More photos, we can't stop staring at her

I swear Cora looks like a different baby every day, even minute to minute. She is gaining weight rapidly and continues to get stronger and more social. She has her first in office doctors visit tomorrow, up until now they have all been here at home. We are continuing to work on the breast feeding which is getting better and better every day. This morning we made it out of the house to the diner down the street. First meal out with baby accomplished.

Getting ready to go to breakfast



First breakfast out of the house!



First bath

Wow

I am writing from the better side of our major breastfeeding challenge. Things appear to finally be smoothing out and Cora and I are hopefully hitting our stride. It has been an exhausting few days while we strove to find our rhythm. I have been humbled by the love and help offered by our friends. A few times this week friends dropped everything to rush over and help us. Amazing, and if I wasn't deliriously tired I would find the words to express how much I have appreciated this love.

Scott's mom is here visiting which has been a huge help. I'm trying not to image what it's going to be like in a few days when she heads home. The weather has been gorgeous which is such a relief and we've managed a few short walks with Cora bundled up in her sling. She is gaining weight rapidly and her face changes every day.

Cuddles with grandma Pam


Hanging out in the sling

????

Seriously, how cute is that?




And this?

Too busy to type

Phewwww....

We are home from the hospital, resting comfortably and trying to figure out our new life. Last night was our first night at home and we hit a hard spot with the breast feeding. When she was born Cora latched on right away, as in 11 minutes after she arrived. Needless to say she took to breast feeding right away. However, last night she mysteriously stopped. It was a long and stressful night with Scott and I trying everything to get her to eat and me trying not to melt into a hormonal mess. We called our doctor first thing in the morning and wouldn't you know, she had an answer. We started incorporating the breast pump and things have been going great ever since.

We took our first walk today just a few blocks as I have a lot of healing to do. It felt great to be out in the fresh air and to walk without the pressure of a baby in my pelvis. Cora rode in a sling the whole way and was as happy as could be.

Our midwife physician stopped by our house today for our first of three in home checkups. She helped some more with the breast feeding and checked me and Cora over. Everyone is doing well and I shot this video of Cora being weighed:

Cora 2 Days Old from Crystal Calanca on Vimeo.

More new photos of Cora

Cora Eve Calanca

Born Saturday February 13th at 7:28 am at Providence Hospital in Portland.



We are all doing great and learning about our new daughter. Thanks to everyone who stayed up thinking of us during the last two days. We did it!

More of the same...but closer to a birthday.

The last 24 hours have been dominated by steady contractions just 2 or 3 minutes apart. But the progress keeps stalling and we are pretty much in a holding pattern. She is definitely going to have a birthday very soon. Our doctor and midwives have been here through the night and most of the day. We are all just trying to stay rested and hydrated for the main event which will hopefully be later today. Check back later for more.

A bit of movement

Lovely Jennifer came over yesterday and gave me a great acupuncture treatment to help labor begin. I felt great after the treatment and got lots of rest and had a follow up appointment with my doctor in the afternoon. Woke up this morning to mellow contractions which have continued all day. I have an appointment in the morning with my doctor for another check up and another round of acupuncture. We'll post more when things pick up. For now we are home resting, watching movies, eating well and enjoying the calm before the storm.

Maternity

A few weeks ago we had some photos taken to capture this moment in time. Yesterday I received the first sneak peek.

Still Waiting

Alright, this is finally getting old. As much as I love being pregnant I'm getting anxious to have this baby. Every morning starts out the same way with me feeling rested and comfortable. By the time evening rolls around like clock work my pelvis starts aching like crazy and I spend two hours hunched over the yoga ball trying to get comfy. So yeah, I am finally feeling ready to have this baby.

Tomorrow morning my incredible friend Jennifer is stopping by to give me an acupuncture treatment to attempt to induce labor. I've heard over and over again that it only works if your body is ready so we shall see if my body is ready. The bonus is that hopefully Jenn will bring her little baby girl Luna with her so I can get some baby time in too. If the acupuncture doesn't work then maybe the baby cuddles will.

Wish me luck!

Bike Culture

I wasn't able to make it to this years Tweed Bike Ride but I will be participating next year. Being as pregnant as I am I figured I would take a pass, although now looking through all these great photos I sure wish I had been there. All that wool, tights, great shoes, pipe smoke and beautiful bikes seems like heaven. Here are some of my favorite photos from Flickr:

February scenes from the homestead

Today we are blessed with more sunshine. Amazing what a difference that makes in my energy level. I made it out into the yard to do some garden prep hoping that will coax the baby out. I am soaking some bulbs for planting and spent some time with the chickens and the soil in the garden. I am very excited for this years gardening since I got hit with the first trimester sicks last summer and my garden was about 10% of its normal strength. So here's to an exciting growing season ahead complete with the new person I grew this year!

You can just make out the coop hiding behind the tree


Hello empty garden I see so much possibility



The lovely ladies



Hello 41 weeks!

What's a girl to do when she's a week overdue and has lots of time on her hands. Make several batches of red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting is the obvious answer here:








Most of these are going to my husband's coworkers for pooling together some money and a very sweet card for us. Who would have thought a bunch of electricians could be so thoughtful?

We'll keep a few of these around here for us and the rest are going to our friend's superbowl party today.

This morning I opened my email to find my weekly pregnancy update. This weeks was titled "Your Baby One Week Old". Apparently they didn't get the memo...still waiting

twiddling fingers

No baby yet, but we do have a new set of curtains in the kitchen that I've been meaning to sew for almost a year. I guess nesting is good for old projects. Note the new blue stand mixer, most brilliant Christmas present ever. Is it strange that I find a stand mixer sexy?

Some of my favorite scenes around the house these days.

New Curtains:




Close up of the curtain print. I love this stuff, it appeals to my fascination with antlers. It's by Joel Dewberry and I picked it up here at Fabric Depot



The recipe and apron wall in the kitchen.



My lovely vintage sewing machine that we picked up for $12 at my favorite thrift store back in Missoula. This machine is in great condition and it is super industrial, made out of what looks like dark brown cast iron, although not as heavy as cast iron. It took me a little while to learn how to thread and operate it properly and now it's smooth sailing.