Downpours & pretty potty's

I am grateful. Today has been one of those days that I just felt great. You know, when it was effortless, fun, and the rain didn't depress me at all. Matter of fact, the rain was almost a relief. You see; I am a Washington girl. I love the great North West! I was born and raised here, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I own an umbrella, but never use it. I love the smell of fresh rain on asphalt after a dry spell. I love how the rain makes me want to nestle into my warm home, light the fire and get busy baking and cleaning. I did all of that today. Cora & I started our day at "play a-latte" with Staci & Sadie. The girls had a great time pushing each other around in little cars, while staci and I chatted and sipped our lattes. After the playdate ended, Cora & I headed home. We played, Cora napped, mama scrubbed some toilets till you could eat out of them (pumice stone works wonders!)and I actually got a whole shower in (including legs shaven) before Cora woke. Miracles DO happen! Usually, it never fails: when I start to lather my shampoo, Cora wakes crying and I have to run across the house soapy & dripping. But- not today. The fog rolled in with the evening giving me an urge to light the gas fireplace... But it's getting low on propane so I didn't. But wouldn't that have been nice? After Cora went to sleep, I relaxed on the couch, sipping a cup of decaf, nibbling a piece of banana bread and watching my tv obsessions. (I worked really hard today and actually got alot done, so I don't feel guilty in the slightest!) Anyways, I think that's all I really want to say today. It was a good day. :)

ps. I realize I haven't posted lately-
my apologies. I do have s good excuse though. We canceled our Internet service... So now I have to post from my iPhone. Kind of annoying. I am excited to write about Cora's big birdDay party... But I'm waiting on the photos. To be continued...

Big steppin'

As promised... here is the video footage of cora's first steps...six of them. Well, she actually took her very first steps at grandmas earlier this day, but we weren't quick enough on the draw with the camera. So, without further adeau', here is cora's (2nd) first steps. :) Hope you enjoy the little diddy as well; I wrote it myself.

Bella Novella (that does mean beautiful novel right?)

Eight hours of beauty sleep and a double tall venetian latte' later; I am feeling rested, rejuvenated and ready to write. As previously stated, Cora and I spent yesterday "monkeying around" seattle... literally. We began our adventure by hitting up the 6th and pine starbucks for some much needed liquid energy. Cora entertained a fun older couple at the table next to us as she ate her avocado and kept them guessing with her one minute smiling, one minute glaring faces. That was the new look I was talking about earlier... she grimaces at everyone... than she laughs. I'm pretty sure she is doing it now because she gets such a reaction, everywhere. we. go. Steph and the kids met up with us, than we hit the freeway and headed North; First stop Woodland park zoo. The monkeys piled out of the vehicles, and we loaded up the strollers. We visited Africa first where the kids oohed and ahhhed over Zebras, Elephants, hippos, lions, and my personal favorite... giraffes. We came during feeding time, so we were able to get a great view of them just over the fence. I was actually pretty excited, I don't think I've ever experienced giraffes this "up close and personal" before.

Two adults to five children is a fun ratio, but the kids were very good and Brooklyn and Bradyn were super helpful. Here is Brooklyn Feeding Cora her bottle (which she still refuses to hold).

Me being the picture Nazi that I am, I was intent upon getting a good photo of all of the kids together... That was interesting. Twenty minutes and five very bored children later, I had finally gotten a couple where everyone was looking at the camera, or at least looking in the general direction. Here are my favs~

I just love getting them together. Cora adores all of her cousins, and it's so fun watching her interact with all of them. Here are just a couple pics I found especially adorable.

With Cora becoming more mobile, she loved standing up with the big kids and taking in the views. She doesn't wear shoes too often at home, so she doesn't walk as well in them but the zoo was a perfect opportunity for her to practise as mommy wasn't letting her run around barefoot like an animal. (get it, an animal, at the zoo??!) Lame jokes aside, here are some cute ones of my little bird.

All good things must come to an end, and the zoo was closing. Stephenie and I wrangled up the fabulous five and we walked in circles for a while, trying to decipher the zoo maps and make it back to the "meerkat" parking section. Eventually... we found it.. and we all said our goodbyes and the Bradley's began their journey home. Cora and I had other plans....

I decided that in favor of Cora NOT going to sleep in the car at 6pm to the detriment of her 8pm bedtime, we would get dinner in Greenlake. I typed "food" into the map app on my Iphone, and low and behold "gorditos" healthy mexican food popped up only blocks away. Parking was interesting, so I opted for a spot in the bartells parking lot across the street, crossing my fingers and ignoring the Tow warnings.

Let me just say, being out and about without daddy makes for an interesting evening. Gorditos is a casual, family dining experience; You order at the front counter, than take your chips/ dip/ drinks/ mini pinata table number and go grab yourself a seat. Sounds easy enough right? Well, add in a squirming baby, a diaper bag, a large purse, and this simple task becomes a test of ones skills... Not to mention, I was supposed to also grab Cora's highchair. Awesome. A (sort of) nice gal reluctantly came around and grabbed a highchair for this overwhelmed mommy, and we made the rest work. Now onto the bathroom... surprisingly enough they HAD a changing table, which I give them major props for... I'm used to changing diapers at the table (which I have no problem doing by the by.. if an establishment doesn't provide me a place to change my child's diaper, I will provide my own place thank you very much. Sorry I won't let my daughter sit in her poop.) Okay, getting off my soapbox now and back to the story....

