Wonders, Mishaps, Blunders and Joy.. commentary on my life as a mom in the form of letters to my son
We went to the San Diego Zoo this week with our friends Colleen and Jackson.
Elephant Odyssey is one of the zoo’s newest attractions.
Both boys enjoyed getting down and dirty with the goats in the petting zoo.
Jackson really enjoyed watching the monkeys. Unfortunately, Lucas slept through this part of our visit.
Lucas made a hand print animal to document our fun day…
…a giraffe.
By the way, we did see lions and tigers and bears.
The best is yet to be.
I found out yesterday that an old friend I graduated from high school with, William ‘Brent’ Herrmann died unexpectedly this past Sunday, July 18.
I am in complete shock. He was only 37 years old.
There were only 31 people in our graduating class, so there was a time when I knew Brent very well. He had a brilliant smile, great hair and an awesome Texas drawl. Brent was easy to talk to and I remember spending a lot of time discussing our perfect mates.
Sadly, over the years, we lost touch, but I have often wondered about Brent and where in the world he ended up. I made several attempts to locate him on Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. to no avail. I hope he was happy with his life and found love.
Before my parents died, I hadn’t had much experience with death. I was too young to understand my feelings or the concept of loss when my grandparents died, but now, whenever I hear of a loss, be it my own or someone else’s, it effects me differently. It’s much sadder and cuts deeper and always brings me back to my own losses. Until you have had to say goodbye to someone you love, I don’t think you can ever truly understand loss.
Today, I feel like being back in high school when there were very few responsibilities and everyone was hopeful and alive.
My heart goes out to Brent’s family. Brent will be missed.
Here’s to you #66!
The best is yet to be.
************************************************
WILLIAM BRENT HERRMANN, born April 23, 1973, went to be with our Lord on Sunday, July 18, 2010. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Lota and Elmo Canion, and paternal grandparent, William Joseph Herrmann. Survivors include his parents, William J. and Ann C. Herrmann; sisters, Amy Elaine Partida and husband Steven; Allison Herrmann Torres and husband Francisco; nieces Emily Ann Torres, and Isabel Partida; nephew Frank William Jim Walker and many cousins and friends.
Brent was born and grew up in Houston, Texas, and graduated from The Orme School in Mayer, Arizona. He attended Texas Tech University and The University of Houston. He was currently a Information Systems Manager for Twin Liquors in Austin, Texas. His young life was cut short unexpectedly and he will be greatly missed by his loving family. His sense of humor, love for friends, passion for technology, love of fishing, and love of his family were very important in his life.
A celebration of his life will be held at Woodlawn Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, July 23, 2010, at 10:00 a.m., with internment in Woodlawn Garden of Memories immediately following.
I have been trying to write and post this ALL. DAY. LONG., so forgive me if it just turns into a hodgepodge…
I had a wonderful birthday weekend filled with some of my favorite things: pancakes, a big fat juicy cheeseburger, Berry Happy frozen yogurt, a champagne brunch with good friends, Lucas’ first swim lesson, some great laughs and quality time spent with my little family. 
Oh, and a couple of SUPER frustrating phone interviews with (not so) potential nannies. More on that in another post!
I also saw not one, but TWO movies at the theater! What a treat. I LOVE going to see movies at the theater; the giant screen, the dark room and the incredible surround sound. It’s enveloping, albeit expensive. My husband and I saw Get Him to the Greek on Saturday night and I saw Knight and Day with my sister yesterday afternoon. Both are very entertaining, but definitely worth waiting for on DVD.
My husband, who has been working from home (or a nearby coffee shop) for the past
several months (89 days, but who’s counting?) is supposedly moving into his new office this week and I am giving him my old industrial desk for something prettier. Remember this from my post, A Place To Call Her Own?
Guess who reads my blog? What an awesome birthday gift!! It arrived today, in three enormous boxes, which will probably sit in our foyer for a week, but it’s here and it’s mine and I love it. Thanks, P. xoxo
Second best birthday gift? My sister got me tickets to see Lady Gaga in August at Staples Center and I can’t wait for that show!!
I am a lucky lucky girl!
I’m looking forward to what’s in store for me at 38. Whether it’s a growing family, move to a new city, another exciting trip across the Atlantic or even if things remain status quo, hopefully I will gain a greater sense of self and my place in the world as a wife, mother, sister and friend.
No matter what the future holds, I know that the best is yet to be.
Friendships shouldn’t be difficult, but sometimes they can be a downright messy and very complicated endeavor.
Some friendships die a natural death: people move, change jobs, start a family, or embark on a completely different stage of life. Other friendships, however, end prematurely and abruptly. When a friendship is over and you don’t always understand why and it can be painful and puzzling. Sometimes a friend ends your relationship without even telling you and sometimes they are able to muster up enough courage to FINALLY say all the things they have wanted to say for a very, very long time.
I spent a good part of last week stewing over a friendship I have had for 20 years. We exchanged scathing e-mails and I ended up sharing some things that were WAY overdue. Should one of us have picked up the phone to discuss our issues? Absolutely, but e-mail has always sort of been “our thing” due to our geographic challenges.
