Adventures in Babywearing

Backstage

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Precourt) — Mon, 13 May 2013 01:57:00 +0000

Friday night was Northwest Indiana's third annual Listen To Your Mother show and I was backstage... 2,300 miles away at Ivy's ballet recital.

It was surreal. There was a curtain, and lights, and applause, and in so many ways it all felt so right and complete. I knew I was where I was supposed to be.

Love presented a new cast with new stories to a full house. My mom was in the audience and then woke up early the next morning to fly here. She brought me the program and I feel a different kind of proud, I am not sure what it is. I am in awe, and just so thankful it continues on.

We are nearing the close of all twenty-four shows this season (p.s. see us on NBC Nightly News!) and I've already got my heart hoping to set sail a Listen To Your Mother here by the ocean someday, when the time is right.

Today my belly is full of a good Mother's Day. To have all my children and my mom here, I want for absolutely nothing more.

Little Mermaid

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Precourt) — Mon, 06 May 2013 05:21:00 +0000

We watched the Little Mermaid for the first time together and when it was over

she put on her mermaid skirt and grabbed her pail

and we walked down to the ocean.

Because we could

because she wants to be a mermaid and a teenager and thinks someday she will be both

and she wishes it was now

so I tell her she can be a mermaid when she closes her eyes,

you can dream you are anything, anyplace

anytime.

I always will.

Sunday School

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Precourt) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 22:14:00 +0000

Ballerina, you must have seen her

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Precourt) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 01:12:00 +0000

Ivy tries on her dance recital costume.

They're dancing to the Beatles' Golden Slumbers. My mom and Mommal are flying in to visit and will be in the audience. It all seems too good to be true, I'm almost too nervous to believe it, but tonight I do.

Gold and Silver Falls

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Precourt) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 03:17:00 +0000

We went for a hike at Gold and Silver Falls, our first time going inland on purpose and not just to get somewhere else. We had to drive far out off the 101 to the middle of nowhere (which is saying something because we already are kinda in the middle of nowhere) and then drive some more until basically the road is no longer a road and still you keep on until you are certain you are indeed in the middle of absolute nowhere and then, here....

Silver Falls

Gold Falls

Of course, we love it here but it does feel like we are spinning our wheels in the middle of nowhere sometimes. We are still in the process of buying our house, it's a short sale and there is nothing short about a short sale lemme tell you. I feel like we are still holding our breath and hesitant to share photos or unpack boxes or be truly excited or, you know, exhale until it is all said and done. But I know no matter the outcome that although this road is starting to no longer resemble a road at all, we keep on until we get there.

And until then, all of this around us we get to call home.

This is what you get

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Precourt) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:00:00 +0000

when Ivy is invited to a princess birthday party. She's all in.

How To Be A Good Mom

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Precourt) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 04:26:00 +0000

Always have their favorite shirt-pants-socks-skirt washed for a zero-meltdown/tearfree morning.

Keep a hard book and pencil in the car for when they need to finish their homework on the way to school.

(You're taking them to school because they don't want to ride the bus anymore and you're not going to make them. Everyone is happier because of it. You see more morning sun and rainbows over the ocean this way.)

Answer the phone when the school calls to bring a change of clothes because there was a spill in the lunchroom. Get there right away and don't make a big deal about it. Hide the spare underwear inside the pants so that nobody sees.

Bring a snack in the car when you pick them up from school because one of them you know the one will be ravenous and about to flip his lid if he doesn't eat something the very second the bell rings (unless his friends are playing on the playground then here's my backpack smell ya later, mom.)

Take them to baseball practice-dance class-to the candy store on time/when you said you would.

Make their favorite dinners and promise to always make them even when they are all grown up. Remind them that they can always come home, even when we are all old and gray.

Cuddle and snuggle and snuggle some more. Sing them a song but only when the radio isn't on. Then Mom, please don't sing along.

Let them chase the tides and get the mail and blow out the candle.

Whatever the day.

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Precourt) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 04:52:00 +0000

This morning when I was helping out in Grayson's classroom and I thought no one was looking I buried my nose in a Reader, hardback and big pages. It smelled just like second grade.

