boots boy

These days we are all about the footwear.

ice ice baby

photo via flicker by beige alert

While visiting the homeland a couple weeks ago, Theodore had his very first ice fishing experience . How perfectly Minnesotan, right?! What does one do in the middle of winter? Go ice fishing! He comes from a long line of men who love to fish. When I was younger, my dad went on a big trip each year to Lake of the Woods and we all know Ryan would spend every day on the lake if life would just allow it. Somehow, the fun of hanging out in a snow-covered shack, on a frozen lake, in sub-zero temps didn't allude my little one either, he had a blast!

Rumors circling the area report an excellent fisherman on the rise. Teddy was noted for keeping a close eye on the minnow bucket, always ready to scoop out the bait for an empty hook. Unfortunately a few wiggly swimmers perished upon removal from the net. It seems Teddy's grip was a bit on the firm side. What can I say, the boy doesn't mess around. Thankfully, it didn't take long to get a few sunnies in the bucket.... not so easy to smoosh.

How is it that Teddy is already old enough to go fishing with his Daddy?! Where did my little baby go? Watch your back new mommies, it's true what they say....the first year goes way too fast and the second year....it feels like a split second in time.

I took these photos as Teddy was heading out on his big adventure. When Ryan saw them, he said Theodore looked just like me. A remark that immediately warmed my heart. It must be how dark his eyes appear? Maybe the eyebrows? Not sure, but whatever it is...I like it!

Ry promised to build this ice house for the Alcott trio. We're going to take our minnow-loving son and go camp for a good bit. Maybe my father-in-law will even have the pup to send with us for the weekend?

May Monday rock your snow shoes off little snow angels.

until Easter

* sunset at 20 acre marsh

exuding the purple hues of Lent

02/13/10

Wednesday marked the beginning of Lent and despite the fasting and self-denial associated with the forty days leading up to Easter, it's always been one of my favorite seasons in the Christian calendar. The quietness and reflection are a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of ordinary time.

Growing up, my family participated in most Roman Catholic Lenten traditions. Wednesday evenings were spent at Stations of the Cross and Fridays spent abstaining from meat. We would also "give up" an activity or food for the whole season in remembrance of all Christ gave for us. Twice Johnny and I gave up television, one year it was sleepovers with friends (a penance that left Lindsey devastated), and many years it was sweets. My cousins and I would often babble about whose sacrifices were "tough" and whose were "too easy!" Gossip fueling each of us to abstain from food or festivities that were actually difficult to release.

As I became a young adult, I worried less about impressing my cousins and more about pleasing the Lord. I didn't want my offerings to be effortless, after all, He would know if it was a true sacrifice or something that didn't matter much to me anyway. This year I had a terrible time deciding what to give up for Lent.

Thankfully, since returning to New York our days have been veiled in a peaceful hush allowing for reflection. I decided to "give up" the 2 hours during Teddy's nap to do meaningful, family-focused activities. Typically I tend to waste at least a hour of his nap time on Facebook or browsing Craigslist. That time is now set aside for dinner prep, exercising, cleaning, praying, writing, reading, even napping if that's what my body needs. Only the first few days have passed, but I'm already feeling more connected to my family and my faith. I've finally found the moments to write in Theodore's diary again. I feel like I've regained my evenings with Ryan, with the household chores finished by the time he arrives home, and most importantly I've set aside time to complete whatever my spirit needs.....different and personal each day. The greatness of that hour already seems so evident and I still have 37 days to go! Imagine the possibilities.

So after lots of ideas from my husband, brother, and best friends that is where I landed this year. I'm still eating chocolate, still watching television (how FABULOUS are the Olympics!?!), and still available for a sleepover with my besties (can we continue to have those at 27?)...but I'm no longer on Facebook between 2-4pm. :)

Happy weekend my loves.

magic

Back in New York now. But our week in Minnesota. It was magic.

snowy retreat

We made it to Minnesota! Theodore did beautifully on the plane, despite an early departure, and had a wonderful afternoon with his cousins at Grandma and Grandpa Alcott's house. While home, we are staying in a new house that my dad and Maria purchased last year. They've yet to move in, so they offered it to us for the week. The gorgeous country setting is the perfect place to hunker down with my boys. It started snowing last night, and is continuing to fall. Curled up with my family, staring out at the snowy world, brings such peace and contentment. There is no where I'd rather be.

