RaveL
The Grass is Always Greener
What a rough week and continuing to be. I love baby girl and I love being able to stay home with her. I think that women, even married women like me who end up having unplanned pregnancies have a hard time dealing with the loss of plans. Before the hubby and I got married the plans were for me to finish school and move on to become a nurse practitioner. Well, we get married and surprise surprise.
I am having a hard time dealing recently with a loss of part of myself. My dreams. They were a part of me. Not that I define myself by my occupation or what I am doing but it was a desire that I had.
I am conflicted recently with that loss. Fighting myself on if at some point, should I go back to working towards those goals. It’s like a constant nagging. A sense of something unfulfilled. If I decide to make it a goal to eventually go back and work towards those dreams, I let the dreams of being home with my babies and homeschooling die with it. I can’t have my cake and eat it too.
I still want to be a stay at home mom but because of my personality, I like to conquer. I like to work. What I am thinking of is after babies are grown. Where does that leave me? I can’t go with them. I know eventually that the plans will be made known to me but this nagging feeling to do something and work towards these dreams is growing.
It’s a tough life for a woman being a mother whether working outside the home or not. We all sacrifice something.
The Sew Thing
So, I am considering taking up sewing. Any thoughts? Is it easy to learn? I have a super old sewing machine. It works, I just don’t know how to use it. Any ideas on how to learn to sew or any good tutorials or blogs I should check out?
Once Upon a Time
Watching Once Upon A Time. Crazy show. If your into fantasy, action and suspense, watch it!
My Husband-The Rockstar
This picture is an oldie but definitely a goodie. We really are just a couple of dorks.
Tonight is date night. Grama and Grampa are taking Baby Girl so mommy and daddy are hitting the town. Before baby, the hubs and I used to do a lot of fun spontaneous stuff together, shows, fishing under the bridge, and just anything that came to mind. Now fun stuff is considered chasing Baby Girl back and forth on the couch and making her squeal with joy. Ah the life of a parent. Don’t get me wrong, I find it gut wrenchingly awesome.
These nights with just the two of us, actually going out, are few and far between. Usually if we get a break from baby the suggestion box of ideas of what to do is usually filled with the same thing, eat dinner-at home, watch a show-at home, go to bed early-at home. Tonight however, this wife gets to go watch her hot hubby go play a guitar in front of a bunch of crazy fans. This is not the only reason why tonight will be great. Brace yourselves, The Appleseed Cast is headlining the show. Yes. I get to see them and drink a Shirley Temple. This is going to be one happy mommy.
If you haven’t heard of this band I highly recommend you do your listening ears a favor. They will be very pleased.
A Few of My Current Wants…
I don’t know if any of you are like me but if you are, then, well you know how it goes. Every month or couple of months my style completely changes. Well, in my mind it does. We would be broke if I went out and bought a new wardrobe every time my fancy changed. Anyhow, here is where I am at right now. I am moving into more of an organic, vintage and cozy type of mood. The following are a few of the items that I am currently feeling happy about.
Handmade Organic Vegan Shoes- Redefined Mary Jane by HydraHeart on Etsy
These shoes are beautiful. I am the kind of person that when I wear shoes, I want to feel as though I am not wearing any. I have never been an avid tennis shoe wearer or even a boot wearer due to the bulkiness. I love how simple yet detailed these are. They are made out of an organic cotton with an interesting inner liner. Each pair is made to your measurements for a perfect fit.
HydraHeart carries many other options for handmade shoes. If your looking for something bridal or just an around the house shoe, this is the place to look. Some of her items can even be custom made with your preference of color and fabric. These are definitely on the gotta-get list.
Ada Coat by LittleHouses on Etsy
I am so in love with this jacket. Versatile and great for dressing up or going casual. I like the casual part. That is how I roll. The Ada Coat made of a light weight wool comes in different colors and sizes. I really the green especially with the lace. It’s feminine but at the same time not too girly. For someone like me who just throws her hair up in a messy side pony, this is the perfect make me look pretty jacket.
