New Year

I heard what was supposed to be a funny resolution on a radio show today:
To be just as fabulous in the next year. (or something along those lines)
The co-host was making fun of this - as if the speaker is less than fabulous. (You know how radio co-hosts taunt one another.)
But I think it's a great resolution. It speaks to one's ideals of oneself. Obviously none of us are perfect (I'm so darn close though!), but if we view ourselves as good, if our expectations are that we are/can be fabulous, then I believe we're much more likely to succeed in manifesting our inner "fabulosity". (I love making up words, don't you?)
Thus, my new year's resolution is to be just as fabulous in 2008 as I was in 2007!

I am looking forward to the next year... Right now, it's much better than looking back or dwelling on recent events. We're trying to move on. Focusing on baby works wonders for this process. I've taken up knitting for baby again (finishing projects) with a passion that I didn't expect to find after a busy December of finishing Yule gifts. We miss Gryphon terribly. Monkey and Fenwick are taking up the slack with cuddle time. Gryphon has already been added to the ancestor altar with a cast of his pawprint and his photos added to the cat-ancestors album that rests there.

We went to see The Golden Compass Friday evening as a distraction. (Chris, let me know when you want to go since I owe you a babysit for cancelling Thursday.) It was very entertaining. The costumes were great too - full of things one could knit... I wasn't surprised to find that I'm certainly not the only knitter to have been inspired. There are already patterns available online and people are talking about what they'd like to reproduce in knitting forums. (But first I must finish current projects...)

I just finished my first sock. One whole froggy baby sock. Now that I've done one, the matching second will be a breeze. I'm also finishing up a lovely wool soaker using a soy-wool blend of yarn in "spring garden" colours. (Among several other knit/crochet projects...)

We hope you have fun celebrating the arrival of the new year and wish you a Fabulous year ahead!

Farewell Gryphon

Gryphon passed away last night.

We arrived home after the holidays to find him listless - sleeping all of the time, but occassionally moving location. I was able to get him in to see the vet yesterday, but it seems it was too late. He was severely dehydrated and cold (the vet tech thought her thermometer must be broken). He had also lost 10 oz. His internal systems were already shutting down. We hoped we might save him. I had spent the afternoon cuddling with him while I waited for the appointment, and left him with the vet overnight for further testing and IV fluids. X-rays revealed his lung tissue was full of fluid which needed to be cleared for him to breath. So, despite being dehydrated, he needed to be on a diaretic to clear out the fluid. He was put on warmers to try and raise his temperature too. The vet called this morning to say Gryphon had not made it through the night. We spoke with the vet to see if any more had been learned about the cause of death, but there were few answers. It wasn't cancer or FIP. It may have been a slow-developing allergic reaction to something. It is very unlikely to have been something contagious that Monkey or Fenwick could have, which was one of my concerns.

It was all so sudden - just as when we came home summer 2006 to find Jenny unable to move because of a slipped disc in her spine. Gryphon was even in that same spot when we first found him. And I think I knew then that he was leaving us.

At 5 years young, I wasn't expecting this. I thought he would be the baby's companion for many years to come. Gryphon was, by far, the greatest cat in the house.

Now Robin is the only male in a household of females.

I don't foresee us getting another cat in the near future. We never really intended to have 3 in the first place. Usually when one passes I feel that there is an opportunity to rescue another. However, with a baby on the way, now is certainly not the time to adopt a new cat.

Boxing Day - back home

We had a wonderful holiday with family and hope you did as well! We're home now, back with the kitties - who as usual were not disturbed by our absence. Monkey did not destroy anything. As a reward I gave her a gift bow. My cats are easy to entertain.

We learned a new card game with my grandparents and during our last game I almost pee'd myself laughing - a first ever for me! Yes, it was that funny, but mostly I think it had to do with being pregnant and a confined bladder space combined with a lot of abdominal movement. I wonder what baby thought of it all...

Robin stuffed my stocking with adorable baby clothes (Awwww) - two girly items, and several more "boy" tops featuring dinosaurs and dragons and wild animals. I loved it. (Just to clarify, I don't specifically classify such things as being for boys, but I'm sure that was the maker's intentions and how most people interpret the colours and designs.) I also got a fabulous housecoat! I'm very excited - I've been bugging Robin for one for years and reminding him again now that baby is coming. Fortunately grandma thinks like me and knew it would be useful to have a housecoat soon. I also received a lovely glass, star-shaped, hanging candle lantern which we'd like to hang in baby's room with an led tealight inside. It will make a beautiful nighttime lantern.

Robin received several great cooking books, including two for baby/kid foods. This will be great when we start making baby food. Of course he got other wonderful gifts as well (such as a new card game called Killer Bunnies from me), but I'm not going to bother listing everything!

Darla is going to get a new food bowl. We just realized we left her food bowl in St. Catharines. I was planning to get her a new one anyhow, so this is just better incentive. Monkey (and the cats) got sparkly pom-poms. We don't usually do much for pet gifts since the cats have enough toys (and make their own from household items) and Darla doesn't play with many toys.

Merry Christmas Eve

Only one more sleep until Christmas morning - and you know what that means... Christmas BREAKFAST! Yummy french toast and peameal bacon...

Here's a Christmas surprise for everyone:

We has a surprise ultrasound this morning. It was a surprise for us as well on Dec 21 when we were told about the appointment. The images (scanned in when I got home just before I left for my grandparents') aren't as good here. In fact, they're looking a little creepy. Baby looked good and healthy. We'll know more in early January at the next midwife appointment.

The surprise ultrasound was followed by a surprise vet visit for Darla. While visiting my aunt and uncle this weekend she was scratched across the eye by a cat. She has some eye drops and all will be well soon, poor puppy. She doesn't seem too upset by it and is great at taking the eye drops.

