tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10784180409311501832024-03-13T22:18:29.753-07:00Adventures in the Deep NorthwestUrban Farming, Baby Raising, Fertility Issues, and Life in CascadiaCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00913914901806840203noreply@blogger.comBlogger171125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078418040931150183.post-72553675082477521822013-06-25T07:43:00.000-07:002013-06-25T07:52:11.978-07:00I keep looking at the photos on my cell phone this morning. I scroll back and forth between the pictures I took of the living room before and after I painted it last night. The living room. Our living room.<br>
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We bought a house, for the first time in our lives.<br>
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I've been gone such a long time from this space, from my writing. My world has been all I could handle, there was nothing left of me to put my thoughts into words. In this absence we have welcomed amazing joy, and been on a life raft in the middle of an ocean, barely hanging on.<br>
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There have been major car accidents, a very serious illness for our baby, postpartum depression for me, layoffs and an apprenticeship graduation, and too many housing moves to count. There have been endless late night discussions about where we should go next, where to stake our claim for the next 3-5 years. There have been endless late night discussions about when the right time is for me to more formally enter the workforce. There have been endless late night discussions about whether I want to go back to school or not. My little virgo temperament does not do well with that amount of flux.<br>
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When I entered that house, our house, I began to paint our colors and loving claim it for our own. As I watched the old colors disappear under ours, It felt like I was placing a cap stone on the chaos of the last 18 months, casting a line towards a future that, while impossible to predict, looks calming from here.<br>
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I am hopeful that we will find calm, rhythm and routine, and that my heart can once again expand beyond myself to love others better.<br>
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That was three days ago. Today we are wearing wool socks. Today the sky is grey, I reached for a scarf, and the girls wanted to cuddle under a blanket after they woke. Harlow is teething terribly, she is super grumpy and has seemed on the verge of getting a cold for weeks. I woke feeling like I have a scratch in my throat and decided to head into the kitchen, where these battles are usually fought in our family, beginning with crushing endless garlic cloves. Today I have put away the pluots, and melons and the smell of sauteed onions, garlic, potatoes, and roasting squash are wafting from the kitchen. <br />
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Just like that it has become fall. Sure, there may be a few more sunny days, where it's hard to decide if a sweater is needed, but really, the change has come. I don't remember a seasonal change feeling this abrupt in the entire seven years I have called Portland my home. Perhaps it's because we were spoiled by an amazing string of weeks of beautiful sunny days throughout August and September, so that when the change came it came fast.<br />
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While I am observing my own personal mourning for the sun, I find that I am simultaneously anxious to get this show on the road. I love Autumn. Every single thing about it. While the Pacific Northwest lacks the glory and pageantry of my native New England, the change of the season here is still very satisfying, quiet, and sacred.<br />
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Yesterday we got some late afternoon playground fun in, finding this gigantic old metal spiral slide. They just don't make 'em like this anymore. It was almost too intimidating to attempt, and after three runs Scott thought he might vomit.<br />
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I'm telling you, this thing was FAST.</div>
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Climbing up to the sky with daddy right behind.</div>
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More and more every day, Cora is able to find new ways to play with her baby sister.</div>
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My heavy old friend the Dutch Oven was resurrected from it's hiding spot today. Hello old friend, time to get busy creating glorious comfort food. </div>
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Today I made this recipe from <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/">Smitten Kitchen</a>, which was exactly what we needed. Warm, comforting, uncomplicated, and incredibly delicious! </div>
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<b>Stewed Lentils & Tomatoes</b><br />Adapted from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400054346?ie=UTF8&tag=smitten-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1400054346" style="color: #656a7b; text-decoration: none;">Barefoot Contessa at Home</a></div>
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2 teaspoons good olive oil<br />2 cups large-diced yellow onions (2 onions)<br />2 cups large-diced carrots (3 to 4 carrots)<br />1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)<br />1 (28-ounce) can whole plum tomatoes<br />1 cup French green lentils (7 ounces)<br />2 cups vegetable or chicken broth<br />2 teaspoons mild curry powder<br />2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves<br />2 teaspoons kosher salt<br />1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper<br />1 tablespoon red wine vinegar</div>
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Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the onions and the carrots and cook over medium-low heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until the onions start to brown. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon. Add the garlic and cook for one minute more.</div>
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Meanwhile, place the canned plum tomatoes, including the juice, in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse several times until the tomatoes are coarsely chopped. Rinse and pick over the lentils to make sure there are no stones in the package.</div>
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Add the tomatoes, lentils, broth, curry powder, thyme, salt and pepper to the pan. Raise the heat to bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer covered for about 40 minutes, until the lentils are tender. Check occasionally to be sure the liquid is still simmering. Remove from the heat and allow the lentils to sit covered for another 10 minutes. Add the vinegar, season to taste and serve hot.</div>
