The Idle Life.

We just got home from a week at Aylen Lake in Ontario Canada. Gabriela’s middle name is Aylen if that tells you anything. It is my favorite place in the world. Our busy lives just stop and time stands still. No email, television, x-box or blackberries. It is as though we have traveled back in time. We pass the days down at the dock, swimming, sunning, reading or taking the kayak out for a spin. There are no errands to run, no pressing appointments and no dings interrupting dinner.

Dinner is one of my favorite times of day. The whole family gathers around our large round table. The food is always delicious, maybe more so because we are so hungry from being outside all day and my mom is a wonderful chef. We just talk, eat and drink a little wine. Sometimes more than a little. Once dinner is finished, we have to wash dishes the old fashioned way. Sometimes it’s not so bad, the conversation is good and it’s almost enjoyable to scrub away.

After dinner, we will sit around and play cards. Usually contract rummy. Always contract rummy.  Once the night is over, we climb into bed. It is freezing cold compared to the warm days and feels so good to snuggle under the covers. I confess, I even pulled Gabriela out of her cold crib so she could snuggle between Jered and I. She is the best snuggler. This year, we stayed in Mom and Dad’s room so we could have easy access to Gabriela’s pack and play for naps. The sunrise is early, around 6am and is so bright it woke me up every morning. I didn’t complain though. Watching the sunrise over the lake first thing in the morning just makes me want to praise God for His wonderful creation. I would crawl back under the covers and go back to sleep. Once I woke up for good, I grab a cup of coffee, a baby and some toys. Down at the dock mom and dad are doing their devotions. Ela sits on the dock in the warm sun and plays. There is no rushing to get dressed and everyone fed so I get to work. It is just peace and relaxation. No schedules, no plans. My kind of vacation.

To me Aylen is more than a vacation, it is a way of life. It reminds to make my life simple. To make sure I leave room on our calendar just to be. I want Ela to remember her childhood as tea parties, waterlogged days from swimming all day, buzzy worms and a lot of laugher. We need time to just be a family and every summer Alyen reminds me to schedule in more time to do absolutely nothing. 

Little crawler

Gabriela starting scootching around a few weeks ago. She is very mobile. If I turn around for one second, she will be into something! I have a feeling i am in for it as she grows up. We had a large gate we propped up under the bar for the dogs at night. She loved to go over to it and try to bring it down on top of her. We packed that up and right away she went to the second smaller gate we had propped near the stairs! What a smart 8-month old.

We flew for the first time last week and it was an adventure. The Atlanta airport is so huge it is always a hassle trying to find your gate. We got through security okay, we've found everyone is nicer when there is a cute baby involved. We made it on the train and finally got to our gate. Once we had boarded the plane we did everything we could to keep Ela awake. Once the plane starting taking off, i started to nurse and she fell right asleep. She slept the entire trip until we landed. Whew! On the way home she made friends with the ladies behind us and pretty much everyone on the entire plane. She is such a social girl, unless you try to take her away from mommy. She is a great traveler.

The Bennington Vale Evening Transcript: Bennington Vale Press Offices Prepare for Judgment Day Closures on May 21

There are no words...


The Bennington Vale Evening Transcript: Bennington Vale Press Offices Prepare for Judgment Day Closures on May 21

my heart

Admits all the dirty laundry, dishes and winter clothes that need packed I just found peace in the chaos. I currently have the most beautiful little girl sleeping on my chest. My heart is so full of utter contentment I wish I could freeze time. My clothes won't pack themselves but they can wait along with all my other household duties. Right now I have a more important job. And unlike my chores, this can't wait. Unlike dirty laundry, this won't be around forever. I'm afraid I'm going to blink and there will be a five year old standing in front of me.

So for the next few minutes I will be ignoring all my duties and enjoy the best part of being a mommy.

Fail

Yesterday I went to get my eyebrows waxed. This used to be such an easy feat. I would just make an appointment, run over after work and poof, my eyebrows would be immaculate. Toting along a very energetic six month old changes everything. Including my tip.

I met Mary at a new place, European Wax Spa. We clearly did not think this through. I assumed we go at different times and then could just take turns playing with Ela. Not the case. I could tell the waxer (what are they called???) was super excited about having a loud and slightly damp baby in the spa. I stuck Ela in her car seat, I almost knocked her out and tipped over the car seat all at the same time. I was thinking this girl must think I have never put my child in a car seat before. Once I managed to get her in I didnt think through buckling her in. In my mind she doesn’t sit up and try to escape. She is still the little three month old who was so easy to tote places.

Once I climbed up on the table and laid down I realized I no longer had a visual of Ela. Oops! At this point I am feeling so stressed and overwhelmed and just wanted this process over with! The waxer is explaining their five-point process and all I hear is wahh wahh from Ela. I'm starting to sweat because we are in a nice spa and I am sure the other women are enjoying hearing Ela fuss. The waxer keeps going "ah awe" in the fakest tone of voice each time Ela fusses. What she really means is why in the heck do you have a baby in a spa and she is seriously getting on my nerves. Then she looks over at Ela and looks at me and says "Will she tip it over?". I want to die at this point. Forget having groomed eye brows let's just call it a day and head over to Mellow Mushroom for some bacon. I slink off the table and look at my daughter. She is rocking her car seat back and forth and sitting up. She is literally about to plunge off onto the floor. I just won the mother of the year award. With wax hanging off my face I pick up my daughter and look at the waxer. Because I am already winning I just say, "Her dad was supposed to watch but had to work late." Now I seem like a unprepared, unfit teen mom. I am pretty sure last time I checked he was my husband too. I crawl back up on the table and put Ela sitting up on my belly. She still isnt happy and wants to nurse. As I am having hairs ripped out of my head my daughter is pulling my shirt down and forcefully making her way to my boobs. Winning. I give her my sunglasses to entertain her until this torture is over. She sticks the ear piece down her throat and gags. Really?

Moral of the story is dont take a baby to a spa. Lesson learned.