It's Through

Our girls got a tooth!

It's not all the way in yet but I can feel the sharp little edges poking through her gums. I was able to feel that it had come through on Tuesday, and today it still looks about the same. But with her attitude I can tell that it's still working hard to make it's way above the surface.

The boys both got their first tooth in their fifth month too. Looks like Ell is following in their footsteps. It amazes me that we are already teething. It just doesn't seem possible that all this time has passed since she's come into the world. She's nearly half a year old. Yikes. Slow down baby, and be my baby forever, please?



It looks like she's saying "No mama, I want this many teeth."



High On Quilts

Yesterday my two smallest littles and I took a trip to the antique shop with my Ma.


I was raised in a family of antiquers. (is that a word?) My maternal and paternal Grandparents both sold, owned, and loved antiques. And the ones who are still here with us today are still loving antiques. I will forever remember my Grandma's basement as it was when I was a child, it was like sunken ship full of treasure. I can still remember the smell of it. 


I can also remember the days when I would go antiquing with my Grandmother. She would always be spiffying up her booth while I'd wander and browse all of the fine junk for sale. Each and every item has a story, and I wanted to know them all. I'd let my imagination run free. And, grandma usually would let me pick out a treasure before we'd leave. As a kid I was really into old Life magazines, I have quite a few from the 50's and 60's in storage somewhere.


Even though Grandma's passed, and the Life magazines are tucked in boxes I still love antiquing. The magic is still there. Each item still has a story, and my imagination still runs just a wildly as it always did. I stop at every wooden highchair to oooooh and ahhhh over it and try to think of someway that I could justify purchasing it. (even if I already have two that are really special) My biggest weakness however is vintage quilts. I love each and every one I see, weather it's tattered and torn or stitched perfectly at every seam. Each one has a story. A life of it's own. Each one was handmade. Each piece of fabric was gathered from somewhere for that quilt. Each quilt helped to warm a body. Was it a baby? A child? A mother and father? Grandmother or Grandfather? Who was it that loved and wrapped themselves in the warmth of these quilts? Where did they live. What's their story? Can they see their quilts keeping my littles and I warm on these chilly winter nights?

 

Ellie likes quilts too.

 It truly is endless. They are beautiful. I love them. And yesterday, I bought five. Yup, five. I couldn't resist. Okay, I guess I did resist two, but only because I already had five and I had to leave some for the next quilt lover, right? I've been high on quilts since yesterday afternoon. I fold and unfold them, lay them out just to stare at them, think about their pasts, and wonder what stories we will create in their futures. What sickness' will they cuddle my littles through, will they go with us on family picnics, which one will last long enough for my littles to have in their own homes one day, will my grandlittles snuggle warm and cozily down in them wondering about their past? Only time will tell, I suppose. For now though, I am am just happy that they are mine and that I get to add a little love to their stories.


I feel like the richest woman in the world. Yup, I'm really that high, on quilts.



Crunchify One: Shampooooooo

The Urban Dictionary states one of the many definitions of crunchy as this:



                               Adjective. Used to describe persons who have adjusted or altered their lifestyle for environmental reasons. Crunchy persons tend to be politically strongly left-leaning and may be additionally but not exclusively categorized as vegetarians, vegans, eco-tarians, conservationists, environmentalists, neo-hippies, tree huggers, nature enthusiasts, etc.

I always thought of the word crunchy to simply mean: (and I'm not talking like chewing crunchiness here) one who has adjusted or changed their lifestyle for environmental reasons. To better this planet that sustains us. The rest kind of follow suit, I think.

In our family we strive towards crunchiness. We do our part, the best we can, to help nurture this home of ours. Because it really is the only one we have, and the only one our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will have. This special place carved out in the universe for us is all we have. And, ummm, if I'm raising little earthlings I want to foster a great love for nature and all that is created within her. After all, I'd like to know that my littles care to keep their littles, and grandlittles, safe and healthy on this planet and keep her just as luscious and beautiful as she deserve be.

