He hearts pears.

You'd think that with such intense scrutiny, he'd figure out not to eat the core, but by the time I set my camera down, half of it was gone.

Love his little one-handedness.

Ten on Tuesday.

1. The best way to jazz up a can of soup (I've been relying on Campbell's Select Harvest - various chicken varieties) is to add half a diced chipotle pepper (I keep them in the freezer). Add a can of garbanzos, an extra can of broth, some peas, and, really, whatever else you have on hand - delish. Then I pop two corn tortillas into the toaster for a few minutes, eat those up with salsa and avocado (because I share an avocado with Fisher for lunch), and that's lunch!

2. Fisher's regular living room routine: crawl over to the [play] kitchen, pull out the sink and throw it on the floor, throw blender on floor. Dump all kitchen play food onto floor (this is like a hundred pieces of food). Eat that stuff for awhile. Crawl over to [kiddie] table and knock both chairs down. Toss onto floor whatever items were on said table. Go back to play food and continue eating.

3. Alla does her paintings and then says, "Gorgeous!" Indeed, my love.

4. She knows all the words to the song "Sister Suffragette" from Mary Poppins, and I must really get this on tape because not only does she change to her British accent for this, but she of course makes up her own words, which is just delightful.

5. Fisher must throw his lovey out of his crib at least three times per nap (and I must retrieve it) before he just lays down already and goes to sleep.

6. He signs "light" and "all done."

7. We had 40+ temperatures this weekend. We were practically sweating. We went out for a nice family walk to the stream, where Alla and Daddy "hiked" down the stream a ways, while Mama and Fish meandered up the hill quietly spying on little birdies. He was later entranced by an airplane.

8. The poor baby is so sheltered, I don't think he'd every really seen (or at least noticed) a bird before. Now that he's to the stage where he can and wants to notice and learn everything, it's freaking winter and we're trapped inside. A lot. His whole world consists of our house, the post office, the library, and drop-off/pick-up at Alla's preschool. There will be a lot to see in 2-3 months when we thaw out.

9. Fisher has a new hole in his gums this morning, so I'm guessing tooth number EIGHT will be arriving shortly. Boy wonder.

10. Alla is "recovering" from a bad case of impetigo, which, incidentally, she had in the same spot when she was 5 months old. Last week she curled up in her favorite spot, my rocking chair, with some baby blankets (hers from Gramma and Fisher's from Megan), and I asked her to show me her beautiful eyes. She's not hiding her "ouchie" here, she's just doing her best not to smile. Lucky for me, her eyes give her away. Mama always knows when you're smiling. And because today has already been draining and kind of exhausting already, I think it will be great fun if I go and find that 5 month picture.

Ah, yes. Here it is.

A little sunlight.

I may have mentioned the lack of light in most of our house. I'm pretty sure that, as a result, perhaps as many as 75% of our winter photographs are taken in my bedroom, on my bed. Best light in the house. Even on days when the light is harsh, you just kind of chase it around, hoping you can get it to aim right into a pair of "coffee eyes," as Alla says. Winter memories are made here. Our first year in Minnesota, Alla still in diapers, still napping on my bed. We'd sometimes spend the rest of the afternoon there, sometimes still in jammies, sometimes making videos of new songs she'd learned: Twinkle and ABC Song with sign language.

Last year, she was napping in her big girl bed while we waited for Pondegore to arrive. She napped and I napped, trying to position myself on the bed so that as much of my body as possible could be warmed by the sun. And then, when she woke, spending the rest of the afternoon there.

We still sometimes spend the rest of the afternoon there. Or, at least until you can no longer contain a ten-month-old on a bed.
Oh, and sometimes we call him Bozo, because, really, look at that hair.

Ten on Wednesday.

1. It's that kind of week. Or maybe month. Yes, that's it. February will be better.

2. My son has seven teeth.

3. Real Simple had a great weeknight meal idea in their January issue: Rice Pilaf (yep a box of it) with browned chorizo and 3-4 scallions mixed in. That and some sliced roasted sweet potatoes makes for a yummy quick dinner. And Fisher loved the leftover sweeties.

4. It has warmed to 15 now.

5. Great January music: Bon Iver. I love this one, too. The guy's semi-local (WI). Wish I'd have seen this live!

6. I've faithfully taken a photo each day this month. I've uploaded thru hte 20th, which I'd say is as close to on top of it as this gal's going to get. This is the third year I've done POTD for January. There's no way I could commit to the 365 thing, but it's pretty great to compare Januaries of years gone by. I like the tradition.

7. January snow-play.

8. January bed-jumping.9. January Saturday reading.

10. January afternoons.

Winter walk.

We are enjoying two days of warmth, which, for these parts, in the middle of January, means mid-twenties. Yesterday we ventured out at noon for a 45-minute walk, and that was just wonderful. We all needed the sunshine and fresh air. Alla loaded her dolly Lauren into her baby stroller and we walked to the stream. Alla thought she'd be brave and walk on the stream. (Trust me there's a stream under there somewhere.)
This is the other side of the stream in the summer:)Back to winter here - Fisher is one heavy baby after 45 minutes in the Bjorn.

I've always loved the path that leads down to the stream, in every season it is lovely in all its winding-ness.

I'm seeing that the temp has now climbed to twenty-five so I have big plans to get these kiddos outside after naps today. And maybe get in a run this evening myself! Maybe it will even hit 30! Then I might have to break out the shorts. OK, I'm kidding. Barely.

Ten months.

Wow. How is that possible? That in two months you'll be ONE? I'm forgetting how one is still baby. Which is reassuring because one also sounds way too big. In this, his 44th week, we inaugurated our 44th president. The kid (oops, sorry, I meant, baby) is in love with avocado, banana, rice cakes, and pears. He ate a whole pear for breakfast. Devoured a whole banana today. Bananacado is a favorite combo.

Discovered a new trick today, where he balances on his knees for a moment, then lets himself fall backward. Luckily he taught himself this trick on my bed. He later learned that it was not as fun to do this trick on the less-soft carpet. Won't be encouraging or laughing at this funny business anymore.

He's my love. And he's hungry. So I must go and supply him with his evening rice cake.

The afternoon light.

A lot of that list was me looking forward to things that happen in warmer weather. Truth is, we endure the winter because we live here and winter is part of the living here. We don't really have things that we look forward to during winter that aren't attached to holidays, birthdays, etc., like we do with warmer weather (gardening, State Fair, running in tank tops, flip flops, sun hats, playing outside).

So instead we look around for things to appreciate, things to admire, simple beauty. Something I've deeply studied in the two and a half winters that we've lived here is the light. Mostly the sad fact that there isn't much of it, especially of any good quality, all winter long. But when we do get a sunny day, the light that shines inside is warm. It isn't of the flood-the-room variety that you get during the summer. It's more like a warm spotlight that you dance in and out of, nap in, wake up to. In the summertime, we miss all these moments of light because we're so busy with those activities, and when we're done with them, we come in and sleep and that's when the light acts this winter way. In these cold days on end that we remain indoors, I am at the very least watching the light and how my children look inside of it.

'Twas a happy one indeed.

Something about my birthday, no matter how we celebrate, it's always a day I feel super-special and extra loved. Might be the cupcakes Ron brought home from Salty Tart. White chocolate with lemon filling. Yum. I've had those filed in the back of my head since I first read the four-star review. Anyway, my birthday was not about cupcakes, or at least not entirely. It was just an ordinary day, school, diapers, making lunches, sneaking in some quiet time where I could. But it was also wonderful and special just being celebrated by my little family. I love you three. And I also love all of you with your wishes and greetings and calls and gifts. Thank you! I have such love in my life and birthdays are one of those days when you are reminded of it.

Ten on Tuesday.

1. They say it's your birthday! Well it's my birthday, too:)

2. Yes, today I am 32 years old. I was born on Thursday, January 13, 1977, at 12:25 pm in Englewood, Colorado to William Thomas Fagan and Nancy Ann (Rees) Fagan. My dad had just turned 24 and my mama was 23 when I was pulled from her belly.

3. For either my eleventh or twelfth birthday, I had a party at home. I don't remember much other than the gift opening. My friend Jennie Hill gave me a sterling turquoise flower ring that I still have somewhere I think for Alla's dress-up, and my friend Yvette Cruz gave me a Pebbles tape. That was my first tape. 4. My first true-winter birthday was my 22nd, the year I was living in Urbana, Illinois and we got 36 inches of snow overnight and I had a few days prior dug my little Saturn out of the mound of snow around it. It was not a fun birthday, as I was remembering the glory of my twenty-first birthday the year before. The glamour, the curls, the heels, the spaghetti straps, the limo, the warmth I took for granted! Where are those photos...

5. Orlando Bloom is also 32 today. Other famous folks that share my birthday, but of course are much older than me or dead: Patrick Dempsey, Nicole Eggert of Charles in Charge fame, Jimmy Kimmel, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Bella Lewitsky, dancer-choreographer extraordinaire.

6. I was pregnant for both my 28th and 31st birthdays. For that twenty-eighth birthday, Ron and I had jambalaya at a little spot in Hermosa Beach and then went and saw a movie and my back hurt so bad by that point in the pregnancy that I pretty much laid on him the whole two hours.

7. It is eight below today. No spaghetti straps here, unless you count the nursing tank I have under all the other layers.

8. I love my birthday. Love the whole day being for me, love the little surprises, the presents, the calls, the way people just want to make you feel so loved and special. I love it all, and always have.

9. So you'd think that I'd have some spectacular plans for today (I'm guessing that's why everyone keeps asking what my plans are). Well I never said I had to do it up BIG just cause it's my birthday. Just knowing that we're going to have a yummy fuss-free dinner later, and that there are presents to open, too, is more than enough for me.

10. Since I said fuss-free and yummy in the same sentence you are probably wondering just what meal fits the bill. Well, it's breakfast for dinner, of course! Tonight eggs and bacon, the old stand-bys, but with it, the Dutch Baby. So, because it's my birthday, I'm giving you a present - the recipe!

Dutch Baby

1/3 c. melted butter
6 eggs
1 ½ c. milk
1 ½ c. flour
¾ teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Pour melted butter in a large casserole pan. Whisk the remaining ingredients in a bowl and pour into the pan (don’t stir the butter into the batter). Bake for 20-30 minutes, depending on your oven (it will be very puffy).
Serve with cinnamon, powdered sugar, syrup, apples, strawberries, honey, or whatever you can think of.

Because the holidays got in the way.

In the midst of the holidays I tried to get an official 9-month shot, which didn't go too well. But then I tried again and got smiles and happiness from my littlest love. So, three weeks later, when it's almost time for ten month shots, I've got these to share.

Happy Monday, friends!

And Happy Birthday, Mazie!!

Ten on Tuesday.

I was a bit sad putting Fisher to bed on New Year's Eve, knowing the next morning would be a new year, 2009, no longer the year of his birth. So my loving husband hugged me and then told me to think of all the wonderful things we have to look forward to in this new year. And he is absolutely right. But before I share my list, I thought that a proper send-off for 2008 was in order:

And now, without further ado, I present today's Ten on Tuesday - ten things I am looking forward to in 2009:

1. First steps

2. Flip-flops

3. First Mama

4. Longer days (March 8 is right around the corner!!)

5. Easter eggs

6. Garden

7. Birthday celebrations

8. Running on pavement in a tank top and shorts

9. The return of Friday Night Lights

10. Getting our rings back from being cleaned and made to look like new, and then wearing my aquamarine Fisher ring with the new silver band Ron got me for Christmas.

Hope you are all having a lovely New Year and have much to look forward to!

The magic of Christmas.

Oh, we had a lovely wintery Christmas, white as usual for these parts. The sun came out, the grandparents were out. Not much more you can ask for.

On Christmas Eve, we had no trouble getting Miss Alla to bed on time, and heard not a peep. I'm sure she wasn't going to chance getting out of bed and having Santa see her, cause then he'd have to leave and go to someone else's house. But before bed, the kids were bathed and put into Christmas jammies {that I bought in January half-off one day while Alla was in school and Fish was in my belly - good thing he was 'with' me so I could buy him the right size}, and a few photos were taken.Good thing, too, cause as you'll see, only one child stayed in those jammies the whole next day. And it's not the one you think.I love all these outtakes. Dad, just give me my lovey, already, it's time for bed. And the laughter, oh her laughter.And her squeezes. Tight ones. Cookies were made earlier in the week with Nana, so that we'd have a plate to leave for Santa. In case anyone was wondering, the peppermint bark was tops on the list.Of course, first thing Christmas morning we hear Alla shouting in her room, Santa came! Santa came! Santa came! Only we are not too sure [yet] how she knows this. But she comes in, Fisher finishes nursing, we go see if Santa came and ate cookies, read his letter, see the carrot crumbs those reindeer left, and then go downstairs to see the magic that is Christmas. Oh she could not wait!

Santa brought her new ballet shoes! Santa might have to exchange them for a size up so she can wear them with her collection of tights.Don't those boys look handsome in red?I am one lucky wife and mama.

Fisher was quite happy with Sophie the Giraffe, especially since he just got those two top teeth, and as of tonight, I notice another one has come in! Goodness gracious, five teeth??Ready for the rest of winter.

So if you hadn't figured it out, Fisher was the one who kept his jammies on all day. Alla, on the other hand, went through a few outfit changes. I love this picture because she had to hold up her new magic wand as high as it would go so I kept having to back up to make sure I wasn't cutting it out of the picture. This was very important.Another outfit, new leotard and tutu and tights. You'd think she took ballet or something.Alla with her Nana + Pappi, and her ornament for 2008, a cute little froggie.

This picture represents for me that the "to" portion of the gift tag is really just a suggestion. Notice both children have their hands on this gift, even though it was clearly designated for Fisher. Many gifts were like this. Alla wanting to open and assemble Fisher's gifts, Fisher wanting to eat parts of Alla's gifts. A very grey area, this idea of who the gift is for.

What a baby on a daddy's head looks like.

Proof that Mommy was part of the Christmas festivities! I swear, one of these years we'll remember to get a family photo on the big day.Last but not least. Alla's little nook for the week. Nana + Pappi were here staying in the guest room, known for most of the year as Alla's playroom, so I set up a cozy little nook in our closet for her to camp out in. She was most delighted. Something about kids and teensy spaces make them feel all giddy and charmed. She wanted to keep this space forever. On the last day of the quiet nook, she laid down her precious three-year-old head and napped there.