born.in.japan

A Matter of Perspective

It is after midnight. I’m not sleeping.

Instead of being cuddled up in bed right now, I have spent the past 30 minutes dancing with my slightly feverish babe in a sling. He has, just now, fallen into a light and fitful sleep as I rock rhythmically in our living room.

Usually, I would be slightly annoyed right now. After all, I really do like my sleep and I know that a poorly rested mama (not to mention a poorly rested babe) is a recipe for disaster.

But, I’m not annoyed. Instead, I’m soaking it up. I know that I won’t always get to snuggle him up in the sling. I know he won’t always want to dance with me. I know he won’t always need me to fall asleep, someday he’ll do this all on his own. Someday.

For now, even though it is getting closer to dawn with each passing second, I am trying my very best to look at this as an opportunity, a special time for me and my boy, rather than what it really may be, a terrible interruption to what may have been a perfectly pleasant nights sleep.

Wordless Wednesday

A Quiet Observer

Perhaps one of Ewan’s most defining characteristics is the way he observes the world. He is always watching. Not always interacting, but always looking. He is content to walk around in the sling watching the trees blow in the wind. Happy to watch as mama washes some dishes. Glad to be included during family meal times. Interested as we walk through aisles of the grocery store. Intrigued as we read through books (some children’s and some adult).

He doesn’t like to be on the sidelines. He doesn’t like to be left alone to play or amuse himself while the “big” people in the house go about their work. He’d much rather join in and be a part of all the goings on.

Sometimes it is frustrating. Certainly dinner could be made so much faster if he would be content to play on his mat alone for a few moments. But the flip side is that I am so happy to welcome him into our world. To accept him as a true member of this family, from the very beginning. I know that it won’t be long before he will, truly, be a help.

Now that Ewan is starting to do a little bit more, it is becoming obvious how much he has learned during all that watching.

Like how to drink from a cup, for example.

A few weeks ago we started feeding Ewan solid foods (it is still going well) and we have always offered him a sippy cup of water at the end of the meal. He usually plays with it, but he’s never really seriously drank anything from it.

Well, after yesterday’s lunch I did the same. Ewan got his sippy cup and I had my glass, both filled with water. He watched me, carefully. Moments later he dropped his cup to the floor and grabbed for mine.

I let him try it out and was shocked to see how well he did it. Almost as though he’s been doing this forever.

I think my days of having a backwash-free beverage are over.

Wordless Wednesday

He’s a Sitter

One more thing can be added to the list of things our babe can do. Now, he can sit. He hasn’t perfected it quite yet. He’s still working on it, and he gets the occasional bump on the noggin, a not-so-gentle reminder that he’s still learning. But he’s so very very close to mastering it.

The best thing about his newfound skill . . .

the look of pride and satisfaction he gets when he’s got it all done just right.

Way to go little buddy, we’re so proud of you!

One Week in Chicago

Dough has risen and bread has been baked.

The first batch of homebrew, a Raspberry Wheat, has been started.

The books have been shelved.

My embroidery has found a place, just waiting for a quiet moment.

Solid foods have continued for the babe, as has the journey in making homemade food for him. Today was toasted quinoa cereal.

The bed has been made. That may never happen again.

A space for Ewan was made.

A favorite park was found.

First’s were celebrated. This time, Aaron’s first day back at work.

It’s been a good week. A full week, but a good one. There’s still a lot to be done around here, but we’ve stopped doing so much each day and we’re just starting to live again. I think Chicago is going to be just the right place for us right now, at least I hope so.

Look Who’s Swinging

Today we had our first real outing in Chicago as a family. We went out to Ravenswood Manor Park to meet with a neighborhood playgroup. Ewan, being a six-month old and totally not ready for a playgroup, slept through most of the meeting while we met and chatted with other moms. But when it was all over and most of the kiddos we met had left, he woke up.

After all that work getting him over to the park, we couldn’t bear to just turn around and leave, so we treated Ewan to a little picnic lunch (delicious delicious butternut squash with bananas for dessert) and gave him a chance to try out the swing afterwards.

Turns out, he likes it! He really really likes it!

Now, we just have to see how much swinging we can get in before the wintry weather sets in. Hang in there fall, my little guy wants to swing!

Wordless Wednesday

With all the busyness around here, there really aren’t any words left. I’m missing the peace that we left at the lake.

What Happened in Lutsen . . .

eating – raspberries, moments after they’ve been picked.

feeling – the warmth from the wood stove.

finding – wonderful little bits of nature.

wearing – new shoes with stripey knee high socks.

listening – to the sounds of a great lake.

Wordless Wednesday