It takes a village

I'm starting to realize that it really does take a village to raise children. Not so much because of what other's can contribute to my children's lives - although wonderful people have had positive influences on them - but more because in a village you can always find someone sane and of sound mind. And today, it was not my turn to play the part of the sane mom.

Archer woke up at 5:21 am this morning ready to nurse. It was not his usual 5:30 or 5:45 but that's okay. I was willing to roll with it. Mark brought him to me in bed to nurse (isn't he an awesome husband?) but Archer had other plans. And fyi, if your child is going to have trouble nursing, you do not want it to happen at 5:21am.

Arch and I give up the battle and headed down the hallway to the kitchen where we discovered there was not enough coffee to brew a pot. Great. And it's not like I can just pop in anywhere and grap a cup of jo. I buy organic decaf and it has to be decaffeinated with the swiss water method so that no chemicals are used. Not something you can find at Mc Donalds. And no one wants to see me on caffeine. The harmony of our marriage depends on me staying off caffeine.

We get Savannah off to school and Arch begins his school work (sitting in the exersaucer so I can take a shower). He starts to fuss before I can wash all the suds off. He is out right crying by the time I am drying off.

In frustration I decided to explain things to Archer while standing in my bathroom wrapped in a towel. "Listen little guy," I told him, "If I picked you up every time you fussed I would never get to put my clothes on, brush my teeth, cook dinner, or do anything else. So if it were up to you I would be naked, starving, with smelly breath. And I don't want to be naked and starving with smelly breath. So you are going to have to fuss today." This conversation was one of many indicators that I would not be playing the part of "sane mom" today.

This made him scream louder.

I put on my clothes and then picked him in hopes of redirecting his short attention span. All the while I was wondering how my hair was going to look now that it has dried unbrushed and wrapped in a towel.

Finally I was able to lay him down for a nap and then put on make-up and salvage my hair. As I stood in my closet I decided I could not put on shorts, a stained t-shirt and worn out flip flops one more time. Just for today, I want to look pretty. After I scoured my closet for something decent I began to pick out accessories. And in the holes of my pierced ears I placed beautiful large copper earrings that I knew Archer will try to yank from my ears leaving me in need of reconstructive surgery. But I did not care. They matched my outfit perfectly.

We left the house for a playdate with friends fussy baby in tow. And as you probably guessed, the playdate was for me as Archer is too young to play with other kids. But I needed friends.

When we arrived our village was there to greet us with a fresh pot of coffee and homemade banana bread. I threw caution to the wind and being the wild child that I am ;) I had a cup of that non-organic caffeinated coffee. I listened to encouraging stories from other moms who had challenging babies. I looked them over and they all seemed to come out the other side of this baby phase looking like normal humans adorned with cute earrings and such. And like me other moms walked in the door sharing their stories of chaos from the morning. And the stories of frustrationwe rehashed suddenly sounded funny. Maybe even hilarious, laugh-out-loud-from-down-in-your-belly-funny.

My village made me laugh and feel sane again. I could have soaked up more time and fellowship but Archer began to fuss for a nap and so we left. Now, I can't stand to leave a party early. After all, I might miss out on something. But I had giggled, talked, listened, and sipped coffee with good friends. Some of us sane and some of us with hopes of being sane next time but all in the village. What more could a morning hold?

Showing my age

You know you were a teenager in the 90's when years later (more than a decade to be exact) you are shopping for baby supplies and when you scan the brands you spot the company Even Flow. Do you pick up the Even Flow baby product and examine it for safety? Usability? Quality? No. You instantly start rocking out in your head to the Pearl Jam song, Evenflow. I honestly cannot even glance at an Even Flow baby product without getting that song in my head!
That my friend is showing your age (okay, my age).
Forever dated by the 90's, now go search your ipod for a little Maria Carey and you've got yourself a time machine.

The Lion Sleeps Tonight...

...at least in the song anyway. The little lion that inhabits this room is a bit more unpredictable.

We finally have decorating plans underway for Archer's nursery. With any luck I will have it complete before he heads off to college!









This is a close-up the material used in the bed skirt of his crib. The pattern is repeated in the artwork over his crib.



I have started my first ever quilt, a baby quilt with the jungle theme for Archer's room. Perhaps I will have that done by the time he is 2 or 3 and in a toddler bed! I am definately the tortus these days.

