Another day in the grass with Buddha

6 month check up

Today was Adelaide's 6 month check up! It was exciting to find out how much she has grown, as we haven't weighed or measured her for 3 whole months! This time we tried out a new Dr. - his name is Dr. Ed. He is also a Naturopath and Midwife, but is very educated in vaccines, and because she is now 6 months old, we wanted to talk to him about our beliefs, as well as his own. Our other midwife/pediatrician didn't have the answers to the questions that we wanted, but Dr. Ed does. We ended up getting the DTaP vaccine, which was the only one we were considering. It's also the only one he recommends right now. The only reason is because Pertussis (whooping cough) is pretty common up here year round, and because I want Adelaide to be exposed to other kids. The reactivity of the vaccine is very low, so we felt okay about it, although I was still pretty nervous. Adelaide will have to get another one in 2 months, and then the final one in 8 months. She did pretty good about it. She did cry, and I felt horrible about it, but she was all smiles again by the time we left. She didn't ever get a fever, but her little leg did seem a little sore. I'm just glad that we made the decision and now it's over with!!! Here are her current stats:

Weight - 16lbs 5oz
Height - 27 inches
Head cir - 43cm

She is still in the 90% for height, but fell below %75 for weight, so she is growing length wise, but not really gaining as much weight. I guess she will be a tall, skinny girl like her mommy and dad! Myles really liked Dr. Ed, so I think we will keep going to him for a while, although I really like Catherine, so I hope we can have visits with her sometimes too. I also talked to him about her birth and how it's still hard for me to accept etc. He said I have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder...and prescribed some homeopaths for me. He also recommends that I come in and talk to his wife who is also a Dr...but I want to wait and see what happens in a few months. I think it's okay to still be sad about things, I know I'm not depressed about it and am generally very happy, so I'm giving myself time to heal.

Yoga my love

I just got out of my yoga class and it was amazing. I was noticing how different my body feels after having been pregnant and giving birth and all. Before I got pregnant I had been practicing yoga with the same teacher for almost 3 years. She really kicks my butt, but also really gets my mind in an amazing place anytime I go to her class. I feel like she can read my mind with the things she says sometimes. There have been a few times that I've really broken down and had tears running down my face. It comes from the emotions that are stored deep in my body, and certain poses just seem to bring them out sometimes. When she talks she is talking to the whole class, but I always feel like it's just to me. I wanted her to be there to coach me through my labor...I bet she would have been such a big help!

So before I was pregnant I was getting really strong and flexible, and able to balance in head stand and working on other inversions. Pregnancy really changed everything. I went to pre-natal yoga, but it wasn't the same. Your body just changes so much, not to mention what the hormones do to loosen your joints and things. So NOW my body is trying to get back to where it was, but everything seems off. My joints are sore a lot and my back is always messed up these days, even though I had never had back problems before. When I go upside down now I can really feel that big hole in me where Adelaide used to be...you would think after 6 months I would forget that feeling, but I still miss her so much when she isn't with me, and so does my womb =) I sound crazy - I know. So anyway, I'm going to keep doing yoga and keep getting my strength back into these spaghetti arms until I'm even better than I was before. I not just my muscles, but my mind back to a clear place where I can be the best mommy ever. We all need a little time to ourselves, and I get mine at my yoga class =)

Happy Birthday Nanabird!!!!

Today is my aunt Lisa's birthday!!! She is at the top of my list for inspiring people. She has probably been more of a mother to me than anyone else, especially in the last 10 years or so. She is always so positive and seems to always do the "right thing" and doesn't seem to let the harsh world get her down. She is an amazing mother to her children, and I really admire everything about her. She is Adelaide's nanabird =) I hope you have an amazing day today - we love you!!!

My current thoughts on "weaning"

I thought that I would write about this because of what my friend K. said in my comments before. It made me think about weaning and what it means. Because we are getting ready to try out solid foods it might seem to most that means that we will slowly wean and then Adelaide will be on solids and no milk asap. I'm thinking other thoughts right now, although this mothering thing is really a "play it by ear" way of being, and who knows how I will feel in a few weeks.

