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| Finding adorable flannel on sale for that one extra baby blanket we're always wishing we had |
Friday, February 10, 2012
Simple Joys
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Mama Essentials
A few of the things I'm currently finding to be essential in this job of mothering...
1. a sense of humor (because there are times when its either laugh or cry)
2. mama friends who have been there before you (some with past experience and some currently raising a newborn is ideal - I've been blessed with both)
3. a thermos mug (so my tea is actually still warm by time I get to drink it!)
4. creative inspiration (to tide me over until I have time for such things)
5. reasons to get out of the house (its good for me and the babe)
1. a sense of humor (because there are times when its either laugh or cry)
2. mama friends who have been there before you (some with past experience and some currently raising a newborn is ideal - I've been blessed with both)
3. a thermos mug (so my tea is actually still warm by time I get to drink it!)
4. creative inspiration (to tide me over until I have time for such things)
5. reasons to get out of the house (its good for me and the babe)
Monday, February 6, 2012
State of the Nest
(inspired by this post)
We are halfway through "winter" here (still no snow to speak of) and life is beginning to feel a little calmer as Aleeah gets a bit older and we settle into our roles as parents. She's becoming much more interactive now which has been tons of fun for us! Unfortunately, we've been really bad so far about taking any videos of her when she's smiling and "talking". We've had some worries about her gaining enough weight but that has been sorted out and those now-chubby baby thighs are a happy sight for this mama!
I haven't been doing much reading or handwork recently but I have found a new addiction in Pinterest which is keeping me well supplied with inspiration for when I have a bit more time for creative pursuits. I've also been joining another mom and her baby to walk once a week. I never quite pictured myself as one of those stroller-pushing moms at the mall and yet here I am.
We're dreaming about Spring here...walking around the lake, trips to the park, picnics and swing-sets and gardening. The arrival of the first seed catalogs was a happy event and we've been pouring over them, trying to reign ourselves in and be realistic about what we can plant this year. I'm loving how perfectly our first harvests will be timed with when Aleeah will be ready to start some solids!
A new Bible study has started at church and if the first week is any indication, it should be exactly what I need right now. I was not previously familiar with Priscilla Shirer, but she has a very compelling way of sharing Truth. Also at church, Michael has gotten into helping with the computers and sound system. He seems to be enjoying it and its been fun for me to get to watch him using his gifts and talents.
That about does it for the state of things around here. What's new for y'all?
We are halfway through "winter" here (still no snow to speak of) and life is beginning to feel a little calmer as Aleeah gets a bit older and we settle into our roles as parents. She's becoming much more interactive now which has been tons of fun for us! Unfortunately, we've been really bad so far about taking any videos of her when she's smiling and "talking". We've had some worries about her gaining enough weight but that has been sorted out and those now-chubby baby thighs are a happy sight for this mama!
I haven't been doing much reading or handwork recently but I have found a new addiction in Pinterest which is keeping me well supplied with inspiration for when I have a bit more time for creative pursuits. I've also been joining another mom and her baby to walk once a week. I never quite pictured myself as one of those stroller-pushing moms at the mall and yet here I am.
We're dreaming about Spring here...walking around the lake, trips to the park, picnics and swing-sets and gardening. The arrival of the first seed catalogs was a happy event and we've been pouring over them, trying to reign ourselves in and be realistic about what we can plant this year. I'm loving how perfectly our first harvests will be timed with when Aleeah will be ready to start some solids!
A new Bible study has started at church and if the first week is any indication, it should be exactly what I need right now. I was not previously familiar with Priscilla Shirer, but she has a very compelling way of sharing Truth. Also at church, Michael has gotten into helping with the computers and sound system. He seems to be enjoying it and its been fun for me to get to watch him using his gifts and talents.
That about does it for the state of things around here. What's new for y'all?
