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 [...]
Today is Halloween, but I forgot to take pictures. It was dark and I was holding an infant and fixing Reed’s costume every five minutes. I had to hold him down while he whined to draw on his mustache. But it was worth it. He took to trick-or-treating. I did, too. I like being out [...]
Our second child is doted upon. By all of us. Reed dots her forehead with dozens of kisses at once. Her father and I smile and stare. Even the cat sleeps at her feet. This is our life together. With some crying at check-out lines thrown in for good measure.
Our girl is nearly two months old. I [...]