a little inspiration

  We have a new development at our house.  I believe we have some monsters that have moved in.  Or may be moving in.  Or once lived here... Emerson was previously worried about dark places.  Usually because that alligator who lives upstairs might get him.  Now, we moved past alligators and on to the more perilous and less definable "monsters."  He has moved from a worry that could be helped by reminding him that he could just tell the alligator not to bite him and to go away and on to a complete unwillingness to enter a darkened room without a hand to hold.  I read today that this is a normal developmental milestone for his age. The trick is, of course, we are really working hard to get him to bed on his own before the baby comes along. His room is on the front corner of our house and because of that when cars drive by lights make strange shadows travel across his walls.  It actually isn't ever very dark in any room in our house.  Y...

:Feeling my body expand each day and making peace with the welcome discomfort. :Finding myself reacting sensitively to well meant comments and laughing at myself right along with feeling agitated. :Wondering how a person can think so much about diapers.  What a weird obsession. :Loving the few stitches here, few stitches there, crocheting that is happening. :Enjoying seeing Emerson do new and more responsible things each day. :Trying not to be too hard on the other things. :Amazed at this beautiful, gentle August and it's pleasant weather. :Hearing all the sounds of bugs and birds and bells in my neighborhood. :Realizing that spelling is still not my thing. What is in your right now?

Recently I have been trying a new technique in parenting.  Stopping.  Stop saying no, correcting, redirecting, cringing.  Look away unless you think there will be blood.  Don't warn of trouble (You might fall if you x.) unless there seems a real danger of someone else getting hurt or serious injury.  You see, I am not naturally cautious or rule bound.  But somehow I have gotten it into my head that my son should be.  I think perhaps- because he is so fearless and so driven to do certain behavors that I would never consider- I have fallen into the trap of "parenting" all the time.  If I don't watch myself our whole day can sound like this: Don't bang on that. Put the stick down. Stop yelling. How about watching a program instead of helping me make dinner? Don't bang on that. Don't grab me. Be gentle. Stop yelling. Don't play with your food. Are you eating that or are you ready to get down? You get the idea, right?  Too much pare...

  Tomorrow, we go get our Bug.  A week at Oma's house and I'm dying to get him back.  I've enjoyed the week and gotten somethings done.  But unlike last year when the whole time was just right and I wasn't really missing him, this year I have.  Is it the pregnancy hormones?  Or that I know he has had a hard time?  Or that he is adorable as a three year old?  I have no idea, but it will be good to scoop him up when we see him. I want to show our dining room before it gets cluttered and lived in looking.  While it is still in the pristine, pre-play state.  I'm sure you'll see plenty of pictures afterwards later!

I had a plan. I had some supplies on hand. I was brave. I went for the more complicated one first. I love how it turned out. I am happy I went with the "brave" fabric combo.   Making my own maternity clothes is cool.

I've never really looked forward to winter.  I mean, I spent the first years of my life in Haiti and can still remember the first time I saw snow and thinking that that was just crazy!  And when you are young and in school you are programmed to look forward to summer.  I always looked forward to warm sun on my skin, the chance to get off the schedule. This year is different.  In the middle of this winter we are expecting a new addition to our little family.  I cannot even begin to express my excitement.  After experiencing the disappointment of a miscarriage it is amazing about ten times over to know a new life is growing inside my body. Honestly, I've struggled so hard to believe this was true.  That it is really happening and not just a delusion.  We saw the heartbeat at 8 weeks and I heard it at 12 weeks.  After hearing it I began to believe, to trust.  So now, here I am, dreaming of cold days full of entertaining a nearly 4 yea...

: The sound of Emerson playing (bands, catching fish, rolling cars to Desi...) with his Moriah. : The ease of dinners this week as I remembered to take my own advise and use my meal planner. : The sound and feel of rainy, misty days.  And storms. : The fun of wrapping presents for friends in painted paper and then covering them with stickers. : The thought of painting the dining room a lighter, brighter white. : A really great book that is helping keep me right where I belong. Parenting for Peace. : The thought of a weekend coming.  Yay for weekends and Papas and Grandmas! : The thought of my dad having a great time at VMD this year.