Tag Archives: Isabel

May21

A blissful weekend…in pictures.

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A blissful weekend…in pictures.

As I trot off to California for the next four days, I will sear into memory a blissful weekend that I truly believe was even MORE blissful because of shifting my focus and not going into this trip with any sort of ‘dread’ (except for the goodbye to M, which is always, always so hard), but with perspective that it’ll be a fantastic experience, filled with growth.

Without further ado…

Another ‘happy miles’ run with M, even if a bee did chase me and I ran like the wind ;-)

got my sushi fix on Friday night, with a glass of wine on the patio

Impromptu trip to the lake on Saturday…check out that glisten.

got to dip my toes into the lake, not as chilly as I thought, either ;-)

a sister cookout at Jess and Scott’s, never complete without a photo bomb ;)

I <3 my sisters!

Complete with dinner on the deck and a crisp rose, and the weekend rounds out to a beautiful close…

And on a weekend that has marked the passing of my Nonna (May 20, 2009), I couldn’t help but think that this picture perfect weekend is her, smiling down, happy to see the happiness and love in my life, and in my sister’s lives too. I hugged my niece a little tighter, with her namesake (Isabel) and just smiled, my heart happy.

She climbed right up into my lap…and though it was just briefly, it’s captured.

~~~

Oct17

Staying present.

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Staying present.

This weekend was by far, one of the best weekends I’ve had in a long time.

And you know why?

Because it was almost completely unplanned and underscheduled (as opposed to many weekends of late, where I feel like I’ve been hopping from plan to plan without much time to actually enjoy what I am doing, more worried about actually not being late. Which, in hindsight, is probably also my problem. It’s okay to be late once in awhile!). I honestly felt as though I was in a state of euphoric happiness the entire weekend because of it.

And what did we do?

Visited my beautiful niece Isabel, where I got some much-needed niece snuggles (she laid against my chest, body facing outward, as I tried to rock her towards a nap, but she just laid there and cuddled and chattered and I was melting. It was such a moment for me, because she’s been so on-the-go since she started walking that she doesn’t cuddle as much or want to be held as much. But in that moment, she did, and I loved every minute of it! (did I mention that my sister might be moving back to this state soon?! That makes for a very happy auntie/sister!). How beautiful and grown up does she look here?!

In that moment, and many moments this weekend, I tried my best to stay present. I try more than ever on the weekend to do that, since during the week, time is a blur, far more than I’d like. And reading Emma’s post on this helped me stay firmly planted in the present

. …As M and I had a leisurely evening making grilled swordfish, roasted vegetables and a salad, clinking to the evening over a glass (or two!) or prosecco and cracking open a newly shipped bottle of wine from Michel-Schlumberger.

…And as I used Saturday’s dreadmill run to hit my longest indoor run to-date (5.5 miles. doesn’t seem uber long, but on the dreadmill, it’s far longer than outdoors!) as I tried to focus on what Emma also noted in that post…to use running as ‘meditation in motion’ and wow, did that work wonders! And what a beautiful way of putting it, right? Meditation in motion. YES. 

…I also stayed present at barre n9ne yesterday for a rare Sunday class (I usually take weekends off to run etc), focusing on form, breathing, and well, focus.  Rather than rushing right home as I usually do on weeknights (usually because I am ravenous for dinner!), I took some time to do a few errands and dabble at Old Navy for some new running gear for outdoors. Score. Huge sale. Cue shopping euphoria ;-)

The weekend wrapped up with homemade pizza and football at my sister Jess’s house. Perfect capper to a perfect weekend. And for some reason, I am feeling that sense of presence follow me today, as I reflect on a perfectly unplanned weekend, and am feeling glimmers of inspiration and perspective from that, from last week’s somewhat cathartic post, and realization that it’s going to be okay. Ups and downs happen. Going to do my best to stay in the present on the ‘up’...who’s with me?!

 

Oct10

Things I am loving lately…

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Things I am loving lately…

**Some of the things that flitted through my mind at the airport yesterday, waiting for my flight to Orange County, where I’ll be until Wednesday…hopefully a trip that will fly so I can be homeward bound yet again**

…the look in M’s eyes when he tells me I am beautiful. (and the feeling in my heart when it skips a beat).

