Los Porchs

When I was at the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) annual conference this fall, one of the sessions spoke about building character and how we need to focus on instilling character in our young children.  It was quite interesting to me because it seemed to center around the concept of teaching children that their actions have reactions (logical consequences, if you please).  As a component of the discussion, they shared their ideas for activities to build such character and one was paint in a Ziplock. I cringed as they spoke about it and then eagerly passed around several small canvases that had been placed into Ziplock baggies w/ small blobs of paint on them.   This is so lazy , I thought.   This is something only a teacher who can't handle messy art would do , I snorted to myself.  I wondered if it was too late to walk out of the session.... the door was too far and I didn't want to be rude so I leaned back and waited for the bag to work aroun

Holy. Pregnancy. Announcements. I received 2 Christmas cards with pregnancy announcements (SO CUTE!) and have seen several more on Facebook.  We even have one in our family (Ryan's side, cousin, calm down everyone else). But here's the thing. It's not us. And while I am over the moon happy for our family & friends, I am back to those old familiar feelings for myself: g r i e f m o u r n i n g s a d d n e s s  a n x i e t y  j e a l o u s y s o r r o w The nasty feelings of infertility always creep up on me.  I feel selfish because I have a downright perfect kiddo following me around at any given moment, but I loved being pregnant (except that heartburn) so much and I have enjoyed the baby stages so much that as Charlotte gets older and more independent (and significantly less babyish), I long for another baby.  And then I remember those haunting odds... "Less than a 1% chance naturally." We were so crazy fortunate with our first round

Folks, I had been planning this great post about the fact that I covered the spread this morning and really got my poop in a group -- took Charlotte out for a *brisk* morning walk before the snow and wind arrived, shared a pancake breakfast with her and did puzzles before laying her down for morning nap and then putting together what promises to be a good CrockPot meal.  While sipping coffee. But then I started to think about those other mornings. Because there are two very important things not mentioned above: 1. That's just a morning, anything can happen between now and when Daddy gets home that may result in me pacing the kitchen, anxiously watching for Ryan's truck. 2. They are not all that peaceful. Some mornings just plain suck.  Some mornings, I struggle with the fact that I am not going to work and it's only highlighted by Charlotte pointing at Ryan's chair at the table and asking with her hands up "Daddy?" to which I reply, "Daddy went t

We went to the neighborhood library today after Charlotte's afternoon nap.  I hadn't been to this location since I was a little kid myself (I grew up just down the street from this location) and needed to get a library card so I could fully introduce this girl to one of the most amazing places in town!  Books!  All of the books!  To read, over and over again, and then find new ones to fall in love with!  For free! The librarian was very helpful and I had a card in minutes.  I took Charlotte to the back of the library to the children's section and was a little... underwhelmed.  The board book selection was good, but there was nothing for these little people to "do" and no where cozy for them to fall in love with said books.  I wish there had been some soft, cozy seating and lighting... something playful.  I felt my classroom environment senses tingling and tried to remind myself that I can only control so much before chasing my tornado into the young adult sectio

If you follow me on Instagram , you know we made some homemade finger paints today that Charlotte was all about.  I had some washable paint but questioned whether she'd attempt to eat it since I haven't really done much painting with her.  One quick Pinterest search lead me to Red Ted Art's recipe and it was too simple not to try! 3T sugar 1/2 C corn starch 1/2 t salt 2C water Combine all ingredients in a small sauce pan and warm until it thickens; cool, then pour into small containers.  Add food coloring. Looks pretty similar to frosting ;) Add tiny human. I prepared this while she was enjoying her morning nap.  It was cooled and more than ready for her to enjoy in the afternoon.  The texture ended up being similar to Vaseline and caught me off guard.  But watching Charlotte use them, it was allllll good.  Really good.  Like let's do this again every day for the rest of my life good.  I had to wrestle the tray away from her to clean her up f

Everything happens for a reason. When God closes a door, He opens a window. There's something better out there. There's really not much that makes being let go from your job feel better.  The way it happened was upsetting and messy and generally just icky feeling.  But the worst part about the whole situation?  Charlotte will no longer be attending child care there and we didn't get to say goodbye to all of her people.  It's so unhealthy for her, but overall, she wins.  Because now I can find something that is a better fit for me and our family.  I was spending lots and lots of time away from Porch and Charlotte and not feeling much appreciation in return, but rather was asked why I wasn't working more.   I moved our family from our home in Chicago so I could start this adventure and I'm super bummed that it didn't work out, but I'm looking for a silver lining.  My calling is out there and I am determined to find it!  So yes, it's sad.

