Less TV is More

8/31/11: We are now in full swing of our new life with Ivy. She is a full participant and we are all so happy she’s here. She’s crawling fast and pulling herself up on everything- trying to walk at 9.5 months. She’s still a happy girl and has managed to smile through getting her first 3 teeth.

Miles and I are adjusting to sharing our time together with a new person. I used the TV as a crutch through the latter half of my pregnancy and through her first months, but now there are some big and exciting changes happening. This is my last year with Miles at home and I really want it to be fantastic. Our first major change is to reduce that TV crutch. It’s a good time to do it. Ivy’s older and can participate more and play more and Keith isn’t traveling out of town quite so much, at least for now.

I am starting a Home Ec. and Art class in the morning at home. He is full of creative energy and is ready to be directed and encouraged. Today we made Raisin Bran muffins. He did all the measuring, pouring and mixing. He helped chop the raisins, and put the batter in the cups. He basically did it all, just with a little help from me with reading, etc. The muffins were great and we brought them to his teachers with a little jar of the strawberry preserves that we made earlier this week. I think he was really proud.

While the muffins were in the oven, he asked to play a game on the iPad. I said let’s play legos or draw- he went to his room and found an old am/fm radio and put on some piano music (turned out to be gospel) and came into the kitchen, took my hand and asked me to dance. We used to dance all the time when he was a baby/toddler. Before TV. I want that back! I’m getting it back!

There have been some things that I’ve been whining about for a while now and it’s time I took some control, made things a little harder but more beautiful and went for it. I’m so glad I am- I’m seeing more of my little boy and less TV zombie. I had no idea it would make such a huge difference. I really didn’t! But now I’m hooked on no TV.

Life These Days

I wish I updated more these days but life is hectic with a 3.5 year old. Seems much of the downtime I do I either spend resting or crocheting- which is really just productive resting.

I did find time to complete a new painting of Miles this week. I was really getting the itch so I chunked out some time for me. I was inspired to try something more whimsical- which I have a little trouble with, but thought I'd give it a try. Here's what I came up with.


Miles is an amazing story teller. He has a very vivid imagination and often incorporates outer space in his stories. He loves rockets, robots and fire balls. He knows the names of the planets and even some of the colors of the plants. He has an uncanny sense of direction and will tell me where to turn even when 5 miles or more from our home. There's no tricking him anymore and driving until he falls asleep because he'll keep telling me I'm lost.

He's very excited to be a big brother. He tells everyone he meets that his Mommy has an "Ivy" in her tummy. He greets her the morning and several times throughout the day, kisses my stomach as if she is already here. He talks to her and sometimes even talks for her. Which is to-die-for cute. He's also very tolerant of me these days with my slow movement, low energy and back pain complaints. He amazes me with his adaptability.

Keith and I are taking Hypnobirthing classes with Care Messer in preparation for Ivy's arrival. To learn more about it you can go here: http://sandiegohypnobirth.com/hypnobirth.html The classes just started but so far I am excited by the prospect of a "Pure Birth". I am very optimistic that this pregnancy, labor and delivery will be very different than the last. Although I suppose that's pretty much guaranteed whether I want it or not. I'm preparing this time. Pretty exciting.