Ken Burns-National Parks

Can not wait to see the new Ken Burns documentary on our National Parks. With our oldest just back from a week long trip in Yosemite, the house was filled with us all talking about different road trips and time outdoors. With a few small family hikes behind us, a bit of backyard camping ( and a few over nights for them ) next summer we shall take to the Parks.
I remember when Scott and I first met, our love of the outdoors and exploring brought us to some amazing places. Hiking in Yosemite, Kayaking in Yellowstone, the early morning fog in Point Reyes..can not wait to explore all of these places as a family.
As someone who group up on the East Coast, with parents who LOVED to travel, but typically did so as a couple to exotic haunts, these are new memories I want to make and so long for.
So far, our camping under the stars in Hawaii, our camp cabin at Costa Noa and backyard at the Grandparents are the moments that put a smile on my face.

So...as we plan to record and watch this fabulous program as a family, I look forward to curling up with each of them..and letting the adventures unfold. In our minds, and in our hearts.

The show premiers this Sunday on PBS.

Of course as well this inspired a Spring line of tee shirts for Boys!!

Good Neighbors-Shabby Chic Couture

When we opened our first store on Montana Avenue in late January of 2007, It was the actualising of so many dreams. Having worked for years in retail for companies that I was thrilled to be a part of, our store, and concept was about finally bringing to life all of the hopes and dreams I had for myself. Having met an amazing life partner, and knowing that our family would be at the core of who we were and how we lived, the notion of starting our own children's brand started to come to mind. Walks spent dreaming about all that we would create, and finding partners who could and would bring it to life, was all part of the journey. Creating a culture that allowed talented people to collaborate and then ideally form meaningful relationships with those who walked through the doors.

I'll never forget the call, when Scott found our location on Montana Avenue. Having worked on the concept, the branding, the store design and the product we needed a place where we could bring it all to life. Not so easy to find, we wanted a store in a lasting family neighborhood, that would allow us to see for ourselves what it would all look like in 3 dimensional form. When in describing the location he announced that it was next to Shabby Chic, I was thrilled beyond words. Immediately knowing, this was the perfect locale.

When we first opened the store, months later, we immediately introduced our selves to the team there and I got the courage to email Rachel directly. ( as I get older, I get far more courageous ) My hope was as neighbors, that we could help support each other, and as we were trying to spread the word ( and we very much still are !! ), that they as a very established brand could help do so. A "welcome wagon" of sorts. They let us use their bathroom, borrow furniture, sharing parking...

So, imagine how sad we all were in the early Summer to learn that they would be closing all of their stores. When I think about my own reaction, there are so many thoughts that came to mind. Here was this incredibly talented woman, who as a mom and creative talent built this brand from scratch. That as a really well known concept, and one with a deal with Target to boot, that they had not made it. That as a business person, the expansion that they had planned and completed to some extent, could not have been planned during a more difficult time.

Reaching out to her and the team again to find out now, if I could be of support or help in anyway. Knowing that there must have been so many things to think about and work through and wanting to be there in any way we could.

So, I must say, for the same long list of reasons, I am thrilled that Rachel and the team just reopened on Montana Avenue ( we are neighbors again )
-Twenty year ago,the year she gave birth to her son, she opened the store on Montana
-This year, as the doors of the company as she knew it closed, she lost her mom
-She had the courage to turn her dream into an amazing business and work with a lot of talented people
-She stepped back, stayed focused on what mattered and is bringing to life her hopes and dreams again.
-She has been incredibly open and honest about her learnings, failures and challenges along the way...in every part of her life
and I have learned from her..


In our home life, neighbors, and the support of community is incredibly important and valuable. In the business world, I think the same to be true. So, to wishing her and the team every success..


follow her blog and journey here her learnings as a woman, mother, person and business woman are really honest and inspiring

Goop

I have been completely focused on bonding with our amazing daughters these last few months, and while there are a million post running through my head day and night ( oh wait, those are the same thing :) have just let them brew..It goes without saying that motherhood is as amazing as I expected, hard at times but more meaningful, more difficult, more intense, and more important then anything I have ever done.

