Stuckey Farm Adventure!

Fall.

It's not my favorite season. I don't love fall. I love spring, with similar temperatures, and more mud- but Fall to me is Dying while Spring represents life. Fall is the foreboding of Winter, which I hate, while Spring is the Hope of Warmth after long Winter days.

That said, this fall is redeeming itself. Mostly by still being in the high 70s while approaching the middle of the month. Also, this:

Stuckey Farm near Sheridan, Indiana is having their annual festivals through October. We got a sneak peek, and explored the corn maze, picked apples, found a pumpkin, and Elliott Can't. Stop. Talking about riding on the tractors. ("Tractor pulling a trailer!", "Little tractor!", "Bumblee tractor!") It was a blast. Totally worth the trip to the country.

We can always pick up a bag of apples at the grocery store, but to let my toddler grab the low-hanging fruit from one of the rows of trees heavy with apples? Makes a much better memory.

A Letter to The Other Mom

Dear Mom Who Just Got Out Of Her Minivan at the Mall Park,

You see me here, sitting on a blanket with my 6 month old & 2 year old, sharing a healthy picnic of apples and carrots and raisins and peanuts and cheese, and you think I might be judging you, since your kids clamored out of the car with Happy Meals in hand to sit at the picnic table, boasting to us "It has a TOY!" as they walk by. I know I'm being self concious, thinking about what you think of me, hoping you don't think I'm parenting at you. Trust me, I'm not. Let give you a bigger picture.

What you don't know is, this isn't actually a leisurely picnic. This is me sitting with the kids for just-a-minute-until-dad-gets-here, when I'm handing off the toddler and running back to work. The food we're eating isn't because I feed everyone in our house whole organic foods and shun the drive thru, its because, for the minute I was home, these were the easiest, least-prep things I could find to throw in a container so the toddler wouldn't melt down from hunger. I threw together a lunch meat sandwich for the adults and sped out the door. Do you see any drinks? Nope, forgot those. To be honest, the blanket was an afterthought, to pretend like this outing was a fun picnic rather than Mom just heading back to work for a couple hours.

I overhear that it's your 5-year-old's birthday. I love that you & their dad let him pick his birthday dinner, and he and his brother seem pretty excited about it. The park is a great idea, too. In 2 years, I'll be where you're at, a houseful of big boys (and you have one more baby!), and I hope to being doing as great a job.

Signed,

The Mom Also Having A "Picnic" With Her Boys at the Mall Park

LONG Overdue Update

That baby I was going to have? He's six months old in just over a week. The birth was beautiful, really quick, and as good as I could have hoped for in a hospital. Remind me to tell you about it sometime. Ian Charles joined our family March 8, and we love him to pieces.

Laboring

Daddy caught! (because the midwife wasn't in the room)

Proud mama

birth photos by sk moments

In the midst of Baby-Being-Born, our store urgently needed to be moved to a different location. So, that happened a couple months later, during the last week of my maternity leave. Just THIS WEEK we got a sign at our new storefront- hooray!

NEW SIGN!

Over the last few months, everyone's managed to settle into the New Normal. Elliott's a Big Brother, and exploding with imagination and stories. Knock on wood, he's also potty trained, save an accident once every 2-3 days. WAY fewer diapers to wash makes this mama happy! As a follow-up from the last post... yes, Elliott and Baby Brother are still sharing Mama's Milk. Elliott declares every morning "This is MY side; that's Ian's side!" and everyone piles on the couch at once, waking up lazily. It makes me a bit later for work, but I'll take the cuddles while I can- I know they're fleeting, as this toddler turns into a Big Boy so quickly.

This is how we look most the time I'm home. Just keeping it real.

photo by Schwebach Photography

As for Baby Ian, he's awesome. I didn't think it was possible to have an easier baby than Elliott, and we somehow got one. Also, it was a shock to us- he's a red head! He's not growing as quickly weight-wise as his brother did, but EVERYONE who sees him (strangers!) all make the same comment (after pointing out his red hair): "He's so TALL!"

In the hospital

5 months old

This summer was JOYOUS. We kind of threw bedtimes out the window and had a blast going to parks, playing in the yard, going to the fair, going out to eat... basically I am loving the portable baby + somewhat-independent toddler phase when out & about. The store is keeping us busy, for sure, and I've been busy at work, but we've spent evenings together as a family loving life. Maybe I'll blog some of the adventures, but they'd be sorely outdated if I did. I miss writing, and I miss recording the joys of babyhood and toddlerhood. This poor undocumented second child. Hopefully he'll get more than just this one blog post in his first year!

