Some days, the rhythm of being home can be overwhelming.
Wake up. Give 2-year-old yogurt. Nurse baby. Change diaper. Do "school time." Dress 2-year-old. Play outside. Help 2-year-old go potty. Read "Winnie-the-Pooh's ABCs" and "Madeline" and "Hush Little Puppy." Blow up balloons. Color a picture. Attempt to take pictures of the girls together. Start a load of laundry with a baby on my hip. Pick up toys. Make lunch. Pray. Dress 2-year-old (again). Potty (again). Nurse (again). Change diaper (again). Pick up toys (again).
It's monotonous sometimes, but I try to remind myself that it's in these seemingly unimportant moments, that the biggest things are happening. The little conversations that my 2-year-old and I have. The lessons I teach - intentionally or unintentionally. Yes, these moments matter.
But that doesn't mean I don't grow weary of putting my 2-year-old's socks and shoes on five times a day.
I try to do it cheerily though. Because I know she is watching me. My voice, my inflection, my attitude. The way I talk to the neighbors. How I respond when the baby is crying or when I have a project to complete for work. She sees everything, senses so much.
***This post was brought to you by Nowa Li Moccasins, "a unique combination of a shoe and a sock that stays on kids' feet." My daughter recently had an opportunity to try a pair of the moccasins and the pair we received are a bit big, but they're easy to slip on and they do "stay put" once they're on. I like that there's only one "step" since it's a sock/shoe combo and there are no laces to be tied or buckles to be buckled. These moccasins are ideal for around-the-house wear and light outdoor wear. My take is that they're a bit too hot for the summertime (and a bit too dorky to wear with shorts), but they would be ideal with jeans or corduroy pants in the fall/winter.
If you want to buy a pair of your own, use the code: HAPPYFEET to get a 10% discount and free shipping on orders over $40 (expires 12/31/09).
WIN IT! One winner will receive a pair of Nowa Li Moccasins in the style/size of his/her choice. To enter, leave a comment telling me which pair you would choose on this post prior to Wednesday, May 27, 2009, at midnight. (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).
*UPDATE* The winner is #61 Lori Z. Congratulations!
I love the unicorn moccasins in size 18 months!
I would like the adult in navy 9-10.
Adults/Navy/Size 9-10
I'd pick the cable knit moccasin pink 18 months :)
I think I'd probably choose the big kid girls stripes in size 10y. I love the stripes! They sure would come in handy when the tile floors freeze.
I would choose the Pink Block Stripes.
wow those are so adorable its a toss up between the unicorn and the flowers :)
My son would look so cute in the gray trucks. Thanks!
My fave...
Style: Fashion Dots
Color: Fuchsia
Size: 2Y
Thank you for the opportunity to win these cute moccasins from Nowali.
I would go with regular navy for my nephew! I think I might need to get an adult pair for myself, these sound comfy!
I like the lady bug ones, so cute!!
I would get the TRex in khaki 2Y for my son.
Oh, and I don't know if they're doing it nationwide, but our Barnes & Noble is having a Madeline party this Saturday.
I would choose the Pink Confetti moccasins for my 27 month old granddaughter.They look like a party on your feet! She is the youngest of 3 shoe divas in their family, the eldest being my daughter (Mommy), my 6 year old soon to graduate from kindergarten granddaughter, and of course the mini-diva who would be the recipient. She's never had mocassins and would really love these.
Thanks for this great giveaway!
I love the navy blue for adults!
I like the ladybug ones! Thank you!
I like the block stripes in blue
I like the adult moccasins.
mercsmercado at yahoo dot com
brown stripes adult
These are adorable..love the pink ones!
I love the Pink Striped ones. Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
At Nowa Li, I like the block stripes
I love the big kid ones in Navy! Thanks for the chance!
I would choose the Adult Navy for cold Michigan!
I would love the chance to win, thanks.
I like the Ladybugs ones
These would be perfect for my son next fall. He will just be one and needing some easy foot wear right around then. I love the brown. They are all so adorable.
I would pick the big kid navy cable knit
sign me up
confetti in pink! super cute
I would choose the cars in navy.
I like the adult navy. Why should the kids have all the fun?
ferriza2(at)yahoo(dot)com
I think these a cute! My kids would love them, but I'm going for the brown stripes in adult size.
