Adventures in Babywearing

watermelon watermelon

noreply@blogger.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:19:00 +0000

Even in her busy schedule filled with digging through my yarn stash, finger skateboarding, and hat-fashion-show to Coldplay on her Hello Kitty CD player, Ivy took time to style a photo shoot. Key prop being a watermelon and her dollhouse as the backdrop.

Life is undoubtedly good around here.

as seen on ivy...

dress by limeapple via zulily

hat -local/mama made

watermelon (with seeds!) - Aldi

linking up with small style

Tree hole

noreply@blogger.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:07:00 +0000

At the park we made up songs for swinging and for brushing off the dirt when she fell. We peered into a giant tree hole and when she was done she was done and it was time to go.

"Eyebrows are very complicated," she said. "Why do we have these eyebrows from Jesus?"

We were lying down on my bed for a nap. I promised paints afterward if she'd take a rest with me. She traced my face with her fingers and we closed our eyes and whisper counted our drift-off. On thirty, her hand, fist round like a paw, fell softly to my side.

It's About Time

noreply@blogger.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:43:00 +0000

Nothing seems to fit.

I'm in that in-between stage and can sense I'm about to get unstuck. But that means I am going to have to land somewhere new.

Years ago I had to search for people like me, really search- I found them in the basement of a church at a La Leche League meeting. I consumed their doctrine, the babywearing, the breastfeeding, their secret Mothering magazine that you either had to borrow back issues or subscribe to or hope to get one of two copies Barnes & Noble stocked every month.

She was nursing her baby in an unbleached muslin ring sling and I had found my way home. This was what I wanted. This was me. Where do I sign.

I didn't do all the babywearing and breastfeeding and non-vaccinating because I thought it made me a good or better mom. I did it because it drew me in and was where I belonged. It fit and it looked good on me.

Those days aren't over- they certainly provided the foundation of how I parent now - but I don't have any more babies and I'm not interested in keeping up with the latest pregnancy- or baby- anything. It's, like, torture. Even in the natural parenting and attachment parenting world. I am bored.

Ivy cuts off the tops of all her crayons with scissors and breaks them in two to make mommies and babies. And I let her. She climbs up the slide at the park the wrong way. And I really do not care. She had a Popsicle before breakfast today. I have a child going into middle school, we are getting ready for puberty and have IEPs and are going in all directions all the time. Where are my people? When I get to where I'm going I look and I don't see them.

I'm glad new moms have the Internet to locate their kind sooner than it took me. But online relationships - even the ones that feel like they couldn't be more your life - are different than the in-the-flesh basement meetings or messy living room coffee play dates. Sadly, though, even those aren't the same now because there's usually a phone to check, we look down at our hands. There's no going back, I know. We look down and I fear we'll no longer remember to look up at the stars.

I'm in-between because being plugged in kind of feels like home to me. But I don't like my neighbors. Or maybe it's just the scenery. Or both.

It's time to start looking again.

This is just write.

Here She Is! Listen To Your Mother Northwest Indiana is a SOLD OUT SUCCESS

noreply@blogger.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:49:00 +0000

It was like birthing a baby. Sort of. I expect a full six weeks for proper recovery.

After the show most of the cast walked across the street and filled the bar and just finally relaxed and breathed and enjoyed the thrill of our SOLD OUT SHOW. Two girls came up to me and one said, "You don't know me, but we were at the show and you can not just do this one night a year. You have to do it again. Same cast, same everything. You can charge double. We'll pay it!"

But the nature of this show, at least to me as director/producer, is a one-time thing. Physically, I could not birth a baby two days in a row. I'm exhausted. I need time to heal and to limit visitors and where are the casseroles? These past few days have had me wishing I had a post-show doula. Totally noting this for next year.

The 2012 cast... oh, it makes me so happy to see the email exchanges and interactions on Twitter and Facebook- how most of us didn't even know each other until earlier this year and now we grieve and miss our time together. We can't get enough. We are forever sealed in this magical moment in time. The loudest laughs, the biggest sighs were from the first two rows we filled in the theatre, rooting each reader on as they took the stage and poured out their hearts. This cast- they were the biggest fans there that night.

