feeling green

I just got my new order of gdiapers for kellen (larges by the way, because he now weighs in at a whopping 23lbs). Not only do they make his bum look so adorably cute, they are environmentally friendly and conveniently easy.

The environmentally friendliness of a cloth diaper with the convenience of a disposable. GENIUSES over there at gdiapers.

Colors we went with - Chocolate, vanilla bean, blue and orange.
-molly

"Just In" time....

Rex and I just shared a magical day/evening at the beautiful Justin Vineyards, Winery and Inn. The occasion: our 6 year anniversary coupled with my first mothers day. We jumped on the opportunity to have our first night away when Grandma Riri offered to babysit. Then we hit the winding roads in our neighboring town surrounded by the products of spring; gorgeous vineyards, 6 foot high mustard, blooming wild flowers and huge oak trees. We first laid eyes on this beautiful winery when we were looking for a place to host our wedding. We have not been back since. Not sure why.

Our first order of business was a tour of the caves and barrel tasting.
The smell of the caves, the smell of the fermenting wine makes me feel happy . Reminds me of sonoma and napa valleys where i grew up. The whole valley would smell like that during harvest and, although not pleasant to most people, it feels like home to me.

We then checked into our room with a stunning view of the vineyards and garden. You have to see it to appreciate the beauty.the room came equipped with a HUGE whirlpool tub which is exactly what the doctor ordered. bubble bath too!

We then headed to the pool for some R & R. Caught up on my magazines cottage living and real simple while basking in the sun. Felt like i was in the middle of Tuscany or Provence.

Then we cleaned up and headed to Dinner in Deborah's Room (the restaurant at the Inn, not actually a woman Deborah who invited us over for dinner..haha). Dinner was unbelievable from start to finish. Melt in your mouth meal paired with delicious wine and three choices of butter from all over the world. still salivating.


The next morning we sat out on the balcony and sipped on a wonderful cup of coffee and enjoyed the vineyard operations going on around us. We walked around the miles of property that surround the Inn and inspired ourselves for the day to come.

I can't recommend this get-a-way enough for anyone who just needs to relax or a couple who needs to reconnect. Truly a great time and so close to our own home.

The time with my husband was so special to me. Thanks grandma riri for all your help.

-molly

a new kind of strength

Daily i am asked about home birth followed by the comment 'i don't think i could do it'.

I fell in love with a quote in a recent interview with Ani DiFranco in "Mothering Magazine" --"I'm really happy in the end that i felt every last bit of pain and was as present as i could be. Whenever you go through something terrifying and come out the other side, you grow and have more self-respect in terms of your own strengths. I wanted that more than i wanted whatever sort of numbing the hospital would have offered".--Beautifully stated! Couldn't agree more. Something important happened in my experience. Getting through one of the toughest challenges as a human being prepared me to be a stronger person for my child and appreciate my strengths. The pain connected me and made me search deep for strengths i probably never knew i had. On the other end, it's pretty cool to look back and say I DID IT on my own terms. It was like winning the most important athletic event you've ever participated in times 10.

Here is Kellen's first few minutes, hanging out in the warm water with Dad. Peaceful.

Looking back, i thank my parents for teaching my that i have all the tools i need for whatever comes along my path. I think women are superhero's that quietly make the world turn. So in response to those who doubt their capabilities- You have your own tools, use them. Have a birth you could only dream of.
That's my story and i'm sticking to it (anyone remember who said this all the time?)

-molly

going local...

We decided to sign up for the Huasna Valley Farm CSA (community supported agriculture) this year and LOVE it. we pick up a cooler of fresh, organic, locally grown vege's and eggs every week with some inspiration on cooking ideas (couldn't we all use a little of that). This week- dill, parsley, broccoli, asparagus, so so sweet carrots, bok choy, garlic, butter leaf lettuce, spinach, and 2 dozen eggs. I truly can't believe how much better the food tastes, especially the eggs. I guess what we put in our soil is actually important.

Dinner included salmon with dill and stir fry with all the greens. Scrumptious.


I'm hoping rex and i can get our tomatoes in the ground soon. nothing like a garden fresh tomato in the summer- with a little avocado, basil and olive oil. can't wait.

-molly

don't forget

the annual BIRTH & BABY FAIR is next weekend (may 10th) in mission plaza (san luis obispo). Lots of entertainment for the kids. One of the best parts is the silent auction including GREAT baby gear and equipment to bid on. All proceeds go to support the efforts of the resource center in providing services for pregnant women. For a list of all the items that will be auctioned off please visit the silent auction blog.

Remember to come visit the California Wellness Center booth and say hi. Maggie Ragatz will be doing massage and we will have some cute giveaways for all to have. Look forward to seeing you there.

