*The Life of A Prince*

Yippee!!!
The times of endless waiting for a webpage to load
The frequent freezing mouse and
the computer shutting down smack in the middle of the best part of a movie
its O to the V to the E to the R.....we bought a new computer!
I can't begin to explain how much more efficient this makes things. Now when I need to quickly look up a phone number or directions...quick means quick and not 30 minutes of staring at an hour glass and a blank page.
Now onto downloading new podcasts, processing pictures, hoarding gathering new recipes and yes updating my blog (a little) more. I still have two kids. I still have a house to clean, food to buy and a husband to hang with but if I can grab a few moments to write to the masses (all three of you) then I will. Welcome back

As I'm sure you know almost 6 weeks ago, she did it... she came out, and yes, it was a she! It was the most wonderful birthing experience that I could ever have imagined. If I can help it I won't ever deliver in the hospital again! It was so comfortable being in my own home and I had complete control over my body and my labor. Start to finish the whole thing was pretty fast. I woke up at 12:30 with hard contractions coming 10 minutes apart, unluckily for Barrett who was actually headed to bed. He caught himself about an hour of sleep while I swayed through contractions and rested in bed. Soon, I woke up my beloved and asked him start filling the birthing pool. I put up my hair, got dressed, walked around and finally settled onto the birthing ball with a chair as a hug mate. Donnie arrived at 3:00 am. The men battled a cricket that had made its loud way into the house while I labored away. I have no idea what time I got into the tub but I know it was just what I needed. I was able to move around so much easier and give my body a good rest in between contractions. The pool was the perfect height to lay on the edge and to lean over and hold Barrett's hands. It really was perfect. Barrett called Margarett a couple times throughout the night to let her know the status, finally (and I have no idea what time) he called to let her know I was ready for her company. Let me say she is just perfect at what she does. I never felt more empowered than hearing her soothing voice reassuring me that my body knows best. I did at that point realize that I had two male birthing partners, lol. Actually I didn't mind, after all that doula talk it turns out that I was so focused I really don't think I needed that emotional support until the very end anyway. I loved how hands off Margarett was. She literally sat in the chair across the room. It really made me feel like I was the one doing it, I was delivering this baby and she (as she says) was just catching it. She waited, Donnie snapped pictures and poor Barrett tried to keep his crushed fingers in tact while I began pushing. I remember feeling so focused and surprisingly alert. I took my time pushing and resting inbetween pushes which felt so purposeful and controlled.
After her head was born the rest of her followed suit in the same push. I had not heard Margarett tell me to wait because the cord was wrapped around her neck but she just kept the baby close to my body and unwrapped it as soon as she came out (I didn't even know this until 2 days later). Audrey was born at 6:15 am. I was so surprised, almost like I had forgotten through all this pregnancy and waiting that there was an actual baby at the end. It took a while for me to check if it was a boy or girl, it didn't occur to me! When I did I was ultimately surprised. Thinking back now I really expected us to have a boy. So many reasons that I could bore you with but my utter shock shined the light on my expectations. I checked maybe 3 times to see if it really was a girl. I felt like my eyes were blurry (hello hormones) and everything was unreal anyway that surely a girl was not what I actually saw. We cleaned up and climbed into bed, what comfort. Later Margarett came and weighed and measured Audrey and handed her right back to me.
The next days we recovered with our own delicious and healthy food, together as a family and in comfortable beds... oh how I loved recovery at home. I am MORE than thankful for giving my child a peaceful entrance into this world. I am also thankful of the friends and research that have given me the knowledge and the confidence to believe and do what I do. In the past 6 weeks I have no regrets for Audrey (I am sure many are to come thanks to being human). All her needs have been met (especially since I know now that it is impossible to spoil a being incapable of manipulation and wanting only love... and a new diaper) and she lives a life blissfully unaware that anything exists outside of herself.Oh yes, we named her Audrey. Audrey is my grandmothers name and my middle name. I've heard my grandmother was a kind woman with a ridiculous sense of humor (must be where my dad gets it) but I only knew her through her sickness. The 11 years of my life that she was alive she spent in bed trapped in a body succumbed to multiple sclerosis. Mae (my daughter's middle name) is my maternal great grandmothers name. That woman was a spit fire and to the glory of all women on my mom's side she was as stubborn as a mule but usually in the good way that gets things done.
Thats that. So much more to say but my boy is coming home from his grandparents and will probably want some dinner.
Here is Donnie's portion of the story. Click me!
There are more pictures here at this link

We are still waiting! Just letting you know :)

And now we are waiting for our little baby to come hang with us for the next 18 or so years. I've been getting everything ready for labor and for newbornness. Surprisingly nothing really related to having a newborn. I did get a few diapers, put the onesies and shirts in the drawer, set up the swing and buy a maya wrap but that was it. Everything else has been completely random. Sewing the sides of my swimsuit cover because it doesn't fit right, finding the tension rod in the garage for the curtains in the room, baking waffles for the freezer, writing lists of what Oliver likes to do and eat for anyone around entertaining him, buying labor snacks (high protein/high energy), cleaning and re-cleaning and again re-cleaning the play room which is where we are setting up the birthing tub... I'm telling you, totally random things. All other getting ready things are things that I don't want to have to try and do with a newborn and three year old: cut Oliver's hair, pack away winter clothes, organize the cabinet, write George a letter, wash the windows, organize/clean out pictures on the computer... and now my brain just stopped working so there is the end of the list.
I'm positive that next time I post (which may be a while from now) that I will have some kind of picture of an actually baby but for now here is me working hard to grow it at 40 weeks.

