You know how they say Eskimos have a hundred words for snow? Well, Vancouverites have a hundred words for rain. While I was in England a couple years ago, I came into my hotel from the rain. A group of people asked me if it was raining outside and I paused and said, "It's drizzling". They were like "What?", and I had to describe what drizzling meant, "Well, it's not quite raining enough that you'd need an umbrella, but it looks like it might pick up soon". They laughed and I explained where I was from.
Today as I walked around the neighbourhood in the drizzle, I contemplated all the ways we describe rain in Vancouver. The most unobtrusive type of rain would be "mist", and we'd say "It's just misting". Then it would be "sprinkling", which is still tolerable without a rain coat or umbrella. Drizzling boarders between sprinkling and raining. Some may risk going without an umbrella, but if you wear glasses, expect them to get splotched with water. The next level would just simply be raining, which is when we would definitely want an umbrella or rain coat. But it would be okay to run to the car in the rain.
After that comes the downpour, something you do not want to be caught in. We live in a temperate rainforest, and it's no surprise that we get a lot of rain here in Vancouver. But that is what keeps our forests lush. And for me, rain makes me feel so cozy and homey. Happy first day of Fall!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
My Life is You
My life is you
and suddenly I cannot imagine
what I would do with myself
if I were not your mother.
Back to wondering,
looking for meaning, for purpose
- that I have found.
I am full, full
my heart is full,
every muscle, all my blood
my organs, every bone is full
driven with my purpose
driven every day to provide
to love, to nurture.
My life is you,
and suddenly nothing else matters
the things that seemed precious
pale in comparison to you
For you, I'd do anything
nothing is as important as your sweet faces,
your every movement, your breath, your love.
My life is you and you.
and suddenly I cannot imagine
what I would do with myself
if I were not your mother.
Back to wondering,
looking for meaning, for purpose
- that I have found.
I am full, full
my heart is full,
every muscle, all my blood
my organs, every bone is full
driven with my purpose
driven every day to provide
to love, to nurture.
My life is you,
and suddenly nothing else matters
the things that seemed precious
pale in comparison to you
For you, I'd do anything
nothing is as important as your sweet faces,
your every movement, your breath, your love.
My life is you and you.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Beautiful September
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| Lena loves lifting these big stones out of the garden. |
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| Carmita, contemplating something important, I imagine. |
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| Carmen comes to play with the stones. |
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Good Morning
I went to bed early last night and so at 7 this morning I woke up and thought I should get up, before the babies. I haven't done this in forever! I always sleep until they wake up, just after 8, milking those last minutes of the warmth of bed.
But today, the golden September sun was rising and I thought I should have a cup of coffee on our front steps and enjoy the crisp morning. The first day of school is always nostalgic and full of excitement. I have a vivid memory of sitting outside my high school twelve years ago today, with my good friend Miss Petunia, watching quietly as the same golden September sun lit up the sky.
Today I will go into work, and since I've been working in the office and from home quite a bit, it has brought such perspective to my life as a mom. Being away from the girls, even just the one day, makes me want to hug them tighter, watch them closer, drink them in as they play together. I want to squeeze them and tickle them and bite their cheeks.
Having a coffee to wake me up a little in the morning before I see them puts me in such a good mood. Having time to imagine them peacefully sleeping in their cribs, and anticipating the moment they wake up so I can go into their room and see their rosy-cheeked, sleepy little faces. I'll pick them both up out of their cribs with each arm and they'll wrap their legs around me to cling onto each hip, and we'll sit down on the floor and smile and squeeze each other.
But today, the golden September sun was rising and I thought I should have a cup of coffee on our front steps and enjoy the crisp morning. The first day of school is always nostalgic and full of excitement. I have a vivid memory of sitting outside my high school twelve years ago today, with my good friend Miss Petunia, watching quietly as the same golden September sun lit up the sky.
Today I will go into work, and since I've been working in the office and from home quite a bit, it has brought such perspective to my life as a mom. Being away from the girls, even just the one day, makes me want to hug them tighter, watch them closer, drink them in as they play together. I want to squeeze them and tickle them and bite their cheeks.
