gratuitous pregnancy pic

This was taken at 18 weeks, 2 weeks back.  I'm now about halfway there!

Native Cultures Appreciation Day and the Step-kids' visit

Dylan and Caroline came to visit for Native cultures Appreciation day, or what most people call 'thanksgiving'.  While I do enjoy the familial tones of this holiday , the fundamental disrespect caused me to re-purpose the day for educational purposes.  We still have a traditional meal, but we also discuss native cultures. This year, we went to the Heard museum, and also did a native inspired craft - we made corn husk dolls.

When the step kids arrived I lost no time in making educational fun available for them!  Within hrs of their arrival we had done spelling, geography, and anatomy, all by their choice and with enthusiasm.   

 We created a 'human body' version of the Anything game, per Caroline's request.  The first night they were here my kids were with their father.  

We took them all to a playground one afternoon:

Here my precious husband is reading a story to Dylan, Caroline, and Rowan.

At the museum there were *plenty* of crafts to do!

The kids each made a 'bandolier bag'.

They are due to visit again soon, for the solstice.  My kids were just exposed to the chicken pox - I hope their mom lets them visit!

Recently...

I haven't written in a few weeks.  I was frustrated when I realized that xanga has instituted a monthly photo limit.  When I used this blog more, that wasn't in effect.   So I didn't blog about our park-schooling, or halloween, my birthday, and the MS walk we did as a family.  I just used some of my birthday money to 'go premium'. So I will try and make it up now!

We have been taking our homeschooling to the park.  The kids and I both love it.  We go for a walk {about a mile}, then sit down and have a snack.  We then do our learning at a picnic table, and then the kids play while I read or make music.  

{I played around with my camera a bit, this is with the colours set to 'vivid'.  I love it !!}

The kids had a very busy halloween this yr.  The night before the holiday they went with their Dad to a town- run event, because that was the day that they had together.  The next day, the kids and I went to a local event for halloween, as we do every yr.  Their dad came over after and took them around the neighborhood.  So they had 3 opportunities to collect candy for me!  :p

{My husband was Che Guevara.}

The day after halloween is my birthday.  This yr, it was my 

30th!!!

I was pretty bummed out.  I couldn't even sleep well.  Some things have been tumultuous in my life recently, and that was really weighing on my mind.  The kids have been acting out, I worry sometimes about my marriage.. etc.  I didn't want to have any worries on my birthday, I just wanted to chill and have a day that's just for me - I only get 2 a yr!  My husband was very sweet to me, he bought me a mandolin!!

Isn't she lovely?

I haven't named her yet, I'm thinking a pretty celtic name.  Even so I was still a bit bummed out until I had a really nice talk with my husband, then I felt a lot better and was able to chill for the remaining hr or so of my day. 

On the 6th we got up before the sun to do the walk for MS.  The kids weren't looking forward to it, because they knew we were getting up early and it is a long walk.  But, it was through the zoo, so I had a feeling they would enjoy it.  We raised $80 for MS research.  My husband was diagnosed with MS a few months before we married.  I wanted the kids to do something that doesn't directly benefit them, I think its important to instill compassion while they are young!  I want to get them involved in community volunteering, something..  Hopefully helping them to be less selfish may help with their behaviour.

The ghostbuster- mobile was at the MS walk!  Crazy.  There also were a few storm troopers, but we didn't get a chance to get a pic of them, the crowds were insane.  I didn't really start taking pics til we got into the zoo.

The kids both had signs that said, "I walk for my stepdad".  

A good time was had by all, we all had a 3.5 mi walk {great exercise!}, the kids did something nice for those less fortunate than they are, and we raised money for MS research.  

Enjoying my pregnancy..

I've been feeling the baby move inside me for almost a week now.  I had forgotten exactly how it felt.. its such joy!  Knowing there is a precious little soul in my womb, loving the sound of his/her heartbeat, feeling this life stirring and growing... it's just wonderful.  It's almost like being in love.  

I feel the footsteps inside me, and I just want to dance!  

