Monday, September 29, 2008

KC's Playhouse

I have been working hard to finish projects before the rainy season begins.


Here is a bathhouse off the back deck. Our nice little house is great, but only has shower. It was so wonderful to sit and relax in a nice warm tub, and hear geese migrating, and see stars thru the window above,
a good dream 82% finnished, ha







I will be painting the bottom window to resemble a stained glass window shall come to be soon
Mama had her first bath the other night after complaining of back pains...what a relief to have that warm soapy water to soak in. We both think it will be wonderful for the home portion of our labor.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

the mama's and the papa's

I made KC and I "papa" and "mama" collages to focus on throughout the pregnancy and during labor. I just finished mine (with just a few weeks left!), so here they are!!

In my many years of taking many many photos, I've managed to build up quite a collection of doubles. I used mostly old photos in my collage, including most of the cloud pics, all the flowers and trees, and all the landscapes.

I wanted all of the elements to be represented to be reminded of my strength. The flowers are to help me visualize my cervix opening up in case I am having any difficulty dialating. I even have a mama and baby giraffe at the bottom to help me get through the labor knowing that at least I'm not giving birth to a giraffe! The butterfly represents our spirit guides and ancestors who have been watching over us and the baby this whole time.

Detail of the Mama collage...the goddess in the center came from a calender...a very empowering image of birth. The womyn at the bottem are Ali and Lila from our troupe. They will be at our birth to offer support and the power of dance and sisterhood.


KC's is made mostly using old calanders I've gotten from Sundance. It's great...after February, all the calenders we had in the store for sale for that year are taken off the shelf, covers pulled off to send back for credit and tons of free calenders for the employees!

The image in the middle is of a native american man with an eagle painted on his back. This image reminded me of KC's deep-rooted spirituality and love of nature and all living things. On the left is Oregon...the trees with the blooming magnolias, the tepee as the yurt KC had built in our backyard, and my immage within, nesting and growing our baby. On the right is Minnesota, our true home. The picture of the tree in the center is from the boudary waters area (from a 'great forests of this country' calender), as is the rainbow at the top. The light shining thru the trees is what will be guiding us home when we soon return. The light above KC is his focul point, with baby in mind, to guide him thru our labor with strength and clarity.


Here is what the flyer turned out like that Heather made from our Bryce Creek pics. I have this in a frame with the background a mosaic of a tree picture that I tore up for the pieces.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Practicing Papa...


Trying out the baby sling...and blankies and new baby clothes....






















Onnie is the baby for now...but not for long!!
















Mama and Papa enjoying the Eugene Celebration parade on our 5 year wedding anniversary


Visiting our friend Andrea's new family...a mama, papa and baby horse!!

KC's Corner

Some highlights of the Friendly Street neighborhood, taken on the way to KC's school...

Eugene neighborhoods have lots of these creative doorways...


One of the most beautiful Willow trees we have ever seen...


Another interesting yard feature...


Here are some pics from KC's school, the Hazelwood House...

A cute little "yurt fort" for the kids...


A beautiful loft built in the same style as the one at the Eugene Waldorf School...



Looking out from inside...a gigantic fig tree and a couple apple trees outside. Over by the yurt fort Miss Rachel has a beautiful lush garden and some chickens. What a great place for children to play!

Friday, September 19, 2008

Homeland

Lisa, mom, Lori and I at Whistling Bird...the Iron Range's ONLY Jamaican restaurant.


My visit home last month meant the world to me. I needed to connect with my family, close friends, and north country roots as a way to gain support, strength and confindence for my upcoming task of giving birth. I also wanted our loved ones to be able to see and feel our baby growing...not just through pictures. Both the new grammas got some good baby kicks, and that right there made everything worth it!

Gramma Dede and Grammy Linda

The baby shower was magnificant...and a bit overwhelming! There were so many lovely ladies there to show their love and support. I wanted to sit down and have a good chat with each and every one there, but it was not quite possible. I want to extend my deep gratitude and appreciation to all those who joined us in celebration, as well as all those who wanted to be there but couldn't. A special thanks from the bottom of our hearts to Lori, Lisa and my mom for making it all happen.

Leelee and Natasha feet in Lake Superior

I am writing down a day-by-day recount of the trip in our baby journal...I'm finally on the last full day, when Natasha and I went to the big beautiful Lake Superior. We travelled to Gooseberry Falls lakeshore site where KC and I got married 5 years before that. It was a day just like that day in fact...cloudy and misty as we approuched to rocks, then warm beams of sunlight as we took in the magik of the place. We wandered down to the shore and even took a dip! These are some of her beautiful photographs from that day.
To see more, here is a link: http://s427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/breathesun/gichigami/





Here is the bench KC and I visit everytime we go to Gooseberry. We got some cute wedding pictures taken there.