Just me

I just walked in from my first alone bike ride quite possibly since I was 16. Samara was up all night last night with her molars coming in, poor thing, and so slept right through her playdate (that I exhaustedly forgot and also fell asleep for) this morning... (so sorry, J&L) and then was a trooper all afternoon. By 5:30 though, she just couldn't stay awake one more minute and so the three of us had a quick pasta dinner together (Steve came home early at 5:00, as he, aussi, didn't sleep a wink) and then Samara went to bed. Having been cooped up all day in the house, while Samara slept from 8:00-12:30 this morning, and then waiting for the hot tub buyers to take and transfer the beast (YES! It's gone! We have twice the deck space!) it felt so good to escape on my bike this evening while Steve did a little work from home and guarded our little one. You know, except for the odd one hour gym class on a Sunday morning, I am NEVER EVER alone, and well, I guess that isn't alone either. Every now and then, you just need to be quiet...need to feel like you're not in a rush for someone, surrounded by words, responsible for so very much. Even our unlatching bathroom doors don't stay shut, though I'll admit that seeing Sammy D poke her cheeky nose around the shower curtain is never not welcome. But tonight, it was just me. I didn't go far, maybe 3-4 miles, but I stole this gorgeous shot of our neighborhood, in case I needed one more reminder of why we're so gosh-darn lucky. I also delivered a couple of sun-warm, ripe tomatoes to my parents down the road and while they were touched and excited by the dinner addition, it felt so strange to be there without my baby girl. Funny that... Anyway, enjoy the painted sky and sparkling, setting sun here and please, come and share it with us soon. Along with alone time, sometimes a girl just needs to have a cuppa with a good, good friend...

 

No it doesn't

When the dawn creeps in, and the crickets come out, and my little girl falls asleep in my arms as we walk through the garden after a perfect end of summer's day, with friends and family, after an incredible weekend of music and adventure with my husband, love and nature all around us, to feel that warmth, that little body that is entirely lightened and attached to yours, peace all around, you know it doesn't get much better than this.

 

 

Hey, Grampy!

Sammy D LOVES her Grampy!

 

Finally, the sippy cup!

 

It took some time, and the bottle is far from gone, but she loves her sippy cup, and drewls from it like a little puppy.

A week of farewells

A sad week for Massachusetts, this place that I call home. On Monday, a dear 15 year old girl, Allie, was struck by a car while crossing the road, on a crosswalk, here in Marblehead, and devastatingly, she didn't make it. Her friends, classmates, among them many of my students, friends and siblings, have been mourning this tragic life cut short. The town is in shock while everyone clings to their children and hugs one another goodbye just a little tighter. Rest assured, this beautiful, gentle, young life will not be forgotten. Her smile and message to follow us always.

On Tuesday, Massachusetts' beloved senator of nearly 50 years died after a valiant fight with brain cancer. We have watched Teddy's private and public services and all been touched by the stories, laughter, grateful to be a part of his history, one that was a part of so many others.

And so, dear Allie has someone to hold her and sing to her now in Heaven, and until each one of us can be with our loved ones again, we trust that they are resting in peace.

Beautiful Summer's Night

We went to the stunning Crane's Estate last week for a Beatles Tribute Concert and family picnic. It was a perfect evening and yet one more heavenly spot on Earth, found here in Massachusetts. The rolling hills behind us here lead down to the ocean front. Just spectacular.

I'm moving on...

In the last few days, Samara has really started taking off. She no longer needs a bull ring and cheering squad to walk. She'll go the distance of a big room, easily, just because she wants to. It is amazing to watch. Sometimes she puts her hands on her head, sometimes she squeals in delight, but she always, always opens her mouth in this ultra cheesy grin, so proud of herself. This is a GREAT age.

Twinkle Twinkle

On Sunday's summer steamer, our ice machine (god bless her rested soul) went caput. This is awful! Alas, I dug out the little star and puzzle silicon ice trays bought in '06 when we actually had time and money (!) for such luxuries from Ikea, and decided to make the precious six cubes at a time. They have to be rationed, which is just no good when it's 95+ outside, but they sure do make you smile.

It's like 1 Billion Degrees

Holy Moly it is HOT! Today we will hit 95, but that's without humidity! No A/C here so we may have to go to the pool again! We are so lucky to have this gorgeous outdoor pool just a mile away with fountains galore and so many kiddie-friends to play with. Frankly, these days, I don't know where we'd be without it. The other good news is that with the crazy heat, the Atlantic Ocean is now topping out around 65 degrees and we're all in it every day! Some days we go after Steve gets home from work and it feels like a mini-vacation. You can't really ask for more.

Boston Break

We had a lovely Sunday going into Boston and the Barking Crab for lunch with all Steve's family. We always mean to go in more but have such fun with Samara when we do.

Sisters!

Dada and his girl amidst the city he loves

One of my favorite spots... Rose Wharf

A picture is worth...

Just in case you were feeling like you weren't seeing enough photos of your favorite little Dosch, check out my new website: http://victoriadosch.blogspot.com/ and enjoy watching time stand still!

A weekend picnic at Devereux

But oh, those summer nights...

Dawning Day

Just after dawn, Samara and I ventured to Preston Beach and enjoyed low tide, the warmer waves and an incredibly secluded, peaceful couple of hours together. I just love seeing our dear friends, especially those who are mammas to her dear friends, each day, but every now and then, you have to have some mother/daughter alone time... (Well, we do for about 20 hours every day, but you know what I mean...) I love this time of laughing and playing together. I love how Samara knows me so well that she can hold on a little tighter before I even start to lean over pick up her toys. humbled how she never gets tired of chasing me across the sand, and holding my hand in the waves. She makes me wade deeper than I would have expected. I make her take more steps than she would have dared. I love how she knows directions now and leans towards the swings at the end of Beach Street long before we even see them, goes to the window and points to her red car on the patio, even when it's dark out, or burrows her head to the left at the top of the stairs when she wants to snuggle in our bed before being tucked into hers. She is a clever girl. And, to add another feather to her cap, she now knows the lyrics to "Who let the dogs out?!!" (Cue ridiculously enthusiastic, occasionally on time Samara: voooof voooooof, drewl drewl) Tonight we went to the beach again, with Samara's dada (the most fun swing-pusher) and had one of those perfect summer nights. Dinner on the deck, sand before bed, sunset with a G&T in hand. Gosh, we are lucky. And tomorrow we get to do it all again.

I love this photo...

The Red Wagon

Here is Samara playing with her red wagon, a gift from my parents for her birthday. Gosh, she loves this thing! With its door on the side and secret compartment (not to mention room for 3... or just a lounging beach babe) it is really all she could ever need. Her favorite toys have evolved from Mr. Whoozit to the Animal Train to her pink cell phone, to the Fisher Price house Kristen & Darryl gave her, to this. Others have featured for days and are still around, but those are the queens of the crop. Her swing is probably #1*, but we'll consider that furniture!

Getting better

Wow

 

Stand

 

Walk

 

Fall

 

 

 

Mi Familia