February happenings.

By Liv

This month has been a busy one. I have some exciting news to share: I am in the process of applying to graduate school! I am returning to school to obtain my MSM (Masters of Science in Midwifery) which means I will be a Certified Professional Midwife. This is an amazing career change for me and I am very happy to be working towards this new goal. I plan to be attending home births and birthing center births in less than 5 years!

I don't expect this to be the easiest thing I've ever done–in fact, earning my Master's Degree will probably be one of the most difficult goals I can think of right now–but since experiencing such a joyful pregnancy and natural birth experience with Stella, I have found the unmistakable calling towards Midwifery. I look forward to offering the same love and support to pregnant and laboring women that my Midwife offered to me.

Nick has been busy with schoolwork, tennis matches, mock interviews and REAL interviews (yay!). Now I understand the meaning behind "MBA widow". We don't see each other much but Stella and I are making the best of it. Whenever we get a chance to hang out as a family, we make sure to go on an adventure!

 

Our latest outing was to the Oxford Covered Market. Inside the market, there are dozens of shops and vendors–many selling local/organic fare. Nick has decided to educate himself on the fine art of cheese tasting (I'm serious), so we stopped by the cheese counter and picked up a few different types.

 

Admiring the floral shop in the market.

Stella is growing in to an incredibly chatty little girl. She wakes up and goes to bed talking. I wouldn't be surprised if she talks in her sleep. She has very specific preferences and has no problem communicating them in both verbal and sign languages. Her newest pastime is to pretend to change her doll's diaper and breastfeed it. She has blossomed in to this incredibly nurturing little creature. Her Mothering instincts are so profound, I can hardly believe how loving she is! She gives hugs and kisses willingly and loves to make people happy. She has always been a joy to be around and I can tell that this happiness that she brings to our lives will spill over in to our friends and families' lives, too.

Stella's loot from our trip: a handmade "Puppe" (this means doll in German) from the fairtrade shop. 

Back at home, Nick and Stella built a fort in the living room and watched cartoons together in their little blanket cave. 

Stella's best friend, Tenzing, had an awesome First Birthday party. There was a puppet show put on by Tenzing's Mama and her 2 friends. The story portrayed in the show was about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and how we should work hard to protect our bodies, our planet and the livelihood of future generations by saying, "NO GMOs on the jungle gym!" and insist on buying local and organic foods. A great message to share with the future generations!

Stella is calling Tenzing to say, "Happy Birthday!" even though she's already at his house.

Stella picked out a fair-trade drum to give to Tenzing for his birthday. As you can see, he's a natural.

Besides partying it up like a couple of one-year-olds, Stella and Tenzing spend a lot of time together posing for pictures and just being adorable.

My lovely friend (and my herbalist/detox coach) is always around to commiserate about how much time we spend away from our husbands... aka she brings over chocolate and we eat chocolate and watch the kids play :)