Finally, 4 Months

Eleanor turned 4 months old this past week. And finally, I feel adjusted to this new life with three. After all of those moments of saying, "This too shall pass." It has. I think I'm finally on the other side. For now. The ever-changing tides of parenthood seem to recede just when you are sure that you cannot take anymore.

One beautiful and random day last week, Eleanor decided that the Ergo is quite a cozy mode of transportation. It's completely changed my daily life. This is how I imagined life with three would be- a high-energy adventure with my two boys, just with a baby in the pouch. And four months in, that's what it's become. I'm really starting to love it.

I've enjoyed every minute of holding and snuggling this extra sweet baby girl. But now, my bathroom is swept, the dishes are washed, and the laundry is folded. And that makes life a lot easier to enjoy. Not perfect, but much better.

Homeschooling is going well. We read, we draw, we paint, we listen to music, we pretend. We play a lot - with friends, at the park, on the floor. And last week, after reading "The Complete Works of Peter Rabbit," we attended a "Peter Rabbit" puppet show at The Center for Puppetry Arts. I'm not sure who is having more fun - me or them.

Not only is life a bit easier now that Eleanor enjoys the Ergo, but she is fascinated by her constantly whirling brothers. This entertainment keeps her content long enough for me to run to the bathroom, take a bath, or grab something to eat. It's marvelous. And they think so too. They absolutely adore her. Experiencing the precious interactions between all three of them melts what's left of my horcrux-ed heart. We have our moments, but the happiness always outweighs the challenges.

And now, when all three little ones are fast asleep, I am whole-heartedly pursuing photography. Reading, learning, practicing, editing, website building, scheduling...I'm making it happen.


More to come soon.

Friday Links, Thoughts, and Reads.

 A shot from my friend's beautiful home that I got to photograph.

 Eleanor and I a few weeks ago.

folding laundry this past week - it makes me cry too.

Happy Friday! 

We have spent the last week and a half in the house, fighting off a little army of illnesses. We are left with lingering colds, but are mostly feeling much better.

Recent links, thoughts, and reads:

-How to Talk to Your Daughter About Her Body Really, everyone should read this.
-I am wrapping up this book, it might be my favorite parenting book yet. Truly life-changing.
-An ever-changing book list for the boys and I this fall: Pre-School Reading List. We are starting with the theme, "the earth" -dirt, rocks, insects, compost, earthworms... I am letting Dmitri's interests guide our informal pre-school: little hands-on projects and lots of books. Two things we both love.
-A couple of weeks ago, I shot the interior of a friend's home- the first time I've photographed someone else's house. They are getting ready to move to the UK and wanted to remember their first home. It was so much fun.
-I wish I had had Kelly William Brown's book (Adulting) 7 years ago, when I moved out of the house. I might still buy it for my husband (passive-aggressive, and I know it). I'm eating up her blog. Practical and funny. What's not to love.
-Massive de-cluttering is happening now. In theory, I am a minimalist. My house says otherwise.
-It's officially August, which means David and I re-evaluated our budget. We are instating the envelope-system. We also did a time budget...if only we could stick minutes in envelopes.
-August also means David starts his Ph. D in a week. I still have one more week to talk him out of it....but not really. Good luck, dear and cheers to the next 5 years!
-Those three little humans and I are off to play.

The Third Child that Broke the Mama's Back

I've missed writing on the blog regularly. I haven't figured out how to make the time to write, or make dinner for that matter.

Before Eleanor, I had frequently heard moms talk about how drastically having a baby had changed their lives - how they can't make dinner or get the housework done or take a shower. How they don't seem to have time for anything or for themselves. How they don't leave the house for weeks.

I would nod my head out of politeness, while wondering what they were talking about. Perhaps they exaggerated, or were pessimists. Maybe they didn't want to do these things. Or they had very challenging babies. I wondered, because that has not been my experience of motherhood. Of course I wouldn't imagine saying that I have never missed a shower in 4 years. Or that I've made a homemade dinner almost every single night since my babies were a week old. Or that rarely a day goes by that we don't go somewhere. Baby goes in the swing/Moby/Ergo/playmat, and they would generally be happy while I did what needed to be done. I've learned many single-handed maneuvers and I can breast-feed while walking around and cooking in the kitchen. Somehow, I have always gotten it done - whatever it is that I feel I want done. And I have not been able to relate to some of the common complaints of parenthood.