A snowflake is one of God's most fragile creations, but look what they can do when they stick together. - Author Unknown

little of this. little of that.

My boys. Ben Wood Mountain, Adirondack Park Preserve

Last Sunday, Ryan slipped out of work early enough for us to go on a two-hour hike in the Adirondack Mountains. It was heaven. We were craving the stillness and silence of a winter hike, away from the hum drum of machinery at work and neighbors in the apartment community. Ben Wood Mountain, suggested to us by a local outfitter, turned out to be a great fit. A hike just long enough to feel rejuvenated, but not so long that Teddy got achy in the backpack. It was a bright, sunny day. Perhaps not perfect for photos, but perfect for February.

Today, Ryan is at work getting caught up and organized in preparation for his week away. Teddy and I are at home packing, cleaning, and getting Omar and Greta set up with the sitter. There is only one airline that flies non-stop between Albany and Minneapolis, with one flight making the trip daily. It was recently changed from a 5pm flight to a 6am flight. I have no idea how Teddy is going to handle getting up at 4am and heading to the airport, but say a little prayer for us. Compared with his normal rise and shine around 7 or 8am, this is a huge chop out of his sleep time. Yikes! A scary thought for mommy and daddy!

I've been taking lots of video of Theodore this week. A little of this. A little of that. Mostly just the two of us trying to chit chat. Hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

tuckered out

Bath done, time to hit the hay!

The Aloctt trio has been pretty exhausted this week. We've been on a month long crazy work stint, with Ryan closing out another 90 hour work week last Sunday. Plus all three of us have the inevitable winter cold/sore throat. Needless to say, we're mentally and physically pooped. We've been sound asleep by nine each night. On Sunday though we're coming home to MN. Ryan never used his vacation time last year, so we have 2 weeks worth that needs to be used by April. We're planning on taking one next week, with Ry and I slipping away for a few days up north. Then in March we'll take another week and work on the house we're still in the process of buying.

So despite my urge to curl up and sleep while Teddy takes his nap, I decided to take a moment and tell you what a smarty pants he's been this week! On Monday he literally said about twenty new words in one day! Okay let me think.... pig, backpack, van, hammer, lion, penguin...are just a few that popped out. He also started putting words together, saying things like "Mama's nose or Teddy's mouth." We're so impressed! Another huge accomplishment that just happened was he started saying Greta's name. He has said Omar's name for some time now, but never Greta. He usually just called her Omar too. I wasn't even sure he knew the difference. Nope! He definitely knew because once he got her name to come out, he called her about 50 times, never mixing the two up again. He's obsessed now. When he wakes up, he immediately calls for her. I have to get it on video, the way he says her name is so stinkin' sweet.

Friends for life!

Green-eyed Greta girl.

I can't wait to share him with you all when we're home! Sending lots of love on this mid-week day!

london

I love London. Really, really love it. My hope is one day, Ryan's job will land us there for a moment. A year. Longer. Unlikely, but a girl can dream.

I sporadically read a few London papers and bookmarked this photo a bit back. It made me think, if I have to do January, let me do so in London where I can

wear black pantyhose,

with a red messenger bag,

shrouded by scarf and snow

as I scurry (by Plane trees),

through St. James Park.

"A woman walks through Saint James's Park in central London on January 13, 2010 as a fresh layer of snow covered the Capital city. Fresh snowfalls hit parts of Britain on Wednesday, forcing airports to close as businesses counted the cost of the worst winter in decades. More than 1,000 schools told pupils and teachers to stay at home, as road and rail transport transport links were gripped by renewed chaos, following several days of warmer weather during which snow had melted. "AFP PHOTO/Leon Neal (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images)

T tidbits for the week

1.) New words: plow, sunflowers, wood, drum, and melon.