We're having a wonderful holiday with family and hope you are as well!!

Yule Blessings, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Mandy and Robin (and Darla, Gryphon, Fenwick and Monkey).

Cheesecake and Diapers

Today's baking will be cheesecake. Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake to be exact - a recipe I got from Brigitte.

Among other activities today (such as seeing the midwife), I ordered some cloth diapers from Parenting by Nature. Yes, I am excited by diapers!! Fuzzi Bunz to be exact.

We hope everyone is having a splendid holidays!!

Diapers and Shortbread

Diapers and shortbread describes the best parts of my day today.

It all began when I had to tidy the spare room / baby room / storage room because my cousin will be needing it on Friday. I had to stow away all the baby stuff strewn everywhere. Not that I have anywhere to store it... I have tucked it all away inside the co-sleeper - that is, inside the playpen that is the base of the sleeper. It's like having a hollow crib, which is very convenient right now. Thinking about it... it will likely continue to be used as storage for items not in use until we're done using the co-sleeper as a crib. Storage space is seriously lacking in this house.

In the process of stowing away baby stuff I was reminded of some things I have for baby and those things that I definitely need - such as diapers. There are so many cloth diaper options! It's been a while since I focused on baby stuff, so I decided to return to learning more about my options. It was exciting and daunting. I think I'll try a little bit of everything to see what I like best :) I updated some items on the Gift Registry and added a new baby registry at Parenting by Nature.com I am impressed by their selection, and PbN is one of few Canadian online stores I could find with the type of items I am interested in (besides Grace's Forever Family shop). [links on the left]

Of course, I didn't spend my entire day with diapers! No, I did work as well, but who needs to hear about that? You'd much rather know that I baked shortbread cookies and macaroons. yummy. Robin was certainly pleased to come home to baking this evening. I'd even picked up egg nog to drink with it. Tomorrow's plans include Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake and something to use up the sweetened condensed milk. (Maybe I should hold off on the cheesecake and make it Friday to bring to Kincardine on Saturday... I'm sure my cousins would agree)

The Holidays have arrived in our home

This is the earliest either of us has ever decorated for the winter holidays. I realize by the standards of many others we are actually "late" in decorating, or maybe right on schedule.

I haven't finished clearing off the living room tables (currently covered in knitting and crochet and plants) to unclutter the top of the bookcase, but it will get done... eventually.

Monkey has been very well behaved as far as the tree in concerned. She hasn't tried to climb it at all, nor has she knocked off ornaments. I am very surprised, but I'm certainly not complaining! And it's not that she hasn't been in playful moods - oh she has!

We had a midwife visit earlier this week. From now on we go back every two weeks. Things are looking good, except that I have some extra amniotic fluid which makes me "bigger" than I should be. Baby also gets extra room to move around for now - I'm sure she doesn't mind. It is something we will have to keep an eye on, but the fluid levels should return to normal on their own eventually. I also finally got my self in to see a naturopath this week and she is helping me prepare for the birth as well. I chose to see a naturopath who specializes in prenatal and families.

Today I stopped in at another baby consignment shop (2nd Time Around at Francis & King)to browse - because I'd never been to this one even though I drive past it twice a day taking Robin to work. They carry a good selection of cloth diapers. I picked up the cutest pair of Robeez slippers. I couldn't help myself. They're for 0-3 months and thus in mint condition. They were also half the price ($11) of new Robeez($22). Just look and you'll see why MY spring baby had to have them!

I love orange and I fell in love with these!! So - when you're shopping, keep in mind that too much pink will clash with these booties! ;) Otherwise, I've been good. I only bought one fuzzy, super-soft pink sleeper the other day at Hand Me Downs (on Highland, near our place; next to the pet store I had to go to) since buying the Ergo stuff. And today I picked up two small onesies with the Robeez just because they were cute and made in Canada and $2. Considering how cute baby stuff is... and how quickly the due date is approaching... I think I am restraining myself very well!

Next day addition:

Here is the latest belly art update from this morning. There are two shades of purple (after the blue), which represent an entire month's growth. The rest of the colours mark 2 weeks each.

December Shall Fly By

I am anticipating that December will fly by. I hope so, because we now have only 3 months remaining in the pregnancy and I'm ready to meet baby A.* (Yes, we're at 6 months already!) Of course, if I was A I certainly wouldn't be ready to come out of the womb yet. Development issues aside - it's cold out here! I know, it's cold and snowy across the country - so I'm not going to complain especially. I don't mind the cold and snow so long as it remains consistent. I hate when it melts and refreezes. Darla loves the snow - it's her favourite toy. She likes it when I go out to shovel because I throw snowballs for her. Yes, I shovel. And I don't want to hear from any worriers who think I shouldn't be doing any work. I won't be skiing or such, but I'm perfectly capable of shovelling snow.

School is wrapping up for the term. I administer my exam on Friday and will have the term papers graded by then as well. It shouldn't take me longer than the weekend to grade the exams, which means I'm free and clear as of next week! Just in time to finish up Yule gifts, go see the midwife on Monday, and start celebrating the season.

This weekend I will be at the Grand River All Breed animal rescue's Christmas party. We're setting up photo shoots with pets and santa and, among other things, I am providing the tree. I imagine once I get the tree back home I will want to set it up here. But I'm still worried about MONKEY and the tree... I think I will set it up without ornaments for a week to see what she does and train her (with a spray bottle) to stay out of it! Of course, once I manage to keep her out of the tree I still have to figure out how to keep her from unwrapping any presents. It's easy enough for me to not put wrapped gifts under the tree I suppose, but that takes half the fun out of the Christmas tree and I'm still going to have to store everything somewhere out of her reach. Stupid plastic-and-glue-chewing cat! Why oh why did we adopt that silly kitten?? (I do love her)

In other news, as you can see I cut my hair off again. It was a much needed change. A simple trim just wasn't going to satisfy me. Robin goes back to working evenings next week now that he is almost finished training the next group of workers.