Until now. Now, I have this precious, beautiful, baby girl that I absolutely adore. This tiny little creature that I wanted so badly, and who is every bit as wonderful as I had hoped. And sweet little Ellie is so happy and content and smiley, except when things aren't exactly to her liking. And the growing list of dis-likings according to Eleanor include:

-That blasted swing that the cat thinks is it's bed- well, the cat can have it.
-Mama using the bathroom. Or bathing. Or ever leaving me for more than approximately 30 seconds. Which obviously might as well be forever. All alone. In a foreign land. And tigers might eat me. Wail!
-Sleeping, unless held by or in immediate proximity to mama. That's dangerous. Also, what if I get hungry?
-Baby carriers of any kind. Especially the Ergo (unless I'm asleep, and then she sneaks me in thinking I don't know. Oh, but I know, and will remind her of my displeasure as soon as I awake). Why does she keep trying to put me in those straight jackets?
-Mama sitting still while holding me. That's why she has two gliders and legs for that matter! That silly mama.
-That man that mama keeps handing me to...he smiles and seems quite nice. But I'd rather look at him while being held by mama.
-Head rubs. Squirm.
-The crib, which is really unnecessary when I have a mama.

Now I know. I know what all of these women are talking about. This crazy newborn phase where it seems like I can't do anything. Except sit (not still), holding Eleanor. And drinking coffee. And eating snacks (lots and lots of snacks.) And just being. We do leave the house quite a bit, because it's easier (and generally more fun) than staying home all day. But when we are home...

I do the very bare minimum as far as anything that isn't completely necessary. My withering garden causes tears to well up with disappointment when I pay it a rare visit. And my kitchen smells pretty funky most days. Sometimes I just want to pee alone. Or blog. The other night, after an especially exhausting day of keeping up with Dmitri and Damon with Eleanor in tow, I sat in my chair with slumped, aching, shoulders and cried to David. "I need more time alone. I need more time with friends. I need more time to clean the house. I need more time with you. I need more time to cook food. I need more one-on-one time with the boys. And I need more sleep....It's not just one area that's lacking, it's everything."

I do feel overwhelmed sometimes. Especially after a long day on little sleep. (And I do need to make sure taking care of myself is a priority.)

There is nothing wrong with feeling those feelings. I acknowledge them. I cry, or laugh, or meditate. And then, I let them go. I let go of my unrealistic ideals about having a perfect house with perfect meals and me dressed in perfectly coordinating outfits while completing a massive home renovation and then blogging about it all. And I feel such relief.

And then, once I let all of that go, I can do the maximum living and loving. I sit in my rocking chair, watching the boys play at my feet (sometimes I sit on the rug with them). Reading books together on the sofa. Singing songs with them. Being present. Intently listening. Having Eleanor has really changed how I live life. It hasn't been a new revelation. But it's been what's pushed me to take my hopes of connecting more with my children, living each day slowly, and it's allowed me to just be. Be with my children, and fully experience life while letting go of all of the distractions outside of meeting our basic needs.

I am doing what I want to be doing right now, even if it means eating a lot of pizza and Mexican. Because there will be time for big home-cooked meals, a perfectly clean and organized house, new house projects, beautiful gardens, and daily blog posts. But my three little ones? They will never be this little again. This day will go by, and it will never come back. How will they remember it, and how will I?

Today, I am going to sit in my rocking chair, smiling back at this... and feeling so thankful for this tiny little girl that's made me slow down and love more. Especially when it's overwhelming.

Life with Three Little Humans

 

On Friday, I went grocery shopping with the three little humans all by myself for the first time. From the moment I unloaded them out of the van, weaved through the parking lot like a "red rover chain", piled all of the groceries on top of my children in the cart, unburied them at the check-out, and returned back to the van victorious with groceries, people were staring, gawking, and trying to peel their eyes away. I overheard them whispering to each other.

I have entered a new territory - life with three (three and under, might I add). And evidently, I look as crazy as I'm feeling right now. We are beyond outnumbered, and have surpassed the average 2.3 children. And now people stare at us like we are the Duggars. Or maybe they were just staring at my childrens' heads, peeking out from the food that they were buried under, since the carts just aren't big enough.

