Today Was A Good Day

Sometimes I get so tied up talking about how difficult my daughter is, I get surprised about how truly delightful and amazing she can be.  I've mentioned it once or twice before, but my daughter is honestly just a very very challenging child.  Or as my pediatrician likes to say, "You got the double black diamond of babies."  Our experience parenting is not the typical one, although as time goes by we are finding people that also have "spirited" children who really relate to our struggles.  Rosie has had a multitude of health problems, coupled with a strong personality and need for constant stimulation and distraction.  If you're thinking we are just weenies or crappy parents (you wouldn't be the first), a "spirited child" is a real thing.  You can read about other parents with spirited children here, or if you need help with your spirited child this book has been enormously helpful. 

Rosie is wonderful, but doesn't sleep well (or really at all - I'm serious, some nights she's up for 4-5 hours on end) and it leads to epic meltdowns (not to be confused with normal toddler temper tantrums), alternating with seemingly manic behavior the next day.  She's tough to keep up with on a good night's sleep (haha, a good night's sleep, that's hilarious), but when you're sleep deprived, oh man, it's torture.  She's never slept through the night, she's 17 months old.  On a good night she's up every 2.5 hours.  She fights you at every diaper change, car ride, clothing change, getting into the high chair, any kind of grooming, getting into the bath, getting out of the bath, basically sometimes it seems like she hates everything.  She is bored very easily, she's very sensitive, and intense.

It's not like we spend the day cooped up, I've learned my daughter needs constant action (but not too many transitions.)  We spend our days together on playdates at the park, or Children's Fairyland, or Little Farm, and our afternoons playing outside and taking walks with the dog.  Even that is not enough to keep her entertained many days.  And those beautifully poignant moments you picture in your head before you have your baby, it's not that they don't happen, they are just way fewer and farther between than you ever expected.

All that being said, sometimes we just have such a great day.  A day that restores my faith in procreation.  A day that makes me feel like I won the lottery in awesome, super fun, sweet, cute and smart babies.  I feel like I LOVE being a mother, and I feel like I don't want it to end (instead of calling my husband at 4pm and telling him I'm never spending another day alone with our daughter ever again and come home right now before I seriously freak out.)  And today was one of those days.  We didn't do anything "special" per se - we went to a friend's new house that is empty of furniture, we ate lunch picnic-style on the floor, we ran from room to room with Rosie's little BFF Melly, we went swimming, sat in lawn chairs, and then we ran around some more.  Rosie ate like a cow, napped like a rock, smiled like a clown, and all around loved life.  She hasn't been sick in a while, and I can't help but think maybe her great moods lately are a reflection of feeling healthy and basking in this glorious summer weather we've been having.  She's still not sleeping well, but I'll take this little win and run with it.

There was nothing special about today, it was just such a special special ordinary day.  I hope I'll remember it forever, and so I document here.  Happy Happy Happy Friday, everyone.

I Love You, California: Children's Fairyland

I love Children's Fairyland. It is hands down one of my favorite places to take Rosie on my day off. Enough that we've been there pretty much every other week for the past two months! If you have a toddler that's walking or older I highly recommend it for a (few!) visits.

We bought a membership off Living Social for $50. The admission is $8 for all adults and children over the age of one, so if you live in the area I think plunking down the cash for a membership is the way to go. Parking is usually $2 if you can't find a free spot on the street. This isn't the cheapest Bay Area adventure, but I do feel it's got bang for your buck.

In the five or six times we've been to the park we still haven't seen the whole thing. It's dense, but the exhibits of different fairytales are divided up so well it never feels like you're in the same area over and over again. There is literally something to discover every time! Rosie loves toddling along the little road and bridges, and I love that she can walk the entire time with ease. 

The exhibits themselves are just so precious, and our membership came with a "magic key" that you can also buy separately to unlock a story box explaining each fairytale. The kids love the keys and turning them to hear songs and stories. This place is truly brilliant.

The little houses are all kid sized, Rosie loves exploring them. They have a sweet little train that takes you for a ride around the park, a pirate ship to climb, whales to climb into, boats to climb over, a huge music tunnel for kids to run through, animals to look at. It is delightful at every turn.

We were at the park at closing time the other day, and they have the cutest little puppet show that they put on in the theater for the kids (after the close! Generous!) Rosie ate her little snack and watched the show, for a few minutes until she became distracted. But the other kids were really enjoying it.

I should mention most of these exhibits have been around for 40 years, this place is a true Oakland tradition. It's not old and dated though, more charmingly vintage. If you haven't been, please go. It's a favorite spot and I hope to continue bringing Rosie here for years and years to come!

I Love You, California: Little Farm in Tilden Park

Friday was the perfect sunny day to spend in Tilden Park, and we just LOVE Little Farm!  If you don't know of it already, it's a working farm that is open to the public every day of the year - for free.  There are pigs, sheep, goats, cows, chickens, ducks, geese and rabbits.  With plenty of space to run around, and a playground for the kids to play on, we have such a great time here.  There's also an indoor center with interactive exhibits, games, and bathrooms.

