Bluebirdbaby

Rhythm and Routine

I'm so glad you found the last post helpful! I think it would have been easier for me to write a book! Condensing so many thoughts into one post is tough. I wanted to let you know that I am replying to your comments in the comment section themselves, so please check back for a response.

Also, I wanted to add that keeping toys in the room most used by the family is very helpful. We use low shelves (never taller than the little one) and put everything in baskets. It's helpful to have a large basket to collect all the toys that are out after a day of play, and bringing them to each shelf to put in their appropriate smaller baskets. Every month I go through the little one's toys and move things upstairs and bring others down. Even little things seem to add up (she is often given many gifts) and we run out of space. Her bedroom is not being used at the moment, so we are storing most of the toys she doesn't use on a daily basis up there.

Many people asked to see a little glimpse at our daily/weekly rhythms. I swear, this is the one thing that keeps us going. I found a rhythm that worked well for both of us when she was a little under a year old. After the divorce, the rhythm changed because she was not with me everyday, and now we are finally (after a year!) settling into a rhythm that works. It takes a lot of work and preparation on my part, but the days flow so much smoother that I don't mind one bit. I literally jump out of bed in the morning excited for another day of parenting! We are just having so much fun! So hopefully if any of you out there are stuck in a rut, creating a consistent daily and weekly rhythm could help tremendously! So this is a lot of information, but hopefully it won't be too much...

So here's a glimpse of our weekly rhythm ::

Monday :: school

Tuesday :: school

Wednesday :: long nature walk/hike, craft day

Thursday :: baking day

Friday :: soup day

Saturday :: painting day

These daily activities stay the same week after week. Young children thrive on repetition (everything from reading books multiple times to eating the same foods day after day) and having this rhythm week after week is very calming. Elisabeth does not understand days of the week, but she understands when "baking day" is. She knows that "painting day" is on the day Sasa is home from work, so we all can paint together. She knows "soup day" is after our Waldorf school time. And that must be so comforting to a little one!

Here's a glimpse of our daily rhythm. Transitions and activities are usually helped with the addition of a song (either spontaneously made up, or one we always use. I'll include a couple). I'll just choose baking day as an example ::

Wake up :: I sing a good morning song to her when she climbs into bed with us. It helps start the day on a cheerful note.

Breakfast :: She typically helps, but sometimes is content playing. I always give her the option of helping and set out her cutting board or mixing bowls.

Clean-up :: She helps or has free play while I clean.

Baking :: After the kitchen is tidy, she sits at her baking table and we look at all our ingredients. I pre-measure ingredients because she loses interest pretty quickly when doing it herself. When she's older I will start having her measure things out. We mix, stir, pour, and then bake. She does everything herself, usually with little help from me. She uses mini bowls, mini spoons, etc. which help little hands. After everything is in the oven, we clean up. I usually put a big enamel tub on her table with soapy warm water and a dishcloth. I'll put the smaller things in her tub and she can help wash. There is another basin for rinse water, and finally the towel to dry the dishes. She usually helps do this while I clean the larger items in the big sink. After we are set, we grab our brooms and sweep the floor. She loves to use her dustpan, so I always let her do this part.

Snack :: We eat our yummy baked goods!

Outside nature walk :: We take a short nature walk (about a mile) where I encourage her to walk. We pay close attention to the natural world around us and always bring her little basket (we got ours locally, but you can find them here) for collecting treasures. I've always made it a point to be super observant of everything around us, ever since she was a little baby. I'd point out ladybugs or pretty leaves, and now she does the same! She gets so excited by a chestnut or pinecone. We collect our treasures, then head home to put them on our treasure table by the door.

Lunch :: Sasa comes home for lunch everyday, so the little one and I typically prepare lunch prior to his arrival. She helps chop veggies and cheese, then goes to play while I finish up. We eat and then go outside for some more play.

Quite time :: After lunch is quiet time. She usually lasts for 30-45 minutes of quiet play. She does not like to be still, so we compromised and just have some low energy activities. I can sometimes read on the couch while she plays, but mostly we read together snuggled under a blanket.

In town trip :: We take the time in the mid-afternoon to get out and go for another walk and a trip to the co-op. We get our food for dinner and return home.

Dinner prep :: Dinner usually takes longer to prep and I am trying to start around 3:30 so it is all done by the time Sasa gets home from work. The little one likes to play during this time, or help cook.

Dinner :: The little one helps set the table and we all sit down to eat. We light our special meal candle while singing:

Here is a spark of father sun's light

see how it shines so warm and so bright

so bright, so bright

so warm and so bright.

We sing our blessing on our meal:

Earth who gives to us this food

sun who makes it ripe and good

dear sun, dear Earth by you we live

our loving thanks to you we give.

Then we eat. Usually we go around the table and say what the favorite part of our day was, or what we're thankful for. Sometimes the little one doesn't want to sit at the table and would rather start sweeping the room while we finish up. And that's okay too.

The candle is carried upstairs and placed by her bed. We brush our teeth, wash our face, and get jammies on. After a few books, it's lights out. We say our evening verse ::

The evening is coming.

The sun sinks to rest.

The birds are all flying

straight home to their nests.

"Caw, caw," says the crow

it's time little children

were going to bed.

Here comes the pony.

His work is all done.

Down through the meadow

he takes a good run.

Up go his heels,

and down goes his head.

It's time little children

were going to bed.

The candle is snuffed. Songs are sung, and if it's a special night she gets a "made up" story by either Sasa or I. (Sasa tells the best stories ever!) I stay in her (our!) room until she's asleep, then come downstairs. This is the time I typically blog and plan the next day.

The key to making this work is including the children in everything. The little one has always been the type of child who required attention at all times. I can't tell you how many times a day she would ask Sasa or I to play with her. She even just wanted us watching her. It was exhausting and Sasa and I were frazzled. With this rhythm, there is no time for "down time" where she and I are sitting around with undirected energy. And I think energy is really the key. To always have a purpose, whether it's cooking, cleaning, knitting, playing, reading...even energy in doing nothing! The little one picks up on it so much. 

If you're concerned that your daily tasks will take much longer with the help of young children, think of it like this...I go about my day as a mother and a teacher. I am constantly teaching the little one about life and how we live, while giving her lots of love and attention at the same time. Sure, she might make chores take longer or require some extra clean up from me, but it's so worth it! We spend our day together, constantly learning from each other by doing everyday things.

Last week after our morning of baking, she put the cookies in the oven, looked up at me and said, "Mama, can I go play now?" I honestly never, ever thought those words would ever come out of her mouth. I said, "Yes sweetie, you can play while mama cleans up." And she replied with, "Oh good! You clean up and I'll play, then we'll go for our walk." My heart just melted and I felt so good about what we were doing!

Sasa and I are in the middle of creating a circle time for the morning, right after breakfast and before he goes to work. There will be verses, songs, finger plays, etc. It will bring us all together to connect before a day of activities. Also, I am working on a puppet show a week for the little one, and am currently trying to make some Waldorf puppets. Everyday is certainly different and doesn't always go as planned, but having a base is so essential!

I hope this provides a starting point for some people! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to e-mail me!!

Like This

Our day kinda looked like this ::

The morning started with seeing what the sleepy fairies brought the little one. Sasa went to work super early for our town's yearly "Early Bird Sale" which meant whoever could wake up and go shopping in your pajamas at 6 a.m. got quite a deal. The little one and I were semi-early birds, but we still had to get through our morning routine before we left. Sasa? He was up at 4:30 today! Poor guy!

We had a visit from one of our favorite friends who joined us for painting day. We introduced purple today (guess who requested that?!) and painted quite a few pictures. We had applesauce bubbling away on the stove and all sat down for a nice snack after. The little one loves to "turn" the sauce in the mouli mill.

We were headed to the big city tonight for a special family dinner at my mother's house. The little one got nice and clean before we left and ended up spending an hour and a half in the tub! Just long enough for me to read through my new camera manual and figure out that silly video recording feature. I had no idea it would be so  much fun!! Maybe you'll be seeing videos soon...

And we enjoyed a lovely evening at Baba's. Now we're home, ready for bed, and off I head to work tomorrow bright and early.

I hope you are all enjoying your weekend!

What a Good Day (again!)

Oh, what a fun day! And it's not even over. I sit here at 4 p.m., already having fixed dinner, the little one is completely engrossed in creative play, and I have a moment. I have a moment! I went through the photos of our day and couldn't help but feel so inspired. It was a good day. A really good day. The little one and I started off our day with the above :: a little snuggling in the morning sunlight with some good books and tea. What a great way to start the day!

