Cheers!

2011 was a wonderful year for our family.  We didn't have any babies this year and we didn't move.  It was relatively calm; we really settled in as a family of four.  We had great visits from family members and we flew to the East Coast twice to see family as well.  The beginning of 2011 was rough for me personally-- and by extension, it probably wasn't always easy for my supportive husband.  I was at times swept under water by post-partum depression and anxiety.  I reflected on my experience just a few days ago as I did a few simple household tasks before heading out the door with kids.  We were all awake, dressed, fed, and I had the energy to empty the dishwasher and fold some laundry and still leave the house.  If this sounds like a piece of cake to you, thank your lucky stars.  I did.
 
I stopped and smiled to myself and thought-- I must really be better.  The healing process for me was such a gradual one that it seemed I'd always feel exhausted and drained.  I was terrified that I would forever feel uncomfortable in my own skin, like a lioness pacing in a small cage.  As a competetive, educated woman, it is still difficult for me to admit that I needed help here and there.  I strive for perfection and yet, I can vividly recall tears streaming down my face as our post-partum doula helped calm one crying child while I had the other (sleeping) child.  I needed another woman to help me mother my children for a couple of hours and I felt that I had failed in all of the ways that matter. 

The truth is, though, I was giving my children my best.  Finding ways to support myself and making Lindsey, not just Mama, a priority helped me push through the thick of PPD and anxiety.  It is still important to take time away, whether it's book club once a month-- which has been just fabulous-- or an hour in the evening out by myself.  It's true that I haven't slept for more than three or four hours at time in over three and a half years, but I feel much more in tune with myself.  This year, we're making it a priority for my husband to get away now and then too (and more time for the two of us as well)!  Happy New Year to you!

Girl Time

Yesterday, I had the chance to do something I've been wanting to do for a while.  Evelyn and I had a girls' afternoon out.  Henry and Daddy spent some time together at Home Depot and played before nap time.  In the meantime, Evelyn and I went to a pottery studio.  I love painting pottery and I have been waiting for the moment when Evelyn would have both the interest and the patience to join me.  She chose a little gift-shaped box with a lid to paint while I painted a light switch face plate for her bedroom.  It was especially fun to be creative with a preschooler without worrying about the clean-up! 

After painting, we walked together beneath a big umbrella and did a little shopping.  We shared some snacks and just enjoyed each other's company.  I recently had a conversation with a friend and questioned whether or not Evelyn and I could even have fun together anymore.  Three-and-a-half can be a tough age at times and our recent travels and holiday plans put a bit of a wrench in some of our routines.  It was wonderful to just enjoy my daughter's giggles and listen (without distraction) to her ideas and stories.  What a nice reset!

Snapshot: Choo choo!

Evelyn needed a little chair to reach her project on the kitchen counter.  Henry thought she was playing one of their favorite games:  line up the chairs and drive a train/ bus/ car/ airplane.  While she glued, he "chugged" and "choo-chooed."

Merry Christmas, 2011

Merry Christmas!  In light of our recent trip to the East Coast for Thanksgiving, we rather enjoyed a low-key Christmas this year.  We went to Christmas Eve Mass and then had a nice dinner at home and let the kids each open a gift (matching pajamas) before bath time.  The kids were so excited that they had a hard time winding down and I don't think either one fell asleep before 10:00.  It's a good thing that Santa was able to assemble and arrange gifts in just about two hours, because he (we) sure were tired!  Fortunately, we all slept in until about 8:30 to make up for it.

Thanks to Xbox Kinnect, we were able to video chat with a large part of my family and we plan to video chat with more family members in the next day or two as well.  I love that the kids can sing and dance and show off their gifts to grandparents on the opposite side of the country!  Evelyn was originally a little disapointed that there wasn't a door to open on her Advent calendar for Christmas, I think it is safe to say that she has officially moved on.  We don't focus much on gifts before Christmas morning in our home.  Gifts don't slowly pile around our tree-- we keep them hidden away for the most part until the big morning.  It was so sweet to hear the "Wow!" from Evelyn (and then from Henry) and see their eyes light up.  I think they were pretty surprised. 

Some highlights:

The calm before the storm.

Dress up

I love these customizable paper dolls.  I found them here.

Bubble wrap fun

My helper, washing potatoes.

