May 02, 2007

seal pup

ben_seal_pup.jpg
ben in his new Speesees seal pup, Canon Digital Rebel XTi

If you've tried to order a necklace in the last couple of weeks you probably noticed I had to close the floodgates on mother's day orders! You guys are amazing. I have had a fun and also overwhelming time trying to balance Ben and the jewels. In these moments it's so important to ask for help and have learned once again how wonderful it is to include others in your process and stop pretending that you can do it all alone. Ha!

I have been inviting different mom friends to come over and sit with me each day while I bead and wrangle the babies when they get fussy. It has been a really wonderful way to spend time with people. So thank you mamas! Bethany, Maggie, Karina, Carolyn, Suzanne, Athena, Natasha... I still have a lot more to do but I am on my way!

I have also noticed that Ben has been particularly fussy this week and resistant to napping. It's as if he knows when my attention is split, when I am not completely present and connected and demands the very best of me. If I am willing to let my agenda go and just be with him, things go so much smoother.. And yet I have a real deadline I am working with. So much more to say on this topic, but I must get back to work. Looking forward to this weekend when his amazing babysitter comes over!
...

In other news, after seeing the Oprah green episode I was really inspired to make at least one new permanent change toward greening our home (we already use green cleaning products and paper products) Then I found the Reisenthel bag ! They fold up perfectly in a little zip pouch that I store in my diaper bag and whenever I am grocery shopping, I just pull one or two out and voila! stylish, green mama. Matt and I reuse bags as much as possible but inevitably forget to bring our ginormous stack with us to the store. It is satisfying to finally answer the paper or plastic? question with my own bag.

reisenthel.jpg

I have a yellow and a purple one...

Posted on May 2, 2007 08:35 AM
Comments

That baby is beyond cute. And how wonderful is his wee ensemble? Nice work!

Posted by: Claire at May 8, 2007 02:01 PM

these are adorable...i think i NEED one...or two...or three...or how 'bout just one of every color!

Posted by: la vie en rose at May 7, 2007 09:08 AM

ambien online

Posted by: ambien online at May 6, 2007 08:23 PM

ambien online

Posted by: ambien online at May 6, 2007 08:23 PM

Ben is just sooo adorable. And. LOVE the green bag idea. I'm so getting one.

Posted by: christina at May 5, 2007 08:47 PM

I seriously want to eat your baby.

Posted by: Alisha at May 5, 2007 11:53 AM

Great bags... such a good idea. I'm going to get some to tuck in my purse. I always forget the big mesh bags from the grocery store.

Love your site, by the way. I don't think I've commented before so I guess I'm "delurking." Your jewelry is beautiful,your photography is so inspiring and I really enjoy your journaling. Thanks for it all!

Posted by: lainakay at May 5, 2007 07:41 AM

Fun to see the R. bags on your blog~ I got one in my Easter basket this year! It was the best thing in the basket. Actually, it was the only thing in the basket. (smile) Even though I don't know you in person, I consider you a great inspiration. Now that you're a mama as well as a superhero, I am further inspired as I look forward to that stage in my life. Thanks for all. peggy

Posted by: peggy at May 4, 2007 07:57 PM

Fun to see the R. bags on your blog~ I got one in my Easter basket this year! It was the best thing in the basket. Actually, it was the only thing in the basket. (smile) Even though I don't know you in person, I consider you a great inspiration. Now that you're a mama as well as a superhero, I am further inspired as I look forward to that stage in my life. Thanks for all. peggy

Posted by: peggy at May 4, 2007 07:56 PM

Jesus that kid is cute. You are lucky to have one start out so darn cute because he will only get cuter as he grows. Mine is 14 months and I fall more and more in love with him each day. I can't wait to have another one!

Posted by: Malinda at May 4, 2007 12:44 PM

Wow, love those bags! I think I may have to order a couple....

Posted by: Jennifer at May 3, 2007 03:27 PM

I just discovered your website and look forward to exploring! Everything is so beautiful here...

Posted by: M at May 3, 2007 11:05 AM

ben is so dang delicious. i wish i lived down the street so i could watch his little face while you worked..
xo
jen

Posted by: jen gray at May 3, 2007 04:26 AM

Will you be taking more necklace orders after the Mother's Day rush? I finally was able to set aside some money for a much-coveted necklace, only to find out orders were closed! *Sniff!*

Posted by: Rebecca at May 2, 2007 06:34 PM

I got my necklace today. It's more breathtaking in person than even online. And online they're all so pretty.

