Avett Brothers Concert

So, the Avett Brothers came to town.  My sweet husband ordered tickets at the soonest possible moment and looked forward to it like it was Christmas morning.  Or better.

We dropped off the big kids with Grandma and Grandpa and headed into town.  Dates for us always involve a LOT of driving - usually at least 2 hours - which is kind of nice in a way because it's good talk time, but kind of not nice when it's late and you're ready to be home and you still need to pick up kids and take them home.  But we were super blessed because one of their aunts brought them home and put them to bed for us, since we weren't going to make it back until at least midnight, with a 8pm show, so that did make things a lot easier!


We planned on having dinner at a little pub that specializes in local foods, since we had a gift certificate, but sadly they had too long of a wait for that to work out.  So we walked around the corner and found a fun little Asian restaurant.  Levi chowed down on the stir fried broccoli off my plate, and I really enjoyed my sweet and sour chicken - very good!  I love Asian food and it's not something I'm good at recreating at home, sadly...we also enjoy Mexican food, but I've had better luck at making that at home.

Anyway, after we ate we headed over to the show, where the doors had just opened.  We ran into a friend and chatted for a while before heading inside and finding our seats.  Levi was just along for the ride in the ring sling, and very much enjoying all the new things to look at.  He is usually a pretty regular baby as far as sleep time, so I was unsure how he'd do at a super loud concert at bedtime. As it turned out, with the aid of a pair of junior earmuffs, he did GREAT.  He had a little trouble going to sleep in the seats, since he was watching the lights and enjoying them, but I knew he had to be exhausted so I took him out and fed him and he was out like a light snuggled up to me in the ring sling.  And he stayed asleep... even through the super loud songs, even through the teenagers behind us screaming for an encore, even through ME singing along and whooping.  I was so thrilled!  The reviews had me hoping that these would be the ticket to protecting his ears and keeping him happy and able to sleep, and they certainly delivered. :)

Plus now that we have them, I am sure we'll be using them again.  Maybe for taking in a movie?  Or another concert?  Or for fireworks that might scare a small one?

(Note: I am truly this weirdly enthusiastic about these.  This is not a paid review, nor was I given these by the company.  No, as strange as it may seem, especially to those of you who are not yet parents, I genuinely just am tickled pink to own a pair of baby ear muffs.  True story.  Although, yes, that is an affiliate link.  But beyond that, I am not profiting by extolling the virtues of these things.  They're just that awesome.)

Shelving the topic of the ear muffs, it was a truly fantastic show.  The Avett Brothers gave it their all and really put on a wonderful performance.  They are one of our favorites, and we frequently listen to their music, so I loved recognizing their songs and enjoying the extra dimension that a live performance gives. It was absolutely great being able to see them live and hear them do our favorites.  They even came out and did a very generous encore, even though they must have been absolutely exhausted from doing such a high energy show already.

On a funny note, the crowd was a really interesting mix.  Hipsters, college students, teens, older folks, parents with kids (we were definitely not the only people with a child there, although I think Levi may have been the youngest!) - it was a fun and varied crowd.  Although I'm not sure when I've seen more plaid shirts and Tom's shoes in one place before! ;)

We hit the drive through for some coffee on the way home, and finally fell into bed at 1.30am.  Unfortunately, this all happened to be the weekend of the time change. Hahahahaha. So we lost an hour the next morning.  All I can say is the next day involved a whole lotta coffee.

But it was worth it!

Wordless Wednesday

(Summer wedding! Congrats, Erik and Amber!)

I'm Still in Love With Turquoise

I may have run out of turquoise spray paint, but I'm still in love with turquoise, as is evidenced by the following...

Source: polyvore.com via Natalie on Pinterest

(Except I'd wear grey Toms instead of sandals, and I probably wouldn't have the courage to wear polka dots.  So not the sweater.  Especially since it has a bow, which isn't really "me".)

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.

Beth at Babyette is gorgeous, as is this lovely sling!

