate (and they even had rice milk and non-dairy chocolate to make him a hot cocoa!). We took the bus for the last leg of the trip home then warmed up with dinner and a movie.

Photos from yesterday are in the Year 6 set.

Happy Birthday, Zeb!

Farmer's Luck

2012-01-02T09:30:00.000-08:00

On New Year's Eve, I posted the following to Facebook and want to share it here as well:

I've been living "The Farmer's Luck" story the last few days. You know the story? The farmer had a horse. It ran away. The neighbors said, "such bad luck." The next day the horse returned with two more, "such good luck." The best example from the last few days: as I'm driving, my car starts beeping and flashing an oil container symbol. The owner's manual says, "pull over. stop driving. call your dealer." Dealer says put in 1 quart of oil and bring it in. Get to the dealer, "Are you prepared to leave your car over the weekend?" "Um. No. Could you help me arrange a rental?" "I can do better. Here's a loaner. We're closed Monday so the soonest we'll get your car back to you is Tuesday." The free loaner? It's a bright red, 2011 Audi A4 with 900 miles, Sirius radio, heated leather seats, and goes really really fast. "Maybe good luck and bad luck are all mixed up. You never know what will happen next."

Looking back, being now, hoping forward

2012-01-02T09:02:00.000-08:00

2011 was a year of empty spaces: creating them, exploring them, letting go of the need to fill them. Twelve months of new moons: darkness, letting go, purging fruitless thought patterns. It was a year of self-love: acupuncture, therapy, practicising saying "no." A cycle around the sun of expanding spirit: playing piano, meditating, spending time with me. A year of parenting: kindergarten, swolphins, my son as a mirror shining light on my inner child.

My hope is that 2012 will be a year of clearer spaces: less dust, discernment, welcoming what is desired. May it be twelve months of full moons: lightness, joy, receiving blessings. A year of love: myself, my family, opening up to "yes." 365 days of: shining, joyful, bold bountiful beautiful being. A year of mothering: first grade, coaching, a cycle of meaningful and memorable rituals.

And, I intend to take Neil Gaiman's advice and make mistakes...and enjoy the wisdom that comes from learning rather than the criticism of imperfection.
Happy new year and much love to you all.

Overdue Update

2010-09-22T16:21:00.000-07:00

Life has been pretty busy since March, when I last posted. Not sure if anyone is still following me here...seems like everyone has migrated over to Facebook. But for those of you still here, (hello? Is this thing on?) here are the highlights:

I started working for Microsoft in July. I'm a Senior Strategist and absolutely love the job. It's challenging, I'm learning a ton and I could really make a difference. It's like all things have been leading up to this. It's amazing.
Zeb started at a full-time preschool/daycare also in July. I was nervous about him spending so much time there but he did fantastic. He changed preschools in September and again is doing well. Biggest concern is food although that seems to be going well so far.
And the third major change in July, was that our friend Kristen and her cat moved into one of our first floor rooms. She's inspired all sorts of changes around the house. It's been fantastic.
I won't go into details, but I continue to have an amazing time dating. There's one dude in particular who I've been dating since June and I'm very fond of him. ;)
My social circle continues to grow and I am blessed with an awesome community.
John and I are getting along pretty well. I considered inviting him over for a party this weekend but decided I wasn't quite ready for that. We aren't officially divorced yet but we're close.
I finally got some new glasses as well as contacts. I also bought some new clothes. I've been calling it The Wendy 3.0 packaging.

All-in-all, life is really good. It's full and busy and rich. I'm loving it.

Please drop me a line or leave a comment. I'd love to hear from you.

xoxo,
--w

Not so solo

2010-03-09T15:33:00.001-08:00

seeing
Originally uploaded by wendy chisholm

The year mark (April 4) is 26 days away. Funny that it falls on Easter...as a new life is truly about to begin.

This weekend, I looked at the Wendy 3.0 collage for the first time in a few months. I am proud to report that I'm actively manifesting many of those intentions. I'm climbing, hiking, doing yoga, meeting lots of new people, working on my career and strengthening my abs (they will never be what they were pre-pregnancy but some sort of somethin'-somethin' seems to be on its way back). Still to do: a more off-road, Iko-friendly car, more jewelry, new glasses and gardening.

And, hey look! I took a pictures of something other than Zeb! Hooray creativity.

Shy of a year

2010-02-01T15:12:00.000-08:00

Last week, we started negotiating our parenting calendar for the next few months. I had a couple of edits for February and March then I stumbled onto April. Looming towards the end of the month was a long swath of blue, which on my calendar indicates that he's traveling. As I looked at the label for that swath, I realized that it was the same conference from which he called me and we decided to end our marriage...I realize that I've been in shock for most of the last year.

It's been a beneficial shock treatment and as I approach the anniversary of The End I will grieve it in a way that I was not capable of as it was happening. As such, the universe is presenting me with several scenarios that a year ago I would have handled very differently. It's good to have tangible results to show that my thinking has changed. I know there is more to change, more patterns to rework, more ruts to destroy.

I've taken the last year to shed the old and dead. Many layers have peeled away. I see (at least) one more, major layer that needs to peel...this one is more like a scab or a snakeskin. This one is going to hurt. A pruning where I leave visible bits behind. I have strength this February that I did not have last year. The work I've done for the last 9 months has given me a reserve of strength so that I can face Fear and Pain head on. Sit with them. Hold them. Transform them. No longer running away or denying them. I have invited them in and will listen to all that they have to stay. I've already heard some interesting things...and they are just getting started.

I've been joking that I've been a pupa for the last year (heh heh, she said poop) and now it is time to spin my cocoon for the butterfly to emerge in May.

(Hmmm. SciFi Brain perks up at that: Perhaps I'm not a butterfly but a Grindle Fly mixed with Fear and Pain and perhaps we'll all be transformed into Love and Compassion on the other side. But, hopefully it's more like Wonkavision and Fear and Pain will just get smaller on the other side...but then I would, too, and that's no good. I need to be getting bigger, bolder, brighter. heh. I love brains--the leaps, the connections....which reminds me...ZOMBIES.)

Pupa out!

4

2010-01-21T21:33:00.001-08:00

Sunday night, Zeb celebrated his birthday with a train-shaped cake with four candles and two scoops of hemp ice cream surrounded by a few friends singing "Happy Birthday" in a cabin at Mt. Baker. When people wished him "Happy Birthday" on Monday--his actual birthday--he asked, "Is it *still* my birthday?" "Today is your actual birthday. We celebrated yesterday with our friends. You'll celebrate tomorrow with your daddy and we'll celebrate again on Friday with your friends at preschool. We're going to celebrate all week!" Tuesday he woke up, "Is it my birthday again today?" :)

From my perspective, serving a cake that Hillary baked at the base of Mt. Baker was waaaaaaaaaaaaay less stressful than the party we threw last year.

Note to self: remember to read your blog next year when you're planning Zeb's 5th birthday party.

Ha. I'm sure everything will be totally different next year. He'll have more friends he'll want to invite. Who knows where we'll be living. Who knows what life will be like. Huh. That's funny to think about. Life in a year...well, if it's anything like the last 9 months you won't recognize either one of us!

The most amazing thing about this party was that I forgot my camera!! I have zero pictures from the weekend. I have been carrying my camera less and less. It's a bummer for the blog but it's great for being in the moment. Here's a picture from Zeb's first year.

Happy Birthday, Zeb! I am so proud of how you are expressing your emotions. I love all of the characters that you become throughout a day. I enjoy the characters that I get to play and the scenes that you set up for us. I wonder if someday you'll be a movie director. tee-hee. I love the person you are and I love watching you grow and learn. I love watching you dance and race and hug and push and yell and draw and count and recognize letters. You are such a good, sweet, smart, interesting, interested, creative, wonderful person. I love you. I look forward to celebrating your birthday again tomorrow.

Happy MMX!

2010-01-01T17:19:00.001-08:00

Xmas morning - 1
Originally uploaded by Three Seas

One of the best things I heard at a New Year's Eve party last night is that 2010 is MMX in Roman Numerals. Ha! So, forget the debate about "is it twenty ten or two thousand ten" just call it "mmx!"

I'm late on getting photos published from Thanksgiving, Solstice, Christmas, and beyond. Here is mom's set from Christmas morning.

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-21T17:30:00.001-08:00

Zeb & Wendy Xmas - 06
Originally uploaded by Three Seas

Wishing you all a year abundant with delight and adventure, curiosity and discovery, love and joy.

Happy Solstice and a Happy New Year!

Much love,
Wendy and Zeb

(outtakes from the photo shoot)

Not about me

2009-11-30T01:52:00.001-08:00

those eyes!
Originally uploaded by wendy chisholm

I've been writing a lot about myself lately and I realize I need to give Zeb some air time! Here are some quick updates.

Last Wednesday we took Iko to the vet for a wound on his leg that doesn't seem to be healing. On our way out, the receptionist asked Zeb if he was going to pay. He replied, "I don't have any money. My girl does." (and pointed to me). She asks, "Oh, your mom will pay. I thought you looked a lot older. Maybe 15." Exasperated he says, "Oh come on! I'm only 3 and a half!" Much laughter followed.

We start many of our days with either a race or a dance party. His favorite song is "Shake it out" by Karl Denson's Tiny Universe. (Great Taste!) We also often play this song in the car on the way to preschool.

Zeb likes to pretend. He most often plays the role of: Bumblebee (or more recently, *New* Bumblebee), Blue Racing Car, Little Bolt, or Baby Bird. I am assigned the following corresponding roles: Wheeljack, Red Racing Car, Big Bolt (or Penny), or Mama Bird. Hillary is sometimes Thundercracker, Pink Racing Car, or Medium Bolt. Iko is usually White Racing Car.

There are more photos of Zebulon from the last month or so.

Radiant

2009-11-17T10:23:00.001-08:00

View of the Capitol
Originally uploaded by wendy chisholm

We're halfway through the 3rd trimester. The last time I wrote was 6 weeks ago and in that time I've been to California twice and to D.C. once. I met a U.S. Senator, the Director of the NSF and been the Seattle PI's Geek of the Week. I've started working 30+ hours per week, been dancing a couple of times, reconnected with a very dear friend, and continued to date. I've sobbed in therapy and felt happier than I have in a long time. I'm meeting new people and finding myself in the midst of two amazing, smart, warm, wise communities. I feel blessed. I continue to reprogram my brain and body. Several times per day I rest my hands on my belly and check in with my gut then move my hands to my chest and check in with my heart. I'm getting lots of good information...and listening to it.

The current nugget that I'm wrestling with is accepting that I am a geek and there are people out there who are attracted to geeky women in glasses. [[...deleted opinions about John not finding geeks attractive and me spending most of our relationship trying to hide the fact that I'm a geek with glasses...]]

A friend told me this morning that I looked radiant. This is after crying and not showering. He truly thought I looked beautiful. And, I felt radiant. Not because I looked beautiful, but I felt and looked like MYSELF. Wendy 3.0 in her full glory.

Seeing myself through my eyes instead of others. Loving what I see because it is me. I am lovable! It's been so long since I've felt that. It's so hard to admit and so freeing to admit that.

So, here I am. A geek with glasses. A big brain and a big heart.

Radiant.

Third Trimester

2009-10-05T08:56:00.000-07:00

When I started on the path of being single again, I had an inkling it was going to take 9 months to birth the new me. I started calling future me "Wendy 3.0" and started caring for myself as if I were physically pregnant--eating better, exercising, massaging my feet, cranial sacral sessions, massage, trips to the spa, a few new clothes, and journaling like mad. In a few days, it will be 6 months since I began this journey. Our paperwork was filed with the court last week which means in 90 days--assuming everything goes smoothly--I will be divorced. 90 days from today is almost exactly 9 months.

That means we're starting the 3rd trimester. I loved the 3rd trimester of my pregnancy with Zeb. My hair was gorgeous and I got all sorts of special treatment. I had an excuse to leave boring conversations ("gotta pee!") and had license to nap whenever, wherever I wanted. Interestingly, Zeb was also conceived in April which means I was starting the 3rd trimester with him in October 2005 (although later in the month). I was also talking about the changes within and how my perspective on work was shifting. And, I had one of the coolest Halloween costumes ever.

I've spent most of this weekend reflecting on how much I've changed in the last 6 months...how much our lives have changed. It doesn't seem possible that things can change so quickly and sometimes I doubt that it's "real" change. That someday I'll go back to being my old self. Yet, looking back on my pregnancy, I've done it before. It truly is amazing how much difference 9 months can make.

Then I started looking forward.

As soon as Zeb was born, we entered the 4th trimester--those first 3 months when babies get used to living outside of the womb and are so defenseless. That was a shocking time. It was challenging to completely shed my previous life and become a mother. There was so much joy, love, and stress and so little sleep!

Will Wendy 3.0 also need a 4th trimester or will she be more like a colt--bolting around hours after birth? What major shocks loom around the corner?

In contrast to Zeb's 4th trimester being the hardest part of the birthing Zeb, I'm hoping the hardest part of birthing Wendy 3.0 was the first--those first 3 disorienting, wrenching months.

I spoke with a friend this weekend who is in the fourth trimester with her newborn daughter. There are some challenging times, but I was also reminded of the beautiful times: the times that I spent staring at Zeb for hours watching him breathe. Of the time that we were sitting on the couch in our living room and a bald eagle flew down the alley past our window. Of the myriad facial expressions that constantly amused us. Of all the "firsts"--the first time nursing in public, the first road trip, the first laugh.

There are exciting times ahead. I've done it before. I will do it again.

