We found snow . . . and other happenings

For the last three Tuesdays I played this sport.

Yay! I am so happy to be playing soccer again. Joe and I found an awesome group of people who play pick-up soccer every Tuesday night, so come next Tuesday (and every Tuesday) you know where to find me. Winky sleeps in her car seat in the dugout (we play on a softball field) where Joe and I can see/hear her if she needs us while we are playing, but she never does. Instead she just sleeps to the sweet, sweet sound of soccer playing. Did I mention that I love my baby?

Also, how happy am I that I can be working out again? I am really, really happy. My frequent attempts to exercise at 9 months pregnant were never very satisfying, but recently I have been able to work hard enough to relieve stress and get really sore. I have a long way to go before I resemble me pre-pregnant self (who would have guessed that I would want that body back?) and in fact I will probably never be able to go all the way back. Some women love pregnancy. I am NOT one of those women (I have to think that anyone who likes pregnancy did not throw up as many times as I did), but the other day as I was looking at my baby I was overwhelmed by the feeling that it was worth it . . . even the gaining weight, puking, giving up soccer and mountain biking, all the body changes, the difficult recovery, mastitis and plugged ducts. . . it is all worth it. Motherhood is unique and amazing. Even now I am typing this with one hand because I just don't want to stop cuddling my baby. I love being a mother.

I love my little family. Joe and I recently celebrated our five year anniversary. To celebrate, he planned our first family camping trip; we camped up in the Los Padres National Forest. Our little Winky baby slept like a baby (which ironically means that she slept well) all snuggled up in our tent.

In the morning we hiked to the summit of Mt. Pinos, and we found snow (in Southern California . . . in June!!) It was awesome; I have sorely missed the snow. I thought of doing a snow angel, but then I thought better of it. Maggie seemed to enjoy the hike; she is always happy when we are outside and moving. She must be my daughter.

The highest point on Mt Pinos (at least without climbing up the radio tower).

Recently we also attended a Dodger's game with our friends Jared and Kendra. We were planning on buying the cheapest nose bleed seats we could find. After an hour walk from our parking spot, we arrived at the stadium just to find out that the cheapest seats available were $35 per ticket (not $7 as listed online). Ugh. We were about to turn around and walk an hour back to our car when we found a scalper who was selling tickets for $15. After some fine negotiation by Joe we entered the stadium having paid $10 each. It was my first (and Winky's first) ever major league baseball game. The Dodgers made a dismal showing (final score 1-10) but it didn't spoil our evening. Because we saved on tickets and on parking (i.e. cheaper parking equals a one hour walk to the stadium) we even splurged on some Dodger Dogs. Next time it will be the famous garlic cheese fries which are not a heart attack waiting to happen. I can't wait.

Random Happenings

Guess who I just met . . .

This guy . . .

And guess who walked up to him and struck up a casual conversation . . .

This girl . . .

(that's me!)

Oh, it's true. And, it turns out that he is every bit as nice in real life as he is on TV. He had his 2 week old baby girl with him and we chatted about our new little angels--sleep habits, getting out of the house, all the craziness of being a new parent, etc etc.

There are only a handful of famous people that I would ever, ever recognize. Joe is always saying . . . oh look . . . there is blah blah blah. And my typical response is of course . . . who's that? You can't live in Santa Monica without ever seeing a famous person, so now, finally I have joined my fellow un-famous Santa Monica residents in the game of star watching.

In other news . . . mastitis . . . it sucks, but being a mom . . . I LOVE it. There is nothing more wonderful than having this little one reward me with a great big smile. I love her chubby little cheeks, her ham-hock legs, her beautiful blue eyes, and her delicious baby smell.

Doesn't that face just melt your heart?