Adventures of a Potty Princess!

A few weeks ago after being inspired by these wonderful ladies, I got up the gumption to potty train Zea. I'd been dragging my feet for WEEKS!! After wresting with myself and talking to the experienced mommies in my life, I finally decided to bite the bullet. The best recommendation I got was to get this book.




I didn't believe, but when we opened the package from Amazon, Zea immediately asked to sit on the potty and she peed!!!!! We were overjoyed, until the next day or so. We put on lovely princess panties and a few accidents ensued but now, 3 weeks later, she's telling us when she needs to go and is only in diapers when we leave the house and when she's sleeping. (I'm not crazy about going on public potties yet.) We're pretty excited and can't wait to be totally done with the diapers!

Here's a pic of that little one singing her potty song and her Princess Potty tiara.

Mind's Eye

"We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect."
— Anaïs Nin

This quote has inspired me to share slivers of life that stand out and shimmer. Use your mind's eye to create a picture in your imagination. Enjoy this new, sporatic feature!

"Living is Simple!", We sang at the top of our lungs under the starry Mojave sky. Windows down, music blasting, our problems, issues, perspectives on life felt small and inconsequential after airing them to one another. Now, under the spell of the magnificent evening, we were setting aside self-indulgent pity, in order to celebrate joyfully with our sister. In small moments like these the enchantment revealed itself to me through the magic of friendship.

Birthday Party Sneak Peek.

Here's a peek at one of today's festivities.

Wordy Wednesday. . .

Here's the mega post, as promised. . . If you hang in there multi-media surprises await.

Zealand @ 7-8 months!
Time just seems to be flying. The last couple of months this little person has obtained so many new skills, such as clapping, jumping, dance/swaying, waving, kissing, crawling, pulling herself up and walking with support.

At seven months we introduced more solids to Zea's diet, which in turn, introduced us to a more solid and stinky poop. Neither Mama or Papi wanted to change those diapers. HD had the brilliant idea to have her pass her bowls like we do, on the potty. She gives clear signals when it's time to go potty so we've been putting her on and she knows now that's where business gets taken care of.



There were no official photo sessions from seven months but, here's one that was taken on a trip to the National Arboretum in DC. At that time she had barely three little teeth but was biting EVERYTHING.


Shortly after her eighth month birthday, Zealand rode on an airplane for the first time!

There have been quite a few flights I've shared with crying babies and my heart always goes out to the parents. Needless to say, I was a little bit leery about our experience. Our plane was scheduled to leave around her bed time so, we had her bathed and supped before we boarded. Upon take off I breastfed her and sang like we usually do before going to sleep and she drifted off and slept the entire flight! Boy, was I proud. As we disembarked a few folks commented that the didn't even know there was an infant on the flight! She did well on the return too!

We went to Vero Beach, FL, same as last summer. This time instead of having a baby inside, she was out and there were so many things to introduce to her. . .

Why a daughter needs a dad!
#077: so mom can take fun dad/daughter photos.

#083: to teach her how to be cool!


#094: to show her how the waves can tickle her toes.


#101: to be held tight in his strong arms when she's afraid!



#115: to hide her face in his shoulder when she doesn't want see what frightens her.



#121: to give her rides up high and hang on to ear handles.



#138: to have someone to enjoy each day with the breeze in her face and a song in her heart!

Though the initial beach intro didn't go so well after going everyday for nine days she grew to like it.


Her favorite part? The sand. Yum!


One last highlight of the beach trip: While out jogging HD spotted this little fellow making his way out to sea. You may remember him from wordless Wednesday a couple weeks back. Well here's a close up of the baby logger head turtle. We're not sure if he was last to go or just an early bird but it was so cool to see him.


Saratoga Surprise
Our vacation time was completed with our annual surprise destination. Each year the one of us plans a surprise destination for vacation this year it was HD's turn. He was craving the mountains. After much research decided to take us to the Adirondacks. We visited Lake George and stayed in Saratoga Springs, New York. It was soooo beautiful. Our first day there we hung out at Lake George and toured the surrounding area. I'm sad to report that I forgot my camera to capture the amazing vistas. The following days we did a driving tour and visited the city of Saratoga Springs. Very quaint little place and it made it to the list of places HD and I want to live when we grow old. I really only took pics of the baby, but in a local park HD shot this one of Zea and me!


Odds and Ends
As of today, Zealand has 5-6 teeth. (that last one just broke the surface this morning)


One of her favorite hang outs is the laundry basket.


And next week she'll be nine months!! I can hardly believe that time has past so incredibly fast.

