The First Night.

My last post was started a little while - ahem ok a day - before it actually got finished and so ended up a day behind...

That's ok ;)  Just clarifying so as not to confuse the people who actually know me, and have been hearing all about this sleep stuff (endlessly - oops! sorry bout that ).  So I thought I ought to come back with my ever so exciting news from the most recent last night.  Ok - that's a mouthful ;)

Soooooooo I've been realizing that this girl of mine after many many months of trying, is just not getting there with night weaning - she's 2 1/2 - and since it's been a full decade since I've slept through the night, I've been feeling a little impatient......So we decided that the best bet would be for mama to head off to an entirely different building ;)  So last night I slept *all*  *by* *myself* !!!!!!!

I know that probably doesn't sound even remotely exciting to most, but since I've been cosleeping for over 15 years now, and night nursing for much of that time...... well it's definitely exciting for me ;)

I woke up feeling fabulous, and ever so hopeful that sleeping through the night *every night* (within reason of course) will be the next milestone we reach.


Don't get me wrong, I'm absolutely 100% in love with co-sleeping, and extended breastfeeding, *but* it's been a hard path - one very well worth it, and with a whole heap of benefits, but it's still been really hard.  And of course - multiply that time 5 kids, and it's just a lot of years.  I'm excited to find out what I can accomplish with a regular good nights' sleep!  Me thinks I might actually be super mom after all then ;) (in a totally joking way of course ;)  )  It does feel pretty huge tho - watching all these baby things pass away, becoming a memory of a different time, and opening doors to a new phase in this family's life.  I'm sure one day (when I'm mighty well rested lol ) I'll look back on these years, and (hopefully my sleep deprived brain will remember lol) miss those days when the kids were wee.  They sure are magical times. (maybe that's why we are sleep deprived!  To enhance the magical effect with a little fuzzy brained sleepy silliness ;)  )

The Power of the Camera

Last night was a *really* rough night.  Nothing new - the usual toddler with heels dug in, hollering her head off for hours on end....

Doesn't look much like a hollering type does she ?

Sooooo I do have a point here.....I'm getting to it.

I woke up in quite a sorry state, seriously underslept, staggering around and despairing over the necessity of an early trip to town (45 minute drive)

I finally got everyone out the door and drove 2 minutes down the road, only to realize that I'd...

Forgotten my camera!

I turned around, knowing that my camera had the power to turn my day around.

That was the smart move for the day.

Slowly but surely I'm learning to bring my camera everywhere.

Besides the fact, that having it along ensures that I'm practicing and improving skills on a daily basis, 

it also reminds me to view the world in a different way.  It comes back to noticing again.  

Pausing mid-sentence with an overwhelming urge to capture a moment - it makes me feel alive.  It reminds me to be right here, right now.

Who knew that light could be sooooo incredibly beautiful, in such a simple way?

It's not like I never noticed beauty before, but now I notice *all the time*  

I don't see a flower garden, I see each individual flower, and from every possible angle.

It can be so hard to find time to create, to move that creative energy- but not with my camera - oh no, that takes only seconds.....

My day may have started out on the wrong foot, but camera in hand I was able to muddle through, and eventually.....

I was too busy noticing, to remember how tired I was.

The Motherload of Potatoes.

If you want children to get excited about gardening - then harvesting potatoes is a sure thing.  Today saw us all outside, some digging, and some diving ;)  Yes I said diving - because that's what they do! With a shriek and a grin :)

A certain 4 year old girl kept saying "This is the MOTHERLOAD of POTATOES"

*Yes she was yelling for emphasis ;)  *

The biggest boy likes to dig - and even generously tosses the potatoes into the reach/view of the littlest ones - apparently getting much enjoyment, from watching their glee.

It's just soooooo magical - I mean really - there are potatoes.... in the ground! 

Imagine that one from the point of view of a little one ;)  Heck - it's pretty exciting for me too!

THe pig pen is on the other side of the fence from the potato patch this year.  The pigs knew that we had food over there and they weren't impressed that we weren't sharing (raw potatoes = bad for piggies)

In this photo they are desperately trying to nibble at my toes under the fence... 

I'm loving the fashionable garden attire of Miss Big A  - aka dancer girl.  Her current strategy to avoid clothing is to wear her long red coat, cause it covers her whole body! 

 Yes, digging potatoes was a nice way to end the day.  My favorite gardening is that done with enthusiastic littles by my side.

Someone is a whole decade old!

And that would be my biggest boy :)

I really must get around to dealing with the paper photos I still have in boxes - I didn't have any digital baby photos of him....

I have to say - and I know I say this *all the time*....

My god the time it sure flies!

How is it even possible that this boy who once lived for frogs and lawn mowers has grown so big!

It seems like yesterday that I danced that boy into the world 

(Yes I danced - probably the only birth that I did, but dance I did.)

His birth was the fastest of all - and he was my biggest baby.

A wonderful contagious smile..

Endless curiosity.

And so so loving (well except where his little brother is concerned ;)  ).

I better pay attention.... he'll be grown before I know it.  I don't want to miss a moment.

snapshot

snapshot - flower love

I sure never thought I'd be the type to be even remotely interested in photographing flowers - but apparently I am.  In fact I can't stop!  So if you don't mind I'll just have to bombard you now and then with my favorite shots :)  

this moment - garden inspiration, science inspiration

Inspired by Amanda Soule {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find.