running in the new year

:: peek-a-boo
:: gaining momentum while coming around the corner. you should see this little guy running. it is so delightful.



:: loving her new sweater. thank you uncle jim and aunt kathy


:: the sweet aroma of our paperwhites



:: creating a new window star (kite paper, contact paper and heavier paper for the cut out frame)


:: wet-on-wet painting
:: 3 kings day

this week has been filled enjoying time with my little one and visits to new doctors, and researching. and taking a relaxing soak each night, reading and going to bed early. i feel a sense of empowerment, taking matters into my own hands. for a mother who thinks there is something wrong when their little one is not thriving, one needs to search for answers. my ped seems to be on board now and i feel much better. i also feel a sense of calm (at times, as the sleep deprivation brings on a roller coaster of emotions), knowing that i will be able to handle anything that comes our way.

seeing i am still nursing, we had been following our nd's recommendation of eliminating soy, dairy (including goat's yogurt, which is similar to the protein in milk), egg and wheat from my diet and feeding the little one more throughout the day. i have found that "safe" food is about planning and preparing a head of time and reading the label on everything. when my little one did start going to me less and less to nurse, i had to cut back on his food to preserve that precious supply.

after some allergy testing (scratch test) we determined that there is not a true allergy to the suspecting foods. but, i feel strongly and know that my little one reacted to cow's milk products when i had them and more recently he reacted to goat's milk yogurt. it is safe to say that my little one has an intolerance to dairy, so dairy will be continued to be eliminated from our diets. i am uncertain about the soy. for the meantime, dairy will be cut out and i will bring back eggs, soy and wheat to my diet until we determine that they need to be cut out. up next we are off to a GI doctor.

while things may be difficult at times, i know that we'll get through this together... as a family. taking time to enjoy the simple things together. and i feel so ever grateful for my family...for family who offers unconditional support and parents and grandparents who offer their experience and guidance... for my daughter who is ever so patiently with me...for my little guy who makes me laugh and love in the most challenges times and my husband who handles his concern and eases my worrying.

indian corn & autumn activities

::  some snapshots of our autumn activities. removing indian corn kernals is the most favorite activity in our house for years now. we sorted the colored kernals and then created some pictures with them. our milkweed pods opened and we saved all the seeds to bring them back to nature. lastly, some natural treasures from a nature walk around the yard and some pictures of ava & zsa zsa's (my mother) day out together to a dinosaur park.

pumpkins on a vine

:: do you know that i have never seen pumpkins growing on a vine? hard to believe. my little one found a few of the curly vines while picking out pumpkins. i think it would be wonderful to be able to pick the pumpkins off the vine one day. i am grateful for the wonderful connection she made.




:: leaf collection and rubbings. and identifications (as best we could)




:: ladybugs everywhere. it is amazing the sense of wonder and awe they bring.

rhythm returns

my little guy's first tooth finally came. napping times are just starting to be on a schedule and we are starting to get some sort of rhythm going. baking muffins. painting. nature walks. ballet and gymnastics are coming to an end. (phew!) it was a huge commitment for us. and summer just flew by.













:: a shipping box provided a quiet morning of painting. i found myself enjoying my little one's puzzle for a short time until she came to see what i was up to. some beans were picked from the garden. treasures found at a state park were sorted. my daughter was so delighted to find the peach pit on the beach. the smooth beach pebbles were brought in to be explored in our sensory box. the sand was smuggled over to the play kitchen. the funnel always provides lots of fun for my little one.

rainbows around

:: a rainbow of colorful beads made into a water shaker

:: my collection of vintage glass beads. a favorite for my little one to play and sort

:: a rainbow telescope

:: a rainbow tree


:: paintings

:: fairy wands and found acorns on our nature table

:: found feathers

:: rainbows

:: found growing along a neighbor's yard. while we only picked one of each, i wish we hadn't picked them.

I was inspired by Waldorf Mama's postings during rainbow week.