80’s Vintage German Arrow Aviator Sunglasses by WhattheFunk on Etsy
I have a love of sunglasses. Problem is I like ones like these that you can’t just find anywhere such as these. Vintage sunglasses like these are a once in a while find. You can’t get them at the mall unless your okay with them falling apart after 2 days use because they were made in some cheap factory in china that spits them out by the thousands in a few minutes. I love these aviator sunglasses because they would go wonderfully with many outfits and styles. Being vintage they look as though they are in wonderful condition. Another want for the get list.
Uh Oh
Baby Girl wakes up from nap. Mommy picks her up. Pats on butt. Realizes it has no diaper on it.
Ok. I co-slept with baby girl for the first 3 months of her life. I felt safer. She actually slept and it was an amazing bonding experience that I am so glad I never missed out on. Sometimes I wish that every once in a while I could still put her in bed with me because I miss that feeling.
I find that this ad that is starting to run in Milwaukee is somehow…ignorant. They say that co-sleeping is what is causing a majority of these cases of SIDS. In my opinion this should be stated UNSAFE co-sleeping habits, not just co-sleeping.
When we brought baby home, I had many books on the shelf that I scoured and researched regarding a baby and sleep. SIDS was a fear that was in the back of my mind constantly. I can’t tell you how much it was shoved down my throat at the doctors office, the hospital, and in all of the books and magazines. No wonder mothers, especially new mothers are constantly freaking out about every little thing that could have some affect on their new baby. It’s an unnecessary fear.
In my research from multiple sources I found that co-sleeping, if done correctly and with understanding and safe guards being met, is actually extremely beneficial to both mom and baby and can actually decrease the risk of SIDS. Things like the mother’s heart beat, heart rate, breathing and warmth are all benefits to the babies development and growth. Like I said though, you need to know what is the best and safest way to go about it.
When baby girl and I co-slept I was nursing so we had many middle of the night feedings so I was awakened multiple times by her. We slept in the middle of the bed together. Daddy got the couch. No super thick blankets or comforters were used and none were put on baby. Many also have the argument, you can roll over on them. Um, no you can’t. A mother has a subconsciousness that is constantly awake while sleeping. I still have it and we aren’t even co-sleeping anymore. You know what your baby is doing and where your baby is. I would awake in the exact same frozen position that I fell asleep in. (However if you have been drinking, taking any drugs, sleep aids or even nightime cold medicines, do not co-sleep and honestly if you are taking street drugs and getting drunk around your babies, shame on you!)
My point is, co-sleeping if done correctly is beneficial and I don’t feel it should be given the kind of publicity it is given. If Milwaukee wants to help the infant community it should teach them how co-sleeping can be done correctly and safely. I don’t believe that striking unnecessary fear into the hearts of mothers is going to bring any good out of it. The only thing it will do is force these mothers into the submission of fear and constant worry. No exhausted, already paranoid, stressed out new mother needs that. Not to mention the guilt it makes one feel.
Q: searching pinterest on tumblr lead me to your blog, which lead me to your pinterest. Keep up the great work cos I love them both!!!
A:
Makes my day!
That Pinterest Addiction
I have come across quite a few blogs on here that all they do is reblog other peoples reblogs. I don’t care for that on here and it has come to my attention that there are other mommas and such on here that don’t fancy that sort of thing either. However, I have come across a site where this is all that you do. Pinterest. You pin and repin items that you like or pictures or whatever it is that your little heart fancies.
I have spent many a time on that site only to realize that I completely rebuilt my imaginary house, wardrobe and whatever else I can think to create. I find it a wonderful way to promote handmade items and business owners such as fellow etsians but I also thought of another more practical idea for this. Wish Lists and Gift Lists. Instead of going to Target where they only have so much of what you can want why not build a Gift Registry for multiple places on one page. Just an idea.
Anyways, if you haven’t yet, be sure to check out Pinterest. I guarantee you won’t leave the site for hours if you try. You can visit my boards by clicking the link to the right.
Happy Pinning!
(P.S. The Bison Booties at the top can be found at a wonderful shop on Etsy called Bison Booties they have many wonderful styles. I highly recommend you check them out. Super cute and handmade which is even better!)
Reblog this if your blog isn’t filled with reblogs.
I usually think these ‘reblog for a follower’ things are lame but I’m looking for more people and parenting blogs to follow that aren’t filled with constant reblogs.
I’m into reading about peoples daily lives and personal things. If this sounds like you and you would like a follower please like or reblog this post.
