Wordless Wednesday: Trying So Hard

Dreaming of a Hot Soak

I am not a bath person. I've always wanted to be a bath person, but life had different plans for me. In high school and through most of my twenties I didn't even have a bathtub, as my bathroom just had a shower stall. I think that was when I first started wishing that I had one of those big soaking tubs which I could enjoy with a book and, once I was old enough, a glass of wine. The only bathtubs I ever had access to were not at all luxurious and the few times I tried to relax I felt like I didn't fit, I just couldn't get comfortable under the water. Eventually, I gave up on my dream of the ideal bath and have stuck to showers. Maybe someday I'll get to indulge.

Image by undreaming, on Flickr

About the Issues

I have not been here for very long, and I feel like I am still finding my voice. I do have some pretty strong opinions, but I do not like confrontation. Because of this, I have made it a point to not discuss any hot issues on this blog. I do not go out of my way to even publicize them on my personal Facebook page. I hope that when I get more comfortable here I will be able to address some of the issues. But then again I want this to be my happy place, so I will probably only talk about the ones that I feel the strongest. How do you deal with hot issues in this social media heavy world?

First Day of the Rest of Summer

Last Friday was Munchkin's last day of summer camp, and tomorrow will be the first day since June where it is just Munchkin, Peanut and I all day. I had grown accustomed to my alone time with Peanut, which does not happen very often, and Munchkin really loved going to camp each day. In September, he will start preschool, and I think that camp really helped him get ready. Camp was the first time he was away from me on a daily basis, and he gained a lot of independence these past six weeks. So while I will miss having my mornings for my baby, I am looking forward to spending the time with my big boy as well. We now have one more month to make summer memories.

Just a few camp mornings

The Best Summer Treat

Today, we made our first trip of the year to the NY Renaissance Faire. I'll have a full post and more pictures up soon, but I wanted to share one of my favorite things about the faire. I have been going since I was a child, and the frozen orange was something that I always had to get. I had stopped going in my twenties and didn't start again until after Munchkin was born. A few things had changed, but I was so glad to discover that they still had the frozen orange. It isn't exactly how I remember it, I don't remember ever using a spoon and the top I believe is new, but it is still wonderful.

Partially eaten because I didn't want to wait...

Spice for Dinner?

Growing up with an English father, I remember having Indian food quite young. The problem with this is that i am very sensitive to spice, I even find black pepper to hot. I ate a lot of rice, which we called "popcorn rice", on these nights out. These days, while we still go out for curry I tend to order things as mild as they can be. Currently, my meal of choice is lamp mappas, although I have been know to make a decent biryani which even Munchkin likes.

Image by magical-world on flickr

To The New Royal Parents

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge leave hospital by The British Monarchy, on Flickr

Your Royal Highnesses,

Welcome to the wonderful world of parenting. While I am sure that you are getting tons of advice from all around the world, here ten things you will need to survive the little prince's first year.

1. A Thick Skin - There is a steep learning curve when you are new parents and unfortunately for you, you are doing it under a microscope. You will make mistakes, and you will be judged for it, however unfair that may be. You need to learn to ignore those who are trying to make you think you are doing it all wrong.
2. Advice - While there will be people who criticize you, there will also be people with good advice. You need to listen to this advice and figure out how to make it work for you.
3. A Village - I understand that you want to raise him yourself, and you should. But raising a baby is hard work, don't turn down help when you need it. It really does take a village to raise a child, so take advantage of the village you have.
4. A Sense of Humor - Sometimes the only way to deal with things is to laugh. For example, the other day Hubby was noming on baby thighs when he got poop on his face. On. His. Face. When things like that happen you have to look for the funny in it. 
5. Each Other - At the end of the day, you need to support each other.
6. A way to transport him in a car - Which you already have.
7. A way to transport him my foot - Be it a stroller or a carrier, he needs to get around.
8. A way to feed him - Breast, bottle, or a combination of both.
9. A place for him to sleep - Or your arms will get very tired.
10. Clothes and blankets to dress him - Pretty self explanatory.

There is a ton of additional gear which you will think that you will need. It is hard to tell you what to get as each baby is different and each family has a different way of approaching things. You will need to do a bit a trial and error to figure it out for yourselves.

So best of luck to all three of you, and if you want any more advice, I'm here for you!

Linking up with Mama Kat
4.) 10 Things Will and Kate will need to survive baby's first year.