Sun Run Training Photos

Baby and I completed Week 2 of the Sun Run training today! Yay! Do I feel different? Do my legs hurt less? I'm not sure yet, but I'm proud of myself for sticking to it so far! The weather has been pretty cloudy and it's hard to keep motivated, so after my run, I take pictures of neat things I see in the neighborhood. It helps to get me out!

Under the Piano

Last year, while I was still pregnant, my lovely co-workers got me a gift certificate for Under The Piano. What's special about this is that while you are laying under the piano, Craig plays whatever comes to him. How cool is that? Lying down to enjoy a concert that is yours only. Well, Baby came early and we never made it. Today, I managed to make some mommy time for myself and go with my good friend instead. It was fantastic! I regret that I wasn't able to go when Baby was still in my womb because the vibrations from the notes and the piano were so wonderful! After the 40 minute session, I felt so relaxed and so happy.

I recommend this to any pregnant mom, for sure, and anyone else who would like to experience something different. Couples would love it for something intimate and different than your typical dinner date. Craig offers package deals and also a recorded CD copy of your concert. I'll probably go back, just for some more well-deserved mommy time. What a wonderful way to enjoy music! 

We Won a New Playground!

In an earlier post, I talked about how the school up the street had a rotting, decrepit playground and how I wished Lord Selkirk Elementary could win a new cool place for kids to play and guess what?! WE WON! I was so happy to see in my inbox today that Lord Selkirk Elementary School is one of the 11 winners who will be sharing in the $1,000,000 Aviva Community Fund! I can't believe it! There were hundreds of well deserving ideas across Canada and several in Vancouver, and the judges selected us! I have to say that those who participated in organizing the candidacy and spreading the word in the neighborhood deserve a big applause. I'm glad my vote made a difference and I can't wait to take Baby!

 

Congratulations to the Lord Selkirk Elementary School-Celebrating 100 Years of Community in Cedar Cottage!

Photographs to Take you Away

I should add to my post "Mommy Tools of the Trade", my camera. Taking photos as I push Baby in the stroller, makes the long cloudy Vancouver days seem a little brighter. I've found that the East side of town has a lot of unexpected treasures... things are not so manicured here.  It makes for interesting photo taking...

Featureshoot has an amazing collection of photographers and their work, many of which can be purchased at quite reasonable prices. Get inspired, get lost, chase the winter blues away, go look.

New Monkey Post

My last post was not exactly the most humorous which was is one of my intention for this blog, so I've decided to rewrite it! So on the theme of monkeys..

Before Baby was born, a coworker and friend of mine rescued the last of this monkey from Starbucks which for whatever reason I just couldn't keep my eyes off of. (Which is weird because I've never been a stuffed animal kind of woman..) I guess when you're pregnant, you are surging with a "cute hormone" and everything babyish is irresistible.

This monkey who shall remain nameless, became our tester monkey. Along with long winded manuals, we used him to test straps, snaps, and wraps. Our car seat, stroller, diapers, sleepsack and crib were all monkey-tested.

Since then it seems monkeys seem to have sneaked up on us here and there. Just the other day, I was reading an animal book to Baby and when I turned the page to the baby monkey, he kissed the page! Baby never did that before and no kissing any other animal, only the monkey. Let's celebrate playfulness today, be a bit more monkey-like, eat fruit, swing, and get rid of our fleas!

Getting Rid of your Monkey

Everyone's got a monkey, or a bunch.

Monkeys are like kids' musical toys, they repeat the same tune over and over again until you either enter a weird trance or start singing along sightly psychotically. The monkeys can pop up anytime and you never know how long they'll stay. Some monkeys have been around since you were a kid and others just visit sporadically. When you have a lot of monkeys, you get really good at seeing others' monkeys. This creates a lot of blame.

The trick at first is to spot them. They hate that. Then, when you get good at spotting them,  you have to acknowledge their visit and let them know that even though they are there, you choose to love yourself anyway. Over time, you notice that they don't come around as often and then they disappear entirely. Let me introduce you to some of my monkeys:

1.  You're too fat. (this one's an ape)
2.  You're not beautiful. (this one came along in my early twenties...)
3.  Being vulnerable is a weakness.

I can hear my mom saying: "Even though my monkey is telling me that I'm too fat, I completely and lovingly accept myself!" In reality, I have a good body that is strong, wise, and able and I know how to make my body feel good. See! That monkey's already fading away!

