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

Inspired

In my quest to find more balance in my life I have emerged myself into the blogging community and have found so much inspiration. It is hard to really even know where to begin!

Lilah came home with a beautiful beeswax candle she made at school and after catching up with her amazing teacher Eileen's blog I decided that after a busy week would celebrate Candlemas together at dinner. It was a special dinner for Lilah and she loved having her potato leek soup by candle light!

Following our dinner we read stories and did finger play for a beautiful ending to our week. It is amazing how it melted away all of the frustration from work and gave me more energy to keep up the balanced life.

Our adventures for the weekend will include making Valentines, which is an annual tradition but will be so much fun now that Lilah is old enough to help. I'm also going to make a creative space for myself...once upon a time before Lilah was born I had a beautiful craft room and office. When we transformed it into Lilah's cozy nursery we packed away all of my arts and crafts supplies.

As much as I love our living room...it is for living right? So I'm going to set up my craft station there...when guests come over it may be a bit messy, but I think my beloved friends and family won't mind! Pictures to come...

I'm feeling so much better already just thinking of all the exciting changes I'm going to make...focusing on my family and my creative passions. Enough time is spent thinking of work at work...time to stop bringing it home.

xoxo

Stirring Up Some Fun

After a long day at work, I admit it is hard to muster up the energy to spend quality time with Lilah, of course resulting in terrible mommy guilt. There is dinner to make, diapers to wash, dishes to do and many other things on the never-ending mommy to-do list. Not to mention the hope that there may be a spare minute to relax and unwind, especially after a particularly draining day at the office. I think this is something all working moms struggle with. I'm trying to really stay focused on cherishing every moment of Lilah's childhood and if that means my house is a mess so what.

So Monday I put aside the to-do list to stir up some fun. Although the dishes were piled mile high I decided that what could be more fun than making an even bigger mess! One of Lilah's favorite things to do is help mommy cook so I let go and just went with it, we made butternut squash ravioli from scratch. While the ones Lilah put together ended up just being a big mess I let her do her thing....squash on the floor and all!

We had so much fun that despite the dishes still not being done from that night we cooked together again Tuesday making jello jigglers for Valentine's Day...only this time we cleaned up after (with a little help from daddy). Lilah actually prefers the cleaning up! She just loves playing with the water while we wash dishes and she is not too bad with a sponge either!

Lesson of the week...make an ordinary task extraordinary by just letting go and enjoying.

xoxo

Quiet on a Chilly Day

Other than the sound of the furnance churning away to keep us warm, it is quiet. Little Lilah is fast asleep and I'm working on setting up this blog...sure I should be getting my taxes ready for the accountant, cleaning, working out...the list goes on.

Sometimes you just need to forget the housekeeping and just do what you feel like doing. So after I hit "publish post", I might snuggle under a blanket until Lilah wakes up...moments of quiet are hard to come by with a toddler. So I say get lost in the quiet, there's plenty of time for chores later!

More about me and my blog later...I'm off for some quiet "me" time!

xoxo