September 27, 2014

Family of Four


For months after we brought home our second baby, I couldn't actually grasp the idea that we had kids. Not just one child, which somehow seemed like a single, manageable, and isolated leap of faith, but now a group, a unit, two whole human beings relying on us for their every need. If having our first kid before most of our friends joined the parent club felt bold, going for the second in a peer group of reticent procreators seemed outright nostalgic. I self consciously imagined that I was being judged in the way a new convert to some opposing political party, religion, or exercise regime might be... as though having multiple children was a lifestyle choice that now radically reframed the character of our family. 


The practical reality was that having another baby didn't change our day to day rhythm much. James and I were the same people (if maybe a bit more tired and irritable), Little Smith was the same character, and we were all lucky enough to have this new drooling baby ball of sunshine, along for the ride. 

And for the better part of her first year, that is exactly how our Roo rolled. She napped when and where she could, bounced on my knee through her brother's classes and marathon potty training sessions, eventually crawled around on the floor at his doctor's appointments and preschool drop-offs... she was just there, wherever we needed her to be, and asking little more than an interrupted sleep cycle in exchange for her good nature. 


Of course babies do grow. I had done this part before, and so I embraced each of the bittersweet milestones that marks a first year of life. And with each one came an adjustment; eating real food, crawling, walking, talking, demanding, discovering that she may be sweet, but she ain't no pushover... our little girl gracefully, yet forcefully, carved out more and more space in this family, until one day I looked around and realized how much our second child had truly changed everything. 


It turns out that parenting these kids is indeed a lifestyle choice, one that I realize is common and expected in many crowds, and hardly warrants this degree of reflection. However conventional, these changes in our family do feel profound, and the shift from single child to two has been both gradual and substantial. Our current reality includes far more teamwork, communication, compromise, often sacrifice, and always love. The shape and structure of our challenges and blessings will look completely different in another year, and again in another decade, but there is comfort in knowing that we're on this ride together. It's clear that we were somehow meant to test and learn from one another, and I imagine we all feel ridiculously lucky (and occasionally cursed!) to be part of this family of four.

*these pictures are all from apple picking last week-end. i'm convinced that it's impossible not to have a good time while picking tasty treats. note to myself that there's a couple additional shots from this day here, and if you'd like to see our family pick throughout the ages, check out this, this, this, oh and this... i haven't even shared blueberry picking from this year yet, as i'm waiting to test out our jam (get excited!). we are just a bunch of pickers ;) 

September 22, 2014

Cut and Dry


My mom recently surprised me with a food dehydrator. I've been wanting one for ages and have been so excited to get it humming and drying. Hey, we all have our own definition of a good time... this is a regular ol' party for me. 

After years of canning, I was ready for some way of preserving food from the garden that did not involve juggling two kids and a ginormous cauldron of boiling water for days on end. Of course we did do some canning (it wouldn't be summer without jam and pickles!), but I just can't deal with those marathon sauce fests in the same way I did before kids. So I am beside myself to have this option to turn all those extra tomatoes into sundried lovelies with almost no effort. All I had to do was cut, place on the rack, and let the machine whir away. My first batch did take a long time (something like ten hours), but it doesn't draw much electricity and is very low heat, so it wasn't a bother. 

Now that we have some tomatoes under our belt, I am searching for other ideas. I've seen a few recipes for fruit roll ups, heard that sweet potato chips are delicious, and even got an instagram recommendation for marinated tofu (sounds tasty!). If there are any dehydrator buffs out there, I'd love to benefit from your knowledge. 

Oh the possibilities!

September 21, 2014

36/52 + 37/52

36/52

Last week he: started getting all excited for fall, especially for his new flannel shirt / impressed his speech teacher with how much he improved over the summer, so so proud of him / told me he wanted to comb his hair before school so that it was nice and fat (fat? yes, he assured me that's what he means. who knows!) / proclaimed that when he grows up he is going to be a train conductor, but sometimes he is going to be a pumpkin.

Last week she: started (mostly) napping in her crib in the same room with her brother. it's part of a sleep reform we are attempting... and she isn't happy about it, but she's doing pretty well / gave lots of snuggles and hugs, she leans in with her head and it just makes you want to melt / screamed like crazy whenever she didn't get her way. she just keeps getting more stubborn and feisty, I am holding my breath for when this toddlerhood really takes off. 

