to create

cre^ate, cre^ates, cre^ating

1) to cause to exist; bring into being

2) to give rise to; produce

i have strong germanic tendencies to finish things, to complete them, to have closure, to check off a task from my to-do list. lately, i find myself perusing the spaces where i normally would not dwell - the process, the uncertainty, the untended, finding an unfamiliar comfort here. i'm dabbling in the creativity of my thoughts, feeling especially like i need to express, to create, to produce. is this the result of being a mama? is this the world of mommyhood? where energy goes to existence, to being, to exploring? where the unfinished is glamorous with its scraggly edges and where messiness speaks to a life lived rather than a life planned. here's to creativity of the body - birthing a baby boy, and to creativity of the mind - raising that baby boy.

Meme

I was tagged by Sara. Sorry it took so long to post this. Here it is - finally...

Seven Random Facts About Me

1) I don't like talking on the telephone. I'll do just about anything to get out of making a phone call, but for some weird reason, I could chat endlessly with my mom and/or husband via el telefono. I have no idea why this is.

2) I would like to write a book sometime in my life. Haven't decided if it will be fiction or non-fiction. I'm counting on the subject matter finding me. I'm hoping that I'll need to travel to a very warm and tropical island to do "research" for my literary masterpiece.

3) I've never been much good at making/keeping good girlfriends. I've always found it easier to spend time with, talk to, and live with the male counterpart. As I get older, I wish more and more that I had developed my friendship and kinkeeping skills as a girl and young adult. I often find myself wishing that I had a few good girlfriends to talk to about the details of my life as a wife and mother, and to share a sense of community with them that I find myself craving as I get older.

4) My favorite food is arroz con pollo, Puerto Rican style, from Yasmin's kitchen. My mother-in-law could bribe me to do anything with her cooking. But she's kind enough to feed us with no strings attached. In fact, she sends food home with us some evenings after she's watched our baby Miles all day. How lucky are we?!

5) I am a pessimist. (Usually) not in a neurotic, worry-wart sort of way, but in a matter-of-fact, I-know-I'm-right-even-though-I-don't-have-all-the-information, we-are-doomed sort of way. It annoys David to no end. I don't blame him.

6) I used to talk to the ocean when we vacationed at Holden Beach, NC in the summers. I would sit out on the end of the beach house boardwalk and greet the ocean when we arrived. I'd sit in the same place the night before leaving, saying "goodbye, ocean, see you when I return". It was very comforting knowing that the ocean and I had settled this, the business of coming and going.

7) I wasn't sure that I would be able to handle childbirth without pain meds - but I did - and I'm pretty darn proud of myself for that. (This is the girl who, when she was about eight years old, had to be held down by two grown adults to have a splinter removed from her toe. This is the woman who still faints when she gets blood drawn or her finger poked at the clinic). I was definitely convinced (see #5) that I wasn't going to master breastfeeding after a month of pain and frustration - but I did, we did - and I'm pretty darn proud of that, too.

Mommy and Me

A Ukrainian-Greek Wedding

Congratulation Catherine & Anthony!

One of my best friends from high school, Catherine (who now lives in New York), got married this weekend in Mpls. They represented both of their ethnic backgrounds by holding the ceremony at her Ukrainian church and the reception at a wonderful Greek restaurant. We had a great time seeing and catching up with old friends.

Friends that I've known since junior high and high school...Angie, Jacqui (and me). Together with Catherine, we made up a super girl power foursome.

The four of us together at Catherine's bridal shower

Midtown Global Market

We went to the Minneapolis Midtown Global Market this weekend. It's been open for almost 2 years now, and I hadn't been there, so we decided to pack up and take Miles for a quick indoor global trek. He loved the sights, sounds and smells. We even stopped to watch a salsa dancing lesson taking place en masse in the common area.

The market is on Lake Street in Mpls, which is one of the most diverse areas in the Twin Cities, and has been an area of change and revitalization in the past few years.

If you look beyond the Old Dutch, there is an entire wall dedicated to Mexican candies. This place had amazing pinatas, as well.

Even the pillars have been painted to reflect the different cultures represented in the market - this one was near the vendor where we ate - Holyland - middle eastern cuisine.

Miles and I hanging out at the table while David munches on a gyro and other meaty stews.

Visit with Karen and Mic

Family friends Karen and Michaela stopped by this weekend to spend some time with the little guy. Miles' adoration for Michaela was evident in the sweet faces and flirty eyes he was sending her way. She played with him the entire time and even entertained him with her toy violin. What a great buddy!

Miles and Karen spending some time together

Miles and Mic

The Gift of Knowing

This past weekend marked one year from the day I found out I was pregnant with Miles. I've been thinking a lot about that day one year ago, remembering the details of the day -even the most mundane- and the incredible and intense emotions I felt. Although the day Miles was born is, of course, momentous in its own right, it is the day of knowing that truly opened my heart to the wonders of possibility, of love, and of life.

you.are.

the scent of sweetened spices and fresh cedar

you.remind.me.of.

a farewell whispered into the ocean’s wind at the end of summer

i.have.

seen your shape move across the clear blue river waters of the andes, like light bouncing between moments of time

your.small.being.

my.unending.love.

Sunday Divine

Yesterday was gorgeous here in Minnesota! After running errands in the morning, we spent the entire day outside, cleaning up our perrenial garden, taking Miles for a walk, and raking/fertilizing the lawn. As you can see, we had a lot of work to do! Miles was content to sit outside watching us from his stroller.

Man at work Our daylilies are about the only thing pushing up in the backyard Miles took a nap outside - he had just woken up in this photo Felix enjoys laying on the gravel driveway, soaking up the heat from the warm stones

5 Months Old

Happy five months little guy!

