aka Baby Mama
Kai chillin in his new sunglasses!
I can hardly keep a straight face when I look at Kai in his new sunglasses. He loves them! They look really comfortable and imagine they are because he actually wears them. He was complaining about the sun getting in his eyes so I searched high and low for these shades. I ordered these toddler sunglasses on amazon so no fuss, no muss.
I’ve taught two spin classes in Hood River now. It was a gorgeous sunny day in Hood River. I heard that people rarely workout inside on sunny, warm days in Hood River. They were right. Luckily, there was one 26 year old who showed up for my first noon spin class. She was awesome and adorable like how you think of a 26 year old. Worked hard, wanted more and always smiling!
There were three tough “Hoodies” in my second spin class at Flow. It was another beautiful, sunny day in Hood River so I was happy to have the company. People in Hood River are tough, specifically the women. I’ve been so impressed with the athletic women in Hood River, they’re everywhere. I don’t remember seeing so many fit women with such nice arms-muscular and really defined. That reminds me I need to bust my new kettle bell out of the closet. I think I’m going to like it here!
Tags: Flow Yoga Studio, Hood River, Spin Classes
My husband and I used to sing this song all night long when Kai was a baby. We’d wake up every 2 hours to feed him and we’d blast this song over the speakers. It’s a wonderful Hawaiian song by IZ and is so appropriate when you have a brand new baby. Part of the song goes, “Starting all over again, it’s gunna be rough for us, but we’re gunna make it. Starting all over as friends, it’s gunna be tough on us but we gotta face it. We’re gunna try, we’re gunna try, just one more time.”
On a walk and Kai paused for a quick pic, I felt lucky!
As I’m posting nanny wanted ads on craigslist and classified.gorge.net I’m singing this sweet and honest song. Here we are in White Salmon/Hood River area and I’m looking for help with Kai again. He’s still so vulnerable at a sweet age of 2 so I’m quite particular with who watches him. I’ve gotten a few recommendations of preschools but he has to be 3 to attend the ones I liked. Originally, I thought Kai would go to school in Hood River but that didn’t pan out like I expected. Changing it all up and scooting over to a nanny search now.
Travel is fun but starting all over again is tough.
I’m just saying…
Tags: Hood River, Nanny, toddler
We finally got on the water in Hood River and it couldn’t have been a nicer day. Hardly any wind which is unusual for the Gorge. Sunny and warm which is always a treat in the Pacific Northwest. I think stand up paddle boarding in the Gorge is going to be awesome! It’s a little different than paddling in the ocean. Learning to paddle in the current, sharing the river with the huge barges, the kite boarders and windsurfers is going to be fun! Now all I need is a wetsuit.
Taking Sean’s 10 foot board for a little spin. Yes, that’s a jean skirt and a life vest. Never wore a life vest in the ocean but we can’t be too careful with the strong river current so are sporting the red vest.
Sean trying his big bertha (10.5 feet) board for the first time in Hood River.
Kai practicing his “pop up” on land first like a good little surfer.
Tags: Hood River, stand up paddle board, SUP
Life with a 2 year old is fast! Kai has been running like crazy lately and these are the best pictures I could score.
Kai full running full speed on our walk
I love my little runner boy!
Tags: toddler
After my Orange County weekend without the fam, I was able to read a book on my flight home. The book is called The Art of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau (try saying that last name fast for a mouth full)
It’s mostly about living your best life and changing the world all at the same time. That’s all.. As I was reading the tips, ideas and strategies I found myself thinking that this sounds exactly like my husband talking! Much like Sean, Chris takes a no nonsense approach to tearing down the walls of fear and uncertainty when it comes to finding your life’s passion and living it. I’ve seen Chris speak at the Portland Meet Plan Go event last winter and found his lecture style to be captivating. He doesn’t have a big voice or a big presence but his delivery is spot on. He holds your attention in his book and in person by keeping his stories entertaining and inspiring while getting to the point quickly.
After reading this book, I want to make at least one big life change that will bring me closer to my passions in life. With all of the choices out there today it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle and this book reminds us how precious our time and life is.
Here’s to finding and living your passion in life!
Tags: book
Happy Birthday Baby Kai!
I used to wonder how people could comment on “how fast” it goes when raising kids? Personally, I thought the first 3 months of Kai’s life was pretty slow going. However, once he turned one, time started to pick up and it’s been picking up ever since. It’s mind boggling how I love you more and more each day!
Dear Kai, my birthday wish for you is;
May you grow up to be a strong, smart and sensitive person who trys new things and goes for life! May you cherish your friendships and relationships especially the one with yourself. May you consider yourself a world citizen from all your travel, whether you like to travel or not. May your sense of humor keep growing and create a soft place for you to giggle even during the toughest times. May you keep that warm, happy wonder in your eyes and always believe in the impossible! I hope you know one day how much your dad and I love and adore you! You are the icing on the cake for us and we appreciate and respect you more and more each day. Thank you for being you and being our little boy! I love you Kai bear!
