so true

We've all seen this quote before. And it's nice. But you know where I took this picture? I took it in the room they put us in just before Ivar was born, where I was hooked up to the machine to measure the intensity of my contractions. I stared at this quote intensely and I found it timely and rather funny. Because at that point, my breath was taken away about every four to six minutes.

A big huge Welcome the the World to Levi Boehnen, my bff Heidi's little boy. He was born early Saturday morning after EIGHT minutes of pushing. Yowza. That's got to hurt. And it turns out, according to Heidi, it did. But Levi is here and I am so glad.

eye candy

I found a new favorite site for pretty things and DIY projects... Enjoy!

http://www.howaboutorange.blogspot.com/

cleaning out the clutter

A while back I read this post from Donald Miller and was inspired to simplify and online life. So I went through all of the blogs that I subscribe to and got rid of half of them. It was hard to do, but I have to say my life is fine without those blogs and I am actually aware of the extra time that has magically been added to my every day.

The strange thing is that after I rid my google reader of these blogs, I actually felt the exact same good feeling I feel when my house is clean, or after I clean out a closet. Simplifying and organizing just plain feels good.

And on a sort-of-related thought, I have been cleaning my house differently lately. It used to be that I would start cleaning the bathroom and take a water glass from in there and bring it to the kitchen, and then I would load the dishwasher and clear off the counter, bringing papers to my desk where I would get hung up trying to organize my paper life. While organizing my desk I would return a book to the living room where I'd see the mess on the coffee table. And after 30 minutes of this, I had nothing to show for my efforts. Every room looked "sort of" clean.

So I am now cleaning only one room at a time. And it works. If I completely finish the bathroom first, I often find the enthusiasm to hit the next room. If I tucker out in the next room (or more likely, Ivar wakes up) I still have one clean room to show for my time.

Try this cleaning method. I know it sounds obvious, but it was hard for me to do at first. And it has actually changed my attitude towards daily house work. (well, that might be a bit extreme...)

hi from Ivar

Hi! from Becca Groves on Vimeo.

marsupial mama

This Peekaru was given to us by our Colorado Frick family. Ivar is sitting in his baby bjorn and then this fleece vest zips up the side to keep him warm. I used it on Friday while shoveling with him and today we went out to take a walk.

I cannot tell you how much I love this thing. At first I thought it was more funny than functional, but it is awesome! Ivar LOVES it. As soon as I put it on I check in the mirror to make sure he can see and he is always smiling so big. For a Minnesota Mama who desperately still needs to get outside from time to time, this is the perfect gift.