an ordinary day

It was Friday. 

I took out the chalk and you took your blue truck as we waited for daddy to come home from work.  There we were, sitting on the front porch listening to Ben Rector, blissfully enjoyed the 75 degree weather that finally came our way.  You were sick during the week...but all that seemed like a distant memory on this Friday afternoon.  We had a family pizza date to look forward to, after all. 

Daddy drove into the driveway and you ran out to greet him with that big smile -- the kind that only daddy's get.  After dinner we sat on that our porch again and you laughed at Gertie the cat pawing in the window.  You picked out (almost) every stick in our yard and proudly showed it to me as if it was the most precious stick in the world.  You gave me big wet kisses -- the kind that only mamas get -- kisses that are filled with pure love, enthusiasm, and promise.

To some, this may seem like an ordinary day.  To me, it's the most sacred moments of my life.  I'm cherishing these memories with you, Pier Francis.  Forever my baby boy. 

toy storage tips

I wanted to write a post about our toy philosophy...yep, that's totally a thing as a parent. TOY ORGANIZATION GUYS.  Otherwise known as the most exciting blog post of all time.  JK JK, I know my non-parental friends aren't gonna be reading this one, but if you're a parent and want your home to look a little less like Disney World than this one is for you.  First, a few tidbits about how we go about buying//managing toys for our kids:

| be intentional |

We like to keep toys at a minimum over here.  Less stuff = less mess = less stress for me. When we buy toys we pick natural materials over plastic and handmade over mass produced (of course there are exceptions to this, but we try!). My preference is open ended toys that are educational and well made, specifically Waldorf and Montessori style.  Our criteria for toys may seem high maintenance, but I think it plays a big factor in maintaining a sense of peace in our home.  I'm someone who doesn't do well in an unorganized space filled with distractions.  Our kids are already over stimulated. Heck, I'm over stimulated.  I want to maintain a calm environment as much as I can and picking simple toys is one small way that helps our household do just that. 

All this being said, I don't ever want to seem ungrateful for gifts for our children...we are blessed with generous family and friends who love Pier as much as I do! But we're intentional about what we buy for a reason.  Kids don't need a lot of stuff.  I don't want our materialistic culture to infiltrate what is meant to be a season of innocence, wonder, and discovery.  I've seen how Pier can be perfectly content with a stick for minutes on end.  Or how he plays with the scraps of my vegetables while I'm cooking.  I say this simply to reinforce what I think we intrinsically know -- children teach us to slow down and see the world through pure eyes.  

| toy rotation |

You've probably heard of this already and it's GENIUS.  We do this primarily with books, but I think it's a good idea if you find yourself having a hard time narrowing down your toys to keep.  Buy a big basket to keep in your hall closet to store excess toys in and then rotate them out as often as you like.  

| spring clean twice a year | 

We do a seasonal spring cleaning a couple times a year and go through our entire house to see what needs to be organized more efficiently to better serve our family.  Kid stuff is a huge thing to tackle at first, but now that I do a seasonal clean out it's way more doable. 

| everything has a place |

Not only does it teach kids organizational skills, but it also helps save a mother's sanity.  As a parent, it's my job to teach my children how to take care of their home and the possessions that fill it.  If everything has a place then it makes things a breeze to clean up!  As soon as Pier was old enough I taught him how to put his toys away.   Basically when things got messy I took him (literally) by the hand and physically showed him where things go.  

After a few days he got it and it has made my life much, much easier. He knows now that his books go in his book basket, his blocks in his block baskets, and his pots and pans in his play kitchen.  I'm not sure if this will work with all my children or if it's just how Pier's brain is wired, but he's done a really good job putting away his toys before taking out new ones.  And cleaning is a game to him, which is a good thing for all parties involved. 

| toy storage in the Little Fossi House | 

We recently started to transform Pier's nursery into a more toddler friendly space.  If you'd like a refresher on how it looked before, you can view that here.  Ready for the nitty gritty details of how we store our toys? LET'S GO

One basket for puzzles | Puzzles are a hard thing to store...they're various sizes and oddly shaped. I ended up using this savannah basket from Pottery Barn that we received as a wedding gift and it looks great!  Plus it fits puzzles of all sizes.  Store it under the crib or dresser or keep it in a closet to take out whenever you want something new to play with. 

