All About Aoife

moving...

2010-07-11T20:22:00.000-07:00

Please check out my new blog:

Mama Wintry

2010-06-13T17:35:00.001-07:00

I wear my sunglasses at night

2010-06-13T17:33:00.000-07:00

at the beach

2010-06-13T17:30:00.000-07:00

sometimes...

2010-06-13T17:27:00.000-07:00

sometimes you just have to tape feathers to your face and body.

Building the playhouse with daddy

2010-06-13T17:24:00.000-07:00

And the winner is...

2010-05-09T18:31:00.000-07:00

Michelle DeMello!! Congratulations and Happy Mother's Day to all of you!

Thank you all for participating and donating to such a great cause!

Win a $50.00 Barnes and Noble Gift Card!

2010-05-04T13:59:00.000-07:00

It's Tuesday Blog party time. I am a little late in starting, but I hope you'll take a moment decide to drop a donation here.

This blog party is in honor of my niece, Tuesday Fiona Whitt... Tuesday lost her battle with cancer last year. Her parents have created Whatchagonnado.org, to help other families who have a child with cancer. It will help provide travel, food, daily expenses and if needed, funeral arrangements... I wish that organizations such as that weren't needed... but until there is a cure, there is a tremendous need for Whatchagonnado.org...

My mom and I are donating a $50.00 gift card to Barnes and Noble! The perfect mother's day gift or gift to yourself!

So, how do you win?

Click the button to donate $1 to the Tuesday Fiona Whitt Foundation, which benefits Whatchagonnado.org.
Be sure to come back here and leave me a comment of your donation.If you would like to make one donation, instead of many individual donations, please feel free to donate however is easiest for you. If you end up donating $10, but only find 5 auctions you are interested in, you can use those additional dollars as additional entries. Be sure to enter for the other wonderful give aways that are being auctioned!

Cousins!

2009-10-26T14:15:00.000-07:00

Aoife's Playhouse

2009-09-29T09:49:00.000-07:00

Paul spent the weekend building Aoife a playhouse! It still needs a roof, a porch and a paint job, but we all LOVE it!!

Harvest Party in the Gorge

2009-09-29T09:47:00.000-07:00

Every year we head up to Corbett, in the Columbia River Gorge for a big harvest party. Aoife enjoyed some corn and I enjoyed the view of the gorge on the way home!

I like to ride my tricycle, I like to ride my trike

2009-09-29T09:45:00.000-07:00

Swifts!

2009-09-29T09:40:00.000-07:00

OK, so these aren't very good photos, but if they were better you'd be able to see hundreds of little birds circling around and flying into a chimney. These are Vaux Swifts and every September they spend the month roosting in a chimney in a school in Portland. We went to watch and got a great show this year--several hawks were hanging out and kept swooping in for a swift. When they did, the whole group of swifts would fly off and circle around over and over. It was a great show. As Aoife kept saying, "bye bye birdies." (I think the hawks were saying that as well).

Bikes!

2009-09-25T14:04:00.000-07:00

If you need us, we'll be out riding bikes....

Bikes!

2009-09-25T14:02:00.001-07:00

If you need us, we'll be out riding bikes....

A new family tradition

2009-09-25T13:56:00.000-07:00

We had so much fun mushroom hunting last year, we decided we would do it every fall. We drove out to the Mt. Hood National Forest and took a walk in the woods (a long walk) looking for mushrooms. It was a slow start--once we got about 3 miles in on a logging road, we found a box for a 40" TV, but no mushrooms. It was raining and I was determined to come home with more than wet pant legs, so we kept going, even though Aoife refused to walk in her rain boots (the only shoes we had for her), but at last we found some! We got about a basket full. That night I cooked up some delicious chanterelle and chicken sauce over pasta. It was good, but the hunt was the best part!

Canning!

2009-09-25T13:50:00.000-07:00

A friend called a few weeks ago to say they were moving and I could come pick all the apples off their apple tree. Since the kids I watch go through a jar of applesauce a day, I figure I'd just make my own! We went crazy that night and canned pints and quarts aplenty! It was so fun and so delicious, I've been going to the farmer's markets and buying up pears to make and can pear sauce and pear butter. YUM!

Summer's End

2009-09-16T13:51:00.000-07:00

The days are still warm (hot actually) but the nights are starting to get chilly. We harvested our corn last night. I didn't cook it long enough, so it wasn't very good--but watching Aoife shuck the corn was worth it!

