Reflection

My little one found her reflection this weekend and I fortunately had my camera handy to capture the "interaction!"  She has, of course, seen her reflection before, but this time she was interacting with herself.  She had so much fun and it was such a cute moment! Saying "hi," making funny faces, giving herself dirty looks and kisses...it was precious!

 

 

It is amazing how such a small event in the life of a child makes my heart want to burst with love as a parent.  Do you experience little moments like these that makes a bigger impact than you would think?  

 

~Erin Leigh

 

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Nesting

I feel like I am nesting.  I am on an organization and de-clutter frenzy.  Seriously...recently my husband even asked me what had gotten into me!  It all started with a discussion of moving...(locally if you were wondering)...and as soon as we started really thinking about it...I started really thinking about all the things we would have to move.  My focus became the basement.  The place where we have SO much "stuff."  So, I started with the largest task (why start small??)...baby clothes.  I feel like I have baby clothes coming out of my ears. Just thinking about it is making me want to close down the computer and go work on it some more!  I started going through baby clothes first to organize by size and gender (talk about time consuming), sort, sell and donate.  Would you believe this project is still going on 3 weeks later? Just with baby clothes?! It is amazing how much you accumulate over the life span of two toddlers!  (On a side note, the funny part is boys NB-12 months were all perfectly and neatly folded and organized by size and type of clothing in a bin... that was the point that baby #2 arrived...after that point, all remaining clothes for him and every single article of clothing she ever had were just thrown into bins in unfolded clumps, with no rhyme or reason...Tell me I am not the only one who threw organization like that out the window when child number 2 arrived?? I swore that wouldn't happen...oh it did!) 

Anyways...in this de-clutter project,  I have given some clothes away, saved some sentimental items, taken a trip to Once Upon a Child, sold some online and filled three big trash bags of little tiny clothes to donate...and I am still working on going through the rest!  Unbelievable.  However, this experience has led me to a start a new system (if I ever get through this phase).  Here it is...now once my kids grow out of something, I will sell or donate immediately and not let it build up in the basement.  Go ahead, you can say it, "Wow, Erin, you are a genius!"  I know, I know.  (Now, in my defense, we were unsure if we were going to have more children so of course we were saving everything in case Baby #3 was a possibility...but it is looking like we are ending with sweet Baby #2...hence my de-clutter nesting frenzy).

So, I already started this new system on Sunday.  As I was putting Anya's laundry away (laundry, oh laundry...overcoming that will be saved for another post), there were 4 shirts that no longer fit her and in in great condition... I posted online and they sold.  Those shirts went right from her room to the car...completely bypassing the basement! Amazing. I am liking this system already!  Also, then I can take any money from the clothes I sell, and buy new clothes for the kids for the next season.  Am I being frugal?? Who would have thought?!  Seriously, I am starting to think I am brilliant!

So, that is my de-clutter nesting story and one of the ways I am vowing to be more organized effective immediately!  If you feel unorganized or have a build-up of "stuff" you should give it a try!  Organize, sell and donate items as you stop using them!  It's making me feel more de-cluttered already!  I have a few other things I am working on in order to stay on top of house work and little projects while saving time, but that can be saved for another day, another time, another post! I am still working on meal planning on Sundays which you should try out if your weeks are busy like mine!! Super helpful! 

So, how do you de-clutter and organize?  Or do you?? ;)

~Erin Leigh

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Parenting - Yup, I'm going there...

I always want to be the best at everything.  Call me a perfectionist, unrealistic, goal driven...whatever you call it, that is me.  I think it was instilled in me from my Dad, who does everything to the best of his ability and through that, has taught me to do the same.  I know that most people try to do everything to the best of their ability, but he brings it to another level.  We always joke that I am my "Father's Daughter" in so many ways.  But, when I became a parent, it brought this whole "being the best" to a whole new level.  Now, I needed to be the best not only for myself, but two little lives depended on it.  Talk about pressure!  It is definitely by far, the biggest responsibility ever.  This "being the best" no longer is just meeting certain criteria at work, being a great wife, daughter, sister, friend and human being.  It now meant that two little people are completely dependent on me and it is up to me (and my hubby of course) to mold them into amazing people!