AND to add to all of this talk about birthing...my brother and Sarah welcomed Jada Lucille Chisholm to this earth over the weekend!! I'm so proud of my brother and Sarah and so in love with them. I wish I could be there to help.

I love the beautiful spiral that we travel on together. Lots of love to all of you.

Burning Man

2009-09-07T19:36:00.001-07:00

Thursday's self-portrait after the ritual
Originally uploaded by anneke b

I got back from Burning Man yesterday. After lots of beta testing on the playa, I released the second beta release of Wendy 3.0...not sure if that makes the current version 3.2 or 3.0 beta 2. Help? A few photos of my time in Black Rock City are available.

Wendy 3.0 Beta Release Party

2009-08-17T11:41:00.001-07:00

Serious about cake
Originally uploaded by anneke b

Yesterday, was my 38th birthday and to celebrate, I held a "Wendy 3.0 Beta Release Party" on the beach with friends and a Rice Krispie Cake. The origins of the cake: I was allergic to wheat, milk, and eggs as a child so one year my mom invented the cake. It's two sheets of rice krispies with a layer of chocolate icing in between as well as spread all around. Photos of the release party are available.

Reality Mom

2009-08-06T23:33:00.000-07:00

Check out the Summer/Fall edition of "Reality Mom" for my short story, "Shuttle Express Prophet." If you don't live in the Seattle area, you can order a copy from the Reality Mom blog (address above).

Pennsylvania Partay!

2009-07-29T13:39:00.001-07:00

Zach, me, dad, and zeb at sunset (photo by sarah)
Originally uploaded by anneke b

Zeb and I traveled to Erie, Pennsylvania to celebrate my grandparent's 70th wedding anniversary. We also attended a family reunion and lots of smaller parties of various contingencies. We spent quality time with Uncle Zach, Sarah, Gilhooly (Zach and Sarah's baby-to-be), Grandpa Greg, Auntie M, Rebecca, the Brennan cousins, the Schneider cousins, and all of our other aunts, uncles, cousins, and so many other relatives and friends! Zeb really enjoyed hanging out with Chaz and Jay and they did such a good job of "Zeb wrangling."

In the "it's a small world category," our nanny is from Erie. So, while we were in town we saw her younger sister perform the role of Sarah Brown in "Guys and Dolls" and met her parents!!

A few photos of our trip are available in the 70th set. Look to Facebook for photos from other family and friends.

Public Radio

2009-07-26T13:59:00.001-07:00

I made my first appearance on public radio this weekend! Jeannie Yandel from Puget Sound Public Radio (KUOW) interviewed me at my house a couple weeks ago and the segment aired on Saturday. Visit, "Web Accessibility for Everyone" to listen to the interview. I'm working to have a transcript published. Check it out!

A new world

2009-07-15T10:26:00.000-07:00

"It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine." R.E.M.

Many changes are afoot in the Chisholm household. John moved out 1 May. The details aren't important. What is important is that I am moving forward. I have a lot of work to do but I'm pleased with the distance I've already covered in this short transition time.

I'm looking forward to birthing Wendy 3.0. I started dating John when I was 19, so 0-19 is Wendy 1.0. We spent 19 years together, Wendy 2.0. The next 19--who knows what is in store?! I created a collage of some of the things I would like to focus on in this next phase. Photos of my Wendy 3.0 collage. And this is the work that I need to do to best support Zeb through the transitions that he is going through.

Zeb and I spent Fourth of July in Colorado celebrating my cousin Chaille's marriage to Shawn. We spent lots of time with my mom and grandma. Zeb quickly figured out that I was mistaking "Grandma" and "Great-grandma" for whenever I called my mom, "Mom" he would chime in, "That's grandma."

As usual, he's an awesome traveler. We went to the Children's Museum, the Train Museum, and played miniature golf in the dark. Photos are online at flickr (Denver for Chaille's Wedding).

While I'm not blogging much these days, I twitter and post photos to flickr. The best place to find "all things wendy and zeb" is at my FriendFeed stream.

Wisdom

2009-06-04T09:51:00.000-07:00

From transcript of Barack Hussein Obama's speech "A New Beginning."

All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart, or whether we commit ourselves to an effort -- a sustained effort -- to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children, and to respect the dignity of all human beings.

It's easier to start wars than to end them. It's easier to blame others than to look inward. It's easier to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share. But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There's one rule that lies at the heart of every religion -- that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. (Applause.)

This truth transcends nations and peoples -- a belief that isn't new; that isn't black or white or brown; that isn't Christian or Muslim or Jew. It's a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the hearts of billions around the world. It's a faith in other people, and it's what brought me here today.

We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written.

The Holy Koran tells us: "O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another."

The Talmud tells us: "The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace."

The Holy Bible tells us: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of
God." (Applause.)

The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God's vision. Now
that must be our work here on Earth.

Thank you. And may God's peace be upon you. Thank you very much. Thank you.
(Applause.)

The Pompass Ass Chainsaw Massacre

2009-06-01T12:46:00.001-07:00

DSC05001
Originally uploaded by Three Seas

After 5 years of living with this ginourmous, ugly Pompass Grass near the driveway, it's gone! It took a pickup truck and chain to pull it out of the ground, then a few hours of chainsawing by yours truly to get it stuffed into the yard waste bags. I now have a decent sized, sunny area to plant veggies. The first went in this last weekend: spinach, tomatoes, kale, and basil. More photos--and perhaps an explanation of how the "Grass" became known as "Ass"--soon.

Seattle by iPhone

2009-06-01T12:43:00.001-07:00

IMG_0012
Originally uploaded by Three Seas

My mom has been visitng since 19 May. She's taken some wonderful photos with her iPhone.

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T19:22:00.001-07:00

Photo of me by Zeb
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

Happy Mother's Day to all of you!

Happy Mother's Day to me!

I've added a few more photos to the Spring 2009 set on flickr.

Yesterday, Zeb and I drove to Tacoma. My high school friend's pottery club was having a sale and we wanted to check it out. Zeb picked out a teapot and cups that Jill (my friend) made. It's so cool to think that I've known the hands that crafted the teapot for over 30 years--we met when we were 6.

Then we headed to Point Defiance. I've never been there! I wanted to take Zeb to the zoo, it was the last weekend of the Beluga Whales, but the parking was beyond crazy. People were parked all over the place--I thought some of the cars were going to tip over. We went to the beach instead and put Zeb's skuut (wooden balance bike) together. Then we sat near the water for a while, met some other young boys who showed Zeb how do to wheelies on the skuut and how to balance on logs, had a snack, watched and waved to lots of boats, found ants crawling all over the logs, then headed back to Seattle.

After Zeb woke from an afternoon nap, we went to Zoe, Xavier, and Nathan's. After hanging out and playing for a while, Zoe and I performed an empowering and healing ritual. Zeb and I came home happy and silly.

Today, Zeb and I took Iko to the dog park. It was Iko's first ride in the audi. He sat in the front seat--in front of Zeb, who was thrilled to see Iko so excited and out of his element. We sang all the way to the dog park, "If you're happy and you know it wag your tail....if you're happy and you know it bark and howl....if you're happy and you know it stick your head out the window and let your tongue wag in the wind...."

I gave Zeb the choice of heading to Sears or Home Depot to look for either a new lawnmower or a weed whacker. He said to go to Sears and find a weed whacker--which is exactly what we did. He fell asleep on the way home, which was convenient because we needed to head north to visit with friends and check out the piano they are trying to give away.

He woke up right when we were arriving at our friend's house. We stayed there for a while, giving the 3 year old boys plenty of time to play with cars and trucks. The piano is really cool. It's from the 1950s and the keys are actual ivory--but peeling off so would need to be rekeyed (I found a kit online--would replace them with plastic and be able to glue them on). I can't believe that after all of these years (20), I can still play the opening bars of the last Mozart concerto that I performed. After that, I played several scales...again, the finger memory is astounding. It *felt* so good. I can't wait to have a piano at my disposal whenever I want to play. Hopefully, I'll be looking at another one in a couple weeks. The nice thing about the one that I saw today is that (as far as pianos go) it isn't overly heavy. So, while I'd pay for a kit to rekey it and would need to tune it and perhaps update some of the pads, the moving costs would probably be less than the other one I hope to look at next. Mmmm. Piano. I can't wait.

Now, we're watching WALL-E for the 300th time...and I still love this show. And I'm so happy to be the mother of such an awesome kid.

Weekend adventures

2009-04-27T20:30:00.001-07:00

sitting at the top of the slide with his wand
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

Saturday we took the ferry to Port Townsend. I got a meditation cushion and a yoga mat, Zeb got a wand (although he holds the crystal end and calls it a "sword").

Sunday we rallied a few folks for a bbq on the beach at Golden Gardens.

The other adventure this weekend was removing rotted wood from under the kitchen sink and slaying a scary spider.

Spring

2009-04-12T11:41:00.003-07:00

zeb and bishop
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

Zeb and I visited Lori and Sandro in Portland a couple weeks ago. We went to Silver Falls with Dayna and Bishop. While I was in Austin/L.A. John, Zeb, and Iko went to the mountains to play in the snow. More photos in the Spring 2009 set.

Spring

2009-04-12T11:41:00.001-07:00

zeb and bishop
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

Goodbye KaliKo

2009-02-26T12:37:00.001-08:00

Kali - 3
Originally uploaded by Three Seas

Tuesday we said goodbye to our dear friend KaliKo. She was my favorite officemate: she would keep my neck warm on cold days by forming herself into a living scarf. In touch with her digital cat, she would chase the cursor on the computer screen or sit on my mouse hand.

She was a super cool cat. A good friend. A warm snuggle buddy. There was a lot of personality in that tiny body, and she only let a few of us know her. Many of our friends never even knew we had a small, white cat! But there are a select few who gained her trust...only a handful of people who she would sit on or allow to pet her.

We'll miss you, girl.

My mom published a set of photos on flickr. I hope to put up some more in the upcoming weeks.

MerryHappy ChristmasNewYear'sBirthday, part 1

2009-01-25T14:15:00.000-08:00

In the last 35 days we've been to Illinois (Hazel Crest, Mokena and Chicago), Wisconsin (Appleton and Milwaukee), and California (Anaheim, Studio City, Burbank, and Pasadena). We've celebrated Christmas 4 times (in 4 states) and Zeb's 3rd birthday 5 times (including the party here in Seattle and a virtual party via webcam). We've seen cousins, siblings, parents, and lots of friends. We've visited famous landmarks like Navy Pier, Michigan Ave, the EAA AirVenture Museum, Disneyland, and Ventura Boulevard. We've played in snow, rain, and the sun. If you go back another month, you can add to all of those tallies one more state and city (Arizona, Tucson), another Christmas celebration, and playing in the desert.

Looking back at the sets of photos on flickr from the last couple of months, I can't believe how many places Zeb has traveled and how many people he's met. I am so thankful we have such beautiful family is such wonderful places. (There are 3 sets of photos: December 2008, Zeb's 3rd birthday party, and L.A. January 2009).

It all started on the Winter Solstice, 21 December--a Sunday. Seattle had already seen an unusual amount of snow and schools had been closed for a couple(?) of days. We were to fly around noon on a direct flight to Chicago, but hearing about flights being cancelled on Saturday and with the snow still falling, we were pretty sure our flight would be delayed. Not packed, we decided to relax.

Big mistake. Sunday we woke to more snow and no matter how many times I checked the web site, Southwest continued to show that our flight was "On time." We shoved presents and clothes into our bags and tried to find a way to the airport. Taxi companies weren't answering the phones. Friends didn't want to drive to the airport with all of the snow on the ground. Parking lots near the airport reported being full. Hoping for a flight delay, we threw our bags into the car and headed to the airport--unsure if we could make it and if we did, where we would park.

While the roads between here and I5 were beautiful (i.e., covered in snow), after John drove around the "Road closed" sign and got onto I5, we were fine. We made it to the airport and parked in long-term parking about 1 hour before our flight was to depart. I was still receiving text messages from Southwest that our flight was on-time. Our hearts sunk when the check-in line snaked back and forth in front of the check-in kiosks then bent around not one but two hallways. We kept our fingers crossed for a flight delay.

30 or so minutes later, we're finally checking in our bags and are told the flight has been delayed 1 hour. Thank goodness for the flight delay. We head through security and our gate. JetBlue announces that all flights have been cancelled. The boards shows several flights are delayed. Our flight no longer appears on the board. Uh-oh for the flight delay.

We figure we have time for lunch (thank goodness for the flight delay) so we stop, watch the snow and the planes taking off and landing. The airport is full--so many flights have been delayed or cancelled there are extra people milling around. Our gate is full and while the board shows that our flight should depart from here, the sign at the gate doesn't have our flight on it yet. There are two maybe three plane-fulls of people hanging around our gate. All of the seats are taken and many of us are sitting on the floor. Zeb has a box of candy canes and offers one to a lady sitting next to us, which is a great opener for starting a conversation (this boy has skillz).

Skipping ahead...we're landing at Midway in Chicago. We were only 3 hours delayed leaving Seattle. Zeb still has his box of candy canes and as we wait to exit the plane he starts handing them out to the passengers around us. As we walk off of the plane he has 2 candy canes left to hand out. He tries to hand one to a TSA agent sitting by the gate between the security and baggage claim. She says she can't take it and Zeb pouts. Determined, he sets off walking towards baggage claim looking for someone to give these candy canes to. He is unphased by the river of passengers swirling around him. He finds a young boy sitting, waiting for luggage. His face brightens when Zeb hands him the candy cane, although he is uncertain about accepting it. He looks to me and I reassure him that Zeb actually wants him to take the candy which he does with a big smile.

