Finding Beauty, Creativity, and Simplicity in the Home

image by oceans

There’s something about coming home from Christmas traveling that makes me want to start fresh and clean house! Maybe it’s the living out of a suitcase and among the clutter of new gifts, the week of rest from the usual routine, or simply the start of a new year…or maybe a combination of everything. But the first of January always has me clearing out closets and cabinets (sometimes simply to make room for new things!), rearranging, redecorating, and reorganizing.

Though I still get an itch to do the same in the spring and fall when the pleasant weather picks up my mood, this year I’m making an effort to really take advantage of this “cleaning energy”, to get our home ready for the “cocooning” during the cold days ahead, and maybe shake off a little of the gloom that comes in January and February.

So far I’ve cleaned out our art cabinet, organized our desk and paperwork that had spread to our dining room table, and started organizing closets. We also have a little decorating planned…yeah!

The winter can be a really hard time for me, and I know for many others too, but these projects actually have me looking forward to all the inside-time ahead.

Anyone else doing a little winter cleaning?

A little cuddling…

A little kissing…

A little sleeping…(very little)

A little celebrating…

A little crying…

A little multitasking…

A little playing…

Lots of smiles!

What have you been up to?

Every new baby is an adjustment, and this one is no exception. It takes time to learn how to “read” your baby’s cues, doesn’t it?

We’ve had a few fussy days recently, exhausting days that can leave you feeling completely overwhelmed. As I held and rocked Lily in the evenings and she continued to stiffen her little body and scream, the dreaded word was in my mind… was she developing colic?

We’ve struggled through a fussy newborn stage before. When my firstborn was this age, he slept so little that I read every book on sleep that I could get my hands on. Though it seemed that what these authors did best was contradict each other, I did learn some important lessons on sleep: I learned that your baby tends to be happier and more content if she is well-rested, and that timing is everything. But even though I new this, it still took me some time to realize that my baby girl was not hungry or gassy, but just overtired.

One morning after Lily awoke to eat, I noticed that she started yawning and dozing off right after I fed her. So I decided to try rocking her back to sleep, rather than changing her and playing with her like I usually did. And it worked! I stayed on top of her sleepy times as much as possible that day, and as she became more rested, she became more and more content. She was actually letting me put her down to sleep!

So now we’ve had some quieter and happier evenings around here. Though it’s impossible to be completely on top of her nap schedule, especially with two other children in the house, at least I know now what to expect. If we miss a “sleepy window” when she’s first getting drowsy, she’s going to cry and struggle to fall asleep. But then we can just do our best to help her settle down and try again the next time.

My baby is much less fussy now, and mommy is much more relaxed!

What baby lessons have you learned?

Lillian Clara was born October 13, weighing 7 pounds and 7 ounces.

It’s been a busy month here, waiting for a special girl who finally made her appearance three days after her due date, instead of being early like her brothers! We’ve had lots of people in our house, and then spent almost two weeks with my parents while Dustin was out of the country.

We’ve spent lots of time kissing her beautiful little face and listening to her sweet little baby noises. Thankfully my mom was around to help out and take lots of pictures…otherwise we might not have any! It will likely be a little quiet here as we continue to adjust, but I’ll be posting soon with more pictures and my reflection on her delivery. And hopefully I’ll find some time to do a little blog reading and catch up on your lives as well! But I’ll be spending most of my time gazing at and cuddling with my sweet little girl.

I don’t usually do a whole lot of nesting in the way that some women do, like frantically cleaning the bathroom floor with a toothbrush. But I did find myself completely cleaning out and reorganizing the boys’ room and closet after Jackson accidently dumped the fish bowl. I didn’t get a picture of the incident, but it looked something like this:

from the cover of the book No David

And his face looked something like this:

I was completely exhausted when I finished, but I’m glad I got it done.

It’s been cooler here lately, and the feel of fall has given me more energy to accomplish some of the little projects I’ve been wanting to do. And my mood has picked up as well. I love the fall.

But I’ve mostly been taking extra time to rest and relax. I’ve needed to disengage a little, which is why my posts have been scarce and my blogroll has over 200 unread. I look forward to catching up on everyone’s lives eventually after the baby comes, but for now my usual computer time has been taken with napping, crocheting, or just playing with my boys. I’ll be 38 weeks along on Saturday, which is how far along Jackson was when he was born. I’ll post some pictures soon of some of the things I’ve been making for baby (which is more my kind of nesting).

How have you been enjoying your fall?

image by madalena-pestana

Resisting the urge to turn on the television after putting the kids to bed and waiting for Dustin to get home…

Putting down the novel and letting my mind be still for a while…

Folding laundry without music or TV to entertain my brain…just quiet…

Stopping myself from putting in several hold requests at the library after reading this post and this post (but writing the titles down to read at another time!)

Putting down the baby books and magazines…

Spending more time reflecting, praying, meditating on the Proverbs I’ve been reading instead of complaining about never having the time to do that.

Enjoying the little squirming arms and legs I feel moving inside me, and trying to wrap my mind around the fact that very soon another little life will be part of this family.

Right now my body is tired, and my mind is tired…yet I still find myself filling it with noise. I need the quiet and the stillness.

I crave the wisdom and peace that I know comes not from more reading but through a little more solitude.

These tiny snatches of time are often lost to us. What a pity! They can and should be redeemed. They are times for inner quiet, for reorienting our lives like a compass needle. They are little moments that help us to be genuinely present where we are.

Richard Foster
from Celebration of Discipline

What are ways that you find quiet in the midst of a busy day?

Some pictures from the past week…

Not pictured:
The sink full of dishes
The Cheerios crunched on the floor
The kids watching Sesame Street while I lay on the couch (yes, I’ve also added a little TV time to our schedule, too.)

What has kept the little hands in your home busy this week?

image by kippefinger

Kindergarten has gone well so far. It’s been a little exhausting figuring out how to get him home with so many kids here, and only one family vehicle right now, but with the help of some gracious neighbors we’re making it work!

I think the hardest thing for me is not knowing exactly what goes on during the morning. It’s so difficult to let go of the control over his education, but it’s also really good for both of us. And of course we’ll continue learning at home as well. I truly believe that the best thing a parent can teach is a love of learning.

The new routine has been great for us. We’ve been eating breakfast together as a family around the same time every day (since Dustin works late, our family time is in the morning). And since we have to be dressed and ready by the time Corban leaves for school, I’ve been able to get more done before H and P show up. Plus, Dustin has had some one-on-one time with Jackson before he has to leave for work.

I’ve started doing a morning activity with the younger ones while Corban is gone, and that’s going great as well. It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a while, but now it just seems to fall into our schedule a little easier. A couple days a week we’re working with manipulatives like puzzles or stacking blocks, and the other days we’re doing art-related activities like painting, drawing, clay, or collage. The kids love it, and it’s been fun for me, too! And then Corban is home again before I have a chance to really miss him. (I think the half day is just as much for the sake of the moms!)

So, how is school going for you?

One moment you’re a puppy, the next you’re a “choo-choo”.

You love to mimic the car horns, bird calls, and any other interesting sound you hear.

You love to tell jokes, and they always make me laugh.

You have the sweetest baby laugh, and you use it all day long.

You’re my baby and my big boy all wrapped up in the sweetest, most precious three-year-old package.

Happy Birthday, sweet boy.

Mommy will miss you.