I thought it might be neat to share some of the earth friendly things we as a family are doing here on the blog. One day when my littles are grown I hope to have this printed off for their eyes. I know I would love to have a journal of my childhood to look back and see. Yet, to also see from my mom's point of view. Wouldn't that be cool? And, maybe it will help them to remember some of the ways we have adjusted so that they can use these ideas and grow with them with their future families. I also thought it might be nice to share some of these things in case anyone who is reading out there, like us, strives to live for a healthier future for our planet. I also hope to further learn and grow by doing this and am interested in hearing what you do to preserve our Earth too. Because we've still got a long way to go, baby.

I'm thinking of making this a weekly crunchy type of post, so follow along if you are interested. And, if you haven't already-- become a follower and leave feedback. I'd love to hear from and share ideas with you all.

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                                                  Crunchify

One small thing we've done (we, excluding Ellie) in our home is to rid our lives of big ole bottles of shampoo and conditioner. Not only did this help to reduce the plastic flow through our home but it has left our hair feeling much, much healthier. Naturally. It really feels lighter.

I see your hydroxyethylcellulose, methylchloroisothiazolinone, stearamidopropyl dimethylamine "Herbal" Essences. Your not fooling me.. and I raise you honey, beer, and eggs. Because that, so far, is the best bar of shampoo I've had yet.

I'm not saying that you can't get a nice healthy, organic, shampoo in a bottle, you can. I just don't see the point of the plastics involved when there are ways around it. Because really, how are you reusing your shampoo bottles? And how many of your shampoo bottles are the recycling companies truly reusing? Probably less than you'd think. I think.

Now for the growth.

My goal within the next year is to also have Ellie using the shampoo bars. Right now we are still squeezing her body wash and shampoos from plastic bottles and as much as I love the natural baby scents, I think we could get just as much of the goodness out of a bar wash. Besides, even without the shampoo the girl smells delicious!

Because I Said So

At times I feel ashamed at the way I talk to my littles. These words and phrases spew from my mouth like vomit and I've got no way of stopping them. Sometimes they are worse than others and I've had times that I've actually sunk into another room with tears because I'm filled with shame over my inability to stay cool.

My goal for the coming year is to listen. I do try, I promise. But with a baby on my hip or hanging off my boob, a six year old needing help sounding out a word, and a four year old who is constantly testing my patience lately I feel as if I'm falling waaaaay short

I can remember being a child and hating it most when my parents would end a conversation with "Because I said so." And guess who finds herself saying this allllll the time now? Me. Yesterday Dominic just wanted a reason as to why he couldn't do *xyz* and I wasn't willing to give it to him. I'd hit the end of my rope and I was done, overdone. I wasn't willing to give him any other answer than because I said so, and then when he wanted me to elaborate I actually said "Because I am the parent and you will listen to me." Whaaaa? Don't get me wrong I do believe children should respect their parents.. but I do however also believe that a child should be given the same exact respect in return. And, I know if I were to ask Dominic to do something and he told me "No, because he said so." or "Because I am the child and you will listen." I wouldn't be satisfied at all. Fair of me? I think not. I don't respect my elders unless they respect me. It's a two way street. Shouldn't I feel the same when it comes to my littles?

I've already come so far on this parenting journey, but I know I've still got a long way to go. There have been mishaps along the way. Spankings that I don't agree with. Misuse of words. Too many time-outs and not enough time-ins. It's hard. Being a parent is the hardest thing I've ever done. It's a constant challenge but more rewarding than anything else on this planet. I will continue to grow on this journey. I've already grown so much since we brought our first little into the world nearly seven years ago.

So this year my New Years resolution is to listen. To show respect always to my littles. To prove to them that they are loved unconditionally. To validate feelings. To answer all questions. To satisfy. To yell less. Hug more. To say yes a million times more than I say no. To be there 100% spiritually, emotionally,  physically, lovingly for my littles because they are my world and they deserve the very best.

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And today there is a milestone that need be recorded. I am so proud of my biggest little. He is such a brilliant little thing and everything he does amazes me. Just looking at him fills my heart with overspilling pride. At six and a half years old Dom is reading his very first chapter book. He is so full of himself over it, and he should be. The boys' got smarts. 



