Where would I be without this product?
Since I a big fan of leaving our girls' curls natural and free, instead of like this, detangler has become my go to product. Yes, something as simple as detangler makes my life, our morning routine, and most importantly, my girl's hair lives go a lot smoother. I admit, I am nothing without this product, the matted curls blessing our girl's head would dominate me each morning and our children would end up with hair like the cat at Nyah's school. They call her Rasta Kitty and she gets her name honestly.
Rasta Kitty is an old, old cat who has outlived many previous owners. She is definitely living each of her nine lives to the fullest and her hair seems to be her ultimate proof of this. She is a cat who adventures both inside and outiside of the school and her long greyish hair is matted into little locks, which is where she gets her name, obviously. All of the children love Rasta Kitty, (not so sure the feeling is mutual though).
Not sure the kids would be so kind if we left Nyah's hair to the elements each morning, though they probably wouldn't notice. Dread locks would be the ultimate result if I did not have the daily battle with the beautiful curls on top of our girls' heads. It doesn't matter if we wash it and comb it nice the night before, braid it before bed, or wrap it before bed, they will wake up with matted hair which isn't really the most conducive environment for a brush. So, I get out the detangler and go to town I am so thankful for this product. I can't even get into if they took a dip in the salty Caribbean, there is nothing to do but wash their hair using almost a bottle of conditioner.
We aren't loyal to one brand of detangler, just relieved when the few grocery stores here are stocked with this product, as with most stuff here, we take what we can get. And just for the record, this is what Nyah's hair looks like when I brush it when it dry without detangler. Yeah. And by the way, she still prefers her hair to be braided.
My next challenge in the hair department will be our little boy's hair. Maybe his dad will just chop it off but I know the treehugger in me will be rallying strong and I won't want to cut his hair and managing his curls will no doubt be a challenge. The look of Rasta Kitty might be in his future.
Nana has left the building and life around here is slowly getting back to normal. A good time was had by all, especially Ny who already started the countdown until Nana's next visit which provides the opportunity for some serious lessons in time. Much talk around here about months, weeks, and the human gestational period, as Nana will be back to St. Croix, or wherever we are in this world, in time for baby boy's arrival.
The highlight of Nyah's week, well besides basically every moment of having her favorite person around, was her first boat ride to Buck Island aka the location of the most beautiful beach in the world.
Oh, and don't let the snorkel gear fool ya. She is still deathly afraid of the deep ocean. Not quite sure how that happened. The fact that she is afraid of the ocean is typical, I guess. Having her object to something George and I adore keeps us very aware and helps us recognize her individuality. We have tried everything and every sort of swimming contraption invented but have come to realize that only with time, hopefully, will she come around. Elsa on the other hand, yikes. Watch out. She would jump in alone if allowed, already going under, repeatedly and loving every minute.
So back to reality and in the home stretch of this pregnancy, just waiting for time to pass until we get to meet the littlest dude. Its warming up around these parts so everyone is starting to move a little slower. The calendar doesn't lie though, things are changing and I realize that in just a moments time our arms will be filled with our newest bundle of joy. Still taking advantage of every moment until that day in June to prepare and continue to strategize how I am going to fit everyone in our truck and how I am going to navigate, alone, from the truck to the house with two little ones in tow.
More on the topic of how we prepare for a baby tomorrow.
Until then, wishing everyone a beautiful Sunday mornin'!
On days when I am feeling bummed, like our house is too small or thinking all of our problems would be solved if we only had a yard for the girls to run in, I only have to look back at pictures like this.
This
and this.
All photos taken on the North Shore of the island where we have our perfect little chunk of this Earth waiting for us to create our personal get away on. To my senses, the North Shore is the most beautiful, natural, sweetest part of the island. (I am now really wondering now why I don't have a picture of our land, going to fix this problem asap).
