Things I've learned

• Keep a garbage can in every room.
• Don't even think about buying clothes that need an iron or a dry-cleaner.
• A cordless vacuum is a gift from the gods.
• I CAN brush my teeth at the kitchen sink.
• I CAN get dressed directly from the laundry basket; in the living room; working to avoid open blinds.
• Patterned socks are much easier to match to each other then the slightly different-textured and varying degrees of black sock we used to have.
• I don't answer the phone unless i really want to.
• Unless i want to spend the weekend picking up thousands of pieces of plastic, I will no longer buy Lego or Playmobil toys.
• If D hasn't played with something in a month, I put it in a "purgatory box"; if he hasn't asked for it in another month...bye-bye toy.
• If I don't use something at least once a month, I'll toss it or donate it because I've learned that I hate dealing with the cursed thing. I scowl when I have to clean around it or move it to get at something else, I hate looking at it... This is so liberating; I can borrow those few things I'll need once in a great while (like a fish poacher). with a new baby, I've discovered that the hairdryer falls under this category of little-used-goods. so, goodwill, expect a hairdryer soon.
• Although I can find most information on-line these days, it's hard to get rid of beloved old books. I still have a soft spot for a dog-eared old atlas and musty old Encyclopaedias.
  

Good Advice

"Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

I had so little sleep last night, yet trying to worry about whether I'll ever sleep again serves only to make me cry.

Tempus Fugit

I read somewhere that newborn mothering is characterized by extremely long days which make up weeks that fly by. So true. M is already one month old, and it seems we brought him home only a week ago.
D; the almost-three-year-old; is dealing well. At least it seems he is. Tantrums are about as many as can be expected from a typical three year old. Although his tendency to be annoyingly contrary is wearing on me....I'm about to resort to reverse psychology. "Let's not put our shoes on!" "Let's not eat our lunch!" Gah!
In the midst of all this, I'm trying to keep sane. Keep journaling and reading about things non-child related. It's hard, with a screeching being on your shoulder as you type...not to have questions around; why all the screeching? More sleep would help. I go to bed around 9 in order to function the next day. So exciting. Bigger questions abound. What am I going to do when the boys are in school? Will I ever work again? For myself, or for others? Do I need to finish that Thesis???? Yikes.

He's here!

and he's perfect! With some difficulty at surgery (cord in a knot, wrapped around a leg or two); M entered the world.

Gray

I'm so attracted to the color gray right now. I've knit my first hat, in charcoal wool...it's yummy. I made one in my size, and one in the baby's. I feel like tearing down the new curtains and replacing them with gray linen ones. What's going on?

Only a week to go!

I can't believe he's almost here! I've been running around (SO nesting); going through drawers and pulling out all the old stuff, tossing it into bags for the Goodwill.
It's amazing to me - the amount of stashing and caching that I'm capable of. Why, oh why, do I keep candle stubs? So, again I'm feeling the need for a clean start.
Maybe it's this time of year too. Something about what the French call La rentree. The re-entry. New school shoes, new pencils, a fresh perspective on the future year, and new chance to reinvent yourself, your wardrobe.
There's something a little counter-natural about it however. At a time when nature is closing down shop (at this latitude); and things are dying....I'm looking forward to new beginnings and challenges. Only fitting this baby is due on the 31st, right on the threshold of a new season.
So, I continue to clear the cobwebs from the corners of the house. I'm pretty ruthless when it comes to getting rid of things. Doesn't often turn into regret, either. Maybe only once or twice I've donated or tossed out something I wish I hadn't. But, I'll say this...I AM plenty superstitious about throwing out certain things. Gifts or notes from elderly people, or people I haven't seen or thought about in a while....feels condemning!

So cuddly

They can be so sweet when they're sick. The little man is curled up next to me, with a temperature of 101. I even broke down and slept next to him at naptime. Such a bad habit, and one I'm sure I'll pay for later. We had a pretty good day...well, he slept a 3 hour nap, so I had some time to sift through all my paper clippings..and cull them out for recycling. I have to get a grip on my paper habit before the next baby arrives. Why do I even buy magazines?

A room of her own

Sometimes, you just have to have your own space. A little room to scream into a pillow, if that's what you need; or to dance happily. Maybe that's what this will be. Today I build my nest, my room....
I'm expecting the second little bird on August 31st. Feeling a little emotionally sensitive right now, tired, wired and anxious. So much left to do, and yet, I can't motivate to do any of it....except write about it! Sheesh!