*Note: We don't plan on naming the next child with a B. Just incase the phrase "baby A" made you think along those lines. In fact, now that *I've* thought of that, I can say with confidence that the next child will not be baby B. Anything but B. Maybe 2.

Baby Carrier

I went shopping today...

I was in rebound - from the Bombers losing the Grey Cup.

On my way home from lecturing I stopped in at Angel Worn - my favourite baby store/ consignment shop. I wanted to stop in because I recently noticed that their special for this month (ending soon) is 50% off Ergo accessories that I really wanted... and who passes up a 50% deal? I have (had) an Ergo carrier on my wish-list and so I wanted the backpack that can attach to it or be used alone. It's the perfect size with easy access, etc. I also really like the diaper bag which is actually functional enough to use with cloth diapers! Some of the other bags I liked are too small for cloth diapering. I really like the size of this bag. Again, at 50% off... it seemed the ideal opportunity. And THEN while I was there I discovered there was an brand new Ergo Carrier on sale by consignment - so it was significantly cheaper plus there was an accompany infant insert necessary for use with babies up to 4 months. How could I not take advantage of the opportunity?? :D

Happy Yule to me...

Pretty snowflakes I have crocheted. Last year I made stars, but at Ericka's request I've made snowflakes this year. There are so many wonderful free patterns online and I want to do them all! (I won't of course.)

And here are the lovely flowers Heli Jr. has offered me. I was very surprised to find her budding since she didn't grow any flowers in the last year or when I transplanted her outside.

Rain?

I'm not certain if I should be happy that today's precipitation has been a solid, gloomy day of rain... or not. Because the alternative precipitation would be a lot of snow. However, at least snow is pretty. [EDIT - me and my stupid comment. The next day it started snowing and is cold!]

Also, I must confess that the holiday spirit is starting to wiggle its way into my activities. This seems to be the result of a special hat request.

This Christmas hat was ordered by a friend. She just finished buying a black and purple hat for Halloween and realized that with the new holiday approaching she needed a red hat. I was happy to oblige.

As I was finishing this hat up Robin decided I need a holiday hat for myself. He thinks I should make a green hat and then decorate it like a Christmas tree. (Pictures will surely be posted.) Yes, he can be creative at times... he just makes me do the crafts. I usually check my designs with him to see what he thinks and he's usually supportive or has a good suggestion. (If not, it's easy to ignore his suggestions... a win-win situation for me.) For example, the v-stitch on the edge of the red hat came after I asked for his advice whether I should do single or double (thicker) stitches along the edge in white. He noted that the single looked more lacey, which made me think a lacey edge would be a nice fringe. (The point of telling the story is to embarass Robin when you learn that he can give advice on crochet...)

I also made this green hat recently for another special request. I had a terrible time finding the right colour specified. Yarn colours can be very limiting! This lovely fuzzy variagated yarn was the closest I could find to the shade she wanted. Really she wanted the top colour, but she loves the end result. I love it too - so much so that I picked up more yarn and made a second hat to sell later. I'm confident someone else will want one of these! And if not, I'll happily keep it.

Yes, crocheting witch hats is something I do in my spare time. I started one for myself, then made a striped one as a joke - then showed pictures to friends and discovered people wanted me to make them for them! Of course, I also share the pattern I have with fellow crafters, but many others can't or don't want to make their own. I never intended to sell hats - but I don't mind making a few dollars to spend on more wool... so I can make more stuff...

Care Packages

Baby A. received her first care package yesterday. Aunty Corey has been bitten by the baby-shopping bug and sent the most adorable newborn outfits. Robin's favourite is of course the one that says in big bold letters: "I [heart] Daddy." Daddy's girl. Notably, there was no "I love mommy" outfit... ;) Actually, that's not quite true. The fuzzy sleeper has a mom and baby duck with "mommy and me" written underneath.
I modelled them on my tummy. I suspect they'll look even cuter on baby.

But Aunty Corey, A. has asked that you send her some baked goodies as well next time. I promise to feed them to her (indirectly...)!! She's a growing girl you know! And she has a sweet tooth like her momma and aunty.

We are going to have to get baby a dresser soon. We know what we want - just have to go find it. The clothes are coming in already - mostly hand me downs. But hey - baby clothes don't have to be new! Let that be a message for all who would shop for our baby. Do feel free to visit your local "gently worn" baby stores!! Every city has them. Baby clothes get so little wear - babies grow so quickly! Especially out of newborn sizes! Some clothes have never been worn. Don't ever feel ashamed to gift us with "gently used" items. I certainly don't feel ashamed to give them. I'd much rather reuse than buy new (cheap imports from China etc). In addition, the "gently used" shops are usually run by wonderful entrepreneur moms, so you are also supporting the local economy and a mom (instead of a big corporation). And for the price of one outfit at Baby Gap (or wherever) you can buy several at the local shop - including items that were originally bought at Baby Gap! So do pop into a local shop and keep in mind that the selections will change regularly. You'll be surprised at what great finds you'll discover every time. Many of these shops also carry fabulous hand-made items if you're interested - made by other moms.

That being said, I also completely understand that you will find yourself at some chain store looking at baby stuff, and you will be compelled to purchase that oh-so-adorable outfit. I won't hold it against you. I've done it. I just thought you should all know that gently-used items are very acceptable!

Midwife Update

Just to keep y'all updated, we had our monthly midwife appointment this morning and heard the results of the ultrasound. Everything is "normal" for baby and womb - looks good. The placenta is in front, which helps explain why I don't feel baby moving as much at this stage as others have reported during their pregnancy. (Of course, as I typed that she moved.) Baby is still due the first week of March.
So far I've gained a total of 17 lbs.

