Babies grow way too fast. I have already had to break open my second bin of baby clothes - the 6-12 month bin. That's right. Before he was 2 months old, I needed the 6 month sleepers! Benjamin is about 12 pounds, but growing so long he needs the bigger sleepers.
***
Our little guy is so mellow. He cries when he needs something, but is so easily soothed. And if he's fed and changed and rested, he's content to just sit and watch the action. Which is nice, because it means I'm actually able to cook and clean a bit during the day.
***
Benjamin is a cuddler. He loves to snuggle up for his naps, and yes, I indulge him in that. Babies are only this little for such a short time. Although Colin and Caleb both still enjoy a good cuddle, it's not the same when their legs are overhanging the chair and their bodies run the entire length of your upper torso. There's just something so wonderful about a tiny baby tucking his legs up and curling his head into the crook of your neck. We take every afternoon nap together like that, and every other day or so I let him fall asleep at night on me also. It's funny - as we are fairly sure Benjamin will be our last baby, I find myself treasuring all these moments rather than becoming frustrated. Knowing as each day passes I won't have it again, even with another little one, makes me want to savour every second of it.
Saturday, 27 February 2010
Thursday, 25 February 2010
On the fringe
So I'm sitting in a mother's group the other day, and we're talking about "Death by Rubber Duck," - in other words, the insane amount of exposure to harmful substances we experience in our daily lives. We're sharing ideas about natural cleaning products and organic foods and low toxic makeup, and someone makes the comment "but I'm not one of those left-wing, granola eating hippies."
You know what she means. Those people who are so far out of society, doing their own thing, living their own really strange way of life. Probably live in California. They don't only live outside the box, they've never even seen the box. Or at least their kids haven't, since they tossed all conventionalism out the window during their university days.
Yeah, I'm not one of those either! Right?
Right?
I'm not one who really needs the praise of the general population. I don't mind dancing to my own beat, doing my own thing. I like to think of myself as an individual, carving out my own path, the path that is best for me. I love to learn new things and am not afraid of change when I do learn. But I'm not out on the fringe. Right?
I started to wonder how people view me. (Again, not because I need to fit in - just curious about how people perceive me and my lifestyle). I feel "normal." I feel like I'm just like all those other moms out there, just like my friends. Different enough that there is variety in our friendships, but much like them in many ways.
I thought about the changes I've made to my lifestyle since becoming a mom:
- I try to make most meals from scratch
- I bake my own bread
- you would likely not find any junk food in our cupboards
- I clean using silver nanotechnology, vinegar, baking soda and lemon
- I have seriously considered homeschooling (and still haven't totally ruled it out)
- my kids are not fully immunized
- I am learning more about naturopathy and homeopathy as an alternative to modern medicine
- I grow and can my own food
- I want to do my grocery shopping at local farms this year
This is just a small list...but as I considered everything together, I suddenly felt on the fringe. Although many of these things are certainly becoming more popular, I bet much of the general population would look at me and think "left-wing, granola eating hippie." But I certainly don't feel much different than who I was growing up to this point. Perhaps because the core of these ideas (healthy living, questioning the norm) were a part of my childhood home education, even if these specific actions weren't. Perhaps because my journey has been an inward evolution, a slow change and growth from within, a natural progression. Perhaps because many of my friends have shared their ideas and beliefs with me, without the pressure of conforming, with only the intention of enlightenment.
I heard a great quote the other day. It went something to the effect of "the purpose of a debate is not argument, but enlightenment." I love that, because it means that when we share ideas and debate conflicting opinions, it is not about making the other person think the way you do; it is simply about a sharing of ideas, opening our minds to other possibilities.
I guess I am on the fringe. If I were to view my journey from a metaphorical distance, I must be traveling in a spiral, each arc taking me a little further from the centre. I love where I am. I love what I've learned. I love talking about new ideas with old friends, new friends, and strangers who become friends. Isn't learning a wonderful thing?
You know what she means. Those people who are so far out of society, doing their own thing, living their own really strange way of life. Probably live in California. They don't only live outside the box, they've never even seen the box. Or at least their kids haven't, since they tossed all conventionalism out the window during their university days.