It would take an entire blog to describe all the ups and downs and twists and turns I have had with this person over the years, so I’ll spare you the torrid details and just say that like in any relationship, there were good times and some nice memories that I will always cherish, but ultimately, pride, ego and an unwillingness or inability to “show up” played a huge role in the end of our friendship.
I am certainly not perfect and there are two sides to every story, but this is my blog, so you can figure out which one of us I think was the selfish one.
I have experienced monumental changes during the last three years (I got re-married, lost both of my parents at the same time, left a 10+ year career in marketing to deal with the fall out and became a mother) and my friend wasn’t much of a friend to me during any of these life altering moments and instead of saying anything to her, I pretended that everything was okay.
I find the busier I keep Lucas during the day, the better both our dispositions, not to mention, tiring him out usually means more naps!
Climbing the stairs is a good place to start, but doesn’t quite cut it most days, so each week we attend a music class, go for walks along the beach or throughout the small town where we live, visit each of the three different parks in our neighborhood and have Mommy & Me play dates.
I am forever trying to find fun new things for us to do in order to pass the time… especially the bewitching hours of 2:00 – 5:00.
Today we went to the Sea Life Aquarium and Legoland with our friends Jenn and her one year old, Tristan. It was a very fun day.
If you think that there isn’t anything to do for one year olds at Legoland, you are sorely mistaken. Duplo Playtown was made for toddlers with it’s little tot-sized buildings, slides and all the Duplo they can play with.
After a sufficient amount of play, we walked the boys through Miniland U.S.A., which includes reproductions of seven areas of the United States, all constructed with 20 million Legos in 1:20 scale. It truly is amazing and a definite must-see. The Las Vegas strip was my favorite.
The boys had a great time and we will be returning soon.
The best is yet to be.
“Friends are the family we choose for ourselves.” – Edna Buchanan
Baby “Sprinkles” are becoming very popular for second, third and subsequent babies, especially with my group of friends. I now have SIX girlfriends pregnant with their number twos. I love the idea of these low key gatherings; there’s not as much pressure or formality as with full blown Showers and the games are kept to a minimum, thank goodness!
Last night we celebrated two of my mother-to-be-again friends with a joint Sprinkle and it was a lot of fun. I hadn’t seen my friends in several weeks so it was good to catch up and reconnect. I miss them when too much time goes by without seeing their faces.
They say that friendships change once you become a mom because priorities shift and family comes first, but I honestly haven’t felt that with my core group of girlfriends. A part from not having as much one-on-one time with them as I used to, they are as encouraging and supportive as always… both the still single and looking for Mr. Right and the fellow new moms.
Sure, I’m closer to some than others, but whenever possible, I try to make time (sans baby) to spend with all of them in a group setting or a cozy lunch for two and stay guneinuely engaged in their lives and what going on in their worlds as I can via Facebook, texts, e-mails and phone calls.
I have learned over the years that friends are as essential to me as breathing.
My friends are my life line to sanity, fun, growth and understanding and provide love and support through good times and bad. We celebrate each others successes and mourn with each other over our losses. I am blessed to have such wonderful, smart, beautiful women in my life and I hope that we always stay close.
The best is yet to be.
Day 78/100
By the way, your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you, I am trying out a larger font size… Whatdaya think?
As promised, here are some photo highlights from our trip:
Mommy and Lucas in the Circle Quay (Sydney Harbor and Opera House).
Sophie and Lucas – Lunch at Le Méridien hotel.
Jammie time for Emma, Noemi and Lucas.
Visit to the Noumea City Aquarium.
A day at the beach – Lucas’ first time in the Pacific Ocean.
While Lucas and I were enjoying the sun and surf on the island of New Caledonia, Daddy was driving in the Targa Tasmania and on Day 4/5, his partner crashed their car into a tree. Thankfully, no one was hurt.
Best friends and their children.
Our trip to the Sydney Zoo. Look at their view… lucky giraffes!
Day 71/100
“Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.” – John Howard Payne
I’m back! It’s good to be home. I missed my little blog, but thoroughly enjoyed being unplugged for a while. Now, with my head swimming in posting ideas and new thoughts on motherhood to share, I’m anxious to get back to it….
First and foremost, we had a terrific trip! The flights to and from were torturous and very hard on us all, but we did it and are better for it.
I can’t believe that I can now say that I been to six continents or even more impressive that, that my son has been to three!
Sydney is a beautiful hustling bustling multi-cultural city with tons of things to see and do and we made the most of our four days there by exploring The Rocks, the great neighborhood where our hotel was located, walking over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, visiting the famed Opera House and the Taronga Zoo.
In between our bookend stays in Sydney, Lucas and I spent a wonderful week with my friend Sophie and her family in Noumea, New Caledonia and got to experience life on an island. It was so good for my soul to see my friend again and I loved finally meeting her beautiful daughters, Emma (who turned six while we were there) and Noemi (3). They were very sweet to Lucas and he fell in love with them instantly too.