I'd choose Confetti in pink, size 6 months.
How cool are these. Keep those toes warm in the cold. I like the brown stripes!
i like the pink.
The pink striped moccasins are great
I want a pair of the brown polka dot ones... in 12 month. They are so cute!
I LOVE your children! They really make me smile, giggle and laugh without trying so hard. In times like these, I need to see them even just in pictures to make me happy. hehehe!
You are so generous. You always have something to give. I'm sure that's why GOD is blessing you with so much more. Well, I am reading your posts backwards. I'm weird. hehehe!
Since I'm already here, I'd choose the blue stripes coz that is my fave color. I'm actually gonna try those. hahaha! just kidding!
And yes, she is watching. You are such an inspiration to me. I just agree with everything you said about your 2-year old. I admire you for being a wonderful mom.
GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY! P.U.S.H.
I would choose the Ladybugs for my niece :)
I'd get the big kid boys stripes - I think size 8y. My son would love them.
Ok, don't enter me...but I just have to say these look dorky!
Sorry :-(
wow
nice got any redneck style and not pink dont want to be made to much fun of
I like the adult ones in oatmeal :)
love the adult ones in navy for the husband
I like the ladybugs.
probably the adult ones in navy - mummum deserves something new sometimes too!
tvollowitz at aol dot com
I would pick the pink since I have three girls and It looks like something that would be a great hand me down!!
t rex are the cutest mverno@roadrunner.com
I'm thinking something like this would be good for us in the winter months. It's next to impossible to keep anything on Allison's feet (she takes after her mama) but maybe something pretty she would like. I'd pick the confetti ones with the white and brown.
i personally like the ladybug moccasins
These look so comfy and warm. I would love the Adult mocassins in Navy.
Thanks so much.
I would choose the Adult mocassins in the color Navy, size 7/8. You're right, Steph, the mom sets the tone of the whole house, so a cheerful demeanor is a good thing to have. The picking-up-the-toys stage goes fast, so enjoy the chaos while you have it. :)
Are these for 1 year olds as well? Looking at these they would be perfect for Lily. I love the Robeez for the new walkers and these look like they would be perfect for a new walker.
I understand this post completely.
Nell
SheSnaps.com
LOve, love, love, absolutely adore the ladybug moccasins. They are so stinking cute!
This is what I needed when we moved to Colorado mid-winter and my daughter wouldn't keep slippers on her feet. These look like the perfect option!
I like the cars and they look hard to take off which would be great for my son
I'd probably go with a basic pink - the more exotic ones would be harder to match to clothes and being able to match makes this mom happy :)
Since they apparently only ship to the US and Portugal (Really? How bizarre?), I suspect this giveaway isn't for this Canadian, but the slippers do look cute!
Not as cute as baby girl hanging out in the nursing pillow though...
I saw some kids wearing these at Gymboree. They look great for that environment since you can't wear shoes. I like the cars one.
The pink striped moccasins are perfect! Dorky or not, I have a toddler with a shoe fetish and a predisposition for stripes.
I love the unicorn/lavendar moccasins. They're so cute!
Wow - thanks for the reminder. Sometimes it's good to hear that. :-)
I like the confetti/ pink in 6m.
Oh how you are right about the dorky factor. In general they are really cute and a great idea, but shorts are out.
I'd choose the trucks. And I so agree about the "watching" ~ my little one watches everything I do and it's scary when they copy what you do (the good and not so good)!
I'd probably go with the trucks. Levi loves trucks!
I was mentioning the other day to my husband that I wished our son had a pair moccasins! These are adorable - I would go with the brown stripes.
Those are adorable, and look like they'd be wonderfully warm and cozy for our Idaho winters. I think I'd get the cable knit moccasins.
Not entering but I wanted to say that Nowali makes the softest, most durable tights in the world and Roo loves her pink striped moccasins!!!
Oooo - I love the big kid girl striped ones! My 6 year old LOVES fancy socks and these would definitly qualify. The shoe/sock thing is so cool!
I would order the block strips! Good for cold colorado weather!
All so adorable! I would go with the block stripes in brown. That is because I am practical. Brown stripes are unisex (easy to pass down to future siblings) and match every outfit.