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Source: Smitten Kitchen, <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2006/10/queens-and-contessas/">link here.</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Fall Everyone!</span></div>
CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00913914901806840203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078418040931150183.post-85982477768855789672012-09-13T11:06:00.000-07:002012-09-13T11:20:42.790-07:00Sister LoveFrom the moment Harlow was born, Cora claimed her as her own. We encouraged this by referring to the baby as Cora's baby. I had braced myself for Cora to fully reject her new sister. Stories of toddlers hitting their newborn siblings played through my mind and I fully expected that behavior to manifest itself.<br />
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But of course that's not what happened, because Cora is her unique self, she is sweet and gentle and full of love. The look of wonder on her face as she met Harlow for the first time is something I will never forget. It was immediate hugs and joy, an awesome explosion of love.<br />
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Now, on the eve of Harlow's first birthday, there has been a shift in their relationship. Cora has fallen head over heels in love with her little sister. Of course there have been some rough spots in the last year, mostly around Harlow learning to crawl and claim toys for her own, but for the most part it has been patience and love. Recently, however, Cora's love for her little sister has become a fierce and powerful thing.<br />
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When she first wakes in the morning, Cora no longer runs to me, but runs to her sister and wraps her in hugs while whispering "Hi baby Harlow." Last night the girls spent time with their babysitter, who was helping Cora create a picture of her family in a boat. Cora refused to put me or her dad in the picture, adamant that it is a picture of two sisters on a high seas adventure. I love this. I love her growing awareness of her special relationship with her sister, that it is of our family, but also transcends it. It is what I dreamt about and hoped for all throughout my pregnancy with Harlow. It was a difficult pregnancy in many ways, and chasing after my growing toddler seemed like a mountain of work. Exhaustion and extreme discomfort were my close friends, and when those days got too difficult, I would focus on the gift I was giving my two girls. The gift of a lifetime of having a sister so close in age that they will never remember not having one another. And now, one year later, their love is blossoming right in front of my eyes, and I am full of joy.<br />
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Just Two Sisters Out On An Adventure</div>
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Oh The Love When Daddy Gets Home!</div>
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CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00913914901806840203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078418040931150183.post-44440762410279443172012-08-21T09:21:00.002-07:002012-08-21T09:21:46.927-07:00Did That Summer Really Just Happen?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's a cool morning here, the first cool morning in many weeks. Perhaps there is even a touch of fall in the air. I poured my first cup of coffee as Cora perused our substantial record collection. She carefully selected John Lennon and The Plastic Ono band's album Imagine, and gently carried it to me so I could put it on our turntable. She is an uncannily great DJ, and she doesn't even know it yet.<br />
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This summer has been tough. Tough, tough, tough, tough. I'm not even sure I have the strength to write about it yet. In short, Scott was in a major car accident, then both our girls got brutally sick with Pertussis (Whooping Cough), then a large chunk of our community moved away. Blech.<br />
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I've been remiss to write here, in part because we are so blessed that it feels ridiculous to complain. But alas, writing has always been a necessary step in my process and I certainly need some help reconciling the stresses our family has been under. I have missed this space, missed the opportunity to document my growing family and our beautiful life together.<br />
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The girls are feeling much better now, it looks like Scott is going to make a full recovery, and life continues. We moved into a lovely little house in a perfect neighborhood, with a park, community center, and produce stand all within walking distance of our home. We were miraculously (between illnesses), able to travel to Chicago for my brother's wedding and a family reunion with Scott's family. Our days are slowly but surely starting to even out, a routine of comfort and familiarity is starting to emerge. Our little boat is slowing it's rocking and we have our fingers crossed that it will be calm seas for a bit.<br />
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Harlow will turn one year old next month. </div>
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How did that happen?</div>
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She is stunning, vivacious, and a rocket of energy that makes our family unit complete. It has been delightful watching her personality emerge as she makes a full recovery and grows bigger, stronger, more capable.<br />
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CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00913914901806840203noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078418040931150183.post-62125431494513723512012-03-26T21:54:00.003-07:002012-03-27T09:09:57.308-07:00Snippets<div style="text-align: center;">Two sisters, one swing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WvXJWYKbASU/T3FIErSg9BI/AAAAAAAABXo/DoAWMWHA2YA/s640/blogger-image-1969753222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WvXJWYKbASU/T3FIErSg9BI/AAAAAAAABXo/DoAWMWHA2YA/s640/blogger-image-1969753222.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6xHd0i1Vhic/T3FIFdeiFnI/AAAAAAAABXw/kJX5OAxPM08/s640/blogger-image-147224901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6xHd0i1Vhic/T3FIFdeiFnI/AAAAAAAABXw/kJX5OAxPM08/s640/blogger-image-147224901.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Grey blue eyes just like the sky in the Pacific Northwest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-So9d22jXJv0/T3FIGx8_S1I/AAAAAAAABX4/d-Zgwagwei4/s640/blogger-image-1530806990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-So9d22jXJv0/T3FIGx8_S1I/AAAAAAAABX4/d-Zgwagwei4/s400/blogger-image-1530806990.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She squeals with delight now, it's such a wonderful sound.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CrftL5FstvQ/T3FIHaFdRBI/AAAAAAAABYA/xWTe1gnyfLk/s640/blogger-image--908207013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CrftL5FstvQ/T3FIHaFdRBI/AAAAAAAABYA/xWTe1gnyfLk/s640/blogger-image--908207013.jpg" /></a></div>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00913914901806840203noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078418040931150183.post-89947132013416964362012-03-16T07:43:00.002-07:002012-03-16T08:12:26.081-07:00Two peas in a podCora can't resist climbing in the crib and snuggling with Harlow. Her little sister squeals with delight and spends the time trying to grab Cora's hair. It's such a beautiful experience, watching their intense love for each other. <br />