A Confession

Elliott.

Cuddling with Mama's belly

He's adorable. He's TWO. He's fun and super-active and growing by the minute. This morning, he was singing some combination of Apples and Bananas, ABCs, and The Hokey Pokey in the backseat. He chats on and on about his friends, trains, cars, and whatever he just spotted out the car window.

He's a big kid- he plays with his friend who's a year older than him, and they look about the same size. He's in 3T shirts, and his 2T pants don't quite cover his diaper. His 32 lbs matches what some kids twice his age weigh.

Elliott is about to be a big brother. Sometime between any-day-now and 5 weeks from now, he's got a wake-up call coming he's probably not ready for. He's not going to be excited to share his Mommy.

You see, Elliott's still nursing.

Not every day, but most days. Sometimes only once a day, sometimes three times. Sometimes when he's very upset, or hasn't seen me all day, or just woken up, or is ready for bed. He's a great eater, so it's not for nutrition that he's nursing. He still needs the comfort, the closeness.

As I watch him trot off to Sunday School or the babysitter or to various family members' houses, I know I'm not stunting his growth or 'keeping him a baby'. He's as confident as any two-year-old, and has never dealt with separation anxiety or a fear of new people (except for Santa). I suspect our relationship is stronger thanks to extended nursing, and he trusts we'll always come back for him, so has no fear in new situations.

He's not ready to give up on nursing, though.

I hate apologizing for this. Our culture dictates that babies wean when they get teeth, or hit their first birthday, or 'can ask for it' (as if newborn cries and grunts aren't 'asking for it'). These are all culturally-constructed milestones supported by effective marketing of formula and baby foods, but not at all in line with actual biological, developmental or medical markers.

I'm thankful that I have friends who have nursed their toddlers longer than I have and who I can learn from, including friends who have been in the same situation of having a baby and a toddler sharing Mommy's Milk. I'm glad there's an online community that I can read about, too, to know that I'm not a weirdo. Even celebrities nurse their toddlers- and this goes a long way to normalizing it in the rest of the culture.

48 questions.

Totally stealing these 48 Questions from my local blogging friends, and stealing the idea to have my toddler answer them from Casey... Here we go. In Elliott's words (if he was thins godo at putting sentences together.)

1- WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?

My first name, my parents just liked. Not after anyone. My middle name is after my great-grandfather's middle name. It's also the traditional name of one of the three wise men, and I was born around Christmas. It just seemed appropriate.

2- WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

Probably when I bumped my head. I can take lots of tumbles, but bumping my head makes me cry.

3- DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?

I do. Especially when I get to write on things I'm not supposed to.

4- WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?

Bologna. Ham. Roast Beef. I'm not picky.

5- DO YOU HAVE KIDS?

I have bears, and a couples horses, and a baby doll.

6- IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?

Yes. I like everyone, and everyone likes me, so it would have to work out.

7- DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?

Not YET.

8- DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?

All the pieces of me are still attached.

9-  WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?

Yes, I practice off the couch all the time.

10- WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?

"O's" are my favorite, followed by Chex, though lately I've been on a Wheaties kick.

11- DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?

"Untie"? Velcro FTW.

12- DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?

Have you SEEN my throwing arm??

13- WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?

I really like frozen yogurt.

14- WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?

What they're driving. And whether they're wearing a hat.

15- RED OR PINK?

Pink.

16- WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?

The fact I'm not tall enough to reach the fun stuff.

17- WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?

Grandma & Mimi. and CaroliJosh.

18- WHAT IS THE TECHNIQUE THAT YOU NEED TO WORK ON THE MOST?

My jumping technique doesn't quite have both feet getting off the ground yet. I'm still practicing, though.

19- WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?

Black Sketchers

20- WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?

Yogurt.

21- WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

MOO-SIC. Pandora Toddler Radio, specifically.

22- IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?

Blue.

23- FAVORITE SMELL?

"Clean diaper"

24- HOW IMPORTANT ARE YOUR POLITICAL VIEWS TO YOU?

Haven't had a chance to vote yet, but I like my free check-ups when I get to go to the doctor. I get a sticker!

