Well, it has been a while since I have posted anything.  Needless to say, we have been adjusting to having a baby then a toddler.  During naps and early bedtime I have been obsessed with trying to make systems and simplify our life so that things go smoother and we have more time to spend with each other as a family.  A cluttered life makes for a cluttered mind and frustration, right?  Unfortunately, decluttering and coming up with systems then implementing also take time.  I have been so happy to finally be a parent that I hadn’t stopped so much to wish more time for myself but now I am starting to feel it.

My life revolves around naps.  Sometimes if I didn’t plan out what I would accomplish during a baby nap it goes so fast that the moment passes, nothing got done and Ethan is awake and on to the next thing we go.  Phew!  And honestly, some days I feel overwhelmed at all the things I want to do and not so much for me but so that I can make life easier.  Anyone else do this?  In an effort to make life easier you complicate it?

Yesterday I was feeling particularly overwhelmed as I was trying to put Ethan to nap in his crib,which he doesn’t normally do, I interrupted his nap time and then the rest of the day went to hell and a handbasket.  It doesn’t take much to set me behind…so as I layed with him trying to get him to nap it occurred to me that by being more focused on the process of being organized I have become inflexible and self sabotaging.  So, what to do?

I decided to give myself some grace and realize its all a process. Then I had to give myself a little pep talk, because if I don’t do it who will?  So here are some of the things that helped me get past the overwhelmed feeling.  I realized that its too hard to implement more than one thing at a time and that I really needed to pick ONE thing to work on, maybe make a list of the other things to change or implement but put them on the backburner until I was successful with the current project. Then I started thinking about the things I have gotten better at.  Like we have kept up with the laundry, consistently kept dirty clothes out of our bedroom floor and clean laundry put away.  Also, the fridge has been kept tidy, and we have been better at meal planning.  So then I was like, “actually, I am winning”  Big grin on my face.  Ok, I feel better.  I can move forward.

Your situation may be different.  You may have all these basics down if you are on child number 2 or 3 or maybe not.  You may be overwhelmed with work projects or personal projects and obligations.  I think some of these principles could still help you by giving you a reality check, an evaluation of where you are to see what is working and what is not and also to give yourself a review of your accomplishments thus far.  A positive outlook will get you farther then anything else in my opinion. Oh yeah, and get yourself some Stress Away, its one of my favorite essential oils and a must have for mom’s. Let me just say it will make you feel happy!

Here are some tips to overcome the Overwhelm

1. Take a deep breath, give yourself some grace and realize you are already doing a lot even if it doesn’t feel like you are getting anywhere.

2. Make a list of systems you would like to change.

3. Prioritize which one will help you the most and figure out what steps will get you there. Only pick one.

4. Write down what is working for you and what is going well.

5. Give your self some grace, remind yourself that you are doing a great job and momming is hard.

6. Throw some Stress Away in your diffuser and relax. If you are not an Oily member yet and want to get started go to my essential oils post and click on the link. I will help you figure out how to incorporate them especially for emotional support!

When we told our friends we were expecting a baby we heard a lot of “oh you wait and see, you will never go out to eat, or hike or camp or go anywhere again” and “your life will change so much”.  Well, it has changed a lot, they were right about that!  But, we still go out, (too much probably), camp and hike and we are looking forward to floating the river soon.  With a baby you ask?  yes, Gasp!  We even went on a 7 hour road trip which is scarier in my opinion.Of course life is a lot slower but you can still do most of the things you love. Think of it as having forced time to stop and smell the roses. I think one of the key things is to get them used to your normal activities early while making sure their needs are met then it will be pleasant for all involved.Here are some things we have learned that may be helpful when going out to eat:1. When going to a restaurant make sure you bring a bottle or be prepared to breastfeed as most babies like to eat when you eat. 2. We always introduce Ethan to people by name so that he learns to be social. So far it has worked and he loves interacting with people at stores and restaurants3. If Ethan gets a little fussy towards the end of a long social dinner we take turns walking him around and letting him have a change of scenery. Naturally kids get bored after a while.4. Before we leave the house we get excited and let him know we are going on an “adventure”. He gets excited too!5. We usually bring a book and a couple of toys now that he can use a highchair.6. With older kids its fun to have them order their own food and try new things for the experience. 7. If we are eating out into the witching hour of bedtime we bring the stroller so he can sleep if he is tired.8. Dont give up! Some days just aren’t good days but just try it again, kids do well with consistency and if you take them out since they are little they will get used to the experience and enjoy it.At McMenamins in PortlandLets share ideas! Fill me in on what works for your family. I will post later on hints for a successful road trip with a baby. And we will let you know how the river float goes.

Thanks for joining me!  I have created this blog in hopes to inspire authenticity, transparency and self realization in myself and others.  I was telling Erika (my wife), that I was starting a blog and I asked her what it should be called.  I, of course, was picturing something girly with pretty flowers and soft colors and definitely main stream.  She innocently answered, “How about the sasquatch hunter’s wife?” She probably thought I would never go for it but still suggested it with the innocence of a child that wants to change his name to T Rex and thinks it may be possible.  “Actually” I said, “that kinda sums up my life perfectly!”

Let me explain, although I can be spontaneous, I am the kind of person that craves structure and is always making plans to plan projects, vacations or self improvement.   I live off of calendars, planners, ( I have more than one), to do lists and goals with bullet points. There is always something I am doing and even during a vacation I have planned I am already getting excited about the next thing.  So mostly I like the idea of relaxing but I don’t do it often.  Even when I am watching  movie I usually knit and look for recipes and work on the meal plan at the same time.  I am sure I am not the only multitasker out there!

So often Erika wants to go out into the woods, sometimes for the afternoon and sometimes for a quick camping trip. She is a part time sasquatch hunter. And although I love the idea of camping and being outdoors and I enjoy the heck out of it once I am there, I usually fight her on the spontaneous trip.  Once I am there we lose track of time, the fresh air hits my soul and I breath in the forest aroma.

Before I know it I am prancing through the forest, all cares forgotten, pleading with the forest gnomes to show me the morels and checking out big foot prints we find.  It seems like I am in another world and all that matters is that moment and that all other moments are for this.  This why it sums up my life: I fight what I need the most but when I give in to it I am thankful.  Balance is so important, planning for life but actually enjoying the moment is essential.

The Japanese call it shinrin-yoku, forest bathing. It has been scientifically proven to have physical and psychological benefits and improve immunity. It must be the wood essential oils emitted by the forest called phytonicides.  They are antimicrobial organic compounds such as alpha-pinene and limonene that the forest emits.  Here is a good study about this if you would like to learn more about the effects of forest bathing: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

So that is the story of how the Sasquatch Hunter’s Wife came about.  We have a full life consisting of working, being parents, caring for animals, having a garden, adult ing and most importantly having those days where it is all about the moment and enjoying life.  I am hoping to give you some insights to our adventures, what we have learned and are still learning, some of the things we love and hacks on how to make it all work!  Thanks for joining our adventure of life.  Enjoy and please feel free to comment or send me a message.  I would love to hear from you!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton

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