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You know you’re an Other Mother when you're at a get-together and snap photos like this.
Last night, several of us O’Mamas got together and we celebrated a Blessingway for the expecting mamas in our mother’s group. There are five babies due this spring! And 4 of the 5 expecting guests of honor are mamas of children I care for (or have cared for). I truly feel a strong connection with these women.
Unlike your typical baby shower, there is no commercial gift giving emphasis at a Blessingway. The guests are invited to spend time with the mother-to-be. It’s very mama centered and friends and family get together to give the expecting mama(s) support as she waits for her labor to begin.. We made a bracelet for each of the mamas to wear in labor to remind her of everyone thinking of her. The guests talked about why they chose the beads they did, what their beads symbolize and we sent a message to the mothers as we strung the beads.
The mamas also got some beautiful henna done on their tummies by the talented Nisha.
Tanya, Sharon, Gale, Andrea H., and Heather, I wish you all a healthy remainder of your pregnancy, a smooth labor, and baby that is a good sleeper! =)
Congratulations to you all!
xo,
Andrea
Domi and I rediscovered the awesome Spider House Cafe on the drag by campus. So we went twice in one week. The 2nd time, we were joined by some good friends. Domi LOVES Anjalika. He adores her. He was so worried about her when we heard about the Indian bombings since she was back home visting family during that time, and he kept asking if we had heard from her. He was relieved to hear she and her family were safe. And then wondered if she would be back in time to accept his invitation to his Winter Concert. I told him she would not be back in time, but maybe next year. ;)
Within minutes, Domi found a way to sit next to her on this bench. And poor girl. I think he gave her his cold (I thought he had allergies!). I just love how my son loves my friends too. And Tanya, just so you know, Jay was asking why you weren't there. In his words, "Tanya. Yeah, she's cool".
Our holiday happenings have been overall, low-key, and I'm certainly not complaining. After an incredibly busy several months, we didn't want to "need a vacation after our vacation", if you know what I mean. Christmas Eve, my clan headed downtown to Congress Avenue, and enjoyed a wonderful late dinner at the restaurant my brother helps manage. After dinner, Mike and Sophia went home, while Domi and I bundled up and headed down a couple blocks to Saint Mary's Cathedral for the annual midnight mass tradition he is requesting we keep going. We enjoyed watching the carriage rides pass by with the scenery of the Capitol building and lights in the background.
Jay flew in last night and we headed straight to a Boxing Day Party. Boxing Day is an English tradition that has nothing to do with pugilism. It is the day after Christmas Day, also called St Stephen's Day (as in Good King Wenceslas), and usually the day when families and friends get together in England. It was hosted by the lovely [English] Hawes family, whom we met through Domi. These teens are pretty much, inseperable. Domi is at the age when dating usually starts, however, there is no dating going on here. Even though I would completely approve--even be thrilled (great girls, smart, eclectic, come from a good family, and so on) if they dated, but alas, they consider themselves "siblings".
It was such a nice evening because we were all able to enjoy it together as a family. The "kids" did their thing, Sophia played with some old Duplos they had there, while us adults talked, ate good food, and enjoyed a good English brewsky. This is the way to relax, be with friends and family, and enjoy the holidays.
Last weekend, we packed up and went camping for our final trip of the year. And, boy, was it COLD! With everything going on, I was not prepared for our trip, so planning and packing was done at the last minute (and most of the camping duties were left to Mike). I managed to get our clothes, toiletries, and first aid stuff packed up, in addition to cleaning the house before we left (one pet peeve of mine is to leave the house dirty when we go on a trip...there is nothing worse than coming home after travel to a dirty, messy house!)So, we get there WAY after our "planned" arrival time. Let's just say the sun was setting as I was checking us in (which took 20 friggin minutes because of a mixup with my BIL cancelling at the last minute). Needless to say, we were setting up camp in the DARK. In the COLD WINDY DARKNESS. Luckily, Mike's boy, Dallas was already there and they had their camp set up, so the guys took care of setting up our tent, while Natalie and I watched over the kids and kept warm by the fire. Oh, and did I mention that Mike forgot to pack the sleeping bags? Yeppers, we camped close to primitive style the first night! I was pretty much, pissed (mostly at myself for not having checked). Luckily, he remembered the blankets, but it was a damn cold (30 degree) night. The following night was MUCH better. Wind was gone, so it was nice. The days were gorgeous. Cool and sunny.I'm still looking forward to our spring camping trips, and now, have learned my lesson to not procrastinate. And we're also not doing 2 day camping trip any longer. It's just not worth it for 2 nights after all that planning, shopping, packing, setting up, and then undoing all that the next day. 3 days will be our new minimum. Who's ready to join us in the spring? Hehe...
Coming up to take a breath after a busy, busy couple weeks, but wanted to quickly post these pics from Domi's high school's last [well, it was supposed to be the last] game, but the football team made playoffs, so marching band season is still not over! Our friends, Andrea, Daniel, and Colton, and Anja and her Anika joined us to watch the band march their last performance (or so I thought it would be) of their award winning 'On Edge' Show. Well, I must have missed the memo because they didn't perform their show (this is why I need a personal assistant). Instead it was an end of season combined show with the other high school band. I was pretty disappointed, especially since our friends came out to see the band's show (and it takes a LOT of effort to find parking, get through the mobs of people, and find somewhere to sit, with toddlers mind you, in chilly weather!) But I have to say, the tots enjoyed taking in what we all know as Friday Night Lights in Texas.
Went up to Sulphur Springs for Mike's annual Fantasy Football auction thingie that he attends with the Osborn clan. The wives stay behind at the (beautiful) home of Mr. and Mrs. Osborn while the men do their thang. The day started with a large lunch (of boiled shrimp and fried catfish), which my awesome honey helped prepare, and was hosted by Frank , (lawdog), and then the guys were off for the auction that lasted well into the evening.
I was unusually tired but I suppose considering it was so dang humid there, that was the reason, so I didn't get to take as many shots as I wanted. When I downloaded my images, I realized I had taken pictures of mostly the boys. I only have one shot of Miss. Olivia, but figured I'm off the hook considering, I got this gorgeous shot of her during the crawfish boil at Chris and Lori's last spring.
Oh, and our friend, the guy in the previous post below, the one with tat on his back...
This is his boy, Ethan.
Can you say cuteness overload?
The lovely Osborn home that sits on 10 acres.
Dallas and (O'Mama) Natalie
I know the next three shots are grainy, but I'm too tired right now to go back and clean up the 'noise'.
So stinkin' cute, I couldn't resist posting this pic again. Except this one's uncropped.
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