Inspired by Brooke’s 5-minutes a day.
Helen’s favorite food is beef. Hands down. I think it’s funny.
And me? I have been writing to-do lists. Hard-core ones that include things I normally would not schedule, like “read 30 minutes.” This is good for me. The last couple days I have ignored these lists. That is good, too.
Helen Wright is just over half a year, now. She is bright and eager, decided and lively. She likes to laugh with people (she is a social little bird) and play with her big brother’s toys. She likes fresh air and being a part of whatever is happening. She is punctual.
I get stuck throughout the day. In bed. On a chair. She will be sitting on my knees and she’ll start to smile and I will start kissing her cheeks and she will chuckle and I will chuckle and she’ll look at me and I will look at her and then I will not want [...]
“Good job, mom!”
“Delicious!”
“So good!”
It’s praise from a two-year-old, but I nearly burst a button off my coat every time. You give your kid something and they think it is amazing and they think you are amazing. It rocks. I get it now. This is why parents go a little overboard with the gift giving. I’m [...]
Today we made a point to take a morning walk. We didn’t have to wear mittens. It was Helen sleeping in the sun and fresh air and myself reading on a bench and Reed stomping along the river. We could linger. It reminded me of warmer days when we live outdoors. We water the garden, [...]
Yes,
the floor is full of toys and there are dishes to wash (floors to wash, clothes to wash…), but the sun is falling on my chair. That warm, winter sun. And there is tea and the quiet of two children sleeping. I am going to sit in that sun and sit in it well.
And also,
This [...]
Helen is three months old, today. I feel like I have known her a very long time. And I suppose I have. She is the same girl I have known all along: decided, patient, happy, all brightness. There is a word I am missing, a word I have been looking for all of these three [...]
1. Bright girl.
2. Wild boy.
3. Wonderful man.
4. Good autumn.
5. Grace for self.
6. Prosperity of kindness.
7. Enough.
8. Family to miss.
9. Family to enjoy.
10. Words to read.
11. Wholesomeness.
12. Able hands.
13. Strong legs.
14. The coming winter.
15. Opportunity.
16. A bit of rest.
17. A bit of music.
I can’t quite place what, but something about this year has been very good [...]
- There are at least a few hours of at least one day a week when taking care of two young ones does not seem easy at all. And it is 11:30 in the morning, and I am still not dressed, Reed is half-naked, my hair is half-brushed. I feel angry at everyone and no [...]
1. It continues to be a gorgeous fall. So many sunny days. So many light jackets worn out of desire rather than necessity. The heat from the furnace warms us on these chilly mornings, and in the afternoon, occasionally, we can even open a window.
2. I spent this particular day with two healthy kids that are [...]