The Heron's Nest

Characters

Any guesses as to who these characters are?  Not who they seem to be.  The latest activity in our household appears to be building schools and castles to hold the many "characters" (or "cawaactughs" as G says) we have come to know through reading great books and Disney movies.  The latter is quite distressing.  There is something nice and sweet about retelling Beatrix Potter stories through play.  Something altogether different when it comes to Disney, for me anyway.  I loved Mickey as a kid.  Why am I so disgusted by Aladdin being retold?  Probably because I vowed never to "let my kids"..blah blah blah.....all of that went out the window when I was nauseated and exhausted with my second pregnancy.  So, now we are in the process of weening.  Returning the borrowed videos to our sweet neighbor, limiting screen time in a major way, hoping I have not completely destroyed original and creative thinking for my son.  He is having a ball regardless.  These blocks were another treat, saved by my mother-in-law for this great little guy we call G.  Last night Paul brought out the really big ones.  Hoping they will not become baseball bats...hee hee hee!

Sleep

As my friend Mary once said, "sleep deprivation is one of those things they use to torture people".  I would not, by any means, describe mothering a new  (ha ha 8 month old) baby to be torture.  It is glorious, really.  But boy am I beat.  We have had far too many sleepless nights in this house.  We,....well really me.  I know my dear husband HEARS her, but hearing and getting up to go nurse, stay awake and play musical beds is not quite the same.  Anyway, last night was the first SLEEP I had in a very long time.  That sweet little cherub slept for nearly twelve hours!  Yes, I did run up at 5am, (shocked that I had actually slept for over 6 hours straight) to check and make sure she was still breathing. There she was, just snoring away.

I know better than to overanylize this fluke.  I need to just be, enjoy and revel in my well restedness.  Oh, and prepare for tonight.  There is no way it can happen again!

It's a Beautiful Day!

Every night before I go to bed, I plan to wake up early, before my children, and sit in the stillness with my coffee. I have grand plans of meditating or practicing a bit of yoga. Maybe even work on a bit of a project. Somewhere between the hours of 1am and 5am the plan fizzles. Inevitably Ella awakes once, twice or more, and exhaustion overrides any grand plan of solitude and peace. Sleep is a bit of an issue in our household right now, an issue we are working on and will, at some point, confront. Like clockwork, Griffin arrives at my bedside at 7am with the greeting of "Good morning Mama, the sun is up". Yes indeed it is, and so is MY dear little son, eagerly awaiting a kiss and snack. So, we quickly move to the kitchen for "orange juice and a snack". While waiting (dancing, riding his trike or getting into SOMETHING), Griffin always enthusiastically blurts out, "It's a beautiful day!". Usually this is before my coffee. Usually I can hardly pour my coffee without spilling it from complete morning fog. Usually I am feeling very sorry for myself that I am awake, while Paul is peacefully sleeping in the next room.Then, I look at Griffin and think, yes it is an incredibly beautiful day. He is here. I am the lucky gal who gets to hang out with this energy ball all day. I am the one who gets to snuggle with him during quiet time. I am the one who gets to guide and watch his journey through this world. What could be more beautiful?
One of these days, when Ella sleeps a bit more, I WILL get up before my children. I will have the quiet stillness I so badly crave and need, but that day won't be any more beautiful than today.

Teething or Teasing?

I thought the second time around would be easier. I would know exactly when to over react and when to just relax and let the miseries of babyhood be. Teething, I think. I know I saw a bump. I think. That's what I have been saying for three weeks, so he says.
I try to let her cry. Really, I do.....for a few minutes. What if they are all coming in at once? I just can't let that sweet little baby be all alone up there with a toothache. After all, doesn't misery live company?
So, I climb the staircase to the sobs, positive she'll continue to cry herself to sleep in my arms while I rock and sing her to sleep. The minute I pick her up, the crying stops. When I lay her down, the crying starts. Maybe it's an ear infection. I know her ears were clear last week, BUT THAT WAS LAST WEEK! Could it be gas? I never should have had that piece of chocolate or that garlic or that broccoli or, or, or, or.....Back down I go, covering my ears.
"She's exhausted" he says.
"How cruel and insensitive" I think, but say with my eyes.
Back up I go to the tearful infant. I pick her up, the crying stops. She tries to latch on to me. I feed her, soothe her. She coos and giggles. We snuggle a bit, then back into the crib she goes. Then starts the crying again.
I leave the room, practically in tears myself. By the time I get downstairs, she is asleep.