what momma writes

mister john had a day off this week. we decided to do something fun. family fun. we'd been talking about going to the zoo (you know, like families do...) since july.  it happened to be gorgeous out so a trip to the zoo seemed like an optimal choice. (especially since my sister gave us half price tickets and we'd only be spending about 2 hours there!) after parking, $8.00's later, we arrived. i had envisioned stella obsessing over the large animals and being excited. only, it was john and i who were more interested in the animals. and, because it's november (not july when we initially talked about going to the zoo) a lot of the animals were not on "display" ... we passed many a'signs that read "brrrrr it's cold out here" aka you can't check us out until maybe, next spring (er maybe next july like we planned). we took stella in and out of her stroller to see the animals. so, i have to say, i was a little disappo...

flea markets, craft fairs and the like bring me so much joy. i love seeing small businesses and local artisans thrive. and thrive in our city. very cool. this is the 2nd season of the city flea  and 2nd successful season i might add.  i always say i am going to go to the market and come home with 1 item, but that never happens.  i always get my staple whirlybird granola  and usually one or two other items that tickle my fancy. i have a vintage chair addiction as well. it's a good thing we don't have a larger house bc i'd have a room full of old chairs.  here's a looksie at some of this years flea finds: chevron vintage chair / old school child's seat wooden elephant teether love letter box / soap dispenser in mason jar distressed painted porch table tshirt from the Z kids @ xyz art / always a coffee  ... and bird and i, without a doubt, run into some pals. fun. thanks for the good times and good finds, flea.  ...

oh what fun we had! besides the logistical (small)    hurdles   going super smooth, we were blessed with superb weather and surrounded by great friends. we flew into JFK, but were able to spot the city on the car ride  CT. Thanks Janine for picking us up! You are the best. we stayed at my friend Jessie's house and were able to see the lovely bride getting pampered at the salon (and a few others stella's size) after treating ourselves to a pedicure. the dapper groom in the middle there - i don't think he stopped smiling the entire ceremony. they looked so in love. meg and her bridesmaids waiting for photos on the golf course. her colors were gray and yellow. everything looked perfect. we stole a pic of the 3 roomies from E. 27ths street! the good ole days. our friend lyndsay and danny watched stella while i was at meg's wedding. they took such good care of the bird and even sent me a pic of her napping which made me f...

as maternity leave comes to a close i've been savoring my time with moments like these.

... not grandmother's house, but to aunt taryn's house we go! it was your first road trip and sleep over. mark it and check it.  little lamb was great in the car to columbus and cleveland.  slept most or all of the way. jillian drove both ways to cleveland, she's such a peach. we stayed with auntie jillie and uncle matt in columbus and they took such good care of us. you slept like a champ and it was so nice having a wife all weekend. my boss told me everyone needs a wife. it couldn't be more true. husbands are wonderful of course, but wife's, they just know what we need, when we need it. i have to give matt props for warming up the car, making brownies, rocking you while we were getting our stuff together or i had to shower. you were surely spoiled. our MF crew. sorry didn't have time to photoshop mary in here. still making the reunions happen.  (please excuse my shirt. it's not really cut like that, but stella is pulling it down.) all t...

happy friday, friends! mister john and i are going on our first date since stella. we probably won't be getting down on friday like most, but uh, much needed and will be good to get out sans baby for a flash, but  i'll be happy to come back to this sweet, little bird's face too! ... enjoy the long weekend.

fall is by far the best season  and october is by far the best month. always sad to see it drift through so fast. here are some october hi.lites for 2011: october, we will miss you, but november *should* be interesting.

yes i called us the assholes. but it was sort of fun to refer to ourselves as that. since john works our real anniversary weekwnd and i am saving every day possible  for maternity we decided to go away for the long weekend. the a*holes have been saving (er, at least this a*hole has...) ... so yea, the a*holes met a*ville. i knew we would have a good time but hopefully i can speak for the both of us when i said we had a great time. i am in love with asheville, nc. it was the perfect mix of mountain air and quaint city streets. we stayed in an adorable chalet  5 minutes from downtown asheville  & would highly recommend the stay - we plan on going back. we were fed well! the food was just delectable. we tried out the laughing seed tupelo honey cafe well bred cafe thank goodness for the walking and hiking as i consumed so much. we checked out the town of montreat and hiked a "moderate" trail. however, i would like to see the "strenuous" trails a...

life's going quickly. but i've managed to capture little bits along the way. here's what has been up lately. 1. we had an ink explosion in the dryer. ruined clothes. called for a gift card splurge. 2. yoga on ludlow. such a treat on saturday morn. outside. 3. grandma turned 82. so young. she made her yummy peach pie. 4. pockets went on a sticker binge during the bday party. 5. i am attempting to edge. not well. not consistently. but learning. 6. park. jog. perspective. snapshot. 7. a big red balloon. where's my tummy? 8. a lovely tuesday evening for a jog and walk. 9. garbage can art. i like it. 10. on the porch with my little after i successfully self-pedicured my toes. 1. celebrated F.I.L. bob's bday and hazel enjoyed opening his presents. 2. lunch with " my kids " - - great to catch up with these guys. 3. dad's been busy working on our master closet... 4. i've been busy trying to ignore all the pumpkin gear that i want. i may have a pumpki...

a niece turns 2! i can't believe how old she looks with her big girl ponytail. i almost didn't recognize her. it was a little rainy at first,  but the kiddies ate pizza, played in the park and had giggle fests. although i didn't catch a smile, i think this picture is perfect. h#2bd to our hazelton!

better late than never. just a few shots from some local markets. ah. so many little gems. so many creative cats. good cincinnati energy. the city flea   hyde park farmers market graeter's ice cream $1.41 cent cone day. yum.

over the 4th O july weekend john and i traveled to san diego. (insert 'why did we come back' face here). a family wedding brought us to the beautiful west coast  where we were able to spend time with family and extended family.  john + i shared a space with our sis-n-bro & had some QT pockets time. it was all too hard to narrow down shots of our trip, but here's my best try- 1) sandy + jeff's "i do's" **i actually sang a little ditty at the wedding, if i come across a recording, perhaps i'll post it**   2) they married and receptioned at quite the enchanted location. no words. 3) grams and gramps celebrated 60 years of "i do-ing" - 1/2 way there!! 4) one of  the many beautiful seascapes 5) we walked and jogged on the sunset cliffs edge  6) read our books ocean side 7) enjoyed our little inn and pool 8) cookouts + sunsets enjoyed 9) i sipped my water while john sipped his brew  10 + 11) and pockets hammed it up for all ...

hope everyone had a nice 4th O july. our family sure did. spent the 4th on the west coast with much to celebrate all weekend long! more to come.

and now we have one! this past weekend, friends, nick and lindsay launched their new project the {513} City Flea . i am so proud of all their efforts and thrilled we have yet another fab "to do" in cinci. these 2 city dwellers are helping bring more life into cinci and otr - we are so lucky to have the lindsay and nick's here! (thanks!) i lugged my massive camera down to hit the flea, but didn't get many pics  b.c. i was engrossed in all the goodies and sipping on an ice cold mango tea! i posted a couple shots, but apologies for not being on my game. their friend from kiwi street took some rad shots - click HERE ! SERIOUSLY click that link b/c the photos are just fantastic.  something i can strive for next time... If you missed this weekend's flea goodness - mark your calendars for the next ones: July 9 August 6 September 3 Click HERE for more info. i almost bought this little gem twice over.  i came home without it.  i had a vision for the babies room, bu...