horton hatches the egg

Today, on Dr. Seuss' birthday, I decided to give my favorite Seussian treat another go. I do have distinct memories of reading Isaac this book in his first few months, when he would sit on my lap, and fall asleep to the rhythmic intonations in my voice. Then came the limited attention span, followed by the limited interest in anything not car or truck related. I was overwhelmed with joy tonight, when for the very first time, Isaac sat on my lap and enjoyed every single page. When you have a child, and you love books as much as David and I do, you quickly realize that there just aren't that many books that are A. lovely to look at, B. are well written and C. have a story worth telling. This is the TRIFECTA! I think any mother can both identify with the isolation Maysie initially feels, and the determination and loyalty of Horton. In the end we learn, that your offspring are very much a biproduct of your love and commitment. We hope our committment to finding and enjoying good books as a family inspires a love of reading in our beautiful boy.

ABC 123

This week, for the first time Isaac recited the alphabet from A to Z. It sounded exactly like this:
A,B,C,D,E,F,G. H,I,J,K,ELMO,P. Q,R,S,T,U,V. DOUBLE,X,Y,Z.

He has also started counting... up to sixteen (always skipping twelve, and loving number six).

Favorite new songs include "We are the dinosaurs", "The Mickey Mouse Song", and "The dreidel song".

School is vastly improving now that Isaac knows that "Mommy comes back 'always'", and that "Mommy comes back 'after lunch'". His teachers are telling us that he has started participating in activities, and interacting with his classmates.

Isaac has started speaking in sentences. Including verbs, nouns, pronouns, and adjectives. He is differentiating between me, you, I, and "Isaac". He often speaks in third person "Isaac did that", but then follows it up with "I did that". He likes to describe who is doing what. "Mommy cooks cereal for Isaac, Daddy shut the door, Bubbie zipps it up."

He knows the model and color of every person's car we know. Papa's silver "Beetle", Daddy's Silver "Prius", Mommy's Black "Audi", Papu's Red "Ferrari", Nanni and Bea's "Volvo".

"I dont like it" and "That hurts me" have become new favorites. He would prefer a "snack" to a meal any day of the week, and has become a very particular eater, each day developing new likes and dislikes.

He is starting to bring home new behaviors, songs, and words from school. Very interesting to see how and where he picks things up from, and how he uses them in his own world.

Isaac sat, smiling, happy, as he watched "Debbie" cut his hair yesterday. He is becoming more outgoing in many ways, enjoying social interaction with his cousins, and those he knows.

With each day seems to come new discoveries. Both giant leaps an little inching steps towards the boy he is so quickly becoming.

back to the cold

Isaac and I + Ally, Sammy, Jamie, Sherri and Arnie headed to Toronto to celebrate Rebecca's wedding. We packed into the Kohn's house, and snuggled up for five days of fun. Most of it included eating, drinking, and being very merry. Isaac got to spend some time with nanni and papa and had his very first sleepover without mom or dad.

the simple things

Isaac and I have been doing kindermusic for over a year and a half, and so many times Sarah comes up with the loveliest activities. This week, she gave all the kids flashlights, turned the lights off, and let us make our own stars on the ceiling. Sounds simple, and it was, but the look of wonder in Isaac's eyes is somehting i will never forget.

44

Our family went on a walk this past weekend, and I said to Isaac... we are going to have a new president! Can you believe it Isaac... a new president!
His response... "me open" "isaac open it".
David and I looked at eachother, like, huh?
Then he repeated " isaac open present".

We had a chuckle about it, and then explained to Isaac that he was so lucky to be growing up in an age where someone as amazing as Obama can finally be recognized for his character, not his color. That finally, we feel like hope is on the horizon.

Isaac, of course, immediately went back to the present he thought we was receiving. And it was then that I said, you may not literally be opening it... but Isaac, this is the greatest gift you will ever receive.

Obama, family Soren welcomes you with open arms. Thank you for the gift of hope, perseverance, bravery, and love.

Bitten

I picked a fantastic week to spend time in the windy city... the last time the city was this cold was in 1994 - 15 years ago, when the high was minus 11. I was graced this week with average temps of minus 17. I had never been in temps that cold, so I didn't understand that it takes about 30 seconds before the frost bite kicks in, and I was graced with lots of it. Burning patches of red showed up all over my legs and behind...
So I scrambled for emergency boots, gloves, ear muffs... and still, couldn't spend more than about a minute or two outside without feeling physical pain. It was unlike anything I have experienced, and I am a Canadian. (granted a Californian version... still a Canadian who has spent lots of winter weeks in Toronto).
This was cause for lots of creative indoor activities. Hit every museum there was... lots of good dining experiences: Alinea, Blackbird... Met a good old friend at Murpheys, finally found a cubby hat, drank lots of Gooseneck...
Mostly, having extreme experience like that reminds you of the living conditions of others, and makes you feel so thankful for what you DO have.
Good to be home.

