hump day nuggets: little bits of the season in photos and words about the last week
Snow continues to fall and my kids continue to grow. It’s nice to rely on these things.
Last week over dinner, Margot turned to her dad and said, “You know, I like children’s museums more than I like children.”
Last week I sighed and Ruby leaned over and gave me an open-mouth kiss on my nose.
Sometimes I want to pause my kids. It all feels so safe and funny right now. It’s a good thing we get to grow with our children, that I have the spring and summer to sift through my emotions about Margot starting preschool.
The changes happen so quickly and yet the cadence somehow feels manageable because the sequence makes sense and unfolds with or without my permission. With every phase I find myself wishing to stop time and excited for the next chapter because, with every phase, there is sweetness and challenge.
blizzard outside, bed-romping inside
nuggets.
:: Margot regularly asks me to help her make a nest for she and Ruby to read in. It’s one of my favorites right now.
:: We had a sicky sick blech weekend. Lots of reading and soup and hugging and sleep.
both of my kids really love these teas and I really think they work wonderfully
:: The weekend was challenging. In hindsight, the slow, healing pace seems sweet. I think most hardships are that way.
:: And, man does it feel good to get out after we’ve been pinned in.
:: One of my current parenting challenges is Ruby’s desire to be within six inches of me if I am visible. I love holding her. And I am ready for her to feel comfortable playing in the living room while I make dinner. We’ll get there.
Actually it is often both of my kids that want to curl into the palm of my hand. We had a “picnic on the floor” for dinner a few nights ago and Margot and Ruby both pawed at my food and my lap. I asked them if they perhaps wanted to visit their dad (who lounged peacefully and gracefully ate spinach salad). Margot stopped still and said, “Mom, your children just want you when you are eating dinner. That’s all.”
That’s all.
:: Ruby is learning to walk. Margot walked at 10 months so we kept thinking Ruby would up and go like her sister. But this sister is on her own trajectory.
She is completely hilarious when she’s upright, often giggling so uncontrollably that she loses her balance. Her favorite is when Margot walks with her. She goes back for more even when Margot decides to pick up the pace and not let go of Ruby’s hand.
:: “Mama, I really think Ruby really wants to be up here on the bed and not playing with that doll. I think she wants me to play with that doll.”
:: Winter is the best season to photograph Alice.
:: During the rough, sick weekend, Margot asked what I was feeling and I told her I was grumpy and frustrated. It was the truth, a lot of it because Margot had continually pushed and pulled on Ruby all morning. I had yelled a few times, I felt like I wasn’t a very fun mom. Margot centered me, held my face in her little hands and said, “Mama, I like you.” And, just like that, grumps evaporated and Margot softened toward Ruby. Words are powerful.
:: All the photos in this post are taken with my loaner camera from Vann’s. It’s an affordable little point and shoot (I used the manual settings) and a great camera (available through the link below). I am still waiting to get my hands on my Dreamboat…
THANK YOU for your participation in the poll and comments. I think you will be very psyched with the deals Vann’s has composed for you, in response to your desires, including a discount on apple laptops and several point and shoots, lenses and DSLRs.
Click here to see the fabulous deals that can be yours and how to grab ’em before they are gone (while also supporting a locally-owned, mama-supporting business)! All offers end at midnight on February 25. Thank you, Vann’s!
Happy hump day out there.
46 Comments
WOO-HOO FIRST!!….now back to really read and really post….xoxo
me 🙂
I feel the same way…wanting to pause! My little one year old is the same way…wanting to be within 6 inches of me when I’m in site…so I can so relate! Love hearing about all the nuggets! Hugs!
A Cannon 50mm 1.8f for $94.97 – are you kidding me?!? I just won the lottery! I have been wanting a portrait lens but could never justify the expense for something that wouldn’t routinely be attached to my camera. Even if it is the standard lense – at $94 and change there’s no way to go wrong! I never thought Vann’s would offer a deal I could help you out with but I was downright giddy when I saw that deal. Thanks Dig! Just put in my order. You’re on you way to Dreamboat!!
My son is just a few weeks younger than your Ruby and is also going through the stage of not wanting to be more than 6 inches away from me too. To cook a meal without him racing in between my legs and pawing at me would be bliss… We deal with it though, right!?! 🙂
I love the picture of Margo and Ruby walking together. Priceless!
You know, Alex is 2 1/2 and I miss having her in the Ergo all the time. But it is fun to have a little miss dress up by my side and under my feet (while cooking).
Way to go. Hope you get that camera! I figured they couldn’t ship a range to Annapolis. 🙂
-Jennifer from Annapolis
my word is “yossupp”. LOL. I am going to say that for the rest of the day!
Which camera is your dreamboat?