So, of course, when I first became pregnant, I would look things up online, pick people's brains who have been through it, be anxious about certain transitions going smoothly and read about it some more.  You want to know what I have learned?  A lot! So, let's start here...

There are SO many articles you can read that claim that they have the right way for anything and everything which just sets people up for failure.  It may sound great on paper but when you attempt the method and it doesn't work, you end up so quick to say "what did I do wrong?" People ask you questions, and sometimes when you give them an answer, the look on their face shows that they don't approve. The media and people put so much more pressure on mama's than they need!  Here is an early example of my own:

I chose not to breastfeed.  Some people may have just read that statement and cringed, wondered why or didn't give it a thought.  I chose not to breastfeed round 1, because I had complications from my C-section and I decided rather than stress about breast feeding, I wanted to just enjoy and get to know my little man.  Round 2 I chose not to because it worked for my first.  But, why should I have to explain to anyone why I didn't breastfeed?  Why did I feel the need to explain that to anyone who asked? Why do people ask in the first place??  Why do people think it is acceptable to say that my child will not be as healthy or that my bond with him will not be as strong as if I had chosen to breastfeed?  Seriously? As a matter of fact, my children are and have always been healthy and I cannot imagine a bond being any stronger. People should not judge me for NOT breastfeeding just as I should not judge someone FOR breastfeeding.  Different people, different opinions.  No one is right, no one is wrong.  It is what is best for you and your child at the time.  That is just one small example, and I am sure if you are a mother you have MANY more examples to add!

Now, fast forward to the toddler years.  Now that I am in it, where it is more about molding these children and teaching them lessons of the world, I see more and more articles, blogs and pins of all different parenting methods. They are geared more towards the toddler age and older when teaching and discipline becomes part of your daily routine. When these little humans are babies you just need to keep them fed, clean and safe...but as they get older is where the molding begins. There are so many parenting styles...Instictive, Attachment, Authoritative, Permissive and Hellicopter to name a few.  There are those parents that hit and those that don't.  Those that yell and those that don't.  Strict or lenient. Calm or high strung. I could go on and on.  People then try to place themselves into one of these categories and when they fall short in an area, feel guilty or pressure to meet some invisible expectation.  There is already enough pressure, why try to fit into some category?  Yes, it is great to research online and get ideas on how to improve yourself, but it is not great to put extra pressure on yourself to make yourself into someone that you aren't, and then feel guilty when you don't meet that unrealistic expectation.

So, you know what I have decided on? MY way is the right way.  Yup, that's right.  Don't question it and don't follow it...because YOUR way is the right way for YOUR children.  YOU know your child better than anyone writing an article.  YOU know their ins and outs and what makes them tick. It is up to YOU to make the best decisions you can for them and continue doing the best you can!  I do a lot of things right, and continue to work on things daily but I never doubt myself.  I pick the brains of those I trust and that is where I find my guidance because when there is trust, there is no judgment.  I do not look to live up to any one parenting method because there is no one right way.  Each child is different and may respond differently to different methods and only you would know that.  I already know my two children respond differently, so it is up to me (us) to react appropriately to how they learn best.  A blanket parenting style wouldn't work for my family.  But, that doesn't mean it doesn't work for yours.  Like I said, YOUR way is best. 

So, a word of advice to current mama's and mama's to be...listen to yourself and your child.  Do not allow the Internet or people outside of your "circle of trust" to fool you into thinking there is one right way to do things. Use the Internet and those IN your "circle of trust" as a tool to research but don't take it too seriously.  What works for one doesn't work for another.  It doesn't mean you are doing anything wrong, because everyone is different.  Do not let anyone's disapproval misguide you if you have a vision for your child/children/family.  

So, I can say that I AM the best mother...for my children. Parenting is the most difficult yet most rewarding job there is! So to all you mama's...keep up the good work, don't let ANYONE bring you down and listen to your heart! :) 

~Erin Leigh

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Gingerbread Cookie Fun!

