37 weeks

Is it just me, or has this pregnancy totally flown by?  I guess homeschooling a kindergartner and chasing after a toddler will do that - make time whiz by.

Gabriela was born five days after her due date and Easton was actually born on his. I can't help but wonder if this baby will come early. 

I have been taking my evening primrose oil and this Christopher's Birth Prep herb supplement to get things going. I am also drinking pregnancy tea and eating lots of dates. Apparently a recent study shows that consuming dates at the end of pregnancy can help with reducing the need for induction, reducing the length of the first stage of labor, and increased cervical dilation. I figured it can't hurt to try since dates are delicious, healthy, and I already had a huge tub of them. 

Baby has been head down for weeks now, so it's safe to say that she will  remain in that position. I have noticed more frequent Braxton Hicks contractions, lots more. It's uncomfortable, but I try to remember that my body is warming up, exercising and getting ready for the big day. 

The big due date is April 19th - the day before Easter. I am kind of rooting for Baby Girl to make her grand entrance on April 14th.  You know, 4.14.14.  That would be a cool date of birth.  It's also big cousin Christianne's birthday, as well as Grandpa's.

Only time will tell.  Tomorrow I am officially 37 weeks pregnant and clear for birth.

I really think Easton knows it's coming soon.  He is starting to have more tantrums, is easily upset, and insists on sleeping and napping with his arms wrapped completely around me, almost as if putting me in a head lock, with his face right next to mine.  Easton also kisses my belly, tells everyone his baby sister is in there, and shows us how he will gently hold the baby.

I am taking time to enjoy the extra cuddling and hoping that our transition to a family of five goes nice and smoothly. 

Gabriela's Autobiography

Today, while reading a book we learned what an autobiography was. Gabriela dictated hers to me.  Here you go: 

I was born in Washington D.C. and once, my mom took off my dress and threw it on a candle in the bathroom, and the candle was lit! On Halloween, my Mommy took me to the American Red Cross where she worked. I was dressed up like a ladybug.  When I was a little baby, Nana and Papa and Uncle David and Auntie Cynthia and Uncle Ian, Auntie Adie, and Claire and Natalie all came to visit me.

Since we were so far away from the rest of our family, we decided to move to California. I grew up strong and healthy. When I was two years old, we moved into a small green house in Alameda.  My dad bought me a new bed. It was a toddler sized bed, not a cradle or a crib. But, I never did sleep in it.

Then, when I was three, I learned how to ride a Skuut bike. My baby brother was born in 2011.  I went to preschool.  Preschool is school for three year olds!

On July 20th, I had my birthday and turned four years old.  I had a fairy birthday party. Chaney chased us.  I went to Disneyland. I went on so much rides, it was so much fun! I loved Pirates of the Caribbean and Splash Mountain. 

I had a rainbow party when I turned five. I moved to a new house in El Sobrante. We found out that I am having a baby sister. I started kindergarten and I like it. And, of course, I am homeschooled.  I like homeschool because I get to spend all day with my family.

When I grow up, I want to be an artist. I think I will move to Washington D.C. and work at the American Red Cross.  I would like to have some kids. If I don't, I will be like Frida. Frida is a lady who had no children and she was devastated when she learned that she would have no children.

I think when I grow up, I will care about other people.  Even if they are mean to me, I will still do nice things for them.

When I grow up, I am going to be a famous lady and do very famous things. I might be famous for teaching some people not to do war.

My tender hearted girl

Tonight, as I tucked Gabriela into bed, I laid a pink crocheted blanket on her that my mom made for her. On top, I laid out the blankie she especially requested -the white crocheted blanket that MY Nana made. It is Gabriela's blanket, but my Nana made and gifted me this baby blanket years before I was ever pregnant with Gabriela. She died three years before Gabriela was born. Even though Gabriela knows, I remind her of who made each blanket and that she is covered with love. 

Tonight, she burst into tears and said it makes her so sad every time I say, "my Nana" because it reminds her that she is dead and that, even though she never met her, she just knows that she loves her. 

What a precious little sweetheart. I reminded her that  my nana handmade that blanket with love for her, even though they had never met before, and how special it is and how lucky she is to share a name with my nana , and how I just know that she would have loved Gabriela to pieces.  

Easton's 2nd Birthday Party

Easton turned two in November! We had a sweet little gathering for our two year old at our new house.  I decided we would have a fall menu - soups and breads. Lane made a giant pot of chile con carne and I made a giant pot of minestrone soup. We had some homemade pumpkin cornbread muffins and homemade rosemary parmesan artisan bread.  It was delish.

And here is our birthday boy testing out his new soccer set, with a basketball, of course.

We were glad that cousin Andrew was able to make it to the festivities. 

Easton was so happy to see Uncle Nate arrive to the party.  He immediately ran into his arms and gave big hugs and kisses

Can't leave Auntie Liss out!

We couldn't have asked for a better day.  Originally I was going to set up some fun craft tables inside, but the weather was so beautiful, no one wanted to be indoors.  So we had our play dough and paper covered drawing tables outside.  The main attraction for the older kids was chicken chasing, I think.