I know just what you mean about wanting to pause things and yet being excited for what’s to come. I’m so there right now.
Ok, now that I’ve caught my breath (after flipping out over the lens deal) thought I’d come back and actually say something about your post… Love Ruby walking! My son’s at the same stage right now and has a vice grip on my index finger as he marches all around the house! He also wants to be held all the time – but he’s too grabby to safely sit on my hip while I cook – so I got him a “kitchen helper” stand – basically a stool with guard rails and he LOVES it! Beats a whimpering, tugging little boy at my feet.
My favorite picture though is the Margot and Ruby reading together one. So lovely!
I love what my girls are teaching me. They amaze me everyday. If only we could freeze them at this age. I would love to always have someone to help me cook in the kitchen. We also had a picnic today. It was outside in the snow. It was my seven year olds idea. I blogged about it today. Thanks for sharing these beautiful moments with us. Now off to put more straw in the chicken coop!
Glad you at least got a loner camera! What is your dreamboat camera? My hubby has a Canon 5D and 50D. He just sold his 20D a couple of months ago. That looks like some pretty sweet deal on lenses though. I’ll have see if he wants any of those.
Speaking of the hubby he’s in Idaho Falls this week so I told him to take a day trip and come wipe out any inventory you may have in Ivy’s size. 🙂
I swear your photos get a little more creative every time. I love the mirror one with the dichotomy of blizzard to snuggles. Awesome. Love the nuggets.
-Melina
I’ve been wanting that pause button for more than a decade. Though I have to admit there are days I wouldn’t turn down a fast forward one too. Maybe most hours with your kids are good in retrospect, but some hours are just hard.
Love how your eyes match your hat.
And what great lens deals. . . for Canon people! Me & my Nikon feel so left out! 😉
Hi! I just happened upon your blog through a friend who loved a bag you made recently. I like it here! I can resonate with so many of your thoughts and feelings about your girls (particularly the brief ones expressed about your eldest starting preschool soon) as I’ve got two little girls myself, but we’re a few years ahead. My eldest just started K this year and WOW, that was a transition!!! I look forward to checking back here.
Laura from Vancouver, Canada.
Woo hoo! We’ve been keeping our eyes out for a camera since Christmas, and I couldn’t pass up this great offer. Just bought your loaner camera! I know exactly how you feel when Margot said, “I like you.” If I’m having a crappy day, Owen will give me a hug and say, “Now are you happy, Mama?” Works every time! It does fly by, doesn’t it?!
Its amazing how they can make you smile with such the simplest things… And then they can gave you a full blown migrane in a matter of seconds. haha Wrapped around their tiny little fingers.
Cassi Speer
http://www.TIMETOPLAYMOM.com
Thank you so much! Thank you for sharing your life with us and scoring us a sweet deal! I’m ordering my mac book pro tomorrow and I am sooooooo excited! May be getting a new lense, too.
You are gonna get your dreamboat girl! Please do tell… which one is it?
Cute photos of the kids. What’s the camera you’re pining for? I adore mine. It’s in Bozeman getting a cleaning. Life is ridiculous without it.
Can’t wait to get my hands on those kids…
To watch the sister bond is amazing. It is safe to say we are both witnessing the blossoming of a magical relationship between our girls. We have raised pretty cool big sisters and sweet little sisters nuggets!! Juliette is always laughing at Charlotte…I think it is the sweetest and most pure thing I have ever heard! I love it!! To see Margot and Ruby hand-in-hand is really a fun sight to see! I love the picture of M shoving R onto the bed….so dang cute! Hey, I like the Buggie Blanket I see in some of the pictures. We love the tea too!!! It is a staple around here.
Love you all….xoxoxoxoxo
e
“Snow continues to fall and my kids continue to grow. It’s nice to rely on these things.”
Oh, how well I can relate. Another beautiful post.
Margot’s spunk is smile-inducing and Ruby is PRECIOUS. I love your photos and the retelling of your life and your love for your family. 🙂
Way to go, Ruby! Love the knit layers on your girls 🙂
This is one of my favorite posts!!! I love your honesty. You say the truth but you say it with lots of love…
Love how different your girls are from one another…. (I’m sure they are similar as well)
Margot is hilarious! and Ruby, Oh Ruby….just gorgeous.
Thank you for a beautiful post. So happy that you have a camera!!!
Sending sunshine your way-
I am freaking out about weird parallels between Avi and Margot–just tonight he got close to my face and said, “I like you” just after I told him how I was frustrated and grumpy (after he got Lilit all wet while I was trying to put her to bed). These kids are wise for sure.
And Lilit shows a very little bit of interest in crawling while Avi began to do it at 9 months exactly. I love how each kid has his/her own trajectory . . .
