domestic bliss.

For real. I just used that as a title to this post. My, oh my.

But I've been thinking about stuff recently, you know, in this little head of mine. Thoughts about what happiness looks like. I guess specifically what it looks like for me, since I've pretty much come to the conclusion that "happiness" as a general term likely looks somewhat different to each individual person.  It's been helpful for me to analyze it (haha. in my stack-upon-disorganized-stack of a life...) and make a mental list of sorts to keep me on the halfway-sane track. (haha, again? perhaps.)

All of these happiness thoughts came right before I started a challenge with a few of my friends. The Unwired Mom Challenge urges you to stop and think before you mindlessly tap on that Instagram app, and encourages a more purposeful way of day-to-day living. It's been wonderful. And, oh-so-needed in my life. In this age of iphone-in-my-pocket, 24hr-internet - it's all too easy to become addicted to apps and sites that really are a fun way to see what folks are up to, and to connect with friends near and far,  but not a necessary part of living. For me those apps are Instagram and Facebook, or idea sites like Pinterest, or blogs, or whatever. But these things are not important to me, or necessary for  my happiness, or my well-being. At least that's what I say.  But I came to realize that if I really believe that the apps on my iphone, or just my phone in general are not important to me, then I needed to make a few personal changes so that my children would concur with that fact - and hopefully be able to shrug and say, "Sure, mom likes to check her stuff online, but it's not her most favorite thing to do."
So ya, check out the ebook if you're so inclined -- I think it's well worth the read (+ the bonus CoreLies book hidden in the Unwired book -- CoreLies is a free book and only 30pgs... so you should probably go and read it real quick :).

So, coming back around to this silly domestic bliss business... I've realized that for me the key ingredients to my happiness are: my husband, my kids, family and friends, music (playing, teaching and hearing), good food, reading, and sharing what I have with others -- and when one or more of these things go missing or are neglected then my brain gets a little rattly. So I'm learning to try and strike a balance. It's a process, lemme tell ya, and there are weeks when it feels really good, and other weeks when, quite honestly, everything falls apart, and it feels really rotten -- but I guess life is like that, and I thank God for the grace He pours out to me every day -- and for the amazing opportunity to have family and things that feed my soul. I thank God for all of these blessings -- and I pray that I use them in His service and for His glory -- and show a glimpse of the heart of Jesus to my children, my family, and everyone around me. 


End rant and ramblings. I love you all.

And it just wouldn't be right to not post a pic of my little lovelies. Update to follow, to be sure.

It's a one-post-a-month world. Yes, indeed.

I'm having one of those moments right now. Both of my babies are sleeping, so it's quiet and oh-so-calm. And it's in times like this that my self feels pulled in a million different ways -- how should I use these few, precious, ridiculously rare minutes? So many things that need doing...so much potential to get a bunch done in the quiet. But relaxing sounds nice, too -- a moment on the couch, a book (what's that? :) a coffee, a prayer of gratefulness or a petition for more mercy and strength for the day (usually both :).

Always in these quiet moments my heart aches -- I tiptoe in to look at my beautiful children as they sleep and wonder how time is going so quickly -- when I see them peacefully resting it always melts away the earlier frustrations of the day, almost as refreshment to this weary mama. And I praypraypray that I can show them even an ounce of the love that I have for them, and show Christ to these precious little ones He has trusted to me.

And I'm waxing sappy, I know. It's hard to get my brain on the page -- these overwhemling feelings -- you know?


::dreamy chimes::

So Ira is 6months old and is pretty much a crazy man. He has decided that he hates his crib when it's dark outside -- and has no problem loudly (!!) proclaiming that fact at all hours if a parent tries to ease him into said crib after dark. So ya, he's been sleeping all night in our bed for the past week. For the life of me I can't understand what changed when he had been sleeping in his bed so well...I'm hoping against hope that it's "just a phase", but I'm smiling wryly as I type -- no naivety here.

He's a happy little punkin head, as smiley as the day is long.
(did I say that last time?)



At his 6mo check he was almost 26" (15%) and about 16lb (20%). He scoots all around and can get up on all fours, but is still working out how to turn that into a real-live crawl. He has taken to growling like a little puppy -- and it's adorable. He trying all kinds of puree and hasn't turned his nose up at anything yet.


