1. Being Baby Captives- Somebody got used to being cuddled for everything/ falling asleep to the sweet buzz of benadryl, so now he basically won't sleep unless held, therefor continuing our 4 months of constant sleep-related drama. I have got nothing done. On the bright side, he is more willing to cuddle, and that is pretty darn cute.

2. Finishing our PEPS group- We are one week away from ending our first Peps leadership, and it was all in all a really lovely experience. It makes a big difference to work helping others into our schedule even now when things are consistently nuts. We are planning a short hiatus until the fall, and then we will be back to it. Have other moms with babies found ways to volunteer?

3. The End of July- I know I am like the only person, but I really hate summer. We live in a city where summer isn't even all that summerish, but thanks to El Nino, we have had some hot days in air conditioner-less homes. Things start cooling down/ raining again in Seattle in August, so I am hoping even if it stays summery, it will be more tolerably so. July kicked our butts, and no one needs a sick baby in a hot house. Ready to turn the page for sure, so we can get to my favorite season- fall!

from newsweek.com

4. Greenpeace vs. Shell- I was blown away with the world-changing commitment of the protestors who blocked the way for the Shell ship in Portland the last two days. I genuinely hope that Shell misses their small window to drill, because there is no known way to clean up a spill if (and when) it happens.

You can still write the White House or sign a petition to ask him to change his position on this issue, as it is incredibly disappointing that he would even allow this while simultaneously speaking on the White House's commitment to the environment. It seems so amazing to me that a few people could make a difference like this, and I hope that people continue to fight back like they did in Seattle and Portland (2 of the only ports that still allow Shell to park their ships in for repairs- so shame on them as well).

5. Ice Cream Surprises- Man, we have some good will to pay forward after this week, because my family has been particularly good to us as we fight through The Bub's sickness. It was so fun to get ice cream in the mail, and I just feel lucky to have such a wonderful sister in law who is looking out for us.

6.  Preserve- This company (you can buy their stuff on amazon) makes plastic plates and cutlery in the US from 100% recycled plastic. It's throwaway/ lightweight stuff you can use over and over again. Or if you don't want to, you can mail it back to them. The Boy's Aunt Patty is a ninja master at reusing disposable silverware, so I think they should consider her as a mascot.

I am going to highlight something great going as often as I can, because the world is hard, but people really are good to each other.

from https://www.facebook.com/ruckabyebaby/photos/a.524994074219799.131330.524993970886476/559080077477865/?type=1&theater

Ruckabye Baby is an organization that gives baby wraps to wounded veterans who may not be able to carry their children otherwise. I love this idea, and I feel like that sweet cuddliness would be so great for bonding after a long separation or even calming and healing nerves after going through so much. i feel like it is a genius idea and a super cute premise, so if you just want to see some adorableness today, check this out!

1. Ice in this baby lollipop thing- Teether who? We have 2 of these and they just rotate.

2. "Is that it?"- my cousin Ben's reaction to the Space Needle when he first saw it. Everyone be warned, this guest is not easily impressed!

3. Oysters- Salty, sweet, and a big like a giant booger. Fun to watch Ben try, even if he was not super impressed.

4. This night- Where we kicked off Ben's visit by eating Cupcake Royale cupcakes in an intertube in the middle of the kitchen. Because, why not? The cupcakes were delicious and the seat was oh so cushy. Perfect practice for the Boy's trip down the river the next day.

5. Flowers from my Momma- It is safe to say I have been having a really rough couple of weeks and that I am having a lot of trouble keeping myself afloat, so this was just the lift I needed. My mom is the best.

6. This kid- Best wedding DJ of all time. He is saying "The bride and her dad are about to dance now.. so.. uh.. pay attention." He was also missing at the start of the ceremony, in the best way ever.

7. A Night Out- Not a super common thing for us right now, and I think the Boy especially had a great time.

8. Grooms who Dance- That's a keeper.


9. Clouds and Rain- It has finally been overcast and rainy the past two days. I was born for the Pacific Northwest, because I actually feel relieved when the weather is wet and cold. I wish it was like this everyday, to be honest. It is much easier to keep a baby warm than to try to figure out how to keep him cool in an air conditionless house.