baby mine

The start of preschool last week came the start of one very difficult transition. As Isaac's mother I knew this wasn't going to be easy, but I wasn't fully prepared for just how difficult it was going to be. Isaac is, and has always been, slow to warm. When injected into new situations, it takes him a while to feel comfortable. Add on the first time he has ever been separated from his mother, and it has created an all out panic situation. Each day we have tried it has gotten, s l i g h t l y, easier, but he is still not enjoying himself or immersing himself in any activities.
As a mother, watching your child struggle, suffer, feel lonely, scared, abandoned, etc... has to be the absolute worst feeling in the world. I try to remind myself, that again, struggle is imperative for growth, and as Barb always reminds me, this too will pass.
For now we are taking it one day at a time, and trying to establish trust and built confidence. I do so badly want to sweep him up in my 'trunk', dry his eyes, and rock my baby... but for now I will try to stay behind the glass, observe, and know that in the end we will all grow to be stronger family.

the bare necessities

Flash Slideshow

As Baloo says in the Jungle Book, "Look for the bare necessities".
In our great friends, these are so graciously met.
Gehles, Thank you for walking along side us on Isaac's very special day.

good things

The following are a list of good things that the collective we have discovered this holiday season. Thought I would share the love and pass them along:

rideau winery's petit syrah
ok... so the woman pouring our wine tasting was annoying, but we did learn that petit syrah was one of only two grapes that are both red skinned and red fleshed. the syrah grape is even white fleshed. red flesh = some pretty tasty wine.

theory outlet store
they were having a massive post holiday blowout, but if you are in need of some basic button down dress shirts, the fit is pretty amazing. at 50-75 percent off, well worth it.

the wrestler
most surprising, wonderful, raw, beautifully shot, and perfectly acted movie i have seen this year. i did have to cover my eyes for a couple scenes, but i was so happy we finally made it to the pre-screening. this movie celebrated the blurred line between your calling (what you do) and your soul (who you are). also reminded me that life is very much about those you share it with. on top of all of that, evan rachel wood, and marisa tomai... wowza.

hungarian drinking chocolate:
my hanukkah gift exchange treat for leila, this turned out to be absolutely delicious and a fantastic nod to our roots.

lacoffeemill
simply devide. silverlake at its finest. must go back for lunch or dinner. best cappiciono outside of florance. minimal beautiful design.

trip for two

Thank you Nanni and Papa for making isaac's Toronto birthday and hanukkah so very special. He is still talking about your boat, the trucks you saw, the 'snow lady' he made, and can amazingly count to 14.
All our love,
Hailey, David and Isaac

Flash Slideshow

HNY

Wishing those we love a..


BIG


BEAUTIFUL


BOUNTIFUL


2009.

adventures in wine

When you spend time with people you love, time just goes by too fast. I spent the last couple days in Santa Ynez with leila at a romantic bed and breakfast. I think we did finally convince the inn manager that we were cousins, and no more :)
Upon arriving, we decided to rent bikes and go wine tasting. Isn't that what you are supposed to do? Seemed responsible... eliminating the possibility of drinking and driving. Experiencing the wine country a little closer to the earth...
I will say when we mentioned the idea to the inn manager, and when we went to the bike rental store... both seemed to be less than enthusiastic about the idea, but also said that it would be a 15 minute bike ride from winery to winery. Leila and I, both in reasonable shape, thought this seemed doable, so we rented, mounted, and rode on.
Fourty Five minutes later we arrived at winery #1, sunstone winery, a winery I was very interested for their organic vineyard and sustainable farming practices. The bike ride there through the rolling hills and vineyards, and the tuscanyesque quality of the actual vineyard were dreamlike. Their Eros blend was the highlight of my tasting. Sunstone is known for their Merlot (a wine i never drink) but when blended was really delicious.
After we were done with our tasting, we hopped back on the bikes and headed toward our next vineyard. We were expecting a quick bike ride, but 1.5 hours later against heavy head winds, and having to get assistance from a fellow biker, we arrived exhausted and cranky. Everyone at this vineyard asked questions from... "are you guys morman? to "why are you biking"? We called the inn and requested a pickup. No way in hell we were biking back.
We took a hot tub, participated in the 60 and over wine and cheese tasting, and went of for a delicious dinner at Trattorio Grappolo. Shared a bottle of wine. Then headed to the next door Saloon for a look into the local life of a Santa Ynez cowboy. Leila and I line danced, had a couple drinks, and headed out.
The next day we headed out to the beach house stopping at La Super Rica for tacos. Totally relaxed at the beach house, hit the outlet mall on the way back to LA, and spent the rest of our time doing a whole lot of blissful nothing.
As always, a wonderful visit filled with adventure and love.

2

2!
Happy Birthday Beautiful Boy.

Flash Slideshow

struggle

It is 12:03am, and I can't sleep.