Jack Frost was here: The Closest We'll Get to a White Christmas

Morning frost in late December

A Possible Solution to the Witching Hour: Toddler-Wearing

As the oldest of four children, I had my share of "second mother" responsibilities-- often self-imposed.  Evelyn loves to be a helper, but I try to be mindful of any added responsibility I give to Evelyn.  I want to be sure that what I request is in line with what she can reasonably do.  Sometimes I need to remember that she is just 3 1/2 years old-- especially in the late afternoons when she is tired. 

When Henry gets fussy in the evening, I occasionally wear him in the Ergo carrier on my back while I cook dinner or finish whatever household task I am working on.  The carrier keeps him from crying at my legs and often calms him down.  I stopped wearing Evelyn  about halfway through my pregnancy with Henry.  I stopped regularly carrying her shortly after Henry's birth, when I realized I was over-taxing my body.  Still, the thought crossed my mind the other night:  what if I offer some "back pack time" to Evelyn?

Ordinarily, if Evelyn is just done with the day, she cries easily and needs some space away from her little brother's grabbing hands.  She plays in her bedroom sometimes, but lately she's been prone to just crying or yelling in the family room.  It upsets Henry and it is very stressful for all us.  I asked if she'd like to come up the Ergo and she calmed down instantly.  I think the novelty of the offer helped.  She loved cuddling against my back.  Henry, however, was jealous and insisted I hold him too.  This didn't do my back (or knees) any favors and at twenty-seven, I'd rather not introduce joint pain.  So, I set Henry down and he fussed a little until I gave him a "big boy" job to do.  All in all, there were fewer tears that evening.  I think I'll put "toddler-wearing" into rotation as a possible afternoon or evening tool, but I'll save it for the major meltdowns.

Every Day is a Good Hair Day!

Loopy curls make up the entire top and back of Henry's head.

Stylish boy with Daddy's curls.

Mama Cooks: No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

Gluten-free and vegan No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

Growing up, we called these cookies "Grandma Cookies" because my Great Grandmother (Hazel) often made them and she always made them perfectly.

Ingredients:
2 cups sugar (organic cane sugar)
4 tbsp cocoa (I found a great organic, fair trade cocoa locally)
1 stick butter (I used vegan earth balance)
 1/2 cup milk (coconut, in this case)
1 tbsp vanilla
1 cup peanut butter
3 cups oats (certified gluten-free)
waxed paper

Lay out three long sheets of the waxed paper (or baking parchment paper, as I used) on the counter or table first.  Timing is important here and once you begin this recipe, there is no stopping.  Don't worry, it's not as ominous as it sounds; this is a rather quick one!  In a sauce pan, add the sugar, cocoa, butter, and milk.  Bring to a boil.  Stir  a few times and keep an eye on the pan (watch it until it bubbles).  Set a timer for one minute as soon as the boiling begins.  Stir a bit as needed.  As soon as the timer goes off, add the rest of the ingredients.  Mix well and spoon onto the waxed paper (about a tablespoon size).  Allow cookies to cool and harden. 

The Witching Hour: Why you won't be getting a homemade gift this year

Most of the mothers I have met will agree that, at least some of the time, there seems to be a particular part of their day that is just awful when compared to the rest.  Call it the witching hour, call it meltdown time, call it 3:00 pm . . .   The day starts off well enough, with morning's freshness and newness, activities or preschool, and lunch.  Sometimes we add in some errands around town and perhaps a library trip or play date.  Soon it is evident that Henry (and generally, the under 3 crowd-- or older if you're a lucky one) needs a nap and I try my best to make it happen as quickly as he needs. 

For those non-nappers, a little quiet time can work wonders to make it through the afternoon until a second wind helps them stick it out through dinner, play, bath, etc time.  When the weather cooperates, we go outside during this afternoon time.  Unfortunately, it is thirty degrees out and a little drizzly.  I also have several things I actually need to do during Henry's nap time as well, so bundling up to stand outside doesn't rank very high on my priority list today. 

This afternoon, I attempted to bake four or five dozen cookies (and make a tasty appetizer) for a neighborhood party and cookie exchange.  This is fun, fabulous idea, don't get me wrong.  By the time I was able to begin the cookies, however, Henry was two hours over-due for his nap and fighting it every step of the way and Evelyn was whining and frustrated with a pbs online game I let her play so that I could bake.  I put Henry on my back in a carrier and he cried and loudly in my ear while I sang to him and made the cookies.  To add insult to injury, Evelyn was very hurt that I made these cookies without her help and through a crying fit on the dining room floor.  I think she was tired and overwhelmed.  So, why am I writing this instead of baking (or checking myself into the Spa under an alias)?  I finished the first batch and they're cooling on the counter.  Henry finally fell asleep in the carrier so I transferred him to the bed and I'm letting Evelyn watch Bob the Builder and eat frozen yogurt. 

