Ocho + so much more

Photos from this morning, a beautifully typical one.

As I sit hereat Cici's cafe eating a giant plate of crepes I am savoring both the crepes and the quiet while coco sleeps in the stroller next to me. Did i mention that the crepes are smothered with strawberries, bananas, nutella, and whip cream (my new obsession with crepes deserves a post all onto itself) I have had some time to reflect on the past month, and all the beauty it has brought with it. Last month was such an important one for me. It allowed me to verbally spew all of my fears and worries into cyber space leaving me feeling light and free and completely able to move forward. It has been so easy this month just to enjoy both kids, and soak up their light. In so many ways I have never been happier, and i have certainly never felt more physically or spiritually connected with both myself, and my family and friends. The yoga and Pilates I practice almost daily, the jogging, the strength training. It has all left me feeling strong from my core. I can do this. And now that i have rambled about myself, a little bit about my babes... Coco is love. Her complete contentment in each moment continues to remind me of the big picture. Yes my eight month old is teaching me life lessons. She is very wise, and so present. Her eyes speak volumes, and so clearly communicate to me exactly where she is. She is sitting, and can be left sitting to play for long period of time. She is pushing up on her arms to lift her chest off the ground. She is rolling in both directions, that is if she feels like it. I find her in here stomach most mornings. She is lifting here knees and tucking them under her. Mostly she is chatting. The girl had a lot to say and does not stop dadadadadading and babababababaing and screeching with delight. She is picking up toys with one had, two hands, passing between both hands, putting toys in her mouth, grabbing with intent. She loves balls, anything with wheels, hair, jewelry, but more than anything, she loves her brother. Amazingly, her brother loves here to. He often doesn't like her, but he loves her. He always wants to know where she is. He brings her toys, and shares things most important to him with her. I almost passed out when I looked in the mirror in front of cocos car seat only to find his beloved money milk (blanket) in her lap. In so many ways he too has matured and settled into three and a half. I am not sure if it is having Natalia, or nanny and his true love back, or if its his age, or his new confidence from learning to swim, but he is so fun to be with, and very rarely gives us a hard time. He prides himself in helping out, and in doing things that he has just learned. He is swimming on his own, and loves being in the water. He loves dancing and storytelling. He adores outings with us. He is getting dressed and undresed on his own. Can identify instruments in songs and makes up his own lyrics. He still hasn't mastered the use of very specific concepts, the main one being time. Anything in the past happened 'yesterday'. Lunch and dinner are often mixed up. Later, and tomorrow are not yet fully understood. He has no patience for numbers and letters although he is getting better with recognizing them. He is no longer in a high chair, and we just bought I'm size 4 underwear and size 9.5 shoes. He is a big boy. Both the tallest in the class and the most grown up in so many ways. So for today I conclude by saying life is filled with so many blessings. I went to see Rent with mom this weekend at the hollywood bowl and as always was inspired by it's message, 'no day but today'. And as for this day, as coco begins to stir in her carseat, we will head to music class (our very cherished time together) where she will be delighted by the sounds, and the other babies. Then we will pick up isaac from school. The look on both of their faces as they are reunited is the highlight if each of my days. We will have lunch, and I will watch in amazement as coco works on her pincer grasp with each cheerio she tries to pick up. Then i will take Isaac to swimming lessons with Brando, and again smile as I watch him dive off the diving board and swim to the other end of the pool. And perhaps even a little time for me to recenter and reflect and sweat, some yoga, and a late night Pilates class. I am becoming increasingly more aware of what we all (four sorens) need, and that is the first step in trying to meet those needs. Mostly I am savoring this period of balance and light and equilibrium.