And while the excitement of a SOLD OUT SHOW is, like, I don't know how to explain it really, but whatever. It means we sold tons of tickets and that every seat was filled. Word was out. It was awesome.

But what mattered more than all that was the simple act of telling a story. My heart pounded from my chest clear up to my mouth. At one point I really thought I was either going to actually pass out from nerves or fall over from organ failure due to my Spanx being so freaking tight. That was what was going through my mind. I was nervous. My number one goal wasn't that the video was perfect or the photos all got taken or that the show went off smoothly to please the 350 paying ticket holders. It was to deliver each reader safely to their spot on stage, allowing their words to be spoken. As much as those words needed to be heard, they needed to be said.

I know it would be hard not to compare last year's to this year's show, or even each piece separately but honestly (and I do mean it, honestly) it would be like comparing my children. In the words of The Avett Brothers, of course, "I love you and I'm proud of you both in so many different ways."

This year the sponsors rocked our full house. Snapfish by HP was our premium national sponsor and head cheerleader to all ten cities. They also created beautiful products to feature on our sponsor tables and I totally made another photo book- one for Jeff's mom for Mother's Day at the very last minute and she still got it in time! (Mom, I am making one for you, too, but last week was crazy and I needed more time getting my photos together. I knew you'd understand!) Thank you, Snapfish!

BlogHer was the perfect media sponsor, and I'm still trying to finagle my way to this year's conference if only to be at the Listen To Your Mother Open Mic Salon. I was also honored to have a post syndicated at the BlogHer site recently. Thank you, BlogHer!

Valpolife.com was our top local sponsor this year and they had a feature post up after our show: LTYM Celebrates the Joys, Trials of Motherhood - before I even got home that night, I think! They are incredible and make me so happy with their focus on positive news in our community and around the region. Thank you, ValpoLife!

BoyConn printed all our beautiful posters and programs and were such a delight to work with. They were always so encouraging when I would stop in or when they'd email, and were the first to put up a Listen To Your Mother poster. Above all, they do exceptional craftsmanship. Thank you, BoyConn!

Beth Fletcher Photography was the official show photographer and as you can see from the photos, we hit the jackpot. While she specializes in newborns and family photo shoots, we are so grateful to have our Listen To Your Mother show memories captured in such a spectacular fashion. Beth was also in this year's cast, so she was quite busy that night. I don't think I could possibly understand how much pressure she was under, and I don't think I expressed my appreciation for that enough. Thank you, Beth!

Mom to Mom NWI gave their support to LTYM on and off the pages of their awesome local magazine for Northwest Indiana moms. You can find their free issues around the first of every month in many stores, restaurants, and business locations in the area. Thank you, Mom to Mom NWI!

Heart Box Studio is a friend and sponsor, constant morale booster, and LTYM super fan. Her prints, notecards and award winning book The Gift are created from amazing three dimensional paper cut shadow boxes from recycled books and journals. Thank you, Heart Box Studio!

rTrail Collective Edge was the destination for our first cast reading, and also surprised each cast member with a beautiful handcrafted silver necklace. rTrail's owner, Brenda Magnetti Erickson was also in the cast and was a fabulous lifeline spreading the word in downtown Valpo. Thank you, rTrail!

Mothering By Nature provided our dress rehearsal space, and the Northwest Indiana C.H.O.I.C.E.S. group connected with the natural parenting resource center is something I value personally, as they played a huge part in guiding my motherhood journey -- I'm so very thankful!

There are so many more people I should be thanking right here in this spot but I do hope that they all know my gratitude,which is soul deep, and I think they do, and I thank them for giving me the grace to give thanks in this way, again and again. Thank you.

I have yet to hear the final total for ticket sales, but I'll be sure to update how much we were able to give to The Caring Place as soon as I know. Gently used handbags and toiletries were also collected at the door to be distributed to the women in their care. We are so glad to be able to give back to women and families in our community.

The applause roared over my final words on stage Thursday night- I think I was just trying to let them know that all 10 cities will share their shows on the Listen To Your Mother YouTube channel this summer. Be sure to subscribe so that you're first to know when they're up!