As we watch the weather the next few days we are thankful that we made it out of Seattle before the de-icer ran out. We listen to stories on the news about people stranded in Seattle. We also made it in to Chicago before the ice storm, tornado warnings, and "melt-down 2008" that caused flooding along river banks. It was a small window that we escaped through, making us appreciate the fact that we were in Chicago with family. It seemed like we were really supposed to be there.

The rest of the trip was just as magical and smooth. Snowed in (then iced in) we enjoyed time at the Boudreaus. Zeb has a firm handle on the concepts of "present," "Santa," and "Christmas Eve." He loved Grandma Mary Ann's Christmas Tree which she decorated with bubbly lights specially for him. The cats, Nipper and Buffy, were less excited about having Zeb as a guest.

Another neat thing that Grandma Mary Ann had for Zeb were Santa night lights in his room. He stayed in John's old room, tucked snuggly into a "real bed" (twin size mattress on a bed frame...compared to the crib mattress on the floor in his "nook" that he sleeps on at home). Seeing him sleep so soundly and proudly in that bed made us realize that it's time to move him into a big boy bed.

We spent Christmas Eve with Aunt Sylvia and John's cousins and their families. John's cousin Michael's daughter, Maddie (Madison), is a couple months older than Zeb. As soon as we walked into the house, they were off and running. They enjoyed each other's company *most* of the rest of the night. :) Christmas Day was at the Boudreau's. Lots of presents and relaxing and eating--another of Mary Ann's well-planned and tastily executed dinners. One of those nights, we shared Wall-E with Grandma Mary Ann and Grandpa Ron.

On the 26th we checked into The Avenue at Huron and Michigan Avenue. When John was looking for a hotel online, he saw a photo of a room that looked like a kid's room. When he called they said that was exactly what it was and gave it to him for a good price. It exceeded all of our best expectations: bean bags, balls, chalkboard with chalk, frog-shaped towels, a suction cup basketball hoop for the bathtub, a spinning globe night light, and lots of room to run around and play with all of it.

That night we walked down Michigan Ave to Borders and found a copy of my book on the shelf then checked out the model train display in the Hancock Tower lobby, then went to dinner. Saturday we took the free trolley to Navy Pier to watch a magician then went to the Children's Museum. That night, despite the rain, we took a taxi (Zeb's first carseat-free ride...he loved the taxi so much he pointed out every taxi that we passed) to Lincoln park for ZooLights. The two female lions sent the frisky male on his way while the string quartet played holiday tunes. At concessions, I drank a *real* eggnog while John sipped a beer. We road the carousel. Saw a few other indoor exhibits then took a taxi back to the hotel where we rented a movie.

Saturday, we cabbed back to Lincoln Park, this time to the Conservatory to meet our college friend Thom and his three children to check out the plants and, of course, more trains! We headed back to the zoo where we met two more college friends Bill and Jim and Jim's wife Hope. (Side note: Jim, Bill, and John were in a band Chassis for a long time...they made many wonderful songs together). So, it was a bit of a reunion at the zoo! We hung out with the gorillas for a while then headed to lunch.

Monday we packed the car up and started Phase III of Christmas 2008: Appleton, Wisconsin and a visit with my brother, Zach. After a beer at a local micro brewery and a trip to the grocery store, we headed back to Zach's where I cooked dinner and we watched Wall-E. Tuesday we went to the EAA AirVenture Museum...airplanes!

Wednesday we started Phase IV: Milwaukee. We stayed with Mark--one of John's friends from high school--his wife Sue and their children Alex and Elsa. Alex is 9 months older than Zeb, so they are a pretty good match. We arrived post-nap and a couple hours before Alex and Elsa returned home from daycare, so Zeb had some time to hang out at the place before they got home. We fed the kids dinner, set up a bed for Zeb in the office, and met the babysitter--one of the teachers at Alex's daycare. Guess what we put in the DVD player? Wall-E! Soon after, the four parents were off to our own dinner. Sue called the sitter who had managed to get all three kids to sleep. I was so proud of Zeb! A new house, a new bed, a new sitter....no problem.

So, it was off to the New Year's Eve party at Rachel and David's house. Mark and Sue wanted us to surprise everyone, so they hadn't told anyone we were coming and asked us to wait in the car for a few minutes so they could get in their greetings before we came through the door. People were definitely surprised! It was great to see everyone.

New Year's Day the boys (Mark, Alex, John, and Zeb) went to the Marquette v. Villanova game while the ladies (Sue, Elsa, and I) watched it from home. That night we built lots of forts and race tracks and the boys alternated between playing with and tormenting each other.

Friday we headed back to Hazel Crest for one final evening with the Boudreaus before catching an on-time flight early Saturday morning.

Zoinks! That's a lot of detail. I haven't even started about the Birthday Party or the California trip! Looks like this will be part 1 in a 2 or 3 part series. :)

Christmas #1

2008-12-15T10:45:00.001-08:00

the yoga mat catches wayward marbles
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

I'm not sure how many Christmases we'll have this year! (and the present-opening season will extend through January with Zeb's birthday!)

As a mom, I've finally started carrying a purse and it seems to increase in size each time Zeb has a birthday. It's getting heavier too and I've stopped carrying my old camera. I've been wanting something lighter, smaller and faster for a while. Yesterday, I finally got it! An Olympus stylus 10megapixel supercool camera. Here is one of the first pictures taken with it. It's Zeb playing with the marble run that he got from Grandma and Grandpa Chisholm (not to be confused with Great-Grandma Chisholm or GrandMomma Chisholm :). I would like to point out the incredibly cool structure that I assembled this morning--although not my own design--I had a blast putting it together. There are four points where the marbles can go one of two directions and four possible exit points. I can see how it can teach rudimentary debugging and problem-solving...it was a bit of a challenge at 8 am, but very rewarding.

Thankful in Tucson

2008-11-29T13:07:00.001-08:00

talking with grandpa in the wash
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

The "school bus" that drove us from the long-term parking lot to the airport was the first of many exciting adventures that we had last week. Zeb bounced around the bus excited to see airplanes and race cars and a quarter that fell from daddy's pocket...he was like a cat with catnip...very happy with every little detail. Inside the airport, was even more fun with the lights and hallways and people.

As for mom and dad, we were excited to *not* bring a stroller and to check his car seat. I was so unencumbered, I kept feeling like I was forgetting something!

Our flight left for Vegas at 2pm, otherwise known as "nap time" and true to form, Zeb fell asleep shortly after take-off and woke-up shortly after landing. The only hiccup in the trip was the need to exit the secure area to get to our next gate, there were a few tears when we denied him some "ffs" (french fries), but soon we were onto the next plane and he was happily sitting by the window with his seatbelt on. We kept him occupied during the short flight from Vegas to Tucson with the Peanuts' Thanksgiving Special on the iPod touch (no more portable DVD player! Yet another way we were able to lighten our load).

Zeb ran into Grandpa's arms as soon as they saw each other. It was such a great moment and verifies that he understands that grandpa isn't just a character on the computer screen (from our video chats), but a real person...family.

Our luggage apparently got off-track in Vegas and didn't arrive with us, but Southwest had a loaner car seat and said they would deliver our luggage to our hotel and take back the loaner if we left it at the front desk. When we woke up the next morning, there was our 2 suitcases and the car seat.

We spent Tuesday settling in to our new home, "nesting" as it were. In Zeb's case, he literally created a nest in the closet. (There's a picture in the Tucson Nov 2008 set on flickr.)

While the weather may not have been up to the Tucsonites standards, for us Seattleites, it was heavenly. Especially on Wednesday when it was 80 and sunny. We spent a couple hours at the Desert Museum. All of the animals, except the Javelinas, read the memo that we were going to be there and made their appearances. We saw a mountain lion, bighorn sheep, hummingbirds, snakes, a skunk, a coyote, wolves, a prairie dog, a beaver, an otter, a bobcat and lizards.

We celebrated Thanksgiving on Thursday at my smom and dad's house with my step-sister's family and my step-brother. It rained a little bit, but that didn't stop a few of us from eating outside.

Friday, we made a quick stop to a toy store on our way to the airport. We had another wonderful travel day and made it home in time to unpack, relax, and get to bed early. I think the key is to time our flights around Zeb's nap time. Both of our travel days started around 2pm so that he slept for a good chunk of each flight.

I am thankful for such a cool kid, especially one who likes to travel. I'm thankful for a mate who is such as awesome dad. I'm thankful for all of my dads, moms, grandmas, grandpa, brothers, sisters, nieces, and cousins--I wish I could see all of you more often! I'm thankful for my co-author and that we published a book together. I'm thankful for our home and friends. It's been a great year. We have so much to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!

autumn

2008-10-12T23:28:00.001-07:00

on the farm
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

Saturday, we went to the South 47 Farm to join in the fall harvest/halloween-related activities. Zeb ran around the pumpkin patch, we took a hayride around the farm, and we ate a picnic lunch.

A few weeks ago we had a playdate with L&J. J (a mom my age) asked L (her son, Zeb's age) if he knew my name. Zeb enthusiastically replied, "mama!" Then J said, "Wendy." Zeb looked at me and slowly said, "Weennnnndy" - drawing it out slowly like he was savoring and grokking every syllable. The next few days, he tried it out when we were alone. Driving the car, I'd hear, "Wendy?" from the back. "Yes, Zeb?" "Wendy?" "Yes. You have my attention. What do you need?" "Wendy." "Yes, that's my name." After a day or so, he went back to calling me "mama." A couple days ago, I was involved in something and he was trying to get my attention, "mama...mama....MAMA....MAMA....WENDY!" and did that get my attention! :) smart kid.

A while back I wrote that he made up his own songs about a word someone spoken during conversation. As in, "Let's get some coffee" would become a song, "coffee coffee coffee coffee coffee." Recently, he's started singing songs from preschool, like the abcs. He does a fairly good job of getting through a portion of the song, then he'll find a letter he likes (or gets stuck on) and riffs for a while, "a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p l m n o p n o p m n o p w x y and z w x y z w x y and z w x y and z."

My mom wrote Zeb a book called, "Why I like to go to the beach." It's 43 pages of her pictures and words telling Zeb a story about why she likes the beach, the many beaches in the world she has visited, and what she and Zeb have done together near the water in Seattle (Green Lake, the Locks, Shilshole Bay Marina, etc). Everyone who has seen it is convinced she should publish it. Let me know if you want to pre-order a copy. :)

From summer to autumn

2008-09-22T16:00:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe I haven't had anything to say since 14 July...let me bring you up-to-date.

25/26 July - Capitol Hill Block Party
30 July - submitted draft of the book manuscript for technical review
7-26 August my mom visited. During her visit, we went to the northwest quilt show and I helped Adrian (from John's group) cater and host a Moroccan BBQ. She gave her old digital camera to Zeb and he's filled 4 memory cards with photos. I'll be putting up the best of them - and some are really good.
30 August we went to Bumbershoot and ended up at the top of the Space Needle
3 times this summer I worked at the Master Gardener clinic at Woodland Park Zoo
11 September we turned in the final manuscript of the book (incorporating comments from our technical reviewers. Thanks!!). Our editor made some touch-ups and sent it on to copyedit. We should be getting a copy of that back to review in the next week or two. It looks like it will be in print sometime in November or December.
We had the house painted - a process that took longer than expected because of all the rain we had this summer.
Last week, I went to New York City to present at and attend Web 2.0 Expo. I left Monday morning and returned Thursday night. It was the longest that I've been away from Zeb! It was intense, awesome, and fun.

Zeb is growing up quickly. He's talking all the time and asking, "why?" "what happened?" and "What are you doing?" Our preschool co-op started a couple weeks ago and it's good to be back in the company of so many wonderful parents and kids. This year, Zeb goes two days per week and I only work on one day - which means I have one morning per week to get some work done.

Zeb's last day at daycare was the 12th and now he'll be at home with a sitter on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and all-day Wednesday.

So, that's a quick update. You'll be hearing more from me soon. :)

xoxo

Muffin tin monday #2

2008-07-14T12:09:00.001-07:00

Muffin tin monday #2
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

This is our second week of "muffin tin monday" - a brilliant idea hatched by Sycamore Stirrings. Several other families are contributing their weekly contributions and she posts them on her blog. She also created a flickr pool.

Join the fun!

Zeb's first sparkler - video

2008-07-05T19:52:00.000-07:00

Description: Zeb's first sparkler is lit while he's sitting on John's lap. John encourages Zeb to stand up. After he's up, he's tentatively holding onto the sparkler. A breeze blows some smoke from the sparkler into Zeb's face, he grimaces and turns away from the camera. As the sparkler gets uncomfortably short and close to Zeb's hand, John and Wendy both comment that this doesn't seem too safe and the clip ends.

Happy Birthday, America!

2008-07-05T17:14:00.001-07:00

zeb's first sparkler
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

We spent the weekend in Portland with our good friends Lori and Sandro. We arrived Thursday evening and Lori watched Zeb while John and I went for dinner at Sandro's restaurant, Alu. I'm not sure how we consumed *two* bottles of wine, but not only were we still standing, we were ready to dance. We ran into Lori and Sandro's neighbors, who have a 9-month-old, and the 4 of us parents hit the town.

The next day I was surprisingly *not* ill, but I was very tired. Lori and John took Zeb to the park and I slept. Then we went to a picnic held at the newly co-habitated home of another good college friend and her fiance. Then it was off to Aequis spa - in the penthouse of an old, downtown building with a clock tower - for an employee party and fireworks. That's where Zeb experienced his first, second, and third sparklers. This photo is the second - by now he has the hang of it. I have a video of the first - with a couple exciting moments.

