Maternity Photos

We took pictures at the end of May when I was 8 months pregnant. We went to Bosque del Rio Park in Whittier on a sunny, HOT afternoon. It's never easy to get kids to cooperate with photo shoots...Liliana wanted to pose with me when the photographers asked her to step out of the frame for a moment, and when they asked her to take a family picture with Adam and I, she wanted to run away and play. But, we managed to get some good ones.
These are not the pictures that I ordered, these are just some images that the photographer picked for her blog that I was able to "steal" (with her permission) to post on my blog. They aren't my personal favorites, but you get the idea...

Memorial Weekend...pool party and beach x 2

Memorial weekend was the perfect kick-off to summer. We spent our Saturday at the Tollack's annual pool party, which was an absolute blast. The weather was perfect, the food was delicious, the kids had so much fun running in the grass and playing in the pool, and the drinks were flowing for the adults who were laughing and having way too much fun. Instead of the usual "Whispering Smith" (aka "Sneak Attack Morrisons") that we usually make, we made a new cocktail to share called a "Skip and Go Naked". We have tried them before, but never made them ourselves. They were a hit and I was jealous I couldn't try one...next year. :)

On Saturday we went to the beach with the Riese and Pascal families. The sun was shining, but it was a little windy on the sand, so we played for a couple hours and had our picnic lunch and then came back to our house for jump house fun and a BBQ. 

Sunday was a perfect beach day and we spent the whole day at the beach with the Tiltons, Rieses, and Reeves and other "friends of friends" that joined us. Adam has started bringing a big shovel with us each time we go so that he can dig a huge hole (or 2 or 10) for the kids to play in. They have so much fun with it! The water was so nice and I spent a lot of time swimming in the waves--my favorite, especially when I am pregnant. After the beach we went to a friend's house for another BBQ and some jacuzzi fun.

1st Family Bowling Adventure

We took Liliana bowling for the first time with the Riese family. The kids had a great time. I think Liliana had more fun dancing and cheering for the other players (especially Daddy) than she did actually bowling herself. It was a fun night for the kids and the adults. 

Giselle was the cutest little bowler around...

Look at that form! 

 Hooray! 

 The ramps and lane bumpers helped make the kids successful bowlers. 

 Buddies.

Cirque de Soliel: Totem

We took Krissy to see Cirque de Soliel's, Totem at the Del Mar Fairgrounds as a slightly belated Mother's Day gift and celebration. Liliana became obsessed with Cirque when she saw a program at our neighborhood crepe restaurant. She was begging to go to one and looking at clips of different Cirque's online so I started looking to see when the next one would be in town. We decided on Totem and she LOVED it! She is already asking when we can go to the next "Circus Ole" (as she says it).
We listen to the soundtrack practically on repeat in the car and she belts out the 'part French/part Spanish/part made-up language' lyrics all over town, eliciting some crazy looks from the passerby. Whenever we get in the car she opens her program and pores over the pages and the costumes and asks me millions of questions about the acrobats, their tricks, and the theme of the performance--EVOLUTION. Try explaining that concept to your 3 year old!! I have been doing my best but her questions are pretty involved and it is a very hard concept for 3 year olds who don't have a firm understanding of time and history yet! Our discussions usually end with her asking, "so were you a monkey before you were a human? Was Daddy? Did Grandpa swim before he walked??" HUH? Help! I tried to look for clips on you tube for kids and found nothing. No great books on the subject for little ones either. Any advice on how to teach the topic would be appreciated.
After the great performance we went to dinner at one of our favorite Encinitas restaurants and old neighborhood faves, Q'ero. Adam and I had a wonderful evening spent with Grammy and Lila.

 I don't know why this picture came out so fuzzy on the photo website. :( 

Mother's Day

My parents came to town so that my mom could be at my Blessingway and to celebrate Mother's Day.

