Recently, I received a comment from someone who had visited the blog relaying something about feeling envious after reading. And it got me thinking… that is so not what I want people to feel after visiting us here. Yet, I am guilty of feeling envy when I visit certain other blogs. You know, the ones where life comes across as so perfect and wholesome.
The truth is, I started this blog with some encouragement from Andrew after I had gone through some major life changes (I quit my job as a school social worker to stay home with our newborn Milo, plus we had just gotten married and moved to a brand new city where we knew absolutely no one) and was feeling really lonely and a little neurotic. It was also a way to reach out to family and friends who were scattered across the country (and in different countries) so that they could stay updated on happenings with the “young bum,” as we used to call Milo.
As time wore on, the blog became my main creative outlet. Posting daily not only helps me keep in contact with family and friends, but also reminds me about what is important in my life right now: creating memories and coming up with fun activities for the kids; finding awesome places to discover and rediscover; exploring new recipes and sharing our favorites; and feeling good about myself as an individual person, not just as someone’s mama. But the main reason is to look back and remember that life really is beautiful, even through the rough patches. Plus, it turns out I really, really enjoy taking pictures. So, of course, life on a blog is supposed to look a little nicer than real life. And so it does. If I took pictures of my dirty bathroom and piles of laundry and stacks of mail to be sorted through, I don’t think I would enjoy looking back at those things as much, you know? Because those things are inevitable, but they are not life-defining.
And so, here are some pictures and tales from our weekend, the first of which you will not envy: we woke up Saturday morning to a ransacked car and a stolen GPS because I had left the van unlocked overnight. Boo.
Ice cream at Snarf’s
…cold
Staying up late: the reward for actual naps!
Breakfast: figs with goat cheese and honey
Time-out
Time-in
Trip to a farm– only so, so
Almost one!
Tomorrow we celebrate Emil’s first birthday and I’m choosing not to deal with it quite yet because how it has already been a year is beyond my comprehension right now. Have a wonderful Monday.
Lauren, you are awesome, this blog is awesome. That’s all.
The photo of Andrew’s gentle guidance with Oliver is almost overwhelming. How incredibly beautiful and very touching. I know we are all thankful in knowing you let us in to experience these intimate moments with your family. It teaches us how we must put in the effort to be the best parents we can be, even when it’s so difficult at times. In sharing your days through this blog, you are giving us smiles, tears and encouragement to make our own lives a little more enjoyable and meaningful. Thank you, Lauren!
Love, Mom
oh no…I never should have said that I was envious 🙁 I never ever meant for you to reflect on that in that way. I just wish I had a green thumb and took such great pics of my kids everyday! 🙂 Ok so I may not garden but you and I have our past career as social workers in common. 🙂
Oh, no, Brynn! I don’t want you to feel bad in any way! I had just read a post from another blogger about feeling envious of those picture-perfect blogs and I sometimes feel exactly that way! It is a good thing to reflect and think about what you are putting out there… so thank you!
I think you do a great jooffered of being honest, especially about parenting, including some of the less fine moments. Sometimes when I have a really rough day with tantrums and messes and disasters I just can’t deal with writing about it in detail because mentally I need to put it behind me. You always make those moments comical which I really love.
I only discovered blogs in general a year ago and at first I had lots of envy flipping through all these newfound beautiful lives. But quickly I realized that it’s just one aspect of these people’s lives. Some share more and some less but we all know it can’t be that perfect (or else that’s kind of boring too!).
It’s lots of fun to follow along with your adventures. Being a stay at home mother is pretty shocking to most of my friends who either haven’t had kids yet or quickly resumed their careers, so it’s nice to be able to identify from afar 🙂 thanks for sharing your pictures and stories!
*that’s supposed to be ‘great job of’… love my iphone but those darn typos!
Those figs are making me salivate! They look delicious!
As a blogger myself, I know other bloggers aren’t trying to suggest they have a perfect life — they’re just sharing the beautiful and inspiring parts of their life. I love my job as a stay-at-home parent, but I’m always looking for ways to do my job better and blogs are a great resource for sharing ideas and motivating me when I hit a low point. I’ve gotten so many great ideas from your blog especially in regards to food and activities for the kids!
