Introducing Bean!

After my last poop post, I suddenly realized, I have never introduced my daughter on this blog. (And no, I didn't think of her because of poop. ha!)

 In case you are new, I first shared the news here and then showed off my baby bump here! And now, her sweet face. I just want to kiss it!

 

Seriously, she is just so darn cute!

Mischief!

 Last year I cracked up when I saw this neighborhood stop sign:

 

This year, it seems the stop sign scandal has escelated! In a very funny way:

Get the poop scoop HERE.

What do YOU want to do?

This video is thought provoking; it asks: Will you spend your life doing things you don't like doing in order to go on living?  If Money weren't an object what would you do with your life?

If I am honest with myself, I have to admit that this question is very difficult to answer - for two reasons. First, I do not consider my current job, or any job I have ever had, to  be wholly emotionally gratifying or "what I enjoy doing." It is hard to admit that!

Second, the idea of doing something I love for a living is SCARY. Mostly because money is a motivator for me, a necessity... a factor. Would I have what it takes to put in the effort and hard work and give up the financial security? Do I deserve it?

If money weren't an object I would:

-Be a portrait photographer
-Write and publish a novel
-Coach a girls volleyball or softball team
-Somehow be affiliated with the "Biggest Loser", i LOVE that show!
-Stay at home with my kid(s)
-Be a dog trainer
-Enjoy the outdoors, Hike, Bike, Walk, kayak, CC Ski, etc - for a few hours a day.
-Be on the Board of  Non-Profit I believe in
-Make a movie
-Narrate audio books (lots of reading!)


What would you do?

Dance!

Had to share... this is pretty cool.

Happy Holidays!

It is no secret, I LOVE the holidays. The holiday spirit envelopes me every December -- it is such a magical time.

My favorite Portland holiday tradition is the "200 Tuba Christmas" where Tuba players from around the city, young and old, gather at Pioneer Courthouse Square and belt out beautiful Christmas Carols. The many onlookers, like myself, sing along and drink hot cocoa next to the City's giant Christmas tree. It is very festive and sweet. This year I felt so blessed to be able to introduce the tradition to my Daughter. She loved it and was not shy about interacting with the crowd...

I hope your Holidays are magical and merry. And in case you need a little Christmas spirit, or a laugh - here is a funny Christmas prank... that I just might have to copy!

Girl Inspiration

This girl, Sam Gordon, is such an inspiration and boy, is she fun to watch! I will be keeping an eye out for her when she hits high-school age.  Check it.

Inspiration!

I have stared in awe at this woman as she pedals by my house. You wouldn't think such a tiny woman could command that huge bike. It is so big it carries herself, a boom box belting out tunes and... wait for it.... SIX kids.  She was featured in bikeportland.org not too long ago. Catch the story here.


I am waiting, not so patiently, in anticipation until Elizabeth's tiny head can fit into a bike helmet. We are going to ride our bikes all over the Portland... women like this make it feasible. <3

SPRING!

Spring is here! Spring is here!
For many of you, this may be old news. It seems that the weather is abnormally warm everywhere except here in Portland. (I biked to work in the snow yesterday! snow!) But, I am very excited for the official arrival of spring. It means flowers, flirting, robins and skirts galore. Let me count the ways...

Baby Ducks!

Playing outside

 

Biking through a field of new flowers! This pic sort of cracks me up

 

 

Spring Fever

 Spotting of Puppies and New Blooms!

Those rare rain storms when the sun is shining.

 

I feel like putting one of these podiums outside of my office :-)    

Get Inspired, Be Innovative

Today I learned that Steve Jobs died. As a citizen and businessman, he led an inspiring life (which is putting it mildly because in all honesty, the man changed the world!)

In honor of Steve Jobs, his genius imagination and his propensity for new ideas I would like to share some little corners of the World Wide Web that have inspired me to think bigger.

• This guy can be crude but also funny and spot on with his advice - here is a post he did on Steve Jobs

•  Pinterest.com is an online pinboard, "where you can collect the things you love."  If you see something you like while surfing the web (DIY, Recipes, Fashion, Articles, Quotes etc) , you can pin it, file it, and have a place to refer back to when you are out of ideas. Added bonus it that you get to take a peek at what everyone else is interested in too.

