So grateful for the little (and big) things

Being able to sit outside at 6:30am and enjoy the breeze before it warms up too much is a treat. The night before last I was determined NOT to nurse Elaina during the night. I offered her a bottle. Dad took over after he heard her screaming at me. He thought she was sick. She was just so maaaad at me. She kept trying to take my shirt off and then even hit at me. Needless to say, neither of us got any sleep. Now, last night I gave up and just followed what I always do. At around midnight when she woke up the first time I picked her up out of her crib and nursed her the rest of the night. She can pretty much find what she needs like a little puppy most of the night. She just isn't ready. She doesn't nurse much during the day so I can't really deny her her milk. Mama was just a bit touched out. Poor girl, she isn't even one yet and Mama was being so mean. Well, that's done!!!! Baby gets what baby wants.

So happy with a new purchase

This has been in our budget for at least 4 months now. We have been looking for a new van that would fit everyone for a while. Granny got in on the search and she found it. I still need to get the church name off of it but it is awesome! I feel so powerful when I drive it. And safe with plenty of room for big kids and car seats galore. We have 5 care seats and one booster seat in it with room to spare. I am itching to take a trip now. I took kids to the playground last week and all I can say is that I am so happy.

You can see it in the background... HUGE!

Elaina needed a nap after that wild ride. No, she didn't ride that way. I loosened her straps and sat with her till she awoke.

To the library again....

Yesterday afternoon when all the kids were home we headed to the library. I was so excited. I drove my new (old model) van. It seats 15!! And the air conditioner works great. I played with the littles in the preschool section as usual while the big kids collected books and media to check out. A pleasant surprise was that my MIL was there too. Evan and Eliot coned her into a sleepover so I left with 6 kids....

I got the schedule for the story times for the summer. We plan on attending some of them....

As usual Ben and Elaina enjoyed themselves in the play area.

Yes, she put them all back....

 

Missing the Moon

I haven't been able to get outside like I wanted to during this past full moon and I really felt the need to recharge from a tumultuous last few weeks. So, I headed to the woods. The little kids minus Elaina including Annika went to church with my mother on Sunday so I took my here eldest children to the woods. Lyn, Danny, and Connor went exploring on the hiking trails. I found a shady spot in the woods for my blanket. I brought with me a Mother Goddess figure, my meditation strand, and of course a candle. It was so peaceful. These are woods that I spent a great deal of my childhood in. I brought some oracle cards later after I had meditated for a while. The three card reading was spot on with my current situation and feelings. It stated my need for change, stop being the victim, and find your own center. I left my contract job as a Special Instructor wit Early Intervention. I am now a Nanny for a family. This allows me to be available to my family more. The woman I was working for was just too unprofessional and I could not take it anymore. New opportunities became available so I took them. I am also going back to school this summer. My classes are online so I am still there full time for the kids. I am adding to my BS degree in Socio-behavioral Science and my Master's degree in Education (ECE Infant / Toddler Development) with a BS degree in Community Health Education. That fits with my certification in lactation counseling (CLC) and my Herbalist profession. In the future I am looking at the possibility of becoming a Midwife.

The morning in the woods recharged me.....

My view

Danny and Lyn joined me in the woods. Connor preferred to stay on the trail.

 

A spider decided to join me

Magical view

 

6 out of 8 rolling down the hill

As the day cooled off we walked down to the playground. It was Danny's idea to roll down the hill and everyone followed suit.....

That is what I call family fun.

Hanging out in the backyard

Such a pretty day.

Circle of Learning - heavy vs. light

 

Circle of Learning

 

Today I worked on heavy verses light with the older littles and with plain ole "put it in" with the smallest littles. I chose several balls of varying weights. I let the kids explore the balls as I explained that some of the balls were heavy and some were light. I did not expect the vocabulary to be understood or picked up today but starting young is how children learn. Trial and error is how the kids figured out which balls would fall through the toy and which ones needed a flip of the handles to work the balls down. By the end of the day and several short direct instruction sessions lasting just a few minutes each the littles had the process down. They haven't memorized which balls are heaviest but once they realize a ball won't move they move the handle. I am proud of all of them.....

 

 

New book for a new season

 

The mothering group I am a part of is starting a new session. This book should be a bit more light hearted than the last.....

We shall see.

The blackberries are on their way....

Eliot and I dropped off food for the Religious Education recognition brunch this morning at church. Of course we checked on the blackberries. The blackberry patch at our church is one of the biggest I have ever seen. Every year we collect some. Next Sunday should be a good time for basketfulls.

Really, am I ready to wean?

Being able to put  Elaina to sleep easily is a gift and pleasure. I am not sure if I am ready to give that up. She is a lot different than Ben. Well, all children are different nursers aren't they? She seems to be able to do without comfort nursing and only really wants me when she is thirsty. She likes her food and eats a variety. I want to keep her immunity up. She has only been to the doctor once when she was 2 weeks old just to meet the doctor. She hasn't had any shots yet. I was waiting to give her the few I feel she needs (I strongly believe parents have the choice when it comes to vaccinations) when she was weaned. My head of course knows the research and screams that I should keep breastfeeding for at least a year more but I am not sure Elaina and I will make it. I am not going to go cold turkey. Little one won't even be one year old till next month but the weaning process is in my head. I know it should be child led but mama is tired.....

Beautiful, healthy girl pruning my flowers. She deserves her milk but I may start cutting out daytime feeds and just nurse at night. That is when she gets her bulk of milk anyway.....

Ahh fresh herbs

Rue, lavender, purple basil, fennel, terragon and lemon balm....

The smell is sweet and spicy. A fresh end to a long week. I ended my contract position as a Special Instructor. I need more professionalism and less stress in my life. Well, that's done....