As you can see, Miles is becoming increasingly interested in his feet.

Look at all that new fuzzy hair!

Yoga for Miles

Miles and I went to a mom and baby yoga class this morning...it was amazing! He had such a good time. Imagine a room full of cute babies (including all of the adorable sounds they make) and their parent(s), in a super-zen atmosphere. Miles smiled and giggled non-stop for the first 15 minutes, then was talking and babbling so loud (he was the loudest babbling baby there) for about 10 minutes that the instructor joked about letting him teach the class :-) He stared at all of the babies, and both he and I got a pretty good workout. Right now, he's zonked out and the instructor assured me that he'll sleep a lot today and produce impressive diapers later on. I don't have any photos to post (the atmosphere wasn't really conducive to photo-taking), but you can visit the website of the yoga center here to get a feel for the place.

Our Little Jester

Got Milk?

Yesterday was our trial run with solids. Rice cereal was on the menu, and the reviews were mixed. Miles managed to work a few bites to the back of his mouth and swallow. At one point, he even seemed enthusiastic about the whole situation. That lasted for a nanosecond, and then he spaced out, eyes glazing over, and probably started daydreaming about milk.

I snapped a few cute photos of him in his high chair, which of course, makes the whole experience worth it, right? Poor kid.

The high chair was my brother's, and then mine, and then underwent a refurbishing before Zach and Keaira used it a couple of years ago. We are so happy to have this gorgeous wooden high chair to use now! Miles seemed very interested in the tray, but was struggling to sit upright in the chair.

Although he didn't hate trying solids, I think we're going to wait a couple of weeks until we try again. Hopefully he'll be sitting up better by then.

This look basically sums up the experience....

"Blah! Jeez mom, just give me the milk!"

Blanking on a Title for this Post...

Since it's just a bunch of random photos thrown together.

Tulips from guests we invited over last weekend- at least we can pretend that Spring has arrived from inside our abode

Miles playing with one of his favorite toys. He loves to be on his tummy these days. In fact, he's been making me nervous by turning over onto his belly while he sleeps at night...He's a tummy sleeper like his daddy.

We bought a larger car seat for Miles last weekend. His shoulders were too broad for the infant seat, but he just looks so tiny in this thing. He just woke up here, hence the zombie look...

Playing with his cousins' toys at their house. Thanks, Zach and Keaira, for letting Miles take a ride on your choo-choo train! Look! Four goofy kids monkeying around!

The Songs We Sing

Miles and I went into the bedroom and laid down so that I could nurse him...and he fell fast asleep

Lullaby baby blues

Time to kick off those walkin' shoes

Hug the pillow on your bed

And lay down your sleepy head

Hush now, no need to talk

Hear the ticking of the clock

Stars that twinkle, stars that shine

Dream and you'll have wings to fly

Goodnight baby blue

Close your eyes baby blue

The moonlit sky watches over you

So close your eyes baby blue

-Keb' Mo'

Miles loves it when we sing to him. Some of our favorite songs are:

Old MacDonald Had a Farm

You are My Sunshine

Silent Night (I know it's out of season, but I love this song, and it calms him down)

BINGO (We replace "Bingo" with "Felix" in honor of our canine pal)

Carry Your Heart (Blue Dogs)

Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) (John Lennon)

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Hush Little Baby (A revised version)

Great Big Boat (Putumayo Caribbean CD)

Quick Visit

• My mom was in town this past weekend tending to work matters and squeezing in some time with her children and grandkids. I realized this morning as I was dropping her off at the airport that I hadn't taken any pictures of her with Miles - zero, nada, zilch. What kind of blogger am I to let this momentous occasion slip by without documenting it? I'm getting sloppy... Although, in my defense, I must say that we didn't have a chance to spend much time with her due to her short trip AND, well, she's Gwen - she flits about like the wind. Anyway, what little time we spent with her was great...we went out for Thai food and Mexican food --with Miles of course-- while she was here. Yum! It was wonderful seeing you mom!

• On a different note, Miles has been a complete joy this weekend - doing new things and really showing his personality. Despite a sleep strike today (he only napped for 30 minutes the entire day - he finally went to bed a few minutes ago), he has been one happy mellow fellow. The raspberries are in full force and he spent the evening last night alternating between blowing really juicy raspberries, fake coughing, squealing, and laughing...over and over and over... He really thought he was just the funniest little man, and of course, we all agreed with him.

Baby Bear & Babylegs

Miles received this adorable little bear outfit from our neighbor. I couldn't resist taking some photos of him sporting the animal-themed gear.

He's been making these wide-eyed looks lately...like everything is completely surprising and shocking to him. Who knows, maybe it is...

Not crawling yet, but doing great during tummy time.

We bought a couple of pairs of Babylegs for Miles. Here he is showing off his stripes.

Hibernation Ends

The weather here has been beautiful the last couple of days. I decided to take the opportunity to get out and walk with Miles in tow, and without having to dress him like a snowman. It was very liberating!

We went for a "big boy" walk with Miles in his stroller. No more carseat in the stroller for this guy! The sun shade on this thing is amazing. You can't tell from this picture because I pushed it back, but it practically extends down to his feet. This will be a great stroller for summer walks!

We actually went for two walks today. Miles and I went out for a stroll, just using the baby bjorn, while David was out and about doing other things this morning.

This is what is left of our winter plants. They're definitely ready for the next life. They used to be bright green when we planted them around Thanksgiving. I haven't had the time to take them out of the planters yet. I just got around to taking down our Christmas wreath this week. Generally, we can't dig in the dirt here until Mother's day anyway, so I guess it doesn't matter much.