With Love, Lu

. I absolutely love that Matt has been working from home for the last 6 years. Really, I’m so thankful for that. For sipping my coffee sitting on the chair next to his desk every morning, for lunch dates almost every day even if it is on our dining table downstairs, for just having him here really, with me, raising Maya with me, being so close. I feel extremely lucky and I fear the day this may come to an end.

. I have been unplugged for a while. I never make resolutions for the new year but last December I had the desire to be away from social media. I was spending too much time navigating on stuff that really didn’t matter and that was bothering me so much. I found myself spending my nights with my husband, sometimes in the same couch but with two laptops and we barely spoke to each other. Just sad but things have changed drastically since I only come to my computer for work. We used our fireplace much more this winter, lit many more candles… instead of laptops we shared a big cozy blanket on the couch. There is nothing better than quiet nights with no technology. I swear.

. I want to blog more often. I need to. I have the need of documenting life. Nothing major, simple days, things I see. I want to be able to go back in time in the future.

. The Doctor, 2 weeks ago, told me no more Zumba and no running for at least two months. I could care less for the running part but not being able to dance hit me hard. I have Achilles tendonitis and 6 weeks of Physical Therapy ahead.  Note to self: Don’t ever forget to stretch before and after exercising!

. This winter has been so cold in California. We get spoiled here and are not used to indoor living, so for the first time I can say I am craving summer time and sunshine.

. I have the best in-laws.

. Have you tried green juice? It’s my new obsession. I make excuses to stop at Whole Foods and order something from the raw menu. I love the Doctor juice with extra ginger. Vitamix blender is my next big purchase, unbelievable what this blender can do.

…………………

Lincoln Park, Chicago

One cold day in December 2012

♥

Weekends are the best!

♥

 My little blog! It’s been a while…

I should start this one by saying Happy 2013!

All is great here and we are busy enjoying the cold winter weather we are having in California.

I’ve been digging through some pictures I took these last three months and I have some serious catching up to do here

Blame it on Instagram!

Well, I love registering my daily life, since Maya was born it’s been like that. Every day, every event in our lives, I am always there with my camera. I love to look back at all the pictures I take and relive every moment, and here is where I have them registered. I love that Maya will come here one day and see it all.

Since I started using Instagram, I have to say, I love it and if you follow me, you’ll know cause I will probably clog your feed every day with my photosand I save them by month.  It’s so quick and an easy way to register your life BUT it drove me away from here and I haven’t taken too many pictures with my camera either, because carrying just my Iphone is much more convenient than my camera. So, I could say I got a little lazy but will try to get better on this

So here are some photos from Nov and Dec 2012.

Halloween at the Zoo

Some animals were super excited for Halloween

Specially this little dolphin. He looks thrilled!

Halloween celebration at Maya’s school

Maya and Mrs Lura

Kitties in the basket

Park day with Hoku

My boy!

Look at that long hair

We were off for a sunny morning walk and Maya had to practice for her first run

Up hill

Daddy was all proud to run next to Maya the week after

At the park

And that would be the last day of this beautiful long hair

The Turkey Trot run – Thanksgiving Day

Matt ran the 10K and the 5K

And also ran the 1 mile run with Maya

She was so excited

Almost to the finish line for the 10K

And after waiting for 2 runs it was her time to shine. So cute!

There was music so…

When they called the kids she went skipping

Ready! Set! Go!

Where is Maya? Where is Maya?

Oh My Goodness. There she was!!!

Running for the finish line

Go Maya go!!!

And she did it!

She was all red, sweaty and thirsty but happy and proud with her medal

“I didn’t cut the ribbon mommy, but I got my medal like daddy said. Are you proud of me?”

That was the first thing she said when she saw me.  Sigh*

Yes, Maya, I am, very much so.

You are a brilliant little girl and I am your number one cheerleader!

Nice to be back here!

Happy Friday!!!

♥

About one year ago Maya started to say she was bored all the time. That really bothered me, especially because I knew she was trying to get more of something, TV or whatever she wanted at that time.

I understand kids say they are bored a lot, I hear other kids saying it too but I also believe that kids don’t need to be super busy all the time. They need quiet time sometimes and it’s ok to play by themselves every now and then

Maya has tons of toys, dolls, books and a bedroom full of things for her to enjoy.

One afternoon, she was playing outside and I told her we needed to go in, as I had some stuff to do. Of course she wanted to be outside but I had to reply to some emails and prepare some paper work, so I asked her to come in.

After 5 minutes inside she said she was bored.

I told her to go play in her room. She, stomping her feet, proceeded to go whining and said there was nothing for her to play with…

Sorry, she was just a little over 4 but I couldn’t take that.

