christmas and tradition making

A good amount of snow came to our area on Christmas Eve. We weren't aware that it was in the forecast, so watching those fluffy, white snowflakes fall from the sky was very exciting. I think Sage loved it most of all. I noticed she would take little breaks from playing with her toys to run to the window to check on the status of the snow. This wasn't her first time seeing a snowfall, she actually saw a little last winter, but was just too young to remember and appreciate it. This year, though, she noticed it. She definitely was not interested in touching it or playing in it. But baby girl kept her eyes on it! She watched it from the window...and from the porch. Her little one year old self did a wonderful job of studying it.

Our Christmas holiday was really nice. After doing our own little gift exchange at our home that morning, we headed into town to celebrate with family. We got to the places we were going with no problem, despite the snowy roads, and had a wonderful time with the people we love.

And with this being my first Christmas season in my own home and with a baby girl that is becoming more and more aware of things, I'm realizing how much holiday tradition making is in my hands now for my family. I want the whole Santa experience to feel real and magical to Sage. I want her to view the holiday season as a time of baking and crafting and decorating. 

This year I tried doing a little bit of this on my own. But in the years to come, I feel I'll be inspired to do more because she will be able to participate and understand more clearly the activities and traditions taking place.

sweet and savory

After celebrating Thanksgiving with Kyle's family, here at our home, in this restored barn we live in, our beautiful family members left to go home around eight o'clock in the evening. My own little family was tired, and while I enjoyed so much our dinner and our festive gathering, it was a wonderful feeling to just take off my jeans, wash my face, brush my teeth and get in bed. The three of us slept together and we were all in bed around eight thirty, and I'm pretty sure we were all asleep by eight thirty two.

I woke up a little bit ago to pink clouds in the sky and to my baby girl patting my head softly like a drum. She was anxious to get out of bed and walk on two feet, so we came into our living room to play. This is where I am now. And this is where I'm recognizing how alert and rested my mind is. It feels clear and calm. It feels nourished and happy.

Our thanksgiving meal was held at our home yesterday and everyone that came made their own little dish. I made three different casseroles: sweet potato, green bean and a spinach one. And then my family members brought the rest of the traditional thanksgiving foods with them. The roasted turkey even traveled here in my mother in laws car. She also brought along her Grandmother's china dishes, which she completely forgot she had up in her attic. Their presence added a nice little vintage and sophisticated feel to the dinner that was set up in quite a rustic setting. Once we got all the food on the table, it was clear we had all created a feast for ourselves.  Everything was yummy; the sweet and savory tastes of the holiday were definitely much appreciated.

The overall evening was stress free and organized. And it was colorful and warm and cozy. We drank wine, watched our babies play. Some people even took little snoozes on the couch. We did a good job of cleaning everything up and distributing out left overs. The mess of everything was gone pretty quick, and my home looked just like it did before everyone arrived.

I think I'm feeling so good and pleased right now because of all this. Everything just worked easily and so beautifully.

I just want to mention, on this little space of mine, that I am thankful for a lot.
My baby and my man, of course. My family. My friends. My health. Simone. Open space. Nature. Sunshine. Music. Colors. My camera. Food. My car. The roof over my head. Warm blankets and pillows. Movies.
The list could go on and on.
Moving forward, though, I want to try and become more mindful to all these elements in my life that I'm thankful for and happy with. I feel this is important; it's all so easy to take for granted.
There is a lot of love around here and so much inspiration. I want to appreciate it and soak it all up.

Family love during the holidays!

This holiday season has been a very special and touching one for me, and I'm sure Kyle can say the same. It was so wonderful to hang out with family and hear what's new and exciting in their lives.  I specifically enjoyed talking to my cousins about motherhood. We bonded over the joys of breastfeeding and also the mishaps that occur with it  (mine would be milk spraying everywhere!) And of course,  we had to touch base on the hardships of night time feedings during the newborn stage and poopy diapers that require a trip to the bathtub. I was just really in love with the sincerity between us and our conversations. We just laid it all out on the table and laughed a lot!


Being with family really made me appreciate my own little family. I love that Sage and Kyle are my people---we are our own little tribe that gets to explore and find our own happiness together. A couple months ago, I overhead Jennifer Garner, an actress, explain on some celebrity news show that motherhood really enhances all your senses. I have found this to be true---my heart immediately expanded once my little baby was placed in my arms. It was so easy to love her, and so instant. I find that every time she does something new- like smile so big I think she is going to giggle, or try with all her power to roll her little body over from her back to her belly...i want to cry tears of joy and amazement! She is growing! And I am so thankful to have her in my life.

Besides all of that. I wondered what she will want for Christmas next year when she is older and a bit more aware. Will it be a stuff animal...a wooden rattle...a bouncy ball? I don't know! I hope, though, that she finds fun and amusement in items that aren't really toys at all--pots and pans....cardboard boxes...sticks and pine cones from the trees in the yard. You know, things that don't cost money! Ha--we shall see:)