I'm having to re-learn motherhood and life and everything, it seems. And it's been a challenge so far. I underestimated how "new" this would feel- like being an overwhelmed first-time mom all over again. I know that we are in an adjustment period, and I know things will get better (they have to, right?!) but right now, it's hard.

Three little people with three different sleep schedules makes for one tired mama. An almost-four-year-old with night terrors, a two-year-old who can't sleep without mama for more than 45 minutes at a time, both of whom still have the occasional night-time potty accident, and fight bedtime like there is no tomorrow, plus a newborn baby who needs diaper changes and feedings during the middle of the night...it leads to:

Three cups of coffee a day. Minimum. And by a cup, at least one of those is a venti. And headaches. Lots of headaches.

Three hungry bellies, one of which is always demanding food or water or milk. And I forget to eat amongst the shuffle, and then I wonder why I'm shaking and sweaty at noon and I force myself to sit down and eat.

Having a newborn baby is just like having a newborn baby. Eleanor is generally content as long as she is fed and diapered, and held when she is awake. Luckily, she sleeps quite a lot. Sometimes she sleeps at night. Sometimes she doesn't. And sure, I'm tired, as I mentioned above. What mom to a newborn isn't. But add taking care of a newborn baby while trying to keep up with my tasmanian devil children, and I'm pretty sure this must be some kind of extreme sport. Breaking up brawling toddlers while trying to breastfeed an infant takes some pretty crazy moves.

When we were trying to get pregnant, I remember running into a friend of mine at the Farmer's Market who had recently had her third child. I excitedly asked her what it was like having three, to which she cautiously whispered, "Stick with two!!!" Now, I am on the other side of that question. Several innocent and well-intentioned friends have asked me, "So, what's life like with three?" Depending on how much coffee I've had, I have either stared blankly at them or respond, "Ask me again in a couple months."

Although I speak of the challenges, transitions, and craziness of life with three these first few weeks, the little victories that I achieve each day are incredibly rewarding and empowering. Our first trip to the grocery store, our first trip to the park, our first trip to Target, actually finding time to sweep the floors, while exhausting and challenging also remind me that I CAN do this. The love that is showered on Eleanor by her proud big brothers absolutely melts my heart every day- it reminds me that our love is multiplied, not divided. And I love having a cuddly newborn so much. I am even more intent with this fleeting newborn phase on cherishing every moment. Could I put her in the crib when she sleeps? Sure, but why would I want to?! It just goes so fast. (I find a little comfort in that too when I'm having an especially challenging moment.)

And so it goes- we are surviving the ups and downs. And I'm trying to enjoy the wild ride. And the love x 3.

One of the challenges of 3 little ones - family photos. Hopefully we will get one one of these days. In the mean time, I'm just having to laugh at our attempts.

The First Week with Three (Three and Under)

-Eleanor sleeps, eats, and poops. A lot.
-She is so quiet and sweet. David is worried that her "crier" is broken.
-When she is awake, she is ridiculously strong and active. Dmitri says, "Look! The baby is learning to swim!"
-Dmitri and Damon are smitten. And surprisingly gentle.
-They have given me a few scares- trying to carry her, accidentally jumping on her, "sharing" tomatoes with her. Well-intentioned, but I feel like she isn't safe unless I'm holding her.
-Where am I supposed to lay her down?!
-My boys cannot handle being out of routine. That part has been really rough.
-David went back to work yesterday. I wasn't ready, but he sure was. It will be nice to try to navigate and figure out our "new normal" life though. I just wish I had another week to rest first.
-We had our first public outing to Treehouse Kid and Craft (one of my favorite Athen's stores) a couple days ago.
-I took all three little ones out by myself for the first time yesterday to playgroup. It went pretty well, but wore me out. I could have gone to sleep at 6 PM.
-It's so strange having three carseats. I love our van so much though; it's so easy to get all three littles in and out.
-I have been singing, "Five in the bed and the little one said, roll-over, roll-over." It's our new family theme song.
-Cloth diapering from minute one and going great; I feel like we finally have it down!
-I'm going to need a much bigger diaper bag.
-I feel like a first time mom all over again.
-I had forgotten some of the joys of breastfeeding...like engorgement and leaking milk.
-Her birth story is in progress.
-I am loving taking photos of our new littlest one. Hopefully I will get to take her "official" newborn ones in the next day or two.
-I'm so thankful for our community right now; friends have set up a meal train which is such a blessing. I have felt so loved and supported during this pregnancy, birth, and post-partum period.
-We are going to survive. I think. = )

A New Year: A New Schedule

It's a new year, and January marks the anniversary of becoming a stay-at-home mom. It's been a challenging year, filled with adjustments and change. It's been hard in ways that I probably could not have expected. Our lives have changed from having a concrete routine and school schedule to having days upon days and weeks upon weeks of not even having to leave the house, except of course for things like grocery shopping. The days are long, and my boys have become more active and in need of more consistency then just waking up and deciding what to do that day.

