ONE SECOND VIDEO 2019

It’s here! This project takes daily thought and a few hours at the end of the year to pull it all together but man, it is so worth it. It’s true that life is lived in seconds, and there are a million of these that make up our days and lives. These are a few of ours.

When I watch this year’s movie I think, wow, that was a hard year. Unexpected, medically complex, some big plans altered. AND ALSO. It was beautiful and wonderful. I made it through a horrific pregnancy with the remaining third on bed rest and I held my breath for months. Each day we checked off was like climbing an impossible mountain. I did it and I am honestly surprised I made it out in mostly one piece. We had another round of a few months of worry with Blaire in the fall for sickness, including a few middle of the night ER trips which was also traumatic. It was a year of high highs and low lows.

In the midst of the chaos, there were so many sweet moments too, and this really captures that. Of course we tend to remember the big moments like welcoming Blaire, the first day of preschool, and the vacations, but mostly I want to remember all the giggles, the dance parties, catching baseballs in the backyard, growing our first garden, the trampoline, Daniel singing “isn’t it ironic” on the way to our 40 week appointment, all our dear friends, mainly the little moments that often go unnoticed but that make up a life.

Posting 2018 here so I can have it in the same place. I am so glad I have this year of Trey documented because this is the age (18m-36m) that his language really took off like crazy, and as a speech therapist, I geek out on his advanced MLU and clear consonant production from such a young age. This is the kind of stuff I can’t capture in photo alone and I am so glad to have.

Notes to myself (or you!) so I can remember how to pull it all together next year: in the 1se app mash it into the year, then pull that into iMovie, then put one of their stock songs (change “effects” to “theme music” to find seven choices), then copy/paste the song to fit the length of the movie, then take the volume way down (this is 3%), then export the file to my computer and then finally to YouTube and embed the link here. Sounds complex, but anyone can do it. You can also do it without music too. Just document! This is really special to have.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2019

Happy busiest shopping weekend of the year! If you’re looking for ideas for baby/kids/moms/dads, here are some things we love:

BABY/KID

Card games. This year we’ve just started getting into games with Trey and it is really fun having a family activity we can do together, especially with the rainy season just starting for us. Kids learn so much through play and games: turn taking, language and cognitive development, social skills, they really are a hidden gem for learning opportunities (and they’re fun!). Perfect stocking stuffers: this multi-pack, this, this, this (and great for teaching problem solving and empathy.)

We also have this picnic game which is a great first board game for kids, and some friends love this one (and it has amazing reviews) also this.

This scooter makes the list every year because it is such a favorite and gets so much use. $10 off here.

Bob Books Learn to Read beginning and advanced reader, both for ages 3-6. Perfect for the preschooler or kindergarten who’s interested in letters.

These piggy banks. Love the concept.

We’re just about to start feeding Blaire real food so I snagged this chair secondhand (we have another for Trey and have loved it), and will grab this baby set. Boring but needed!

Our favorite play kitchen. And along with it, the cash register.

Have heard rave reviews on this castle that you can color or paint on (and it is under $25!) and great for rainy day indoor play.

I shared this on Instagram but the coolest gift Trey got this year was a set of personalized name crayons. You can make your own so easily with a silicone alphabet mold here.

This cash register gets a lot of use with the kitchen.

Big ticket items: our trampoline (yes, very expensive) and our play set (similar), buying secondhand can save you big time on both.

Non-toys gift ideas (because we are really trying to pair down on all the stuff) - Children’s Museum pass, zoo pass, music class, basketball team, gymnastic lessons, swim lessons, an indoor trampoline pass, plane tickets for a trip.

MOM

Working out is saving my sanity this year so all I want for Christmas is new workout gear. These are my favorite leggings (and they’re on sale!) I have had one pair since they first came out (maybe 10 years ago? Is that right??) and they still haven’t stretched out and look new.

Wireless earbuds, Stockholm by Urbanista. This is one of those product that I’m just not sure how we survived life without it. Love being able to workout (or grocery shop!) while listening to music or a podcast and still be hands free.

An indestructible phone case. For the mom who juggles multiple children and her phone at the same time and needs extra protection. I’ve loved Otterbox for years, and finally upgraded from the iPhone 6 (yes, five years old) to the 10. I have this case on mine and it has saved my phone from so many drops and toddler mishaps.

For the mom who’s trying to make her wardrobe more sustainable: the best cotton v-neck white tee, ethically made and $18, here. Search “the cotton v-neck.”

Stocking stuffer idea: these hair ties are my favorite and hold my ponytail for an entire workout better than anything else I’ve tried.

DAD

Wireless earbuds. Tokyo by Urbanista. Daniel loves these for the gym.

An adult sized scooter. Daniel took this one to work and uses it to scooter around downtown when he needs to get somewhere faster than walking.

Insulated Water Bottle. These are our favorite and ethically made.

Wireless charger or phone case. For the techie dad (or busy mom!).

Slim wallet with amazing reviews and under $10. Great stocking stuffer.

GUIDE TO VANCOUVER

We snuck away for a quick two day, one night adventure to Vancouver. We brought both kids, and it’s never been “just us” before on a family vacation, we’ve always gone to see extended family or friends, so this was a first. It was a lot of chaos and a lot of fun.

Tacos: La Taqueria. Cheap and great. Happy Hour 3-6pm.

MeeT in Gastown. Almost everything is vegan/GF.

Nelson the Seagull. Cute coffee shop. We also liked JJ Bean.

One of the best parts of staying downtown: we walked everywhere and didn’t use our car for two days. This city double stroller by Thule saved us. This is the glider board which drives easier than the universal fit ones.

Our rookiest move was trying to eat in restaurants with small children. It was too much for our kids’ ages. Luckily we had Trey’s tablet with us which saved us multiple times, but we learned next time to just always take everything to go and picnic our way through the day. (Another options is to stay in an AirBnB outside the city so you’d have a kitchen.)

Pool of my dream! Kitsilano Pool. Heated, outdoor, saltwater pool. We spent hours here. Our whole family got in for $6 CAD (under $5 USD!) for the whole day with in/out privileges. Outside the city, so if you’re staying downtown it’s a short drive (or a bike ride).

Umaluma Gelato. Plant based, dairy free, right above the pool.

Our downtown hotel pool view was insane. It really is a gorgeous city nestled right next to water and mountains.

Other noteworthy things:

The exchange rate changes daily, buy when we went the rate was 1 CAD to .76 USD, which means everything is about 30% off if you pay with an American credit card. (Especially fun at the Lululemon flagship where the prices are the same as marked in the US, but you get the discount.)

At this time, babies need only a birth certificate to travel between countries, instead of a passport.

Pack all the snacks you think you’ll need, then double it.

A tablet (or something similar) and kids headphones are a lifesaver.

The drive time from Seattle is only about three hours, which we’ve found is the perfect amount of time for a road trip with kids at this age. Not too long, but far enough that you feel like you’re really out of your daily routine.

Seawall is a fun walk. We put the kids in the stroller, walked along the waterfront, and actually got to have a conversation.

Next time I want to try:

Coffee: Matchstick, Jam Cade, Le Marche St George, Federal Store, Liberty, Dalina

Eats: Nuba Town, Tacofino, Juice Truck, Las Margaritas, 33 Acres, Hey Komoko, Ask for Luigi, Tuc Craft Kitchen

Ice Cream: Rain or Shine, Earnest

To Do: Mt. Pleasant Park, Old Faithful Shop

We’re excited to go back! Traveling with kids takes some strategic planning, but the adventure is worth it. Just go, embrace the chaos, the laundry will still be there when you get back home.