Two bookcases for Montessori style toy storage  | this has been helpful teaching Pier the "every thing has a place" rule.  He can easily play with his toys and put them back on the shelf whenever he's finished.  Playtime goes by smoothly and, not to mention, mama sure loves walking into a clean kids room every day! 

One basket for books (or a book shelf)  | I personally love that we don't have to look everywhere for a book.  There's a teepee and a reading nook in his bedroom with a basket of books he can pick from whenever he wants.  We use these Ikea spice racks to display some of the nicer books that he is too young to read right now.  

Play kitchen in main living area | I am team kid kitchen.  The developmental benefits of imaginary play are incredible, and Pier is engulfed in his own culinary world whenever he plays with this!  I keep it in our family area so that he will be in view when I'm cooking dinner or doing the dishes and we can pretend we're cooking together ;). 

Two toy baskets in main living areas | my favorite are these because they have handles and Pier can take them from room to room.  We put smaller toys in here -- trucks, balls, musical instruments, plush toys...anything small enough to be hidden by a good basket!  We also have two smaller market baskets we keep on the shelf in his to organize special play toys like lacing toys and animal puppets. 

That's it.  That's every toy we own in this house!  I hope we can continue on this path of simplicity for our family.  This works for us, and if you've considered doing something similar in your household I want to encourage you to take the time to think about what will work for your family life.  I never want to come across as thinking my way is better than someone else!  Seriously, I only felt like sharing because I've seen how much of a difference it has made in my own day-to-day.  If you have any specific questions leave me a comment or message and I'd love to elaborate on any of this...organizing is one of my favorite things!  Totally normal. 

life lately

Here's what our March looked like in photos:

We have been going STIR CRAYZY in this house due to the insane snow and cold fronts coming through Indiana.  I think there were probably 2 days total that we could actually play outside.  BUT the flowers in my yard are playing peek-a-boo and we're waking up to lots of chirping birds so it's not too long now. C'monnnn spring, we're ready for you! 

Pier has been increasing his word count and talks non-stop (even though 90% of it is still babbling).  It is currently my favorite age ever -- still cuddly, still givin those open-mouth kisses like he'll forever be my baby -- but he's growing up quicker than I can document.  He loves saying "night-night" and waving goodbye every time he leaves the room.  He blows kisses to Jesus on the cross and gives hugs to his stuffed animals.  He started DANCING and spinning around in circles with the biggest smile on his face. This boy loves to clean. His favorite thing is to help me sweep and makes me sweep the entire house multiple times a day (much to the delight of my floors...and my house has never been so clean, ha!).  A true music lover, he always wants daddy to play the "-tar" so he can dance.  He can out chase mama and daddy and will count down "1...2...3...GO!" before he starts to run.  Quite simply, Pier is a delight to be around.  And let's not forget he's got the most delicious basketball belly in the history of toddler tummies. 

^ I'm so proud of that last photo because it was my first ever attempt at making zeppole san giuseppe.  I am .000000% Italian, but I have a big appreciate for Italian food and thought it would be fun to make a traditional pastry for St. Joseph's day (a big day in Italy!).  They were yummmm, guys. Yum.

We've been doing some serious spring cleaning in the Fossier household and spent an entire weekend clearing out our spare bedroom for baby fossi number two.  Of course, as someone who thinks organizing is more fun than a normal person probably should, I love this season of purging and rearranging.  There were about 10 bags of excess stuff donated to Goodwill and it feels ohhhh so good.  We're slowly making Pier's room less nursery and more toddler-friendly, and I am busy daydreaming about all the little girl things we get to decorate with in the baby room.  Why are little baby things so irresistible?  Specifically, girl baby things?  I have an Amazon Wish List 10 pages long (not really, but it could easily be that long) of all things GIRL.

Lastly, we've been in a funk this week in particular because Mr. Pier is sick!!! Poor little love.  Fever, runny nose, coughing, and lots of cuddles are happening around here. This guy has only been truly sick maybe once or twice before, so it always throws us off whenever a virus enters our home.  Say a quick prayer for Pier if you think about it!  Sick babies are always the most heartbreaking, but I know I'm always amazed at how quickly they bounce back.

Enjoy the remainder of your month!  
...and if you are getting spring temps right now send them my way please ;) 

(ongoing) lessons in motherhood

I feel like I don't have the authority to write anything on motherhood considering I've been one for about ehhhh two years...yet, I felt a stir to write this nonetheless.  

