The First Weekend of February

A weekend really can't start off too poorly when it begins with a baby shower.  Especially when it's a baby shower for our littlest nephew!  My sister is seriously rocking this pregnancy and looks amazing.  She got many beautiful gifts this weekend, and lots of love for baby E.  We can't wait for her second shower closer to her home, in just two weeks.  And then, the due date is just around the corner ;)

One of my best friends drove in for the weekend, and we had the best time catch up.  I'm thankful for good friendships, because even though it's been several months, it feels like we saw each other yesterday.  Kelly always brightens up our lives :)

The rest of the weekend involved relaxing at home, and prepping for the week ahead.  I'm so grateful for quiet Sundays- its just what I need to enjoy my home and my family, and plan for the week ahead.  As Molly and Daddy snuggled, I cleaned and meal planned, then spent nap time gathering the week's groceries.  I'm always thankful for fresh produce found in PA during February, especially when it fits in the budget! 

And you guys, if you haven't tried this bean/veggie dip aka "Texas Caviar", it's a must.  I got the recipe from a family member this summer, and it's always a hit.  I made it for a Superbowl treat, and we've even spent the day enjoying the leftovers.  It uses canned beans, but lots of fresh veggies and a light vinaigrette of olive oil, lime juice and vinegar.  Seriously delicious.  I'm planning on posting the recipe later this week.

And for a new month, a new work schedule!  I'm so happy to report that I've managed to get each Wednesday off, and I could not be more excited.  I'm tacking on a extra hour three days per week and picking up another Saturday morning each month, but I'm so happy.  I really look forward to the mid-week break, to regroup and prepare for the end of the week.  I can't wait to spend a day with just Molly.  I seriously need it.

So here's to a new month, a new baby nephew, and a new work schedule!
Happy Monday!

Lisa

Media Fast

I'm faced with insomnia daily.  Not my own, but of many if the patients I see in the office. Men, women, teens and children who aren't getting enough sleep.  Some having trouble falling asleep, others waking several times each night, even some waking feeling exhausted.  While there are cases tested and treated for a true medical etiology, some undergo every test available without a diagnosis.  So I've been researching and looking into my own healthy sleep to help these people. Because a life without adequate sleep is one I would have trouble finding joy in.  

It seems like all of my research ends with media fasting. And while other longstanding tips such as adequate daily physical activity, decrease in caffeine consumption, and darkening room shades all hold true, media fasting is a newer treatment.  

Media is at our fingertips. 

Media is constantly stimulating our brains. Brains which, a short 100 years ago, had only dim light and quiet reading/ talking to stimulate us. They're kept awake and alert by push notifications from social media, calendar alerts and reminders, group text messages, and weather alerts- it's snowing outside!

But the real reason I'm addressing this issue today- I'm all too familiar to these disruptions. And although I do not struggle wih insomnia, I struggle from mental disruption. I'm excited to see comments to my Instagram post, text messages and new emails just as much as the next person. And I regret that I'm pulled away from the dollhouse with my toddler, and quiet morning time over coffee with my husband. 

Which brings me to media fasts. A new staple in my life, and hopefully yours, alomg with a suggestion I'm making to many of my patients each day. Because God gave you a mind to dream and contemplate alone, or to focus and enjoy time with those we love. I can't imagine He expected the disruption of a push notification during story time. 

And because I've vowed to make this happen. I'm starting with this weekend, and all weekends.  Media fasts. Because the weather will tell itself, and the Instagram feed will be there in two days. Because I need to enjoy every second I have with my family. 

I'll keep you posted, after my fast is over ;)

In the meantime, here are a few pre-iPhone distraction moments. My heart is overflowing!

Just wondering how many more pics I would have from the original Starbucks in Seattle had I owned an iPhone in 2010?! 

TGIF.

Lisa

Our Weekend

 

The Polar Vortex is here to stay for a while, apparently.  I can't remember temperatures below zero on this many occasions during the winter- ever.   Temperatures of 4degrees are severely limiting our outdoor play this winter.  (Although they seem to be increasing the indoor time- including record breaking time holding a toddler under a blanket!)

We had our nephew this weekend for a sleepover.  This 4-year-old is well versed in spending the night at Nee Nee's, but I was a little worried about him staying here.  But that boy knows his bed in our house, and is seriously the best sleeper ever.  He told me when he was tired, climbed in bed and the snoring commenced. Makes me wonder where we went wrong with our little sleeper?  Is it just the difference in personality? Hmm.  Molly, at age 2.5 still wants rocked to sleep (not that I argue), and cries many nights when I put her down, requiring me to pat her back until she's asleep.  It doesn't feel like a big deal, those 20 minutes, until I have Quinton here.  That boy loves to sleep. 

Either way, these two played so well together, and loved having each other's company.  This weekend also really opened my eyes to the maturing that my Molly has done over the past few months.  Don't get me wrong, she's still able to throw quite the tantrum and doesn't always want to share, but she's starting to consider other's feelings.  And she loves having her cousin here to play.  That girl is going to be a great big sister one day ;)

My husband starting grabbing my camera sometimes, as an attempt to include me in more pictures, and I was so proud of this moment.  I didn't think of getting this shot, but I love it so much. It's so real- Quinton grabbed this book and they crawled up beside me to read it.  And after reading it for the 10th time, they basically had it memorized, when this photo was taken.  We were really enjoying this time together, and I'm so glad I'll have this photo.  This book and this book, you guys, I'm not kidding- every kid LOVES them.  Can't get enough.  They're really interactive and just so cute.

And lastly, that meal fit for the carb lover in all of us.  Lasagna and honey whole wheat bread.  A perfect ending to a weekend day.  Especially a weekend day during the Polar Vortex.  Seriously- these kids' faces tell it perfectly.  That wind was COLD.

So we're back to bundling up this week, I think it's supposed to be -7 tomorrow?
Spring, hurry up!
We're excitedly awaiting my sister's baby shower this weekend, and I really hope it's at least 10 degrees? Sheesh.

xx,

Lisa