• For the savvy business woman -- Top 100 Web Sites  For Women  from Forbes.

•  For the DIY Home renovator - check out Young House Love. Great projects, with fantastic directions and pictures. 

Do you have a website that you go to for inspiration or advice. I would love to know!

Crrrush!

I don't know what it is about this fella' -- but he makes me swoon. Perhaps it is because he was so beautiful in "Across the Universe," which is one of my top ten favorite movies.

*sigh*

For those who are raising GIRLS!

What a coincidence!
My sister-in-law, Sarah, sent me this article a few weeks ago - 'How to Talk to Little Girls, by Lisa Bloom. and then it was posted on one of my favorite Blogs!

The article is about how we talk to little girls, and how it would be better for them if we refrained from complimenting or focusing their looks, and instead talked about books. or bugs. or any other interest they might have.

Brian and I thought it was a great article and we chatted about it for a while. It was an especially HOT topic since we are expecting to have a girl, and we want her to be strong, smart, adventurous and confident (that isn't wayyy to much to ask, is it?!).        

We are definitely going to try and follow Lisa Bloom's advice. I think we will need all the good advice and help we can get.
How did these women grow up to be so amazing?

 Amelia Earhart

 Jane Goodall

Eleanor Roosevelt

Ca-ute!

I was perusing some of my favorite blogs and I found two super cute things I want to share. 

First, Isn't this sweater adorable? (Future) Baby Elizabeth would look so cute in this sweater on her first trip to Maine!

I found it via the blog Nursery Notations it can be purchased online at Marie-Chantal.


Second, check out these tatoos! (Featured on the blog A Cup of Jo) I have never had the courage or passion to get a real tattoo, but I looove temporary tats. These are rad.

I hope you enjoy your weekend!

The Bump!

                                           Here it is, the ever growing bump courtesy of Elizabeth. <3

Fun T-Shirt, Great Gift!

Do you have a person in your life who likes to ride their bike? Trying to convince someone to ride their bike more often?

Well, on their next birthday, you should buy them this t-shirt, it can be found at CICLE.org and it's only twenty bucks!

Improv Everywhere

One of my favorite bloggers is Katie Sokoler, who is also the offficial photographer of a group called Improv Everywhere.  They are a fun group! I like them because they are a 'prank collective that causes scenes of chaos and joy in public places.'  I would LOVE to be a part of their group!
Here are two of my favorite Improv Acts they put together: 


1. One of the actors pretended to get lost at a Knicks game. And what is funny, is how involved the fans became in his dilemma! Read the behind the scenes story here.





2. Recently they did a fun musical at the Gel Conference in NY. The song is a parody on how we overshare on the internet. Hee hee. it's so true!

A bit of THis and ThAt

Hello Friends!

Check it out, I am trying to start a new bike fashion trend. It is called the Monkey Light!

There is a small circuit board with LED lights that attach to your bike spokes. And when your wheel turns, it becomes a beautiful light display. Not to mention, you become very visible in the dark - which is why I want everyone to have one! Find them here: http://store.monkeylectric.com/

I have been having so much fun riding at night!

Update!

Hello Friends! I am so sorry for my absence of late. I guess I should explain...



As you know from my last post, I was feeling very lovey dovey in February. By the end of the month, however, I started to spend more of my time like this :

sick sick sick

And as time went on I felt like doing this every day at work:

ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz

And THEN, every time I got dressed I felt like I should wear this shirt:

Well, as you might have already guessed, all of these new feelings only lead to one thing. In 7 months Brian and I are going to have one of these!!!

And we couldn't be happier. <3

It's February!

I have to be honest, reading all of that teen romance has put me in a romantic mood and I find myself wanting to hug Brian a bit tighter these days. Thank goodness it's February and I can have an excuse to bring out my romantic side.

So, in honor of February (and In case you need a little push to get your heart a flutter, and your mind wandering to lustful daydreams) here is another Ode to Love and kissing -- and all of it's intense emotion that makes you forget there is a world outside of it.

P.S.  If you want to give your special someone something they will cherish, consider my all time favorite romantic gift-- a love note.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunset Heart

ffffound