When we drive to this part of the island to look at our own paradise, something about the air, the waves, the breeze, the birds, the green, the natural beauty makes me take an extra deep breath and exhale slowly and I remember what all the waiting and sacrificing and saving is for. Hopefully, when I see our little brood running to the beach and settling into the beach bum lifestyle, as we live as one with the elements, it will make it all worth it.
My dad recently had a dream that he and George were laying the block for the foundation for our house. I look forward to the day when this dream is a reality but until then I will keep my pictures close by and make frequent trips to the North Shore to remind me what all the waiting is for.
I must say, today has been a good day (so far).
Starting with fresh flowers picked for me by my sweet Nyah Amina as we walked to the truck before school.
Breakfast with fresh tomatoes given to us by George's mom, which taste like Indiana in the summer. The tomatoes perfectly accompanied my eggs for a delicious breakfast.
I purged and organized Elsa's clothes, which seems to be an ongoing process at the rate she is growing and our lack of storage space. We have loads of girl clothes which I am holding onto for a possible third go around, depending on what is cooking in the oven. Elsa was a big help (actually she just pulled out all the clothes I would put in the drawers) but she discovered this pillow and wouldn't get off it all morning. We jammed to old school Lauryn Hill on Pandora and Elsa broke out some serious dance moves which I will try to post tomorrow.
We headed to the beach after school for a little mental health time for Momma and to attempt to get all of the snot out of Elsa's nose. A nice dip in the sea, the best remedy for a runny nose I have found thus far. Lets just say it pours out.
The girls are now fast asleep, yet another benefit of spending the afternoon at the beach.
I am enjoying the silence and relaxing until dinner when Nyah will insist we have a family toast as we do before every meal we share, breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
So cheers, here's to making this most of what life has to offer.
I decided to take a walk on the wild side of life today and break routine. Oooh. After we picked Nyah up from school, instead of coming home for snack and nap, the girls and I headed to the beach. Today was gorgeous. After another week of being stuck inside due to the frequent down poors, school closings and the internet being down, it felt so nice to get out and spend the afternoon with the sun, breeze, sand and surf. Its amazing how refreshing effect nature can have.
Nyah was totally pumped when I showed up to school in my bathing suit (with cover-up on, of course). She kept inviting the her classmates and teacher to come to the beach with us. She has also invited her teacher to come to our wedding and be a flower girl with her.
After our swim, the girls and I took a walk on the beach. As we were walking and the wind and waves were lulling me into a peaceful and calm states, it struck me that going to the beach and living by the water, something I am still thankful for everyday, is really no big deal to Nyah. She has no idea what its like to not live by the water, to not being able to rejuvenate the soul with just a short drive to the sea. Its just her norm, part of her world. This makes me feel good, hope she appreciates the water someday. Hopefully it doesn't take living in Indiana to make one appreciate the wonder of the water. Or maybe the ocean won't be the part of nature that does it for her at all, and that will be awesome too.
Nyah loves to go out on this pier to look for crabs, even though they give her the heebyjeebies, it is something we have to do each time we visit this beach.
Elsa is eleven months today! She and Nyah are doing a much better job of playing together, more of a compromise on Nyah's part to share, stop tormenting her by pushing her down, laying on her, taking her toys, etc. Nyah seems to get it now and they are buds.
When Nyah is asleep and Elsa is awake we have to keep our eye on Elsa or she will bust in Nyah's room to wake her. Elsa is becoming the comedian in our house. If we are laughing about something she starts laughing really loudly too, like she totally gets the joke. Elsa loves to hang out in the oven drawer while I am cooking and I often catch her reading books while we are home and she is off doing her thing. Elsa has started pointing at random things lately and smiling and laughing as I explain what she sees. She is a sponge, learning at every moment.
Elsa is just a joy, she makes everyones day everywhere we go as she is always bursting with happiness.
I had the best day with our rapidly growing girls. Of course, we ended our beach adventure with some ice cream for Nyah, one of her favorites. Elsa didn't have any, still holding off on the sugar until next month. Can't believe her first year of life is almost complete. It has been a great year.
Love to all.