Eight Months

Here are just a few pics of my loud, opinionated, demanding, yet cuddley momma's boy. He may have strong personality traits that can be difficult at times, but he is so darn sweet and he loves to giggle. Mark and I just have to stay on our toes with our little lump of clay and mold him into an adult who will use his powers for good instead of evil :).






Man, I could just eat up those squishy cheeks with kisses!



And yes, I know he looks just like Mark!

Simple Woman's Daybook

For today Tuesday August 24, 2010.

Outside my window...the world is winding down, cooling off, and settling in for the night.

I am thankful for...prayerful friends.

Around the house...2 babes lay sleeping, 3 cats are prowling, and a to-do list is awaiting.

From the kitchen...freshly ground wheat flour is soaking (fermenting) on the counter in preperation for cream cheese pastries that will be made tomorrow. A glass jar of kombucha likewise is fermenting yet another tasty culture.

I am reading...Teaching Montessori In The Home by Elizabeth G. Hainstock and Montessori Play and Learn by Leslie Britton. I thought we were already a pretty Montessori friendly household but this book has provided ample ideas that I am currently implementing that will make Savannah even more independent (read: my life easier ;). And suprisingly there is insight for Archer's age as well.

I am creating...peace and order around the house, a candle-lit chandelier to go over the table on my back porch, and a schedule for our 2 new co-op groups.

I am going...to bed eventually tonight!

One of my favorite things is...neatly trimmed, clean, unpainted toes. Most people are appaled by toe nails in the nude peaking out of sandals. But I think it's simply sexy.

A few plans for the rest of the week...carpool (I have finally reached soccer mom status with the typing of that word. Maybe I will wear heels tommorrow to compensate ;)and a trip to Dallas with the kids to visit family. Poor Mark has to stay at home.

Here is a picture I am sharing with you...

The End of an Era

I have spent the last five years on a glorious adventure full of travel, family, and discovery with Savannah. As a stay at home mom we had opportunities to travel year round and during the week when things are less crowded, in seasons where temperatures are pleasant, and time is not an issue.

Here are just a few of our stops along the way.

Horseback riding with Mr. Ed

One in numerous trips to Colorado

The Dallas World Aquarium

Dinosaurs at The Heard

Train adventures

The Texas State Fair

Hanging out with grandparents and great grand parents

Visiting cousins

Extended Christmas breaks

Fun shows

Field trips

More trains

Chicago

Museums

Discovering history

And making dreams come true

And the list goes on with play dates with good friends and fun locations, lots of time spent traveling to see cousins, grandparents, and great grand parents. But this era ends this week with the onset of kindergarten. I know "onset" makes it sound like a disease that has come upon our family but it is life altering. I had no idea when I started on the journey of parenthood that the preschool years would be so enchanting. Every adventure held new ideas for Savannah to explore, creatures to discover, cultures to embrace, and history to experience. So, there is a hint of mourning at the thought of her education occurring somewhere else. And for the sake of honesty I'll admit there is a bit of mourning for the loss of the lifestyle I have grown to love that is now at the mercy of someone else's schedule.

Archer I fear will have a much different experience through his preschool years. We will be home now and there is a chance that he will not get to know his cousins that live far away as well. And he will not have the sweet memories of spending the night at his great grandparent's house as often. Memories that Savannah and I share. Will he learn as much through just a couple of trips a year relegated to summer and spring break?

Such thoughts leave me tempted to yank Savannah out of school and hit the road with curriculum in tow. But the truth is we love her school. She thrives in this school beyond my expectations.

So, I don't know how this year will play out. And I don't know what my new life will look like. But I do know we are where God wants us to be and that is all I really need to know.

My Little Man

About Archer:
He enjoys walks on the beach, mountains, cities, in the country, neighborhoods, and anywhere else you are willing to take him.
His favorite way to spend his day is outside and he is not the least bit affected by 105 degree weather.
His hobbies include swinging on the front porch swing with his family, singing Kindermusik songs with mom, giggling at his goofy sister, and devouring new-found table food.
His dislikes include cutting his latest tooth and being woken up in the nursery at church by another crying baby.
His current goal in life is to catch one of the cats wondering around the house and get their fluffy body into his mouth much to his mother's disgust.
For more information on this handsome little man check out his facebook page. JK ;)