My Five Star Resort Vacation.....AKA....A Trip to Nana and Grandpa's House

My family and I live in one of the most beautiful places in the United States. I doubt anyone would argue that the Bay Area, Marin specifically, is gorgeous. With great weather. And ridiculously expensive prices for just about everything. We live in a little house measuring less than 1,000 square feet and most of the year it doesn't bother me in the slightest. We've lived there for almost seven years, long before the munch(my daughter) made her dazzling appearance. That being said, I have spent more time inside our little home this past year than all the years prior. So sometimes it feels a little cramped and often times I find myself fantasizing about closet space. We put up with these prices though, for the outdoors, which goes hand in hand with the weather because in Marin you can be outdoors doing something active nearly every month of the year.

Fast forward to the holiday season and the 12 day trip my husband I have taken to Rockwall, Texas. Not unlike Marin County, Rockwall is on the East side of Dallas and hovers on the edge of a lake, really pretty. My in laws, now known as Nana and Grandpa, are fortunate enough to have a large home on this lake, complete with boat dock and ducks. Now, for someone having been born and raised in California, where houses such as this are only for the super rich, this is a real treat. Walk in closets! Huge kitchens with enormous pantries! Beautiful pool and spa with a lake setting in the background! I could go on and on. This house was resort-like to me in previous years but this year has taken on a Five Star rating. Why? Simple answer, Nana and Grandpa live here.

It's only been four days and I'm more rested and relaxed than I've been in months. My kid's feet haven't hit the floor and she's got new toys to play with. Nana and Grandpa WANT to feed her, they WANT to change the diaper, they've been waiting for this opportunity for months. On my second day here I was able to take a NAP, that holy activity for mothers, only possible once in a great while. I've gone jogging, I've gone to a movie, I've gone to a bar for drinks, and I had the pleasure attending the most Holiday of all Holiday events,
The Nutcracker. I can hardly believe it myself but I'm even contemplating taking a dance class tomorrow afternoon. Every single activity I've mentioned above can be found on my "Favorite Things" list, but have been pushed to the back burner since the wee one took center role in my life.

I don't need these things to survive but yet I feel refreshed, like something may have been missing, could it be social interactions with someone who doesn't respond with a "ggaaaaa, mamamamama, lalalalal doo doo??" I'm relishing in the freedom staying with Nana and Grandpa offers me, it is the opportunity to do as I please. Which, as all moms know, is an absolute, total gift, something we will never again take for granted.

We are right in the middle of our visit and all three of us couldn't be happier. My only hope is that we take this happiness back to Marin and continue to feel the simple joy of family and love throughout the year. I'll be honest though, a walk in closet sure would help!!!

Ho, Ho, Ho....Nothing Gets This Mama Down! Happy Holidays!

The holiday season is a good season. I am not, nor have I ever been, a Grinch. Even in college I was dragging a box of ornaments around to various dilapidated houses and every season would decorate a charming tree that bore a vague resemblance to Charlie Brown's favorite evergreen. The holiday season of 2010, however, has been a lot more shiny and sparkling than holiday seasons in years past. There were a few key tip offs that alerted me to the fact that I might be one of those mommies who cries upon taking the carefully preserved, hideous looking "first" ornament out of the bubble wrapping in twenty years.

Tip Off  #1: I was checking out Santa's workshop at the local mall on December 1st. DECEMBER 1st!!

Tip Off  #2: I spent about a half an hour finding the perfect holiday station on Pandora and have been listening to classic holiday tunes for a good portion of each day.

Tip Off  #3: I've gotten almost all my holiday shopping done and it's only December 10th.(this is a true first, a miracle!)

Tip Off  #4: Me myself and I have already watched at least two holiday specials, one being the ever popular Christmas Story.

Tip Off  #5: I insisted that my husband find and purchase tickets to The Nutcracker, something I haven't done since I was about 12.

Tip Off  #6: When I received a DIY hand print making kit for a Secret Santa I was actually really excited because I had already wanted to do one for my in-laws.

Tip Off #7: For the first time EVER I ordered and will send out holiday cards to our dearest peeps. I've never been organized enough to get this done!

Since the little one is only 14 months old unfortunately, I can't blame the the kid. This mama is in full holiday mode but honestly, it's the anticipation of how she'll feel in a couple of years that has me all giggly and cheerful. The thought of creating our own family traditions, the blending of our two families, it is thrilling. The holiday season truly makes one realize the importance of family, and it brings to light just how lucky my little girl is, to have a tremendous, generous, fantastic family to share her memories.

My Kid is Training to be a Sumo Wrestler

My daughter is almost 14 months old and she isn't walking. Honestly I'm not too worried about her advancement. In all seriousness, the kid crawls like nobody's business. She is happy as a clam crawling around and when I do get a little anxious, those feelings are appeased when other mothers tell me to appreciate these last moments, after she starts to walk, then run, my life will be over, again. (Why does every landmark point in this journey have the subtitle "end of my life?") No, she is taking her time and instead of heading right into walking my daughter has decided to train in the ancient art of Sumo as well.

It all began with the crab walking, the not-quite-crawling-but-not-quite-walking moves that look silly and don't get one very far. About a month ago she started this move, I think, to check out exactly how much strength it actually requires to get up on two feet. This crab walking led to the low squats, the really early Sumo training. Mothers will understand, your little one goes from two feet and one bottom on the ground to two feet on the ground a little bottom hovering about six inches off the floor. This is a very exciting thing to experience as a parent! Especially when you see the joy on your child's face, that in itself is priceless.