What We did over Summer Vacation

2009-09-15T22:54:00.000-07:00

OK, I realize it has been far too long since I've posted to the blog. The official end of summer is this weekend, and I realize I hadn't posted since before summer officially began. But who could find the time when we were so busy with mud-slinging, alligator wrestling, worm eating and the general shenanigans of summer? I've updated with some photos of our summer happenings. And, for what it's worth, I have every intention of being better about posting more regularly, so do check back!

playing in a small pick-up band

2009-09-15T22:52:00.000-07:00

Did I mention my daughter is a rock star?

Thank God for plexiglass!!

2009-09-15T22:51:00.000-07:00

One of Many Firsts...

2009-09-15T22:45:00.000-07:00

Sure, we all remember first smiles, first teeth, first steps, but how many of you out there can recall your first demolition derby? Well, probably most of you, if you've been to one. Who could forgot such a monumental experience? "Uh-Oh cars!"

Who needs indoor plumbing?

2009-09-15T22:44:00.000-07:00

Aoife has taken to bathing herself in the rain barrel Paul built. This new habit of hers is really going to save us money!

What's growing in the garden these days?

2009-09-15T22:41:00.000-07:00

AOIFE!! She loves to sit in the garden and dig up "wormies!" I have had to stop her from eating said wormies about 50 times this summer. When she finally gave up on eating worms, she turned to pulling out my plants. If only she knew which ones were the weeds, and pulled them instead!

2009-09-15T22:38:00.000-07:00

We were so delighted to have our friends Heather and Gabbie home for the summer from their teaching post in Senegal. Aoife is wearing a Senegalese dress and having a ball out in beautiful Sandy, OR!

Eggies!

2009-09-15T22:34:00.000-07:00

Our friends moved out to the country and are raising 9 chickens. On our recent trips out to visit, Aoife has been lucky enough to collect the eggs. She couldn't be more delighted with this farm task, and often reminisces about the times she got to "holda eggies."

Oregon Country Fair 2009

2009-09-15T22:30:00.000-07:00

Every year we go to the Oregon Country Fair, and this year was no exception. Except we got there the day after flying home from Ireland. Except that we were totally jet lagged. Except that it was the biggest rain storm I'd ever seen. Except that there was so much mud everywhere you couldn't walk two feet without slipping and landing smack down in a giant mud puddle. No matter, we just partied in the van!

2009-09-15T21:31:00.000-07:00

An amazing father, a wonderful father-in-law, a devoted and loving grandfather. We miss you, Granda!!

in the garden

2009-06-05T22:00:00.000-07:00

It seems all those encouraging words from Aoife ("grow peas, grow!") worked! Each day, Aoife and I go out and eat ourselves some peas straight from the garden!

Popsicles!

2009-06-05T21:56:00.000-07:00

We've had some very hot days lately. Fortunately, Aoife has volunteered to be the official popsicle taster at our house. That's very brave of her, since I am constantly making up new creations to freeze. So far, all but one has been a success!!

Good Morning!

2009-06-05T21:52:00.000-07:00

Happy Earth Day!

2009-04-23T18:40:00.000-07:00

Aoife at the Park

2009-04-23T18:36:00.000-07:00

My Little Blueberry Girl

2009-04-21T15:57:00.000-07:00

The Girls' Beach Trip

2009-04-21T15:50:00.000-07:00

Blythe, Aoife and I hit the road yesterday for some beach time. We drove out to Cannon Beach and found a cozy cove to hang out in for as long as the sun shined on us. After Aoife ate her weight in sand, we figured it was probably time to go. On the way home, we found this great little nursery nestled in the coast range. Aoife was all tuckered out for the drive home. A good time was had by all!!

Happy Easter!

2009-04-13T10:44:00.000-07:00

Like mother, like daughter

2009-04-13T10:43:00.000-07:00

Goodnight Moon

2009-04-13T10:39:00.000-07:00

In the great green room there was a telephone, and a red balloon and a picture of...
I can recite the entire book by heart, because I have read it 64 million times (and that was only counting last week's reads). It's Aoife's current favorite--she likes to find the kittens, say meow, then go through each page saying "bye bye" to everything on the page! (she is also really into hats at the moment--especially if they aren't hers!)

Cooking up a storm

2009-04-13T10:31:00.000-07:00

Like her mama, Aoife has found a love of cooking! She has helped make bread, oatmeal cookies, and even churn (okay, shake) butter! I can't wait for her to make us dinner!

