So tired, so far

Yup, I've got them. The "ready to hatch, but not sure if I'm ready" conundrum. Most of you women that have had a second pregnancy know what I'm talking about! While all the young friends and family I know are out and about having fun and are loaded with energy, I'm as spent as a runner on their 26th mile. I think to myself, okay...drank several glasses of water, had my protein, had my vitamins, ate my share of fruit. Could it just be the weather? Not! It's been one gorgeous day after another which makes me feel worse that I'm strapped to the sofa vs. frolicking in the grass outside. Although this view of the ducks that come visiting is really beautiful from the couch.

I know that patience is a virtue but in this case it is a ticking clock. One that's taking me a while to appreciate. I have to say that I am enjoying reading my magazines at a more leisurely rate. I'm actually replying to emails within days instead of weeks and my kitchen looks quite shiny. There is some redemption in staying put at home. My husband says if he could have my role of being home, he'd relish every relaxing minute of it. But you see, as a woman, our to-do lists are as available to our brains as chocolate.

One baby step after another, I am being persistent to "potato" myself on the couch and relish just hearing the birds sing. If I can repeat this week's non-doings next week, I shall have mastered what I think is being a bum into the art of relaxation. Aaaahhh, maybe renting a movie tomorrow is in order.

Scandinavian Country

I have often wondered what category our home would be classified as. I read a lot of home magazines and a few months back, a European one I bought stated the description of the way we live perfectly. Our style happened to be Scandinavian Country. We love light airy spaces. Clean streamlined furniture. A sense of calm and a relaxed atmosphere. No nicknack's. No clutter. And above all, we love everything to have its place...preferably in a closet.

Scandinavians are known for their almost all-white spare decor, while country folk are known for coziness and comfort. If there's one familiar feel that all of our friends have when they come over, it is that they feel "at home" and "relaxed". I love that. I don't mind when toys are astray or if the newspapers out on the counter half-read. What matters is that there's a feeling of home not a model house.

I feel bad for kids whose play area is subjected to only one room in the house. This is the so-called "playroom". The house could be 4,000 sq. ft. but they only get this one room to have fun. Our philosophy is if we all live in this house, then all of the space is for everyone to enjoy. Sure, it means more things to pick up in more places, but I love that Saloni feels no restrictions in her home and when she sees us clean, she jumps in to help.

I hope to visit the Scandinavians one day. Of the pages I saw in the magazine, they buy less and enjoy more. It is easy to visit to fill a house with anything and everything. It's easy to want to keep up with the Jones's. But why have a house that reflects someone else? Sunil and I have always made our decisions together and it has been so much fun decorating together. He picked the paint colors. I picked the accessories. He picked the living room furniture. I added the pillows. There are many HGTV shows in which couples squabble over their tastes or worse, give the complete reigns of design to the woman in the house. Thankfully, we have very similar taste and enjoy bouncing ideas off of one another. I think the best ideas come from sharing them with each other.

So, if you're travels find you this way, come and cozy up with us. Scandinavian country style!

The Power of Space

(This was me on a graduation trip in beautiful Monterey, CA)

The same way people are fascinated with wide open spaces outdoors, I am fascinated with wide open spaces at home. I am amazed at the power of a large room or even a small one that is open and full of light and depth. Of course, the power that stems from this only comes when you are in it alone. It's a familiar thing to hear people say, "I need some space!" "I need time alone!" Everyone needs it. It's in that alone time that we get things done, can relax in our own way or think things through.

I equate my ability to manage the day-to-day with how much of that special space I get. I mumble my thanks to God every second because between housework, business responsibilities, errands and taking care of family, any space I can squeeze in is very valuable to me. I absolutely love collapsing on our family room sofa or our bed upstairs with a magazine. That time to me is when I know all my work is done and the world is okay. Sounds funny, I know, but I'm sure you have a special something you enjoy doing when you are done with your chores and it's just you and the space around to fiddle in.

My husband can tell right away when I haven't had that special time for me. I get crabby, disorganized and eat more chocolate than I should. But as soon as that solitary moment arrives, I'm aglow with energy. My sweet Saloni for four days over the weekend and being by her side was wonderful. Cuddling a child when they aren't well is such a tender feeling. But having her head back to school today had me revved up...after all, I was back in my space. My special space.

Wiggling out

I wasn't sure if this day would ever come. But it's here. Day 32 that Saloni hasn't watched the Wiggles. Now it's not that I minded the show. Those catchy Australians know how to get the attention of kids and adults - I can't tell you how many Moms and Dads know the lyrics to those dance tunes!

