a little play

she can create cozy just about anywhere

"betsy is sucking her finger like this"....

so, so, so irritated with the crows...again.

her new perch. brave little monkey gal, she is. she already had the helmet on but after i saw what she was up to, i didn't offer to take it off.

they both like to climb up high and "pick apples" or "blueberries" or "crackers" and feed them to me. its a fun game.

cozy

it seems we've all needed extra snuggles, extra snoozes and more downtime than normal. my littles have timed their growth-spurts perfectly with that of my own (my belly, that is). extra-early bedtimes for everyone, naps for everyone and not a lot of get-up-and-going outside of our own backyard. although the weather has been welcoming, we've just all been content to stay put whenever possible. the baby on the way has appreciated the less chaotic schedule, he seems quite content these days - continuing to wiggle and twist as my body continues to warm-up for the big event in the coming weeks. my mind is turning now to getting everything ready. the car seat, the birth center bag, the phone numbers sent to daddy (just in case he happens upon a phone in the middle of nowhere), and lots of talk of baby with the littles. tonight pete asked me if he could come to the birth center with me, an idea that's been glowing in the back of my mind but kept there due to lots of logstics. i made him no promises, but wouldn't i love it if they could come on by for a new-baby kiss soon after his arrival? i suppose that all depends on the time of day that he chooses...and if his awesome grandmother who will be on childcare detail is up for it. :) only time will tell the way this birth story will unfold - there are so many unknowns, and it seems for the first time in my life, i am prepared to handle this. motherhood teaches us some magical lessons.

an update from our hero

 we are so proud of him and thankful for his continued safety as well as all the support from home he continues to receive. he got back in last night from another mission and was welcomed by FIVE care packages waiting for him on his cot. thank you everyone!

a medevac - Reid was safely onboard as a (healthy) passenger

as reid said "this is what happens to stuff in the desert"

the love of my life on a cold morning out on a mission in his vehicle

returning to his rack from a couple weeks out on a mission

Ina May Gaskin

 

Yesterday was such an energy-filled, beautiful day. I was fortunate to hop in a carpool of doulas from San Diego to make the trek to North Hollywood's BINI Birth to hear Ina May Gaskin speak on the subject of shifting the paradigm of birth in our country.  She was most recently recognized for her work lifelong work by receiving the 2011 Right Livelihood Award " … for her whole-life’s work teaching and advocating safe, woman-centred childbirth methods that best promote the physical and mental health of mother and child."

She has written several books including: "Guide to Childbirth", the first childbirth education book i read that literally changed my view of birth and the path of my life, "Spiritual Midwifery", which I am currently reading, "Guide to Breastfeeding", which will end up on my nightstand soon and her latest book "Birth Matters" which i devoured in an evening-and now is signed by the author.).  

i quite literally soaked in every ounce of the amazing energy produced by such a group of women who crowded into the space at BINI to hear Ina May speak. So much wisdom, so much experience and so much joyful passion for their work - these women are my inspiration to carry forward with the first teeny tiny steps of my journey into the world of birth professionals as I aspire to finally become a certified birth educator/mentor and doula in 2012. 

ina may shared, in a way only a wise, well-traveled and experienced woman with eyes-wide-open can do, so many tales of her journey. early in the workshop she confessed she "gets bored easily" and gave herself permission to let the day go where it may. she shared a slideshow of photos of journeys and faces of real birth stories with us as well as troubling birth history and powerful truths she's uncovered along the way.  her candid way of speaking and her insight and ability to reveal such hidden yet simple truths about "the way things are" made listening to her such a joy. with participation from the group, we traveled through the history of birth and obstetrics, enjoyed some most interesting birth stories she had personally witnessed and discussed the way forward in promoting knowledge and awareness and change where necessary in the field of obstetrics and supporting childbirth.  i appreciated how very full of life this wise woman was and will carry the inspiration of this day, this gathering, her words in my heart forever along my journey.

