The New Reality - A Continuation

We are nearly 16 months into this crazy adventure, and I continue to be amazed at this New Reality.  I remember when my BFF, Katie, was pregnant with her first, she said to me, "You know, I don't really think our lives are going to change *that* much.  We'll still do all of the same things only there will be a baby with us."

Ahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahha.

This is a false statement.  Katie, you so funny.

Welcome to the New Reality, friends.

• Getting up at 8am is really sleeping in.
• You will use the word "poop" more than you could ever imagine.
• You will not think twice about eating something that has already been been in the mouth of another person.
• "Going down" means something very, very, very different.
• The idea of going out at 9pm seems like absolute madness.
• At 3am, you are willing to barter *anything* in order to not have to take that feeding.  
• Your vocabulary is expanded not via literature but through Diapers.com.  Bumbo.  Boppy.  Moby.  
• You will always have Cheerios - both in the house and on the floor of every room.  
• You will know that the Yo Gabba Gabba characters are not sex toys.  
• You will not only know the face your child makes while he's pooping, you will know the face he makes before it happens.  
• You will dress your child up in the cutest clothes from Baby Gap while you yourself wear yoga pants and sweatshirts.  
• You will smell your child's butt in public.  You will be unconcerned about this action.

And finally, the most important piece of the New Reality:

• You will have more love in your heart for one person that you ever imagined possible....and even more so each night after he's gone down.

No Whiskers On Kittens Here

I realize that I am no Oprah.  Most of my favorite things cost less than $10 (with a few notable exceptions).  And you will not receive any of them after reading this blog post.  Still, screaming in excitement is encouraged.  Some day I may have Oprah's reach, and, when I do, your commitment to this blog will go far.  You can count on that.

My Favorite Things 2012

1. Birchbox subscription
I love getting mail, and I love beauty samples.  Put the two together, and you've got a Birch Box subscription!  Buy one for yourself.  Give one to your girlfriend.  Swap the perfume samples with each other.  Thank me later.

2. Mt Townsend Creamery
Glorious handmade cheeses from the Pacific Northwest.  Friendly, knowledgeable cheesemakers.  Holiday Gift Boxes available online.  You can't go wrong with any of their cheese choices, but I'm a fan of Seastack, the old stand-by.

3.  Kale
Yes, I know it's ever-so-popular right now.  But for good reason:  it's not only a nutritional powerhouse, it's totally adaptable to pretty much any dish.  I toss it in everything - salads, soups, sauces, smoothies, pizza, hash, stir-fries.  Consider it your new staple.

4.  The Voice
Yeah, it's a guilty pleasure. Just try and resist Cee Lo's dirty old man leering or Blake Shelton's drunken barbs.  It's sheer escapism.  And I wouldn't want it any other way.

5.  Sprout organic fruit & veggie pouches
They're organic which is important to me.  They are yummy which is important to my kid.  Boo started holding them himself when he was 10 months or so, and a whole new world was born.  Although a bunch of other companies make these as well, the Sprout brand just seem to be Boo's favorite.  Don't leave home without one.

6.  Mary's Gone Crackers - Black Pepper
Gluten-free, dairy-free crackers that are nutty and crunchy with just a little bit of a pepper kick and stand up to strong cheeses, creamy dips, and thick spreads.  Ridiculous good.

7.  Kitchen Aid Mixer
Yeah, I know I'm a little late to the party on this one, but I seriously don't know how I lived before this thing.  It has tons of uses, tons of fun attachments you can add on (hello, ice cream maker!), and it just looks darn cute sitting on your counter.

8.  Domino Beauty Boutique
My newest discovery (thanks to Asia of Sparrow Soirees) in Greenwood.  Love my haircut, love my various waxed areas (ahem), love their atmosphere.  Go see the ladies of Domino - they'll make you even prettier that you already are.

9.  Fromager d'Affinois
If you know me at all, you know that this cheese is my thing.  Oh man, is it my thing - especially as a topping for the aforementioned Mary's Gone Crackers.  It's kind of like a brie, but it's just so buttery, so creamy, so ooey-gooey, it's irresistible.

