Paint x 3

We bought the paint...finally!

Yep - we're doing stripes in the room...and we bought 3 colors of green. I found a website that has all paint colors...and although I'm not sure that this is accurate...you get an idea.


I also got powdered tempura paint today - to make the green wash for the small paintings for Boogie's room that I plan to do. Now all I need are small canvases...which I plan to find online...wish me luck on these.

Childbirth & Bloodstone

So I've decided I need to get prepared for this whole childbirth thing...

We're signing up this week for Childbirth Education at Delnor (the hospital I will deliver Boogie at). Yep, 4 weeks of fun...learning about breathing, pain relief, pushing out a kid, etc. etc. Plus we'll get a tour of the facility. It will be nice to be a little more prepared that way.

Let me just say that I've always been SUPER afraid of childbirth. Something about the size of the kid, and where it comes out just does NOT seem right. Add that to the horror stories that people tell of pooping on the delivery table, and screaming obscenities - and you get a nervous Marie. I thought that when I ever got pregnant, everything would seem normal, and I'd be less nervous and more "in tune" with the idea. NOPE. I'm still scared out of my mind. But, I'm trying to be as prepared as possible.

You'll have to wait a few weeks to hear how childbirth class progresses (it doesn't start until mid-September). Until then, I'm looking at alternative ways to prepare myself.
I'm considering prenatal yoga classes...I think that would be very good for me, and good for Boogie as well.
I also have read about the healing stones (yes I'm a new ager that believes in that) and I think I need to get a Bloodstone item (necklace, bracelet, something to wear at birth). Here's the metaphysical description:
"Bloodstone is in the Chalcedony family of stones and is also known as heliotrope. It is a stone of courage. Bloodstone helps one focus on the energy of one's heart. It helps in overcoming stress and anxiety. It revitalizes love, friendships and relationships. Use it to facilitate admittance into the realms of the ancestors and allow it to help open communication with those who have walked on the path before us! Bloodstone has been said to assist in the labor and delivery of newborn babies. "

I'll let you know what I end up with...

Votes Please!

In my continual search for a unique/functional diaper bag...I've come across many options. I didn't want a mass-produced item - and I'm not really in love with any of the standard types anyway. They're just not me.

So - here's a few that I've found through my searches. Vote for your favorite! I am encouraging commentary here...there are 10 showing.

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BOvine Intervention

Did you know that you see a COW everyday??

This is apparently a proven fact...studies have been done. You will see a cow everyday.

Okay - you won't see an actual cow everyday, as in the living, breathing and mooing variety. However - you will see a picture in the paper, an image on a food label, a cow on TV, a logo at a store, or you may actually see a live cow!

I had trouble with this at first. I mean, sure, I grew up in a farm town where I probably DID see a real live cow everyday. My brother-in-law is an Angus cattle farmer, so my sister now lives on a farm where they look out the window to cows everyday, and touch them everyday. However - now that I'm up in Chicagoland...this isn't really the norm for me anymore - and I know isn't for most of you. I didn't really believe that this could be true...but then I found this story online of a guy who heard the same statistic and kept a blog of his "cow" encounters everyday. Totally hilarious. And he DID see a cow every day. He even took pictures of the ones he could (if they were in the paper, or on a label in the grocery store, etc).

Now - some of you Debbie Downer's will probably try to prove this wrong. It's not always obvious - you have to be observant...so don't poop on this theory right away. I am going to try to see if I can find my cow everyday. Kind of like looking for the Mickey Mouse heads in each of the rides at Disneyworld (yes that's true too).

For today - I'll make it easy.

Dain & Boogie & Wii

So Dain's hoping that this can be him playing our Nintendo Wii - and hoping Boogie will be as amused as this (hilarious) baby...

Registered

So - you may or may have not noticed the addition of links to our registries at the top of the column on your right. I'm still adding things occasionally - but we're pretty much done.

