Taking a break at a rest stop, we had stuffed grape leaves and falafel. Which he made a huge mess of, you live and you learn! Always going to bring a spare blanket for snacks in the car. To counter act the Bojangles we ate on the way down we brought lots of Odwalla juice. Well to at least counteract my guilt for Baby Bear eating fast food. Which I learned an important lesson, we will not actually turn into zombies if we eat fast food.

I was the happiest I had been in a long time around people who understand me and who appreciate my son. He too met some great friends, I could see his face light up when playing with them. That means the world to me.

I look forward to what is on the horizon for us.

You are a great sleeper and I have gotten into the bad habit of laying next to you to settle you for nap, it usually means I fall asleep too. My time with you as a baby and toddler will be fleeting as you grow into a little boy and no longer need me as much. I soak in an cherish what we have right now and never want to take it for granted.

Found a baby while I was shopping he barely fits into my cart!

This trip was fun until we got out of the car and started walking on the beach. It was cold and windy but the sun was out and the beach was empty. I won’t post what actually happened when I put Baby Bear down to explore, lets just say he was less than pleased. Eventually he realized that the sand will not swallow you up whole but is so much fun to stick your hands in and eat! How novel! Of course easting sand is easier done when sitting down so of course Baby Bear plopped his fanny down on the wettest part of the beach. Luckily he had a diaper on for an added layer of protection, but did end up riding home in just a onesie and a diaper.

His monkey hat just makes me grin every time I see him wear it, Bear refuses to wear it inside but if we go outside then nine times out of ten he will wear his hat. Today was unseasonably warm so we went for a walk in the woods, a great way to start the new years! If every winter day was like today I would love it. What part of the world only gets this cold in the winter? I would like to live there.

I don’t remember the last time it was 50 degrees out in early January, my back is definitely sore from carrying Bear around the trails. It is my fault for not being motivated enough to exercise however. Nana’s hat was all the rage to wear today.

So happy New Year and hello 2012 I have many plans for you already.

I often have a discussion with myself about how I should not say anything if I do not have anything nice to say. That does not mean I am unrealistic or burying my head in the sand. It means I have enough respect to hold my tongue. This too me is something that cannot be unsaid or forgiven for a while. Having those words flung at me in the heat of a moment brings out the truth in people. They just say things without thinking much like a drunk person has no filter.

I am not a bully, I speak my mind and stand up for myself. I don’t tip toe around people, yes I will be courteous and respect you but I will not be belittled either. If I am uncomfortable with something I simply do not do it. Lately it feels like I am being pushed into one uncomfortable situation after another. Relationships are a two way street, not a one way high way with a car going in the wrong direction. It doesn’t matter who it is with there needs to be respect and understanding, lately I will admit I have not been functioning at the highest level I can when it comes to respecting certain individuals. These people know who they are, they probably don’t read my blog either so they won’t see this.

If you are going to offer to help someone out just help them because you want too, don’t hang something over their heads like it’s candy and constantly making them jump to reach it. Eventually they stop jumping and walk away. Candy is only good for so long before it goes stale.

I will continue to look for a job and a place to live sooner rather than later, I need to move on with my life as being where I currently am is toxic. I look forward to new chapter in my life hopefully more than

Photography has always been my passion but I have not been able to do much with it. I got into art school based on the pictures I had taken in a high school photography class.
Taking pictures for me is a form of therapy, I can hide behind the camera as a present observer but still look busy if I feel nervous. I am looking to get a Nikon DSLR, they come with a hefty price tag. You may be asking why I am trying to buy such an expensive camera right off the bat? This will probably be my only camera for the next five to ten years. I want to buy something that will last, that I can grow with as a photographer.

As I get better and more proficient with my camera I would be able to offer services to families in need who wold not otherwise be able to afford professional photos. I would like to be able to give back to my community.

So I will just keep this as a not so secret pipe dream, maybe one day I will have the funds to buy myself something nice. Then again who am I kidding?

Everyday you are saying new words or giving foods a try. I’m really sorry I keep giving you goat milk, or trying hemp milk or coconut. You really don’t care what it is as long as I don’t take too long to get your sippy or bottle in your chubby baby hands before you loose your cool. (Don’t worry I won’t tell the ladies) Your first “real” word was cookie. It started out as “coo” then cookie, but you know exactly where the cookies are kept and if you see anyone with them you make a beeline trying to nab their cookie.

Just to refresh your memory Baby Bear, naps are to be taken twice a day, not no naps at all. Today you took a nap on me while we watched Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe on Netflix. A first in a long time, and Mummy couldn’t be anymore thrilled that I wrestled with you for 25 mins to sit still so you could take a nap. If you don’t take a nap, there are a lot more melt downs with a bed time of 8 pm.

You copy your uncle and pretend to play the piano, composing very serious songs!

I wouldn’t trade these past 18 months for the world, I am truly lucky to have you in my life Baby Bear.

Love,

Mama Bear

Baby Bear and I have been conferring about what he would like as far as new educational (Ipad, we can dream!) and fun toys. Here are a few things that he feels he would enjoy. We don’t have much and I’m not able to buy him many things. He is a baby of course and does not need a lot of toys! He would appreciate everything he gets!

Click here for wishlist

One of my favorite cloth diapers to use but unfortunately will not be fitting for much longer is Baby Bear’s AppleCheeks. They are very soft (bamboo) easy to use diapers. I do believe you can buy a snap extender to make them fit longer!

I much prefer the liner over other all in one diapers with terry cloth type liners. The AppleCheeks have two sizes, and Baby Bear is already on size 2 and probably no more than 30 pounds. We will find out on Monday what his 18 month stats are! As you can see in the photo he is already on the last snaps so these diapers do run small which breaks my heart because I love them so much. They are not bulky, they are very absorbent and overall very cute!

AppleCheeks come in two sizes, one for smaller babies and size two is for babies who are older. I have a feeling babies with chubby legs would fit into size two fairly well. There are many different patterns they come in but I chose red to replace a red diaper Baby Bear lost.

Baby Bear was on a mission to wash his blocks the night I let him wander around in his diaper. It is too cold here now to let him roam in just a diaper.

disclaimer- We were generously given a diaper to review by AppleCheeks

My travel mate and I are setting off on a new adventure, I still have lots of planning but over the next couple months I will be working on a business plan to get us traveling across the country, teaching and selling our art work!  There will be more information to come as I process it but am very excited about the prospect of showing my son the US even if he is still probably too young to remember it! I won’t hold it against him though!

So keep an eye out for new announcements over the next few months!