10. This- I just thought it was such a pretty color. A happy little nothing in our day.

"Every time you spend money,your casting a vote for the kind of world you want"-Anne Lappe

from http://buynothingproject.org/

Last month, I joined a Buy Nothing group for our neighborhood, and I seriously love it so much. In case, like me, you don't know about it- The Buy Nothing Project is a large network of facebook groups where neighbors can either post things they have they no longer need or request things they need but don't have. You can't sell things, advertise things, or point people to other groups; the point is just hand to hand exchange of stuff (no money!). I feel like this project is life-changing, and here's why:

1. It Sets You Up to be Kind Everyday- Last week, a woman who is running away from an abusive husband came up to Seattle with her child and a backpack. Someone recommended the group to her, and I was so moved to watch our neighborhood outfit her with furniture, clothes for her kid, food to start, basically everything she needed. It was really moving to see how quickly people will part with their stuff to help someone else. I have also seen new foster parents get outfitted with everything they need And a pregnant woman in the hospital with complications have supplies she needed waiting for her on the porch when she got home.

Since joining, I think I had 5 or 6 people come to pick things up. So much of that stuff (some maternity clothes, skinny jeans sitting and mocking me, a bouncer, already retired baby clothes) that I let sit because "I might need it someday" is being put to real use now, and honestly it feels good. The Boy is worried I will give everything in our house away, but it does feel so good to see someone ask for something and know that we can help them. It feels like good stewardship to just keep things moving and in use.

These exchanges really do build community in the neighborhood I am in, moreso than anything else we are involved in so far in Seattle. The Buy Nothing Project is large enough here that they have it split into neighborhoods, so I am meeting many more people nearby (I think our group is going to break in 2 soon as well). It sets up cycles of gratitude and giving, and it really is amazing.

2. It Minimizes Waste- Did you know the average American will produce 60 times their weight in plastic waste in their lifetime? Sixty times! And that stuff isn't going anywhere. When you have a baby, you go through so much stuff so fast, it's practically one time use, but if you keep passing that bassinet or excersaucer along, you can get so many more years of useful life out of it. There is this narrative that we need everything, but you only really need things while you need them, and if 5 babies use that same onesie for 3 months each, you have really made it worth it (baby clothes is also a great place to do this because it is near impossible to find made in America or Ethically made little people wares).

3. It can Save a Lot of Money- In the month I have been involved, I have seen people give away fancy strollers, televisions, furniture, and all sorts of baby clothes. I have also seen tons of kitchen stuff and even fresh veggies from gardens go. Our group is even starting special clothes exchanges so similarly-shaped women can share dresses instead of buying new ones for every event we go to. If you can use the group to save (oodles) of money, you can make more ethical/ healthy choices elsewhere as well. It makes me think of my brother who is moving across the country.

You aren't going to be able to stop buying anything (at least I don't think so), but you can give yourself some cushion to only spend where you absolutely need to/ where you can be doing good with your money. It can totally shift your paradigm, and change how you spend your money.

So yeah, I love this project.

You can learn more about the Buy Nothing project here. You can find your group here. There are also lots of places in the US that don't have one yet, so if your area isn't covered- think about starting one! I really think it would be simple once the page is set up, and if you don't want to fight with that part, I would happily help.  I think it would be an amazing service to your area and it is a great opportunity to be a good steward for the environment!

Well, maybe. But I could use more positivity in my tragic, sleep-deprived life, so I am going to try to give the blog a real comeback. It's going to look like an inspirational sports movie up in here.  I think if I gave up most facebooking (and therefore most sensational "World is Ending" and "True Christian Bakeries Only Serve Heterosexuals" types of headlines) I could spend more time on being positive and not composing angry retorts to your confederate meme-ing in my head.

So, I have mostly been spending my time begging a very determined baby to sleep. He does not want to sleep. He really does not want to sleep. He has heard that other babies his age have got the sleep thing going on, but they are fools. He is sure something really fun is going on and we are trying to trick him out of it. If he finds zombie staring into space and looking at Pennsylvania real estate crazy good times, then he is right.

That being said, life remains pretty awesome, and our spawn is otherwise hilarious and sweet and a lovely reminder that we all are just made so weird. Here is a big long list of awesome things for the last month, and let's all hope I can pull my shiz back together again, if only because I am sick of listening to myself whine. Also, because you can only read so much about our trip to Hawaii.

 1. That Baseball Knows how Boring it is- And that is super boring. I would much rather watch a sport that agrees with me that it isn't very interesting than something horrible like basketball or football. Also, 3 cheers for being back in a city with a less than stellar team.

2. Beatles Month- We listened to the Fab Four all June, and I can say without a doubt, "Why Don't we Do it in the Road" remains my jam. It makes you think- why would anyone want to do it in the road? Cement is hard! Being hit by a car while doing it seems like it could ruin the mood.

 3. Scallops and Quinoa- I know the plate looks doushey, but it also tastes delicious so I am not sorry. At Ray's Cafe, which has quickly risen into my top 5 Seattle restaurants.