After our snuggling it was time for our nature walk. We had a very special activity planned for this afternoon, so we were on a leaf collecting hunt. We wanted to find the prettiest leaves we could to dip in melted beeswax and preserve them for future crafts and our nature table. So we went all over town looking for the best leaves ever, and we found them! We also had to stop for a hot cocoa and a pink balloon (oh no...please tell me pink is not after purple!).

We got home and spread our loot out on the table. The beeswax was melted in a pot and placed on the table ready for dipping. The little one and I took turns dipping our leaves in the wax. The end result was so pretty! We also tried a couple of flowers which turned out lovely as well. We'll save these leaves for our nature table and maybe a leaf wreath too! Such a fun and easy activity. We plan on making candles with the extra beeswax to use at our meals.

And look what the fairies brought the little one today :: fences for her barn scene! We just love Zoo Loo Naturals! You can find their Etsy shop here! (The animals are from there too!)

What a good day, eh?! And coming up for Friday...a giveaway for the little ones! Yay!

Still Fits

My baby still asks for the sling once and a while. Usually when she's tired or in need of a little extra cuddling. We worked on dinner last Friday with her in the sling. She loves to cuddle, and I love to cuddle, so this works perfectly.

And I couldn't resist pulling up this old picture. I look tired and worn out (probably hadn't showered or slept in days!), and the little one looks a little stunned (that pesky flash...), but it's a gentle reminder of just how quickly time flies. I never thought I'd say this, but I miss those baby days so much.

I hope you're having a happy weekend!!

A Happy Halloween

Over the summer, the little one requested to be a "purple flower fairy" for Halloween. I ordered the wool felt for her skirt and crown back in August and started working on the whole thing in September. The tutu was so easy and required no sewing at all! The flower petal skirt took the longest because of the hand embroidery, but the crown went together rather quickly too. All in all, it was an easy costume! She had no wings because she didn't want them. The costume didn't stay on too long. For a little one with sensory issues, the "itchy" fabrics and extra layers were just not something she was into. But that's okay. It will fit for years and into the dress up box it goes!

Early this evening we headed up to the annual All Hallow's Eve walk that the local Waldorf school puts on. It was a magical evening, full of forest fairies, knights and dragons, and ended with a story about jack-o-lanterns. The children walked quietly for a quarter of a mile through the woods, completely enchanted by the magical creatures. It was just beautiful. I snapped some photos from the walk so you could "join in" too! Enjoy!

Happy Halloween!!

Waldorf In the Kitchen

Something I've always struggled with the little one by my side is cooking and cleaning. Children and these two things just never mix; or so was my experience. I always tried to get her to help, but I was usually faced with a little one who just wanted undivided attention. There was a time when we settled into a good rhythm waaaay back when and she would gladly help me cook or sweep. But those days have been long gone.

The little one has required lots of attention lately. I found I was getting nothing done, but was mentally and physically exhausted at the end of the day. This week, after Sasa and I decided it was time for her to be engaged along side of us (which meant she was still getting lots of attention, but it was a structured activity), I rearranged the kitchen a bit to suit her smallness. This is our first step. Her cups, plates, bowls, place mats, napkins, cutting board and crinkle cutter (great for little hands), and silverware are all arranged in a cupboard she can get to easily. She helps set the table at each meal by getting whatever she will need. The brooms and dustpans are lined up along the wall within easy reach. We sweep after preparing the meals (she swept on her own tonight without us asking!) and I find a spontaneous "cleaning" song helps the jobs get done.

I set up a little table for her next to our baking corner. Our "baking day" is now officially on Thursday, so this Thursday morning I had everything set up for making skillet cornbread. I placed each ingredient in a separate bowl (all pre-measured) so she could just pour it in and stir. She did it without help and had the batter in the skillet in no time! I find this approach really works wonders with her. She had a smile on her face the entire time and just loved baking! By the way, this book is wonderful with easy recipes for the little ones.

We also made applesauce while our cornbread was baking. We made up an apple cutting song while we washed, peeled, and cut the apples. The little one sat for a good 45 minutes doing this, so content and happy. I've noticed that when she is having a hard time getting absorbed in an activity, making up a song about it always grabs her attention. Our enamel pots are great for washing. We use them for washing dishes, apples, napkins and place mats, and all kinds of other things!

The applesauce was delicious and guess what the little one started to do while I prepared dinner tonight? That's right...she got out her apple washing and cutting tools and went to work, all on her own!

Most of these ideas were inspired by the book Heaven on Earth, which is one of my favorite Waldorf parenting books. After spending some time in a parent/child Waldorf class this fall, I've discovered that with the use of song, having everything at their level, and involving them in all the household tasks makes the days flow smoother. Our rhythm is set, the little one is happy (so far!), we are getting things done, she's getting the attention she needs and mama is getting the chores done! Yay!

Rhythm to me equals peace. When we find our rhythm, everything is easier. Everyone is happier. What have you found helps your little ones? Do you have any songs that help with household tasks? What about seasonal activities? I'd love to hear!!

And now I'm off to finish up a Halloween costume. Yikes!!

Vintage Goodness and Cookies Too

Thank you all so, so much for your thoughtful comments on yesterday's post. Yes, I agree that seventeen flues in a year is far too many. But I'm working hard everyday to strengthen my immune system. I've been pumping myself with supplements for ages, have adopted a Macrobiotic Diet (heavy on the veggies and fermented goodness), and all that I need now is to get some good rest! Hopefully before the next month is out I will be feeling better. So thank you for all your well wishes and suggestions! I really enjoyed them. xoxo

Yesterday, the little one and I trekked to the famous "Rummage Sale" in hopes of finding something special. I stuck her in the Ergo, pushed my way through hundreds and hundreds of people, and together we managed to find some special things for our home. Remember that bunny from yesterday? That was a score in the "boutique" tent. All the rest took some digging and shoving. I'm particularly proud of the bird prints. I have one more set of four prints to put up someplace special. And the vintage linens on the line this morning? Nothing better! Other scores were :: a vintage tray, some plaid flannel for a scarf I've been putting together, and some nice wooden bowls. Woohoo!

I'm trying to get the little one and I back on a weekly rhythm. It's challenging with our schedules, but I've officially made Friday "baking day," so we set to work baking cookies. She helped me measure and pour and stir and taste and roll and cut. She was part of it from beginning to end, which was a lot of fun for both of us. She has been needing some really structured activities and lots of attention from either Mama or Sasa, so finding little things like this is super helpful.

Have a good weekend!! Hopefully I'll be back with some crafting!

Morning, Noon, and Night

It's been a hectic week here. The little one is still battling croup. I came down with my seventeenth flu since last September. And Sasa is beyond tired and a little sniffly too. So, my apologies for my absence. I do hope it won't be long until we're all back on our feet, well rested, and ready for fun! For now, here's a little glimpse of our day today...

:: Morning ::

:: Noon ::

:: Night ::

What have you all been up to this week? And what kinds of activities do you do to keep sick little ones (with tons of energy) still and entertained?!

Oh, and a big thank you to Juliana and Joel for the yummy soup! It really saved us these last two nights...!

A Memory

Something I want to remember forever ::

My babe tossing and turning last night in the midst of croupy coughing fits, finally stops moving and says, "Mama?" I look over...she's fast asleep. Talking in her sleep again, I suppose. She's been doing that a lot lately. I close my eyes, ready to let sleep fall over me again. As the gentle light fades I hear, "Mama? I want to be just like you."

I smile. My heart melts. I open my eyes once again, look over, and she's fast asleep in dreamland. 

"No, my little one. I want to be just like you."

And I fall asleep, a happy, grateful mama to one special little girl.

A memory I will forever keep in my heart.

Our Day

We spent the day taking it easy. A croupy toddler prompted this "wellness tray" that could be carried from room to room. It was packed with everything to make croup a little more tolerable, lots of miso soup, and some chamomile tea with honey.

Lots of laundry. I always get a kick out of folding the little one's clothes...one pile of purple, another of stripes and polka-dots.

Working on the little one's costume during some quiet time. Any guesses as to what she requested to be?! And finally, the book I've had on pre-order for months has finally arrived! Yay! Now if I can figure out a way to re-size all the patterns to fit me!

Taking pictures of the little one while she takes pictures of me. I bought her this very cheap digital camera to see how she liked having her own. It's definitely a hit, although I'm not too thrilled with the quality. She sure is a budding photographer despite lack of megapixels!

And lastly, Kiwi stole the little one's laundry basket, so she naturally had to steal mine.

We ended the day with a yummy spaghetti supper. Have you ever tried this sauce? It has whole cloves of garlic in it! Yum! After supper was a new favorite game, designed by Sasa's sister. Have you ever checked out eeboo? I just adore this. It's on my wish list for the little one.

Have a happy rest of the week!!

