Harper's Ferry and Life

Do you see that?  Rocks and mountains!

It's been ages since we've been out to see anything as a family.  There always seems to be a home project that needs work or someone's sick on the weekends.  Boy, the life of a 30 something, home owning mom is really exciting, but I really wouldn't want it any other way.

On that tangent, we went out bowling a couple weeks ago with some of Heber's colleagues from work.  Just picture about five late twenties couples  Most were just newly married, some dating and living in the Metro area, all working.  And then, there's Heber and I, married for 10 years, two kids, stay at home mom.  I guess it's been a while since I've been out in a non-family crowd.  You can tell because the first thing they ask you is what you do.  We moms don't start there.  You should have seen their faces when I told them that I was a full-time mom.  It was entertaining, to say the least.

It got me thinking about what my life would be like if I'd made different choices.  It's interesting to see where I could be and what I could be doing.  Would I be working in a big city?  Would I have traveled more?  I felt satisfied with what I had done before kids.  I'd finished my master's (something I'd always hoped to do), traveled to some really cool places and even joined a real dance team.   Still though, the thoughts occasionally creep in of what my life could be like.  I've really thought on it and I don't think I'd change any of the choices that I've made.  We have a good life that is constantly exhausting but purposeful too.

 

Ok, now off the tangent and back to our weekend.  We went out together to Harper's Ferry.  Don't worry, I'd never heard of it either.  It was National Parks week last week and I thought it would be nice to get out to one on the free day and Harper's Ferry was there on the list.  We needed the chance to run away for the day and just be together. 

It was beautiful.  I always thought it was random that there would be so many songs written about the Shenandoah Valley (Country road, take me home, to the place, where I belong....), well I completely understand now.  John Denver and I are now singing the same song.

Harper's is right on the banks of the Shenandoah River looking up at the most beautiful rocky, tree covered mountains.  There's Civil War era buildings and streets and just the most majestic mountain views.  I haven't felt so relaxed in a long time.   

 

The Face and Other Thoughts on Parenting

Heber showed me the ad above this week (looks like the mid 80s to me), and I looked at her sweet face and said, that is my favorite face.   It's the face that says, I did it!  I figured it out!  I knew I could do it and I did it!  And also, look mom I did it.  I look for this face.

There is this transition point that came for me as a parent.  When Leo was just a young toddler and he wanted to start doing things on his own, I think I did more directing of what he should do and how he should do it.  After these years, I've come around to waiting to see how they will do.  I try to step back and to see if they will do it.  There is such joy that comes to their faces when they realize that they can do it.  The first time Leo stopped at the curb to wait for me, he turned around with the most excited face because he'd done it.  In that moment, I was so thankful that I didn't yell at him to stop but gave him the chance to be obedient (unlike I had all the other times).  

We have been seeing this face a lot around here lately.  Amy is walking!  She took her official first steps on the 9th and has been moving like crazy ever since.  She is so proud of herself and I am celebrating this big milestone.

 

Leo is potty trained (well, as much as a three year old can be, it's a process).  Didn't I swear that I would never talk about potty training on the blog?  Well, here we are.  I must be a true mother.  Well, it's been four months.  I DREADED potty training, there are so many horror stories that you hear about it.  It has been a really positive, dare I say joyful, process.  He is so thrilled and feels so grown up.  It makes me happy every time I think about it because it was such a good change in our lives.  And you know what, I see the face all the time.

 

 

Watching these little ones grow up is challenging but sprinkled in there are these really happy moments.  This face makes all the sacrifice worth it. 

White Noise

I have a lot of ideas about parenting, about what to do and how to make things happen.  Slowly I'm breaking down.  It's true. 

Amy is not a stellar sleeper.  By not stellar I mean, doesn't want to nap unless she's right next to me and wakes at night.  A lot.  Especially with all of the moves and different sleeping situations, there were some nights in the hotel where she was waking 5 or 6 times a night. 

I have tried to do sleep training but there were limitations with our two bedroom condo and a hotel room with people all around.  To some extent, we had to help her sleep, no matter what. 

I have been weary.  Which I think is beyond tired.   I'm not complaining, I just think this is probably a part of parenthood that I should remember that I survived.

Things have been gradually improving as we get more and more settled in.  But this week, a huge change came.  I broke down and started using white noise.  It was one of those things that I didn't want to use because she should learn to sleep without it but now, I'm a believer.  She is napping!  She is falling asleep at night!  She is sleeping!!

A few more nights of this and I might actually feel like a person again. White noise.  Best invention ever.

Babywearing

Did you know that there is an organization called "Babywearing International".  I sure did not.

This week I attended one of their meetings.  I'm on the market to find a new carrier for Leo.  A friend recommended the organization and I attended.  They did demonstrations on all of the different types of carriers and even helped me to try some out.  Really, a helpful service. 

What was so entertaining was the people in attendance.  I'm pretty sure Leo was the only bottle fed baby in attendance and there were some that were upwards of 4 years old.  There were several food allergy kiddos and even a baby sans diaper.  In public.  On the carpet.  While I can understand that there are different parenting styles, wow. 


As a parent, I am ever in awe of the resources available to us.  But I think I may attend with Leo fully diapered.  At least until he's older.