Kokochi

At the Burning Man HQ

For a story telling event. Topic is "Brushes with the law." So nice to see images from the playa. It never fails to move me. I do love the playa! The first picture is of a pet turtle in the office. So vibrant and eager to nip my camera phone that it was quite difficult to get a pic of it. I tried to show Tesla, but she didn't seem to notice and preferred to grab at a stone that was in front of the turtle's pond.

Waking Tesla

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Dav saves my frustrating Sunday

I had one of those Sundays where things just didn't go smoothly. To begin with, both Dav and I have been tired lately. We have been overbooking ourselves with lots of fun social events, yet not quite balancing the fact that we have to wake up at 6am every morning now for Tesla. And although I'm an extrovert, every once in a while I need major down time to hole up and relax. So I've been feeling the need to slow down. Dav went off to see the Queen Mary squeeze under the GG bridge, but I passed on that. I did want to spend a little time helping Elida since she is moving soon, and with my upcoming trip to Japan, Sunday was the only day I had. With the nice weather, we couldn't resist planning a small picnic with Tesla before packing boxes. All that sounded nice. I had a couple house chores I left undone. And I usually don't like to go out and play until all is finished. So there was that little bit of unsettledness. But then the small frustrations began to build up. When I drove to our local sandwich place to pick up lunch, got Tes out of the car seat, and stood in line, I realized I didn't have enough cash. Put her back in the car seat while she protested loudly, drove to the supermarket where I can use a card, got her out again and while doing so knocked my head on the car breaking my sunglasses, and finally got sandwiches. Those of you with babies know that all this is in addition to finding keys in a packed diaper bag, fixing socks that are about to fall off small feet, finding entertaining toys to distract baby wanting to get out of car seat, holding baby while grabbing sandwiches AND a few other items while baby lunges for everything close by...you get the hectic picture. Later once I got home, I realized I lost an earring which must have been when I knocked my head. They were really pretty earrings that Dav gave to me a week ago. I was just going to blog about how happy they made me since Dav had just surprised me out of the blue. [I drove by this morning to see if they might be on the street where I parked, but street cleaning *just* went by. Gagh!!!!] Elida and I had a lovely picnic, thankfully. And although I didn't really help her much, I felt better to have got out and hang with her. Got home, finished up my chores, fed Tesla and the cats, and started on a soup that I needed to do in order to use a pile of veges that weren't going to last much longer. So I was feeling a little better but still very tired. Then at dinner, Dav made my day by saying, "you kick-ass" meaning I was handling well the balance of house, baby, husband, and work. It was in the context of him encouraging me to go out on a girls' night since he felt he owed me. Like I said, I've been craving to stay home, and have not felt gypped at all when Dav has gone out. But it made me so happy that he noticed all the things I'm doing. I do them because I want to and I honestly enjoy taking care of Tes and being very domestic. I love it. It's just super duper cool that my husband notices and appreciates it. I guess that's why I got those earrings. Darn darn darn that I lost one already being so busy doing mom stuff!!

Hidden Villa Farm

We had a wonderful Saturday, visiting our friend Niki at the Hidden Villa in Los Altos where she works and lives . Niki is the daughter of my good friend/mentor Belinda with whom I used to work with at the I.M.F. in Tokyo. Anyway, it's been super cool to hear about Niki's adventures and her choice in work. Since I've always worked in offices and live such an urban life, I deeply admire Niki's focus on learning how to make her own food and run a farm. Our dream - for Tesla when she is a bit older and can remember things - is to cut out of urban society for a few years and live in another country where we can chill and totally hang as a family. Part of that dream is finding a place where Tesla can run around in nature, discovering bugs and seasons, get dirty, and build things with nature and her imagination. Dav and I both have good memories from playing in nature and we want that for Tesla. Visiting Niki underlined how precious big trees, open air, animals, and being in touch with the cycle of life are. It was also fun to watch Nike play and hold Tesla. I can tell Niki will be an awesome mommy one day! Hidden Villa has a lot of history. It was established by the Duveneck family (who were quite the cool activists back in the day) in 1924, and since then serves to educate adults and kids about farming and the environment. They have activities (like a fun Halloween event) and tours and hikes. I definitely want to go back. I've been wanting to pet a cow [read last paragraph] for many years and never succeeded. But at Hidden Villa, the 2 cows were so friendly. One was pregnant. We totally got to pet them. We saw newborn chickies, and big fat pigs. I loved it! The best part was hanging with my brother, Izumi, Tyler, and Julia. We don't get to spend as much time together as I'd like but when we do it's so much fun to see them. I really feel like an auntie, and can see the different stages the kids are growing through. Tyler is waiting for an adult front tooth to move in. Julia hunted random items around the picnic ground and was delighted when Dav made a slingshot for her out of a rubber band she found. When Tesla is older, she is going look up to Julia and Tyler so much! I love this picture that captured Tyler's enthusiasm: Dav's pics. Ian's pics.

