The Simpler Things.
I can't sleep. Never thought I'd be saying that after the lack of sleep for the past seven months. Seven months. Time seems to slip through my fingers, and she seems to becoming a little girl already. New milestones, noises, and discoveries are occurring each day. Life is an adventure with Nora.
We started rice cereal a week before she turned six months. My heart broke a tiny bit inside with the anticipation of Nora needing me less and less over the next six or so months. Breastfeeding is the one thing only I can give her. I treasure our quiet moments together...unless she's distracted or pinching me...then that's a whole other story. After getting home from Christmas travels we started foods like peas, prunes, pears, and sweet potatoes, and you wouldn't believe how peas can constipate a tiny baby. Whew. The things we did to help that poor child poop. And the party we had when she did. Welcome to Parenthood.
I have had 3 weeks off from school, and the next 5 consist of online classes. This has allowed time for me to sit and think and process life. You wouldn't think this a gift, but between work, school, a baby, and life sitting and thinking can be hard to come by. I've had time to make Nora's baby food from scratch- something that makes me feel proud for many reasons, I've had time to face the fact that I graduate at the end of summer- a long ago dream coming to life, and I've had the opportunity to breathe- to slow down and enjoy the little things. I've gotten a taste of a simpler and calmer life, and it feels so, so good.
Nora fell asleep an hour early tonight. Sometimes it's not worth the fight. Chris and I crept into our room and climbed into bed. He dozed off, I read, and then we talked. We talked about our future, where we think we might be in a year, not sacrificing our dreams/callings for the safe choice, and simply just dreamed. These moments seem rare these days. Life has been too busy for too long, and we are ready for this season to come to a close. I long for a life of simplicity. A life rich in peace, laughter, and time well spent. And let's be honest. I long for a full night's sleep.
I dream of the day when I can walk out my back door, coffee in hand and baby girl in tow, and I hear nothing but nature. No city sounds, no people fighting, or dogs barking (unless its my own). I want Nora to have space and freedom, and the opportunity to run and play. Ahhh the sweetness of such thoughts.
For now, we try to implement a simpler way of living in the space we're in. Less TV, more books; more cooking, less eating out. More time with people we love, less time browsing Facebook. Life is good. Often times I lose sight of that; after all it's easy to get distracted amidst the chaos and craziness. Life is sweet and good, and there are good things to come.
We started rice cereal a week before she turned six months. My heart broke a tiny bit inside with the anticipation of Nora needing me less and less over the next six or so months. Breastfeeding is the one thing only I can give her. I treasure our quiet moments together...unless she's distracted or pinching me...then that's a whole other story. After getting home from Christmas travels we started foods like peas, prunes, pears, and sweet potatoes, and you wouldn't believe how peas can constipate a tiny baby. Whew. The things we did to help that poor child poop. And the party we had when she did. Welcome to Parenthood.
I have had 3 weeks off from school, and the next 5 consist of online classes. This has allowed time for me to sit and think and process life. You wouldn't think this a gift, but between work, school, a baby, and life sitting and thinking can be hard to come by. I've had time to make Nora's baby food from scratch- something that makes me feel proud for many reasons, I've had time to face the fact that I graduate at the end of summer- a long ago dream coming to life, and I've had the opportunity to breathe- to slow down and enjoy the little things. I've gotten a taste of a simpler and calmer life, and it feels so, so good.
Nora fell asleep an hour early tonight. Sometimes it's not worth the fight. Chris and I crept into our room and climbed into bed. He dozed off, I read, and then we talked. We talked about our future, where we think we might be in a year, not sacrificing our dreams/callings for the safe choice, and simply just dreamed. These moments seem rare these days. Life has been too busy for too long, and we are ready for this season to come to a close. I long for a life of simplicity. A life rich in peace, laughter, and time well spent. And let's be honest. I long for a full night's sleep.
I dream of the day when I can walk out my back door, coffee in hand and baby girl in tow, and I hear nothing but nature. No city sounds, no people fighting, or dogs barking (unless its my own). I want Nora to have space and freedom, and the opportunity to run and play. Ahhh the sweetness of such thoughts.
For now, we try to implement a simpler way of living in the space we're in. Less TV, more books; more cooking, less eating out. More time with people we love, less time browsing Facebook. Life is good. Often times I lose sight of that; after all it's easy to get distracted amidst the chaos and craziness. Life is sweet and good, and there are good things to come.
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| She's smiling I assure you. |
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| We couldn't love or adore her more. |
I read this post three times already today. Was it because it highlights all the things I treasure and yearn for as well? or was it because it brings me joy to see you enjoy your new life as parents, see your new bond with Chris over Nora and see you rewarded with a longed-for child, so perfect in every way? Probably both. But as I sold the second of our two TVs last month to do exactly that - be more present, read more books, and live more fully, learn to be more still, I might as well do the last part too. Powering my computer right now. Thank you for a daily inspiration! and for sharing your heart so openly :)
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