The Big White Farmhouse | intentional living, little by little

October 11, 2012

{recording life} 30 Before 30

October is becoming a special month around here. We are enjoying every newborn moment with our Little Miss, slowly getting situated in our new home, and oh yeah! Celebrating some birthdays! This year, my little D-man is 4 and I turn the big 28…how is this even possible? Time sure has flown.

So with another birthday comes another list. (ANY excuse for a new list!) While I didn’t accomplish much on my 27 Goals list from last year, I did love the practice of thinking about all those little things I’d like to do. The list is a fun challenge for me, so here I go again! This time, I’m embracing the ever popular “30 before 30″…so this gives me two years instead of one to get some items crossed off the list!
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1. Join our new library and actually use it!
2. Lose all of the baby weight…get back into those old jeans!
3. Read 40 books.
4. Run a race with my Dad.
5. Make pasta from scratch.
6. See a movie in theaters.
7. Learn how to make my own cleaning supplies.
8. Take a family vacation to someplace we’ve never been.
9. Sew a dress for our Little Miss.
10. Grow tomatoes.
11. Purchase an original painting from an artist on etsy.
12. Make tie-dye shirts with the kids.
13. Eat only local foods for a month.
14. Become debt-free (minus our mortgage).
15. Visit the National Zoo with the kids.
16. Donate blood.
17. Make a new recipe every evening for 30 days.
18. Take the kids to Legoland.
19. Go hiking.
20. Run a successful online home decor business (Big White Farmhouse).
21. Have a family photo printed onto a canvas.
22. Send five friends/family surprise presents just because.
23. Host a game night.
24. Purchase a new knife set for the kitchen.
25. Grow succulents.
26. Visit an aquarium.
27. Redesign the blog so it looks more professional.
28. Financially support (in a small way!) a family fundraising for an adoption.
29. Visit NYC.
30. Collaborate with another blogger on a project of some sort.

October 8, 2012

{chit chat} Monday Almanac (vol.2)

From the Kitchen
Since our sweet girl was born, meal planning has gone out the window. And while I’d be lying if I said I was tired of trying out all the local joints around our new home (oh yum!), our budget just won’t allow it. So I made a small challenge to myself to cook dinner this week. Again, keeping my expectations LOW, I’m only committing to three “real” meals. Baby steps! On the menu: Crockpot BBQ Chicken, Beef Stroganoff and Italian Chicken.

Around the House
We’ve got toys everywhere, so I’m researching and designing organization systems. Craigslist has been checked daily, but so far, no luck. I’m hoping to find a good deal soon! I’m also thinking one more Goodwill purge should take place…the boys’ birthdays and Christmas are near!

Homeschooling
M’s been asking daily if we can do school, so we’re slowly going to ease back in. Phonics, math games and the occasional art project will be just enough this week.

Fitness
I’m two weeks postpartum and just starting to feel ready to getting back into shape. I need to dig through a few boxes, but I’m determined to find my “Postnatal Rescue” DVD and get started! I’m also planning on walking with my family for the Little Flowers Virtual 5K…have you registered yet?

Plans and Schemes
A trip to the pumpkin patch needs to be planned soon. I also hope to start brainstorming Christmas ideas….call me crazy, but I know I’ll blink my eyes and it will be here!

Reading
Currently reading A Secret Gift: How One Man’s Kindness–and a Trove of Letters–Revealed the Hidden History of the Great Depression, which I’m finding fascinating. Have you read it?

October 3, 2012

{chit chat} And Then There were Four…

Knock on wood, but life with four little ones is pretty great. Loud and a whole lotta crazy, but still great. I feel like I’ve said all pregnancy: Once you’re outnumbered, why not add one more to the mix?! Good thing she’s such a natural fit. She’s already proven to sleep through anything (which is a must with three big brothers!), is a natural nurser (such a blessing!) and has every male in her family wrapped around her finger.

The transition to four has gone relatively smoothly for us, so I’d like to share my humble tips for newborn survival. Let me know if you have any others to add!

1. Keep your expectations LOW.
For my first day solo at home, I had one goal for the day: survive! Other than feeding myself and the kids, I had very low expectations. No long to-do lists taunting me. Nope, if I could keep us all fed and happy by the time my husband got home, I declared the day a success. Anything else accomplished was just icing on the cake. So when I managed to fit in a few loads of laundry, bill paying and some bedroom organization…well I just entered rockstar category.

2. Do one thing for yourself everyday.
I think Mammas can get overwhelmed in the newborn stage easily without this step. Find that one thing that makes you feel beautiful/sane, and make sure you do that everyday. Some Mammas may need to get dressed everyday. Some may feel better with a little makeup on or the ability to blow-dry their hair. For me, if I can get a shower in, no matter how short, it does wonders for my day. I feel clean and ready to conquer anything.

3. Don’t be too proud to ask for help.
With the births of my older two boys, I think I felt like I had to prove myself as a mother. So I tried to do it all, asking for very little help. Ironically, these were the times where I struggled the most with the Baby Blues. With baby number four, I’ve finally learned my own limitations and I try to call out for help before I reach my breaking point.

4. Step back and see with new eyes.
Sometimes with the exhaustion that the newborn phase brings, it’s hard to see past the feeding and diaper changing and the older children watching, etc etc. But if I could offer any advice, it would be to make sure you take the time to step back and see the good. When I really take the time to see, I see three big brothers who just adore their sister. I see a healthy baby girl who is so sweet, it makes my heart hurt. I see a family that is so, so blessed.