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

Remember Me?

Hi, I'm still here. I really do want to keep up the blog so everyone can know all the exciting things happening in our lives and watch Mina grow. I think as my work schedule becomes more regular, it will be easier to find time to write. The past couple weeks have been a little crazy as we are trying to open in a week or two. I anticipate the next few weeks will be busy too. But this week has been a nice lull, the calm before the storm I guess. So what haven't I shared?
I don't think I ever mentioned anything from Mina's visit to California way back in September. Mina was the perfect present for her Great Grandma's birthday. We were able to spend a lot of time with family which was great and Mina helped her newly engaged Aunt take engagement photos and look at wedding venues. Mina was incredibly spoiled with all sorts of new toys and clothes and there was never a shortage of people to hold and play with her. She impressed everyone with her awesome crawling skills and figured out how to climb over a small ledge while we were there. Highlights from the week were swimming with Grandpa, visiting Noah's Ark exhibit at the Skirball Center, and playing in Great Grandma and Grandpa's family room every morning (except when she toppled and bumped her head on the tile). The week ended up going by way sooner than I expected and we didn't get a chance to see everyone we wanted to. This means we will have to go out again soon and hopefully Ben can come too next time. I think the best way to share all the fun Mina had is through pictures:

Just Keep Swimming

It's 9:00 on a Thursday, Mina is sleeping, the diapers are in the laundry and I am breathing... just barely. The past month has been an ocean of never-ending waves. So many amazing things have happened but I have hardly gotten a chance to appreciate them as the next body-beating wave comes over me. Somehow we are all staying afloat. I love my job, Mina loves daycare and soon we might have some money for more than just paying the bills. But I am exhausted.
So for now you will have to excuse me for not writing much. Right now all my extra energy after work is going to my beautiful baby girl. This girl is crawling everywhere, pulling herself up and exploring so she requires a lot of energy. Yesterday, on her 8-month birthday, a tooth poked through and today there is a second one! She is growing so quickly.  I think it goes quicker when I'm not around for every
(sometimes painstaking) moment.
I am still here. We are tired, but happy. Next time I do find time to really write, I'm sure I will have much to share.