Yoga for Two

Moms who are on their second, third, or more (yikes!) pregnancies will often comment that there just isn't much time to devote to connecting to the little one growing inside when you are taking care of older siblings. I am no exception to this.  As I've already mentioned the first trimester is hard for me, and I was so occupied with trying to cope that I rarely felt like connecting to the little one.

My solution has been to begin a pre-natal yoga class.  I only took one yoga session when I was pregnant with Kyan.  I found that after a day of working I didn't have the energy to take a yoga class.  This seems a bit funny to me now because I'm certainly more tired now than I was then but taking the time is really important to me.  I want to do special things this pregnancy that are related to this child and I can remember fondly once he or she has grown into a big kid.  It is also more precious bonding time for Dave and Kyan who are certainly best buds (Ky refers to Dave as his best friend) I can only think that a strong bond between them will help with the transition of adding a new member to the family in March. 

In other news my parents arrive soon for Thanksgiving and I am trying to get this place in order slowly but surely.  It will all come together one way or another.  I wish you all a great week.  I hope to post several times this week.

Relaxed

Yes, I must say that I am.  There is little chance to be uptight when you are surrounded by ocean, trees, eagles, good friends, laughing children and fresh air.  Once again we had such a good time on Hornby Island.  We visited a few other little towns on Vancouver Island as well and Ky had his first stay in a hotel.

The bannock turned out well.  I only now realized that I didn't take a picture...but the logistics were the only hard part.  We discovered it was definitely a two person job to flip bread in an iron skillet!  Yoga looking out onto the beach on Solstice morning was so refreshing.  My body felt cleansed and loose and restored after.  It is always a pleasure to discover new teachers of yoga since they can expand your view of your practice and open your mind to something you've never thought of before.   We ended our Solstice with a beach side fire and chants to the ocean.  And after camping was over just because the boy is all about them we found some trains to look at and ride on.  Who knows next year he could be on to something else so we'll get the most out of this interest while we can.

I feel renewed and ready to move forward.  There is lots to do and I certainly feel that this struggle I've had to post over the last two months is dwindling.  There will be words....here they come....I sense their approach.  Thanks for sticking with me through a small dry spell there.  And here are some images of our trip.

In case you were wondering I was a lucky girl and received a very early birthday present of a new camera.   Nothing fancy mind you, just a good quality point and shoot that I can use to my heart's content.   I must say that at this time my heart is content.  Vacations can be magical things.

Mulling

This week has gotten away from me it seems. I wanted to check in and despite three or four posts running through my head this one is just going to be a rambley update about general life around here.

This family has had a really hard time getting out of bed for the last two weeks. Daylight Savings is kicking our bums...so our days have been a little off track with timing and while we are doing our best to stay on track I feel like I'm letting the ball drop quite often.

Ky and I haven't been on one of our fun long walks in a while. We've been outside digging in the garden, checking out a new park and watching the trains of course but not really taking those long hours to explore, play and absorb. Now that time may be delayed even further until the weather clears up a bit. It is supposed to rain here off and on until next week.

The rainy weather is making me want to sit in front of my sewing machine and only get up to pee and eat. I find those emotions difficult to negotiate as a mother because I have to get up constantly and do the thousands of other things that take precedence over sewing. But I'm getting 5 minutes here and sometimes even 15 minutes there so that will have to be enough for now.

The process of creating Kyan's new room is underway. We have found his big boy bed and will pick it up on the weekend. The journey to the room that I have envisioned in my head for him will be long since I see a new quilt, handmade sheets and train prints on his wall. But I will work away at it and eventually (whether here or at another home) Ky will have this room that I see in my head.

And while in some ways I feel just slightly down or off the mark in others I feel like I'm accomplishing something important. The area I'm really happy about is food. We are eating well and I'm working really hard to make that happen. Dedicating time and energy everyday to making good food is an investment into my family's health and well being. Out of all of the goals that I set up for myself this year that one is transforming a part of me. It is helping me to feel the results of good, whole food consumption on how I feel internally. I am noticing energy levels, my head feeling clear or not, sleep patterns....all of it. And food plays such a huge roll in that. Now along with my stack of sewing books from the library I've been mulling over taking out a stack of cookbooks too. But I'll hold that urge back a bit until I've got the sewing ones in perspective.

