Bug and Bean: Back to Blogging

I have been thinking so much about returning to blogging in the last few months and haven't quite made it happen, which it not surprising since Maria's arrival last October. I felt stifled by not knowing what to say or what to focus on. I have not been sewing at all, nor have I been taking very many photos. I have also been questioning why I even wanted to write and post, and in the last few months it's been really clear to me that I just want to photo document my life for myself to help clarify the meaning and intention I have while being home right now with my three girls. The intention is to be present and mindful, which is something that easily gets lost in the day to day. I also want to do it for my future self, and when I just came back onto this space tonight it became so clear to me how wonderful it is to document these simple moments. I was smiling and almost crying nostalgic tears looking at the sweet photos I took two years ago. Claire was still such a baby, not even four! Amelia really was a baby, barely a toddler! I can't believe what big girls they are becoming. Also while looking at those pictures I was actually able to give myself some much needed credit for being a good mom, something I'm sure we never do as moms.
I hope to take more photos at home and post more and I'm feeling this need more now that I am working so much less after Maria's birth. I have been working super super part time, just teaching four hours a week and childbirth ed once a month. I feel so grateful to have this time. For me personally I was having a hard time working the crazy nursing shifts and focusing as much as I wanted at home. I always knew being home as much as possible was something I wanted, and while I'll always work a little, I am appreciating being home so much right now. Of course having a third baby and staying home has not been without its challenges and there have been extremely challenging moments. But I have grown and I am learning so much about myself and trying to focus a lot on mindfulness. I am also learning to take better care of myself, the whole idea of emotional, physical and spiritual self care is actually kind of new to me and it is making such a difference.
Little things I am excited about are my new prime camera lens, a treat for myself for my birthday. It is already taking the shots that I always wanted, you know where the subject pops and the background is blurred. I am excited for spring and planting in our garden in 60 degree weather this weekend. I'm sure in my head, like always, I will have more planned that I will actually get done, but I'm getting better at being okay with that. I am excited that we finally got a nature table set up in this house with things I had crafted previously (finally found that missing spring fairy after so much searching! I think it was the spring magic...) It was so cute how much Claire pretty much set it up herself, I just did the hanging of the silks, and she also seems really proud of it.