Little Things- Prolonged Mornings

I often forget that I am still young. I often forget the anticipation that comes before heading out the door, baby-free. I often forget what it feels like to roam free, hand in hand, anxious to get to where it is we are going. I had altogether forgotten the goodness and fulfillment that comes with seeing live music. I woke up yesterday morning, after a long night of tossing and turning, ears buzzing with a faint, monotonously high pitch, Lola's little finger plucking away at eyelashes suffocated with the last night's mascara, and this lovely  Musical Charis song stuck in my head.

The sunlight was spilling in through the windows, bartering for our time and attention. We were in need of a prolonged morning, one requiring many hours past the norm spent in pajamas while I enjoyed double cups, back to back, of deliciously-subtle coconut chai.

  We were in need of a prolonged morning, searching through the arrival of our first box of farm-fresh produce.

One where we put our fresh apples to use and make apple pancakes.

And in appreciating our prolonged morning we receive joy.

We take our time running errands.

 We are given opportunities to appreciate littlest of beauties.

We are given a chance to rid our little home of any last Christmas decorations and focus on what really matters.

Happy Weekend!

 

30 Little Things

Day 18:

Baby, it's cold outside.

30 Little Things

Day 17:

'nuff said.

Happy Thanksgiving!

30 Little Things

Day 16:

Wow! I'm way behind!

Winterly-clothed.

Boots and mittens.

Sunshine after the rain.

Sleep Deprivation

Working part time and being a full time mom can be difficult. Most days, I make it through with flying colors. Others, I feel like I'm running on fumes, or close to it. Yesterday was a fume kind of day. Lola has been teething, so we aren't able to rest much at night. On mornings I have to work, I sluggishly wake my eyes and begin convincing myself that a nap is in order. My tiny three hour shift flies by as usual, then my real day begins! I take the Miss to breakfast, enjoying her little sounds as I sip bits of caffeine fuel from a deep mug. I am astonished at the piles of food she consumes. She shovels in fistful after fistful as if she were competing in a toddler's eating contest.

After breakfast, we walked around a little more. The game plan: get her tired before I get really tired. A couple blocks later, we made it home. We sat, snuggling up with a blanket, watching Backyardigans. I was tired and irritable. I finally got Lola down for a nap in her crib and then I was out. At last! Sweet sleep. The good kind of sleep. The type where you feel your head getting heavy and can recollect everything until you can't.  When Lola woke up, I still felt tired.I tried snugging her to sneak her back into dreamland, which usually works. It didn't. I began to get irritable once more, as all us parents know we do, and finally I had enough of myself! I became frantic. I was a mom on a mission. I quickly layered Lola up, grabbed my coat and she and I headed out the door.

We stopped to get something to drink and paced over to the park. We plopped on the bench and my recovery began. Lola snacked on cheese, apples, raisins, and grahams. As I began to sip I realized I had spent the majority of our day being miserable. I know that many of the things that happen are beyond my control. The tantrums, the making of messes, the disinterest in what's for lunch, the poop-filled diapers only minutes after her diaper's been changed. Those things are all part of the age. All unavoidable at times. All inevitable. So where did I go from here? I began to focus on the little things.

On whispy clouds. The way they float in fast and changed right before our eyes.

On thick-foamed chai tea-mistos. The way each sip is both subtle and full of flavor. The way gobs of cinnamon are just along for the ride.

In evening park visits. The sound of children playing. 

On this tree. I photographed it two days ago. It has changed so much in a matter of days.

In chilly weather. The way her little cheeks and nose get perfectly rosy.

In silhouettes. The way trees look bigger than remembered.

Simply changing my focus and honing in on the simplest joys of motherhood and life made this day so much better. We are going to have bad days. It happens sometimes. But maybe by altering my perspective I'll come to realize that my situation isn't as horrible as I had thought.

30 Little Things

Day 15:

Evenings in the park.

Crow-watching.

 Warm drink in my hand and Lola by my side.

30 Little Things

Day 14:

Getting a picture that both Lola and I come out good in is never easy!

30 Little Things

Day 12:

Little pointers.

Watching leaves float by.

Day 13:

De la Rosa dulce de cacahuate.

 My childhood memory.

30 Little Things

Day 11:

Feeling the love.

30 Little Things

Day 10:

Brought to you by Pieter.

Soaking up the suds.

Sweet.

30 Little Things

Day 9:

Sidewalk walking made easy.

30 Little Things

Day 8:

Getting down to business.

The good ol' fashioned way.

Innocence!

30 Little Things

Double-whammy style

Day 7:

Sick little chicken.

Droopy, "snuggle me" eyes.

Bundled with care!

Day 8:

Indoors, held hostage.

Great window view.

Better than nothing.

30 Little Things

Day 6:

In The Heights, Saturday.

Admirable women.

Well-deserved girl time!

30 Little Things

Day 5:

I reap the rewards in smiles.

Park picnic.

Love.

30 Little Things

Day 4: 

Using my green cast-iron pot.

The savory scent of baked macaroni with cauliflower. 

Comfort food Thursday, baby!!!