Sunny days!

Yes, I'm still pregnant!!!
However, we have been immensely blessed this last week with some wonderfully sunny days...and in Astoria, that means we take full advantage of it!

So, we took a family trip to the river walk in downtown, captured an amazing sunrise, and just had some plain old fashioned fun. All good activities to get my mind off our "delayed" arrival : )

These other pictures are of Justus "helping" cut his hair...with my permission.



Yes, the buzzers are on, but no worries with the guard on?! Except that when I came back from getting the camera, he didn't have the buzzers anymore, he had these!!!

Thank goodness they didn't actually make it to his hair...not that there was evidence of anyway. Pfew!
We also had a good visit from my sister Maria and her two kids. James is 7mths older than Justus and Abigail is 5wks younger than Gabriel so they are a good match for play! Once again, another good activity to help pass the time! Now I'm thinking I might get out our stockings I didn't finish for Christmas and try to get those done....Just about anything to keep me busy! : )
Honestly!

Just a few Thoughts

So, considering the fact that I am expecting a baby any day and since I just received my registration for my Childbirth Educator Certification. I've been thinking about labor quite a bit lately and thought I would throw out a few questions just to keep us all entertained in the mean time. : ) I hope you're game?
p.s. Most of the questions are pertaining to your first labor if you've had more than one.

Question 1:
How was labor different than what you expected?

Question 2:
Is there something you weren't taught in your childbirth classes that later you wish you had known.

Question 3:
Did you feel like your classes adequately prepared you for birth? How so or not?

Question 4:
How much would you be willing to pay for Natural Childbirth Classes?

Question 5:
Would you say that overall your birth was an enjoyable experience or something that you'd really rather not go through again?

Be honest! There certainly isn't a right answer. After Justus was born I was a little shocked that many women gave birth more than once, and even though we had a great birth with little to no complications, it was different than how I'd envisioned and I was a little discouraged. Then Gabriel came along and it was a different story altogether. He came quickly and smoothly and by the time it was over I felt like we'd barely gotten started. I remember thinking, "Now, THAT, I can do again!" Very different!

So please share your experiences and your thoughts. I am totally excited to finally be able to teach childbirth classes and I want to make sure they are relevant and practical to all different couples. Can't wait for your responses!

All in Time...

So, I know everyone is curious to see if the baby is here or not.
But not quite yet!
This is the first time I have passed my due-date (though, it was a guess anyway)!
It hasn't been nearly as traumatic as I expected. And to be totally honest, according to my intuition, I wouldn't be suprised if we have another week or so.
Besides my enormous, and somewhat comical belly, I feel great and have been sleeping quite well...so we'll see what happens.
I will certainly post once the baby arrives! No worries, I won't leave any of you out of the loop!

But in the mean time, it is sunny and beautiful here and we are going to get out and enjoy some fresh air!

Blessings

Pregnancy Pics

So, I have always been in love with natural style pictures of pregnant women, but have yet to justify the cost of getting professional portraits done. However, about a week ago I decided I really wanted some and asked around about some "amateur" photographers that might be up for it! Another mom from our local La Leche League does photos on the side and was really excited for the opportunity. So we gave it a whirl! She did a great job and we were totally pleased. Here are just a few of my favorites!

Favorites!

Here's to being tagged! Hope you enjoy and may feel inspired to continue the game...

MY FAVORITES!
Book: "Created to Be His HelpMeet" (it has truly made my marriage a different story...for the better of course), "The Zion Covenant" series by Bodie Thoene (They are about WWII Germany. I love history when it's put into a personal story)

Movie: "Lord of the Rings" and "Gladiator". The portrayal of masculinity...with character and integrity is truly enjoyable for me to watch! Then, there are "Return to Me" and "Ever After"! These are 100% chic flick and I love them!

Color: pear green

TV Shows: I once was committed to "Alias" and then "24", but I'll admit Kiely and I are in fact "American Idol" watchers

Guilty Pleasures: Ice Cream! Ice cream, and Ice Cream!

Outfit: Can I say my wedding dress! I would so have a wedding every year if I could. I love feeling like a princess!

