Exploring Beyond Boston

As I was preparing to give the Relief Society Activity seminar (ha!  My one and only "keynote" session lead.  Ever.  I sincerely hope.) I realized that I have a pretty high opinion of myself and what goes on in that brain of mine.  I'm incredibly clever, articulate, funny up there.  Like, I'll be getting ready in the morning and have a whole blog post--poems, novellas, epic novels, even!--suddenly appear in my minds-eye.  Pulitzer Prize quality stuff, here, people.  I just amaze myself.

Then I sit down to type it all out and maybe half of it gets translated. 

When I try to speak anything (anything, including asking for directions or advice on which shampoo to get) out loud to another person perhaps a quarter gets out. 

And if I am compelled to be in front of a group of people a fraction of my brilliance shows itself.  What I mean is, I love writing and I think I have a somewhat nice personality and a certain loquacity in my written words. Speaking Rachel, on the other hand, is a anxious tummy-butterfly producing, bumbling, mumbling, word mixer-upper, toddler grammarian. 

Ahh, well, I'm resigned that speaking publicly is not my great gift.  I think I'm getting better as I get older and realize that there are certain skills that can be learned and practiced.

And mostly I'm getting better at not taking myself so seriously.  And taking for granted that people are usually inclined to like others (me) and if not it's so not my problem--that or at least not worth the energy to fuss over.

Okay, enough self-analysis.

I have for your/our reference a bunch of other lists (none organized in any particular order except the vomiting of my aforementioned brilliant brain) for exploring!  Happy discovery!


Further Beyond Boston (would do again, easy)
*Newport Polo Matches (one hour drive)--lovely Fall activity, combine with the Cliff Walk and a museum or two and you've got a culture rich day trip.
*York, Maine (one hour drive)--lighthouse, ice cream (of course), beach, beach town, antiquing on the way up or back.  (Also, I've heard there is a fun carnival but we haven't checked that out.)
*Mystic Seaport in Connecticut (two hour drive)
*Providence, RI (one hour drive)--FireWater, antiquing, Brown University Art Museum, Roger Williams Park and Zoo
*Nantucket (one hour drive, one hour ferry ride)--whaling museum, beach, ice cream, historic houses
*Martha's Vineyard (one hour drive, one hour ferry ride)--carousel, beach, ice cream, houses
*Montreal, CAN (six hour beautiful drive)
*New York City (four hour drive)
*Berkshires (two hour drive)--Tanglewood, Edith Warton's home, Norman Rockwell Museum and Studio, ice cream


Done, Enjoyed, But Don't Need to Do Again
*Stowe, VT
*Storyland, VT
*Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory (only because it was a long drive and out in the middle of nowhere--if it were closer you can bet we'd be there every other week)
*"The Cape"


Still on Our Boston Bucket List to Do Before We Leave (or come back for)
*Acadia National Park in Maine--bicycle riding, hiking, camping, (hopefully ice cream)
*New Brunswick, CAN--Bay of Fundy
*Train to Maine--train ride from Boston to Portland
*Prince Edward Island, CAN--Anne of Green Gables stuff
*Newburyport, MA--Custom House Maritime Museum and beech town
*Duck Tours


Kid Stuff We Do Repeatedly/Frequently/Would Do Again in a Heartbeat
*Cambridge Common Playground--coolest park around
*Harvard Natural History Museum--"dead zoo" with great taxidermy animals, loads of colorful rocks and minerals, hands-on, storytime
*Boston Children's Museum (park a couple blocks away for four hour meter parking)--meet Daddy for lunch at Flour Cafe or bring a picnic and eat with Daddy on the pier
*Institute of Contemporary Art Family Saturday--craft activity, awesome security guards, gorgeous view of waterfront
*Drumlin Farm in Lincoln with Mass Audubon membership
*Blue Hills in Milton with Mass Audubon membership
*Habitat in Belmont
*Peabody Essex Museum in Salem--incredible kids discovery section, lovely museum with a great collection and wonderful mix of modern style and historic style of exhibition
*Ship Museum in Salem right down by the harbor
*Boston Youth Symphony matinee performance (we saw Peter and the Wolf and loved it)--very well done for children audience, instrument "buffet" where kids can try lots of different instruments
*USS Constitution museum and ship--you get to go on the deck of a real live
*Fox Library Branch in Arlington--great story time and craft, small community feel, Children's Resale Shop, right by Comella's pizza and Quebrada bakery
*Big Slide Park (Robbins Park) in Arlington--fantastic play equipment and laid-back attitude of other parents, fields for kites and baseball, view of Boston skyline
*Charles River--kayaking, bike trails
*Old North Bridge--long lanes for kids to run
*Science Museum
*Kimball's Ice Cream--great portions and price, animals, relaxed atmosphere and people, lovely drive


Overrated (or at least would require a lot of convincing to try again)
*Omni Parker House--location where Boston Cream Pie was invented, but I'd rather have a Dunkin Donuts BCP than the Omni Parker House's version.  Haven't tried their Parker House Rolls, though . . .