Source: thediydish.com via Natalie on Pinterest

Source: nattybydesign.blogspot.com via Natalie on Pinterest

Ok, maybe this (and the next one?) is blue.  Whatever.  I love it anyway.

Source: etsy.com via Natalie on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via Natalie on Pinterest

Source: insidetheloop.tumblr.com via Natalie on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Natalie on Pinterest

I have a necklace by this etsy seller with dark brown beads, and I love it.  It's really sturdy, AND when a bead broke (our fault all the way)  the seller was a total dream to work with and fixed it at no extra charge.

So... turquoise.  Just seems like summer to me!  :)  What colors are you loving right now?  Gray seems to be making a big splash right now, especially with yellow...

41 Weeks

Accessories are vital to balance the belly! ;)

Well, I've done it again.  Our estimated due date has come and gone and I'm still gestating away over here.  Last pregnancy I went a full two weeks past our estimated due date (which apparently was wrong, based on Miriam's newborn assessment, she looked closer to 39 weeks than 42), and although I'm hoping not to do the same or further this time I'm getting pretty close.  Sunday will mark 42 weeks!

A few people have asked "How long will 'they' let you go?" or "When will you need to induce?"  Happily, in our case those kinds of decisions can be based solely on how baby and I are doing, not our due date or official policies.  In some states midwives' licensing requirements do not allow them to attend births past 42 weeks.  If that were the case I would be more concerned about going to 42 weeks, but thankfully we don't need to worry about that, only about how well mama and baby are doing.

Going by what last time looked like, I'm guessing that at 42 weeks we'll set up an appointment for an ultrasound, have some tests done, and evaluate any concerns that come up.  Last time we went into labor the day before setting up the appointment, so I am not entirely sure what all would be entailed if we did make it to that point.

So, barring any complications, I'll just continue daily life, and keep bouncing on the exercise ball, nursing the toddler, and drinking red raspberry leaf tea. (I may also eat pineapple in ridiculous quantities, take evening primrose capsules daily, start making spicy meals, scrub my floors on hands and knees, take daily long walks, and resign myself to being pregnant forever.)

I was reading this tonight, though, and feeling encouraged about the value of waiting for labor to start on it's own...

"In the last weeks of pregnancy, maternal antibodies are passed to the baby—antibodies that will help fight infections in the first days and weeks of life. The baby gains weight and strength, stores iron, and develops more coordinated sucking and swallowing abilities. His lungs mature, and he stores brown fat that will help him maintain body temperature in the first days and weeks following birth. The maturing baby and the aging placenta trigger a prostaglandin increase that softens the cervix in readiness for effacement and dilatation. A rise in estrogen and a decrease in progesterone increase the uterine sensitivity to oxytocin. The baby moves down into the pelvis. Contractions in the last weeks may start the effacement and dilation of the cervix. A burst of energy helps pregnant women make final preparations, and insomnia prepares them for the start of round-the-clock parenting.

The watchful waiting and the intense wanting of the big day to arrive are all part of nature's plan. When the baby, uterus, placenta, and hormones are ready, labor will start. Additionally, all that preparation sets the stage for an easier labor and a fully mature baby who is physiologically stable and able to breastfeed well right from the start." - from 'Saying “No” to Induction', by Judith A. Lothian

 

On the plus side, I've been finishing up some loose ends in the last few weeks... like this half completed maternity skirt that has been sitting in a box of projects, forgotten, for months.  Oops.  It was very simple to make once I sat down and did it... I took the waistband from a worn out pair of favorite maternity pants, then cut out a simple skirt and stitched them together and hemmed.  Very easy!  And pretty nice to have something "new" to wear at this point. ;) 

Also, I'm enjoying some lovely maternity photos that my awesome sister in law took.  That is a first this pregnancy and I'm so glad that it worked out to have them done!

I think this one is my favorite.  :) 

Now, I'd better get to bed.  Just in case I (hopefully!) go into labor in the middle of the night.

