This Mama Writes | Adventures in Life & Motherhood

Rebecca Monday 20 July 2009 No responses

In Bloom

My sister Laura, 29 weeks pregnant, looking awesome.When I first saw her, I was shocked. I had this feeling like what happened to my little sister? I had seen pictures, but I hadn't seen her in person since December, and in person the belly just looks so different. So three-dimensional. But now I'm used to seeing her pregnant, and it's been fabulous getting to feel the baby move around and kick her with these tiny, bony little limbs.Is it a little bittersweet, being with my in-bloom sister so soon after losing a pregnancy myself? I would be lying if I said it wasn't. Of course I am so happy for her and Jason, and I love getting to be around her while she's pregnant. My own sadness doesn't diminish or even really change my feelings about Laura's pregnancy. She looks so beautiful.I do wish we were still going to have babies only a few months apart. Though there would have been no way for me to keep up with her on the trail if I were still pregnant.My sister's and Jason's last name is Mann, and Mikhail came ... more

Rebecca - Thursday 16 July 2009 - No responses

Preview

Despite the turmoil of the last month, we had a great time on vacation in Colorado. It was an extended family trip with my parents, my sister & her husband, and the three of us. I've got some favorite pictures to post, but right now I need to pack for our next trip: camping with Mikhail's family this weekend. We leave early tomorrow morning. So for now, here's a preview of our time in Colorado:I think Mikhail looks especially fetching with that flower tucked behind his ear, don't you?

Rebecca - Thursday 9 July 2009 - No responses

Summertime Favorite

Back when I was still pregnant, I was at the Berkeley farmer's market, and there was an ice cream stand. This wasn't just any old ice cream - it was pure Berkeley - hand-made ice cream using only the purest ingredients, including organic cream made from cows who really love their lives. Powered by people riding stationary bikes. Just kidding about that last part. Anyway, they were offering free samples on tiny silverware spoons that they then washed in a little sink in back. I offered a spoonful of vanilla ... more

Rebecca - Wednesday 27 May 2009 - No responses

Ride 'Em Dino

I have way too many Elmo songs stuck permanently in my head. For instance, when I see this picture, I immediately start to sing "Ride 'Em Cowboy, whoop-de-whoop," a greatest hit from Elmo's Wild West Adventure.Check out that chin! I know little kids' faces change a lot as they get older, but as of now, I'm thinking Elan might bear a startling resemblance chin-wise to Popa Al Alper. It's a little hard to appreciate the exact shape of the Alper chin in this picture, but I don't have any digital ... more

Rebecca - Thursday 14 May 2009 - 2 responses

Ode

Mikhail and I have been together eleven and a half years. It's a number that always shocks me, especially given that we're only 33 years old. It's safe to say that most of my adult life has been spent with this man by my side. The adventures we've had together range from starting our first jobs in San Francisco to epic travels through South America... Anticipation of starting a family. And then the huge milestone of actually becoming parents. I always figured he'd be a good dad, but I am ... more

Rebecca - Tuesday 14 April 2009 - No responses

Family Portrait So-Cal Style

First: Bubs is taking a nap. Let us all breathe a sigh of relief.Second: This picture was taken in southern California. Obviously.Third: Elan's modeling his new Thomas the Train sunglasses that we bought on a special Target excursion, after he broke my (relatively) expensive sunglasses trying to cram them onto his adorable little face, and at the same time as we picked Mama up a new $14.99 don't-care-if-you-sit-on-them pair.Happy Tuesday!

Rebecca - Tuesday 17 March 2009 - No responses

Retrospective

Elan is lucky to have a great-grandma (my Grandma Syl, known as Bubbe in our household) who knits for him. This is a good thing since his mother has been known to set aside items that need a button sewn on for when her mother-in-law visits. Bubbe's creations started arriving when Elan was still tiny.January 2007Now he is tall, and quite long in the torso, much like his dada. Recently Bubbe made him this beautiful red sweater and a vest with the same yarn.with Syl & Matty (Bubbe & Zaydeh) in ... more

Rebecca - Monday 9 March 2009 - 2 responses

Adoration

Yesterday we spent a lovely Sunday afternoon hanging out at Mikhail's cousin's house. Many family members were gathered, but all of us shrank in importance beside Elan's new discovery: the older cousin.Saia is actually Elan's second cousin, or first cousin twice removed, or some such thing, but we are all just saying "cousin" cause it is way easier. She is four and a half and, with a sister a few months younger than Elan, she is a pro at being the big sis. She quickly developed an interest in ... more

Rebecca - Tuesday 3 March 2009 - No responses

Anniversary

At this time of year, I always buy white ranunculus in memory of my niece. It's hard to believe it's been five years.It has snowed in Georgia over the last few days, which makes all of us feel her presence even more: Stella Snow-Clare Mann.To read a piece I wrote about Stella published on Literary Mama, click here.To see my sister's website with photos of the southern snow, click here.

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