Let's Here it for Aquarius!

You usually don't hear this from anyone above thirty...but thank goodness for birthdays. For Mandy and I it is a twice yearly excuse to get together and not fret about the cost of indulgences. It's a birthday after all. On Monday night we experimented with a new Glen Ellyn venue, Teas and Toes. With cruel Old Man Winter kickin some fierce windchill we settled inside and submerged our toes in a copper tub of rose petals and essential oils promising to relax us. We gladly complied. We were served kettles of tea with shortbread cookies and dark chocolate each taking turns with a magician (aka reflexologist). Who knew your baby toe needed to be massaged? Can you imagine anything better on a cold winter night? See Mandy, January birthdays aren't all that bad.

Bittersweet

Goodbyes are the worst, especially when your very favorite people are in town for a short weekend. Those last hugs tear at my heart every time. Here are some pics with our weekend guests. Uncle Josh was introduced to Louie's and Allyn was introduced to one of our favorite hang-outs, Garfield Park Conservatory.

Private Party

After all had gone home and the house was quiet, Jerry and I made a last minute decision to celebrate Ella's birthday, just us, in a memorable and meaningful way. I'm sure all who read this are following our train of thought...stimulating, action packed weekend filled with friends, family, activity and sugar, leads to further celebration at Chuck E Cheese. Even more activity, deafening video games, strobe lights atop skee ball machines, greasy pizza, winning tickets and stress over dime-store prizes awaited. Jerry and I made this decision willingly, granted, with partial sanity. Bottom line: We had fun. Surprising fun. Ella was quite proud of the prize ring we won.

Birthday Party Blow by Blow

Planning a two year old's birthday party requires much thought and consideration. A birthday party in a box would certainly not do. I consulted expert party thrower, Amanda Maletich months ago trying to decide how best to celebrate the beginning of Ella's second year. Themes like Elmo and Sesame Street were too obvious, too bourgeoius. We needed to go obscure but relatable. We decided on a Mad Hatter's Tea Party due to Ella's love of hats. Paper lanterns and playing card garland hung from the ceiling. Signage was painted and Jerry, Ella and I were costumed (Mad Hatter, Alice and the Queen of Hearts). Guests were to wear hats. What commenced on the 23rd can be best described as a learning experience. The take away message is as follows:
1. Leave the cupcake decorating up to the bakery. No matter how wonderfully behaved the party guests are, a table full of frosting, cupcakes, gummy worms and candy hearts is NEVER a wise choice. I am certain this unlimited bounty of sweets, all within arms reach of eager toddlers was a welcomed site to all of the parents in attendance. Let the hate mail begin...I so deserve it.
2. Institutions like Chuck E Cheese, McDonalds and local Bowling Alleys are good. So good in fact that those of you willing to endure round three of a Karela-Biag Birthday production will be treated to an off-site celebration in a controlled environment. Again, no cupcake decorating.
3. No matter how good your intentions to capture the day, a photographer must be appointed. Said photographer must promise not to include any pictures of frazzeled parents in the frame.
4. Lastly, although toiling over the details was fun. The very best part of the day was that we could share it with family and our very best friends. They are the ones that help us the remaining 364 days of the year. And being in the same room with this group of people that love and support your journey as new parents and entry into toddlerhood is the best gift ever.
Thank you Uncle Josh, Tito Jon, Tita Jo and Allyn for flying in to see us!

Two!

Ella,
Two years ago, right at this very moment, your Dad and I were celebrating in the birthing room at the University of Chicago Hospital. You had just been weighed and measured. Pink socks were on your tiny little feet and you were placed in our arms for the very first time. Little did we know how much joy our six pound, one ounce baby girl would bring us. Your father and I find ourselves constantly in the wake of your energy and humor with big goofy smiles on our faces because you just do that to us. You sing, you dance, your animation would make Disney jealous. Beyond all of the motion and laughter, some of my favorite moments are the quiet minutes before bedtime. We get in our rocking chair and rock and rock; sharing stories in whispered voices.
To our little girl with the generous heart and smile...we love you so very much. Happy Birthday.
Mom and Dad

Pickles and Ice Cream?

Nope, salt and vinegar chips, sauerkraut, Chinese take-out, and sour patch kids. Based on current medical theory, I must be deficient of msg, high fructose corn syrup, sodium and whatever it is that makes sauerkraut so darn appealing. I am no longer in control of my stomach, my taste buds or my senses. It was much worse with Ella. I remember craving the fried, breaded flesh of chicken. It sounds so wrong, doesn't it? She really should have been named after the Colonel.

It's a Nephew!

