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