Someone down the street from my house threw out a HUGE monkey on the weekend! Good for them.

Lady Gaga Telephone- Musical Interlude by Pamplemousse

Day 2 of Sun Run Training

Baby and I ran around Trout Lake today for our second training of pain and agony! Felt great! We ran through a cloud of screaming crows and to celebrate 20 whole minutes of jogging without stopping, Baby had a swing and I took photos....

Trout Lake Ice Rink

Grandma came to babysit on Sunday and my husband and I tried out the Trout Lake Community Center Ice Rink! I forget about skating here in Vancouver mostly because I don't see much ice and my husband, being from Brazil is not one to remind me. After a few encouraging words and making friends with a cone, my husband took a deep breath and shuffled himself along the ice. It was hard to put myself in his shoes since I love skating; the cold air, the speed and the scrunch of the ice, but I could see that it took him some courage to keep a smile on while trying this out for the first time!

Opened in September 2009, this green and sustainable facility hosted the Vancouver Olympic ice skating competition. It is beautifully constructed with an arched wood ceiling with windows which allows natural light in. Apparently, the wood in the lobby and corridor ceilings is Douglas fir milled from trees downed during the 2006 Stanley Park windstorm. Enjoying this rink is definitely an activity worth trying out as a family! You can even bring your stroller onto the ice, as long as baby is wearing a helmet! Cool eh?

Broadway and Commercial- Today’s Rant

I can’t help it. Every time I have to walk through Commercial and Broadway I cringe. I feel like all of a sudden I’ve walked into the middle of a performance in a sideshow circus. Beggars in rags, teen age moms with kids in strollers hanging out with young men seemingly unemployed, professionals in suits, binners laden with bottles, immigrants, teenagers skipping school, students, and retired low income seniors with various range of mobility. 

Plus, it seems that all the smokers who have been socially banned from the posher “western” neighborhoods, have decided to congregate here for a smoke break. Without fail, every time I’m there with Baby, some drunken person starts to talk loudly and blow smoke at us: “Oh, I ‘ave 3 kids, but I don’t get to see them no more…” Just yesterday, I was standing at the corner waiting for the light to turn and a mom behind me was telling her son: “Your dad’s a prick. He’s been in jail since you were born….”

It’s not just the people; the businesses are unappealing: walk-in clinics, dollar stores, fast food joints, check cashing stores, a liquor store, banks and various pharmacies. Did these businesses pop up because there are lots of poor disenfranchised folks in the area, or do all those poor folks take the skytrain to come use these services? I don’t get it. Okay, so you’ll say, it’s not that bad and I admit there are some interesting places: Bandida’s Restaurant, Toby’s Pub and Grill, Uncle Fatih’s Pizza, The Rio Theater, The Latin Supermarket, and The Unity Yoga and Tea House. BUT overall, why does this major intersection in our beautiful city have to be so unattractive? 

I recently read an article in the Vancouver Sun "East Van Rules, Ok?" which stated:

"A shift in the public perception seems to be afoot.  In many eyes, East Van has become the cool part of town, the cultural heart of Vancouver. Lum says this is nothing new."East Van was always the cultural heart of the city," says Lum, an internationally acclaimed artist who grew up in Strathcona and around Knight and Kingsway. "It was never a case of 'becoming' the cultural heart, unless I missed something about Dunbar or Quilchena becoming the cultural heart." 

Okay then, if East Vancouver is the Cultural Heart of the city, shouldn't Broadway and Commercial, they key intersection and transfer point, reflect that? Money Mart, CIBC and Dollarama doesn't scream culture to me! Oh, and apparently "culture" and smoking go hand in hand... forgot about that. 

Those who know me will say: "Oh, it's because you lived in Kitsilano too long, you'll get used to it." Kits is a shinny bubble filled with well-to-do, trendy young people, and it has lost it's soul to the chain merchants, but I do miss the predictability of walking calmly without having to dodge smokers and drunken beggars mumbling. I won't get used to it. It's sad and depressing.

Okay, enough with this rant. I just wanted to get it off my chest.

Les Faux Bourgeois French Restaurant

After moving to Cedar Cottage-Kensington, I realize how much I miss having decent restaurants close to my door. Everyone says, oh, but you're close to The Drive....I have a love hate relationship with The Drive... so it was nice to zoom down Knight and go to Les Faux Bourgeois on a snowy night for a romantic dinner with my husband.