Jon, Jo and Allyn found out that they were having a baby boy this afternoon...and thanks to skype, we did too. Allyn, take it from your Tita Sarah, it's great fun being a big sis. We are so looking forward to meeting our nephew, Dean Emilio this spring. Although Jo is due in May, Jerry, Ella and I are keeping our fingers crossed that little man will be born in mid April when we next visit Boston. Jo, don't suppose there will be snow to shovel in April. Perhaps we can have you run the marathon? Love you guys!

Announcing Biag 2.0

We are FINALLY making the news public. It's official, this July, Ella will be welcoming a new baby brother or sister. Gender to be announced at a later date...yep, that's right, we're total party crashers and finding out. You will too. The practical wins over this time. We will be taking bets this go-around. Thought it might be fun to see who has a winning record in regard to Biag/Karela offspring thus far (win/loss/prediction Biag 2.0):


Jerry 0 1 Boy
Sarah 0 1 Boy
Mandy 0 1 Girl
Chinese Calendar 0 1 Girl
Laura 1 0 Boy
Mimi's Psychic 0 1 Mom - time to book another appointment

Ella's sure been doing a lot of thinking lately and when she does it looks something like this. Makes us crack up each and every time.

Last night I attended my first yoga class at Oak Park Yoga Center. Take that New Year’s Resolutions! Was it relaxing? Yes. Did it supply me with calming energy? Yes. Did it stimulate my chakras? Maybe more so than I bargained for. Girl got her money’s worth. As the class was winding down, just as my mind surrendered to the quiet around me, the instructor asked us to sit, root ourselves to the ground and start kegaling. And in my head, I’m all like, “I’m sorry what?”. Now I try to be open to new experiences, the human form is nothing to be ashamed of and all that. But remember, this is the girl that gets squeamish changing in a locker room. To sit in a room full of women as they focus their energies on their nether region is not something that is conducive with Sarah’s internal peace. Surely they would know if I decided to sit this one out, wouldn’t they? I need to get over this before next Thursday. Maybe I should put on a Ani DeFranco c.d. and embrace my womanhood.

Handyman

Jer,
It amazes me how you can fix a dryer, a flue, a furnace, our cars. I've been in awe as you've erected a fence, caulked our bathroom, patched walls, fixed leaks and dug out ancient, overgrown evergreens. I've also watched you handle my jewelry with care, untangling necklaces and reconnecting broken clasps. No feat is too big...or too little. This weekend you installed two storm doors in single degree temperatures. I don't think your body fully thawed until today.
I know, I know, I squawk an awful lot about how much I do (isn't that a mom's job?)...but goodness you do an awful lot too. Thank you for being such a hard worker.
Much, much love to my unsung hero.
Sar

Dorothy and Julia

I remember sitting in my grandmother's living room as a child and hearing one of two voices, either Bob Barker from the Price is Right but more regularly, Julia Child. I don't ever recall a coq au vin or a boeuf borguignon on the dinner table. In fact, I doubt a lime jello fruit salad ever made Ms. Child's recipe book. None the less, Julia would always accompany an afternoon at my grandmother's house. The recent release of Julie and Julia brought back these memories. It has inspired me to spend an evening with my own mother as we try our hand at a lemon souffle. The movie has further inspired me to go through my own cookbooks, perhaps not daily, but weekly to flush out some winning recipes. This house is ready to move beyond frozen pizzas. Ella needs to learn that all food does not originate from the microwave. Wish us luck and until then, Bon Appetite!

Ringing in 2010

2010

January 1st always brings an air of promise and is therefore one of my favorite days of the year. Last night, as we bid farewell to 2009, I couldn't help but think about what the new year will bring...or better yet, what I can bring to the new year. So, here it is for all to see (all two of you), in written form...definitely a more binding contract in my opinion.
1. Date night, once a month with my sweetie. NO EXCEPTIONS. Time to road test that prospective baby-sitter across the street. Ready for a challenge Nina?
2. Exercise and Relaxation - Two problems, one solution. Yoga classes starting next week. "Namaste", nuff said.
3. Host at least two dinner parties/larger social gatherings at our home. Time to get over hosting anxiety...my lasagna will be good enough, dammit.
4. Take more pictures. Take better pictures. Sign up for a class at the Chicago Photography Center.
5. Start a vacation fund and start making plans now. Long term plans...a road trip through British Columbia, a drive up Oregon's coast (Cannon Beach) to Seattle, hiking the Grand Canyon, fall foliage in the northeast, Guanajuato, Mexico, not to mention numerous visits to family in Boston and Denver. Is it considered neglect if we forgo Disney?
6. Last but certainly not least, continue the work towards raising a happy, self assured, healthy and potty trained little girl.

I know that 2010 will bring a whole new layer of adventure...more to come soon.