Cousins

2 and 4 months

7 and 9 months

Oh, the adventures they'll have!

Wordless Wednesday

Cousins

My Favorite Kisses Are The Sloppy Ones

My Dearest Tadpole,

Seven months old now, and you just experienced your first Christmas. You are such an easy going, relaxed baby. Through all the holiday chaos, all the holiday parties, you were so happy and carefree.

You didn't even cry when you met Santa. You only stared at his beard.
A few weeks ago I was having a kale salad for lunch and you sneaked a little bit off my plate when I wasn't looking and ate it. I was hoping to hold off on solids a little longer, but you had different plans. If I don't offer you whatever I have on my plate, you dive forward and try to grab it yourself. So I've been offering pieces here and there: some banana, salad, mashed potatoes, sweet potato, and broccoli. So far potatoes and broccoli are your favorites. I don't give you much, just a taste here and there, and that seems to be all you want.

You are SO CLOSE to crawling! You get up on all fours, and that's where you get stuck, struggling and then finally crying for me to sit you back up on your butt again.

You look to me often. You put your arms up so that I will pick you up, you love to sit on my lap. You twist yourself around and put your hands on either side of my face, hold my head still, and study my eyes. And you give kisses!!! Big, sloppy kisses that leave drool on my face, but it is so cute that I don't mind.

You seem to have a special relationship with The Mermaid. She carries you around, entertains you, talks to you. Sometimes I see a look pass between the two of you, a wordless understanding that I am left out of. I admit, I feel a small pang of jealousy when this happens, and also when she makes you laugh so hard that you shake. I never can make you laugh that hard, no matter how much I try. But in the end, I am so glad that you have such a great relationship with your sisters.

I hate being away from you. Going to the gym for an hour recharges my batteries, but I always miss you and rush home, where you greet me with a smile and a big sloppy kiss.

I am so blessed to have you in my life, and I love you so much.

You bring me such joy, little one.

My Favorite Kisses Are The Sloppy Ones

Post Holiday Ramblings

Eleven days since I last sat down to write a post in this blog.

Eleven days of not being able to find the time in the Holiday Chaos.

Eleven days, and during that time: I went on call for an early January birth; The Tadpole turned 7 months old; I took 386 pictures (386!); I baked four batches of vegan cupcakes and two batches of non-vegan cookies; I agonized over shipping estimates and ran out to my mailbox 22 times; I cleaned out the girl's room, decorated the house, and wrapped presents.

My vegan Tiramisu cupcakes

And I just managed to get through it all without getting completely overwhelmed.

And it was all worth it.

Gift-wise, this Christmas was our smallest Christmas yet. But in all other ways, it was our biggest. The kids didn't notice that there were fewer gifts under the tree. I like to think that it was because the fewer gifts you buy, the more thought you put in to each gift.

And now it's over, the whirlwind has passed, leaving only wonderful memories for my children to cherish.

Now the snow is falling outside, everyone is in bed except for me. The Tadpole has a bad cold right now and hasn't been sleeping well, and I think I finally caught it from him because my throat is starting to get sore. I'm taking elderberry syrup, and hoping it doesn't get any worse than this.

I can hear the wind beating against the glass door. The Tadpole's diapers are out on the back deck, but I am not daring enough to brave the chilly wind to go retrieve them.

I'm hoping my client doesn't call tonight. It would be nice to get one night of good sleep before the birth.

Post Holiday Ramblings

The Next Generation

This year in my family on The Knight's side, three babies were born. Bringing the total number of children in the next generation to seven.

Every year the family grows larger. We are so blessed and lucky!

This weekend I snapped some pictures of the girls and The Tadpole with their cousin C. Some of them were shot outside.

It's fun watching the kids grow up together. It certainly makes the family holiday gatherings more joyful <3

You Capture

The Next Generation

Magic

I see the Christmas lights, reflected in his eyes.

Christmas magic.

Wordless Wednesday

Magic

11 Days

We finally put our tree up this weekend. The Knight and I let the girls take the lead this year, and I think they did a fabulous job.

Afterwards The Mermaid picked up The Tadpole and carried him over so that he could get a good look at his first Christmas tree. We already have his first ornament hanging from one of the branches.

Whenever The Mermaid picks up The Tadpole, his whole face lights up. She's usually picking him up to show him something, and I swear he looks at where she points and his face gets serious as he concentrates and studies whatever it is she is showing him.

He may not know what it is, but at only 6 months old, he can tell it is important to The Mermaid that he see it.

I always say that the girls spoil The Tadpole...but I think he spoils them, too.

11 Days

Jingle Bells

The girls were in their first Christmas this weekend. They were in the choir, and sang Jingle Bells. The Mermaid is not a quiet child; I laughed when I heard her voice above the others.
I like our church. It's very liberal and open, and everyone is so incredibly nice. It's a great community and I'm so glad my kids get to be a part of it.
Now their memories of Christmas will be made up of community, instead of just images of the inside of the mall.

Jingle Bells

Sparks

Static electricity, anyone?

Wordless Wednesday

Sparks

High Heels And All

I wear many hats. Doula, friend, woman, advocate, activist, etc.

And of course, my most important hat: mother.

Lately the mother hat has been feeling a little big. Falling into my eyes, losing its shape and coming apart at the seams, to be more precise.

I went to sweep the kitchen floor, and realized it was the fifth time I did so today.

Small hands always reaching, grabbing and tugging on my sleeves. Begging for my attention.

Mommy mommy mommy mommy mommy!

Same thing, day after day.

Sometimes, I want to play dress up, too. Think of myself as something other than a mother. Remember what it was like to have an identity separate from my children.

I like to believe that I'm good at not letting motherhood define me as a person. Just because I'm a mother, doesn't mean I have to give up who I am.

Sometimes it's just harder than others.

High Heels And All

That's Better

He always tilts his head to the side when he smiles. Or when he studies me.


I don't have to hide my faults around him. He loves me anyway. But looking into those eyes, all I want to do is try to be a better person.

Having him in my life makes me a better person.

That's Better

Bookshelf Porn

I am drooling over here. Drooling.

Bookshelf Porn

Bookshelf Porn

Kindred Spirits

They are so much alike, both in looks and personality.

They truly are kindred spirits.

You Capture.

Kindred Spirits

Winter Hat, Part II

I was so happy to finish this hat for The Guppy. It has been a while since I've knitted something for her, and she was thrilled to get her very own hat.

It was easy and fun to knit.

More information about this project can be found on my Ravelry page.

Wordless Wednesday

Winter Hat, Part II