I am always grateful for my Mom and how much she does for me. Even though she lives far away, I call her for help and advice fairly often and we see each other every month. She is the mom--to me and my friends--that can help with everything. Instead of "Ask Jeeves", we labeled her "Ask Jones (her nickname)" years ago. She can sew, cook, help you find the best restaurant in a foreign country, and recommend a great book (because she has read them all). I have always asked her for help when I am researching something and I use this skill of hers even more now that I am a mom and searching for the healthiest way to raise my babies. And, she is also a lot of fun to hang out with. I appreciate how much she has given me and taught me and loved me, and watching her with Liliana is magical.
I am filled with even more gratitude for her now that I am a mother. My mom and Liliana have such a special bond. My mom goes out of her way to make sure Liliana feels special and she spends every possible moment she can with her--teaching her to sew and cook and taking her to plays and on adventures and vacations. My mom and dad are constantly thinking of creative ways to make Lila happy. Liliana adores her and knows that she is "Grandma's Precious".
I am also very grateful to BE a mother...especially to a unique, bright, spunky little girl like Liliana Rose. I can't wait to meet the active little bundle in my belly and be a mommy to him as well.
We had a great day celebrating Mother's Day together as a family. We had drinks at the Ritz and brunch at the Surf and Sand. Then we headed home and the girls napped and read and relaxed while the boys cooked and cleaned for us. It was a wonderful, relaxing day.

 My mom made this adorable jumper and jacket that Lila is modeling...

I am wearing 2 very special mommy bracelets in this picture. The beaded one is a gift from Liliana that she made for me at school. If you look closely you will see the elephant that she chose for me and the shell that she strategically placed on the elephant's buns to look like a tail. I thought that was clever. :) The green bead on twine is a bracelet from my Blessingway. Each woman that was there got one in a "circle of connectedness" ritual. Every time we look down at our wrists we think of "Baby Brudder" and wish him a safe, happy journey and life. I am one lucky Momma!! 

My Blessingway

Instead of another Baby Shower or Baby Sprinkle, I wanted to have a "Blessingway" to honor my  baby boy and his birth. Here is a brief description of what a Mother's Blessingway is:

The Mother's Blessingway Ceremony originates from the Navajo people.  It is a very positive celebration filled with rituals, affirming that a woman will have a natural and beautiful birth experience.  

  Birth is a key life passage for women, but modern culture has lost touch with birth's profound impact on the expectant mother. This ceremony honors and marks this rite of passage. It is a ceremony of empowerment near the time of birthing.  

Within a small circle of friends and family in a quiet,  gentle, spiritual ceremony, those attending will celebrate sisterhood, welcome a new baby to earth

and honor the mother and her birth.  

Surrounded by the most important women in her life, the mother gains a sense of power, confidence, and support that will help her rise to the beautiful challenge of natural childbirth and motherhood.

My blessingway was perfect and beautiful! It was a fabulous day being surrounded and supported by family and friends and hearing all of their kind words regarding this birth of our baby boy. Liliana came and it was very special to have her be a part of everything. I think her favorite part of the day was watching her birth video--she had never seen it before! When I would get emotional and cry she would pat my back and say, "don't worry mom. Don't cry. You are not a baby." 

 Katie Tollack was the "MC" and she did such an amazing job at organizing everything and narrating for the ceremonies. She also did all of the cooking and everything was delicious! Sarah did a beautiful job on all of the decor...everything was burlap and white and very natural--so gorgeous. She also made the most lovely favors that are photographed and described below. Peggy sent delicious key lime cake pops as part of the favors also. Katie McCasey brought a tasty strawberry shortcake for dessert and Taryn was the hostess and offered to have the party at her home. I am very lucky to have so many amazing women in my life. 

Pinning flowers in my mom and Lila's hair. Everyone wore one in their hair for the day...

Katie, the MC for the day...

My family that was there that day (Nicole is missed in the picture)...

My friends that were there that day (Katie M. is missed in this picture)...

Liliana modeling the new dress that matches Baby Boy's outfit that Katie T. got for them...

My "Strength Box" filled with touching, sentimental tokens and useful candles and potions to give me strength through the natural birth and beyond...

3 generations...

Me n' my belly...

The amazing candle favors. The flower (handmade by Sarah) is a pin that can be taken off and used again. Inside the terracotta pot is a mini-version of a large candle that Sarah and Katie had specially made for me and the birth. It is filled with calming, empowering scents to help me labor. Each guest got a candle to take home. When I go into labor I will call Katie who will let everyone know it is time to light their candles and send positive energy to me and our baby boy. Isn't that the sweetest?!?

Here is the poem that is written on the card inside the pot:
"This is a gift for you today. When I start my journey, please light my way. Sending support and love day and night. Until I'm in my mommy's arms and she's holding me tight."
The poem is written on plantable seed paper and the pot is also filled with soil so that after Baby Boy is born, my friends and family can start a plant.