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Wow...how did I get here? How is it that I have two children, the youngest of which will be 6 months old at the end of this month? There have been many instances in the last few months where I wanted to write, but writers block is a real and nasty problem.<br />
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At this moment I have my lovely babysitter at home with the girls and I am spending a few minutes in a coffee shop. It's my first time at this particular place and, ironically, it's super kid friendly and everyone here has toddlers with them. I felt guilty for a quick second, only a second.<br />
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I have been blessed with a busy work schedule, my clients are the best. I have been so busy that it is incredibly rare to find me sitting in a coffee shop writing. I also faced an incredible challenge in recuperating from Harlow's pregnancy and birth. Actually, let me restate that. I am having a hard time recovering from giving birth to two people in two years. I am getting stronger every day but it is taking some hard work to get back to center.<br />
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My writing brain is rusty. I hope that by breaking the surface of my silence things will begin to flow once again. Until then, here are a few photos.<br />
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<a href="http://s1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa461/c_calanca/Harlow%20in%20the%20beginning/?action=view&current=DSC01243.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="480" src="http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa461/c_calanca/Harlow%20in%20the%20beginning/DSC01243.jpg" width="640" /></a>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00913914901806840203noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078418040931150183.post-4904867455952300922011-11-25T19:55:00.001-08:002011-11-25T19:55:25.757-08:00Balloon!Wandering around the Alberta Arts District today we stumbled across this huge balloon attached to a store sign. I love this photo and the wonderful day we had while enjoying a rare bit of blue sky.<br />
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Cora is on fire with her words, saying more and more every day. She has just started to combine two words together at once which is really adorable. Harlow has started smiling huge, wonderful smiles and cooing and ooing at us. I had forgotten what a great moment that is, when your baby starts expressing joy.<br />
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We had a perfect thanksgiving with friends and family here in Portland. We made the decision early on to not travel this year since we have a new born. I am really glad we stayed close to home, our stress level was much lower then it would have been if we were driving or flying with our two tiny kiddos. <br />
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More soon:)<br />
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It's 6:30am, I've been up since 2am. I am sitting by the wood stove, listening to the water boil on top with the tea tree oil I added to it diffusing into the air. We are sick, well, all of us but Scott. A head cold has us holed up and my suppressed immune system means that the Thrush I have been so carefully eradicating has come back with a vengeance. It bums me out so much, because not only does it hurt really bad, it negatively affects my nursing Harlow. At this point I am mostly pumping and bottle feeding her because it hurts too much to have her latch on. A desperate email to my amazing doctor in the wee hours of the morning was already answered and help is only a few hours and a pharmacy trip away.<br />
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I am sitting here looking at the fire, looking at my sweet babe who is finally sleeping next to me, and pondering the future. I do try every day to live in the moment, to dwell in the now, and I feel that I do a good job of it. I am thinking about the future this morning because the tides are changing around here and all of the sudden there is a sense of 'movement'. Do you know what I mean by that? There are times in life that no matter how badly we want change, no matter how hard we push for it, the greater picture is pretty set and the change doesn't come. Then there are times in life that no matter how stationary you feel, it's as if life has become a flowing river and you better just hang on and ride the waves. I can not fully explain it, but it feels like for my family, somewhere downriver of us a dam has been cleared and the tug of the water rushing to meet it's new course is pulling us with it and it will only speed up.<br />
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It makes sense to me that I would reach for a water metaphor to explain this. Lately I have been dreaming over and over again that I am standing in a river fly fishing, lifting a trout out into the sun. Over and over. It's a good dream.<br />
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I have no idea what the next phase holds for us, but I recognise this pausing before leaping over the precipice. Big, good change is in store, we just have to be patient and let it develop.<br />
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Back to the day to day flow, life is so very good and full. I am amazed at how much of every moment is spent functioning for these kiddos. Every moment there is something to be doing, sitting down to blog or check email feels like an oasis in the middle of the chaos.<br />
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Cora is changing every day, new words and new behavior so rapid that her poor, exhausted parents can hardly keep up. Some of the defiance of the dreaded terrible two's is appearing. She has also entered a phase where she is experimenting with hitting. Back to the bookstore I went and Cora now has a book called "Hands Are Not For Hitting." Hopefully that helps.<br />