Not much else of interest to report at this time. I hope everyone is enjoying these lovely, crisp, November days.

Preggo Pics

Here are photos I asked Robin to take today just so that I could share them with you! I realize the Halloween photo didn't really show the belly off properly and the belly art just isn't the same as seeing the actual thing.

Look what I bought! Fabric to make the crib (co-sleeper) fitted sheets. I know, they're girly, but darn it all, they were too cute to resist :)

The left features giraffes, which is what I bought my sister for years and now Dorion has inherited them - but hey, that doesn't mean my baby can't have giraffes! The middle one features plump unicorns and castles. And the right-hand fabric has animals sleeping on moons with the phrase "sweet dreams" in english and french.

Web Updates

Just a brief note on the updates I made to the blog today. New title and new links on the left.
I also just noticed that I can't categorize blog entries but you can search this blog using the search feature at the top left. So if you want to look for all baby enrties, just enter "baby". I'm sure I've used that word in every related entry :)
As the title suggests, I may start to blog more about issues related to my life philosophies. Although this blog started as a simple "newsletter" I've noticed that people are increasingly asking me about some of these things and perhaps it's time I shared more with family and friends so that when I start making "strange" requests on behalf of the baby you won't be as surprised.
If you want an introduction to my philosophy of being an "earthy-birthy" mama, see my article published in Timeless Spirit e-magazine available from the link on the left. Our beloved babysitter Grace also has a great article in that magazine (not the same issue) about the Blessingway.

Week 22

Whoa. I just traced my belly and was shocked by the growth. Have a look! The green represents the last two weeks of growth.

There's no hiding it now! Speaking of baby stuff, I found this perfect lamp for her room! This room previously had no light source. We always have to steal Robin's bedside lamp when someone uses the room.

I think it's perfect.

A. is definitely moving a lot lately. Sometimes it seems nonstop! We've also decided she will have to be a Bombers fan. So feel free to send baby Bomber gear for our girl :) (Robin's watching the game right now.)

And to close up, a few photos from Halloween.

I was happy to hear some kids describe the house as "spooky". Obviously it's more impressive in partial light and I had most of the lights dim or off in the house. Darla got too excited by the large groups of kids and had to be sent downstairs with Robin. It's too bad because kids love Darla.

And finally, here is Robin modelling his Jayne Cobb hat, which I knit for his birthday. He wore this as Jayne Cobb (from the show Firefly / movie Serenity) for Halloween at work.

Preparing for Halloween

Now that the Ultrasound has come and gone and we know we'll have a baby girl in a few months... what is there to update you on??!! Of course I'll continue to add new photos of my growing belly and all the adorable things I'm knitting (just started a "girly" baby blanket with a snowdrop lace pattern in light purple fingering weight yarn). I will also be putting together a wish list for baby online since we will not be registering at a mega-store. I imagine the next big story will be feeling her kick - or more importantly, Robin being able to feel her kick.

In the meantime - I hope everyone has a fabulous Halloween! I'm dressing up as a Pumpkin Witch and lecturing to my students in orange! What a great excuse to wear everything I own that is orange. And A. (baby) can participate too because I am stitching black felt shapes onto the belly of my orange top to make my belly into a jack-o-lantern. I was just going to be a Pumpkin person (have orange hairspray, a brooch, and a sparkly "body art" sticker for my face [nnow neck] to go with the rest of the orange) until I remembered my awesome orange and brown crocheted witch hat. I can't not wear it on Halloween!!

Why "A." you ask? I guess I didn't post that story here. There are two top names chosen for our girl and both begin with A. But we won't choose for certain until we meet her. Until her birth she is A. Marion Furney Bartley. Her middle name was chosen years ago, or at least, the middle name of our first daughter was chosen years ago. Naming a girl was a relatively easy matter for us. It was boy names we were struggling with.

UPDATE: I think we could both feel A. kicking last night. It wasn't strong and I wasn't sure if I was just feeling movement inside or on my hand, but Robin may have felt something too. Very faint yet if it is.

Ultrasound says...

It's a girl.

The last image is our Halloween special... the skull.

Pretty cool... and creepy. But hey, that's human anatomy.

Enjoy the first baby photos.

Yippee - It's October!!

Ah, October. Cool breezes. Sunny skies. Autumn colours and crisp leaves. How lovely.

Let's hurry up and skip to the end of the month! Then we can get to the good stuff!! Namely, the ultrasound (Oct 25) and Halloween. I have no idea what I'm dressing up as this year, but I'd like it to incorporate baby somehow. But not as gorey as what my sister did during her pregnancy last year! (see photo below) I also plan on decorating the house this year. Last year the renovations were in the way and we hid in the basement with our lights off. And sheesh - they didn't even show Thriller on TV. What's Halloween without MJ's Thriller on MM?

In the meantime, I suppose I'll have to occupy myself by getting stuffed this weekend. A long weekend of fun - and this month I/we are taking advantage of it! Over the summer the long weekends slipped by us unnoticed. Robin currently has Thursdays and Fridays off, plus he got the weekend off, and he's not working the holiday Monday. So he has a 5 day weekend! (I have to teach Friday). We're celebrating his birthday on Saturday. Then we're sharing dinner with his cousins on Sunday. It's somewhat unfortunate that his birthday is this weekend and we want to celebrate with friends, because otherwise we could have taken off for a mini holiday. We'll just have to have a holiday here at home. This week I'll be busy finishing up Robin's surprise gifts. I already gave him an early present - a Halo 3 poster I made sure I got before they all sold out (with H2 they sold out in 2 weeks). I also wanted him to have it before the actual game came out - but he's still not put it up. And now, of course, he's too busy playing H3 to worry about the poster.