In the out of doors

2009-04-13T10:26:00.000-07:00

Aoife loves to explore outdoors. I often find Paul showing Aoife how to kick a soccer ball, and she loves to help me in the garden. Paul showed her an earthworm, and we had to stop her from eating it!! Mmm, mmm, earthworms!

Erin Go Bragh!

2009-04-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

Our little Elf!

2009-04-13T10:21:00.000-07:00

This first picture reminds me of Holly Hobbie!

Ring Around the Rosie

2009-04-13T10:17:00.000-07:00

Aoife's new favorite game is Ring Around the Rosie. She loves to hold hands, walk in the circle, and then watch everyone else fall down while she stands and laughs. "More, more, more!" She says (and signs) as soon as one game is over. I can only play about 16 games in a row before I need to go throw up from spinning so much!

Sweet Tuesday, we miss you!

2009-04-13T10:14:00.001-07:00

When I die if you need to weep
Cry for your brother or sister
Walking the street beside you
And when you need me put your arms around anyone
And give them what you need to give me.

I want to leave you something
Something better than words or sounds.

Look for me in the people I've known or loved
And if you cannot give me away
At least let me live in your eyes and not on your mind.

You can love me most by letting hands touch hands
By letting bodies touch bodies
And by letting go of children that need to be free.

Love doesn't die, people do
So when all that's left of me is love
Give me away.

--Merritt Malloy

Barcelona

2009-03-22T10:39:00.000-07:00

While in Belfast, we took a "mini-break" to Barcelona. The travel itch got us and Paul and I spent new year's day searching for cheap tickets to somewhere in Europe. Barcelona won for being the cheapest--so we strapped that babe on our back and took off for two days. Aoife was an amazing traveller!! She took in the sights, charmed the Spaniards and only had one major meltdown! That's our girl!!

Aoife and her cousins

2009-01-22T12:12:00.000-08:00

Aoife had a ball playing with her cousins Aaron, Gareth, Adam and wee Alfie!

Christmas in Conyers

2009-01-22T12:05:00.000-08:00

After 3 different attempts to leave Portland, we finally made it out on the night of Christmas Eve. The snow stormed tried to stop us, but we were determined!! We flew all night and landed in Atlanta at 5:45am. My aunt and uncle were there to pick us up and we all got to celebrate Christmas together!! We opened presents, ate good food, Aoife got to dance with Uncle Jim and play with Aunt SuSu and we even got to take a nap before heading back to the airport. We flew out Christmas night and again, flew all night to arrive in Dublin the next morning!

Just in case!

2009-01-16T16:54:00.000-08:00

Since I went for groceries in the snow, Paul did his share of the chores by building us a snow house (with help from the neighbors) just in case!!

And speaking of snow...

2009-01-16T16:50:00.000-08:00

Oh how it snowed! There was so much snow, I had to go out for groceries with the snowshoes! Aoife and her daddy stayed warm and dry in the house!

A Walk Down Peacock Lane

2009-01-16T16:43:00.000-08:00

Each year at Christmas time, all the houses on Peacock Lane put up Christmas lights. Each year, we gather friends and walk down the street to get in the Christmas spirit. Last year, it poured rain. Fortunately, this year we got snow!!

Aoife is One!

2009-01-16T16:40:00.001-08:00

Where does the time go? Hard to believe my tiny little baby is now a one year old!!! Happy Birthday sweet girl!

Happy Halloween!

2008-11-02T17:03:00.001-08:00

Since Aoife decided she wanted to be a hot air balloonist for Halloween, Paul and I clearly had to dress up as the sky. Whatever it takes to support her dreams!

The Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-21T20:10:00.000-07:00

Upon checking the weather yesterday, today was supposed to be sunny and mid-60s. Perfect pumpkin weather. Jen and I decided we'd take our respective children (Grover and Aoife) to the pumpkin patch. Wanting to head out before naps, we got on the road at the crack of 10:30 and were among the pumpkins by 11. The sky was cloudy and it was cold, but it wasn't raining, so out we went. We drove into the muddy parking lot and found the most pitiful pumpkin patch right behind us. There were several rotting, broken or green pumpkins to be had, along with an assortment of gourds, but no bright orange jack-o-lanterns-to-be waiting for us. Grover ran straight for the tractor and climbed onto the hay-covered wagon, which I thought was very smart as there were no good pumpkins and no point in slopping around in the muck any longer. After a quick photo shoot, the tractor started up, about three school bus loads full of children jumped on and we set off on the lamest hay ride I have ever been on. The whole ride lasted about four minutes and drove from one side of the parking lot to the other. One might think a farm would plan a hay ride through the fields so we could see what was growing, or the beauty of the surrounding area, but no, clearly these farmers thought it better to show off their small, muddy parking lot.