(Source: littlejacksons)
I am going to take a moment to promote a book that I just started reading last night. It’s called Creative Counterpart by Linda Dillow.
Becoming a wife and mother changes a woman and it is sometimes hard to grasp what that looks like for each individual female out there. I know for myself, since having Baby Girl, I have had some dramatic internal changes with the following: thought process, emotions, fears, love language and most of all, who I am now that another person who has consumed everything about my life.
Even though I have JUST started reading this book it has already put into descriptive understandable words what I am feeling day to day. It is helping me see my job and role as a wife and mother not just as a job that I am supposed to do, but as one that I am growing to love each and every moment.
If you are a wife, a mother or soon to be mother, I hope that you take the time to purchase, rent or borrow this book. I can already see that this is going to be a life changing book, not only for me but my family as well.
Home Sweet Home
Finally settled in. The hubby is finishing up moving his odds and ends into his mancaves (yes that is plural). The inside is done done done! What a relief to be able to just relax and be able to anticipate the coming holidays. I keep looking out our giant windows hoping to see some snow clouds moving in signaling the start of the next season.
Baby girl seems to really be enjoying having so much room and carpeting. We had wood floors before which became a stressful living arrangement for me. She fell down way too often causing me to be constantly sick with worry that she had a concussion. Now when she topples over we don’t have the painful screams of pain just a little whimper and she’s off to find something else to destroy. She has been napping wonderfully due to the lack of neighborly noise and the annoyingly loud sirens on the trains that would go by every hour.
I think this next chapter of our lives is going to be exceptionally inviting, making comfortable memories in our roomy and cozy new home.
Now to get back to work on my shop. I have been leaving it vacant due to all of the chaos. However, I think it’s been good to take a break from it. All artists need a break to wipe the slate clean and get a new perspective on what to paint the canvas with next.
I HATE moving. My temperament does not allow for lack of anxiety regarding moving. My anxiety goes up. I feel uncomfortable. I am extremely irritable. I know it will be awesome in the end and the only thing that has been keeping me sane is that sweet face. She has the ability to make me laugh even in the worst of times. Thank you baby girl.
too much to say but i’m tired
I have not written much these past few days. There has been a lot going on. Birthday celebrations, MOVING soon (yay!), baby, work, orders, the usual. Yes my family is moving next week I am really stoked about this. This will be my first time living in a house that wasn’t my parents, I usually only do apartments but I am ready for this, the whole settling down thing. It’s time. With a baby and all, I kinda of need the peace and quiet. Not to mention I really can’t wait to get away from that annoying train that I never noticed until Baby Girl came along that goes by 27 times a day!
We can be praying for my husband. Some doors are being opened for the things he has been dreaming of doing ever since I first met him and I am sure even before then. It’s amazing to watch all of this unfold so smoothly. Thank you Lord!
Until next time I highly recommend you check out RaveL. Many more new items have gone up in the past few weeks that I think you want to see. (On a side note for that, all of the items and orders that you purchase have had and will continue to have blessings prayed over them. It brings me joy to know that these unique items will bring blessing upon blessing to you and your little ones! I enjoy doing it.)
The Good Day
I just got done getting Baby Girl’s formula ready for tomorrow and got to thinking “What an awesome day!” Baby Girl took some awesome naps today which allowed me to get some work done around the house and Ailee was in a really good mood today and was doing some amazingly cute stuff. Today she decided to start saying her p’s which came out as poop.
This evening I took her over to Nana and Papa’s house and she just had a blast. She always has so much fun over at the grandparent’s. Thomas the Train remote control toy was a big hit this evening. She crawled around chasing it all over the place.
I have come to the realization that these good times that I have with my Girl need to be engraved into my mind with a soldering iron. Thinking back to when she was a newborn, it gets more and more difficult to remember exactly how she felt the first time she was placed in my arms. How feather light and delicate she was. Raw beauty in its most pure form. How fast it all goes by. Too soon and this little girl who rips my heartstrings with just one look is going to be growing into a woman.
I think that it becomes too routine. We forget that these itty bitty treasures are on loan to us and the whole point of having children is to bring them to independence. Independence away from us. We have them for only a short time. This short time needs to be indulged to its fullest.