Having a coffee to wake me up a little in the morning before I see them puts me in such a good mood. Having time to imagine them peacefully sleeping in their cribs, and anticipating the moment they wake up so I can go into their room and see their rosy-cheeked, sleepy little faces. I'll pick them both up out of their cribs with each arm and they'll wrap their legs around me to cling onto each hip, and we'll sit down on the floor and smile and squeeze each other.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Dining Out - Success!
Well, we did it! We took the babies out to a restaurant for the first time in... well, their lives. Since Orlando's off on Saturday and Sunday, we tended to avoid taking the babies out because those are the days restaurants are busiest. Taking them to a bustling, crowded, busy restaurant scared me a little. Carmy & Leens are sensitive to crowds. Partially, probably because we don't end up in crowded places often.
But then I found The Tipper Room. They host a mommy meetup every Friday in the back, which my sister-in-law has been to and quite enjoys (we haven't gone, because it conflicts with our naptime). Yesterday I was feeling adventurous, so I called to ensure they were kid friendly (they are) and that they had two high chairs (they do!). It is also only a five minute walk away! So off we walked, and when we arrived, it was not too busy, we got seated right away and both high chairs were available. Phew! They serve delectable breakfasts; the usual eggs & toast, as well as bennys, caramelized banana cinnamon french toast (of course we got that) and a nice variety of beers (which we didn't enjoy, but maybe next time). The girls were great, barring a major coffee-spillage, rather noisy sippy cup-bashing against the table & Carmy's occasional abrupt shouts, everything went well and I can see us going there much more often.
Here's a little video of the girls at The Tipper Room. You'll notice I turn off the camera right after I hear "OH MY GOD"..." and a woman inevitably walks over to gush over the girls. It's unavoidable. Although she said something to us I hadn't heard yet: "If these girls were mine, I'd wake up laughing and go to sleep laughing, hahaha". Orlando and I were quiet - neither of us knew how to respond to that! We definitely laugh a lot during the day, but when you've been woken up every morning (sometimes way too early - and often after much too little sleep) by crying babies, laughing's not the first thing I think to do!
But then I found The Tipper Room. They host a mommy meetup every Friday in the back, which my sister-in-law has been to and quite enjoys (we haven't gone, because it conflicts with our naptime). Yesterday I was feeling adventurous, so I called to ensure they were kid friendly (they are) and that they had two high chairs (they do!). It is also only a five minute walk away! So off we walked, and when we arrived, it was not too busy, we got seated right away and both high chairs were available. Phew! They serve delectable breakfasts; the usual eggs & toast, as well as bennys, caramelized banana cinnamon french toast (of course we got that) and a nice variety of beers (which we didn't enjoy, but maybe next time). The girls were great, barring a major coffee-spillage, rather noisy sippy cup-bashing against the table & Carmy's occasional abrupt shouts, everything went well and I can see us going there much more often.
Here's a little video of the girls at The Tipper Room. You'll notice I turn off the camera right after I hear "OH MY GOD"..." and a woman inevitably walks over to gush over the girls. It's unavoidable. Although she said something to us I hadn't heard yet: "If these girls were mine, I'd wake up laughing and go to sleep laughing, hahaha". Orlando and I were quiet - neither of us knew how to respond to that! We definitely laugh a lot during the day, but when you've been woken up every morning (sometimes way too early - and often after much too little sleep) by crying babies, laughing's not the first thing I think to do!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Two Nap Babies
My girls still take two naps a day, around 10ish and 2ish. It's wonderful and horrible. I love that I can stay in my pj's until 10ish and then get myself ready while they take their first nap. I hate it because we only really have a few hours between naps to do anything. Luckily it's been summertime while they are on two naps and we just walk to the park or play outside during their awake time. But as Fall approaches and the cold/rainy season is just around the corner, I'm starting to look for places to take them and things to do. I've looked at the Fall schedules for all of the nearby community centres and libraries and it seems all of their events for our age group fall between 9am and 12pm... horrible timing for us! I can't find anything to go to that is in the 12-3 time-frame. Any Vancouver moms have insights for me? They should be close to switching to one nap a day, so we may just have to wait until that happens.