What's Happening

There's been a lot of construction going on around here. They've torn up our streets, replaced water pipes and other various plumbing things, and will be starting to rip up the old sidewalks soon too. All this construction means tractors everywhere! We wake up to see tractors literally parked outside our front door with very inviting (and empty) seats. The tractors seem to like our house so much that they sleep over almost every night, which means the little one has unlimited access to all this construction fun. And boy, does she take advantage of it!

We've switched around her play area to provide a cozy corner for her dollhouse and barn, which opened up some space for all her art supplies. It's nice to have her table and desk in the same area, and since this little gal is all about the coloring, painting, and cutting/gluing, this space gets a lot of use!

To display her artwork, I took some clothespins and backed them with sticky tacky and stuck it to the wall. Instant art clip! And it's easily movable too. She walked into the room and said, "Mama...are those my paintings on the wall? The purple one is my favorite!" She was so proud!

A Morning Walk

The little one and I headed out on an early morning walk today to collect some fall treasures. There were chestnuts, money plants, acorns by the handful, pretty leaves of all colors, sticks for magic wands, and the last of the dandelions. The little one got to make a wish.
We raced through the cemetery (one of our favorite spots), running up and down hills for a good 30 minutes, watching geese fly by and leaves fall around us. We gathered everything we could to fit inside her tiny little basket that has accompanied us on so many adventures in the past.
We smiled and giggled and rolled down hills. We had so much fun neither of us wanted it to end. So we stayed out in the cool morning air for quite a while, soaking up the beauty that autumn brings us.

These are the days I hope to remember forever. The days where we giggle and cuddle and say, "I love you" so many times it could make my heart burst. The days where the simplest things brought the greatest joys. These are the things that little ones bring to our lives. And we, as the adults who know them, are so very lucky to have that pleasure. And I will never take it for granted. I will forever be grateful for every single moment. I am so lucky. Thanks, little one. You bring more joy than you'll ever know.

We are heading to the big city for some fun! Have a great weekend!

Fall Nature Table

Our fall nature table has been in the works for a while. The little one and I have been collecting acorns and fallen leaves for over a week now. I was just waiting until I got the chance to dye some fall-colored playsilks. Yesterday, I finally set to work dyeing a couple of playsilks (using the Kool-Aid stove top method) and it took me all of five minutes! So satisfying.

The book was a birthday present the little one got from Sasa and the pine cone person was something I got for the little one at her first Common Ground Fair trip. The leaf garland was an idea I found on this blog. I found leaf templates online (Martha Stewart's website has them) then cut the shapes out of wool felt, hole punched the top and strung a piece of yarn through. And of course, our felted acorns and two mini stumps the little one found recently exclaiming, "Mama, these would be perfect for fairy houses!!" I just love the teensy bit of moss growing on the top of the smaller one.

Rhythm is a huge component to how we live. Rhythm in daily life, monthly life, and yearly cycles. It's all important because it grounds us and keeps us close to nature. It's important to me that the little one be reminded of this rhythm; especially the seasonal rhythm. Having a nature table is the first step. Other things we do that seem to be our natural rhythm to celebrate the arrival of autumn are :: nature walks and discussing the turning leaves and other fall happenings, apple picking, lots of baking, creating a new indoor space for cozying up, getting out craft supplies (wool felt, yarn, embroidery supplies, paints), soups, soups, and more soups, the changing of our local produce and eating more greens and root veggies, hikes, and evenings spent curled up on the couch under a blanket, reading books and drinking hot apple cider.

What do you do to prepare for the changing seasons? And...I know there are knitters out there. Sasa and I have made a winter goal of each learning how to knit (hopefully a hat each!). Any beginner patterns we should be aware of? We'd love any tips!!

30 Days of Happiness :: Things That Bring Me Joy

Sometimes I go thrifting by myself, and other times the little one tags along. It's always a fun adventure either way. With yard sales and flea markets closing for the season, I made a mad dash these last couple of weeks to see what remaining treasures there were to be found. The above were things I've been hunting for all year, and you can bet I was super pleased to score them all at amazing prices. The large enamel pots are for felting, washing up our napkins after meals (the little one adores this...one for soapy water, one for rinsing, and then the drying rack to hang them dry), and for any other household task. I love, love, love them. The silverware (a whole set) is so very perfect for our retro kitchen, and the Amish print Pyrex butter dish was something I have been hunting for for well over a year. Yay!!

The little one is always a source of joy. Today on our morning rounds through town, she chose to travel via stroller. Usually it's walking, followed by the bike, followed by the Ergo or sling, but today it was the stroller. So we loaded it up with our various bits of errand paraphernalia and headed out. Our last stop was the food co-op, where she always gets a "honey pop." But they were out and she chose the fudge pop instead. It wasn't until we returned home and I went to get her out of the stroller that I noticed her face. Oh my! No wonder we were getting some giggles from passersby!

My girl has curls, but it's always amazing to realize just how curly it is. After a bath and a good combing, her hair looks so very long. Sasa and I always get a kick out of it. Once it dries, it will be above shoulder length again with "Shirley Temple curls" in the back (as she likes to call them).

Our late afternoon is always spent doing something "chill." It's a very crazy time of the day for little ones (or at least this little one!) and after our quiet time, we try to carry on that calmness throughout the rest of the day's activities. Today was spent playing quietly with her dollhouse while I did some sewing on the floor next to her. She always needs me close to her these days, so having a project to keep my hands busy helps tremendously :: hand sewing, embroidery, drawing, writing letters, a good book, to name a few...

These were some things that brought joy to my heart today. There's always so many and it's hard to chose! Now please share...where did you find joy today?

30 Days of Happiness :: She's 3

My sweet little baby officially turned three years old today. We planted her butterfly bush, we had an autumn-inspired dinner (take a look at this), some special guests, and the most delicious brownie sundaes made by Sasa. It was a sweet evening.

It's amazing to think about the past three years. She's grown and changed so much, yet I still look into her eyes and see that just-born baby I held on my chest long ago. She will always be my baby. I will always look at her and see my sweet little newborn. I will forever feel her feet kicking my ribs, her hiccups every night at 8 p.m., and how her little bum stuck out the right side of my belly. I'll remember her entrance into the world, her sweet little eyes staring into my soul as she nursed, and her first giggle. I will remember those first steps, her unrelenting determination in everything, her love of smooshed peas (cold!), her silly fake cough to get attention (she's a clever one!) , and her favorite songs and games.
And I am so glad I have these memories. I am so glad we had that time together. I am so glad we know each other so truly and deeply. And I am so glad she is a part of my life. She is amazing and I am very lucky to be her mama.

Happy three years, my sweet little one. May this coming year bring peace, happiness, and joy. I love you.

30 Days of Happiness :: A Tidy Home

I love our little home. I love how everything has a place. And I love how there are so many cozy corners. I make a huge effort to keep it picked up when the toddler tornado has moved through. I think it's so important to keep play areas clean, tidy, and neatly organized. And I think it's important for the little one to see me doing it with intention, focus, and joy. And maybe someday soon, she will too imitate the tidying that goes on daily.

Toys in our home are easily accessible. I'm a huge fan of baskets. Some call me the basket queen. I am constantly picking them up at thrift stores (I've never purchased a new one!) and use them for everything from fruits in the kitchen, mail in our mudroom, to blocks and cars in the play area. It's important for me that everything has a place to return to, and if it doesn't, it usually goes. For Sasa and I, having the same baskets store the same toys everyday and having them neatly labeled is a huge help in us picking up throughout the day, and during our big clean up at night. And for the little one, it keeps things familiar and will someday help her to recognize words.

Her "house" area is usually very neat as well. When I play with her (it's always helpful for me to join her in imaginative play first to get her started, then it's easier to move to my work once she's playing), I always make the effort to tidy up as we play. If she is done ironing her playsilks, I will fold them up and put them in her laundry basket, even if she has moved on to the next thing. If she's done "baking" cookies, I pretend to clean the mixing bowl in her kitchen sink, wipe it dry, and store it in the cupboard. I feel it's important to carry the work I normally do around the house into her play.

Is our house sometimes a complete mess? Yes. Is it a constant effort to keep it from becoming one? Yes. But to me it's worth it. It sets the tone for the day (waking up to a tidy home is so important to me), and allows us to do our work, whether it's actual work or play. I think it's important to show the little one that these are our values; and not by telling her, but by showing her so she can learn it on her own. And I am very lucky to live with a man who feels the same exact way. Now the little one? She may have a differing opinion...!

30 Days of Happiness :: Fairy Parties

What can I say about today? It was amazing, wonderful, magical, and just sweet (and I took too many pictures!!). The little one will turn three years old on Wednesday, and since I will not see her until Wednesday night, we decided to honor her today instead. We started the day with a breakfast celebration, complete with her new birthday outfit, crown, a small gift, and her three year birthday ring. Sasa made a terrific breakfast, and Baba (my mother) was there to celebrate too.

The outfit fabrics were chosen by the little one and we worked on it together over the last three weeks. The shirt is an Oliver + S pattern, slightly modified. I was surprised she picked out these colors, but she was very excited about the Little Red Riding Hood fabric and somehow we made it all work. The best part was she was excited to wear it today!

The theme for our small celebration were fairies. Fairy houses, fairy tea, fairy dolls and books, and fairy snacks. We set up the little table in the yard with pumpkins and bags I had made for the children with fairy dolls inside. The little one helped me make each fairy doll: gluing on their hats, felting the wool, and picking a fairy name for each one. She also told me the colors her friends like the best, and we made bags and fairies to suit each child's favorites.

The little one received many loving gifts including a basket filled with embroidery goodies perfect for little hands, a hand-painted tea cup, a necklace made by a special friend, and so much more. Really, it could not have been a more magical party!

After tea, we set off to make our fairy houses around the yard. Sasa had collected many perfect fairy house building materials on a recent kayaking trip and we had a wagon full of things to choose from. The kids made beautiful houses and I think the fairies who live in our yard will be so excited!

Elisabeth has recently learned how to take pictures using my camera (gulp!) and she is quite good indeed. In the next week I will be setting up a flickr account for her and you can view all her photos there. Really, they are very good!! The above are just a sample...

Then it was cake, which was a gluten-free chocolate cake the little one requested with "stripes and polka-dots" on it. Sasa made up the recipe and it was absolutely delicious. The little one has been talking about this birthday cake for months now, and it was so special to finally see her with it. She had a "ginormous" piece and loved every bit of it.

And last but not least, her special present. Sasa's Pop has been working on it for a while now, and his mother has been busy furnishing it. The dollhouse was a big hit (with all the kids!!) and I'm sure you will see many more pictures of it in the future!

Sasa and I are completely wiped after a day full of fun, fairies, celebrating, and friends. It was so very magical and amazing. I'm glad we will have this memory for ever and always. Happy Birthday, my sweet little one. You bring so much magic to my life! I love you. xoxo

30 Days of Happiness :: Painting With My Girl

We had so much fun today. So very much fun! My girl is back. She's grown in leaps and bounds in just three days. She is cuddly (she held my hand through the night...aw!), full of giggles, and giving hugs to just about anyone she sees. Everything we did today was fun. Who can't be happy about that?!

Towards the very end of the day, which is usually that really hard stretch right before dinner, we parked ourselves in the backyard for some painting. Sasa's table is not only handy for eating, but for crafts too!

We painted and painted. We painted big sheets of paper (over and over) and little postcards to mail to our friends.

We even had a few visitors. Penelope has been pretty lonely since Roxanne left us, so she likes to hang out whenever we're around. And today she even had an interest in painting! The little one thought it would be great fun to give her a brush, and if she hadn't been more interested in the bread nearby, I think she actually might have painted...

In the end, the finished products made our yard look rather pretty. And we have oodles of postcards to send to "everyone!" (the little one insists).

What brought a smile to your face today?

30 Days of Happiness :: Sewing With My Girl

It was a rainy day today. I guess we're getting the tail end of a hurricane. It's been dark, gloomy, and wet all day long. But after a birthday party, some errands, and a yummy lunch, the little one and I headed to my sewing room for a bit of quiet time while Sasa baked in the kitchen.

I had made two floor pillows for the birthday boy and girl. The little one was completely involved in the process, from picking the fabrics to filling the pillows with buckwheat hulls and lavender flowers, to wrapping them up with pretty ribbon. She's becoming quite the little crafty gal herself! So we set up her little "quiet, cozy corner" that we started doing after lunch everyday and set to work.

She likes to take the fabric scraps and make something out of them. Yesterday it was bows for my chair, today it was a little scene taped to a piece of wool felt. (Scotch-tape and scissors are huge hits over here!)

She chose her fabrics well and in less than 45 minutes, she had her own little play pillow. She even chose a ribbon to use as a handle for carrying the pillow around. Clever girl! The buckwheat hulls give it a lot of height, so it also doubles as a "booster" for our kitchen chairs.

I'm so happy to have memories like these of our time spent together. It fills me with such warmth and joy!

And I'm really enjoying all of your happiness posts too! Keep them coming! I fixed the list on the sidebar, so everyone who e-mailed me should see their blog added now. Thanks so much for joining me in this journey!

Fairy Houses and Flowers

Fairies love to hang out where lots of beautiful flowers grow. In fact, they use flowers for all sorts of things: hats, cushions, soups, tea, and tutus. So where there are lots of flowers, you can be sure that they are close by. Fairies also let honeybees know where all the beautiful flowers are. That way, more flowers can grow and fairies get yummy honey in return.

Sometimes, when big people realize that fairies are so important to beautiful flower gardens, they put on big festivals for them. At these festivals, there are many ways to honor the fairies. Such as dancing, painting, fairy costumes, and building houses for them.

The fairies love when the children build them houses. They usually have such a hard time lugging all the branches, bark, and pine cones from the deep forests to where they want to build their village. So when the children help out, the fairies reward them with wonderful berries and beautiful flowers.

Sometimes, a child will get a fairy house just right. With such a perfect house, a fairy will move right in before the child is finished building it! Sometimes the child just knows what a fairy loves. A swing makes them so excited that they start to clap from behind the trees as they watch the swing being built. And when the child adds a walkway and yard complete with table and chairs, they all start cheering from under their toadstools and flower hats.  When the house is finally finished, and the child leaves it behind for the fairies, sometimes you can see the fairies, with their luggage made from maple leaves and birch bark, walking through the ferns on their way to the new house. In return, they reward the child with patch full of yummy blueberries.

And the child will be so pleased that they built a house a fairy family will live in, that they will smile and giggle as blueberry juice drips down their chin. The child will run to their family and excitedly tell the story of how wonderful it is to be amongst the fairies for a day.

And the family will feel exactly the same way.

I Love You

"Hey Mama? When I get to be a big, big girl, I'm gonna be a mama just like you!"

I can't tell you how many times she makes my heart melt.
Or how many times I hear "I love you, mama" whispered into my ear.
Or how many times she looks into my eyes and sees my soul.
Or how many times I thank the universe for sending her my way.

She is an amazing little being. She makes me want to be a better person. She is a constant reminder of how lucky I am; how lucky we all are.

Thanks, little one. Your life brings sweet sunshine to each of my days.

Making Do

Thanks for all your great suggestions on my last post. Rainy days can be cozy and fun when spread out throughout the summer, but day after day of rain can put you in a rut! So out came more crafty things, a little "switcheroo" in the living room (moving toys around always inspires play!), and lots of doll play. She loves these little clothespin dolls we made with her months ago.

And here's a sneak peak at my next shop update. I'm getting there...I promise! I will be updating on Tuesday of next week. Yay!

Enjoy the holiday weekend. I hope the sun finds you wherever you are...!

Rainy Days

I don't know about where you all are, but here it's been raining for days. Or maybe weeks? But it feels like months. And it's not that light drizzle with warm weather either. Oh no...it's on and off pouring with cool temperatures.

Here's a little glimpse of our rainy days and the little things that help us stay entertained ::

New flip flops (two sizes too big!) that are just begging for hot weather and trips to the beach.



The little one has been fascinated by rings recently, so we took her to a funky little store to pick out her own. She chose this blue stone and was so thrilled to have a ring that fit her perfectly!

Coffee :: hippie style. We've  been looking for a cheap French press for ages, but haven't been able to find one. This reusable "coffee sock" works great and produces just enough coffee to keep Sasa and I going until we get our daily lattes a bit later.



The chickens are getting bigger and bigger. Penelope and Bernard are really getting along and are pretty close, but Roxanne tends to get herself in trouble with Bernard a lot. They're quite entertaining to watch and the little one and I go to visit them in the barn during the day to say hello.



And finally, what all of us feel like doing (except the little one!)...

I hope you're not dealing with as much rain as we are! Enjoy the rest of the week. I hope to have a shop update next week. Yay!

It's a Good Day for Everything

I wish I had more appropriate pictures for this story. But these photos were taken today after we decided it was a "good morning for a trip to the playground." Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me on our kite flying expedition. The last one is an oldie, but my favorite.

This afternoon we found our kites in the outdoor toy box. We decided a trip to the cemetery was in order for some kite flying. I put the little one in the Ergo and off we went. On our walk down, she squeezed me tight and said, "Mama, today is a good day for kite flying!" I felt the humidity creep under my clothes and was wishing there was more of a breeze. I said, "I hope so, sweetie. We will definitely try."