 4. Visits with my Mom a Week after we Visited her- Even if she keeps feeding our child ice cream.

5. Still Not Being Fancy Enough for the Nice Mall- We got intimidated and left. I just don't think I have that girl in me.

6. Sitting in our Yard to Eat- Tomato Salad on our back deck is summer to me. Glad my Mom was there to celebrate summer with us.

 7. Traveling with a Stroller- I lie, traveling with anything more than the bare essentials is complete nonsense. Only bright side? Taking the elevators leads you to corners like this. Apparently LAX is opening up a haunted house wing. Just looking at the picture, I feel like I might be murdered. Let this be a lesson to all of us; leave your nonsense at home, people!

 8. Sprinkles Cupcakes- My sister in law works there, and I am so grateful when she brings us cupcakes, but I hate myself soon after. Have the triple cinnamon and the pumpkin; they are both worth the self-flagellation later.

9. Being in my Brother's Apartment- It makes me a little sad to think that might be the last time, but we used to visit pretty often, so I like feeling so comfortable in their space. Also, I like Koreatown and that they live by every grocery store.

 10. The New Art in Crack Den HoJo- You can dress the scary hotel up, but you can't cover up its glorious, tacky, Bob-Ross-even-hates-it spirit. Still, we had a shower curtain this time, so serious improvement.

 11. These Three- Doesn't get much better than this!

12. Pag's Love for the Baby Carrier- Who knew? He rocked that thing, and he looked damn cute carrying a baby in front of him.

13. Short Flights- A travel day that can start and end in less than 6 hours has become a real treat in our life.

14. Dropping off a Rental Car- So much less horrible than picking up a rental car.


 15. Somebody is Crawling, Sitting, Climbing, and Generally Kicking our (Not Babyproofed) Asses- Oy. It's only exciting for the first 5 minutes. Then it all gets terrifying.

16. Top Pot Doughnuts-  Dear Seattle, I love you, and thank you for the doughnuts (not to mention the kind of friends who bring them to brunch).


 17. The Baby Posse- They are already cooler than I will ever be. Why doesn't everyone's hair stay that amazing?

18. Awkward Visits with Nearly Broken Up Couples- Why is this a re-occuring thing with us? So weird. On a side rant, what's up with 40-somethings who can't host a party? It surprises me every time, but it is kind of fun as well.

19. Fans and Excersaucers-  Hot day. Cool baby. Just leave them directly in front of the fan and contained.

20. Boobie Bites (and Becoming a Lady Who Lunches)- The PEPS group we are leading loves to make the most of that maternity leave, which primarily means drinking wine and making a batch of cookies. These ladies know what they are doing, and I have really appreciated getting to hang out with them. It makes me realize how Stay at Home Moms get sucked into that all the time, because it really tops hermiting all on your own!


 21. Paella- Best scallops the Boy ever made. We will master this dish, and we will do it faster if you all will come to visit!

22. Shock to your System Honesty- Isn't great when you are hanging out with someone who just tells you the truth, ugly, messy, unexpected, even unpleasant? I love it, because I have to sort of struggle to do it myself. It makes someone instantly more likable to me if they don't have that protective layer of bullshit.

23. Jesus Storybook Bible- It has made me weep basically every story thus far. It glows with joy, sadness, and love, and I just think everyone should have one, whether they have a bub or not. Best recommendation ever from my amazing cousin.

 24. The Boy's First Father's Day- This is how he wanted to spend it. What a Man What a Man.

 25. That our Gardner Calls his Partner "My Lady"- It sounds sexist as I type it, but he pulls it off. He also loves to talk about Poke and Hawaii.


26. A Very Small Collection of Toys- Why do people buy infants so many toys? This one is perfectly content to flip his playmat or play with a used napkin. The bar will never be lower, and I want to encourage this minimal expectation.

 27. Soaker Hoses-  I didn't even know this was a thing that existed, but it does, and we have mastered them. On to the next challenge.


 28. Reuniting with these Two- I met both of these women 2 summers at Galileo (that was two years ago!?!?) and I think they are both Magic people. Spending the day with them was a huge treat for a girl who was feeling majorly down, and I just think they are the coolest, even if they do make me feel old.


29. Magic Long Nights of Talking- This is one of those things that feels more rare and precious as you get older, so it was nice to sit, get eaten alive by bugs, and to wax philosophical about God, the environment, our futures, love, what it means to be in your 20's. The little things. It's a privilege to lose track of time every now and then.

30. The Boy- What a Man ,What a Man, What a Man, What a Mighty Good Man. Yes, he is.