We took our bow, and then we were off into the night. It really is a blur from there. I'm still hearing stories of people seeking out that one cast member who told their story, the one they could have written, because they lived that, too. I'm hearing the thank yous- "thank you for sharing your story, thank you for saying what I couldn't say, thank you for finding the words I didn't know I needed to hear, thank you for making me feel like I'm not the only one, thank you, thank you."

Thank you, Ann, for entrusting your baby in my care for another year.

It truly is a high, taking a hit off these stories that are inside all of us. I hope you'll share yours- at an audition, open mic, on stage, in a blog post, a handwritten letter, or even if only for yourself, for now. There is no story too small or insignificant. Tell it. We are hungry to hear.

Keep on listening.

Read what our cast has to say about the show:

There was magic on that stage by Katy Hoagland
Ditto, Signs, and Song for a fifth child by Carrie Steinweg
We shined and it is over: The Listen To Your Mother Show by Heather Novak
I did it! by Stephanie Hauser
Listen by Beth Fletcher
Afterthoughts on Afterglow by Judy Miller
That Moment by June Savaadra

More photos and recaptures of our incredible night to come...

[cross posted at Listen To Your Mother Northwest Indiana]

Remind me

noreply@blogger.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Sun, 13 May 2012 02:05:00 +0000

I must write this down so that I don't question my sanity as we get further into summer.

I enjoy Carter's Little League games. Not just to watch him play (that is my favorite part, and it's still like brand new to me every time) but also because we are all piling in the car together as a family twice a week, and hanging out on the field as a (often whiny, cold, hungry for concessions 100% of the time) family, and it also probably helps that his team is really good and undefeated.

Afterglow

noreply@blogger.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Fri, 11 May 2012 21:41:00 +0000

You know when you come home late from a loud concert and your ears are all stuffy and humming and you feel heavy with smoke the next day?

I feel the complete opposite of that. Colors seem brighter and sounds are clearer and I am so sensitive to every word and beautiful thing.

I missed my kids. That was all I could think about and when I got home Gray's Cubs blanket was balled on my bed and I could see just a tuft of his hair poking out and I was so relieved he was there. They are my touchstones.

This is after the show. It's over, and I don't know what to think or say, I can only feel. And it feels good.

Just Listen

noreply@blogger.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:45:00 +0000

It's just hours before showtime. I should be doing so many other things than writing here right now but... I'm stopping to listen.

It's here.

Today in the car Ivy said "WHO ARE YOU TALKING TO?!" and I said "I'm practicing!!" I think I'm ready. I think we all are so ready to do this.

The car in front of me had a bumper sticker that read Live The Life You Love. Right now I so am.

continue reading at the LTYM website...

Butterfly Net

noreply@blogger.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Thu, 10 May 2012 00:42:00 +0000

She suggested I buy the butterfly catcher so that she could run around outside with it and I could take her picture.

"Okay."

This is where I type out all I'm feeling about the (sold out) show tomorrow and nerves and ready and no-more-tickets and hair appointment and full house and stories and really and happening.

Someone catch me before I fly away.

SOLD OUT

noreply@blogger.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:30:00 +0000

I was in the Target parking lot when I heard. There's one ticket left. I floated into the store - after sending text messages to everyone I could think of - and bought black high-waist shaping tights, hoping they will work double-rainbow magic paired with my Spanx on stage this Thursday.
Clearing out some random papers in a drawer this morning I found Noah's handmade card to me from last year's show. What timing. Inside he wrote in pencil "Dear Mommy, I hope you have a great show. Love Noah." This year he'll be in the audience. I'm so glad I got him a ticket because I just got the call. We are SOLD OUT.
I can't feel my toes. This is... incredible.

Shell

noreply@blogger.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Mon, 07 May 2012 19:48:00 +0000

A green truck stopped in front of our house and two people got out. They approached something in the road and I watched from the window and they picked up a little turtle and carried him back to the pond. And I felt much less alone in this world.