So with the start of the new year, and after much reflection, I have decided to try having a set daily schedule. I spent a lot of time working on it this weekend- finding a space and fitting in each and every thing that I want to have time for, while leaving room for flexibility. I kept in mind the schedule-making advice of 'plan your schedule as if it's your worst day possible and everything goes wrong'.
And I'm excited about the time that I've set aside for a few new activities, things that I always want to do, but don't always prioritize - like a circle time with the littles, reading, knitting, and bread-baking.

I am also curious to see if it helps with some of the behavioral challenges that I have been trying to handle with my preschooler. The more I read about preschoolers needing predictability, routine, and expectations, the more I realize we need a change.

I set it up in my google calender, and David and I have synced our calenders, so hopefully communicating about our schedules will be easier.

Today is Monday, my first trial day. We will see how it goes, and maybe I'll post it here once we've worked out the kinks. And if it makes life more stressful, and isn't a positive change, I can always throw it out.

Do you keep a daily routine/schedule or do you go-with-the-flow throughout the day?

A New Year: A New List (2013)

Happy New Year!

2013 is here. I think it will be brimming with excitement.

We have a shephard's pie in the oven, and we are cooking up some black eyed peas and cabbage from my winter garden. Our New Year's celebration is pretty low key, focused around yummy food, and just hanging out with our little family. (And we are watching Bleak House. Nothing like Charles Dickens to think about life and a new chapter).

I know many people make fun of New Year's resolutions, but I for one, celebrate and take advantage of any opportunity to set goals and make lists - two of my absolute favorite things.

With a new little one to look forward to this year, and a possible move, it's hard for me to know what will be attainable this year. But there are several goals that I can take with me wherever I stay or go.

1. Read more!

I think I read two full books this past year...maybe three. I feel like that's a little sad. My goal is 13 books in 2013. It doesn't really matter what type of book, as long as I'm reading something! I might check out a few that our avid reader friend Abby has written about.

2. Finish an unfinished project.

Oftentimes, resolutions are about new things. Unfinished things are lying all around me. I just want to finish one (and maybe it will inspire me to finish two, or three....)

3. Knit a hat

The only thing I have knitted is a scarf, I think it's time to branch out of my comfort zone and try something new. And with a little one to look forward to, knitting hats seems like a natural choice.

4. Practice photography

On my littles. On my friends' littles. On anyone that will let me...

5. Decide on/invent a "homeschool" preschool plan for the year.

A little Waldorf plus a lot of classic books. Nothing super formal, just ideas and a plan to help us have fun, try new things, and explore.

And of course, have that baby, try to sell our house, perhaps move, perhaps not, and all of that awesome stuff... I have no doubt that it will prove to be a wonderful, but crazy year.

What about you? Any resolutions for the new year?!
I hope your day is a wonderful start to 2013 (and if its not, there is a whole year to turn it around, right?!)

And I'm taking book recommendations too...

Homebodies.

Today marks a month since Dmitri began getting sick, with Damon following right behind- what seemed like a minor cold has turned into a very long-lasting, little-body wracking, vomit-inducing cough. So bad, in fact, that I succumbed to giving him his first antibiotic. Which, did nothing. And made me annoyed that I gave it to him in the first place. But, I digress. I can at least say that I have tried everything. The doctor was ambiguous about what it could be. It could be pertussis; it could be any number of atypical micro-plasmas or bacteria. Evidently it's going around, and he's seen a lot of it lately. He wasn't the least bit worried, but he said, "they will probably cough for a very long time."