Photo-shoot Locations (scouted by yours truly)
*Gore Mansion--woods, pastures, grand old brick building, weathered wood stable
*Belmont Habitat--woods, pond, rocks
*Boston Public Library--great stone, steps, inside colonnade
*Boston LDS Temple--gorgeous stone, steps, rustic boulder wall, flowers
*Beaver Brook Park--trickling shallow stream, bridges, fantastic "lonely" tree, texture-rich exposed tree roots, nice late fall foliage (watch out for the rampant dogs)
*Beacon Hill--cobblestone street (but be quiet and respectful and the locals understandably don't love photographer shoots), bricks, antique shop window scenes
*Old North Bridge--stone walls, arching bridge, trees, field, water
*Davis Square--busy city feel, bricks, alleys
*Rock Meadow in Belmont--planked walkway/board walk, awesome weeds, field, boulder-sized rocks, old abandoned building with graffiti 'round back (you have to climb through some thorns . . .)

Exploring Boston

        I was asked to lead a session in our Relief Society activity about things to do around town.  I was supposed to focus mostly on date night or girls' night out, and I tried to do that, though many of these things can be done wonderfully with children, too.  I also began making a list of some of our other favorite things to do with kids, beyond Boston, things still on our family's bucket list, and photo-shoot locations.  I'll try to post those another day soon, for our reference.  

Exploring Boston

Why

Love where you live = positive attitude = more friends and happier everything

Something to talk about other than kids’ eating and pooping habits

Way, way better than doing extra household chores

We live in such an awesome place

Know where to take visitors (especially repeat visitors—beyond the Freedom Trail)

Where (already vetted by Rachel+co.) (mostly food) (and free-ish)

Freedom Trail—I love this route, I truly do.  Have you ever done the whole line in one day?

LA Burdicks—incredible hot chocolate (in Cambridge and Newbury St)  http://www.burdickchocolate.com/

Christina’s—ice cream in Inman Square (random fact—Inman Square is also the founding place of Marshmallow Fluff—they have a Fluff Festival every year)  http://christinasicecream.com/

Toscanini’s—Ice cream place in Cambridge (New York Times heralded it the best ice cream in the world, but I’m not truly converted—but absolutely try it for yourself and get your own opinion!)  http://www.tosci.com/

Scooper Bowl--All-you-can-eat Ice Cream at Government Center for the Jimmy Fund  http://www.jimmyfund.org/eve/event/scooper-bowl/default.html

MFA Boston—worth multiple visits to the many galleries.  Wednesday after 4:00 free admission or library passes for discounted admission  http://www.mfa.org/

Mike’s Pastry and/ (stress on “and”) Modern Pastry in the North End

Giacamo’s—seafood Italian in the North End—go early so the line isn’t too long

Newbury Street—window shopping (with a visit to the historic Natural History

        Museum building now Restoration Hardware and a cupcake from Georgetown Cupcakes)

        Tiffany stained glass windows in the Church of the Covenant on Newbury

        Street:  http://www.cotcbos.org/tiffany-windows-tour.html

        Admiring the yarn at the Boston Knit and Needlepoint shop

Beacon Hill—window shopping and a chocolate from Beacon Hill Chocolates

        (oohing and ahhing over the boxes)  http://beaconhillchocolates.com/

        Sneaky picture on the cobblestone street Acorn Street

Chocolate Buffet at the Langham Hotel:  http://boston.langhamhotels.com/restaurants/chocolate_bar.htm

Make Way for Ducklings sculptures in the Public Gardens—you cannot beat the cuteness of them at all seasons.  I can’t even count how many times my family has been to commune with them.

Vintage and Costume Extravaganza at The Garment District in Cambridge.  It is absolutely as awesome as the website makes it seem.  ;)  http://garmentdistrict.com/

Fenway—catch a ball game and you won’t regret it.  No matter what, stay for Sweet Caroline.  I get tinglies every time.