Listen To Your Mother: In The News!

noreply@blogger.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Sun, 06 May 2012 11:54:00 +0000

“I don’t have children, but motherhood is still a part of my life. I see my own mother push me to be better, even as I approach my 30s. I see my friends stumble as they learn how to become mothers to their young children… I see myself take on a maternal role with younger friends who still need guidance and support. Motherhood is more than raising a child to adulthood. It’s being supportive and loving to those around you and choosing to sacrifice your own dreams in favor of helping someone else achieve theirs.” – Katy Hoagland

Listen To Your Mother Northwest Indiana is featured on the front page of today’s Lifestyle section in The Times. You can read the full article online: ‘Listen To Your Mother’ offers honest talk about motherhood.

Listen To Your Mother Northwest Indiana is Thursday May 10 at 7PM. Tickets are available at the Memorial Opera House box office and online.

Check out these guest posts by the 2012 cast of Listen To Your Mother Northwest Indiana:
Why it’s good to be weird
Hey commercials, I’m still awesome
Regarding The “Hottest”: An Open Letter To The Famous People
Motherhood: Is There Any Extra Credit For This?

Know what you’re getting Mom or Grandma (or yourself) for Mother’s Day this year?

Check out LTYM’s premium sponsor Snapfish and their lovely photo books.
Don’t miss this Heart Box Studio giveaway just in time for Mother’s Day.
And top local sponsor Valpolife.com is giving away a pair of tickets to Listen To Your Mother Northwest Indiana!

Cross-posted at Listen To Your Mother Northwest Indiana's website. You guys! Yesterday the box office said there were only 75 tickets left! The house seats 350! I'm so excited!!!

Heart Box Studio Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Fri, 04 May 2012 16:44:00 +0000

On Mother's Day my sweet friend Chrissy (of Heart Box Studio goodness) and I will be heading up to Madison, the birthplace of Listen To Your Mother. We're going to spend the day talking and eating and shopping and I can not wait to be in the audience for Ann's show. The one that started it all.

Heart Box Studio is also a local sponsor of LTYM NW Indiana this year, and Chrissy wanted to offer something special from her studio in honor of Mother's Day. Leave a comment for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate and a copy of her gorgeous book,The Gift.

She's also offering a free notecard of your choice with each purchase (expires 5/13/12). Just let her know which one you'd like in the message at checkout.

Giveaway ends Tuesday May 8 11:59 PM CST so that you can have your prize in time for Mother's Day. One entry per person, just a comment! Let us know your favorite thing in the shop or what you're doing for Mother's Day or about something that made you smile today.

Get to know Heart Box Studio:
Favorite the shop on etsy
Like Heart Box Studio on Facebook
Enjoy the Heart Box Studio blog

Listen To Your Mother Northwest Indiana is next Thursday May 10 at 7 PM at the Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso. I hope to see you there!

MAY THE FOURTH

noreply@blogger.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Fri, 04 May 2012 13:32:00 +0000

MAY FOUR 2012: Ivy's lopsided 'do, Gray mid-sneeze aka apparently allergic to lilacs now, too.

I was out with my girls last night and unfortunately while I was away and Noah was in charge for all of five minutes Ivy took the scissors to her locks... to be freshened up professionally later today... and fortunately Jeff interviewed the four on Ways to Listen To Your Mother and Consider Her Feelings, all of which are answers totally thought up by the kids and I'm proud to present to you:

Ways to Listen to Your Mother
and Consider Her Feelings

Don't annoy her
Don't bother her while she's cooking
Don't wake her up unless it's an emergency
If she is resting, stay quiet
Don't insult her cooking
Don't fight over her iPhone
Listen to her the first time
Don't beg her to do something
Pay attention if she's talking
If she tries to wipe your nose, let her
Don't interrupt her while she's shooting videos
Nobody scream, nobody talk, and nobody snore
Get dressed on time
Don't argue about your homework
Try and keep my room clean no matter how many times stuffed animals spill out of Gray's bed
Never put your finger in a cupcake
Don't mess up her pillows
Make her happy
Give her art presents from school
When you are at a restaurant, do not goof around
If she tells you she wants to take a picture with you, don't grunt or groan
Go to bed
Give her kisses
Don't ask her for doughnuts, because she'll get doughnuts if she wants to
When she's going to the bathroom, never knock on the door
Don't be rowdy
Don't spend too much time on TV or iPods, especially at night

Listen To Your Mother Northwest Indiana is next Thursday May 10 at 7 PM at the Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso. I hope to see you there!

