For 2013

I intend to ...

1. Not overbook myself
3. Try a new recipe each week
4. Be aware, be kind, and be a positive influence

Break Through - 2013

I am back

A Fresh Start

Hello! I have decided to change over to a new site on Tumblr. My new website will be Chalkytalk. For future posts and news, please refer to my new blog! See you there....

Happy Birthday, Josh

June 28th marked  Josh's Birthday! Emerson, Josh and I headed to the beach. Another first for Baby Emmy!   Happy Birthday, Josh! We love you lots!

Meeting May

On June 27th, Emerson met her new friend May, who was born in February. Katie is May's mom and one of my dearest friends. We have known each other since we were 18, and we joke that we have "parallel lives," meaning we go through life events at nearly the same time, and often with the same awkward strides. We joke that I am more like Bert and Katie is more like Ernie. So far, our daughters are following in our footsteps. May is definitely more of an "Ern-ball" and Emerson looks a bit more like his "Ol' Buddy Bert."

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there ... especially, this new one who is doing a remarkable job!

Belated Birthdays

Since Emerson's birth, we have been a bit more mellow than usual. Due to her small size and a bit of a cold, we skipped two very important birthday celebrations. Happy belated birthday to Annabelle and Waylon! Annebelle turned 2 and Waylon had his first birthday! We love you so much!

Happy Birthday, Mom

Emerson and I spend Wednesday, June 20th with my mom! We had a great day - full of visiting friends, good food and conversation. Emerson and I sleepover at my parent's house and had a great time! Mom's birthday also marked Emerson's first trip to a restaurant. We went with my dad and mom out for Mexican food. Apparently, Emerson was very hungry at dinner time, too. Due to her impeccable timing, I spent most the of evening in the car, breastfeeding. This is how she won her nickname, "Milk Dud."
We are looking forward to many more sleepovers and celebrations! We love you!

Second and Third Week

Anything New?

Just in case you were wondering where I have been, and what I have been doing ...

(minus the pool part, of course)

Welcome Baby Girl Argyle

Emerson Elizabeth is Here

On May 28th, after 23 hours of labor, I experienced what I like to call, "the most painful, but best day of my life!" Our baby girl was born at UCLA Santa Monica Hospital. She was a healthy baby - seven pounds and 20 inches long. Since her birth, we have been enjoying our newborn baby girl! Here are a few of the early photos!

Wildflowers

On Mother's Day, we drove to my parent's house. I was nearing my due date and still looking for wildflowers since our poppy reserve attempt was a flop (see post below). After a day with the family, we pulled off the 101 freeway and took these pregnancy photos. Spring in full bloom!

Poppy Reserve

Josh and I drove to the California Poppy Reserve in hopes of taking some funny and some serious pregnancy photos. When we arrived at the reserve, there were about three poppies on the entire reserve. After a modest picnic, I had Josh take a few photos of me sporting my "camera shelf."

Note: When Josh and I drove across the country from New York to Los Angeles, we couldn't help but notice that men of a certain age had a built in "camera shelf." Most of them work tan shorts, a patterned shirt and hat. Hope you enjoy our rendition...

These pots and pans are a-clankin' ...

Pots and pans are a-clankin' through the streets in Canada. This week, Josh and I noticed that KCRW, our station for news, gave several mentions to the winner of "American Idol." We found it disappointing that American Idol was given mention, but there was not a word muttered about the evolutions going on, not only in US cities, but also in Spain, and Canada.

As noted in the Huffington Post article, Canada is calling out for change. They have taken to the streets with pots and pans. The most striking thing about this video is that it is beautiful, and that all types of people have taken to the streets. It's amazing to see how protest can simultaneously embody beauty, unity, peace, and power.

This year, all ready, we have seen people all over the world call for the type of change that will benefit the people who live and work so hard each day. These people live in countries where their politicians have fallen prey to their personal lust  for power and wealth - sadly, so many of our political leaders have a thready pulse (if any) on humanity, compassion, and freedom for the people who live within the borders they represent.

This week also marked Bob Dylan's birthday. It's only appropriate that I add a bit of a pun to his song "the times they are a-changin'" from 1964, which summed up for many, the political and social climate of the 1960s. Happy Birthday, Bob, and Congrats, Canada. Thanks for the inspiration!

As of Lately...