July 22, 2014

29/52 and After Dinner Treats

29/52

This week he: wanted to stay by my side as much as he could, 'because I like you, mama'... how can I argue with that!? / rode his scooter a lot and played at every park in town / built an amazing tower city with his blocks (that somehow we didn't photograph) / loved going deep in the pond with daddy, and getting tossed up high / told me he would take care of his sister's dolly. he's never shown any interest in dolls and I thought his nurturing side was coming out, until he finally added... 'I like her because her head smells delicious!'. and actually, it does ;)

This week she:  cried whenever daddy left, she is already such a daddy's girl / have I mentioned that she can stand without pulling up on anything? yeah, that's her thing, again and again with a beaming smile of pride / tried to crawl into the fireplace, got stuck in a million places, and generally looked for mischief / had daddy and I laughing as she played with her brother's train, complete with engine noises (I guess if you hear something all day every day, you are bound to imitate it!) / woke up very early. often.

++++++++++++++


Our days have been full with all the basics of summer; swimming, lots of ice cream, staying out too late, waking up too early, trying to squeeze in all the usual chores. I feel like so little is getting accomplished, but also like I'm running around constantly. Maybe that is just every mother, but it seems especially true as of late. 

As baby Roo is quickly approaching her first birthday, my mind is busy. I often find myself quiet and lost in thought. Some of it is about her, our family, and the speed of these years... but it's also more than that, and maybe one of these days I will find myself well enough rested and with the extra time to sift through the threads and write them down.

I keep promising myself to be more consistent with blogging, I string together a few days, and then fall back off the rhythm. I started this blog when Little Smith turned one, and it does feel as though that same creative energy that prompted me to create this space is swelling again. At least in my experience, the first year of a baby's life is really a blur. I thought that all of that would be different the second time around, but I have found myself equally disoriented and taken by surprise with our little girl. I love the baby phase, truly, and in some ways it is easier than toddler tantrums, but it is also all-consuming... and I am still consumed at the moment. I'm drained that my baby can't nap on her own, and yet so aware that I am going to desperately miss holding her in my arms and watching her sleep. As I sigh and wish to be needed less, I already miss being needed. Transitions are complicated, and I imagine never more so than in motherhood. 

So that's where we are; eating popsicles and dangling our toes in the water and completely given over to the care-free days of summer, well with the exception of my over-active brain that always seems to follow us around, uninvited. I'm grateful Roo's birthday is in August, imagine how wild my thoughts would be running with a good coating of snow and 5PM sunsets!

9 comments:

  1. I just found myself nodding along to all of this. The consistency of blogging has completely gone out the window for me, and I just figure I do it when I feel like it, and maybe people will still check in. Or not. And that's fine, too. You're right, the transitions can make your head spin with babies! It sounds like you're having the best sort of summer full of the best sort of things. Just enjoy, those chores will wait! (This is what I tell myself…)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Ruthie, I also don't put much pressure on myself to blog unless I feel like it... But then I'm conflicted because I seem to do better with a little pressure ;) I just know how much I enjoy looking back on the entries when they're more frequent, so I'm thinking of pressuring myself more!

      Delete
  2. hear, hear. to busy days and spinning heads. I actually think you're being wonderfully consistent with your blogging and I am so grateful for that. I wanted to share this link too… it's been open on my computer for a week and I keep re-reading it and re-reading it and like Ruthie, nodding along. press on, mama, press on. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathrine-baer/when-you-are-tightly-wound_b_5596029.html (also, I apologize if my comment is posted twice… looks like it disappeared the first time around.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I loooved that article. So funny, and I thought for sure I was the only person whose hair was falling out and in balls on the floor! Thanks so much for linking it, and for the kind words.

      Delete
  3. Oh my goodness, do I hear you. The first year is a blur, a challenge, a delight, and sorely missed when it's gone. Why is it like that? Maybe because if it wasn't hard and wonderful at the same time it wouldn't feel worth it. Thank you for sharing your words and photos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you're right, there's hot to be a reason that the first year is so disorienting. Blissful and impossible all at once :) Thanks!

      Delete
  4. I like you mama is indeed irresistible. How sweet! Yes, they need you less as they get older, but mostly they need less help with physical activities...which is a good thing! Less exhausting. They will always need you emotionally.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know that's true, the needs are still there but not as simplistic. Still nothing quite like snuggling up with a baby. But I've always loved me some babies :)

      Delete
  5. That is the thing with babies, each one is different! Adore your pictures of sticky faces & the way the littlest is kicking it in her high chair!

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.