"Can you hang out or is it a Zumba Night?" Someone recently asked my husband.
That's how important dancing exercise is to a woman in Eastport, Maine 8 and half months after having her first baby. It is necessary for the following reasons:
-Cardiovascular Exercise
-Endorphin High
-Hanging with Females
-Laughing
-Stretching
-Alone Time out of The House
-Sweat
-Coming Home
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The Catapult...
I've officially reached a new phase of Motherhood. Cecilia has been sick since Monday morning with a stomach bug. Rafi was also infected with the same bug on Tuesday night. I have become the caretaker of 2 sickies, 1 incapacitated Papa and 1 very clingy baby. They are both very much on the mend, but I've never experienced anything quite like a feverish baby with her glassy eyes, oftentimes Mama's Milk won't even console her! It's been exhausting personally for sure.
Today Rafi brought Cecilia down from a nap they'd been sharing and she sat so sweetly on her Papa's lap. I looked at her in her hooded sweatshirt and legwarmers that are becoming calf warmers and my goodness I noticed a BIG kid... nearly a child, holding her whole body on her own as she sat on Rafi's knee.
Today Rafi brought Cecilia down from a nap they'd been sharing and she sat so sweetly on her Papa's lap. I looked at her in her hooded sweatshirt and legwarmers that are becoming calf warmers and my goodness I noticed a BIG kid... nearly a child, holding her whole body on her own as she sat on Rafi's knee.
Monday, January 17, 2011
The Perfect Winter Day!
A snowshoe/hike to Race Point was just what the sun ordered yesterday! With a bright clear, windless day and fluffy new snow on the ground the 6 of us, Micah, Rafi, Cecilia, Joan, Adam and I, went off to enjoy the day! We got out of the house at 10:30 and all drove out in 2 cars. After a nice warming hike we lit the sauna and snacked and chatted and played with Cecilia in The Pond House. Lovely good time.
After a few hours the sauna was up to temp and we took turns in the 180 degree heat and tromping with Cecilia until she took a nap and slept peacefully on the enclosed porch bundled up in snuggily clothing, with us all looking over her. After cooling down with fistfuls of snow for the first few hits in the sauna, Adam and I psyched one another up, put our boots on and rolled in the snow!!! Woo! Hoo!
By the time we walked home there were only a few minutes of daylight left. We were of course armed with flashlights, but we didn't need them as the moonlight crept in and made a magical snowy walk home. Such a beautiful night! We stopped at the Whiting Store and purchased many exquisite chocolates, like Almond BonBons, Needhams, Peanut Butter Balls and Cowtails, we snacked/shared those like true champs. Then Adam and Joan sang in the backseat all the way to Dennysville.
January Is The New August.
What are those you ask? Why they're Bergen Bagels of course! And why do you have Bergen Bagels you ask? Because Joan has come to town! An everything Bagel, with cream cheese, red onion, capers and salt? Yes, Please!
Rafi, Cecilia and I have all been having a real treat these last few weeks, because some of my closest friends have been coming to visit from Brooklyn and PhilaBaltimore. First Adam had the notion of working on his next album for some of January and he arrived 2 weeks ago with friend Sam in tow! They have been staying up in Dennysville, a short 25 minute drive. Our evenings were speckled with special dinners and afternoon roundezvous. Adam took Sam to the bus station 1 week ago, and we've enjoyed lots of Hang Time. I haven't been able to spend this kindof day to day activity with Adam for a long time, perhaps since we met and lived together when we were providing disaster relief in Buras, Louisiana. The joy of spending daily interaction with a such a lovely friend is a gift beyond compare. I feel like we've completely "caught up" and are now able to process the PRESENT MOMENT together!
This past Friday Joan Puchalski arrived on an evening flight from LaGuardia. Cecilia and I made the dutiful trip to Bangor, and constant fun time has been happening since. Joan's one of those people that just clicks right in with our family and she feels like part of the tribe, plus she's so upbeat and positive that it's a real joy to be around her. She's also excellent with Cecilia, and we love that. She has a real commitment to Washington County, as she's made a promise that as time progresses she wants to see Eastport in every month of the year! So far she's come in January, February, August and October. Joan was only up here for 3 n ights this time, but she promises to come for 5 nights next time so that we can have a longer visit, and get into the swing of things.