…running with shorts on outside for perhaps one of the last times until spring (and a) thinking wow, my legs look pretty darn good actually! and b) I breathe *way* better in warm weather…)

…wine. And how much I wish it was calorie-less ;-)

…when my cats snuggle…with M (and completely bypass MY empty lap right next to him. Warms my heart my how much they completely adore him too.).

…wearing my favorite summer dress for – again – probably the last time until summer (or a tropical vacation to Mexico this winter…).

…iPhone tethering. Seriously, why didn’t I figure out this capability months ago? Wifi anywhere (like the airport!) free of charge.

…getting the cutest pics EVER of my niece from my sister at just the minute I need a pick me up (case in point, below! seriously, so.effing.cute. And  I gave her that dress, for the record!).

…old ‘Friends’ episodes (caught up during my flight!)…and also realizing they are my age now in those episodes, and thinking they were so much *older* than me when I first watched that show…wow, how time flies (and also loving how close that circle of friends was, and realizing I have a similar circle of friends, and loving that!).

…the look on M’s face when he opened his birthday gifts, one of which was a custom-made Ralph Lauren Polo shirt to replace the one he lost in Vegas. It had sentimental value, as it was the first shirt he bought in a small after he lost 60+ lbs. He couldn’t believe I did that and he wore it all evening at dinner with his parents with pride (I think he told the story about three times!).

What are *you* loving lately?

Sep18

Isabel’s birthday…in pictures.

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Isabel’s birthday…in pictures.

The sisters :-)

 

Waking from her pre-party nap, check out that bed head!

 

In her super duper cute chair from Auntie Jess, chewing on her birthday card from me ;-)

 

And this...is my Dad. Yep.

 

a moment with Isabel, before the party started, she was so playful and fun. her skin looks so smooth and perfect here!

 

Riding her super snazzy bike from her super snazzy auntie (me!)

 

Isabel with her beautiful mama...my sister!

 

I was DETERMINED to get a pic with my niece, no matter what (every time I tried, she was fussy. This one, well, yeah, she was blowing a raspberry, but still so freakin cute!)

 

...and a pic of M and me, of course :-)

Today, was, well…perfect. Isabel was filled with spunk, she had tons of energy and she is growing into a beautiful little toddler. I was so proud to be there, spend time with her and with my sisters and family. Cheers to the first year of a beautiful life. My beautiful Isabel! (and ps – check out my guest blog on ‘what Isabel has taught me‘ on Melissa’s ‘sensational selves’ series…perfectly timed for today, I must say! Thank you!)

 

Sep16

An open letter to my niece…one year (almost!) later.

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An open letter to my niece…one year (almost!) later.

Look. At. That. Face!

To my beautiful niece, Isabel Ann:

A year ago (almost…Sunday!), when you were born, I wrote you a letter. About how I would love you and cherish you and spend time with you and be the best auntie I could ever be.

And a year later? I don’t think I realized how much I could love you as much as I do. How much I look forward to our visits, and how much I love to kiss your cheek, play with you and spoil you rotten. And I don’t think I realized how much you would be the tie that unites us. Our family. Our sisterhood (with your mom, of course!). And how much you’d help me grow as a woman…because you’ve made me realize that I would love to be a mom one day. Just like my sister is…and if I can be even half the mom she is one day, I call that success, because your mom, well, she’s pretty incredible.

In this next year, my beautiful niece? I can’t wait to see you walk, run, and even learn to ride a bike. I can’t wait for you to say my name (however massacred it comes out at first!), and laugh, and joke, and grow that little personality of yours. I can’t wait for you to say ‘I love you’ and hug and cuddle and yes, even temper tantrum. I can’t wait to paint your little fingernails and go for a walk to get ice cream, or apple picking, or strawberry picking, or swimming in the lake next summer.

On Sunday, one year later, I can’t wait to see you. And our family. And celebrate ‘what a difference a year makes.’

I love you Isabel, now and always.

Love,

Auntie jobo

~~

Cheers to that friends, I feel blessed. I feel happy. I feel content.  I cannot wait to celebrate the beauty of a year into the life of my niece, carrying on the name and spirit of my beautiful Nonna, and the light that will carry her on forever.

As she grows, we can play. Just *look* at that face. Seriously?!