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Inspired by Amanda over at Soulemama, I’ve chosen to spend Fridays taking the chance to record a single moment from the everyday around here. One moment that I just don’t want to forget.
An unexpected middle-of-the-night trip to the hospital, the second one in our parenting career. I definitely handled this one much better and I’m always surprised by how well we all weather these little storms, especially little Ewan.
In addition to all the summer lovin’ I was talking about last week, I have been a pretty busy lady.
While I haven’t been working or making a whole lot of the usual stuff; knitting needles have been sidelined, the sewing machine has sat idle, and the oven has been, sadly, empty. There has been a whole lot of making going on.
Making of the baby variety.
I’m nine and a half weeks along (edd – early march) and so far things are going so very well. So well that I was, kind of, doubting that I am really pregnant. So well that the days-without-puke vastly outnumber the days-with-puke.
So, now that this is all out in the open, I think I might be around here more. Perhaps there will be less to talk about of the crafting and making that you’re used to hearing about, but there will be more about the making of this very special little person. This little person that will turn our family of three into a family of four.
And, when this first-trimester fatigue lifts and I start doing a little more than sitting in the chair and staring into space (or napping), there might be a little making for this special little one. Oh, I just can’t resist making tiny little things for tiny little people!!
It’s hard to believe it’s been almost a year since I happened upon the Nursing is Normal, Madison project.
Almost 11 months since we had our photos taken.
Almost 10 months since I first saw, and was amazed by, the slideshow.
And now, today, look what landed in my inbox.
(All photos were taken by Lea Wolf. If you’d like to see more, check out the flickr set.)
It is hard to believe that he was, truly, that tiny. Less than a year ago. Really.
I’ve gotta say, these are shots that I will cherish. Forever. As soon as I saw them, it just brought it all back. All those memories and moments. Those uncertainties as a new mama. The trust you have to have when nursing. It all came flooding back and it was just as clear to me today as it was the day those photos were taken.
Now, as I nurse my toddler, seeing these photos reminded me how very different the experience is. How different, but how important, it has been for my boy through all the months of his life.
I’m not sure where our nursing relationship will go from here or how long the path will be, but I’m so very grateful that I’ve gotten the chance to nourish him, body and soul. 16 months, and counting.
Thank you Lea. Thank you for capturing those moments, thank you for sharing them with us. Thank you for the trip I took down memory lane today and that I’m sure I’ll take so many times in the future. It is, truly, a great gift.
I’m not sure when was the last time that I really watched a sunset. Really watched it.
If photographic evidence is any indicator, it was nearly two years ago.
In August of 2008 my husband and I (and our tiny 6 week old embryo) rode the ferry to Hokkaido. We watched the sunset on that boat, every second of it. We lingered until the sun had sunk well below the horizon. Until our features were blurred because darkness had fallen.
There are very few experiences in life that recreate that feeling, the magic that you witness when watching the sun sink. But tonight I realized how lucky I am to have someone, a very little someone, that can evoke those same feelings of awe I get when watching (or even reminiscing) about the setting sun.
As I slowly rocked my babe to sleep, I watched his face, his tiny features. As his muscles relaxed, his eyelids got heavy. They drooped and slowly sank just like the sun after a long day. Heavier and heavier until, finally, the shut. Just below the horizon. Asleep. Gone until the new day.
Wait a second! Unlike the setting sun, my babe will be up (likely several times) before the sun rises to greet the day. If I can look at those wakings as opportunities to watch him fall asleep again, to watch that magical moment one more time, well, then it will be a beautiful thing.
This post was written as part of the Moms’ 30-minute blog challenge over at Steady Mom.
I’m starting to get the feeling that our house, namely my abilities as a housekeeper/cleaner, are not up to the standards of my little man.
You see, lately, he’s become obsessed with all things domestic.
Vacuuming.
Sweeping.
Laundry.
Today my new little walker (did I tell you he’s walking! all.over.the.place!) carried laundry, piece-by-piece, from the basket in the bedroom to the washing machine in the dining room.
He pointed.
He made his sound for want.
When I told him that it just wasn’t time to do laundry, he made this face.
And cried real tears.
I’ll give you one guess what we spent the afternoon doing.
What do you think, is it possible for this enthusiasm to stand the test of time? Do you suppose he’ll still be crying, as a teenager, when I tell him it just isn’t time to do laundry? One can hope and, believe me, I do.
This post was written as part of the Moms’ 30-minute blog challenge over at Steady Mom.
Welcome to the June Carnival of Natural Parenting: Outdoor fun
This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama. This month our participants have shared their stories and tips for playing outside with kids. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.
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He’s barely been up for thirty minutes and already he beckons. Standing at the door, a shoe in one hand, and an enthusiastic wave with the other, “buh-bye,” he says, again and again, looking at me, expectantly, waiting for me to heed his call. The outdoors calls to him like no other force in his life except, perhaps, mama’s milk.
I look at my babe, then I look at our apartment. Mountains of dishes and laundry. Dusty bookshelves and crumbs on the floor. A bathtub that needs scrubbing and diapers that need folding. Toys and clutter everywhere.
Just as I’m sizing up all that needs to be done, his call interrupts my thoughts. “Buh-bye,” he says one more time and I know it is done. I turn my back on all the chores, get my shoes, and head outside. I follow him, trusting his wisdom, that it is better to get outside and enjoy the day than to stay in.
Being outside is, in the mind of my little guy, primary. What we do once we are there is secondary and to him, largely, unimportant. The destination isn’t important, but the journey is.
Inspired by Amanda over at Soulemama, I’ve chosen to spend Fridays taking the chance to record a single moment from the everyday around here. One moment that I just don’t want to forget.
My little guy, standing on the step stool, helping in the kitchen. All he does right now is empty the spice drawer and stack the jars, but I know more will be coming soon. I can’t wait until we start baking!
Those parent readers of mine, when did you start baking/cooking with your babes? How did you first involve them?
I’m sure you’ve all seen the tutorials somewhere on the web for freezer (or contact) paper stencils. They.are.everywhere.
I don’t want to beat a dead horse, but I did want to show you an interesting spin that we came up with. A way to get the littles (even super little like my 14-month-old guy) involved in the freezer paper stenciling action. While we haven’t done it yet, this would be a great way to make up a quick gift for Dad this Father’s Day.
Materials
Welcome to the May Carnival of Natural Parenting: Role model
This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Code Name: Mama and Hobo Mama. This month our participants have waxed poetic about how their parenting has inspired others, or how others have inspired them. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.
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The carnival topic this month is a tough one for me. Because, when it comes to parenting, I’m not sure that I’ve inspired anyone. If I have, I don’t now, nor may I ever know.
As nice as it would be, it isn’t everyday that someone walks up and says, “Wow! You really inspire me.” But, maybe it should. Maybe we should let people know that they inspire us. Maybe we should toot their horns and give credit where credit is due. Now that I think about it, yes, we should.
With that in mind, I’d like to take a moment to share a few of the people that have inspired me on my parenting journey. The people that have helped me to become the natural parenting mama that I am today.
Inspired by Amanda over at Soulemama, I’ve chosen to spend Fridays taking the chance to record a single moment from the everyday around here. One moment that I just don’t want to forget.
The gears were clearing turning. Head first?
