Sewing Projects

 This morning I am off on our first 'big' vacation with Little B. We are going to the lovely town of Mt. Shasta to visit my sister (whom I haven't seen in two and a half years) and meet her little one who turns two in a week.

Before I depart I wanted to share a couple of little projects.

Weeks ago I was prompted to make these cloth balls. I really wanted Bronwyn to have a ball to explore with her hands and her mouth. Thus, the need for cloth and not plastic. While they don't bounce, they're so much fun. The papa found out that a little bounce with them on the forehead elicits a great deal of deep belly laughter.

I also was inspired to make a few gifts that were multi-functional. In this case, lavender rice pillows.

Not only can they heat the space where you lay your little one, they help to calm and soothe when placed nearby. Also, they can turn into doll pillows once little hands start getting interested in playing big.

 

I also really loved sewing the names freehand; it's a great confidence builder. The tricky part is making sure the lettering is in the middle, not too far up or down, or left or right. I still have work to do with this but am happy with how the cursive turned out.

I will have some more projects to share after the birthday presents get opened...the mountain life gets explored...two little cousins meet...and two sisters get to have some good time together!

Quotable Sunday :: These are a Few of My Favorite Things...

"When the dog barks, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad, I simply remember a few of my favorite things, and then I don't feel so bad."

- Oscar Hammerstein II

Oh that Julie Andrews. She is definitely one of my favorite things.

I'm actually not feeling bad, but thought I would share a few of my favorite weekend things to do:

Eat yummy (and sometimes not so healthy) breakfast foods. One of my recent discoveries is Stuffed French Toast from The Joy of Cooking.

Bake! I baked another blueberry pie this weekend.

 

This one is vegan, and was MUCH harder to put together. The crust was crumbling apart and was not a joy to work with. The secret is...

 

...wax paper. (That is, rolling the dough between two pieces of wax paper.) I also used Earth Balance shortening which is healthier than Crisco, put probably also why it was harder to roll out, shape, etc. I will let you know how it tastes after tonight.

Which brings me to another favorite thing....eating with friends. Tonight we will see some dear friends who have two very beautiful babes.

 

Finally, bathing with my beauty. Oh how she enjoys her bath times in the tub. Yahoo!

  

 

What do you enjoy doing on the weekend?

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For more Quotable Sunday visit the are so happy blog.

On Being a Housewife

There are certain days I love being a housewife. There are other days that I think, "Wow, this again!" But those days are more because it is a routine (which most jobs contain a lot of) and I am definitely a lover of variety and change. Either way, I am SO glad I have a choice to be a stay-at-home-mom.

The day that I made this blueberry pie for instance was pretty grand. I love expressing my creativity and challenging myself to do new things. This was the second pie I've made from scratch.
The crust was a cream cheese pastry crust, from the Joy of Cooking, and was incredibly yummy.

Diaper laundry day has a new dimensional zen to it. While not as pretty as Red Laundry Day, it was oh so satisfying to hang those wet diapers on the line and enter a contemplative space. Also, it feels good knowing that I'm making as minimal impact possible upon our mother earth.

Watching Little B on the swing for the first time, dressing her up in whimsical outfits that reflect her personality, and enjoying the world through her eyes.

These are the moments that I cherish, and look forward to more of.

Quotable Sunday

Listen carefully to your inner guidance and enter into the realm of true wisdom.

Dr. Christiane Northrup

The reason I chose a photo of Bronwyn pottying is because a lot of elimination communication (EC) is using a parent's inner guidance to know when and how to potty their infant. For my husband, this comes in the form of phantom pees, for me, it occurs in multiple ways, including timing, attachment and intuition. I am so blessed to have EC in our lives so that we can take care of our five month old's needs more fully.

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This is the beginning of Quotable Sundays. I'm excited to be participating in are so happy's weekly inspiration.

Quotes can be like mantras....sometimes all it takes is a few words to make huge shifts in people's lives.