Rafi, Cecilia and I have all been having a real treat these last few weeks, because some of my closest friends have been coming to visit from Brooklyn and PhilaBaltimore. First Adam had the notion of working on his next album for some of January and he arrived 2 weeks ago with friend Sam in tow! They have been staying up in Dennysville, a short 25 minute drive. Our evenings were speckled with special dinners and afternoon roundezvous. Adam took Sam to the bus station 1 week ago, and we've enjoyed lots of Hang Time. I haven't been able to spend this kindof day to day activity with Adam for a long time, perhaps since we met and lived together when we were providing disaster relief in Buras, Louisiana. The joy of spending daily interaction with a such a lovely friend is a gift beyond compare. I feel like we've completely "caught up" and are now able to process the PRESENT MOMENT together!
This past Friday Joan Puchalski arrived on an evening flight from LaGuardia. Cecilia and I made the dutiful trip to Bangor, and constant fun time has been happening since. Joan's one of those people that just clicks right in with our family and she feels like part of the tribe, plus she's so upbeat and positive that it's a real joy to be around her. She's also excellent with Cecilia, and we love that. She has a real commitment to Washington County, as she's made a promise that as time progresses she wants to see Eastport in every month of the year! So far she's come in January, February, August and October. Joan was only up here for 3 n ights this time, but she promises to come for 5 nights next time so that we can have a longer visit, and get into the swing of things.
Friday, January 14, 2011
First Tooth Is Definately Here!
I haven't sent out a big bulletin about this yet, because it's such a slow process, but! Our little Cecilia Maree has her first tooth breaking through! It's hard to look at without prying open Cecilia's mouth and having her cry and complain... however if you persevere through the fuss and get a peek at those pink gums you'll find a sharp little ridge on the bottom. This ridge is Cecilia's First Tooth! She seems to be doing quite well in terms of pain, I haven't noted much pain or extra fussiness from the teething.
As she grows teeth in her mouth she seems to be changing physically! As she does over 100 squats per day, as she stands, scoots, crawls, dances and wiggles her way around, we see her thigh and stomach muscles tighten as her sweet rolls give way. She's SO strong and SO capable. She really amazes me, she's also quite amusing to hang with!
As she grows teeth in her mouth she seems to be changing physically! As she does over 100 squats per day, as she stands, scoots, crawls, dances and wiggles her way around, we see her thigh and stomach muscles tighten as her sweet rolls give way. She's SO strong and SO capable. She really amazes me, she's also quite amusing to hang with!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Boxing Day, aka...
RAFI'S BIRTHDAY!!!! Was spent in a snowstorm in Portland Maine with our good good friends the Lincoln-Munday's! They drove up from New Hampshire and we all spent the night at the Hilton in downtown Portland. Of note.. fantastic lattes, fantastic friends, a hotel room sushi feast, swimming and morning croissants. Happy 34th Birthday Rafi!
Cecilia, Rafi, Dennis, Karen, Emma & Zack at The Peak's Island Ferry Terminal!
Cecilia, Rafi, Dennis, Karen, Emma & Zack at The Peak's Island Ferry Terminal!
Cecilia and I have been talking it over lately, me with complete sentences, her with yips, yells and grunts and we think we're pretty lucky to have Rafi for a Husband and Father! I mean really... He's the best! He's gentle and kind and compassionate, loving and sweet and creative, hardworking and dedicated and very, very cute! We love him!!! And we love to celebrate him!
Christmas!
The Hopkins Family had a very nice holiday, and for weeks we were surrounded by friends and family. We spent 5 nights away from home and headed to Southern Maine where we spent time with both of my sets of parents, my brothers and assorted others! Cecilia seemed equally interested in old spoons, new toys, plastic clothes hangers and floor crumbs. She seemed to delight all of my family with very impressive abilities of crawling, climbing (even upstairs!), and bath taking. Those days of Christmas were the first days Cecilia explored standing on her own with her wobbily torso and improving balance.
With Her "Grumpy" on Christmas Eve
With Her Grandpa Ed On Christmas Day
There's Ed, barbs and Mimi all watching the Delightful Cecilia in the Bathtub, at one point there were 6 of us crowded in there!
Pure Delight with her Papa post-bath!
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