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Singer Sunday - "It Takes a Village"
This week for Swinger Sunday - meet Andrea! Andrea Maciula-Peters is the owner of Little Squigglers, Inc. and proud wife and mommy to Chris & Ainsley Jane.
Before I was a parent I always heard the phrase, “it takes a village” in reference to raising children but I never really believed it. Now that my daughter is ten months old, I believe the phrase and follow it! My parents and brother live in the same town we do and they often visit my daughter, her grandfather visits daily, and stay active in her life. This past week my husband has left to visit his dying grandmother and we had to stay behind. Cleaning, shopping and cooking with a crawling explorer has been quite a feat. I miss having my husband to rely upon during these times of daily rituals, however it's nice to be able to call my parents or my brother and have them help out.
(My granny was in the hospital when I was giving birth for another injured hip but she still came to see us)
But what happens when we are older. Why does the village mentality leave our minds once our relatives are no longer cute. My husband visiting his dying grandmother made me think of the tasks that now lay in the hands of his family. My own grandmother will be 94 in April and her doctors have determined that she is ready for hospice. My grandfather passed away over 3 years ago and she has been “ready” to die ever since. She has been living in a retirement home, the nicest in town, but still it's so lonely. I always feel so helpless when we visit her, like it’s never enough. The one time I did have to really help her, I felt scared and thrown off guard. Why are we not prepared to take care of the elderly?
I’ve been writing this one piece in bits and pieces all week and Grandma Peters did pass away, very peacefully surrounded by her loved ones. It was the way she wanted. She didn’t have to go through the agony my grandmother has, which brings me back to elderly care. It’s easy to offer to take care of a cute baby, but when someone asks you to visit their elderly relative it’s not so easy.
(Chris' grandparents and Ainsley)
Did you see the movie Benjamin Button? That is exactly where my daughter and grandmother are. Although, my daughter is starting to pass my grandmother. Ainsley is crawling, walking with help, eating on her own, baby talking, reading to herself, and even can play alone for a few minutes without being too distracted. My grandmother used to be this eloquent women whom I loved to listen to, she could always lighten up a room with her comments. Now she struggles to get out the correct words and frustration sets in. She no longer walks and seems to be in constant pain. The village needs to move in and let hospice help but her sons have the power, not me.
So what about single parenting, I have found a new respect for military families, single parents, and widows/widowers. No wonder they are tired and ragged all the time! I want this blog to inspire you to reach out and help someone. Whether it be a single parent, elderly person, or your neighbor that seems to be lonely. Humans are social creatures and if they aren’t asked about their day, smiled at, waved to, cooked for, helped to cross the street, and received some sort of acknowledgment they will be very lonely.
So if you know someone that just had a baby, take them some food. If you know an old lady bring her one of your old magazines and say hello for five minutes. If your neighbor is screaming at his kids again, see if he needs a five minute break and play tag with them or color the sidewalk with chalk. I know you are probably tired and overworked but suck it up, spread some love, and you’ll be glad you did. Overall, if your village has dwindled build it up again! By spreading joy to others you yourself will feel sustained!
(my brother, his daughter, my Granny, Ainsley, Me, and my dad)
Me again - So sorry to hear about your loss doll... i know that feeling all too well. As im sure we all do... and i totally relate to your "takes a village" statement too. I was raised by so many people. Such a huge family always willing to do their share and teach me a lesson or two. It makes for very balanced people. Now sadly, we live in California and our only family here is our little family of four... its hard. REALLY hard. I really miss my village. Thanks for sharing with us this week.
Read more →
Before I was a parent I always heard the phrase, “it takes a village” in reference to raising children but I never really believed it. Now that my daughter is ten months old, I believe the phrase and follow it! My parents and brother live in the same town we do and they often visit my daughter, her grandfather visits daily, and stay active in her life. This past week my husband has left to visit his dying grandmother and we had to stay behind. Cleaning, shopping and cooking with a crawling explorer has been quite a feat. I miss having my husband to rely upon during these times of daily rituals, however it's nice to be able to call my parents or my brother and have them help out.
(My granny was in the hospital when I was giving birth for another injured hip but she still came to see us)
But what happens when we are older. Why does the village mentality leave our minds once our relatives are no longer cute. My husband visiting his dying grandmother made me think of the tasks that now lay in the hands of his family. My own grandmother will be 94 in April and her doctors have determined that she is ready for hospice. My grandfather passed away over 3 years ago and she has been “ready” to die ever since. She has been living in a retirement home, the nicest in town, but still it's so lonely. I always feel so helpless when we visit her, like it’s never enough. The one time I did have to really help her, I felt scared and thrown off guard. Why are we not prepared to take care of the elderly?
I’ve been writing this one piece in bits and pieces all week and Grandma Peters did pass away, very peacefully surrounded by her loved ones. It was the way she wanted. She didn’t have to go through the agony my grandmother has, which brings me back to elderly care. It’s easy to offer to take care of a cute baby, but when someone asks you to visit their elderly relative it’s not so easy.