On different note some of you may know that I was working with a group of doulas at Holy Cross Hospital (a local hospital here). Due to budgetary restraints they've cut the program but I'm soooooooo proud to announce that we are going into business for ourselves!!!! These wonderful ladies and I

are now part of a private doula group named: By Your Side Birth Services !!!!
I am still taking minimal private clients but being in this group gives me flexibility to be with Zea and still do what i absolutely love!! I'm working on expanding my career so stay tuned for future updates!

Well I hope you enjoyed this "little" catch up post and as promised here's a little video of Zea with some clips from about a month ago.

Mother's Day Memories.

So this my official first Mother's Day Weekend was celebrated with the mommas closest to us. Saturday, Zea and I hung out with Abuelita while Pastors Papi and Abuelito were engaged in church related activities. Us ladies made our escape to the National Arboretum. It's a beautiful park in the middle of the city. The weather was ideal for an afternoon outdoors. Simply Perfect!


Sunday, we hung out my family at home. We had a terrific spread with all sorts of treats then took some photos in the yard to commemorate the day. Each event ended by sharing a movie.


As the day past I thought a lot about how others in my life have mothered me whether they know it or not. I want to wish each of my friends, with kids or not, Happy Mother's Day. Know that your inner mother is ever present and making a difference in my life. (d.p.m, j.a., j.s., e.m., a.m., m.m., h.l., h.m., s.f., e.p., d.b., k.m., j.m., k.s., l.s., m.z., m.w., c.s., m.j., h.w., v.m., m.e.) THANK YOU! I love you all dearly, more than words can express.

Spring Holidays!!

Spring, already being my favorite, brings two holidays that weren't highly celebrated in my family as a child. Now that Zea is in my life, we are deciding how to introduce her to life as she will know it.

We were fortunate enough to celebrate both Easter and Passover this year. Easter was done traditionally with a special presentation of Christ's death and resurrection from the perspective of a centurion. And we all know that Easter brings beautiful dresses. Zealand was privy to this tradition. Our very own Lalita gifted her a magnificent dress. (and we all know how Mommy loves pretty dresses) Church was followed by family dinner/birthday celebration with Yaya and Gramps.




Then came Passover. HD and I are true admirers of Jewish culture. It is so rich with ritual and meaning. Messianic Jews have tied the traditions of Passover to Jesus, our Passover lamb. Each portion of the program teaches children of the first Passover and Jesus' sacrifice. Were were blessed to share the Seder and Feast with friends of ours. Enjoy the holiday pics!


Traditional Seder Plate (vegan style)


Zealand participating in ritual hand washing

Spring Awakening.

My all time favorite season is Spring! Followed closely by autumn. Seeing new life break forth after months of dreary winter (especially one with minimal sparkly snow), inspires me. Since our return to Maryland I've begun incorporating a new tradition in our family, visiting the Cherry Blossoms that were gifted to the U.S. by the Japanese. They were planted around the tidal basin that is also home to the Jefferson Memorial.

Last year during my visit I could only touch my belly and imagine what it would be like to introduce BC to the beautiful blossoms. This year we were able to witnessed it as it unfolded. And now we share it with you.







Here are some other pics from our excursion.

Playing Catch UP!

Here's how we spent our holidays! Were were really blessed this year to have both our families want to come to our place this year. This was our first year for HD and I to have a Christmas tree!!! I was ecstatic!!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Christmas!

Did I happen to mention that I LOVE Christmas? This year we were lucky enough to have three celebratory events. First we hosted HD's family on Christmas eve as is their tradition. There was yummy food and plenty of love and laughter, after a late start. Zea knew there was lots of excitement going on and insisted on being a part. Here she is with her Aunt, being intrigued by her Abuelita Santa.


On Christmas day my family came for the day. Auntie Jeanene got to dress little Zea from top to bottom.
(Yes that's a bow in her hair)

And the Day after Christmas we got to celebrate with our chosen family, the Monsalves and TiMi (Tia Mila). We went down to the White House lawn to see their holiday display with a GIGANTIC menorah and Christmas tree and 50+ smaller trees representing each state and territory. Here's a pic of us with Lolo and Lalita.


It was a wonderful holiday season and I now understand why it only comes once a year! We had a good new year too, with a visit from friends we hadn't seen a while I'll post more pics soon!

We've Graduated!

A couple morning's ago if you'd told me it was going to the last time rolling over and seeing my daughter's smiling face in the sunlight without my feet hitting the floor, I may not have believed you. Well two days later I'm here to testify! HD and I decided weeks ago that we should move Zea from our bedside, in her co-sleeper to across the room into our sitting room. She's either a Baby Genius or a super sensitive sleeper. (Of course I choose the former.) With her next to us, she was waking when we sneezed or coughed in the night. And when we'd start in for our night's sleep, she'd think that's be the perfect time for waking and having a quick little pillow talk before we ALL could go to sleep.