Yeah, I'm not one of those either! Right?
Right?
I'm not one who really needs the praise of the general population. I don't mind dancing to my own beat, doing my own thing. I like to think of myself as an individual, carving out my own path, the path that is best for me. I love to learn new things and am not afraid of change when I do learn. But I'm not out on the fringe. Right?
I started to wonder how people view me. (Again, not because I need to fit in - just curious about how people perceive me and my lifestyle). I feel "normal." I feel like I'm just like all those other moms out there, just like my friends. Different enough that there is variety in our friendships, but much like them in many ways.
I thought about the changes I've made to my lifestyle since becoming a mom:
- I try to make most meals from scratch
- I bake my own bread
- you would likely not find any junk food in our cupboards
- I clean using silver nanotechnology, vinegar, baking soda and lemon
- I have seriously considered homeschooling (and still haven't totally ruled it out)
- my kids are not fully immunized
- I am learning more about naturopathy and homeopathy as an alternative to modern medicine
- I grow and can my own food
- I want to do my grocery shopping at local farms this year
This is just a small list...but as I considered everything together, I suddenly felt on the fringe. Although many of these things are certainly becoming more popular, I bet much of the general population would look at me and think "left-wing, granola eating hippie." But I certainly don't feel much different than who I was growing up to this point. Perhaps because the core of these ideas (healthy living, questioning the norm) were a part of my childhood home education, even if these specific actions weren't. Perhaps because my journey has been an inward evolution, a slow change and growth from within, a natural progression. Perhaps because many of my friends have shared their ideas and beliefs with me, without the pressure of conforming, with only the intention of enlightenment.
I heard a great quote the other day. It went something to the effect of "the purpose of a debate is not argument, but enlightenment." I love that, because it means that when we share ideas and debate conflicting opinions, it is not about making the other person think the way you do; it is simply about a sharing of ideas, opening our minds to other possibilities.
I guess I am on the fringe. If I were to view my journey from a metaphorical distance, I must be traveling in a spiral, each arc taking me a little further from the centre. I love where I am. I love what I've learned. I love talking about new ideas with old friends, new friends, and strangers who become friends. Isn't learning a wonderful thing?
Monday, 22 February 2010
Organization
I like things to be orderly. My house doesn't have to have a spotless shine to it, and I'm okay if everything is not always in its place, but I like to have general order in my home. Clutter drives me nuts, and things "put down here, just for now" nearly kills me. And it seems as I tidy ahead of me, things keep jumping out of their place behind me.
But I have had a gravitation as of late toward containers. Instead of just a "place for everything and everything in it's place," I am looking toward the more specific "a container for everything and everything in its container." It just seemed to be that much easier.
Well, today I came across a blog post on "I'm an Organizing Junkie." Just the name of the site lured me in, as I know I am not as well organized as I want to be, and clearly this woman has her stuff together in that area! She posted the other day on containers, and she actually clarified just what it is about containers that are so lovely. In her words:
Isn't that wonderful? I had never considered that once I run out of space, I need to stop buying that thing. I have a little shelf for my cookbooks. It fits the ones I use, and one or two extra. And I don't need anymore. Truthfully, I won't use any more than those. And so next time I'm out and see a great deal on a good cookbook, I DON'T BUY IT!
Currently I have containers for the boys' books (means that they can only pull out one box of 20 or so books at a time), containers for the boys' toys (one group of toys per box, with lids) and a container for my cleaning supplies (which ports around the house quite nicely!) I also recently finished organizing the basement into storage totes - no more mismatched boxes piled in the corner. And every time I organize into containers, it makes me really question whether or not I need this item. I used to be terrible for "I might use this one day." Now I limit myself to things I really do use (plus one or two boxes for things of a sentimental nature). My storage boxes are mostly for seasonal items (clothes that rotate, or winter/summer sports equipment). I access those boxes almost daily, which tells me I'm not hoarding, just organizing.
Any other fantastic organizing tips out there that you've found really work for you?