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Harlow is growing right before our eyes. She turned 6 weeks old yesterday and is wearing 3-6month clothing, and even some of those are tight on her. This coming Thursday we have a doctors appointment and I am looking forward to seeing where she falls on the % scale of weight/height.<br />
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Here are a few photos of this fall. We had a great day at an apple festival and I am just now catching up to putting them on here. Cora's favorite food right now is applesauce so this day was great fun for all of us, and we went home and made applesauce.<br />
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And because this outfit is so cute, here are some Farmer's Market photos:<br />
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Cora has been struggling with a double ear infection. The nights have been very difficult, meaning Scott and I are getting really broken sleep and Cora is suffering the worst. Harlow and I are still battling thrush so I've been balancing my days between applying echinacea, probiotic, ear drops, Acetomenophen, and other remedies. It's been challenging so having Scott here is fantastic. Four hands makes the work go much faster.<br />
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We also are managing to squeeze in some fun. Yesterday we took the girls on a lovely autumn hike around Sauvie Island just outside of Portland. I took a few snapshots with the iPhone. It was such a good day. It felt so very right to be out as a family of four, watching Cora play in the leaves, cuddling Harlow close as she slept.<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZdcNTC9ucw8/TrF9yOSKGvI/AAAAAAAABVI/uqcWcFw0AIc/s640/blogger-image-288169369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZdcNTC9ucw8/TrF9yOSKGvI/AAAAAAAABVI/uqcWcFw0AIc/s640/blogger-image-288169369.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qyOAf5VxOgs/TrF9zMEyG9I/AAAAAAAABVQ/VvtML3TlEAA/s640/blogger-image-1592697960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qyOAf5VxOgs/TrF9zMEyG9I/AAAAAAAABVQ/VvtML3TlEAA/s640/blogger-image-1592697960.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GVLD2lik0lw/TrF90QnPybI/AAAAAAAABVY/deb8rCNdEis/s640/blogger-image--126097144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GVLD2lik0lw/TrF90QnPybI/AAAAAAAABVY/deb8rCNdEis/s640/blogger-image--126097144.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oxCMdLaX1wk/TrF91YbzRyI/AAAAAAAABVg/zfwjd9kcc6Q/s640/blogger-image-1732604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oxCMdLaX1wk/TrF91YbzRyI/AAAAAAAABVg/zfwjd9kcc6Q/s640/blogger-image-1732604.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-FziK-pBfenY/TrF92mzCIhI/AAAAAAAABVo/Cj3eFpLy-BA/s640/blogger-image-925103654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-FziK-pBfenY/TrF92mzCIhI/AAAAAAAABVo/Cj3eFpLy-BA/s640/blogger-image-925103654.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-km4DuCXPbV0/TrF93qy2QRI/AAAAAAAABVw/ZDNZDAqbZGY/s640/blogger-image--461667275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-km4DuCXPbV0/TrF93qy2QRI/AAAAAAAABVw/ZDNZDAqbZGY/s640/blogger-image--461667275.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hv-5MozZ6HA/TrF94iQLxsI/AAAAAAAABV4/Odxqb8VM39g/s640/blogger-image-1957297633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hv-5MozZ6HA/TrF94iQLxsI/AAAAAAAABV4/Odxqb8VM39g/s640/blogger-image-1957297633.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cgQTFKEC-Io/TrF96R4HYyI/AAAAAAAABWA/jPqTVix6-Go/s640/blogger-image-1694006540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cgQTFKEC-Io/TrF96R4HYyI/AAAAAAAABWA/jPqTVix6-Go/s640/blogger-image-1694006540.jpg" /></a></div>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00913914901806840203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078418040931150183.post-44030279495303535892011-10-22T20:34:00.000-07:002011-10-22T20:34:10.216-07:00Coming Up For Air<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa461/c_calanca/October%202011/?action=view&current=DSC01013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="355" src="http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa461/c_calanca/October%202011/DSC01013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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I have started this post so very many times in the last few weeks and always get interupted. Holy cow what a four weeks it has been! Our little Harlow turned one month old at 9:29 this Saturday morning. I find myself looking at the clock every Saturday around this time and thinking "Hey ____ weeks ago I was in a tub in the middle of this very living room pushing her out of me." Then I look at the size of her head and think, "holy god, how did I ever push her out of me!"<br />
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This last month has been pretty consistently amazing. Sure there are challenges, the stereo sound of two little gals screaming at me, Cora adjusting to our new addition which has lent itself to her very first double ear infection which then lead to several sleepless nights for us. All of that considered, it has still been an absolutely amazing time. It feels as if Harlow has always been here, that there was never a time when we had only Cora. I was worried about how it would feel to transition to parenting two so this is a lovely and suprising emotion. Speaking of lovely and surprising, I can not get enough of saying 'my kids'. It is similar to when I was first married and saying the words 'my husband' seemed so foreign and exciting. I catch my heart skipping every time I refer to my girls in the plural. <br />
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My recovery is going great, and just like after Cora's birth I am raring to get out into the world and start moving my body. It is so strange to feel all that weight and bulk gone seemingly overnight and I want to leap around and swim laps until I am exhausted. Of course I can do none of that until the firmly set 6 week mark and hopefully my doctor's sign off on my big plans. So for now some walking, stretching, and just delighting in being able to reach my toes is as exciting as it gets. <br />
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I am almost done writing the birth stories, both since I have yet to share Cora's. I will say this in the mean time, there is absolutely a link between quick healing/good bonding/lack of post partum depression and a positive, gentle, non-medicated birth. My two very different experiences brought this into sharp focus. Also, hypnobirthing is a pretty fantastic technique.<br />