The other day I was remembering about that first meal after giving birth, or really, more the hunger. There's nothing like it. With the boys in the hospital I always ordered French toast and bacon. With Ivy at home I think I ate beer bread and spinach dip and then that first week, never forget the casseroles. All this moving has made me ravenous.

We've been here two months now. I almost can't believe that. It feels like a lifetime! In the best way, I mean, look at these photos. And it's April four, again, and I've come to the place now almost three years to the day, rushing in between school pick up and baseball practice to gather all four at the ocean wayside, wind and rain whipping around and risking all papers and drive-up coffee receipts blowing out as soon as the car doors open. And I was like, I can not force this. And it's totally okay. There are better photos still on the camera from last week and they don't give a care about the date.

Easter In The West

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Precourt) — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 18:23:00 +0000

We set the alarm to hide the eggs in the backyard before dawn, so the kids would see them out the windows when they woke up.

I watched the sun rise from the kitchen as I prepared the big holiday feast. It's our first Easter away from family, another holiday we hobble along to create our own traditions which tend to turn out a mix of not really caring how it's done and let's do it just like it's always been.

It's also my dad's birthday. I keep meaning to tell him that the scrape of the spoon against the mug as I stir my coffee makes me think of him, and I am little again, every time. In his honor I think I'm going to take a nap today.

It really is beautiful here.

Whale spoken here

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Precourt) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 02:54:00 +0000

This week is the start of the gray whale migration north along the coast. Carter saw a tale and some spouts and I think I saw something, too, but I'm not sure. I learned that their swimming pattern is to surface for air a few times and then go down for longer periods before coming back up again. I think I'm migrating, too.

I don't know, if you can migrate like running in place? I am finding I don't need to come up for air here as often as before. I'm on my way somewhere. Not totally off the page, but I just feel like writing is one of the many ways that I am creative. I am enjoying the other many ways during my deep dive. Baby alpaca on my needles and soft through my fingers, glue and paint on my hands, ocean in my lens, food on the table.

I figured something out the other day- that while I feel our new home is familiar and comfortable to me, to everyone and everything else I am still kind of a visitor. I am receiving and embracing and now I wait for it in return.

And this is what we did.

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Precourt) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:31:00 +0000

Yesterday did not start out as my favorite. It took me forever to wake up and shake off a rather unpleasant attitude. Then we went outside.

And this is what we did.

I'm being followed by a moonshadow. Moonshadow moonshadow.

We walked by the pier and went to lunch. We went down to the ocean. We found starfishes and rocks shaped like hearts. And time didn't matter, it really stood still, and when we came home Ivy fell asleep next to me and I held her in my arms like a baby, her hair smelled like spring, and backyard.

March FOUR

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Precourt) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 17:07:00 +0000

We are enjoying life on the 101 and decided to just get in the car and take it south. It was a beautiful day, and this place might never cease to amaze me.

In the Redwood forest, just 2 hours down the 101.

To the east- trees and more trees.

Same spot, to the west, an ocean that goes on forever.

I take photos of my kids on the fourth of every month. Four for four. (Here's March 2011 and 2012.)

You can see all past monthly photos here.

Do you see it?

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Precourt) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 01:09:00 +0000

If I squint I can see the waves from here. With the binoculars I can see the ocean spray.

When I get back from taking the kids to school, I come in and shut their bedroom doors. The way the light falls on their unmade beds is like art, I want to take a picture, I want to paint it. It gives an excuse to leave it. I find myself restless here, being this close to the ocean it feels like we should be down there every waking moment. Why are we in this house right now with the ocean right there? We'll drive by or right up to it and I'll say "Jeff! Look at that wave! Look! Do you see that?" and he's all "I see, I see it." Every time.

We tried a new church. I'm glad I've held my tongue until now because, I need to give it time. I'm confused at why none of the kids go to my kids' schools, and why we've yet to ever see any of these people around. I don't want to be in a bubble and I don't think that's how it's supposed to be. I just feel like of all the things church should be easy and safe. It's been a long time since I've felt either.

But if I was the church-starting type, we'd meet down by the sea, front row seat to God.