As soon as we got off the hay ride, we jumped in the car (and by jumped in the car I mean checked diapers, loaded two children into car seats, gave them something to eat) and drove off to find another pumpkin patch. We decided The Pumpkin Patch was aptly named and stopped there. They had a large haystack to play on, a barn with chickens, calves, pigs, ducks, sheep and a llama, and a much better selection of pumpkins. We chose our pumpkins, put the kids back in the car and by the time we got home, it was sunny and getting warm. Just in time to go inside for naps.

Mushroom Hunting!

2008-10-21T19:03:00.000-07:00

I haven't been mushroom hunting in over 10 years. I don't know why I waited so long, as it is terrific fun! I only spotted one or two chanterelles, but found several types that would surely kill you if ingested. We stuck to the chanterelles.

Aoife had a great time ooohing and aahing at the trees. They put on their beautiful yellows, golds and reds for us--quite a show!

A Trip to the Coast

2008-10-21T18:50:00.000-07:00

Each year, Paul leads a sea kayaking trip and this year, Aoife and I came along for some beach exploring and camping. Well, sort of camping, we stayed in yurts at Cape Lookout on the Oregon Coast. While Paul was kayaking, Aoife and I played on the beach, explored some small coastal towns and of course made a trip to the Tillamook Cheese Factory. I spent a long time showing Aoife the ins and outs of cheese-making, as it would be nice to have a cheese-maker in the family. She mooed to the cows as we drove out of Tillamook, which I am taking as a sign that she understands the delicate nuances of the art of cheese making.

Look Who's Standing!

2008-10-14T09:57:00.000-07:00

Where's Aoife?

2008-10-14T09:50:00.000-07:00

I know I set her down here somewhere!!

Family Shopping Trip

2008-09-24T18:48:00.000-07:00

After Paul tore three ligaments in his foot, things slowed down a bit in our house. It also gave us time to do a lot of things as a family, since Paul was off work. Here are some photos of us shopping. Paul was whipping around the store in an electric cart at a breakneck speed of 1/2 mile per hour. Aoife sat in the shopping cart for the first time that day. It was a banner day at the ol' Smith household!

The cutest little bug ever!!

2008-09-24T18:43:00.000-07:00

Peace Village

2008-09-15T19:57:00.000-07:00

A highlight of our summer every year is Peace Village and this year was the best yet because Aoife was there! We camped in a beautiful spot overlooking the Salmon River meeting the Pacific Ocean. The kids were fun and everyone loved little Aoife!!

Don't mess with this cowgirl

2008-08-06T16:12:00.000-07:00

Aoife at the Oregon Country Fair

2008-08-06T16:09:00.001-07:00

What are you doing this Saturday?

2008-07-16T19:02:00.000-07:00

If you have children and live in Portland, come to our first community playgroup to feed the hungry!! We will be meeting at Laurelhurst Park at 10:30am. Please bring something to donate to the Oregon Food Bank! Hope to see you there!!

Aoife eats a banana

2008-06-20T23:40:00.000-07:00

Aoife has had her first taste of solid food--and it was a huge hit!! The night after I gave her a banana, I had a dream she was eating brownies straight out of the pan. I think we will keep her off chocolate a bit longer. Here she is with her spoon (which she might actually like more than the banana). What a cutie!!

Aoife and Daddy

2008-06-20T23:37:00.000-07:00

Anytime Paul walks in the room, Aoife lights up (and so does Paul)!!! Happy Father's Day to a wonderful daddy!!
She is a lucky girl!

I wasn't kidding

2008-06-20T23:34:00.000-07:00

When I said Aoife LOVES sitting in a box!!

Little Blue Riding Hood

2008-06-20T23:31:00.000-07:00

Aoife's friend Tessa made this little cape and hood for the wee one. Good thing there are no big bad wolves around!

Able to leap tall buildings with a single bound...

2008-06-10T11:09:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's the amazing Spencer and Axel! Aoife was quite impressed with her cousins on her recent trip to Colorado!