Home Again

 

We went to a glorious wedding this past weekend.  Here I am with the Best Man, our 2 1/2 year old, our 18 month old flower girl, and an obvious bump!  #3 is much more obvious now at 17 weeks, I feel like I really "popped" these last few weeks.  

The wedding was beautiful and the reception was a lot of fun!  Lots of dancing, eating, and catching up with people I hadn't seen in a long time.  Of course, there is never enough time to spend with each person so I got home wishing I'd had more time with them all, but it was still wonderful to see them.

Nathan likes weddings.  Especially weddings with cake.

Of course, babywearing was a big help while on the go.  Here we are at the mall... Nathan was going to walk but when he saw Miriam on my back he wanted to be worn too! :)  That ended up being better anyway since we were navigating escalators and went down a large staircase as well.  We attracted a lot of double takes (maybe because we were both wearing?) and had three different people come up and ask us about our carriers! 

On the way home, we hit Ikea!  It was amazing, even though we only had time (and energy!) for one floor.  But that is a whole post of it's own... ;)

Today I'm printing out Martha's Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe, reading The Nester's post on Pottery Barn Hacks for Thanksgiving, and washing curtains, cleaning ceiling fans, etc, before decorating for Fall.  I'm behind, I know, and I thought about just skipping it entirely (like all the stores seem to have done!) and decorating for Christmas... but I love fall decor and even though I'm not hosting Thanksgiving this year (whew!) I still want to have the house feel like fall.  So I'll be burning my pumpkin pie spice candle and hot gluing fall leaves to everything today! ;)

Babywearing

 If you know me, you  know that I frequently have a baby on my back.

That's how we roll - babywearing makes it easier to snuggle with my babies and get things done.

It was a lifesaver about a year ago when the cows got out into the road and we had to get them back in unassisted and I had to go in and out of ditches and open gates and move quickly, oh, yes, and the baby was hungry, too.  Babywearing means I could burn calories marching all over chasing cows, while breastfeeding at the same time.  ;)  What's not to like?  Oh, yeah, the cows were out...

Babywearing isn't just for mamas, though.  Micah babywears- one of the many things about him that makes me all weak at the knees. ;)

I think a stretchy wrap is the best newborn carrier of my stash.  There is a bit of a learning curve, but the incredible comfort is worth the effort.  A friend gave me a Moby wrap for Miriam and I loved it!  My second recommendation would be a ring sling.  They're great for shorter chunks of time when you don't want to put on the wrap.  Plus you can use it well into toddler hood for a hip carry! You can make one (my mom made me my two), or buy one.  I also love our mei tai and podaegi, and want to experiment with woven wraps.

Miriam loves being worn... and wearing, too! ;)  Here she is with her baby in a doll sling. :)

This post was written for the Babywearing Carnival hosted by Jami of Babywearing Videos.  Thanks, Jami!


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3

3 years.

honeymooning

2 children.

1 marriage.
 

Blessed.

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Long Stemmed Dandelions

My yard is full of dandelions.  I remember the dandelions of my childhood as short, squatty, grubby little things.  My dandelions now are not like that, either because my memory is bad or my dandelions are different. 

These dandelions are tall, graceful, sprightly things, leaping up towards the sky, defying the lawn mower and enticing the toddlers.  These dandelions have stems that you can braid together.  Stems that are easily six inches long, towering far above the lowly leaves and the grass.

These dandelions wink knowingly, forecasting lemonade and fireflies, nodding towards the porch swing and whispering of guitars and margaritas, of ice cream cones and barbecue, of squirt gun wars and bubble wands.  They glow, fluorescent yellow, and if you pluck their glorious crowns, twisting  fluff in fingertips, the sunshine spreads to your fingertips as well.  Dandelions shorn, their locks sit in a bowl on tabletop, then I bake them into cookies to fill bellies and fatten joyful souls.

Now that crop are all grey headed grannies, bobbing in the breeze.  We pluck them and initiate our little ones into the summer ritual.  Dandelion seeds float through the breeze.  Did God design dandelions to be irresistible as part of their protection against eradication?  Our crop will be mighty and plentiful next year, that much I know.

