On your mark, get set, NEST!

Well, I am at the 24 week mark in my pregnancy, and I am headlong into nesting mode. I have a tradition of purchasing a new baby carrier for each new baby.

I finally found my way with ring slings when Conrad was born. I had my eye on a double linen Sakura Bloom..but then I discovered Pslings...and the rest is history. My brick blue Sijira (pictured in the blog header) is on it's way! Luckily, I got an amazing deal on my sling on The Babywearer for sale or trade forum.

I know, I know...a sling anouncement seeems a little self involved and crazy, but when nesting kicks in, I go a little nuts. For your interest, I have included my Nesting FAQ's.

NESTING FAQ

#1 - With what will you diaper this baby?

The Bummis Organic Cotton Cloth Diapering Kit from Mom's Milk Boutique

This kit is amazing and has everything you need to get started right. Contact me if you'd like the coupon code for January.

#2 - Where will this baby sleep? Isn't your bed a little full?

Why, yes it is...so this time around we will be adding the Arms Reach Universal CoSleeper to our bedtime real estate. It brilliantly attaches to the side of your bed (at the level of your mattress) with out any gaps or hazards.

#3 - Do you really get excited about his kind of stuff?

You know, yes, I do. I am pretty sure that it is hormonally driven, because each time I become pregnant, I think, "I won't go crazy over baby stuff this time, I'm too mature for that". And then every pregnancy just past the halfway mark, it hits me like a ton of bricks!

Have I mentioned that I am excited to have a new sweet baby? I can hardly wait! Future updates to come...

One more thing...check out my very LUCKY sister!

Thanksgiving Edition: A Birth, a Homecoming, and a Missing Cute Phase

The joyful reunion!

Eric and Beckham

Zach and me at Thanksgiving Dinner

Back from an terrific bout with morning sickness, I have a few happenings to share.

#1 - My youngest sister, Jessica, gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Matilda on November 23rd (just two days before we arrived for the holiday). It was an amazing, peaceful, normal homebirth. My parents (who birthed six children in various hospitals) now say it's the only way to go...quite a conversion. She just got her story up on her blog, and it is very touching.

#2 - My youngest brother, Zach, returned from his mission in Paraguay, happy, confident and extra handsome.

#3 - Just days after returning from the trip to Phoenix, my stomach popped out. I am nearly twenty weeks, and should be looking cutely pregnant. Instead...well, let's just say that the cute phase may not happen this fourth time around.

Other noteworthy items:

A - We stayed at my sister Rachel's beautiful, new home in Litchfield Park. It was great and so comfortable...some of the best vacation sleep I've had in a long time. All of us (including the five kids between 18 months and 7 years) slept until at least nine am every morning. You can't beat that! Thanks Rachel and Corey!

B - We enjoyed one of the most delicious Thanksgiving dinners ever at my Aunt Melanie and Uncle Greg's amazing home in Queen Creek, Arizona. Doug came home from work yesterday and said that he was thinking of how grateful he was for that amazing dinner...A WEEK AFTER THE FACT! Now, that says it all. Thank you St. Clair's!

C - After a crazy visit at our place this spring, Beckham (Rachel's son) and Eric got along famously...Whew!

Not worthy of note:

a - Seeing New Moon at a GNO the weekend before our trip may have been one of my worst errors in judgement IN MY LIFE!

b - Sorry if I told any of you to watch the show Glee. It has gotten just kind of sad.

c - hello, old blog...I'M BACK!

Conrad's Second Trip to Floyd's

I just can't handle this much cuteness. He's been breaking my heart all day.

Olivia and Dorothy at Rustic Canyon Park

photos by Kristin Van Dyke

Peggy Does It Again!

Peggy O'Mara, editor of Mothering Magazine, writes a monthly column for her magazine entightled "a quiet place". Nearly every article she has written has touched me deeply as a person and a mother. This month, she writes simply about the experience of a drug-free birth. I wish I had read this article when I was a first time expectant mother. The article is called, "Does it hurt"?".

Interview with LA Obstetrician, Stuart Fischbein

Check out this absolute must-read!

The Big News!

Doug and I are happy to announce that we are expecting our fourth child in April of 2010.