Monday, July 30, 2012

DIY

7.16.12

Time to come clean.

Today I used a serrated knife and a glass cutting board to cut a roll of paper towels in half. Then, I made my own baby wipes.

The appeal of saving money was too great for me resist any longer. I am becoming a granola-mama.

I baby-wear. I breastfeed exclusively. I carefully considered buying a bracelet made of teething beads. I google baby food recipes. I grew food in my own garden to use in the baby-food-making endeavor. I don't even like the outside, so how in the world did I become mother-earth?

Pinterest.

As soon as I heard of Pinterest last summer I knew it would be trouble. Crafts? Recipes? Cleaning tips? Classroom ideas? Dream home decorating and baby picture taking? I love all of those things. I knew Pinterest would be my kryptonite. (Second only to absinthe-kryptonite... Long story involving a Russian train, a lighter, honey beer, a toothbrush, and an embarrassingly nice train attendant. Maybe I'll tell about it later.)

I held out as friends, family members, and acquaintances invited me to join their craft cult for 11 months. Then, I gave in. It's no big deal, I told myself. Maybe you can just look...

They were making the cutest crafts, the most delicious desserts, to do lists from frames, chicken wire, staples, dryer lint, and spit, not to mention they now knew 101 ways to make their windows shine. It was like MacGyver hooked up with Martha Stewart (pre-prison) and I needed in on their craft baby. Now, I limit my Pinterest time to 1 nursing session per day (okay, 2 single-sides...) Also, I promised myself that I must accomplish 2 things on my boards each week. So far, success.

And so, tonight I made my own baby wipes. They smell like lovely, clean baby tush. I'm totally doing it again.

And then, I'll chop down a sapling to create a teething toy.

Gratitude list from 7/16/2012
Listening to Leo's baby snores while blogging
Swimming with mom, Leo, Aunt Jill and her girls today
Catching up with Shanel at the grocery store
Good weigh-in session with Saundra, the lactation consultant at MRH
Getting to repin "DIY Diaper Wipes" on the "Did It" board

One Year

Exactly one year ago I found out that I would become a mommy. At the time I tried to imagine what my life would be like in a year, and I saw so many changes in my future like strollers, mommy and me groups, dirty diapers and toothless grins. I saw a little trio crowding a hospital bed, at the baptismal font, and pushing a stroller to the board office on a walk around the park. I saw pumpkin carving, Christmas family photos in red and green clothes, and blowing out the candles on a first birthday cake. I thought, "Next year, my life will be SO different than it is now."

I could have never imagined exactly how true this sentiment would prove to be.

I never imagined I would be getting divorced.
I never imagined how overwhelming childbirth could be or how loving hospital nurses could be.
I never imagined so many living things would depend on me alone.
I never imagined I would worry so much about finances or the fear of breaking a bone (How would I carry a diaper bag and a car seat?) or the fear of someone breaking into my home.
I never imagined the fortitude and faith of my family.
I never imagined the people who betrayed, manipulated, and lied to me.
I never imagined the friendships that reconnected.
I never imagined that I would accept blame I didn't deserve and abuse I shouldn't have received.
I never imagined the depth of relationship with Jesus I could have.
I never imagined the number of friends and family who came to my aid the moment I needed them and stayed involved in my life despite my desire to grieve alone.
I never imagined I would have a lawyer and a therapist on my speed dial.
I never imagined exactly how much I would need my parents, brother, and sister-in-law and how those relationships were tightly woven.
I never imagined the strength of the community that surrounded me and my Peanut with love and prayers.
Most of all, I never imagined the fierce, all-encompassing love I would have for my beautiful, strong baby boy.

I never imagined exactly how much better my life would be, but one year later here we are. Rising.


Photo Courtesy of Kodi Moser (Memories for a Lifetime)