The Aware Connection - Elimination Communication

Wow, it has been over a month since my last post! This delay is definitely not due to lack of material. As any new mother can attest, there is plenty of fodder to write about... the oohs, awws, "this wasn't in the baby book" and "did she really just do that?".

Bronwyn is now four months old and I have so much I want to share that I've forced myself to choose to go with one topic, and that is....elimination communication. Also known as EC, infant potty training (IPT) or a diaper free baby.

We started practicing this when Bronwyn was two weeks old. Our plan was to wait for a bit until we got onto more firm ground as new parents, but every time we changed her, she would pee. Well, if it's going to be this easy, I thought, why not just start now? So, we did.

I feel very lucky to have been introduced to this by my friend Ambra. I saw her put her baby Sonia on the potty and thought (to be totally honest), she was crazy. As with all narrow-mindedness I had to think it was crazy otherwise I must have been the crazy one, right? Because I was initially skeptical, I also give all my friends who to come to visit a free pass to make fun after they leave.

The most awesome aspect about practicing EC is that I know my baby that much more intimately and am able to meet her needs. As with many babies, Bronwyn does very clear communication with me when she has to go pee or poop. About two months ago I had her on the potty and thought she was done. I started to lift her off, much to her complaints of, "uh, uh, uh, uh." I then put her back on and she finished going poop.

Along with getting fussy when there's no other explanation, the other most obvious sign is when Bronwyn goes on and off my breast several times during breast feeding. About two weeks ago she did this and proceeded to sign "potty" to me. I never would have believed my eyes if my husband hadn't been a witness and affirmed what I saw as well.

Bronwyn has gone pee outside at many venues, including at the beach and in the Golden Gate Park (watering some redwoods), and over adult-sized potties at several restaurants, stores, and friends' homes. At first I was shy to potty her outside the house, but once I did it, I felt that I was ridiculous for caring in the first place. I mean, would I not breastfeed her if she was hungry? It's also been reaffirming to belong to a mom's group where at least half the women do EC as well.

Another highlight about EC is that I don't have to clean poop all over her back, legs and bum. I truly believe that reactions that parents have when they're doing this leads to issues that children have about themselves and their bodily functions (can we say constipation...). Besides, with everything changing all the time with her body, celebrating herself and her body's natural functions is exactly what she needs right now. Yahoo for pooh!

If you interested in learning more, I highly recommend the DiaperFreeBaby site as well as Chrisine Gross-Loh's book, The Diaper Free Baby.

Almond Coconut Rice Pudding (vegan)

So, I am on my third attempt to figure out what Ms. Bronwyn is allergic to. The first time, I was on a highly modified diet for 4 weeks, and the green poop/red butt never got better. I then tried it again for a week, not eating any dairy or wheat, and stopped because her symptoms got worse. I've now been off wheat and gluten for a week and a half. Still, nothing is getting better. A couple times I got excited since her butt wasn't red, but then it would come back. Just yesterday she had a fairly red-free butt, and then the green stools increased throughout the day. And today the red bum arrives.

Despite Bronwyn's obviously well-nourished body, this process has been very disheartening, particularly to see her red bum. If you have any ideas or know of any mom who has gone through this, please, please, please forward me their contact information.

On the up side, the changes in my diet have gotten me to be awfully creative with my cooking. I whipped up some rice pudding that is heavenly, and thought I would share.

Almond Coconut Rice Pudding

3/4 C rice (I like jasmine)

1 1/1/2 C water (if you want more nutty or coconut flavor use almond or coconut milk)

1/4 tsp. salt

Let all ingredients above come to a boil, then simmer for 10-15 minutes, until all water is absorbed. Then add,

2 C almond milk

2 C coconut milk (I used 1 C full fat, 1 C low fat)

1/3 to 1/2 C sugar

1/2 to 1 C finely shredded coconut

Cook over medium-low heat until thicker, but still soupy (about 30 minutes).

Let cool for about 5-10 minutes then add 1 tsp. vanilla

Eat warm for maximum flavor enjoyment.