10.  Ellen Barrett workout DVDs
When you enjoy Fromager d'Affinois as much as I do, you must have some balance.  This is where Ellen Barrett comes in.  Almost all of her workouts are done in bare feet (!), and they are pilates/yoga/dance fusions. Even if you hate working out at home - or at all - Ellen's your girl.

11.  Vegenaise
God knows that I am not a vegan.  But I have the biggest crush on Veganaise right now.  I even use it to make egg salad which is weird, but somehow makes sense.  Try it before you throw carnivorous stones.

12.  Doug & Melissa Toys
My kid loves these retro-ish wooden toys from Doug & Melissa.  They're super sturdy, well-made, and they will occupy your child for a least 4 minutes at a time.  That's 45 in grown-up minutes.

13.  A - Z Pinot Noir
I like to save the best for last, and as you all know, for me, that means wine.  This Oregon Pinot has been one of my frontrunners for the past year.  Juicy & fruity with a fabulous finish, this is my winter go-to.  Try it today.  Preferably accompanied by some Fromager d'Affinois.

P.S.  Santa, if you're reading this, please consider any and all of the above as appropriate stocking stuffers.

Happy Holidays!

LIZ.

I was thinking about my friend, Reno, this morning.  You know Reno, right?  Everybody knows Reno.

Reno is a tried & true Seattle-ite, and he is moving to New York in a few days.  I've been watching his Facebook posts about his upcoming move and all of the subsequent comments and posts from all of his friends.  Reno is so loved.  And deservedly so.

It's funny; I consider him to be a good friend of mine although we do not really hang out often.  I can't say that we are close, but I think he is just the kind of person that folks automatically feel a connection with.  He just has a welcoming way about him - he's just the kind of guy you want to be friends with.  He is special.

Case in point:  I hadn't seen Reno in quite a while.  Okay, a really long time.  But, because he is who he is, of course I wanted him to attend my baby shower.  Now, clearly, baby showers are not the hottest ticket in town.  Well, mine was obvi, but usually these diaper-sniffing, oohing & awwing affairs are best left to the aunties & the grandmas of the group.  But still, Reno was there.  And not only that, he brought not one but TWO handmade quilts - yes folks, quilts that he freakin' made - for my boy.  This is the kind of person that Reno is.

I think I speak for a lot of folks when I say this -
Reno, thank you.  Thank you for being you.  Thank you for being the kind of person and friend that you are and that I would like to be.  Thank you for being crazy and caring and compassionate.  Thank you for making the world a better place.  You will be always be part of Seattle.  And you will be missed.

P.S. This vodka-soaked photo from an International Women's Day party long ago somehow seemed the most appropriate.

Love Is Love.

My Boo said, "Love you", to me for the first time a few days ago.  Yes, I know he was merely repeating what I had said to him.  I know he didn't really understand the meaning behind his words.  I know this.  But it still completely crushed me.  It was pretty much the best thing ever.  (Especially when I had a deep, dark fear that the first time he said it, it would be to his beloved nanny.)

Boo's mimicking of my declaration of love made me think about the other people he loves now - whether he knows it or not - and the people he will love in the future.  And then I started crying - but not for Will - for all of the people through the years that have not been able to love openly or honestly because of society's views or their parents' opinions or the government's restrictions.

It seems ridiculous, doesn't it?  Why would anyone, ever, want to stop someone from loving?  More love in this crazy world can only be a good thing.  Right?  How did - and how do - these folks justify the idea that not everyone deserves to find & celebrate their love of another person?

My son will grow up in a family, in a household, where he can love anyone he chooses.  And I am proud to say that he will now grow up in a state where the majority officially believe that as well.  Love is love.

And someday, many years in the future, my Boo will say, "Love you", to another in front of those he loves & who love him.  It will not be repetition.  It will not be his sweet love for his mother.  It will not be the puppy love of a preteen.  It will be the real & true, heart-pounding, tummy butterfly-causing, crazy love that fills us up and inspires us and makes us better people.  And we will celebrate.  

Ain't love grand?