Rafael Turns 9 Months!

My beautiful boy...I am so in love with you. You do something new every day, and show me you love me in so many ways. Thank you for choosing me as your Mama!!

xoxo

This Woman Changed Me

There are people in this world who have a sudden and lasting affect on you. A picture of this woman struck me the other day on Pinterest. I followed it to her blog, Girl With Curves, and was instantly mesmerized by Tanesha Awasthi's charm, confidence, style, and beauty. 

As some of you know from previous posts, I used to have a very different figure. Sometimes I even shopped in the children's section because I was so thin! I have gained weight over the past few years, and having a child has of course changed my body as well. Recently I realized I was falling deeper and deeper into a slump. I wore yoga pants and sweatshirts nearly every day. All of my pretty clothes don't fit me anymore. But I kept thinking, "I'll buy new things once I've lost a little weight."

When I saw Girl With Curves it felt like a light bulb going off in my head. Why did I think I had to lose weight to dress nicely? Where did I get the notion that my style and beauty should be put on hold until I drop a few pounds? 

In magazines, and also on Pinterest, you see so many thin women modeling clothing, and I think the image gets ingrained in your mind: sexy, flattering clothing look good on skinny figures. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a trim woman wearing an outfit, and my reaction was, "Sure it looks great on her...look at her body. I could never pull that off with this figure!" 

Tanesha states that her biggest motivation for publishing her blog is to help curvaceous women understand that there is no piece of clothing that is taboo for them. Find pieces that are flattering and wear them with confidence. 

I haven't worn sleeveless dresses or shirts in years, not since my arms grew softer and rounder and didn't have those chiseled shoulders and biceps that so many Hollywood actresses sport these days anymore. Well, I headed to the mall and bought myself three sleeveless dresses yesterday! I always thought that, with my short, curvy legs, I couldn't pull of skinny jeans. Well, next time I go to the mall, I will be trying some on until I find a pair that fits me, and I promise myself to wear them with pride!

The funny thing is, after browsing the Girl With Curves gallery again and again over the past few days for motivation and inspiration, I saw a picture of a skinny model and she actually looked pretty strange to me. No feminine curves. Why had I always believed that this was the ideal?

The whole way I look at myself, and my body, has undergone a huge change, and I have Tanesha to thank for that.

xoxoxo

Good Times, Hard Times

Hello friends!

It's been quite a while, nearly a month, since my last post. I thought of you all often, and have wanted to write about many things in the meantime. When Rafael was a wee little baby, there was so much more opportunity to write and take photos. The older he gets, the less he sleeps, and the more attention he requires, which means that my spare time is for keeping house and spending time with my husband and friends. Or zoning out in a game of Scrabble on my iPhone. 

We have a tough few weeks behind us. Many nights where Raffi screamed inconsolably for hours, and days when he cried and fussed. Yes, this little man was doing some serious teething. Three teeth popped out within a matter of days, and he also had an ear infection and a stuffed nose, all thanks to the teething.  

In the picture above, he had a high fever. You can tell by his cherry-red cheeks. He was sitting for a few moments in his little 'nest' while I got something done in the kitchen, and he looked so adorable that I had to take a photo. He was playing with his favorite toy: the basket from the salad spinner! Don't let his sweet little smile fool you...a few seconds later he was crying again. 

Besides all of the hard times....and they were very hard....there have been so many amazing, heart melting moments. Rafael and I are in love, so so so in love. I don't know how else to describe it. Yesterday he learned how to give me a kiss and I nearly died. 

I hope I can post more often now. 

Hope you are all enjoying these Summer days!

xoxo

Rafael Turns 8 Months!

Saying Rafael 'loves to throw toys' is putting it mildly. He has recently shocked and amazed us by throwing toys into baskets! He actually aims and throws. We could hardly believe our eyes when he did it the first time. His passion for throwing toys comes from sitting on my lap while I tossed toys for the dogs.

Four more months and this wonderful little boy will be a year old. Unbelievable. Suffice to say I can't imagine life without him, and I sometimes get heart palpitations at the idea of something happening to him. The blessing of his smile and health are overwhelming.

The days when he was a quiet observer are officially over. He understands more and more, and when we communicate with each other, it's such an amazing feeling. When I hand him a toy and say 'throw,' and he throws, it's incredible. When I sing his favorite song and he perks up, smiles at me, and bounces his body with joy and recognition, it's so cool!