What he didn't say is that I wouldn't sleep for a month and counting. That I wouldn't be able to leave the house for weeks and weeks, except for necessities, and occasionally trying to venture to a park (or this past weekend, the zoo...which involved throwing up in public multiple times.) That I would be isolated for days on end. That my clothes would smell of vomit. And that I would feel lonely and depressed. That I would miss play dates. That I might have to take Dmitri out of school since he has missed nearly a month of it- which we have still had to paid for. That I would cry. That I would wonder, "how long will this last..."

It's been really hard. Especially for someone who get's so easily stir crazy, like myself

Hugs. Covered in cloud dough.

But it hasn't all been bad. The littles are in great spirits. They play and explore so happily together, like Lewis and Clark, Calvin and Hobbes, Christopher & Pooh. It's really precious, and I feel unbelievably lucky to have little boys that are best friends.

We have made the most of our quiet time at home by starting our Christmas elving. We tried Kool-Aid dyeing, which was a lot of fun. Dmitri is begging to do it again. We made and played with cloud dough. And I think homemade play dough will be on the list for this week. We listen to a lot of music. And read. And snuggle. And it's the perfect excuse to get a new book, or two.

This too shall pass, eventually. It's just another chapter in my life as a mom.

If I could live anywhere, ever....

For years I have known that after graduation, David would be applying to graduate school. But, it has seemed so far in the distant future, intangible, and very hypothetical. Now, after four years of school in Athens, the place that we have come to know as home and where our children were born, he is starting his applications.

We have been working through his list together, looking for a program that he would love, as well as a place that would be a good fit for our family, and community where the kids and I could thrive as well. It's exciting, overwhelming, adventurous, and scary to think about up-rooting from the only place that I have known as a parent with a two year old and four year old. Especially since most of our options are very far from home.

This process is causing a lot of introspection on my part, like, what is important in a place to live? What do I like and dislike? And where would just be really freaking fun...

If I could choose every little detail of where I could live it would like something like this:

-Small to medium size town or city
-No mosquitoes or fire ants (and no poisonous snakes would be an added bonus.)
-Temperate weather much of the year
-Either mountains, hills, or a beach- or at least a nice lake
-Friendly, down-to-earth people, with a lot of families/people with young children
-A community that values people over things
-Somewhere that I can find people as crunchy and alternative as me (after all, I am a home-birthing, local-eating, co-sleeping, extended breast-feeding, positive disciplining, anti-punishment and rewards, intactivist - I just learned this word last night!, peace-seeker, knitter, and future Waldorf/ slightly unschoolish homeschooler.)
-A nice farmer's market
-Activities for young children, i.e. children's museums, nice parks and playgrounds, etc.
-Outdoor activities - hiking, kayaking, etc.
-A town with a few good local restaurants, independent shops, artists, and coffee shops
-Pro-biking?!

And all of that in an inexpensive, low-crime, kept-up area with affordable housing ideally with a YARD and more than 700 square feet, in a town that has a top university. And then all of our family could re-locate there.

Ha, ha, ha.

Anyone know where my dream land exists?

And all of that to say, we might just be staying in Athens. And you know, that wouldn't be too bad. I love our house, we have some friends, I only get lost about once every 3-4 months (which is very impressive for me I might add), and I still have a long DIY list...

The End of School Days

Dmitri's last day of Montessori school for the summer is coming up all too quickly (next week!). He loves going to school, and I love him going to school too. Even though it's only 2 mornings a week, it makes a big difference in his energy level. He enjoys his friends, and working and playing in a new environment. He loves to "go". Anytime, anywhere- and his school is a positive outlet for him. And I enjoy a half-break (although, days with Damon are less and less of a break- more like chasing after a climbing crazy wild man.)

I'm a little unsure what we are going to do without it these long, hot, summer days. I bought an extra big blow-up swimming pool today; so we will give that a try! What are your boredom-busting ideas for toddlers? (I know, I just used the "B" word. Sigh. As hard as I try to keep it out of our vocabulary, it manages to slither it's way back in, usually when Dmitri and Damon are constantly hitting/pushing/wrestling over the same toy when they have 50 million others at their grasp. Oh, first world problems).

Summer, here we come. I wish I were a little more excited...

This Weekend

This weekend I achieved the monumental moment as a mother: spending the night away from my children for the first time. I went on a camping trip to a 500 acre farm with a group of ladies from the Ladies Homestead Gathering that I am apart of. It's taken me a while to be ready for this day, but I knew that the time had come (although, it did take a little convincing from the husband and my friends!)