She can't wait to get to Northern Ireland and see what cool tricks her cousins there have to show her!

The girl cousins

2008-06-10T11:06:00.000-07:00

Piper, Aoife,and Tuesday

My baby in a box

2008-06-03T21:53:00.000-07:00

A Little help from my friends

2008-05-27T16:13:00.000-07:00

I have lots of updating to do, but first I wanted to take a minute to ask a favor of you. If I haven't already sent an email, would you mind taking one moment to click on this link and vote for the Amani Education Project to be listed as a project on givemeaning.org, a website set up to help non-profits fundraise. This is NOT a request for money, only a click of the mouse to get us on the website. Thanks so much!

www.givemeaning.com/proposal/amani

Buses

2008-04-29T10:24:00.000-07:00

The topic for today is...buses!! Why, you must be wondering, would Wintry choose to blog about buses? Because buses have played a prominent role lately. Take, for example, the bus trip Aoife and I took yesterday. So, here we are with our three cars--and only one of them drivable (anybody want to buy an overheating VW Golf?) which Paul took to work. Mondays are our Mama and Baby Yoga days, and if we don't go, I feel like the whole week is thrown off. So, I decided we would hop on the bus and take it to the other side of town so we could do some downward dog stretches. By the time we walked to the bus stop (and missed the first bus) Aoife was asleep and she slept the entire bus ride, which was great. Then, post-yoga, I headed back home with a very awake, very agitated baby. We got on the bus, got ourselves situated, and Aoife began to cry. Loudly. The entire bus ride home. Fortunately, we were surrounded by several very drunk men and a few mentally ill women, all of whom were giving me parenting advice. "Ssssiinng, you gotta siiing to yer baby." "She's a-hertin', I know, that's a hert cry." "Is it a girl? Why's a girl makin' such a racket? Girl's don't cry." Well, apparently, this girl does. Perhaps it was the scent of Olde English and old socks wafting through the air. Maybe it was because the woman who was talking non-stop to her photo of Jesus was making Aoife uncomfortable. Or maybe her gums just hert.

The other reason I write of buses is because we need to move our 1947 International school bus out of Mosier. The problem is that it's tucked back pretty far into the woods. It seems the easiest way to pull it out of its current location would be an airlift. Anybody got a spare helicopter they're not using next weekend? Anybody have a few acres of land we could put the bus on? Because, if not, our neighbors might be a little miffed when a giant, moss-covered school bus with a chimney sticking out of it takes up all the parking on our small street.

Things That Need Cutting

2008-04-25T17:42:00.000-07:00

1. Aoife's fingernails
2. My hair
3. Our lawn
4. Military spending

2008-04-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

Motherhood

2008-04-16T23:10:00.000-07:00

Despite the endless loads of laundry; the countless times I've been peed on, pooped on, spit up on; irregardless of the 2:00am crying, the days of no naps, the not sleeping when she was sick; even with the 45 hour labor, the search for a trusted doctor, the endless decisions regarding her needs, there is NOTHING I would rather do than be Aoife's mama!

Our Child Prodigy

2008-04-16T21:48:00.000-07:00

The Great Balancing Act

2008-04-16T21:34:00.000-07:00

with a cup of coffee to boot!

Name Change!

2008-04-10T22:09:00.000-07:00

As some of you may have noticed, I changed the name of the blog from "If I had a blog, I'd blog in the morning" to "the Aoife blog." I did that because:

1. I do have a blog and I have yet to blog in the morning.
2. This blog is really all about Aoife, so let's call it what it is.
3. Every time I looked at my blog I would be singing "If I had a Hammer" for the rest of the day.

So, now that I will be able to blog without the pressure of trying to get it done in the morning and without the annoyance of having that song stuck in my head, I will try to post more often.

Do you think I could say blog a few more times??

Tongue Twister

2008-04-10T21:17:00.000-07:00

Aoife has recently discovered her tongue and boy, what a fun body part that is!! She is constantly sticking it out, curling it up and best of all, licking things!!

In other "Amazing Aoife Tricks" news, she has also learned that she has all the parts required to scream very, very loudly. And I'm not talking about crying, just screaming for the sheer joy of producing such loud sounds. Her favorite places to perform this new feat are quiet coffee shops, libraries and most any place people are trying to concentrate. That's my girl!!