(Chris' grandparents and Ainsley)
Did you see the movie Benjamin Button? That is exactly where my daughter and grandmother are. Although, my daughter is starting to pass my grandmother. Ainsley is crawling, walking with help, eating on her own, baby talking, reading to herself, and even can play alone for a few minutes without being too distracted. My grandmother used to be this eloquent women whom I loved to listen to, she could always lighten up a room with her comments. Now she struggles to get out the correct words and frustration sets in. She no longer walks and seems to be in constant pain. The village needs to move in and let hospice help but her sons have the power, not me.
So what about single parenting, I have found a new respect for military families, single parents, and widows/widowers. No wonder they are tired and ragged all the time! I want this blog to inspire you to reach out and help someone. Whether it be a single parent, elderly person, or your neighbor that seems to be lonely. Humans are social creatures and if they aren’t asked about their day, smiled at, waved to, cooked for, helped to cross the street, and received some sort of acknowledgment they will be very lonely.
So if you know someone that just had a baby, take them some food. If you know an old lady bring her one of your old magazines and say hello for five minutes. If your neighbor is screaming at his kids again, see if he needs a five minute break and play tag with them or color the sidewalk with chalk. I know you are probably tired and overworked but suck it up, spread some love, and you’ll be glad you did. Overall, if your village has dwindled build it up again! By spreading joy to others you yourself will feel sustained!
(my brother, his daughter, my Granny, Ainsley, Me, and my dad)
Me again - So sorry to hear about your loss doll... i know that feeling all too well. As im sure we all do... and i totally relate to your "takes a village" statement too. I was raised by so many people. Such a huge family always willing to do their share and teach me a lesson or two. It makes for very balanced people. Now sadly, we live in California and our only family here is our little family of four... its hard. REALLY hard. I really miss my village. Thanks for sharing with us this week.
Favorites Friday - ITS A GIRL!!
Oh future baby Maddie, I CANT WAIT FOR YOU! (yes Beki, Aymee is having a Maddie too!! They have had girl and boys' names picked FOREVER! The first time I met them, they were talking about it, lol) Anyways... ITS A GIRL!! And boy are you ALL in for a treat... In May there will be a HUGE blog shower for my bestie Aymee... Lots of awesome sellers are already getting in on the fun! For every gift that Aymee gets, were giving one away! So LOTS & LOTS of prizes... but for now... its favorites friday... so heres my wish list for my baby girl Aymee's baby girl... Maddie.
(click to zoom in... i promise... even cuter close up!)
#1: RaeGun - Rocker Hot Pink Ruffle Diaper Cover (hmm... just MAYBE you will see a prize from RaeGun at the shower... *wink wink WINK*
#2: CushyTushyDesigns - Rock N Roll Princess hair clips
#3: JewliasCloset - Bad to the Bone Princess Chucks
#4: WeeCaboodles - Blackie
#5: RockerByeBaby - OF COURSE aymee will have one of these, haha
#6: FarrahsFancies - Shes a Spunky Princess hair clippies
#7: SarahSewta - JoJo Jr Minky Boo Boo Pack
#8: Shkoof - Pink Skulls SugarBabyLove
#9: Babyeliza - Punk Ballerina Tutu
FEATURED SELLERS! PLEASE get in touch with me if your interested in being a part of the HUGE blog baby shower. It will be great advertisement! Contact me for more info via etsy (RockerByeBaby) or email: rockerbyebaby@gmail.com We love your products and we would love to have you join in!
Thanks!
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(click to zoom in... i promise... even cuter close up!)
#1: RaeGun - Rocker Hot Pink Ruffle Diaper Cover (hmm... just MAYBE you will see a prize from RaeGun at the shower... *wink wink WINK*
#2: CushyTushyDesigns - Rock N Roll Princess hair clips
#3: JewliasCloset - Bad to the Bone Princess Chucks
#4: WeeCaboodles - Blackie
#5: RockerByeBaby - OF COURSE aymee will have one of these, haha
#6: FarrahsFancies - Shes a Spunky Princess hair clippies
#7: SarahSewta - JoJo Jr Minky Boo Boo Pack
#8: Shkoof - Pink Skulls SugarBabyLove
#9: Babyeliza - Punk Ballerina Tutu
FEATURED SELLERS! PLEASE get in touch with me if your interested in being a part of the HUGE blog baby shower. It will be great advertisement! Contact me for more info via etsy (RockerByeBaby) or email: rockerbyebaby@gmail.com We love your products and we would love to have you join in!
Thanks!
Thursdays Tunes: Alkaline Trio - This Addiction
So im hearing lots of talk through the grapevine about the new Trio record not being very good.... any input? I mean... im a huge trio fan... as are many of my friends... and i have tickets to see them April 1st! yay! Can't wait... but, the question of the day... New Alkaline Trio Record... This Addiction... Thumbs up or thumbs down?
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Still Wordless Wednesday :)
My girl Alysia stopped over today with some work for the store... we hung out for awhile... and drooled over how ADORABLE Benjamin is... talked about how I need to make new clothes just so he can wear them... then *lightbulb* the hoodie!! and so it was done... I had the perfect size for him already made... so we threw it on and out to the patio we went... here are some of my fav's that i snapped... what do ya think?
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Wordless Wednesday Eco @ the park
it's no secret that we lovvvve barley and birch... I snapped this photo with my iPhone yesterday at the park and just love it. Zaverys flowing hair... Adorable shirt...and running through the air, lol ... Pretty awesome shot if I must say so myself :)
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