Spring flower...

Our daffodils are up and blooming!  :)

Coconut Oil Fudge

I tried Lindsay's coconut oil fudge recipe recently... it is such a simple recipe that even though I've never made fudge I thought I'd give it a try. 

Honey, coconut oil, and cocoa powder in the blender...

The first time I made it I used the inexpensive coconut oil that we had on hand.  I liked it ok, although I felt that it was more "fudgy" in texture when frozen.  Micah felt that it had the texture of shortening and disliked the honey flavor.  Only he said it more tactfully than that. ;)

Undaunted, I tried it again, this time with Tropical Traditions coconut oil*.

 I also melted two squares of baking chocolate in the melting coconut oil.  

Yes, only one is pictured, ignore the discrepancy! ;)

 The fudge in the pan, before being cooled down... 

I stored it in the fridge, but didn't have to freeze this batch for a good fudgy consistency.  The flavor was so much better... probably partly because of the difference in coconut oil, and partly because I added the baking chocolate.  Either way, that batch was approved by all.  Yay! 

Another perk of this recipe? No eggs, so I have no qualms about letting Nathan perform the very important job of taste tester!  He approved. ;)

____________________________________________________________________
* I will be reviewing Tropical Traditions coconut oil in a separate post.  
I will be repeating this disclaimer then but thought I would tag it onto this post as well for full disclosure.

Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

Spring IS on the way!

It was warm enough last week to take the kiddos outside without spending hours bundling everyone up to go out and freeze for ten minutes, so we went out and enjoyed the sunshine!

 

Nathan started out holding my hand and walking sedately.

Then the wild grassy spaces intoxicated his boyish soul,

and he was off, trotting in erratic circles in the still brown grass,

 

exploring the daffodils that are peeking out.

 

And Miriam and I traipsed along behind, 

(she is in the new podaegi I made, which I love)

(post planned on that on Friday)

enjoying the sunshine and fresh air 

and chasing the small explorer with camera in hand.

 

  

My caption for this one-

"Mama, haven't you taken enough pictures?"

 

"I have to go explore tree bark, and sticks, and fallen walnuts, 

and then I have to throw them for the dog, and throw them at the tree, 

and wave and say 'bye!' to every truck or car that goes by on the road..."

Reflections in the Dishwater

"Christian women must reject any distorted view of the modern housewife- whether it be the miserable household drudge; the fanatical, sock-matching wonder-woman; the child-centered, worn out soccer mom; or the deceptive, apron wearing vixen.  When we consistently renew our minds by absorbing Scripture and by passionately embracing the sacred calling God has truly given us as women, we will refute the perverted image of the desperate housewife by believing His promises and showing the world there is something better for which we can truly be passionate!"
- Passionate Housewives Desperate for God  

This book came in the mail yesterday afternoon, and I've already read it all.  It was a breath of fresh air and encouragement.  I was blessed with some rare quiet time this morning, since I got up around 5, and was able to finish it and then turn to the dishes and watch the sunrise while thinking over what I'd been reading.





"If the world can convince us to acquire a taste for the futile blandness found in a self centered marriage, to be content with recreational motherhood, and to prefer a sterile, disposable version of home "economics," then we will miss the beauty and poetry that is ours in the heavenly magnum opus of a God-glorifying, well-ordered home."
- Passionate Housewives Desperate for God (bold added)

Today I'm thankful for the beauty of clean dishes, of sunlight coming through windows, of my dishsoap in a pretty recycled vinegar bottle, and watching the sunrise as I wash away, wearing my beloved gloves... 

 "What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God.  

We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred 

and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, 

but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow."              

- Martin Luther

Celebrating the beauty of biscuits...

yummy flaky biscuits... 

 

and leftover biscuits so I can have them with breakfast 

 

...and for the peace to take pictures of the reflections in my dishwater, and  to share my reflections with you. :)