Robin's soon changing jobs. He'll still be with the same company (unless he quits), but the job will be somewhat different. He may get stuck with some crappy hours for a while :( But he's hopeful that the new developments will give him an opportunity to get a supervisory position.

Babydom

Welcome to Mandy's Wonderful World of Babydom.


Let us tour the beginnings of the shrine.


On your left you will find the early stages of belly-growth art illustrating two weeks of growth (from week 14 to 16). This art will grow with the artist until it is a rainbow of lines with the growth shaded in.


Below is Mandy's perspective of her belly. (Do not note the mass of important papers strewn about the office floor.)





Next stop is the interior of the co-sleeper crib. Along the bottom is baby's first blanket, hand knit by myself. See where the balls of yarn changed - this was unintentional. Accompanying the blanket is a matching hat and booties as modelled by Bear. The blanket is my own design. The crocheted hat was a free online design.





Also featured is baby's first stuffed toy - the purple unicorn - who is modelling a knitted wool soaker (the first of two I've finished).


Following this are two knitted swirled hats using a free pattern found online. I asked Orin and Ericka to model these for us. I first asked Monkey, but she was unwilling to pose with a hat on.

Finally, here I am almost a year ago modelling a baby wrap I made. Inside is a 7 month old child happily sleeping.










***Mark your calendars for October 25***
This is the date of our ultrasound and pictures will be posted ASAP.
You can now start your bidding on whether it is a boy or girl.

Baby's Heartbeat

Today I had my second midwife appointment.
Unfortunately, Robin was once again unable to attend because he had to work and couldn't make any of the available appointments this week. But I've scheduled the next appointment for his day off.
Since he missed hearing the baby's heartbeat last month, this time I recorded the session for him.
And we've decided to share it with you!
Here is a link to you tube where I have uploaded the sound clip with accompanying pictures.
(If you are on Facebook, it is also available there to our friends).

Enjoy.

Co-sleeper

After giving up hope of getting a co-sleeper (crib alternative) locally (the producer does not sell to Canada, though some small Canadian stores import them for a premiuim price) we'd made plans to find a convertible crib for co-sleeping.
Until yesterday when Robin spotted an ad in Kitchener selling a co-sleeper for only $65. Fortunately he responded immediately because the woman apparently had many inquiries. We got it home and set it up all by ourselves - without a manual. I laugh at all the reviews I've read that say it's so hard to assemble and disassemble. Pshah - we figured it out quickly all by ourselves! Of course, I'll check the instructions available on-line to make sure we did everything right.
I also want to find a different mattress for it. I don't like the board-like mattress that comes with it. As far as I'm concerned, it's just a padded mattress base. No baby should have to sleep on that! It's the same as the mattress base on a playpen - which is fine for once in a while. And of course, this is not surprising since the Co-Sleeper by Arm's Reach is really just a playpen with a full bassinet on top. The difference from other pen-bassinets is that one side drops lower for co-sleeping.
Anyhow - we're happy with our deal. And this gives us time to figure out the long-term sleeping plan for baby after s/he is born.
In the meantime - Fenwick likes it :)
And having an actual baby bed in the house is inspiring me to think of bedding. Since the co-sleeper does not share its dimensions with a standard crib, I'll have to make my own fitted sheets. The company does sell plain coloured fitted sets, but again, I'm looking at an American company and shipping. I'd much rather make my own. I can sew. And I can pick out my own fabrics! That's much more fun!! Some nice soft cotton flannels I'm thinking...
Also on the list of items for the bed is a lamb-friendly "lamb's skin" mattress pad. Made from shorn wool rather than an actual lamb's skin of course. I'm looking for a (preferably Canadian) alternative to the popular Snuggle Wool products because the latter backs their lambswool pads with polyester rather than organic cotton and they treat their wool rather extensively for easy washing.

Watch for new photos next week.

PS - Hello Aunt Joyce. It was you I was referring to :)

September Zips in

Where did August go? All of a sudden I'm looking at my calendar and it says September! Oh - and what's that? Classes start on Monday??!! The class I teach starts Monday... *gulp* Good thing there is an entire weekend in between to have fun!

Friday night is a girls campout in Waterloo. There will be smores. The other girls will be enjoying something alcoholic, but not me. S'more smores for me please. Next weekend I'm helping out at a garage sale for the Grand River All Breed animal rescue. That's the group I volunteer with now. This past weekend I helped transport 5 rescued dogs, 3 of which were coming into our foster care. One of the three found a forever home immediately (next day), which was great! The other two shouldn't be long behind. They're gorgeous lab crosses. I was so tempted to bring Cooper home - he's a handsome boxer-lab cross. Darla could use a canine companion... if only we had a large fenced yard. Yes, this is the danger of working with rescued animals. (Notice we have 3 cats...) It's probably just as well we don't have a fenced yard.

Well, that's about it for weekend fun. Unless you count housecleaning as fun (you weirdo). Robin's busy prepping to paint the front entrance. With the help of a friend who is a carpenter (okay, he did all the work, but it's because he wanted to!) we put a bench into the front closet and have changed it from a closet to a nook, which nicely opens up the entrance. Once the walls are painted (yellow) we can put in all the freakin' baseboards above the tiled floor in the kitchen and front entrance ... and then the renovations we started almost a year ago will be done! (On to the living room flooring...) I'll put up pictures of the finished product. It's going to look great.

Robin's dad arrives Wednesday for a visit. So I suppose I should clear out the spare closet - I mean, bedroom. You'd never know it was a bedroom right now - except for the bed - under the stuff. And once it's cleared I *suppose* I should endeavor to keep it clear... because it will be baby's room. Well, at least I need to leave space to put baby stuff. Baby will be sleeping in our room. And that's still many moons away.