We got to the cemetery where the big field is and I tried so, so hard to get that kite up. It just wasn't windy enough. The little one was running all around trying to get her "baby kite" to fly. I think she was having just as much fun trying as she would flying. She looked over, out of breath and halfway across the field, and yelled, "Mama, it's a good day for flying kites, isn't it?"

Just then a cold front moved in. I was suddenly shivering in my sweater, jeans, and wool socks. The wind picked up and I could hardly keep that kite under control. It flew up and up and up. It kept going until it seemed like our entire little town could see it. The little one beamed and we took turns holding the string. I looked over at her and said, "Hey sweetie, it's a great day for flying kites."

We flew that kite for two hours. We rolled down the hill through the buttercups and daisies. We searched for four leaf clovers. We pretended we were dogs and ran on all fours. We stopped at the pond to throw rocks and look for frogs. And then I carried her back home, with her arms around my neck and her head nuzzled into my chest. As we approached the house she looked into my eyes and said, "Thanks for the good day" and kissed my lips.

No my little one, thank you for the good day.

Everyday she teaches me more and more about life, about living, about joy, and about myself. Everyday I get to spend with her is amazing and I am so very thankful for every second we are together. I am the person I am today because of her. Motherhood has pushed me out of my shell, it has made me more compassionate and loving, it has taught me how to be comfortable with myself, it has taught me to believe in myself, it has taught me what's important, and it's taught me how to live life to its fullest. How could anyone ask for more?

Spring

Okay, I know I was just talking about summer in my last post, but I'm also not denying that it is indeed spring. And just the beginning of spring, I will surely admit. So the spring nature table finally made it on the list of to-dos...a bit later than I had originally anticipated, but better late than never, right?!

It was fun putting this simple display together. It sits on the shelf near her play corner, right in front of the sunniest window in the house. The wool felt represents the growing green grass, the brown squishy mud everywhere, and the puddles and ponds that are coming to life all over. The pussy willows were a gift from her yoga teacher, the stump was collected on one of our recent walks, and the moss was spotted by mama last week growing down the street and I knew it had to come home with us.

And, I've been getting lots of e-mails asking what music is on my photography website. I've finally gotten around to typing up the list:

Hello- Tristan Prettyman
Sweat Pea- Amos Lee
We Were Free- Priscilla Ahn
Lay Your Head Down-Keren Ann
Crooked Legs-The Acorn
Leave the Light On-Priscilla Ahn

And now, I'm off to continue working on that picnic blanket I keep mentioning. Oh yes, it's underway! Finally!!

Stay tuned for the winner of the giveaway tomorrow. Enjoy your Thursday!

I'm Here

Sorry I've been a bit absent. The weeks are going by so quickly, a certain toddler is keeping us very busy, and between working at our regular jobs and doing house projects, I've spent very little time on the computer! But I've received quite a bit of e-mails asking where I am and if I'm okay, so I wanted to let you all know everything is fine...just busy!

I've been searching for a yoga class for the little one and I ever since she was born. A local mama started one in a gorgeous studio nearby, and I was very excited to get a spot. The little one had a lot of fun, mostly running over to the big mirror to say "hello!" to herself, and she particularly liked showing off her favorite (and well practiced) pose: downward dog. We ended the class with some yummy tea and can't wait to go back next week!

The local YMCA started an open gym morning for toddlers. We head over there for some bike riding, rock climbing, and roller skating. The little one mastered pedaling all by herself and discovered her love for zooming around the room with wheels under her feet. Her balance is amazing.

I've had some good luck thrifting lately. The little one got a new doll crib and a house for her wooden figures. In the past few weeks she doesn't want to let Sasa or I out of her sight, so we usually end up involved in lots of imaginary play, complete with elaborate tents made from blankets and couches.

And the weather is finally warming up. After another big snowstorm, we were lucky enough to have some mild days where we spent most of the time on the porch. Today looks like more of the same, possibly with a trip to the big city thrown in for some fun.

I hope you are enjoying your weekend!

A Trip to the Big City

Sasa and I took the little one down to the big city for some fun yesterday. We stopped at the toy store, visited Baba at work, ventured into our favorite little record store, and finally ended the day with a very long stay at the children's museum. The little one had a day full of laughs, smiles, good food, lots of love, and two people who were so very excited to spend the day with her. It's amazing how much she is growing and changing. We are having so much fun watching it all happen!

And thanks for your continued well wishes. I am indeed feeling better. I still have the same hacking cough I've had since early November, and I'm not sure exactly where I stand with this pesky mono. But Sasa and the little one have done a very good job taking care of me. And I am so very thankful for that!

I have some crafty posts coming, a little guest blogging action, and I'll finally be revealing what that photographer from the Salt Institute was all about. So stay tuned! Enjoy the weekend!

A Lazy Day

It seems as though most of the week is spent running here and there, rushing around getting meals prepared and the house cleaned up, squeezing in nap time and getting to bed at a reasonable hour, and all the things in between. It can be exhausting and it's not until Thursday comes around that I remember to breathe and slow down.

Thursday is our wide-open day: no plans, no play dates, no story time at the library. We simply do whatever we feel like. It may entail a trip to the big city, a lazy day at home, or hanging out in our little town. There's no telling what activity the little one will want to partake in, but it always starts at the bookshop cafe for some whip cream and hot chocolate.

With all the previous rushing about, we both seem to really appreciate the slowness of Thursdays. Falling into a rhythm of play and housework; of helping one another side by side or breaking off into our own activities. There's lots of dancing, music (we are loving this group lately), cooking and baking, and eating. And whatever we tend to do, it is much enjoyed.

We always end the day with a special meal and homemade ice cream for dessert. The little one gets extra cuddles and stories at night (she's really loving this book right now), and I sing songs while she settles into bed. Her favorite songs? Well, that would be "Lobsterman's Wife" and "Red Robin", of course!

I hope you are all enjoying this Thursday too!

Making Christmas Cookies

It's been a while since I've done any holiday baking (with the gluten-free challenge and all...nothing ever tastes the same) but living with a baker definitely has its perks! Tonight we decided to bake some sugar cookies. The little one was a great help and insisted on putting most of the sprinkles on herself. The end result? Definitely very yummy! Next week: gingerbread cookies!

Giving Thanks

I don't typically get that excited about holidays, and have never really focused on "giving thanks" for anything in a serious manner around Thanksgiving. But this year, I feel thankful for so many things. I woke up yesterday morning feeling like it was Christmas. I felt that same excitement I did as a little child as I ran to the Christmas tree. We woke up to a yard full of frost that almost looked like snow, and there was such a feeling of festivity in the air. I went the whole day thinking how lucky I was and how thankful I am for everything and everyone in my life. There is just so much to be thankful for...

The little one's first television viewing. I haven't had television in 6 years, so the little one has never seen a show on t.v. or a commercial for that matter. But there is cable where we are staying, and we turned it on for the first time to view the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. The little one thoroughly enjoyed the dancing and singing before the parade started. She kept getting annoyed by the commercials and requested "more people!!!" every two minutes.

A Thanksgiving Day morning walk. We hiked over 3 miles with two friends while the little one stayed unusually content in her backpack. The weather was mild and the rain held off. We enjoyed some gorgeous views and it felt great to get some exercise.

Thanksgiving dinner at the sweetest little house ever, with some lovely company. It was a very low-key, relaxed day and we all had a lot of fun. One of the nicest parts was the fact that the pies, stuffing, and side dishes were gluten-free! So I had my first complete Thanksgiving meal without a lot of pain afterward!

An after dinner walk down to the ocean where the little one found a "choo-choo train". The walk seemed to finally tire her out, so she slept on the car ride home and remarkably fell asleep once placed in her bed at home.

And I am thankful for a new place to live, which will hopefully happen this coming week! The little one and I are so excited. We'll be sharing the house with a friend, and I promise to update you with all the renovations/redecorating that goes on. The little one has requested a "green and purple" room...any ideas on how I could make that work?! And you know...there will be a new sewing studio to put together and I am very excited about a new color/theme for that! And soon there will be some craftiness happening on this blog again. I am just itching to get back to sewing! There is just so much to be thankful for!

I hope your Thanksgiving was a good one. Enjoy the weekend!

A Big Thank You

I am extremely overwhelmed by all your lovely, sweet, and encouraging comments to my last post. Every time I opened my e-mail, I was greeted by words that brightened my day. So thank you all so much. I wish I could reply to everyone individually, but my computer time has been so sparse. I've been trying to post this for four days now! Please know that I felt such warmth from your words and it's amazing how they can make a challenging time much easier. So thank you, thank you, thank you!