Imogen Violet is so fun. She loves singing and drawing. She can play "Hot Cross Buns" on the black keys and she sings along as she plays. It never gets old.

 I've been taking her to an art class at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts -- a preschool class where the kids read a story about art/artist, then visit the gallery to discuss a painting, then come back to the studio to create something of their own. It's so fun to watch and Immy loves it. She tends to be a bit standoffish ("I was a little upset-shy to say 'impressionism' with the other kids.") at first, so I think it's been good for her.


She's also been very into visiting the library and filling the book bag -- it's so fun for me to get to sit and read books to her that I remember from long (lonnnnnng) ago.



So ya, music, art and books? She's my kinda gal.
And we've been having fun playing outside and we're looking forward to visiting a pool sometime soon. I hope she remembers that she loved the water last year -- fingers crossed.

Taylor also just started a new contract with a local software company, and he's been working on-site 3 days a week -- so that's been a big change for us, as he had been working from home for the past few years. It's a fun adventure for all of us -- keeping things fresh and interesting! :)

Me? I'm just enjoying the ride...in my sometimes sleepy, sometimes grumpy, always thankful way -- ever amazed by the small things, provisions, I call them -- knowing those little moments are from God and praying that I remember to praise Him. For every one. Learning more and more how important and life-changing it is to be calm, and to listen, because He is speaking.

Anyway, I guess we'll call that an update. I really hope you're all doing well and enjoying summertime! Love.

May? Seriously?
Our baby love is 5 months. He is the sweetest sugar baby. He's smiley and friendly, and we all love him to bits.




 Here's a little update on our Ira:
(stats from 4mo appointment)
25" tall -- 25%
15lb -- 30%

Rolling all around, every whichaway -- scooting around in his crib and elsewhere.  He pretty much thinks he's a man, which he is not. I remind him of this several times a day...
I say: Ira doll, you're not a man, you're a tiny little infant baby.
And he smiles his enormous adorable smile at me.

I hope this is still the exchange several years from now.

I think he's teething, too. He's a lot more restless at night, and for the sake of mama's mental stability (read: sleep) he has been spending several hours a night snuggled up close to me. It's been so nice.



---
Imogen is a little lovely, herself.



She's so sweet and has a magnificent imagination -- its so fun to watch and listen to her playing...and to be sure to try and make time  when she bellows, "MOM, COME PLAY WITH ME!".
I think she's gotten the hang of this potty training thing, thanks in part to a sticker chart that ends in a trip to Sweet Frog. :)




She says the cutest things, and I try to write them down...like yesterday: "Don't worry about my wagon, Ira. We'll help you get in it." and this morning: "I'm going to be an airplane when I grow up. Or an ice cream truck."
Naturally there are some fits and various other bumps in the road that make this mama want to pull out a few hairs (the gray ones these kids are giving me, perhaps?)...but that's life, huh? And the sweet moments are ever so sweet.




---
We're enjoying the sunshine and all the fun that comes with it.  My life is a disorganized wreck...there...I said it... but I'm avoiding organization in favor of having coffee with friends, or meeting up at the park to play. Sometimes I wonder if this is ok? You know? There is only so much time -- and there are oh-so-many things to do. I really do want to be an organized person. I mean, at least I think I do...it seems like it'd make my life simpler. But then I look around, blink a few times, get bogged down,...then go out to enjoy the sunshine with people I love.

Oh life.

---
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

I pray I can make the most of this life -- blessing and being blessed by those around me.
And, if you think of it, could you pray for that, too?

Much love to you all.

steady as he grows

Yesterday was Ira's 3month checkup.  He's a bit of a peanut compared to his sis when she was his age, but who's comparing? Not I.
Height 24" (40%)
Weight 13.7 lb (30%)
The low down...
Ira Clarkson:

• started rolling over (tummy to back) last week


• is as smiley as you please -- and will have a chat with anyone who gives him the time of day 


• doesn't seem to mind his carseat much anymore (a fact that makes me thankful every time we go somewhere...no joke...the sound of your baby screaming will make you crazycrazy)


• sleeps well, most nights goes to bed when his sister does and only wakes once while its still dark outside


• sometimes acts a little crazy at naptimes...I'll rock him to a deep sleep, and he'll go into his bed easy as pie...to wake up 20mins later


• sometimes acts a little crazy and refuses to eat if he'd rather be sleeping but has skipped a nap


• loves playing in his jungle gym and (if fed, rested, and protected from Imogen) will lie there contentedly for a good long while


• loves his paci


• is a cuddly bug


• is adorable and so adored by the rest of us

Thanks, Iranicus, for coming to stay.

sing, sing a song. sing out loud, sing out strong.

