This One Wild And Precious Life.

So, the daily literary quote rss feed on my igoogle home page has done it yet again. It's prompted me to pause and deeply ponder. And, random chance would have it that it was another Mary Oliver quote that was the catalyst.

I perhaps have been an unknowing closet fan of hers. Despite a Bachelor and Masters degree in Literature, I never once stumbled upon her in my studies--her thought provoking work has only recently dashed across my path and caused me to pull over for a pit stop.

After reading:

"Tell Me, what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious life."
(Mary Oliver, American Poet)

I began to wonder what I am doing--what I will do--with my one wild and precious life.

Dean and I watched "Revolutionary Road" this weekend and for those of you who have yet to see it, it too, makes you think--think about just the kinds of questions that Oliver's quote prompts . . . will I settle for mediocrity, comfort, routine, stability and forgo living out dreams, desires, (non-destructive) impulsive urges, and yearnings? Will the house, kids, cars, bills, responsibilities whittle down my whimsical wants into empty suburban shells of lone gone aspirations?

When Dean and I met, I was in my last year of college as an undergrad and had joined the Peace Corps. I was headed to teach English in the humid and untamed jungles of Thailand. But, when he proposed that I move to Los Angeles with him after 9 months of a make-your-knees-weak-can't-concentrate-sweeter-than-honey romance, I agreed. It seemed exciting--not quite Thailand--but 3,000 miles away from home nonetheless.

Almost a decade later I can say that I have lived a wild and precious life--here in Los Angeles. We have lived out this time in arguably one of the grooviest places to possibly spend your 20 somethings. But now we want more. Both of us.

What we will do with our one wild and precious life?

Now that we have a baby, I do not believe that the answer to that question has to fit into a nicely packaged square box. I do not believe that we have to cease continuing to live the life we dreamed of living, say, before we birthed Noah Finn. I am not being unrealistic. I do admit that accommodations and adaptations and even concessions will have to be made. But I do hold firmly to the idea that a responsible and familial-friendly version of the life you've always dreamed of is attainable--even with a family--even without a large bank account--even if you are told you can't.

Studying the subject for years now that I love, marrying Dean, birthing Noah and being fortunate enough to stay at home to raise him is half of my answer to this question. But I am only 30 years old. I have a long wild road ahead to travel and precious things yet to explore.

Dean and I are deciding now how to answer this question. We have been and still are planning a move in the next few years. We are seriously considering Portland, Oregon. An organic farm just outside of the city limits sounds divine. We have talked about Paris. Riding a red bicycle with a baguette in basket and pants rolled just above the ankle sounds pretty heavenly too.

Silly, you might say? Why, you might ask?

Why not? . . . I would respond. Why not?

So, now . . . you tell me in the comments below if you feel so obliged, what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?

By Golly, We're On Tooth Number 3!

Noah has been an incredible little guy lately. Ever since his second tooth popped up right after the first a few months ago, he has been so much fun to be with. He has been smiling, laughing, crawling, rolling, scooting and talking the days away with great virtuosity.

Then, two mornings ago--at nearly 7.5 months old--he woke with a familiar host of symptoms--the teething monster had returned. Last time he was incredibly whiny, extremely slobbery, and had two large red rashes on his little cheeks. This time has been a little different . . . he's not slobbering as much but is a little fussier--even crying quite hard at times (which he doesn't really do anymore), isn't eating solids with great eagerness, and is running a low grade fever (about 99 degrees give or take a bit) off and on.

He definitely is not his usual self--that familiar bright-eyed twinkle is missing from his big baby blues and he is missing that pep in his crawling step. My heart aches for him--I hate to see him in such pain. I know that teething is part and parcel of this whole growing up thing, but it somehow just doesn't seem very fair.

Dean noticed the top of his right eyetooth peeking through the gum this morning. So, it's here . . . but there has been no relief. Is it possible that he's getting a top tooth at the same time? We can only hope that there is some big reward at the end of all of this suffering. Two teeth for the price of one would be nice.

Temporary Blogging Brown Out.

If the Fire Department in our neighborhood can take the day off due to budget restraints, then why can't I? They call them "Brown Outs". I guess hoping that "Brown Out" sounds nicer than "we are closing because the state pissed away your tax money and now you and your family may die a grisly fiery death because of it".

