MollyMadonna.com

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discipline.

So I’ve been thinking a lot about this whole “craving order” sentiment and all that goes with it, and the longer I plot out how I’d like things to take shape, the more I recognize discipline as a main ingredient. It isn’t that I’m not disciplined in a number of ways, but that I’d like to be more disciplined in every aspect of life. Example? I’d like to find a way to fit blogging–and/or writing in general,  into daylight hours. The only way to make this happen is to be rigid about other parts of the day and to be disciplined about how I spend time when I have it. Same goes for being in the Word every day, finding time to go for a run, finishing things like thank you notes and laundry, and other such priorities in my daily life.

After a day when Henry has taken two good naps and I’ve accomplished more than I’m able to on his regular, micro-napping schedule, I’m feeling optimistic about integrating (or re-integrating) more discipline into my routine. I’ll consider it a mental/emotional/physical/spiritual overhaul of sorts, recognizing that I have to be patient in my attempt while I blend my idealistic plans with life as the mom of a peanut. (My first discipline my be to pray daily for enough hours of nap time to really get other items on track;) High on the list of essentials will be: earlier bedtimes for yours truly, getting ready for the day before J leaves the house for work in the morning and having a list of priorities and to-dos at the start of each day/week for checking off as I get things done (this always feels SO good!). When my mind has been focused on feeding and napping schedules, washing cloth diapers ohsofrequently and interactive playtime with a three month old, it’s a little harder make the grand to shift to things like dinner menus, bills, work items, cleaning schedules and, sadly, putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). Still, they’re all a priority, no matter how much of a backseat they’ve often taken over the past few months–and I’m ready to reach new levels of order by tackling each one with a renewed gusto and sense of purpose. All I have to do is read Proverbs 31 on a daily basis for motivation (and look…time in the Word every day can happen just like that!).

I know I’m not far from progress, and the idea of change makes me happy in an inspired kind of way. I love dreaming about the possibilities that might crop up if I have enough discipline to seek them!

another day awaits, and my new bedtime is, well…we’ll get there. slow and steady, right?

mm

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caterpillar toes.

Henry and I are getting the hang of venturing out and about to explore the world together, and I love it. This morning, we played with friends, then spent the afternoon visiting with another friend out at her campsite at the state park. Then we met up with Dad for dinner at home and a trip downtown for the Street Performers Series–one of our favorite things about Summer. Gosh it was just the perfect day to be outside–and the perfect evening, too! A slight breeze, sun and shade, cooler temps. Love.

I grabbed a few shots of Henry on his beach towel, just hanging out in his sun hat with a handful of favorite toys. Here are two gems from this afternoon:

hangin' with sophie at the beach.

'lil beach bum.

And later on…

There’s always a great variety of talent and entertainment among the Thursday night street performers, and tonight was no exception. We usually just stroll and observe at a distance, but on this fine evening, we decided a little participation would be more fun. So, I wandered up to the henna table and in less than a minute walked away with a sweet little reminder of India:

quick henna tattoo...and it was free!

Then Henry, although fast asleep, participated in a little art project by lending his left foot…and the end result was this adorable little caterpillar for the bug himself. Marking Henry’s tiny toes at three months and being oh-so-adorably cute, this one’s a framer for the nursery, for sure (I think I sense a series coming on):

a bug for our bug 😉

We wrapped up the night among a crowd of 100 or so, enjoying the quick hand and tricks of a local magician–I’d forgotten how fun that can be! Henry David was a tired little man at the end of a full day, but he’s sleeping soundly now after a story and a bedtime snack. Then there was time to clean, squeak in a bit of work, catch up a tad on emails and pour over photos for a bit. Now, as I head to bed myself, I’ll likely sneak one more peek and a kiss on the forehead for my favorite little boy–two more things to love about an already lovely day.

looking forward to tomorrow and whatever new delights it will hold!

mm (henry’s mom:)

Ooh, and for a spectacular treat, take three minutes to enjoy Move. Learn. and Eat., a trio of very short videos that will inspire your creative side, the wanderlust that’s lurking, and quite likely, your taste buds:

http://bit.ly/qoeaM5

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oh, poop!

