Since my crocus started blooming a couple weeks ago every time my son comes into the house he brings me a flower. It's so sweet and since there's a plethora of them I'm all for it. Then a day or so later he'll point at my little vase and say "all shribelled up now."
This morning my son and I were playing Candyland when my husband walked in with the piano tuner. It was a very long game for some reason and after a few minutes I suddenly felt very grateful to have this moment with my son to talk about colors.
Our piano tuner is blind - born that way- so it was one of those smack me across the face moments that he never got to do that with his Mom. He's in his 70's now so I think he's made it just fine, I'm not pitying him he's told us much about his life and he is a wonderful man. It all just seemed so ironic, my son and I sitting chatting about colors and he in the other room chuckling when my son said NO when I asked if he wanted to help me fold laundry as we cleaned up.
When he was finished he and Adam engaged in some small talk about the piano, its smooth finish etc. and I hear Adam say, "it's also a really nice warm burgundy, sort of a cherry, color." And the tuner said, "huh, it's not a black one."
How on earth would you describe color to someone who had never seen it?
Alternately titled - a three year old comes in handy at times!
Two nights ago I was sitting on my son's bed reading books with my daughter sitting next to me. She's sitting up pretty well now - not well enough to be unsupervised but I was right next to her. I moved my arm to turn a page and whack back into the wall she fell.
Out comes this delayed pain cry and I ever so delicately shoved my son off my lap to get her clear access to the feel goodIness of getting momma's milk. Well, she refuses apparently happier to scream!
She finally through sobs starts suckling when big brother comes over saying, "Poor baby sister you'll be okay, tickle tickle tickle." She looked over at him and her sobs turn into the biggest giggle and smile I've ever seen. I a bit enviously thank my son for his help and then get him settled in to finish the story when she glances up at me and gives me a little whimper.
saying I could teach four classes in one week? I haven't officially exercised in going on 11 months or so - other than walking! I'm really glad I didn't say yes to all seven classed they offered me, I'm teaching some yoga and pilates classes and boy am I more out of shape than I thought! Today was my third day in a row teaching a class and can I just say to my screaming muscles that I hear you and you have until Monday morning to stop so we can do it all over again!
Other than being hard to leave my little ones (just an hour at a time) it is SO fun. I think I'll get in to shape way faster this way, since I have no choice! It's also pretty fun to have people actually listen to my instruction...but alas I digress.
It's party time again at 5 minutes for mom I'm fashionably late this year but head over to the Ultimate Blog Party 2008!. Last year I found some fun new blogs so I'm sure this year will be a blast as well. Not to mention they are giving stuff away!!!
If you're new here, I'm Heidi - Butterfly Mama. I'm mommy to two gorgeous kiddos a three and a half year old son and a six month old daughter. I mostly just blog about stuff my kids do or say along with things that are going on in our lives. A few unique things about me - I have faith in God (that's probably not so unique!), I have a worm composting bin in my shower., I'm into the environment, gardening and pictures - mostly of the kiddos.
So stop by, have a cup of tea and it's wonderful to meet you!
"Mommy am I driving you happy?"
Oops - can you guess what I've said too much lately!Later, stopped at a red light I randomly ask my son if he's feeding his cracker to his baby sister. He says, "No Mommy." Content I begin to drive and he adds, "she doesn't open her mouth."
Yes, we are in the shower - and her head and hands are doing a fairly good job covering everthing - I've seen bathing suits that cover less (unfortunately). I find that the only way I can ever get my legs shaved is to wear her in my water sling from Nest. I usually nurse her while I'm shaving - no I have never figured out completely hands free nursing but at least her weight is supported and then I support her head in the crook of my elbow so one hand is free.
This particular day she fell asleep - luckily my hubby was home to snap an unforgettable picture before the camera battery died. I've been debating about putting it here for a couple of weeks and finally decided that in b/w it dosn't look so revealing. There's just alot of skin tone in the colored version.
Well, this is I'm certain WAY more info than you wanted about my shower babywearing and probably more of me than you ever thought you'd see on this generally G rated blog!
