catching up

It's been a long while since I've written, here or anywhere else. Last winter was a hard one for us, but springtime came with Amelie turning two and then some wonderful news: we are expecting a baby in January. Amelie will be a big sister soon, and we couldn't be more thrilled.

We seem to be going through a lot of changes, some big, some subtle. My job has transformed and is taking up more time in my week, so I am with Amelie a little less than before. I work short days but the change was felt profoundly between us and has taken some adjusting. In addition to being with my very patient and ever-supportive parents twice a week, we have an amazing nanny who Ammy has come to love.

With more work and morning sickness, it was a very different summer from last year. It was also crazy hot. And smokey. In June, the smoke from the wildfires drifted our way and made being outside in the 100 degree weather even more unpleasant. We worried for my parents and their mountain home, and were saddened by the news stories of lost homes and destroyed forests.

But now, as the summer comes to a close, I am feeling much better, the weather is beautiful, and there is much to look forward to.

Just a couple of weeks ago we took a short vacation with my family to the mountains. It was the perfect weekend getaway, and we had a lot of fun with everyone.

Throwing rocks in the river

Hanging out in Leadville

Lounging around the cabin

Ammy in the window sill

Twin Lakes

Headed home

Not a week later we were headed to Virginia, this time by plane. I was worried about the plane trips with a toddler, but Ammy was a trooper and with the help of one of my awesome mom friends, I kept her busy with a plethora of little projects and treats.

She even rested a little.

We spent a week with the Dalys on their farm in rural Virginia. It was great to see everyone, and a relaxing vacation too.

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Spending some time with Grandpa Daly and the dogs

Future sister in law Kerry with brother in law, Elijah

Visiting the pond with "Uncle Lou"

20 weeks along

Watching Grandma on the ATV

Grandma Daly is very cool!

Take us for a ride!

Ammy and "Rufie"

Rolling out play dough with Grandma

Campfire, country-style

Brutus

Spending time with Grandma D

Hide & seek

Ammy's birthday party

The whole crew

Such a fun time! We are missing the Dalys and the relative calm of farm life.

Since we got back I've been working on a couple new projects.

Perfect for Halloween monster hoodie

Making my own stamps for a future project... stay tuned :)

The newest monster hoodies have been added to the shop. More to come!!

I really really really want to do these things

A couple days ago, I read this chick's bucket list and was inspired to write my own list of lifetime goals and dreams, then was inspired further by the giveaway I could enter for some great trips by publishing my list (you can too, click here).

Its intimidating and liberating to spout off my dreams to everyone, but I'm going to suck it up and do it anyway, so here goes:

1. Travel the world with my family. I feel connected to Ireland and want to go back. I want to roam around France, visit the Egyptian pyramids, walk barefoot on a sunny beach in the Caribbean and dive into a pool fed by a waterfall in Hawaii. 

2. Swim in the ocean.

3. Publish a book.

4. Help my daughter learn through experience by traveling, meeting and spending time with amazing people and doing a whole bunch of cool stuff. 

5. Live someplace open where I can be at peace and feel safe letting my daughter, my dog and my cats run around, but not too far away from cool people and lots of fun things to do. I'd like to raise alpacas someday, because it sounds like fun, and they are super adorable. 

Ummm, right?

6. Go to Alex Grey's Chapel of Sacred Mirrors in New York.

7. Learn to weave on my grandma’s loom. 

8. Go on a horseback ride with my mom.

9. Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

10. Climb Long’s Peak with my dad and my sister. (I'm scared but just look at THAT)

11. Learn to play the piano. 

12. Take lots classes. I love to learn, I really want to continue my education throughout my life, for practical purposes and of course for enrichment. And if someday I become Dr. Rachel, I’d be okay with that. ;-) 

13. Make a difference in the world. I want to find a cause I really feel passionate about and spend a good part of my life doing that. 

14. Research our family tree and discover the stories of the people who make my family so amazing.

15. Become a minimalist in terms of material objects. 

Wow. I didn't even realize how much I wanted to do these things until I took the time to sit down and think about it. How easy it is to let my dreams slip past me in my day-to-day existence without making strides towards them. Give yourself some time and make your own list, I'd love to hear some of your lifetime goals.


Further information on the giveaway:


This is my entry in the Just Ask Bucket List Getaway Giveaway. Just Ask offers a breast and ovarian cancer screening and is encouraging people to share 15 things that I want to enjoy in my lifetime as a reminder to be aware of my health. Want to enter? Head over to TodaysMama.com to get the details.