Evening beach trip (sunset, half-price or free parking, no hot sun, less crowded) (favorites include Salisbury, Plum Island, Crane, Wingaersheek)

Newport Mansions, an hour from Boston in RI—Cliff Walk (free) and/or Mansion tours (not free but awesome, also holiday gorgeousness)  http://www.newportmansions.org/

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum—quirky museum full of cool stuff and cool design, cute little café, musical concerts and recitals (library museum pass for discount admission)  http://www.gardnermuseum.org/home/

Restaurant Week Boston—try restaurants and foods you might never normally for a fixed menu/fixed price  http://www.restaurantweekboston.com/

Top of the Hub in the Prudential–observation deck and restaurant (just order dessert for an affordable viewing)  http://www.topofthehub.net/

Mt Auburn Cemetery stroll (look for future baby/characters in a book names on tombstones)

Middlesex Fells Reservation—hike in some beautiful woods, climb a hill for a great view of Boston skyline.  http://www.fells.org/

Random Groupon classes for chocolate making, glass blowing, pottery painting, etc. can get you into fun parts of the city you never knew existed and doing something new together is so refreshing in a relationship.

       

(still to be determined—on the Lambourne’s on-going Boston bucket list)

Shakespeare on the Common—summer evenings

Brattle Book Shop—oldest and largest used book shop in Boston

Websites: 

Boston Central  http://www.bostoncentral.com/

Boston City Site  http://www.cityofboston.gov/visitors/thingstodo.asp

Trip Advisor  http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g60745-Activities-Boston_Massachusetts.html

My family’s blog (which is not super organized about this, but * bonus * has lots of pictures of us eating ice cream at various locations)  http://collinandrachel.blogspot.com/

P.S.  I tried to stay pretty close to the city itself, though there are some exceptions I just had to give a shout out to on this list.  There are so many other places within an hour or two drive that are incredible and worth it, too.  I’m always happy to talk about our adventures around New England if you’ve “exhausted” (impossible!) Boston and are ready to look further afield. Also, if you want location ideas for taking great family pictures around Belmont or around town I’ve scouted some of those as well and I’m not afraid to share the secrets.  And hit up Linda Turco for advice on Italian restaurants—or any fine dining—as she is bar none the expert in that department.  Oh!  And stuff to do particularly with kids is a whole ‘nother session!

One of Davy's Birthday Gifts

 

One of the fun gifts from Davy's birthday, way back when, was a bag full of natural treasures.  Each treasure was individually wrapped with tissue paper and it was a lot of fun to watch Davy unwrap each item.  I love Davy's response to this gift, as it wasn't Legos or something else he had asked for and even expected. 

 

 We still have the treasures out for the kids and have added some of our own treasures for observation.  Our own little cabinet of curiosities.  

Overheard While Driving, And Other Humorous Anecdotes

Davy and Eddy talking to each other about how they will run their lives when they are grown.

Eddy:  My kids will get to have a special treat after lunch AND after dinner.

Davy:  I'm going to have ten kids.  How many will you have Eddy?

Eddy:  I'll have five kids.  And they get to watch a movie every day for quiet time.  Every day will be a show day.

Me:  It's such a beautiful day!  I'm so glad the sun is shining and we will get to walk outside.

Davy:  Yeah, I'm so happy it's such a nice day to be in the car.  When I have ten kids we will need a really big car.

Eddy:  When I'm a dad my kids will get to have a special treat and a movie at the same time, every day!

 

 

*     *     *

Over the weekend Collin changed Eliza's diaper and left her in just her onesie until pajama time.  He set her down on the carpet to play for a while with the toys laid out in front of her.  But she couldn't keep her attention off her (impressive) thigh rolls.  She kept pinching them and prodding them and poking them and stroking them.  I guess she doesn't get to see her legs very much, all bundled up for winter.  It was utterly adorable and hilarious.  Embrace those thighs, girl, embrace the thighs.

*     *     *

Collin came home in time to see the boys before they went to bed on Friday night and Davy started reporting to Daddy what had happened that day while I was listening in from the other room.  I don't even remember now what was so cute, but something made me laugh and I called out, "Oh, I wish I'd gotten that on video!"  And Davy stopped in the middle of his next sentence and said, "Mom, Mom!  You can get the camera and I'll say it again!"  (Social media performer in training.)