My Little Yarn Ball

2008-04-04T15:21:00.000-07:00

Handmade Mama

2008-03-29T21:22:00.000-07:00

It's 9:30 on Saturday night. I'm still in my pajamas. There are piles of laundry everywhere and Aoife needs a new diaper. Sure, I could wash her diapers...or just knit her some new ones!! It only took me three days, but she's in a fresh, handmade diaper now!! Who says cloth diapers are a pain??

Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T19:38:00.000-07:00

Erin Go Bragh!

2008-03-18T13:17:00.000-07:00

Paul has been teaching Aoife the Riverdance. She performed it at several venues yesterday for St. Patty's Day. Paul and Aoife are wiped out now, and both sleeping on the couch!

Hope you all had a great St. Patrick's Day!!

The Big Issues

2008-03-12T17:50:00.000-07:00

Aoife has recently found her voice and LOVES to talk. All the time. Last night she woke up to nurse at 4:00am. Normally, she would go right back to sleep, but she must have remembered that she could make sounds and so she spent the next hour cooing and squeaking her little heart out. At one point, Paul and I looked at each other and in unison asked "did she just say health care?" I swear it sounded just like that. So there you go, Hillary isn't the only one up in the wee hours of the morning answering the phone and dealing with those big issues.

Grow your own food!

2008-03-09T22:47:00.000-07:00

In our attempt to live this year as similarly as possible to the way the Waltons live, we have decided to plant a garden. Paul built these planter boxes around the outside of the garden for herbs and the boxes in the middle for strawberries. Next he's going to build more planter boxes on the side of the house for his "stew garden." He wants to be able to grow everything you need to make Irish stew. We'll check with the neighbors and see if they mind if we tie a cow up in the backyard. Unlike the Waltons, we are total procrastinators and have done nothing since the initial building of the boxes. I know it's early, but I also know us and can see it becoming July and my saying "wow, we should really plant something in that garden!"

Maybe I just need to sew some bonnets for me and Aoife--and maybe watch a few reruns for inspiration.

Well, it's late and I'm tired. Goodnight John boy!

It's a great big world

2008-03-05T17:27:00.000-08:00

and I am so small

This Little Piggy went to Aoife

2008-03-05T14:33:00.000-08:00

The Big Hungry Bear

2008-02-26T09:50:00.000-08:00

That Sweet Baby Smile

2008-02-19T23:00:00.000-08:00

We finally found the cord to connect the video camera to the computer. Paul showed me how to import videos, so watch out--we'll be posting every move she makes.

Ritual Scarring

2008-02-17T23:32:00.000-08:00

When Aoife was tiny, her fingernails would peel off. They no longer peel and they are strong enough that biting them no longer works, but I am still too scared to use those baby nail clippers. I feel like I am going to clip the tops of her fingers off. Yet, something must be done. Her little, cute fingernails have grown into razor-sharp claws. I have scratches and scars all over my arms and chest from her little fingers. Maybe I'll put ash in them and turn them into permanent tattoos to guilt her with when she is older. Or maybe I will look at photos like this one and forgive her all her sins forever...

2008-02-13T23:03:00.000-08:00

Well folks, I keep trying to get a story written. But then my sweet little baby wakes up. Like now. No kidding, the sound of typing is somehow loud enough to wake her up yet she sleeps peacefully through Paul's drill and nail gun. Go figure. Well, much as I enjoy blogging, Aoife wins out in this contest. Hands down. So, time to set this computer down and pick up my baby.

Stories soon...keep checking!

And meanwhile... Happy Valentine's Day!!

What a Cutie!!

2008-02-06T09:36:00.000-08:00

2008-02-03T23:34:00.000-08:00

It's been quite the weekend around here. I broke a tooth and Aoife got kicked out of a bar. I'd like to say that I lost my tooth in a bar brawl fighting for Aoife's right to stay in any bar she choses, but alas, they were two seperate events. On Friday night, we went to meet friends at a restaurant. We then went on to another restaurant/bar to meet up with other friends. We were all hanging out, minding our own business (not starting any fights) when the waiter told us Aoife needed to pack her things and move on. Her cooing wasn't excessive. She was dressed pretty cute. Why the sudden change in heart? Turns out minors aren't allowed after a certain hour. Darn, I was sure if I could keep Aoife there long enough, no one would notice if I slipped her a martini or two. Oh well, I'd had my fill of brownies and ice cream (a big night out for me!!) so we took it in our stride, and left without a fight--but we gave that ol' waiter the stink eye for sure!