-molly

i love my daddy because....

he reads me stories before i go to bed (coincidentally named 'i love my daddy because')

he lets me play with the toilet paper roll until the whole role (yes the WHOLE ROLL) is on the ground.

he lets mommy buy cute little clips on her trip to Santa Barbara for the weekend. (i think she deserves cute little clips)


we took a little impromptu trip to Santa Barbara for the weekend. So fun and relaxing. Just getting away from the house made me relax for some reason. Then i take a look around when i got back and wonder why it is so hard to relax when you are surrounded by this (more in bloom)


may you find a place to relax and enjoy all that the day brings you.
-molly

in bloom

I love the beautiful weather we are having. after a heavy bout of rain this winter, we are blessed with a flourishing garden this spring. take a look at what is in bloom at our home.







Our little peach tree is starting to make its fruit.

Apple blossoms....


We also have a pear, fig , persimmon and cherry tree that are starting to blossom. can't wait for the delicious fruit. Kellen loves to watch Dad mow the lawn.
-molly

a plug for chiropractic...

okay. okay. been a long time since any updates. we have been redesigning our website and coming up with new and exciting ideas for our blog. so many things so little time.

cool and exciting- WebMD recently posted an article regarding research on chiropractic adjustments helping to reduce high blood pressure. That is crazy you might say, but really, it does. We see it clinically often, but for it to actually be recognized by WEB MD gives me hope in that web site. why it happens? same reason you can reduce blood pressure with exercise. movement / motion and the stimulation of mechanical receptors activates areas of the nervous system that regulate blood pressure (in a very brief nutshell). Movement is as essential to our brain and cells as H2O and oxygen. Unfortunately this study is limited to its effects on blood pressure. I'm sure we'll see more functional areas studied in the future. But for now, we'll take the recognition. Read for yourself (HERE) http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/news/20070316/chiropractic-cuts-blood-pressure

pictures next time.
-molly

finally

You know those things you buy that you really like...you're sure you can find a place for it. But, when you get home it requires tools and special screws and anchors to use it. So it gets put in a drawer and gathers dust...until finally, you have time for it and it finds a home. Well, mine finally found their homes, at least for awhile.

'S' (for stevens for those of you asking why) towel holder
bought: 4 yrs ago in Charleston, SC

fun porcelain drawer knob
bought: 4 years ago; Ixtapa, Mexico (still have 5 more of the knobs looking for a home)

'bagno' sign (you italians should know what this means)
bought: 3 months ago; Santa Barbara, Ca


frames
bought: 6 months ago; online

candlesticks
bought: 1 year ago; potterybarn

candles
bought: 6 months ago; the NEST, San Luis Obispo, ca

wheat
bought: 5 years ago; Charleston, SC

olive leaf wreath
bought: 2 years ago; the RED BARN, Sonoma, Ca


holder of all electronic trinkets
gift from my sis- LOVE IT. Never wonder where my cell phone is anymore, and no more wires hanging out of every outlet. It is all nicely tucked in this box.

there you have it.
-molly

st valentine

life is different this year. different, but better. i notice the change most on days like valentines because it is not just rex and i. we can't just pick up and celebrate at a restaurant. so we celebrate in a new way. as a family. i hope kellen grows up feeling how much we love him, and more important, how much we love each other (AND how much i LOVE flowers).

thanks rex, i love you always.
my valentines bouquet. just beautiful!

i experimented with feeding kellen a little vege mixture to see what he would do. here is the result.

-molly

to grandma riri and grandpa lar

WE LOVE AVILA BEACH!



listening to the news this weekend made us appreciate where we live. as the midwest and northeast get pummeled by snow and ice, we hit 78 degrees and clear blue skies. a nice stroll down the bob jones trail followed by a picnic at the beach....couldn't ask for a better Sunday.
kellen enjoyed swinging in the way-to-big swing. huge laughs and smiles. all the kids had fun playing in the sand (even though Luke would not put his left foot down).
check out the blue sky?

-molly

blowing out the candles

kellen attended his first birthday party this weekend for his 'best' friends, luke and emerson. fun party and a huge congratulations to their parents, michelle and jeremy. 1 whole year, you did it.
Luke loved his first b-day cake. Emmy liked to chew on the blower.
kellen just wanted the tissue paper.

-molly

too much testosterone

a heavy dose of testosterone invaded the central coast with the sports challange 08'. such a great combination of activities for the weekend warriors that included the likes of our accountant, Glenn Norris, attorney, Paul Parker, financial advisor, Rob Garcia and their partners. Rex partnered with his long time great friend, Gordon "seichii' Torigoe to challange the others in basketball, tennis, golf and football.


great form by the doubles team.
point, set, MATCH!
their #1 fan.

modeling the uniforms provided by Firestone.


and where was i?.......

getting a facial thank you.:)

-molly