Anywho, "Little Foodie Feasts" have taken off more quickly than I expected and I am proud to announce that I will be holding the workshops regularly at my home. As I busily make fliers, workshop handouts, blog over at Feeding Little Foodies and pound the pavement spreading the word, I am admittedly too brain depleted to wittily blog after getting my teething monster to bed.

But, not to fear, I will return and return soon. I have a notebook I have been filling with topics running round my head as of late.

AND, I will will be featured as a guest on Domestic Dork's blog next week while she's off visiting family on vacation. So, please do check out my post "Pooptastic, Pooperiffic! The Adventures of Solid Wastes." It promises not to disappoint!

Love, Love, Love.

The Beatles had it oh-so-right--all you need is love. Truer words have never been spoken . . . or sung.

We went to our dear friends, Eddie Jo and Annie's, wedding this weekend in Pasadena--and let's just say that love was in the air. There's nothing like a wedding to get you thinking about love, family, and all things that nurture the heart. It seems like only yesterday that Dean and I were walking down that aisle of matrimonial bliss, and now here we were at someone else's wedding with our baby in tow. I suppose it will only be a matter of time before Eddie Jo and Annie are attending a wedding with a wee little tike, too.

It's just unbelievable how beautiful life can be when you're in love.

If You Love Somebody, Set Them Free.

Okay, yes those are lyrics to a 1985 Sting song, but they rang oh so true today when I came across a quote on my igoogle page. I have a daily literary quote rss feed on my google homepage. Yesterday, it featured a quote from American Poet, Mary Oliver and all I could think about after reading it was, "that lady must have kids."

The quote went something like this:

"To live in this world, you must be able to do three things: to love what is mortal; to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it; and, when the time comes to let it go, to let it go."

I hate to reveal that it was only after watching "Benjamin Button" recently that I first had a paralyzing realization that I was indeed mortal. No, I didn't think that I was a superhero or a downy white unicorn bathed in light before watching the film, I just hadn't really given it much thought.

It wasn't until seeing poor ol' Benji aging in reverse--from a wrinkled and crippled infant to a wrinkled and crippled old man--that I truly came face-to-face with the fact that I am nurturing the next generation--someone who will only be budding into puberty just as I will be waning into the second half of life. I will be gray and he will be pimply. I will be mom and he will be my rebellious teen. I will be Grandma and he will be Dad. I will be a memory and he will be Grandpa.

Your 20's aren't really a time when you waste much energy thinking about your inevitable and eventual end--you are just beginning what will hopefully be a long and successful life as an adult. Not even turning 30 this year changed all of that. Having a baby did, however.

Now, several times a day, I am saddened by the reality of time's quick passing.

At nights when I am rocking my sweet suckling baby as he drinks and sniffles at my breast, I already envision the time, not very far off from now, when those gentle quiet moments of pure raw love and mutual dependence will come to an end.

And my breast will eventually return to me. And from my breast, I will have to let him go. On to a sippy cup. On to a big boy cup. On to a fork and spoon.

While my eye is pressed to the camera's viewfinder, I can feel time ticking each minute into the past and imagine Dean, myself and Noah Finn years from now watching what I am recording at that moment--laughing at our "dated" hair styles, cars, furniture, clothes--things which are for us now new and modern.

And, our home will return to us. And from our home, we will have to let him go. On to college. On to his own home. On to his own life.

There will come a time that I will have to let him go--let him flutter on without my constant guidance, nurturing, or intervention. And the time is coming sooner rather than later. The independence has already begun. I am preparing now for the"letting go".

Rugrat.

Introducing "Feeding Little Foodies"!

My dear sweet friend, Carrie, has inspired me! I took her advice and have begun my own baby food making workshop . . . and well, here is the announcement that I will be selflessly promoting to every mom, mommy group and local mommy store that I know. I was also thinking of posting it at our local Whole Foods and Trader Joe's stores?!

In addition to the workshops, I have also launched a companion Feeding Little Foodies blog that will serve as the workshops' web page, as well as, an online baby food making resource for all parents.

Please spread the word, add the new blog to your "favorites" and don't forget to "follow" it too!

The first "Little Foodie Feasts" workshop has been scheduled for next month. The announcement is below for you to pass along to anyone you may know in the greater Los Angeles area . Cross your fingers that it will be a success!

"I am a first time mommy. I am a homemade baby food enthusiast. I am a former teacher and a lover of fresh organic produce. Put all of these together and you get an enthusiastic teacher of organic and homemade baby food making!