25- MOUNTAIN HIDEWAY OR BEACH HOUSE?

Beach. I like water and sand and not-falling-off-cliffs.

26- FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?

Football!

27- HAIR COLOR?

Light brown.

28- EYE COLOR?

Light blue.

29- DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?

Nope. I like to point out who does & doesn't wear glasses, though.

30- FAVORITE FOOD?

Peas. Sunflower seeds. Grapes. Eggs.

31- SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?

Daniel Tiger.

32- LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?

I think I sat through most of The Lorax?

33- WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?

Orange

34- SUMMER OR WINTER?

Summer. I like to go on wagon rides, play at the park, and see my chickens.

35- FAVORITE DESSERT?

"Bear Cookies"

36- STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO?

Cardio. Have you SEEN me dance?

37- COMPUTER OR TELEVISION?

Computer. I totally don't get why I can't get the TV to do stuff when I swipe my finger on it.

38- WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING RIGHT NOW?

Mike Mulligan's Steam Shovel.

39- WHAT’S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?

No mousepad. See the finger-swiping above.

40- FAVORITE SOUND?

MOO-SIC. Mostly, my electric keyboard playing the demo songs.

41- FAVORITE GENRE OF MUSIC?

Pandora Toddler Radio.

42- WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?

Denver, CO.

43- DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?

I can count to TEN. Also, recognize the letters R, K, O, S, M and L.

44- WHERE WERE YOU BORN?

In a tub in Indianapolis.

45- WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW?

In a little farmhouse on an acre, north of Indianapolis.

46- WHAT COLOR IS YOUR HOUSE?

Green! When I was born, it was not green. My dad re-sided it and he is awesome.

47- WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR?

Which car? I always specify the color. I like riding in the Silver Car, but will settle on the Red Car if you insist. Mimi's Blue Car and Grandma's White Car are also preferred.

48- DO YOU LIKE ANSWERING 48 QUESTIONS?

YES.

A Muffin Story

Yesterday, Elliott was playing with one of his toy pianos, and it started playing "Do You Know the Muffin Man?"

I sang along, and he decided he wanted to eat a muffin.

I told him we didn't have any muffins, would he like to cook some?

He immediately went & pushed a chair over to the counter to help.

He helped pour and stir the dry ingredients, then lost interest.

I finished up, got the muffins in the oven, and started on dinner (pasta).

He wanted to help with that, too, but I told him he couldn't stir it because it was hot, so I offered apples leftover from making muffins instead.

When the muffins were done, he wasn't that interested, and I realized I had forgotten some of the seasonings in the midst of trying to keep the mess to a minimum. They weren't bad, though, considering.

Elliott's seen his favorite characters on TV help cook or make things, and now he wants to try, too. I think I'm going to like this toddler/preschooler age of discovery, trying-new-things, and impromptu science projects. I'm in my element. 

Also, it's obvious If You Give a Mouse a Cookie was written by a mom in this stage of life.

33 weeks, round 2.

I just read this, written at the same point in my last pregnancy as where I am right now, over 2 years ago. Go ahead, I'll wait here while you catch up.

So what's different this time around? I'm still feeling great, have lots and lots of energy, ready to meet Baby- but not nearly as ready as last time, at least on the surface: the car seat isn't installed, the swing doesn't have batteries, and isn't even in the house yet, clothes are pulled out but not washed (Do I really need to wash them??), the pack & play where he'll be spending his firts many months isn't set up, I'm not sure where the bouncy seat is.

Or maybe we're MORE ready because we know more what to expect, and know that all of that isn't as urgent as I thought- we just need warm arms, some onesies, diapers, and a car seat. Check, check, check, and, well, like I said, not installed yet but at least we've got it. We're close.

Ready to tackle being parents of two? I'm a bit nervous about it. Elliott doesn't sleep through the night every night, and when he does wake up, he wants Only Mommy. Not sure how New Baby will deal with that. Also? I try to talk to Elliott about what's coming- sharing with Baby and loving on Baby and all that- but he has no idea what's about to hit. He knows his shapes and colors and the names of cars and animals and foods and a few letters- smart as a button, but this new Baby Brother's gonna throw him for a loop.

For comparison's sake: 33 weeks, Nov 2010, first pregnancy:


31 weeks, Jan 2013, second pregnancy: