Re-grouping & Starting Anew

So it has been a long time since my last post.  I began this blog when I was on maternity leave from my job.  When my maternity leave was over, I reluctantly began back to work.  I, however, was unwilling to even consider putting my newborn baby in daycare, so I convinced the company I worked for to allow me to work from home.  I thought it would be great.  I would set up one of the rooms in my home as an office, and I would hire a nanny to help me around the house and with the kids while I was on the clock.  I would be able to continue breast feeding on demand, and I could still spend time with my kids throughout the day. 

That is NOT how it went down.

The nanny I hired ended up being terrible.  She sat around all day, half asleep while my toddler sat in front of the TV or played video games on her smart phone.  She completely disregarded my one request:  Keep my son playing and engaged, preferably outdoors, the majority of the day.  I didn't ask her to clean my house, or even clean up after my son.  I didn't ask her to do laundry, or even to make lunch.  I did all of that still.  All I wanted her to do was play with my son, get him to explore our 11 acres, do his chores, play with the dogs, paint a picture, anything other than TV and video games.  And what did she do?  TV and video games of course.

After a few weeks of this, the stress got intense.  I couldn't focus on my work, knowing that my son was basically being a zombie all day.  I also very quickly realized how impossible it is to type an email while holding an 8 week old.   I couldn't sleep.  I dreaded the mornings.  I rushed all around my house constantly, trying to juggle taking care of my house, takings care of my job, and taking care of my kids, because my nanny was completely useless.  And then it happened... My job went back on their word.  They decided they wanted me to work in the office at least half of the time.  What was I to do?  I have never had a good experience with a day care, and this nanny obviously wasn't cutting it.  I tried to go into the office and work a couple times.  I left both of my children with the nanny at my home.  My husband was always home, but since he works nights he was sleeping.  At least he was there though if something happened.  But I was miserable.  I missed my baby, and I missed my big boy.  My breasts ached, and I was kept so busy by my bosses that I never got an opportunity to pump. 

To make a long story short, I no longer work there, and that nanny no longer works for me.  I left that stress in the past, and have never been happier.  I have been back in the groove with my children and my home for six months now, and we have made lots of improvements and additions to our homestead and farm!  I sure do have a lot to fill you all in on!  It's time to re-group, and start anew with posting here, and organizing my goals and life.  Stay tuned!

Vase Necklaces with Recyclables

There sure is something special about Spring.  It's a time of renewal.  The landscape becomes fertile once again, wildflowers are abundant and baby animals make their entrance.  So fun!  So inspiring!

I love decorating with Spring blooms, but I quickly realized I didn't have any vases... Ya I know, weird.  So I got the idea to repurpose some glass bottles I had been hanging onto, and decorate them with some wooden beads.  I love the way my old hot sauce bottle looks now!

Talk To Your Baby

It doesn't matter that your baby is not yet able to speak English.  Talking to your baby is still very important.  It teaches them how to engage with others, and gives them the idea that speech means something.  Colt and I have a conversation every day.



"ahhhhhh"

Feather Races on a Windy Day

Today was supposed to be a beach day.  We were supposed to collect shells, frolick in waves and get sand in our butt cracks.  It was to be mine and Micah's first beach day since last summer, and Colt's first beach day ever.  The weather has been beautiful and perfect all week, but of course on our beach day we wake up to grey skies, drizzles, and a wind advisory. 

So we started out bummed, and sat around for a while.  Then we started getting bored and house batty, so we stepped outside to observe and talk about the wind.  Of course that was only fun for so long...  My hair was severely tangled, and Micah's lips were chapped.  So we went back in the house and let the wind inspire a fun game, instead of letting it bring us down.

Feather races!

Fresh Guacamole & An Impromptu Picnic

Getting outside is important.  It'll calm your mind, and the quiet of nature will foster connection between you and your family.  We get out of the house every chance we get, so lunch happened in the backyard today.  I put together some very simple food for Micah and I, and set it up on a platter.  Food always looks fancier when you put it on a platter!

Modern Art Milk Carton Bird Feeder

We decided to put an artistic spin on a classic craft project.  Milk carton bird feeders!  Such a great way to reuse something that would otherwise end up on a dump truck.  Micah and I had such a great time making it too.  Bird feeders are something that you can easily buy at a garden store or large department store.  But it's much more fun making your own, and this is a project you and your kids can do every year to celebrate the return of Spring!

A Place Called Hardway

Fifteen years ago my husband’s parents purchased an eleven acre piece of land.  It was a piece of land that had apparently been forgotten about.  Tucked between two hills, it disappeared amongst the few other homes and ranches on the dirt road.  Luckily, my mother and father in law noticed the little parcel, and snatched it up.