2.) Start of the winter semester at Music Together. Learned a cutting-edge new song about Grandmas and Grandpas. (You can well imagine the giggle frenzy that incited for certain people.)

3.) First NY play date with twin girls from Music Together. Successful, despite the anxiety mommy felt watching T drool on a non-relative's toys, furniture, children, ect.

4.) Creative climbing. Yesterday found him atop the bathroom vanity. Standing up, mind you.

5.) Responds to the doorbell by descending long flight of stairs, to open door and greet Dad after a day at work. Plain ol' cute.

three recent reads

The system is this:
Books that have been read go out in the living room, stored away in the makeshift case that is really nothing more than a sweater chest. Books yet to be enjoyed take their place in a stack next to the bed.

So now that you understand the order of my book universe, you can understand how it unintentionally came to be, upon simply grabbing the next book from the bedside pile (many purchased for me as gifts), that I happened to read three WWII, Holocaust- focused books in a row. I probably wouldn't purposefully pick such a heart-wrenching, mind consuming, makes you want to curl up and cry sorta topic and then read book after book on it....but the system allowed for it to happen. All three books (and particularly the last one) were so enlightening and most certainly worth talking about for a few moments.

The first one, mentioned earlier, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, was by far the lightest read of the bunch. It peeked into German occupation of the English Channel Islands during the war and mixed in a little love story. Although it did touch on a couple lives affected by mainland concentration camps, it was not the focus of the story. Good, easy read. Go for it.

The second book I dived into was Sarah's Key. Thanks to long naps on Teddy's part and late nights on my own, I devoured this novel in 2 days. It was definitely the "can't put it down until I know the ending" type. Written by a Parisian, Sarah's Key told the story of one Jewish family's struggle under Nazi occupation in France's capital city. It focused specifically on the greatest mass arrest of Jews, on French soil (by French police), known today as the Vel' d'Hiv Roundup. Did you know in the span of 2 years, France alone sent 80,000 Jews to the concentration camps?!? The numbers are so mind blowing, life so devalued, that it's really difficult to even comprehend. Sarah's Key was a heart-stopping novel that makes you believe in the power of historical fiction to educate and help us remember.

My dad sent me Those Who Save Us a couple years ago and for whatever reason, it was never picked out of the pile until last week. When I read the first couple pages and realized it was another Holocaust narrative, I almost reached for a different pick. I'm so glad I didn't. Those Who Save Us told the haunting story of life inside Germany, for both Jewish and non-Jewish Germans. For the many who ask (myself being one), how could the German people allow such atrocities to take place during the Reich's reign? This book is for you. It is such a vivid glance into the economical, moral, and family conditions in German towns during the war. In no way does it excuse the complacency of non-Jews, if anything you could set the story aside with more judgements than when you began, but I promise you this....the story will seep into your soul, floating with you each day. And isn't that awareness, that recognition, that permanent piece of your heart that died just knowing what happened, one of the the only things we can give the victims?

So that's that. All great novels and if anyone else reads one, tell me...I love to talk books. For now, I'm sailing away to life in the southern hemisphere with The Savage Detectives.

grrraaa-nd-pa

just a weeee bit in love.

mi amour

it is here.

where i first loved you.

that i still love you the most.

cooking seasonally

My handsome, hardworking husband has been such a busy bee lately. The project here in Albany is starting to wrap up. Exciting, but also stressful. The poor dear has been working nonstop! We knew January would be a crazy month, so I bought a new book to keep me and baby bear busy.

And busy we've been...creating savory dishes to fill our winter bellies! It's the middle of January and my spirit was desperate for the yummy freshness of farm stand food. Our family tends to cook with a great deal of meat in the winter, absentminded of the delectable flavors winter produce can add to a dish. So my goal this week was to experiment with recipes that call for ingredients in season.

