ami mère

i have a mommy friend here that i didn't really meet until last year once we were both pregnant. i'm sure we had crossed paths before, but we never had a chance to really connect. well, both sporting our bellies and completely joyful hearts just gitty about the incredible blessings about to arrive in our lives, we met for lunch just to chat and get to know each other a little better.

man, did we have similar passions!

other than being completely head over heels for our handsome marine husbands, we were completely afire (yes, i used a thesaurus for that one - seemed to fit just right) with the pure and enchanting concept of natural childbirth and even the fabulousness (is that a word?) of pregnancy itself. i think we both could just go on & on, shouting it from the mountain tops, about how incredible it is, how we wish more mommies knew what their options are, that you are designed to 'handle it', the questions to ask, the 'unlike anything else you'll ever do' experience it can be, the most empowered and brave you might ever feel . . . see, on & on!

we happen to both be bloggers too and i sure do enjoy 'stalking' her blog and keeping up with her sweet family and her own mommy research. her sweet girl just turned one and it's hard to believe anabelle is only 2 months behind her. holy soccer goalie!!

my friend is a fabulous mom, a healthy mom, a strong mom, a happy mom, a mom that strives to make choices for her family that keep them growing and learning (and of course having fun) in simple, creative, real-life-appreciate-the-things-around-you kind of ways. i am always energized after i see her and hear about a new idea or discovery. sometimes even just reading her blog or seeing a post on her facebook gets me 'mommy fired up' - excited to be a mommy, a better mommy, a resourceful and inventive mommy, an avoid-the-commercialism-and-stick-with-the-simple mommy.

good stuff!

i've been thinking about writing this post for a few weeks and just read her blog so i figured now was the perfect time.

you know who you are - thanks friend!

*ami mere - 'mommy friend' in french (at least that's what google said)

anabelle is 10 months old!

our anabelle is 10 months old today and just completely delightful! of course, i have more to write and pictures to post, but i have to get to bed.

cheers!

my joyful jelly

anabelle . . belle . . belly . . . . . jelly - see how we got there?

i am so lucky. i get to spend my days with this little bundle and we have so much fun - just hanging out, playing together, being silly. i try to keep things pretty simple most of the time. anabelle now has two great egg cartons and an empty almond can in her collection. her latest addition is a set of metal measuring spoons. i had some extra ones so i tied them on a ribbon and handed them over. they make a nice little jingle when they clink together and as with most things right now, they seem to be great to chew on.

not sure where i learned this but i tend to whistle inhaling. i know, that's pretty random. well, i was whistling for anabelle yesterday and decided to give her a little kiss as i was doing it. it was a big hit.

anabelle figured out how to get from belly to bottom a couple weeks ago which has just added another skill to her mobility. here she is coming to get me this morning. she will often make it over to me and try to climb up in my lap. she hasn't quite figured out how to tuck her toes under when she's on her knees so she can get her feet flat on the floor but i'm sure it won't be long.

today's discovery

listen.

can you guess what anabelle found today?

crossfit rocks!

i have really been enjoying crossfit and am so glad that chris and i joined a local crossfit gym.

being able to take anabelle along makes it even better!

(starting to see results is always a bonus too)

my trainer and her co-trainer, brooke & anabelle.

these two help keep me motivated through the single arm barbell snatches, overhead squats, double-unders, and so much more!

if you've ever thought about trying crossfit you definitely should. you can do it & there are people there to support you. give it a try. you're going to get hooked!

new toy

anabelle recently got her first radio flyer wagon. it's a walker wagon that click-clicks as you push it. she did a great job helping her daddy put it together. she doesn't quite know what to do with yet, but she will hold onto the handle and do a sort of 'smooth criminal' lean forward leaving her feet still as i hold her waist. she'll get it soon enough and be cruising around the house before we know it. watch out charley, she's coming to get you!

glamping

to no one's surprise, chris is great out in the field - finding his way, eating berries, sleeping under the starts, peeing in the woods. as for me, not so much. glamping seems to be a much better fit. a slightly more glamorous version of camping.

well, el capitan canyon in santa barbara happens to be a lovely location to do a little glamping and we were able to spend our easter weekend up there, just the three of us.

it was a fabulous getaway, just what we were needing. lots of great photo ops, beautiful weather, time together with no distractions, delicious cooking over the campfire . . . including some foodie s'mores involving peanut butter, dark chocolate, bananas, strawberries, etc.

but of course!

- - - - - -

just arrived

our cozy cabin

heading to the playground

off to the easter breakfast buffet (yes, buffet . . . remember above when i said we went glamping?!)

watching the kids run around after the easter egg hunt

papa is always good for some fun that makes momma a little nervous

took a little hike out to the state beach

the winds were howling

i know this turned out small . . . that's chris heading out to climb onto a huge rock while wearing anabelle

random asian tourist who asked to take a picture of the beautiful baby

getting the fire ready for dinner

i love our time together (bonus that we actually got a picture of the three of us!)