Recycling for Parents

In an effort to keep fresh content on my blog, I thought I'd do a quick post before leaving for a family wedding.

I was never a coupon clipper - nor did I take time to do anything with used cans, containters, etc. other than rinse and throw them in the recycling bin. But between the associated of costs of a new child, and the sudden accumulation of stuff, I've started getting much more frugal and creative in the reuse of items. Some quick examples...

• Gerber Fruit/Veggie Puffs containers double as great bowling pins or marker canisters
• Medela breastmilk bottles are SUPER for storing emergency cheerios, etc. in your bag - much better than gladware containers (that your toddler can easily open) or baggies (which sometimes retain their crushed contents at the bottom of your carry-all for months)
• That Changing pad cover works great as a cover for the carseat on hot days
• That Christmas tin that the family's perpetual fruit cake was sent in works great for storing blocks or letter fridge magnets
• Film canisters with cheerios inside make great shakers/maracas

And my favorite item in the world are quart-size ziploc bags. Throw a diaper and a couple of wet naps inside, and you've got a quick emergency diaper change kit for your bag, hubby's car, etc., and best of all, the baggie doubles as a fairly smell-proof disposal bag for the dirty diaper. I also love packaging his daycare clothes in baggies, so the wet/soiled clothes are sent home in the baggie - sparing all of the other itmes in his tote from getting wet.

Well, I must pack for our trip so I'll come back later and install some interesting links (completed 7/10) - but enjoy for now!

Better Living Through Blogging

My friend Bernie posted a thoughtful, moving reflection on the blogging neighborhood. It started me thinking about why I started blogging recently. I don't believe I have any earth-shattering revelations, unique knowledge or witty insights to share, yet here I am...drafting this post at 2:30am. A few thoughts come to mind:

• Blog as diary: A place to document all the events and emotions surrounding my first years of motherhood.
• Blog as Christmas newsletter: A single source to keep family and friends up to date, without the postage!
  
• Blog as Catalyst: In thinking about what to post all the time, I'm taking action on some of the things I've contemplated.
• Blog as Late-Night Companion: Something interesting to complete during my bouts with insomnia.
• Blog as Artistic Outlet: I've ceased participating in music ensembles since my son's birth. The design elements of blogs and webpages fascinate me.
  
• Blog as Therapist: The opportunity to work through my thoughts and receive constructive feedback and support, without the insurance forms.

This last one strikes me the most. Why is it easier to be vulnerable with strangers? Is it simply the therapeutic nature of articulating your fears, frustrations and concerns? Or does the anonymity allow for freer expression?

For example, I have a hard time admitting to family, friends, and co-workers just how challenged I am in trying to find a satisfactory work/life balance. I've always been so organized, and frankly, known for my multi-tasking skills. But now I feel like I'm flailing. When I'm at work, I'm thinking about home - and at home, I'm worried about work. I can't stay focused on any one task at hand. I want to savor every moment of my son's growth - yet I'm haunted by mounting laundry, dishes, contracts at work, and the plants I bought weeks ago but haven't put in the garden yet!

It seems so easy to type these thoughts here. I guess my new mantra shall be "Better Living Thru Blogging."

Love Letter

So I couldn't sleep last night; as you can probably tell by the time stamp on the Fingerpainting 101 post below. But it had been a particularly great day including:

• My husband running to the local bakery to pickup breakfast
• Strawberry picking at a local farm - where my son ate more than he picked
  
• Snuggly afternoon movies during an unexpected torrential rain storm
• Fingerpainting
  
• Some wonderful intimate time with hubby while our son took a nap
• Dropping by old friends to meet their sweet new baby
• Walking through our lovely village to eat al fresco at our favorite pizza joint

But through it all - what struck me most is how much I love my husband. How special and beautiful he makes me feel when I feel anything but. So I took the time during my insomnia to write him a love letter - albeit a gmail message - but a love letter all the same. I highly recommend it. In the whirlwind of moving and parenthood - it has seemed so impossible to find the time for our relationship. But I realized in writing down all that he means to me - that "us" is part of every moment of my day. And how much richer my life is by having my husband as my partner on the journey.

So this post is dedicated to my husband - to whom I owe, and love, so very much.

Finger Painting 101

I've been wanting to try finger painting with our toddler. Here was the plan:

1. Long sheet of paper
2. Recipe for homemade/non-toxic fingerpaints
3. Driveway - figured a safe place to make a mess
4. Baby wipes/towels
5. Toddler

Here is what I learned through the process:

1. Homemade finger paint has a very interesting consistency
2. Pour paint on paper first - do not give toddler access to paint containers
3. Paint looks just as interesting on driveway, Mommy & Daddy as on paper
4. The "finger" in fingerpainting is optional. Feet, forearms, hair work well too.
5. Paint is edible. Although may cause stomach ache especially after strawberry picking/eating
   
6. Clothing might need to be optional too!

My husband did point out, however, that we explored the following painting techniques:

1. "Jackson Pollock" accomplished by son dunking entire hands in paint containers and then shaking them.
2. Gravitational: What happens when entire paint container is poured on paper - which is sloping down driveway
3. MOMA: minimalistic, contemporary exploration of mixing paint, driveway gravel and lawn clippings.

My recommendation for those considering this activity with your toddlers...fingerpaint naked in the bathtub!