the rhythm of our new home

As mentioned in the last post I wanted to share a few new pictures of our place.  Mind you we are still slowly unpacking and moving things around a tad, but overall it is done for now and for the next 8 months... until we have to pack it all back up again (sigh).  Even though we are only here for a short stint many things will happen here... a baby will be born, Isabelle will become a big sister, and a certain momma and daddy need to feel like they are living in their own space.

                      
                       kitchen (w/ a dishwasher!)                                   living room

                                               
                   dining room w/ anniversary flowers                   stairs down to the water

isabelle playing by the lake

And as our life begins to settle and we feel more at home our daily rhythms are slowly making their way back into our lives.   Since I am home now full time (also with no car and 15 minutes from anywhere until the commute situation is figured out) with Isabelle I am slowly realizing how important these rhythms are to my ability to be momma all day, every day.  I gather a lot of inspiration from some passed down Waldorf books (thanks Scott, Deb & Mia!) and am happy to say that so far things have been going well.  I tend to be a task master and thrive on efficiency.... and this job forces the exact opposite - it's ok to take a half an hour to clean dishes with my little helper even though it might really only take me 5 minutes (and possibly result in cleaner dishes...).  By following a simply structured day Isabelle is naturally seeking her own play time and seems to be content with our current situation (even though she does ask once and a while when we might see her friends, go to school, or visit co-op kids).

we start with a morning circle to sing songs and celebrate the new day

isabelle loves this time (asks for it all day) even though she would never participate in library or co-op kids circle days - she loves to sing and dance

we do something together

like make applesauce from a handwritten recipe (thanks jodi!)

                 

and then Isabelle plays house

and feeds her dolls

And then we sort of repeat the whole thing again in one way or another.  It has only been a few days of just me and her and in some ways I anticipated wanting to pull my hair out... but it has been really good so far and I am feeling really positive about the next few months that Isabelle and I have just to ourselves.

i have even had time to start whipping up little things for all those babies out there

there are so many of you with baby bellies that need some knit goodies...

 and lastly, but surely not least, we get to spend our evening with daddy showing him how well we wash the dishes together