Motherhood has been my greatest teacher.  If anything it has shown me my weakness as I admit daily that I have no idea what I'm doing.  Yep, you heard it here first guys, *I* don't know everything.  There's a beautiful freedom in that, don't you think?  Admitting our inadequacy gives us the opportunity to humbly submit before our Lord and ask Him to take over.  And when He takes over, that's when the change happens.

We need to reject the temptation to remain stagnant in this life and aim for something greater. I've noticed how, as my children grow month after month, my heart grows too.  I am stretched, and humbled, and broken down, and re-built up again on a daily basis.  These lessons are ongoing. They are hard, but boy are they necessary.  This post is to highlight a few of those lessons in order to share what has worked for me.  My days probably don't look like exactly like yours...you may have twelve kids or zero or one just like me and do things entirely differently, but I think these tips can be applied universally regardless of your station in life.  

| LET GO |

Otherwise known as humble submission.  Easy right? :) Letting go of the stuff I can't control is probably the most difficult thing for me as a mother.  It's also a lesson that I'll be learning until my grave (and then some!).  I need to accept that I can't control Pier's behavior.  I can however, control my behavior.  I can respect him (and others!) by actually listening, being fulling present, and being completely available. I have the ability to ask Jesus to help me see Christ in my life when all I see with my fallen vision is the hard stuff. Then, I rest in hope that I will have the strength to respond to Pier's toddler tantrums, (crazy!) energy, and whatever else life throws my way with love and patience.  

Some days are easier than others, but I have complete trust that the Lord will make straight my crooked lines -- He alone has the power to turn my bad moments into good ones.  Dear Lord, help me to let go.  I don't want to get in your way.  I want to unite my will to yours and love my family as you love them. Please help me be receptive to any graces you so willingly wish to send me.  I am weak and I need your strength. 

| GIVE THANKS |

Motherhood has helped me be thankful in all circumstances.  If Pier is happy and healthy and playful, then I give thanks.  If he is screaming and sick and irritating, then I give thanks. Actually say the words, "Jesus I thank you for everything" because then, no matter what the day brings, you are in a constant state of praising our Lord for your blessings and crosses. When life gives you a curve ball, it's easy to complain about it and tell anyone and everyone about your problems.  Believe me, I know.  Some days I'm the queen of complaining.  Just ask my husband! Remembering thankfulness is just plain hard, but when I do remember it changes everything. 
 

| SCHEDULED PRAYER |

(Sorry this is so long...probably should have been an entire separate blog post..oops...)

This is a new thing I'm trying for Lent and LOVING it so far.  What inspired it? I noticed there are certain times during the day where Pier is crankiest and my patience starts to run thin. Very thin. My problem during these times is that I seek an escape -- I play on my phone, or clean, or online shop -- things that distract me from the chaos that is toddlerhood.  I don't recommend it! Avoiding the hard stuff isn't the way to go about life #amiright. 

So I turned to God and asked Him for help.  I basically told Him that He needs to inspire something big in my heart if He wants me to change.  I thought about it -- how can I overcome a big obstacle?  Prayer of course! Duh, Emily.  So I started to look at my day and see how I could incorporate a scheduled time to pray not just once but multiple times into our routine.  I already have a semi-regular habit of getting up early in the morning to pray, but here's how Jesus showed me I could do more: 

5:30/6:00 a.m. | wake up and do my morning routine

7: 00 a.m. | (or whenever Pier wakes up :)) We usually say a morning offering and sing the doxology while he drinks his bottle and I get morning snuggles.

10 a.m. | This is my "hit the wall" time.  Pier is super fussy and I've run out of ideas of stuff to do.  I usually put him in a safe spot and turn on an episode of Peppa Pig as I retreat to my room with my Bible.  (Mothers who parent without using videos, God bless you.  You are my role models in life).  You may be rolling your eyes at this saying, "you turn on videos to PRAY...come on Emily..." but honestly, I have zero guilt about it.  I'm all about using the tools in your parenting tool belt.  Those 20 minutes won't corrupt my child for all eternity.  Those 20 minutes will however give me the spiritual food I need to power through until nap time.  The point of this novel is: if you notice an opportunity to pray then JUMP ON IT.  Sneak away and just go be with Jesus so that He can redirect your focus to see that child through heavens eyes.