A couple nights ago I made a happy little melange of pan-roasted root vegetables. Who knew turnips, parsnips, and celery root could be so tasty when allowed to simmer in their own juices on the stove top! I also made a yummy variation of a favorite Brussels sprouts side dish that came out oh-so delicious! Brussels sprouts are one of Ryan's favorites too, he was delighted to reheat and dive in when he walked in the door later that evening.

Last night I made Pappa al Pomodoro, a classic Italian tomato soup that's thickened with leftover bread. It also has has lots of fennel and carrots (the seasonal ingredients). It was my first time cooking with fennel and I think it was a hit. Teddy loved it! He's a big soup eater, we all are, and I can't bring myself to do canned soups.

I've wanted to start cooking seasonally for sometime, but in the United States where ingredients are available year round, it's hard to muster up the creativity. The pay off is well worth it though, you just can't beat the flavor.

{deep, warm, cedar-smelling bear hugs from us to you...keeping it seasonal.}

in my heart always

Mary Kathleen Krutzig Morrow: 08/17/54 - 01/13/02

Eight years without our hugs is far too many.

kitty strife

Our human child is under the hilarious assumption that he is a cat. Although he loves Omar and Greta (our furry felines), they've also fittingly developed a sort of sibling rivalry. If the cats are playing with the squishy ball, Teddy wants to play with the exact ball. If Teddy's cuddling on my lap, Omar will stand 2 ft away meowing incessantly waiting for his turn to be held. The photos below demonstrate the situation. O and T are in combat over the box.

Clearly, they enjoy the same sort of games.

our toddler

Family photo taken in Nov. 09' by Thea Coughlin

Our dear, sweet Teddy has become a toddler. No if, ands, or buts about it. He's in a state of internal struggle with one arm clinging desperately to me and the other flailing wildly about, reaching for control over his world.

Over Christmas, he learned how to say "no." Now he uses the new vocabulary often. For example, I'll call out, "Teddy, it's dinner time." He'll call back, "No." I'll say, "Teddy let's go take a bath." He'll say, "No." You get the picture. The odd (and lovable) thing is the tone of his voice. It's not at all what you'd expect. The negative declarations squeak out quietly, ending in almost a whisper. He compliments them with big, wide puppy eyes framed by a raised eyebrows. Cute enough, right? After all, he's only 1 years-old and excited just to say new words. The thing is, despite the soft voice, he means business. When we insist that an activity be completed, despite his nix, he begins to cry and once in awhile will end in a full blown tantrum. Becoming less cute, right?

These outbursts are still pretty new to us. I began to see the first sign of them while in Minnesota last month. I chalked it up to the ear infection creating a sleep deprived, unhappy little snow angel. Now that we're home though, and the infection is gone, it's clear Mr. Theodore is just aching for more control in life. To be honest, I can appreciate that. It must be hard to have someone else make nearly every decision for you. After all he's intelligent, with likes and dislikes just like everybody else. Unfortunately he's still just a wee babe and incapable of making reasonable decisions. (Sorry, I know I'm stating the obvious....typing out loud ; ) So how do we find that harmonious balance of respect, authority, and love in our family?

My sweet husband only had to witness one such storm to kick start his solution-orientated mind. After the dust settled, I found him online frantically googling "toddler tantrums." He didn't have much luck so the next day I headed out to pick up Dr. Harvey Karp's, The Happiest Toddler on the Block. After some research of my own, I'd learned Karp's book was beloved by both parents and critics.

Well, that was earlier this week and so far I've read about half the book. I've found the material and research fascinating. Karp begins by educating parents on the mechanics of the toddler brain. He explains how immature it still is, struggling for language and logic, especially when it's upset. He goes on to give tips for communicating with anyone who's upset (toddlers included) and most notably reminds us to listen and repeat, rather than rush to distract and hush away their feelings.

So I'm anxious to finish the book. Although parts of it are clearly aimed at 3 and 4 year-olds, I've been able to put a few ideas into practice and I think we're seeing some positive results. I'll share more after I've utilized the strategies for a period of time.

