Hansel from Basel recycled cotton dress | Size 2
(sold out, but size 1 is available, and the sizing on this is VERY generous)
Chaco sandals
Okay, so I know you know this, but everything isn’t so awful around here, although maybe I have made it seem so with my latest posts. Last week was tough, partially because I was just settled back in after vacation and missing my family again. But we were also dealing with some big “life” decisions and issues last week and the stress was overwhelming. I’ll explain a little bit more later this week.
Yeah, it’s true that Hawk can be challenging lately (his personality is starting to come out!!), but we have so much fun together too. He walks like he’s been doing it forever now – I can’t believe he only started walking a month ago – so we go on “nature” walks (very very slow strolls…) together everyday.
It took him a bit to get used to his shoes, but he’s doing really well now. He only wears them when we walk out on the sidewalk out front, or in the grass/dirt out back, otherwise he’s always barefoot. I will admit I sort of feel bad making him wear them though. I mean, how weird/stifling must it be to all of a sudden have these stiff things on your feet after nothing? I know his feet get hot in socks and shoes, and today I also had him in long pants and a long sleeve sun shirt (plus hat) outside to keep mosquitos away – he has three BIG bits on his arms just from being outside in a t-shirt earlier this morning!!
(does anyone have any good remedies for 1. keeping mosquitos away naturally and/or 2. for treating bites on babies?)
We’re getting closer to his first birthday (on the 15th) and I honestly can’t believe it. Things are weird lately anyway because of the pandemic, but as I ask myself what day it is, I also do a double take that THIS is my life. That I have a son. I wonder when it will start to feel like my life? Sometimes I feel like I’m outside looking in; like I’m “babysitting.” And then others, I miss him because he’s been asleep for more than an hour and I feel like going to wake him up (which I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT LOL). I know my life will not feel the same as it did before, but I hope someday it will feel more “in sync” and like I’m living it, you know?
So, onto other not-kid related subjects, or subject. Are you shopping now? What about the Nordstrom anniversary sale? I only ask that specifically because I’m starting to see “influencers” talking about it. (why I follow those people on Instagram I have no idea…).
But also, I’m curious, are you stress-shopping like I am sometimes? Or not shopping at all?
Happy Monday, and I hope you are all well!!!
Not shopping except for home gear-bras, tanks, sweatpants, underwear. Oh, and throw pillows. I know where I’ll be spending most of my time for the next several months….
I’m glad you have moments of joy in motherhood/life, but also glad you feel able to share the hard parts. <3
Lisa – did you end up ordering new linen bedding? I’ve been looking at coverlets & duvet covers for a guest bedroom (just got a new mattress right before quarantine and got rid of the coverlet & pillows in there that were inherited from my dad’s wife many years back….) As much as I love some of the velvet coverlets from Garnet Hill, I think in NC, linen is a better year round choice 😉
Grechen – Hawk is so dang cute. I haven’t really been shopping (I bought 2 new pair linen pants on sale in December – for a cruise we did with my in-laws, ha! that I haven’t even worn yet! I bought 2 new cotton dresses from amazon because that’s what I live in every day.) Received the Nordstrom email – haven’t looked at it, but haven’t deleted either, so…..
I think the most shopping we’ve done is tech stuff? I had to get new headphones, we got a new cell extender antenna thing, I’m considering a new weather station and a new desktop computer…….
Oh, and bugs….it’s not natural but I’d read that the green tube of johnson & johnson baby lotion repels mosquitoes, so that’s what i’ve been using after my shower when we plan to sit outside (we have a screened porch, but still – bugs find a way to bite me!) Burt’s Babies I think used to have something but I cannot find online now, and California Babies (sold at target, maybe? At least in the past…) has anti-bug spray too – citronella & lemongrass oils https://www.californiababy.com/products/natural-bug-blend-bug-repellent-spray .
If you’re just sitting in the yard, you could consider citronella plants and candles – that’s usually what I do (I appreciate DEET works and I use it when we travel in malaria or dengue-endemic countries, but I *hate* using bug spray – and I normally am not a “clean beauty” shopper, it’s just the feel & smell of bug spray annoys me)
Order the “Bug Bite Thing”. Yep, that’s the name. It literally sucks the poison/venom from the bite or sting and WORKS. I used it after my almost two year old got stung 4 times by wasps and by the next morning you couldn’t even tell he’d been stung. It also helps so much with the itching from mosquito bites. I ordered mine from amazon but I’m sure they’re available from other places.
This comment is regarding one of your earlier posts. I like to recommend the book “Baby self feeding” to the families of my clients who are transitioning to table foods.. (I am a SLP). It is co-authored by Melanie Potock a SLP who has a respected online presence that offers sound advice for parents.
i saw that as i was scrolling and didn’t even look at it, it looks so strange!! i’ll have to try it now 😉
thanks so much!!
thanks kelly! i have tried citronella plants, candles, and all the oils i can think of and nothing seems to REALLY work. we also run a fan sometimes and that actually helps, but not with hawk around LOL. i did put some peppermint oil out in a dish this morning and that seemed to help. ugh. mosquitos don’t really bother me much, but hawk and his dad just get eaten alive.
Not shopping….much. Still too nervous about our household economy to do much about the US economy. But we did use part of our stimulus check to purchase a new mattress after 20+ years with the old one! It was time.
Hawk is so cute in his hat! I’ve read that “the bug bite thing” really works. My mom swears by a hot washcloth held on the bite area, but I’m not sure that works for a baby.
Some of us are just sweeter than others 😉
Several things work for mosquito bites. The absolute best — if you catch it right away — is taking a bit of plantain leaf (google identification; it’s a common weed in most places) and lightly chewing it, then wiping it over the spot. It’s like the bite never happened at all. You can also do this with anything from the mint family (also google). The other option is to carry an eyedrop bottle filled with plain white vinegar; put a drop on the spot. All of these also work for bee stings, by the way, though you leave it on much longer (band-aid the plantain to the spot; the sting will disappear within a couple hours) or, in the case of vinegar, keep reapplying every few minutes for the first 20 minutes or more.
Poor Hawk, bug bites are probably very frustrating for kids not being able to entirely understand why they are so uncomfortable/itchy. I hope you find something soon to help him.
I completely forgot that I started a shopping ban for this year, hahahaha! I’ve bought several things – mostly dresses in light colors – even yellow and pink, which is WAY out of the ordinary for me. It’s been brutally hot this summer though and I’m glad I’ve bought all of the dresses I have. I’ve also gotten some lightweight skirts/tops. I think I’m done though for now. All I can think about is when the cooler weather will get here so I can break out my sweaters again.
wow! wonderful information, thank you!
I know you did not ask but you need mental health support going through either pandemic + post partum and you deserve all the care of the world. big hugs. It has been evident for month and then I keep thinking surely she has support. what if you don’t please do get it. hugs