*     *     *

I was reminding Eddy for the upteenth time to get his pajamas on or a consequence was imminent (usually the one he responds to most is when I threaten to choose his PJs for him and get him dressed).  I said, "Eddy, please Get. Your. Pajamas. On. NOW."  And he looked at me in his blank-stare way for a second, as if he were trying to place me and who I am, then his mischievous smile crept up on his face and he said, "No."  Then he laughed like a maniac and ran off to his room, Davy laughing and running behind him.  "CTE, Eddy!  CTE.  Choose the Evil!"  (And I thought, I know exactly which kid in Primary he learned that from.)

*     *     *

We were talking about visiting grandparents and Eddy said, "Nana's house has so many beds and bedrooms.  It's like . . . a hotel!"

*     *     *

I've been working on getting two little girls over to play at our house for a couple weeks.  My boys have been saying mean (totally normal, I know, but still silly) things about girls.  I wanted some totally rocking girls to come play so Davy and Eddy would remember/realize how cool it is to play with girls.  Over breakfast I was telling the kids what the plan was for the day, which included a playdate with Becca and Ruth.  Davy groaned and said, "No, Mom!  Not Becca!  She always ruins everything.  And she talks so much!"  (But then played happily enough when all together after all.)

Eight Months Already

Eliza is growing up before our very eyes.  She is as beautiful as ever.  She woke up from a nap the other day and I was surprised to see that she has enough hair to be mussed up from sleeping in her headband.  So exciting.  I'm trying to decide if she might just have enough to make a very small waterfall pony tail on the tippy-top of her head.  Or maybe in a couple months . . .

Some little details of our days with baby girl I want to remember:

Her talking to me while nursing.  Sorry, that's probably TMI on the internets, but it is so adorable, her mumbling something very important, I'm sure, while I can't understand a word.  I talk sweet nothings back and she half smiles and keeps talking with her mouth full.

She is content to play by herself or watch the boys, sitting on her own, for a solid chunk of time.  But if she catches a shadow of me she'll make it clear she wants to be with me.

Two top front teeth have, just hours ago, popped through the gums.  Her bottom two teeth are now fully visible and making appearances in photos and imprinting chewing toys.

She constantly gets comments from admiring strangers and friends about her cheeks.  Someone said we ought to submit her into the "cheekiest baby" contest.  And apparently there actually is such a thing, it's not just a turn of phrase.

Her kisses are very deliberate and careful.  I even think she understands the word "kisses."

 

Her sense of humor is developing.  She's very generous with her chuckles.

She has graduated to some finger foods and loves the freedom of feeding herself.  She has amazing pincer-skills.

 

She is a huge fan of Davy.  She lights up at his attention.  She's slightly wary of Eddy (understandably--he's never mean or intentionally crazy around her but he inherited the clumsy gene poor guy).  She clearly loves her brothers and they fiercely love her back.  I love watching these sibling relationships so strong so early.

Well, the Thesis Proposal is Submitted

So now it's waiting time.  I guess I ought to be getting to work, but honestly I feel like I could use a teeny break before go time.  If it gets approved, that is.

I haven't written about my thesis saga here.  I suppose I was waiting for the right time, maybe after everything was all settled and neatly tied up.  But that's not gonna happen any time soon, and as this process is tying up every other waking (and nightmare) thoughts I will put down just some of my journey so far and hopes for the future.

I had an awesome internship.  I loved the people I worked with and the work I did.  I gathered research and information for a thesis project.  I came home and started trying to work.  I banged my head against one wall and rerouted myself.  Eliza was born and I took a little pause.  I began slowly again to work on my new topic.  Ran again into a wall and felt the wall (and post partum craziness) collapse on to my head.  Pondered and prayed and sobbed (a lot of tears--again, post partum hormone issues) my way into realizing that I was ready to let the thesis (and consequently a degree) go.  Just slip away.  I talked it over with Collin and myself many many times and decided I was okay with being an almost Master's graduate.  After all, I'd gone back to do this program because I wanted to continue learning, be out of the house sans kids for a couple hours a week, keep my sanity, etc.  And all those things were accomplished!  Check!  Still, I was afraid to disappoint all the people who care about me and wanted to be proud of me.

