Peaceful Meandering

One of the perks of working for a Jewish organization is that I get Jewish holidays off.  For holidays that I don't typically go to synagogue or do anything to observe (like Shavuot), it basically means I have a free day.  Last year when Sydney was scheduled to go to daycare on those days, I debated about whether or not to keep her out since I was off work.  After experiencing a few days of being solo, I realized I would take advantage of that peaceful solitude guilt-free. 

Last Thursday I had one of these days.  I slept in (these days that usually means 9:30am at the latest), did a quick errand, then packed a backpack with some water and began my trek.  My goal was to meander aimlessly to see what I found- like a "staycation", if you will.  I ended up walking about 3.5 miles to a completely different part of town.  I had a lunch by myself (and purposefully chose Indian food which Todd doesn't love), saw a movie (Trip to Italy, which was just okay but there's just something about sitting in a movie theater), and then walked most of the way home.  Walking through this city always makes me fall in love with SF all over again.  There's always something new to discover, excellent people watching, and such beauty to behold.

When I was younger I used to think it was so strange if my mom went to a movie or did something else by herself.  Now I understand.  For me it's a great way to recharge, reconnect with myself (not Annie the mother/wife/daughter/sister/friend/employee/student), and bring refreshed excited energy to all of those roles.  It also makes me appreciate what I have even more.

Baby or "Tiny Big Girl"?

Happy New Year to those who celebrate the Jewish one!  One of my favorite things about celebrating Jewish holidays is that I like getting two scheduled times a year to reflect and get a fresh start.

Now, a Syd update.  She is very much in an in between state right now at 2 years and 2 months.  Sometimes she yearns to be a baby.  Others she wants to be a big girl or even says she wants to be a teenager!  Here are some current examples of both:

Baby

• Sydney still likes to crawl sometimes to get from point A to point B
• She tries to drink milk from me (weird, I know)
• Sydney looks at Todd and me and asks "You call me baby?"

Tiny Big Girl (a term she coined)

• Sydney loves to take care of others- babies and adults- by talking in a high pitch voice and asking about our needs: "You hungry for this?"  "You need a hug?"
• She asks me several times a day to call her Elsa and assigns me to be Anna and Todd to be Kristoff (Frozen anyone?)
•  She talks (a lot) and has an opinion about what she wears every day (which is ideally pink for her)
• Syd repeats things we don't even realize we say like "You understand?" and "Try it- you might like it!"

Baby or tiny big girl, we're still LOVING life with her despite the new typical 2 year old behaviors of testing and saying no!

xoxo.