Today we managed to get out of the house by 10:00 a.m.! That might not sound like a big deal to some, but this is not easy for me yet. It took about an hour and a half of running around the house at a frenzied pace trying to get the three of us fed, dressed, and bags packed to go on a nature walk with some friends from our Attachment Parenting group. Really, some days getting out of the house with both kids by myself seems like mission impossible.
Once we are in the car though, we have to endure Ember screaming the entire way to our destination. She hates, hates, hates the car seat. When does this get better? It is really wearing on me. She is fed, taken to the potty (we practice elimination communication) and has a clean diaper on when we leave. But she always cries. Always. She finally fell asleep about 20 minutes in to the 25 minute ride. She has a toy to play with and I try singing to her, talking to her and even reaching around my seat to touch her so she knows I am there. Nothing works and it makes me sad (not to mention the headache it gives me).
Anyway, we were really glad to get out of the car once we were at the wildlife sanctuary. I am so glad we went.
This was the first real walk in the woods we have taken since Ember was born. We go walking often in our neighborhood which has some nice paths, but it just isn’t the same as being in the woods.
As we headed down the short walk to the pond, all my stressed melted away. The busy chatter in my mind that never wants to turn off was silenced. Walking in the woods is the best meditation there is. When I have meditated at home, it is always a struggle. I have to fight my mind to get it to be quiet. I know that is what the practice of meditation is all about, but when we were on our walk, I found my mind was calm and quiet without me having to do anything. I just had to be there. Be present. Enjoy the smell of woods and hear the birds. Watch the leaves falling. Not hard at all.
Giant sized leaves were discovered.
Beautiful textures on trees were noticed.
Mossy covered fallen trees were touched.
And we just sat. Enjoying the view (even though the pond was nearly empty of water). The silence was wonderful.
I loved being outside today and look forward to more outdoor meditation soon. I think it is what cures me.
How beautiful and peaceful.
Those car ride dilemmas can be a nightmare. But such a beautiful spot to enjoy once you arrived. Just lovely
You just reminded me of myself when Tarek was little. He would scream all the way to any place i had to go. I remember thinking “will it ever get better?” and it does. Actually once he was out of the baby carrier it was so much better. you forget these things. And in my case so well that you go for number three;0)
now i can get everyone out by 8:30. The secret is in getting everything ready the night before. Clothes, bags, lists… And if i’m really good i sometime put everything in the car in the night. Don’t be too hard on yourself you will find balance in a couple of months
I think we are made to forget the hard parts of raising babies so that we’ll want to have more!
And getting ready the night before really would help wouldn’t it. I should try that…