I finally mustered up the courage to call my parents to tell them I was discontinuing the program.  They seemed surprised that I thought I could disappoint them in this--they love me regardless and only care about the degree as far as I care about it.  Whew.  However, my dad brought up the point that perhaps, since the program I'm doing is a non-traditional one, perhaps a non-traditional thesis could be approved?  A "mommy and me at the museum" blog, perhaps?  Aha!  This was something I could get fired up about and keep the inspiration and passion going through the long haul.  So I sent off a feeler to the adviser and met with her in person several times.  She seemed intrigued.  Her boss less so.  The topic is solid and sound, but the blog project (with a sort of mini-thesis component to analyze the experience and findings) is maybe too non-traditional for the program's requirements.  The vibe I'm currently getting is that the blog proposal will be a "no, thank you."  I understand.  But I'll hold out some hope as I have yet to hear back the final word yay or nay.

I also have to be prepared for the "what next" question--do I take my topic and do a regular, plain old, boring, gather-dust-on-a-shelf-and-never-do-anyone-any-good thesis?  Do I go back to my original letting go of the degree and being content with the education and experiences I've already had?  Do I go for the "mommy and me museum" blog regardless?

Mmm perhaps, maybe, yes!

So that's where things are now.  In the meantime, here are some sneak peeks of the pictures I've been collecting in preparation for launching the preschooler adventure at the museum blog.  Luckily we've had several visitors in the past couple months who have been willing to take pictures of me and the kids at the museums we frequent!

Mom's Last 20s Birthday

Happy birthday to me included IKEA cookies (with hearts on them), Little Debbie cakes (shaped like hearts) and homemade ice cream and sprinkles.  The boys have totally got the hang of birthdays now and took complete charge of candles (though they let me light them) and the birthday song (they knew all the words) and blowing out the candles (they let me help blow).  My sister was visiting for the week and it was fun to spend the day with her.  She fulfilled my birthday wish by taking a series of mom and kid pictures for me.  (Here are last year's.  A couple years ago I was inspired by someone's blog thoughts to make sure mom got a good mommy moment at least once a year.  They took pictures with their kids so that at some point in the family photo books they would show up in the photos, rather than always behind the camera.  Thanks, Camilla, for getting these for me!)

Can't believe I'll be heading into the thirties next year.  One more year to live it up in the roaring twenties.  But hey, you better believe that with this crew there is nothing else but fun and crazy all day every day.

I keep trying to be a silly mom sometimes.  It doesn't usually feel comfortable, but it makes the kids happy.  And that makes me happy.

Bonnet Beauties

Grandma Jeralyn sent a text with this picture of her as a baby wearing a fabulous bonnet.  I knew we needed an Eliza comparison.  I couldn't find an affordable vintage bonnet nearly as amazing as Grandma's, so we made do with this one.  And it's quite flattering.  I kinda wish we could go back to the old style of dressing babies as babies, rather than mini-teenagers.  (Though I can't get enough of Liza Bee's chubba-dub thighs in her tribal print leggings . . .)  I think especially the dimple in both girls' cheeks makes it clear these beautiful ladies are connected.  Happy Valentine's Day to Grandma!

Happy V-Day Valentines

Ahh, this day of love.  I won't bore you with my disdain for this overinflated holiday.  In general I'm not much of a holiday celebrating person (other than Christmas, and even then I try to go easy and simple).  And this day in particular seems silly to me.  Plus it's my birthday and I don't like sharing.

My blog reading and Instagram feeds have been bleeding red and pink the last few weeks.  I look at other cool moms who do go all out and sometimes feel a twinge of sadness on behalf of my kids.  So this year I made a little more effort (though not much--easy stuff, here people) and made this holiday a little more about the kids rather than me.

So my solution this year for friend valentines for the kids was simple and homemade with the kids help.

One thing about the crayons--if you ever attempt these--make sure to use Crayola.  We tried with some cheap knock-off crayons first and the wax was weird.

My favorite part was having the boys make coloring pages to make a coloring book for their friends.  They each made a drawing (Davy made two) and I used a filter to turn a picture of them (with Eliza!) into a coloring page as well. We stapled them all together and tied a baggie holding the crayons to give to friends.

Pretty fun, yes?  This means I get a pass on the next couple holidays, right?  'Cause I could use your permission here.  :)

Around Town and At Home--Lots of Pictures of Us

Boston date with tag-along baby, and Eliza's first time sitting in a shopping cart on a family date to Costco.

MFA favorite and one of my three kid favorite pics.

Eddy gets so cold after a bath, he huddles over the heating vent in the bathroom and pretends to be a turtle.  I love how rolly-poly Eliza is getting.  Beautiful baby rolls.

