Daddy CrabbyKat is trying to teach the boy to be cool (like he knows.)

Sad news: our beloved old lady Natasha has been diagnosed with mammary tumors. We're not sure what to do yet.

Update::: 12/30- Natasha had surgery Thanksgiving weekend. She is doing great!

Ben-Gay

I was talking to my step-sister earlier this evening and we were remembering a funny story from when we were young. I promised her I would write about it in my blog so the world can know how retarded we are:

It was an average weekend night in the winter. we were doing our usual routine: laying around watching movies on the giant blue mattress we dragged out every weekend that we called the "yo". You have to understand that we were very strange girls and we had a knack for entertaining ourselves in strange ways. We decided to strip down to our underwear and cover ourselves in ben-gay. We then sat in front of a fan on full blast. We were having a great time; we thought it was hillarious. Yes, we are stupid. We were so cold that we jumped in the shower together with the water on as hot as we could stand it. The stuff just wouldn't come off! We were freezing the rest of the night. Ah, childhood memories...

I Love Cloth Diapers!

I know it sounds crazy, but it's true! Most other cloth diaper mamas will tell you the same. There is something satisfying about knowing you are not irresponsibly dumping thousands of diapers into the landfill like the droves of apathetic mainstream moms who do what "Parenting" magazine and the TV tell them to. And they are so darn cute!
My new favorite, the Motherease one-size. It fits babies from birth until potty training with it's adjustable snaps, and they are really soft! Anyone want to buy Baby CrabbyKat some Christmas diapers? We could use some more of these. https://usshop.motherease.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=7&cat=One+Size%99+Diaper

In at a close second is the Kissaluvs snap diaper.

Old fashioned pre-folds are my least favorite; I use them as back-up when I am behind on laundry. These are all I had when Bubba-O was a baby, and we managed just fine.

This is a Thirsties wrap cover. My favorite low-cost cover. I have several in different colors.

And last are the Bummis Super Whisper Wraps. Cute prints but not as trim fitting.

More New Pics

Skinny man

...and happy baby.

Babywearing 101

Babywearing 101...

sleeping in the wrap...

on mommy's chest where he belongs.

Well I finally got a new camera! I rushed out to buy it in time for halloween. Not much has happened since my last post, just the everyday miracles of raising babies. Here are some pictures from Bubba O's parade and party at school, and Baby CrabbyKat.

So lame...

I have not posted in some time! Bubba O broke my camera a few weeks ago, so I have no pictures to post. Hopefully I will be getting a new one this week. News since my last post:

- Bubba O is turning six in two weeks. We are having a sleepover for a few of his friends.

- Baby Crabster is getting very big... he is already in six month clothing!

- There was a shooting on our block... no we are not moving!!!! This stuff happens
everywhere, and besides, money does not grow on trees ya know!

- Bubba O has started kindergarten at a private school not far from our house.

- Mr. CrabbyKat got a new tattoo on his forearm.

- I shaved my head... all except the bangs and sideburns. Styling my hair just got to be too
much of a hassle! It feels great!!

- I still have not been able to wear anything without an elastic waist; my shoes no longer fit,
nor does my wedding ring.

- Kim Wells, a rockin' tattoo artist from Florida, is coming to town and is going to do some
work on my Day of the Dead sleeve net weekend, Yay!!!!!!!!!

- My health insurance runs out at the end of the month, and I can't afford private insurance.

So that is what is new in my life.

New pictures of crabbykitten

Chillin' and using the computer...

Nirvana baby.

Babies love to be worn.

Here's the baby!

Sorry, these pictures are a little out of order. Here is Mr. CrabbyKat wearing Baby CrabbyKat while still in the hospital,
and this is me wearing him the day after a ceserean!
Burrito baby...

Right after birth.
First nursing attempts in recovery room.

My two favorite boys.
Here is the official birth story...

I went into labor at 3:30 am on Sunday, August 17. I woke up with fairly strong contractions, and I was very hungry. I went downstairs, ate some food, and took a bath. The contractions seemed to stop. Once I lay back down, I started to have contractions again. I tried to wake up Mr. C but he was not having it. I finally called my doula around 5:30 to let her know that things were starting to pick up. I lay back down and slept between contractions until 8:30.

My doula called around that time, and I told Mr. C to go ahead and go to work for a few hours. She came over and we just hung out and watched tv while she rubbed my back during contractions. Around 2:30 I started to feel really antsy and like I wanted to go to the hospital. I was thinking I was much further along than I was. My doula talked me into staying home until about 5:30 when I couldn't take it anymore.

Once we got to the hospital, everything changed. There was no longer anything rythmic or natural about this labor. I could not handle the pain that came with each contraction. I was discouraged to learn that after 15 hours I was only 3 cm. dialated. At this point my instinct took over and I knew I needed a C-section. I actually asked for it. My Doula and Mr. C tried to talk me out of it, and I broke down crying because I felt like no one was listening to me. Finally they relented and I went in to the OR. Baby Leo was born at 8:29 pm and weighed 7lbs 11oz. He was beautiful! He was allowed to stay in the operating room with me while I was stitched, and Mr.C held him up to my chest so I could snuggle with him.

Although I was planning to birth vaginaly after having such a bad experience with Bubba O's C-section, I do not regret my decision. I believe very strongly in natural childbirth, home birth, and VBAC(vaginal birth after ceserean), but things just did not work out that way for me. When the c- section was performed, the doctor said he was posterior, his cord was wrapped around all his limbs like a jump rope, and my scar was so thin she could see through it. So I think my instincts were right. I still feel like I owned my birth and I called all the shots, and I was treated much better and had an easier recovery than with O. So all in all, a good experience.

Yep. Still pregnant.

Flowers from the farmer's market this morning... did I mention I love Ikebana?
New flower bed I just put in this weekend.

Bubba O is jumping up and down because he is going to spend the night with Isa!
Mr. Friendly

New day-glo orange hallway! You should see it with the light on! Holy bright!
Bubba O can't wait to be a big brother.
Miss Turbo.

Fun (Cheap) Finds!

I had a rare outing by myself today, so I went to Gabriel Brothers. I got there just in time for the unpacking of the Urban Outfitters housewares box and I stood over like a vulture. I got these two piggy banks, one for me and one for the baby's room...


... and I found a cool shirt for Bubba O, coasters, a little painting that matches two I already had, a wooden baby rattle, a manly american-style bento box, and that white little guy grows plant hair when you water him! All the things from these two pictures cost less than $13.00, not too shabby.
Ash came over today and did some henna on my hands! Hopefully the oils will help jump start my labor.