Monday, November 30, 2009

Grateful


Oh, we are so grateful.

After a long ten day stretch of the dreaded H1N1 virus, we're all on the mend. Yup, we had the pork fever, and it wreaked havoc with our lovely holiday plans this year. But alas, we made do and focused on all we have and love.

The shot above is Stella in all her fashionable glory on Thanksgiving afternoon. Since she was feeling totally recovered (she was a total champ through it all), she assumed the role of entertainer for a still recovering Papa and a whooped pregnant Mama. We talked a lot about what we are grateful for that day - our health, our humor, our friends and family, our home, our good fortune. And we were so thankful to spend a belated "Thanksgiving brunch" with the Bresslers later that weekend when we were all fever-free. (Thanks, Jan and Harte!)


Of course, Stella tops our gratitude list. Not only is she the most passionate, creative and curious kid we've encountered, her heart is growing in leaps and bounds. Or, rather, her ability to express what's in her little-big heart is increasing by the minute. And it's such a pleasure to sit back at watch in awe.

While we're eager to have the binky-fairy arrive sooner rather than later, we were all for maximum comfort during our week of feeling punk. Maximum comfort, baby. All the way.

(A HUGE thank you to all of you who called to check in and ran errands for us while we were ill. Your sympathetic ears and willingness to help was immensely comforting. Thank you!)

Thursday, November 12, 2009

A Perfect Morning


Last Sunday morning was one of those perfect days. Papa surprised us by coming home extra early from his mountain bike ride, the sun was shining in full force and Stella was in great spirits after a week of sorta kinda fighting a little cold. So, after a warm bowl of porridge, we all bundled up for a meandering stroll on the interurban trail near our house.


Here Stella sits on Papa's shoulders while Grizzly - her favorite imaginary critter at the moment - sits on her shoulders. She kept hold of Grizzly's feet so conscientiously... until she asked me to hold Grizzly in my pocket. (I can't tell you how many imaginary friends I hold in my pockets these days. Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, Grizzly Bear, "Pretend" Isaac and Scarlet.... I now make sure I always have pockets when we head out of the house.)

Stella is starting to enjoy filling her Gather Basket (Thank you, Grandma Jannie!) when we go for walks. We look for cool colored leaves or funny looking rocks and collect for a short spell. (Stella usually likes to free her gathered treasures after we've walked for awhile.) It's so fun to stand back and let her tell us what she finds interesting or beautiful. Nests and fallen trees definitely top the list at the moment.


To top it off? We set up an impromptu picnic of warm tea and satsumas in the living room when we got home. And since we heard a particularly intriguing frog ribbiting on the trail, Stella was more than thrilled to hunker down on Papa's lap to read all our frog stories - who knew we had six stories about frogs? - and sip some tea. Heaven.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Ain't Life Grand?

Yup, it's official. Big Kid Scout Bressler is going to be a big sister. This coming February, this blog will shift a bit to include another little girl who already has us smitten despite the fact that she currently resides in utero. Of course, that isn't stopping this wee one. She's already earning her keep by participating in the most raucous of conga lines in my tummy. So needless to say, we're a bit excited to meet her.

And while Stella is still just starting to wrap her brilliant but tiny head around what's coming, we know with absolute certainty that she's going to be a stellar big sister.

My, my. We are lucky, lucky, lucky.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Rainy Days

Fall has officially hit the Northwest. Despite some gorgeous orange leaves and chillier nights, it's actually been a really mild autumn so far this year. But since it's the first week of November, the winds have hit our town in full force. It's blustery and wet outside which means Stella and I are figuring out what indoor activities help keep us engaged and happy. (The use of "we" is quite liberal here. But I assure you, a happy kid begets a happy mama.)

After some serious closet reorganization, we now have a handy art tote basket that moves from room to room depending on where we feel like creating. And Stella is an artist. She loves to draw and paint, and I love watching her hone in on her little zen zone as she quietly works.

Interestingly enough, Stella's favorite painting and drawing soundtrack at the moment: Michael Jackson's Off the Wall and any variation of "Cheek to Cheek."


Stella loves blues and greens and pretty much only paints with these colors right now.


And she loves painting in the kitchen for a spell and then looking up at her framed artwork, claiming "I made those, Mama. Stella is a painter." Yes, indeedy.


And really, what's a rainy day without a mustache?

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Giraffes and... Penguins?

We started our Halloween celebrations with a trip to Grandma Jannie and Grandpa Harte's house. Dressed as a sweet and cuddly giraffe, Stella was pretty jazzed about the whole dressing up gig.

As we were headed out the door later that day to a friend's Halloween party, Stella swiftly changed gears, refusing to wear her costume. When given the choice of giraffe, flamenco dancer or no costume at all, Stella chose a penguin. Yup, a penguin.

For some reason, the amazing and adorable flamenco dress our dear friend Anne brought back from Spain looks like a penguin to Stella.

And I've now decided that our family Christmas gift is going to be a children's animal encyclopedia since we obviously have a few discrepancies between penguins and... well... Spanish dancers. Hmmm.

Stella has spent every Halloween now with her buddies, Scarlet, Isaac and Ansen. This year, Stella is missing from the photo op since we added a new member of the crew, Baby Marina. And for some reason, an inert six month old in a lobster costume was way too creepy for Stella. Trick-or-treaters with fangs and scars, no problem. Crustaceous infants, terrifying. Go figure.