Family Candlemas

Today we were snowed-in (or more like iced-in) yet again! Day three of trying to work at home with Lilah under foot. It has been a challenging week but nice to be home with my little sweetie too! Every spare moment today we prepared for our Candlemas celebration, thought about the Spring that hopefully is around the corner and other new beginnings and intentions for the new year.

Lilah made beautiful bird nests to welcome Spring birds and Daddy made some blackbirds out of beeswax at Lilah's request. We used scraps of roving, string and stuffing to make little wreaths into nests. I had envisioned tucking and winding the scraps around the twigs...but Lilah choose to decorate the opening instead to make a nice cozy place for the birds. Makes much more sense when you think about it! She was very proud of her nests!

At lunch I started on some crepes for a traditional Candlemas dinner with a raw vegan twist. Being a new Raw Foodie it was the perfect opportunity to try out my new raw cookbook! It was so easy and as with everything I make lately it gave me so much energy and pleasure to make and eat! I added my own little touches, like cinnamon to the apple and flax batter. Then into the dehydrator for 4 hours. I made a raw chopped apple sauce for the inside with hazelnut kream and blueberries to top! So yummy!

We enjoyed our feast then ended the night with candles lit around our bird's nests and a roaring fire. It was nice to actual use the living room...we talked...we played...we read stories. It was a beautiful night and a wonderful way to truly welcome the new year and Spring season.

Even our Goldfish enjoyed the candlelight of our celebration!

xoxo, Laura

Being Happy

Just had to write about the latest and cutest things heard in our house.

We have been reading "Today I Feel Silly" by Jamie Lee Curtis a lot lately. Lilah really loves it and it is a great book that talks about feelings. At the end it asks how you feel today with a cute face you can change the expressions on. Every time we do it Lilah says she is happy which makes me so incredibly happy. The best though is when i ask her what makes her happy she says "Mommy Makes me Happy"! Love it!!

So on top of her super cute expressions of last week she now likes to say how much Mommy and Daddy make her happy...the cherry on top was yesterday when she took my face in her hands and said "Mama you're beautiful"! I'm so in love with her and I couldn't be any happier or prouder of what sweet little girl she is!!

"You're the Best Mommy"

This is what my beautiful daughter said to me this morning and then a few other times throughout the day. I think that is the best compliment I could ask for!! It just makes me think that no matter how many shortcomings I see in myself in striving to be the best Mom, my little girl thinks I already am. Perhaps we should all let ourselves off the hook a little.

I accepted the fact a long time ago that I would not be the perfect Mom, whatever that even is. I have found it difficult in being a working Mom though. Only having a few precious hours a day to spend with Lilah, and many times after a long day of work finding in hard to be 100% present with her in those hours. So I am trying to be present and spend good quality time with Lilah when I can. Whether it doing an exciting new craft project together, reading an extra book at night or like this morning after we had a nice shower we just played in my bed for an hour hunting for treasure under the covers and pretending to be wild animals in the jungle.

Not even a month into the new year and I think my "resolutions" are turning out just fine and apparently even Lilah thinks so! Focusing on me more with my Raw Foods (lost 10 lbs. so far and no more coffee)and getting to the fun classes at the gym. Focusing on family more by not overcommitting and having too many activities (we actual have time to just do whatever we want or do nothing at all). Oh and two blog posts since the holidays...getting there! I think I'll pat myself on the back!!

Hope this helps someone out there...just remember that nothing is prefect and us Moms need to give ourselves a break sometimes becuase I bet if you ask your kids they will think you are the best too!

xoxo,
Laura

Fresh Start

Last year during the holidays we were at the beginning of a long and difficult journey. 2010 took many twists and turns for us caring for a sick loved one, searching for work and financial stability, supporting my husband as a full-time student and raising Lilah. They all had their challenges, difficultties and now finally we are coming out on the other end to enjoy their rewards.

I am looking forward to fresh start in 2011. We have been blessed with a healthy family once again, a little bit more financial security (at at least a new job for me that I am enjoying!). Lilah is growing into an independant, spirited and creative little being. And my dear husband has a few more tough months ahead but will finally have a college degree in hand this Summer!

A fresh start means many things but for me this year it is time to focus a little bit more on me. After putting everyone first this year, I'm ready to focus on my health and happiness! After becoming a Vegetarian over a year ago I had the intention of slowly becoming Vegan and I think I'm ready to take that challenge on, to eat more raw food and better honor my body and soul. More yoga, reading and playing. Less TV and laziness! Harmony of the mind and body.

Probably not too different from other people's New Year's Resolutions...but I feel that it is more than just that for me. I'm ready to feel my best for myself but also for Lilah. To teach her good habits, be a good Mommy and role model and to be more present when I'm with her by getting rid of distraction. Finding time to be inspired by my favorite people and blogs tops the list too...I always get energy from others but it is so hard to find the time! Now if I can just get my meat eating, TV loving husband to support me this will not just a new year, but a new beginning!

