homebirth video...

this is for those of you out there who are concerned about the choice we have made to have a homebirth.  Here is a beautiful video of an amazing water birth.... see how calm everyone is?  see the kids NOT freaking out about being there?
http://vimeo.com/22765005

watch it!

A Mother's Prayer For Her Daughter

I was all set to do a birthday post, but then I saw this on Sarah's blog... and just had to re-post it.  The birthday post can wait until tomorrow...

A Mother's Prayer For Her Daughter 

 By Tina Fey

First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches.

May she be Beautiful but not Damaged, for it’s the Damage that draws the creepy soccer coach’s eye, not the Beauty.

When the Crystal Meth is offered, may she remember the parents who cut her grapes in half And stick with Beer.

Guide her, protect her when crossing the street, stepping onto boats, swimming in the ocean, swimming in pools, walking near pools, standing on the subway platform, crossing 86th Street, stepping off of boats, using mall restrooms, getting on and off escalators, driving on country roads while arguing, leaning on large windows, walking in parking lots, riding Ferris wheels, roller-coasters, log flumes, or anything called “Hell Drop,” “Tower of Torture,” or “The Death Spiral Rock ‘N Zero G Roll featuring Aerosmith,” and standing on any kind of balcony ever, anywhere, at any age.

Lead her away from Acting but not all the way to Finance. Something where she can make her own hours but still feel intellectually fulfilled and get outside sometimes And not have to wear high heels. What would that be, Lord? Architecture? Midwifery? Golf course design? I’m asking You, because if I knew, I’d be doing it, Youdammit.

May she play the Drums to the fiery rhythm of her Own Heart with the sinewy strength of her Own Arms, so she need Not Lie With Drummers.

Grant her a Rough Patch from twelve to seventeen.Let her draw horses and be interested in Barbies for much too long,

For childhood is short – a Tiger Flower blooming Magenta for one day – And adulthood is long and dry-humping in cars will wait.

O Lord, break the Internet forever, that she may be spared the misspelled invective of her peers And the online marketing campaign for Rape Hostel V: Girls Just Wanna Get Stabbed.

And when she one day turns on me and calls me a Bitch in front of Hollister, Give me the strength, Lord, to yank her directly into a cab in front of her friends, For I will not have that Shit. I will not have it.

And should she choose to be a Mother one day, be my eyes, Lord, that I may see her, lying on a blanket on the floor at 4:50 A.M., all-at-once exhausted, bored, and in love with the little creature whose poop is leaking up its back. “My mother did this for me once,” she will realize as she cleans feces off her baby’s neck. “My mother did this for me.” And the delayed gratitude will wash over her as it does each generation and she will make a Mental Note to call me. And she will forget. But I’ll know, because I peeped it with Your God eyes.

Amen.

The lego fairy

We have a Lego fairy.  (never heard of one?  me neither until the Legos appeared, and a Lego fairy is the only explanation, right?)

The Lego fairy sent us some really fun Legos today.

 A wheel set, a door and window set,some more blocks and some base plates.

  The kids dropped everything they were doing to build stuff...Aiden made a belly dump

 With a trailer and lots of wheels... we previously always had a shortage of wheels.

  Natalie and I built a house... with double windows on both sides, two door and a proper roof.  She was quite excited.  Now we are set to decorate with a couch and a chair. 

Thank you Lego Fairy... we love you, and the kids (Aiden) really does believe that you exist. I even called Loren at work to tell him about your visit and even he is excited to come home and play Legos!!

This week

 Aiden 'reading a book' to Natalie "I don't really read the words, Mama, I just tell her the story my way."

 My baby blue eyes...

 Aiden wanted this picture taken of him on the arrow

 A man, a dog and a dock... notice that the reservoir is filled back up.

 A man, a dog and his shadow...

 Nonnie and Natalie at the swimming area

 Rock throwing!

 yes, I know she needs her hair back but on this day she just didn't want it back..so it's in her eyes.

 Running at the Ranch, this is our first time back since we moved last year... how I've missed this place.

 Aiden had me take a ton of pictures of him in the trees,  clearly he's missed it here too.

 I can't believe he's going to be 5 this year!

 the old dog (who's going to be 10 this month) actually caught a gray squirrel this visit, she let it go right away, I think she was as surprised as the squirrel (and us)

 On the tractor... I have so many pics of this boy on this tractor.

 Natalie taking Malaki for a ride

Today (Wednesday) Aiden participated in a psychology experiment at the U of O (his 3rd since he was born) and earned his choice of a t shirt or a gift card.  He picked the gift card and spent it on a lego fire truck with a trailer, that he put together all by him self.  He is so good at following the directions.  So that's been our week so far, and sorry I've been such a slacker, I know a certain someone has commented that they have just about given up on me ever adding new pictures.  So, HERE YA GO!!  Happy Thursday everyone!

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

 Still smiling after 14(!!) hours on the train... with 2 still to go!

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Wise Woman Fertility: Menstruation Part IV: Cloth Pads

Wise Woman Fertility: Menstruation Part IV: Cloth Pads: " Cloth Pad photos courtesy of Glad Rags  As I mentioned, my first fore into the alternative menstrual product world..."