Tuesday, March 27, 2007

A new shirt from Ottobre pattern mag (click on in english on left side of page). I am loving the way it is turning out. Of course, it could stand some buttons and button holes. And someone who takes more time with the inside details.... Although I did french seam the side seams and sleeves so they didn't look too corny rolled up. It is one of those projects that snowballed on its own. I was looking through my mag and wanted to make something. Then I found a piece of fabric. Then I thought, "oooh, trains!" and this is where it got me.
G loves trains, and is growing out of any clothes with trains on them. So this is a good addition to his not-so-small wardrobe.

Grandma R made the boys these great sweaters for Christmas this year. I had a hard time getting them to sit still. I guess I could say I was just trying to get a front and back view in one picture. She gave them matching pants too. But they wear them so much they are never clean at the same time or when I want to take their picture. Good job Grandma!!

Marsden Wagner Rocks!

I just read some of his new book, Born in the USA, and it is wonderful. It is organized well, a good mix of research and personal experience, as well as real-life stories. Too bad I didn't get to finish it. I ran out of time before it was due back at the library and since it is a new release, I couldn't renew it! Arghhh. I'll have to buy it I guess. He shows how broken the US maternity system is. It is so much more dangerous to deliver a baby in the hospital in the US. Did you know that we have the highest infant mortality rate in the industrialized world? We also allow drs to get around reporting maternal death as maternal death. So there is no accurate count of how many mothers are killed by their own sOB/GYNs. We are also one of the few industrialized countries that assume women will automatically be seen by a surgeon for a routine pregnancy. Would you go to a surgeon for a sore throat? Heck NO! Every other medical field is trying to find alternatives to surgery. ACOG even released a policy statement to guarantee the rise in the surgeries they perform--c-sections. They said it is too dangerous to have a vaginal birth after a cesarean (VBAC). No research other than stating that uterine rupture has incresed lately. Well, duh, they were using cytotec to induce contractions. Click on cytotec and tell me what you think.
Reaffirms my resolve to not deliver in a hospital if humanly possible (if the situation ever arises.) Wish I had had all this info 8 years ago. Please share this life-saving information with the women you love. Hospitals are wonderful, life saving places. For people who are sick and need their life saved. Birth is a natural, healthy process. There is nothing wrong with a pregnant woman or her babe. The hospital is likely the most dangerous place for her and that is sad.

Sunday, March 04, 2007

GAK!




We love gooey stuff apparently. First the mud, then gak. It is this totally cool goop made from white glue and borax. Truly a great way for a couple of boys to spend a day inside.
Here are the instructions according to OMSI. We also played with adjusting how much water we added to the glue. It makes the flubber either stiffer or slimier. G wasn't sure what to make of it at first. But then M showed him how it bounced if you make a ball out of it. That got his attention!
Here's the pictures. We made a royal mess.
Okay, my computer is being fussy. The pictures will come soon.

Here they are (3-27-2007)