I have no idea how other people make so many cute or crafty gifts this time of year.  I also don't know how we all survive the witching hour, but if your survival strategy involves somehow taking a nap with your child, please don't tell me.  I can't handle the envy today (wink).

    

The Amazing Evelyn!

I know, your kiddo can do it too.  I'm still impressed by 3 1/2 year old's writing progress and interest.  It's so much fun!

Henry's Favorite Things at 18 Months

Favorite songs:  Baby Beluga (Raffi) and Bright Bug (Caspar Babypants).  Henry sings along to both of these songs as best as he can and it is adorable.  "Baby Googa" sounds particularly cute coming from his little mouth.

Favorite books:  Red Hat, Green Hat by Sandra Boynton, I am a Bunny by Ole Risom and Richard Scary, and Baby Beluga by Raffi

Favorite toys:  pretend food and little dishes, dolls and figures, cars, Evelyn's tricycle and helmet, hats of all sorts.

Favorite person:  Daddy!  Unless it is bedtime or he is sick, Henry wants to know where Daddy is at all times.  He cries by the door every morning as Chris leaves for works and greets him at the day's end with a celebration worthy of a celebrity. 

The Sock Bun (or, my own Mythbusters Special)

The results.

If you follow just about any woman's blog or if you look through recent Pinterest style boards, you have probably heard of the Sock Bun.  The claim?  It just takes a clean dress sock, a couple of minutes, and no products or heat.  Your hair will curl beautifully.   I was curious, so before blindly re-pinning the idea, I thought I'd give it a go.

I followed the instructions (tie hair into high pony tail, dampen the pony tail) and used my rolled up sock (snip off the toe of the dress sock, roll the sock) to roll my long pony tail down into a bun.  I didn't have a spray bottle handy and I think I didn't get the ponytail quite damp enough; the bottom layer of my hair did not curl as much as the top.

Evelyn was very interested in what I was doing with Daddy's sock and a pair of scissors.  She was also a little concerned that I was putting it into my hair.  Mommies are so silly sometimes!  I'm glad I could provide a little bed time snack entertainment.  

Not very wearable from the front due to the elastic line.  I'd soften this with my hot tools curling iron.

Art Time

A little dot paint for the paper, a little for Henry's face (and mouth). 

Thanksgiving Travels

We are settling in after a two week trip to New England.  Today, Evelyn told me that she is cranky because she is lonely for Mimi and Dabo, her Grandparents.  To be fair, she was cranky at their house too, particularly around dinner, by which time her energy had been sufficiently depleted by a day filled with adventures and activities and plenty of family members on hand.  I think it is safe to say that both kids had a great time.  They're still talking about it; and Henry has been asking for "Ee-o" (Leo, the dog) and pointing out Dabo and Mimi in pictures. 

I'm glad we had planned a long trip (and very glad that this was OK with my in-laws) because under the best circumstances, air travel with two young children and the subsequent time change can be unpleasant.  There is always a bit of an adjustment period.  Still, the kids are really quite great on airplanes.  Nevertheless, the best planning in the world couldn't prevent Henry from picking up an awful virus.  We washed hands, sprayed, wiped, and took supplements, but one by one, every single member of the family fell ill in twelve-hour intervals the day after we arrived.  Fortunately, the virus moved quickly.  We were glad to have a full, healthy week after that.  And, thankfully we made it to the big extended family Thanksgiving.  Evelyn even sang in the Talent Show.  It was very sweet and I was so proud of her confidence in front of about sixty people. 

Evelyn sings her "Shapes" song.

The rest of our trip involved time with family and plenty of outdoor fun for the kids.  The weather was sunny and very mild-- perfect for tractor rides with Dabo and long walks through the fields with Mimi.  Evelyn and Henry especially enjoyed playing with their doting uncles and exploring new toys.  Evelyn played with a set of Babar figures every day and loved to play with Mimi's childhood dollhouse. 

Tromping around outside.

Snapshot: Happy Siblings