Category Archives: motherhood

Becoming 5

Posted on by

Our sweet baby arrived! On Monday evening, just after 7pm, we became a family of five. It was a very quick labor, so quick that I didn’t have much time to process thoughts on whether we would be surprised with a boy or a girl. But, with just a single push, David looked at me and said, “it’s a boy.” His name is Easton Maxwell and he’s the sweetest little boy. I was released from the hospital and had to leave my little man behind. The doctors have reassured us that he’ll be home this week. When I visit him I’ve whispered in his ear how wonderful home is and whenever I do, he gives me a sweet newborn grin.

I plan to document Easton’s story, but honestly, I’m still processing my thoughts and emotions. I don’t think I’ll be able to put it into words until he’s home with us.

Only six days have passed since we’ve become a family of five, but, I can’t imagine being anything else.
DSC_3124 DSC_3129 DSC_3132 DSC_3141 DSC_3142 DSC_3143 DSC_3144

Emma’s first dance recital

Posted on by

On Saturday, Emma had her first dance recital. Oh, this girl is a dancer. For the few days prior to her recital, she couldn’t stop dancing. She watched Shirley Temple and made me promise to find her a Shirley Temple dress.

Emma danced beautifully with all the other girls. But, once the recital ended and the stage cleared, Emma’s true recital began. That is when she took the stage on her own and danced the most precious dance of all. It was the sweetest thing ever.

My little girl will be 5 years old soon. Makes me a little teary eyed to say that. This little dancer used to fall asleep in my arms and wake up next to me with those big blue eyes. DSC_2962 DSC_2965 DSC_2966 DSC_2991 DSC_2993 DSC_3008

These two

Posted on by

These two. They are best friends. Their giggles are contagious. Simple things make them happy. Simple things like a new eraser, dinner outdoors and sitting on our backyard swing.

They do fight. Boy, can they bicker. But when they do I make them hold hands and take turns giving each other compliments. They say things like, “I love you because you share your toys and let me go in your room.” Or, “I like your hair.” Sometimes they roll their eyes as they are doing this, but, that just equals more hand holding and compliments.

They grabbed my phone the other day and surprised me with these pictures.

2013-04-19 15.11.30 2013-04-19 15.11.31-1 2013-04-19 15.11.31-2 2013-04-19 15.11.55Sitting next to you doing absolutely nothing, means absolutely everything to me. 

Preparing for baby

Posted on by

Preparing for this baby has been the sweetest of all. After going through this two previous times, this time around is simple and pressure free and just a time for me to enjoy my very last pregnancy. I enjoyed each pregnancy for different reasons, but, there’s something special about this one because I know it will be my last. The baby’s room is coming along. There’s no theme what so ever, just a collection of things I love. The baby shares a room with our armoire full of craft supplies, so, this one is destined to have a creative soul. Eli’s main concern is how he will access the paper and glue and string while the baby is sleeping. That boy cracks me up.

As if I’m not already a major homebody, these days, I have found myself craving home even more. We’ve been doing random home improvement projects that just make me fall in love with our home over and over. Everyday, as I walk down the hall and pass the baby’s room, I’m always taken back by the light coming through the windows. The blinds are drawn, the crib is waiting, there’s a simple woven basket begging to be filled with diapers. The light usually draws me in and I sit for a few minutes in the rocking chair, trying to imagine me rocking a baby in my arms. My two little shadows usually find me within minutes and I’m guilty of attempting to swoop them in my arms so I can pretend they are little again.

I have about 10 more weeks with this round belly of mine. This belly that is always on the move because, my goodness, this baby is a mover and shaker. All I want to do for the next 10 weeks is bask in this final countdown of pregnancy.
DSC_2495 DSC_2497 DSC_2500 DSC_2503 DSC_2506 DSC_2509

In the garden

Posted on by

This gardening thing is addicting. Four years ago, David built me 4 simple square foot garden boxes. I stumbled upon the square foot gardening method while blog hopping and I knew it was for me. I read a little here and there, told David what I wanted, and he got building. Every year, I’ve added a few boxes. Now, I’m maxed out with 12 boxes. Those little 12 boxes bring me such joy. I know it sounds silly, but it’s true. As a child, I loved getting my hands in the soil. I grew up with a mother who loved indoor plants. There were seasons when our house was a jungle of plants (isn’t that right dad?). While I didn’t catch on to her love for indoor plant, I carried that love outdoors.