Can I just say, eeeewwwwwwwww gross to the gel clumps in my washing machine. I've accidentally washed the Seventh Generation diapers before and they seem pretty sturdy and hold up to it - of course they are free of chemicals and the like anyway.
The pull-ups were left over from our trip this past Thanksgiving and since he's only in diapers at night I thought I'd use those up. I guess one ended up in the hamper - he is notorious for that as well as putting them in the cloth diaper pail. I've pulled out most of the clumpy gel balls and have rewashed the load. I'm sure it will happen again but I'll be more watchful - 'till it falls off my radar again!
We added wheat back into our diet two days ago and it appears to affect both my son and I. We both get flushed cheeks - mine is rosacea like - and crabby. I also got a headache and the next day all my old joint issues returned. (I have struggled with tendonitis from my dancer days in just about every major joint below the waist.) The sad thing is that I never really noticed the crick in my knee or the twinge in my ankle go away, but boy did I notice them come back. We will try adding it in a few more times just to make sure these aren't isolated incidences but from the looks of things wheat will be something we eat in extreme moderation. Ah, bagels I sure will miss ya!
It's official, our little baby's first word is da da! Now, I'm not going to tell you that she's all super baby smart and everything and say that she actually associates it with daddy. But she does say it more around him and even at her Dr's appointment yesterday the Dr asked if she was saying ma ma and da da and right on cue she said, "da da da."
Just in time to wish daddy a happy birthday - thanks for being the best dad and hubby ever, we love you!!!
Today my heart was filled with gratitude and it was a wonderful day. I always feel at the end of days like these if I can only have this grateful heart every day my perspective might shift to make every day just as wonderful. Even thought I try to focus on the positive stuff around here, I am living in real life you know!
Today, I am grateful for a morning at the movies with only my husband! The first time we've been out just the two of us since our anniversary in July. I was thankful for a free movie (thanks to the Realtor who sold our house last summer), a more than experienced baby sitter, and a movie that didn't disappoint (National Treasure: Book of Secrets.) Oh, my what fun it was to have three blessed hours all to ourselves, I had almost forgotten what it was like.
I am so grateful that the Signing Time DVD starts over by itself. It doubled my couch nap this afternoon and really, I don't mind if my son watches again how to say things like "set the table" and "may I be excused" in sign language.
I found myself again moved to tears during tender bedtimes with each of my children. My son sleepily asking to sing silent night just one more time (about 5 times) and me wonderfully willing to complete the task while nursing his sister and rubbing his back. I walked out of his room hearing his muffled voice saying, "See you in the morning time Mommy" and I had a tear streaming down my face realizing that I've been pretty hard on him lately and he is SUCH a great kid. Oh, it's these moments that I hope I remember (and my kids too) until my last breath.
1 Peter 3:8-22 especially verses 8 and 9.Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
We are richly blessed indeed. Now sweet dreams to all of you, and see you in the morning time.
Eating wheat, dairy and sugar free has had its challenges but I've become much more creative in the kitchen and we've begun to enjoy foods with less alteration. These are a couple of recipes that we've enjoyed recently. I love the enchilada one and all you wheat and dairy eaters can adapt it to be a fairly simple and nutritious meal too.
Fruit Sweetened Granola
Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine oats, seeds, nuts, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl. In a blender jar combine the oil, juice, vanilla and mashed banana, and blend briefly. (Or just mash together well.) Pour over the oat mixture and blend well.
Spread on a large jelly roll pan and bake for about 45 minutes, stirring about every 10 minutes. When light brown remove from oven - it crisps as it cools. Store in a cool dry place.
Enchilada Casserole
Place on tortilla in the bottom of an 8 or 9 inch round baking dish, spread it with 1/3 of the beans, top with 1/3 cup Mexican sauce, and 1/4 cup of cheese (meat if adding - it's great vegetarian - either way!) Repeat the layers two more times. Top the casserole with the last tortilla, 1/3 cup of sauce and 1/4 cup cheese. Bake at 350 F for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Cut into wedges and serve with more sauce, olives and sliced avocado or guacamole if desired. Makes 6 servings.