The next night while brushing my teeth, half of my tooth fell out of my head. Great. What next? Like I said, no bar brawls and I'm not on meth, so why the loss of my pearly whites?? Turns out I never got the permanent crown after my root canal. So, anyone know a good dentist?

The rest of the weekend was pretty uneventful. I did knit matching hats for me and Aoife and am working on Paul's.
Well, there are baby needs to attend to. Oh, and a broken tooth that needs fixing....

Six More Weeks of Winter

2008-02-02T10:15:00.000-08:00

Those of you who read the title of this blog are probably thinking I'm going to lament the fact that we have six more weeks of wet, rainy winter. Well I'm not. In fact, wet and cold as it is here in Portland, the green leaves of daffodils are starting to bloom here and there. No, I'm not dedicating this blog to the weather but to the origination of the proclamation that there will be six more weeks of winter: Groundhog Day! While it's not a holiday I get excited about months beforehand, I do have to say that, silly as it is, I like this holiday. But then, I like holidays. A lot. Of course I love the major ones, like Christmas and the Fourth of July, but I even like the little ones like today and yes, Flag Day (but that was because it was also my dog's birthday--two holidays in one day is a rare treat!).

It's not easy being a lover of holidays in this somewhat cynical place. I have lots of friends who think Valentine's Day is just a "Hallmark Holiday" and Christmas is all about consumption. I say, why not have a holiday that celebrates love? We could certainly use more of it in the world. And no one says you have to buy a Hallmark card or even have a significant other in your life to celebrate. I've always liked Valentine's day, whether I was in a relationship or not. Now that I have a daughter, holidays seem even more important. There is nothing better than watching the excitement of a child, so why not give them as many things to get excited about as possible? I'm looking forward to starting new traditions with Aoife--beginning with Groundhog's Day! Who knows, maybe next year we'll move to Puxsatawney.

With people going to work day in and day out, why not have a look at the calendar and see what holidays are coming up--even if it just means wishing someone a Happy Groundhog's Day, I'm sure you'll get a smile in return!

If I am the Center of the Universe, Why isn't Everyone Dizzy? A Post by Paul

2008-02-01T16:04:00.000-08:00

Paul was feeling left out since I named the blog Aoife and mama. Sorry Paul. We still love you. Here is Paul's two cents:

Let's get down to the nitty gritty: what is it all about? Is Aoife cute? Yes. Is she adorable? Yes. Does she have sharp nails and will cut you up as soon as look at you? Yes. But let's not mess around. Can she sleep more than me? Not today! Life here at 4615 is going smooth. Aoife has discovered her place in the family as the cute baby who makes the cute sounds. She does her job well. Wintry assumes the role of all-knowing, all-seeing mother. I think she may be a Mason (that's a joke). I had her vetted before we got married. Everything but the Masonic Lodge showed up.

I've made a few new resolutions: feel free to talk about poitics and Britney in the street, in the rain, but not in my house. What a load of Aoife-diaper-content! Stare at Aoife constantly and talk about how great she is. Spitting up is not an easy thing. She's cute and she's lovely and that is what I want to talk about when I blog. I blog therefore I am. Love my daughter or feel the wrath!

In Peace,

Paul

Heads Up!

2008-02-01T00:14:00.000-08:00

Well I've gone and done it... I've joined the blogging world. Now that my days consist of nursing a baby, doing laundry, making muffins at midnight (I was tired, so what better thing to do at midnight??), and occasionally washing a dish, why not write about it?? OK, I do a few other things during the day. Take today for instance: Aoife and I got up and drove to Forest Grove to represent Peace Village at the internship and job fair. We were hoping to get a table next to the military recruiters, but, alas, they put us next to the Humanitarian Center. I suppose that helped in luring the students who might actually have an interest in Peace Village, but I might have a more interesting story to post had we sat next to the sergeants.

Walking across Pacific's little campus, I realized how glad I was I went to college before cell phones. An afternoon at Pacific was planned by who you ran into after class. With a student body of less than one thousand, on a campus the size of a city block, do you really need a phone to get in touch with someone? If you didn't see who you were looking for on the way to lunch, I guarantee you'd see someone who knew where they were. We had email, but I don't think I ever emailed anyone ON campus--what was the point when if I shouted loud enough, they'd hear me? Well enough about me lamenting the rise of technology, I've got a blog to post!!