Grass stained knees

sigh...

So it's Mothers Day afternoon, windows open, bread rising, small children napping, big ones running around, breeze blowing, papa cleaning the bathroom and me lazing on the computer between spells of story reading in the hammock and moments of sewing in my closet. This day is about as perfect as it could be.

There have been about 50 things swirling around my brain that I have been wanting to pop in here and tell you about...and not a second of free time to do it. Needless to say, that makes me really cranky.

Since I have a minute now, perhaps I will share just a few....

So I'm super excited that we FINALLY took the plunge and went cloth with our diapers. It felt overwhelming and scary with the initial $ investment, but after lots of sage advice from my patient sister-in-law we finally settled on These . Can I tell you, they are so great. Soft and cozy and not a big deal to wash at all. I'm kicking myself for not doing it sooner.

Look how cute...(note the hair, this was the pre-trim comb-over)

And as a result, we have come to know and fall head over heels for this laundry detergent,Charlie's .

Love it, Love it, Love it!

It leaves things amazingly clean but not smelly, just really fresh. You only need to use the most minuscule amount, just a teaspoon or so for a full load and the packaging is a crack-up. It promises to clean everything from grease to poop. Any product not afraid to reference poop is a winner in my book.

And on a completely different note, but making me just as happy, I just found, through Erin, the greatest new-to-me blog Long Winter Farm. Mandi is a wickedly funny, soap making mama of two little girls who just so happens to live in a 30 foot yurt in the woods of Maine. If you are unfamiliar with the yurt, go here and check them out. Super cool.

So I tried to convince Jon that it would be amazing if we sold the house and bought a bit of gorgeous mountainside in Charlottesville and lived in a yurt by a stream and lived off the land. Those of you who know him well know can picture him rolling his eyes as he walked away muttering something about me marrying the wrong man...

Regardless, I've been thinking if this woman can live in a 30' yurt alone with two small kids, 4 cats and a dog, then there should be no reason why I would be having trouble dealing with what I've got going on here. Right?

I'm hopeful you all enjoyed an equally wonderful weekend with those you love best. 

Happy Mama's Day!

***Sorry about the linkage issue, I guess I can't get so fancy with the font colors next time. Hopefully it should be all fixed now. Thanks Kristin for pointing it out!! 

Funny face

Oliver.

He does this all the time. Especially while having his diaper changed. As soon as you lay him down, he pokes out that tongue initiating that classic infant copy-cat game.

So funny.

Loving...

The smell of those little heads

Those soft little clenched up fists

The giant smile that lights up their faces when a familiar voice comes into the room

The way they have found their hands, and secretly loving the fact that Oliver seems to enjoy sucking his thumb

The 9 hours of sleep they are allowing me at night

The way their heads nuzzle up under my chin while they drift off to sleep

The fact that each perfect little bundle is completely content to be held without end, and realizing how quickly this will pass

These photos, a moment frozen forever, two tiny brothers and their mama. Thanks, George.

3 months old

Three whole months...how did we get here already?

I am so pleased to say that at three months we have definitely found our new normal. The rhythm of our days finally feels somewhat predictable and dare I say comfortable.

Lets all pause for a collective sigh....phew, that feels good doesn't it?

It appears that a nap schedule is finally starting to materialize. Hallelujah for that!

They are both coming alive with smiles, cooing and laughter. Not surprisingly, they are especially excited by the presence their big brothers, who are relishing every minute of their role as helpers and cuddlers.

Finn

Oliver

They are beautiful, happy, healthy and strong.

We are blessed beyond words.