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Letters to Aleeah
My Little Aleeah,
I can hardly believe you are already two months old! The time has sped past as Daddy and I have been getting to know you and adjusting to being a family of three. After so many months of wondering what you would look like and what kind of personality you'd have, its been so much fun to h ave you here and get to discover more about you each day. You look just like your Daddy's baby pictures, and though you don't have quite as much hair as he did, you were born with a good amount of hair and its been growing a lot. I love how you have a little swirl in your hair right at the front by your forehead. Your ears are so tiny and perfect and your right one has a little notch out of it just like one of Daddy's ears; it always makes me think of a cute little doormouse coming to kiss your ear and accidentally taking a little nibble.
You're becoming very graceful and expressive with your hands while nursing recently. It makes me wonder about all the things you'll do with those hands when you grow up. Will you play an instrument, be a painter, take dance lessons?
You've also been smiling a ton more these last few days and trying so hard to laugh! You got the biggest kick out of watching MeiMei lick her paws the other day, like it was the funniest thing you'd ever seen. Every morning you wake up smiling, its a great way to start out each day; I hope that's something you never lose.
Another thing I love is how you still cross your ankles all the time, just like you had them in the ultrasound. Its like your little signature thing. And in the mornings recently when I lift you up to burp you after nursing, you cross your ankles, bend your knees, stretch your arms way up and scrunch up your little face like you can't quite decide whether or not you're happy that its morning. Its so cute!
You're learning a lot these days and growing and changing so quickly. I feel so privileged that I get to stay home and be with you - I don't want to miss any of it! There's lots of new things to come in the next few months as you continue to grow and your Daddy and i are looking forward to all of it; we're so glad you're our little daughter!
With so much love,
Your Momma
I can hardly believe you are already two months old! The time has sped past as Daddy and I have been getting to know you and adjusting to being a family of three. After so many months of wondering what you would look like and what kind of personality you'd have, its been so much fun to h ave you here and get to discover more about you each day. You look just like your Daddy's baby pictures, and though you don't have quite as much hair as he did, you were born with a good amount of hair and its been growing a lot. I love how you have a little swirl in your hair right at the front by your forehead. Your ears are so tiny and perfect and your right one has a little notch out of it just like one of Daddy's ears; it always makes me think of a cute little doormouse coming to kiss your ear and accidentally taking a little nibble.
You're becoming very graceful and expressive with your hands while nursing recently. It makes me wonder about all the things you'll do with those hands when you grow up. Will you play an instrument, be a painter, take dance lessons?
You've also been smiling a ton more these last few days and trying so hard to laugh! You got the biggest kick out of watching MeiMei lick her paws the other day, like it was the funniest thing you'd ever seen. Every morning you wake up smiling, its a great way to start out each day; I hope that's something you never lose.
Another thing I love is how you still cross your ankles all the time, just like you had them in the ultrasound. Its like your little signature thing. And in the mornings recently when I lift you up to burp you after nursing, you cross your ankles, bend your knees, stretch your arms way up and scrunch up your little face like you can't quite decide whether or not you're happy that its morning. Its so cute!
You're learning a lot these days and growing and changing so quickly. I feel so privileged that I get to stay home and be with you - I don't want to miss any of it! There's lots of new things to come in the next few months as you continue to grow and your Daddy and i are looking forward to all of it; we're so glad you're our little daughter!
With so much love,
Your Momma
Monday, January 2, 2012
Mama Mantra
My father-in-law gave me this book for Christmas. I'd had my eye on it for quite a while and though we won't be needing it for Aleeah for several more months, I've found it quite inspiring this last week as I've been looking through it. One of the things I love is a little blurb they have every few pages called Mama Mantra. This one especially caught my eye -
"Preparing healthy, delicious
food is my gift to my family."
These are the gifts I'm thinking of cooking up for my family this week:
-Black Bean Soup and baked potatoes (from this book)
-Chili and cornbread (I go back to teaching this week so we'll be wanting a crockpot meal for those days)
-Taco Salad (I have a new recipe from Michael's mom to try out)
-Minestrone Soup (I've been on the hunt for the perfect recipe for this)
-Apple Pie (since I have apples to use up and maybe a healthier sweet treat will help me stay away from all the dark chocolate I've been consuming!)
What's going on in your kitchen this week?
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