About A Family

I've been debating whether or not I should post this because I didn't know how the family would feel about it. After much consideration, I felt that the nameless should be named. I believe that something as devastating and traumatic as a house fire deserves more than a small, impersonal blurb in the local paper. This, after all, is about a family...it could have been any of us.

On Wednesday January 25th, the house that the Connors Family were renting went up in flames and with it, all their belongings. As I understand, the kitchen was totally destroyed, as was the boys' playroom and toys. All soft items like mattresses, pillows, linens, clothing, sofa and chairs can not be salvaged. The Connors are in the process of trying to find somewhere to live. The news article does mention "the cold and what not" (the "what not" being wind, snow and ice) but it didn't seem to mention that the mother grabbed her children and ran from the burning home without putting shoes on her feet.

We are looking into starting a fund to help this family get settled. Will post some info just as soon as I can. In the meantime, you know where to find me....

Strong Will

"I have a strong will to love you for eternity" - Milan Kundera






One minute Satch was sitting up playing with toys, the next he was lying back and taking a snooze. 8 months old today!

One Cool Kid

He gives good cheek! I love the way he smells. Today his hands smell like Graham Crackers and I have no idea why...

Saturday at the Market

Since Satchel can sit up on his own now, we decided to let him sit in the grocery cart. This was a new experience for him. We received two of these shopping cart covers for shower gifts. The one by Infantino has a lot of gizmos, but the one by Clean Shopper completely covers the seat. They are a great barrier between unwanted germs and your baby. Satchel wears his binky on the Motley wooden chain by Haba. He puts it in his mouth by himself whenever he wants it. He was using the Avent binky for travel because the handle worked well with his chain. We have since switched to the Playtex Ortho Pro for travel (which also comes with a carrying case). The only complaint that I have about it is that there is a definite top and bottom which makes it harder for Satchel to use on his own. Satchel's favorite binky is by MAM. It is designed so that the top and bottom are the same which makes it easier for Satch to put in his mouth by himself.

Your love

"Your love gets sweeter every day" - Finley Quaye

Although Satch has been doing his best to resist naps these days...he finally gave in, albeit for a mere 15 minutes. He fell asleep playing with the Winkel by Manhattan Toys.

All We Need

"And we live a life of ease
Every one of us has all we need
Sky of blue
And Sea of green" - Beatles

We found a Fisher Price Jumperoo in the local Penny Saver for 30 bucks! It was in mint condition and Satchel is just wild about it. He bounces up and down in our arms to let us know that he wants to jump. He squeals with delight. It's so much fun to watch his little feet.

Dancing In The Wind

Two years ago, a truly wonderful mother, named Wanda, showed me this poem written by her lovely daughter, Sophia. It brought tears to my eyes and I thought it was a true testament to her parents and the love she feels from them and for them. Naturally, I asked for a copy to paste in my journal to remember her words always.

May we remember to shower our children with love each day!!!

Thank you Sophia, for your poetic wisdom and to Wanda and Jimmy for being such loving parents.

Sunday Static

"The best way to make children good is to make them happy" - Oscar Wilde













I can't say enough good things about Jan Hunt's book The Natural Child: Parenting from the Heart. I refer back to it time and again when I need a little centering. I especially like the lists:

• 10 Reasons to Respond to a Crying Child
• 10 Ways to Grow a Happy Child
• 10 Ways We Misunderstand Children
• 10 Alternatives to Punishment

I am also crazy about that classic in child development, How Children Learn by John Holt. It reads like a journal and is such an amusing, yet informative read.

I am sorry to say I have not yet the strength to put these two books up for sale with my other used books.

Teething

"Ride it on out like a bird in the sky ways
Ride it on out like you were a bird
Fly it all out like an eagle on a sunbeam
Ride it on out like you were a bird" - T. Rex

This is what teething looks like. It's heartbreaking. Satchel's two upper central incisors have broken through the gum line.

Hang in there, sweet boy...ride it on out!