Loved the atmosphere, the soft lighting and simple decor. Everyone is seated close together, yet we can hear each other talk. The waiters are attentive yet discreet. It was nice to order in French.

To make it short:

Martinis- Awesome
La salade de chevre chaude- nice, but way too much dressing.
Les moules- Delicious! 

I wish this kind of restaurant would open on Commercial Street (our cool little pocket in the city could use a nice French restaurant)... I'm putting it out there...

Wedding Anniversary

In honor of my 2nd year wedding anniversary coming up this January 14th,  I set intention to refine and set focus on the following:

The 10 Musts for Every Marriage

1. Put yourself in your partner's shoes. Use both your heart and your head.
2. Be fully present when you greet each other at the end of the day.
3. Don't relegate all romance to February 14th. Don't try to create the perfect evening, do live in the moment and find joy in the unexpected.
4. Cultivate passion. Do this consciously. If you have kids, plan it!
5. Listen to your partner's feelings, not just his words.
6. Take every opportunity to laugh together. Look for funny things, movies, etc...
7. Eat a little humble pie each day. Be the first to accept fault and responsibility.
8. Don't be afraid to fight a good fight. Be honest with the issues and how you feel and never bury your feelings. Steer clear of criticism, defensiveness and contempt.
9. Celebrate your differences. Remember that the way we are different is what attracted us in the beginning.
10. Walk together in your faith in a way that is meaningful.

I can admit that I haven't always exercised much of the musts on this list! I vow then to do so. It's my wish to celebrate my awesome husband by spending time every day, away from the craziness of taking care of Baby and home on at least 1 must on this list!

I love you Babe!

Reading Myself Loud and Clear?

There's that feeling again. That indescribable itch that won't go away. I tried to make it go away this morning by taking off on my bike and riding around East Vancouver in the cold sunshine. It was still there when I got home. Then the itch made me snap at my sweet husband who was focused on installing our new flat screen television. Okay, so I took my itch to the mall, I thought I could make it go away by finally treating myself to a much needed winter coat. Bad idea. There was some sort of "sidewalk sale" and even though it was sunny outside, the crowds were going insane for a deal. I looked in a few stores, bought a much needed fleece instead, and gave up. Did some grocery shopping on the way home, thinking the itch would go away if I bought lots of yummy fruits and veggies for the week. Nope, the itch was still there. I walked back to my car; Baby in one arm leaking pee on my coat, one hand holding a grocery bag about to break while pushing the stroller, one hand holding the car key, one hand catching my coat about to fall off the stroller, and another hand holding my new fleece. (Did you see how many hands I can instantly grow? It's a secret mom thing.) Anyway, I got home. The t.v. looks great. I put Baby down for a nap and made some tea. I'm here now and although it seems like the itch is fading, I know it's still there, humming the same song over and over again. What's it saying? Feed me? Run? Get drunk? Sleep? Call someone? Take a bath? I can't tell. Here's what I suspect it's trying to tell me....

It wishes for more than 1 hour alone with my husband. Time when we are not tired, not doing chores, or shopping, not wearing our house clothes, not wondering if Baby is about the wake up at any moment, not at home, not talking about Baby, or doing chores or shopping. That's what I suspect the itch is telling me. It wants time for something else. Less a cook, less a cleaner, less a party planner, less a family organizer, or menu and activity planner.

It wants to have fun. Less mommy fun. More adult fun like before....
Might be time for a date... we'll see, even that takes so much work now.....
It's worth it. Then the itch might go away.

A Prayer for Baby

My sweet Baby.
Today you are 1. For one year, you have grown and amazed us every day. For one year, we have been loving parents. At this very moment last year, as I sat at our kitchen table, I could feel that you were ready to meet us. It was an amazing day! I was so proud of all of us, we worked hard as a new family to make sure you came to this earth feeling welcomed and safe and there you were at 6:40pm on a cloudy January afternoon. Happy birthday Baby! You are awesome! We love you!

How wonderful that today, on your birthday, you will be baptized. You are now part of the Catholic church and of the Christian Faith. All of your sins are forgiven. You are pure and loved by God.

I ask God to take care of you, fill your life with love, happiness, and all the wonders that this planet has to offer. Know that God is with you always and protects you when you are sad and need guidance. Your Godmother and Godfather are there too. You are surrounded by love, and so ready for life!