The pregnancy is going well. I'm in month 3 now. My 24/7 nausea has pretty much gone - which is great! And I never once puked!! Still napping though, which is also great - except that it interrupts work, but I've always gotten tired around midday and needed to take a break. All in all I'd say this is a relatively easy pregnancy so far. I really can't complain. If all continues to go well I'll get to be one of those moms who can tell her child - you were great! I had such an easy time being pregnant with you that I was ready to have a whole clan. (Which is ***NOT*** the plan - two please. Hyperbole is important in storytelling.) And then, if all continues to go well I can rave about how baby slept through the night, and potty-trained in a week and was never fussy. LOL Hey, a woman can dream!

I went for my first midwife appointment a few weeks ago and was blessed to hear the baby's heartbeat. It was incredible. Unfortunately Robin wasn't there and he won't be able to make the next appointment (on the 17th) either. But there will be plenty of opportunities for him to listen. We (midwife and I) didn't really expect to be able to hear baby's heartbeat so early because of how far from the surface everything is at that point. Of course, that was then. Now baby is starting to show and giving me a belly to prove my pregnancy! I had to buy some new pants a size up to fit. I'm not ready for maternity pants yet!

And since people have been asking, here is a photo to show my little baby bump. It's not much, but it's something and I definitely notice it.
One of the things I've really noticed being pregnant is the physiological changes to my basic life activities. I've always been a powerwalker - but now I'm walking in second gear instead of fourth and I have to gear down to first to get up hills. It sucks! My breathing has also changed. I've trained to breath deeply, especially at night. Now I lay awake frustrated by my own shallow breaths and I just can't get them to go much deeper. It was bad enough having to listen to Robin's shallow breathing...

And here is my big fear... twins. I can't wait for my ultrasound in 6 or 7 weeks to tell me I don't have twins! And that it's a girl :P (Robin says boy, but I write the blogs!) Twins run in my maternal line and skipped the birth of my generation. I used to think twins would be great. Then I had a reality check!

In other news. Just today I received notification that my research has *finally* been approved by the human research ethics committee - after a long and bitter battle... But that's all water under the bridge (until a colleague asks me about the process and I give my bitter reply) now that I can start my research. Needless to say, I won't be graduating with others from my cohort next June. Of course, it was unlikely that was ever going to happen. Instead I'll be on maternity leave. I'm taking two terms of leave (8 months total, 2 months free to get as much work done as possible before baby is due) and a maternity bursary from the university. I'll be back to school next fall 2008 to wrap up this PhD and plan to graduate spring 2009.

We'd like to give a shout-out to Robin's aunt who apparently reads this. [Hi] Sorry I hadn't updated the blog in a while. I did post stuff on Facebook, but that's no excuse. I'll try to be better about keeping everyone updated about the pregnancy.

That about wraps up what's new in our household. I hope everyone had a great summer!

Reading List

My reading list sure has changed over the last year. I just finished reading my second fantasy book in two months. That in itself is strange. I used to go through fantasy books by the dozen.

But graduate studies will do that to you. I hadn't realized how much I miss reading fantasy/ fiction until I just finished this last book (Songspinner). Of course, I read a lot still, and I still get excited over most of the books I read, even though they are "school" books. Just the other day I was very excited to (finally) receive a book I ordered back in May (after calling several times this month to demand the whereabouts of my book). I was just laying down for a nap when the delivery guy knocked at the door. Of course I had to open it immediately, and then I started reading even though I was tired. It is a great book titled Kids in Context and is about the research I now do in the field of the sociology of children and childhoods. It's well written, but the most fun was reading the introduction where the authors describe their difficult experiences in getting permission to start their research - the same difficulties I am facing with the university's Human Research Ethics Committee. They reminded me that I'm not alone in facing these issues, that research with children is constantly being roadblocked by ignorant and overprotective boards, but that ultimately the research is getting done and it is making a difference - children's voices are being heard in research as well as some areas of policy-making now, wherever there are researchers and advocates like us fighting with the overseeing boards to make space for the children's voices. Unfortunately, the difference is not yet being seen at the level of ethics boards - not even after 30 years of work.
It has been said that this new field of research which advocates for the rights of children as persons will be to the 21st century what feminism was to the 20th century. I hope they are right.
I hope that one day my children and grandchildren will not be faced with the dismissive attitude of "she's just a child", even by the most well-meaning "guardian" who seeks to "protect" that child by deciding everything for her.

Robin returns

Yippee! Robin returns tonight.
But perhaps even more exciting is the fact that my keyboard is working again! It's really no fun having a keyboard that does not function properly when you have work to do.

I hope everyone got their fill of Robin's presence while he was in Winnipeg. And that you've convinced him we need to come back to visit for Yule/Winter/Christmas.

Nothing terribly exciting to report here. I've kept busy in Robin's absence. Friday night I even attended a huge Harry Potter release city/street party. The entire downtown of New Hamburg was transformed into New Hogsmeade for the release. It was great! I dressed up and went with some friends. We had to stay until midnight so my friends could pick up a reserved copy of the new book. Not me though. I only own the first book and then only because I got it for free because I had to read it for a course I TA'd. I'll wait for the movie. And maybe one day I'll read them with my kids, but for now I have more than enough books on my to-read list, including my favourite fantasy authors.

On the pregnancy front, what was mild nausea sometimes has expanded to mild nausea 24/7 which is not pleasant, but it could be much worse I suppose. It just makes me feel apathetic towards most foods and turned off by others. I make sure I eat and drink and all that good stuff. I think maple syrup is on my must-have list right now, honestly. Chocolate is on my avoid list though, and that sucks. Maybe I'm just feeling apathetic towards chocolate, but I know many women who couldn't eat chocolate while pregnant and I don't want any negative experiences to taint my future chocolate tastings. I bought a chocolate frog at New Hogsmeade just because one coffee shop in town was carrying Harry Potter food and drink such as chocolate frogs and butter beer. Butter beer is very very good! Sort of a fizzy apple cider with certain spices. I suppose Robin will have to eat the frog.