And I know I know where I'm sitting right now is a front row seat to God, but still.

Talent Show

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Precourt) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:54:00 +0000

Ivy got her ears pierced. For a long time she didn't want to, but suddenly it's all she could talk about and so, I had promised I would only do it when she asked, and off we went! She did great, kind of acted like it was no big deal really. I must note that when choosing her starter earrings, she pointed right at the largest fake diamonds they had- like 2 carat CZs! "I want diamonds." I redirected her to the much smaller sparkly pink flowers.

We went out for sushi afterwards and she ate an entire veggie roll, miso soup, and cucumber salad. She also thoughtfully asked me, "Who's the guy on the penny again?" And not one person we encountered the entire day didn't find out about her new earrings. The best part was that every single one made a big to-do about it and she just gobbled that up.

Last night was Grayson's elementary school talent show. I took him and Ivy and it was absolutely darling in the gym with old mismatched folding chairs, except for the fact that the minute it started both kids turned into limp heavy ragdolls on either side and couldn't sit up straight for the life of me. They laid all over my lap/chest/legs the entire time. Gray plucked at my arm hairs and Ivy literally wept when she found out that she wasn't in the talent show. Still, it was worth it, and I was so impressed by these little folks here in our new adorable town.

Around These Parts

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Precourt) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 01:51:00 +0000

The kids were off yesterday and after three p.m. we were still wearing our pajamas. I was in a Downton Abbey haze - having caught up with the finale earlier in the morning (I'm not happy about it either). The boys' eyes were bloodshot from too much xBox, Ivy had found the leftover Valentine candy, and I frantically ushered everyone into the car. We needed air and exercise.

Other than the (awesome) change of scenery, life is per usual around here. I make the same meals in the crock pot, we watch the same TV shows, albeit on different, weird channels. I hardly know what time it is or what day it is. That's nothing new.

I'm feeling great. I was having some major headaches in the past month that I figured was due to stress and fatigue with the move but discovered that going gluten-free helped 100% so now I'm one of those people. But I've found my groove with what I can and can't have and it's all good.

I started knitting this sweater for myself on the first day of our road trip out here because I thought I'd have so much time to finish it and, you know, I think I've maybe gotten twenty rows in. I bring it to Ivy's ballet class and work on it a tiny bit at a time. It's only a forty-minute session. At this rate, I'll hopefully be finished by the time she graduates. But I'd really like to wear it now, so I need to get on that.

There's just so much to do, the days are content with full bellies and the roar of the ocean is our soundtrack. It looks like it could swallow you up any moment, and it surely would, but it calls you closer. I'm so glad we have this chance to get to know it well.

Pink Skies

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Precourt) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 05:00:00 +0000

I make sure to walk down to the water at least once a day. Sometimes it's just in time for sunset. I think this could be our home forever but just in case, I'll have never gone a day living here without taking in the ocean.

Tonight it was a pink sky, bright bursts from behind the rocks. Maybe it will get old, I don't know how it could. I guess I shall see.

There Is A Drawbridge

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Precourt) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 21:28:00 +0000

There is a drawbridge to get from our town to the next, bigger town 23 miles away. I haven't counted the stop lights yet but there are only a few, and two fast-food restaurants- Dairy Queen and Subway. We have plenty of coffee shops and cafes, which I also love. And a hardware store with a dog who follows you around.

"She knows which birds are singing and the names of the trees where they're performing..." (Avett Brothers of course)

I want to be that girl. Looking out the windows in my living room, to the right is the ocean and to the left are green mountains. There are trees in my yard that I don't know, sounds, and the air doesn't remind me of anything I've breathed before.

We are surrounded by nature. Our area observes a dark sky ordinance to protect wildlife habitats and the view of the stars. I've never seen such a darkness as it is here by the ocean. We have no street lights this close to the water. It is pitch black. The only thing you can do is look up and see all the stars. It's shocking. In a good way.

This place doesn't feel foreign to me. Not familiar but not totally un-familiar. Not like I feel like I've been here before or déjà vu but like, the pieces just fit. Like, oh, I get it. If you know me, you know that is my favorite feeling in the world.

