Spring & Rebirth

I am finally feeling back to normal. It's been over two years since I could say that. It feels great.

Qi

Qi=the absolute energy of all phenomena.

Jack is now "2" and with that number come so many new challenges. I am home full-time with him and some days, by 5 pm, I am ready to run. Fast. Out the front door. Lately my relief has been a long walk with the iPod and doggie, and I wish to get back into yoga. I was actually beginning to get quite good at it...headstand, crow pose, etc., then I got lazy. In fact, I was not feeling well.

Turns out I have a strange assortment of food allergies, in fact two naturopathic doctors told me they've never seen such a Heinz variety. On a scale of 0-6, "6" being highly reactive, egg whites were my "6". I ate two of these each morning along with whole wheat toast [gluten, "4"]. Breakfast of champions, eh? Other allergens include: red grapes [red wine], green bell peppers, pineapple, all dairy, gluten, and a few shellfish. Overall, my body was exerting way too much energy to fight off food. After three weeks, I am definitely feeling better but not 100% in the energy department. I have lost some weight and I supplement.

It feels damn good to be aware of my body's needs. It is so easy to lose oneself in Motherhood, but if I don't fix myself first, how can I be good at anything?

Sun

It really is remarkable being able to live here in the great Northwest. I suppose I was drawn to such beauty at a young age, you know, because of that Star Wars movie where the Ewoks gang up with the rebels and kick Darth Vader's ass? Well, that movie was filmed in Northern California and Redwood National Park, plus I've always had a thing for ferns. I love meandering through the dense forests here and it feels like it was "meant to be" for me.

Anyhow, I find the sun to be such a powerful entity, especially in mid-winter Seattle. Clear skies mean frigid temps, but if you live in Seattle you can bet your ass convertible tops will be down, the Keen sandals will be on, and the shorts will be dug out from the closets. It is, in one word, absurd. But I love it: driving past the coffee shops with their Adirondack chairs out front, full of happy, excited people, drinking their organic soy lattes. It's as if that glowing ball in the sky gives us all hope of a dreamy summer to come and that feeling called comraderie.

Flirt

How is it that my 2 year old already knows how to flirt? Jack and I visited our naturopathic doctor today, Dr. Tara, who absolutely loves Jack (apparently his feelings are reciprocated, as you will see). The boy knows how to bat his long, dark eyelashes, peek around corners with a devilish look in his eye, and say "yes" in a sweet, yet exasperated tone. When we were leaving, Jack hugged Dr. Tara, yelled "BYE!" to the two [female] receptionists, and again to the entire waiting room. Not before giving numerous doctors and medical assistants fist-bumps and high fives. Dr. Tracy, another naturopath & midwife, looked at me and said, "Girl, you are in big trouble!" I simply smiled and said, "Yep, I know." I guess that's why parenthood is such a crazy ride...you don't know what kind of hand you'll be dealt...all I can do is thank my lucky stars.

Full Circle

I was reminded this morning, while my husband sat at a coffee shop in Bozeman, Montana, with my oldest friend and her husband, how funny life can be. You never know where life will take you in other words. I mean, who would have thought that a girl I met in the first grade in Buffalo, New York, and I would travel the Irish countryside and work on a guest ranch together? And that the latter decision would prompt a set of events like the flick of a domino? Furthermore, now that we live in Seattle, WA, my husband's work territory includes Bozeman, MT. Where Emily lives. Thank you universe, that is rather convenient!

A Surprise Day Off

Today Jack and I went to the aquarium because our dear Nanny, Margaret, fell ill. I love the Seattle Aquarium. It is an adventure before you arrive for a couple of reasons: a) because you have to find a parking spot & use the automated parking meters, and b.) because my 2 year-old wants to chase the Bainbridge ferry as it docks at Pier #60. Once you actually arrive, you are greeted by a giant wall of fish, then it's on to the tide pools and discovering what a sea star feels like. Jack really enjoyed the otters as they swam on their backs and dipped below the cool water. I think it's fair to say they were his favorite. My favorite? Just staring at the little blue- eyed boy who once grew in my belly.

I was (shock!) gazing at Jack while we were sitting in the sun eating pears and crackers and thought, "Hmm, these years are way too precious and being that we live 2000 miles away from our family, I really need to start documenting our life here!" We do not intend to live here forever, though I have thought long and hard about scooping up this beautiful place and setting it somewhere along the shores of the Atlantic, somewhere in the "middle" of all our loved ones. Anyhow, as I was saying, we aren't going to be here forever, but I need to stop thinking that way. Instead, I want to enjoy the hell out of this place and share it with you.

Thanks for reading.