How do I love thee, let me count the ways...one, two, three. Wait seriously, there are so many reasons to really love Barrett!

Most importantly and I have said this to anyone who cared to listen, and some who didn't I'm sure. Barrett really REALLY did make me who I am today. He taught me how to think for myself, he taught me to evaluate what I believe and why and he taught me to never believe or do something just because most people do. Oh wise teacher Barrett how did you do this? Well, frankly merely by being himself. Mostly by being totally baffled that I didn't really have any of my own ideas (or rather I didn't know why I had the ideas I had).
I remember talking with my friend and old boss about how freaky healthy Barrett was, and once he tried to make me drink something green! I remember watching him eat raw green beans and drink almond milk and say to myself, "whatever, I'm stopping at KFC"! Now that I have come to the dark or rather light side of eating I love that he loves it. I'm so grateful that not only does Barrett eat and like things I make but he appreciates it. I'm proud to work hard and offer my family a continuously expanding variety of things especially because I have a husband who wants it that way.
I understood why Barrett got rid of the television three years ago but at first I was a little, sad. But now it ranks as one of the things I love MOST about him. I adore that he values conversation more than observing made up lives in a box. I have met many women who say they would love to get rid of their televisions but their husbands won't. Thank you Barrett for being so weird, you make our life better.
Another thing oddly related to television that I love about Barrett is that he isn't into video games or sports. I mean these three things tied together means that he is never distance from us. He is never lost in the world of games. He is talking with us, playing with Oliver, working on things, just being well... engaged.
What a dad he is! So engaged, really sensitive to Oliver as a person and always doing what is best for Oliver. He gives Oliver the chance to have an enriched life by providing him with experiences (which is high on Barrett's priority list), by teaching him the bible, by showing him how to work hard, by listening carefully and understand Oliver and by working hard to keep me at home because Barrett believes without any reservations that that is best for Oliver. He understands the negative effects of some common practices and chooses not to do them. I love that he doesn't teach Oliver bad things just because it's funny (which I have seen happen ALOT!) Mostly, I love that he evaluates his words and actions and how they effect Oliver.
I love that he rides bikes, works outside, loves to plant, wants a farm, wears cool hats, has muscly arms and shoulders, appreciates art and talent, loves simplicity, is bald, reads, works with his hands, in comfortable in who he is, wants to home school, is a fan of natural health, drinks tea, likes funny music...
All of this is related really but I just love that Barrett has a way of thinking that defies what can destroy relationships. A way of thinking that is his own and that is purposeful. I loves that he works hard to have a relationship with his wife and son and that he chooses to be an active part of our family. If if ever happen to read my blog: Barrett, I love you!

Oliver has moved into understanding, or rather not quite understanding words with dual meanings. It's hilarious.

Yesterday at the grocery store he said, (you need to know that his grandma's name is Barbara and one of his other grandmas goes by Ouma in order for this to make sense!)

"Mom, let's get some Barbara Q"
I smiled
"No, never mind, let's get some Ouma Q"

Just now we were talking about playing soccer. Which we used to play together but I have recently realized that I am actually physically unable to run!

Me - "Oliver, what are you thinking about?"
Oliver - "Um, soccer"
Me - "Oh"
Oliver - "You can't play soccer right now because you are SO pregnant?"
Me - "Yes, it's hard for me to run"
Oliver - "But you can run when you are a little bit pregnant?"
Me - "yes"
Oliver - "But are you a little bit pregnant or SO pregnant?"
Me - "I'm SO pregnant, I'm almost due"
Oliver - "OH, well then we need to take you back to the library"
Me - "what?"
Oliver - "Because you are due"

Not a lot going on around here, or maybe there is a lot. You know, yes there is a lot - March is booked up because I'm afraid to plan anything in April, haha! Dentist, hair cut, dinner with Barrett smashing it in before we are confined to oooohing and awwwing over a tiny baby.
Oliver went through some tough adjustments with himself a month or so ago. He seemed to really be struggling, well, with himself and what he wanted and felt. I think the warmer weather has helped him get some energy out and work out some of his feelings straight through his muscles!
The last couple of months have been awfully cold around here. For two great days Oliver got to go sledding and that was a fun use of the cold but other than that we have been with friends or at the library waiting for park time again. As always our lives were filled with miscellaneous activities punctuated by music concerts and baking. We did make it out to the science museum twice and to the opening of the children's zoo at our zoo. Actually the second was an accident, we went to the zoo and they were debuting the children's zoo that day for members and so we got in! We headed to the race track on the first day of the Quarterhorse races this year. None of us had ever been but we thought seeing horses and seeing horses run really fast would be doubly fun. We did have lots of fun but I bet the Thoroughbred racing will be MORE fun. Quarterhorse racing should really be called sprinting! We will check out when the Thoroughbred season happens.

Lets see what else. Torrey and Amanda got married and that was a grand extravaganza for Oliver. Very very fun, there are lots of pictures on facebook of course.
Also my dad came to visit for a couple days, he was at a conference that was in Edmond so he got to hang with us a bit.
My dad bought Oliver a indoor seed planter kit so we have started tomatoes and leeks indoors this year and are waiting for the SNOW to melt so we could plant our cold weather plants. Snow melted today so very soon, hopefully this week we can get the compost turned in and the seeds planted. We did enjoy one day of mud instead of snow and for that here is your last picture.