after the workshop ended all too soon, the owner of BINI so graciously extended an open invitation to all 100 of us in the room to continue the celebration at her nearby home. about 30 of us couldn't resist the opportunity to sit around the table with Ina May so the san diego gals stopped at the grocery store and grabbed some pasta and salad to serve the group and we quite enjoyed an evening of mingling and story sharing with new friends from all over southern california.  it made for quite a late night for this momma, but the inspiration and delight i took from the day  was well worth the exhaustion that carried over into today.

my friend and Ina May snapped a picture of each other taking pictures of each other....when they realized it, they were cracking up and i snagged this adorable shot of her laughing!

beautiful birth art

Ina May signing my copy of "Birth Matters"

Ina May's "Sphincter Law" :) - helping us understand the mind-body connection during labor; how outside influences can heavily impact the status of the cervix

after enjoying a meal with Ina May and several other ladies who continued the celebration of birth into the evening. i am 35 weeks pregnant.

 

 

 

 

 

home

yesterday was january 4. it was 87 degrees.
say yes to san diego. :)

little musicians

these two little busy bugs have been digging on our musical instruments this week! in addition to loving the "horn" they got for christmas, pete has busted out the drums. he tells me its like the boys in the street in the parade - he was fascinated with them and marches around for an hour, making the loop through our hallway, banging as hard as he possibly can. he loves it. betsy loves it too but doesn't get much drum time so she opts for bells or other percussion-like instruments. even gave the harmonica a good run for its money yesterday. its fun to see them starting to co-play more now. however, this co-play has also turned into "ganging up" on mommy a little.  one kid does something borderline naughty (spitting milk), they both crack up. encouraged by the others response, they both continue the naughty behavior, whatever it might be, and continue to crack each other up. its like they are in their own little planet together. and as much as i wish i could stop the naughty behavior, i have to admit i do get a little giggle myself out of hearing them squeal at each other and laughing their heads off.

this little man in my belly is demanding a lot of my energy and is leaving me completely exhausted by the day and at 34 weeks, we still have a long few weeks ahead while he grows strong and ready to meet us....so the co-play is even more welcome!

sea world and old town

we've had lots of adventures the last few days - and more perfect weather to enjoy it! yesterday we visited sea world and had a ball. it was definitely time to pack up and go by 2:30 because the crowds were getting overpowering and the kids were out of steam (admittedly, the adults were ready to crash too).  p was still slightly apprehensive for the big shows with loud music and people screaming when they got splashed (um, you are sitting in the "splash zone"...and you are surprised that you are wet?) but we did get to see the dolphins and shamu in action, amongst visiting most of the other park exhibits. the bay of play is always a hit, i think next time we go we will just spend the whole day there and skip the fish! thanks to the grandparents for making an exhausting day for momma so much more enjoyable - its wonderful to have other people to chase and carry and hold-hands and help manage all the logistics of the day. i'm working on being better at letting people help (sorry, i know it sometimes makes me cranky) because i know in a few weeks i will definitely be needing some serious assistance while we transition to three babes under one roof!
today we enjoyed delicious mexican lunch and some ice cream with a side of sight seeing in old town before delivering deedee and bumpah to the airport. its been a wonderful week - and as we were saying goodbye, my mom says to my belly, "next time i come i'll get to meet you!"
yes!!!! we are all excited to meet this little babe in my belly and january is dedicated to prepping everyone and everything for his arrival. only three short weeks til grandma arrives - and then its officially "be ready to go" time. :)

bumpah's work team helping to assemble the new coffee table that is really a play-surface/train table/etc

getting all the baby things out and clean and ready for baby tres - betsy recognized her old car seat and climbed in right away (pete did the same thing when we got the car seat out and ready for her almost two years ago!)

he said "hello in there!!!!!!"

34 weeks pregnant tomorrow! xoxo

pete wanted to ride in the stroller so betsy happily dove into the lower deck seating for a ride