Oregon, j'adore!

Posted on | March 13, 2015 | No Comments

A Day In My Life

Posted on | March 5, 2015 | No Comments

Below is my audition for the sling diaries, volume V1. What's sling diaries, you ask?  It's a photo-documentary that chronicles the art of babywearing and the lives of different families.  I first learned about Sakura Bloom last year while pregnant with Juniper, and quickly fell in love with the beauty, ease, and versatility of the slings as well as the stories each sling diarist at the time shared.  Their words were beautiful yet raw, and I met many amazing mommas through their community.  Thank you to the Sakura Bloom team for this opportunity, as it's inspired me to start writing more which is something that's always been a part of me I hold dear.  The theme for this entry is 'a day in my life.'

My sweet Saplings,

I've missed writing you letters.  This blog is filled with letters to Hazel, and even a letter to Juniper right before she was born (and I guessed she was a he!) so I thought I'd start again.  Hazel, I can't believe you're 3 already, and we'll be celebrating your sisters 1'st birthday in 2 short months.   I want to remember the small details in our life day to day; the sweet synchronicity of mudane daily life and small adventures we create and crave as a family.

I want to remember the little moments of every day.  Hazel, each morning you whisper quietly to your sis and ask her if she is done nursing so you can cuddle her.  After a brief snuggle you both quickly jump into play mode, pretending the the co-sleeper is a boat or the pop-up castle in your room is queen Elsa's ice palace.  Each morning is a different imaginative scenario and I often just sit and listen, taking it all in amazed that your dad and I made both of you.

I want to remember our relaxed mornings.   Since neither of you are in school yet and dad is frequently at work, so we're often slow to get dressed and get breakfast started.  During breakfast we talk about what we'd like to do for the day, and often call your grandma in Michigan to say hello (always call your momma, girls).  A few disagreements on a proper breakfast and a bit of pleading later, we make plans for the day.

I want to remember the plans we make.  One thing you both know about me already -- since day 1 -- is that your mama feels whole in nature.  Generally our daily plans involve going outside to commune in nature, one way or another.   Some days we simply feed the chickens, work in the garden, or go for a walk on the property while other days we head upriver waterfalling or to the ocean if dad and I both happen to be off of work.  I'm thrilled that we can raise you on acreage in the country, and that our favorite river spot is just a few miles from home.  I can already see the connection both of you have to nature, and I only hope to nurture your love and appreciation for all things wild.  There is no better cure for a teething baby or emotional toddler than the ferns and trees, the creek or river our white noise.
I want to remember nap time.  The long naps, the naps on momma, the naps that involve bargaining and lengthy stories or nursing for thirty minutes straight.  The two of you generally take shifts when it comes to rest, something I swear you both must plan (ha, ha!).

I want to remember the excitement when papa gets home.  Hazel, you often run over to dad and immediately start telling him about your day, begging him to pick you up or bring you outside to bug hunt.  Juniper, you squeal and immediately reach for daddy, clapping your hands since it's the newest skill you've learned and are oh so proud of.  Dinner comes and goes, and miss Junie most nights we're left flabbergasted how much more you seems to eat than Hazel.  Perhaps that's what those luscious chipmunk cheeks are all about, my love.

I want to remember bedtime routine.  Long soaks in the tub with giggles that last for days -- a sound I used to dream about in our infertile days, leaving me humbled and ridiculously grateful (even on the not so giggly nights).  We then read books like it's going out of style, and my dear Hazel you never fail to ask for "just one more..."

I want to remember the game we play right before lights out.  Hazel, you love the book 'Guess How Much I Love You' and have come up with your own variation, often telling me "I love you as bright as that light! As blue as my fish! As big as daddy!"  I answer back with something equally clever, a smile on my face as I close your door.  Juniper, you then nurse to sleep or papa wears you to sleep in the carrier.  I'm taking in every last bit of your infancy as you'll soon be entering toddlerhood with a totally different agenda, still needing snuggles but craving independence as well.  You usually drift off to sleep and after a kiss I'm left wondering if your daddy and I can squeeze in a movie before you wake to nurse again (often a sitcom is a safer bet ;)

So there we are, a typical day at our little homestead. There will be a period in my life someday where I will look back and yearn for these sleepless nights, food filled floors, and unscheduled days among the pine.  But for now I will relish in these messy yet full of love days, and I will gleam.

New name & hello again

Posted on | February 28, 2015 | 2 Comments

I hope some of you are forgiving, as I'm a tad embarrassed of my few month blogging hiatus.  This move to a family of four, as wonderful as it is, can be a bit time consuming leaving me with little left for my mind to jot down.  I've found sharing my life through pictures on Instagram is a wonderful way to record my life (and print out!), and it doesn't take nearly as long.  However the one thing I forgot is my love of writing.  I had an amazing creative writing teacher once tell me, "never stop writing - it will kill you" & that has forever stuck with me.  Writing is there for me on the good days and the bad, comforting or applauding me through this walk of life.  So here I am, back in the blog world, with the new name 'Lovely Little Trees' instead of the 8 year old 'Pleasure in the Pathless Woods.'  The new name is symbolic of my sweet Hazel and Juniper, our saplings that inspire me on a daily basis to be a good, kind, compassionate person.  You should be seeing us on here a bit more often these days.  

An autumn update

Posted on | October 17, 2014 | 1 Comment

I'm here, just quieter than usual in the blog world (again, find me on Instagram - littletreesandme).  It's October on the homestead & Juniper is nearly 6 months old.  SIX. MONTHS. OLD.  How did that happen?  Hazel is every bit in love with her as the day she was born, and I am loving this stage of their sisterhood, as they seem to really have a bond and crack each other up.  I can imagine it's only going to get more fun. We've been busy painting our house before the lovely Pacific Northwest rains start, and also juggling work & childcare.  We've also been busy hiking up a storm on some of these sunny falls days, as I know they won't last forever.  A quick update in photos below:

This moment: 5 months old!

Posted on | September 19, 2014 | No Comments

Summer, work, & managing two:

Posted on | August 18, 2014 | 2 Comments

Lately...

Posted on | June 27, 2014 | 1 Comment

• Loving every minute of this newborn period (because 2 months is still considered newborn, right?)
• Preparing for my best childhood friend to come and also a visit to Washington, all in the month of July
• Eager for the Oregon Country Fair and hoping it isn't too much work with a 3 month old & a 2.5 year old (gulp)
• Enjoying the outdoors - we went on our first camping trip a week ago, and it brought in Juniper's 2 month birthday.  Hazel didn't camp until 4 months, so this is a record indeed!
• Catching up on some Game of Thrones and True Blood at night with my boy.  Have I mentioned how much I love him working day shift now?  He accepted a day shift position just after J was born!
• Planning to go back to work, sometime in August
• Grateful for sleep!  Hazel has started falling asleep on her own without anyone else in her room as of late.  This might not sound like much to some, but she co-slept with us until February and has needed one of us in her room to fall asleep since then.  Now she happily talks to her stuffed animals & sings herself to sleep - it's so adorable.  Juniper is also a great sleep, sleeping 4-6 hour stretches at night.  I'd better knock on wood for now.