Charlotte got her 15 month shots today, a few weeks late, because when we went originally, she had a crazy ear infection that took 3 (!) rounds of antibiotics to defeat it.  No joke.  I don't enjoy shot day because I am typically alone with her in this venture because we elected to use a pediatrician that we LOVE who happens to be about 35 minutes from our home (but only 15 minutes from school).  So unless it's a Saturday appointment, I'm it.  Today was no different.  I know the routine.  Hold the arms, distract as much as possible, and be prepared to nurse immediately afterwards.  Except today, I was transported. The nurse opened the rubbing alcohol wipe and I was gone. I was standing in our kitchen at the apartment in Chicago.  I was nervously mixing my Menopur and trying to muster the courage to give myself the first injection in my belly.  I was giving myself the pep talk that this needle prick was nothing compared to labor. Then, I looked down and saw Charl

Today I am thankful for my home.  It's warm.  It's (relatively) clean.  It's not very big, but it's where my people gather.  It may or may not be our forever home, it's too soon to tell.  But you know that feeling, when you're on the couch and there's something yummy in the oven and you're just... content?  That's home for me.  I'm so thankful that we have such a cozy place to raise our daughter.  It makes my heart happy to know that she'll have memories like I do of a happy, warm, safe home for her childhood. xoxo Mama Porch

Today I am celebrating 15 months of breastfeeding. I was so worried that it might not work for us and then those first few days were awful... I wanted to give up so many times! We have been fortunate enough to share this relationship and though I am packing up the pump today (Thank you, Jesus), we still have our time together before bed and when teething gets the best of her. Like today. I can see LOTS of angry red gum tissue and a few teeth that weren't there just yesterday. I'm so thankful to be a source of comfort in her time of need. *More on weaning in a separate, hormonal post. Go Pack Go! Xoxo Mama Porch

I am thankful that my baby's biggest pain and struggle is her teething pain, which is typically managed well via ibuprofen and snuggles. There are too many children who are hurting from much bigger problems. Tonight, I am thinking of these children and am hopeful that they find comfort in healthy relationships with caregivers and that they would know peace. xoxo Mama Porch

Today, I am giving thanks for my access to education.  Sure, I would love a visit from the Student Loan Fairy, but at the end of the day, both Porch and I had access to education and have the jobs we do because of that education.  I am thankful for the scholarship opportunities that have been afforded to me to support my quest for too many degrees/certificates.  Further, I am thankful that Charlotte has the opportunity to witness our commitment to lifelong learning.  I hope that she is inspired by our choices and makes the best choice for herself to reach her goals in life.  Not everyone needs a bachelor's degree, but everyone needs to continue to learn and try new things. xoxo Mama Porch

On our 30-minute commute home, Charlotte and I typically sing songs together in an effort to keep her happy and awake.  Sometimes I bribe her with graham crackers, sometimes she passes out and I have a minute of quiet reflection to myself.  Tonight, I decided I needed to listen to Ryan Long on my Spotify via Bluetooth.  Mmmmmkay, hormonal mama, why would you do that to yourself? I was doing well until I got the song " My Daughter's Dance " which was played at my sweet 16 party to which I danced with my dad.  Those memories came flooding over me and for a hot second, I was 16 again.  Thank GOD that was just a second!  I was overcome with gratitude that my dad didn't kill me as a teenager/young adult because I said and did a lot of stupid crap. So today, Day 3 of the #30daysofthanks exercise, I am giving my greatest thanks for my dad.  The kind of dad who was willing to help me with homework, would play outside with my brother and me growing up, and who continues to