The real problem was that their songs never left my head. I was either singing them or they were keeping me up at night. I assure you that visions of four men in tight turtlenecks and jeans swinging their hips...well, there are other things I'd rather envision. I tried to get other tunes in my head by playing my favorite CD's in the car, but nothing doing. As soon as we'd turn on that show, that was it. Those Aussies staged a permanent presence in our heads. Yes, even my husband knew the songs!

But with a three-day school week and more fun activities to engage her in, Saloni started to forget the show. These days her interest in TV is pretty low and I love that she is into art, drawing and flash cards. I still hum the songs with her and I have to admit they are happy fun tunes. But thankfully, I can turn on my 80's alternative and Saloni's right there singing with me. In fact, she loves INXS (she pronounces them as "Windex"). What more could I ask for?

I Did It!

I am one of those people that can easily celebrate the smallest of accomplishments. I remember putting up shelves in our apartment in Rochester, NY to surprise my husband and was so proud of this achievement. I know, I know...it's nothing compared to what people do on the DIY network! But my impatience and lack of wanting to read instructions makes me enjoy these tiny projects as something big.

So this weekend, with all the rain that poured on Friday, Saturday seemed like the perfect day for baking something sweet. We had breakfast together at Wakey Wakey Eggs & Bakey, an adorable place that opened up near the beach. I just love going out to breakfast...Sunil and I get a chance to talk, Saloni loves her potatoes and French Toast that someone other than me makes always tastes good. I was determined to make a Bundt cake and found a recipe for a Butter Pecan and Walnut Cake. I've never been successful before with this shape of cake - either it falls into pieces or gets stuck to the pan. Well, this time, I did something right because it turned out looking good and tasting good. Sunil's dad had two generous helpings when they came over with dinner Sunday!

So, with a feeling of Nigella Lawson in me, I'm definitely in the mood to try something else soon. And you're welcome to come and try it.

Just Too Cute!

I remember the days of when we'd swaddle Saloni. We'd wrap her up like a "burrito" and would love to carry her around. All you could see was this glowing face with a big smile or she would instantly go to sleep in the comfort of the soft blanket.

Now she loves getting swaddled after her bath and I love telling her how we used to wrap her up. So, of course, after every bath, she exclaims, "Mummy, wrap me up like a boorreetoh!" At times she won't let me unwrap her to get her into her pj's. Too cute.

It's moments like this when you forget how tired you are. How many spills you had to clean up. The sounds of her whining for milk (because waiting 10 seconds is way too long). And you fall in love all over again with that face in utter amazement that you brought this tiny person into the world. I hear over and over again that times really flies when you have kids. I have to disagree...maybe because I'm home with her or maybe because I feel fulfilled every moment I'm with her. Sure, the fact that she's already 2 1/2 years old is surprising, but times does fly by no matter what kind of life you lead. The best part is you can freeze it by sitting still, breathing deeply and smiling at what's right in front of you.

A Lyrical Day

I listened to an old Waterboys CD last night - love their thoughtful lyrics and music. If you've seen the comedic Irish film, "Waking Ned Devine", you'll remember that the opening song is by The Waterboys. So I thought of sharing one of my favorite song's lyrics with you.

The Whole of The Moon

I pictured a rainbow you held it in your hands,

I had flashes but you saw the plan,

I wandered out in the world for years while you just stayed in your room,

I saw the crescent, you saw the whole of the moon,

you were there in the turnstiles with the wind at your heels,

you stretched for the starts and you know how it feels to reach too high,

too far, too soon, you saw the whole of the moon,

I was grounded while you filled the skies,

I was dumbfounded by truth, you cut through lies,

I saw the rain dirty valley, you saw Brigadoon,

I saw the crescent you saw the whole of the moon,

I spoke about wings you just flew,

I wondered I guessed and I tried,

you just knew I sighed...but you swooned!

I saw the crescent you saw the whole of the moon,

with a torch in your pocket and the wind at your heels,

you climbed on the ladder and you know how it feels to get too high,

too far, too soon, you saw the whole of the moon the whole of the moon!

Unicorns and cannonballs, palaces and piers trumpets towers and tenements wide oceans full of tears,

flags rags ferry boats scimitars and scarves every precious dream and vision underneath the stars ,

you climbed on the ladder with the wind in your sails,

you came like comet blazing your trail too high, too far, too soon,

you saw the whole of the moon