The occupation

I loved:

-talking late into the night under the stars, oh about everything.
-quiet peacefulness of the farm
-being able to relax
-sweet, kindred souls & friends
-a four hour plant identification walk
-not changing diapers/fixing food/washing dishes etc.

I missed all the snuggles of my little ones, but it was oh, so, wonderful to get a much-needed break. Pumping was a little annoying and time consuming (not to mention engorgement. UGH.) But it went well, and I won't be worried about having to pump over a long period of time in the future.

 Friends! (Disregard our ridiculous hiking clothes and tick-preventing sock silliness.)

Thankful for my time. And glad to be back home.

The Start of Something

With graduating in December, it's taken me the past couple of months to adjust to life as a stay-at-home/work-at-home/needs-a-job mother. My feelings have run the gamete on this shift, from feeling overwhelmed by being with my kids nearly 24/7 to relief from the lack of homework hanging over my head, and many others in between. I've struggled with setting reasonable expectations about my home being clean, laundry, dishes, and making homemade meals. I have felt a little disappointment, because many of the things that I have hoped to do, like blog more, DIY more, renovate my home more, etc. have not happened, primarily because these things are difficult while trying to run a household and take care of two toddlers with or without school. And yet, I have had a lot of time to think, and while I float in my existential crisis, I've wondered what "to-do" with my life post-college. I've contemplated what I want in life, what's important. And while I'm not going to give some incredibly theoretical explanation of my philosophy on life right now (maybe one day), I have been exploring new paths and adventures that I am incredibly excited about. Some of them are little things, and others are quite big. So here is just a little glimpse into the spring saplings that I hope will continue to grow.

Knitting - I have had two of my friends, incidentally both named Rebecca, teach me the basics of knitting. It is something that I have wanted to learn for a while now, and I hope to continue to become more proficient at it. It's incredibly satisfying, because I can take a time that would normally feel unproductive, like watching TV or riding in the car, and I can transform it into a cathartic time of creating by adding a few rows to my scarf. And if you know me very well, you know how I fear and dread un-productivity. Honestly, my original reasons for wanting to knit are probably a little absurd; but I really want to have sheep. And I figured that I couldn't justify having sheep if I didn't know to knit. So once I have a few projects under my belt, and perhaps learn to spin, I hope to be hearing some baaaaaas.... Now that I am learning, I've realized how addicting knitting is, and I'm happy that I'm learning, regardless. But I do think it would be amazing to go from sheep to sweater. Or maybe I'm just a little crazy.

Doula- I completed my doula training when I was 35 weeks pregnant with Damon, last February. Since Damon was born, my certification has been at a standstill. It's hard to attend a labor and birth when you have a baby of your own! Now that he is almost a year (I cannot believe his first birthday is in a week from today!) I have decided to complete my certification. There is a wonderful doula group here in Athens, who have been so supportive of me and are backing me up and helping me through this process. You can check out their website here, Two Bee Birth Services. I have my first two births lined up in April and in June! I am ecstatic, and nervous, and cannot believe it's really happening. I am excited about empowering women through such an intense and beautiful process. And I think that the adrenaline rush of being on call really appeals to me. I like excitement.

Chickens- You've already heard about those in my last post. But I think they are the start of something.

Reading -Since graduating, I have an unbelievably long reading list. It's slow going, though. I'm just so excited with so many other things that I don't sit down and read very often. I haven't figured out how to knit and read at the same time. Oh my goodness, I can just see this image of me knitting and listening to audiobooks. I guess I really am an "old soul". But I digress, I have been reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. It is nothing short of amazing. If you haven't read it, you should. I also finished reading First Lessons in Beekeeping. And I have a long list of others still waiting for me.

My blog is my playground- So I have decided that I want to blog more. About everything. And that's what I'm going to do. The end. = )

Twenty-Two.

Yesterday was my birthday.

It did not go as I had hoped. Dmitri, David, and I laid on the sofa all day, thanks to the flu. Damon has avoided it thus far, and so he happily cruised the sofa smiling at us. We had to cancel our birthday date, obviously.

So twenty-two passed without much hoorah...I guess I could have stuck a candle in my bowl of applesauce. And I did use it as an excuse to get a Netflix free trial, so that opened up a lot of entertainment options, while I laid on the couch.

