Fill-You-In #8

I'm kind of overwhelmed that we're a third of the way through March. I caught myself thinking about New Year resolutions the other day, and then thought "Mari, that ship has sailed," but 2013 still feels new to me. I love winter. I like how everything slows and we hunker down to weather the winter months, but friends, I'm over it. I'm ready for almost whatever spring has to offer, and I pray it's warm and sunny. I need some windows open, spring cleanin', yellow daffodils, and GREEN in my life. Bring it on, but hold the tornadoes, please.

We've been sick around here this weekend. Eleanor brought home THE STOMACH FLU. It was awful. My poor mother and Jon took it off Eleanor's hands for her and it looked bad. Really bad. I'm not sure how I survived it, but I'm glad I did. Someone had to maniacally wash laundry and sanitize all weekend long. I haven't had a lot of time to work on things around here, because of said stomach flu, but I've been pondering.

Maybe it's the change in the weather or maybe because it's I'm just plain motivated, but it's time to simplify. I go through this "phase" a few times a year. The local donation centers usually stand to benefit. Our closets, garage, attic, and cabinets are all packed full of stuff. Stuff is just noise. Noise that gets in the way of quality time, because I have to maintain it. Clean it, dust it, wash, store it. DONATE it. I'd love to make the phase a way of life, but somehow the stuff always wins. Not this time...maybe.

I haven't been as snappy as I usually am with Instagram, but quality over quantity, right? I LOVE these pictures of the girls. Be still, my heart. Check out our "snow girl" complete with princess dress.

Currently Reading: In the Time of Butterlfies by Julia Alvarez. I wrapped up Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson and Nancy Clancy (with Eleanor). Death Comes to Pemberley by PD James is up next.

Fitness: I'm working out regularly (yay!), but need to add in some more running. I'm hoping the warmer forecast and longer days get me out the door. I still have a 5K on April 27. We also reactivated our Y membership.

Crafting: Aside from wanting to make beautiful spring crafts, I want to buy some paint to paint these drab walls, and do a few easy furniture refinishing projects.

Favorite blog post from the week: Clean.-- Fleeting I've also been inspired to KNIT by a lot of blogs lately. Warm weather won't be good for that, but maybe I can get a jump on fall.

Movies: I finally watched Breaking Dawn Pt. 2. I've followed this series since the very beginning. I read the books in a week. Maybe I'm just over it? I liked the movie, but I found myself criticizing the acting and the ridiculousness of the Renesmee business. If I'm questioning the validity of vampire folklore (which I happen to love), you know it has to be bad. I'm not sure that the idea of a human/vampire offspring is so terrible, but who names a baby Renesmee? A baby that grows creepy-fast reminded me of an old Star-Trek episode where Deanna Troi has a baby that matures super fast. Maybe Meyer "borrowed" that one. I did like the twist at the end of the movie, though.

TV: Since we ditched Dish and got a Roku player, my TV time has dropped dramatically. I have, however, stayed with The Bachelor. I'm seeing a trend, but I'm 100% OVER him, too. I'm not even sure I'll watch the last episode (yes, I will). Sean really isn't very interesting, and I'm positive he won't pick the girl he SHOULD pick. I'll be shocked if they work out. They NEVER work out. They are probably already separated. :)

We just started Game of Thrones Season 2. I have much better things to say about it, and I'm inspired to start the 4th book in the series. It may be a beach read. Did you hear that--BEACH! We're going to the BEACH in May.


Things to remember
Eleanor:  I was listening to the '90s station on Spotify and Barbie Girl started playing. Eleanor LOVES the song, and watching her try to sing it cracks me up.

Eve:  Baby girl is just funny. Aside from jabbering ALL the time (which I love), I checked to make sure she was asleep last night, and found her trying to cram both of her feet into her mouth.  I'm also confident she's saying "mamamama". It doesn't matter if it's at me or not :)

Taking care of EVERYthing while Jon was sick. Props to all the single parents out there. I don't know how they do it, and I'm so thankful for a helpful partner. God bless Jonathan!

I Forgot to Fill-You-In Friday #6

Whew! I'm way behind on my updating and my blog. The blog is still on my mind, it just can't seem to make it to the top of my priority list. I've had A LOT of "billable" work lately, and it's a huge blessing financially and as a reminder that I have skills outside of mothering. Go me! So, I've been working in my spare time, and in my spare-spare time, I'm trying to keep up with reading and exercising.

