Thursday, July 28, 2011

zen

I had a great extended weekend away. Even though it was a packed 5 days, it didn't fell like I was on the go the whole time. Each visit was good and the person(s) I was visiting really made the effort to make the visit relaxing. Kudos to you all!

I arrived back home in time for my 2nd baby yoga class. Ahhhhh....now this is the life! My baby is far from a little Buddha who is in her own zen place throughout the session, but I get to stretch, find some inner peace for 3 seconds at a time and see other moms with similar life styles. The instructor is also an awesome woman who I have easy adult conversation with. Even the parts of class where the baby is fussy or eating and I sit along the side of class or chill on my mat, I am still in a dimly lit room with tranquil music and other babies doing the exact same. I think this may be my splurge item while it lasts (the classes continue or the baby cooperates). A once a week moment that brings me some balance.

They also have a lunch class and my non mom side is already excited for when I go back to work to hit up that class on my own and have some real yoga time.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

your own

I always find that you get along best with your own kind. This can mean a lot of things depending on the situation. I find I get a long best with my own friends, my own family and people who are like minded.....it makes sense as this is what I know or choose to surround myself with.

I went to a baby/mom yoga class yesterday and felt that I was with my own people there. They were all strangers, but I felt a kinship with them. They were a small group of moms who felt the need to socialize through yoga which I feel speaks for the type of person in itself. They were breastfeeding, baby wearing, cloth diapering mom for the most part, or in some part. I felt like I belonged and that i didn't have to justify even one of my choices with this group. It was really nice to feel normal, which has been tough to find lately. I have 3 more classes with this group before the studio determines if this will be an ongoing class. I left the class feeling like my old self...confident, in control, happy, and well stretched. I needed that moment like no other.

I also have a girls weekend coming up this weekend. It is with my family (cousins, aunts, extended family) and I generally find this side of the family to be in sync with my thoughts. Like all families, we are wacky and don't always mesh, but we do all make a strong effort to be supportive. Our weekend is usually filled with randomness and this is no exception. There are morning sessions of yoga on the beach planned (one aunt is an instructor), reflexology afternoons (2 aunts practice this), acupuncture (1 aunt has a doctorate in Chinese medicine), healthy food, good wine, taro cards (long story, but we all like to have a strong spiritual side outside of religion) and toasts to grandma. She has long since passed away, but she is always in the conversations. We all seem to hold her high in regard.
I know this weekend will be a rejuvenating experience, even if I do have the baby by myself for 5 days, out of routines, and getting more advice than I need, it will be good for the soul.

My soul took a huge kick last night and it is in need of repairs. My MIL out right knocked breastfeeding in front of me and made my choice the butt of her joke in the middle of a family dinner out at a restaurant. After all the issues that go on with her, she pushes me further away. I know it was a joke, but she chose to hit where it hurts. I didn't say anything...there is no point, and unfortunately I don't forget very easy, but hopefully I can get back some balance this weekend.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

thankful to be done

I am thankful to be done thank you cards....at least for a week.

We have been really spoiled by so many people since we had Makenzie. I mean REALLY SPOILED!!! So much in fact, I have been writing thank you cards for 4 months now. Don't let me fool you, I have not spent every waking hour doing this (although it feels like it) but I have picked away at the pile for 4 months straight. I have one more gathering to go, then I am done. I have gone through 6 boxes of thank you cards, plus used some other note cards I had around. One cannot complain when you are being loved as much as we have been, but I will be happy when the card writing is over. I have wrote a personal message in each one and tried my best to make each note as thoughtful as the gifts sent to us. I really wanted to avoid the general card with a 'thank you' on the front and my signature on the back, but I do see the appeal.

I did joke the other day that all of the card writing was incentive enough to not have a second child. Perhaps any only children should ask their parents if they had a hefty card writing load after their birth, it may explain things.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

the science of clean

cleaning has become a science in this house....beyond the fact everything is supposed to be sanitized prior to the baby touching it. The laundry alone has become the most complex system going. Prior to the baby, laundry was complex, now it is slightly unreal. There is no doubt that it could be simple, and it should be, but then where would my need for control shine through?
A breakdown for those who were begging to know....

Adults: we use one brand of laundry soap, different from the baby and the dogs (yes they have their own). Our soap is always perfume and scent free, usually a liquid, but sometimes a powder. We also have fabric softener and dryer sheets. There is bleach, colour safe bleach, and spot remover in the mix too, but that is everyone, right?

Baby: The baby has her own laundry soap, which is also free of everything, but also sensitive for baby skin, she also has a baby version of spot remover. Then we have another detergent for her diapers, which could be used for her clothes, and ours if we wanted, but it is $20 a bag and it is a tiny bag, so it is just for the diapers.

Dogs: The dogs have laundry soap as well. They have the cheapest crap we can find at the store. Usually scented, bright green for some reason and nothing we would ever use on our own clothes, but does wonders for stinky dog blankets. With 4 dog beds (all with their own bedding), blankets in each vehicle and 1 in gazebo, they have a lot of laundry too.....oh, and they both have great wardrobes in the off season.

Thankfully, my husband knows the system and does the lion's share of the laundry. The only thing he hasn't washed yet are the diapers, but what is one more detergent under the belt?