At the end of the night, back at Lori and Sandro's, neighborhood kids were lighting fireworks. As we fell asleep, Zeb could hear them, and with each pop and whistle exclaimed, "fireworks!"

Today, as we hit the road for home, he was still talking about the fireworks.

After a smooth drive home, here we are unpacking and preparing for another week. Cheers!

weekend

2008-07-01T08:14:00.001-07:00

putt putt
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

what a wonderful weekend! Friday night was our first "family date night" - we took Zeb to see "Wall-E" - his first experience watching a movie in a theater. (*great* movie)

Saturday John and I were "juice cleansing" as part of a week-long liver detox, so we didn't have too much energy. Zeb and I woke up early, fed the neighbor's chickens and watered their garden, mowed our yard then watered our garden, then I fixed him some breakfast and myself some cranberry juice mixed with orange and lemon juices (the only "food" we were to consume for the day). It was 80+ degrees and gorgeous outside, so John decided to walk Iko and Zeb to the Greenwood car show while I slept. When I woke up, I picked them up in the car. After Zeb's afternoon nap and the White Sox/Cubs game (John's a southsider), we joined Clint and Sue for 18 holes of putt putt golf. Zeb usually hit the ball from the "tee" halfway through the green, then he'd carry it to the hole and putt it in.

We spent Sunday morning in the garden until it got too hot - chatting with various neighbors as they walked by. We did our grocery shopping for the week then wound down the weekend in prep for a short week by hanging out on the deck watching the sun set and harvesting 3 radishes.

And, it's a short week...so it will be family weekend time again soon. Hurrah!

3 radishes

2008-07-01T07:38:00.001-07:00

1st radish
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

We harvested 3 radishes yesterday!

Then we ate them up. yum.

on the hayride

2008-06-24T10:08:00.001-07:00

DSC04529
Originally uploaded by sycamorepictures

Thanks to Katy for taking this photo! This is on the hayride that we took at the farm last Friday.

farm friday

2008-06-20T15:16:00.001-07:00

farmer zeb
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

We started off farm friday with a visit to South 47 Farm's Tots program. Today, we - along with several of the mom/child(ren) pairs from our co-op - learned about worms. We made a worm purse, filled it with dirt, then dug in another pile of dirt for a worm. Zeb's worm was dark red and wiggly - Zeb was fascinated. We picked fresh spinach, but Zeb's favorite part of the day was the hay ride - he was *all* about the tractors (just like his grandpa and great-grandpa, eh?). After we rode the trailer full of hay around the farm (pulled by the tractor), he went looking for more tractors, and watched the tractor pull other people around the farm. When it was time to leave, he bid the tractor farewell...with tears in his eyes. Apparently, we'll be going back there often. They have the tots program regularly and teach a different subject each time.

I almost forgot, when we first arrived, we looked at chickens, alpacas, goats, and ducks. Zeb wasn't too interested in the animals, but *really* interested in how the chicken coop worked - the doors that slid for harvesting eggs, the hooks that kept the pens shut, and lifting the lid to peer inside the hen house. I'm seeing a lot of "engineer" in this little dude.

After we got home, we went to the neighbor's house to care for their veggies and chickens. They have 3 hens in a coop in their yard. We opened the door and talked with them for a while. I really enjoy their yard. It's a city lot but it is so fertile and private. I'm green with envy. (heh). Coming back to our house, it makes me realize how many more places I can tuck more growing things...but also how much natural space we lack. I'm torn between going up (growing veggies on the roof and on a rooftop deck) and going out (looking for a larger, different property). I still think there's quite a lot of potential in our lot, and if not, I can always help out the neighbors or sign up for a p-patch.

When he went down for his nap, I tended to my own garden. I harvested three more heads of lettuce (that's 6 so far) and watered everything. I also cleaned up the spinach we picked at the farm. In doing so, I snacked on the fresh, crispy greens. mmmm.

My tomatoes are not looking good - especially compared to the starts at the farm and my neighbor's. If we hope to eat any tomatoes that we've grown, I'll have to get some fresh starts. Maybe after nap we'll walk up to Swanson's to look for locally grown veggies.

Seeing the rows and rows of veggies on the farm today and reading about the summer harvest in "Vegetable, Mineral, Miracle" I really want more things growing on our land/deck/whatever...I'm already thinking about next year.

smiling iko

2008-06-09T22:05:00.001-07:00

smiling iko
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

Our neighbors own a second home near Lake Wenatchee. They decided not to go last weekend and wondered if we would like to. Yes! So, off we went Saturday morning and found a beeeeutiful 3 bedroom, log cabin with a hot tub and a view of the lake. It's nestled on 4 acres in the woods. We were all happy to be out of the city, but Iko was ready to move in. I haven't seen him smile this much in a while - one very happy puppy. He spent most of the time on the lower deck or in the driveway.

3 kids, 2 moms, and a minivan

2008-06-03T22:51:00.001-07:00

3 happy kids on a log
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

Friday night was Zeb's first camping trip! It's hard to believe that it took this long to get him out for his first full night in the woods. For the most part, he had a great time. He kept climbing into his car seat - I think looking for a familiar space, something of "his." But, it sure looked like he was saying, "Ok! All done here, ready to go home."

We could see the river from our tent and I enjoyed walking him through a rousing rendition of "Goodnight everything." We started out saying good night to the river, then the woods, the tent, the mountains, and all sorts of things we usually don't get to bid good night.

It was good that it wasn't the three of us, our backpacking tent was perfect for the back country but not big enough for 3. Time to start shopping. More photos are available in the Spring 2008 set.

photo update

2008-05-24T12:23:00.001-07:00

looking up
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

I've been keeping Zeb and I busy while John's been in Morocco. We've walked Green Lake, hosted a few playdates, went with Kristen to Volunteer Park, attended a few barbeques, and all sorts of good stuff. Zeb and Dalillah went to the International Children's Fest last week and to the Pacific Science Center this week.

All of the seeds that we've planted have started coming up. I set one basil outside, but I don't think it's quite warm enough. Today, I set the 2 tomato starts and the 2nd basil out. I'll leave them out there as long as its sunny then bring them in tonight. I'll try that over the next few days in an attempt to harden them off and hope they'll be out there to stay by the end of the week. They've outgrown their space on the kitchen windowsill! I bought beet and radish seeds and hope to get those in the ground this weekend. We need to separate the chives (anyone want some? I can't believe that *all* of the seeds came up...) and carrots.

I've added some photos to the Spring 2008 set. Enjoy!

Positive negative

2008-05-23T15:09:00.000-07:00

Zeb had an appointment with the allergist today and several of the results were negative. Hooooray!! Today it was skin tests and he was such a trooper. The only part of the procedure that bothered him was right when his skin started to hive - he wanted to itch and couldn't. But, he didn't complain too much and I found that fanning his back with a book not only eased the itch it entertained him as well. Here are the results. Big numbers mean big hives which means big allergies. The first number is the height of the hive the second is the width.

Controls: Histamine 6/20, Saline 0/0

Corn 0/0

Rice 0/0

Wheat 5/15

Egg white 20/40

Cow milk 5/25

Sesame 0/0

Peanut 18/35

Soybean 15/25

Kidney bean 0/0

Lentil 0/0

Garbanzo 0/0

The top three are the same: egg, soy, and peanut and he's still allergic to wheat and milk. We didn't test any nuts and with a strong reaction to peanut I'm not going to attempt any other nuts any time soon.

But, I'm *super* excited to see that several legumes tested negative!! That's a first! I was obviously enthusiastic, so their advice was, "It's ok to start feeding them to him. Try them one at a time and observe him for several hours afterwards." weeeee! The first thing I'm trying is hummus then my favorite chickpea/potato curry. I'm so happy to have a couple other sources of protein other than meat. [huge sigh]

I threw rice and corn in there as my own "controls." I needed to see some staples show up on the negative list for once. Next week we need to do a blood test as well. They will correlate the results of the skin test to the blood test then continue the blood tests every 6 months. They hope to see the numbers decrease and that he'll outgrow them.

Finally!! Some negative news!

Update:

After I wrote this, I dug up our last set of skin test results. These are from 21 June 2006 (when Zeb was 5 months old. He's now 28 months).

Controls: Histamine 5/15, Saline 0/0

Wheat 0/0

Egg white 15/22

Cow milk 0/0

Peanut 10/20

Soybean 4/15

All of the numbers are larger. It was these results that made me think it was ok to feed him milk and wheat - which I did for a few months around his first birthday. Either he developed the allergies to wheat and milk *after* 5 months old or the tests were not accurate. I wonder if those few months caused the allergies!?

That makes me much more cautious to introduce the new foods. But, I can't be afraid forever. With my own allergies, I tested myself every few months for several years and watched my reactions lessen. Let's hope it's the same for him. It's onwards and upwards with garbanzos. Wish us luck!

something new

2008-05-17T06:36:00.001-07:00

Apparently, there's this revolutionary thing happening around here. This really big orb rises in the sky, shines all day, warms up the air, and then you can go outside without rain gear or jackets! We tried it today and it was really nice. I'm not sure if we'll see it again any time soon. I think it's called "sun" but I could have misunderstood one of the conversations I overheard when we were on one of three major trips out of the house today. Usually, we only make one or two, but today, because of the shiny warm thing, we were out of the house most of the day. It was great!

One of the interesting side effects is that our skin is a little pink. It looks nice, I have no complaints. Other people put white stuff on their skin so they can stay white. I'll have to investigate what it is they are using and how they like it.

the sun is up but the son is down

2008-05-15T20:17:00.000-07:00

The birds and breeze in the trees catch my ear.

Pause.

Notice.

Tired boy long day no nap.

Traveling man flying Africa.

Emotional shadows of friends - women, mothers, children.

Through the windows:

trees, rooftops, Puget Sound, pastel sky, flowers on my porch...

awash in sun setting.

Pause.

Notice.

The sun is up but the son is down.

I am. The house. Content.

Stretching beyond the windows to the horizon.

Peace.

for the birds

2008-05-15T12:41:00.000-07:00

We're having fun attracting birds to the deck. But, we've noticed some weird things like sprigs of thyme in the bird bath. John thinks they like to smell like thyme - aromatherapy for birds. I like the theory, but suspect they're looking for food. The rosemary and lettuce have been clipped, too.

36 questions

2008-05-13T18:56:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure why I love these things....I guess I enjoy sharing odd facts about myself in exchange for odd facts about others. So, here's mine, show me yours! (This is my response to macabre).

1) Are you currently in a serious relationship?
A. Yes.

2) What was your dream growing up?
A. That I would live in a corner penthouse in San Francisco and wear navy blue power suits.

3) What talent do you wish you had?
A. I wish I had a better memory for names, trivia, and facts.

4) If I bought you a drink what would it be?
A. A glass of red wine.

5) Favorite vegetable?
A. Red beets.

6) What was the last book you read?
A. "The Songs of Distant Earth" by Arthur C. Clarke

7) What zodiac sign are you?
A. Leo

8) Any Tattoos and/or Piercings? Explain where.
A. A lion on my right arm, a monkey on my left arm, and a tree of life on my right shin/calf.

9) Worst Habit?
A. Procrastinating.

10) If you saw me walking down the street, would you offer me a ride?
A. Most likely, yes. Assuming my back seat passenger isn't cranky.

11) What is your favorite sport?
A. Snowboarding.

12) Do you have a Negative or Optimistic attitude?
A. Depends on the time of the month.

13) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?
A. Chat.

14) Worst thing to ever happen to you?
A. Hmm. Don't think I want to share that one on a public blog.

15) Tell me one weird fact about you.
A. I love the smell of books - but only a certain kind of paper and ink.

16) Do you have any pets?
A. One cat and one dog.

17) What if i showed up at your house unexpectedly?
A. I'd be very happy! Come on in!

18) What was your first impression of me?
A. I don't remember (see question #3).

19) Do you think clowns are cute or scary?
A. Neither.

20) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?
A. New eyeglass frames.

21) Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?
A. Your conscience.

22) What color eyes do you have?
A. Brownish green.

23) Ever been arrested?
A. No.

24) Bottle or can soda?
A. Bottle.

25) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it?
A. Pay off the car.

27) What's your favorite place to hang at?
A. Home.

28) Do you believe in ghosts?
A. Yes.

29) Favourite thing to do in your spare time?
A. Garden.

30) Do you swear a lot?
A. No.

31) Biggest pet peeve?
A. George Bush.

32) In one word, how would you describe yourself?
A. Grounded.

33) Do you believe/appreciate romance?
A. Yes.

35) Do you believe in God?
A. In some sense - yes.

36) Will you repost this so I can fill it out and do the same for you?

voila!

up

2008-04-30T14:23:00.001-07:00

up
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

Last weekend, we put Zeb in the jogging stroller, food in the cooler, Iko on a leash, and shoes on our feet and walked the backroads to Carkeek Park. We left around 10 a.m. arrived around 11. Explored the beach, ate our picnic lunch, played in the playground, and hit trees with sticks by the stream. We were home by 2 and all asleep by 2:30. More photos of our trip have been added to the Spring 2008 set.

deck garden

2008-04-26T21:29:00.001-07:00

deck garden
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

My new helper around the house is very thorough with a watering can. Here he is digging in the future home of our carrots.

hello? is this thing on?

2008-04-25T14:47:00.001-07:00

sandy boy
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

Well, hello there, dear reader! Long time no see. How ya been? We're doing pretty swell.