We packed a picnic lunch and just spent the day feeding the animals (lettuce and celery only - bring some!), running amok and enjoying the sunshine.  Even with several groups of school children running around there was plenty of space for everyone, and when things died down in the early afternoon we basically had the place to ourselves.

It's amazing the fun little adventures you find when you're trying to entertain a ridiculously energetic toddler all day.  I love that our area has so many affordable (read: free) places to go and explore! Have you guys been?

I Love You, California: Redwood Regional Park

I love California, I really do.  It's my adopted state, but the longer I live here the more I just love the crap out of all the little adventures to be had.  This weekend the whole family was feeling a little under the weather, trying to make the best of it (and not willing to make a huge driving commitment) we decided spur of the moment to visit Redwood Regional Park.

It was our first time visiting, which is shameful because it is practically in our backyard.  A quick pack of the diaper bag, tossed the babies (human baby and fur baby) in the car, and seven minutes later we were at the main gate.  It's $5 to park and a $2 fee to bring the pup in, and if you drive to the last parking lot (Canyon Meadow Staging Area) you're just a hop skip and a jump from the children's playground, a few picnic areas, and the prettiest walk in the city.  Holy smokes, I couldn't believe we were smack dab in the middle of a redwood forest!

With Rosie fading fast we didn't walk far, but the walk was so pretty even the short distance we covered.  It's the perfect mini hike to take with squirmy toddlers.  The skies were a little threatening, but we didn't let that intimidate us (hey, we live in Oakland, the Lees aren't Nervous Nelly's.) 

It was the best way to spend a couple hours on a Sunday, and we found the sweetest little (ha, redwood trees, little?) gem right here in Oakland.  California is the best.

More California love here and I love this too. ♥  

P.S. Did you know California's State Song is I Love You, California?  It was running through my head when I was writing this post.

Tips and Tricks: Alameda Point Antiques Faire

On the first Sunday of every month the Alameda Point Antiques Faire starts bright and early at 6am. There's food, rows upon rows of tchotkes, light fixtures, dishes, clothes and furniture, and people are surprisingly friendly given the ungodly hour (perhaps a certain camaraderie comes from braving the cold and dark together all in the name of old beautiful things!)

I absolutely love the Alameda Point Antiques Faire, so (inspired by Emily Henderson's super amazing and helpful post on the Rose Bowl Flea Market) here are a few pointers from me so that you too might brave the Alameda Antiques Faire in search of awesome deals and unique items for your home!

1. Go with a friend. First, it's more fun with company! This past Sunday was the first time I shopped solo. I was shopping primarily for clients, had a specific list and felt like I would concentrate better without any distractions (other than the booths of RIDICULOUSLY amazing 50's and 60's sectionals, chairs and coffee tables.) I actually felt like I needed someone to bounce ideas off of, and sanity check. As in, is this giant two faced 60's Italian vase the coolest ever, or have I lost my head? Second, pick up is a bear without a partner to help load up. There's a 15-30 minute active loading area (if you're outside the entrance it's to the left) where you can park, get a large loading cart, go retrieve your finds, and load them up, but it's a heck of a lot easier to divide and conquer.

2. Just rent a $5 shopping cart already. If you think you're going to buy a few things, I recommend a cart. These are not the loading carts that need to be returned right away, they are the good old fashioned shopping carts to be rented for the day. After about 5 hours of schlepping my giant vase, cloche, pull toy, globes, etc I was spending more time readjusting the load than shopping.

3. When you see something you love love love, pounce. Here's a good time to mention that the earlier you go, the better you will find. All the best items, real steals, and awesome furniture are often gone in the first couple hours. It's $15 to get in from 6-7...which is an awesome deal when you score a Dutch mid century side table you want to marry and have babies with.

4. Don't be afraid to ask "is this your best price?" Or make a respectable offer on anything really. The worst they can do is turn it down and most prices (if marked at all) are negotiable - for the polite and respectful shopper.

5. There's food! Tons of it! Real food, on food trucks and coffee and grits, oh my!

(Those reclaimed wood signs are by Scott Coppersmith, he makes custom signs, letters, etc too.  I think one just may be in my future - fingers crossed!)

6. When you buy a piece of furniture (or even if you're just interested) be sure to ask for the sellers card and write down the stall number painted in yellow on the ground. It's never happened to me, but my greatest fear is that I'll find a fantastic piece and can't find my way back to the booth. All the rows start to look the same after a while.

7. Bring cash, more than you think you need.  ATMs are available, but they are at the entrance which is a loooooong way from the booths at the back.  I've never tried to use a check, but it's possible sellers take them.  

I always leave the market feeling inspired, slightly overwhelmed, with something I'm just totally in love with, and excited for the next one.  Where do you guys find your favorite items for the house/apartment?  Is 6:00am, in the dark (oh, bring a flashlight!) crazy for amazing finds?

(all photos by me, processed through Instagram)