I'm not usually all about stuff - particularly because Ron and I are going totally minimal with all of the baby gear (it is possible?). After registering for the wee one's essentials I began browsing. And here are some of the non-essential, but totally cute things I found.

This sleep sack by Aden & Anais


Little Saplings Toys


Two Families of Naked Peggies

Wooden rattle and teether by Little Alouette


Up, Up, and Away by Allie Craft

Have a good weekend. Till Next time. Jess

Watching hot air balloons launch is magical. More photos on flickr.

Week 12. Come the winter I'll be a mama. I can't wait.

Camping

We had a great time camping in upstate NY despite a late night thunderstorm. Ron and I aren't the best fire starters and we forgot to bring any of the "cheater" methods (charcoal or lighter fluid) so we were stuck with a measly fire each night, but just enough to make some smores.

on why my sister is my hero

This is Melissa (or Myssie) my sister, I'm sure I've talked about her before, some of you may even know her - she's pretty cool. She's having a baby in November sometime (or December). A few years ago we started a journey to uncover what is wrong with childbirth and how our lives have been or will be affected by the medicalization of it all.
I went the academic route and intellectualized birth - she helped me along the way by talking to me as a real woman, with real experiences, with real hurt, confusion and all the messy stuff that went into the birth of my nephew, her son. I tried my best to bring her voice and experiences into my work and I hope I did it justice (and the other women I interviewed). You should read her most recent post about the new path she is taking and why. Her birth manifesto if you will. She is pretty cool alright.