There is nothing better then seeing the girls face light up as they smile in the morning, or laughing during the day.

I find myself, as I hold that in my heart and head, sort of wanting more out of everything. Conversations that are more direct, connections that are more meaningful, food that is more wholesome and delicious...I can't explain it but it is there.
So, as the last few months has passed, I find that certain people, sources, and places that do that in a way I appreciate and connect with. Next up, the part where I surprise myself and perhaps you...
With time more valuable, and at a premium, I was shocked at how much I loved this when I read it, and how much Iook forward to it each week.. Yes, it is Goop, Gwenyth Paltrow's newsletter.

The recipes, the fashion ( perhaps not this week :() the books, the honest conversations about relationships...it really is a simple and useful weekly read.

Sign up, and see what you think. Most of all, have fun!!

Letting go..

I've missed sitting down at the computer over the last few weeks. So many thoughts, emotions and bits of information have been spinning around in my mind. I often find the art of putting it to words, also helps clarify things for me and perhaps even more helpful, connects me to others out there. I am constantly amazed by the people who have told me they read these posts, or some of our other communication and have found a connection. In each of those conversations, another connection is formed, and an opportunity for conversation.

Where to begin. So many thoughts and topics to choose from. Let's start with the one that has occupied so much thought over the last few weeks and months, and one that I have hesitated to talk about for fear that it may be too controversial or personal.
But, as I have found, those are often the one with the greatest lessons.
So here we go, Breastfeeding.
Early on in my pregnancy a friend shared an article with me, which I share here...At the time, I don't think I could completely appreciate what a gift this was.
You see, I have always been some one, who is fairly hard on myself. Usually thinking, in any situation about what I could have done better and what I might do differently next time. Pushing myself to fully appreciate and enjoy what I have been given in life, but trying hard as well to make sure others feel good about who they are and what they have done. The journey toward motherhood has been a bit different. Slowly at first, giving voice to my own strong desire to have children and to expand our family. Reaching out for help along the way, and following our own desires about when and how we would proceed with the recomendations that were made to us. Being thrilled to find out that we were pregnant with twins and knowing as well, this is what was meant to be. Taking each day of the pregnancy in stride, an easy few months, with a small amount of bedrest and finally our wonderful girls born via c-section.
All through out, knowing that as each part of the journey presented itself, we would know what to do and would trust that things were happening as they were meant to. I truly feel blessed and would not change a thing. Questions or comments were made by some along the way, implying that there were elements of this journey that were greater or less then others...To me this held no weight or interest. What was of interest, was letting others know when it came up that our own journey through IVF was the greatest path to motherhood I could take. That in waiting to find the right husband, that years had passed and those years made our own chances rather slim. That having a planned ( and then emergency ) c-section, was the right thing for us to do for the health of our daughters and for me...as I shared those stories and are path, providing others with the hope that they too could see a future as they had hoped, and that the art of parenting is not about how you got there, but what to do when you arrive could provide comfort.

Perhaps, that is why, for the first time, in the role of parent, I have struggled with the first of many decisions to come.
The struggle around how long I could breastfeed. I think at first, I set out as I had through out my pregnancy. Pleasantly surprised that I was able to nurse both the girls, I was thrilled to have gotten some really kind and helpful advice while I was in the hospital. Yes, there were some contradictory ideas from some of the nurses, and some over enthusiastic types who made me fear I was doing it wrong, but then, just when I needed it most, the kind patient teacher arrived on the scene, and I admit I was able to truly relax. Rented pump in hand as we left the hospital, I felt confident and was off to a good start.

Over the next few weeks, balancing nursing, pumping and some ( minimal ) amounts of formula, we all found our rythym. The girls were happy and growing, I felt good about the process and my husband and our older kids could participate as well.

