:: a happy nest ::

this week's harvest.

carrots!

Head on over to this week's Garden Wars at RVAnews to see what's been growing in our veggie patch this week.

grateful monday. (a day late)

blueberry lips

I didn't have a chance to post this yesterday, so here I am today.

Feeling grateful...

For The Sleep Lady, and for how gentle and effective her method has been. (I've been getting a ton of questions about our sleep process, so I'm going to try to work on a post about it this week).

For good, solid rest (I was really starting to think I might never again experience it). 

For how happy my girl is after a good night's sleep (are you seeing a theme here?)

For lemonade - especially lemonade mixed with iced tea.

For big new ideas (like a new etsy shop!)

For Thea's system tolerating so many yummy spring and summer foods (like blueberries!).

For happy flowers on my table.

What are you feeling grateful for today?

projects.

Here's a little peek at what I've been working on:

A banner for Thea's room, inspired by my friend Suzanne.

A new doorstop for our front door (and practicing my quilting and piecing skills).

Harvesting lavender from the garden.

Making cloth napkins from re-purposed sheets (mostly vintage). I love, love, love my new serger.

What has been keeping your hands busy?

celebration.

new red party shoes (taken with camerabag on my iphone)

My love is a semi-finalist for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts' 2010 Muse Award. 

Tonight, we'll wear our fancy clothes and spend the evening celebrating.

I am so, so proud of my man.

this week's harvest.

mama and Thea shelling peas together (taken with camerabag on my iphone)

Head on over to garden wars, week 4 to see what's been happening in our garden.

learning and growing.

my messy girl (yes, she's got a shiner)

In April, our wee girl turned two. And though the past eight months or so have been filled with big, big love, laughs, learning, and joy, I think it's safe to say that things have been a bit challenging - for all of us.

I was so grateful to read Patience's blog this week, and to see the banner they made together. It says: Everyone is learning and growing. It's exactly the mantra I need to repeat to myself a dozen (or more) times a day. Because while it is pretty clear that Thea is expanding - emotionally, physically, and intellectually - each and every day - I need to remind myself that I am too.

For a long while, I have tried to look at each day - throughout our lives - as an opportunity to learn and grow. Learning never stops. Right now, however, I am in an acute stage of this growth. While Thea asserts her independence and newly found (and still developing) physical and verbal skills, I am learning right along with her - about letting go, about respecting her as she grows into her own person, about power, respectful communication, and so much more.

I've been reading and reading, trying to find wisdom to help me through this time - to be the best mother I can be while supporting her in this monumental growth. I'm sorting through it all, trying to figure out what feels right in my heart.

One of the most recent books I've found to be most helpful is Parenting from your Heart - which teaches about using non-violent communication in parenting. The methods described in this book and the basic assumptions behind non-violent communication (empathy, connection, communication, choice, compromise) ring most true to me. I like that there are tons of real-life examples with "practice scenarios" throughout the book. One of the things that I most like about this book is that it actively encourages awareness of our own feelings and reactions - and the need for parental self-empathy and self-care. For me, days seem to go-go-go, and I have often found myself feeling like I am just "managing" my girl's behavior. This book is just the reminder I need to stop and pay attention to what is really going on - for both of us.

One of the techniques I have found most useful is what the author calls "hearing the yes in the no."  This means finding out what the child is saying yes too (eg - I want to play more) when she is saying no to you - and then using that as the beginning of a conversation - not the end.

And despite how emotionally and physically exhausting I am finding this time to be, I am endlessly grateful for the opportunity to grow and learn with my sweet girl - as messy as it might be for both of us.

Please do share - what are your favorite books, resources, and insights for parenting at this dynamic age (or at any age!)?

grateful monday.

little gardener

Feeling grateful...

For all of the blooms brightening our garden, and for time with the little one spent tending, watering, weeding, and caring for all of this life.

For good books.

For a new laptop keyboard.

For our home's comfortable new flow.

For good medicine and deep breaths.

For all of the ways our girl's personality continues to shine through.

For fun projects (stay tuned).

For lemonade iced tea.

What are you feeling grateful for today?

in bloom.

dahlias

This spring, I am really learning how much I love gardening. I think I could spend all day digging in the soil, pulling weeds, and deadheading flowers. This work of my hands settles my restless mind and leaves me with a sense of internal stillness and clam.

Over at Garden Wars, John shared a glimpse of our flowering garden. Here are a few more shots from my lens.

hydrangeas

lavender

echinacea

crepe myrtle

 

And, a little something sweet that I am dreaming about:

 

offline

A certain someone dropped my computer, and it's in the shop for repairs (fingers crossed). I'm offline for now, but feel free to see what I'm up to over on Twitter (nikolesarvay).

Be back soon - I have lots to share.

Stay well!