Kai taking a spin behind the wheel at 23 months old
May you learn the power of love first and let it overcome the love of power…
Love always,
Your Mama
I was so excited when I found Bambinos International School online when traveling in New Zealand. We enrolled Kai for 3 days a week and I was so pumped about the Spanish Immersion program. Kai was only there for a day and 1/2.
Having a snuggle at home in the morning
The Bambino website and marketing staff was so professional which created such a positive image for me. However, sometimes it isn’t what you think it is.
I quickly remembered the effects of a toddler transitioning into a new school. Middle of the night wake ups, early morning wake ups (which makes a very grumpy toddler) and short 1 hour naps. Not to mention the dramatic drop off and pick up with a lot of emotion.
Kai having a severe tree nut allergy has stepped it up a knotch for me. It’s a little scarier especially learning that Bambinos has an on site chef who cooks ALL of the food for ALL of the children. Yes, they are a peanut free school but Kai is the first child there to have an anaphylaxis tree nut allergy so there’s a lot of nervous energy from everyone. In addition, there has only been 1 teacher in the toddler room when I drop Kai off in the morning with 7-8 other little toddlers. Yikes, that makes a new situation even more uncertain when the center told me the law is 1:4 for that age group. If Bambinos isn’t following the strict Oregon law ratio, how can I count on them to take care of Kai with his severe tree nut allergy?
For me, Bambinos Internationl School in Hood River was “good on paper, bad in person.”
I’m just saying…
Tags: Bambinos, Bambinos International Learning Center, Hood River, toddler
Attitude is Everything
I first heard this saying as a little girl from my parents. Wise people they are!
Recently, I flew from Portland, OR to Long Beach, CA on JetBlue airlines. It was my first personal trip on an airplane alone (since having Kai). I shopped around because Spring Break airline prices were so expensive. I found and bought my cheapest ticket here which was with JetBlue.
It was an early flight with a 7am departure. I’m not an early bird and have always thought waking up at 5 am is like waking up in the middle of the night. So, it was an early morning but I had a good attitude. Parking and riding the shuttle was quick and easy. TSA line was long and packed full of people. TSA guy was super nice and exclaimed what a “smart traveler” I was when I forged ahead of a distraught woman clogging the belt by trying to place one item at a time in the gray bin. She had all her stuff at the end of the belt so no one else could load their things in the gray bins. After getting puffed for the first time at PDX I husseled over to the intimidating line at Starbucks. Talk about efficient and friendly. A woman was taking drink orders from the line and writing them on drink sleeves. There were 4 baristas making drinks behind the bar and 3 cashier lines. I ordered my drink and within 5 minutes was cradling my perfect americano and walking to the gate. Gate agents were very pleasant and super friendly.
Flight attendants were very professional and friendly. I noticed the flight attendants had delivered the drinks and snacks. Maybe I got lucky with the nice friendly, TSA guy, gate agents and flight attendants. Or maybe it was my good attitude? It doesn’t really matter because I love travel days like these. Easy, efficient and no drama. Sometimes things just flow and it’s glorious and wonderful!
Safe and happy travels.
Can you be an awesome spin instructor and yoga teacher?
No. Or I haven’t met you yet. Rarely do I get to experience a yoga/spin teacher.
Taking a spin class as a student
When I find an incredible yoga teacher who also teaches spin I’ve often wondered how does that work? Recently, I experienced this situation first hand.
Let me start with myself. I’ve been teaching spin for 14 years and still love it. When I teach spin I think it shows how much I love it. I take every class to heart and give it 100% effort. I also have yoga certifications and have taught yoga previously. I’d say I’m a basic yoga teacher because I’m not super bendy or knowledgable with sanskrit. I feel like my spin style overrides my yoga style which turns the yoga class into more of a “workout,” which can be good for the right crowd.
In order for me to think you’re an awesome yoga or spin instructor you have to look the part, play the part and BE the part. That’s where yoga and spin collide like cold, old soy milk in coffee. It just doesn’t blend as nice as fresh cream in coffee. In my opinion, there’s a certain style or energy that people omit and rarely does that energy jive with teaching yoga and spin. For example, when I’m taking a spin or yoga class, I want to be inspired and entertained. I want to learn something or see something new or interesting. Maybe it’s a song in spin class or a different way to describe how I’m feeling. Maybe, it’s the instructor demonstrating a pose in a yoga class or a new perspective with my situation.
While traveling, I’ve had the opportunity to be a student again and find myself rating and observing teachers as if its my job. Did she start on time? Does he seem interested in our session, is he prepared? Is she engaging, is the music from this decade?
In my experience, if you are an awesome yoga teacher you CAN’T be an awesome spin instructor and vice versa. I’m just saying…
Love to hear if you’ve had a different experience though.