I am also taking Tai Chi with a friend. Last year he taught a Mind and Spirit course that incorporated Tai Chi. Now that he and his partner have a backyard he's invited friends to come do Tai Chi. It's great exercise and energy work.

Give Robin a big hug for me

If you're in Winnipeg with my hubby, give him a big hug for me. (That's you Jen!) This is the first time I've been left behind :( Usually I'm the one leaving home with Robin stuck at home.
On the plus side, I get to watch whatever I want on TV in the evening! NO SPORTS! No cooking shows (except Take Home Chef maybe). No poker. Ah, this is the life.

I borrowed a CD of harp music from the library when I was checking out some books, and subsequently I picked up Amalthea (that's my harp). Surprisingly I can still play and she's even relatively in tune so I didn't have to spend the first 10 minutes fussing over her strings. I plan to play more now... you know, for the baby.

I assume by now most people have heard. Robin was waiting until he travelled to Winnipeg to share the news with "his side". He had the benefit of getting to tell people in person.

To answer some common questions I've been getting and Robin doesn't seem able to answer:
Baby is due in early March.
I am currently only one month into the pregnancy (6 weeks as the nurses count).
So far I am lucky and not feeling significant nausea or other morning sickness.
Yes we are excited :D

I guess I'll soon have to add Baby to the title of this blog.

Canada's Wonderland

What an incredible day!
I still love Canada's Wonderland.
I wish I'd taken the camera, but I didn't want to worry about it while I was having fun!
We went on a lot of rides. Even Robin went on Rollercoasters. Yes, you heard me correctly.
My last ride of the night, as the clock was nearing 10pm (park closing) was the Bat. I saved the best for last because several months ago I dreamed of riding the bat at night and looking out over the Mountain with lights upon the waterfall. In my dream there were also fireworks. Riding the Bat again was just like my dream - minus the foreworks. (It would have been incredible if a show had started!)
Everyone really loved the new(er) ride Tomb Raider.
I remember when the stand-up rollercoaster came out (Sky Rider- and luckily I was a tall kid so I could ride it), and the suspended roller coaster (Vortex). Then they dame out with two roller coasters where your feet dangle (Top Gun and something in the kidzville) and Tomb Raider where you are laying on your stomach. There are some crazy (fun) designs!

We have many stories from yesterday - from nabbing theives (that was me reporting them to security after we watched them pull out stolen merchandise from their bag, while standing in line at the bumper cars, and try to jimmy the electronic security tags. They were right behind us in line, and apparently are so stupid that even though I held up the line so I could wait and talk with a ride operator so she could call security - they never even caught on. Not even when I was pulled from line by security to further identify the thieves. They just stood in line waiting to ride the bumper cars. Until security checked their bag and took them away of course.) to the potato-hut employees who must have been smoking up in back because they were so incredibly absent and incompetent to watching a woman whip past us on the Thunder Run (goes through the mountain) talking on a cell phone. Who sits in the back seat of a roller coaster to have a telephone conversation as it is running the track??

And now for something completely different (back to work).

Solstice Greetings

Midsummer is upon us. Where did the days go?

Since returning to Kitchener we've kept busy.

Robin finished the outdoor painting.

I took off for another four days to attend Wild Ginger Witchcamp. (The pond and underwater tree photo are from camp.)

Darla has been encouraging me to join her outside.

I've been crocheting witch hats like they're going out of style (which they are not! never!)

And the days ahead hold even more fun!

We're going to Canada's Wonderland this weekend!!! I've not been in many years. Robin has never been. Do you think I will be able to convince him to ride a RollerCoaster? Because you know that's where I will be lined up all day!!

Let's see... solstice celebrations. Then I'm off AGAIN (last time this summer) for 6 days to attend Spirits of the Earth festival near London, ON.

Soonafter, Robin will be flying out to Winnipeg for the wedding of Justin and Christina.

As for my work, as suspected I have to resubmit my ethics proposal and they want me to do a pilot study with one family before I do the rest. It looks as if I won't really be starting my research until this fall. In the meantime I have research to do for someone else (paid work) and a course to prepare. I even have students registered already for my course. Which makes planning scarier - it was easier to do when there were no students...

And I suppose it is long past time that I submit works for publication. I hate editing. Or more precisely, I hate having to revisit old work. I much prefer moving on to a new project!

In garden news - it looks great. We had a long dry spell broken by thundershowers yesterday, which were not long enough. The frontyard flowers aren't at their best, but we've kept the veggies well hydrated. I saw peas today :) And we've had lettuce for a while now. And radishes.

Winnipeg, Saskatoon, and Kitchener again

It's been a whirlwind of activity - as some of you know first hand as I raced about Winnipeg. I flew in to the Peg May 17 and spend that weekend at Gaia Gathering - a national Pagan conference. My friend Ericka, currently of Halifax, also happened to be in town that weekend and of course we had to get together!

Gaia Gathering was great. There were many interesting panels and I presented a paper on Canadian newspaper portrayals of contemporary Pagans as well as participated in a roundtable discussion of academic research in Pagan Studies. Best of all, though, was meeting new people and seeing folks from Winnipeg.

After Gaia Gathering my sister arrived home from a wedding and my days were filled with Dorion. Or, they would have been except that the next day I caught the 24 hour flu. So sick in bed for 24 hours and another 24 to recover slowly - what a waste of two full vacation days! And I didn't want to get near Dorion and risk having him get sick too. But it passed.

