Play date!

Living in the mountain has its pros and cons. It is beautiful and lovely, but we miss our friends and family, going to a movie, to a gallery, to a party, taking a walk to get amazing coffee, being able to buy stuff (anything), eating delicious food at an exotic restaurant (and by exotic I just mean not Mexican), taking a class... So, those few days a month we go to Los Angeles I enjoy a lot. I try to see as many people as possible, buy everything we need, eat at my favorite places and do something fun! 

This time we went to The Conga Room to see Balkan Beat Box and Soulico. What an amazing show! I danced all night on my high heels and had a blast!! The Israeli crowd was in the house so we also got to see lots of old friends. One of my favorite songs by BBB is called Mexico City. 

Adiel stayed with cousin Shane at his grandmother's (Shane's father is Uri's best friend). It is only the second time we go out and leave her with someone. Apparently she cried for half an hour and then fell asleep.

One of my LA mosts is to see the journey sisters. The girls are very mobile and vocal now. They laugh out hard and they are opinionated. They recognize each other, they play together. Us mamas, we hug and kiss all the little ones, we talk and confess, we relax and feed, we share and advice. It's so nice to see us all grow and discover the world together!

Adiel, Eva and Leona's play date...

Already you can see how different they are from each other, adding some unique flavors to the family!

The proud mamas

They are growing up beautifully

I am grateful they will have each other and that us mamas have each other too.

We had a great day, but Saskia, Ava and mamas were very much missed!

Adieli knows "No" very well now, she knows when she does something she is not supposed to do, and lately as soon as she hears the word she turns to me with a cute smile and starts clapping or waving hello... just before she goes right back to whatever she was doing!! She knows, she has me, she melts me.

Until soon,

Mercedes

life before Leona

when i think about it, even though i’ve been through more than 3 decades of life experiences - it is only now as a mom to leona, that i truly appreciate the meaning of life; which is to give and love unconditionally. but i titled this “life before leona” so i will try to be brief about myself (& her baba) in order to move quickly to the introduction of her deliciousness a.k.a. "leona juliette mihail"…

to truly introduce leona, i will try to briefly explain the journey that has brought us to her.

i was born in saigon vietnam, and left as a refugee with my mamie around 1 years old.

when i was still in my mamie's belly, my grandmother (dad’s mom), forced him to leave saigon without us. he never made it (but i didn’t find out until i was pre-teen), so it was me and my mamie until i was 4 yrs old.

i grew up in montreal canada, learned french as my first language, then vietnamese. i met my a stepdad and stepsister around 4 yrs old.

my parents moved us to los angeles when i was about 9/10 years old to start their own furniture business. i grew up in north hollywood and was a mall rat kid. instead of daycare, i spent most of my time after school at the mall with my parents. i was a tomboy growing up because i played video games in the food court and only hung out with boys. my brother was born around this time, we are 10 years apart.

jr. high school and high school were some of my fondest memories of childhood. i can’t recall anything else before that. i am still best friends with my best friend from 7th grade (Natasha – Leona’s godmother) and i met mike in 10th grade.

mike and i met at a sweet sixteen birthday party in 1995 and have been inseparable since. it's been a long journey for us as a young couple who met in high school.

when we were young, our challenges as a couple were about how much time we spent (or did not spend) with each other. we actually argued about it constantly! we went to different high schools and colleges, so we always made an effort to be together as much as possible (imagine if that were our biggest problems today?...oh how simple life can be at 16/17 years old!).

falling in love so young was wonderful. it was so simple. we used to write each other love letters and talk on the phone thru the night until we had to go to school in the morning. it was always a sweet love.

if you want to see more old and funny pictures of us throughout the 10 years of being together, here is our wedding slide show (warning it is 13 minutes long!)

eventually, our young love nurtured into our adult life of living together and then buying a town house in culver city and getting our first dog, athena. a few weeks after adopting her, mike proposed the night before our 10 year anniversary. i was completely surprised (as you can see from my red face in the picture below). the proposal was a coordinated surprise with a few close friends & family.

we did not rush into our wedding plans and had a two year engagement. after living in the townhouse with athena for less than a year, mike decided that it was time for us to move into a house with a yard. so during the real estate craze in 2006, we moved into a house in Tarzana, where we currently reside now. although we love our house, it was definitely an investment that we would later could not afford (like everyone else).