Yesterday was a snowy day around here.  It actually wasn't snowing too much during the day, but since it was slightly snowing I took it upon myself to stay in my pajamas all day long and do some fun indoor stuff with the kids!  So, what better activity than bake some gingerbread cookies!  And no, they are not paleo...just regular ingredients in this recipe!  They came out so good!  Jaxon had a lot of fun cutting out the shapes and both kids had fun decorating them after naps!  Gingerbread cookies are quite a process but it worked out well that we were home all day!  Here is the recipe!

Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients:
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
16 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 cup molasses
1 large egg

Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and spices to combine.
In another bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Mix in the molasses and egg until combined.
Add in the dry ingredients in a few portions and mix until incorporated.
Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. (You can also make the dough the night before and chill overnight).

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface, approximately 1/4 inch thick.
Then cut desired shapes and place on cookie sheets.

Bake for 10 minutes, rotating the sheet half way through.
Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to wire cooling rack.
Once cookies are cool...decorate!

I couldn't wait for naptime to be over to decorate!

Post naptime cookie decorating!

 He couldn't resist taking bites out of his cookies!  But that is part of the fun! :)

 She was loving every minute....

 ....until decorating was over....

 My favorites!

Seriously, this recipe was so good I couldn't help but eat at least 10! It was my cheat day FOR SURE!!

Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!  Perfect for a snowy day, or any day for that matter! :)

~Erin Leigh

Parents...tell me I'm not alone?!

Now...to preface, if you are not yet a parent, and you ever intend to be, you may not be interested in reading further.

Parents, have you ever had a day that was anything like this?

12 am, a brand new day, you are soundly sleeping...

12:30, your 14 month old daughter begins to cry. You think, I'll give her a few minutes and see how it goes.  The crying subsides...you drift back to sleep...and then again the crying starts.  You have an inner battle that begins. If you go into the room, you get sucked in. You cannot get back out.  But, you feel bad letting them cry because you know they aren't feeling well.  Oh wait, the crying subsides...perfect.  Drift back to sleep...and again...it begins. This vicious cycle seems to go on forever and you look at the clock, and it's only 12:40.  Wow...longest 10 minutes ever!  You cave, go in, put on the sleep sheep, get her comfortable with her favorite angel stuffed animal and blanket and rub her back by leaning over the crib, which is never a comfortable position when you are rubbing her back for 20+ minutes, but you know if you take her out of the crib to rock her, it's that much more difficult to get her back in...so you do this odd lean over the crib back rubbing thing for what feels like an eternity.  You hear the breathing getting louder and steadier...you think, she is asleep. You then, very slowly, without breathing, straighten up and try to move away from the crib. Then your ankle cracks, and she realizes you aren't rubbing her back anymore and screams.  You calm her down, she drifts back off to sleep, you try to sneak out, then the door creaks and she screams. (At this point, I would imagine you would want to scream).  So, then you decide you will rock her. When she is in a deep sleep you will ever so slowly transition her into her crib.  Nope, not happening.  Long story short...you crawl back into bed at 4:41 am, 4 minutes before your alarm is set to go off. Awesome.

Fast forward to 8:30...how nice, your kids slept in until 8:30. What a blessing.  Although you have been up since 5:30 (you got to catch a whopping 30 minutes of sleep), you got to be somewhat productive while in a groggy state...and feel like even though you are running on empty, you have a positive outlook on the day...

And then it begins.  You prepare breakfast.  Eggs, chicken sausage and some cut up bananas.  Eggs end up on the floor, water is being banged on the table and splashing everywhere, your daughter NEEDS a napkin for her hands, then NEEDS one for her face, both of which end up on the floor.  Chicken sausage is chewed then spit out.  Eggs end up on the floor.  You then step on a piece of banana on the floor.  Ok, breakfast is over and somehow you happened to keep it together.  Then it's time for milk. You give the milk and begin to clean up from breakfast, as they playfully put the milk on their heads and both repeat over and over "head, head, head."  Yes, the older one is teaching the younger one body parts, very sweet, but then imitates her putting her cup on her head.  Long story short, both milks, purposely also end up on the floor. 

