Parenting
It’s Friday. That means I link my blog post with a bunch of other nuts at This Ain’t the Lyceum where Kelly is Queen. Hustle over and read what others are writing. 1. Prayers for a good friend’s daughter. Please pray for a good friend’s daughter who is only five years old and having major kidney trouble, like surgery & dialysis kind of trouble. We’re asking for the intercession of Venerable Bishop Baraga and Our Lady Undoer of Knots for healing for Mary Frances. Chime in, please. 2. What to Expect again. I’m a regular contributor at What to Expect and this month wrote on 7 ways to maximize your maternity leave. Nell, you aren’t working. You don’t have a maternity leave. I’m thinking, hey, once I wasn’t this online hanger-on-mama-lady. I did have maternity leave with SuperBoy. Ages ago! Hey, wisdom only ages well, right? Maybe. So go read it and tell me what resonates with you. 3. I launched the Lady Leggings. With quaking knees, I did the pre-launch for the subscribers to my newsletter. Now why would I want another email from you, Nell? You’re annoying enough as is. Well, gentle reader, the newsletter is just about etsy. So if you want to skip the temper tantrums and compostable diapers, subscribe and you’ll get insider scoops on new products and insider pricing. Not insider trading. Oh, you’re so not funny. And Grace was so sweet as to highlight my kiddo and lady leggings on her fabulous blog. And stay at her blog when…
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My girlfriend Britt was kind enough to let us see a little glimpse into life on the cattle ranch in New Mexico, one of my favorite states I’ve only read about. Cannot wait to visit her there someday! She runs a beautiful blog at The Fisk Files and her photography business is, frankly, earth shatteringly stunning. I want to live with her beautiful family!!! So check her on instagram, the blog, and fbook. And hear what she has to share! —- Nell and I met last August, and my life’s been forever blessed! She made me feel comfortable right from the start, and if I’m being honest, I was worried we might not click. Why? Well, I hadn’t read her blog for long, and by her title, I assumed she might not think too highly of this formula-feeding, screen-time loving (well, liking), non-organic mom. Boy was I ever wrong. I’m not sure I know many that are as encouraging and as deeply thoughtful as sweet Nell. And, I couldn’t be happier to be here today! When asked to guest post for Whole Parenting, I didn’t really know exactly what to say, but since I feel that my way of life makes me a bit different than some, I thought it might be something fun to touch on. See, I was raised on a ranch. Until college, I never lived within the city limits. Since then, I’ve lived in mid-sized cities, the District, and now I’m back to a life with…
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My week, in seven quick takes. Linking with Kelly & the gang for this so go read other people’s takes which are guarnateeeeeeed to be cooler than mine. Except my first one. Which is so cool. 1. This Inspired Life Podcast! I had a wonderful interview with Kristin from “This Inspired Life” podcast, a podcast to inspire and encourage you to live your best life. She is just a joy to talk with. The podcast can be found here. We talked recipes, kids, my Whole Parenting Goods hand made business, the works. Enjoy and follow her on Facebook, instagram, and twitter, Of course I had multiple technology issues before I called her to start the interview. The headphones were missing for our Skype conversation. I couldn’t log into Skype on my desktop but finally got my husband’s username and password to do it on his laptop but then his laptop died and I couldn’t find the cord. I finally got my username and password sorted out, and my desktop rolling, but my desktop fan makes this weird rolling noise and she was forced to listen to that over the headset (which I found in the car??). All the while I was bouncing Mr. I Didn’t Want to Finish My Nap, who, as it turns out, had loaded his diaper with a bomb. I bounced the bomb unknowingly for 45 minutes while standing in front of my rattling desk with the headset on. Phew. But she was so easy to talk to…
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Sitting on the back stair landing, sporting their Whole Parenting Goods leggings, and SuperBoy trying to extract his fingers from his brother’s death grip. We have been blessed with too many hand-me-downs. My sweet cousins and close friends whose families aren’t growing anymore have given us an abundance of hand-me-down outfits for the kids. Such a blessing! My shopping has been limited for the kiddos due to almost no need! But as I went through their closets this week to purge, clear out ill-fitted outfits, and the like, I realized, we’ve got way too much going on in the clothing department. And what outfits do I reach for? And which ones do I pass over? And how can I make myself do laundry more frequently? By eliminating. And donating. And re-hand-me-downing. And selling a few on my insta account. And where do I score good deals on baby & kiddo clothing? Just Between Friends: in person consignment sales. Search for your state. There are 7-8 locations for sales (twice a year usually) in Minnesota! I have found SO many things here, including great toys and outfits. ThredUp: lots of kid & baby outfits, gently used. Zulily: but only when it’s a brand I trust. I’ve had a few failings here. Kickee Pants for girls is on sale right now! Polarn O. Pyret. {{Sales right now on wool layers and outer clothing!!}} I shop my favorite wool brand & outdoor clothing brand for their frequent sales. Joules: fav british brand has an outlet shoppe…
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When you’re pregnant with your third, people say a lot of things. Some women have the shocking inability to control their jaws and tell you about their horrific birthing and postpartum health issues. Others say–many say–you’re outnumbered now–or the very confusing–you’re playing zone defense. People smile, sigh, and if they already have three or more, they give this sort of look. This look like you have no idea what you’re in for. Of course you don’t. Because you’ve never had three kids before. Don’t forget my sample day with three kids under 5. Or how to juggle them. And if you’re like me and your kids are about two years apart, you soon realize that the newborn isn’t the issue. Newborns you can do in your sleep. And, in fact, you do do them in your sleep. ++Mocs courtesy of Freshly Picked++ And the four year old? He only flaps his arms and tantrums on occasion. By now, his brain has grown leaps and bounds in the self-regulation department. He gets not getting his way. He gets sharing. He’s been sharing for two years now. If he’s like my son, he’s very sweet tempered and affectionate, naturally a snuggler and wants to please. The two year old. Let’s talk about how a two year old sees the world. Mama, I want that. You can’t have it right now. I NEED IT I WANT IT I NEED IT I WANT IT WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Okay, when I am done using it, if you would like it, you…
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We had the stomach plague this past week. It incrementally swept over everyone except BabyLoves. Thank God for antibodies in breastmilk because my heart couldn’t have handled another sad pup puking. Nothing sadder than vomiting kids. Except maybe really bad captions on food photos. You decide. Of course, I wasn’t actually with them while they were vomiting because I was in the midst of extraordinary sickness myself. I’ll spare you the details but suffice it to say, when I was blacked out on the bathroom floor with very cold feet, and came for one about thirty seconds in between sessions, I thought about this family. And what how to die gracefully. And how this didn’t count as dying. It only counted as seriously sick-ing. Nothing like perspective when you are really in your own personal low. My one sister and mom and dad cared for us until they, too, fell victim! Then Bridget & Joe came in. Joe juggled for about 5 hours to keep the big kids happy and Bridget cleaned every dish in sight. Our second mom, Alice, dropped off two coolers of food and sweet Shea brought flowers. We were so loved!! So the week has been a standstill of sorts. The virus gripped me badly enough to merit five full days of almost always in bed time, meaning lots of opportunity to do edits in my role as editor over at Blessed Is She. It gives me such thrills to add “m” dashes and capitalize personal pronouns…
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