Birthday Wishes

One year ago, Ethan James Notch was born.
365 days later, my heart has at least tripled in size.
8760 hours have passed since our lives have changed in beautifully complicated ways.
525,600 minutes of incredible memories have been captured both in mind and on film, thanks to my fabulous artist husband.
31,536,000 seconds have been spent thinking about, loving, protecting, relishing, playing with, smelling, feeding, bathing, diapering, snuggling, kissing, teaching, learning from, and being thankful for my beautiful baby boy.


I've been thinking a lot about birthday wishes lately. This is probably due to the hours spent agonizing over the logistics of a party for a one-year-old who could care less about unwrapping presents or blowing out birthday candles. To him, it's just another day, perhaps slightly more overwhelming, but normal nonetheless. To me, it's so much more.

Since Ethan doesn't understand birthday wishes yet, I figured I should make some for him.

I wish you a lifetime of happiness spent with those who love you.


I wish for you the tools to get you where you want to go.



I wish for you to always find joy in the little things.


I wish you a life full of excitement.


And, finally, just in case you get your Mama's sweet tooth, I wish for you to get your Daddy's metabolism!

A Year of Memories and Forgotten Glimpses

This time last year, I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of our little boy. I was as big as a house (check out this post for photographic proof of my prodigious pregnant belly). I was uncomfortable, but excited. I was on constant contraction alert, and did the "freeze-count-wait" thing about ten times a day, wondering if I was going into labor. I took naps whenever I wanted whenever I could get comfortable enough, knowing that my sleep patterns were about to drastically change. I obviously knew that I loved my baby, but I had no idea how deep that love would become. I feel like I remember this time last year like it was yesterday.

But recently, I discovered that memories that are oh-so-sweet can be oh-so-fleeting.

Our friends Matt and Laurie recently celebrated the arrival of their second precious baby boy. Holding a floppy, gurgly, cooing, tiny newborn again made me realize how much time has passed since Ethan was born.

There are things I can't remember:
~ how intense my labor was (I read this to remind myself)
~ living in a world of equal parts euphoria and insomnia
~ Ethan's newborn noises, smell, mannerisms, and habits
~ how often Ethan nursed and napped in the first few months
~ putting him down and knowing that he would stay in that spot
~ Ethan weighing under twenty pounds

There are things I hope I never forget:
~ my baby's sweet disposition and joyful laugh
~ watching him figure things out and discover his world
~ the excitement of his "firsts"
~ what his smile looks like with only a few teeth
~ how incredibly grateful I am for this little boy

Luckily, I've got a photographer/filmmaker on permanent retainer, and he's madly documenting each and every phase. Here's Ryan's latest project:



*If video is jumpy, pause it and let it completely load, then restart from the beginning*

Family Vacation, Texas Style

We're back, loyal readers! Did you miss us? You'll have to excuse us for our absence - I wanted to write, but one's poetic wax instantaneously melts in the hot Texas sun. We just got back from our summer vacation to Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio, and have plenty to tell ya'll! Ethan flew through so many developmental milestones that our heads are still spinning. Included on his long list of new tricks is learning how to clap, high-five, wave bye bye, say the word baby, drink from a straw and a "big boy" cup, and starting to cruise (which is taking a few steps while holding on to something for support, for all you non-baby-owning people out there)! We had a lot of fun visiting Mima and Poppa and countless friends-that-are-like-family, including the Wilders, the Fullers, and the Quattrochis!

We also visited the Alamo in San Antonio...


... and the State Capital Building in Austin.



While in Austin, we took Ethan to watch the bats fly from under the Congress Avenue Bridge. Though you can't see them in this picture, the sky was peppered with an estimated 1.5 million Mexican free-tail bats. It was quite a sight to behold.


Being spoiled by the temperate Bay Area climate, we forgot all about what Summer weather really feels like. Ethan beat the heat in a baby pool Mima and Poppa set up for him, and loved splashing around and spraying the spectators with the turtle head fountain.


Here's some post-pool photographic proof that Ethan can clap...

... and may even start juggling one of these days!

Perhaps one of the most special parts of our trip was Ryan's first Father's Day. We kept things low key as Ryan unfortunately developed a case of food poisoning the night before, but made sure to let him know how much he means to us!

Ryan humored me and allowed (for one day only) matching Daddy-Baby outfits. He also handed over his camera and allowed me to snap this rare picture, not only of the coordinating wardrobe, but also of Ryan in front of the lens for once. Ethan adores him and thinks that Ryan is the funniest fellow. Just look at that joy on his face! Happy Father's Day, Ryan - we love you!

Ethan's Favorite Things

Playing with my Exersaucer for hours,
Banging out tunes on my musical flowers,
Toys linked together with colorful rings,
These are a few of my favorite things.


