Snow

After a long wait the first snow of the season has arrived. Initially it was only a bit, barely covering the ground but eventually it settled into a nice blanket of snow. It was the boys first snow and I was way more excited then them but next year will be different.

What they don't tell you

before you become a SMC is, that there will be days when you wish there was someone there who could give you a break, so you can keep your sanity.

Right now life with the boys is tough, at least when it comes to going to sleep. I don't mind that I need to be around them all the time when they are awake. Sure I don't get much done but I figured that out a long time ago and am OK with that. Plus they are too cute and growing way too quick. 

Going to sleep though is a different can of fish. Both of them have been fairly good sleepers, don't get me wrong they don't sleep through the night but they used to fall asleep pretty quickly at night (within 10 - 30 minutes) and when they wake up during the night, they get a bottle and are back to sleep in 10 minutes (Jacob) or turn around and latch on and are back to sleep immediately (Niklas). 

Now though going to be bed is feeling like a fight. It can take up to 2 hours (not even counting the amount of times I have to then go back in because one of them woke up again) and it's draining me. I know it's just a phase but when the few hours between 7ish and 9ish (the boys go to bed around 6pm) are the only hours were you can relax for a bit or get things done, it's draining. 

On the bright side, we had the first bits and pieces of snow this morning and it kept drizzling a bit of snow all through the day. Not enough to make a blanket of snow but it's a start.

2016

2016 is here, I didn't celebrate to be honest. Between the dogs being terrified of the fireworks and the boys, I was tired enough this morning & didn't need to spend all my time staying up. The boys didn't sleep well last night, well Niklas did once he finally was asleep, he slept right through the fireworks. Jacob was up 3 or 4 times until midnight, which is totally out of character for him. So I was slightly tired this morning...

2016 is here and with it some New Years Resolutions:



- adopt minimalism as a lifestyle (de-clutter home, don't buy things just because I want them etc.)

- be there in the moment with my kids (and take lot's of pictures)

- participate in the January Money Diet

- reduce debt's by €3.000 

- write a harvest log for 2016 (including what was planted in the garden, how much was harvested, what was it used for, how long did it last)

- re-introduce meat rabbits to the homestead and have a log for them too, including bought food but also sold rabbits etc

A Quiet Close to the Year

2015 is nearly over, there are just a few hours left in what I can call a special year. It feels as though it was just a short while ago that I was 20 weeks pregnant, yet that was in January. It feels as though it was yesterday that those boys of mine were born and yet that is already 7,5 month ago.

Just a few hours old

7.5 month old (Christmas Day)

 

Like every Day, I took the boys for our evening walk. We go out just about 40 minutes  before sunset and on this last day of the year, the sky looked like the above. Despite no snow, it was beautiful, the air was clear and temperatures are dropping towards just above freezing. This last year was amazing in so many ways, the best gift was my boys, who I love so much and I am looking forward to every year I have with them.

For the good times, I am grateful.
For the hard times, I trust they are part of a bigger plan.
For the unknown that lies ahead, I am hopeful.
Thank you 2015, for all that you were and all that you weren't.

Wishing each of you a peaceful, healthy, and abundant 2016 - thank you for being here. xoxo

Christmas Impressions

The last week was busy but oh so special. It's was the first Christmas with the boys and we had a great time with me mom and brother. We are starting our own traditions now and I can't wait to see how they will evolve over the next years.

Wishing you and yours a lovely start to the New Year

Making Merry

 

During the last week I have been busy. Once the boys were asleep I spend my evening decorating, wrapping present and making the last presents. The boys made cute little butterfly footprints for their Omi and Uncle, that needed to be wrapped. The glas jars contains homemade air freshener that I decided to give a try this year. Now all that is missing is baking cookies and I am all set for Christmas.

6 month

On Friday my boys turned 6 month already. They are still (usually) happy babies. They get more and more agile, turning from stomach to their back (and back in Niki's case) and trying to somehow move forward. Their head control is pretty good but no attempts yet to sit unsupported.
Nik has his first two teeth, which he got without problems when he was 5 month and 3 days old. His gums are swollen though and seeing how fussy he is at the moment I think more are on it's way.
Jake has no teeth yet, he is struggling for the past 2 month already and still nothing but swollen gums and pain. I feel really sorry for him as there is not much to do to help him.

Size wise they are wearing cloth size 68 right now and I will know more on their size in 1,5 weeks when we see the Doctor for the 'U5'.

We still go out twice a day, and in that time they usually have a 1 hrs nap. They also have a nap after lunch time, which is usually around 2 hrs (sometimes half and hrs more sometimes half an hrs less). 

I still don't get too much done around the house with them but it gets better and I can now leave them in the living room for some time, while I potter around the living room or kitchen.

Nights are ok, Jake is waking up 1-2 at the moment due to his teeth but goes back to sleep pretty quickly after he has his bottle. Nik nurses throughout the night when he is hungry but rarely wakes up now (he usually nurses about 2-3 times for a few minutes). 

So all is pretty good here :)