Saturday, November 29, 2008

Down to two...

Okay, I think we have it narrowed down to two names:

Daciana Guinevere or
Guinevere Daciana

I know. It's a mouth full. You're saying, "Those poor teachers! Having to try and say her name!" Well, it had to be as awesome as her sister's name, Anastasia Marie, and besides, we plan on homeschooling anyway! :p

"Daciana...what is that?" It means 'wolf' in the Romania/Moldova area of the world. If we had a boy, his name would have been 'Wolfgang.' I really liked that name and there were no good Russian names left for girls or a suitable female name similar to Wolfgang...Wolfganga, Wolfette, maybe...NOT!

And as for 'Guinevere', it is from the Arthurian legend, and really no more than that...at least so far as I can find...

"Russian names? are you Russian? or have family from there?" No, not really. I do have distant ancestors from Russian I think, but mostly from Germany, Poland, and Western Europe. My husband's ancestors are from Germany, Wales, Scotland, Ireland... "and Texas," he says over my shoulder.

"Don't mess with Texas..."

Thursday, November 27, 2008

"Name it and Raise it"

The name search continues....
My husband came up with Sasparilla the other day. No comment except ROTFLMAO!!!

Came upon a baby name search site that is organized by countries, regions, ethnicity, etc. I have determined that we got the only good Russian girl's name already for our 3 year old and the rest of Russia is out. As is Celtic, Polish, Hawaiian, and Gypsy names...and don't get me started on Norse names!!

Perhaps Daciana? Guinevere? Natalia? Nikita? Alexandra? Ilyana? Victoria?

Mmmm, turkey....

We had a most awesome Thanksgiving today! It was just the three (and a half) of us at home, making turkey and sides, relaxing, not thinking of anything but being one with the moment...
I have a rosemary plant that was just waiting to be trimmed - this went into the turkey, vegetables, and mashed potatoes. We kept everything simple and natural. Some were even organic ;o)
Our 3 yr old DD even helped with some of the dishes, like mashing the potatoes, putting cut veg into the casserole dish, and mixing the punch.

BIG NEWS!

Yesterday, we went to the hospital to get our first ultrasound, and low and behold! IT IS A GIRL!!! We got pics of her profile, her foot, her girl parts...everything is going well! As for the name...we definitely had a boy name picked out...we already used our girl name, and we are working hard for that second girl name....

Possible names are:
GUINEVERE
DACIANA
NATALIA
.......

We'll keep you posted ;o)

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Elephants and kids

They say "an elephant never forgets." Well, neither do kids. Back in July - the weekend of the fourth to be exact - I came down with a severe case of strep throat. I had to get a round of antibiotics at the ER because all the walk-in clinics were closed on the fourth of July. So after $300+ and many 'wonderful' hours at the ER, I retreated to my bed while I missed the fireworks outside the house. My DH and DD watched the fireworks in awe. Since that day, my DD has associated me getting sick with fireworks.

"If Mama gets sick, we get to see fireworks."

In this she truly believes.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Peep Show

My 3 year old has an obsession. I know, I know... most three-year-olds do. Hers is "Peep and the Big Wide World." It is a smart little animated show with 3 main characters - Peep, Chirp, and Quack - that have a different adventure ultimately teaching about science, physics, math, nature, etc. We bought one DVD and she watches it at least once a day. And since we do not have live TV, we have found it online. She can watch a new show once a day, play games, print out coloring pages and more. OH! and did I mention it is narrated by Joan Cusack?

Sunday, November 23, 2008

CHALLENGE!!

My challenge to you this week: On Friday, BUY NOTHING! That's right, on Black Friday, stay home, reflect on whether or not you NEED those things you may have purchased and hug you family!

Here is something to back me up: http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2006/11/24/buy-nothing-day-rerun/

What are you going to do instead of standing in line with other cold and tired people that would knock you down to get to that thing first? Perhaps clean out your closet or have the kids clean theirs out if you do intend to get them things this year. Tell them that they need to donate the junk they don't want anymore. There are plenty of thrift stores that will take it all!

And speaking of thrift stores, I found three more on Merritt Island just the other day - one of which was a baby resale store - all on SR 3 between SR 520 and SR 528. I'll get back to you on if they are any good and where exactly they are...

Saturday, November 22, 2008

What am I?

