Kokochi

Breast milk

At some point, I got to have a blog entry titled breast milk, right? I used to be a bit shy, but after almost a year of feeding Ms. T, it's just way too normal to be bashful about. It's been her food! Anyway, this is my ode to my boobies [gosh, can't believe people at work will be reading this!]. You see, before Tesla, I had rather small boobies. I was astounded (even fearful) at how gigantic they became once Tesla arrived. Getting bigger during pregnancy is nothing compared to when the milk comes in. I looked ridiculous. After Tesla and I settled into the feeding rhythm, things got better. Then when I went back to work, there was another adjustment, and that turned out fine too. Lately, I've drastically reduced the number of times I pump. I feel a natural decline in what Tesla needs (although nights are still a whole other ball game). But still...even after being irregular in pumping, I just whipped out 3 oz. after coming home from work. I couldn't help it. I showed off my accomplishment to Dav. And I want to remember this for when I'm an old granny. : )

Harmony made me busy!

Harmony...as in this kind of Harmonypics. However, the pics of Kinky and Dennis Kucinich were from me : ) Since we're more limited to where we can go with Tesla, we're totally hitting outdoor festivals this summer. Pack up the RV, head out for a long weekend, dance outdoors, and watch Tesla have just as much fun (she loves the attention she gets). Only thing is...packing up the RV, going, coming back (at 11:30 Sunday night!), and unpacking is actually a significant additional load to the daily rhythm of maintaining a household with a baby. I have to be super efficient with my time...as in starting laundry when I wake up, unpack while I dress for work, water plants while I brush my teeth, etc. Since the normal rhythm is pretty packed as it is, anything additional reverberates. I'm still not used to that. We want to enjoy all that's out there...but yes, you need stamina. Fortunately, Dav and I love going out enough that we both are into making the effort...and now, Tuesday night, after 2 nights of sleeping in our home bed and busting my ass getting things back in order, I know it was totally worth it. But I do have to take a deep breath and think, "here we go..." when I think of the upcoming Raindance festival we have...and then Burning Man. Don't get me wrong. It's SO wonderful when outdoors...walking around with our baby Tesla, meeting cool folks, hanging out in the sun, letting Telsa feel free in the grass, and enjoying 'camping' in our RV (which I continue to paint and have bigger and bigger ideas for as it becomes a giant canvas that I am really excited about; I already have a Sunday date with Michelle to just spend painting together). For Burning Man, we're gonna be Rangers which will be a whole new - and deeper - chapter to our experience. It's just quite a physical effort now. However, this is what we want Tesla to know. The beauty, sharing, and learning that these events bring is such a rejuvenation. One note about Harmony. We went cuz it's outdoors, so we could hang with Tesla on the periphery enjoying the music with her. But all the night stuff - which my goodness was a total party scene! - was indoors. So Dav and I (with our friends who were there too) took turns hanging outside with Tesla snoozing in the stroller, going inside for like 10 minutes at a time. I went in...got into the music, but then missed Dav so came right back out. Harmony should have made it clear that the night stuff was indoors. Sheesh. Think about parents, k?? The unexpected part was that there was A LOT of vending. It was organic foods and hand-made clothing & jewelry so not offensive, but weird. I'm not usually into vending. Yet since the stuff was so amazing, we spent ...well, a lot... on some really original nice clothing. Especially for Dav since it's really hard to find original men's stuff in stores. He got amazing pants and a really neat vest. I got pants too and an absolutely fantastic vest (ignore my hat head and no make-up please).

Reaching

Post bath snuggle

I mean...after seeing Tesla naked with her cutie butt...reaching for her "blankie" (which for now appears to be a white pillow case that is old and very soft...she's even crawled down the hallway dragging it with her), I love rolling around in the bed with her, helping her welcome the feeling of sleepiness. She sucks her thumb, moans softly, and cuddles. I love it. Yes...those last 2 pics are of her inspecting her diaper. She is so interested in her diaper. I have to let her play with it a bit before getting her into it. I don't blame her. I'd hate to wear diapers! Speaking of diapers...still working on the EC thing...nothing more or new other than I bought her a baby toilet seat so I don't have to hold her. She's easing into that.

videos of Tes on Kokochiino

Check 'em out. : )

She knows when she's being recorded.

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Wobbly steps

Walking sorta with daddy-o

walking sorta with mama

Feet first please!

Makes my heart beat fast watching her. Note how quickly she moves now.

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Gifts

I was lucky enough to get several gifts this weekend. I visited Rachel and went to the Oakland Farmer's Market with her on Sunday. Discovered the most delicious Afghan bread and spread. [Rachel, I should have bought double what I got] Before we headed over, she gave Tesla a cute doll aptly named Pookie...and for me a tokidoki LeSportSac that wraps around my wrist. Perfect for putting money and such inside as I run around with Tesla (or run around dancing). And...omg...inside was a small ring that Rachel had made for me for Mother's Day. I was floored. It says, "Tesla Rhea 7.5.06" I LOVE it. I LOVE that I can have a bit of Tesla on me when I go to work. We also laughed that I can use this as a wedding ring. Dav and I were going to get tattoos, but found out that it fades and gets blurry, so isn't ideal on the finger. We have some ideas for rings, but haven't got around to designing and making it (we aren't the type to buy a ring from a store and I certainly am not into rocks). Anyway, I do have a problem when I go out without Dav, and have complained that I'd like something, anything, that would indicate to others that I'm taken/not interested/ married-so-leave-me-alone. Thoughtful Rachel suggested that I can now put this ring on "the finger" so I can go out in peace. Thank you, sis. I love you! And now for the gift from Dav. (I'm glad I can combine this into a post about Rachel too since a post just about this gift would make me too embarrassed.) I *am* touched by the gift. To me, it's such a compliment. So I want to blog about it, but you know....it's not your typical bouquet of flowers (which Dav does also give). Just read the t-shirt; 'nuf said. I love it. Seriously...that's why our marriage works for us. We have fun. Reminds me of this other gift t-shirt he gave me which I turned into a dare. I may wear this newer shirt to work. Those who read Kokoch at 6A, you gotta support me, k?

Las Vegas, the Ace Junkyard version

"Lost Vegas" was the main event we went to on Saturday. Tons of fun. It was quite chilly so folks showed up in fur costumes; with the fog and the strangely attractive weirdness of the event, it reminded me of some random camp you'd come across when wandering around the playa. I'm not so into watching cockroaches race, or willing to bet on which hole a rat will run into (worried about the rat being cold), but I loved the atmosphere. It was so done up! Granted it was cockroaches and rats, but it all looked so fancy with the crowd dressed up (I saw top hats, some ladies had a total 20s glamour look) and each table attendee was into their role making you believe you just showed up in another world. Lilia got some nice shots. Our neighbor Jeremy joined us with his friend. They were decked out in sweet-looking suits...but when they saw the bicycle swing contraption, they rolled up their pants and cycled away! I loved watching them have fun. Dav and I got married again...by Dr. Hal in the makeshift chapel no less. Dav and I have decided that whenever we get the chance, we're gonna get married as many times as we can. : ) We got loads of pennies to gamble with upon arrival, but I'm just not a gambler.