Now I'm off to do some yoga, Thursday is usually yoga day and that is another goal that I've been keeping for myself. Yoga once a week is really helping me stay centered and feel healthy. Since I may be the only person on the planet who still has a VCR the yoga VHS tapes at the thrift store are a very economical way to get a little instruction and motivation to keep going.

Have a happy rest of your week and I'll be back soon with those other posts I mentioned earlier.

My Overflowing Cup

The organized chaos on my spare bed, a reflection of my creative juices

The last few days have been a whirlwind of creativity in my head. Images have been popping up in the last few weeks. Quilt/fabric art pieces, gifts, article ideas, I feel like I have a fireworks show going off in my brain.
The ebb and flow of creativity is just so fascinating. I didn't realize that things had been ebbing in my visual imagery department until this storm went off and I've had to manage day-to-day life while harnessing these bursts of energy. Yesterday it was all I could do to not close the blinds and sew until it was dark or my stomach protested too much. I think this is the first major spell I've had since conceiving Kyan. The first time that I wanted to work, work, work and only in the art sense of that word.
Due to the gift nature of some of the projects I can't go into tons of details....but let's see. I am making an actual "art" piece... as in not a gift, not a functional object. Towards my goal of working out a style for my work. I've had some other great ideas with imagery that can keep me working in that area for years really if I follow through with them all.
The fall is gift time since we have tons of birthdays and of course Yule will creep up super fast. I am making most of my gifts this year. Hopefully that will not drive me bonkers before December. And as far as the writing goes I've just been so inspired by the blogs I'm reading and I have some fun news to share in the coming weeks. Sorry to tease but I don't do it that often, hopefully you'll forgive me this one time.
I felt yesterday like my cup was running over....like I couldn't get the ideas down fast enough. Today was more like I'd been hit by a truck...tired and still very motivated but needing more rest. It's like my body was exhausted by the rush and needs to relax a bit.
In an attempt to relax and be kind to my body Kyan and I did yoga from a tape today. (yes a video tape, it's from 1994!) but since the production value was so high the only thing that dates it too me is the scrunchy that Ali McGraw wears in it. (and for all of you that still wear scrunchies, you're kicking it old school, no worries) It's a great routine and I hope to do it every other day. It is not the same as being at a studio...what with three snack breaks for Ky, him jumping on my back during floor poses and turning off the VCR once or twice but it's free so it fits my current workout/be healthy criteria. Overall this week has been good. Solid, productive and inspiring. I hope you can all say the same.

Yoga day...

Fridays are my Yoga days with my son Kyan. We take the car and head out to our local yoga studio so that my body can get some good old stretch time. You just don't understand how much tension, and stress that you hold in your muscles as a Mom. It surpasses anytime I thought I was stiff before. I've been practicing yoga off and on for about 7 years now. It is my exercise of choice. I don't like anything jarring and yoga quiets the mind which is perfect for me. I only did one pre-natal yoga class because my energy level was too low when I was working full time during my pregnancy. Now that I'm staying at home with Kyan it is a great chance for us to share and to connect with other Moms. My body has really come to need this time after only a month. To all the Moms out there new or old I would highly recommend it. This week two new Moms were in the class. I was able to get through most of the poses, Kyan was happy to laugh and coo on his tummy. He really likes the relaxed atmosphere of the yoga studio; soft music, low light and calm voices. My favorite new posture is Pigeon. I had never done this posture in any other class. My hips are often stiff and Pigeon really opens them up. We also do some great shoulder work and since my boy is heavy, I really benefit from working those muscles out. The rest of my Fridays are just lovely now. I have a clear head and a relaxed body. Hopefully I'll be able to work some of the postures into my days sometime soon, but at least I know that Fridays will bring relief. To all the stiff Moms out there Namaste...