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I am loving our shift into fall weather. Our current home is located in a stand of hardwoods and all day long the leaves are gently raining down around us. We just had a load of firewood delivered and I broke out the soup cookbook and chose a lovely sweet potato and chard number to start us off. I have big plans to start baking bread again and just froze a huge batch of homemade applesauce. We went back to the apple festival today and fetched another 23 pounds of apples to turn into more magical sauce. Cora can not get enough of it so we will see how long it lasts us.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Cora helping by cooking in her kitchen </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa461/c_calanca/?action=view&current=DSC00986.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="640" src="http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa461/c_calanca/DSC00986.jpg" width="633" /></a></div><br />
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Harlow is growing in leaps and bounds. She has already gained almost two pounds, girlfriend likes to breastfeed. We have fought back an early appearance of Thrush which is such a pain in the butt, luckily it is responding quickly to treatment. So far she is a champ in the sleep department and most days I don't feel too horribly exhausted, I really, really hope it continues this way. Fingers crossed that she continues to be a great sleeper.<br />
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And even though I can not go running a marathon yet, it doesn't mean we haven't gotten out of the house. We have rocked the local apple festival TWICE in two weeks and hit up the pumpkin patch where Cora rode her first pony and I manage to get a nasty bee sting on my right hand. Our pumpkin patch adventures will always be one of my most favorite parenting activities. I love being able to take my kids to the pumpkin patch, ride the hayride and pick out a perfect squash, it's something I always hoped I would be able to do.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Riding the tractor out to the field</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa461/c_calanca/?action=view&current=DSC01041.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="640" src="http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa461/c_calanca/DSC01041.jpg" width="611" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Grandma Pam (Scott's mom) helping us pick a good one</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa461/c_calanca/?action=view&current=DSC01061.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="436" src="http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa461/c_calanca/DSC01061.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Cora with Uncle Jeff who was visiting from Missoula<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Our close friends who are a major part of our Portland family</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa461/c_calanca/?action=view&current=DSC01081.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="435" src="http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa461/c_calanca/DSC01081.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Self portrait</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa461/c_calanca/?action=view&current=DSC01080.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="480" src="http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa461/c_calanca/DSC01080.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">My view these days, oh how I love wearing my babies</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa461/c_calanca/?action=view&current=DSC01077.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="388" src="http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa461/c_calanca/DSC01077.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">And of course, the pony ride</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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This rounding into fall and welcoming the new one has me pinned with an understanding of just how quickly our children grow. The photo below is Cora at the pumpkin patch just one year ago. My oh my, what a difference 12 months makes. Bittersweet to see my first babe leaving behind her baby face and forging full speed ahead into little girlhood.<a href="http://deepnorthwest.blogspot.com/2010_10_01_archive.html"> Click here to see my post from last October.</a><br />
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</div>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00913914901806840203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078418040931150183.post-36618084183228670792011-10-08T07:07:00.000-07:002011-10-08T07:07:49.050-07:00Two Weeks!My oh my what a two weeks it has been.<br />
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Harlow is shape shifting every day as her face continues to settle into itself and she gains weight steadily. My mom has been visiting with us. She arrived a few days before the birth and has been helping us in every capacity which has been a godsend. Unfortunately she left this morning and Scott is starting back at work on Monday so now my child balancing skills will really be put to the test.<br />
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It is amazing to me how incapacitated I was just two weeks ago and now I am up running around, juggling babies, running errands, making business calls. Of course I still have quite a ways to go in the healing department, but it is stunning just how resilient the human body is. I also have infinitely more energy now that I am not 9 months pregnant with a big baby. Even with the current sleep deprivation I am functioning at a much higher level then the belly previously allowed.<br />
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Harlow's eyes have lightened quickly from the deep inky blue they were at birth. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Y'ar, behold the pirate eye!</div><br />
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Now that I feel well enough to leave the house, we've been rockin' the amazing stroller. Thank you again to our friends and family who contributed to the stroller fund, it is going to make life with two little ones so much easier. We eventually chose this stroller, the Britax Be Ready and have been highly pleased with it so far.<br />
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Cora is loving riding in the lower seat, she seems very comfy/cozy down there and can still see enough to keep her entertained.<br />
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Yesterday was my mom's last full day in town and more importantly, her birthday!!!! We surprised her with brunch at her favorite Portland brunch spot, <a href="http://provence-portland.com/">La Petite Provence</a>. As always, they delivered with a stunning brunch of decadent foods and strong coffee. <br />