as we were planning for the wedding, we decided to go to pre-marital counseling. everything began to unfold for us in couples’ therapy as we talked about our hopes, dreams and family planning. it was not the same conversation that we used to have when we were kids. our hopes and dreams at 16/17 were so much different at 28/29 years old.

then the big greek/vietnamese wedding happened. we got married twice, the first time on our high school anniversary date (6.9.2007) - see picture to the right.

and then we walked down the aisles of lake shrine in the pacific palisades a week later (6.16.2007), it was a beautiful sunny june wedding. you can see the wedding montage below:

shortly after the wedding bliss, things got a bit rocky for us. there was a distance between us that we both knew, but could not explain at the time. marriage should have brought us closer but we were further apart for the first time in our lives.

so shortly after xmas, i discovered that mike had an affair. it broke me. it broke us. it was the most unbelieveable betrayal i had ever felt. i cried. we cried together. yet i was not surprised. i could go on and on… but we’ll save all the juicy and sad details for another blog post, if you guys want to know.

fast forward through a lot more couples' therapy, and eventually we forgave each other and started over. after we were able to mend our love, our love grew stronger each day as husband and wife. as our love grew stronger, so did our desire to start a family. that is where leona comes into our lives. she sprung out of pure love and hope from us. we wanted her more than anything.

it took about 6 months for me to get pregnant (all stress related to our house, our finances…again, another blog post if you guys want to know the juicy details).

that’s it’s for now. the next post will be the birth story of leona.

Mommy loves AVA!

You've all seen these photos on Facebook, but I just love them so.  My little raspberry and banana eater!

I can't believe how much she can eat at one go!  I guess I wasn't feeding her enough before.  She'd sign (and say!!) more ('moe' with a soft r on the end) and I thought, 'really, she can't still be hungry,' and I'd sign and say 'ALL DONE!'  But it dawned on me, SHE'LL stop eating when she's not hungry anymore.  It's funny the things I don't realize as a first time mom.  ;)

Well, I've been letting her go.  This morning for breakfast she fed herself: 1 whole banana cut into chunks, 1/2 an avocado cut into chunks, 1 piece of whole grain toast cut into bites and several ounces of water!  Later, she had two good sized snacks including our favorite, raspberries!  Cottage cheese, 1 rice rusk and a few bites of apple.  (I say snacks because she's napping at lunch and asleep for the night at dinner).

She loves to eat and feed herself :)  She's doing so well and it's exciting that I can feed her basically what I'm eating for the most part.  Yesterday, I went with some friends and their babies for Thai food and Ava had some Pad See Ew and some tofu from my soup.  Mmmmm

She still loves to nurse... a lot... ;)

It's so exciting watching her grow up!  It's happening so fast!

Lately, I've been even more overwhelmed with love for her.  She's been more and more interactive and we've been having so much fun playing.  We play chase.  She crawls and I say, "I'm gonna get you!" and I crawl after her.  She pants in her cute little baby pant while she high tails it away from me as fast as she can.  I let her go for a bit and then I GET HER! and she shrieks with giggles.  She's also ticklish... FINALLY!  And laughs at funny faces and voices.  I love it.  I LOVE IT!

I'm madly in love with her.  She's perfect.  All our little ones are!

I Put On Two Pairs of Underware.

I hear women talking about feeling empowered, sensual, feminine.  Following their dreams, feeling passionate.  Blah, blah, blah... and how YOU can feel it too.

I'm mulling over these feelings.  Wondering if I ever really felt them pre-baby, if I can remember back that far.  Wondering what gives us the sense of empowerment, sensuality, passion.  Wondering what MY dreams are anymore.

Oh God, wondering if I'm even ... (long pause... gulp) ... feminine.

I can go four days without time for a shower, but somehow I've managed in my quest for getting some assemblence of my body back, to find exercise four times! 

I often rock my workout clothes all day, baby puke stains and last week, plenty of snot on my shoulder.  My sports bra from pre-baby, not quite the right size, digs into my shoulders, strains my neck... but I'd rather spend my money and time on her than buy myself an appropriate sports bra.