I haven't had to attempt using the restroom myself while holding my baby.. until just then. Let's just say, it was interesting, but we managed.

For dinner I enjoyed a heaping plate of carne asada, my favorite.  They had brilliant rice and beans, fabulous corn tortillas, and fresh sliced avocado. They even had a fun salsa bar where I chose a nice "family style" salsa and diced cilantro and onion.... Mmmmm Cilantro...  it was a mexican loving girls dream come true.

Cora especially enjoyed the chips and dip....

After our fabulous meal, as we made our way back to the car I was drawn across the street to an amazing graffiti wall.. check it out.

In honor of my husband.. a fireman.. saving a kitty.

I was determined to get some cool pics of Cora in front of this wall.. I just loved the colors and the contrast... She decided it was the perfect time to take and break and kept trying to sit on the yucky gum ridden seattle sidewalk... Here are a few I managed to get...

By this time, it was nearing Cora's normal bedtime so it was the perfect time to load her up in the car and head for home. She was pretty beat after such an exciting, fun-filled day!

Moments into driving, with the music playing and the a/c blasting, Cora was already passed out in the back and we were on our way. Wow! What a spectacular day we had! Thanks to those of you (staci J) who have patiently followed along with what has probably become the longest, most run-on-riffic and colorful blog in the history of blogs. And thank you Cora, for a wonderfully special day; one that is not soon to be forgotten. Love you dolly.

To be continued...

Cora and I played in Seattle today! We visited the woodland park zoo with my sister and her four chitlins, than Cora and I wandered the streets of seattle a little.... It's late, I'm exhausted and I want this blog to be a good one. SO, I will be blogging about this splendid day... tomorrow. Here's a little something to hold you over....

Bedtime for Bonzo.

My CoraBella

So, I am clearly not technologically savy. It took me until a moment ago to figure out how to post a picture. My friend tried to explain that I just had to click the photo or video icon, and yet I was still baffled. I saw no such icon... until just a second ago; clearly labeled right above where I am currently typing. WOW. Here is a small sampling of my newfound computer skill:

My little girl is ADORABLE!

Which brings me to todays topic; my adorable little girl. ;) Seriously, I know all parents believe their children are adorable no matter what, but Cora is so stinking cute~ and I firmly believe that were I not Cora's mother, I would still think she was the sweetest, most beautiful and precious child on the face of the planet. I don't mean to gush; well, yes, yes I do. Cora is my first baby, so I believe that gushing is in order. She was 11 months old yesterday and just began taking her first steps! I was the excited mommy, clapping and cheering (soon to be made evident by the video to follow). I just can't believe how fast she has grown; It feels like just yesterday she was still rollin' around in my belly. Her BirdDay party is right around the corner, and I just can't get over the fact that in a few weeks my "baby" will be ONE! Today she was ALL smiles (except for when I took away the TV remote). We laughed all day, at nothing; at everything... I blew raspberries on her tummy, and took pictures and videos of her like the paparazzi. She gave me random cuddles and snuggles, and sloppy open mouthed kisses, and this funny little smirky face that she recently began doing all the time... it's pretty hilarious. Than after dinner and a bottle, I rocked my sweet girl, and gave her a kiss and her lovey, layed her in her crib with her blankie tucked around her. She didn't make a peep, just turned her head and went to sleep. Couldn't. ask. for. more. Goodnight Moon.

Lord make me a leaky faucet.

This is meant to be a "family blog", but I'm sure it will be more of a "Tricia blog" with the occasional "Matt" excerpt. ;) In truth, that first sentence is very telling of our life and communication styles. I tend to have a running commentary; words flowing out of me like a river, some might say a waterfall at times. I've never been very good at "Quiet time", only further proven when I tried to do hot yoga once.  I was miserable; I couldn't even make it through the hour long class. I found it quite impossible to still my thoughts, let alone my mouth, which was probably quite disruptive to the other "students" as I randomly threw out my only funny to me, jokes and banter.  My husband is another story; his conversationalist style more closely resembles a trickle, or a leaky faucet if you will. (but not in a annoying "will you fix that leaky faucet?!" kind of way.)  He's not mute by any stretch of the imagination, but he is more of a "watcher". The thing is, his words are intentional, and when he DOES speak, you listen. He doesn't just speak without thinking, letting words get the better of him; but instead takes time to carefully gather his thoughts before he allows them to leave his tongue. There are so many reasons why I love that man, and although at times his "quiet nature" drives this "talky talkerson" crazy; he really inspires me to more.  The bible tells us to be slow to speak, and quick to listen... Lord help me. Seriously. Maybe that is why I love writing; It allows me to stop and really think about what I want to say and often in quieting myself, I make discoveries about myself, my God and the world around me. In essence; Lord make me a leaky faucet. :)





*Just to clarify, in proverbs, a nagging wife is compared to a leaky faucet... that is NOT what I'm talking about! Rather, I want to be a conduit, producing refreshing and cleansing waters, controlled by the flow of the spirit. But really, could I put all that in the title?!?! *