People ask and are wondering how we're getting along out here and we're just going through the motions, you know life, as you do. Tonight we even booked our first babysitter for Valentine's dinner. We're going out! Moving right along.

Even by the ocean.

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Precourt) — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 00:23:00 +0000

We have Internet!

I am kind of at a loss for words other than that. Um, I love this house and this town and the ocean and that the kids are happy at their new schools. This week was just our first week and a lot of "new and moving-in business" to get out of the way so I am looking forward to getting past all of that. There's only a few straggling boxes here and there, things are finding their place. We're adjusting to the time change pretty well, too. (EST to PST is a three hour difference!)

This morning we woke up and it wasn't dark outside, and we were all in our house together. That was wonderful. We drove along the ocean to breakfast and then showed Jeff our morning school drop-off routine. The kids' schools are all next to each other in a row pretty much. And they all go at the same time (much later than Ohio's 6:40 am bus pick up and four different start times!)

Instead of turning down our road on the way home this morning we went a little past it to walk down to the beach. There really are just no words for how good it is. How this place makes you feel, what it looks like, and to know when we tell the kids we can come back to the beach tomorrow that we really can. We could go there right now if we wanted. It's right there.

I didn't realize it until I was on the drive out here but for a long time I've felt a pull, almost like a magnet and it was bringing me here. There are a couple times in my life I can specifically recall God physically moving me from one place to another, and this is one of them. So much of the last six month makes very little sense but I don't really need it to.

We're planning to try a new church tomorrow and get started on this new volume of our lives. I'm ready to jump back in as Listen To Your Mother 2013 is off and running and life just keeps on no matter where you live it. Even by the ocean. It's good.

February FOUR

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Precourt) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 03:35:00 +0000

All four had school today- their first day here. They did great. Noah & Carter go to the same school, Gray's is just next door, and Ivy's is around the corner.

Ivy and I ran a few errands after I picked her up and then we came back to the hotel and totally zonked out until the boys' bus came. She was still sleeping after five and I was afraid I'd finally have to miss a fourth of the month photo, but we got the shot in time.

They are standing in the middle of our street in front of our new house and just beyond there behind them is the great and mighty Pacific Ocean.

Oh, and remember just one month ago?

I take photos of my kids on the fourth of every month. Four for four. (Here's February 2011 and 2012.)

You can see all past monthly photos here.

We made it.

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Precourt) — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 01:39:00 +0000

We made it to our new house just as the sun was setting Thursday night. I documented much of the way here. The drive into Oregon was fascinating. I had no idea. So much to see, so much beauty.

I love the house. We are staying at a hotel literally a few steps down the street closer to the ocean until our furniture arrives on Tuesday. From my backyard you can see the ocean through the trees. From anywhere outside (and sometimes in) you can hear it. Sometimes it's a loud roar. All times it's amazing.

Friday we kind of got some affairs in order- visited the kids' schools, bought a washer & dryer, set up Internet and phone and such. Saturday we found a new favorite breakfast spot and walked around our little downtown area, then we did a little sightseeing to show my dad the sea lions and more of the coast, and we were off to Eugene for the night so I could take him to the airport early this morning.

I started crying just before bed annnnd pretty much didn't stop until earlier today. It was so hard to see him off. I stayed along the gates at security until he had to go all the way through. The concerned look in the airport parking lot attendant's eyes just made me cry more. But I'm okay now and he did great and is already back home safe. It is just really final, and official. I am here.

On The Road: Day 6 (and a little of Day 7)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Precourt) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:34:00 +0000

We got on the road around five in the morning with a stop at Starbucks first. I took the wheel for half the day- we made it to Wyoming (super blowy snowy and windy) and just before getting to Utah we took a break at Little America while we waited for I-80W to open up after a crash. As soon as we finished lunch the road was clear and we were on our way.

This is somewhere near Echo Valley in Utah- Carter wanted it to look like he was touching a mountain or holding it or something. We need to work on that style of photography.

We had planned to stop in Twin Falls for the night but we were making such good time we drove on to Boise. We're getting ready to leave this morning and most of our day's drive will be ALL Oregon. I should be seeing my new house late this afternoon!

