born.in.japan

Weekends

This weekend was FULL. Full of everything that the past three weekends lacked. Full of outings. Full of quality family time. Full of life and full of health.

This is what we all truly needed. I am grateful.

How To Really Love a Child

Just a few days ago I happened upon a post over at blog that I frequent, Shivaya Naturals. She was having a rough day, in need of reconnecting with her little ones, and took a moment to share something she found and, then, encouraged others to do the same. What resulted was over 85 comments FILLED with inspiration, ideas, ways to connect, relax, love.

I was having a bit of a rough patch myself. Our little guy is recovering from his third consecutive illness (bronchiolitis, stomach bug, ear infection), my husband is working overtime (has been for several weeks and will be for several more), and I’ve just been feeling a little overwhelmed. A little busy. A little disconnected. A little in-between.

Seeing the image that she posted, inspired me as well. I sat down with a notebook page, a pen, and a five-minute timer. And, as I had done with my students so many times, I did a quick write a la Donald Graves. A five-minute, on-topic, brain dump. And this was my result:

Then I thought about it, I thought about how my list made me feel, and how the lists of all those in the comments made me feel and I couldn’t help but wonder, imagine how fun it would be to see them all, together. And this is what I came up with.

How to Really Love a Child

(download the .pdf and hang it somewhere in your home, just like I intend to)

I started with the list in the image, continued with all the beautiful ideas in the comments, added a few of my own, and highlighted some of the words which, right now, touch me the most. Sing. Dance. Laugh. Together.

And that’s what I plan to do. Today.

February Change

A little more than a month ago I posted about participating in the project One Small Change. The hope was that for each month leading up to Earth Day we would choose one small change to make, post about it, and then, the following month, reflect on how that change went and what the next change will be.

Our change for January was to reduce our use of disposable style plastic bags. I had hoped to make some reusable bags which totally didn’t happen, due to a babe who was sick for most of the month of January, but all is not lost.

While I didn’t have new reusable bags to use, I did find myself a lot more conscious of the consumption this month and a lot more diligent about choosing alternative storage containers (reusable ones) and also reusing different bags that we inevitably acquired through our daily life.

For example, this month we started ordering produce from a company that sends fresh, organic produce (local when possible) to your door. As part of the delivery process there are a lot of bags. Two large sacks that the fruits and vegetables come in and smaller sacks to hold various items. Rather than disposing of the sacks, I have reused them. All of them.

The larger sacks have become trash bags. The smaller ones have been used to store vegetables and fruits. I have been rinsing and reusing them from week to week to store other produce and such as well.

While I would still like to get around to making some reusable bags since they are oh-so-cute and practical, I am still happy with the mindfulness that I gained throughout the month and that we did make a reduction, albeit a small one, in our use of disposable products (we didn’t buy any new ones!).

With the month of January now over, and February already underway (really, it’s already the 3rd?!), it is time to pick a new change for a new month. This month I would like to start recycling (or reusing) as much of the paper that comes into our home as possible. Chicago is notorious for having less-than-desirable recycling practices, so I would like to try to seek out alternative places and ways to recycle the paper that we do want to discard or seek ways to reuse it in projects around our home. I’m really looking forward to this challenge and I will update you next month with how it went.

Project 365 – January

Over on my life list, one of my goals was to take a photo every day for an entire year. Well, my friends, I’m proud to say that I am 1/12th of the way there.

(Click on the photo to head over to flickr to get a better look)

I managed to take a photo, often times many, each day for the entire month of January. And now, just as I hoped, I have this incredible journal, albeit a visual one, of the entire month. With luck, I’ll continue taking photos, at least one each day, so that I’ll have a record of the entire year. 2010 in photos.

Some of my favorites from the month:

This is a photo I took as I headed out for my first night out on the town sans babe. I remember, as I stood waiting for the train, I felt strangely liberated and, yet, lonely. Funny that.

This is such a common occurrence these days. Ewan loves being back there and I love having him riding on the mama bus (as we call it). I must admit I carry along a mirror when he’s back there, so I can peek at him and say hello.

This month the babe has been, rather unfortunately, plagued by many illnesses. Here my two men were spending some quality time steaming it up in the shower. While the illnesses were no fun (bronchiolitis and, now, an ear infection), it is amazing the tenderness that it brings about.

