Those people we call friends

"I find friendship to be like wine, raw when new, ripened with age, the true old man's milk and restorative cordial."

- Thomas Jefferson

I've lived in a couple different places throughout my life and feel like I've made a connection with many people in those places. I have friends and family in the desert, friends from high school in Silverton, friends from my college days and friends in Silverton whom I've met since we moved back. I like to think I'm a social person-I never was part of a 'group' of people in high school, I felt like I was friends with everyone and really enjoyed that aspect of high school. That still rings true for me today. I have friends in Silverton whom I've known since high school, friends whom I hang out with on a regular basis and friends whom I've recently met, but their friendships are just as important to me as my 'older' friends. What's the saying? Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other's gold...? Oh yes, that's DEFINITELY how I feel.

As much as I love all my friends there's a group of friends that I'd like to talk about right now--my "Mom Friends. "

I've been feeling so incredibly blessed lately to know a group of women who are supportive of each other and positive about being parents. I met most of them through being a nanny, and since ending my nanny job and with my wee one on the way, I've felt less nanny-ish and more mommy-ish. ;)

I enjoy the time I spend with these women for their friendship, advice and overall good times. Their kids are blessings, their families are blessings, and THEY are blessings! Throughout my pregnancy I've had many women to talk to (IS THIS NORMAL!?) and be reassured that I can have a natural childbirth, cloth diaper and breastfeed. I can be successful. Sure, I get that reassurance from my husband. But there's something so incredibly special hearing it from other women. Strong, supportive, and kind women-moms. I credit a lot of my 'pregnancy happiness' to them-without them, I'm sure I'd have had a few meltdowns!

About a year ago, I bought a book called Radical Homemakers by Shannon Hayes.

I love it. Like, absolutely love it. It's gotten lost in my pile of books I'm reading, so it's not quite finished but I'm getting there! ha! I hope to do a book review on it the future (I need to re-read it!) and will talk more about it then, but one thing that really sticks out in my mind is an aspect that Shannon Hayes talks about in 'reclaiming domestic skills' is Nurturing Relationships. "Solid and satisfying relationships are beyond a doubt the primary step in building a sustainable home." How true is that? If we have relationships that we nurture (share recipes, vegetables and fruits, ideas, etc.) and we continue to help grow then we are sure to be happier, which in turn makes our homes happier/sustainable. In the book, Hayes talks about "inter-reliance" with relationships, about giving AND giving-and not just goods-advice, times, services.

I am happier because of the community I am a part of. The group of women whom I've connected with make me happier and more fulfilled.

There's little irony in the fact that my husband asked me last night if I was getting stir crazy yet; being home and not working. I hadn't really thought about it until then. Sure, there were days when we were both home, not working, and the house was clean, and I didn't leave that I felt a little crazy. But, overall, I feel fulfilled. Taking care of my house, my husband and nurturing relationships that are invaluable.

Relationships like these are ones that I hope for every young mom out there. To be able to connect with mothers out there who are older, have more experience and can lend an ear when you just feel like you're "done." I know that it's only begun (we STILL don't have a babe yet!) and that these women will be a fantastic sounding board when I need them.

So thank you friends! Thank you for your kind words, listening ears, and wonderful hearts. You all are wonderful women-and someday, I hope to repay you!!

*This does not mean that my other relationships are NOT important. I truly value all the different "communities" that I am a part of. I just wanted to touch on one "community" of friends that I felt needed a nice shout out!

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Ah...My Montessori Nursery, A Dream Come True!!

So, here's the thing. I have a problem. It's not a 'real' problem, just a problem. ha!

When something comes my way-a parenting style, a new recipe, an educational theory, new sewing technique-whatever it may be, I become ENTHRALLED. Like, obsessive about it. I read as much as I can, I save a million bookmarks on my trusty Mac, I am convinced it's the 'latest and greatest', and I rave (seriously RAVE) to my hubby about it-bless his heart!

About four years ago, while going to Oregon State, I somehow stumbled upon this fantastic idea of Montessori. Ah...My peace had been found. The simplicity and sheer beauty made me feel so...peaceful. (I'll share my love for Montessori in another post, when I've thought more about all the reasons I love Montessori and can give some more history. <3) I observed in the Montessori classroom, offered to be a substitute (because I KNEW that I wanted to be a Montessori Guide-see how I become so involved SO fast?! haha) and the following summer was in charge of the cooking cam

p for 3-6 year olds. I was in LOVE. Fast forward to present time...

