Nighttime Rituals

The room glowed amber from the small lamp next to my bed as we got ready for our favorite time of day. Bedtime, when we quietly wind down with snuggles, books and tons of coziness in Mommy and Daddy's "big bed".

Ladybug is in an energetic-even-when-tired phase right now. She crashes into bed like a boombox that has had it's plug unexpectedly torn out of the wall outlet. There is very little wind down. But not Doodlebug. He is my cozy snuggler.

"Mommy, do you want to make it brown?" he had asked when the overhead light was still on. In his quiet deliberate ways, he settles into the comfort of our routine.

The security of the blankets felt cool and comforting. "Ca-ching, ca-ching" the play cash register alerted me that Ladybug was still playing in the hallway.

We snuggled toward each other. Doodlebug put his hands on my cheeks and stared at me. His eyes were a beautiful soft grey, like clouds pushing away a storm.

"I love you, Mama," he whispered.

"I love you, too, Doodlebug," I whispered back.

Forever my little man.

New Year, New Goals

I love New Year's resolutions. Yeah, some of them fall by the wayside by March February, but I still love thinking about the future and dreaming of what's ahead for me and my family. I love fresh starts. In the new year, I'm thinking more being mindful than about attaining, about being present in the moment rather than racing to the finish line. So here are some things I'm thinking about for the new year--

Laugh more - with my kids, with my husband, with myself. 

Be quiet more often, so that I can listen better. 

Honor and encourage my kids' unique personalities and create more opportunities to help them grow. 

Be more patient when my kids are trying to zip their coats, put on their socks or clean up a spill. They're learning how to be independent little people and that takes time.

Remember that the most important thing I can give my children is security and knowing that their home, their Daddy and their Mommy are safe places. 

Be kinder to myself. 

Wordless Wednesday - Brotherly Love

Wordless Wednesday - Family

Wordless Wednesday: Welcome Ladybug

Wordless Wednesday - Mama Here I Come

Finding Sweetness in the Fussiness

Afternoon fussiness is back with a vengeance in our home. In the mornings, my sweet little Doodlebug wakes up smiling, giggling and excited to be awake. By afternoon, he is a fussy, nothing-will-console-me-but-keeping-trying-mama crazy man! Kid, you're supposed to feel refreshed after a 2 hour nap!

The other day we were cuddling in Mama and Dada's "big bed" post mid-day nap. Doodlebug's big eyes were staring right into mine. After 20 minutes, I thought we should get up. The conversation went like this:

Mama:  Should we go downstairs and get a snack? Something to eat?

Doodlebug: No, no eat.

Mama: We can get an apple. 

Doodlebug: No, no apple. 

Mama: We can watch a Daniel Tiger.

Doodlebug: No, no Tiger.

Mama: We could play with our blocks.

Doodlebug: No, no play. 

By this point, I'm losing my gentle mommy patience. I'm thinking about the dinner that needs prepping and laundry needs to go into the dryer.

Mama: Well, baby what DO you want? 

Doodlebug: MAMAAA!

Heart MELT! You can bet we stayed in bed cuddling for another 20 minutes.