All this early Sumo training then leads to the constant grunts and growls of frustration, as my little Sumo wrestler goes up, down, plop....up, down, plop....again and again. Uggghhh! Ooooh! Ugggh! Ooooh! I can hear her practicing from down the hall.

She's gaining control of the middle, balancing on two feet and assuming full Sumo squat mode as she learns to stand and one day, walk. I love to watch her get ready, assume the squat and then go down. Sometimes she stands up and is so proud!

One day she'll be walking tall and her Sumo training will be a thing of the past. But I love that she's taken this road to a new skill, not only is it precious but it makes motherhood highly amusing.

Marin Mama vs. The Big Bad Virus

I never was a hypochondriac. My mother was an R.N. and we had access to excellent health care.  I managed to remain in relatively good health throughout my teens and twenties. There was a period of time where I didn't have health insurance but aside from regular check-ups, I was fortunate enough to stay out of the doc's office. Since having my daughter, we've had excellent care and we have a fabulous pediatrician. We've been for all our well baby check ups and there was only one visit in between. Until the Big Bad Virus stopped by for a nice five day long visit. It was during the Big Bad Virus's tenure in our home that this relatively calm, non reactionary mama was afflicted with what I affectionately call Crazy Mother Syndrome.

You see, CMS is a real condition. It sort of lays low until something like BBV comes by and throws anything a parent may have known or thought they had a handle on, out the window. To watch your little darling cry and cry and cry. To know that she is very uncomfortable and nothing will make it feel better. To want to explain why she feels bad but realize she is too young  to understand. These are the things that force CMS out into the open.

In the span of five days I called the advice nurse 3 times, we made two doctors visits and a early Sunday morning visit to the ER, mostly because CMS was at it's worst after two nights of no sleep and a very unhappy 11 month old child. Labeled a non-specific virus, the symptoms my daughter was experiencing are very common and there is no medication, only time. It includes blisters of  the throat, tummy aches, head aches, body aches, vomit, high temperature and rash, basically, no fun whatsoever. This is my first child and  my CMS was at an all time high. I'm guessing by the third kid, (if I survive that long) these feelings may be slightly subdued but who knows? I hated to see her feeling so terrible and one of the best moments I've had was the morning I went in and she was laughing, the first time in five days.

The BBV had gone on its merry way and the CMS took a chill-pill. Life had resumed to its former relaxed state. Another life lesson learned.

Little Baby Teeth vs. Marin Mama

I haven't thought about baby teeth in years. Not until my daughter was born. See, right around 5 months a mother starts looking for some pearly whites to make an appearance in a gummy little mouth. A mother expects to see these teeth because that would be the answer to why the little one is upset, crying, or otherwise dissatisfied.Well I kept looking and looking until one day, oh, what is that?? Four teeth coming in all at once? Well! When this kid does things, she does it in a big way, or so it seems.  She is still drooling constantly, puts everything and anything in her mouth, rubs her little ears. It's got to hurt, teething, can you imagine?? A constant pain, just annoying enough to disrupt sleep and cause irritation. Enough throbbing to make a person want to try and get those teeth through themselves, in hopes of stopping the ache. Here, in my opinion, are some pluses ( or minuses, depending on your sense of humor) to having your child sprout chompers:

1.Now the baby can eat chunkier foods, only to stress mom out to no end ( fear of the baby choking is serious)

2. The little munchkin can really rip into any/all items that may find their way to the floor, including bits of paper, carpet, socks, etc.

3. When dear mother attempts to slowly get a finger in sweet baby's mouth, mom is treated to a razor sharp poke, no joke, razor sharp!

4. The adorable baby will take on annoying habit of grinding teeth, and yes, it is loud enough to give you chills.

5. When little baby smiles, her face takes on a whole new look and mom is left wondering if time has sped up in the short months since she met her little spark plug.

It's actually a good thing to see some little teeth in my daughter's mouth, but it's also hilarious to see what's going to be thrown at this Marin Mama, believe me, I'm always surprised.

It's A Whole New World....

I can't get the theme song from the animated feature Aladdin out of my head. "It's a Whole New World, a magic place I never knew....." because my little munch started crawling a few days ago. No more rocking back and forth, I'm talking crawling, full motion. She's discovering nooks and crannies she never knew existed. She's finding awesome pieces of string from the carpet and checking to see if they taste good. Um, yeah, a whole new world indeed. This Marin Mama now realizes that her level of clean isn't as good as it could be. I could vacuum more often, mop more too. I notice feathers, leaves, dirt, anything that finds it's way to my floor and into my kids mouth. Her little head has bumped the side of the coffee table more than once, (need to baby proof!)She is having an amazing first few days, the looks she gives me are priceless.  This is a whole different lesson altogether, for both of us. Even though I try to make light of some of our trials and tribulations, each day I am astounded at the rate of growth, not only physically but emotionally. It is a wonderful experience to behold.

Notes to Self

Note #1: Never move a sleeping baby from a car seat to a crib unless confident transfer will be successful.

Note #2:  Change baby into fresh outfit after finishing breakfast, not prior. If not, will find self changing said baby again 1/2 hour later.

Note #3:  Have everything by the door and ready when attempting to leave house. Any delay over two minutes will ensure miniature fret fest by miniature traveler.

Note #4:  Attempt to get from living room to kitchen without spilling what has become like liquid gold: breast milk.

Note #5:  Planning a wedding while caring for 7 month old munchkin will make life very stressful but allows for the realization that said stressing over things like invitations and wedding cake is so not worth your time.