Delicious dish

One of my favorite things to make is sushi. Its easy, healthy and I snack on it all day which is perfect for a stay at home momma who never seems to have a second to eat. Todays menu included this...and ALOT of coffee ;)

Differences

When I found out I was pregnant, I knew my little growing baby was a girl, call it a mothers intuition. I didn't have a preference on gender, a son would have been the perfect fit as well. But when I heard the ultrasound tech say those defining words "its a girl", my whole world made sense. Like most mothers, I pictured my "mini me". A perfect little friend with the worlds most beautiful hair and softest voice. A daughter with delicate features and ladylike mannerisms. I thought about the mother daughter bond we would have, and introducing her to all the fun girly things in life, showing her how to hold a babydoll, reading American Girl books, having fancy tea parties. Teaching her how to, tastefully, apply makeup or talking about what boys are worth her time. I thought about our time choosing her wedding dress.

While pregnant, I gathered information on specific topics to educate myself to build my own strong decisions that would best fit our family. In doing so, I gained knowledge on attachment parenting, permissive parenting, instinctive parenting (what we lean the most towards, while being highly attached ;) I always keep an open mind about different parenting approaches as well.
It is said that the rules on parenting shift from generation to generation. There will always be a new "trend" with parenthood. One specific trend that has surfaced quite rapidly is raising your child gender neutral (popular among progressive parenting). This involves raising a child with out "gender limitations" and giving a child the right to choose what he or she wants to be (I encourage anyone to look deeper into this style of parenting, its quite interesting).
Although this is an extreme style, I noticed that the words "gender neutral" have become very popular with everyday/ordinary parents as well. To be bold, I am fed up with hearing these words. Personally, I believe we should celebrate the diversities between male and female! Yes, a woman can weld metal, she can cut down a tree, butcher a cow. A man is still a man if he chooses to be a stay at home dad, become a florist, barista or secretary. Talking freely about the differences between men and women can be complicated but I believe there are certain traits we were born with that the other gender can posses but not translate as well. I respect the sensitivity a woman has, the gentle, natural, maternal instinct that she discovers is completely opposite of a man who establishes the dominate protective role once a child is born into the family. We should embrace these characteristics that define who we are.

I am excited to embrace my daughters femininity, to complement her beautiful intellect and appearance. To teach her every beautiful diversity that exists, whoever she chooses to be.

Our normal

While perusing the mom blog world, Ive discovered that I gravitate towards the more "realistic" outlooks on life. While I respect all great mommas and their individual family choices, whatever they may be, I find it more believable and enjoyable to read about the everyday life from an ordinary momma, like me. One who shops at Target for baby clothes, stops into Walmart for inexpensive dry goods. A mom who isnt afraid to admit they stay at home in their PJs for a couple days or who hasnt cleaned up lunch from the day before. I am taking on the blog "challenge", I am showing you our real home, and what it looks like most days...those days where the household chores can wait ;)

1. Babe in toyland
2. Dishes from our dinner last night
3. A pile of dirty clothes and much need coffee
4. Her bedroom, since the discovery of how to pull toys down
5. The downstairs tub, a constant state of bath fun

Cuppy cake sweetie

Today, my three year old niece, Monroe, came over to visit and play. Its an easy time when she comes over, she keeps Eleanor thoroughly entertained. We walked to the park and grabbed hot chocolates from the cafe then came home to bake some sweets! I always keep boxed cupcakes or cookies on hand for occasions like this. The recipes are simple and keep a young-ins attention without getting them too bored.

Monroe did most of the work, while I held Eleanor.
She did a pretty fantastic job!

The end!

Little duck curls

Sprouting more cute curls everyday
and thoroughly enjoying her new little cups!

