Of Destructive Construction and Far too Many Projects

Dunking cookies like a champ.

I am, in fact, well aware that the entire month of November was postless.  I am going to lie and say that it was intentional.  Whether it is a lack of inspiration or the fact that The Little Mechanic has taken up throwing a fit even if I only look at the computer, I will never be quite sure.

So many things have been happening here at the homestead.  Not so much the homestead itself.  Rather, the inside of our humble abode.  For example, we took down a wall.

And by "we" I of course mean The Handsome Cowboy.  I did not help.  I did not take pictures.  Instead, I was busy rocking a sick baby.  Poor thing :(.  He spent an entire week in misery.  He hasn't really been sick since he was 10 months old or so.  No complaints here.

The other big thing that has been accomplished is finishing the bathroom.  It only took a year. Ha.  We went with this theme.  Don't faint.  We actually found it all at Ollies of all places for a fraction of the price.
I don't have a picture it all done with the trim but here is a picture at least of the ceiling.

Why yes, that is galvanized roofing.

With that said, I am going to go cuddle with my little morning person and watch Dinosaur Train until mommy is awake enough to function.  Ice cream for breakfast, anyone?

The Bedtime Routine Sent from Heaven

This little face used to strike terror into my heart.  

There were more than a couple times that the sound of his pitiful little cry in the middle of the night would make me burst into tears myself.  The long and odd hours were difficult for me to become accustomed to.  It was stressful to have this little person depend on me for everything.  Everything.  

But, the months went on and my hormones balanced.  Day by day, month by month, things would get easier.  I no longer felt desperate.  I no longer felt alone.  The Little Mechanic became my buddy and I was his best friend.

And last night I received the ultimate sign from God that all was well and we were succeeding.  It was almost 9 pm and my wild toddler was starting to slow down and rub his eyes.  "Would you like num-nums?".  He came right over to me without a fuss.  After he had eaten his fill I told him it was time for night-night and he needed to tell daddy to get better soon.  He walked right over to hug The Handsome Cowboy.  No whining.  No crying.  Then he turned and went up the stairs by himself, walked right over to his bed and asked me to put him in.  I gave him his Pooh-bear and he smiled at me without making a peep.

God is good.

To all the sleep deprived new moms out there looking for a glimmer of hope, it gets better, I promise.

And to all the experienced moms who used to tell me the same thing, I'm sorry I called you a liar in my head.

Mommy Needs...an Alarm Clock?

Rising early has never been my cup of tea.

My husband, bless him, gets up every morning before the sun.  His alarm blares it's non melodic tune at 4:45 every morning.  He affectionately refers to this time of the day as the "butt crack of dawn".

*cough*

Anyways...

Then there's The Little Mechanic.  Sometimes he decides he needs to be up the same time as The Handsome Cowboy and sometimes he's such a late riser I start to check periodically to make sure he's breathing.  It's a mom thing.

The Little Mechanic often reads books in the morning.

Why is this such an issue for me?  I'm not really sure.  I like being warm.  I like being comfy.  I like baby snuggles.

Admittedly, I would probably be so much more productive if I could get up that early.  I could get the dishes done and throw in a load of laundry before The Little Mechanic even stirs.  Unless I wake him up when I get out of bed, then we'll both just be crabby.

I would like to remedy this problem of mine.  But, truthfully, I lack the motivation right now.  Yes, here I am at 9 am, still in my pajamas, without having done a thing yet.  It's shameful.


So, tell me, what time do you get up in the morning?  
What's the first thing you do? 
What keeps you motivated to continue to do so every day?

The Moral Decay of a Chilled Household

It's horrible.

It's a disaster.

I'm not really sure if I can live with myself through the winter.

That's right, I did it.  I must carry on with no regrets.  It will be a challenge, but I must keep my head held high.  But, oh, oh the indignity.  Yes, I am quoting a certain engine that resides on the island of Sodor. (Oh, hush.  Mommy needs ice cream).  

You must understand, it's not necessarily my fault. It happens to all of us in north western Pennsylvania eventually.  We really can't deny it.  Although, we may lie about the actual degree of our infringement on principle. 

Surely by now you know where I'm going with this.  I can just see you now, shaking your head, shaming me.

Yes, yes I did it.  

I...

I...

Turned up the thermostat! :(

The Little Mechanic getting his first sled ride last Winter. (2012)

In Which The Little Mechanic Gets a Slide

Oh, Fall.
Apologies to you and yours for not enjoying you in the past.  It used to be that all I could think about was snow when I saw all the lovely leaves falling from trees.  *shudder*.  No, let's not think about that.
Now, oh now I love the break from the heat.  I love the warm sunshine on the cooler days.  I love the reintroduction of hoodies into my wardrobe.  Did you know toddlers are adorable in hoodies?  Yes, yes they are.

The break from gardening is delightful.  Now there is time for the Handsome Cowboy to work on more fun projects.  Just recently he has started building the Little Mechanic a play house.  While it is still in the beginning stages of development, let me tell you, it is going to be fine.

I'm not sure if you can see it that well, but if you look closely, off the back of the structure is a board sticking out pretty far.  Needless to say, I was confused and thought I should find out what such a thing would be for.  This is how that conversation went:

Me: "Honey, aren't you going to trim that? What is that for?"

The Handsome Cowboy: "It's for the second story, of course!"

Me: "Silly me."

Bandit, being his fabulous self.

The Little Mechanic adores slides.

And cameras, evidently.

Our broody hen doing what she does best (we hope).  Crossing our fingers for some babies in the next week or two.

The last of our bounty for the year.  We have been so blessed to have raspberries all around the perimeter of our property.  I have frozen many and it will be nice to have them this winter.

No matter how cold, he will always love playing in water.

Our homestead looking spiffy after The Handsome Cowboy finished oiling it.  We should be good for a few years now.

In the end, Fall comes and goes much too swiftly.  I believe we missed our chance for nice family photos and as I type this there is a light dusting of snow on the ground.  I would like to say that I will tell you in the future how in love I am with snow and how romantic it is, however that is not a season I have yet come to adore.  

A shameless "selfie".  No apologies.  

That is all.

Until we meet again.

Right Now

Right now.

Right now, it’s almost 11:00 a.m.

Right now, there are dirty dishes in the sink.

 

Right now, the baby is already watching Dinosaur Train.  Again.

Right now, there is dog hair on the carpet.  There is dog hair on the couch.  There is dog hair on the kitchen floor.  Pretty much, there is dog hair everywhere.

Right now, the vacuum is in the middle of the floor.  Since yesterday.

Right now, there are toys, too-small shoes, clean laundry, dirty laundry, and a day old sippy cup on the floor. 

Right now, there is no shower curtain in the bathroom.

Right now, the bed is not made.  It’s not my fault. I can barely get to the bed with all the books on the floor.

Right now, I may just melt to pieces if we get unexpected company.

But, right now, there is love spilling out of our house.  Our coffee is hot.  Our hugs are warm.  Our smiles are genuine.  Our Grace is well used.

Right now.