The little one and I ended up moving to a temporary place last weekend. It was sudden, and other than lack of sleep, we are both adjusting just fine. We're both a little worn out. Transitioning to another home is hard enough for a toddler, but also transitioning to a big girl bed at the same time makes it even more challenging! I think the biggest hurdle for both of us is a lack of rhythm. When she was around 10 months old, I put in a lot of work creating and maintaining a rhythm to our days. Transitions became smoother, we both knew what to expect, and sleep was easier.
In the last week, we've completely lost that rhythm and it's hard to create a new one when she's not with me everyday. So that is our biggest struggle right now. But once we are in a permanent place, I think we will reestablish a comfortable rhythm and our days will run much smoother.

In other news, I've made a commitment to myself to not buy anything new for our new home. I will need to furnish it. Because I am not taking much from the old house, it's like starting with a blank canvas. It's pretty exciting, especially because I have so many ideas and styles I've never been able to experiment with. This past weekend I headed to a flea market to check out the goods. I didn't walk away with much, but it was fun nonetheless.

I hope to have access to my sewing machine soon, so hopefully you will see some creative work in this space. All these life changes can really leave you exhausted and with little creative energy. I can't wait until I'm back. Thanks for bearing with me, friends. I so appreciate your continued support! Until next time...

Catching Up and Way Behind

So I know I've been sparse around here of late. It's been a crazy fall for me. I feel a little out of rhythm. Fall is my favorite time of year. I love to sit back and watch it pass by, soaking in the warm golden sun, the smells, the colors. But this fall has been far too hectic for me and I find that it's passed by all too quickly.

The craziness I keep talking about? Well, I pondered about how best to bring it up. And I thought about not mentioning anything at all, but I knew my long time readers would notice shifts and changes and have questions. Its all very awkward to talk about, especially when I think about sharing such personal information on a blog for all to see. But really, this blog is a part of my life. I enjoy writing, sharing glimpses of our days, checking in with everyone and reading your wonderful comments (that I have been far too behind to reply to!).

Our little family has been going through some changes for quite some time now. Stephen and I are in the process of going through a divorce. I have been searching for a place to live for months, but having been a stay at home mother for the past 2 years, you can imagine how hard it is to afford something! But it looks like in the next month or two, I will be settled somewhere. I have many supportive friends in the area and I'm very grateful for their kindness and help.

So if I seem a bit absent here and on flickr, please know that I am around and I am still able to read your wonderful e-mails and comments. Hopefully once I get settled, I can concentrate on my writing and photography again. So bear with me until I'm back! Thanks for your continued support. Your comments bring such sweetness to my days.

A Visit to the Farm

My friend (and coworker) is building a house and invited the little one and I over to see the progress. Her parents live on a big farm with beautiful gardens, apple trees, four pigs, two horses, and chickens just down the road. So we spent some time at the farm exploring. I was sent home with a stalk of brussel sprouts, kale, and beets. Not to mention our weekly trade of duck eggs for garlic and potatoes. I think I'll have a happy belly all winter long!

The little one especially loved discovering the toys inside that were tucked away in a corner. I've noticed a huge difference in her play since she started preschool in September. She is more engaged and happily plays away for long stretches of time. I've also noticed that the less toys there are, the more she plays. I'm thinking about going through a lot of ours and dwindling them down to a few. Most just sit in the baskets or on the shelves unused. Blocks, her new ukulele, her wooden farm family, and her cars are the most played with. Everything else just seems to go unnoticed! Has anyone else found that having less toys encourages more play?

And we have been regularly putting on performances for anyone who will listen of this song. This is the very song I sang the other month with the guitarist at a local barn gig. The little one insists I play the ukulele while she bangs away on her mini piano. So far she's received some very enthusiastic clapping for her talents. Maybe she'll join me on stage next time!

Away

The little one and I headed down to my mother's house (right outside the "big city") for a few days. We are having lots of fun, although sleep tends to be last on the list, which makes for a very tired mama and a very tired toddler. There's just way too much excitement down this way!

We headed out to a famous lighthouse and fort this afternoon for some kite flying, swinging, and ocean air. After it was a trip to the city to walk around and grab a bite to eat. The little one is thoroughly enjoying herself and everything the big city has to offer! We will return to our little homestead this weekend to settle back into our country life...

Fall Festivities

We headed to a local apple orchard this morning for some picking. This was the little one's first time, and she really enjoyed filling our baskets and bags with the drops. (And they're free!) We walked away with about 30 pounds of apples which will be turned into pies, applesauce, and apple butter in the next few days.

And downtown gets pretty excited about fall/Halloween. Friday night we watched as the gigantic pumpkins were brought in on tractors and placed all along the sidewalks. Some weigh as much as 400 pounds! Today the festivities began, with artists painting or carving the gigantic pumpkins, and a pumpkin painting party for the little ones. Tomorrow is a parade. I'm pretty sure the little one is going to be a turkey with her preschool class.

I hope you're all enjoying the weekend!

I'll leave you with some songs I am really enjoying at the moment:
This one
This one
and this one.

A Fun Morning

After a nice chilly morning breakfast of quinoa flakes, we headed into town for story time at the library. We enjoyed some fun fall stories and lots of mama chatting time, then wandered over to the cafe from some tea. The little one was having such a cooperative morning that I decided a stop at the thrift shop was in order. We scored some neat things at a lovely price and spent some time wandering around the little neighborhood after, pointing to all the red, orange, and yellow trees.

Autumn always makes me so happy. I have many wonderful fall memories from my childhood; jumping in leaves, apple picking, pies, curling up under a cozy blanket with a book, the smells, the light changing, spending weekends raking the yard with my mother, Halloween costumes, baking, picking out pumpkins, and the list goes on. I hope the little one finds this time of year just as special as I do. I'm sure she'll have plenty of pictures to remember it by!

A Little Bit of Everything

So much has been going on the last week that I haven't had a moment to sit down to post. First of all, I know a lot of you have asked how the little one is doing with preschool. Well, she's not too enthusiastic about it when I drop her off. The first day I got a call 3 hours later asking to come pick her up. Although I was at work, so she had to stick it out the whole day. The teachers tell me she's getting better and better, although why my normally social, outgoing, fearless little girl is the only one who puts on quite a show when mama leaves, is beyond me. She's going through a new phase (which started the week prior to preschool) where she is very clingy, needy, and whiny. So add that to being away from mama for 7 hours, two days a week, and you have a recipe for some hard moments. I'm sure with time it will get easier.
The food sensitivities have proved to be challenging. She's been exposed to gluten twice. We're still trying to figure out how to deal with that. Any suggestions?

I'm really enjoying my job at the natural food co-op. It's such a break for me and I adore the people working there. I also end up buying lots of yummy food and I'm pretty sure I've (unfortunately) now doubled our already high grocery bill. Oops. I have a weakness for their gluten-free turkey sandwiches that are (gulp) $7.

We supposedly had our first frost last night. The weather is so cool and crisp. It's definitely fall now. I cleared out the raised beds and picked all the basil, carrots, summer squash, and herbs. All that's left are the beets and onions. Apple picking is coming up and there will be applesauce and cider. Tomorrow I'm making a huge batch of pesto. Does anyone know if it's possible to can pesto? Those small canning jars are the perfect size for one meal and I love the thought of not dealing with frozen pesto.

I made this fall jacket for the little one last week. It's my own pattern. I lined it with soft flannel. I wanted to wait and get action shots, but it seems we are always in a rush when she has it on. I'll try again this week. It went together quite quickly, although I always have a hard time with the arms, especially when it is lined. The holes are too small to fit around the arm of the machine, so I don't get as neat of seam as I'd like. But thankfully the messy part is always the part you can't visibly see! I'm pleased with the end result though and the little one seems to enjoy it.

Tomorrow will be more birthday celebrating and Sunday starts another work week for me. I hope you all enjoy your weekend!

Preschool

I went back through my archives and found a few oldies. Can we all let out a collective, "awwww!"?

Many of you have been wondering just what will happen to the little one once I begin working part time. Well, way back last winter I joined a committee to start a Waldorf school in the area. Remember that? Well, the committee kind of fell apart after a couple of months and we went our separate ways. But one member decided to start her own preschool/daycare at her home.

So the little one will be attending this lovely Waldorf-inspired program two days a week while I work. She's still a bit young for "school" and I imagine her more of observing the bigger kids and getting lots of play time in. She's such a social creature and being stuck at home with me day in and day out has proved too much for the both of us.

It's funny how you have this picture in your head of how you will parent. And you have it all planned out and think how amazing and lovely spending every day with your baby will be. And then the child is born. And if that child is totally and completely different than anything you had expected, you soon realize that who you had imagined to be as a mother is totally dependent on what type of child you have.