My origonal play was to breast feed for AT LEAST 2 years. It's what the World Health Organization reccomends, and it sounds about right to me. I think it goes right along with the attachment parenting that we practice, and also helps to keep Adelaides immune system stronger. We have chosen to postpone her vaccinations, so in return there are things I need to do to keep her extra healthy, and the most importaint of those things is passing my immune system onto her through my milk. I'm really excited to see what you fellow mommy bloggers of mine have to say about all of this.

So I've been going along with my plans to keep on breast feeding, but now Adelaide has begun biting, and not just once, but several times a day. Pretty much every time she finishes eating she bites down and then pulls her mouth away. IT HURTS. I've tried to express that it hurts - she doesn't get it, or doesn't care. I'm not sure which. She is teething, and so maybe this feels good on her gums, but it sure doesn't feel good to me! If she continues to bite me once her teeth start coming in then I plan to file them down with a metal nail file.....haha just kidding...
If she continues to bite once her teeth start to come it I might have to change my 2 year plan. Maybe I will have to give her the milk strictly from a bottle of sippy cup... I don't know what will happen because I just assumed that MY baby wouldn't be a biter. I'm also afraid that once she gets to try solid food she might loose interest in my milk. Any advise from my readers would be helpful. Thank you K. for bringing this up!!

Updates and thoughts on my Punkie girl

I just wanted to write a little because it feels like I usually just post pictures, and don't have much to say. There are so many things changing all of the time with the baby, and it's hard to remember this stuff if I don't write it down.

She will be having her 6 month check up on Monday. I'm really excited because we are going to meet a new Pediatrician, and I think it will be nice just to get another view on how she is doing. She is getting ready to start so many things so I want to make sure she is ready. She has been rolling over a lot more, but still having a littel bit of trouble getting back to her back once she is on her tummy. She also scoots just a little bit. I will have her on the floor in one place, and if I walk away for a minute, she will have turned compleatly around when I come back. I think she is getting strong. I've been working with her on sitting, but she still can't quite do it on her own for more than a second.

We are starting baby sign language classes a week from Friday. I organized it so that we can have private lessons with our playgroup. It's going to be so fun to be able to communicate better with her once she gets a little bit older. I know my heart will melt when she does her first sign. She is so smart, so I think she will have no problem figuring it out. She is ALWAYS singing and trying to talk. She makes so much noise, so it will be fun to know what she is really saying.

She is still drooling a lot and seeming uncomfortable with teething, but she still hasn't cut any teeth. I have a feeling she will in the next month or so. I think we will try to see how she likes Organic Brown Rice cereal this weekend. I've been trying to be patient with starting her on solids, but I am just so excited that I want to see how she does. I think we will start with the rice for the first week, then maybe try carrots or sweet potatoes next. Myles mom bought us the coolest babyfood maker, so I am going to make all of her food myself. I think this is the perfect time of year to start now that the farmers markets are starting up again.

As for sleeping, she is still a great sleeper at night, but has been a little bit harder to put down to sleep. For about a month I was able to just lay her in her crib with the binkie and wind up the music box and she would be out....now she fusses for a little bit most of the time. I got the swing bed out again yesterday and that has really seemed to help. I just lay her in there and swing it and most of the time she falls right to sleep, and then I can put her in her crib. She still sleeps all of the time. She is usually only awake for about an hour or two at a time, and then asleep for the same amount of time. Today she took a nap for over 2 hours....that was a lot longer than usual. I guess she is probably having her 6 month growing spurt, although that's what I say everytime she sleeps a lot.

Happy Birthday Jessie! Welcome to the world Rhonan!

Today is my sissy's birthday...and not just any birthday, she is turning the big 3 Oh! Here we are at my wedding 2 years ago =)



ALSO - welcome to the world and Happy Birthday to Rhonan!!! He was born to my good friend Dustin and his amazing wife Ellie. She had a natural birth in the hospital, and I am so proud of her! Talking to them has really made me go back and remember so many amazing things about when Adelaide was first born and brand new. I can't believe she is already 6 months old, although it seems like she's been around a lot longer than that. Soon she will be driving.

