Mommaday: gettin back in the saddle

Oh I promise this blog wasn’t created for the sole purpose of whining. But well, I’m thinking mentioning it a third time equates to whining. I’m tired. Not so very tired, more suseptibly tired. As in my OB said, “How’s your energy level?” at one of my last appointments and I gleefully crowed, “It’s absolutely fine!”

And then the next day I yawned in the middle of the day. And then that weekend when the Sistred went down for a nap, so did I. And from then on, well, my weekend writing/photo editing/blog time was given over to the land of nod. I have lots to update on. It’s been a fabulously fun-filled last 3 months. 3 months! I haven’t told you about Zuzu’s birthday party, Halloween, our holiday tree gathering trek up the mountains, our holiday festivities including Zuzu’s first parade march, our gingerbread house decorating, our pastry building, our Tur-duck-in, our Christmas day and the glorious 5 days we had to ourselves to celebrate it or our happy little weekend heading back to the mountains over New Years. I haven’t gone on and on about the Quail’s horn tooting, her acquisition of new words and subsequent program plan update with Sara Rosenfeld Johnson, her new found fierocity and independence or the giggles and secrets between Stisters. I haven’t told you about the joy that is growing Sugarplum, whom I’m happy to report is officially tagged in-utero by her eldest stister and the name has stuck. The reports by my OBs, one of which involves my favorite OB mistakenly asking if I was 5 weeks further along than I am (oh the pastry builidng, did involve pastry eating, and Sugarplum measures more like a Watermelon than a sweet plum these days).

See how much you’ve missed? Well stay tuned. I’m going to do my best to catch you all up. Scouts honor!

Mommaday: Keep the Yule log burning…

Rest assured dear friends, that all is well in our little nest. I’ve mentioned before that my daily blogger status was pure illusion. I write, edit and schedule my posts while The Sistred sleep. Currently, with one of them residing within me, my mind has harkened back to that other-worldly voice of mothers past reminding me to sleep when the littles do, and I feel the need to practice before the littlest of the littles arrives during my usual weekend bloggy reflection time. You can understand the need to be rested up for resting right?

Merriment is currently underway in the forms of lemon & peppermint sprinkled spritz cookies, warm roasted chickens, steamed milk with chocolate sauce, apricot brioche, a trip for our traditional tree hunt, that happily involved a lot less tears this year, the Sistred in residence all helping to dress the tree (and subsequently and routinely undress it), daily movement from our resident Elf on the Shelf- TJ, a marching 5 year old joining the Twinkle Brigade, an almost 3 year old learning to shout Santa and whisper sweet nothings to her now vocally referenced Momma and a closet full of giftees needing some wrapped attention.  I’m hoping for some quiet AND awake time in the weeks ahead. Until then Season’s Greetings to all and to all some peace and rest!

 

corner view: dream

My dream right now is both big and small. Both ordinary and extraordinary. For the present and the future.  I am currently feathering my nest in happy anticipation of a new little bird joining us next spring. Lovey and I made the decision earlier this summer to grow our family and we are currently tickled pink with anticipation and expectation. I’m well into my second trimester now and happily keeping my food down, which is a welcome change from previous gestations. I feel incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to do this again.

My dream right now is a subliminal message I keep running through my head and heart that all will be well and easy. That we’ve faced the challenges that previous pregnancies have given us and shown ourselves worthy of one more chance. One more little bundle of joy and hope and goodness and light. A gift this pregnancy is. When I’m resting my mind is full of dreams of my three girls running and playing together, laughing and hugging. One more little pal to fill our hearts and home with the love and connection we already know.

Corner view is a weekly Wednesday date hosted originally hosted by Jane, currently by Francesca. A topic is given and you can see impressions; be it in photographic or poetic in form from around the world: Jane, Dana, Bonny, Joyce, Ian, Francesca, Theresa, Cate, Kasia, Otli, Trinsch, Isabelle, Janis, Kari, jgy, Lise, Dorte, McGillicutty, Sunnymama, Ibb, Kelleyn, Ninja, Sky, RosaMaria, Juniper, Valerie, Sammi, Cole, Don, WanderChow, FlowTops, Tania, Tzivia, Kristin, Laura, Guusje, Susanna, Juana, Elsa, Nadine

Mommaday: The illusion of a daily momma-blogger…

I’m going to tell on myself here and assume it won’t change your opinion of me. I don’t really blog daily. I blog on weekends. When the children sleep. And I’m at home and not too overwhelmed by Mt. Washmore. We had the good fortune this year to spend Labor Day weekend at Edisto Beach in South Carolina with two of our favorite families. It was a lovely break full of food, fun, beach and sun. When we returned we had baby birthday parties and a mountain trek to make and needless to say my weekends in September haven’t been devoted to the blog. Rest assured though, when my fingertips aren’t attached to a keyboard, they are attached to a point-and-shoot so there will be baby beach pictures galore for the week. And then back to regular programming thereafter, just in time for October’s celebration of National Down syndrome Awareness month where we participate with our bloggy pals in 31 for 21. Check back starting October 1st for a panorama of the Quail! And of course her big sister turns a shining 5 years old next month- so there will be many more celebrations to document as well. Happy week y’all!

Mommaday: love, family & flora

While this flower in bloom may not look like much to anyone other than me, I assure you it is something special. When Lovey and I married almost 11 years ago, I carried gardenias & white roses. When we bought our first house, one of my dearest friends bought us a gardenia to plant in our yard. It hasn’t produced since the day the last bloom withered from the original set. This spring my parents came to help celebrate all the joy that is a 4 year old in her dance recital prime and over the course of the weekend they helped us to do a little yardwork. Do you know how much more enjoyable it is to do your yardwork with loved ones rather than on your own? First of all, there is their love- they are willing to do your grunt work just to lend a hand. Then their company- someone to talk to and plan with. Then you have the finished product- a sweet little bush in a happier place that showed it’s first flower in years. Even though most of it’s family has already bloomed. I guess it just wanted to say thank you. And so do I.