Happy Shivering Halloween!

If you live or have lived in the Midwest, you know that almost inevitably the weather will be terrible for Halloween. It is so cruel given that every kid I knew growing up had to endure many a Halloween with their adorable costume covered up with a giant puffy coat and their chosen identity for the night unrecognizable. Somehow our parents still braved the weather so we could collect all those Reese's cups and Starburst, thank God for them. 

But now I am one of them. Though my kids are still too young to know if they even missed trick or treating, I know they cannot. Even when the high today is 45 and snow is in the forecast. 

So bundle up super Mom and Dad. It is our turn to endure the weather. Our parents did it for us. 

As my Dad always says, "There is nothing like sleet on Halloween." 

xoxo

Erin 

photo via: the city spot

The Overprotected Kid

My brother sent me the most fascinating article this weekend. If you were the kind of kid that was out playing all over your neighborhood in the summer, making forts, hitting up the rope swing at the creek, and all of this completely unsupervised, you will really enjoy this piece written on the Atlantic. 

It describes "The Land" a place where kids can go play almost completely without adult supervision to explore, make trouble, build fires, basically whatever their littler hearts desire. It reminds us of what imaginary play is like, why it is a good idea for your kids to get dirty and into trouble, and that getting your kids off the cookie cutter play grounds that we hover over watching our kids' every move is a good idea. 

What I found most interesting is that the creation of a sort of "fear parenting" has made us all forget that kids can be independent, make good decisions, and all that time wondering off without mom and dad makes them creative, inspired, and strong people. And that statistically, while accidents happen the do not happen as much as we might think. Plus, they might just be a part of life in general whether we are watching or not.  

We have been looking at play sets for the backyard and this article makes me rethink it so much. If you have the time (it is kind of long), read the entire article, but even just skimming it with your coffee this morning makes it a great read. 

Here is the link: The Overprotected Kid

Would love to hear your thoughts. 

xo

Erin 

Second Time Around

It has been eleven weeks since becoming a parent of two. Two is such a big number to me now. Everything in life should be referred to by double (or triple if you have three, etc.) when talking about taking care of more than one child. Because it is not just about two, it is about doubling the amount of everything. In my house that means diapers and bottles, colds and night wakings, smiles and cuteness. 

It is not necessarily that much harder as it is that much more intense. Every day is a juggle of who will wake up first, who gets fed first, who takes a nap next, all until the end of the day. Which by the way is around seven and I follow shortly to sleep at eight. Time goes slowly, yet so fast, it is the strangest thing. I heard the best description for this time in life, "The days are long, but the years are short." 

You know you have heard a million times from parents before you that time goes so quickly, but when you are sleep deprived and crazed you think that those people are straight liars. But now you know it is true and they were probably the parents of multiple children. 

Not much of my pregnancy, delivery and postpartum was different from the last. Easy pregnancy, quick delivery, and hormone craziness with the baby blues for a month or so. Now that amnesia that Moms suffer is starting to happen. The memories of how hard it was nine months pregnant to chase after a toddler seem hazy, and the uncomfortable tightness of those crazy contractions seems like something that never happened, and the weird anxiety that I suffer in those first weeks fades from my conscious. It is strange how it is so hard to remember so quickly. But I guess that is what makes us do it again. 

The best part is you start feeling like yourself around three months. Albeit a squishier, slightly crazed, not always out of your pajamas each day self. But more like a human that can function with the outside world. And each month it gets better. For everyone. 

So we are having a good time in our house. Baby girl has discovered her brother and loves watching him. It is crazy cute. Baby boy has some really interesting dance moves that are the highlight of my day (think modern dance meets raver). And date night is happening again. Even if it is wine after the kids go to bed. 

So the second time around has been great so far. I highly recommend it and good luck to those that are also in it. 

xo

Erin