Number Fifteen
Janie,
When we hike I wear Olga in my old Ergobaby carrier! And Sunny can walk a decent length on her own for the most part now so it’s slowly getting easier! And update - we canceled our trip to Vegas because we’re just too tired, plus our cars suddenly need lot of expensive work done. Silouan is still going to take days, or half days off here and there to get caught up things around the house. we might try to fit in a fun activity, but I don’t yet know what that will be.
I’ve come to learn something I had never been told before becoming a mother - caffeine loses all effectiveness after 1pm. I realized this after all my afternoon motivation had jumped out the window sometime last week. Now I’ve been running on sheer willpower which we know doesn’t do so well all on its own.
These Autumn days have been extremely foggy for me. Most days are auto-piloted and not much else gets done outside of the essentials - laundry, diapers, feeding the children, etc… When it comes to everything else, for example, car maintenance, that’s when I really feel overwhelmed. But they still have to get done somehow. Sunny turns two in a little over a week (can you believe it?!) and I really wanted to throw her a Little Bear themed birthday party. I had very elaborate plans and so many deserts I was going to bake that resembled ones from the show. But then it hit me, and it came with such a sense of relief too, that the whole reason Sunny is even allowed to watch Little Bear is because of it’s simplicity and calm ambience. So, it seems silly to vamp it up for a two year old’s birthday. I’ve decided to keep it so simple - cupcakes with cherries on top, homemade paper hats, a picnic blanket, and no party favors. I was reminded of a podcast I listened to years ago on the topic of manufacturing the magic of childhood, and how adults interfering can actually ruin it. Kids need so much less to be happy, that’s what makes childhood so special. All the extravaganza can deprive them of the opportunity to notice and appreciate the little things. Just yesterday Sunny spent a good chunk of time following a cricket around outside. She was glued to it’s every move, belly laughing at every jump. I’ve only met one adult who still takes time to stop and watch the little things in awe (he spent roughly 10 minutes praising a spider that had spun a web under his porch, and he just happens to be one of the most joyful people I’ve ever met) I hope Sunny and Olga grow up to do the same. So that’s something I’m going to be working on - simplifying things. We don’t have an enormous amount of toys by any means, I haven’t even purchased any play food yet because Sunny just uses rocks and leaves and different things from outside. But I’m going to remove some toys from her shelf and see if that sparks and new creativity.
On a different note, my physical and mental health hasn’t been at it’s best lately so I’m planning on trying some supplements once I can create a budget for them, because they’re all SO expensive. But I really want to try oyster, liver, vitamin D, and collagen to start. Eventually, I’d like to start growing my own herbs, if they grow here in Missouri, to make Nora tea (Nettle, Oatstraw, Red Raspberry, Alfalfa) or I’ll try to buy them in bulk. I’ve had to cut back on working out because I don’t feel well enough to do much more than walking up and down the very steep hills in our neighborhood with the girls in the double stroller. Still a great workout, but not as satisfying as lifting weights. I hope to get this health crisis sorted out soon. I’m desperate to have some energy again. How have your energy levels been now that you’re almost two years post postpartum?(Still can’t get over how quickly that time flew by!) Are you taking any supplements?
Lydia