I am especially grateful to Sophie’s husband Luc, who took the entire week off work while I was there to help out with their girls and their daily routine and even looked after Lucas so that Sophie and I could spend some time alone together. I love how even after not seeing each other for 10 years, we picked up right where we left off. That has to be the mark of a true friendship.
As I said in my Facebook status on April 25: One 15 hour flight, one trip to the ER, one lost cell phone and unbelievable humidity = the price you pay to see your best friend again! Having a wonderful time in New Caledonia.
I can never thank Sophie and Luc enough for everything they did to make us feel comfortable and welcome and I don’t know what I would have done without their help. Shortly after we arrived (literally minutes after we walked off the plane), we headed to the ER where Lucas was diagnosed with gastroenteritis. This led to multiple trips to the pharmacy, calls to their family’s pediatrician and a later diagnosis of an ear infection and sore throat.
Agh! I now know what a mother’s worst fear is while traveling and it’s not that you’ll run out of diapers on a 15 hour flight, it’s that your baby will get sick on an island where you don’t speak the language!
He seems to be 100% now, although he is still pulling on his ear, so we are going see our pediatrician tomorrow (I mean, later).
Maybe he was just missing his daddy, who was in Tasmania participating in the annual Targa Tasmania, a tarmac rally with competitive stages on closed roads. I will have to get Lucas’ dad to share his experience in the form of a guest post, because I couldn’t do it justice. I suppose the pictures might speak for themselves. Luckily no one was seriously hurt!!
It was the longest we have all been a part from one another and what made it more difficult was the lack of communication. We can normally text one another, but not without a phone (which I believe is in the Sydney airport somewhere…Grrr!).
Jet lag is starting to kick in… photo highlights will have to wait until tomorrow (I mean, later).
My friend and fellow blogger Natalie (Mommy of a Monster (I Mean Toddler) and Infant Twins) has tagged me in a game of One Word Meme. What is a One Word Meme, you ask? It’s a chain-like e-mail you complete and them pass along to others, otherwise known as a way to get to know other bloggers and increase blog traffic.
Thanks, Natalie and keep up the great mommy-ing and blogging. I enjoy checking in on you every day and encourage my followers to do the same. 🙂
So, here I go:
Hair: Brown
Your Mother: Missed
Your Father: Emulated
Favorite Food: Cheeseburgers
Dream Last Night: Nothing
Favorite Drink: Water (Oh, who am I kidding…wine!)
Room You’re In: Kitchen
Hobby: Reading
Fear: Dying young
Where Were You Last Night? Home
Something You Aren’t: Patient
Muffins: Zucchini
Wish List Item: Spa
Where You Grew Up: Everywhere
What Are You Wearing: Jammies
Your Pet: None
Friends: Many
Something You’re Not Wearing: Make-up
Favorite Store: Target
Favorite Color: Navy
Last Time You Laughed: Now
Your Best Friend: Loved
Place You Go Over And Over: Gym
Person You E-Mail Regularly: Colleen
Favorite Place To Eat: Subway
My turn to tag…
Leah, you’re it! When my sister moved to Los Angeles in January, she started a blog called LA ‘n’ LA, which chronicles her new life in southern California. She also writes about all kinds of other fun things like; family, friends, music and travel, so if you have a minute, check it out!
The best is yet to be.
Day 52/100
I am beyond excited for our upcoming trip to Australia and New Caledonia. I can’t wait to see my dear friend Sophie (A Token Of Love And Affection) and her husband, Luc again, meet their daughters and introduce you to all of them. Plus, this is a part of the world I never imagined I’d get to see.
With eight successful round trip airplane rides under your belt (six domestic flights and one international trip to Italy), I like to think of you as a professional traveler, but with only one week left until our 15 HOUR ONE WAY excursion to Sydney, I am starting to worry… A LOT!
My feelings range from dread to panic. How on earth are we going to feed, entertain and comfort a 10 month old for 15 hours on our laps for what is essentially two days for you?
For me, the worst part of traveling is the packing! I absolutely hate it. I never know what to bring for myself to wear, let alone, you! Packing for the plane ride is the worst part… knowing how many diapers you are going to need, formula you are going to drink, snacks you are going to devour or outfits you are going to go through is down right impossible, and don’t even get me started on medicines I hope we won’t need, books and toys.
Let the list making begin!
I have learned exactly two things about traveling with a baby; 1) bring at least one new toy that you have never seen before, along with a couple of your favorites and 2) have at least two blankets in your carry on… one for comfort and warmth and one that can double as a burp cloth/snot rag/pillow. I also learned, the hard way, I might add to pack more than one extra outfit for you.
Other than that, I am hoping that the universe and travel gods will be on our side. Any toddler travel advice you can offer, that preferably doesn’t involve drugging my son up, is much appreciated. 🙂
Wish us luck, patience and an empty seat!
The best is yet to be.
Day 48/100