That smooshy face... God I love her. I am so thankful to be a Mama. I thank science and I thank God because it took both to bring Ms. Charlotte into our lives. She will always be the babe who made me a mama and she will always, always, always be my Cheekers. Ok. Weaning hormones are real, y'all. Just made myself ugly cry real quick. Good grief. This picture popped up on my Facebook page today as a memory from one year ago... we were out to dinner at the new sushi place by our apartment & Charlotte was the perfect dinner date. She was smiles the whole time. Isn't it funny how I can barely remember where my car keys are yet I can vividly remember this moment in time? Sigh. They're never that small again. Savor those new babies, friends, because they truly don't keep.

It's easy to get wrapped up in the monotony of our day to day lives, working hard for that next big raise, to get that new toy, to feel the need to keep up with those we see on social media living the dream.  November is a month that kind of gets glossed over; once Halloween is done (sometimes before), stores jump into Christmas.  I often feel that November is rushed, unappreciated, and kind of the middle child of the fall/winter season. Every year, we like to take some time to reflect on how fortunate we are, appreciating the little things that we often take for grated.  So join us this month as we give thanks and hopefully, you will find a little time to reflect on your own life & find something(s) for which to give thanks. Day 1 We are thankful to be back in Wisconsin, close to family, so that we can share Charlotte's childhood magic with them.  We spent Halloween with my parents and it was so nice to spend the day together, meet my aunt & uncle for dinner and

I have staff meetings with my center staff every 2nd Saturday of the month.  This is something that I am not crazy about, but I respect that the time is protected and it's a habit; the system predates me.  As much as I hate setting my alarm on the weekend -- for the same wakeup time as a weekday, I will concede that I had such a sense of accomplishment yesterday. I was up and out by 8am so I could stop and pick up some brunch treats for the team.  Our meeting wrapped up a little early so I spent some time getting work done (everyone knows it's easier to be productive when you're in an empty building).  I even organized my homework for the week; why I thought going back to school "for fun" with a toddler was a good choice, I will never fully know. When I got home, the weather was just way too beautiful.  The sun was calling my name and we packed up the stroller & went for a walk.  We walked to Toys 'R' Us and found a Halloween costume for Charlotte

The day started kind of gloomy & overcast and Charlotte was not feeling the nap situation at home so we ended up having her take her nap in the car on the way to the pumpkin patch.  Not ideal, but better than nothing.  I was nervous because as we pulled out of the driveway, the rain started.  Luckily, it was only cold & windy on the farm, no rain.  The sun even made a brief appearance at the end of our visit.  It was a great day & I am so glad we met up with my parents!  This was a new location for us, but I could absolutely see us returning in the coming years.  It's an awesome place for kids! Sorry not sorry for the amount of pictures; I took 117 pictures and have not posted NEARLY that many here, so really, you're welcome is more appropriate than an apology ;)  I feel like I waited my whole life to have a tiny human at the pumpkin patch (she was too tiny last fall to get anything out of it and we were Chicagoans at that point so a pumpkin patch was really more

Time moves so quickly.  The worst thing about a week of vacation is that by the time your brain processes that you're on vacation and don't have to worry about work stuff, it's time to pack it all up and get back to the grind.  In the spirit of enjoying the day, I'm going to dump our photos here &  get busy watching Pitch Perfect 2 while stuffing my face with pad thai for dinner. We enjoyed 1 day on the beach.  All of the others were SUPER windy and chilly. And rainy. We did a lot of walking and this sleepy face was a common occurrence. Porch was testing the abilities of my camera. He wins. Charlotte discovered her love for ice cubes on this trip. As I packed to come back, Charlotte kept crawling into my suitcase. Our peanut is such an awesome traveler!  She did great on the planes; we used our Tula Toddler Carrier for the first time and it was a game-changer.  She could see everything and was neatly contained