free to be you and me

David and I have noticed a real change in Isaac this past month. There has been a huge increase in his general energy level. He is like a tornado, circling the house at top speed ALL THE TIME. He runs and runs and runs (claims he is getting exercise) and is mostly interested in very physical activities. David and I are woken every morning with a jump on the bed, and a "GOOD MORNING" or a "HI SWEETIE" at top volume, followed by some toy rolling over our head or back. Then a loud shriek of pleasure... "BYE BYE"... ISAAC'S GOING IN THE LIVING ROOM"..."SEE YOU ALLIGATOR". Then he jumps off the bed and sings some melody he has made up all the way to the living room.
At the park he is climbing more aggressively, trying more challenging activities, and very interested in the many ways he can use a single piece of equipment. He loves going down the slide 'backwards', and has started becoming very good at climbing ladder type equipment. It is obvious he is exploring and testing his physical limits. In addition, he seems much more comfortable in his own skin. He has a different sense of confidence, and is very much able to just be in a moment. He is free.
This past weekend at the beach he spent and hour running in the sand, then rolling in the sand, then lying, and lounging, and climbing... It was an amazing joy to watch him in his element. He spent time independently, just being. Immersed in the cold damp earth below, he seemed very much at peace.

Happy Birthday Daddy

(Isaac and David making 'monster' faces on the Eiffel Tower (lifeguard tower).)

The three of us spent a very playful weekend at the Beach House, kicking back and indulging in everything we enjoy as a family. We has some great meals, enjoyed the sun, read a bunch, frolicked in the sand, and splashed in the sea.
Happy Birthday David. We love you!!! Hope the weekend was filled with all of your loves.

fruit of the loom

Isaac's school's spring parade was the first time he participated in a school wide event independently. I was originally told he was going to be a cucumber, but to my delite, out walked the cutest bunch of grapes I had seen. The kids were all responsible for making their own costumes which included dying, cutting, painting, gluing, and assembling. Once they were complete they were allowed to trade with their friends if they preferred a different costume. Apparently, Isaac prefers grapes.
He seemed fairly overwhelmed throughout the parade, but also aware he was a part of something larger than himself. For a toddler, this is huge. Bubie and Papu surprised him and showed up for a peek at the event before they headed off to Asia. Isaac and I celebrated his big day with strawberry milkshakes at Mel's.

influenza A

We have been through many strange illnesses with Isaac over his two years. Roseola, Croup, Fevers, Numerous Colds, Ear Infection, Diarrhea... the list is long and varied. This latest battle with Influenza A takes the cake. Isaac had the flu shot a little over a month before he caught the virus, I can only presume from school. I went out of town the day the fever presented itself, so David was stuck by himself to deal with our little one forcing him to rearrange work schedule, and play nurse for an incredibly cranky and difficult toddler. Consequently I had a pretty awful pit in my stomach the whole time I was away, and tried to get home on the first flight possible with no luck. I trusted that David was doing everything he can, and that my boys were taking care of eachother, but I wanted to be home doing everything i could.
I think both David and I would agree that our little boy literally left his body for two whole weeks. We did not recognzie influenza isaac. There was no life in his eyes, he hated everything he used to love, he didn't eat a thing for about 12 days, all he wanted to do was watch movies, and lay around. Once the fever broke around day 6, the night time vomitting began. In the middle of the night we would hear a yelp, then a scream, and rush into Isaac vomitting in his crib. This is just about when mom and dad freaked out, and couldn't help but think, is there something wrong with our kid. Even Dr. Shulman showed signs of concern, and ordered various blood tests to be done. (try finding a vein on a two year old). The tests came back A-OK.
A couple days later, a cold, then a cough... and then...
I S A A C I S B A C K ! ! !
Our jumpin' singin' demandin' guy is back. We missed you Isaac! So good that you are a 'happy boy'.

MANDULA

Mom and I did our annual spring trip a couple weeks ago, and headed up to the Canadian PNW for a peek at Vancouver. I have long wanted to spend time here, and get to know the city I have been ever so curious about. I can honestly say after just a few short days here, this is one of the first cities outside of LA I could easily live in. I have always had a fondness for the PNW landscape, the attitude and tempo of those who live there... pair that with O'Canada and one might say - TRIFECTA!
We wondered around various parts of the city with our amazing guide and friend Ros. We spent time in Gastown where stumbled upon MANDULA. Every piece of handmade couture was incredibly strange on the hanger. So strange that you weren't sure how to wear it, or what it was... but after a couple hours of trying on almost every piece in the store, mom and I agreed we were blown away. Each piece is designed in a sustainable fabric, and fits every body type. There are no sizes, labels, or vast color choices. This is a store for basics made from yummy materials, and amazingly interesting cuts. Pieces wrap, and tie, and pucker. They are paired with vintage belts from the 1800 used wars of days past. The gritty combinations of old and new, the smell, the texture... it was a one of a kind experience.
ON TOP OF IT ALL... the designer is HUNGARIAN. She was in the store that day, and loved seeing the pieces on our bodies. I picked out a couple incredibly special pieces (that i am not even sure how to put on), and will cherish them for the rest of my life. Thank you mom for this very specaial birthday treat. I will never forget it.
We went for a celebratory lunch afterwards at the Salt Tasting Room. It was the kind of lunch you can only have on vacation. The one that starts at 2pm, lasts a couple hours, and consists of only wine and cheese. It was super duper lovely.
We spent the rest of the week checking out Granville Market, the newly reopened Museum of Anthropology, Ros beautiful condo where I got to meet her amazing friends (she can party like a rock star), and Hammam massage.
I haven't mentioned, because I wanted to focus on the good, how sick Isaac was when I left. I have saved that for its own blog entry...

the potty

I have been waiting to post to see if our new adventures in potty training were going anywhere, but it seems like little by little we are making some very slow progress. This started a few weeks ago, when we decided to give Isaac some designated 'potty time' every day. We just sat in the bathroom together, and got used to the idea of sitting on the potty. There was much resistance, but then eventually it became something he was asking to do. We now sit on the potty a few times a day, read a book, and most of the time... have some success. There are still wet diapers in between, and he isn't often asking us to use the potty, but we are on our way. Just one more small reminder of how big my little one has become.

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.