Birth + Rebirth

Been thinking a lot about birth lately, since the birth of my daughter grows closer every day. I still have so much to do before this little being arrives--preparing the space for her, doing the inner work on myself to become ready to step into parenthood, and learning as much as I can about truly caring for a newborn and constantly adapting to her needs in developing a daily rhythm. So it's not just the birth of this little baby but the birth of myself as a mother.

And tonight on the longest night of the year I just want to honor the rebirth of the sunlight.

Baby Girl!

This is a weird 4-D picture of our darlin' baby girl!

We just found out yesterday, and it's the best Christmas present ever.

It was crazy to see her opening her mouth and moving her arms around. I mean, wow.

I think she kind of looks like me :)

Calendar of the Soul

This one from last week resonated with me:

I feel my own force is bearing fruit--

strengthening me as a gift to the world.

I feel my own being

filled with forces,

turning me toward enlightenment,

in the weaving destiny of life.

what is up today

Yourself: gestating

Your partner: Dedicated

Your hair: Ratty

Your Mother: Generous and sweet

Your Father: Certain

Your Favorite Item: Needle and thread, my Martin

Your dream last night: Snakes

Your Dream Car: Audi Wagon that runs on water with moonroof and good stereo system

Your Favorite Drink: Beer

Your Dream Home: well organized

The Room You Are In: Media Lounge

Your fear: Loneliness

Where you Want to be in Ten Years? in a fancier house

Who you hung out with last night: Yoga students and then Alan

What You're Not: Athletic or graceful

Muffins: Blueberry

One of Your Wish List Items: Boots

The Last Thing You Did: Sleep

What You Are Wearing: Pajamas

Your favorite weather: 75 degrees and sunny

Your Favorite Book: The Gift

Last thing you ate: biscuit with ghee and jam

Your Life: messy, so much to do

Your mood: Solemn

Your Best Friend: Fun

What are you thinking about right now: how to get off the couch

Your car: is old

What are you doing at the moment: blogging

Your summer: will be unlike any other i've ever had

Relationship status: happily, happily married

What is on your tv: the price is right

What is the weather like: Cool and sunny

When is the last time you laughed: last night

baby's first bluegrass

Hey now--

we just got back from nashville and the IBMA Fan Fest (that's the International Bluegrass Music Association).

We saw two great bands and lots of others that were not great.

Martin guitars presented Del McCoury with a special edition guitar in honor of his 50th anniversary of playing bluegrass.

the Steeldrivers. wow.

watch this video if you dare.

I didn't film this video, of course--

it's from GreyFox Bluegrass Festival in NY 2008.

New blog, new life

two pink lines=we're having a baby.

Hello blog world!

I present myself to you as I embark on the most wonderful of adventures--having a child.

This is not meant to be another "crafty mom" blog, but if it turns into one, so be it. I do teach Handwork at Alabama Waldorf School, after all, and spend many of my waking hours making things. That is, when I am not suffering under the throes of first trimester sickness.

My husband Alan and I are super thrilled to be having our first child in May. We told our families this weekend and it's been fun to feed on their excitement about their first grandchild as well. Although now that the news is out, advice is flooding in from all corners, so now I need to put up my filters to receive the advice that is helpful, and let the other advice just float on by.

We kept the news to ourselves for several weeks, so we could make sure everything was okay and we could enjoy it as our little secret. But then as I started to feel ill, it became almost a burden to *not* share the news, especially with my co-workers.

I've been busy reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth (highly recommended), Spiritual Midwifery, Birthing From Within, and Bountiful Beautiful Blissful, and watching the Business of Being Born. All of these are great resources for women considering natural childbirth.

So I'm trying this new blogger venue for my musings about baby, music, yoga, handwork, and life in Alabama, and hopefully I'll be back soon!