Hope you are all having cozy, cuddly January days. We are in it. In the heart of winter. Over Christmas, I turned to my dad on a particularly frigid day and asked "Who lives like this? What sort of extremists exist in such conditions?" Although I love a snowy day, I hate the below zero stuff. It makes my bones ache and my mind numb. Today I'm dreaming about the hot, heavy days of summer.

home from the holidays

We are finally back in New York after a wonderful holiday break in Minnesota! Well, most of it was wonderful. Theodore did get a pretty nasty ear infection and Ryan did a lot of scurrying back and forth across the country, but all in all it was a great holiday.

Highlights of our time at home:

1.) First night back in Minnesota, cuddled up in bed, staring out at the soft, still, snow-covered lake. The shoreline alive with the swaying shadows of leafless branches dancing in the yard.

2.) Decorating yummy cookies at my dad's house with he and his wife, Maria. My brother and I managed to quietly slip through childhood without ever decorating Christmas cookies so it was a treat (no pun intended) to start this tradition. Note to Self: For at least the next couple years Teddy may be better utilized as a cookie taste tester rather than cookie decorator.

3.) Having my husband home for four days in a row! He'd worked every single day since Thanksgiving, so when I picked him up at the new train station on the 23rd we were SO EXCITED! Four full uninterrupted days together! Teddy's ear infection also fell over that time so it was a Godsend to have him home with us.

4.) Completing my first quilt. Over Thanksgiving I started a quilt for Kelly's growing bambino. With lots of support from my wonderful in-law's, I finished just in time for her shower. It was a challenging project...picking out fabrics, deciding on placement, but it was so fun! I also got to spend lots of time with my lovely mother-in-law as she patiently gave tips, helped re thread the bobbin, and simply kept me company during a few late nights. A special project for a baby that is already so loved and fantastic time spent learning the craft with Ryan's mom.

5.) Helping to host Kelly's shower. We tried to create a vintage theme centered around old family china, teacups, platters, table clothes, and aprons. All the guests wore an apron and we talked about all the ways they can be used by a mother....to dry little hands, wipe away a tears, or hide a shy child. It all came together beautifully and everyone seemed to have a great time! Most importantly, it was a special day set aside to celebrate mother and baby as they are much too far away from us most of the time.

Hope you all had a lovely holiday season too! I did want to mention, I finished The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society over Christmas and found it to be such a charming story. If you haven't read it yet, go pick it up!

our owl family

Special thank you to Kelly for the new Alcott Family Blog banner! I told her of my vision for an owl family, and off she ran creating the fabulous image completely herself. It came out so stinkin' cute! For my birthday a few weeks ago she also sent me this adorable tote I'd had my eye on over at Etsy. Pretty great friend, aye?!

I've had a thing for owls lately. I told Ryan about it a few months ago, and he said "Really?! Me too!" Theodore, who would prefer to be a night owl himself, also appreciates the nocturnal animals. One day I heard him making "hoo hoo hoo" noises in his room. I went in, and there he sat, an open book before him, looking at an owl. I'd no idea he knew how to mimic their hauntingly beautiful sounds.

To bring our infatuation full circle, we saw a Great Horned Owl at our land over Thanksgiving. Growing up, Ryan said the birds were common, but they haven't seen as many in recent years. So beautiful to know they are still in the area and living on our land. Definitely seems to seal the deal, we are owl people.

One wise old owl to another.

a must read

If you haven't yet read this book yet, go pick it up asap! It's so worthy of your time. I promise.

{A recommendation I've been meaning to share for months!}

a year and a half

Saturday was Teddy's 18 month birthday! Below are two videos, one taken last year at this time and then another from Saturday night. How much he has changed in a year! Ryan and I had a blast watching these last night, such laughter and joy this lil' guy brings into our lives.