A couple weeks ago our neighbors invited us on an impromptu "un-camping trip." The idea being: get the kids in the car around nap time, drive 3 hours to a campground, hang out, roast marshmallows, eat dinner, play in the river, put the kids in the cars around bed time and drive home. It turned into one of the most fun Saturdays we've had in a while. I even remembered to take my camera (more photos of un-camping trip). Banner day.

Spring has almost sprung, but I've been bouncing for weeks. Most of the lilies I bought at the garden show are peaking through the ground, the bulbs I planted a couple years ago have divided and are filling in their areas nicely, and I've been planting seeds this week: grass, chives, columbine, and a wildflower mix meant to attract birds and butterflies. I've moved last year's bamboo and herbs into larger pots - making way for more seeds (carrots, tomatoes, nasturtium, lettuce).

Plant sales are next weekend and I'll buy several veggie starts, so this week I need to finish rounding up planters (another trip to ReStore and 1/2 price pots) and buy more soil.

Zeb helped me overseed the yard with grass - he's a very good planter. I was able to leave him with the bag of seed while I finished up some other gardening chores like cleaning up the ferns.

We planted an apple seed a few weeks ago and to celebrate Arbor Day (it's today - Happy Arbor Day!), when Zeb wakes from his nap, we'll transplant it to a larger pot outside - so it can hang with the other herbs and veggies. It has been fun to look at it every couple days and count the number of leaves. As of yesterday, Zeb counted 7.

Spring! Spring! Sprung!

family on the mountain

2008-03-30T12:27:00.001-07:00

family on the mtn
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

Last weekend, we went to Whistler for some fun in the snow. Iko came, too, and we stayed in the village with our friends Clint, Sue, and their pup, Eisenhower. Sue offered to hang out with Zeb, leaving Clint, John, and I free to explore the mountain. At lunch, Sue and Zeb joined us at the top of the mountain for lunch and Clint took this photo. It's hard to see Zeb in between me and John, but that is him in his yellow jacket and John's helmet and goggles. There are many photos of Zeb in the helmet because he was obsessed with it all weekend. Clint took several other photos. (Thanks, Clint!)

Happy Spring!

2008-03-26T12:23:00.001-07:00

breakfast game
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

Just like that....it's the end of March. I guess that's what happens when I bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan, get sick, John travels, and my dad visits. So, it's been a great month. Zeb has many more words, my favorite is, "poop" - which he says very confidently and often at the appropriate time. For several weeks, he's been counting objects, "one, two, one, two, one." Last night, I was shocked when he lined up seven cars and clearly enumerated one through seven.

My dad was in town for a short visit while John was in Germany. I wish I had taken more photos, but between being sick and enjoying the visit, my camera didn't see much action. We have this one photo of grandpa hiding behind the rice milk box and Zeb laughing - good enough. It captures the fun that they had together. Also, it shows one of the dozen grapefruits that dad picked from the tree in his backyard. It's the best grapefruit - ever.

This last weekend, Zeb took his second trip to Canada. We went with another couple who is expecting their first this summer and since she wasn't skiing, she offered to hang out with Zeb. w00t! Free childcare - a rarity that we zealously seized. We had a great time on the mountain - Zeb even made it up on the gondola for lunch and some photos (coming soon - not from my camera).

Next, I need to take some photos of the yard and blab about the changes going on out there.

On a sad note, one of my colleagues, John Slatin, passed away this week. I wish I could make it to Austin this weekend. Since we worked on web guidelines together, perhaps a blog post will somehow be appropriate - my way of standing up in the public commons and honoring his memory. I'll miss you John.

General update

2008-03-01T12:27:00.001-08:00

Zeb and Wendy at locks - 2
Originally uploaded by Three Seas

Words words words! When grandmomma arrived a few weeks ago, Z had started talking in 2 word sentences - and he didn't have too many combinations. By the time she left on Tuesday, he had started talking in 3 to 4 sometimes 5 word sentences. He's been adding about one new word to his vocabulary each day - sometimes more.

For example, the other day we were walking through the house and he pointed to the "door" and the "sun" (painting). A couple days ago he woke up at 6 (his usual time) and we heard him calling "momma! wet!" That was the first time he said, "wet" - until then if he wanted a diaper change he said "poop" whether it was poopy or not. "I threw ball in net" is one of his favorite sentences.

I wish there was a better way to document this stage, but there's too much too fast. Plus, my work has picked up and now it's gardening season! Today, I spent 4 hours planting the new specimens that I bought at the NW Flower and Garden Show (5 varieties of asiatic lily, 2 day lilies, 1 poppy, 1 calla lily, 2 hosta, 1 strawberry). I hope to put in another 4 hours tomorrow cleaning up weeds, laying mulch, and planting annuals to fill up the bare spots.

We had our first Master Gardener meeting of the season last week - kick-off for the clinic leaders. As Information Coordinator for our clinic, I went with our leader as a second set of ears. It's going to be a busy season. I have to get our materials in order!

Grandmomma took this photo of Z and I at the locks. Z is sitting in the cresting spiral of a metal wave sculpture and I'm behind him holding him up. We had a great trip to the locks. Z ran from the car, through the gardens, across the locks, and down into the salmon ladder viewing area...and back again. We were all happy for dinner at the LockSpot afterwards.

Granny diaries

2008-02-28T13:12:00.001-08:00

Zeb Coop - 03
Originally uploaded by Three Seas

Grandmomma put up a sampling of photos from her visit.

inspired by andy goldsworthy

2008-02-18T20:21:00.001-08:00

inspired by andy goldsworthy
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

Before dinner the other night we watched "rivers and tides" - a documentary about Andy Goldsworthy. As I cooked, Z created this - a line of animal magnets on the fridge that bend and curve in a meandering, river-like line. Whoa.

photo-o-rama

2008-02-14T11:12:00.001-08:00

My mom is in town visiting for a few weeks and has been documenting "a week in the life of ZGB." LOTS of photos available from last week's co-op and hanging out around home and the beach.

I've picked up more work (including co-authoring a book), so we hired a nanny for Fridays. She is wonderful and fun and speaks Spanish! She's been here for 3 days and last week as she said goodbye, Z said, "Adios!" We were all amazed and tickled.

Yesterday, we watched the Andy Goldsworthy DVD that Mima left and as I cooked dinner, Z created an Andy Goldsworthy-esque creation on the fridge with magnets! Again, we were amazed. Photos on their way.

Ok. Back to work! Thanks for all of the photos grandmomma!

Unexpected benefits: part 2

2008-02-12T15:53:00.000-08:00

On August 26, 2005, when I was 4 months pregnant I wrote "Unexpected benefits" which included the following:

Before getting pregnant I was afraid that being pregnant and having a child would take me away from the creative direction I wanted to head; instead, I've been pushed in that direction.
...
Who would have thunk that heading in the direction that felt least likely to open up these avenues is exactly the road to take? That instead of limiting opportunities, there is a world of new ones waiting for me?

Here I am again, amazed at the profound effect Z has had on my life and my person. As his vocabulary slowly blossoms while his physicality zooms ahead, we are challenged by his physical expressions - hitting and pushing. In our parent education class we've been learning about temperament and emotions. We were asked to list as many emotions as we could come up with. Before that class, I thought there was happy, sad, and angry. I got curious and bought or borrowed several children's books on emotions - amazed by the stories that other parents told about their children hearing these stories enough times until one day it sinks in and they "shake off" anger or demonstrate some other "tool" described in the books.

With them, I'm learning about the variety of emotions that I experience on a daily basis. I can better express my emotions to my husband when he asks to go snowboarding and I'm not particularly thrilled. Before, I would have chalked it up as "angry" but today I realize it's jealous (that I don't get to go) and shame (for being jealous).

How exciting! I have a whole new vocabulary.

I have struggled with emotions - expressing them, listening to them - and have always wanted to "do better." To be a grounded, intuitive person. One of my friends who is an energy worker says that I "somatize" emotions. Until today, I didn't understand what she meant. Now, I realize that I feel emotions physically but I don't allow them into my brain; don't acknowledge and name them; don't listen to them.

Well, I'm listening now and I'll be teaching Z to listen, too.

Thank you, Z.

from the archive

2008-01-28T14:47:00.001-08:00

This is the first video of Z when he was 3 months old - Grandmomma Chisholm's camerawork.

morning moon and snow

2008-01-28T14:30:00.001-08:00

morning moon and snow
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

this is what it looked like when we first woke up this morning.

self-portrait with snow dude

2008-01-28T14:26:00.001-08:00

self-portrait with snowfellow
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

We woke to a few inches of snow this morning. Weeee! Soon after we were partying on the deck with our new friend - snow dude....who lost his nose and left eye about an hour ago. bye bye snow dude.

boom!

2008-01-28T14:24:00.001-08:00

boom!
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

Z turned 2 on the 18th. We bought him a mini drum kit on the 22nd. Every day since then he has asked to go downstairs to play "boom." I love listening to J on guitar and Z on drums. It will be fun to watch their musical relationship evolve...maybe this is the start of our nomadic lifestyle...a band of gypsies roaming the U.S. in our R.V. with a sat dish for mobile internet access...

derailed...rerailed

2008-01-14T14:14:00.000-08:00

After two weeks and not much success, Z's bed is a crib again. He seemed pretty excited to have the 4th wall back on his bed, but then - all change is good (and exciting) to this toddler. I've slowly realized that we need to get out of the house every morning. Today, things are going well: we dropped off J at the airport, played at home for a couple of hours, bought Z a new jacket at REI, then ate lunch with a friend.

Eating out is a rarity - too many unknowns, too much potential for allergens. But, today's experience taught me that as long as we can find fresh fruit, raw veggies, and bacon - we're golden.

Not only was it nice to have a wonderful reuben sandwich, to catch up with a good friend, and to get out of the house, Z fell asleep in the car on the way home so I can relax for a couple hours.

One step backwards, two steps forwards.

ringing in the new year with a new bedroom

2007-12-31T14:09:00.000-08:00

We may end up regretting this....we removed the "gate" from Z's crib - converting it into a toddler bed. He slept on his mattress on the floor last night and did well, so we took the gate off this morning. He's napping there now - we'll see how tonight goes. Also gone is the "nursing chair." In its place, the game table from the living room. We'll see if these changes stick.

christmas

2007-12-29T22:16:00.001-08:00

train
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

I don't have too many photos to share with you from our Christmas since Z was naked for most of them. I tried to take Austin Powers-esque photos - aiming for the proper placement of toys or legs to hide the private bits, but in the end I imagined a future girl- or boyfriend finding nudie shots and how much slack I would get for it...so, if you visit the house and ask nicely, I have many more photos of our holiday celebration.

So, yes, Z's been a streaker lately. He hardly ever wants to wear clothes. Which was annoying at first, because he kept peeing on things, but Santa brought Z a training potty and Z's gift to us was a Christmas Pee in the potty! Since then we've had action in the potty of both kinds - and after each successful delivery Z pumps his hands in the air and proudly exclaims "yaaaaay!"

Two weeks ago, a biological alarm went off, and since then: he stopped nursing, his eye teeth are all in, his molars are starting to surface, he's doing this potty thing, he's making 2 word phrases, he started running and hardly stops, he's trying to echo words (instead of just saying, "bleh" when you ask him to say a word), his hair is getting longer and thicker (do I really have to cut off those curls?), and his play is much more imaginative (even if it is 90% cars, balls, and trains).

I don't have my holiday cards together yet this year....but I will....I hope...soon. In the meantime, lots of hugs and kisses to everyone. I hope you had/are having a Fantastic [insert your winter holiday of choice]!!

More holidays photos are available - including Thanksgiving and my first turkey (eep).

sonic boom

2007-12-29T21:59:00.001-08:00

first nba game
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

Thursday night we took Z to see his first NBA game - the Seattle Supersonics versus the Boston Celtics. I wasn't sure how long he would last - tip off was at bathtime (a.k.a. 7:30pm) which meant that half time would be around bed time (a.k.a. 9pm). I was amazed at how well he did.

He and John ran one lap around Key Arena during the 1st quarter, he ran another lap with me during the 2nd quarter and went for a 3rd lap with J during the 4th quarter. Z clapped when the crowd cheered and danced when the music played. When in our seats, he either sat in his own seat and watched the game, or sat on one of our laps as we provided color commentary in his ear, or had a snack or interacted with fans around us. He is a social creature - to be sure - he is also an athletic creature - earlier in the day he ran the entire path of the aquarium in 45 minutes (plus the 3 laps at the Key...I need to figure out how far he ran in one day).

His two favorite parts of the game were:
1. the blimp that flies around and drops envelopes with free stuff
2. the dancers - he literally drooled during the half-time show.

With 2 minutes left in the game and no chance for the Sonics to win, we threw in the towel and congratulated ourselves on another fun family adventure.

guy lombardo and his royal canadians

2007-12-20T20:31:00.000-08:00

"088888876 ,mmmm"
z's first blog post. That's my boy.

We're dancing to guy lombardo and his royal canadians' version of auld lang syne...we have all the holiday tunes cranking. I can not wait for Christmas this year!! Z is making it so much fun. He is in awe of the neighbors' lights (we walk down the street most nights oohing and aahing), the presents under the tree, the ornaments, the fact there's a tree in the house. Every night he walks to the tree and asks "on, please." When the lights come on he says, "blue." I've been collecting snowflake and snowperson ornaments for the last couple of years (many thanks to Grams for adding many fun pieces to the collection!). This year our tree is blue lights and white ornaments - snowflakes and snowfolk. We didn't put up too many ornaments, I didn't know how much attention the tree would get from the wee one, but I'm happy to report that he's very respectful and it's not been an issue.

I haven't been this excited about the holidays since I was a kid....