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Life balancing these two little people is just starting to get interesting. Cora is such a bundle of energy and constantly wants to be kissing and hugging Harlow. This photo is what I spend about 80% of my day looking at, it's Cora going in for 'the kiss'. So very sweet and hard to manage. A few days ago Harlow was laying on her play mat, Cora was crouched over her going in for the kiss when Harlow had a baby free fall jump moment (Moro Reflex) and punched Cora in the eye. Cora was very confused and sad about that for a bit, but forgave her sister quickly. I can see so clearly how wonderful these two are going to be together, how a year from now my home will be filled with the sounds of four feet running everywhere in unison. <br />
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<a href="http://s1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa461/c_calanca/?action=view&current=DSC00943.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="429" src="http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa461/c_calanca/DSC00943.jpg" width="640" /></a>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00913914901806840203noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078418040931150183.post-59531019757671905912011-10-01T07:55:00.000-07:002011-10-01T07:55:06.972-07:00<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">After a week of falling in love and soul searching,</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> may I introduce you to:</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Harlow Gloria Calanca</span></div><br />
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One week ago at this moment we were two hours away from meeting her. One week ago Cora had just left to go to the zoo with family. One week ago at this moment my midwife was sternly telling me to get into the water because I was in transition which had me horribly confused, I could not believe that Cora had just left and it was almost time for me to push. I am making my way around to writing both the girl's birth stories but suffice it to say, Harlow's was just about the exact opposite of Cora's. Standing on the other side of these births I feel like I have experienced much of both ends of the birth spectrum. What a wild ride it has been.<br />
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Harlow's middle name is her great-grandmother Gloria's name (Scott's grandmother). Both of our girls are lovingly named after great-grandmothers which feels so very right to us. They will always be blessed with their love and protection. <br />
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Now I am going to cuddle this little pumpkin and go have a cup of coffee with my family on a lovely Saturday morning.CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00913914901806840203noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078418040931150183.post-57773176688959975972011-09-28T12:25:00.000-07:002011-09-28T12:25:11.224-07:00Today on MamalodeToday I am honored to be featured over at the Mamalode blog. For those of you who are not familiar with Mamalode, you are in for a treat. A finer collection of honest prose on parenthood is hard to find. Enjoy!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mamalode.com/blog/2011/09/28/love-loss-life-this-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-11817">Mamalode: Love, Loss, Life...This Moment</a></div><br />
The wee one is deep in her newborn sleep phase which we are enjoying while it lasts. Perhaps we will get lucky and she will grow to be a great sleeper. Fingers crossed. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RQNJMIJl2ak/ToN0KIUgPuI/AAAAAAAABSs/8hAiJhpSz0s/s1600/photo%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RQNJMIJl2ak/ToN0KIUgPuI/AAAAAAAABSs/8hAiJhpSz0s/s320/photo%25289%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00913914901806840203noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078418040931150183.post-36871848371895788752011-09-27T21:28:00.000-07:002011-09-27T22:01:27.016-07:00Looking Back On Life As ThreeRemember the maternity photos I mentioned awhile back? Well the edited, complete set arrived a few days after our newest family member. It is a wild sensation looking back on an earlier time in the pregnancy while holding and nursing this person who was, at that time forming in me. This person who we wondered so much about.<br />
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As I move further along the journey of parenthood, the act of documenting has become more and more important to me. These photos were taken at 8:30 in the morning, after a night of vicious teething left us all with about four broken hours of sleep. Driving to the park to meet our photographer, our faces puffy and coffee clutched in hand, we were doubting whether Cora would cooperate and whether any photos we loved would come from the session. As always, I am so glad we did it. It is uniquely special to have this moment in time captured, to look back on us at that exact moment feels outside of time. All of the little details, how I felt at that stage of pregnancy, that Cora would not fit into those shoes one week later, that Scott took us to brunch right after, all rise up with a succinct crispness when I take a glance at these photos.<br />
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Working with our favorite photographer felt even more special this time as she has relocated to Montreal since Cora's birth. We were lucky enough to work with her while she was travelling through Portland this summer. Here are a few of my favorites from a long list of amazing photos. Thank you Hollin Brodeur! Please check out her talented portfolio by<a href="http://blog.hollinbrodeur.com/"> clicking here</a>.<br />
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And of course I wouldn't dream of finishing a blog post without an update on our new wee one. Three days old and she is thriving, gaining weight steadily and slowly waking up to this world. When Cora was born she was immediately alert and very interactive. Her little sister is taking her time, sleeping lots and only occasionally opening her eyes. We are paying attention as she unfurls and it is bringing us closer to a name decision. It is a lovely, peaceful time getting to know her and adjusting to becoming a family of four.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6XSYZonEvKs/ToKgAHO1HzI/AAAAAAAABSY/qtcqEQIgOY8/s1600/little%2Bwren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6XSYZonEvKs/ToKgAHO1HzI/AAAAAAAABSY/qtcqEQIgOY8/s640/little%2Bwren.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00913914901806840203noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078418040931150183.post-79060115342090408282011-09-27T10:11:00.001-07:002011-09-27T10:12:51.103-07:00Blissing OutIt's a non-stop love fest in the Calanca household these days. We are still pondering the littlest one's name while she slowly wakes up to this world. She is sleeping and nursing great and I am recovering more and more each day.<br />