37/52

This week he: got a clock that glows green when he is allowed to wake up (at 6AM). He anxiously awaits its glow each morning / learned to eat popcorn in this very elegant manner from his school friend, Henry. Cracks him up every time (although he has been showing me at home with cherry tomatoes in lieu of popcorn) / loved eating at Daedalus on the roof deck and calling all the sparrows / had some trouble listening, he's getting a little wild these days- well, wild for him at least / picked and ate a boatload of apples, totally worth the bellyache.

This week she: loved listening to live music in Harvard Square and started dancing / found herself a box of black licorice (prized in this house) and stuffed as much as possible in her mouth before she was found out / ate everything she could get her hands on in the garden; green tomatoes, leaves, sunflower seeds... I couldn't keep up / loved playing dress up with her big brother's boots or her mama's sweater, she is just delighted with herself and it's crazy sweet.

September 17, 2014

Camping With Kids: Tips From Our Season


With overnight temperatures threatening a frost, I think it's safe to call our camping season finished for 2014. We worked to fit in a good number of camping trips this summer, and I can't say enough about how great these excursions have been for our family. I don't know another way that our troupe of four could have traveled, explored the outdoors, filled our bellies with good food fireside, and just relaxed together on an incredibly tight budget. James and I have both always loved sleeping under the stars, and it brings me such  joy to hear our son now get excited whenever we start to assemble our gear. He's caught the bug, and we're crossing our fingers that baby Roo follows suit. 


I hope that we will continue to push ourselves to be more adventurous in the coming years, but for now, we stick with the ease and convenience of car camping (meaning we can drive pretty close to our campsite rather than hiking in).  We aren't experts, but after a bunch of camping with babies/ toddlers/ kids, I wanted to share some tips on what has worked well for us so far. I'd love to hear what has worked for you too, we're always eager to improve!

  • Invest In Good Equipment: You are going to end up saving money by choosing to camp in the long run, so when it comes to buying key items (like a tent!) do not scrimp. Those ginormous tents that are under a hundred dollars are seductive, but they won't last for years, probably won't keep you all dry in a rain storm, and are a huge pain to set up and take down. You can't put a price on staying dry and warm, so we splurged on the tent, sleeping bags, rain gear, thermals, etc. for our whole family. A few of our favorites are listed here
  • Let Go: You're outside, so it just makes sense to let a whole lot slide. Sticks and leaves are going to get eaten, bumps and bruises might happen, and there will be mud. Mud on everything. Even that pricey gear that you just splurged on... but that is the whole point- right?
  • Plan and Prep: Yes it is important to 'let go' and improvise, but at least for us, being prepared makes for a much less stressful trip. It's just so easy to forget something critical. Have a master list of what you want to bring, and leave your gear organized and packed between trips. We have a crate full of lanterns and safety items, a crate full of cooking supplies, etc. all ready to load in the car without much thought. This means you won't be roaming around, hitting up the camping neighbors for matches or a can opener at 6AM.
  • High Chair: All I can say is, if you have a baby or toddler, bring a high chair! This might seem like an unnecessary extravagance, but having a spot where you can keep a wild crawler or toddler safe and secure while you set up camp, prepare meals, etc... it is the key to success. This year we brought this inexpensive Ikea chair and is was a-mazing. Previously we used this model, also good but you pretty much have to keep it anchored to the picnic table, so no fireside meals for baby. 
  • Fire Safety: The biggest hazard on the campsite for a toddler is probably the firepit. We found that drawing a few rings or 'warning lines' in the dirt around the fire helped communicate the idea of the boundary. Little Smith really understood that he couldn't cross those lines at about 18 months, you can see it in practice here.
  • Projects and Snacks: When a chaotic moment arises, it's helpful to have a few projects planned for the kids. We like to bring a box for collecting leaves and bugs for Little Smith, along with some guide books that include pictures of animals. Chores are also a great project for children; filling water bottles, drying and packing away dishes, and collecting kindling are some of our favorite three-year-old jobs. For the baby or toddler, snacks seem to be key, so have them at the ready. Nothing will buy you time to get a few things done like a bowl of berries or a box of raisins. 
  • Strategize: Who is going to set up the tent? Who will organize all the sleeping pads and bags and pillows, who is going to cook dinner and who will tend the fire and occupy the kids? All these questions can obviously be handled on the fly, but we found that we settled into a rhythm after a few trips this season. Once we established our own 'jobs' on the campsite, everything went waaay more smoothly and we had more time for relaxation and fun (and just maybe a little less bickering... ahem).
    • Sleeping Comforts: This is where we run the risk of sounding like we are 'glamping'... it's a little indulgent, but a battery operated sound machine has done wonders for our shared tent slumber. It just creates enough noise for us adults to chill by the fire and zip and unzip the tent without waking the kids... plus you feel like you are sleeping next to a babbling brook (really weird when you actually are sleeping next to a quieter real-life babbling brook... sorry to our neighboring campers!). I also like to bring lavender oil along with favorite stuffed animals to encourage as much sleep as we can get.
    • Camp Near the Fun: Getting in the car is such a hassle, it makes a huge difference to have activities that are walkable from your campsite; a beach, a hike, a waterfall... the more you can fill your day without buckling up, the better.

