* I got to take a really fun trip to Portland last Saturday while Adam stayed home all day with The Bird. It was their first whole day alone together. They did quite well for themselves. She got soaked splashing around in the puddles of the cemetery and they visited a children's museum downtown with some friends. Then they went out for hot chocolate in the evening after both taking 2 hour afternoon naps. Nice job, I'd say! Sienna is very lucky to have such a good dad. My trip was fun because 1) I don't get out much, 2) I met one of my blogging idols, 3) I was surrounded by kindred spirits. Turns out that "getting out" is exhausting! It's a 3 hour drive to Portland both ways so waking up at 5 am and getting home at 10 pm was like, whoa! For this homebody, it left me feeling a bit out of sorts. But in a good way. Turns out my idol is not that personable in real life. Puzzling. But maybe that's why she's successful as a blogger. Because she's not engaging in person. I'm kind of relieved to have her taken down a notch so I don't have to worship her anymore. Turns out that I found kindred spirits with my traveling companions because they all had watched Thoroughly Modern Millie, we started out the trip discussing Martha Stewart and ended it with a several hour discussion about each and every celebrity we could think of. It was refreshing in a way that cannot be understood unless you are, yes, a kindred spirit.
* People keep threatening that the sun isn't going to come out until March. I'll believe it when I see it! Because I saw the sun yesterday! And it's supposed to come out again tomorrow! No, I did not see it today. But to the Seattle winter, I say: Do your worst.
* I've accepted that Sienna doesn't sleep through the night. And I feel good about it. Finally. No, I will not find hope in the fact that 3 nights in a row last week she slept through the night. But I do have hope she'll figure it out at some point. And that is the only hope I need to keep going.
* Sienna needs a lot more entertaining these days since she's dropped the morning nap. It has been daunting to wake up in the morning together and face the day. Welp, day, we have about 12 hours to fill, minus one or two in the afternoon. I'm trying to build in a little more structure in the morning - aka have a plan - so that I am sure to get outside with her doing something before noon. Yesterday we went to the Ballard Locks. Today we went to U Village shopping center for some kid activities. Those big activities are just for me, though. Sienna is most happy anywhere there is a leaf or rock or puddle. She still can't do a lot of things on jungle gyms and there ain't no way she's walking from point A to point B anytime soon. But she can pick up a rock and throw it in a puddle for HOURS. So, 12 hours of that and we're already at bedtime!
* We got our church callings recently. Adam is temple prep teacher. I am a CTR4 (4-5 year olds) teacher. Both great callings and very different from ones we've had in the past. Highlights from my kids so far: There is one girl who shakes with joy every time she talks. She grins and talks and her whole body quivers. One of her comments in class: "My dad choked me with my toothbrush." (Smile, shake, utter elation.) Sienna got a new calling, too: Nursery student. She hates it!
* Sienna is hugging and kissing a lot more. It's the best! She actually will go up to you, put her arms around your neck and rest her head on your shoulder. Sometimes she also pats your back and says "Ahhhh." And she's pretty good at kissing with her mouth closed. Ahhhh. It feels like she actually likes us or something.
* I joined a Christian moms group that meets every other Wednesday called MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) right when I moved here. Our ward is not so organized with the mom groups or groups in general, so I'm finding my own places to go. Plus, I need to meet people outside the ward. It's a new goal of mine - well, Adam's too: hang out with people not from Mormonville. It's been really great. Refreshing. Necessary. Anyway, at MOPS they have childcare and various get-to-know-you activities and a speaker or party. On the off weeks, the same group meets for a bible study, where they offer childcare as well. So, I thought it'd be great for Sienna, too, to get her ready for nursery. Not happening. I usually can't even stay the whole time because she's crying her guts out and they don't allow kids in the mom-room. Anyway, I like this new group. Maybe I'll even get to know some of them once I can stay long enough to have a conversation.
* And, finally, let's talk about my hair. I know it's been on your mind! I really am growing it out. I always say I am but this time it's actually happening. Thanks to the humidity that lets me scrunch and go and the general hippie vibe I feel around these parts that says, "Let it all out, man!" I am! Thank you very much!