Sunday past, after worrying if Zea would every like music, she cried and cried at the top of her lungs for forty-five minutes. She was inconsolable. She wanted nothing to eat, not burping her, not even her beloved walking with dad would calm her nerves. It was only after HD started singing, did she immediately quiet and finally go to sleep. This was her last night beside us.

Now that she's moved: HD has become the consummate nighttime parenter, getting the baby when she needs to feed (only 3 times), Zea is no longer roused by our sleeping sounds, I no longer have a backache from keeping one hand in the co-sleeper, to calm the baby, and falling asleep. And the number one thing about baby's big move. . . I can have my bedside table back! It's become a mess of books and papers since my table was removed.

HD and I were pretty excited her first night in the new space. We gave a few high-fives and did a little happy dance! I never anticipated these small triumphs would bring such joy! We're becoming real parents day by day and ONLY with God's grace will our little one thrive!

All I want for Christmas. . .

. . . is my TWO front teeth. Zea already has one. Yup!! She got it the just in time to chow down on the Thanksgiving Tofurkey flavored breast milk. And she's been chewing on her hand as if there's another not so far behind. Just this week that she's been patient enough with me to photograph the one and only for proof! Two and a half months. . . a tooth! Who would have thunk it?

70% accuracy.

According to one of our childbirth ed teachers, 70% of mothers who don't find out the gender during the pregnancy, intuitively know the sex of the baby. Recall with me,this post. Surprisingly enough, I fell into the majority. But it wasn't until last week that I saw the face that I dreamt. Today I share it with you!



We're still waiting on the curls to come in.

Month Full of Firsts!!!!

Just yesterday, Zealand turned one month! My! How time has flown by! Her one month check-up was yesterday. She is now 10lbs 6oz and 23 1/2 inches long! This month has brought a lot of firsts for Zea. Here are the top ten for this month!

10. First Bath! (she loved it)


9. First Classical Recital (she made not a peep)

8. First Wedding (slept through the whole thing)

There's Aunt Denise and Uncle David! Congrats!

7. Heard Dad's first sermon at the new church (and looked cute too)



6. First iChat (with the California tias)


5. First Shopping trip (accompanied by the shopping queen, Tiffani)

4. First Meeting with Abuelito (@ 2 weeks old)


3. First Sabbath afternoon to the "Flower Gardens" aka Brookside Gardens!


2. First road trip (going down was tough, but she enjoyed the ride back)


1. First meeting with her birthday buddy (Grandma Ruthie was sooo excited)


It's impossible for me NOT to take pictures like crazy and we are consistently adding pics here to the blog but even more to flickr. If you click on the badge on the right of this blog, you'll see more Zea!

Here are some bonus shots from our one month photo shoot.

Cancel the Moyel, it's a Goyel!

Today, the baby formally known as BC is 8 days old. It's nearly unbelievable how time seems to be flying. Before the birth, HD and I were at odds on the "circumcision decision." One thing that we had chosen to do--if we decided to circumcise--was host a bris and hire a mohel (pronounced moyil) to perform the minor surgery. Obviously we did not have to come to any conclusions and that discussion may be revisited if and when there is a BC2. In Jewish culture the bris is held on the eighth day. If a daughter is born into the family, it's a baby naming ceremony. Due to scheduling and availability, our naming ceremony was on the fifth day.

Today HD and I were able to spend some exclusive time with Zea enjoying our expanding family and acknowledging the changes she is bringing to our relationship. There is no way to describe how much joy she brings us. From her miscellaneous funny faces to her random cues and involuntary smiles, we are doing our best to enjoy this--our first time babymoon.

Here's our first family pic!!!


*the blog title is from a onesie we saw at Daisy Baby.

Name that Baby!!!

After much deliberation HD and I finally decided on a name for BC. This summer a portion of our vacation was dedicated to going through a fantastic baby naming book that provided a number of activities to get the creative juices flowing. Once the names were chosen it was decided that they should be revisited as B-day drew nearer. Once BC was here we spent a few days getting to know the little lady before we gave her an official title. Even then we waited until the last possible moment to come to a final decision.

On the fifth day after her birth, HD and I hosted a Naming Ceremony. We sung hymns, shared scriptures and told the baby about how Jesus loves her and what He did for her. Then the big reveal!!!!

Her name is: ZEALAND ADRIANA COUTSOUMPOS

Once the ceremony was officially over, HD participated in one last tradition. Lifting the baby to meet the sun as a symbol of offering her up to God. (Yes, very Lion King-esque). Here's our history making pic below.