Last week I talked about balance, and how I struggle with it. Honestly, who doesn't? Everyone I know deals with something like this: If the house is clean, the kids are not having fun, if mom has herself together (well-rested, well-fed, exercised, socialized) the house is a mess and the kids are a hot mess. It's life. I just need some perspective sometime. It's a GOOD life. God willing, I know there will be many, many days years from now where I will wake up to grown kids and have plenty of time to do it all, and I will miss my sweet babies.

My new strategy for dealing with my "to-do" list is organization. Every morning I write out a vision for the day complete with color coding and prioritization. When I'm standing in my kitchen trying to make sense of my day because I'm short on good sense, I go to my vision and remember, OH YES, I really wanted to read 30 pages in my book, read a book with Eleanor, put together a new brochure for the ad campaign, take a nap, or put away laundry. Yes, naps make the list. They should make your list, too. I also promised myself to not put things that definitely won't get done on "the vision". Yes, we need to patch the wall where Eleanor ripped the curtain and the rod completely out, but c'mon. It's not getting done until at least May (maybe Christmas) and I'm not going to be the one to fix it, so why pretend?

A recap in pictures and words, because I'm long-winded:

 

 Eleanor got a haircut! I did, too. We both needed it. Isn't she beautiful?

 

Isn't SHE beautiful, too? She's sitting up AND eating solid food AND she'll be 6-months-old this month. She hadn't been sleeping well, and the caption on that bottom picture was something like "stealer of sleep, but maker of happy". We've been working on a "trading down" sleeping method, and it's uhhh-freakin-mazing. I've never been a proponent of cry it out, because I'm the one crying the hardest by the end of it. This approach is much gentler and has seemed to work for our family. (Please, don't take that statement as an attack on those of you who can cry-it-out. I'm from the school of "do whatever works for you".)

 She begged and begged to eat the "sucker that looks like a magic wand" that she got at Sunday School. I finally said "OK" and she took about 3 licks and decided it wasn't that good. Yessss. (I hate red dye 40 candy and limit it as much as possible.)

Eleanor and I ventured into the back yard with little sister. It was the best. Eve likes to swing, and Eleanor likes to push her. Speaking of swing, Eleanor magically developed the ability to pump her legs and swing by herself. Praise the Lord!

That was the fast and furious recap, and reminder that I'm still here, and still have blogging on the mind.

Mari

Fill-You-In Friday #2

I've been a planning machine this week!

Several of our friends will welcome new babies, and their mamas must be showered with gifts to prepare. I've been planning 2 showers, and work is picking up with a big project. I'm attempting to get ahead of the game by organizing and planning during this "inception/elaboration" phase (terms I picked up during my tenure as software implementation specialist, or whatever my job title was) in hopes of being productive and effective in the coming weeks. I'm looking forward to writing some articles and focusing some creative energy into a project. Go Team!

Eve is changing EVERY day. Gone are the days of the baby who sleeps all day and sits quietly in her chair. She babbles, screeches, screams, coos, rolls over, scoots, and is working at sitting up. She engages us more, examines her toys (the pacifier being the most interesting), and is a drool factory.  Her new favorite game is to wake up at about 11 p.m. as we are settling down to sleep to throw a little party until about 1 a.m. I'm sure it will pass. She still soothes herself by sucking on her first finger--so sweet.

Eleanor is catching onto reading so quickly. She makes her mama proud (although she would still make me proud, regardless of her reading)! We're working through Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons and having great success. Eleanor read her first sentences this week! She is also exercising her "voice" more often, and consequently, conflicts seem to arise. We're working through a few tantrums, and learning to work together, so we're both happy most of the time.

I had to share this picture, because anyone who remembers baby Eleanor will remember her quirk for organization. She used to line up hundreds of diapers and dozens of books in perfect rows. When I walked upon the scene of perfectly organized markers, I was reminded of how much I love her and her quirks.

 

Big sister is honing her computer skills. 4 years does a lot for hand-eye coordination. 

Eleanor made her purse for a craft prototype I'm using for my Sunday school class and a newsletter I help write. She was "shopping".

Evie Bear is working on her head control/scooting skills. I love the back view!

Sister time makes me happy.

 

Story time is enjoyed by both girls, as long as Eve doesn't start her screeching routine. The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary is on deck for this week, and probably next.

 

Instagram pics from the week (Follow me! I'm Customari on IG).

Have a happy weekend!
Peace be with you,
Mari