Family Resemblances

While we were in Utah a couple of weeks ago we got to compare how James fits in with the family. Basically, we found a few family resemblances:

1. He looks crazy similar to the baby pictures of my baby brother Christian at the same age.
2. Other than the fact that they're both big big babies, he doesn't look a whole lot like his closest cousin Marshall (though they sure liked getting to know each other!)
3. Even though he takes after my side of the family a lot, he has definitely inherited that super smile of his from his Grandpa Felt!
   

(oh yeah, and his taste in clothes!)

Despite what you hear ... the rumors are true.

I've heard there's a rumor circulating about that I'm turning 30 today. I can't imagine where that would have come from, given the fact that I know that Jon turned 28 last month and I am determined that you are only as old as your spouse. Therefore, ...

Oh, okay, I'll confess - the rumors are true and I am 30'd. In all truth, I'm not feeling all that bad about admitting my age right now. I know that I dreaded 25, because it seemed so old, but really when I look back 25-30 have been the best years yet. I'm going to take that as a good omen for those "milestone" years. Everything I hear is that 30 is great. "You're in your prime," someone told me today.

So, bring it on ... I am welcoming 30 with open arms, and can't wait to see what the next decade has in store!

Family Time

Last week was my spring break, so James and I spent the week in Utah visiting family. He got to spend time with grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, cousins, and more! It was so fun to share his joy with so many loving family members.

While we were there, my amazingly talented cousin Arika did some photo shooting. She definitely captured his cute little personality!

Playing in the Grass

I came home from grocery shopping last Saturday to discover an empty house and two little boys playing on the grass (one of them for the first time!)

I sure do love those two!

Back to Work

I returned to work 2 weeks ago, and the transition has definitely been full of many new decisions, emotions, and challenges. I knew that it wouldn't be an easy thing, but I had no idea the variety of emotions that I've felt - both positive and negative - as I've had to leave little baby James 4 days a week. Even though it's been tough, though, there are a number of bright spots that have made the transition easier, including:

• having a job I like ... At least if I'm having to be at work instead of with my baby it's nice to be doing something that I enjoy and that feels useful.
  
• having a supportive work environment ... This has made such a difference! People at work have been not only welcoming as I've come back, but so so supportive of my new identity as a mom, and all of the changes in my focus and priorities that come along with that.
• having a child care provider that I know and trust ... I can't imagine the worry and sadness that I would feel if I wasn't positive that James would be just fine while I am away from him.
• the empathy of other moms who have returned to work ... So many women have reached out with their own understanding of how hard it is to leave your baby, along with their reassurances that it does get easier.
• the help and support of an amazing husband who is also an amazing dad ... Enough said!

I could list many other things for which I feel so grateful in the past few weeks, and which I am trying to focus on as I continue to maneuver this transition. But, suffice it to say that despite the difficulties, I do feel very blessed and am so grateful for so many things, not least of which is a happy healthy baby boy that continues to bring so much joy and light to my life!

Check out that belly!

James has been working hard (or working me hard, as it were) at putting on a respectable amount of fat. He's certainly growing quickly, which I guess explains the weekly spurts of 2-hour feedings that leave me exhausted! But, in the end, the smiles make it all worth it!

I'm a Fan!

I have a confession:

I live in a place where palm trees grow, and while some would equate this with living in heaven, I have to admit that I don't really like it.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not miserable in California - we are enjoying our time here, meeting many good friends, and enjoying wonderful educational and career opportunities. However, there's a lot here that drives me bonkers: cost of living, traffic, cost of living, crowds, cost of living ... and did I mention cost of living? I mean, yeah, the weather's great, but apparently weather costs a lot!

Anyway, I'm not here to gripe about California ... no, this is a positive blog post about the thing I like best about living here, the thing that I will totally miss when we leave California for cheaper pastures:

I'm a total fan of the Milk Pail!

The Milk Pail Market is an open-air market that sells mostly produce, but also cheeses, breads, and other bulk or specialty items. Basically it's a whole lot of fresh food packed into a small area that attracts a lot of people. This means that on any given day - but especially on Saturdays - it is likely to be very crowded! Carrying a basket as you weave your way through the bins of produce is often a tenuous process, and trying to push one of the mini shopping carts is nigh unto impossible. You are pretty much guaranteed to be running into toes and elbows, and you have to have your "excuse me's" and "I'm sorry's" ready and waiting. But, the nice thing is that even though you're guaranteed to be jabbed by others just as much as you jab, you and everyone else there know that shopping at the Milk Pail is worth the experience! You get such a great variety of quality produce (and other items) for such great prices, you're just happy to be there along with everyone else (including the employees, who, somehow despite all the crowds and craziness, are surprisingly efficient and friendly)!

For me, there is a certain thrill of pushing my way through it all and filling my basket or cart (depending on the day) to the brim with fresh produce, cheeses, etc., taking my goods up to the checkout - feeling certain that I have enough food to fill an army and that it is sure to cost me way more than I was planning on spending (as it would at any typical grocery store) - and then having it all total out to no more than $25! Knowing all the while that it is all healthy food that I can feel good about eating! It's a joyful thing!

It may sound funny, but I have to confess that shopping at the Milk Pail makes me happy and that I'm a fan!