Smell the Onion

Well, we’re on day 3 of the nasty stomach bug that my kids picked up (I assume) at our church’s Thanksgiving dinner.  Neither of them has ever really been stomach-sick for more than 24 hours, so I’ve learned all about dehydration these past few days.  Thankfully, both of them have been consistently guzzling down water out of their respective water bottles, so no worries there, although I would prefer, in general, that my daughter consume more than one-half of a banana and one-half of a mini bagle in any given 48 hour period.  C seems to be tolerating it better, unless he’s got some sort of stop-and-start model going.  We’ve watched every kids movie we own and have now moved on to a stack my gracious upstairs neighbor has loaned us (thank you so much, Amber!)  A lovely friend from church brought chicken soup yesterday, plus vitamin water, real ginger-ale (made with cane sugar), and two loaves of lovely multi grain bread which resemble seeduction.  I feel well cared for.

Sunday afternoon, before the sickies set in, we went to a local nursery and chose a little, montana-wild, charlie brown tree, which has been watered and lit but not decorated yet.  I am hoping by Friday little tummies will be able to handle the hot cocoa and ginger cookies that accompany the tree decorating scenario in my head.  We also bought a “misfit” wreath to use for our advent wreath.  I will surely post pictures.

Our Christmas plans have changed– instead of hosting my parents here for one week, we will be descending upon their home in Kansas for a month complete.  Actually, we’ll visit Searcy for 5 or 6 days, and then spend the rest of the month in Chanute.  I am excited.

I have my first (and last) consultation with a perinatologist tomorrow, and will take one last peek at Poppy Wylie before we meet her in March.  I am excited, but disappointed that my husband will have to miss to stay home with sick kids.

That is most of the news from the Northland.  The End.

This was taken in the mall, just before the haircut.  It’s also a pretty good shot of what was the largest goose-egg ever, and the shiner just below it.

Here are some of the process.  He did really well– got a little annoyed when she was working right in front of his face, but otherwise, no fussing.

All ready to go:

Well.  The boy turns 2 on Tuesday.  He is turning in to a little boy!  Today he pooped in the potty!  I have begun making his birthday present.  I believe it is now a 2nd birthday tradition in our family that the birthday child receive a waldorf doll of some sort.  Here is the one I chose for C.  Tonight, I completed the most frustrating (and painful) step.  Forming and shaping the head.  It’s downhill from here.  Maya’s doll is still well loved– although it has the ugliest hair of any doll ever.  I solved this problem by choosing a bald doll with a hat this time around.

Also, how does one decide when to cut a little boy’s hair?  I had originally intended to cut it on his 2nd birthday, or very near it, but I am getting cold feet.  Everyone assumes he is a girl (which makes his sister *very* indignant), but I don’t care.  I really love his hair and if I cut it he will look grown up.  Sigh.

Poppy is getting bigger and more wiggly.  I dig.  Have I mentioned we’re homebirthing?  I’m excited. 

i am tired, and going to bed.

Home birth it is!  We decided this week, and I am beyond excited to be preparing to welcome my baby in to the world in our very own home.  The midwife will come meet with me for the first time (since our original interview) on November 20th.  She’s fantastic *and* she’s bringing me fresh pressed cider from her organic orchard.  :)  We will have our final ultrasound the first week of December, where we will attempt to continue to not know the gender of Poppy.