I guess what's really getting me down is this pre vs post baby body.  I still feel that empty feeling in my core.  Not always, but often.  There are days when I feel strong, and that gives me hope that those days will make way to a new and complete inner strength and healing, however the days I feel week and awkward are cruel.

The empty space in my core starts out small in the morning.  I hear or read something about feeling like a woman, feeling strong and empowered and I feel that empty space stretch as I loose grasp of myself.  I hear something about feeling sensual, maybe even sexy and the space gapes further open.

Or maybe it's all physical.  I go to my exercise class and we try a new ab exercise and I'm only able to connect with that exercise for fleeting moments, if at all.  I guess it's an opportunity to work on releasing that emotion, but there are days where it just seems to stick in that tight spot in the throat.  Thank God that happy little face is smiling at me when I walk out of the workout studio at the end of class.

I'm lost in this empty space.  I feel blue and pointless at moments.  I feel like I should be able to do more than "just" be a good mom.

I have no doubt that I'm a good mom.  I'm confident there.

I just look out at the rest of the world around me and wonder if "just" being a good mom is enough and I start to feel empty.

There is so much pressure on us as women to work or contribute in some way outside of our family.  Is it enough to take care of a child all day, a little being that depends so greatly on us, as well as prepare all our family's meals, keep the house tidy and in order, keep the kitchen clean with the dishes done, plan outings and social get-togethers, buy and manage the groceries, etc etc etc

Then, our husbands want time with us, they have "needs" and while I'm covered in baby fluids, haven't showered in days, have BO and I'm exhausted from a day of baby wrangling, I'm supposed to feel sexy?

And where do I fit in this equation?

This morning, as I shower, I pondered my meaning and what it means to be a mother and a wife at this stage of my family's exsistence.  I was so deep in thought as I got out, dried myself off and got dressed.  I put on the underware I had layed out for myself, then went to my drawer and got out another pair and put them on over the first set!  And reminded myself to smile.

I know I'm in the process of getting through this.  Finding my meaning.  Working out my emotions.  Strengthening my body.  I need to feel good enough.  I need to allow myself to feel meaningful.  I need to allow myself to believe that even if I haven't found my center yet, I'm still a great mom, a good wife and a wonderful woman.  (Ugg, why was the second half of that last sentence hard to say?)

I've spent a good amount of precious naptime enjoying the wonderful recent dispatches from all our Journey Sisters and, though I'm generally feeling inspired, my brain is not quite keeping up and my little computer is struggling to load any of the new pictures I'd like to post. So... a bit of a cop-out I suppose to transcribe the words of another, but I read this poem this week (posted by another mama on facebook) and thought it was an apt mantra-like work for all of us. I found nearly every line to be a bit of wisdom I of which I often need to be reminded. This is "Desiderata" by Max Ehrmann:

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Yes. I needed this this week. Especially, "Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness." Hope it is useful to you all as well. 

Also, happier things! I wrote about Saskia's nine month lunaversary over at my other (mostly neglected)blog-- if you'd like to read it, it is here.

And, because she is adorable, here is Little One in the tub:

 Love to you all!

Those days

Becoming a mama has made me a much better person, no doubt about that. But it surely brings on the challenges, the high prices and the contrasting lows... not many women talk about those...

Adiel is a good baby, she's mostly smiley, she's fun and loving. We have a good situation going on. I appreciate the fact that I am able to be with her every day and so is Uri. However, it is hard to be face to face all the time, to be an example, to take good care and entertain, to keep her safe and happy. All while going through the regular events and tests of the daily life.

Adiel is sick today and for the first time. She does not feel good, she can't breath properly, her eyes are teary, her appetite is gone and she will not be anywhere else but in my arms (she sleeps on me as I write). We struggle for her to accept anything that would make her feel better. The only thing that lifts her spirit a bit is watching this videos and applauding with them. I am sure your little ones will enjoy them too. I like the Classical baby videos, this is Adiel's favorite. 

At least the good news is that we finally found a good pediatrician that we trust and that understands and respects our way of living and our decisions. 

I am coming off of a couple of days of semi-fasting due to sharp stomach pain (maybe nervousness?). And I guess it's not that, or the fact that Adieli is sick, but I feel somehow broken. My throat is closing, I lose my center, I am irritable and tired. I do my best to be nourishing and patient for her and I think I manage to, but I also get frustrated and feel helpless. I can't communicate right, my eyes are teary too... I suppose I am also getting sick. It is just one of those days!