    There is no doubt that camping with children is a lot of work. I do remember one moment this summer when James just looked at me through heavy eyes and said, 'It's a lot'... and I couldn't disagree. But it can also be incredibly relaxing, letting the kids wear themselves out exploring nature,  then tucking them into bed, and enjoying a beer by the fire... these are my favorite memories from our summer. I can't wait to make more in 2015!

    September 14, 2014

    35/52 Bittersweet September

    35/52

    This week he: had his first day back to preschool with zero tears. he did quietly say that his favorite part was when I picked him up, but I'm thinking he will warm right up to it / rode his scooter all over town, I kept thinking he was going to need a break and start whining, but he just kept keeping on / had a lot of trouble sharing with his sister, everything she picks up suddenly looks twice as intriguing. we have never really done time-outs, but we do need to establish some consequences (no fun!) / told me everyday that I look beautiful, he won't say who put him up to it... but it's working for me ;)

    This week she: was sooo sad to have her big brother leave her a few mornings for school. it's hilarious that he doesn't cry anymore, but she wails as I drag her away / got a cradle for her babies and loves rocking and feeding them / started sticking her fingers up her nose (it's so gross, why? and how to get her to stop? I think she is going to hurt herself) / keeps waking up too early, I'm just assuming it's going to last until she reaches an age of reason :( / started to learn how to be 'gentle' with the kitty. we are trying cat, honest. 

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

    The start of this school year has been a big shift for us. When Little Smith was a baby, I loved that unlike everyone else, our August rolled seamlessly right into September. True, the mornings were cooler and the sun sets crept earlier, but our days were still filled with sandals and freedom. Now that Little Smith is in preschool three mornings a week, has speech therapy the other two week days, and I am teaching two evenings a week (with lots more prep involved), all of those old familiar September sentiments have returned. I'm feeling anxious, sad to have less time with my boy and more structure to our days, overwhelmed by my own workload, excited to have some one-on-one time with my baby, challenged by a bigger commitment to teaching and some small design projects, proud of how our little guy is growing and becoming more independent... so yeah, I'm doing a lot of feeling.

    It's been so funny to see baby Roo try to navigate a few mornings without her constant sidekick. Having been an only child myself, I often watch my little girl and marvel at how much influence having a big brother has already had on her personality. She is just heartbroken to say goodbye to him, and walks around looking for him in all his usual hideouts when we're home. She also does relish having a little free reign over his trains, you can not imagine her glee. 

    All this change does feel good, but it's a bit the way that drinking wheatgrass feels good... it's the right thing for us, it's healthy, these are positive and natural steps... it just doesn't taste all that sweet to me. But I'm getting there, and I figure I still have the second half of September to warm up to the month. 

    September 11, 2014

    DIY: Alphabet Rocks


    While I certainly strive to expose my children to a rich sampling of experiences, lessons, and information, when it comes to the basics, I have to admit that we are somewhat behind. Little Smith is only a few months away from his fourth birthday, and he can't write any letters, can only recognize a couple, can't write or recognize numbers, all skills that I know many children his age have mastered. I have to accept most of the responsibility, I really haven't stressed all the fundamental targets. But whenever I have attempted to tackle letters or writing, he also hasn't expressed much interest. 

