Around here

I have also been preparing for our daughter's baptism to be celebrated the week before the holidays in our hometown of Miami. This is a sneak peek of what's to come.

Looking around the house the other day I found this cute vintage children's magazine from Parent's Magazine.  This little volume is from 1967 and it's packed with children's activities, stories and even puppet making.  It's so unbelievable that this used to entertain children for hours.  And some kids eagerly collected them.  I wish we could go back to those simpler times.  And lately, while I'm crafting away here at home, I'm hooked to Netflix watching an old time teenager favorite show, The Wonder Years.  It never gets old.  My favorite episodes are the ones that center around Kevin's family, the Arnolds.  So nostalgic!

Two things I love from my mother's Miami home are the collection of antique and modern glass bottles that sit on a built in shelf in the family room, and the solid teak table in the same room.  

And finally, Emilu's hair is growing.  She's now a year and seven months!  Just mind-blowing, if you ask me.  Here she is on the bathroom floor playing with my makeup while I'm in the bathroom. After you have kids, there's no privacy bathroom time anymore!

And they grow fast

It's true what they say, kids do grow up fast, and even though it doesn't feel like it because you are in the everyday, one day you look and they are already doing new things, and the old things are just old. One day they play with fruits, and the next day all they want to do is "read" books.  Next month she will be one year and 6 months old. 

Toddling in Dupont Circle

The temperatures are so pleasant around here, we decided to go to the circle and lay down on a  blanket to enjoy the sunny skies, the scenery and the people.  There was even jazz music faintly playing. I took some books, packed lunch and we spread out and had a blissful time.  I took my camera, of course, and shot around all things lovely.

How is the temperature in your "neck of the woods"?

Growing a family

I had an epiphany.  I want more children.  A house full of children's giggles, tiny rain boots collected at the door, DIY tents waiting to be built, and chalkboard walls full of silly scribbles.  Tonight as I was putting Emilu to sleep, and laying next to her, I had the uncontrollable urge to hug her and stop her from growing so fast.  Suddenly, I felt in control, capable and resourceful, and with a tremendous strength to bear anything heavy and strong.  I realize that more children for me, also means not wanting to work full-time, for a while. At the beginning of my domestic life I used to complain a little, and still do, about my poor sleeping, constant tiredness, and lack of time to do the things I love.  But, it turns out, I really enjoy spending my days without a work schedule, enjoying our daughter and raising her, cooking for our family, discovering new, fresh ways to decorate, renovate, grow, and live our home.  I figure we only have a life to do the things we really love well, and this is the thing I LOVE now. I love putting her to sleep, and watching her bounce around the house with no purpose, yet confident she'll soon find what she's looking for just around the corner.  I love our quiet crafty afternoons, and late afternoon trips to the playground, and miss her when she naps for 2 hours or more (finally!) in the day.  Call me crazy, and give me all the I told you so I deserve, but this is really the best deal ever.  It just takes time to get used to.  A few tweaks here and there, and things DO get easier. Of course, not everyday is dreamy and inspiring.  Some days are tiring and overwhelming.  It's the pendulum of life.  I guess with a second child, we won't have to pull our hairs out, or complain about lack of sleep or time, because things do get easier, much faster, and just plain better when what you want is staring you in the face giving you hugs and tapping your back gently and pulling your hair, and rubbing her nose against yours, and calling you mama, and crying for your attention, and loving what you just did to her belly.

When I grow up all I want is a home to grow a family in.

Summer pickings

About two weekends ago we drove up to Germantown in Maryland to visit Butler's Orchard and we were delighted! The drive is about 40 minutes from the district and if had kept going north for 45 minutes more, we would have arrived at Gettysburg. We are dying to visit some historic towns, and Gettysburg is on our list for the next road trip. The Orchard produces yearly harvests of seasonal favorites. We were there to pick our own blackberries, which ashamed as I am to admit, I had never seen this fruit on the tree. It was a first for Emilu and I. And we loved it. Glorious roads of blackberry fields that seem to never end.  And I loved that it was all so green and cheap!  A small quart in the supermarket is almost always around four or five dollars.  We got a pint for less than three dollars!  Much better than farmer's markets. Next time we go, we will pick apples and raspberries. Oh we can't wait!

Kids Zone: Darling Clementine baby lit

What don't they have for kids these days?  I'm loving these children's books based on classic and timeless stories. I think Emilu would enjoy them too. You can buy them at Darling Clementine.
 

Kids Zone: Pretty tents

These kids' tents are so unique and creative. Kids love a tucked corner just for them, where make-believe happens. And they can be fun and even soothing, as they retreat into their own space to think, create or just play.  I know these images have been posted thousands of times all over the internet.  But, I couldn't help but feel like a kid again with these pretty tents.   I think I know where to put one. 

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{Images via MPMK}

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