I kind of think that I should get a re-do. A birthday renovation or makeover.
Which is what I said last year, too, since I was 35 weeks pregnant on my 21st birthday.

Any fun ideas?

When Do You Find Time to "Do it"?

Getting crafty, that is.

Vivianne asked me a question that I frequently ask myself, and other mothers/bloggers/crafters/DIYers/decorators/superwomen.

"As with all your beautiful projects, I have to ask - how do you make time? Do you let the boys entertain themselves while you work, or do you squeeze it into nap times? My two and a half year old demands attention whenever I try to get crafty..."

Me too, Vivianne. And honestly, I don't really have a great answer. I make time, whenever I can. And sometimes it goes pretty well, and other times, I walk into my bathroom and find this...

The cost of a blog post...

Dmitri and Damon clandestinely wreaked havoc in the bathroom while I was happily typing away on a blog post, thinking that they were playing equally merrily in the playroom. Until Damon started crying, and I was alerted to their bathroom adventures.

(Just in case you are curious as to what events occurred after I found the bathroom in this state: I used great restraint and calmly explained to Dmitri that when we make messes, then we must clean them up. He then proceeded to clean up the bathroom while singing the "clean up song". By the time we were done, it probably looked better than it did before.)

Today, as I type this post, the littles are playing together beside me. I've been interrupted too many times to count, and have read "Oh The Places You'll Go" out loud, twice, in between typing. But, I am still getting in done, slowly but surely. This isn't how I prefer to blog, but sometimes it's the only way.

However, every day is different, and requires a different approach, and sometimes I get something done, and most times I do not. But here are a few of the tactics that I use to work on projects...

1. Outside crafty time: If the weather is nice, I can take small projects outside on my porch. The littles are much more entertained by being in fresh air, and dirt, of course.

2. Including the littles: Depending on the project, sometimes I try to let Dmitri help. Even if I just ask him to "keep this safe for me," "put your finger here," etc., he is usually very excited about being involved. This is how I get all of my cleaning done...he helps me mop, sweep, dust, clean up, wash dishes, vacuum, etc. Sometimes, I will give him his own "project". If I am cutting fabric with scissors, I may give him his own pair of scissors and a piece of paper, or his own hammer and nail and piece of wood.

3. Diversion - Sometimes, including Dmitri and Damon really isn't ideal. In this case, I try to find a diversion: usually a specific task that will hold their interest. Frequently, when I need to make dinner, I will give Dmitri two or three mixing bowls, measuring cups, and a handful of beans or some other dried good. He will play with scooping/sorting/mixing for usually long enough for me to make dinner. At the very worst, I just have to sweep up where he has been playing.

4. SLEEP! - I cannot imagine what it must be like to have children that take naps. I am pretty sure that must be what heaven is like. If your child does take a nap, take advantage of it! But, if you are like me and your children hate sleeping, wait until after bedtime. This is my primary opportunity to actually crank out some projects. Granted, I am usually too tired and feeling somewhat zombie-ish to really do all that much. But the bird and branch project? I worked on it over the course of three evenings, sewing the birds while David and I watched a TV show together.

5. A Knitting/Crafting Group - I think this is one of the best ways to stay motivated about your projects! Join or start a group that gets together once a week or so, go grab some coffee, and bring your projects with you!

6. Let Dad/Grandma/Babysitter Watch the Littles: For big projects, and especially those that involve paint, sewing machines, saws, hot glue guns, etc., having someone watch your little ones is a necessity. And sometimes you just have to make it happen. Set up a designated time as your project time, and enlist help. For me, these moments are rare. We don't have family that lives near, David keeps pretty busy, and hiring a babysitter is pretty expensive. But occasionally, especially on holidays, and sometimes in the evening/on Sunday, I set aside a time to work on a DIY while David watches Dmitri & Damon. It's fun for all of us. On big projects that really need to be accomplished, you might consider hiring a sitter. Weigh the cost of doing it yourself vs. having a professional. If it's significantly cheaper to DIY, then I figure it's more cost efficient to hire a babysitter and get it done!