As far as religion is concerned, in short, I consider myself Christian. But here is exactly what I consider myself to be:

I am a german-polish-jew who was raised Catholic, married a Protestant and attend a non-denominational Christian community church. (I grew up hating myself - LOL!) I also have an anthropology degree, which at one point could have led me to believe that God is man-made but made the decision to stick with my faith.

I am also not allowed to be racist or biased in any way and here is why:

I have two cousins with Mexican background, another one whose daddy's side is black and Cherokee, two more cousins with red hair...and those are just half of the cousins on my mom's side of the family ;o)

BTW, I hate the term "race" and here is why:

In anthropology, "race" is a word used to describe different species, i.e. dog and bird. These different species cannot breed with each other to create more of themselves. However, there are several types of dogs, i.e. hound and german shepard. These dogs can procreate. They are the same species.

Same goes for humans: There is ONE human race, different variations. An Irish man can procreate with a Polynesian woman. Or Mexican woman and a Japanese man can have offspring.

I heard on the radio the other day that Obama is not the first "black" president (meaning he doesn't just govern black people), he is the first president America who just happens to be of a different ethnic background than all the preceding presidents. And after seeing him on Oprah all those months back before he ran for presidency (and when I DID have TV), I called it! I heard him speak and thought that if he did run, he could be the next president. I am also not saying
that I did or did not vote for him, but I will support him when he is sworn in.

Anyway, my rambling will now cease! ...at lease for now ;o)

Friday, November 21, 2008

And now...your moment of Zen:

“Healthcare is the food we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink, the safety in our environment, having shelter. That is healthcare.

Medical care is surgery, pharmaceuticals, invasive procedures and tests; that is medical care, not healthcare. There is an important book called Expecting Trouble: The Myth of Prenatal Care in America, written by Thomas H. Strong JR. M.D., obstetrician, neonatologist from Prescott, Arizona. In his book, he points out that the poor outcomes increase in direct proportion to how much “prenatal care” the woman receives.”

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Cloth Diapers

I just taught my second Cloth Diaper class and I met an absolutely wonderful couple! They had already decided to CD, just needed more info, some questions answered and the ability to physically handle CDs. In my area of the world, there is absolutely NO ONE WHO SELLS CLOTH DIAPERS in their stores, retail or boutique. The only available source is the internet. Also people around here are turned off by having to deal with CD because they think that disposables are easier. Wrong! Cloth diapers are ultimatley cheaper, healthy for baby on many levels, healthy for the environment and so many more reasons to list here.
If you live in Brevard County, FL or the surrounding areas, I teach Cloth Diapering from my house in Port St John, FL (at least until Mid-December 2008).

I would also like to share a quote from Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin on cloth diapering:

"A Mother's touch while she is changing her baby's diapers or while she is bathing her is a large deternining factor in the formation of her personality. a baby can instantly tell if the person touching her is enjoying it or not.
Get right in there and enjoy chaning diapers. There's nothing you can get on your hands that doesn't wash off with water. If you like cuddling her but touch her lightly and gingerly when you're changing her, she'll learn to think that her natural body functions are revolting. If you enjoy changing all her cracks and folds, and like seeing a nice, clean, plump bottom, she'll grow up knowing her body is okay. ...
Body and Mind are One. You affect your baby's mind by how you handle her body."

Thrift Stores

Many years ago, I guess in high school or so, I discovered the joys of the hunt. Modern day treasure hunting in thrift stores has been uniquely rewarding for not much capital. And these days, with our drab economy, nobody has much to go around anymore. But we still need clothes, dishes, infant car seats, and the occasional candle holder or citrus juicer.

And because our economy is so low and slow, so many thrift stores are popping up everywhere! Also would like to mention baby resale stores, thrift stores focusing mainly on baby and kid's clothing, furniture, and gear. All thrift stores are more than likely to have really good quality items, and nowadays have updated clothing. A family member wanted to have an '80s party (come in costume) and actually had trouble finding clothing from that decade.

So if you can get past the occasional funky smells and weird looking people, there are treasures to be found! (I hope I can get to a few first ;o)

My favorite thrift stores (in no particular order):
  • Salvation Army 1218 W.Main St., TITUSVILLE, FL 32796
  • Goodwill 245 Crockett Blvd, Merritt Island, FL 32953
  • Brevard Hospice Thrift Shop 185 Barton Blvd, Rockledge, FL 32955
  • Planet Thrift 123 Mustang Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953
  • The Baby Haven 224 Cheney Hwy, Titusville, FL 32780
These are just a few. How Do you find them? Search for "thrift stores" or "baby resale" and your zip code or city and lo and behold, there they are!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

I challenge you!

