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| I extended our shopping trip when I discovered this. |
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January 19, 2011
>i’ll remember forever and ever. and ever.
>We glide through the air on side-by-side swings on the playground. A warm early fall day, with fading light and a smell to the air that promises a chill is soon to come. Her honey blond hair blowing from the force of the swing. Her head hung back and laughing from deep with in. After we jump off the swings, she throws her arms around my neck and says “I yuv you, mama.” “I love you too, Hadley. I know you may not remember this moment, but I’ll remember forever and ever.”
I listen to her soft breath laying next to me on our bed. The morning sun is streaming though the window. The sound of her sisters murmurs and daddy making coffee are a lovely ambient noise of home, that wake her from her slumber. She opens her eyes and she smiles sleepily. “I love you, Hayden. I know you may not remember this moment, but I’ll remember forever and ever.”
And while there are so many moments, so many memories to store in my heart that I may just forget, the feeling of loving my babies will never, ever escape me.
I’ll remember forever and ever. And ever.
January 18, 2011
>sleep
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| Hadley – 4 months old |
Sleep is a difficult commodity to come by in our house. It’s actually ironic that the job I had just prior to babies was a product to help people get better sleep, in turn educating our audience on the importance of sleep. And now, it’s a hard thing to come by.
It probably started, for me, before I even knew of Hadley. But really kicked in toward the end of my pregnancy with her. It’s part of pregnancy, we all know this. But then she arrived and I worried myself so much about not responding to her, or waking my neighbors that I worked hard to keep her quiet, especially at night. And while many of you may think that co-sleeping and not allowing her to cry is the better way to go, I’m starting to think I did a bit of a disservice to her and our family as a whole.
Now, at 2 1/2, she happily sleeps in her own bed and in her own room. And our challenge has turned to Hayden.
When will it end? I need to sleep!
Hayden has been a great sleeper from the get go, and in comparison to how we’ve been with Hadley, we’ve encouraged sleep in her own bed. But suddenly at 9 months her separation anxiety has kicked in to full effect and the last couple weeks have been terrible. And we’ve been taking measures to “train” her to get back into her good habits.
BUT I NEED SLEEP! Any advise for a sleep deprived mama?
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January 14, 2011
>i’m taking them back!
>I think I have come to a calm decision to reclaim my boobs. That’s right! I am taking them back after two and a half years of use by my children.
Now, the lactivists out there might be wondering “why?” And fair enough… I wanted to get to at least a year with Hayden, but she has started biting. And while she doesn’t have teeth, the taffy motion and the clamp of her little gums are sending me over the roof, and two and a half months seems like an eternity with sore nipples.
Not to mention, she is suddenly so busy that nursing is no longer a calm effort. She’s too busy looking around, singing while sucking, waving her hands and feet. It’s an energy that I’m finding frustrating with a being attached to my nipple. Nothing productive is happening and we are a busy household with two kiddos.
So I’ve decided that the boobs are going to become mine again!
I’m looking forward to a pretty bra that doesn’t have a flap that I forget to button up.
December 25, 2010
>the magic of christmas
>I love Christmas. But for a very long time that real magic hasn’t existed. That magic that a child has.
For obvious reasons it faded away… The fable of Santa and reindeers flying around the world delivering presents and eating millions of cookies, truth comes to light. And the teenage years kick in. The long for surprise is overtaken by the want of something ridiculous and specific.
Hadley is almost 2 1/2 and she started understanding the concept of Santa. We did a lot of holiday related activities, watched movies about Rudolph and Frosty, read books. I told her that old tale of Santa delivering presents to good little girls and boys, but that Christmas was also a time that we give to others.
Yesterday was Christmas Eve and we talked a lot about Santa. We baked cookies for him and placed them on the table next to our big leather chair. And a few times she said, on her own accord, “Santa is coming!”
I was so excited to put the kids to bed so I could set up. Jonathan had spent the evening setting up a couple of large gifts our relatives sent and I was in charge of placing all the gifts under the tree, stuffing the stocking. And together we set up a small princess castle for Hadley to find in the living room.
And would you believe that I couldn’t sleep? I was so excited! And I was up at 6 a.m. longing for the rest of the family to wake up. When I heard the pitter pat of feet on the bedroom floor above me, I got my camera ready for first reactions… And woosh! Just like that, the real magic of Christmas came over our household.
Now to a lot of you, my post about Christmas may seem very materialistic. And to people like us who are not religious and do not celebrate Christmas for religious reasons, it’s a holiday that becomes about giving. Hadley, at two years old, doesn’t understand that those toys we purchased for less fortunate children and the donations we give to non-profit organizations are a means of giving just yet. But some day she will. And we will strive for her to understand what this holiday means to to our family.
There may come a time when she may decide that it means something different, which is fine. But for now, it’s a holiday of giving to others, appreciating our friends and family, and loving one another. And to let her parents enjoy the magic of Christmas through her little eyes.
Happy Holidays!
December 20, 2010
>"i dressed myself monday"
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Outerwear: Fleece Striped Zipped Hoodie by Gymboree
Shirt: Flowered Rain Coat by Old Navy
Skirt: Blue Tutu by Sweet Olivia
– Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
December 14, 2010
>"toddler wants for christmas" gift guide
>Here’s the toddler edition to the Minimal Mom gift guide collection! Stay tuned for a “baby wants” and a “daddy wants” (written by my wonderful other half, Jonathan).
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ALPHABET SOUP – ABC PLUS SET
BY EVGIE
How cool is this set for a little one who is learning her ABCs (and colors, too)! All hand embroidered and made with eco-friendly felt made from recycled bottles makes it even better. This item sells for $62 and the seller has a number of other great items. Available here on Etsy.
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MUSHROOM BOWLING – COUNTING AND COLORS
BY MUDDY FEET
Hadley is just a sponge and I love toys that can teach her something, like about colors, or counting, or bowling… 🙂 This cool toy is priced at $30 and the seller has numerous other wood toys for purchase.
Available here on Etsy.
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CANDY CANE TUTU
BY I LUV U TUTU MUCH
Hadley is crazy, I mean CRAZY about everything ballerina, tutu’s being at the top of her list. So our toddler wish list wouldn’t be complete without a tutu. And how cute is this one by ILuvUTutuMuch?! Priced at only $25, this little number is sure to be a hit under any ballerina’s tree.
Available here at Etsy.
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MY FIRST DOLLHOUSE
We’ve been wanting to get Hadley a dollhouse for sometime and maybe Santa will bring it for her this year. This cool wooden doll house has numerous bedroom sets and families that are sold separately. This beautiful toy is $125. Available here at Peapods.
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DO’S AND DOUGH’S MODELING DOUGH
BY CLEMENTINE ART
Play dough is the best! Even better when it’s all natural and washable. Clementine Art makes a line of natural art supplies, including crayons and glue. This set costs $9.95.
Available here at Land of Nod.
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