Raise your hand if you grew up with this record/tape/cd:




You know, the one where Burt is taking a bath, and Ernie pushes the piano in for a sing-along.
Well, thanks to a sweet sister, I now hear this disc multiple times. A day. Imogen loves it and sings right along...so I try to endure since it makes her so happy.
This gal is a singer, and whatever the song I never tire of hearing her sweet little voice.
Yeah, yeah, even if it's a Big Bird tune.




Oh, and I've nearly fallen off the wagon with the ever changing Ira stats...poor second baby...I'd feel guilty if I wasn't a second child myself, and figure the fewer photos and whatnot didn't scar me too badly...so surely there's hope for my son. :)
He's cute as a little ol button:








At his 2 month checkup he weighed nearly 12lb and measured 23" (50% all around). He is the sweetest kid, super chill (gets that from his Pa), smiles easily, and is as friendly as you please. He really has been such an easy baby, eating well and sleeping well, and doing tons better in the carseat.
We love him to bits.




We've been having lots of fun with friends and have more fun things planned...wish I could stay and tell you all about it, but this nap time is carefully parceled out to several activities...this particular activity was called "drink a latte"...but now my cup is empty.
Farewell for now. With love.
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it's moments like this...

...that make the craziness completely worth it.

oh, life

This is Ira. He's nearly seven weeks old, weighs over 10 lbs, likes taking naps on the couch, loves cuddling, dislikes carseat. Eats well, sleeps well. Quite the charmer.



This is Imogen. She's 2 1/4 years. She loves to sing, loves to make believe, loves using your legs as a slide, likes to color, would use the iPad all day if allowed, is working on potty training, talks continuously. Eats well, sleeps well. She's the sunshine of our day.



This is Anya. She's a nice, old age. Most days she feels like she has 3 things to do every moment of the day. She assumes she will never again enjoy an uninterrupted cup of coffee. Her children astound her all day long and she wonders how she ever got along without them.



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thankfulness and a few fun facts

Ira -- 5 days old
from a photo shoot by Kristy

I'm thankful. Thankful that my little boy is so sweet -- sweet like his Dad, and sweet like his big sister. Thankful that postpartum everything has seemed to go so much smoother this time... 

Yes, basically that's what I want to share. I'm unworthy, but oh-so-grateful that things have gone so much more easily than I was expecting (perhaps shame on me for having such grave apprehensions?? :). Again, I know there will be moments and complete days where I feel like a total nutcase -- but I believe this is called motherhood.

But the sweetness (oh, the sweetness!) of these children. My, my. 

Ok, don't have just a ton of time...Ira is taking a nap on the couch and Imogen is taking a "rest"...but, from the sound of things, I believe she's jumping on her bed. 

A few things, in no order at all, ala post pregnancy brain:

• Yep, T had a great-great uncle named Ira, but he doesn't remember him and I never met him. So, while Ira is indeed a family name, our Ira Clarkson isn't an actual 'namesake' of great-great Uncle Ira.
• However, "Clarkson" is T's middle name and Grandma Lottie's maiden name, so the "Clarkson" part of Ira Clarkson is after 2 very special folks.      So that's the word on the name.

• Imogen Violet is doing very well. Yes, it's been a big adjustment for her, but she's done really well, and really loves her brother.   Have there been a few fits? Well, of course there have been.  But its to be expected, being 2 yrs old and having your world turned on its side. :) 

T found them like this

there've been a few of these moments

 but mostly moment like these

• Biz came to visit. And we had such a fun time. I wish I could find the photo of me holding Isabel when she was a newborn...it's pics like this that make me blink and wonder where the time goes...

• And here's a random photo of the New Years party. These 3 cuties watching the festivities.

Ok. Must go. 

Happy New Year!