Woods – Six Months Later

March 9, 2015January 25, 2023 ~ Crystle ~ 1 Comment

Woodrow - Six Month Milestone Session Via Yea Yea Photography

Look at those teeth! That gummy grin is no more as we enter the days of messy baby food, and clumsy baby mobility.

Only after shooting a newborn session last week did I realize that my baby wasn’t such a little baby anymore. His chunky little grin and long, round body are hulk-sized next to a newborn. While playing on the ground, he rolls from side to side, reaches his rotund hands out for toys and wiggles in an adorable attempt at crawling. He loves watching Margot play, and does not want to be put in a corner.

You’ll most happily find him in a Sakura Bloom ring sling (I’ve even converted several friends to this method of babywearing!), or asleep in his father’s strong arms. His giggles are infectious and his farts are hilarious. This kid can do no wrong. Even his wanton disregard for a sleep schedule is tolerable.

Today at his wellness check, the doctor told us he’s a lefty. He must get that from his Nana Steph, Pop-pop and aunt Rachel. (Update 2023: he is a righty!)

I think he’ll be a great baseball player, and so fun to watch at bat. (Update 2023: we prefer soccer.)

Woody loves our shelter dog Sally, and the dog is so needy, she will tolerate even the most aggressive tugs at her ears. You’ll typically find Sally parked at Woody’s feet, enjoying a few kicks and toe-pinches that she undoubtedly confuses for petting. They’re a so sweet together.

Before we know it, we’ll be celebrating his first birthday, watching him take his first steps, and listening to him pick up on the English language. He’ll eventually sleep in a big-kid bed like Margot, then figure out how to open a door and holler “more play!” in the doorway behind the baby gate, also like Margot. He may even enjoy a princess movie like Margot, but probably not.

Happy Half-Birthday, Woods!

Still Life

January 22, 2015 ~ Crystle ~ 7 Comments

Sleeping Woods | Yea Yea Pueblo

Still life: what an elusive concept.

Stil Life | Yea Yea Pueblo Still Life | Yea Yea Pueblo 095A6326 Sally the Beagle | Yea Yea Pueblo

With Isaac out of town the last two weeks, and Woods refusing to sleep through the night without mums face within arms reach, sleep has been fleeting, and alone time has been an abstract notion.

Tensions rose to a breaking point: the unending laundry, the sleep deprivation, and the thankless, lonely week left me on the brink of eruption. But the mood in my home finally pivoted from heavy and melancholy to light and refreshed. The kids and I napped at the same time this afternoon. I can’t ever remember catching sleep when feeling so run down, and I speculate I will never again be graced with a nap at such a opportune moment.

Downstairs, the vegetarian chili on the stove burned without my attentive stirring, and a package on the front porch sat uncollected, but when I awoke from my cat nap, my cheeks were rosy and youthful, and my spirit was restored. I could have cried from the relief, and maybe I did — but the takeaway is that I was extended grace when I needed it most, allowing me to do the same to my children.

I suppose one day I’ll realize these days will come and go, whether or not Isaac is called to service away from home. My sophomoric attitude towards motherhood needs refining through experience. If this week has taught me anything, it’s that I’m well on my way to gaining wisdom, but I think I’d rather have a full night’s sleep.

Halloween Twenty Fourteen

November 1, 2014 ~ Crystle ~ 1 Comment

Margot will likely leave Alaska thinking Halloween is always spent with loads of winter clothes layered underneath an oversized costume, and that the sugary yield is always to be forfeited over to her greedy, salivating parents. Alaskan toddlers; they have it rough!

Nevertheless, Margot headed out the door for her first participatory Halloween celebration dressed head to toe in Patagonia gear, and a giraffe suit. I almost cried when I saw her waddle down the driveway, shuffling through the snow in her clunky snow boots, while holding her daddy’s hand. She’s just growing so fast, I really wanted to treasure the moment.

I stayed behind to hand out candy, and hang out with Woody. It was about 12F out, and I was feeling pretty partial to my comfortably heated sitting room downstairs. Woody can’t speak, but I’m sure he’d agree with me.

We were later joined by the Smith family. Their son Gavyn, just two months younger than Margot, is the apple of her eye. She’s been having a blast at play dates with him since the spring, and we mothers joke that they’re young betrothed sweethearts. They hug, and they share contagious giggles that echo off the walls of our cozy homes. Very few things bring more delight than watching them play together.

After this Halloween, I’m convinced I need to keep a big box of costumes on hand for regular play time. Kids in costumes are the greatest!

We (mostly Isaac and I) binged on candy tonight, and will likely feel a gnarly sugar hangover for the next few days (as we continue the Halloween binge – Ha!) since we have lots of leftover candy this year. I’m still trying to figure out if that’s a problem.