:: a happy nest ::

good words.

the artwork above was created by my dear friend Suzanne. her work is breathtaking. you can see more of it on her blog or in her etsy shop.

Today is my wee girl's last day of preschool. As we prepare to settle into our summer rhythm, I've been reflecting on the thoughts I shared here. I've found comfort and wisdom in the the words of a few other mamas. I thought I'd share a few links to what I've been reading:

chuck your to-do list by Meg at Sew Liberated.

how to miss a childhood by Rachel at Hands Free Mama.

on stay-at-home-mom and positivity by Megan at Me and Wee

finding JOY by Erin Ellenberger March

one of my favorite poems Song for a Fifth Child - by Ruth Hulbert Hamilton

this amazing video by Julia Warr

and I've been re-reading Momma Zen and Hand Wash Cold by Karen Maezen Miller

But I'd love to know: are there words that inspire you and help you find your center? Please do share!

Happy Wednesday, friends!

at the kitchen sink.

**i started this post last week and haven't been able to finish it until now. i'm going to just let it flow as is, written in many separate moments.**

yesterday we spent the morning playing and making a big, big mess with friends, and then moved through our afternoon washing, folding, and cooking.

it's summer: her preschool is out for the hot months and most days, our sweet girl can't settle down for a rest. i'm feeling a bit topsy-turvy as we find our way into a  a new rhythm. i'm trying to figure out the best ways to take care of our home, and of the daily bits of life that need tending.

i'm moving from a space of trying to get things done while she sleeps or is cared for by someone else to trying to find ways to move through the acts of daily living together. i have a sense that for some mothers, this working together - little and big side by side - comes quite easily. but for us, these times are usually thick with tension. perhaps it is my temperament or expectations, or hers - i'm not sure.

but on this afternoon, with our hands working together in the warm soapy water, i caught a glimpse of what could be. i realized what could happen if i slowed down more - if i could breathe through and soak up these daily acts of caring for our home and family. if i could remember to pause and find ways to help my wee girl fee purposeful in her own work.

often, when it feels as if there is so much to do, i have trouble slowing down to consider how things might be done differently. for now, i am trying to be gentle with myself, and to keep my heart open to these moments of opportunity.

tell me, mamas - how do you share your home space with your littles?

{hello there}

Well hello there. Encouraged by my friend Megan's words, I'm coming out of my quiet space.

The past couple of months have been a complete blur - it feels like our family has constantly been sick, and I've been feeling pretty lost and unsettled in my mama shoes. While sleep has always been a struggle for my sweet girl, we've really been having a time for the past couple of months. Exhaustion combined with some very challenging behavior issues have really left me feeling physically and emotionally spent.

I'm so grateful for a wonderful circle of support surrounding me at this time - of course my amazing husband - and my mother - and my amazing mama friends who have been there - witnessing, listening, gently encouraging, and sharing their own stories and stories.

We're finding our way - one day at a time - sometimes one moment at a time. We're finding a new rhythm, and I'm trying to take gentle care of myself as I work my way through all of the wild emotions that have been surfacing. My sweet girl is certainly my greatest teacher, leading me to a deeper understanding of myself as I search for the best ways to nurture her unique spirit. I am breathing it all in, trying my best to keep my heart wide open.

In my {few} spare moments, I've been working on some fun things. My studio is just about finished - or at least finished enough to share. We've been getting messing with lots of art. I've been doing some sewing that has really been feeding my spirit. And, I've been working on a 2011 65 roses project. I hope to start sharing details next week.

I hope you have a lovely weekend!

after the rain.

Yesterday evening, after the rain stopped and the sun peeked out from behind the clouds, Thea and I headed out for a little walk. She brought her stroller and her baby, and of course, she wore her red rain boots (she put these on this morning as soon as she realized it was raining - right over her pajamas!).

We walked for a bit, and then decided to stop and splash in the puddles.

I am so grateful to experience these endless moments of wonder with her each day.

Lately, I've caught myself feeling intense sadness, as these moments come and then pass. I find myself wanting to hold on tightly to each one, even as the next moments arrive bringing their own beauty and joy.

But right now, my heart is happy, and whispering, just be right here, right now.

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!)?

cooking together.

mashing bananas

Like most two-year-old's, Thea wants to do exactly what I am doing all the time. Lately, we've been having a lot of fun cooking together. I thought I'd share a few things I've learned as we've worked together in the kitchen.

On days when I am especially tired and/or short on patience, I usually don't even attempt this. I'll either put her on my back in the Ergo carrier, find something to keep her occupied, or wait until her papa can take care of her.

Start with a clean, clear work surface (and hands!), free from distractions. Clothes that can get messy are helpful too.

Have a sturdy stool so that your wee one can easily reach the work surface.

Pre-measure various ingredients to keep things moving along and to help prevent frustration. (I also sift flour, etc. in advance).

Let your little one be as active in the process as possible - pouring, mashing, stirring. Let her have her own spoon to stir along with you.

Have something for the little one to help with during all steps of your process.

Don't be afraid of making a mess!

stirring

So, now it's your turn - what tricks have you learned in sharing the kitchen with your little ones?

tasting

Happy cooking!

splish - splash.

This week, we have been living in the land of sick. We've all had colds, and Thea has another ear infection - her second in a month. We've been staying in, trying to keep our germs to ourselves.

Yesterday afternoon, a certain someone was bored. We needed something new to keep us occupied. So, we improvised and made a water table. 

 

Thea couldn't have been happier. She was completely engaged in play for well over an hour.

 

She splashed and poured. She filled and she emptied.

 

She gave her "friends" a bath. (Thanks, Jonah, for sharing them with us!)

And she even kept most of the water in the tub.

 

I'd love to know - what are your favorite things to do when you're stuck inside the house for days on end?