I did most of my Christmas shopping downtown - spent some good time at Pike's Place Market - such good holiday energy!!

We're staying here for the holiday. LMcG will arrive Sunday from Portland. It will be mellow and wonderful. We're planning a hike in the snow, a trip to the aquarium, a Sonics game, and a day of snowboarding.

yay!

A very merry holiday to all of you! Super Solstice! Krazy Kwanzaa! Happy Hanukkah! Cheery Christmas!

Much love. Many hugs. Tons of smooches.

whoa

2007-11-19T22:34:00.000-08:00

I have been using iPhoto to publish photos to flickr fuhevah. Tonight, I discovered that I can easily and quickly publish videos to youtube with iMovie. sigh. Times like this make me hopeful that we really can make the world a better place. heh.

It's outta here!

2007-11-17T10:27:00.001-08:00

stuff on its way out
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

It's high time to part ways with the 3 CRT monitors, 2 laptops, 2 headsets, 2 wifi boxes, 2 dsl modems, a bag of cds/dvds, and 2 boxes of cables that I've collected working from home for 10 years. For $38 it has all been recycled - yay!!

We also sent 3 bags of clothes to Good Will and put a suitcase of baby clothes and toys on consignment. We have one bag of adult clothes to sell to Crossroads and three bags to pass along to a couple expecting their first child next month.

Goooooodbye stuff!

(p.s., the cheerleading outfit in the picture has not left the building. It's mine from high school and it still fits! I wore it for Halloween - talk about a confidence booster!)

chef in training

2007-11-17T10:17:00.001-08:00

testing (eggless) pancake batter
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

Last weekend, Z helped make pancakes. I see a future for him in quality assurance - he is a very thorough tester.

As for me, I am elevating my cooking game with new tools and techniques: canning, a new roasting pan, raw foods, green smoothies, braised garlic, stainless steel tongs, kitchen towels, borrowed cookbooks, and a subscription to "Cook's kitchen." I focused this year's holiday list on cooking-related items, including a Cooking Basics class at Culinary Communion.

This week I aim to cook my first Thanksgiving turkey - an organic, locally raised turkey through Pioneer Organics and have been testing z-ified versions of holiday standards. Hoping that folks won't miss the cream, butter, and all of that, but providing it on the side if desired.

Most of the recipes I'm using are vegan except I'm substituting meat for beans - a twist that I never thought possible. :)

zooooooo

2007-11-06T09:13:00.001-08:00

leaves sticks sun
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

Sunday, Z had a big football day with dad and the guys, skipped his midday nap and went to sleep for the night at 4. Coupled with the end of daylight savings, on Monday, Z was awake at 4:30 then down for his midday nap at 11 am. When he woke at 1, I realized that I had a whole afternoon to spend with one happy, very awake toddler on one sunny, crisp fall day and decided to take advantage of our month-old zoo membership. When I said we were going to the zoo, Z ran for his jacket yelling "zoo! yaaaay!" with his little arms pumping in the air.

After seeing zebras, gazelles, lions, painted dogs, and elephants we saw a mom and son playing in a big pile of leaves under a tree. Z (in the stroller), turned to me, "down." As soon as his feet touched the grass, he was off. After a rousing leaf battle - where we were joined by another little boy and his father - Z hugged the tree. Actually, he kept hugging the tree throughout the battle. Yes, I am the very proud mother of a tree hugger.

More photos from our excursion are available.

Kapow plus

2007-10-24T12:47:00.001-07:00

re: kapow
Originally uploaded by artifishall

lol! I'm going to print a poster size of this one.

Nice work artifishall!! (Z's uncle Z)
[description: same as the previous image, but the background has been replaced with red and blue stripes that burst like the sun behind Z - he's floating in his super stance looking even more like a kung fu star]

kapow!

2007-10-24T08:02:00.001-07:00

kapow!
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

When we were in Chicago (has it really been over a month already?), Granny bought ZB some new clothes. Here he is showing how well he can move in his new threads. Watch out Jackie Chan, I think we have a new kung fu action star/comedian in the works. (Cute pants, no?)

[Description: ZB is wearing adorable brown pants and is squatting very wide legged with his hands on his thighs. He kind of has a smile; it's really more of a funny grimace - teeth clenched.]

ewwwww!

2007-10-24T07:37:00.000-07:00

The other day, Z was playing in the living room and I was cleaning the kitchen. He runs in, grabs my hand, and says, "ewwwww, bug!" He pulls me into the living room and points to a spider crawling on the floor. I grabbed a piece of paper and shuttled the spider onto the deck. He waved, "bye, bye bug."

Since last I wrote...

2007-10-14T21:55:00.000-07:00

Changes are afoot and that's when my writing takes the backseat....there seems to be a quarterly pattern developing. Curious.

As we've segued into autumn, our schedule has changed, J's been traveling, and I have successfully mastered keeping four balls in the air (Z, inner home/cooking, work, and finances). Next up: integrate into the mix "me," "john," and "outer home."

Z and I have joined the Crown Hill Toddler Preschool Co-operative. We both attend play time/parent education once per week for 2 hours, then one night per month I attend one hour of parent education. I also attend an hour of board meetings each month (with all of his allergies, I volunteered to be the Health and Safety Coordinator). As with the infant co-op, I'm learning about early childhood development and making friends with other mothers with children Z's age. It's awesome.

Our fall schedule is in full swing: Monday mornings we trade with neighbors (I hang with the kids for one hour while the other mom runs an errand, then she takes the kids while I do my thing). Tuesdays, Z goes to daycare and I work. Wednesday mornings is preschool co-op. Thursday is another daycare/work day. That leaves Monday and Wednesday afternoons and Friday for other adventures. Weekends are family time.

This last Friday's adventure: J took the day off of work to hang with Z while I drove with Joshua to Goldendale to celebrate the Geeze. Perfect timing for me to spend that much time ruminating about technology and life. I am amazed that the Geeze (an octogenarian) is faring better 4 weeks post-op than I was (at 34).

Other random bits:

In the last month, J has been to Boston for 3 days and L.A. for 3 days. Today, he left for a week in Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, and China). Moments ago, I received a text message that he safely arrived in Bangkok.
Z's favorite new word is "shoe."
I'm still trying to master cooking a roast.
The director of Z's daycare and many staff left so we are in the midst of many changes. Thankfully, the uber director is handling the situation well, i.e., making sure that all staff know about Z's allergies and has several new procedures to keep allergens away from Z.
Photos. I haven't taken many lately. I'll get back on that.
Today, we went to a harvest festival at a farm with animals and pumpkins. I should have taken the following photos. Please use your imagination: Z feeding the chickens, Z riding in the wagon, Z picking a pumpkin from the patch, Z petting the goats, and Z sitting on the floor of the barn admiring the container of ducklings.
Some of my blogging time and energy has gone towards Facebook, especially Scrabulous.

And now, we sleep....

Midwest trek

2007-09-18T09:12:00.001-07:00

great-grams and Z
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

Z has visited 8 U.S. states and 1 Canadian province - Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Illinois, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Michigan, British Columbia. He continues to be a worthy and fun travel companion. John left for London on Thursday and Z and I flew to Chicago on Friday. /* I burst into song - "just the two of us. We can make it if we try, just the two of us, you and I..." */

Z only slept for 20 minutes during the day and not at all on the flight. After that many hours of not sleeping and all of the stimulation from the airport, airplane, and what not, you'd think a 20 month old would have been beyond cranky. Instead, I am blessed. As we waited to be the last off of the plane, Z waved goodbye to every person who passed our seats. As we waited for our ride, he waved to every taxi and bus that passed. Z was ecstatic each time someone waved back, usually with a big grin.

On Sunday, we drove the 4 hours to great-grandma's house with ease and the ride back to Chicago on Wednesday was especially fun after I stumbled onto the satellite radio - goodbye Clint Black, hello Terrence Trent D'arby!! Since we were having such good travel karma, on Thursday we went to Michigan to pick apples and pumpkins. That trip started out a little rough - he fell asleep 15 minutes from the pumpkin farm and within minutes of waking up he was face-to-face with a Halloween ghoul and that was kind of it for the pumpkin farm. He was back in good form at the apple orchard, helping granny fill and carry the bushel.

Our flight home on Saturday was also a breeze. My fingers are crossed that trips with him will be this fun well into his 30s. Next stop Spain? :)

More photos of our trip are available in the "midwest 2007" set.

Ocean Shores

2007-08-22T14:35:00.001-07:00

on the sand
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

We spent a long weekend in Ocean Shores, WA with another family (who also has a young child and a husky-mix dog). We took the Seattle/Bremerton ferry both directions. Z slept through the ferry ride there, but fully explored the ferry on the way home. We had sunshine on Sunday and spent a couple hours digging and running on the sand. Iko and Kodiak ran and ran and ran on the beach - chasing birds, each other, and peeing on all sorts of foul-smelling things. Despite learning the lesson multiple times, Iko drank too much saltwater.

Sunday night we noticed bazillions of birds flying along the shore - flocks and flocks of pelicans, gulls, terns, and who knows what else. On the way back to the house, we thought Z was having an asthma attack so called Children's After Hours who diagnosed his breathing over the phone and said it wasn't asthma (thank goodness) but that he did have a lot of gunk in his lungs that could either be from allergies or a cold, "If it's allergies, the longer you stay, the worse it will get." Since it was too late to leave Sunday we considered leaving Monday morning, but decided to stick it out. I'm glad we did, because Monday night all the planets aligned for a "parents party" of wine, games (Dr. Seuss trivia and yahtzee), and lots of laughter. Overall, a fantastic weekend. We need to do more of these!!

There are 19 more photos of our Ocean Shores weekend.

vocabulary

2007-08-16T13:47:00.000-07:00

Speaks:

up, ball, mama, dada, keekee (cracker, rice cake)
kitty, car, no, yaya (yes),
moo ("what sound does a cow make?"),
ooo ("what sounds does Iko make?"),
goo+[two undecipherable syllables] (good morning)
home, wawa (water)
down, uh-oooo (uh-oh)

Signs:

more, done, drink, eat
ball, train, airplane
help, baby, story, friend
hello, good bye, good night, good morning
bath, work, where, "i don't know"
mama, dada

Yesterday, as we parked in our garage I asked Z, "Where are we?" He replied, "Home."

Boost

2007-08-12T18:31:00.000-07:00

I ran about 2.5 miles today - the longest I've run in 24 months (gack!). It was a good mental hurdle to overcome and gives me a boost of confidence. I'm aiming to do a 3 mile run by the end of the week then maintain that for a few weeks. From 8 September through November I'll need to up my distance each week if I'm to be in shape to do the Seattle 1/2 marathon in November. But, if all I do is consistently run 3 miles 2-3 times per week, I'll be golden....then aim for the Vancouver 1/2 in May.

Blue Drama

2007-08-11T10:38:00.000-07:00

What's up with the planets this week? Two bridges and a mine collapse, the world markets are aflutter, and we spent Wednesday in the ER. [cue the dramatic music!]

Wednesday morning around 9:30, I was in a great groove at work when the daycare center called, "Someone fed Z eggs for breakfast. He's vomited and his lips are turning blue." "I'll be right there." While I was on my way, they administered an epipen and called 911. I arrived before the firetruck and found the director holding Z in his diaper on the changing table - hunched over, spaced out, covered in red spots, and bluish-white. I picked him up and heard the sirens approaching, we walked outside.

The 5 (or so) firemen monitored his heart rate, airways, and skin color as they collected information from me and held oxygen to his nose to keep him awake. When the medics arrived they loaded us into the ambulance, strapped me onto the gurney holding Z and we were off to Children's Hospital ER - the director of the daycare center came with us. During the ride, his skin turned bright pink, his lower jaw chattered, and he was lethargic for most of the trip except for one brief instant where he sat up and talked. But, he quickly slumped back into my arms. At this point, my biggest concern was about oxygen to his brain and brain damage.

We arrived in the ER around 10 a.m. They wheeled the gurney into a room and transferred us to the bed. They put an oxygen monitor on his toe, listened to his heart and lungs, gave him a dose of Benadryl, and a dose of a steroid. His skin was still bright pink which made his lips look yellow and he remained lethargic until around noon. They said this lungs and heart sounded great and his oxygen levels looked good. He settled into a nap around noon but it quickly ended a few minutes later when the nurse took his blood pressure. Around 1:00, his color started to return to normal.

He was ready to go home around 1:30 - he kept climbing into his car seat that was sitting on the floor. He was bored with the video and ready to roll. We didn't get out of there until 2:45 or so.

Thanks to Z&X who visited us - with the intent of giving us a ride home but the doctors held us longer than they could wait. And many thanks to TS who picked us up.

With the number and severity of Z's allergies, I had been dreading this experience - knowing it was inevitable someday. But when? with whom? what would happen? In some ways, it's a relief that we've lived through it and know what to expect. I learned a lot. I was amazed at Z's resiliency and surprised myself with my calmness...although I fell apart at 4 a.m. the following morning - alone while J was in Dallas.

