- Chocolate Fondues -
We had our first-ever chocolate fondue in the Braun household during half-time. Lots of fun! (Sorry, honey...I'm sure your shots were much better).
Thursday
The Last Two Weeks
I can't believe two weeks has gone by since I last posted. It seems this juggler-mother isn't keeping all the balls up in the air.
Motherhood really has become this extraordinary juggling act, hasn't it? It's always been a multi-tasking job. Before technology, much of it was related to the necessities of life: obtaining food, preparing food, cleaning the home, washing the clothes, taking care of children and so on. Now, there's so many widely-diverse tasks that tug at our time: working outside the home, working at home, working on the home, taking care of children, taking children to daycare, driving here and there, and there's still community and church involvement, social commitments, travelling for work, and the multiple things within each category.
I was talking to Michelle from Tiber River about the many hats we each wear, and how many times we find ourselves changing gears (or hats). It's certainly challenging. My sister-in-law is currently facing the transition I think many mothers dread (and some welcome it): going back to work after maternity leave. There's nine months of anticipation and everything else that comes with pregnancy. Then, there's a period of intense adjustment and sleep loss within the first year of a myriad of changes as you get to know this new person in your life. And then, if you choose to go back to work or need to go back to work, you now are faced with the emotional adjustment of leaving your child with someone else, perhaps some new challenges with feeding and sleep, and the added responsibility of work on top of the existing home/mothering roles.
No wonder we're finding ourselves exhausted and irritable. But we, as mothers and women, often don't tend to look outward and try to change our circumstances (maybe because we feel trapped) and we don't even tend to look inward at our bodies' lack of resources to function. We just tend to blame ourselves for not measuring up. Tell me, when you're depressed and low on energy or easily-angered over every little thing, do you first look at it as a sign of change needed or do you assign guilt to yourself? Although I am learning (and it becomes easier when post-partum eases a bit), my first reaction is usually to get down on myself.
The other Saturday gave me a bit of hope for myself. I woke up after a not-so-great-night and everything felt hard, my chaotic house rangled my nerves, I was short with my kids, and I felt hopeless and alone in my situation. After an hour or so of just feeling crappy, I went upstairs to my bedroom to get some solitude and ended up ranting (and sobbing) to my husband. And then retreated to my closet to write. I expressed my feelings and frustrations and listed what I felt pressured to do and what I really wanted to do that day. Meanwhile, hubby and kids worked on cleaning the livingroom unbeknownst to me. I came down and went for a run with toddler in stroller because I physically still couldn't shake the stress inside me, we picked up some pizza from our local corner store, and finally things inwardly and outwardly felt a little better. This gave me hope because I could see the signs and make some changes rather than just beating myself up. And that's not a natural inclination for me.
Anyways, wherever you're at these days, I wish you peace. Peace in the midst of chaos. And when that peace is hard to find, may you discover new ways to find it again.
Motherhood really has become this extraordinary juggling act, hasn't it? It's always been a multi-tasking job. Before technology, much of it was related to the necessities of life: obtaining food, preparing food, cleaning the home, washing the clothes, taking care of children and so on. Now, there's so many widely-diverse tasks that tug at our time: working outside the home, working at home, working on the home, taking care of children, taking children to daycare, driving here and there, and there's still community and church involvement, social commitments, travelling for work, and the multiple things within each category.
I was talking to Michelle from Tiber River about the many hats we each wear, and how many times we find ourselves changing gears (or hats). It's certainly challenging. My sister-in-law is currently facing the transition I think many mothers dread (and some welcome it): going back to work after maternity leave. There's nine months of anticipation and everything else that comes with pregnancy. Then, there's a period of intense adjustment and sleep loss within the first year of a myriad of changes as you get to know this new person in your life. And then, if you choose to go back to work or need to go back to work, you now are faced with the emotional adjustment of leaving your child with someone else, perhaps some new challenges with feeding and sleep, and the added responsibility of work on top of the existing home/mothering roles.
No wonder we're finding ourselves exhausted and irritable. But we, as mothers and women, often don't tend to look outward and try to change our circumstances (maybe because we feel trapped) and we don't even tend to look inward at our bodies' lack of resources to function. We just tend to blame ourselves for not measuring up. Tell me, when you're depressed and low on energy or easily-angered over every little thing, do you first look at it as a sign of change needed or do you assign guilt to yourself? Although I am learning (and it becomes easier when post-partum eases a bit), my first reaction is usually to get down on myself.
The other Saturday gave me a bit of hope for myself. I woke up after a not-so-great-night and everything felt hard, my chaotic house rangled my nerves, I was short with my kids, and I felt hopeless and alone in my situation. After an hour or so of just feeling crappy, I went upstairs to my bedroom to get some solitude and ended up ranting (and sobbing) to my husband. And then retreated to my closet to write. I expressed my feelings and frustrations and listed what I felt pressured to do and what I really wanted to do that day. Meanwhile, hubby and kids worked on cleaning the livingroom unbeknownst to me. I came down and went for a run with toddler in stroller because I physically still couldn't shake the stress inside me, we picked up some pizza from our local corner store, and finally things inwardly and outwardly felt a little better. This gave me hope because I could see the signs and make some changes rather than just beating myself up. And that's not a natural inclination for me.
Anyways, wherever you're at these days, I wish you peace. Peace in the midst of chaos. And when that peace is hard to find, may you discover new ways to find it again.
Taking the Time
This week has felt like a blur of activity. I've been feeling a little bit like the trembling leaves outside in the biting wind. Today has been a bit of a slow-down day. Make some soup. Sit in bed reading Chatelaine while the kids play around me. Actually sit and play with my daughter and her new doll-house. Look out the window as the raindrops slide down. Make some art while I'm at it.
Life feels full and good one day, and overwhelming and chaotic the next. I think my soul was telling me to just slow down and rest a while.
Enjoy.
Life feels full and good one day, and overwhelming and chaotic the next. I think my soul was telling me to just slow down and rest a while.
Enjoy.
Family/Kids' Week November 3-7
I don't know if anyone is reading this yet (let me know if you are!!), but as part of our month-long celebration of Rodney's "Photographer of the Year", we are giving 50% off family and kids' sessions the first week of November (not including Saturday). So, in-studio sessions are $100 and on-location are $150.
I have a feeling I'm not giving enough notice for this, and for that I am sorry. We may be able to extend it into the following week. Please call if you're interested, but can't make it in the first week.
It's a good time to create a family photo to send out for Christmas, or kids' portraits for Grandma & Grandpa. We have lots of fun places in the studio to use...even a bed, a trampoline, a swing, and a bright red claw-foot tub (complete with bubble bath!)
Don't miss out! Call Rodney today at 221-8413 and find a time that works for you.
I have a feeling I'm not giving enough notice for this, and for that I am sorry. We may be able to extend it into the following week. Please call if you're interested, but can't make it in the first week.
It's a good time to create a family photo to send out for Christmas, or kids' portraits for Grandma & Grandpa. We have lots of fun places in the studio to use...even a bed, a trampoline, a swing, and a bright red claw-foot tub (complete with bubble bath!)
Don't miss out! Call Rodney today at 221-8413 and find a time that works for you.
Monday
Craziness
This morning was rough. My youngest (almost two) woke up at 6:40 just screaming, for reasons unknown. He continued to be difficult through breakfast, getting my oldest ready for school, and during my bath (with moments of manageability). It was so draining and stressful. I was ready to give up.
I managed to get in 20 minutes of exercise...a bit of a challenge with a toddler sometimes on my belly, but I felt much more ready to cope. I took three minutes to sit and just be and then I was ready to carry on with my day: able to make an important decision, able to take a little "me time" at the piano, and then early lunch and early to bed for my little guy. Aaahhhh....
We all have these days, don't we? What have you done to cope?
I managed to get in 20 minutes of exercise...a bit of a challenge with a toddler sometimes on my belly, but I felt much more ready to cope. I took three minutes to sit and just be and then I was ready to carry on with my day: able to make an important decision, able to take a little "me time" at the piano, and then early lunch and early to bed for my little guy. Aaahhhh....
We all have these days, don't we? What have you done to cope?
Love 'em!
Well, we decided to take our own advice and updated our kids' photos. Wasn't long, and wasn't even painful! Aren't they great?!
Friday
Family
Sorry, this photo is a little on the small side. I'm not the technical one in the family. I just wanted to put in a little plug for family portraits today. It's true that it always takes effort and there may even be a little resistance to the idea, but the end result is always worth it. This is my side of the family, taken this summer in my home town where, incidentally, my whole family lives except for me. It took some work making it happen (right from the clothing purchases to just getting everyone there), but it is very special to be able to see everyone together. My youngest is big into pointing to everyone and asking their names. It's quite cute.
If you've been toying with the idea of getting a family portrait done, but just haven't quite gotten around to it, I'd say, "Go for it". Make a plan. Come in for a consultation. Book a time. There may be a few more nice days left. If not, the studio has lots of neat spaces to do family work. The best time to get it done in time for Christmas greeting cards is by the end of this month, or for sure by November 7th, with orders being placed no later than the 14th. But, the sooner the better.
A good family portrait is so valuable. It can capture the heartbeat of your family, conjure up heartwarming feelings, and contribute to happy memories (I hope that doesn't sound corny). Particularly when your kids are changing so quickly, it's special to see "the way you were" at the different stages and freeze-frame your interactions with each other. Then you can flip through your album later or glance up at the wall and be reminded of the most important people in your life. Give Rodney a call at 221-8413 this week. He's at a convention this week-end, but will be in on Tuesday.
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