talkin' bout my girls

they play! they play TOGETHER!!!!! there's something so sweet about two little sisters playing together...ok, it's more parallel play, but they're totally interacting with each other. Mia shakes, jumps, peek-a-boo's her little heart out to get her little Lily to laugh. Lily will crawl right on top of Mia, if she's let her. they are in love with each other...as long as Lily doesn't get one of Mia's coveted toys or get in her space..."mamaaaaaa, Lily is in my spaaaaaaaace!!!!" Lily is as happy as a clam until Mia pushes her off. they're learning how to work it out, but in the mean time...yes, there is a lot of lovely playing going on :)

Lily had fun exploring her diaper box & it's contents

the train table has become quite the hit lately

i ADORE how Mia used her tiara to wrangle her dinosaur!

Lily had a super fab time teething on her sisters Curly Q Cutie...until Mia ripped it away and hid it in her room...for the record, Lily has her own that she equally covets ;)

Lily now has FOUR teef and is working on another as you can see

baby loves her some cords and cables...it's hard holding her back

Lily often puts something between her teeth and takes it to-go

Mia found a blank page in my journal to draw some of her fave characters

these two shots make me smile...so precious she is

Birth Art

I'm in the lovely process of preparing myself for childbirth. In doing so, I've taken up reading Birthing From Within...thank you for the recommendation, Sara (our Doodle...that's what Mia calls our Doula). I just read the chapter on Birth Art, and today it felt right to start exploring my thoughts and feelings. Here are some main points of the Birthing From Within philosophy that speak loudly to me:

• Childbirth is a profound rite of passage, not a medical event (even when medical care is part of the birth).
• The essence of childbirth preparation is self-discovery, not assimilating obstetric information
• Active, creative self-expression is critical to childbirth preparation.

Birth Art 1- Comforting Warmth

medium: crayon

I found myself with my pink baby deep inside me...while I rested on a big soft purple pillow...floating on calm water...myself and my baby being warmed & baked by the sun

Birth Art 2 - Transition

medium: washable marker

I felt pain in my back and my belly...it was stronger than I was... there was just a hint of my form...the focus on the pain, and the baby was breach. I stopped as soon as I noticed that and went on to my next drawing

Birth Art 3 - Beauty

medium: washable marker

I'm radiant and powerful...my face, calm and made of love..my baby also calm and made of love...and in a position to be born.

Birth Art 4 - Safety

medium: colored pencil

We are a family united by are love and shielded from the chaos (outsiders, complications....) I hold my eldest in the crook of my arm, my baby safe inside, my husband watching over us all.

I noticed that in all my pieces, I wasn't pushing...I'm not quite there yet. Loving Miss Lily inside of me, thank you very much. I do feel that learned a lot about myself while creating and exploring...looking forward to more! :)