When your long day is over

Here's a picture journal of a day in the life of the Honeycutts: a trip to the library storytime, going to the grocery store for strawberries (which John carried to the car), naps, laundry, play, and even bean burritos and avocado. The last picture represents my nightly activity once the kids have settled down: work!


When your long day is over

A video experiment

Let's see how this works...


October fun

the family bed

Here's a thought from the book I'm just finishing, The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog by Dr. Bruce D. Perry:

"Further, when humans evolved, infants didn’t have their own room—they didn’t even have their own bed. They were usually never more than a few feet away from an adult or sibling at any time and most often were being held. Many of the sleeping and crying problems seen in infancy today are likely caused by the fact that a human infant left alone and out of sight distance of adults for almost the entire evolutionary history of humankind would have been facing near-certain death. It’s hardly surprising that babies find being left alone to sleep distressing. In fact, what’s startling (and what reflects the adaptability of the human brain) is how quickly so many get used to it.

"We need to educate people about the needs of infants and create better ways of addressing them. We need to have an infant- and child-literate society, where everyone who has or works with children knows what to expect. For example, if an infant doesn’t cry at all...it’s just as much of a cause for concern as if he cries too much. Becoming more aware of age-appropriate behavior will ensure that, when necessary, children can get help as soon as possible."

I don't agree that we just evolved to be this way, but I do agree that infants do need to be held close to their caregivers for the sake of their brains, bodies, and even souls. A non-stressed brain is a brain that can focus on the important tasks of organizing, receiving and processing information, and developing into a healthy, whole brain so that the child--and later adult--can be healthy and whole, too.

grandpa

Havilah met her Grandpa (Sanford) this weekend. He was here for Saturday and Sunday and we did our best to make the most of the quick trip, including staying up late talking, taking John to the park to run around, and goofing off around the apartment.

Yes, John is wearing a jacket!! (ok, a windbreaker). It was only a high of 79 on Sunday and there was a strong wind...

peace and quiet...

The only thing worse than one unhappy little kid is more than one unhappy little kid. My challenge in life right now is that--how to keep at least one babe happy at all times (preferably two). I would give a lot to have a full day without anyone yelling in my ear. To keep sane, I look ahead to days when my children are grown and don't "need" me for much. A bittersweet thought.

Yesterday in Fry's (a grocery store, for you NW folks), I met a woman who literally gasped with delight when she spotted Hava in her sack. She said, "Tomorrow is my 73rd birthday, so I probably won't be getting any more babies. Can I please look at your baby??" Of course, I let her peek in on the peacefully sleeping Havilah. The woman was alone and I don't know if she has family but her comments were a good reminder from the Lord. In 50 years I will probably long for this time of life; the hard moments of diaper blowouts, too short naps, and burps that just won't come out will be long forgotten. I need the reminders: this too shall pass; count your blessings; life is but a mist; the only things that last are God, his words, and people.

our week

Grandpa (Honeycutt) went home last night after 8 days of fun together. He got to spend lots of time swimming, jumping, building, and playing cars with John. With Havilah, they mostly cuddled and bounced on the giant blue physio ball.

Havilah got a furry gray squirrel...

Havilah can't decide if she wants to be Mother Theresa or an Ewok for Halloween.

John's just-out-of-the-shower attire:

Katie and Scott came for a visit on Saturday:

family time...

Thank you for coming Grandpa/Bill/Dad! We can't wait to see you again!

birthday

Yesterday we took a hike in the Arizona wilderness, near a town called Bumble Bee. And yes, I encountered a few bee nests (John encountered fire ants at my aunt's house later on, but that's a different story...). The trail wasn't exactly a trail so we hiked through sand, over large rocks, through the creek bed (all dry), and even found a patch or two of grass. And there were trees! It was just what I needed: an escape from the city of cement and adobe, and not another human in sight but my precious family.

Havilah is wearing a hoodie, but only to protect her from the sun and breeze, not the cold (alas...).

Our best attempt at a self-family-portrait:

Snuggles with Hava during our family rest in the afternoon:

My birthday gift, a desk! It's bigger than it looks and has a slide-out writing surface, which I love.

A is for anger, B is for baby, C is for counting

Just so you aren't tricked into thinking things are always rosy around here.... As Billy said to me earlier today, "he is so two!"

For the record, I can't even recall what I said no to, but I'm sure it was awful!

On a brighter note (most of John's moments are bright!), John lovingly shared his current-favorite book, Counting, with his sister--who is at last count just 38 days old.

John demonstrates how to "carry" a baby in her sack. The model baby is our much loved Cutie who prepared John for the ins and outs of big brotherhood.

What a day! (-: