A Crazy Beautiful

The time we went to Florida

Remember that time we went to Florida...yeah probably not because it was more than a month ago!  My posts are a little behind, but oh well, I'm cooking up a sweet baby boy right now and that is my first priority!  Well, no vacation can start without first making a stop at a Dunkin Donuts....we literally know the exit to get this delicious delight on our way to our condo as we make the stop every year no matter what time of day!  We spent every day on the beach and enjoyed our annual crab bake on the beach during an overcast day, but nonetheless had a great time! Our mornings were spent walking around the small beach town or swimming in the pool before heading to the beach for seashell hunting, kite flying and a little relaxation.  It was so nice to be able to relax without having to follow a strict schedule like we do at home.  We enjoyed time and great food with my husbands family (I mean they are Italian so you're bound to be stuffed every night).  It was an amazing trip and we can't wait to do it again next year as a family of 5...WOW!

Guatemala

A couple weeks ago. my husband went to Guatemala to do some mission work and build a well with our church.  I think it was truly life changing in so many ways. I'll let his pictures show you...

Renegade Craft Fair SF

Two weeks ago I went to my first ever Renegade Craft Fair.  I had been waiting for months to go and finally it was here.  We headed out of town early that morning, grabbed a coffee and snacks on the way and arrived just when it started.  It was a beautiful day in San Francisco that day (a nice break from the 100 degree days we had been having at home) and it was everything I had hoped it would be!!! I can't wait for next year!

A few of my favorite shops were

Nourishing Notes

Honey & Bloom

Hillary Bird

Meg A. Myers Designs

Rusty Cuts

 

 

A Trip to the State Fair

We took a trip to the State Fair about a week ago...we had a blast and I enjoyed eating all of that deep fried fair food....I think I had the best corndog I've ever eaten!!!

Pennsylvania Part 2

We spent the rest of our time at the Deer Valley YMCA Family camp in Fort Hill, Pa...it is such a magical place and has so many memories for Ryan as he grew up going there as a kid and then worked there 3 summers throughout college.  I've heard so many stories about his time there.  We had a great time and spent our days sailing, swimming, hiking, seeing all kinds of different wildlife (including a rattlesnake), eating milkshakes just about everyday and enjoying eachother's company...none of us wanted to leave!  Until next year...

Pennsylvania Part 1

Well it's been almost 2 weeks since we've been back from vacation, but finally, I'm getting around to sharing just how great it was.  Since we've been home, I've been sick with a BAD sinus infection and haven't felt like doing much of anything besides sleeping...so here is part one of our trip to Pennsylvania...The first part of our trip we visited with Ryan's aunt and she took us to the most beautiful Amish farm...I was swooning!  I think in my past life I was amish!

 

New members of the family

These are some of the newest members of our family...they are growing so big now and will soon join the rest of the brood in the backyard.  We are having SO much fun with them and the kids absolutely love them (as well as our little dog, Ruby) I'm sure she wishes she could get her paws on them...

A Trip to the Farm

Last Wednesday my daughters Kindergarten class took a field trip to a local farm in our area. It was called the Natural Trading Company. It was by far one of the coolest field trips I have ever been on and a very neat farm too. 

"The Natural Trading Company farm is 40 beautiful acres in Newcastle Ca. It sits at about 400 ft elevation, a perfect growing climate for so many things. They grow a diverse selection of vegetables and fruit, raise pastured hens to supply you with eggs, and a large greenhouse to supply the community with wheatgrass, pea shoots and sunflower greens. They offer their harvest at year round farmers markets and through their community supported agriculture program, CSA."

  The kids got to see baby pigs, turkeys, ducks, baby goats and all of the wonderful things growing from the ground.  We even got to take a visit into their green house where we were able to taste sunflower sprouts and little tomatoes...which were SO good!

To learn more about the farm, their CSA program and when and where they will be at the local Farmers Markets, visit their website here.

Our Decision to use a Midwife

A year or so before we started trying to get pregnant I began reading tons of books on midwifery and birthing at home.  Being in the blog world, I soon discovered many mothers that had, had thier babies at home and even found a few videos that completely inspired me.  I didn't say too much to my husband at the time, I just continued reading and doing my research.  Once we started trying I told him how much I would love to do a home birth.  I don't know how soon he took to the idea, but I remember him showing me a video from Tosh.0 of a woman who had her baby in her bathtub all by herself as if it was just another day...I explained to him, while that was supposed to be funny, that's not what I was envisioning.  I showed him the video below made by Ryan Marshall of Pacing the Panic Room which was one of the ones that totally and completely inspired me and had me in tears the first time I saw it over a year ago.

In January we went to a charity event for a sweet little boy that passed away at the young age of 3.  There, I met two midvives and said that if I got pregnant, they are who I would take my journey with!  Sure enough, on March 4th we found out that we were expecting and I asked my husband, "so, what do you think about a home birth?" he said, "it seems great, do you think you can do it?" I said "yes, but I need your support." He was on board and thought it was a good decision for us, so I immediately contacted the midwives to see if they were available and to set up a time to formally meet with them.  A few weeks later, we went and met with them, kids in tow and they explained to us what they do and what takes place during a home birth.  They gave us tons of information to soak in, but we knew immediately that they were perfect for us and we were very excited.  

Since that first meeting with them, I had a prenatal appointment at 8 weeks and it went great.  With my last two children I had prenatal care with a doctor and had an ultrasound at 6 weeks and then got to hear the heartbeat at about 10 weeks.  This time, I have had no ultrasounds and won't get to hear the baby's heartbeat until 12 weeks...which I can't wait for and my kids are so excited too!  I know there is a little baby in there, but to hear the heartbeat will connect all of us with that sweet soul growing inside my belly.

While I am so excited about having this baby at home, I don't want to discount both of the wonderful experiences I had in the hospital and all of the care I received.  Both births were different, but great.  It is funny though, I always thought my case was rare that I was given pitocin and then an epidural and with that, both of my children's heart rates had dropped during labor...it scared me to death, but I knew I was ok as I was in the hands of the hospital.  I soon learned after watching the documentary The Business of Being Born that I was not the only one that had that experience. 

So...this time, I am feeling a little more empowered, a little more informed and looking forward to being able to have my sweet baby in the comfort of my own home, ready to embrace this experience!

 

 

San Francisco

Over spring break my mom and I took the kids to San Francisco for the day.  It was the first time for both of them and they had so much fun.  My son discovered his new favorite food "the white creamy soup" otherwise known as Clam Chowder!

I told my daughter you can't go to San Francisco without dressing up..it's just one of those places that you need to show off your fashion...well, I think she succeeded!

They loved the fresh crabs in the tank during a walk through the Ferry Building

We had the best time, ate way too much food, walked a lot, took a pedi cab ride and had lots of much needed salt water taffy!