this moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Join in at Soulemama.

We're Back!

It's the little things in life that really matter! I've been away from the blog for a bit, re-centering and spending some time focusing on the family. It was a totally chaotic December and we needed a few weeks to regroup and get back into the rhythm of the family-no matter how wild!

Lots has been happening, the baby is crawling, has 2 teeth and saying da-da. The big kids are enjoying pretending to travel to the moon, riding a pirate ship and making up new unknown lands full of mystery. Mama is working on knitting a wool lap blanket for us... well mostly "me" to snuggle on these upcoming cold winter months. Dad is trying to kick a cold, and we all know how miserable the boys get when they are when sick... worse than the kids.

I'm looking forward to a lot in 2011. Another year watching my kids grow and change. Tons & tons of projects rolling around in my head. I just need a few quiet hours a week to actually get to them [or a baby who sleeps through the night--either please]. Two of our family friends will welcome new babies to their families-we all know how much I love babies! I hope 2011 brings us much happiness & time together.

Baby Wearing

The two older kids were worn all the time when they were younger. Miss {M} pretty much never left my arms for 2 years-seriously. I was completely expecting to do the same with Little {L}-he had other plans. As a wee-one he liked to be held, and snuggled, but was also just as happy hanging out in a swing or bouncer. We co-sleep at night [and I was nursing], so I got in a lot of snuggle time during the late, or early hours-however you see it. Little {L} didn't sleep through the night until he was almost 11 months old, so many, many nights of feeding and snuggling at night.

The daytime was so very different. This boy crawled, walked, jumped, and climbed, EXTRA early. He couldn't be bothers to sit and be held during the day unless he was eating. He just couldn't be bothered to be in one place. {L} wanted to chase his big brother, and dance with his sister-he was on a mission. These times were for exploring & getting into mischief-no restraint, no stillness. Needless to say, he spent very little time in a sling. Once he could roll or wiggle, he wanted to be free.

When Baby Unicorn arrived, I was going to take full advantage of wearing him. I now knew there was a chance it may only last a little while. I wear him while at the store, walks, grocery shopping, hanging out at the house...pretty much as much as I can. This baby LOVES to be held. Place him in the Moby wrap and he's won't make a peep. He just looks around and takes in this strange new world. Little {L} found the come back of sling & carriers to be so strange at first. He laughed when I placed the baby in, laughed 5 minutes later when he looked at me, and then the next day & the day after that. It was just the other day he asked to wear his baby. I was a proud mama. I sure love that strong, independent little boy!

Flashback Friday

Meet Mr. Caterpillar! He's an old friend at our house. When Little {L} was a baby, he didn't play with toys-pretty much ever! There were many days that I begged an pleaded for him to "just play-please". He was way more interested in walking, running, climbing and mischief. The ONE toy that he actually showed interest in was this cute, little caterpillar pull toy. He dragged this thing through the entire house over & over again, peeking over his shoulder and giggling as he saw it following him.

I've been collecting the "baby" toys lately since we'll soon have another one to play with the younger toys. Little {L} found this in the pile and quickly retrieved it, reminding me it was {L}'s, NOT baby's! It still holds the same giggle power. I can't wait to see if Baby Unicorn loves this toy also...well honestly I'm just hoping for another child who plays with toys!

How you know...

This is how a baby tells you, enough with the camera already lady!! Haha.

growing up

Little {L} will turn two this week! Yes two years old already. I have no idea where the time has gone. One minute he was this sweet little newborn snuggling in close to sleep, and the blink of an eye...he's an adventurous, tough little explorer.

He's grown into such a funny little personality. The other kids laugh and say no one can ever stay mad at Little {L} cause he has special, magic charming powers. Sometimes, I think they are so right! Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

A Visit with Santa

The kids were off to the mall last night for a visit with Santa! The older kids could barely contain their excitement all day!! After our trip to see the Easter Bunny last Spring, I wasn't so sure how {L} would be. Needless to say, Santa is just as scary as the Easter Bunny was!

Mr. {D} asked for the Edward doll from Twilight, and Little Miss {M} wants a fairy princess doll. The baby just wanted off Santa's lap more than anything else!

It's funny how crazy I used to stress about getting nice pictures when the older two kids were little. I didn't want them to cry, they needed to smile and everything perfect. With the addition of our third child, things sure have changed! Now, I enjoy the experience more without the stress. Yes, I still want a nice photo. but I also see the fun in silly pictures, crying pictures [see our Easter post!] and just candid sincere moments. It feels great to not be worrying about the silly things and just be!

Karma

Karma: When you do something mean to someone and the Earth knows....so the Earth moves a little to make you fall down....cause it's not nice to do mean things.

--Definition per the fabulous, Mr. {D}

{D} told me this the other day after he feel down. He said he was mean to his sister and karma got him. I think I laughed harder than I ever have. So enjoy your weekend, and do something good for your Karma...or the Earth will shift and getcha!

Don't forget to come down to the Independence Day festival if your local!! We'll be there from noon-late[8pm-10ish]! I'll have all my new mini-houses, quilts and scarves out for sale!

How long does it take?

How long does it take for a curious toddler to figure out how to open the latch on the brand new gate you made just to keep him on the porch?
About 45 seconds!!

We retreated inside early, many times this summer due to little mister {L}. He spends all his time trying to jump off the porch and make a run straight for the street. The older kids have been whining about not getting to be on the porch as much this summer. To be perfectly honest, many times I just didn't have the energy for the non-stop chaos man.

For the past several years I had thrown around the idea of my husband building a gate for the porch. It seemed to be the thing that always turned into next week, and then next summer.... After spending some of his own time chasing our littlest angel, he finally decided it was time.

Yesterday morning, I was so excited to sit out in the fresh morning air and calmly drink my coffee without my son hurling himself from the top of the stairs at every chance. Ahh, the birds were chirping, the weather tepid....and then he realized the door had a latch. Game over!! Haha, luckily a handy, baby latch saved the day and keeps him in.

The irony of the whole thing was enough to send me eerily laughing my head off. {D} actually asked me if I was ok....or if something was wrong. Maybe he thought I had finally gone mad.

Hmmmm...let me just fix this!

Who me? I would never!

Highlights from the Doo Dah Parade

Art Cars

Fun Characters

2009

moustache

While drawing today, {D} accidentally made a small mark in pen on his face. He came to show me and was SHOCKED when I drew him a moustache to hide the mark. The kids are often told not to draw on themselves, so my actions went directly against my own rules.
I guess it's a case of do as I say, not as I do!

The baby has been trying to grab it off his face all day-hilarious!

Faces

The many faces of {L} enjoying the festival. We had some some smiles, drool, shock, anger and boredom. He's super dramatic and always making silly faces. It was fun to just sit fora bit and capture them!
Enjoy your day-smile, laugh and giggle.