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Cora has been adjusting really quickly. When she first met her baby sister she showered her with kisses and that love continues to grow. She has had moments of confusion and weepiness which is to be expected but overall she has accepted the baby with an open heart. We are getting closer to a name, more soon!<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jq1wyUaABLU/ToIEDhqlPjI/AAAAAAAABSI/4nN4lll9l0s/s640/blogger-image-142249094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jq1wyUaABLU/ToIEDhqlPjI/AAAAAAAABSI/4nN4lll9l0s/s640/blogger-image-142249094.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-L89xD-eHIpI/ToIEEQzifrI/AAAAAAAABSM/Cf6uh1PXyTI/s640/blogger-image--475737707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-L89xD-eHIpI/ToIEEQzifrI/AAAAAAAABSM/Cf6uh1PXyTI/s640/blogger-image--475737707.jpg" /></a></div>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00913914901806840203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078418040931150183.post-13091581931413853222011-09-24T15:45:00.000-07:002011-09-27T21:57:07.734-07:00She's Here!Baby girl Calanca, 5 hours old. She was born at home, in water, after a 6 hour labor. She is a vigorous 9 pounds 1 ounce! We are all doing great, resting now, more details later. Thank you everyone for your thoughts, love, and support.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-an_Q0ZbPivM/Tn5dCC9Q8II/AAAAAAAABSE/HMPeGlYXGw8/s1600/Baby+girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-an_Q0ZbPivM/Tn5dCC9Q8II/AAAAAAAABSE/HMPeGlYXGw8/s640/Baby+girl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00913914901806840203noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078418040931150183.post-75334253427853366692011-09-22T21:17:00.001-07:002011-09-22T21:17:41.084-07:00...and she's not quite ready yet. Going to nab some sleep now.CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00913914901806840203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078418040931150183.post-51350619520007825232011-09-22T19:46:00.001-07:002011-09-22T19:46:13.746-07:00Happy Due DateI just might be in labor, feeling intense and that this could be it. The mixture of excitement and fear i feel right now is super powerful! <br />
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I can hear my mom and Scott working together to get the house set. Such a comforting sound.CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00913914901806840203noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078418040931150183.post-4941567306641737062011-09-20T19:41:00.001-07:002011-09-20T19:52:56.625-07:0039 weeksTwo days to go until my "official" due date. It is hard to imagine that my body could be like this until October! Cora was two weeks overdue so we will see when this baby decides it is time to appear. It is definitely making me anxious about delivery especially since I am pretty sure this baby is bigger than Cora was. I really don't want to give birth to an 8-10 pounder if it can be avoided. Cora was 6lb 15ounces which was pretty small for two weeks overdue but there has been more ice cream involved in this pregnancy so I am pretty sure this baby will be more then 7 pounds.<br />
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My mom is arriving on Thursday and I am excited to spend time with her and have an extra set of hands around the house. Hopefully I will be able to accomplish some of my last minute nesting projects and get some extra naps in!<br />
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In other news, hello <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey/index.html">Downtown Abbey</a> and where have you been all my life? Streaming netflix is pretty fantastic, then I read an article online about this Masterpiece Theater series. I watched the first episode today and it's like a drug. I am going to have to pace myself since there are only seven episodes available right now. One of the main characters is even named Cora, it makes me so very happy to hear her name over and over.<br />
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I haven't done a belly shot in far too long, so here we go. There is a lot of baby in there! I officially can no longer put socks on which is sad because the weather has shifted to fall and I am longing for my wool socks. Also, thank god for pedicures, the ultimate gift to a pregnant lady. Oh and please ignore the dirty mirror, it is seriously low on my priority list these days. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KdgnGo5af04/TnlO5zQOLwI/AAAAAAAABSA/9F_15TV9ycQ/s640/blogger-image--1816509876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KdgnGo5af04/TnlO5zQOLwI/AAAAAAAABSA/9F_15TV9ycQ/s640/blogger-image--1816509876.jpg" /></a></div>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00913914901806840203noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078418040931150183.post-20161375271402231922011-09-16T08:40:00.000-07:002011-09-16T09:07:44.979-07:00Love, Loss, Life...This MomentWe have had a collection of so many simple and sweet mornings lately. The days are blending one into another, the edges blurred by my lack of a work schedule and Scott being switched to night shifts. It's a special and quiet time, taking the edge off the anticipation.<br />
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I have not written much about it here but there have been many moments during this pregnancy that were spent mourning the loss of friends and/or their children. A dear friend's miscarriage, two mothers lost in childbirth, a baby lost to SIDS just before her one year birthday. In so many ways it has been a challenging time and a powerful meditation on the reality that all we have is this moment, that nothing in the future is guaranteed. I tend to become overly goal focused, gazing forward instead of sinking into what I have right now. I have been slowing down, sharpening my focus, hugging Cora closely and imagining a healthy baby sister for her while making donations and sending as much love and support as I can to those surviving losses. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the midst of these experiences I have been reading about two fellow blogging mamas who have welcomed new babies into their lives in the last week (<a href="http://www.girlsgonechild.net/2011/09/introducing.html">Here</a> and <a href="http://mycakies.blogspot.com/2011/09/baby-babycakies-is-here.html">Here</a>). I have been reading along with these ladies the duration of our pregnancies and it is very exciting to watch them welcome their babes. I find myself staring at newborns with a disbelief that we will have one soon. The last few months have been such a gift, an extreme understanding of living in the present has pervaded me thanks to all those who write about their experiences. In this way the world of blogging weaves a tight web and the connections we create with people we will most likely never meet are powerful and uplifting. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">More then anything, what this journey to parenthood has taught me is that when you dream of creating a child you are always "rolling the dice". To hope to bring a child into the world is to pull your heart out of your body, set it on a dish and know that at any moment it can be smashed to pieces, but the risk is always so very worth it. I remember all those years ago, before marriage, before children. I would think about my future as a parent and just assume that once I was ready it would happen so perfectly and easily. I wonder what I would say to that girl now. </div><br />