Making your very own incredibly delicious and nutritious homemade baby food from fresh and organic fruits and vegetables is easier and more fun than you think--and, it is incredibly rewarding knowing that you are filling your little one's tummy with fresh, wholesome, pesticide-free and incredibly pronounceable ingredients.

Please join me for my first baby food making workshop called "Little Foodie Feasts" at my house on Tuesday, August 11th at 1:00 p.m.

If you have any interest in making your own fresh organic homemade baby food for your little one but don't know how to begin, are intimidated by the mere mention of it, or feel as if it would be too much work/money/time, then this workshop is for you!

The workshop will include the following:

• demonstration from start to finish
• sample menus
• sample recipes
• sample feeding schedule
• tricks and tips for making, spicing, storing and freezing
• gear overview (what you'll need)
  
• your own container of pureed food to take home with you!
• discussions with other moms about common concerns/fears/anxieties/problems with starting solids

Feel free to bring your little one. I will have a fellow mom there to "keep an eye" on the kiddies. We have a padded playmat with tons of books and toys to share for your wee one's entertainment while you stick your head in the kitchen for the pureeing fun!

If you are interested, please RSVP by Tuesday, August 4th!

For more information, please visit my blog at www.feedinglittlefoodies.blogspot.com.

I hope to see you all there!"

All In A Good Day's Play: 4th Edition.

A little late, but better late than never! Here's our fourth weekly installment of, "All In A Good Day's Play"--a post where I chronicle, once a week, our day in snapshots!

Our Friday in snapshots:

• 6:45 a.m.--morning snuggles with Papa
  
• 7:15 a.m.--playing on the playmat with Mommy while listening to "Sesame Street Sings the ABC's"
• 9:00 a.m.--morning nap in the crib
• 11:00 a.m.--jogging in the park with Papa
• 12:30 p.m.--a yummy lunch of sweet potatoes, green beans and papaya
• 1:10 p.m.--snuggletime with mama on the bed--including lots of giggles and drool
• 1:30 p.m.--afternoon napping with mommy
• 3:30 p.m.--playdate at Asami & Kai's house
• 6:30 p.m.--walked over to listen to jazz and picnic on the grass at the L.A. County Museum of Art (not pictured because mommy left the camera at Asami's house--drats!)

Sweet Barley Potato Balls.

I got this great finger food recipe off of wholesomebabyfood.com this morning. I think that I am going to make them this weekend--they sound absolutely delicious! Plus, for whatever reason we have an overstock of sweet potatoes. I'll let you know how they turn out!

Sweet Barley Potato Balls

Ingredients:

• 1 cup soft cooked pearled barley (not pureed)
• 1 cup cooked sweet potatoes
• 1/2 cup apple or peach puree
• pinch of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg as desired

Directions:

• Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
• Shape into small bite sized balls or plops for a nice baby finger food.

Can be used as finger food or as a meal for "pinching" and spoon practice.

For more foodie tips and tricks, please visit my other blog, feeding little foodies!

Feeding Our Little Foodie: Part 2.

It seems that in addition to going ga ga for gear, mamas also like to chat sustenance. Once the boob or bottle gets it's walking papers (or more likely, bathroom pass, if you're like me and plan to nurse into early toddlerhood) at around 6 months of age, the bright, colorful and beautiful world of food suddenly opens up for both mama and baby.

It is extremely exciting--but it can also be very overwhelming. As regular readers of this blog know, I make all of Noah Finn's babyfood at home using fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. And, I want to make it one of my blog's missions to convince other moms out there, whether they're on the fence about making their own babyfood or entirely opposed to it, that it really isn't so hard and that the incredibly delicious, nutritious and loving results are well worth the time.

For all of you moms out there who may be looking for an idea or two--and to follow up last week's foodie post--here's another menu of the large two week or so batch that I prepared tonight:

• green beans with fresh garlic
• curried peas
• plums
• papaya
• carrots with a little fresh ginger
  
• prunes & bananas
  
• nectarines
• pumpkin with a dash of freshly grated cinnamon

I dabbled briefly with explaining my process last week, but if anyone would like for me to go into more detail, I'd be happy to--anything to get you started! Otherwise, as I have already mentioned, wholesomebabyfood.com has been an incredibly valuable reference as has the book, "Super BabyFood" by Ruth Yaron.

So, happy puréeing. If you haven't already, give it a try! If you're an old pro, please feel free to share any yummy recipes that have been successful with your little one--I am always looking for fun new flavorful ideas!