This is how she keeps awake at nap time ~

Our yard is Paradise

After our drive we came home and hung out in the grass in our front yard. It was so nice out there! It's great to have a big yard where we can relax and play.

First Horse

We had such a great day. It was sunny and warm, so we decided to take a drive out to the countryside. While we were out there we came across a park where lots of people take their horses to ride. We thought it would be a good chance for Adealide to see a horse for the first time. We were lucky because some really nice guys had their really nice horses to show us. The one in the pictures name is Pilgrim. He was such a sweet horse and really likes kids. I think Adelaide really liked him too. She even got to sit on his saddle =) I love horses so much and really think it would be great to live out there and have a horse and farm to take care of. I know it's a lot of work, but seems like the kind of life I would like. I think Adelaide is so cute in this little orange jumper that our friend Megan let us borrow. She is almost too big for her car seat already - but don't worry, we will get a bigger one soon enough!

Portrait time

I'm thinking of getting my photography business going again.... here are some portraits I did of punkie.Do you think people would pay me to do this?

Birdy on my shoulder

It's just another rainy day in Portland. We had some crazy winds and thunder and lightning earlier. Punkie is wearing the cutest little outfit that my friend Megan let her borrow. It's from South Africa. She was so cute and colorful playing on her play mat... I just had to take a few pictures. She has really been rolling over a lot now and is starting to scoot around a little bit. I can't believe how fast she is growing.

Trying to learn to sew

I am so amazed by my friends that can sew, and I know I can teach myself to do it as well, and heck, it has to be a lot faster than knitting! Today I set out to make Adelaide a dress. I kind of cheated, as I took this dress that I bought for myself at Target a few years ago, and altered it. I love the dress, but just never wore it because it didn't fit me right. Now I will get to see it more....on Adelaide!! So I basically just cut it in half in both directions, sewed the hem and one side together, and then moved the straps around and shrunk them. I know I'm a cheater, but I think the dress turned out pretty good. Let's just hope it gets warm enough for her to wear it a few times before it's too small for her!

2 Years and counting

It's been two years since Myles and I tied the knot in Northern Ireland. I love being married, and think that marrying Myles was the best thing I've ever done. He is the man of my dreams, and my soul mate. I love him so much. Here are some of the sillier pictures from our wedding day.





These guys were at the house where we stayed. They are the reason that I can't eat beef.

Here was the main house where everyone else but us stayed

This was the next day at one of my favorite places on earth, the harbor in Ballintoy.

Daddy and his pooh bear =)

The BEST tomatoe soup ever!

I just made this soup and it turned out just like it is at the restaurant. It's so yummy, and easy to make. I doubled the recipe, and only used half the butter, and it's still amazing. I recommend it when you need lots of vitamin C, or just when you want some easy good homemade soup. Let me know if you like it!

ELEPHANTS TOMATO ORANGE SOUP

1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
1/2 medium onion, diced
2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 cup heavy cream

In a saucepan, melt butter; add onion and saute until translucent. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper, baking soda and thyme. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered about 15 minutes or until slightly thickened.
Puree in a food processor or blender; strain through a sieve or food mill.
Return to saucepan and stir in orange juice. At this point, the soup can be refrigerated until ready to serve.
At serving time, add the whipping cream and heat gently, stirring constantly, bringing to a simmer and adjust seasonings if necessary. Extra cream maybe drizzled on top of the soup immediately before serving for decorative effect.

Justin and Julie

My baby cousin Justin and his girlfriend Julie drove all the way up to visit us. He's not a baby anymore, but I remember when he was, and I'll always think of him that way I guess. It was a great adventure to come up, and I tried to show them all I could in the one day we had. We drove up to the waterfalls and then all around the city. I think they had fun. We didn't care what we were doing, we were just glad to have some time together.

Bug's expressions

He likes it when the sun comes out too.

Closer look at the flowers