Theodore Ryan Alcott: 6 mth b-day weekend

Theodore Ryan Alcott: 18 mth b-day weekend

silent night

Many mornings, as we slowly ease our way into the day, TLC is softly on in the background. Teddy and I've fallen in love with the oh so sweet Pampers commercial playing for the holiday season. I wish you could see Teddy Bear's face when it comes on. He's usually playing on the kitchen floor, but he springs up when he hears the music and rushes into the living room. He watches the babies with such a serious and studious expression, as if to say "You sleep too?"



Wishing you all a peaceful weekend. Stay in, mail some cards, avoid the malls.

fridge finds

Last December, Theodore was just a tiny mite during the Christmas season. Other than all the hustle and bustle, I don't think he noticed anything out of the ordinary.

So this year I've been bound and determined to help him understand the wonderfulness of Christmas. We've spent the week giggling at snowmen, listening to Bing Crosby on repeat, and pointing out every Christmas tree within walking distance. This morning though, Ryan really helped to pump up the volume with an introduction to Santa Claus.

Teddy's daddy likes to leave little treasures strewn about the house for him to find. Today he surprised us both with a fun fridge greeting from Old Saint Nick. Teddy spotted it as soon as he walked out of the bedroom. So now it's all about Santa. We've done so many Ho ho ho's, I think I got an upper abdominal workout. We talked about the difference between Santa and "At" (Grandpa) more than once. We've even put Teddy's mittens on a handful of times so he could stand next to Claus and chuckle at their parallel attire. Yep, I think he's going to be quite excited to meet Santa in the coming weeks and eventually leave out treats for him on Christmas Eve. My sweet baby.

before the snow, we had four-wheelers

Rumor has it, Minnesota got snow! Woohoo! We got a big dumping in Albany last night too! It's a beautiful morning. We'll go out and play soon.

The last couple days Teddy has been missing Minnesota. When we first returned to NY he was beside himself with glee and excitement, now that's wore off a bit. He talks about "At" (his name for all the Grandparents) and loves looking at photos of them. Poor pumpkin, we'll be back in MN for Christmas soon! This morning I remembered a video I took of him using the children's four-wheeler. I'm excited to show it to him and thought you might enjoy it too!



PS A big welcome home to the Dynamic D's! We missed you over Thanksgiving and can't wait for Christmas!

5 things

photo via weheartit

1. Ryan and I are buying our first house! It is my childhood home. We've been swimming in the process for months, and honestly we're still a ways from completion...but, I'm staying positive! Maybe saying it aloud will send out speedy transaction energy into the universe. It's been a special, and crazy, and difficult experience that I'll share more about soon!

2. The same small town in which we will soon be home owners, now has a commuter rail line connecting it to Minneapolis! GO GREEN!....and take the Alcott trio with you (we'll ride in the Caboose).

3. After nearly 6 months in Albany we've finally discovered a good pizza joint. Inferno was yummy yummy delicious and had an chewy authenticity we've not found since NYC.

4. Big, thick, beautiful snowflakes are falling as I write. Our first New England snowfall. My sweet baby is down for a nap. My loving partner is at work. Pot Roast is in the slow cooker. The three of us will eat together tonight. Lovely.

5. I've now officially written over 100 blog posts! Yipee! When I started this blog last January, I had no idea what a therapeutic, gentle, sweet community I would encounter. It's been a wonderful experience. :)

Opps...correction: Upon closer inspection I realized I've written over a 100 posts if you count the drafts (posts started, but never published). I still have 7 more published posts to go.... I'll have to get excited again in a few weeks! ; )

smarty pants

I wanted to carve out a little time tonight to share a photo of our happy little boy. We're still in Minnesota and he's been having such a lovely week. Spoiled rotten with lots of G & G love. He's been changing and growing so much too! Today alone, the lil' pumpkin said five new words! Out popped, "tree, ball, red, blue, and Grandpa"! Can you believe it?!? Five words in one day!

I read that around eighteen months toddlers have a speech burst, suddenly everything connects and the words start to pour out. I think he's definitely entering that stage, in the two previous days he also said "Elmo" and "wolf" for the first time! My heart just melts with each new word. His little voice is the sweetest sound in the whole world.

Hugs from us to you.