People have asked me why we have an "internet" registry (and Dain thinks it's tacky that the site is called TheThingsIWant.com - but I don't name these things!). Anyways - we have the internet registry because there are several things that are not available in Babies R Us that are very important to me for my child.

1. CLOTH DIAPERS. Yes - I'm using cloth diapers. I've always planned to. Get over it. The diapers I have on the internet registry (as of today 8/19/08) are not complete - but I will be adding more soon. Basically I have the diapers on the list that Boogie will need right out of the gate - which are "pre-folds", like the cloth diapers of the past. These fit infants the best, and will work as an inexpensive option until he will fit into the One Size cloth diapers that will take him through to potty training. The money per diaper for these One Sizer's seems like a lot - but I will actually be saving TONS and TONS of money in the long run. Imagine not having to pay for diapers after the first few months of building a stash! Awesome!

2. NATURAL PACIFIERS. I wanted to get the natural - all-rubber pacifiers that aren't made with plastics and various other toxins. These are great...and cute!

3. NATURAL TOYS. I have some on the registry - things made from wood with non-toxic paints, natural teethers, etc. These are cute, retro-ish, and very safe for babies. I could've added so much - but they aren't cheap - and toys aren't the most important thing we'll need!

4. SAFE BABY BOTTLES - made from PES plastic. They are free of phthalates and free of bisphenol A...all better for the baby.

There are some other things included. But these are some very important items for me, and Boogie.

In The Stars...

Yes, I believe in Astrology. I follow it. I do Tarot Cards. I used to be into Palm Reading, and need to get back on that. You may not have known these things about me...but you do now. I'm a new age girl!

I found info on Parenting Astrology Compatibility (you can do Parent & Parent, Parent & Child, or Child & Child [which is what I should have done for Dain and I!]) - - here's our results (if Boogie comes out at his supposed time!)

Parent & Parent: DAIN (Pisces) & ME (Leo)
Your greatest gifts as parents are your creativity and imagination. Your home will be rich with song, books, plays, costumes, and various projects, but don't expect it to be very neat. As a family, you have more important priorities! The Leo mom or dad could be the ringleader in all this activity. You have a childlike spirit and affectionate warmth that is very appealing to children of all ages. Your kids know from the start that they can depend on your loyalty and love.

The Pisces parent is more dreamy but equally dramatic. You're intuitive and sensitive, connecting with your children on the spirit plane as much as the physical.

One challenge you face as parents will be in making sure that the Leo parent does not demand too much attention and that the Pisces parent doesn't give all their caretaking to just one person. Find the balance.


Parent & Child: ME (Leo) & BOOGIE (Sagittarius)
Your Sagittarius child is as bright and dynamic as you are. Expect some incredible adventures in raising this kid. Friends, neighbors, and strangers alike are drawn to your little one, who seems to attract excitement almost effortlessly! And your child is always up for something new, so he'll happily follow you from one escapade to the next.

Sometimes your little Sagittarius might do or say something that hurts your feelings, but try to remember that he means well. He's just a little too bluntly honest -- and you're somewhat sensitive, though you hide it behind that warm, brave exterior of yours.

Be sure to give your little one plenty of freedom and autonomy. Exploring is his best method of learning, and he needs lots of space in which to roam. You'll love the way he keeps gravitating back to you, his steady rock and emotional center.


Parent & Child: DAIN (Pisces) & BOOGIE (Sagittarius)
Your Sagittarius child keeps you busy, that's for sure! This adventurous, playful child is always on the go. Even when she's still in diapers, it can be a challenge to keep up with her. You love your little one's innate curiosity about the world, and you have no problem letting her explore its boundaries. You're a somewhat free-form, permissive parent, and you give little Sagittarius the freedom she needs to roam.

Of course, neither of you is much for details, so the day-to-day tasks of parenting -- getting your child to school on time, serving regular meals, establishing a routine for bedtime -- can be a bit of a stretch for you. Let's hope there's someone else in your lives to provide a practical, grounding influence for you and your little Sagittarius. Otherwise, your instinct is to wander through your imagination while your child wanders the world.