I used to take photos of my kids on the first of every month, now it's on the fourth. Four for four... get it? You can see past monthly photos here.

Upstairs Basement

noreply@blogger.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Thu, 03 May 2012 19:23:00 +0000

You were afraid in the dentist's chair and I wished you were two again, when you were brave and didn't know to be scared. I hated that you knew hospitals more than playgrounds back then but now that you're older I see. It was better when you didn't know so much.

You picked Chinese for lunch and you were nervous, checking your watch. Guessing where your class would be right now. I wanted you to play hookey and you wanted to go back to school. When we got home you were restless and worried about library books and so I signed you back in.

We drove down Chicago Street and whirlybirds fell from the trees like snow and there was a house with a sign advertising "UPSTAIRS BASEMENT" and I squinted and laughed in my head at the thought and then we saw it actually read upstairs bedroom.

You didn't ask but if you did I would tell you my favorite color is the sky today.

Carter's First Game

noreply@blogger.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Wed, 02 May 2012 00:57:00 +0000

"Do you have your cup?" "Where's your cup?" "Are you wearing your cup?" That's how it's been every day he has practice and then today, rushing out of the house for his very first game, he couldn't find his cup.

I thought it was going to go differently. I imagined Jeff would be the one taking him to games and practices while I tag along looking cute and dragging the rest of the clan with my snacks and stadium blankets and bottled waters.

But in reality, Dad has to work late and will have to meet us there and so I'm shoving dinner at their faces when we should already be in the car and on our way to the field, "DID YOU FIND YOUR CUP WHERE ARE YOUR SHOES OHWELL WE HAVE TO GO!" I don't even think I had on any makeup.

I glance at Carter on the way and he has food all over his face and spaghetti sauce on his brand new baseball pants. We get there and it's raining, but they don't call the game. Noah, Gray, and Ivy practically fall all over the bleachers from starvation because the concession stand is within eyesight. My mom buys them a pizza stick, popcorn, and Twizzlers.

The rain got worse so I ended up leaving around the 3rd inning with the kids. On the way back to the car Gray lost his Twizzlers and ran through the parking lot and toward the field like a crazy person. "My candy! My candy!" Rain is pouring down, people are trying to get to their cars, and I'm calling to him, "It's too late now! We can't go back! Get in the car!" It was heartbreaking. Like a really sad part in a movie. Only it's my life.

He wailed until - oh wait, he's still wailing. But! I just got a text that we won! Awesome! One game down... so many more to go. Wheee.

A Pink Pony Full Of Rocks

noreply@blogger.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Tue, 01 May 2012 00:55:00 +0000

I bake brownies so that they are warm and out of the oven as the school bus empties my boys onto the doorstep. This is what a good mom does on a Monday afternoon, I think. And it got me off the couch.

A beautiful friend left a beautiful bag of beautiful books on my porch and I suddenly forgot about the cold I thought I'd kicked and I was motivated to open the curtains and do the dishes. I even reached for the camera. How unfortunate if I'd let this day slip by without notice or fanfare or some sort of productivity. It was on its way, it was. Watch Mad Men was the only thing checked off my list until then.

A while back Ivy picked out a pink pony-wearing-a-tutu purse from Cracker Barrel to keep her treasures, and she's filled it with pebbles and beach rocks. While I'm sure there's probably a princess lip gloss buried in there somewhere, I like the irony. It is so super her. My daughter.

May every day bring me presents and may living in this present be my presents and may I always remember that pink pony full of rocks.

-this is just write

On The High Wire

noreply@blogger.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 01:52:00 +0000

Last night there was a misunderstanding when I picked Carter up from his practice game. I was in the parking lot where I usually am, only this time with the rest of the kids in the car and taking a phone interview for an upcoming article about my show. He thought I would be coming to the field, and for a short few minutes assumed I'd forgotten to pick him up. I could see the heartbreak on his face as he trudged up to the door. And after he spoke his frustration, the tears he was trying to hold back.