But I have had a gravitation as of late toward containers. Instead of just a "place for everything and everything in it's place," I am looking toward the more specific "a container for everything and everything in its container." It just seemed to be that much easier.
Well, today I came across a blog post on "I'm an Organizing Junkie." Just the name of the site lured me in, as I know I am not as well organized as I want to be, and clearly this woman has her stuff together in that area! She posted the other day on containers, and she actually clarified just what it is about containers that are so lovely. In her words:
"One of the most important things about containers and other storage solutions is this:
Containers establish boundaries and limits.
"So often people don’t pay attention to the space they really have available to them. They figure that if their space is full they must then just need more space. When rather what we should be thinking and what would be painfully clear if we had established limits and boundaries is that we just need less stuff.
"Let’s take my cookbooks for instance. I have a designated space for them on one shelf in one of my bookcases. That is the space I have set aside for them based on the space I have available in my home. I have established that to be the boundary and limit to my cookbooks. When that gets full I don’t then start piling the books up on the floor as I get more. I’ve exceeded my limit and therefore need to reign in my over consumption by purging out the excess or making some tough choices about what else I could part with in order to make room for them. And because all of that takes work it definitely makes me think twice about what I buy in the first place.
"Those in place boundaries and limits keep me in check."
Isn't that wonderful? I had never considered that once I run out of space, I need to stop buying that thing. I have a little shelf for my cookbooks. It fits the ones I use, and one or two extra. And I don't need anymore. Truthfully, I won't use any more than those. And so next time I'm out and see a great deal on a good cookbook, I DON'T BUY IT!
Currently I have containers for the boys' books (means that they can only pull out one box of 20 or so books at a time), containers for the boys' toys (one group of toys per box, with lids) and a container for my cleaning supplies (which ports around the house quite nicely!) I also recently finished organizing the basement into storage totes - no more mismatched boxes piled in the corner. And every time I organize into containers, it makes me really question whether or not I need this item. I used to be terrible for "I might use this one day." Now I limit myself to things I really do use (plus one or two boxes for things of a sentimental nature). My storage boxes are mostly for seasonal items (clothes that rotate, or winter/summer sports equipment). I access those boxes almost daily, which tells me I'm not hoarding, just organizing.
Any other fantastic organizing tips out there that you've found really work for you?
Sunday, 21 February 2010
Olympic junkies
James and I have become Olympic junkies! I think for me it's part of my athlete past - I know and love that feeling of sport, the high of competition, the grueling training of your body. Although I don't compete anymore, I still love to participate in any way I can.
Plus, the only channel we really get on our television is showing non-stop Olympic coverage over these two weeks. So there isn't any other choice. But I really am enjoying catching all these sports. The best part, I think, is how all the coverage makes the average viewer feel like an expert in all these sports. Seriously - James and I now watch snowboard cross and short track speed skating and skating and ski jumping and make comments like:
"I knew he was going to miss that jump - his approach was way too fast!"
"She started out too strong - she won't have enough endurance to finish it out."
"Just take it easy and then pass on the next jump."
"Come on - you've won all the races on the circuit so far this year - you can win this one!"
From having been in sports competitions in the past, I also really feel the successes and the failures. When I played high school field hockey, we would trounce every school in our area during the season, and then lose the final to the same team to go to the provincial championships 1-0. Every year I played we lost to that same school. It was heartbreaking. I remember going back to watch the final when I was in my first year university, and found tears in my eyes when our school lost again. Every athlete knows the elation of a win and the heartbreak of a loss. And I sympathize with all these Olympians as they go through their ups and their downs. I'm not sure it's good for my heart to get going so fast that late at night - it doesn't help with sleeping!
Nevertheless, I will be sad when these games end. I enjoy the winter Olympics so much more than summer - perhaps because these sports are so much faster because of the skates and skis. Speed makes things that much more exciting. But there are always another set of athletes and another Olympics. Sure, it may be another 20 years before it's in Canada again (maybe Quebec?), but at least every four years we are guaranteed another chance to cheer on our country and our competitors.