Now that I can feel the baby moving about, I'm feeling the need to start making preparations for birth and baby.  I've been collecting clothes, diapers, diaper covers, and I dug thru my boxes today and found several slings I've made in the past.  The main thing we need to get still for baby is a car seat.  We also need newborn socks and hats.  I'd also like a ring sling, but its not necessary.  

The birth supplies is a whole 'nother topic.  I need to pull my tub out of storage and see how its held up, talk to my husband and see if he would like to rent a tub and save ourselves the clean up instead.  We still need to buy chux pads, a huge bowl, and such and so forth. I also need to talk to him about who we would want as a helper at the birth.. I had a doula in mind if he definitely wants a competent helper.  I've been thinking about it, and while I would like to have the option of having an extra pair of hands there, its not essential to me. I expect a short easy labor, and a lovely family waterbirth.  I'm excited thinking about it!

~

The other day I was watching tv with my husband.. on the show there was a typical bride getting all picky about 'her wedding' and being a total snot.  Mitchell and I agreed that we are really glad we got married simply.  It seems to me that women who marry like that don't just want a husband, they want the perfect wedding.. which for me the husband was all I wanted.  It seems so silly to me - all the trivial details and costs of a big party like that.  Like what a waste of energy.

That's the way I feel about the way most people care for their infants.  They carry around those heavy car seats, give the baby bottles, put them to bed in a cage, etc.  It seems like such a useless waste of energy.. when a baby in a sling is so comfortable and comforting, snuggling in bed is the easiest way to nurse at night.. and nursing is good for both baby and mom's health, and bonding.  It occurred to me today that this view and experience is foreign to my husband.  He has 2 kids as well, but their mom and I made different choices.  I think he will really enjoy the simplicity of life with a baby when you don't bother with all of that conventional nonsense.  

He has been super sweet to me recently - over the weekend he bought me flowers and chocolates, and took me out to a lovely seafood dinner.  This evening when the baby was kicking I put his hand on my belly, and he felt it too!  I really feel he is beginning to enjoy this pregnancy with me, and that is just blissful.  I feel so close to him.  

I can't wait til I have the joy of helping him learn to use a sling!

Currently The Nature of Personal Reality A Seth Book By Jane Roberts see related

camping and sewing.

My husband and I went camping last wkend, to celebrate a year and a half of marriage.  It was a wonderful day!  We had a lovely brunch, during which my Mitchell sang me love songs.. then drove an hr away to camp in the mountains.  I became elated during the drive, and even the realization that we forgot our tent and would have to sleep on the ground wasn't enough to break the mood.  

The sun set soon after we got there.  We discovered we had neighbours right about the same time!  Here they are trying to ditch us, and giving me a gorgeous silhouette.

A self portrait, with Mitchell quite focused behind me.

He was working on his novel.  

In the morning we went for a nice walk in devil's canyon.  The views are stunning.. and Mitchell found many California sister butterflies to admire and talk to.  

I like taking macro pics of wildflowers.

See the lizard on the tree trunk?  They were everywhere!

I stood on a rock to take this pic.  I love all the rock formations in this area!

After we returned, we both were exhausted.  That happens when you stay up late and are woken by the sun!

~~

On Sunday, I started working on a dress for myself.  I wanted to make myself something comfy and flattering of my pregnant form.  Maternity clothes are expensive.. and already none of my clothes fit me well.  I am thinking I will make {and/or alter} most of my maternity clothes this time around.  Here is what I came up with:

{Messy room, and crazy hair.. but I think its a decent pic of my sewing project.  I'm still in the process of taking out my dreads but you can kinda see what I will look like with hair again.  }

~~

Since the kids came home from their dad's house on Sunday night, my daughter has been all wound up.  It seems that the lack of discipline at their father's house is creating a lot of resistance to the common sense rules around here.. as well as a lot of snottiness and lack of respect.  I've been hoping to get thru to her about being nice to people, and having fun etc.  Life isnt fun when you are busy being mean to people.  So even though I had a busy, fun week planned, we have been staying home - I can't bring a kid out of the house if she is attacking her brother and myself.. and stealing, lying, calling names, etc.  I can't do that to the people we would be visiting!! It's frustrating and sad.  At times I don't know what to do with her.  She acts like she is 9 going on 14.