Snooz'n sweetie

Since 1994, parents have been encouraged to rest our sleeping babes on there backs, and for the past 19 years, SIDS has decreased. Although, the amount of worry a parent has over their child has not seen that same decrease. I think about SIDS often. I worry at night that Eleanor is too hot, or the pacifier fell out of her mouth, forgetting to turn the fan on, or her getting wrapped up and suffocated by blankets, (here is a typical article trying to frighten parents, Wellness). Last week I woke up after sleeping for ten uninterrupted hours, I was panicked. In a split second I realized I had slept through the night without once getting up to pop a binkey back in Eleanor's mouth or pat her buns to reassure her back to sleep, I imagined the worst! I bolted out of bed, ran to her side, and found her peacefully sleeping.
When we brought Eleanor home, (going against the AAP) I knew I wanted to co-sleep. Wes was apprehensive at first (worrying he might roll onto her) but after a week, he was right on board with my decision. Night time nursing was convenient, Eleanor was rocked to sleep with our movement and comforted by our breathing patterns. She had been with me for ten months, I could just abandon her in a bed to herself.
I take pride in my swaddling abilities, around the first week, I discovered that Eleanor did not prefer being swaddled. this was my first realization that I had to adapt to her comforts. When she was two weeks old, I noticed her being restless at night. She would flail her arms in the air (typical newborn movements) and wake herself up. From birth, I placed her on her back for sleeping. I observed her for a few nights, each time she would fall asleep, she would stir and wake herself up. Finally, I placed her on her tummy to sleep. She has been a tummy sleeper since. At first, I was worried about SIDS. I was worried she would suffocate in her sleep. She never did.
I realize Im always going to worry about something. I have, and still am, learning to adapting to Eleanor, to efficiently recognize what makes my child comfortable and happy.
(Eleanor now sleeps in her bed :)...read here Goodnight)

Tonight, I captured this rare occasion of Eleanor back sleeping.
She has been cutting her first tooth for the past couple days
and passed out after twenty minutes of dental frustration.
She looks defeated. Poor girl.

Wednesday laziness

This morning, we threw on some clothes and walked through the park to the cafe.

Ive been putting this disorderly house on the back burner. Now that Eleanor is sleeping
I have no excuses...except random interneting ;)

Momma and baby

 Poppa and baby

Desert yurt destination

Wes and I continued his birthday celebration this Monday and Tuesday at Cave B. Inn on the Columbia River, just two hours away from home, neighboring the famous Gorge Amphitheater! We had a sensational time! First, I have to credit my sister and brother in law in caring for Eleanor! It was the first night I haven't cuddled my little sweetie to bed since she has been born...I missed her guts! We are so lucky to have family that is exceptionally wonderful with our daughter and enjoys spending time with her, thank you so much Deborah and bill!
Wes and I have made it tradition in staying somewhere fun for his birthday (he can never think of gifts he wants or needs, so i give him/us memories), last year we lounged around Northern Quest casino overnight. This year I wanted to take him somewhere more interesting. I had remembered reading about a friends yurt adventure off the coast of Oregon this past February, she said it was the best weekend ever spent!(Alison-Claire : Home sweet yurt). Naturally (with a review like that), I was determined! I started looking for nearby places, I didnt want to be far from Eleanor. My sister had recommended Cave B. and I quickly booked one Luxury Desert Yurt! Read about their Sustainable Practices, they really are a unique resort and it shows through EVERYTHING. Their lodging, the grounds and trails, especially the food and wine, everything was perfectly cared for. We will definitely return...next time we will bring all our family!
Here are a few pictures of our stay...

Rustic yurt  #7

A  ten minute walk from the main lodge

 100 acres of vineyards

 Making executive decisions in the tasting room

 Feet flirting

 A view at every turn

 curiosity

 We were the only yurt occupancy.
it was the first day the Yurts opened.

 A bit of spring. It was 70+ degrees both days

 2010 Syrah, our bottle of choice.

Luxury yurt lounging

Sunroof! at midnight, the big dipper was positioned directly above us...

 ...and so was this creepy guy ;)

 Lots of drunken smooches. Hey, "when in Rome"
This was right before we had the most AMAZING dinner
of both our lives! The prices are ridiculous but worth every penny

 We hiked down to the bottom of the Gorge...

 ...It took three hours....

 ...alot of large steep hills through (at the end) rough terrain...

 ...but the views were stunning.

 The amphitheater from the opposite direction

 See that animal? I was afraid, cause im a baby.

 Gorgeous views

 1,000 feet below

 An old car and a refrigerator were found at the bottom
Wes jabbed everything with his walking stick

 We saw some pretty cool rock formations

 Accomplished and exhausted but not defeated 

SEE YOU SOON CAVE B. !

Eleanor

So serious in the grass, hunting for eggs!