I bought it for myself because I was self-celebrating the fact that I'm halfway through college. And that has only happened as well as it has because I have learned myself to ask for help. Somehow when you ask and receive...you realize how wonderful it is to have that community spirit in your life regarding help and support.

Posted by: Kristy at May 2, 2007 06:14 PM

Just nabbed me two! Thanks for the link! :)

Glad you have mixed together getting the necklaces done and quality friend time. :) Good luck in getting the rest of your orders finished and maintaining balance too!

Sweet Ben photo. I wish Speesees made that seal pup tee for toddlers! Amira would adore it!

Posted by: Janece at May 2, 2007 04:53 PM

I've been looking for some cute bags, so glad you shared these on your post!!!

Posted by: Michelle at May 2, 2007 04:46 PM

Ohhhhhh that sounds like so much fun! Playing with Ben and watching you bead? Fun.

Posted by: Meg at May 2, 2007 01:36 PM

Oh, I really like the Reisenthal bag! I just bought 5 from BHappyBags, which I gave as gifts to all my friends. I've finally gotten in the habit of bringing my beautiful bag everywhere, and even use it when shopping for clothes.

Sorry I missed the Mother's Day cut-off! (Yup, I was one who tried and failed) But I fully understand the need to balance. I shall keep my eyes open for the next window of opportunity.

Posted by: Pamela at May 2, 2007 01:21 PM

I have the green one! Just got it for my birthday, and I hang it on a hook next to my keys, so I remember to grab it when I go out.

Posted by: Blythe at May 2, 2007 12:52 PM

love the bags, i have one with multi=colored stripes from holland and i resolve to use it more often. ben is getting so big...but i have to admit his place in my heart was usurped last tuesday when my boys came into our world. still think he is cute...but mama in me now has loyalty to these two. love the post too.it is like aroadmap to the months ahead.

Posted by: mamie at May 2, 2007 12:46 PM

those bags are rad! love them!!!

i am glad you are asking for help andrea....and ben is probably having a blast with all his baby friends!

always wishing you love,
xx

Posted by: mccabe at May 2, 2007 11:43 AM

I don't know if the bag I have is a Riesenthel (it's black, folds up the same way, and was given to me by a friend in Germany), but I love mine. I usually bring one of those reusable Whole Foods bags with me when I go out on errands, but sometimes I find myself at Trader Joe's without one -- and that's when I whip out my black bag. It rocks!

Posted by: Lori at May 2, 2007 11:25 AM

Thanks for the link for those bags Andrea. I've been looking for such a thing too. We've been going green around here alot lately too. We reuse the bags too, mostly for dirty diaper duty, lol, and our grocery offers recycling for them. But like you I never remember to grab the gigantic ball of them when I go out. Gonna order a few of these now and post it on my blog also to help spread the word. Btw, so funny you're starting to see how Ben acts different when you're not giving him all your attention. This is just the beginning. Wait until he's a toddler and you're on the phone or trying to talk to another adult in the same room as him, lol. I think sometimes they kids would set themselves on fire if it meant keeping you off the phone, lol. Oh, the lovely juggling act of motherhood. Don't worry...they do it to daddy too. And also, he's super cute as ever.

Posted by: amy j. at May 2, 2007 10:00 AM

Thanks for the link for those bags Andrea. I've been looking for such a thing too. We've been going green around here alot lately too. We reuse the bags too, mostly for dirty diaper duty, lol, and our grocery offers recycling for them. But like you I never remember to grab the gigantic ball of them when I go out. Gonna order a few of these now and post it on my blog also to help spread the word. Btw, so funny you're starting to see how Ben acts different when you're not giving him all your attention. This is just the beginning. Wait until he's a toddler and you're on the phone or trying to talk to another adult in the same room as him, lol. I think sometimes they kids would set themselves on fire if it meant keeping you off the phone, lol. Oh, the lovely juggling act of motherhood. Don't worry...they do it to daddy too. And also, he's super cute as ever.

Posted by: amy j. at May 2, 2007 09:59 AM

Cool bags! Where do I get one??

Posted by: victoria winters at May 2, 2007 09:31 AM