Oh, I felt sick about it. That he had to know that feeling at all, ever. But I also experienced a strange peace. This is one of those tough life lessons that I dread for each of my kids but I guess I see how preparing them for independence works. And I survived. We hashed out the mis-communication and I explained to him that I would never not show up to get him, and that if something like that happens again, just try to imagine there must be something about this situation you could be missing. Maybe you need to look beyond what you thought was going to happen. Just think, "Now I know my mom is here, I just can't see her. Where else could she be?" He seemed to get it, and in so many other ways, so did I.

Today Ivy spent the day with Grandma, so I:

filmed 15 Mommalogues for May
ran Gray's coat to school (it got colder and he hadn't worn it in the morning)
mailed two packages and a letter
put up Listen To Your Mother posters downtown
had a Cobb salad and a lemon poppy seed muffin for lunch
picked up a copy of my birth certificate from the government center
got my passport photo taken
set up the babysitter for LTYM

Not surprisingly, I've had this eye twitch going on for two days now. I'm sure it's from all the busy-ness and life that's happening all up in here. I keep thinking about how excited I am for the show, and then the day after - it's always a huge sigh of relief and reward. And soon Jeff and I will be going to San Diego and maybe a sneak-over to Mexico, and then we'll be right there into summer. I really haven't thought much beyond and that feels pretty good. My brain doesn't need to think that far.

My age doesn't usually bother me so much but I have been having dreams about it, thinking I'm younger than I really am. A friend is turning 30 and is it possible that I turned 30 so very long ago? With age you appreciate the little moments even more maybe because you want them to LAST OMG. Don't let me turn another year older forgoodnesssake. And let me savor my kids in each stage they are in right now. It's scary and thrilling and you're all Woo! Look at me I'm doing it! Kind of like tightrope walking, even though I've never done it I have seen Cirque du Soleil a few times and I figure it's super awesome and freeing up there but at the same time, you're still walking a @?!&+$* tightrope.

But not forgotten

noreply@blogger.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:40:00 +0000

We have stepped over yet another milestone. Gone are my light-headed out of breath bubble blowing summers. She can do it all by herself now.

A Mother's Day Photo Book, For Me

noreply@blogger.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:29:00 +0000

This post is sponsored by Snapfish as part of their support of the LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER SHOW 2012 series of Mother’s Day performances. I am the producer and director of the Northwest Indiana Listen To Your Mother show on Thursday May 10. I’m so grateful for sponsor support so that our show can go on!

I was given the opportunity to make a photo book using Snapfish’s new Mother’s Day templates, Linen for Mom or Letterpress for Mom. As much as I “plan” to print many of the photos I take to fill frames or albums on our coffee table someday, it doesn’t happen. They all reside here on my blog, or in my computer, or in my phone. Moms, can I get a whut whut?

I know this is a digital world and all, but I enjoy looking at photos that are not on a screen. There’s a permanence to it, and I also see it as an art. And so, I decided to make this photo book for me. I am celebrating myself this Mother’s Day.

I chose the Linen for Mom template for its simple shadows and flowers, and loved the option of adding text on the pages. I decided to write a letter to each of my kids explaining a bit about the impact they’ve had in my life as their mother, and I’ve been inspired to make this a yearly tradition.

I selected images that might be a little unexpected, but told a story. Those random Instagrams and snapshots capture the hidden beauty in the everyday of our little life. I don't want these memories getting lost in a timeline. I want them bound and printed.

Customize Snapfish's new Mother's Day template

above: a collage of Instagram photos on one side and an image fits the whole page on the other

Snapfish makes it easy to grab your photos straight from Flickr right there on the book-creating page. (You can also import your Facebook photos or upload from your computer directly.) From there, choose which style of book you’d like, with classic or custom styles available at all price points. Then you arrange your photos - the page layouts feature one shot selections to an entire collage on a page. 

No need to edit your photos before uploading them- change the color, zoom in or more, with just a click.

Just drag and drop the layout and photos for the design you have in mind. You can even edit and enhance your photo once you’ve placed it on the page. Tell your story with only pictures or add captions or even notes like I did. The possibilities are truly endless.

Mother’s Day is on May 13, but you’ve got plenty of time to create something beautiful that will look like you planned it and spent a whole lot more than you actually did - I speak your language.

Make one for your mom, for Grandma from the grandkids or maybe someone will get the hint and have the kids assist in making one for you. It would be the perfect gift companion to a Listen To Your Mother show ticket, no?