Ok, breakfast is over.  Time for the 2 1/2 year old to sit on the potty (actively potty training).  Child goes kicking and screaming.  Sits down, pees, while continuing to scream.  Then 14 month old, still confined in high chair for her safety (and your sanity), is screaming, because remember, she doesn't feel well. Runny nose, molar coming in, clingy.  Ok, potty is flushed, wash hands, pants on. Great, time to get the other child and play.  2 1/2 year old insists he NEEDS to watch a show. You remind him he doesn't NEED to watch a show, he wants to, and he can watch a show in a little while after playing.  Tantrum.  Other child feeds off of it.  Tantrum.  Deep breath in...deep breath out...repeat...and again.  Ok...you decide to be proactive and get out some books and toys.  They want to throw all the pillows on the floor and jump on the couch.  Obviously it is much more fun, and it's all fun and games but the younger one is not sturdy so this is not the greatest idea.  You offer other toy suggestions in order to distract from the couch jumping.  You daughter heads to the cabinet asking for a "snack, snack, snack" while pulling out anything she can reach.  (She did just eat)  Meanwhile, the 2 1/2 year old begins the "I have to pee" dance.  You bring him to the bathroom...I am sure you can imagine...kicking and screaming.  The younger one also has to be part of being in the bathroom, climbing up on the stool to attempt to wash her hands, trying to look into the potty while he is peeing and wants the roll of toilet paper.  The screaming subsides.  You decide to give a snack because it confines them for a few moments and you can try to collect yourself so you don't explode in frustration.  A yogurt. Good suggestion.  You ask the 2 1/2 year old peach or blueberry.  Blueberry he responds.  You open it...nope, now he wants peach.  You inform him he already made a decision so he cannot have the other kind because it would be a waste.  Tantrum.  Daughter...tantrum because you are taking too long to feed her her yogurt.  Breathe in...breathe out...breathe in...breathe out...Ok...get through the yogurts, he now wants a snack size bag of pretzels.  You think, well, he sure has an appetite, maybe a growth spurt?  Open the pretzels, he eats one. Nope, he wants peanut butter and jelly.  You inform again, that is a waste. You decided on pretzels. Tantrum.  Daughter insists she is "stuck" in her chair, tantrum.  You think, 'I need to do something before I lose my sanity.'  A show it is!  So, you decide to put on Mickey Mouse Christmas on Netflix because your kids think it is hilarious and you have to pee...you all sit down on the couch and you actually think the day might be redeemed. You have some laughs together.  Things are going well for that first 5 minutes, until daughter wants to get "down" but by "down" she means jump on the other end of the couch.  You distract with some books.  Then son still wants peanut butter and jelly. You look at the clock. It's 11:15. You think, early lunch, bath and then nap? Sounds good!  You prepare peanut butter and jelly.  It goes somewhat smoothly.  You give the after lunch milk.  Ends up on the floor.  Breathe in...breathe out...repeat, repeat, repeat.  Ok, I can do this.  Let's go upstairs and the kids can have a bath.  They enjoy baths, both are stuffy, they can play with bath toys and you can clean the bathroom counters, try to regroup.  It's working.  You feel like it's going to be ok.  Wash the kids. Take your daughter out to put her diaper and clothes on, turn around...and there you have it...2 1/2 year old leisurely pooping...in the bathtub. WHYYYY?!?! Put daughter in her crib with toys...tantrum, sit son on the potty because you need to get him out of the bath and there is no where to put him.  Clean the bathtub and give him a shower.  Then naptime for your daughter mirrors the events from 1am-4:30am and you cry right along with her.  You pull yourself together so you can rock with your son.  He falls asleep. Silence.

So, I will ask the opening question...have you ever had a day like that?  Please tell me I am not alone?!?!

I will be honest, a text then went to my husband and best friend that read, "What should I do during naptime? Do I work out? Or drink vodka?"  I really contemplated.  But I ended up doing a 42 minute workout with Shaun T and now I'm ready for round 2 with these crazy yet adorable little monsters! Ok afternoon...bring it on!

And no, this was not taken this morning.

~Erin Leigh