First Hair Cut!

And also first sucker. Isn't he cute?







Without the top spiked up.

Chop Chop is Gone

Very very sad. Judith was SO upset, I felt so terrible for her. She cried and cried and cried and I just had to hold her for a while. My heart was broken too, but I knew it was for the best. Chop Chop went to a new home, his new owner is a young girl with 2 female cats who is looking to find them a mate. She said we could have one of the kittens (a female!). Or if her cats don't like Chop Chop, he might be back! As sad as it was to see him go, at least I know that he will have fun at his new home ;). And the girl seemed really knowledgeable about cats, and she obviously really likes them, and he won't be tormented by children anymore. I really hope that he is happier there. I really did love him, but he just wasn't a good fit for our family. I am totally going to miss the cuddles, but not the cat scratches all over the kids. *sigh* I hope we did the right thing. Judith seemed to get over it quickly enough, although every so often she starts crying and says "I NEED THE BIG CHOP CHOP BACK!!!!!" (Because we've told her that we will get one of Chop Chop's babies). I hope that she isn't scarred for life.

1st Birthday Comparison Shots

I can't believe I totally forgot to do this until now!

So here is Judith and Gideon, each on their first birthdays. What do you think?





Gideon is so much bigger, but they are both so cute!!!

Anyone Passionate About Birth?

A nonprofit organization in Virginia is soliciting YouTube videos to educate women about their options during childbirth in the hopes that education willreduce the incidence of medically unnecessary c-sections and out-of-controlhospital costs. The maker of the best video will win $1000. Birth advocatesRicki Lake, Abby Epstein, and Sarah Buckley have agreed to be guest judges.

We can put you in touch with Ricki Lake's PR people if an interview would be helpful.

Birth Documentary Contest: $1000 Prize

Birth Matters Virginia (an organization that works to promote an
evidence-based model of maternity care) is soliciting 4-7 minute educational
videos about birth. The first-place winner will receive a cash prize of
$1000. Second place $500 and an "honorable mention" prize of $100 will also
be awarded. The deadline for entering the contest is Mother's Day, May 10,
2009.

Guest judges include: Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein, acclaimed producers of
<http://www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com/> the Business of Being Born and <http://sarahjbuckley.com/> Sarah J. Buckley., MD, international birth expert and author of <http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1587613220?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwsarahjbuck-20&li
nkCode=as2&%20%20amp;camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1587613220>

Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering. Ricki, Abby, and Sarah will join a consumer-based panel of judges who will be evaluating the tone, educational content, creativity and more. You don't have to be a professional to enter and you don't have to be from Virginia . We'd love to get videos from mothers, fathers, filmmakers, film students, birth advocates, and anyone else who is
interested in birth or film or wants to win $1000.

As the national rate of c-sections surpasses 30% and the U.S. ranks 41st in
terms of maternal mortality, it is more important than ever for women and
their partners to be educated about the options they have during pregnancy
and birth. Birth Matters Virginia advocates "evidence-based" maternity care,
which simply means using the best available research on the safety and
effectiveness of specific practices to help guide maternity care decisions
and to facilitate optimal outcomes in mothers and newborns. There are a lot
of ways to approach that topic, and we're looking forward to the variety of
entries.

For rules and to see how to enter, please visit
<http://www.birthmattersva.org/videocontest.html>
http://www.birthmattersva.org/videocontest.html
You can also join our Facebook group to get updates about the contest and
exchange ideas with other participants at
<http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=73753459808>
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=73753459808
And if you have questions, email Sarah at
<mailto:Richmond@birthmattersva.org> Richmond@birthmattersva.org

Even if you don't plan to make a video or submit an entry, please pass this
email on to everyone you can think of, post it on your blog, your Facebook
page, Twitter, whatever you can think of! The more people submit videos, the
more will be out there on YouTube and we could use all the help we can get
spreading the word.

Just for fun, here's just after Judith's birth.


And Gideon's birth.

Easter Pics

We just had a low-key Easter at home this year.

Handsome little man.

Chocolate from Grandma.




"Seriously, mom, this stuff is SO GOOD! Where has this been all my life???"


"What do you mean, no more today...?"


"Just... 4 more???" (Look at those tear-stained eyes!)

Go Fly a Kite!

It was a beautiful day, so we did.

Judith dresses herself, by the way.

I love the colour of the sky out here, I wish I had a better camera!


Gideon had a great time too!


She was soooooo happy!


Applause!


She was really good.


What a fun day!

Gideon's First Year!

Sorry that this is late, but Gideon had his first birthday on the 4th!

Here is a walk down memory lane...

20 week ultrasound.




A few days before the birth.


Fresh out of the womb, April 4, 2008.


At home in bed, 4 hours after the birth.



Napping on Daddy.



A few days old.


One week old.


One month!


6 weeks.


2 months.



3 months.


4 months.



5 months.



6 months.


7 months.


8 months.


9 months.



10 months.



11 months.



ONE YEAR!!!


That was such a fast year!!!

Here are some birthday pics...

Presents!!!


Sister helped with opening...


Our cousins came to help celebrate!


"I LOVE CAKE AND ICE CREAM!!!!"


Happy birthday little man. <3

Baby #3!

This is just a public announcement that baby #3 is on the way! I added a new ticker to the bottom of my page. = )

Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies are a staple in my house. They're not so healthy, but the perfect fix for a hormonal mama.

I've had this recipe memorized since I was probably 8 or so.



Preheat oven to 350F.

In a medium to large bowl, mix together:

1 cup shortening (you could probably substitute butter?)
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar (I use raw organic sugar)

Then add:

2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

Mix. Then add:

2 cups flour (I use whole wheat flour)
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Mix. Add 1 cup of chocolate chips, M&M's, Skor bits, or whatever you want (or a combo of things).

Eat lots of dough, it's amazing.

Roll into small balls (I try to make them golf-ball-size, but you can make them smaller if you like), place them on a baking tray, and bake 8-10 minutes. This recipe makes about 24 cookies, depending on how big you make them, and how much dough you eat. = )