The Skinny On Solids

"One, two, three, four
Can I have a little more?
five, six, seven eight nine ten - I love you." - Beatles






It's not always easy getting Satchel to eat solids. I consider it a small victory if he eats a few spoonfuls. It is a thrill when he actually wants more! We found the Sassy Warming Dish to be a real life saver. It's versatile and comes in funky color combos.

Here's the scoop on organic baby food:

• There is the ever popular, "Earth's Best" (Nice consistency)
• And the older, but lesser known, "Healthy Times"
  
• Gerber's organic line is called, "Tender Harvest" (Very Watery)
  
• Stonyfield Farm makes organic baby yogurt called, "Yo Baby"

My husband also bought a jar of organic winter squash baby food
from Wegmans called,"Organic Baby", but I've yet to find any info about this company. The recent discovery of the Tender Harvest line reminded me of a conversation I had 6 years ago with the lovely, Dr. Jane Goodall. We were talking about organic foods etc. and she said that if enough people are willing to pay a little extra for organic food, eventually the commercial food market will hear what we are saying and go organic...and eventually the prices will go down. She was right!!!

*I've admired Dr. Goodall since I was a child. Meeting her was a thrill. She inspires me and fills my heart with hope, but that's a story for different blog...

Won't You Come Out To Play

"The sun is up
the sky is blue
it's beautiful
and so are you"
- Beatles


Isn't it wonderful how a giant green ball can make one little boy so happy!





His two new favorite toys are the Mozart Magic Cube and his Baby Tap-a-Tune Piano. Another noteworthy toy is the Lively Links by Sassy. Satchel loves chewing on them and shaking them. You can link them to a belt loop, stroller bar and hang a toy or binky from them.
Brilliant!

Parenting

Julie showed me this passage she found on Patricia Lynn Reilly's website and I felt the power of the words deep within my soul.

This is now my prayer, my creed, my mantra:

"As I parent in the way I wish I had been parented, the child in me is healed. When I think of my child, deep emotion rises. From the depth of my heart, I say, 'I don't want you to ever be abused. I don't want your power to be squashed'. And from the depth of my soul, I stand up loud and strong for you. I say, 'Be loud and strong. Shout as much as you want. Be full of yourself. Shine as bright as you can. Be quiet and vulnerable. Hide whenever you need to'. I celebrate your energy, your challenging spunky nature, your clear YESes - and your very clear NOs. I celebrate your humor, your beauty, and your body." - Moizee

Yes! Shine bright, dear Satchel...my beautiful, my world, my true...I celebrate you!!!

Light of My Life

Last night while eating dinner, I noticed that Satchel was looking at the dining room light. I said, "That's a light" and pointed up to it. Then I asked, "Where's the light, Satchel?" as I looked in the direction of the light. Satchel's eyes immediately went to the light and I responded and clapped, "Hooray, very good!" I asked again, "Where's the light?" (this time I kept my eyes on Satchel and did not look in the direction of the light) Satchel again looked up at the light. Robert and I were thrilled and Satchel was just as pleased.

Satchel definitely understands what we say to him and is aware of the world around him so we are begining the "Baby Sign Language" course we received as a shower gift from our friend, Laura.

We are starting with three simple signs: "milk", "eat" and "more".

Golden Slumbers

"Golden slumbers fill your eyes
Smiles awake you when you rise"
- Beatles




It has been a rough day. Satchel has been awake since 5 AM, has only had a 20 minute nap and has been crying on and off for hours. He wouldn't let me put him down for more than a minute or two. He may be cutting more teeth, but it's so hard to say for sure.

This photo was the calm before the storm. At the moment it is difficult to smile and I'm holding back my own tears of exhaustion. I know he would feel much better if only he would sleep.

Wild and Precious

Tell me, what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" - Mary Oliver












Satchel has discovered a new use for his two teeth....a teether hanger.

Imagine a Mother....

"Imagine a mother who believes she belongs in the world.
A mother who celebrates her own life
Who is glad to be alive."

- Patricia Lynn Reilly