As time passed, a good routine, and some observations that started to enter my mind...
No need to go into the specific ( though I am happy to if interested ) but I will say this, trust yourself, believe in yourself and allow yourself the love and support of your life partner. There is a community of people out there as well who have made choices that have worked well for them, and are happy to share. Hear it not as a model of what you should do, but as a reminder that for as many parents as there are, there is that number of examples of what and how to do something. The friend who shares that she breastfed her twins for 18 months, is not putting that out for you to march towards as a goal but as something she is proud of. She was equally supportive in telling you the pains that came along the way. The friend that shared that she couldn't breast feed with one of her children, but did with the others until about 4 months was equally trying to show support and the delicate nature of this topic..At 9 weeks, it was time for me to start to transition to bottle feeding only..

So, I learn again, and it is here I want to share what I have come to understand.

1. I need to allow myself to fully participate in every experience, and not be afraid of sharing the fantasy or picture of what is in my mind.
2. Get comfortable connecting with any struggles that I come up against. Sit, and reflect on what I am really thinking and feeling.
3. Be honest about these thoughts and feelings. Talk with my husband and father of our children. His support, love and honesty is unwavering ( and he has an amazing capacity to be both emotionally aware and incredibly well informed )
4. Take the time to learn and read about the subject at hand.
5.Think about what is best for our family, our children and for us and individuals. Appreciate that every family is different and stay connected and clear on what is best for us.
6. Open up to the community of women who are around me, and have nothing but love and good intention in their heart ( more on this another day )
7. Be patient when looking for an answer and be honest when I have come up with one.
8. Follow my heart and forgive myself.


So, I go back again to February and the sharing of the article by my friend. In sharing, she tried to tell me all of the above. That there is no best way, and that like so many who have struggled before me, it is about making choices and trusting that in the end, the love and the good intention will all come through.

photo from here

Reflections

The last 8 weeks have gone by so quickly. Our girls are now officially two months old. During the last 8 weeks, we've fallen in love, bonded as a family, connected with old and new friends and experienced countless nights of minimal sleep. I would not trade this for the world.
A few friends have asked what has been most surprising, and then most joyful, and I must say all of it.
For some reason, I have had few notions of what it was going to be like, but quite a few fears I realized. On one hand accepting as we went, even from the beginning, what ever is and adjusting accordingly. From the day we found out we were having twins to the first appointment with our doctor, each day and experience is yet another page in the book.
On the other hand, I wondered quietly about breast feeding, how to balance being a mother and working, the impact of the twins on our older children, the best type of child care for us, how to find time for just my husband and myself.


I guess surprises me the most, is just how content I feel and yet how the longings of who I have been pull me in different directions. The pull of being a mom, and working.. Days spent hanging out with the girls, feeding, holding, changing pass so quickly and then moments of wanting and needing to use my mind. The pull of breastfeeding and feeling like that in itself is a full time task with twins..Knowing the benefits but also that I need to be rested, connected and present for the rest of our family and myself. Knowing as well, it is just hard.

I come to the place of trying to figure out how to make that all work and wanting so much to learn and talk to other people yet again. Wanting not to compare how we each do against each other, but to learn more about how much each of us, and our children are different. To know, that we are all facing the same challenges and that we can support each other and share our own stories. Loving time with friends that can honestly laugh and recollect these moments..

So yes, I guess there is a big surprise. Understanding now truly, that the community of women, mothers, stepmothers, women alike have so much to share with each other. The stories, the struggles, the memories, the recommendations, the honest moments are what allow us all to become. The storyteller and the recipient alike.

That truly listening and laughing along the way is what allows us to have the strength and confidence to make the best choices for us and our family. That I have a really strong desire to spend time with people that have this outlook in life. That through that real sense of community, I will have the best chance of helping all of our children and all of us, become our best selves.

Thank you to all of you who have shared, and lead me along the way...I truly would not be here with out you.

Count Me the Stars

Came across this lovely book of poetry and fabulous shop.
Looks like such a beautiful baby gift and keepsake.
Her other work is gorgeous as well...check it out.

Party Perfect

A great idea for summer parties...love this "vintage" soda bar.

So perfect for young and old alike...

On the West Coast, you can find most of these at Bev Mo.

courtesy of party perfect