Paul and I always knew that we wanted to have a simple, yet inviting, nursery for our little ones. I'm not always the best at keeping the clutter down (like Paul!), but I knew that this was an important aspect for our baby's environment. So, as the gifts poured in, and J's room became a "baby explosion" as one friend called it, I settled into the idea that no matter what I did, his room wasn't going to be exactly what I wanted, mostly for lack of space for his stuff. At one point his room was more organized than this (at right) but, not by much, and it was VERY overwhelming to look at across the hall from our room.

I had big ideas to make a bumper (just for looks!) out of the animal print (shown above), but somehow became very discouraged about ruining the fabric. In all reality, I think that I was just discouraged about his room and wasn't feeling like it was really what I had wanted from all those years ago when I was reading every Montessori book I could get my hands on. So, the bumper never got finished and it continued to sit in the sewing room in half done pieces-like so many other projects I leave behind! Oops!

Last week I attended a parent education night at the local children's house about making your home more child-friendly, the Montessori way. I REALLY enjoyed being in that environment again-one that supports the independence of a child. I missed it. Really. Between going to school, nannying and just living life, I'd forgotten how much I loved the Montessori environment. A few days later, I attended a meeting at Community Roots School-the elementary charter school in Silverton-about the future of the school. Once again, I was reminded how fantastic the Montessori community is. Fantastic people, doing fantastic things. With these two experiences within a few days of each other, my head was spinning and my love for Montessori had re-surfaced. HOORAY!! (This is where the hope for J's room comes back!!)

**Funny side note that reflects my obsession (?) with bookmarking Montessori things: I've had this saved on my bookmark bar for a REALLY long time. Like, right around the time we got married! It's a FANTASTIC example of a Montessori infant room, way more than I could ever afford to do, but a great resource.

With my due date come and gone, I was getting restless. The hubby was at work and I didn't have much going on. So, I figured I needed to organize J's room-AGAIN! Once I got in there, I realized that I wanted to change a lot of it.

It was overwhelming and didn't feel like somewhere that was calming or by any means peaceful.

For this post, I'm just going to post the pictures, and in another I'll go through and explain why things are the way the are in a Montessori room. There are still a few things I'd like to get for his room-a mirror, a mobile hook from the ceiling, a rug near the bed, and a play mat/area. But, I felt like this was a great start with what I had-I didn't purchase anything new-this time around! ;)

Ah, the floor bed.

I took the crib mattress out of the crib and put it on the floor. The pillow isn't really there for the babe, just for me while cuddling up-probably only during nap time, or whenever he ends up in the room sleeping! The pictures will get lowered, next time I think of it, but they are of pictures that Paul and I took in some of our favorite places-the Colorado River and the Lincoln City beach.

We are not huge fans of the overly colored, over the top, over-stimulating baby items out there, and this includes baby activity gyms. I found wooden ones to be my 'dream' but,

alas, the $80 ticket price was just too much for our tight budget. So, my hubby being the fantastic man he is, (and his form of preparing for the baby!) made me the gorgeous one.

I love love LOVE it. I made the bell on a string and one with a ring for when J is just a bit older. I plan on making one that will hang from the ceiling too, but I thought that this was a good portable option for us, seeing as I don't think the hubby will be thrilled with hooks throughout the house! ;)

This little basket holds a few 'firsts' for J. I love the Sophie the Giraffe for teething, and the pacifier is one I found at Whole Foods. It's called an Eco Pacifier by EcoPiggy.

I'm not a huge fan of the pacifier and don't plan on introducing it for a while-definitely not in the early days-but it's a great option if it's needed. The other toy in the basket is for grasping, but I'm sure it's going to be more for teething! We're on a pretty tight budget these days and when I saw this, I knew I wanted it. But, it's just not a good time for buying more 'stuff' for the little guy. My crafty side knew I could make it, so the attempt was made and was successful! :) I love the little grasping beads. There are a few more Montessori-esque toys in the making, but I'll wait to talk about those until they are finished!

Lastly, and I love that I had this stashed away in my sewing room (previously for hanging

ribbon spools on), is the dressing area.

I'll need/want to add a small stool there eventually. Right now, it's "mostly" for show, but I imagine once he's here we'll utilize it a little more with hats, sweaters, etc. I'd also like to add a mirror as well. I feel like these little knobs are going to be great for hanging his clothing options when he's a little older and gets to that point. For now, I'll just marvel at the simplicity.

This is just a starting point, and we're having the birthing pool in his room too, so I didn't want to invest too much time into making it exactly the way I want, just to have it all moved again (hopefully soon!).

If you have any thoughts or questions, definitely leave them! I'd love to hear what you have to say!

Off to enjoy a nice walk before the rain starts again!

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