One last note about Canada - I can't believe how our country has united together in these games. I have my own pair of red Olympic mittens, and there's a little swell of pride from within whenever I see someone else sporting a pair. It's like a little bond between strangers in a common land. I think one day I'd like to volunteer in an Olympic Games, just to be up close and part of the action. My Dad's family live in the Greater Vancouver area, and have said it's been a wonderful experience to be a part of.
We Canadians have an international reputation for being the nice guys - but I think we've shown we have a fantastic spirit also.
Plus, the only channel we really get on our television is showing non-stop Olympic coverage over these two weeks. So there isn't any other choice. But I really am enjoying catching all these sports. The best part, I think, is how all the coverage makes the average viewer feel like an expert in all these sports. Seriously - James and I now watch snowboard cross and short track speed skating and skating and ski jumping and make comments like:
"I knew he was going to miss that jump - his approach was way too fast!"
"She started out too strong - she won't have enough endurance to finish it out."
"Just take it easy and then pass on the next jump."
"Come on - you've won all the races on the circuit so far this year - you can win this one!"
From having been in sports competitions in the past, I also really feel the successes and the failures. When I played high school field hockey, we would trounce every school in our area during the season, and then lose the final to the same team to go to the provincial championships 1-0. Every year I played we lost to that same school. It was heartbreaking. I remember going back to watch the final when I was in my first year university, and found tears in my eyes when our school lost again. Every athlete knows the elation of a win and the heartbreak of a loss. And I sympathize with all these Olympians as they go through their ups and their downs. I'm not sure it's good for my heart to get going so fast that late at night - it doesn't help with sleeping!
Nevertheless, I will be sad when these games end. I enjoy the winter Olympics so much more than summer - perhaps because these sports are so much faster because of the skates and skis. Speed makes things that much more exciting. But there are always another set of athletes and another Olympics. Sure, it may be another 20 years before it's in Canada again (maybe Quebec?), but at least every four years we are guaranteed another chance to cheer on our country and our competitors.
One last note about Canada - I can't believe how our country has united together in these games. I have my own pair of red Olympic mittens, and there's a little swell of pride from within whenever I see someone else sporting a pair. It's like a little bond between strangers in a common land. I think one day I'd like to volunteer in an Olympic Games, just to be up close and part of the action. My Dad's family live in the Greater Vancouver area, and have said it's been a wonderful experience to be a part of.
We Canadians have an international reputation for being the nice guys - but I think we've shown we have a fantastic spirit also.
Thursday, 18 February 2010
Colinisms
On his crayon drawing (inspired by the movie "Up"):
"Look at the sky all tucked around the sun. It's that way because God made Paradise falls."
***
Because of the cold weather, I hired my friend's 13 year old son to walk Colin home from school each day (so I don't have to take Benjamin out in -20 C weather and winds) We know this friend and her son well and have played over at their house numerous times. I asked Colin how the first walk home went, and he responded "Great! Grant is my buddy. I'm going to invite him to my birthday party, because he's my best friend." When I recounted the conversation to my friend, she smiled and said Grant is the type of kid who would definitely come. Have I mentioned how much I love our little town and the wonderful friends we've made here?
"Look at the sky all tucked around the sun. It's that way because God made Paradise falls."
***
Because of the cold weather, I hired my friend's 13 year old son to walk Colin home from school each day (so I don't have to take Benjamin out in -20 C weather and winds) We know this friend and her son well and have played over at their house numerous times. I asked Colin how the first walk home went, and he responded "Great! Grant is my buddy. I'm going to invite him to my birthday party, because he's my best friend." When I recounted the conversation to my friend, she smiled and said Grant is the type of kid who would definitely come. Have I mentioned how much I love our little town and the wonderful friends we've made here?
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
Valentine's Day
This year for Valentine's Day James and I had the opportunity to do something a little out of the ordinary. Usually we would head out for a nice dinner, just the two of us. Well, this year involved dinner, but with a little bit of a larger crowd.