I wanted to write this, but I was hesitant since it is not a cheery, beautiful or inspiring post. We are all as a society very much used to giving a big smile and saying all is fine. But then we detach from real life, we find ourselves in situations where we don't know what is natural and what is not. For example, being pregnant for the first time and having no clue of what a birth looks like because we have never witness one before (my case). We slowly lose the tradition of women being there for each other, of mamas helping, sharing and teaching each other.

Well, you mamas have been to me a great support and an example. We have been blessed with great opportunities and loving families, I know there won't be much to complain about, but whenever there is a need for a little bit of clarity, here we will be!

As a mama I learned how to love with a full unconditional heart, but also the meaning of sacrifice, of giving up. And whatever is left behind I embrace with sweet melancholy, knowing that I rather always be who I am today.

On a diferent note: I took all these pics early this week. I am still experimenting with angles and edition. Which filter do you like better? I was imagining I would go out for long afternoons to try the new lens and capture my version of Baja California... I will one day soon!

 The sun setting on one of these foggy days!

Take care,
Mercedes

El Valle de los Cirios

I love nature, I love living in nature. We live in a mountain house, on a cliff, by the ocean. We are off the grid, we save water, we recycle, we compost, and I love it. It was not easy for me moving here from the BIG city, specially when it comes to social and cultural life. However, I have to say Baja California has always found a way to take my breath away, to make me stop for a minute to admire whatever magic is going on at the moment. I am grateful I have that for myself and  now  I can share it with my daughter. 

I also love traveling. I am an anthropologist and I'm fascinated to discover new horizons, systems, traditions, and all those little simple things that makes us all so different from each other. All those things inspire me, make me feel more in tuned with myself and bring deep words to my heart.

People like to travel to destinations that will bring pleasure to their senses. Some like going to the beach, others prefer to go shopping, or to museums. My father, for example, is a book collector, so he likes traveling to places where he knows he will find some treasures, places charged with history. His favorite vacation is to Barcelona (and he was not a big fan of LA until I brought him to the Huntington Library in Pasadena, where he can't wait to bring Adiel).

My favorite destination is the desert!! There is nothing like the warmth, profound and sweet silence of the desert! I crave it as I write about it... I have been around a little, and I have had the chance to be in some spectacular deserts like Atacama, in Chile, and Vadi Ram, in Jordan.

In the end of July 2009, Uri and I made a trip to the desert in Baja California (8 hours south from us). We went camping to a small beach with some friends. And that is where we think we made Adiel!

This is "El Valle de los Cirios"...

 

 

In English cirios are known as boojum trees, and they are endemic of the Baja California peninsula. In Spanish cirio also means candle, but the big candles, the kind you find in churches next to the altar. These trees got their name from their resemblance to those candles, having at their top (or tops) a yellow flower that smells like honey. They grow slow, but they can be as tall as 20 meters.

This is my favorite picture. You can see Uri standing at the bottom of the cirio.

The cactus there are massive, some rocks are huge... but just look again at the cirio. I think of them as delicate dancers, forever witnessing the slow pace of time, the silent development of life, surviving gracefully drop by drop, embracing the sun and its salty kiss. 

Some of them grow in crazy ways.

It was also very nice at the beach. Only fishermen live there, camping for a few days a week. Their main source of income comes from getting geoduck or elephant clam, in Spanish "almeja generosa". It is one ugly looking clam, but it is taaaaaasty! Uri went fishing with them one day.

I never prayed before as much as I pray since I became a mama. I pray for my Adiel every day, I thank God for having her, I bless her, I pray for her health, and I ask for her protection. But sometimes I go for a longer "wish list", hoping she will grow up to love nature, that she will find a beautiful way to communicate and inspire others, that she will have and take many opportunities to enlarge her horizon and become a respectful, responsible and empathic person that will do things to make the world a better place. All of that and more she could take from the place where, with the cirios as our witnesses, she was made... and I guess she is off to a good start, because she's already a delicate dancer that inspires me and makes my world a much better place! 

Until soon,

Mercedes