I love everything about this kid.
Right down to his freckled pointer finger.



Sunflower Love.

When I first found out I was pregnant with Ellie I was sure she would be a boy. Actually, I was sure and happy about being sure about her being a boy. She was to be our little Miles Monroe. I didn't think we had it in us to create girls, and to be honest I didn't really want a girl. I had two boys, I knew boys. I was good at having sons. But a daughter, the thought was so foreign to me. I couldn't even imagine, and to be honest it scared me a bit shitless.

I can remember driving down with the boys to our ultrasound appointment. We were to meet Matt at the hospital and find out what our third little would be together as family. On the way down there it hit me.. After months of wanting another boy, or so thinking that was what I wanted, it just hit me. I can remember thinking "Try not to be upset when they say boy." What??? Whoa hold up, I thought I wanted a boy.. Funny how ones brain can try so hard to protect the heart that it can actually lead you to believe a lie. Deep down somewhere inside I did want a girl. I wanted to experience having a daughter in this lifetime. I wanted to know the special feeling between a mama and her gal.

That drive down there was extremely confusing. Here I thought I was okay-even happy-with having another boy.. and now all of these strange emotions were coming up inside like a burning ball trying to jump out of my throat. So, we met Matt and headed in for our appointment. And to our surprise the tech was 99% sure that we would be welcoming a girl into our family. Matt and I were in complete shock. I can remember walking down the hallway of the hospital after our appointment speechless. We seriously said nothing.. then when we got to the doorway Matt looked at me and spoke two words "Holy shit" and I was all "I know" and then just as we got outside each holding a hand of our boys we kind of did this jump up and down we can make girls dance. And Matt really did kind of shout it. We can make girls.

And make a girl we did. The coolest little girl ever in fact. Sweet Elliana Mae.


The day she was born the only sunflower in our yard bloomed.

Having a girl hasn't been extremely different for me at this point. She's a little smaller than her brothers and a bit more soft spoken. She's fun to dress in funky clothes but I think I'd be doing the same even if she were a boy. She's just as attached to mama as her brothers were but she loves daddy too. Like, a lot actually. Way more in love with him than the boys were at her age. She lights up when he walks in the room. Just as he does when he is around her. He says having a girl is waaaaaay different to him at this point and will always be. And, even though he didn't think he wanted a girl to begin with the man is so wrapped around her finger. In fact he told me one day that he thinks every daddy should have a girl because she really is that special to him. How sweet it that?..

So today and everyday I am loving my gal. (and my guys of course!) I am blessed. We are one big blessed family. And this littlest little of ours fit right in. She was meant for us, and us her. Our little sunflower.

Christmas Catch Up

Is it really over?


Seems like we were anticipating the arrival of Christmas just seconds ago and now it's passed. Each year we anxiously await the Christmas festivities and then when they hit, and hit, and hit, and hit, we anxiously await the end. Don't get me wrong.. We do love Christmas, and the time with our families. It's all good. We treasure these moments we spend with these special people because as we all know.. time is fleeting. Our Christmas celebrations are bound to change through out the years as our families change. We will gain tiny new members with open arms and lose the ones we cherish most with heavy hearts. I know this. I've been though the gain and the loss and they both effect families in big ways. Each and every year I try my hardest to live in the moment because really it's all we have. Each moment is the moment, a moment to remember, good or bad.


Christmas Eve into Christmas day was hard. Really hard. Our littlest little was sick. She was up allllllllll night. Come 3am I was sure I wasn't going to be making it to any Christmas celebrations. My eyes were heavy, my heart was heavy, and I knew my body was going to feel just a wee bit too heavy to drag out of bed Christmas day. But, I did it. I rallied. On three and a half hours of sleep. Boy, that Christmas spirit is strong! I don't think I felt tired all day. In fact I even stayed up long enough to catch two episodes of Deadliest Catch when the day was done.


