Stay at Home Mom Style and a story

It's been a while since I've done one of these! Winter was blah and to be honest, I wore my pajamas almost every day. I just couldn't get out of my own way! Now that the better weather is here, I'm going to try and make a better effort again! Play along with us all here.
Here I am in my casual outfit for running around all day after a 16 month old toddler. Nothing earth shattering, but it's a new shirt from Anthropologie that I love...it's loose, comfy and hides my tummy pouch. Score! See how I'm casually holding a rusty watering can? I wanted to look rustic for you. (p.s. I don't garden...hence the rust on the aforementioned watering can).

And now that my latest Mom outfit has been displayed, I must tell you this: Waking up at 3:00 in the morning to see your little child standing silently and staring at you from 5 feet away is terrifying. I startled awake from a deep sleep and saw this figure in the curtain. It was a solid mass; and was just staring at me. "Paigie?" I whispered. No answer. "Paige!" I whispered more purposefully this time. Still no answer. Then I shut my eyes and thought to myself: "What if the ghost from that haunted restaurant we ate at earlier attached itself to me and followed me home??!!!!" Don't make fun of me; I was still foggy from sleep! I've seen a lot of Ghost Hunters and Haunted Collector episodes in my day. (perhaps not a good idea?)

Anyway, I ended up reaching out and Paige finally moved toward me and mumbled something about not being able to find one of her 10 billion lovies in her bed. Phew! Relieved it wasn't a ghost, I got out of bed and helped her locate the missing lovie (it was right next to her pillow all along, dammit!).
I've had friends tell me similar stories in the past and I always wondered why it would be so scary to have your child wake you up at night. Now I get it. I just need to remember that here, 3 am is not "dead time" but "missing lovie pain in the arse time."

And for no real reason, here is a quick sketch I did in my book the other day:
a little sloth!

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Journey toward my artistic style and aesthetic

Like I said the other day, I'm trying to figure out my artistic aesthetic and style. I recently went on a shopping trip and realized a lot of the clothes I bought (thanks for my Mother's Day gifts Chris!) seem to have a similar style. That can't be coincidence! So, I went around my bedroom and took a few pictures with my iphone of a few of my favorite new clothes, little color combos I like, and objects I love. I'll have to do this around the rest of the house! I can definitely see a theme standing out. Yay! Here are some of the photos so you can see what I mean. Thanks for joining me and humoring me!





 

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Lovely Spring

I'm just loving the great weather we've been having. I'm enjoying it while we can; before it gets too hot out!
How have you been? I'm good. Taking care of the kiddos and working on my shop in between. Things tend to be hectic lately... I guess I'm not very good at having balance so I need to work on that.
In the midst of all my shop stuff I'm trying to work on pinpointing exactly what it is I want to be making (I'm a bit all over the place) and what exactly my art style/aesthetic is (I'm a bit all over the place with that too.) So, I'm doing a lot of sketchbook work and list-making. I'll get there!
What are you up to?

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A short walk

My almost daily walk to our little village post office takes only about 2 minutes. But it's packed to the brim with the most beautiful sights and sounds. Trees everywhere bursting with blooms, birds of all kinds singing their songs, the soft breeze blowing through the grass. I love this time of year. It's so wonderful to stop and enjoy the blessings around us. Shipping orders to my awesome customers COULD be a chore; but isn't thanks to the loveliness along the way!

My faithful post office travel sidekick:


My neighbor's wonderful tree:








Another neighbor's awesome tree:


The historic farmhouse at the end of my road:


One of the flowers in front of the post office:


The great tree in front of the post office:


The view at the desk while my parcels are weighed:


I hope you enjoyed our virtual journey to the village post!

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Paige Turns 4

Dear Little P,

You turned 4 last weekend! Happy Birthday!  I can't believe how fast the time has gone; it feels like you JUST turned 3! We had a super-fun party for you again, like last year, at Jam Time. You invited a few friends from school and we had lots of friends and family come by. Watching you laugh and smile and run with such vigor with your buddies was a huge gift for us. My heart was melting all day long.





Here's your "new" stuffed alligator that used to be Grammie's when SHE was a kid! 