    His preschool program, which is based on the Reggio Emilia approach, is very much child-driven... meaning all kinds of projects are available to him, but they work to develop the areas in which he is naturally motivated. He loves building, he spends hours constructing elaborate tracks and tunnels and towers. He makes the most exquisite free and fluid watercolors. He studies birds and trees, assembles marble mazes, rides the pretend bus with his friends. Basically, I'm saying he's awesome! But so far his attention for drawing specific shapes or learning his abc's is very limited. 


    Armed with back-to-school energy, I decided to take inspiration from something I had seen on Pinterest (finally, I almost never follow-through on all those 'pins') and use Little Smith's interest in nature and collecting as the launching point for some alphabet exposure. We started with a lengthy rock collecting expedition through our neighborhood. I tried to steer him towards smaller rocks, but once you've developed a relationship with a rock, it can be tough to cast it aside. I was grateful we brought the stroller and could store our treasures in the basket, because this was a heavy load. 

    Next I actually put the rocks through the dishwasher. I wouldn't have bothered if we lived in a more rural area, but a lot of these came from driveways, roadsides, and streams of questionable water quality. I just wanted a fresh start for their new life. Little Smith helped me sort, and we studied the shapes of each letter and tried to find a rock that seemed like a good soul-mate. We talked a little about color, and then I took over. 


    Since he isn't yet up to drawing or painting letters, he set his paints free on the cast-off rocks while I lettered our alphabet. I used acrylic paint, and tried to go for lighter shades (I added white to each one) just so the coverage would be better and the letters would be more visible. 


    And here is the cool part, he is taking an interest; arranging the stones in a basket and pulling out a handful at a time, asking questions, and learning some of those letters! I'm actually comfortable with giving him the space to let all of these skills come at his own pace, but I also feel excited that I was able to reposition an idea and stir some new inquiry. I think the physicality of the rocks is helpful to the way that he thinks. It was a fun little project, give it a try!

    September 9, 2014

    34/52

    34/52

    Last week he: hiked all the way down a huge gorge and back up again on his own two feet / was such an amazing camper, and stayed quietly in the tent at night despite lots of dance music and noise all around / loved his freedom at grandma's, running through the garden and even 'going around front', all on his own / felt like a very grown up boy to me... is four easier than three? i don't want o jinx it, but it feels like we are hitting a sweet spot.

    Last week she: impressed everyone with her camping skills... rain? no problem for this littlest sport / said 'baaaa' to every animal in sight; sheep=baaa, cow=baaa, dog=baaa / learned how to high-five from 'uncle dan', it's insanely cute / started stalking the cat. poor kitty, we just keep producing these kids to torture her!

    September 8, 2014

    In Defense of Clutter


    Simplify, edit, less mess, less clutter, clean, purge, organize... these are some of the repeated themes that cycle through my anxious brain in those far too many hours spent staring at the ceiling, begging my eyes to close. I can't stand the piles of papers and books that accumulate on every available horizontal surface, I'm defeated by the unstoppable weeds that overtake our tidy raised garden beds, and the never ending laundry is just depressing. Each time I try to innovate a new system for storing toys or jam another sweater into my tiny closet, I want to get rid of half of our stuff and discover a lighter and simpler way of living. 

    After weeks of being way too busy, and then fleeing our house half-packed for a camping trip in a manic frenzy, we landed at my mom's for a few days. My childhood home, where collections of rocks and shells mingle with potted plants and talismans from every imaginable religion. There's peeling paint and lots of imperfections, piles of books that exceed my own, and a jumble of cast-off toys for the children.

    The gardens are no more orderly, but no less delightful; flowers interspersed with herbs and lettuces, pumpkin vines snaking through the whole plot. It's a place that verges on messy, but somehow my mother's magic steers it towards effortless instead, and we all feel at ease whenever we're there. 


    While I was sitting barefoot on the cracked back stoop, watching my boy dart through his own secret overgrown garden paths to count his pumpkins and munch on wild chives... I had the thought that this whole objective of 'simplifying' is a load of crap. The real art is in knowing how to let things be free without overtaking, not in constantly trying to sort and shape and whittle everything down until it all fits neatly into its container...

    ... Then I got home and picked right back up with my frustrations at all of our stuff and dreams of greater order. But I do feel less stressed about it. Because those piles of books and papers really are okay. I've got way better stuff to keep me up at night.