photo by Brian W. Ferry

I have some thoughts on the changing season, and there are all good ones. I am definitely ready for a change. Ready to transition Emma to learning more, but also ready to rest and take things more slowly. My brain was full and excited for summer and now I want to relax and enjoy autumn fully. To take in the changes of weather and landscape, and of Emma’s growth. I want to slow down my pace and cuddle up at home. I want to have more routine and cook more. I want to take things more slowly in tech and in real life. I cannot describe it exactly but it felt good when I closed my Instagram account. I felt even better when I decided to use my phone less and and actively not check it every five minutes. I was more present again—even though sometimes I am in my head, at least I was not staring at a device.

I always crave more routine when September comes. We enrolled Emma in Music Together and so far I like it. We are attending the second class tomorrow. Mostly I have to sing a lot and she will be exposed to music and instruments. The class is small which is nice but my voice is definitely heard by the four other adults in the room. ^_^ I started a new class with Ed/Ex as well and I am really looking forward it. The class is about the Science of Happiness and taught by a couple professors from UC Berkeley. I am pretty sure that I have found what I need to be happy and that the only thing that I lack is reflection. I need to practice saying, or writing what I am thankful for every day so that I can internalize it. I am re-reading a book about Positive Discipline by Jane Nelson. It is one of my favorites and gives me inspiration. The first time I read it as a teacher and longed for the opportunity to practice the ideas presented in my own home. Now I have the opportunity and my child is old enough to really speak up and be a member of our family. It is amazing to watch a child grow. I know that although we are close she is no longer a part of me. I am fascinated by how fast she changes. Her new favorite book is Dr. Seuss ABC and it feels like she is already so grown up and on this trajectory that cannot be stopped, or slowed down so I am going to have to slow down so that I can savor every moment.

and hello pumpkins!

Emma Clover is almost three now! At the end of year one I cataloged all of the things we actually used. It was also amazing how many things went unused. The products that lasted through the next year also are truly the pieces that I can recommend.

Baggu zip bags. I love these so much and they are no longer for sale on the site. Excellent for bringing wet and soiled clothes home. I keep clean clothes in them and then change her and bring the wet clothes back. Excellent quality bags. To buy check in with Baggu again later or you can probably purchase in boutiques. Here is link for Crate & Barrel.

Summer Infant Changing pad. I use this pad daily while we are on the go. It folds nicely into her small backpack. Less than ten dollars and held up for three years.

Skip Hop frog backpack. We got it from Target and it is her diaper bag on the go. Fits over the handles of her umbrella stroller and carries sunscreen, diapers, changing pad and extra clothes.

She loves all of her blankets but the favorite is a cream colored acrylic blanket that is super soft and like all of her blankets was received at my baby shower. We really love her owl comforter from Muny that she actually gets to sleep with now that she is a big kid! Now she sleeps on her crib mattress on the floor.

These newer items have been my favorite this year:

Diaper cream of choice is still Weleda and for wipes we switched to Kirkland (a box comes with 900!) but still love the Lasinoh wipes. Baby wash is Burt’s Bees. The lotions we use are Honest and California Baby calendula cream (both gifted to us). Toothbrush and paste from Tom’s. Sunscreen from Jason.

Stainless steel tumblers from the eco store. Similar to these. They are great for little hands. We all have one for water and they are great. We first used them at Samovar Tea lounge and decided to get some for ourselves.

For footwear we like Saucony sneakers, Saltwater sandals, and Croc rainboots.

I buy her clothes used and second hand as much as possible, but do buy leggings and pajamas new. I love these Carters pj sets.

Books that we have are All the World, Wave, One Sunday Morning, Oh What a Busy Day, In the Small Small Pond, Jamberry, When You Were Small, Rain Talk, Jon J. Muth’s books and every Richard Scarry book ever written.

Emma’s favorite toys are kitchen utensils, a doll, stuffed animals, a tea set, wood blocks, matryoshka dolls, a train set (from Ikea), and collections of buttons and beads, and a ball to throw around the living room. We have a bin of beans and rice for sensory play and she loves to paint and draw. Crayola washable crayons and watercolors are the best for two-year-olds.

Not sure if this update post helps anyone but fun to catalog!