I was so intent on doing everything naturally. No bottles, no formula, no sleeping in a crib, no baby gadgets, she'd sleep happily in the sling all day long. But these things didn't work out. By month 4 of the colic I was begging to borrow bouncy chairs, exersaucers, and other colorful plastic things that adorned our house for too many months. By month 8, after not having slept longer than 2 hours at a stretch since her birth, we finally ditched the cosleeping and moved her into her own crib. By month 10, I gave up trying to successfully breastfeed her on an elimination diet and switched her to a medical formula. She changed overnight after that.

As frustrated as I feel about all of this and as much as I want to yell "but this isn't how I wanted to parent!!", I have realized that it's not about me. It's about her. And every decision I make, whether it goes against all of my mothering instincts or not, is entirely for her benefit and really isn't about me one bit.

So even though I am excited to start working, part of me mourns that amazing (and all too often trying!) opportunity to be at home with my child everyday. But I know that we are both ready for a change. And I feel like with every passing day she is showing me how best to let her grow, what she needs to thrive, and what she needs from me as a mother. But it's so hard to imagine having to ask someone else what your child did that day, if she learned any new words, or if she accomplished a new skill, or is there some new snack she likes? It's hard letting her go a little bit. Knowing that there will be some days we do our separate things.

So her first day of "school" is September 8th. I don't think it will be hard for her. She's so amazingly social and all her buddies will be there. But me? Well, I think maybe I might shed a tear knowing that a certain chapter in our lives is ending. Either that, or skip happily back to my car where my hot coffee and my choice of music awaits!

In the three minutes it took me to put groceries away...

Amazing what can be accomplished in the short time it takes for me to put groceries away. You might not be able to see the dark purple ball of yarn that was unraveled and dragged across the entire house, wrapping itself around chairs, toys, and table legs along the way. But trust me, it's there.

Being A Mother

(Photo from last Mother's Day)

Motherhood was never something I saw in my immediate future. My plan was to adopt in my late thirties, thinking I'd be this very independent gal who traveled all over the world touring (with a band) and never really had time to settle. So when I found myself married and pregnant in my early twenties, that future that I had envisioned since childhood suddenly broke into a million tiny pieces and floated away. But I was okay with that. I knew motherhood would open up a whole new world of possibilities.

I didn't realize that with becoming a mother, the identity I had always known, the person I had become, would suddenly disappear as soon as my screaming daughter was placed on my chest after a long and painful birth at home. The person I had grown accustomed to, who I had finally learned to accept and found comfort in, was suddenly a sleep-deprived, lactating, worried, anxious woman who now had an added appendage that was never there before. It took months to grow into my role as a mother. It wasn't love at first sight and there were many rough times before I could really settle into my new role. I often found myself longing for the person I was before.

But with all the evolving and adapting over the last 19 months, I will say that I wouldn't change a thing. The person I have become, who I have grown into and grown to love, is way more interesting, insightful, creative, loving, and compassionate than the person I was before. To have the honor of spending everyday with this marvelous, captivating, and amazing little person who has so much to offer the world, is a remarkable gift. I find great joy in being her mother and the gift of motherhood is something I will be forever thankful for.

I hope you enjoyed Mother's Day. See you around...

Rainy Day Play

Dress-up

Saving my many dance costumes from years and years of ballet and tap proved to be a very good choice. While Papa worked away on taxes over the weekend, the little one and I had fun trying on old tap  and ballet shoes (my ballet flats from 3rd grade still fit), and of course the many tutus and sequined leotards (which no longer fit me, thank goodness).

Waldorf-Inspired and Parenting

This post is a hodgepodge of thoughts. I do not tend to get mushy and sentimental, so this is a side of me you may not hear often. I wrote this late last night, finished typing and thought "oh my...this is really too much." I thought about going back and editing it all, summarizing this very long post into a single paragraph. But then I realized that sometimes the raw emotions of a particular moment can really bring words to life. So I left this post untouched, just as it was when I wrote it curled up on the couch last night.

There's been a lot of talk about Waldorf education around here. A few weeks ago I joined the steering committee for a future Waldorf-inspired preschool cooperative. I first read about Rudolph Steiner when I became pregnant. The Waldorf idea intrigued me and I quickly wanted to learn more. I'm usually not keen on labels. I feel they are too restrictive, but most of the Waldorf theories connect with me on a deep level. It may not be for everyone, but for our family, it fits the bill. Shortly after joining the steering committee, I purchased the book Over the Rainbow Bridge and finished it in record time. I found it to be a very basic and gentle introduction to Waldorf education, parenting, and home life.

As the little one gets older, I find ourselves adopting a certain rhythm in our days. Our routine is not always the same each day, but lunch and nap time often ground us after a hectic morning. Some days I find myself waking up with that dreaded "how will we ever pass the time today?" feeling. This book talks about the importance of rhythm and how establishing certain days for specific activities can help a child develop a sense of time. So we made the chart you see above. Each day is designated for a certain activity such as wash day, baking day, soup day, painting day, hiking day, etc. A child doesn't really grasp the concept of "today is Monday", and are most likely to understand when you say "today is baking day." It eliminates the stress for me to fill our days with activities, and a comforting reminder that we'll have a familiar routine we can sink into week after week.

Yesterday we managed a challenging gluten-free bread recipe and even put a pot of homemade chicken soup on the table for supper. Just a few of weeks ago, I never thought I could do this with a whining toddler at my ankles. But I realized I have a little helper, and if I actually let her help, it can go pretty smoothly. I will admit, I'm really looking forward to next "baking" day.

Since my post about mindful parenting, I have really been working on being present. Every second of every day. When I'm playing with her, I am just playing with her. I'm not thinking of the dirty dishes, the diapers waiting to be washed, or the e-mails waiting to be read. I try to be patient, even in the midst of those toddler tantrums. I admit, patience is not one of my strongest suits. But it's getting better. Instead of playing with her when she's acting clingy, we do housework: cooking, baking, cleaning, laundry, sorting toys, and sweeping (her favorite). Sure, she slows a normally quick task down, but she's engaged in an activity, having fun, and learning at the same time. All the while right by my side, instead of clinging to my legs.

I've limited my computer time to be fully present. I am no longer on the computer when she is awake. I don't want her to think the computer is more important than she is. So much of my time can be sucked away with scouring the internet for information, and although I do learn a lot, I should be learning by doing. Our television (no actual channels come in here, but we do watch Netflix after she goes to bed certain nights) will be moved to the loft, so it will no longer be the focal point of our living room. Stephen and I are limiting our screen time to one or two nights a week, and are taking up reading and playing board games instead. If we don't want her watching television, why should we?

I want her to have a rich experience in her early years. I want her to feel connected with the natural world around her. We're planning on ducks and chickens this spring, and possibly goats this summer. I want her to know where her food comes from, how much effort it takes to grow the vegetables we put on our table. I want her to get to know the wonderful community of people in this area and how lucky we are to recognize at least a handful of people whenever we go into town. She lights up when we see their smiling faces and hands waving a cheery "hello."

The preschool cooperative has been an amazing resource for me. I feel very lucky to be part of the team organizing the future of the school. It has pushed me to learn more about Waldorf, which in turn has pushed me to be more present in mothering. It has made me even more grateful for the joys and challenges of raising a child, and the fulfillment motherhood has brought to my life.

Painting

With the daylight lasting well into the evening, and a little someone's naps getting mysteriously shorter and shorter, I've tried to come up with new activities to do together. Of course, she'd be content to read all day long, the same books over and over, but mama is looking for a new activity. Crayons get thrown on the floor and stomped on until they crumble to bits, I don't even want to think about finger painting, and although she does like to run around with mama's Sharpies, I was thinking something a little more gentle and not quite as permanent.

So our first adventure in painting with watercolors took place two days ago and it was a big hit. We set up a little table by the window so we could watch the birds while painting and got to work.

The concentration on her face made me realize how old she's getting and how she develops new skills in a matter of hours. It's quite amazing to watch. After a good deal of time painting with the brushes, she eventually switched to watercolor finger painting. It worked ... actually better than the brushes did. Always willing to experiment and test the limits, she is.

As I was cleaning up I heard some crinkling behind me. I turned around to find her sitting on her first completed painting and tearing it to pieces while giggling. I quickly grabbed the other drying paper and tacked it to our bedroom wall. Now before bed and nap time she points excitedly to the painting and smiles proudly. She made something.

Thank you for all your comments and advice on yesterday's post. No, I'm not pregnant and had a good laugh at those suggestions! I'm cutting out orange juice again for a longer time to see if that helps. And tomorrow will be a long overdue crafting post!