And if you’ve also been putting off getting your favorite photographs and Instagrams off of the web, I hope you’ll consider designing your own book because next time I come over I totally want to look through it. Happy Mother’s Day, my friends.

ed: I couldn't resist updating this post with more photos after the book arrived!

Time Capsule 4/22/12

noreply@blogger.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 12:49:00 +0000

Grayson,

I hope I don't forget how you leave your socks stuffed behind the bathroom door every time you go number two. I sigh but will it someday fade from my memory? You wrote on my to-do list yesterday "I Love my Mom" and I will save it forever.

Noah,

You told me about your bedtime prayers last night and I hope you will always say them. You've started wanting to hang around the adults more now and I remember when I was ready for that, too. Standing, you are up to my chin now. My chin! I can still hear the nay of your very first cry.

Dearest Ivy,

This morning when I got out of bed and you were lying there on your pillow I thought you must be the definition of how He gives more than we could ever ask or imagine. I am better when we are together.

Carter,

You are just like the big brother I always dreamed of having, like the ones you always see on TV or in the movies, and I wonder just where you came from and how our family got to be so lucky and you are the only one who can cheer Gray up and I don't think it's just because you want to get some laughs. You amaze me.

To Jeff, my love,

This has been a good year for us. You are more handsome than I've ever seen you, and you know me better than anyone else on this earth and you use that knowledge to take care of me. With you, I am safe.

To dad,

I know my roots in music and sense of adventure are because of you, and I always wish that someone comes along to make you laugh when I don't get to talk to you, and I hope you do win the lottery some day.

To my mom,

I wish I could always be moments ahead of you, and I would drop pennies for you to find. And I wish I could go back in time and do whatever it takes to keep you from being broken. Someday when we read this again and years have passed it will be better by then, I just know. We'll celebrate the healing.

Love.
xoxo

There you go

noreply@blogger.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:34:00 +0000

Ivy's dance class is preparing for their June recital. The parents got to watch a little performance of what they've learned so far. It's really too cute for words. (p.s. you can find me on Instagram- I'm babysteph.)

So, I am breathing and sleeping and dreaming Listen To Your Mother right now. Our show is less than one month away! We had our first read-through a couple weeks ago and I am in love with the photos and words from that night.

BlogHer has syndicated one of my recent posts. (For which I'm super psyched and thankful.)

I can not stop listening to The Lumineers and The Middle East: The Recordings Of The Middle East (especially Blood and The Darkest Side.)

On Mommalogues, I confess... that I'm really thinking about going blonde. And apparently I like hot stone massages, a lot.

And over at Your Family, have you heard of The Toydozer?

I loved Brené Brown's message on the power of vulnerability from a couple years ago, and her newest TED talk: Listening To Shame did me in. It could have been the cold medicine I was taking, but either way, I had a good cry.

I've also been reading, like crazy. I found Heaven is Here by Stephanie Nielson (Nie Nie) to be incredibly inspiring, and kind of a game-changer for me. And I also love love loved Planting Dandelions by Kyran Pittman. In the chapter titled "Attach and Release" I was in a puddle of tears. I think you might be, too.

What have you written or read or listened to that you are absolutely wild about?

Big Much

noreply@blogger.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:11:00 +0000

My Aunt Diane is visiting for the week. She brought Mommal back from her long stay in Louisiana. On our way to lunch the other day, she was asking Ivy about her brothers in school. Did she miss them? And Ivy said yes, very much. "But you know who I miss big much? Poppal!"

It was one of those things that caught me off guard and just snuck up on us, and we all just smiled and ached. We took a balloon and peanuts from Texas Corral to the cemetery. If you knew him, you'd think that's perfect.

I was having sadtimes last night thinking about him, and life, and how much he would love to see Ivy in dance, and how the boys have grown, Gray's new teeth, he is missing out on some awesome stuff. And they miss out on having him in their life. I miss out on him. I miss his love. I can't even begin to think about how much my mom misses him.

I lost my Gram when I was in second grade and my mind wanders to how different my life would have been if I hadn't missed out on having her in so much of my life. It just feels so unfair. And I don't understand it, so I just try not to. And I know this isn't forever, I know the promises that await. But still, that doesn't chase the tears away.