I grabbed her, sat her down in my lap and went to youtube.

I searched for kids in Africa and showed her several movies with kids that had no toys or even food and also searched for kids with cancer in hospitals, who were in bed all day. I showed her why she should never say she was bored again. I showed her and explained to her how blessed we were to have a home, food, toys and music to listen.

She also saw some people bringing toys to the kids in Africa and she could see how happy they were to have just one toy or a used piece of clothing. I told her there are some people that go all the way to Africa to bring a smile to those kids, to read them books, bring a little girl a doll.

She understood. I could see in her eyes she felt very sad for them.

And then she asked me if there was anybody that would bring the kids with cancer dolls too. I said yes and told her that being sick is not easy and then explained a little more about cancer.

She saw that the majority of the kids with cancer had no hair and also some taking their wigs off. She asked about it and I explained that, that was another way to help kids with cancer, by donating hair.

I never forget her eyes looking at me when she asked “Mommy, can I give my hair to make a little girl smile again?”

That was such a beautiful moment for both of us. I felt so proud of her generosity and also felt so good about teaching her a lesson.

I asked her to be thankful for her health and all she has.

I don’t think I have ever heard Maya saying she was bored again.

So, on her 5th birthday I asked my friend Lauren, she is an amazing hairstylist, if she would cut Maya’s hair. Her daughter Marley, Maya’s friend, heard about it and asked her mother if she could donate her hair also. I love that Maya inspired her little friend to do it too.

Last Sunday, November 18th, 2012, Lauren cut their hair, they did it together.

We met at the park for before pictures and then after the haircut we went to the same spot for the after photos.

What an amazing morning. I felt so proud of them.

…………………

November 18th, 2012

So excited!

You can see Pompon (grandpa) and daddy making a movie behind her

My heart was pounding and tears were flowing

Marley in the back watching every step. She couldn’t wait for her turn

And she was all done!

Loving her new hair

Marley’s turn. It is the first time she will have short hair

And here they are. How adorable is that? Lauren, you are the best!

Two amazing little girls

The before and after shots

Lauren and the girls. Lauren, thank you so much for being part of such an amazing moment and for the beautiful haircut

Marley and Maya, thank you for being such an inspiration.

I am very proud of you two!

Happy Thanksgiving!

♥

On November 3rd, 2012…

Our house was filled with pink and purple, sparkles and glitter, everything fancy from tea cups to boas, nail polish and make up.

Maya celebrated along with her close friends her 5th birthday.

She didn’t know it was a Tea Party until that morning because she wanted a surprise!

Mrs. Fancy was a very special guest, she is Fancy Nancy’s aunt (amazing huh?!)and she made sure Maya felt special the whole time. She sang to Maya a beautiful song, made all the girls nails and make up, put together an amazing fashion show and at the end she thought the girls good manners for tea time.

Thank you Mrs. Fancy for making Maya’s party extra special!

For me, the best part was seeing her happiness through her smile, I could see how special she felt.

We all had a great time. Tea Parties are the cutest and if you have a girly girl, she will be in heaven!

……….

Maya’s request for breakfast was a doughnut with lots of sprinkles. Yes, breakfast in bed!

Her signature poseWaiting for the guests to arrive

Maya and “mom”

Pompon and mom were dressed fancy too

We are so proud!

The tables. The left white table cloth was a gift from Maya’s great-grandfather from a trip he and great-grandma had to Austria. The right white cloth was also a gift from Maya’s grandpa (my dad). All fancy and very special!

She picked her tea cup (it was my favorite too, Maya) 

Too cute for words

Mrs. Fancy in action. Make up + nails = happy little girls

Mrs. Fancy gave Maya a crown and sang to her a beautiful song…

And they danced together…

And the moment I could not hold my tears, was when Matt asked Maya (in a very proper way), to have the honor of a dance with her

She said “sure daddy”

Beauty and The Beast song

I will save this photo for her wedding day ♥

Tears were coming down my face, my camera… I love these two so much and they are pretty awesome together.

Well, it was time for the fashion show!

How fancy is that? Look at all the faces

I love all those little girls

“Tip me over
and pour me out!”

Now, that’s fancy!

Pink lemonade and warm apple cider was served to drink and they enjoyed pigs in a blanket, mini quiches and fruit.

In the goody bag, they took home their own china tea cup

Mrs. Fancy sang happy birthday to Maya. She is amazing!

May all your dreams come true little one

So many cute presents… Thank you everyone!

And my baby is 5. Baby Maya is now 5!

Sigh*

Happy birthday, Maya. I hope your party was everything you imagined it to be.

Mommy and daddy love you very much!

♥