I think I would say forge ahead with courage, that this is going to be one hell of a heartbreaking, soul searching ride. That your heart will shatter in ways you did not know possible, that you will come to understand that you will never fully understanding suffering...yours or another's. You will rise again and again through searing pain and continue to fight for your beliefs and somewhere in that rising you find a strength you did not know you possess. You will learn that loss has touched almost every one you know. You will stand your ground when all you want to do is pack a bag and run. You will eventually realize your greatest hope. You will look at your child every, single, day and see a miracle.<br />
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Every. Single. Day. <br />
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</div>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00913914901806840203noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078418040931150183.post-65751885138550532422011-09-14T21:21:00.001-07:002011-09-14T21:53:25.289-07:00Bigger & BiggerSwimming is about the only thing that makes me comfortable now. When i am not in the water I am dreaming about it. Coming out of the pool and realizing anew all the pressure in my pelvis is so humbling and challenging.<br />
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I am growing increasingly excited to meet this little one, so curious to get to know her. Will she look like Cora? Will they have a similar disposition or be complete opposites? Will she, god willing, be a better sleeper? It is so exciting to be on the verge of meeting a brand new person who is going to transform us into a family of four. The waiting is tough but soon enough she will make her appearance, perhaps even on my birthday which is this coming weekend.<br />
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Cora loves pasta, staying true to her Italian heritage. I better get that girl wearing some wooden shoes soon to balance it out. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KHQG9h6FE7M/TnF9OfoKfnI/AAAAAAAABRs/jW2mRjbcLhg/s640/blogger-image-758535460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KHQG9h6FE7M/TnF9OfoKfnI/AAAAAAAABRs/jW2mRjbcLhg/s640/blogger-image-758535460.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bGDljeZVg6s/TnF9PC7T8XI/AAAAAAAABRw/rPh6FDLrLQY/s640/blogger-image-219528794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bGDljeZVg6s/TnF9PC7T8XI/AAAAAAAABRw/rPh6FDLrLQY/s640/blogger-image-219528794.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NeCVz7KDPs4/TnF9P9dfoaI/AAAAAAAABR0/YteBhokUIrg/s640/blogger-image--107514444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NeCVz7KDPs4/TnF9P9dfoaI/AAAAAAAABR0/YteBhokUIrg/s640/blogger-image--107514444.jpg" /></a></div>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00913914901806840203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078418040931150183.post-90341461884779750772011-09-12T22:20:00.001-07:002011-09-12T22:26:11.108-07:00Yes, still waiting for baby. My midwife likes to remind me that it is not even my due date yet. In all reality it could be a few weeks yet. The labor symptoms have certainly slowed down but of course my discomfort grows daily.<br />
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My extreme sense of drawing inward is increasing daily. It is becoming harder and harder to engage with the 'real world' outside of our home. I take this as a good sign that my mind is quieting and listening to my body as I prepare to birth this baby. I do however dream of the day when I will have normal energy levels once again and where bending over to put on socks doesn't make me weep.<br />
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Today's big adventure was Cora's 18 month doctors appointment. She is in the 94 percentile of height which is stunning even though we knew she shot up this summer. I figured the news warranted a peanut butter and jelly bagel. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1kAWCZLH9nE/Tm7pSlOS83I/AAAAAAAABRo/d_rWu52I_EY/s640/blogger-image--1940162881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1kAWCZLH9nE/Tm7pSlOS83I/AAAAAAAABRo/d_rWu52I_EY/s640/blogger-image--1940162881.jpg" /></a></div>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00913914901806840203noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078418040931150183.post-91563623528366881322011-09-11T10:27:00.001-07:002011-09-11T10:28:33.582-07:00Another Simple MorningI woke from a dream that my massage for today was cancelled and sure enough my great massage therapist is sick so no dice. Time to shift plans. I think this calls for more serious nesting and a trip to the community center pool to float on a mass of water noodles.<br />
My poor body is so huge and sore, something must be done to help it along.<br />
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A few photos of life here this morning. I can not wrap my brain around the fact that soon Cora will be one of two. I am cherishing this quiet time with her.<br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pOS7tH3buTM/TmzviKLBfFI/AAAAAAAABRY/909Fb0wOkS0/s640/blogger-image--376153489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pOS7tH3buTM/TmzviKLBfFI/AAAAAAAABRY/909Fb0wOkS0/s640/blogger-image--376153489.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BJpxoT7PQSc/TmzvisaEk-I/AAAAAAAABRc/nymTBv7kByo/s640/blogger-image-1490733266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BJpxoT7PQSc/TmzvisaEk-I/AAAAAAAABRc/nymTBv7kByo/s640/blogger-image-1490733266.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_BUkhC-4aa4/TmzvjCf-RXI/AAAAAAAABRg/65msx5qOWv4/s640/blogger-image-1525928547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_BUkhC-4aa4/TmzvjCf-RXI/AAAAAAAABRg/65msx5qOWv4/s640/blogger-image-1525928547.jpg" /></a></div>CChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00913914901806840203noreply@blogger.com0