Kokochi

I.C.E.

Someone found my old phone that I lost almost a month ago. It was in front of the store where I had shopped. I had gone back to the store to look for it, but they didn't know anything. The person who found my phone took it home after putting up a notice on a telephone pole that he had it. It lost battery juice so he couldn't try to find a number to call. Weeks later, his daughter found out about the phone, and having the same one, charged it up and found my home phone number. Yesterday, she came by to return it. I'm grateful, but it's a bit late. I've already switched phone companies, and even switched from the free phone that came with it as I luckily got hold of a nice Nokia N73 to use instead (yay for sim cards!) Anyhow, after talking to the woman, I realized it would be very useful to have a phone charm with my name and number on it. Most people, if they find a phone, probably just want to return it. My dead phone was no help. Does that exist? A small nice-looking name tag for phones? She also told me about I.C.E. I did not know about this, but it makes sense. She tried to see if I had a listing for I.C.E. in my phone. I didn't but did have "home." Anyway, good to know my phone didn't just disappear into thin air. I'll see if anyone else can use it.

Providing Comfort...

From Patrick. I can't help but point out my mini bangs. That's the hair I lost from pregnancy finally growing back. Speaking of hair...Tesla got cute hair pins for her birthday. Just by pinning a tiny bit of hair, she looks so much older.

Tokyo Plastic

Again, kudos to Eddie. Check this out. (click where seems appropriate to get things started and continuing. Enjoy it all...when you get to the drumming kokeshi dolls, it's worth it.)

p.s. more party pics

This won't go on forever, I swear. But here are more pics of Tesla's grand party, thanks to backseatbettie.

The party of the year for Tesla

Whew! Had a huge party on Saturday for little Ms. T. I had envisioned a few babies and a few kids with us adults enjoying cocktails and finger food. A gathering for music, the sunset, and mingling. Goodness, was I wrong! First, the weather sucked so everyone was gathered in the living room instead of spilling out onto the patio. Luckily, people felt comfortable to escape to our bedrooms when they needed a break. Yes, a break from a room full of 35+ adults and I think maybe 15 kids and babies. It was mayhem. 15 kids isn't just like 15 Teslas. Their energy bounces off of each other so it's exponential. Here is the progression of the party:
A few arrived and settled in. There was still space to enjoy the Wii. Then lots more arrived. Kids were everywhere! After the climax with the cake, things calmed down. The 2nd wave of late folks settled in. Finally, after ordering pizza around 10pm, our boys & friends started the Wii while finishing a few beers. A long day indeed, but I absolutely loved it. I couldn't have imagined the chaos, yet it was somehow perfect for Tesla. Toddler/Kid Playhouse. I'm still finding random toy parts in weird places. It was all worth it when everyone sang Happy Birthday for our baby. Initially, we both thought we wouldn't have a party cuz Tesla wouldn't remember it. She may not, but she sure loved being such the center of attention as the linked video proves. She was glowing. And I'm most proud to have pictures as evidence for her later to show how much we all celebrated this great moment. As is always the case being the hostess, I regret not having more time with each guest. Thank you to all of you for making Tesla's birthday so incredibly memorable! BIG thank you to Elida who helped from the morning to set up and decorate. And made awesome cocktails (thanks Ele for the rum recipe!). It wouldn't have been nearly as nice and fun without you!!! p.s. Check out this handmade knit hat Toni made for Tesla!

Happy First Birthday Tesla!

Last year, July 5, 2006, 9:20am, Tesla was born. A first year anniversary is indeed special. The first of many more to come, and a moment to look back and remember the start with Tesla. She was still furry! Dav and I could never have imagined how amazing it would all be. Lots of work, a huge adjustment, and many unknowns. On the other hand, it's felt like the most natural thing ever, and having Tesla as a part of us makes so much sense. I can't help but enjoy reminiscing. p.s. I had to look in our files the exact time she was born, and realized I have a "baby" folder, then a "Tesla" folder. So weird to think that at one point Tesla was just "baby" to us... p.p.s. we're doing a celebration this Saturday.

Happy First Birthday Tesla!

You've come a long way in 12 months. Been so fast and amazing; words just can't describe. Thank you, baby, for being who you are!

Tesla - 15 minutes old

Remembering...

A few days before birth. 12 months ago, around this time, Tesla was snuggle inside me, and I was sitting in the living room with Kats hovering around. My mother, who was with us from Japan to help with Tesla's birth, just woke up. After days of waiting, I was proud to tell my mom, "it's started!" I was excited and in a good mood. In the early afternoon, the upstairs boys came down to watch some sports event on our big T.V. By then, I was constantly walking in circles through the kitchen, dining room, living room...over and over again. I couldn't sit still. By late afternoon, I was using the birthing ball. Today, I woke up and Dav patted my belly. "She was still in there last year," he said. Life before Tesla; such an odd concept and state of life that I can't really imagine now. We watched her from bed as she moved around our bedroom, taking stuff out of drawers, playing with whatever thing she found. Every so often, she would look back at us with a big grin, making sure we were watching. 12 months, and she's here more and more. I say that because it's really been like a flower blooming. Her personality, her quirky habits (her love of having a soft pillow case as a blankie, her groans when she is just about to fall asleep), her physical growth. There was no way to predict who she would be 12 months ago. Ha! Just as I was writing this, I realized Tesla was awfully quiet, and looked over. She had found her snack cracker bag from the diaper bag, opened it, and was eating mouthfuls of crackers! A mess now. I love it. Makes me laugh. She's made us a family now. Tesla at breakfast today.

Elida and I were sailing students...

So NOT. That picture, if I remember correctly, was from an afternoon sail with Dav at the helm while I spent my time looking green, letting go of my lunch overboard. As Dav explained on AkuAku, the photo was taken from his flickr stream by his sailing school for a poster and this online site. Other than the blatant disregard of his CC license that was non-commercial and attribution-required, it's sorta funny. And really funny that people would think that in fact Elida and I were sailing students. Elida could...but me? I'd get lost out in the ocean for sure. I particularly like how our photo was chosen to be next to the phrase, "Using guidelines established by the ASA (American Sailing Association), Spinnaker Sailing offers courses to students from all walks of life." We represent! p.s. pictures from Raindance coming...they are on Dav's mac at the moment.

Off to Santa Cruz

About to leave for the Raindance festival. Looking forward to fresh air, trees, music, and hanging with friends. I wanted to say that I got a new phone (yay!) so my old cell # works now. Have a great weekend! m