Body Part: My feet

Kitchen Tip: If you have small children or like to relax on Sundays when you come home from church....Use a Crockpot! Prepare the meal while they are napping, stick a salad or veggie in the fridge and viola! When it is dinner time, there is no hurry or fuss...just "Dinner Ready"!

Life Lesson: "Everything can be taken from a man or a woman but one thing: the last of human freedoms to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances." Viktor Frankl -Holocaust survivor. My life lesson-Choose Joy and Thankfulness!

Activity: Sewing, crafting/creating, baking and playing with my husband and kids

Food: Creamy Pasta

Child raising Tip: It's a work in progress...be diligent, express love often, smile and enjoy the process!

Pet Peeve: I don't mean this harshly... Unprepared Childbirth! Mostly because these women are totally missing out on how our bodies are designed and the enjoyment (yes, enjoyment) that comes from giving birth!!!

Game: Pictionary. Speed Scrabble

Tatoo: No, but it's not entirely off my list!

Element: Hmm....can't say that I do! However, I do remeber thinking Aluminum is pretty cool because it doesn't burn, but that's as far as that thoughts ever gone.

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Baby Update!

We finally got a new camera to call our own!

So here is my most recent (feb 4th) picture of the baby.

I have 10 days until my due date, am having contractions
just about every evening, but don't have "the feeling"

just yet!

I feel pretty steady, am getting good sleep at night,
and am patiently waiting to meet our new little one!!!

Everything is all set and ready

from the bassinet and newborn clothes

to the babies Birthday Cake!

Yep! My mom would make a cake when she had us and

we would all celebrate the new babies "Birth Day!"

We had lemon chiffon with Justus,

brownies and ice-cream for Gabriel,

and just the other night I made a Raspberry Ice-cream

Cake for this one, so it will be ready when

"baby" arrives!

Soon enough I'm sure~Soon enough!

Our family Picture

So, I have been extremely slow this year at getting our newsletter out. I'd like to say that I have just been so busy with the holidays, two busy, busy little boys, being pregnant and in a new town...but really, I just haven't gotten around to it. And our camera broke a few months ago, so we had to borrow one. Yes, I know, excuses, excuses!

However, I finally got it all put together, organized a family picture and should be sending them out soon. (Yes, they are still sitting on my desk. Oy!) So, here's our annual family picture. Gabriel was in quite the mood and we couldn't keep him still or happy for anything...except crackers. In fact, I think Justus is eating one in the pciture below. We have a picture of us all eating crackers, but it must be on the other computer. I'll have to post it when I get a chance. Ahhh, the things we do for our children. : )

p.s. Baby update! I am officially 35 wks pregnant (i.e. my tummy in our family pic). We're getting into the last month!!! I feel huge, only have one more pound to gain before I break my record (from Gabriel and Justus) It always comes off, but the numbers sure look daunting on the scale! I'm measuring 34 1/2cm-Right on target and am becoming less and less nervous for labor knowing we get to meet our new addition...and I won't be pregnant anymore!!! Hallelujiah.

Happy New Year

So, I've never really been into setting New Year's Resolutions. For one reason or another, it seemed a little risky to make a committment I was afraid I would break...probably on the sooner end of things. However, it always makes me think, "What would my resolution be if I made one?" And after a few days of thinking, if dawned on me, that all the thoughts combined, I was practically thinking I could be a Perfect Mom!!! See, that's why I don't make these things!

It did remind me of some important aspects to being a mother though, and New Years or not, I will continue to try and improve how I love and nurture my children day by day. Simple things, like puting down a project (or sometimes dinner preparations), to just sit with them. Acknowledging their emotions in testing situations instead of just the actions. Learning how to always bring a good attitude and peaceful environment to our house. And of course, making sure we are not all work and no play!!!! Somedays I do much better than others, and then there are days I seem to forget all together. But somewhere along the line, my job seemed to change from a chore to a pleasure...and I'm sure all of us at the Bondurant home are better off for it!

Happy New Years!
The best to all of you and your official or "non-official" resolutions!!!