Haaaaal-le-lu-jah.  Haaaal-le-lu-jah.  Hallelujah.  Hallelujah.  Haaal-leee-luuu-jahh.

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I am back.  I am alive.   I did not leave the planet.  (Although, that would have been interesting.)  I am so excited about getting to write again.  I have been in zombie mode for the past month with all the paperwork, packing, painting, and a whole bunch of other tasks that begin with the letter “p.” (?)

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The sad truth is that we have SO much to do still.  My sweet husband has been out of town for a few weeks.  He actually left about three days after we got the keys to our house.  Talk about bad timing.  We didn’t even manage to get everything moved in before he left, so I spent 5-6 days trying to get things in order.  I’m so glad I had some help.  My mom did a whole lot of painting, which was an absolute life saver!   My sweet sisters, Sarah and Grace, also helped tremendously.  It was and still is tough, though.   The to-do list never ends.

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Patrick’s going out of town at such an inopportune time was a real wake up call for me.  Not only were we in the middle of a big move and “life change,” but I also got something similar to the flu the day after Patrick left.  That meant I was left all alone with a rambunctious one year old while I had a fever for 36 hours straight.  It was not fun.  Unfortunately, because we had moved a lot of our furniture, we were stuck on the floor at my mom’s house for a few days.  Fever + 1 year old + no furniture + no husband = not fun.  I very quickly realized that I am married to a superb individual.   A man who helps me more than I could ever even imagine.  I am so blessed. (Now get home already!!!)

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As for this father/husband-less adventure Axel and I are having, it is going fairly well.   We have had a few unexpected dilemmas, but that’s to be expected.   I’ll share one of the incidents with you.  Please discontinue reading if you’re squeamish.

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I found out last week that our sweet little boy loves fresh blueberries.  He will go through half a pint in 3-4 minutes, seriously.  He enjoys them so much, in fact, that he sometimes bypasses chewing.  Maybe a quick “mush” with the gums, but that’s about it.

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So, a day or two after he started the blueberry craze, he had a bowel movement.  I, however, was in the kitchen tidying up (<—that’s a lie, but I was in the kitchen doing something!).  He was wearing his usual saggy-baggy underwear.  Upon entering the living room, I find that he has something in his hands.  (Yep, you know what’s coming.)  He quite literally had a turd in each palm, squeezed tight mind you. I tried not to panic.   I dropped him in the tub and started cleaning his hands.  (I actually used the organic baby wash for once!)  It was really black and gross, full of WHOLE blueberries.  They looked just liked the dehydrated version.  (Mmm…)

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I’d love to tell you that that is the end of the story.   But, if I did, I’d be lying.  What happened next is the terrifying part.

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Fifteen minutes later the entire scene repeated itself, with one exception.  This time, Axel decided that he wanted to eat the poo.  He was chomping away on those blueberries like they tasted just as good as the first time he ate them.  It was horrendous.  This time, I freaked out. I even cursed.  All I could think to say was, “ahh, Axel… you’re eating your crap!”  (I used another word, though.)  I mean, I wasn’t yelling or anything, I was just disgusted beyond “clean” words.

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I can now officially say that my child has eaten feces.  I should now have automatic acceptance into any and all “mommy” groups.  :)

Welcome to the April Carnival of Natural Parenting: Parenting advice!

This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama. This month we’re writing letters to ask our readers for help with a current parenting issue. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.

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I have a natural parenting dilemma!

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I don’t have enough time to do all the things that I need and want to do! I want to give my complete undivided attention to Axel at all times. I need to go grocery shopping so we don’t starve do death. It’s necessary that I clean the bathroom once a year. (Haha- ew.) How do all of you natural parenting people do it all? Are you all just breastfeeding, cosleeping, gentle disciplining, baby wearing, natural living maniacs!?  Sometimes I feel like I’m going to lose my mind!

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I have been having a really hard time with effectively managing my time lately.  I can’t seem to keep up with all of my natural parenting ideals.  We are still practicing all of the same things we were before, but I’m finding myself paying less attention to Axel, simply because there is so much to DO all the time!

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How do you all find time to do chores, without losing sight of what’s most important?  I am not very focused right now, and I need some honest advice about how I can redirect myself back in the right direction.  I think I’m in “get stuff done” mode, and sitting with Axel outside doesn’t produce immediate results, if you know what I mean.  (I love doing it, and spending time with him always warms my heart, but it’s hard when a million things are swarming through my head from my “to do” list.)

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My son is my life, and I love him with all my heart.  I want to be the best mommy I can be.  Please, can someone tell me how I can manage all of the things that get in the way of life, without neglecting my precious little boy?  I’m just so stressed out, and I would really appreciate the advice.  Thank you all.

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Carnival of Natural Parenting -- Hobo Mama and Code Name: MamaVisit Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama to find out how you can participate in the next Carnival of Natural Parenting!

Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:

(This list will be updated by the end of the day April 13 with all the carnival links.)


I love this little boy so much. Being a mother is by far the most amazing thing I’ve ever experienced, and yesterday was a HUGE day for me in mommy world.

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This is why.

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