I love introducing him to new foods. He eats three meals a day, two of which are either with fruit and yogurt or fruit and grains, and one meal that is vegetables with either meat, cream, or butter mixed in. He snacks on millet puffs, spelt cookies, carrot sticks, or banana slices. He loves sucking on a piece of cooked steak, nibbling on bits of cheese, or when I hand him a piece of my pizza crust for him to gnaw on. I'm inspired by the book 'Real Food For Mother And Baby,' but am much more lenient about things like bread and sugar. If I'm eating a little oatmeal cookie and he reaches for it, I let him eat a piece. I am really looking forward to sharing all of the tasty berries and fruits with him that are going to be in season soon. (He also still nurses: after meals and to fall asleep).

There have been a few nights this past week where he has screamed and cried himself to sleep, despite my efforts to comfort him with holding, rocking, singing, or offering to breastfeed. He'll actually push me away as if he's angry with me. I heard from other mothers that this can happen, mostly just to let off steam or because the child was overwhelmed with all they saw and learned that day. Still, when this happens, it breaks my heart, and I feel helpless and so sorry for my baby. I stay with him, either holding him or just sitting beside him, until he falls asleep. Other nights, I nurse him and he falls asleep within ten minutes. I have yet to discover a pattern or understand why he sometimes has such a hard time going to sleep.

What an adventure this all is! And even though I knew I would love and adore my baby long before I had him, I wasn't prepared for all the fun, and I didn't expect that we would become this pair of people who are like a team. Like best friends. Doing everything together and getting to know one another. Parents tend to talk so much about the hard things, but what has taken me by surprise are all the moments where we share so much laughter, love, playfulness, and communication. Already now, at the 8 month mark!

xoxo

Raffi's Outdoor Bathing Fun

These were taken on an especially beautiful, hot May day by my friend Neli. Thank you, Neli! We were visiting her and her little boy Tobi, and she invited Rafael to take a little bath in her garden after he smeared himself all over with banana. He loved splashing around in the sun so much!

When his hair gets wet it springs adorable little curls. And I love this last shot where you can see his two precious teeth! 

Enjoy your weekend, and Happy Mother's Day to all of you dedicated, loving mamas out there!

xoxo

Our Spring Home

I thought you might enjoy a glimpse of our home in it's Spring dress. For me, the Spring interior is about keeping the decor sparse, but with lots of plants and flowers indoors and out.

On the terrace I have begun a collection of potted plants: basil, strawberries, tomatoes, and roses. I've sown some seeds and hope they will sprout soon; pumpkins large and small (to climb the wire fence), cosmos, knee-high sunflowers, and poppies.

As you can see, the trees have burst into green this past week; looking out of our windows, it feels like we are living in a tree house. It is so beautiful!

I've also shared a peek into Rafael's kingdom. His library in the hallway was made with plate shelves, and the 'poster' above them is actually a piece of wrapping paper. So much cheaper than a real poster and just as fun and pretty! Then there are a couple of shelves in his room with tiny alphabet bunting, stuffed animals, and a handmade polka-dot elephant head. Another favorite detail: the tiny blue rabbit head with a little bow tie. Can you see it?

The dogs have been so tiring lately, especially Kiki (do they look like they've been scolded in that one photo?). I don't know if it's because they aren't getting my full attention anymore, but they don't listen and do all sorts of naughty things on our walks. I get so frustrated sometimes. It's not easy having a baby and two dogs. Not to mention that they give me so much more to clean with all the dirt and bits of sticks and leaves they drag in with them. Will it get easier? I hope so.

Wishing you all a lovely weekend!

xoxoxo

An Afternoon On The Farm

My friend Gerit lives on a tiny farm in the neighboring village. The sun was shining, there was the most refreshing breeze, and Rafael and I wanted to see chickens and ducks. So it was off to the little farm!

Flowering apple trees, a little white duck in the lush green grass, and a church tower in the back. Truly a piece of paradise.

A farm girl's work is never done. Gerit lugs water from the stream to water her vegetable garden and keep the ducks and chickens hydrated.

I was so excited to show Rafael the chicken coop, where there were light blue and white eggs tucked into the hay and feathers.

Gerit made us delicious oatmeal muffins baked in glass jars and a sweet topfen with dandelion petals and streaks of sandthorn oil. We sat in her yard, surrounded by hundred-year-old trees, and enjoyed the sound of wind through branches and birds singing.

Hope your Sunday was beautiful!

xoxo

P.S. You can see more of my visits to Gerit's lovely little farm in this old post, and this old post.