So many thoughts are running through my head. Mostly related to Isaac and his upcoming birthday. How quickly he is growing up. The new transitions we will be facing in the upcomming year. If he is feeling ok after a very difficult few days.
Lets start with the croup. After I blew off his wheezing, my mom finally convinced me to take him to the doctor, and sure enough he had a very bad case of croup. Dr. Shulman suggested an injection of steroids followed by an oral dose for two days. Isaac who was already under the weather, did not cope well with the injection, or the entire doctor office experience. Both mommy and son left very shaken.
There are few moments as a parent when you feel truly helpless. When all you can do is be there to comfort your child, to tell them the truths of life, and to do your best to explain what is going to happen and why it needs to happen. After promosing Isaac in the waiting room that we weren't at the doctors for a shot, and then watching his expression as he learned he needed one, I felt that I truly let him down. All I could do was explain that I made a mistake, and learn that those types of promises are just not within my power to make.
The croup seems to be on the mend after a few scary days of difficult breathing and very dark eyes. As I lay in bed tonight staring at the ceiling my mind started racing to preschool. The transition to, and the changes that come with it. I feel so lucky to have been able to spend as much 'at home' time with Isaac as I have. I absolutely see the value in his starting preschool, the lessons he will learn, the socialization... but everytime I think about dropping him off, and parting ways, tears start to well up in my eyes. As fiercly independant as he is at home, he has always been slow to warm at school. He is kind, observant, introverted, and very attached to me. He has not yet caught onto how to stick up for himself, and I know there are kids that will take advantage of his easy going nature. The motherbear in me wants to always be there to protect him, and teach him how to deal with difficult sitations. The reality is... without me, he will be forced to learn how to cope with those situations in his own way. I can only hope that his new teachers will understand and respect who he is, a very special little person, and help guide him through all the struggles that come his way.
Struggle is so important. It teaches us how to problem solve, and become confidant human beings. I have always encouraged Isaac to try and work through his struggles independantly. If he needs help, I try to guide him. My hope is this new journey provides him with enough resistance to grow, enough support to stand tall, and enough variety of experience to have fun in a social setting.
Mostly, I just hope he knows how much I love him. That I am not abandoning him. And that the bond we share, the lessons I have tried to teach him as a parent, and the respect that I show him each and every day helps to make the expereince a positive one for the both of us. As Isaac enters his first year of school I am sure it will be a learning experience for the both of us, and one that can only make us stronger.

the invite

thanks daddy soren
for a spledid party invite
for our little love.

'Gas-Car' 2

We have been debating for quite a while about when we wanted to take Isaac to his first movie, and on this rainy eve of thanksgiving we decided to give it a try.We went to the 5:20 showing of Madagascar two. Isaac got his very own popcorn. We watched the previews, and surprisingly, he enjoyed the movie right up until he ran out of popcorn. He laughed at the jokes, called out when he saw familiar things, clapped his hands when he liked the music, and in total really seemed to enjoy the experience.I thouroughly enjoyed watching Isaac's reaction to the movie, but what was even more fun was seeing the look on David's face as he saw Isaac squeal with delight over something so important to him. As he said to Isaac on the way into the theater... this is the first of MANY MANY movies we will enjoy together.

the girls

Great weekend with the girls at the beach house. We enjoyed the sunset, wine and cheese, some funny birds and a very strange male photographer, a lovely dinner at Brooks, bonding time, breakfast at the surf shack...
Each of you are unique and lovely in your own light. As we sat on the couch story telling and sharing I thought to myself, if I had to describe each of you in one word what would it be. Here is what I came up with.
Jen. Sunshine.
Elyse. Steadfast.
Erin. Prudent.
I love and admire each of you. You bring to my life qualities that I respect and continue to strive for.
All my love.

happy birthday mom!

happy birthday mom!

this picture makes me smile...
hope it does the same for you.
xo.

OH!-bama

artwork by shepard fairey : obey giant.

"This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we cant, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people"

Yes We Can.


congratulations. i knew you could do it. now lets get this party started...

creeping up on two

We are rapidly approaching the two year mark, and every day this parenting thing becomes more and more fun. Isaac has become very interactive. He is able to participate in some capacity in almost everything we do. He is no longer just along for the ride, but very much riding shot gun. He is making the most amazing connections between things. His memory and language are both astonishing and confidence is slowly growing alongside his autonomy.

Some of his favorites de jour:
- trucks trucks cars trucks
- anything dirty, the word dirty, dirty trucks, pointing out dirt
- 'pea balls', hot dogs, noodles, meatballs, ice pops
- "me" "mine" "me eat" "me night night"
- cars, the movie
- "max" from where the wild things are
- doing 'art... outside'
- naming what colors things are: black, white, blue, red, pink, green
- saying hello and goodbye, and giving high fives
- really delicious hugs and kisses where he holds your hair and pulls you towards him
- an insane love for chocolate
- 'neck' (giraffe) turtle, 'manda' (panda)
- 'money milk' or 'money' his blanket

He is repeating almost any word you say and everyday is using more and more of them. Mostly he just seems very content. Of course there are days of total mayhem, tantrums, dissent... and well yes... he can be a total pain in the ***... but hes our pain in the *** and we cant wait to see whats next.