Friends of ours invited us, along with 3 other couples, to participate in a evening with a Viet-Thai chef! The chef, Sally, owns their favourite Thai restaurant in a nearby town. One of the services she offers is to come to your home and show you how to cook Thai food. Although it is a little expensive, once the cost was divided between the 8 of us, it actually ended up being about the same price as going out to our local Thai food restaurant.
We had a blast. We had a coconut soup, fresh spring rolls, Pad Thai (our favourite, and the entire reason we went!), Coconut curry tofu and vegetables on jasmine rice, and a special Thai dessert. We floated between the kitchen and the dining room, learning from Sally, trying our hand at the cooking, and then indulging in our creations. The food was delicious and the company enjoyable. All the guests attend our church congregation, but none were couples that we regularly hang out with. It was nice to get to know them, laughing as we shared stories and a passion for eating (and now cooking) Thai food.
Bonus: Sally left us with a gift bag of food goodies: noodles, rice, wraps, and 4 different sauces we used in creating the dishes. We are so grateful for this new knowledge. I'm a pretty good cook, having learned over the years of marriage; there has only been one misfire. I tried once to make Pad Thai, and it was so bad we actually threw it out and ordered pizza. That was the only time in six and a half years of marriage that we ever tossed something we tried to make. I haven't tried since then, but after this weekend's lesson, I feel pretty confident to try once more!
Friends of ours invited us, along with 3 other couples, to participate in a evening with a Viet-Thai chef! The chef, Sally, owns their favourite Thai restaurant in a nearby town. One of the services she offers is to come to your home and show you how to cook Thai food. Although it is a little expensive, once the cost was divided between the 8 of us, it actually ended up being about the same price as going out to our local Thai food restaurant.
We had a blast. We had a coconut soup, fresh spring rolls, Pad Thai (our favourite, and the entire reason we went!), Coconut curry tofu and vegetables on jasmine rice, and a special Thai dessert. We floated between the kitchen and the dining room, learning from Sally, trying our hand at the cooking, and then indulging in our creations. The food was delicious and the company enjoyable. All the guests attend our church congregation, but none were couples that we regularly hang out with. It was nice to get to know them, laughing as we shared stories and a passion for eating (and now cooking) Thai food.
Bonus: Sally left us with a gift bag of food goodies: noodles, rice, wraps, and 4 different sauces we used in creating the dishes. We are so grateful for this new knowledge. I'm a pretty good cook, having learned over the years of marriage; there has only been one misfire. I tried once to make Pad Thai, and it was so bad we actually threw it out and ordered pizza. That was the only time in six and a half years of marriage that we ever tossed something we tried to make. I haven't tried since then, but after this weekend's lesson, I feel pretty confident to try once more!
Calebites
On compassion:
When Caleb was playing with a toy Colin wanted, Colin threw a fit and pronounced "Fine then. I'm not playing with you anymore, Dad." Colin proceeded to stomp off upstairs. Caleb, a little worried, ran after him, offering the toy in his outstretched hand, pleading "Here, Colin. You have it. Just please still play with Daddy!"
***
I recently purchased a DVD set that goes through 5 different types of exercise routines, one of which is Yoga. One morning last week while Colin was at school, I did the Yoga routine for the first time. Caleb saw what I was doing and stood right alongside for the entire length of the workout, concentrating hard on the woman showing the poses and doing his best to imitate her and I. This morning he found the DVD case and came running to me:
"Mommy, let's play yoga!"
When Caleb was playing with a toy Colin wanted, Colin threw a fit and pronounced "Fine then. I'm not playing with you anymore, Dad." Colin proceeded to stomp off upstairs. Caleb, a little worried, ran after him, offering the toy in his outstretched hand, pleading "Here, Colin. You have it. Just please still play with Daddy!"
***
I recently purchased a DVD set that goes through 5 different types of exercise routines, one of which is Yoga. One morning last week while Colin was at school, I did the Yoga routine for the first time. Caleb saw what I was doing and stood right alongside for the entire length of the workout, concentrating hard on the woman showing the poses and doing his best to imitate her and I. This morning he found the DVD case and came running to me:
"Mommy, let's play yoga!"
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