October 26, 2013

Pressed Leaves


Last week I took my baby daughter out for a walk, just the two of us. We did the usual loop, checking in with all of my favorite houses and collecting brilliant fall leaves along the way. We paused in the cemetery, where the giant maple trees glowed orange in the sinking sunlight. I listened in peace; the baby breathing against my chest, blue jays crying, traffic in the distance... perfect.

'Maamaa!', the familiar call interrupted the silence as my boys rushed through the cemetery gates to find us. They jabbered loudly about squirrels and acorns, chased each other along the paths, and added curled brown leaves to our collection... perfect.

All summer, I wondered what it would be like with a second baby. I worried that all of those quiet snugly moments I had enjoyed the first time around would be impossible with the wild energy of a toddler. And I was right, those moments are few. Becoming a mother again is completely different, and so much better than I ever could have known.

11 comments:

  1. Sounds lovely! I'm so glad you are enjoying your time with baby...and boys! ;)

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  2. Ah! My comment just randomly deleted... anyway, I am so glad you are having these few quite moments. It is perfect when it happens! Such beautiful thoughts on parenting... and I love the reds in these shots!

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  3. Awe, how fun! I haven't tried pressing leaves other than in books. I think Owen would enjoy this craft.

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    1. It's really fun! And I press them in books to get them flat first, so you could even use your old pressed leaves if you miss the peak colors :)

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  4. So beautiful. Glad you two gals are enjoying the snuggly moments when you get them. :)

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  5. beautiful post! sounds wonderful :) thank you for the DIY idea. I might try this with the little ones later in the week week...

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  6. Thanks Julia! It's my favorite little fall craft. We keep the leaves in a few windows all winter :)

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  7. I might try these art and craft idea with my boy! Btw Ur house looks really clean and tidy! My home was really untidy when my son was a newborn... Haha.

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  8. Beautiful pressed leaves! We love doing this, too.

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  9. I try to imagine if I had a toddler with a baby–I am sure you are always on the go these days. In the very beginning, I'd feel so bad for not getting that quality time with my big boy and needing to spend it all with the babe. But, as she's more and more on the move and willing to let me get a few things done, I'm still needing to neglect a few other things, but they both get some good loving' still... not to mention love from each other!

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  10. Such sweet memories you are making! It is different the second (and third) time around-- new layers of mommy-dom, each one better in its own way...

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