pour bebe

First off, thank you to everyone who took the time to leave a comment on my last post.  Sweet, sweet words! It was helpful to know that my feelings were, at one time or another, shared by many of you. It is fun to have all of you along on this little journey with me.

I made something for Baby Boy a few days ago.  Spending some time working on something for him was good.  I plan to do more.

I've made both pouches and slings before. I like the look of a pouch, but I don't like not being able to make it tighter or looser. This is a combo of both.  An adjustable pouch. Basically a sling with a little contoured seam in the middle.

 

The fabric is a lightweight cotton, almost a seersucker (gray and white). Perfect for Spring/Summer weather. It is hard to find a fabric that doesn't have a right or wrong side! I have made them double layered before, but I think the extra fabric makes it too hard to pull the fabric through the rings. 

I buy my sling rings here.  The directions for sewing found here.  I added a little pocked with a small loop for keys or toys or whatever.  I am happy with how it turned out and hope for more sewing time soon. 

**Thank you to Laurel to letting me borrow her baby for these photos.

Fastest 7 months of my life

Isn't amazing how a baby grows within a mother with virtually no effort on her part?  I mean, yes there are a few naps here and there, and maybe an extra bowl of cereal now and again...but for the most part I'm just being me.

And low and behold, the belly broadens. 

It might be better if it took a little more thought on my part.  Here it is, less than 12 weeks until my due date and I've hardly made any preparations. No nursery, no new "boy" clothes...still no name. It is hard to say this out loud because I love my children, and I love babies (I'm a doula for heaven's sake!) but I seem to be having a really hard time bonding. 

I know that there are several reasons that I feel somewhat distant to this little guy.  First off, it is a boy.  Little girls- that is what I'm familiar with.  I've gotten pretty good at the girl thing.  A boy?  I'm excited...it just feels a little strange thinking of a son.

Another reason I am having trouble connecting is just because I have such a full life already.  Mothering and homeschooling three little girls, being a wife, and managing my home is a major full time job.  I guess if I had a little more time to daydream my mind might wander more frequently to the reality of an impending birth!! 

Lastly, and I haven't spoken of this at all-- but the last several months assisting births at the birth center have been really hard.  Privacy laws prohibit me from saying much more, but it has been tragic.  I guess there is a level of fear that wasn't there before and that causes me to hold back somewhat.  Praying about this.

 

I am drawing strength, and hope,

and smiles from the sisters who patiently (or not so patiently) wait with me.  Their curiosity and affection towards their brother, even while he is tucked away in my womb, is so so sweet.

I know my heart will catch up with my belly. As he wiggles away while I type this very sentence, I can feel that it will.

roughage

I am absolutely in love with this book!  I found it at the library last week.

Where has Ina Garten been all my life?  I seriously think she may be my new best friend. I love the way she talks about her home in the Hamptons and her "off season" home in NY (not to mention the lovely little flat she keeps in Paris) like her readers most certainly have a similar situation. Um not quite.  But that is where her pretentiousness seems to stop.  I was delighted to find that most of her recipes are simple, the ingredients attainable. 

My Saturday lunch:

A little greek salad with warm goat cheese on toast.  I adapted the recipe in the book to include many of my favorite flavors right now.

Toss together: I don't measure anything, just dump in what looks good to you.

Mixed Greens (I am loving the artisan lettuce tub at costco right now...stays fresher longer than the pre-cut stuff)

Artichoke hearts (mine were from a jar, packed in oil)

Kalamata olives

Garbanzo beans

Then mix dressing: (I measured all ingredients into a jar, then put the lid on and just shook it up. This will make enough dressing for salads all week- time saving!)

6 T white wine vinegar

1 t dijon or seedy brown mustard

1 t mince garlic

1 C olive oil

Coarse salt and pepper to taste

Toss Salad and dressing together.

Then I brushed a few pieces of baguette with olive oil and topped them with sliced goat cheese and baked them at 450 for 8 mins.  This is long enough for the goat cheese to warm and the bread to toast.

It was divine. I really did feel "Barefoot in Paris" versus just "Barefoot and Pregnant".  Going back to the library to find more of Ina.  Any recommendations?