Musings, New Zealand, Tidbits About Us

threeOregonians!

April 15, 2013

How do you follow up on the adventure of a lifetime? Start another one, of course…

threeOregonians our little peachLast year, we were crossing the ocean on April Fools, joking with each other about changing the header on the blog to read threeOregonians just to see if our parents would get a laugh…

This year, it’s no joke.

(Though a few friends fell for my little brother’s April Fools tweet.)

It’s a new season: pushing roots down into home soil, reaching for sunshine, hoping to grow again after placing Oregon life in a dormant stage in order to blow with the wind.

Nowadays, I’ve stopped toting travel gear on planes, trains, buses, and ferries, and I’ve taken up carrying this little baby bump every step of every day.

I’m four months along, and we hope to find out on May Day whether we’ll be welcoming a little girl or boy into the world… In the meantime, the first flutters and taps continue to let us know that our “little peach” is doing quite well.

It’s a sweet joy to know that this little life began on those very last days of our journey in New Zealand. As my friend from NZ likes to remind me, she’ll forever refer to Baby Rydmark as a kiwi. (Can’t say that I mind!)

What’s Next?

With second trimester energy returning in full force, I’m bustling to complete freelance landscape architecture and garden design work in and around Portland as Ted and I prepare for the baby’s arrival. Ted’s in a social work temp position while he continues his job hunt (plug: if you know any Portland-based non-profits looking for a terrific program manager or the like, give us a jingle!), and he’s preparing to begin a two-year Executive Masters in Business Administration in Non-Profit Management this August at the University of Portland.

On-the-ground, in-real-life takes precedence over online fun, but my sincere hope is to continue sharing more stories in this space:

Photos and tales from New Zealand, from Spain and Cape Verde, from corners of Asia and coastlines of Brazil, and all the many beautiful spots that haven’t yet popped up on the blog. More terrific listings from our Where to Stay Around the World series (adding New Zealand and Italy to South Africa and Southeast Asia). Favorite spots in the Pacific Northwest. Tales from regional travels and insider info on the great corner of the world we call home. And of course, the long-awaited answers to your Inquiring Minds submissions (it’s not too late to add questions, if you’re curious!).

Thank you, sincerely, for following along.

It’s always an honor to have you stop by and spend a little time…

From one adventure to the next,
xx Bethany

Pregnant Bethany
At the Oregon Coast: April 2013

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~a few favorites on traveling, babies, food, & life~

Green Kitchen Stories
Fifteen Tips for Traveling with a Baby
A few years back, David and Luise left their home in Sweden and took their little seven month old daughter, Elsa, on a trip around the world. I fell in love with their photos, recipes, and zest for life, and their site reminds me to savor every flavor from family meals at stateside tables or beachside smoothies in Southeast Asia.

Flashpacker Family
Toddler Travel Tips: Childcare on the Road
Bethaney, Lee and their little one, Reuben. What’s not to love about kiwis who “spend some of the year at home in NZ and the rest out enjoying the world”?

The Road Forks
Pregnancy is Like Backpacking Through Southeast AsiaI crossed paths with Akila at the 2012 Travel Bloggers Unite conference in Umbria, Italy after enjoying her and Patrick’s food and travel posts from the comforts of my livingroom during years of pre-travel saving and planning. After three years of international travel, they’re home in the U.S. and celebrating the arrival of their little bundle, Amara (who happens to have the cutest travel-themed room ever: Oh, The Places You’ll Go Nursery).

Almost Fearless
One Month With Stella
I started paying attention to Christine’s story when she was living in Egypt with her husband and son. I read her “Anatomy of a Burnout” and watched as her family moved to Thailand, while we were still in Oregon, preparing to set out on our adventure. Ted and I met up with Christine and Drew and their little boy Cole last summer when they were living in Beirut, Lebanon, and with great joy I’ve watched them move (again!) to another corner of the world, aiming to balance life and family and work, sharing stories along the way with friends and readers. Christine gave birth to sweet little Stella in Mexico this February, and I’m inspired by her desire to learn, grow, push through challenges, and give her kiddos the gift of cross-cultural experiences…

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30 Comments

  • Reply Carmel April 15, 2013 at 12:38 pm

    Congratulations!!! That’s such an exciting follow up to your adventures.

    Hope Ted enjoys UP…that’s my alma mater. Love that campus. I’ll keep my ears open for positions. I still have some contacts in the nonprofit world.

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians April 15, 2013 at 9:29 pm

      Thank you, Carmel! We’re coming up on our seven year anniversary this summer, and it’s exciting to finally be starting this new chapter. Ted’s already so thrilled with UP – great campus, great program, great people in the department and university offices. I’m so glad it’s worked out for him to attend.

      I’d so appreciate it if you’d keep an ear out on the Portland nonprofit buzz – he’s been applying and interviewing and we’re still waiting on just the right spot. I have faith that it’s out there!