We've started trying to have family music night once or twice a month.  It's a blast, though pretty crazy, naturally.  A friend in the ward is very (very) into cheese and invited Collin and me over for a cheese fest.  It was quite memorable, though a meal of only (a lot) of cheese did not really agree with me . . .

Eliza enjoys some quiet time to herself while I enjoy a morning meditation, before the boys get up and make life interesting and noisy.  We had to split Mary Poppins into two nights, but they boys actually really enjoyed it, and I did too!  Those classics are must sees for a reason.  I loved that Davy said, as Mary was unpacking her carpet bag, "Eddy, that's magic."

Cold cereal mom and put the kids to work sorting socks.

Library baby.  We had a random 50 degree day in January and all the stars aligned to make it possible for us to walk/scoot to the library in the afternoon.  It was a beautiful day, one for the books.

These boys are best friends and I love it.  Doing a teeth check before bedtime.

Eliza doesn't often get to wear this kind of glam, but it's cute with the messy face, for sure.

My sweet buddy is starting to outgrow my lap, but I think there will still be room for a while.  Davy's been working hard at his chores.

Eliza still has just two teeth showing, but more on the way.  And she is fascinated by all our teeth.

Evening exercises led by Dad, on those rare winter nights when he is able to be home by bedtime (this one was several weeks ago, but now that it's February we only have a few more weeks of busy season.  We'll make it!).

We are hibernating best we can with fun treats sometimes and lots of quiet time.  We'll be wild to get outdoors when the weather permits, but there is something nice about three little kids and mommy quietly at home a lot of the time.  I can already sense that these times are slowly but surely coming to an end.  Won't be long before these kids are a'grown up.

We host preschool every five weeks and it seems like there is always glitter or something else really messy on my days.  To be fair, Davy does come home from friends' houses with painted projects, too.  It is fun to see the kids get really excited about the process of making something.

It seems like morning comes really early, but from time to time I'm able to get it to linger.  I love the warm sleepy bodies next to mine.  The boys call our duvet the marshmallow blanket, and I think the name suits.

We went to get Eliza's passport application in at the post office a few Saturdays ago.  For minors both parents have to be present, and while we were dealing with the papers and signatures the boys were having the run of the mostly-deserted post office. 

With Eliza's fruit drink mustache and goatee, Eddy refers to her as "Mr. Eliza" and laughs uproariously.  

We celebrated National Chocolate Cake day with a flourless confection that was fun to make and fun to eat.  Also on the treat front, Girl Scout Cookies arrived and I tried my hand at a salted caramel hot chocolate to go along with some Samoas.  Pretty intense, let me tell you.

I just can't resist an almost-daily picture of this girl.  And love the boys playing in the back.  This is a true snapshot of our activities, most days.

Museum of Art fun.  We've been getting full use out of our membership.  The boys are already totally pictured-out, as I try to anticipate what I might need if my thesis blog project gets the thumbs up go-ahead.  I may have to start borrowing other preschool-age children for pictures soon.  Either that or work on my super-stealth ninja photo-snapping techniques.

It's been a cold winter (those rare nice days notwithstanding) but we really haven't experienced that much snow.  One of the bigger snow storms hit last week and Collin got a pass on going to the office though he worked from home fairly persistently.  We did sneak him out one time to play in the snow and hold a snowball packing seminar.

 Man, these kids crack me up.  Each one of them, every day. 

I had a root canal procedure on Thursday.  Super bummer.  The tooth had been bugging me for years, had had a filling but kept being sensitive and just off.  Then a couple weeks ago I was eating my morning oatmeal with nuts, as is my habit, when I must have bit down wrong and hard because next thing I knew I had a fractured tooth.  The dentist said if I wanted to keep it I ought to have a root canal treatment.  It actually wasn't that bad--not like the screaming scenes I was picturing from movies.  But still, not fun.  And still not fun, several days after.  I have more empathy for our littlest teether.

This week was a big one for me!  In addition to that awful root canal I chopped my hair further than ever before.  (And there isn't much further to go unless I shave, I guess.)  I've been hating my long hair for a while.  I mean, I love the braids and buns I do when I take the time to do so, but overall the pain of long hair was more than the benefit at this point in time.  Maybe when my hair finally stops falling out post partum I can try some nice length again.  In the meantime I'll have an adventure with this pixie cut.