Category: Family
The reason for my more-or-less absence online is that I got really sick around Sunday before last one. I think at that point, I hadn’t felt quite *right* for few days, and then while having this picnic, I started feeling really quite ill. After that, it was a down hill — by Monday, I felt like if I just closed my eyes I just might never wake up, ever. I had no idea what was wrong with me I thought I was having allergy or something. But then I developed a fever which I figured means I have some sort of infection, so I went to see a doctor on Tuesday. As it turns out, I managed to get staph infection “somewhere” in my body (that’s the official diagnosis…exact location inconclusive) and by the time I was in the doctor’s office, I has very very low blood pressure and high heart rate. He told me to take an ambulance to ER — I told him I’ll just go home and drink lots of water (I thought I might survive infection, but that I would not survive ambulance/ER for various reasons). I’m glad I got medical attention before any permanent damage was done and the infection responded well to antibiotics (and lots of water and probiotic foods). At this point, 1.5 weeks later, infection is probably all gone (the doctor gave me extra 3 days of antibiotics to make sure so I still have to take them 2 more days) but it seems to be taking some time for my body to recover from shock it went through for few days. Hopefully I will get back into swing of things soon.
That which fails to kill me will make me stronger right?
We went to Sauvie Island because it’s now the farms are open for strawberries. I love Portland for having seasons — not just the four seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter) but little ones like strawberry season, and raspberry season, and lavender season etc. etc. It’s so much more easier to be in touch with nature here and I think that Immi and Ashland enjoys these cyclic seasonal activities.
We got lots of pretty berries!
We finally made it to Portland’s bi-annual craft fair — Crafty Wonderland! When Todd asked me if I wanted to go to this event by myself, I told him we should all go together. I said this thinking that Lucian would sleep/hangout in his infant seat on the stroller, Ashland would be chillin’ in the back of of the stroller and that Immi would walk around holding my hand. Besides, I thought that Immi would really enjoy it since she seems to love handmade things (I’ve seen her fall in love with handmade toys and wearable things made from hand dyed wool and hand carved wood and such at various local shops).
Well, as it turns out, Immi LOOOOVES handmade things a little too much and had the “I-WANT” overload. When she stepped into the huge room with 200+ vendors all selling a gillion things she likes, she wanted everything, and then got confused, and tired herself out in about 10 minutes! I didn’t suspect this becoming a problem seeing that she never has problem walking out of regular toy shops without buying anything, and she is very good about choosing just a few candies at candy shops.
So we took Ashland out of the stroller and sat immi there (she just sat there clutching big bag of kettle corn creepy quietly the rest of the time). But Ashland wasn’t into the idea of walking around holding my hand because all he wanted to do was stand and jump up and down on this metal square every time he encountered one.
At least, Lucian hang out quietly in his infant seat without complaint. Immi had fun running around ouside Hall D in the Oregon Convention Center though.
…So it wasn’t the most convenient family outing ever, but I enjoyed seeing all the creativity that is part of Portland area. Besides, I’m really glad that Immi has appreciation for things that are hand-crafted with care over plasticky mass produced crap.
We made use of the perfect weather to go to Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm. I guess I’ve forgotten to realize that it’s definitely spring (weather has been strange here — it sprinkled snow 2 days ago!).
Needless to say, there were lots of tulips.
But I really loved the gears on their collection of antique tractors!
These gears look heavy and I love the colors of the peeling paint too.
Tulips aren’t really my favorite of flowers but the field was lovely and kids had lots of fun. The Pacific Northwest makes me love spring, not because it rains a lot in winter (which I don’t mind at all) but because it really is beautiful here. And I’m grateful for Immi, Ashland and Lucian — without them, I probably would just spend all my leisure time indoors with tea and craft and miss out on such a perfect day.
Shortly after we arrived Sauvie Island, I gasped because I saw a huge rainbow through our car window. (Todd took this photo, just so you know!)
The forecast told us “rain” so we weren’t expecting to walk around. But the weather turned out so lovely that we stopped by the creepy “country store” to buy the wildlife area parking permit…
…and decided to go for a walk. It was quite warm out actually. And not raining at all, not *here* anyways.
There are many beautiful places in Oregon, some of which we’ve been to, and many more we have yet to explore. But we really like Sauvie Island — somehow we feel more “alive” every time we are there, and come out of it feeling more grounded. Besides, it’s only 20-30 minute drive from where we live.
Just a few months ago, I wondered what my [not so little anymore] family would look like as a family of 5. It’s a strange thing how it feels like Lucian has been with us forever already.
Spontaneous excursion with unexpectedly perfect weather makes a very special Saturday!
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