      Hope you’re well these days : )
      xx Bethany

  • Reply Emma and Rolando in Bolivia where Bethany and Ted shared their magic! April 15, 2013 at 12:40 pm

    we are deighted to share this happy news! you will be such fab parents, so full of love, creativity and faith. congratulations! and now the REAL white knuckle adventure begins….PARENTHOOD!

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians April 15, 2013 at 9:31 pm

      Emma and Rolando (and David and Bell, too!) – we love you guys so much and still love to tell stories of our time with you in Bolivia. Thank you for opening your home and lives to us. Hopefully someday we can bring the little peach on a return trip to La Paz and come see the beautiful campground that you’re building. Keep posting those pictures – they’re a joy to see! And we’ll keep sharing updates on this crazy, crazy ride of life : )

  • Reply Rhys Pasimio April 15, 2013 at 12:49 pm

    Welcome to the adventure! Glad we get to share it with good folks like y’all!

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians April 15, 2013 at 9:32 pm

      Rhys! So exciting!! Ted just told me your news today, actually. You and Tanya will be such warmhearted parents with endless creativity and insight to pass along to your little one. Can’t wait to see you guys in person someday soon xx

  • Reply Wild Buttercup April 15, 2013 at 12:53 pm

    Congrats! Ha, s/he can be an honorary Kiwi! :)

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians April 15, 2013 at 9:33 pm

      YES!! Oh, this makes my heart so happy. I’ve loved NZ for so long, and this little “Kiwi” will be the best reminder ever of a place that makes me feel more at home than anywhere on earth other than Oregon…

  • Reply Bethaney - Flashpacker Family April 15, 2013 at 3:55 pm

    Big congratulations on your new addition! The journey to motherhood is a wonderfully, exciting time and travelling with children is even more rewarding than any previous travels I’ve done. :)

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians April 15, 2013 at 9:35 pm

      Thank you so much, Bethaney. I’m still getting used to the word “mother” ; ) It’s a sweet season of anticipation, and I can’t wait to introduce this little one to the world!

  • Reply Pernilla April 15, 2013 at 5:17 pm

    Big congrats to both of you!

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians April 15, 2013 at 9:35 pm

      Oh, thank you so much, Pernilla!

  • Reply Zoe April 16, 2013 at 1:36 am

    Congrats! This is such exciting news. What wonderful parents you and Ted will make.

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians April 19, 2013 at 10:05 am

      What an enormous responsibility to bring a little life into this world. Thank you for the vote of confidence : ) We really hope so…

  • Reply Jane Sadek April 16, 2013 at 4:55 am

    Congratulations – what exciting news!

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians April 19, 2013 at 10:05 am

      Thanks for sharing the joy, Jane! : )

  • Reply Archana | my SoCal'd life April 17, 2013 at 9:33 am

    Congratulations, guys! Sounds like you guys have settled into post-travel life quite well. Excited to hear more about these new adventures (freelance and jobs and MBAs and babies, oh my)!

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians April 19, 2013 at 10:14 am

      Hey Archana : ) Seemed like the only fitting end to an adventure was to begin a new, bigger, better one! I’ve so loved watching your new California chapter unfold. The flea markets and sunshine and delicious eats… Keep it up!! I can only imagine that the ups and downs of post-RTW life will get even crazier on our end, so stay tuned ; )

  • Reply Kim April 17, 2013 at 9:03 pm

    Wow you guys, CONGRATS!!! Definitely a huge new adventure waiting in the wings.

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians April 19, 2013 at 10:18 am

      Hey Kim, it’s funny how all of the unknown paths of last year’s travel seem to be helping me navigate this new one with a different sort of patience and ease than I’d have imagined for myself even a few years ago… We’re both humbled and excited to meet this new little person and watch as his/her life unfolds in front of us over the decades. I can barely even begin to picture all of the possibilities and surprises and heartaches and joys and real, raw moments along the way. Cheers to living life with wide open arms! Safe travels to you and Brian xx

  • Reply Melissa - The Mellyboo Project April 20, 2013 at 7:49 am

    Wow!!! Congratulations you guys – that is absolutely wonderful news. Can’t wait to follow along with your pregnancy! Good luck with everything! xoxo

  • Reply Kate @30Traveler April 26, 2013 at 6:42 am

    Congratulations!

  • Reply Hogga April 30, 2013 at 2:23 pm

    congrats!

  • Reply Edna May 3, 2013 at 5:53 am

    Wow, congratulations to you and Ted! Never a dull moment, hey? All the best on your new adventure!!

  • Reply Charu May 5, 2013 at 5:51 pm

    Congratulations!!! What a wonderful piece of news. I can tell you right now that traveling with baby Erika is the best thing that’s happened to us. We just took the 10th month old to the zoo and watched her light up! :)

  • Reply Zara @ Backpack ME May 11, 2013 at 9:14 pm

    Congratulations!!
    It’s very romantic that you conceived your baby during your travels and, of course, this will be the best souvenir ever! Plus he/she will have many (adventure) stories to enjoy before bedtime! :)

  • Reply Bobbi Lee Hitchon May 16, 2013 at 10:00 am

    Just read this! That’s amazing!! Congrats guys!!

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