Sometimes I'm baffled that he's been gone more than a year now. Time is strange like that.

Early bird

noreply@blogger.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 01:58:00 +0000

So, I've found that mornings are actually quite awesome. We saw the biggest rabbit in our yard on Saturday around 7 a.m. -- every year we get bunny nests but this mama was huuge and beautiful. We just stood and watched her before we left to meet my family for breakfast. That's another great thing about morning time: going out for breakfast.

Also, the wildlife as we drove, and the newday sky, and the empty streets, first pick of the best donuts at the bakery on Sunday, and the Northern Cardinal couple that has been appearing in my front window each day. I don't want to not notice these things ever again. I'd never have guessed that being excited to see a little red bird would get me out of bed, but it totally does. I bought a feeder and seed for him and he was there today and I felt so relieved, and lucky. There are gifts in the morning, in the other times, I've been missing.

Ivy and I closed our eyes for a few minutes on the couch before the boys' bus was to arrive this afternoon. She slept heavy on my chest, and I imagined if anyone came to peek through the window just then that they'd see a beautiful life, my open book, and the new pillows on my couch. And tonight I still feel so very happy.

Report Card

noreply@blogger.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 03:06:00 +0000

The odd thing about blogging is, that once I press publish, I am really pushing off from what I just wrote. I put it out there, and now I'm done with it.

But for readers who come along, they can think I'm still in that same moment- and sometimes I am, but I'm usually not. Writing my way out, typing to meet or even locate myself, it's a method I use to figure out what in the world I am really feeling. And, being human, I am a harsh critic. Especially when it comes to motherhood because it's kind of a big thing. It's pretty much my world.

And honestly, my morning routine totally gets a C-. But at least I stop to grade myself, and can plan for improvements. Sometimes I need to confess and give it a shake so that I can move on. Maybe it will propel me forward, no looking back, or maybe I'll just hang out and keep treading for a while. It's really hit or miss. I know the pep talks are well-meaning, but my heart is waiting on the I can so relates. That's what keeps me public, and my comments from being closed.

Tonight I sat through Carter's baseball practice -- I've arrived at a whole new parenting milestone. You go from never having a chance to sit still to an entire chunk of time to do nothing while you taxi and wait. I am reading books again! And staring out the window. As an aside, I love that even though the field is far away from where I park, I know which boy is mine.

But anyway, as soon as we walk in the door from practice I boil a pot of water and successfully scrounge up dinner. Usually I get an A in groceries but it all depends on my hormones. This week was one of the D weeks = bare cupboards. But I made pasta and even put a batch of brownies in the oven. Laundry was spinning and the dishes got done. Total extra credit.

I excel in plenty of other areas, too - I expose my kids to good music, engage them in thoughtful conversation, foster their creativity- whether it involves paint, chalk, rocks, or Legos. They feel safe and confident even in my poor progress months and most of all, they are loved and they know it, without a doubt. Even though I'll never stop doubting. But I already know these things, and don't really need to write about it often if at all.

I do sometimes wonder if I love them too much, but I won't be making any changes about that.

Flowers In Your Hair

noreply@blogger.com (Adventures In Babywearing) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:25:00 +0000

Ivy + Emerson + Greta

I went on a mini road trip with Ivy last week to visit my friend Jil. I love that our girls get to start knowing each other even sooner than we did.

And, it is increasingly evident that as time goes on, my photo subjects will stand still, like, hardly ever.

I feel like I'm finally getting the hang of my Mommalogues gig- it's really one of the best jobs I've ever had. I can film a lot of my videos in advance so that the rest of the week- or sometimes month!- I'm off. And I can be myself (please keep in mind that the camera tends to add an embarrassing amount of awkwardness to my voice and face, oh LOL.) You can check out some of my recent favorites: how I shop for my kids' clothes, my busy mom beauty secrets (ha), and what kind of car I drive.

Today I am going to stop giving our laundry the cold shoulder, only because Jeff had to dry off with Ivy's elephant towel, yet again, and I am determined to not forget I'm lunch mom for Gray's class. Yet again.