Life Lately

L: obsessed with legos; only wants to wear summer clothes; steals my phone in the mornings to lay in bed and watch play-doh videos; unicorn lover; surprisingly artistic; swings herself; wants to be 5 not 4; probable future party planner as she is always concerned with seating for people; her mind is a steal trap

V: only wears dress up costumes; shakes her head to get curls out of her eyes; ice cream lover; screamer; daddy's girl; had markers banned; and now stickers too; twirls on one foot to the music; told me she just wants to go to the beach and eat pizza

H: bubble blower; heart warmer; learned to shriek; rocks forward and back when sitting on the floor; pooped on the potty; giving kisses; drinking from a straw; working on a first tooth

J: providing in so many ways; building his garage; juggling work, home, and himself; obsessed with the garden seedlings; job searching; weekend breakfast maker; possibly buying chickens; the one who can fix all to his daughters; the one I long for during long work weeks

M: rejuventated by spring; cut hair above shoulders; focused on creating home; afternoon tea lover; cooking more vegetarian meals by the day; researching homes and jobs in warmer climates; considering what the new legislation on midwifery care means for her future; memories documenter

Hazel at 7 Months

This past month was a big one for Miss Hazel. Sitting up, a tooth bump, a few new foods, giving kisses, and a first Easter were all checked off the to-dos. Add in some toe grabbing and lots and lots of silly mouth/lip noises and that completes our accomplishments.

Hazel continues to be the easiest, most laid back, content, and overall joyful baby I have ever witnessed. Teething has caused a couple of days of "fussiness" (read: she may have whined twice) but the white bump on her lower gum line is sure to be breaking through any day now. An amber teething necklace seems to be helping a lot and she will gnaw on anything she can get her hands on, favorite being an apple core. 

Speaking of food, I am lazy about it. She has tried avocado, sweet potato, banana, pumpkin and apples so far and that is it. I don't think she is lacking in nutrition at all and most of the time I just smoosh the above foods when I fix them for the rest of us. Poor third child. I have yet to puree a single thing for her but am planning on doing some blends to put in those food pouches when I get around to it because when it comes to food, little miss wants to do it herself. She grabs the spoon when we feed her or holds the apple core all herself. We have tried a sippy cup a few times but she was seriously offended by the water we offered and only slightly more interested when I put breastmilk in there. 

Hazel stills sleeps like an angel and generally sleeps from between 7-8 at night to 5-6 the next morning. She prefers one long morning nap in her crib and a few little naps in the afternoon in my arms. At night time she just wants to be laid down and if she fusses at all, its only until we shut the door. 

With Hazel now sitting up and playing, her older sisters are even more interested in interacting with her. They will play toys and just the other day I walked in to see they had included her in playing dress up and put a costume on her. They are always diligent about picking up things that are too tiny and ensuring whatever she has is safe to chew on. They crawl in her crib when they hear her wake up and blow as many raspberries on her belly as allowed when I change her clothes. She makes all of us laugh. 

 Jameson and I look at each other almost every day and say "This child is not real." She is exactly what people think of when they think they want a baby. She smiles at everyone, lets anyone hold her, and lights up when you give her attention. Every single day with her is a pleasure and I truly get upset the (one) night a week when I have to leave her and she's already asleep when I get back. She is not factored into "getting a break" because she is a joy to take anywhere. I am forever grateful to be able to spend every day with her and for the chance to be her mom. 

                                      

"You are my angel, my darling, my star, and my love will follow wherever you are."

Devils Advocate

*Sidenote: It seems slightly wrong to label this post as I did on Good Friday but we're going to go with it...

It seems lately there have been a lot of negative articles and comments discussing the prevalence of social media in our lives. I wholeheartedly agree that there is a time and place for it and that being on your phone or even having it accessible 100% of the time is not good for anyone. I try very hard to not be playing on my phone when the girls are awake or when Jameson and I finally get a quiet minute at the end of the day. I have seen first hand how rude and callous people can be and the hurt people can unknowingly inflict through a misspoken comment, status, or share. I too have seen the overshares, the airing of dirty laundry and the intentional digs.

BUT...

I also see an immense amount of loveliness. I see beautiful babies and children every time I am on my phone. I see inspiring quotes and stories that sound all too familiar to mine. I try new recipes and restaurants, hear new music, catch up on news and see other people finding the beauty in their everyday.

By far the most lovely thing is connecting. I don't get out much. Being home with three little girls everyday leaves little time for chatting with other women and friends. Through social media, I have been able to interact with high school friends and other acquaintances that otherwise I never would. Sure some of it is purely entertainment but it's the private messages that get me. In a very closed off and private world, to have someone else to talk to about where you are in life is truly beautiful to me. To ask advice, to share stories, to know what's really going on with someone else. It connects me to them in my uninterrupted moments when I can be open and honest, and form complete sentences.

I have no illusions that we are doing things perfectly, or even correctly. What works for us will not work for another family. But I put it out there. Maybe some think I share too much, but that is not my intention. I offer transparency and hope to encourage people in what they are doing themselves. We are all learning and the honesty can be enlightening.

So today I am thankful, for Facebook and Instagram and Pinterest and Blogger. For having conversations with people I haven't in years. For the opportunity to document and share our families story. For the link to the outside world it provides to me in my sometimes very isolating calling. For being an open book and having others feel they can ask me anything. I am choosing to see the good.