Easton gets some Auntie love.

Here he is, getting his birthday crown just right.

Easton was serious about blowing out those candles.  He nearly splattered hot wax all over my face!

Look at this awesome Grover painting our friend Adam made for Easton!  We love it so much.  Handmade personalized gifts are the best!

Easton loved his watch from Nana and Papa.  He had been wanting to wear Gabriela's watch all the time.  Since the band is an elastic adjustable band, it fits his tiny wrist.  He always says the time is 8 o'clock, no matter when you ask. 

We are so grateful that some of our friends and many of our family were able to join us in celebrating our big boy. 

Dia De Los Muertos

We spent some time this year learning about Dia de los Muertos and remembering people and animals we love who have died. We made an altar at home and Gabriela drew pictures for it. When we asked her what she remembered about Dia de los Muertos she said it's a time to remember people you love and that every one dies.  I hope we continue to make altars and remember our loved ones in coming years.

We did some fun activities for Dia de Los Muertos also.  We went to an event at the Richmond Center for the Arts. Gabriela got her face painted (Harry Potter, of course), she decorated sugar skulls, and even made a silk screen printing on a shirt of a skull.

 The next day, we went to the Oakland Museum's Dia de los Muertos celebration. It was a much bigger scale than the day before. Auntie Cynthia and Uncle Dan joined us.  We heard some wonderful music, checked out some fancy altars, and made some masks.  There were other things to do too, like tortilla making and there were presentations and dance demonstrations, but also lots of lines which were a little overwhelming for mama and kids alike.

 We spent some time outside enjoying our picnic of snacks.  Gabriela ran into some of her homeschool buddies, and they danced and danced and danced all afternoon to the live music.  A sweet lady danced with Gabriela also.

Trick or Treating

After our Vivarium presentation, we headed up to Walnut Creek, where Auntie Cynthia lives, to do some early trick-or-treating.  The local businesses were passing out candy. It was Easton's first trick-or-treating experience, and Auntie Cynthia was delighted to be a part of it. 

It is so wonderful having her live close by. Sometimes we see her more often in a week than we would have seen her in a year, living in Boston.  I love that she is a special part of my kids' every day lives and that they are growing up making memories with her, and all her 18 aunties and uncles, for that matter.  ;)

This was the year of easy costumes.  I figure, I earned it after sewing a Glinda costume last year!  

Step 1: Gather all the pink clothes you have - shirts, pants, shoes, socks - just go for it!

Step 2: Wear multiple tutus

Step 3:  Add some fairy wings

Step 4: put lots of ribbon and barrettes in your fancy fairy hair do

Easton quickly got the hang of saying, "Trick or Treat" when he realized there was candy involved.  

He also wished everyone a "Happy 'Ween!"

 We took a break on the steps of the Arts Center for costume watching and candy eating.  I'm glad to report that the kids still appreciate and enjoy their Halloween bags I made last year.  I was hoping to make one for Baby Sister this year, while I had the materials out, but it's harder when the sewing machine isn't yet set up in your house.  Maybe next year.

For our actual Halloween festivities, Gabriela planned the entire day.  We started out with Monster Mouths for breakfast - Apple wedges with peanut butter and slivered almonds to look like teeth.  We did some afternoon trick or treating (this time as Harry Potter) and a skeleton in Alameda at the local businesses on Park Street.

Later that evening, Gabriela requested butternut squash soup for dinner, since it's orange. She also asked that we watch The Nightmare Before Christmas, with a fire, and that we make s'mores for dessert.  done and done. It was a perfect Halloween celebration. 

I was happy to skip evening trick or treating and the kids were delighted to go twice during Halloween week.

Homeschool Fun

Our poor neglected blog.  

We have been very busy, indeed. But the idea of updating months of our life at a time has been a little overwhelming.  I thought tonight that I may as well put some pregnancy insomnia to use and catch up at least a little bit. 

Back at the end of October (you know, four months ago), a mom from our homeschool group organized a presentation from the East Bay Vivarium for the kids.  The guy came to her house with loads of amazing creatures for the kids to see, touch, and learn about. He brought tarantulas, cockroaches, snakes, bigger snakes, frogs, toads, lizards, tortoises, you name it!  We have taken trips to the vivarium before, but it's just not the same as checking them out closely.

 

Why, yes, Gabriela did happily hold that awesome millipede looking creature. (Had I updated the blog right after this happened, I would have remembered more details for you.)

 I think it's safe to say that the presentation captured Gabriela's attention.

 Easton was very interested as well. I was pleasantly surprised that he was willing to touch some of the animals.  In general, he seems to appreciate animals much more when there is some distance between him and them.

 At the end, the guy brought out a monitor named "Tiny".  The kids were thoroughly amazed.

 It was a fun learning experience for us all. I am so grateful that we found our homeschool group. The parents and children are all such sweet interesting people. The kids are all Gabriela's age and there is quite the group of little 2 year old brothers for Easton to befriend.