Work and Play

A new post is long overdue. As I sit here writing, Mina and Ben are both upstairs asleep and it feels like I'v been transported back to a year ago when this was the normal day, when I craved these special moments to myself. Now, I can't wait for the rest of the family to get up so we can spend time together. With Ben and I working opposite schedules, this isn't something that happens often.
Earlier this week, I thought about whether I would like to go back to taking care of Wilhelmina full-time. That isn't an option for us right now but I wonder if it were, would I take it. If we could afford for me to stay home, we could also afford a daycare closer to our works so I wouldn't have to be in such a panicked rush to pick Mina up on-time each day. I do not know which one I would choose. I love spending time with my sweet baby girl but watching an active one-year-old all day is exhausting. And I really do love my job even if I don't always enjoy the day-to-day and getting up at 5 am. I want to be a great mom, but I would also like to keep making delicious pastries. I don't believe the two are mutually exclusive. I just need to make days like today, when we are all together as a family, really count. Last week we went to the zoo which Mina loved. Maybe today we will go down to the cherry blossoms. So in the interest of making today count, I am going to get my family up and we are going to do something fun. Hopefully it won't be as long before the next post.

Big Shoes

It's been awhile since I've written, probably not since the restaurant opening. I have been so busy and any waking moment not at work I have wanted to spend with Mina. But this morning finds both of us at home watching the Rose Parade. I think this year is going to have a tough time living up to the year before it. The highlight of 2013 was, of course, Mina but it was good to us in other ways too. I got a new job. We visited family and friends in both Florida and California. So many other little things have piled up to make this year truly amazing despite the struggles of parenthood. Last night as I was reflecting on the past year, I realized how blessed I have been with some great years. Looking back, my first memory(ies) of every year for at least the past five is a positive one.
2013: Mina!
2012: Found out Mina was coming, graduated from L'Academie de Cuisine
2011: Moved to the DC area, started culinary school, got real jobs
2010: Started the year with a trip to London, ended with my wedding
2009: Got engaged
And it goes on like this. Year after year of good memories. I know I don't yet have that many years to look back on. Some years can truly be difficult and negative all year long, I'm sure. But I think that even the worst years must have something good in them. So in 2014, I want to focus on those things. I doubt this year will be as good as the last but I have high hopes.

Here are some favorite 2013 memories:

February 9

Ted's with the family

Father's Day Pint and Half-pint

Disney World

CA for Great Grandma's Birthday