“I think the most significant work we ever do, in the whole world, in our whole life, is done within the four walls of our own home.” – Stephen R. Covey

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Day book (+ a goal)

My goal is to blog every day in May. Bwah ha ha! Watch me fail but at least I'll be blogging more often, I hope!

Outside my window... Dark sky, cold temps. Annoying but at least no snow (for now).

I am thankful for... A decent nap from Clara. A supportive husband. A comfortable house. The interwebs.

I am thinking about... Nothing. Trying to decompress and let the worries and stresses fall away.

In the Schoolroom... Sigh. Well, Chad taught Clara where her head, eyes, ears, nose, belly button, knees and toes are. I probably helped a but along the way but he quizzes her at night during bath. Honestly, I don't know what I should be working on with an eighteen month old. Colors? Animal sounds? Names of objects?

From the kitchen... Queso Taco Bake tonight. Warm carbs comfort food but pretty low on the healthy scale. Also realized that if I'm trying to reduce the amount and impact of plastic in our life then I probably should get rid of most of my kitchen utensils.

I am creating... Summer garden (Chad's project to build, but I will help in the planting, maintenance and harvesting.) Clara's toy box. Again, Chad building but I will do the painting/pattern design.

I am working on... Discipline. For both of us. Me figuring out how to handle things and Clara learning to accept boundaries and rules.

I am reading... Desperate: For moms who need to breathe, Nora Ephron- I'm sorry about my neck, various magazines and blogs.

I am praying for... peace and patience. A recurring necessity,

I am hearing... Quiet whir of the baby monitor. Thank God.

Around the house... Trying to stay on top of managing the pantry and freezer. Some how the freezer got very stuffed and so I've been trying to only make meals that require very few new ingredients. It's actually worked so far and I can progress.

One of my favorite things... Bought tickets and arranged a baby sitter so Chad and I can see a play this weekend. We've never had a non-family member baby sit so I'm nervous but I'm sure it will be fine.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Library time on Thursday and I'll have to think of something to keep us occupied on Friday. The cold weather has kept us from getting to play outside and Clara and I both miss it.

Friday, January 18, 2013

Friday's 7 Quick Takes

Edition: Clara

1. We've been trying to establish healthy eating routines. Not always perfect but we're working on it. She doesn't always want to sit in her high chair. However, if there is food on the tray, everyone is happy, and she is set in from a squatting position usually it okay. If not all hell breaks loose and it's a wailing episode for the ages.

2. Also on the topic of eating... She sometimes won't finish a meal in the high chair but will eat it if given while toddling around. Discipline or Nutrition is the question here...

3. Tomorrow we have our second music class with the budding percussionist. She's close to the youngest one but last week she loved shaking the maracas and seeing the other kids!

4. Any tips on how to thoroughly strip and de-funk cloth diapers? And keep them that way? Inquiring minds (and noses) want to know.

5. New tricks: mimicking kissing, fish face, clapping, pointing and feet stomping. Also loves to "brush" (read: chew/slobber) her teeth with a real toothbrush.

6. Shopping cart tantrums = super fun. Apparently arching the baby back against the back of the cart seat does not feel pleasant. Luckily cheerios came to the rescue. Also, last week a grabbed a stuffed animal and put in the seat next to her which stopped the tears. Then I ditched it in the cereal aisle while she wasn't looking. Sneaky Mama!

7. A picture with a well placed hair clip to prove she's a girl when dressed in unisex colors. Approximately 2.3 seconds before it was yanked out with a disproving scowl.


Thursday, January 17, 2013

Reflection on silence



"Learn to be silent! Silent as the leaves that fall, silent as the blossoming flowers, silent as the moment before dawn. You are being summoned into the temple of silence. Practice silence, for this voiceless voice can be heard only in the shrine of silence. You are being chosen for the deepening places."
Sr. Macrina Wiederkehr, Abide

I need to learn to add more purposeful silence to my day. Especially in the moments where it's actually possible while Clara is napping or playing peacefully. 
 

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Day Book #1

Outside my window...
22 degrees and pitch black. Bright white stars against a dark blue sky. And old crusty snow-bergs I hope will either melt or be covered with fresh snow soon.

I am thankful for...
New friendships and the ease and quickness they were formed.

I am thinking about...
Bedtime. And hoping I can sleep soundly all night!

In the Schoolroom...
Need to hunker down and create learning activities and games for Clara. I really need to get on the Montessori Method band wagon but it seems like you have to have a PhD.

From the kitchen...
Breakfast for Dinner and Italian Wedding Soup the next two days. I'm on a mission to clean out the freezer and not let thing go stale!

I am creating...
I have a stack of fabric waiting for inspiration next to my sewing machine. At least some of it will hopefully go towards a Valentines onesie dress for Clara and something Eastery.

I am working on...
Household management. Its easy to ignore with just three of us and let things become neglected for a few days but that's really not how I want to live. Ah, priorities!

I am reading...
Janet Evanovich - Notorious Nineteen
Harvey Karp - Happiest Toddler on the Block
Dozens upon dozens of blogs
And usually the daily readings and reflections

I am praying for...
My brother, who is serving in Afghanistan.
A high school classmate.
The mothers and their babies who are considering abortion.

I am hearing...
The whir of the heater. Always set too cold but I bumped it up a couple notches tonight.

Around the house...
Toys that should have been straightened before bed.
Decorating projects that I need to devote time to.

One of my favorite things...
Clara graduating to real milk. It's been fun watching her slurp it down like a big kid :) We went with Organic Valley whole milk but I'd like to ask our grocery store manager if they can order the Organic Valley grassmilk (from grass fed cows). Probably mostly depends on the price point. I figured out that if she drinks her daily allotted amount every day we will go through 1/2 gallon every 4.5 days. At $4.50/ half gallon that's $30 in milk every month just for Clara! This also means that we are weaning soon and although I'll miss aspects of it, I think I'm ready too!

A few plans for the rest of the week...
Mid week trip to pick up a few grocery items. Try to connect with my brother. In dire need to bake some dessert or snack, chocolate preferably :) See above re: Household Management!

Clara giggling and feeding Daisy is super cute but not allowed. I DO NOT like stepping in middle-of-the-night dog puke.