Every once in a while, I will offer to you a challenge: something to do, usually simple, perhaps complex, yet always something I would do or have done.

And today's challenge is: DO SOMETHING YOU HAVE NOT DONE BEFORE! This includes going to a store, preferably a local shop, and supporting your local businesses.

I have found this wonderful little cafe between Port St John and Titusville, FL called Elevations Cafe. Elevations International Cafe is a non profit art cafe that supports disaster relief through the arts and clean water. What does that mean really? When you come in and enjoy a caramel latte or a mocha freeze in our cool family friendly cultured atmosphere we're not just serving your thirst, we're partnering together SERVING A THIRSTY WORLD. Every purchase made in the cafe goes right back into funding disaster relief. (They are located at 8850 Grissom Parkway in Titusville, FL near the Police Deptartment; 321-267-7726)

Find your own new favorite cafe or hobby shop or boutique. They are out there and usually not hard to find. There are also farmer's markets and craft fairs or those new Aldi's opening all around Brevard County!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

What do I do?

Life as a stay-at-home mom is anything but sedentary! There are honestly few days that I am actually at home. There are playgroups, La Leche League meetings, Brevard BirthNetwork meetings, Music Together, grocery shopping, taking the car to be fixed, book club, film festival parties, farmers' markets, prenatal yoga, birth class, walks in the woods, just for starters....

The Birth Survey

By the way, If you have given birth in the last three years, go to The Birth Survey and let your voice be heard! It is very in depth about everything, from prenatal to postpartum care.

Nice weather we are having...

At least if you where a polar bear! Here in sunny Florida, we don't expect to get any "cold" weather until January and only then would it be in the mid-50s or 60s during the day and only for about a week total (a day here, a day there). But it has been COLD for quite some time and early, too! I think we planned this pregnancy well ;o) My daughter was born in the summer (August) and it was (as it always is) HOT.....but if this weather holds up and we don't have to wear tank tops and shorts for Christmas, I will be birthing in nice cool weather!

Monday, November 17, 2008

My own space

I do have a MySpace page and here is why: my DH ran into someone from his high school class in church totally out of the blue. She said they were going to have their ten year reunion soon and he should check out the class' MySpace page. Well, he found it after much ado and decided to start to connect with old classmates by starting his own page. Then he said I should get my own page. I reluctantly did. MySpace was getting a really bad rap at the time and it also seemed juvenile. But lo and behold, I found that my own high school was having their ten year reunion - sort of - and they had their own page.

Anyway, we sort of went to each others reunions, both were kinda lame (mine was horribly expensive and his we just managed to go to the picnic). But what came out of it was that I reconnected with former classmates and friends I had not heard from in 10-20 years! For the most part, everyone looked the same, just older.

It was also through MySpace that I found a kind of voice for my opinions and was able to connect with other advocates of things I am interested in. I think, though, that I will come away from MySpace and use this medium as my outlet. It seems to have more freedom and flexibility, and I can post breastfeeding pictures without fear of Tom deleting them. :P

I invite you all to leave comments, opinions, thoughts and prayers on my blog....though I can't promise they will all be approved! (it IS my site after all ;o)

Mothering

I love Mothering Magazine! It is a magazine full of natural ways to mother your children. This particular issue (Nov-Dec 2008) has an article on Forest School that is popular in Switzerland and Germany. I think I want to start it for my daughter and her friends. It seems to go with the concept of homeschooling or "unschooling."

Now I have to take in my husband's car for an oil change and tune up. If you need a reliable family-run fix-it place, South Tire in Cocoa, FL is excellent. Not the cheapest, but you get what you pay for. They are honest and very good at what they do. My dad has been taking our cars there for years - even before I could drive.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Bang!

Okay, here we go...
Who the heck am I? I am someone who is just like you in some ways, but strive to stay uniquely me.
What do I do? LOTS. I am a wife, a mother, a pregnant woman, an advocate, a traveler...none of which actually pays money but is still very rich in rewards.
Why start this blog? Probably because I am partially insane in my membrane.
Where do I live? Born and raised in Florida (not my choice). Still live in Florida (still not of my choosing), but I have traveled to many places. Even had a passport with stamps in it!

Blog #2

Okay. I think I have the color scheme I want...at least for now...

Blog #1

My name is Mama Eva. I live in the United States of America. It is the year 2008, in the month of November. So far this blog is very boring. I promise they will get better.