During my stay in Winnipeg I met up with Joe, Jen, Rob and Amanda for lunch - very delicious I must add. Jen makes a great taco soup. I also had breakfast (that same day) with Lauren and Nikki. Also had dinner with my in-laws. Most of the time was spent with family - my apologies to everyone I missed!! I even got to see my dad play with his pipe and drum band at the Forks. This was a first for me. We took Dorion along too (he goes everywhere in the wrap I made for him) and he seemed to enjoy it.

I also went to the Assiniboine Zoo. I didn't get to go last time I was in town :( It was the perfect day to go to the zoo and we took Dorion - it was his first time. I finally got to see the "baby" (not so much a baby any more) black bear. He's actually white right now. There were a lot of young or baby animals at the zoo, including two gorgeous young bald eagles who didn't look like the adult bald eagles.

Then I was off again - driving to Saskatoon for four days at the Congress of Social Sciences and Humanities. The best part of attending the annual meeting of the Canadian Society for the Study of Religion is meeting up with colleagues from across Canada. I also chaired a roundtable discussion on the study of new religious movements, presented a paper on including children in research on religion, and co-presented a paper on the contributions urban Pagans have to make for environmental studies. All in all, I think the conference went well. I also ate very well! There were many collegial food gatherings.

Saskatoon was unfortunately cold and often rainy. I hadn't really brought appropriate clothing, but I managed to make due. It was beautiful on the last day - when we were leaving.

Finally, I was back in Winnipeg for a couple more days, which included a large family BBQ. My aunt hosted this in her new large backyard - complete with an outdoor, enclosed spa-tub! All my new family members were there - my nephew and two newborn second cousins. It was a fine time, even with the rain. (Rain was welcome in that heat!)

Back in Kitchener, Robin was not on holiday! He had to wake extra early every morning to walk Darla, water the gardens, then bike or bus to work (no decent parking available except on Sundays). When he got home he had to walk Darla again and make food (and water the plants again if necessary). Apparently he's discovered that cooking for himself is less fun than cooking for others. On top of that, he decided to paint the outdoor trim in my absence. It looks great! I can't say I'm too sorry for him - all those additional things he had to do are what I always have to do in addition to my work - because I work from home. Of course, I don't get up extra early, I just continue my work through the evening and use gardening and taking care of the animals as a break from research and writing.

Once I returned, there was gardening and other catching up to be done. I'm still waiting to hear back from the Ethics Committee regarding my research application. I've heard some pre-warnings, which have not made me happy. Suffice it to say, research will be delayed. This should not surprise me.

Coming back from Winnipeg was difficult. It's hard to say which place is "home". This is where my physical home is - and my nuclear family - but Winnipeg is where most of our family and friends are - and that makes it home. Ideally, we will move back. Ideally. If I can get a university job in the region. That's a few years away yet.

Garden Joys

Before I move into photos of the garden - let me give an update... umm... Robin still works days, now with Fri+Sat off. My sister, nephew and my dad arrive at the end of the week. I fly to Winnipeg in a week and a half. I've finished my first of three conferences this month - and it went very well. Monkey keeps growing. Fenwick is much more bold. Darla is enjoying the shade outside. I'm wishing we would replace the deck umbrella - because the sun is hot! I locked myself out one day a few hours before Robin returned from work and got a lovely sunburn.

On to the garden. Let's begin with the current flowers in the front yard.



These are my favourite daffodils because of the bright orange centers. We also have all yellow and in the neighbour's garden mirroring ours she has white with yellow.

These grape hyacinths just get crazier every year! You can see some of the other hyacinths behind them.


The Lepard's Bane. The day lilies beside them have yet to flower of course. On their right are the newly planted strawberries.


New phlox added as ground cover. We really like the phlox we currently have - makes a great perrenial, particularly once it fills out. Now, on to the tasty gardens!


The relocated perrenial herbs. Already, just days after this photo, these look even more full! Ignore the weeds creeping in from the side. We have lemon balm on the right, three small parsley plants from last year, a new lavendar just to the right of the trunk, thyme in the shade, and oregano in the left corner.


In this bed beneath the herbs are the broccoli, kohl rabi, swiss chard and chives (just out of sight at the top). At the bottom is mint.Below this bed are planted green onions, radishes and peas, but only the radishes are really showing yet.


Across from the cabbages bed is the lettuce and red onion (top row - you can see the onion best), radishes, and spinach along the bottom.


The oh so tasty strawberry plants! Between the rows is a row of mixed lettuce greens. Behind are sweet pea flowers.


Alas, these are the raspberry canes, which are not looking so good. Along the edges you can see Lily of the Valley coming up. We removed an entire bed of those flowers - they were so densley packed that all the soil had to go too! Now the soil/plants are in a pile in the sun... still growing.


Whoa - bigger than I thought, sorry. Here inside the greenhouse are the future plantings. Cucumbers are finally up (green stick). The blue sticks mark a flower - cosmos I think. The orange is for pumpkins. I was despairing that none had come up by the time they were expected, but yesterday two popped out - and when they come out of the soil they're already huge! So I will have pumpkin!!


I saved my sage seeds last year (after all the herbs went to flower). In one package I had separated all the teeny seeds from the dried flower heads. In another package I gave up separating them and saved the dried flowers. This spring I planted both in tow different pots. Then I forgot which was which. But both came up - so this year I am not straining my eyesight separating tiny seeds!


Here stands my lone tomato plant. But look - a new seed has sprouted. Behind them, with the orange sticks, is where the pumpkin has since sprouted. Behind the pumpkins are ground cherries which have also sprouted after many many many weeks - I'd about given up hope! No wonder you have to start them very early. Unfortunately, my peppers, which I started at the same time, are still not up.



And finally, here is the rosemary I so carefully tended inside over the winter. In the back right corner are the marigolds - with a couple seedlings. As you can tell, I love growing plants from seeds - they're my babies. I even get up early in the morning now to water them before it gets too sunny. Me, getting up early!