There’s this excitement that comes over me as I walk into the garden. The anticipation of checking on new growth, new harvest, new challenges. I don’t think I’d be the same person without this little garden of mine. It’s taught me more than I could ever learn in a classroom or in a book.

All that to say, on Friday afternoon, I found myself in the garden with my girl. It was just the two of us and Emma begged to paint one of the garden boxes. “It’s the kid box,” she explained to me. So, we dug through our basket of paints, poured the colors on a paper plate and she got busy. I worked the soil in the other 11 boxes while my girl sat on an upside down bucket and painted her heart away. There were moments of complete silence while the two of us worked together, yet separate. It was a beautiful afternoon. DSC_2399 DSC_2403 DSC_2404 DSC_2407 DSC_2411 DSC_2412

Easter at barn school

Posted on by

This week, Emma had her big Easter party at barn school. The excitement in her was contagious. So contagious that I pulled Eli out of school early so he could join the fun. The barn looks beautiful every season, my fingers are still crossed that I’ll one day be able to have a barn of my own. DSC_2332 DSC_2337 DSC_2339 DSC_2340 DSC_2345 DSC_2350 DSC_2354 DSC_2361 DSC_2369 DSC_2378 DSC_2380The kids hunted for eggs. Played egg games. Sang songs. Danced. And crushed confetti eggs on each other. These days are so sweet and I couldn’t imagine living these years without my two little ones. The seasons are full of wonder and fun. Life is good.

Watching her play

Posted on by

Have you ever sat back and watched your children play? Oh, the things this girl says. In her world of play, princesses get married, elephants guard the castle, dolls dance until her arms get tired. Watching a child play just might be as sweet as watching them sleep. DSC_2289 DSC_2291 DSC_2293 DSC_2294

My favorite book in the whole wide world

Posted on by
Reply

2013-02-21 17.37.52 2013-02-21 17.40.49 2013-02-21 17.41.17-1

I’m a sucker for children’s literature. My collection of children’s books started even before I became a mother. My junior year in college I spent an entire 9 weeks enrolled in a course that dissected children’s book after children’s book. We spent hours discussing books such at Goodnight Moon, Frederick and Because of Winn Dixie. I was in heaven and wanted to stay in that class forever.

Since I now have little people to read to, the collection has grown. But one book stands out. An Awesome Book by Dallas Clayton. I can’t explain why I love it so much, because my explanation is a feeling. The book is a declaration to my children. It is everything I could ever hope and wish and dream for them. I want them to believe each word and believe it as if they were my own. I want them to dream forever.

The thing about motherhood

Posted on by
Reply

2013-02-08 18.36.41

There’s this thing about motherhood that I cannot find the words to describe. It’s only felt in  my heart as these little people grow up before my eyes. After two nights of not sleeping, I found myself completely exhausted on Friday evening. Pregnancy brings sleepless nights for me. And tonight, it hit me. I was running on empty but I had two little balls of energy that needed me. I decided a little crafting could possibly take my mind off exhaustion. I pulled out wooden hearts I had been wanting to paint, some acrylic paint and sponge brushes. The problem was, I truly did feel like painting alone. As I attempted to do so, little hands kept reaching for the paint and brushes. I caved. “Grab a piece of paper and you can paint,” I said. And with that, with the surrendering of what I truly wanted to do alone, I found myself delighted and full of joy and so grateful for a quiet Friday evening, at home, with my children. “This is how an artist paints,” Eli told Emma as he did slow paint strokes on his paper. “I’m painting an apple,” Emma said as she dipped her brush in a puddle of red paint. The night ended with paintings covering the kitchen counters and my thoughts of being exhausted were forgotten. But tonight, will be remembered.