As of right now the kids and I have driven a total of 2,060 miles since leaving our home in Northeast Ohio (not including all the driving through the mountains sight-seeing on Tuesday). Our path has been: Ohio - Indiana - Illinois - Iowa - Nebraska - Colorado - Wyoming - Utah - Idaho and in about an hour or so... Oregon!

On The Road: Days 1-5

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Precourt) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 03:22:00 +0000

Estes Park, CO

I'd planned to take a photo of the kids spelling O-H-I-O in front of the house before we left but it was snowing and I was absolutely exhausted after the movers left and we were in the car by the time I remembered. Friday's drive to Indiana was torturous to say the least. A five hour drive took nine hours. I'm done talking about it.

Saturday we spent with family and getting new tires on my car and getting Ivy one last haircut from the only person who knows how to perfectly do her hair. I went to sleep so very blue and tearful, dreading the goodbyes to come in the morning. Such a strange feeling to look forward to the journey but be afraid to go.

Sunday we went out to breakfast and then were off by 10am. Pandora's Simon & Garfunkel station was the absolute best roadtrip soundtrack. My dad and I sing quite a duet. We made it to Lincoln, Nebraska for a late dinner and as soon as we walked into our hotel rooms we went straight to bed.

Half the day Monday was spent in Nebraska STILL. Ugh with all the Nebraska! And horrid fog, like at least 4 hours straight of low visibility I probably shouldn't have driven in but I kept thinking it would get better. It never did, until we got to beautiful Colorado.

my four relaxin and chillaxin

We decided to take a couple days to relax here in Longmont with my Aunt Susie & Uncle Jerry. We went to bed pretty early and slept well! This morning we were totally lazy until lunchtime. I was even able to knit and catch up on Downton. We went out for BBQ and then drove through the mountains to Estes Park and back. The kids were in awe, as was I. It was so perfect I cried with utter happiness.

in the kitchen with Aunt Susie

I love spending this time with my Aunt Susie. She has a book on how to speak dog. We just get each other. And Ivy has been her little shadow, of course.

So, this all is just funny because I definitely don't feel like we are moving, but I do kind of feel like I'm homeless but in a laissez faire way, and it also doesn't feel like a vacation. It just feels like, we are here and let's just enjoy it.

Away We Go

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Precourt) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:31:00 +0000

This morning we closed on our house in Indiana. It is sold, done, over!

The movers will be here at the Ohio house on Friday. Like in three days Friday. And next week I'll embark on a dreamy cross-country road trip with my dad and the kids, stopping to see sights and family along the way, until we arrive to a home I've never seen, in a tiny little city by the sea.

The Evolution of Asher & Ivy

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Precourt) — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 20:54:00 +0000

We had visitors this weekend, a perfect way to spend our last few days in Ohio...

- through the years -

Can't wait for you to visit us by the ocean in Oregon! xoxo

Time Traveler

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Precourt) — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:01:00 +0000

Yesterday

It's warm today, almost muggy. I can see into the backyards of the homes around us and across the way leaves left over from the melted snow swirl then run off in a line, like school kids, in a row. They scurry past my window and I think they are small animals. They walk with legs and swinging arms. Marching upright, soldiers. But they are just leaves.

Ivy giggled in her sleep this morning, her head on my pillow. I wondered how many fairies were born right then. I think dozens. Upon dozens.

It smells different here, and I can't put my finger on it. Later in the day I decide it smells like the past, like home or Easter, a time that I've never spent in Ohio before. This is the first time I've been here for this kind of scent in the air, this season, this month, this weather. This should be home now, but it's confusing because I know it's only temporary so I kind of shrug it off even though it keeps nudging me to notice.

Today

I think if I had the energy and wherewithal to compose a really long post I'd like to write about how I'm a chameleon and I've always been. Some people might call it easy going or a adaptable but they don't see my handwriting, how I can make it look like hers with just a glance. They don't know what book I just read to make me write like this or maybe I'm underestimating my observer and they really can tell by this phrase or that. Who I've been watching to make my voice sound like that even though I don't even mean to. It just happens. Maybe they are just nice and don't bring it up.