Mexican Sauce
If using fresh tomatoes, quarter, remove seeds and puree in blender or food processor. Saute the onion until it is soft. Combine the tomato puree (fresh or canned), onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, chili powder, and salt in a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it is thickened. About 1 hour for fresh tomatoes, and 30 -40 minutes for canned. Makes about 3 cups of sauce.
My husband came home with some foaming hand soap over the summer and I just fell in love with it. Not to mention my son was slightly more eager to wash his hands with it as well. It has since bugged me that you can't get refills for them - hello it's better for our pocketbook as well as the environment!
A frugal friend of mine shared this tip - now you all might know this already, but it never occurred to me! You can refill your foaming hand soap with about one part of your favorite liquid hand soap and three parts water. Mix well and viola - more foaming suds! Then the odds of your three year old actually rubbing the soap on his hands and it not just slipping through his fingers increases a bit. Plus you won't go broke buying the more expensive soap - just a larger refill bottle!
Anyway, it works for me. Have an idea to share or need some ideas visit Shannon's place.
We seem to be doing better today. Not so much in a coma from lack of sleep anyway! I'm certain tomorrow will be even better.
I played with my son for about an hour today with these picture word cards that my sister gave him for his birthday. I was absolutely amazed at how many letters he could recognize. I was equally amazed that it held his interest for as long as it did.
I'm not meaning to brag or anything (really) about seemingly boring details but this made my sleep deprived day today extremely wonderful. I resisted the urge to turn on the tv and I was vastly rewarded with quality time!
Her dry seal bark cough is the saddest little sound along with her hoarse cry. Oh, my aching heart for her, she's probably got croup like her big brother had around this age. Thankfully she's down to a low grade fever now and took a three hour nap in mommy's arms today we're praying she's on the up swing now.
Hopefully tonight we all can sleep soundly!!!!
It's funny the difference in parenting the second kiddo. When my son turned six months I was ready with the mashed banana so eager for each new stage. Don't get me wrong, I'm eager with this one too it's just that I don't feel like rushing it. I'm ready to start feeding her solids sometime soon, just not right on her six month birthday. I'm not ready for the extra time it will take, the mess, nor the change in her poo! ;) It is the first step in the separation of our relationship and her becoming more independent and I just want a baby for awhile longer!
My MIL (who I only refer to as in law on this blog to keep track of everyone) made this wonderful necklace for me my daughter. She has scratched herself with another one of my favorite necklaces too many times to count, so I stopped wearing it. I'm thrilled that my MIL agreed to make this one for us. She's holding a bigger beautiful stone that you really can't see, it's nice and smooth and perfect for little fingers while nursing and makes a great chew toy for her while in her sling. Not to mention the fact that it's gorgeous, I'm so lucky!
Well my little six month old I don't know your stats for the month since we missed our mother baby circle. You have grown, and we have all grown in love with you even more!
UPDATED: I had to add this picture - I meant to put it originally be forgot!!! On 2/27 you were 26 inches long and 19 pounds 4 ounces
Here's what I looked like last month.
"I LOVE YOU!!!"
I'm really not the biggest Valentine's day gal. I like an excuse to go out to dinner together or something but the whole buying of cards and flowers - for me it's a HUGE wast of money!! Needless to say I like kids crafts and such - homemade stuff to me is the bestest!
If you are a relative please don't click on the link that I'm providing - lest you want to see your card before it gets to you. They are in the mail just - you know me - a bit late! So we did something similar to these really cute cards this year.
...that my husband is the sweetest! For the last three nights in a row my little gorgeous baby has been up every hour and nursing constantly. This morning my wonderful Adam got up with my son and daughter and let me sleep for almost three hours all in a row - the longest stretch I've gone yet without seeing my wee one! Wow, sleep (or lack off) can really affect my level of sanity! Ah, now to finish tackling some projects!
I watched that Oprah with Peter Walsh and I'm motivated to get our kitchen decluttered for good! Especially with the way our kitchen has been used on this diet - THE MOST EVER - I need it to be way more organized. Off to declutter, start dinner and make a batch of spelt crackers!
"God, nank you for Mommy and Daddy and baby sister and me. And nank you for my plate and nank you for something and something and you and you and me. And nank you for Jesus. Amen"