Would you do a post on your photography — what equipment you use and photo tips especially for capturing kids? I’ve learned a lot in the past couple of years, but it’s definitely my Achilles’ heel.
Thanks, ladies! I agree– blogging has helped me stay connected as a stay-at-home mama, especially when I have, like, two real-life friends here in St. Louis and they are both out of town all summer long!
Ann– I would love to do a post on my photography! Look for it next week!
Adorable family.. Happy First Birthday to Emil
Excellent! Can’t wait! I’m actually in the market for a new camera since my Nikon D50 was broken on our recent vacation. Sadly, I’m not noticing much difference between the shots I’ve been taking with my Samsung Galaxy II phone and the Nikon.
I feel envious that you have access to a nanny for a break. I think that is kind of a fair envy since I have a just turned 3 year old little squirrel, too, and a one year old. I would love an hour uninterrupted to blog.
I would also love a third floor. We have 1200 sq ft now and lots of similar toddler projects here and wow the lack of space is hard!!
But if you want you can envy me that my family lives in state and my children have stayed a weekend with them once per month this summer. That was great for rejunvination!
We didn’t get a vacation and have never been on one together and we can’t go out to eat but once a month, and perhaps I envy that, too. I am happy others get to do it, and I almost want to give up single income lifestyle to do it, but I would regret being without their early childhood years more than I miss the beach or wait staff, I think.
I think it’s good to have others appreciate your lifestyle and identify with it and also good to do things you enjoy for you time.
I am happy for you and your blogging and cooking and photog-Ing and beaching! Happy envy!
Just think you’re great. That’s it. Ok, and also your kids. And that I miss you.
xo
I agree – I post the stuff I like to bookmark for myself. I know the reality, the uncut version and I think we all realize the blogs (for the most part) are here to connect one another and highlight the beauty we admire in our everyday surroundings, which, in this circle, is our home life.
I visit you here, and others of similar nature, and always feel inspired. You are a great mama and your love for the boys overflows on this space. I always enjoying dropping in to see what you guys are up to.
Keep up the goodwork 😉
xx
J
Such kind words. Thank you.
And Bethany, we will only have a nanny for one more month, unfortunately. We will miss Elisa so so much.
I just totally want to live in your hall closet. Is that cool?
Darlin’, your blog is a delight. It’s like a warm piece of cherry pie and a big hug. I’ve loved watching your kiddos grow and explore and learn (when talking about them to the hubs, I refer to them as my internet nephews), but I also love your posts about your garden (someday I want to move out of the city and have a garden too), your home (recipes and interior design FTW!), your adventures (inspiring!), your husband (aww!), and your friendships (yay friends!). I think that together, they paint a wonderful picture of a rich, complex life–one that I love to pop into and enjoy vicariously as a break from my (very different, but in some ways similar) lifestyle. You also have impeccable personal style, and I want you to please come to New York and dress me.
I always leave your blog with something positive – a warm fuzzy, an inspiration for a recipe or home project, a bit of knowledge about child-rearing that I didn’t have before (such strange and wonderful creatures, these little people), a fashion idea, etc. In short, you’re lovely and your family is lovely, and thank you for sharing these snippets of loveliness. Xoxoxo!
Thank you, Andrea. I had no idea… seriously! And I would LOVE to come to New York and dress you (though I’m sure you don’t need my help)! Thank you for your kind words- they really made my day.
I totally agree with all your reasons for keeping up the blog, in the light that you choose. I’ve read this topic multiple times the past couple weeks and I think it’s a good one to discuss. You just inspired me to address it myself. Thanks!
And for the record: your blog always reads very genuine. I like that.
This blogging world is really wonderfully interesting isn’t it? Such a fine line between inspiration and envy sometimes but I really think that’s okay. It continues to be a good lesson for me! I really love your blog and am thankful for the inspiration and occasional envy it provides me! 😉
xo
cortnie
The breakfast looks A-MA-ZING. And I love the time-in shot… we do that, too. Where did you get those awesome bat wings?? That is something Rho may need in his life.
Liz- we got the bat wings at the zoo last fall, but if I spot any this season, I’ll pick some up for Rho! They were like $12 or something ridiculous.