Love the darker blue hoodie. Glad your clan is on the mend. xoox
Love Ruby walking… those beginning steps & the slow realization of the power of movement are magic. And Margot “helping” her onto the bed cracked me up… my youngest loves to tell me what his brother wants… and somehow it almost always involves him getting his hands on a treat of some sort.
Hope you are all on the mend & feeling better very soon.
Cheers,
Kate
I’ve never known such an old soul kid as Margot. The things she says amaze me. She’s totally been here before.
Loving:
Snowy footprints, seeing the owl hat, how big Ruby looks, your badass hipster picture at the end, the way your eyes look even greener with that green hat, you sneakin’ up on Andy reading his book.
That is all.
Margot is truly amazing and insightful- what can only be a genetic tie to her parents:) I love hearing her, and your words.
Pause. A Powerful thing!
A hooray for GREAT deals!
,,,margot is full of piss ‘n vinegar and i love it!!! she minces no words, keeps it to a minimum and speaks her mind,,,and ruby, she prefers to stay close to her mama, she just wants to be sure of you, love “the book” she is reading,,,the photos of m&r hand ‘n hand, so sweet and the knit cap margot is wearing, what a hoot,,,love,,,thanks for the “nugs”
I don’t usually comment but read every post. I would really like to know if you make the fruit leather and if you do will you please post instructions and recipe.
And as always great post and I love the new bag.
Woohoo! I’m on an excitement-of-buying-a-new-camera high 🙂 I’ve been debating getting a new camera for a few months now and those great deals sent me over the edge. Hope it helps get you on your way to your dreamboat!
Your girls are so thoughtful. It’s sweet to hear how they express themselves. Have a great week! xo
So many moments I have in my memories that I wished I could pause.
I love Margots comment “I like you!”
What I would do for more of those moments from my kids these days…..enjoy!
The pictures look nice, despite the loaner camera! Hope you are all feeling better.
Love,
Jen
I’ve been thinking the same thing to myself…that I’m glad I have spring an summer to sift through my emotions about preschool for my daughter in the fall…
sigh
I had to prepare for several months for my first baby to go to preschool, too! But it all turned out wonderfully. 🙂
We’re just getting back out into the snow after being sick. Lots of Tulsi Rose tea and reading in bed nests.
Your life is beautiful.
I so hear you–each stage is a joy that you want to keep. But then you wonder what they’ll be like in a year, 2 years, even later… It’s truly exciting.
This is my first comment. I love your blog–found it through Kelle Hampton’s.
Margot is incredibly intelligent, but you knew that, didn’t you?
Have a great day!
I’m not sure who likes your blog more, me or my 6 year old son. He always wants to know if I’m reading the “pretty girls” blog. He moves like a race car across the room, when I tell him “yes”. Thanks for sharing your amazing talent with us, we enjoy your pictures and writing so very much.
,,,this morning i re-read your “nugs”, yesterday they left me with a HUGE smile so i thought i would test the waters again,,,”tada” another smile,,,
,,,sweet lil ruby giving you an open mouth kiss on your nose, that has to be the icing on the cake!,,,
,,,margot hoisting her sister on the bed, she is the shoulders many will stand on,,,i have a great life, you have a really GREAT life!,,,(smile)
The picture of Margot, deep in thought, walking amidst all that snow is lovely. And the shot of her big-sister grin while holding onto little’s hand is magic.
Love *get out & pinned in, words are powerful.*
Winter really is the best season to photograph a black and brown (or in our case a black and white) dog.
As usual, love your nuggets.
My wife loves your blog and reads it all the time! We have an 11-month old and its great to hear stories of someone having gone through a lot of the same things.
We needed a new lens for my Cannon DSLR, so we happily supported Vans! We’re excited and glad to be able to help support such a great business.
I love these nuggets. The photo of Margot walking with Ruby, especially. Actually, I’ve loved all your photos of Margot & Ruby interacting. So awesome.
Thanks for the fantastic Vann’s deal. Can’t wait to see what your Dreamboat turns out to be.
Nici, love the sisterhood. I can’t wait to witness this with Char and Jules. And…love all of the books and reading. Spoken like a teacher for sure. It makes such a difference! Just curious…what is Andy reading? Love you and yours..Aunt Deb
i love this post. damn, margot is smart.
I noticed the girls have the book..”Its a book”. I just bought that myself – Do you read the ending to the girls????
Im debating.
Mrs. Plouff: We don’t mention the jackass. Although I LOVE that on the last page…I feel like it is a little secret for the parents! The book was a gift from a reader which I think makes it all even more charming. Maybe we’ll read it to them some day…not today.
zip fasteners, and definitely,
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