Oh and on the top of my list....blogging weekly, rather than only a few times a year!!

xoxo,
Laura

Tick Tock

How quickly time goes. Somehow it doesn't surprise me that it has been nearly two months since I last posted. Between taking care of my family and particularly stressful times at work I am left with no time for myself...the few moments I have I seem to just be too drained to even think about doing something I enjoy and just end up on the couch. Well at least now my wireless is working so maybe I'll be blogging from the couch more often!

What is really an eye opener is that my sweet little Lilah will be two years old in one week. I don't know where the past two years have gone...I feel like it has gone by in the blink of an eye. I know dividing my time between work and Lilah has not left me with the time or energy that Lilah deserves. But as working Mothers we do the best we can...and she clearly loves me despite my flaws as she throws her arms around me everyday and excitedly and lovingly calls out "My Mommy". Unconditional love...the most amazing lesson to learn from little ones.

So again I am going to try and take a step back, slow down and enjoy life with Lilah and find time for myself...starting with going to bed now so I am well rested to tackle another crazy day...good night.

xoxo,
Laura

A Day for Lilah

With all the hustle and bustle sometimes special family time gets lost in the shuffle. Today we set aside for Lilah no plans set or phone calls made...just the three of us out for an adventure.

We started the day with mini cinnamon bagels which was exciting enough apparently for Lilah. Then we ventured to Stepping Stones Museum for Children in search of some fun. Our goal to get there when the doors opened was only delayed 10 minutes a record for us!

Giant tinker toys in the outdoor paly area!

Making a special picture for Grandma

We had so much fun seeing everything and playing. We saved the water room for last knowing once Lilah saw that she wouldn't care about the rest of the exhibits! She has always loved water...I think she secretly has a connection because we wanted her to be born a water baby and maybe she did too. On the way to the hospital I even sent Tom into the attic for my tankini top so we could use the birthing tub, but unfortunately I had to be induced...a story for another time.

Water play

Lilah loved everything and watching her joy as she ran from exhibit to exhibit was priceless. Then as we were getting ready to leave and visit the newest member of our family (our cousin's giant new dog) we heard an announcement...Storytime Saturday was about to begin with Brown Bear, Brown Bear....perfect! We went to the theater to listen to Lilah's favorite story and it was fabulous. Of course sitting and listening is for the birds so Lilah climbed up on stage to get a better look. She loves getting up close and being involved...same thing happened at two magic shows last year....not a wall flower that is for sure! She actually did a little dance on the stage before sitting back down.

Center stage

Making the skeleton ride the bike with Daddy

Such a sweet, innocent, little girl filled with curiosity, love and joy...amazing. I wish I could bottle the magic of childhood...I wouldn't sell it, I would give it to everyone so that we could all remember and delight in it everyday.

xoxo,

Laura

Fun Filled February

In typical "me" fashion work and home life has consumed me and kept me away from my new venture into the blogosphere...so time for a little catch-up on all the things I thought about posted and never got around to actually posting!

Having a full-time job outside the house and being an adoring mother and wife at home is so challenging and at times it can be so hard to find balance. There have been many huge life altering decisions I have been faced with lately and it can all just be too much some times. So I have tried to truly be "present" with Lilah and Tom and make the best out of a few not-so ideal situations.

So here is my look back on the simple, happy and special things we filled our time and hearts with this month...

One-of-A-Kind Valentines

We gathered up the art supplies and valentine-like cut outs from good old Martha Stewart Living and Lilah and I created Valentine's for all of our loved ones. Then Lilah and I whipped up another batch of jello jigglers for all her friends at school. They were a hit and Lilah has been enjoying the leftovers ever since.

Lilah's favorite medium...Crayons

Taking her work VERY seriously!

And the finished products

Home Away from Home- Maine

On the February 14th Lilah and I were in Maine and away from Tom, although it was sad being away from him on such a special day we had our own special day in Maine with my Dad. My Mom was away with my sister at my great grandmother's so it was just the three of us!

We had such a special time, my Dad and Lilah made blueberry pancakes in the morning and english muffin pizzas at night. The whole trip was so fun, just the three of us...so much fun in fact I didn't get a chance to take any pictures! We saw lots of other family too and it was so great to be "home". I am so blessed with such an amazing family and adore every single one of them.

When we got back to Connecticut we celebrated with a special heart shaped pasta dinner....yummy! Tom and I actually just celebrated our Valentine's Day yesterday with a date to the movies and dinner, while Lilah played with my wonderful babysitting cousins at home.

Snow Days
The rest of the month was filled with a lot of snow and we even had some snow days we all got to spend together at home. We played outside when we could and Lilah got to break in her new sled and play with friends. I love the beauty of the snow and all the fun it brings. Lilah's pink cheeks say it all...

So another month has past so quickly and brings us closer to Spring. I am looking forward to this Spring with much anticipation for new beginings and a fresh start in a way. I'm looking forward to sharing it all with you as it blossoms to life in the next few weeks.

xoxo,
Laura