Priorities - The reality is: you cannot do it all. It's just impossible. Sure, I get to do some really fun projects, and I love blogging about them. But, it means that something else is sacrificed. Whether it means that the laundry piles up, we eat out for dinner, or the kitchen is a mess, you have to CHOOSE what is the highest priority. For me, spending time with my kids comes first. Delicious food comes second. Projects is in a close third. And cleaning lags behind. If there a project that I really want done, I put most other things on the bottom of my daily to-do list, and I work on the project. That's just how it goes. Accepting this has really helped my outlook on accomplishing things as a stay-at-home mom to two very active boys 2 and under. So just remember, if I post a photo of a project, just imagine what my kitchen/bathroom/laundry looks like! ; )

What about you, crafty ladies/gents? How and when do you get things done with little ones underfoot?

A New Year & A New Career: And too many thoughts and feelings

We have finally returned from our holiday travels and are settling into January. It is now that I get to realize that I have actually graduated. My new life as a stay-at-home (during the day) mom is going to take a little getting used to. When I drop David off at class or work, I get the "I'm playing hooky" feeling, and then I wonder what to do with myself all day. Don't get me wrong, there is a long list of things to do (I am months behind on cleaning, laundry, organization, my book list, scrapbook and photo albums that are years behind, and anything else that has taken a back-seat to college and babies. What?! I have a blog?!) There is just a lack of a schedule, a lack of "I have a paper due and I have to shower, change two diapers, eat breakfast, and be at class by 9:30 and who cares whether the dishes get done today, as long as I have some clothes to put on."

I suddenly find that I have time to realize that the purple couch looks like a toddler has been eating breakfast on it, or that I have five mirrors yet to be hung, or that door handle that needs to be replaced.

It will take some time to adjust. To swallow the overwhelming feeling of being home with a 2.5 year-old and a 10-month-old all day alone, to set a schedule, and to tackle the mound of laundry that has been patiently waiting for all this time. It's a new challenge. One that lacks due dates, and there will be no grade at the end. It lacks much recognition. And my name will not be on a list at the end of the semester nor will there be a performance bonus. I will only have my own feelings and perspective to measure my achievements and value. Yes, it will be an adjustment, but it is one that I am eagerly facing. I'm more than a little scared, but I am ready.

College Graduate

Fall.

I cannot begin to say how much I have missed blogging and reading all of my favorite blogs over the past several weeks. But sometimes priorities and sacrifices have to be made. While I've been incredibly busy with classes, I have felt that I need to spend the remainder of my time with my little ones and focus on sharing each day with them. I've realized as a parent how quickly time passes, and I want to hold onto each moment and be present (not just physically!) with my little ones. Additionally, since Damon has exited the dreamy newborn stage, having two little ones, two and under has made it increasingly difficult to do anything outside of giving one (or both) of them attention. So, I just had to take a break.

I am looking forward to returning to blogging regularly, and I must say, ever since I've started blogging, it is nearly impossible for me to not "think" in blog posts. I am pretty sure that is how I process my entire life at this point.

So what have I been up to the last month or so?

I love every season (ok, except winter), but I especially enjoy Fall. And we have been taking full advantage of some of our favorite fall activities...

 Picking pumpkins

 At the pumpkin patch

 And making a homemade pumpkin pie...or five (and it's just the beginning of November!)

 Smores...with homemade marshmallows & graham crackers. (And a bonfire of course!)

We visited a beautiful local homestead/farm. It was a lot of fun for Dmitri and it was inspirational for David & I as we explore what steps we want to take towards homesteading ourselves.

 Dmitri found an egg!

 Moo.

 

I love goats.

 I would have taken him home with me.

 Brushing the goats

Cluck. Cluck

 And it's the season for family photos...

It also means that I took graduation photos! But I'll save those for a little while. I do not want to jinx anything...

The cooler weather gave me an excuse for a DIY to hang by the door and catch our coats:

Total Cost: $16 (hooks from Anthropologie, wood and supplies from our scrap pile).

Other random thoughts & happenings:

-I am nearly finished with a big project that has been dragging on for nearly a year...and it may or may not start with an "S" and end with cuddling up to read a book under a quilt with my littles on a sofa!
-Graduation. Less than six weeks away. 
-Scheming about the holidays...my holiday projects, that is. And trying to figure out how to see our ever-growing sprawled-out family, get some much needed rest, and work on some major DIYs all at the same time.
-We are thoughtfully considering growing our family. By adding some members of the fur and feather variety. More on that as it develops.


What's new with you? I have really missed reading some of my favorite blogs and look forward to catching up with everyone.