Play

Our wooden animals arrived yesterday and the little one was completely engrossed in play. It got me thinking about one of the most challenging parts of being a stay at home mom: having a very needy and demanding little one. A friend and I were recently talking about the amount of self-engaged play you should expect out of a 16-month-old. The little one is sorely lacking in this area. She's demanded my constant attention since day one (well, don't all newborns?) and I have been waiting for a gradual shift of imaginative play on her own. But she still needs my attention at all times.

There are days I put her to bed and still think I can feel those little hands pulling at my legs, or hear that distinct whine that lets me know my time washing the dishes, reading a book, or checking e-mail will soon be over. I've been told to ignore it, to let her figure out ways of entertaining herself, but the whining never ceases when I do this and instead picks up in intensity. I always give in and drop whatever I'm doing to sit on the floor amidst the toys, or plop on the couch with a favorite board book. As long as I'm sitting there doing absolutely nothing but watching her, she will play.

It's recently occurred to me that I spend almost the entire day trying to find time for myself; trying to get her to play on her own. That means whenever I sit down with her I am only thinking, "how long will I have to do this before I can get up and finish those dishes?" I am so fixed on her entertaining herself for more than a couple of minutes that I end up not enjoying the play time we have together.

Those seconds of playing with her new wooden figures yesterday quickly turned into minutes, then a half hour went by and I realized she was running around creating little stories about the animals. She was kissing them, making them "dance" on the floor, feeding them her snacks, tucking them under covers for a nap, and well, entertaining herself for a very good length of time. Is it the toys? Do the toys she has not inspire any self-engaged play? Or is it a developmental leap because she's getting older?

I suppose it doesn't matter. I was just beyond thrilled to see her interacting with her imagination. I think mindful parenting is something that comes and goes in my life as a mother. I seem to be able to "live in the moment" when I am not stressed or too busy. But isn't that when we need it most? For much of the day my head is either in the past or future. I need to be here: living each second as if it's the last I'll ever have. It really seems so silly to just tell yourself that e-mails can wait, dishes can stay dirty, who cares if I actually finish a book in the next year, and to just be in the here and now with my daughter. Because who really wants to look back and remember they spent their child's first years worrying about a messy house? Not me, that's for sure.

So here's to living in the moment. What could be a better challenge in the midst of a very cold and snowy winter?!

How to keep a toddler happy when you're sick

Thank you for all your well wishes. I am feeling a bit better. Perhaps it was a 24-hour flu? One of the hardest things about being sick and a stay at home mama is figuring out how to entertain a very active toddler when I can hardly move.

So what captured her attention for at least ten minutes? Washing her dishes after lunch.

Drinking water from the faucet.

Filling cups of water. (And then dumping the water on the floor.)

Even though she was completely soaked by the end of it, she was happy and self-engaged. The best part was mama got a ten minute rest before having to clean up a dripping toddler and puddles on the floor.

Just Like Us

I think one of the most amusing things about having a little one is the imitating that goes on. She watches us ever so carefully, during times when we think her attention is elsewhere, and then surprises us by doing the exact thing we were doing minutes ago. Yesterday I turned around from my pancake making activities to find her reading the paper. Her face, the pose, everything about this just made me want to laugh and cry in the same moment.

She has this imitation down to a "T." Complete with reading out loud and turning the pages. She points to pictures and reads the captions underneath. She puts the paper down and sighs, picking up her mug of water, and then goes right back to reading. Obviously the pancake making activities were put to a halt and I ran to get the camera. Oh, these are the moments I hope to never forget.

Due to the carbon monoxide fiasco, we had the pleasure of getting to know a lovely neighbor. While at her house with the little one we not only discovered she collects buttons, but that she also adores thrifting. She graciously gave me a bag of vintage buttons (and another bag made its way home yesterday) and we made a date to go thrifting at two of our favorite local spots.

So on Tuesday we headed out for a little thrifting fun. I finally (after months of searching) found a chenille bedspread in absolutely perfect condition. The price tag couldn't have been better either. It's all washed and ready to go on the bed. I'm anxiously awaiting our next trip already...

A New Year

It feels as though ages have passed since I sat down to write for you all. Holidays can really keep a person busy (as well as other secretive projects going on...) and although I've managed to turn out a few picture heavy posts, my head is near explosion with the amount of ideas and inspiration spinning around. I know it will take me a few days to get back into the groove, and what better time to start than the first day of the new year?

Yesterday, after finally finishing that big "secretive project" I've been hinting at, I had a moment to stop and breathe. These past two weeks (okay, really it's been two months) have seemed like a race to a finish line that was barely visible. Now it's been crossed and it feels better than I imagined. Expect a nice, long post about this big project on Wednesday. Sorry to keep you waiting, but trust me, it's worth it.

When I finally had the chance to breathe, it seemed only fitting to do that breathing in the great outdoors; where each inhale of the cold winter air refreshes my body and spirit. Jack Frost has been no stranger around these parts. Another eight inches added to the already snow covered ground.

I strapped on my snow shoes just to get the mail. I was under the impression that snow shoes helped keep your feet dry and made trudging through the thick blanket of snow a little easier. My only thought was "I must be doing something wrong."

My constant companion bounded through the snow with ease. My only defense is he has four legs, while I only have two. That must make it easier somehow.

Although the garden is covered, little bits of dormant plants peek above the snow, waiting for spring and a chance for new life.

While I much prefer the cold, crisp air of winter to the humid air of summer, I look at these photos and remember that not too long ago the scene was so very different. And yes, those are my knees being covered by snow. I was frantically trying to get the following picture before it was too late:

The winter sun, blaring orange and setting below the hill. Beautiful. The last sunset of 2007.

Happy New Year!

Outside Again

The weather here has been just lovely this past week. Periods of clouds that seem to dissipate as the days wear on, followed by the lovely sun and its warmth. I've discovered that the little one dislikes mittens. You see, mittens tend to stifle her normal "collecting activities" (acorns, pine cones, and lately the ice sheets on top of puddles) and she either wants to go in right away or makes it loud and clear that the mittens MUST COME OFF! So I have been thankful that the thermometer has been reaching a high 50 degrees (late November in Maine?!) and mittens are not required.

We do, however, have to wear the cute little hat the talented Grace sent us. I'm surprised she is content with keeping it on her head and I laugh every time she smiles as I tie the strings underneath her chin.

The back is my favorite part. That little point at the top? Lovely.

Her new thing is throwing the dog his ball. She usually finds it sitting in a puddle, all wet and covered in slobber. Shall I mention she usually tastes it before throwing it?!

And here she is trying to get Macaulay's attention. He wasn't entirely enthused by her game.

Of course, we check the mail. She has to get it herself (with a little hoist from mama) and carry it all the way back to the house.

Lately there have been puddles everywhere. If she didn't have such tiny feet, I'd get her some rain boots. They'd come in very handy around here. I once told her "no" when she tried to step in a deep puddle with her only pair of shoes on, and being the determined little thing she is, puddles have become like gold to her. So I stay out of it and let her at 'em.

And with all the interesting things to climb on, a little help from mama is always needed.

*I'm headed an hour west later today to look at sewing machines; both new and used. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated!!*

A Morning To Myself

It's becoming a rare treat to have a morning to myself. With all of the house projects and winterizing activities going on, I am with the little one seven days a week. But Saturday I was delighted to do a little shopping on my own, complete with a stop at a fabulous flea market. I always feel a tinge of guilt walking out the door, while the little one stands bewildered holding her arms out so I will take her with me. She doesn't quite get that mama can leave without her. But she's much too independent and soon forgets I'm even gone. Still, I usually rush through my errands, ignoring the fact that I need moments away from her to be a better mama.

But on this trip, I enjoyed every moment. I walked up and down the aisles, visiting the same booths over and over again to stare at the wonderful vintage treasures I longed to take home with me. I think I picked up the same bowl at least four times on my trips around the vast building, staring at its lovely sea-green color, debating whether it should join the others on the shelf in my kitchen. This basket and the vintage linens and fabric scraps inside were a find at a local thrift store I stopped at first. 

This apron? A deal for sure, and can I say how fun it was to make pancakes the next morning wearing it? Why don't more people wear aprons? They're fabulous!

This apron's rick-rack was hand sewn. I love turning it over and looking at the not-quite-perfect zigzag stitching on the back. There is something so meditative and rewarding about sewing by hand. I must do more of it.

And I was completely overjoyed to find this bit of vintage fabric. I love it.

I was happy to take my time that morning. I completely let go of all the guilt and just told myself to "be in the moment." I stopped to get a latte, pulled off the road to visit any antique shop that I pleased and really enjoyed having the time to myself. When I got back home I was ready for another week of parenting. I was more centered and able to be fully present for the little one. All of the goodies I came home with? A nice bonus, that's all.