Ell on the other hand was tired. Tired, feverish, grumpy, I felt so bad for her. She wouldn't nap. She'd fall asleep while nursing, I'd lay her down, and within five minutes she's be up again. I'm not sure what was wrong exactly. I know she's got a tooth coming in on the bottom, I can see the little white line under her gums and she's been attacking her fingers. But, I also know Dom had been sick with a fever and a throat thing, so it could have been that too.



Great Grandma's are great at cuddling sick babes.


She's feeling much better now though, and is finally able to enjoy all of her Christmas gifts.



She got so many goodies.

We've got two teething in our tiny house. One gaining baby teeth and one losing. Our biggest little is missing two teeth. One of the front top teeth and one on the bottom. His other front top tooth is hanging by a thread. He could almost sing "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth" but not quite. Ell on the other hand was probably wishing she could have screamed the song out. Two teeth in would equal a pain free, happily chewing baby.




Mr. Toothless.

The boys had an awesome Christmas. They left cookies and apple juice out for Santa. (We didn't have one drop of milk left for the big man.) And in return Santa left them some pretty cool gifts that were on wish list we'd mailed off just days before. They've been busy ever since.

Our midlittle had asked Santa for so many things that I could sense a bit of disappointment after he opened all of his gifts. In fact, I think he even said something along the lines of "Where's the rest of um?" This however is the same kid that did all of my Christmas shopping with me. The one who I spilled a big ole made up Santa fib to just so we could get through the stores a little easier. :: You see, while I love the magic of Mr. Clause I don't enjoy fibbing to my littles. Especially when it's a fib, the same one in fact, that broke my heart as a kid. ::


The fib I told this year though, topped them all. I, after pleading with a stubborn fit throwing in front of all the shoppers boy, told him that if he closed his eyes and lay his hand upon what it is he wants that Santa will see, and quite surely bring him his wish for Christmas. So he walked around all of the toy isles laying his hand on all of the big plastic objects that he wanted. Mostly all objects that this mama wont buy. Not only because our house is small but because I do my best avoid plastics as much as possible. Especially plastics that are four feet tall and three feet wide and my littles hands, and possibly mouths, will be all over. Yucky. But there was my midlittle laying his hand down so softly, closing his eyes, and quietly whispering "Dear Santa please bring me this for Christmas." His mind defenatly wandered to all those big plastics a time or two Christmas morning. Eeeeeeek!



Yo, what's up with that Santy Clause?


This Santa's got big shoes to fill. And big stories to fess up to in the future. Ahhhhh. Today however, this Santa is being extremely lazy. I've been cleaning since we came home two nights ago and there's no end in sight. Art kits put away, art kits back out. Trouble put away, Trouble back out. Memory put away, memory back out. It really is never ending. So, I'm on strike. Luckily we are going to visit family tonight for the Oyster Stew tradition. And while I may never truly like Oyster Stew, I do like not having to cook dinner for my family tonight.

Cheers!



Two Boys and One Sweet Smellin' Gal

Today was hard. Like really hard.

They boys were on opposing sides allllllllll daaaaaaay loooonnnng. They just could not get along. At times they were violent. Violent to the point that I stopped to daydream for a moment about what it will be like if this happens a few years down the road when they've grown bigger and stronger. Will I still be brave enough to jump in the middle? Oh boy. Oh, two boys. Wowza.

And they got along so well yesterday. Shoulda' knocked on wood when I posted last night, I guess. Tomorrow they're going to bundle up and take their new sleds out for a test run in the yard. Hopefully that will help shake any remaining steam from today. 

But for now the littles and their daddy are in bed, tucked in tight, and this mama is taking a breather. A much needed breather. And it feels good. I've managed to mess around with some pictures, post a few, catch up with neglected blogs, eat a few cookies, and drink a glass of warm apple juice. (yeah, I like it warm) And now, now I feel ready to snuggle down under my quilt with my two littlest littles, watch a little bit of The Office, and hit the hay.

I love curling up with my sweet smelling gal each night. Tonight while I was nursing her to sleep she smelt sweeter than ever. Like baby's breath. I could lay around and do nothing but smell this girls skin.. That's how sweet it is. How sweet she is.




My little flower girl.