12 p.m. | We pray the Angelus while eating lunch (...sometimes...I usually forget!)

1 p.m. | Pier's nap time...Also pregnant mamas nap time.  I started praying for 5 minutes in bed before taking my nap.  It's usually Scripture or spiritual reading, but it helps me regain peace.

3:30 p.m. | Pier naps anywhere from an 1 to 2.5 hours, so that leaves him waking up during the 3 o'clock hour.  I started to turn on an audio Divine Mercy chaplet while we eat our snacks...it's quick and effective. 

7:00 p.m. | We gather as a family after Pier has dressed for bed and say our prayers.  Usually it's vocal prayer or reading a psalm followed by singing the Salve Regina. 

9:30 p.m. | chapter of spiritual reading before falling asleep

I hope I can continue doing this once Lent is over.  And I realize that when the new baby comes, life is gonna get crazy.  It looks a little overwhelming, but after doing it for a few days I noticed that it really wasn't.  There was a distinct shift from stress to simplicity, and a rhythm began to form into our routine that was lacking beforehand.  Plus....do we really realize how much time we waste doing the dumbest stuff??? I invite you to pray about it and God will show you just how much time you really do have in your day! 

---

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.”

— Proverbs 3:5-7

---

Pleaseeee don't think I've got it figured out.  I assure you that I do not.  My life is beautiful, but isn't always photogenic.  I mess up a thousand times a day even when I pray and try to do all the right things.  But I'm at peace with that. Discouragement and despair are not of God.  I know my weakness.  I know I am nothing without Christ.  And I know that, God willing, there's tomorrow to try again.   

20 week bumpdate

I guess since we're already halfway through this pregnancy I should finally do a baby update now shouldn't I?  

how I'm feeling | once I hit around 18 weeks I started noticing an increase in my energy levels and a decrease in my nausea.  Thank you Jesus!  Nausea and vomiting are no joke.  Pregnancy fatigue is no.joke.  God bless those beautiful women who have to deal with it all 40 weeks.  

weirdest symptoms | I've got some serious pelvic pressure and sciatica this time around...with Pier that didn't hit until mid third trimester, so I find it interesting that I'm in this much pain so early on.   Another strange symptom?  Not being able to swallow.  The first trimester every time I would take a pill (no matter how small) or eat certain foods I would gag or throw up.  Luckily, that seems to have passed now and I'm back to eating solid food groups and taking my prenatal vitamins.  The main difference between my pregnancy with Pier and with this little one is the insomnia.  I get a few hours of sleep each night...despite wanting nothing more than to sleep all the time.  I guess it's just preparing me for all those highly anticipated newborn night wakings right? 

cravings |  first trimester cravings included my favorite vices: pizza, chic-fil-a, coke, and ice cream.  I'm happy to report that my main cravings now are a lot healthier!  Carrots/red bell pepper and hummus, fruit of any kind (can't get enough fruit!), and....waffles.  For some reason waffles have been my go to food when nothing else seems palatable.  Another favorite snack is toast with almond butter, honey, chia seeds, and coconut flakes. 

a few of my favorite moments so far | finding out that baby is a GIRL, witnessing the look on my husband's face when he felt her soft kicks for the first time,  seeing the details of her face at our 20 week anatomy scan, designing her nursery, and teaching Pier how to become a big brother. He has a baby doll that he's starting to become more and more attached to.  Currently his favorite game is for mama to rock the baby doll and sing "rock-a-bye baby"...Then Pier takes her, gives her a pat and throws her on the ground with a big enthusiastic "UH OH".  It's pretty cute.  And a bit violent.  But mostly cute. 

Brad felt the baby kick for the first time last night.  No matter if it's your first or seventh pregnancy, there is something so beautiful and exciting about those initial baby kicks.  I truly believe heaven meets earth when you feel the flutters of growing life.  Our lives with this girl are already intertwined for all eternity and I'm beyond grateful that we've been given the gift to raise her.  

I MEAN LOOK AT THAT SWEET FACE! Can't wait to snuggle her earth side.  She still doesn't have a name yet...but we're working on it.  Girl names are easy to pick because I love so many of them, but at the same time we can't decide on one because, well, we love so many of them.  I keep asking Jesus to name her for me.  20 more weeks to figure it out!