Lovely Thing #2

Special little candygrams for special little people.

Because who wouldn’t love to receive a box of Skittles in the mail on their birthday?! And the secret birthday wishes being uncovered as the candy disappears. Well, I think it is just perfect. (Disclaimer #1: Lest you think I am brilliantly creative, the idea isn’t mine. I’d happily give credit, but I can’t remember where I happened upon it.)

Will this be the year that we are actually on top of things and that we honor birthdays and other significant holidays in a timely fashion? Maybe, but let’s not get our hopes up. (Disclaimer #2: I am not usually on top of things and I still have two holiday gifts in progress, maybe they will be Valentine’s gifts instead…)

The Simple Things

I happened upon a blog, Soul Aperture, a few days ago and noticed her generous offer, a $1 donation for each blog that joins her in writing about the simple things. Seeing her list, and others cropping up in the comments, well, I couldn’t resist thinking about and making a list of my very own. Without further adieu, the simple things of my life these days.

cinnamon rolls, just because

the bluest blue skies, on the coldest winter days

little baby giggles, when you hit just the right spot

a warm dinner, even if it wasn’t great

connecting with other mamas

fresh handspun yarn, filled with potential, drying on the radiator

quiet times filled with dreaming

a babe who only woke up to nurse TWICE last night

a hubby who is working overtime, but still comes home with a smile and ready to play

handmade curtains adorning every window in the house

the calm that happens when the babe is put in the sling, he knows

family dance time

making up silly songs

sitting, knitting, listening to the state of the union starting now

Life is simple, simple is good. For that, for this, I am grateful.

Reunited

and it feels so good.

After a long time away, I had forgotten how peaceful and calm I am when I sit behind my wheel. How the slow, steady treadling quiets my mind and gives me space to think, reflect, dream. This week I finally carved out a bit of time to sit back at my wheel and ply a lovely, undyed merino/alpaca blend that had waited too long. It’s good to be back at it.

It Was Bound to Happen

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again (and, probably again), co-sleeping is lovely. Snuggled up in bed, warm and close to my two guys, really, it doesn’t get better than that.

Except of course when I wake up at midnight, with an overly warm little babe nestled in the crook of my arm, and vomit across my chest. Vomit, that wasn’t mine.

Yes, my friends, I do think I’ve been officially inducted into the wonderful world of mamas. The rites have commenced.

Wordless Wednesday

Handmade Home

A while back, I posted a review of a book by Amanda Blake Soule. I also mentioned that I was looking forward to getting her second book and giving it a read. I waited, as I said I would until we got stateside, I put it on hold at the library (our bookshelves are FULL), and waited, patiently, for my copy.

I was delighted when I went over the weekend to find my copy sitting on the hold shelf, just waiting for me. Delighted!

Just as I did with The Creative Family, I immediately set aside the other books I am reading at the moment (Unconditional Parenting and Teach me to Do it Myself) and gave it my undivided attention. Reading her beautiful words. Looking at her inspiring photographs. And thinking about the projects and the way that I want to fit them into our family life.

The only problem is that I am finding myself wanting it all, all the handmade goodness, right now.

The handmade market sacks, those would liven up a trip to the store.

The patchworky potholders, gorgeous!

Rag rug, a great way to reuse and remember all those bits and bobs.

Handmade slings, can you ever really have too many babywearing options?

Journals, made with recycled papers, perfect for all the lists I make.

A beach blanket. I am already having dreams about spring and summer days filled with trips to our great lake.

A wool scrap garland, this is so up my alley.

A miniature memory quilt, made up of old baby clothes, love it!

And so, despite enjoying the book immensely and feeling tremendously inspired by it, I am also left feeling a little, well, impatient. I want it now. I want my home to be filled with handmade, filled with things that have history, stories, memories. Things filled with soul and love. Things that I remember creating.

I know that I shouldn’t feel impatient, after all the author has had YEARS of being an at home mama to help create this for her family and I haven’t even finished my first year yet. I know that it will come, and I know that our home will be, is, starting to be filled in this way. With handmade creeping in, just as quickly as my little hands can make.

I know this. But, I can’t help it, I still want it now.