I've talked with several people (moms, doctors) about next steps. The consensus is that this daycare is the safest place for him to be: they handled the situation well and they certainly don't want to live through this again any time soon so they should be extra vigilant. Also, to switch now would mean educating a new staff about his allergies. But, I do have concerns and a long list of questions that I'll take to a meeting with the director on Tuesday. I kept Z out of daycare on Friday. I will likely leave him there on Tuesday if everything seems in order. Intellectually, it seems a good decision. Emotionally, I will recite the above reasoning like a mantra to calm myself. :)

As I joked with a friend, we can add several new "firsts" to Z's babybook: first epipen, first ambulance ride, first trip to the ER....

whew. I'm thankful that Z is strong and healthy; that the daycare center acted quickly and appropriately; that I was strong and calm for both of us; that we're surrounded by good friends; that we got the medical attention we needed.

self-portrait, anniversary

2007-08-04T13:47:00.001-07:00

self-portrait
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

I love that Z and I are looking at each other in this photo - it shows the connection that's growing between us. He is understanding so many thing recently. A friend told me that he's learning about emotions and that I should help him understand them. I've only tried it a few times - he starts whining or crying and I'll say something like, "Z, I understand that you don't want your diaper changed right now, but we need to do it. We'll be done soon. Please be patient." And, he's quieted down! I don't know how long this will work, but it's a very comfortable approach for me. It allows me to settle and perhaps that helps him settle. Although, it feels like we're on that upward slope of a roller coaster and we're going to fly down the other side on a wild ride.

He discovered this blue, floppy hat that used to be mine. It looked so funny with his orange hawaiian shirt and he knew it - he acted very cheeky and cute.

Several months ago, urged by Grandma MB, I made reservations for J and I at The Herbfarm. Then, it we learned that J's sister would be in town and she offered to stay the night with Z. So...last night, we celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary with a 9 course meal with 6 different wine pairings.

Before the meal we sipped a lavender-infused punch while we toured the wine cellar (the oldest wine is from 1792!) then took a tour of the garden. While on the tour we ate day lillies - they're crunchy!, tasted several varieties of basil, and learned all sorts of interesting things about the herbs that were used to prepare our meal. The Herbfarm grows much of their own food, especially hundreds of varieties of herbs, and purchases meat, fish, wine, and other produce from local farmers and fisherman.

Before the meal, the chef and sommelier told us about the food and wine pairings: the tuna had been caught just off the Washington coast earlier in the day, the prawn and crab had been alive until a couple hours before our meal, etc. etc.

The restaurant seats about 50 people and the staff must be around 20 - every one of them was introduced before the meal. The service was amazing. Each time I got up from my seat, I would return to a crisply folded napkin across my plate plus a sprig of lavendar or a card wishing us happy anniversary - something on the table had always moved when I returned.

The servers would talk about each dish as they brought it to us and the sommelier would tell us about the wine pairing - reiterating what the chef and sommelier had said at the beginning of the evening.

The theme for the night was, "Great Basil Banquet." There are so many varieties of basil! Each course used a different basil and in a unique way. From Basil-Mint Aioli to Lemon Basil Flan to Cinnamon Basil Ice Cream. It was all fantastic.

Throughout the night, J and I relived memories from each of the 17 years that we've been together. He remembered things I had forgotten and then one of his memories would trigger one of mine. We've had a great run so far.

Then, we looked forward. What kind of life do we want to lead? What do we want to show Z? When will we travel to Europe for his first time? Should we buy land out in the country and assemble our family from all over? One thing is clear - we want to focus on our family and find more time to be creative.

During coffee, one of the co-owners (who manages the amazing collection of wine), set a bottle of wine on our table. They had had alternative wines for sale throughout the night, so we thought that this was something we could buy. Then we looked at the label - Boudreaux cellars. 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon. As the sommelier poured us the last wine of the night - a 1910 Barbeito Bual Madeira - we asked about this bottle. "Let me ask Ron about his intention." She returned and said, "It's a gift. Happy Anniversary!" wow.

We slept in this morning, watched a movie, ordered room service, then returned home. CL gave us an awesome gift by taking wonderful care of Z for his first night away from both of us. It sounds like he missed us, but he did good. He's such an awesome kid. I was so excited to get back to him this morning.

The stargazer lilies bloomed on Thursday - our wedding flower on our anniversary day.

Here's to 10 years!

six pack (not!)

2007-07-31T17:11:00.001-07:00

happy boy walking
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

Four blocks from our house is a playground with a sandbox, toys to climb on, swings, and in summer, a wading pool. Today was the perfect day for Z to show off his awesome abs. heh. More photos of Z at the park are available.

back from hiatus

2007-07-06T16:29:00.000-07:00

Since last I wrote....

J's birth mother and sister visited for a most awesome weekend - we celebrated the solstice at the Fremont Fest. Photos from Fremont Fest.
We traveled to Spokane, WA where J's team competed with 23,000 others in a 3-on-3 tournament. It was a basketball festival! All the streets filled with pedestrians, basketball courts, and food vendors. We hung out with my friend from high school and her family, plus the families of J's team members. Photos from HoopFest.
We spent the 4th of July playing hop scotch on our deck.
I worked my 2nd master gardener clinic shift at the zoo.
Iko has gotten out of the yard twice. The second time without his collar so we thought he was gone for good. I found him sleeping in a neighbor's yard. They said he showed up at 10 p.m. the previous night...I found him around 9 a.m. He's having the hardest time adjusting to life without Reba.
I saw the first seven innings of the Red Sox v Mariners game that the Mariners finally won in the 10th (or 11th?). I had an awesome time - once I finally got there and got over feeling guilty for "slacking" on a work day. (isn't *every* day a work day for a momma?)
Many emotional shifts going on that I can't describe. It's confusing.
Oh ya, then there's Z. wow! I am amazed - as any mother is, right? I can ask him almost any question and he'll nod yes or no. I'll say "daddy's going to work" and he'll wave "bye bye" and sign "work." J bought Z a remote control tractor and Z is driving it all over the place! He's grown taller. Gosh...in the last month, there are too many new things to document. He's funny and smart. He traveled really well to Spokane and back. He's just such a cool kid. He can eat with silverware, although when he's really hungry he prefers his hands. He can draw with either hand. Eliminating gluten (along with everything else), consistently using probiotics and fish oils, and switching to a new skin moisturizer seem to have made the difference with his skin - it's almost totally clear (what a relief!). We found out the hard way that he's allergic to shellfish (he had diarrhea for 2 days). I think he's allergic to watermelon and maybe cantaloupe - his hands itch and his upper lip turns red.

So, everything is good. The cranial sacral sessions have caused a shift that I'm still assimilating, it's good. I just need to sit with it.

Summer in Seattle is gorgeous. A local nursery had a 2-for-1 sale...thank goodness I only had an hour to shop. The yard is looking so much better. Still a lot of work to do, but it's slowly coming together - I'm learning to have patience with the growing things.

I bought several plants to attract hummingbirds and it's brought me so much joy to see the birds around our house! This morning, I had a visitor to our deck at 6:30 and again at 9. I sat on the floor watching him or her drink from several of the blooms, perch for a moment, drink from several more...it was an extended stay. Such a gorgeous creature. I can't wait to add more plants, a bath and a feeder to the deck to lure in more birds for a closer look.

And like that...another day has slipped away.

r.i.p Reba (1994-2007)

2007-06-03T09:58:00.001-07:00

Reba at Mt. Adams
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau

Today, we said goodbye to a very dear friend, traveling companion, and member of our family.

More photos of Reba.

all wrapped up in a bow

2007-06-02T09:09:00.000-07:00

It's obvious to *everyone* - including random strangers at the airport who loudly announce, "that boy is bowlegged!" to grandpa who exclaimed, "he could ride a horse all day long!" - that Z is bowlegged. Even though our pediatrician is not concerned, with J and his sister's history of wearing braces as infants to correct bowed legs, we decided to get a second opinion. We have also been concerned about the amount of calcium in his diet (he's allergic to most major sources) and saw a nutritionist a couple weeks ago.

Yesterday, we saw an orthopedic specialist at Children's Hospital. When we first arrived, they talked about drawing some blood to check levels of calcium and vitamin D. After looking at the x-rays the doctor said, "His bones are strong. I can tell he has plenty of calcium." The bright white area at the ends of his fibia and tibia is new bone growth indicating that he has good amounts of calcium, "so keep doing what you're doing."

Well, what I'm doing is still nursing. After talking with the nutritionist she said that I'm Z's best source of calcium. So, looks like I'm in this for the long haul - like, until he's 10 or something. (ha)

Z will likely always have some bow to his legs, but they should straighten out somewhat in the next couple of years. On the bowlegged spectrum, he is certainly at the far end, but they don't do braces anymore. He'll get x-rayed again in one year to check on his progress. There is a chance that he may need corrective surgery or braces in the future, but everyone's opinion at this point is, "let's wait and see."

In the meantime, we enjoy the stories about guys who have bowed legs and get excellent vert on the basketball court. It's a feature not a flaw. :)

meeting the great-grandparents

2007-05-22T21:57:00.001-07:00

high-five
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau.

We finally flew to Pennsylvania to introduce Z to his great-grandparents, two great-aunts, and a great-uncle. Mission accomplished - and then some. Set of photos from Erie, PA.

Long ago in a galaxy far, far away, I went on a business trip. On the flight were screaming children and I wrote a science fiction story about an airplane that had a sound proof playroom. Parent Me thinks that it would be cool to have a playroom on the plane, but knows that Non-parent Me was annoyed.

Couple the thoughts that run through the mind of a childless road warrior with Z's determination to walk, talk, and climb when and where he wants, I was so nervous to travel with a 16-month-old that I almost didn't make the trip. Armed with advice from the Berkley Parents Network (BPN), I purchased 3 round trip tickets, booked a car, and reserved a dvd player with 5 children's movies....and we were off.

We left our house at 7 pm PDT to catch a red-eye to Detroit. Soon after we were in the air, Z was drifting to sleep as one of the other children on the flight started crying. The man sitting behind me griped, "I hope we don't have to listen to that for the next 4 hours." (If only the baby were in a sound proof chamber! :)

As predicted by the BPN, Z slept for the four hour flight. He woke when we landed in Detroit at 5 am EDT and happily played in the children's area during the layover. We landed in Erie around 11 am EDT where we were greeted by Z's great-grandma, great-grandpa, and Auntie M. They escorted us to Auntie M's B&B which was complete with a basket of toys and a high chair. We quickly settled into our downstairs apartment. J and Z took a nap then we headed over to the G's for an amazing dinner of roast, potatoes, and corn cooked in a tomato sauce canned from their garden. Despite the lack of sleep, Z stayed up until midnight.

We were moving slowly on Friday, so we didn't do too much - a trip to WalMart and playing/working in Auntie M's yard. We picked asparagus from the G's garden and ate it for dinner. I cooked risotto. Aunt D and Uncle B joined us. We took some photos.

Saturday we were a bit more adventurous, we met Auntie M at the Edinboro Highland Games. Z danced to the Celtic music played by a group of college-age kids from Michigan. During nap time, Auntie M and I headed over to the G's for happy hour. Grandma walked me around the yard retelling the history of each plant - the lilacs that came from the farm she grew up on, the pine that came from a friend who survived cancer, the walnut tree that they started from seed, the highbush cranberries that were "this high" five year ago. It's no wonder I'm a master gardener, yet I know nothing compared to these two who have been growing vegetables, trees, and flowers longer than I've been alive.

After happy hour (a glass of wine and some chips), the four of us played euchre - grandma and grandpa against me and Auntie M. I was intimidated! Grandma took two hands on her own. G&G won the first game and were winning the second when we called it to eat dinner.

Sunday grandpa fixed pancakes for breakfast then gave us a tractor ride around the property - and we were having so much fun that we went around a second time. Z enjoyed "driving" the tractor, the lawnmower, and our rental car. He splashed in rain puddles. It was the first time I had seen him do that - I don't know if he learned about it at daycare or figured it out right then. Regardless, he stomped in every puddle on the driveway. He gave grandpa several high fives - we all giggled.

We headed back to Auntie M's for naptime. Soon after, folks showed up for happy hour and dominoes, then ate the pizza I'd made, then finished up the game of dominoes.

Our trip home is a sidenote to the whole experience - the lasting impression is the time spent with family - but I tell it at length because it makes me laugh.

Monday, we were up at 4:30 am, checked out of the B&B by 5, and to the airport by 5:30. We boarded the plane at 6 then promptly deplaned around 6:30...still in Erie. We finally left Erie around 10:30 and should have been getting off of the plane around 11:15, but sat in the plane a few feet away from the gate while they prepared it.

At 11:50, we were at the far end of concourse C and were booked on a 12:20 flight leaving from the far end of the concourse A. We started talking about a hotel room in Detroit, but since it seemed like it was everyone's first day at NorthWorst airlines, figured the flight was probably delayed.

And, it was. One of my conditions for this trip was that J fly with us to provide backup and moral support. Plus, I spent the extra money to buy a seat for Z. I made sure that our seats were nicely lined up in a row for every single one of our flights....but that was when I made the reservations several weeks ago.

We arrived at the gate after seats have been assigned and first class has boarded. One of the flight attendants negotiated 2 seats together then strapped Z's car seat into the window seat. A grandfatherly type was sitting in the aisle seat refusing to budge. J asked him, "you'd rather sit by my 16 month old?" The man said, "yes." So, I put said-16 month old screaming into his car seat and hoped the volume would make the middle seat the more attractive option. He didn't budge.

Z settled into his carseat with a cookie and I heard J - two rows back - tell our sad tale. Moments later he was letting us know that the rows behind him offered to switch.

I felt a little spoiled as Z fell asleep and J and I relaxed with a snack, a beer, and a movie on the portable dvd player - but you get what you paid for, right?

Z's demeanor continues to amaze me. For the most part, we saw a curious kid who rolls with the punches. I was disappointed that he was crabby the first couple of nights we hung out with the family, but he needed time to catch up on sleep and give his first molars a chance to break through the gums (ya - great timing!).

We are blessed - with a beautiful child, wonderful family, the opportunity to travel.

one thing leads to another

2007-05-10T21:23:00.000-07:00

What is it about family blogs? Keeping up with my friends through their blogs is fun - they are great writers, they share fantastic stories about raising children, and I always learn something.