Lucky Tesla

I just have to share these lovely items that were handmade for Tesla. In this day and age, it's really special to receive handmade gifts. First is the cutest little poncho Elida's mother made. She made Dav and I scarves too which we have already worn out a bit! Second is a very tasteful knit hat from Harold's (my work colleague) wife which is perfect because her old hat (the white one with ears) is too small now. I love how it's not a gaudy hat that screams babiness. Nice and subtle. People are so sweet to Tesla. I'm documenting this so she knows later when she can actually appreciate it.

Fluffiness & work

For the most part, once I am at work I shift gears and although I think about Tesla, I don't necessarily miss her. I know she's happy and I'm focused on my projects. Admittedly, however, by 5pm I'm eager to get back and hold her in my arms. But, this past Friday I felt a real twinge of, "I want my baby here" because I sit in a corner with my team and we had 2 dogs hang with us all day. From time to time, we'd take a break and enjoy the fluffy cuteness of the dogs (one is Keri's, the other is Ben and Mena's). Every time a dog would beg for a lap to sit on, or do a trick, I wanted my Tesla to hold (and have her show-off her tricks). Since she doesn't talk and walk, she would blend right in with the dogs, napping in the corner. Can't I bring Tesla too? Well, in reality I'd get no work done since I'd want to play with her all day : )

Family Photoboothing

Photobooth

Third annual Six Aparty. Keeps amazing me how big we are. It was a lot of fun getting to meet new Six Aparters in a more social way, meeting everyone's partners, learning about their interests outside of work. And Tesla was perfect; nice and cute at the beginning, then conked out so we could have dinner in peace. yay!

I also have Kokochiino, my Vox Kokochi

I post from time to time on my Vox blog, Kokochiino. I've had it for a while, but didn't really use it that much. As with any new service, I can't just jump in. I take my time until I have a real feeling or understanding about why I'd want to use it. Until recently, it took all my energy/time to just post to Kokochi. Now that I'm back at Six Apart, I like feeling a part of the community and Vox offers that. We'll see how my use of it evolves, but as Tesla grows older and I have to consider her privacy, I may dedicate more private posts on Vox. Anyway, if you go to Kokochiino, you'll see the pics from the photo booth that was at Six Apart's annual company party. Bigger than last year yet again. Just amazing. And I'm very happy to be a part of it all. Other things that make me happy being back at work: * Fridays actually feel like Friday. * I get to show-off Tesla pictures. * When a meeting went over schedule, I said I needed 15 minutes "to do my thing" [pumping], and instead of having to miss 15 minutes, the group decided to take a break. That's pretty understanding. * I ride my bicycle to work, finally really putting to use a nice road bike I've had for years. The exercise can't hurt either. * It feels good to have some $ coming into my bank account. * And....I'm going to Tokyo for work in mid-February!! Tesla too. Now that's pretty awesome.

Capture that baby

This afternoon, Patrick came over. As you may remember he's an awesome photographer, and we began our acquaintance about a week before Tesla was born. He's taken pictures of my giant belly, Tesla's very first day in the world, at 2 weeks, at Burning Man, and today. By now he's a good friend and I totally enjoy his company. He came over this afternoon to hang out and capture Tesla. I captured him capturing Tesla. Then he captured me capturing Tesla. I will link once his photos are up as I have a hunch he got some adorable ones of Tesla. Tesla is a handful now...wants to play, be held, eat a lot... so while Patrick was here, I was busy with her and doing housework stuff. I'm so happy he takes pictures of her, but I need to get him over here for dinner (ie. when Tesla is asleep and when Dav is around to help) so we can actually have longer conversations. p.s. look at that thick arm in the 2nd to last photo!

Tesla cooking

You have to see this. She is developing leaps and bounds...really wanting to play in more complex ways, able to amuse herself, and sitting up stable enough to have a new play experience. I am really looking forward to playing with her as she becomes this little person!