Paige, you have turned into such a spirited and sprightly little lady this year. When you were a baby, I always wondered what you would be like. I was so curious about your personality and what your quirks might be. Here are some things about you:
• you love to make up your own songs and change the words to existing songs
• you make clever jokes and laugh after you tell them


• you still love to be held (yay!)
• you fall out of your chair a lot
• you love to make yourself fake-laugh and then sigh after...all to make your Mama laugh.
• you can't say your "th" sound, so you replace it with "f" and "v" and "d"...for example, you like to say "I was free" instead of "three." or "let's play togever!" instead of "together" or "it's over dere" instead of "there." It's cute. The speech person at school says it's age appropriate and not to worry! :)
• You like to blow bubbles in your milk and sing "I love bubbles!!!" as loud as you can.
• You sleep with, like, a hundred stuffed animals and objects in your bed.
• You like to announce your feelings when you're sad or mad. You'll say "I'm feeling a little bit sad right now, I need you to hold me" or you'll say "Mama, I'm feeling very upset right now. I'm getting a little bit mad!" (usually it's after I don't let you watch a show or make you eat more supper.)
• you've started to "read" to us at bedtime.  Either Daddy or me will read you one book, and then you'll "read" us another book. You love books and it's fun to watch you tell us your own versions of the stories.
• you've started playing with your brother and it's so sweet to listen to you two giggle. You love to hug him and say "Noah's such a cutie-dootie!" You are so sweet when you include him in your imaginary games. He looks up to you and adores you so much. Lately you've been playing "campout" with your play tent and you include Noah in on it.

Here is your "blue dinosaur" costume you made up from our cooking mitts and a playsilk. LOL






• you are a social butterfly. You love kids and love to go right up to any kid and talk to them. You expect everyone to play with you and I love that. Life is fun, and I love that you think so too.
• You are very polite and so attentive when we're out and about. You are sweet and well-mannered. (at home, you let loose a lot more, lol)

Paige, you teach me something new every day.
I know we have our hard times when we fight (you ARE four now, after all). I'm learning about patience the same way you are. You taught me that taking at least five deep breaths is a great way to calm my body when I'm feeling mad. (you learned it at school) Thank you! It really works like a charm and it keeps me from feeling too mad and prevents me from yelling. I understand that now you're learning about becoming your own person and it's my job to be tough and teach you the right way. Now we both have the secret to staying calm!

Asleep on the school bus, I have to carry you into the house most days. Preschool is tiring!


I'm so proud of you my sweetie. You are growing up so fast; I wish I could slow you down. I do, however, enjoy watching you light up as you make your discoveries and find out the joys of life. It's the joy in MY life.
I love you so much and I'll love you no matter what from now until forever. Remember that.
I love you always,
Mama

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Hi Birdie!

Look what I made! I sculpted this cute little birdie using bright white polymer clay and then I sanded it over and over using various grits of sandpaper. I then added sleepy eyes with grey acrylic paint.
I put her up for sale in my shop if you're interested; there's only one for now!
If you like it, let me know! I can always make more.

I hope you have a great day!

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Noah is 15 months

Dear Little N,

Hi sweetie! You recently turned 15 months old!  Yay! You continue to toddle around the house with conviction...your tummy thrust in front of you as you walk with purpose and pride. You've begun climbing up on to things as the other day I found you on top of the little table in the playroom...just standing there looking at me and confused as to how to get down. You're a handful! You love to wander around and just find things to throw around on the floor (thanks!) and find toys to chew on. If it's in your hand; it's instantly in your mouth. Let's just say we need to avoid playgrounds with wood chips right now! (blechh!!)
You've been a handful at night too...waking up several times...so we think you're on the cusp of a big change. I have a feeling you are about to drop your morning nap! I would love that as it means I can get out of the house more.
I'm tired. But you know what? Being with you each day is still a great joy. You are sweet, funny, sunny, happy, silly, and determined. You LOVE to play outside and you constantly bring me your coat or shoes begging to go out. You grunt and point to the door or to the window that overlooks the swingset. You'd be out all day and night if I let you! I love that you enjoy the outdoors; it makes life so much more fun and engaging. Mud! Sand! Leaves! Swings! Shells and rocks! It all excites you.
I'm so excited for all the wonderful experiences we have ahead together. It's gonna be so great!
I love you much boo-bear. I cannot imagine life without you in it. What a blessing.
I love you always and forever,
Mama





 



MOOSE CABOOSE!!! (YOUR UNCLE GAVE YOU THESE GREAT MAINE JAMMIES)


MOOSE JAMMIES!!!




A MOTHER'S LOVE IS FOREVER


I LOVE YOU LITTLE BUDDY

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