If you’re not into “gross,” this may not be the post for you. Read at your own risk 😉

We (I) had an interesting morning at home today. In short, Henry started things off with the biggest display of diaper fireworks he’s ever managed (cloth diaper, onesie, swaddler and mom’s pj’s all at once); when I cleaned him up, I found evidence as far north as his shoulder blades. Whoa. I managed to stay on the phone with Grandma K throughout the entire process, so it wasn’t devastating or anything, but record-breaking in Henry’s book, for sure. Once I had him all clean and down for a nap, I gathered up cloth diapers for the wash (read: bag full of diapers=hands full coming down the stairs) and only narrowly missed stepping in a large pile of you-know-what left thoughtfully by the d.o.g. If I hadn’t smelled it first, the next few minutes would have been just that much more thrilling.

Thank you, Kruger. You should really consider moving out for a few days, or at least, never doing that again.

Cleaning things up was just a bit of inconvenience on the day, and admittedly, left me slightly disgruntled with the dog (who I had let out to go the bathroom not an hour before). But hey, I’m home, and things happen, right? I’m still trying to forget the close call on the kitchen floor (I don’t even like picking it up in the grass outside), so all I can hear in my head while I’m getting rid of the evidence is “Ew, ew, gross. Ew, gross. Ohhhhh, gross! Ew!”

On the flip side, I’m kind of tickled at how little the diaper event made an impact. I’m am decidedly un-phased by gross baby things, with the exception of wearing Henry’s meal down my back when I’m dressed to leave the house. I’ll keep working on that one. The rest of the day was relatively poop free, and I’m not complaining.

I know how much photos add to the blog and all, and I considered a few–if only for a second, and only to make myself laugh as I scrubbed away any probable germ-y trace. It’s possible I captured one image with my phone and text it to Jason, just so he didn’t feel left out while at work, but I will spare any and everyone else from all but this post. I have subsequently deleted all evidence, anyway. I mean, I do like to maintain a little bit of decorum and class and such;)

thoroughly disinfected and considering a small stock of rubber gloves for the little blue house,

mm

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peace.

Today could use a dose of peace. I’m having one of those “didn’t get enough done, don’t feel very good about it” kind of days, and I don’t like the feeling. I’ve been bumping into roadblocks all night and for some reason fighting my way through. Until now. I shouldn’t be fighting. Sometimes, the universe (or more likely, God:), is trying to send me a message that I need to stop battling and just be. And that’s where I’ll likely find what I’m looking for.

So here’s what’s on the menu for the rest of the evening. I’m going to go upstairs and rock and feed a freshly awakened little babe who wants his momma. We’re going to listen to the rain together for a while until he lulls himself back to sleep. Then I’m going to say a prayer (or several), go to bed. I’m scrapping the rest of today’s contents–trading them in, if you will, for some love with my boy and a prayer and a little bit of much needed, refreshing peace.

i hope you’re finding yours tonight, too,

mm

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three months.

Henry David,

It’s been three whole months since you joined us here in the world, and I can’t hardly believe how the time has flown. Thirteen weeks ago I was tucking you in for our very first night together in the hospital…a momma, already so in love with her new baby boy. Every day since then you’ve spiced up my life in your own bright-eyed, wide-smiled, funny face-making kind of way. I can’t get enough of learning you or loving you, and I especially can’t get enough of watching you grow into your own–your personality shines through in everything you do, even at this early age.

I can’t help but wonder over and over why God entrusted such an amazing gift to me, but you are undoubtedly mine and I am so, so thankful.

One quarter of a year, my darling. One quarter of what’s sure to be the best year of my life thus far. I love all of our days together. You are my sweet, sweet boy…

here’s to four months and five months and six and so many more. love,

mm (for momma, in your case:)