"...There was no need to be ashamed of tears, for tears bore witness that a man had the greatest of courage, the courage to suffer."

-victor frankl

My friend and neighbor, Morgan, wrote a beautiful guest post that spoke much needed words to my heart. Check it out. She is wonderful. 

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Himalayan Salt Crystal

So, I have experienced something wonderful. Himalayan salt crystal lamps. I've wanted one for ages, and finally have one to call my own.

Salt crystals produce negative ions - the same ions that are produced by the ocean, a roaring waterfall, or a thunder storm. How fresh does the air feel when you are experiencing one of these things?

"pretty fresh, amanda."

Yes. You are right. It's because of the negative ions. They are magical.

All the electronic devices we have in our homes these days pollute our air just as badly as the materials used to build our homes (unless you have really great "green" products.) Electical devices such as tv's, microwaves, phones, computers, and so on, produce positive ions. Positive ions are not good for our fragile human bodies. They can increase nervousness, contribute to illness, add stress, interrupt your sleep, impair concentration, and increase free radicals in your body.

Boo.

Salt lamps can help reduce the positive ions polluting your home. I bought one to use as a nightlight in Grahams (and future babies) room. We have had it for three nights now and Graham is sleeping a hundred times better. He is less irritable, calmer, and is actually sleeping through the night and later into the morning.

Maybe it's psychological, but I am a believer and in love.


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Thirty Weeks

Um, baby, how are we at 30 weeks?! Part of me feels like I have been pregnant for eons, and part of me has been caught up in this whirlwind that makes the fact that I will be holding you in my arms in about 10 weeks, crazy.

Anyways. Here's what's up.

I officially could not buckle my sandals this morning. They are new, so I though I would actually unbuckle them and buckle them when I put them on, rather than pulling the strap over my heel the way I do with my other sandals. Bad plan. It took about 8 minutes and I thought I might throw up.

I got a bikini wax a few days ago so that I would feel comfortable in a bathing suit and you went berserk. I've never felt you react so strongly to something I was doing. It isn't the most peaceful experience, so I understand your plight. Now... to find a giant bathing suit.

Your dad and I celebrated my first mothers day with breakfast a Cafe Nell and then had dinner with your grandparents and uncle. Did you know that Uncle Emerson carries a calculator with him as entertainment? Of course you don't know that, I didn't even know that, but it is one of the strangest/coolest things I have heard all week.

Last night we took your brother to his swim lesson. He was absurdly excited about it and it was fun to watch him in the water. But as usual, chaos ensued as we pulled into the parking lot and waited for a parking spot....daddy's car ran out of gas. I then carefully preceded to help him push it into a spot while community center patrons looked on. Thanks for the help, patrons.

You, my little love, are exploring your small world like crazy. I love carrying you in my belly, but I am also looking forward to having my body back. Being pregnant it tough. I went from having an athletic yoga body to something that feels like a beluga whale that has sprouted legs and is trying to figure out how to move on land. I feel heavy and have started to get insanely painful charlie horses in my calves when I sleepily stretch in the early morning. My feet are swollen, my ankles sore, my vision blurry, my temper similar to that of a teenage anakin skywalker, and I often struggle to sit up straight.

Other News:

This week you are the size of a pineapple.
Auntie Amanda is having a little boy in October.
Our baby shower is this weekend. Yay!
We've started our bi-monthly midwife appointments.

xoxo

Feeding Babes

Food seems to be one of the main topics of my life these days. Isaac and I find that our beliefs around children and food differ from that of our society and many of the people in our lives.

I do not believe in snacking. A scheduled daily snack is one thing, but throwing gold fish at your kid throughout the day as a distraction is another. Not giving your child snacks teaches them self control and gives them the ability to delay gratification. Studies show that this leads to greater success in the future. Why do so many people think this is unfair and strict? Teaching your children to wait leads to significantly less problems with behavior, addictions, and obesity. Maybe I'm a weirdo, but I believe that teaching your child self control is pretty important.

I believe in eating meals together as a family. I do not believe in eating in front of the TV. I believe that children should eat what adults eat - as they do in almost every country besides the US. I do not believe in kids menu's at restaurants. I think that if your child doesn't want to eat what you put in front of them, then they don't eat at all. Making a child a replacement meal because they decide they don't like something sets you and them up for failure.

As a pregnant woman, I am not the best example of someone living a snack-less lifestyle, but I think there are exceptions...

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I see the whole world transforming. My stomach stretches as a new life grows and this is something that I alone discover. 

but if as we're walking,
a hand should slip free,
i'll wait for you//and should i fall behind
will you wait for me.

- b. springsteen

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Room Sharing

Did you share a room as a kid? I did until age 5, or maybe it was 6... My mom says I loved it, but that was also partly because I thought my sister was my baby. Then we moved and I forever had my own space. Aside from sharing my master bedroom and bath with our exchange student in high school and living like a vagabond for a year in Europe, I have had my own room till I moved in with my man.

Our baby and 5 year old are going to share a room, and not simply because we live in a two bedroom apartment. I don't think kids need their own room. They will most likely be sharing a room with a partner once they reach adulthood, and if they go to college, there is dorm life..so learning to share your private space is important when you are young.

Even if we found a money tree, picked it bare, and could build our dream home. My children would still share a room.

Then again, our dream home wouldn't be very big...

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