Lately, I'm keeping up with families who (whom?) I have never met. I've stopped reading books (gasp!). I'm no longer interested in learning from "experts." I'm much more interested in learning how folks in the blogosphere are living day-to-day. Reading about their triumphs and tribulations stimulates my creativity; reading expert advice tends to stimulate anxiety.

It's helpful to know that no matter how much you know, it's trial and error - even the "expert" on NPR said that about raising his own children! So there. Neener neener neener.

we live in a big city

2007-05-03T14:01:00.001-07:00

there IS some green down there if you look...
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau.

It took 6 years and a night in a downtown hotel for me to realize that Seattle is a big city. Talk about getting a new perspective on something....

on

2007-05-03T13:09:00.000-07:00

I returned from my momma retreat to a non-stop action figure. While I was lazing around the hotel room eating, reading, and writing, J found Z's "on" switch and Z hasn't stopped since (he slows down to nap from time-to-time). To keep up with him, I'm kicking my coffee drinking into high gear. A long time ago, in a life far far away, if I drank a cup of coffee at noon, I would stay up sorting my herbs and spices until 2 a.m. No more. I can drink 2 cups in the morning, 1 in the afternoon, and fall snoring onto the pillow by 9 p.m.

Yesterday, he asked to take 2 walks in the stroller, went up and down the stairs 5 times, plus we met with a nutritionist, bought him new shoes (he happily stuck his feet in the air to try on each of the 3 pairs), found a $7 trike at Value Village, and knitted with G, E, and K (although he fell asleep just before we arrived and woke as we were leaving). Tuesday, he ran around the Children's Museum for 1.5 hours then fell asleep then ran around a park for an hour. This morning, he ran around the aquarium for 1.5 hours then fell asleep. This afternoon, I think we'll walk to Swanson's Nursery to pick up birdseed and hornet traps then stop by the park on the way home.

I finally understand...

2007-04-28T09:47:00.000-07:00

how to use the blow dryer to style my hair: warm the hair with the dryer then use hands or brush to flip, straighten, or curl.
how to clean a toilet: clean the inside of the bowl then clean the inside of the tank. Every few months, replace the non-chlorine disinfecting tablet (in the tank).
how to brew a good cup of coffee: 1/4 cup of ground coffee for each 4 cups of water.
how to be me: ok. not quite. But, the last 24 hours has shed some light.

I'm typing from a room on the 33rd floor of the downtown Sheraton. I'm on a "momma retreat." Just me, my stack of magazines that have to be read and recycled before I return, my workout clothes, my computer, and the mini bar. I have three things to accomplish at a minimum:

read the April and May issues of Real Simple and Better Homes and Gardens.
workout.
sleep in.

I have one hour until check out. Better get to that last Real Simple.

gardening

2007-04-27T09:15:00.001-07:00

by the driveway
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau.

Now that I'm a Master Gardener and know what I'm doing (ha!) there aren't enough hours in the day and the available hours are severely limited by Z's interest in sharp objects and dog poop. But, we're getting good work done and lots more changes are on the way.

Photos of our garden

spring cleaning

2007-04-26T13:42:00.000-07:00

I recently learned the origins of spring cleaning: throughout the winter, as people heated their homes by burning stuff, soot would build up on everything in the house - walls, cabinets, mattresses... In spring, everything came out of the house, the house was cleaned, all the stuff was cleaned, then all the stuff returned to a clean house.

This spring, I'm ruthlessly tossing anything that has acquired a layer of dust - whether it is actual or mental. When I was younger (with less stuff thus more space), I took tons of photos and had them printed in quadlicate. Why I needed four copies of Sue drinking a beer, I don't know, but I did. Just eliminating the duplicates is freeing up quite a lot of space. Imagine if I get rid of all the bad photos...

I shredded all of my travel and office expense reports from MIT. mmm. I threw away all of my 401(k) statements from 1999-2005 and have filed all of the relevant retirement info in a 3 ring binder. ahhhh.

He's tiptoeing through the tulips

2007-04-22T17:37:00.001-07:00

tiptoe through the tulips
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau.

The Skagit Valley Tulip Fest has become an annual event for Z. We went last year with Grandmomma and Great-grandma. The baby bjorn carrier also went both years - T&T are borrowing it for B.

I published a set of photos from our trip.

daycare

2007-04-15T22:27:00.000-07:00

We decided to keep Z in daycare one day per week because it is more affordable than a nanny, it gets him out of the house and playing with others, he was doing really well at daycare, and I figured that if he picked up a cold or virus on a Friday he could be sick over the weekend and would be well again by the following Friday.

It's been two weeks. The first week he came home after 1/2 a day because he had a virus - but was the first to have it so he didn't pick it up from daycare (then gave it to me and I lost 6 pounds in 2 days). Last week, everything went well. He was there 8-5 and I worked for several hours, went out for lunch, then had fun hanging out with a new gardening pal.

This week the center is having a parent's night out - date night!

So far, I'm confident we made the right choice.

blooming

2007-04-15T21:59:00.000-07:00

Everything is in bloom, including me and Z. I haven't been sure what to write and have been a little leery of saying anything - I don't want to jinx us. But, we had an awesome week! I can't seem to do much more than list everything:

I finally finished the raised bed for the rhodi, sarcococca, and hebe. Last week's theme was "flowers" and Z helped me plant 3 pansies and 2 primroses under the rhodi. I look at it from the kitchen window. We're spending more time in the dog yard. I moved a bench and Z's adirondack chair out there. We bought wood to build a sand box. It's a whole new "room" for us to explore, decorate, and inhabit.
Two trips in one week to the craft store for supplies (clay, foam shapes, paper, paints).
Another batch of books from the library.
A play date every day! I think that is the underlying key to our "success."
Z and I were both well and able to meet up with folks everyday.
Our Master Gardener clinic had our first organizational meeting. I volunteered to take on an additional role. That's me - jumping in with both feet!
I met with 3 other ladies to brainstorm a fun, creative project. I can't wait to start working on it.
I had another cranial sacral session. Fantastic and relaxing.
On Sunday, Lori and I shared the most amazing piece of chocolate cake from dish d'lish and I had an intense sugar craving the rest of the week and I indulged more often than I should have. wow. It led to junk food and junk t.v. but I think it's out of my system. whew.

It feels so good to be involved in our community and helping others AND it feels good to be helped by others. It used to be so hard for me to ask for help, but I realize that it's part of relationships - give and take. I have more friends than I've had in a while and it is invigorating. I've missed having a community. For so long, my community was through work and most of them were thousands of miles away.

I haven't felt this "at home" in a long time - probably since college. I love having various "circles" to run in - gardening, mothering, geeking.

This morning in yoga class, as we felt the rise and fall of our breath in our bellies, I was amazed that mine used to hold a baby...this little *boy* who is funny and cute, an awesome climber, with a great imagination. How does that happen? Is this real? I'm dreaming, right? Me? A mom? When did that happen?!

Vote YES on SB 5659 - Family Leave Insurance

2007-04-12T12:48:00.000-07:00

Washington state mommas and friends: Emailing your State Representative is one click away.

pardon me?

2007-04-07T22:00:00.001-07:00

driving on the speaker
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau.

Pointing at birds.
Listening for airplanes.
Squealing at kitty-cats.
Driving cars up speakers and over couches.
Identifying his nose, ears, teeth, head, hair, shoulders, and eyes.
Making more and more sounds that could be English.

Enjoying it more than I could have imagined.

Many, many thanks to Grandmomma for the infusion of toys! Check out the photos.

p.s. Soon after I wrote about him waking during the night, he went back to sleeping 9-10 hours per night. whew.

little changes, big results

2007-03-26T12:50:00.000-07:00

For the last week, Z's been waking up a couple times at night and decided not to put himself back to sleep. I've tried reasoning with him but he's been pretty stubborn. He also decided that I should wake up at 5 a.m. so that he could sleep on my lap until 6 a.m. I've explained that mommy really needs to sleep in her bed until at least 6, but he says that he really needs mommy's lap and doesn't mommy want Z to grow up to be a big, smart boy? So, mommy pretends to be a bed.

A couple days ago, J suggested, "Maybe if you put him to sleep later he'll wake up later." What?! Are you kidding? ALL of the sleep books say, "an earlier bedtime means more sleep not less. Plus, could he really stay awake until 8?" I tried it two nights ago and we may have killed two birds with one stone - we've both managed to stay in our respective beds *all night* until 6:15 a.m. It's glorious.

We received a pamphlet from the state of Washington about toddler nutrition, including very clear instructions for the size of portions to serve throughout the day. I was shocked! I've been *completely* overfeeding him. No wonder he has had such a spectacular Buddha belly.

I swear that he used to have 6 teeth but as of a couple days ago I only counted 5. Was #6 knocked out? Did I imagine #6? J doesn't think it ever came in. I swear there's something there. Could it have gone back in? I've heard they do that sometimes.

Tomorrow is my last day of Master Gardener class and Friday is Z's last day at daycare. I decided that we needed a daily plan to make the most of our days. I've modified the daycare daily schedule and am creating a "daily activity menu" - it's like our food menu, but more fun. It goes something like this: breakfast, crafts, songs, dancing/outdoor play/excursion, books, lunch, nap, dancing/outdoor play/excursion, snack, etc. This week's theme is "birds." We're looking for birds on dog walks (we saw a woodpecker, a bald eagle, a hummingbird, and several robins this morning), drawing birds, cutting out pictures of birds, looking at different types of birds in our Audubon guide, making birds out of legos and play-doh, playing with stuffed animal birds, and watching birds on the porch as we eat. By the end of the week, I suspect he'll either hate birds or he'll give me some sort of sign or word for, "bird." Let's hope for the latter. I'm desperate for him to communicate in a shared language that is more evolved than neanderthalese.

He is convinced that I should understand his utterances. This morning as we climbed the stairs he stopped, looked me in the eyes, and babbled at least two very sincere sentences about the nature of the universe. He patiently stared at me, waiting for my response, but he was way over my head. I dumbly answered, "Interesting. Tell me more."

bodies

2007-03-21T23:16:00.000-07:00

Z and I along with S&Z saw "Bodies...the Exhibition." I certainly learned a lot but it was also kind of weird - where did the bodies come from? I didn't think about it before I went, but as we were looking at people's stomachs, veins, and muscles, I kept wondering. S heard they were from China. She's right: Education or freak show? 'Bodies ... The Exhibition' cashes in on our own curiosity

Weird.

I was most amazed by the exhibits of veins and arteries - it looked like a human body constructed from sea coral. Mother ocean....ya....we definitely come from the sea.

Speaking of body parts...
I ask Z, "Where is your nose?" With a big grin, he raises his finger to his nose and sometimes he also says, "nose" - quite clearly! The other day I asked him about his nose and his response was to point to his left eye and say, "eyes."

The report from daycare on Tuesday was that he knows all of the motions to "the wheels on the bus." I keep singing it, but he hasn't decided to join in with me yet. darn it!

Tuesday was our last day of Master Gardener class. This coming week we have a review, a potluck, then graduation. Now to make my yard look like a Master Gardener lives here. With two dogs and a lot of shade, it will not be an easy task. The yard already feels so much better without the willow. Now, to keep the flower beds free of weeds, fill in the empty patches, and design around the dogs. I've been watching where they like to lay at different times of the day.

We started a new google group for MG knitters. We plan to stitch together once per month.

Someone got into the house the other night and took one of J's guitars. It was a scary but benign wake-up call to replace the "Old Black Dog security system" with modern technology and it's further proof that Young White Dog is a lover not a fighter.

another bug

2007-03-15T14:06:00.000-07:00

I've caught another bug - knitting. Last night, I stayed up an extra hour working on a present for a friend's baby. I haven't felt this way since college when I couldn't stop playing Tomb Raider. I'd huddle in front of the television for hours trying just one more time to maneuver through the streets of Venice without getting shot to reach the next level. Over and over again, until one night I made it all the way through and never played the game again.

Knitting is so much better...and there's no end - only the next project. Last night, I finished the first square of the project (to be revealed after it has been received by the mother-to-be) and began on the second. Unfortunately, I calculated wrong and had to begin the second square three times before it measured the same width as the first. But, I didn't mind. It was like making it to that next level. I kept thinking, "I should go to bed and start over again tomorrow." But the next thought was always, "just one more row." I finally decided to take the knitting to bed with me. I should have the second square done tonight.

As I knit I'm not only thinking about the next project, I have at least 20 projects in mind. (n= number of friends and family who I would like to make something for, plus things for myself). The best part is that it is an act of love. It's so exciting!

Thanks K and G for inspiring, teaching, giving yarn, lending needles, and encouraging!

plant sale plug

2007-03-14T15:03:00.000-07:00

Since 9 January I've been enrolled in the Master Gardener program of King County. 5 and 6 May and I will be collecting my first volunteer hours as a Master Gardener intern at the 25th Annual King County Master Gardener Foundation Plant Sale.

Also, I am selling raffle tickets ($2/ticket). Prizes include: autographed garden books, weekend at the ocean, landscape consultations, plant containers, garden equipment, art, gift certificates to local nurseries, and a handmade quilt - to name a few.

Additionally, for $25 you can pre-shop the plant sale Friday May 4th and have an evening of wine, music, and appetizers. Ticket reservation deadline is 20 April. Contact Nancy at 425.432.3294 or email. More information about the plant sale (including seminars by master gardeners) is available.

If you live in the area, hope to see you there!

z's first song

2007-03-09T07:58:00.001-08:00