From out of her purse snacks that Mama produces,
Sippy cups filled up with yummy fruit juices,
Stuffing my face when the dinner bell dings,
These are a few of my favorite things.


When I fall down,
When I'm teething,
When I'm feeling sad,


I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bad!

Baby Mystic Tan?

We finally took Ethan swimming - or floating and bobbing, to be more accurate - for the first time a few days ago. He spent some time in his raft, and did a great job of kicking his legs and splashing his parents. When he got tired of that, we took him out and he zoomed around in Mama's arms and on Daddy's shoulders.


With the way I slathered him with SPF 475 sunscreen, Ethan will surely stay that lovely shade of pasty white all through the summer. Could somebody find out how old a baby has to be to get a spray tan? I'm sure Britney Spears would have the answer.


Now that I look at this picture, perhaps we should investigate 2-for-1 discounts on Mommy/Baby tanning sessions. I could use a bit of color, myself!

The pool experience was yet another confirmation that Ethan lives up to his California Baby image. Our blond-haired, blue-eyed boy is super mellow, loves the beach and pool, and eats organic. He's an animal lover, nature lover, and social butterfly. He has the spirit of a pioneer, always exploring new territory.

Now if we could only get him that beautiful bronze glow...

In Trouble...

Ethan's in trouble because he had a poop party today. Upon waking from his nap with a dirty diaper, he decided to live up to his monkey nickname and make a giant smeary mess all over himself and his crib. We didn't take a picture of that. You're welcome.

We're in trouble because in addition to today's little escapades, Ethan has found a lot of new ways to get into mischief. Most of these involve crawling to and playing with off-limits items, such as Max's food bowl, the fan in his bedroom, and the stairs. Yup, he can climb stairs now. We don't have a picture of that either, mainly due to the fact that we are too busy keeping him from falling down the stairs.

Ethan's in trouble, and to show him that mischief making and poop parties are not cool, we've locked him up. He's doing hard time in baby jail (otherwise known as his room) and only we know how to open his cell door (otherwise known as his baby gate). It even has a clear plastic panel in the middle so that he can see what he's missing on the outside. We'll show you who's boss, baby.




Aww, but with a face like that (well, maybe not that last face...), we can't stay mad at him. Which means when he's old enough to really defy us, we're in trouble.

What a Feeling!

With my first Mother's Day behind me, I have been asked a lot about how I feel as a mom. I've heard it said that while men become fathers once their baby is born, women become mothers the second they find out they are pregnant. While I can see some truth in that, I really had no idea what it meant to be a mom until Ethan was born. Actually, in all honesty, I think it took me a bit longer that that. The first few days, weeks, even months, are such a whirlwind that they seem almost surreal. Every waking moment is spent in anticipation of the next, second guessing decisions, holding your breath, marveling in the beauty of the tiny creature that you created. I went through a mental checklist every time I scooped newborn Ethan into my arms (1: Wrap the baby straight jacket swaddle, 2: Support his head, 3: Bounce, jiggle, rock, repeat). I sanitized EVERYTHING, and made all visitors scrub like surgeons before touching the baby. I changed my body wash and shampoo to neutral scents that wouldn't offend Ethan's delicate sense of smell, and washed my clothes in baby detergent so that his skin wouldn't be irritated when in my arms. I caught glances of myself in the mirror, babe in tow, and almost didn't recognize myself.

Wow, how things have changed.

I was chatting with a friend the other day while Ethan squirmed on my lap. Instead of jumping up and starting the frantic bounce/jiggle/rock dance, I stayed seated and switched Ethan's position about five times without missing a beat in the conversation. It was then that I was hit with the realization that (while extraordinary) being a mom has become ordinary. Routine. Comfortable. Delightful. I really like this mellow mama version of myself much better. Mental checklists are out the window, except when leaving the house (Diapers? Check. Wipes? Check. Cheerios? Check. Keys? Where are my keys?). I let the dog lick Ethan's face, and allow Ethan to "explore" (ie: chew on) Max's toys. I am guilty of blowing dirt off of a dropped piece of food and popping it back into his mouth. I'll scoop up my non-swaddled, sturdy boy ten different ways, sometimes even *gasp* throwing him into the air or flipping him upside down. I can change a diaper in less than 30 seconds flat. I make baby food. I sing lullabies. I stare in wonder as my little man discovers the world around him. I'd rather be home than anywhere else in the world. Okay, that's a lie, I'd rather be on a beautiful sandy beach in an exotic foreign country, but only if my boys are with me. I know that with each new phase I'll learn and feel something different. For now, though, I can say that I've learned what it feels like to be a mom, and it is incredible.