finding normal

We've tried really, really hard to keep this summer as normal as possible for the older boys. That's not always easy with a newborn in tow. Some days were definitely more successful than others!

I think we've done a fair job though, we've been to the beach, we've been for little hikes, we've been to the park and out to eat.

And last week we spent the week in the Adirondacks - something we've done for the last 2 summers now and probably will for many more to come.



We were able to take Andrew on his first (small) mountain hike and even to Enchanted Forest.

Of course since then, I've spent several days doing nothing but nursing (and a little bit of pulling my hair out!) So you take what you can, when you can (and hope that maybe you can even get some canning in!)

And the days that we did nothing at all? I think the kids are ok with it.

yes, i know his straps are loose!

It's been interesting finding our new normal this summer, and I'm looking forward to seeing what winter brings!

eight.

how is it possible that it has been eight whole years since the day Colin was born?

Sometimes it seems they grow a year each time I blink!


Happy Birthday to Colin - my rough and tumble (not-so-little-anymore) boy!

the garden isn't growing

but the compost is!

Total garden fail this year. I only planted 1/2 of the garden. Then it sat. And sat. And sat still some more. No weeding, no watering, no love at all.

 Poor, sad, neglected garden

I finally ripped it out. Found a tomato plant that I didn't remember planting.

Cleaned it up a little and planted some spinach, lettuce, carrots and kale for the fall.


I noticed something growing in the compost a few weeks ago. Figured it was zucchini, but then as it got larger I saw the leaves were not zucchini leaves. So I waited, and let it grow.

When I checked last week, I found what appears to be a pumpkin!

I may not have done well with what I planted this year, but I'm not doing too bad with what I didn't plant!



And, I'm already planning next years garden. For when I don't have a brand new baby stealing all my gardening motivation!

'cause babies don't keep

I sit here at 1:09am, with 35 minutes left on the stove timer as several jars of pasta sauce finish their processing.

I started this sauce at one in the afternoon. But baby had other plans. A lot of holding. A lot of nursing. A lot of crying. A lot of many things, but not sleeping. No napping, not today. Prince Fussypants finally wore himself out at half past midnight.

My kitchen is in shambles. The laundry is overflowing. The weeds are threatening a take over. And one of my carefully packed jars of pasta sauce shattered in the canner during the first batch.

So tonight I'm taking many deep breaths. Many sips of wine. And reading, and re-reading this poem as a reminder:


Mother, oh Mother, come shake out your cloth,
Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
Hang out the washing and butter the bread,
Sew on a button and make up a bed.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I’ve grown shiftless as Little Boy Blue
(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
(Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).

The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew
And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo
But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo.
Look! Aren’t her eyes the most wonderful hue?
(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
For children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.

my oldest with my youngest. how time flies.

finding the good.

We have been 'blessed' with a slightly (ahem) fussy baby. He just really likes to be held, a lot. In very particular positions. While moving.

This can be just a tad exhausting.

And some days it's easy to be grumpy.

But summer is ending. And my extended maternity leave is also ending.

Finding the good, in everyday, is so very important right now.

Like, fresh flowers from the market.

 Finding almond bites after having to go dairy free.

 Napping.

Having older children who like to help, even with a fussy brother, and who love him very dearly.

Enjoying the 3 minutes of calm and peace we get a day.

Finally installing a window unit AC in our bedroom and sleeping in cold comfort during those very sticky evenings.

Drinking wine.mmmmm wine.


This.

Traditions. (My husbands band, Boots N Shorts, playing their 4th year at the Bluegrass Ramble Picnic)

Knowing that this fussy stage will only last a very little while, really. And being able to laugh and enjoy faces like this:

in my kitchen

There is clutter.

And chaos.

But good clutter. And good chaos.


There is heat. Oh, it has been a hot summer!

And learning to can with a fussy baby (let me tell you how much fun that is!).

 
There is a friend to help (to help a lot! Thank you!)




We found it is so much more pleasant when you're working along with someone.

 

And at the end of the day -  some lovely salsas, jams and pickles.

After the early summer jams, the more intensive (yet so rewarding!) work of late summer preserving has begun!