the calm before the storm

We have an independent boy on our hands.

Now that he's the ripe ol' age of three-quarters-of-a-year old, he's exerting his independence, his big-boyness. Apparently, he's not a baby anymore. He doesn't need mama to hold his bottle, he reaches for the spoon during meal times. He crawls up the stairs on his own and scoots back down on his bum (this second part started today, and by the way, mama is secretly right behind him:)). 

Oh, that's our wood pile that we've been diligently stacking; getting ready for fall fires:)

I want to teach him so much, but I also want him to learn how to learn on his own. And it's really so fascinating, so wonderful, to watch him realize how the world works. I'm applauding his independence:).

He's had a bit of a cold lately. And while it makes me so sad to see him sick, he's a little more vulnerable and in need of his mama. And while I do love the independent streak, I embrace the neediness while I can. When he's sick, he sneaks over to lay his head on my lap (something he never does on a normal day, because he's too busy exploring, trying to wiggle free from mama's grasp). But since he's sick, I'm babying him; giving extra long hugs and rubs through the (sometime crocodile) tears, letting him take three hour naps during the day, throwing his usual schedule to the wind. It's no fun to be sick, especially when there's a whole world that needs exploring. So I'll make it as good as I can for him:).

We're hunkering down in preparation for Hurricane Irene. It's hard to believe that the seemingly quiet and and pensive sky is about to turn mad on us in a few hours.

The calm before the storm.

We're ready for it though; we've brought out the candles and flashlights, we've charged our cell phones, taken our patio furniture in for the night. I've even filled a few old milk containers with water, just in case.

Enjoy the weekend! I hope you're safe & prepared if you're on the east coast.

xoxo