This Week’s Miscellany: Vol 97

I haven’t caught up on sleep from Edel, yet. But it’s mostly because I keep staying up late talking to Daniel forgetting that the mornings start early around here. Today Gwen woke up at 4:55. FOUR FIFTY FIVE! And honey child was not falling back asleep. So, I just got up, got dressed, and tried to rig yesterday’s makeup into today’s makeup before heading to Panera to write/answer emails/catch up on everything (because who has time to take their makeup off before going to bed? Am I the only one who wakes up with raccoon eyes every morning instead of doing the grown up thing and just removing makeup before bedtime?).

And while we’re on the subject of important things…THIS CHILD’S HAIR. In my personal experience, at the age of 14mo, most bebes don’t sport the messy bun.

Speaking of Gwen, I was a little bit sad thinking that once I returned from Edel, she would probably have forgotten all about nursing. But indeed….she did NOT forget. And she’s been nursing twice a day again which is fine by me. She’s now officially my longest nurser (Lucy called it quits at 13mos).

Book Love:

I finished Tobit’s Dog by Michael Richard on the plane home from Edel. There was a dog named Okra in it, so Daniel needs to read it. And I started Swallows and Amazons which I bought at Book People in Austin because my friend Katherine told me years ago that I would love it.

The Quotable Lucy (age 2):

“Why don’t you take off your leotard and tights and try to go potty, Lucy.”
“Silly little mama! Ballerinas don’t ever have to go tinkle!“

Perhaps they’re too refined for that sort of thing?

Lucy: “When I grow up, I want to be a ballerina, then a swimming mermaid, then a big construction worker, then a doctor, and then a mama.”

Benjamin:”You can’t be an imaginary kind of person.”

Lucy: *thoughtful pause* “I want to be a cat.”

The Quotable Benjamin (age 5):

“Baby Gwen, get your feet off the table! This is a tea party! Not a pirate’s beer party!”

Links:

Catholic All Year: So Your Toddler Is Terrible in Mass… (We have similar expectations in Mass for toddlers. And I really think THE KEY, although depending on the kid it might be a long road, is that in the pew they have some freedom of movement BUT if crying or escape attempts into the aisle require removal from Mass to the vestibule, there is no freedom of movement, running around, or fun. Kiddo stays in my arms, or Daniel’s, in the quiet boring vestibule until they ask to go back into Mass. Bad behavior never means play with toys in the nursery time or run around outside time. And occasionally a disgruntled toddler with be so…ahem…audible about her displeasure that her freedom of movement was taken away that we have to walk outside for a minute (still in my arms) to be ready to enter the church again and go back to Mass. Lucy picked up on the Mass-is-fun-vestibule-is-boring tip very early on. It’s going to take Gwen longer. Every kid is different, so find out what works for you. But keep in mind that if bad behavior results in fun times playing with toys in the nursery, that’s going to be a little bit confusing to a toddler.

And if you just can’t ever imagine your kid sitting quietly in Mass, take heart. While Lucy is only 2.5, most Sundays she stays in Mass the whole time and is pretty good. But it took Benjamin until age 4.5 before he wasn’t removed almost weekly because of unacceptable Mass behavior. It’s a kid’s personality thing. Some have a harder time, but I do wonder if it’s partly because we didn’t take him to Mass weekly until he was closer to 2 years old, so how could he learn how to participate appropriately if he wasn’t there to practice? Now if both girls have to be removed, Benjamin will stay quietly seated until we can get things under control and get back to the pew. It’s a whole new world!

The Art of Simple: The Grey Hair, It’s Growing on Me

Daniel Bearman: Why NFP Is Great for Men, Too

And if you want more Edel chichat, go over to Jen’s post with the Edel link up!

Be sure to give some love to my other friends and sponsors! They keep the lights on around here  And give a warm welcome to new sponsor To the Heights!

• Ignatius Press
• To the Heights
• Mama’s Notebooks
• Once a Month Meals
• Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler’s Guide to Unshakeable Peace by Sarah Mackenzie

You can find out about sponsoring a giveaway or advertising with me on my advertising page or contacting me at haley.s.stewart@gmail.com

And you may have heard about the tragic death of Sarah Harkins, a pregnant mother of four, and her unborn daughter. I didn’t know Sarah, but my heart goes out to her family and community. A memorial fund has been set up to provide for her family.

Lots of love,

Haley

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