Feeling a bit pregnant.

So I guess I am like 27 weeks or something now. I am beginning to get to that point where I cannot get comfortable when I sleep. Everything I eat has some sort of issue with my system and... I am bursting with creation!! New ideas are crowding in from out of nowhere. Collaborations, connections, co-conspirators...

For the past couple of days we have been trying out this new schedule, where Sugar Daddy takes the kids in a concerted effort to let me "work". I am supposed to be...

• writing my book, 
• doing social media for The Yoga Stone, 
• connecting with clients of Bellah Bellah Ballyhoo, 
• planning mixers for S.M.I.L.E. 
• getting all the little paperwork ducks lined up in rows for the charter school vendor approval process
• oh and herding some cats as I schedule classes and workshops for Learning Barefoot (aka The Bellah CASA, our enrichment program formerly known as S.C.H.O.O.L- which started out being called... Learning Barefoot read all about it in our most recent newsletter...).

But my doctors office keeps calling, it seems I haven't been to see the baby Dr in like 5 weeks, and I am supposed to be seen every 4 weeks- don't I know? But this is baby #4, don't THEY know? I kind of already know what to expect- I take my own blood pressure and have learned to bring it down almost immediately with little 3 minute meditations. I don't want to know how much I weigh. I feel the little sugar cube's movement regularly- quite often whenever I have to pee really bad already and have just sneezed. If you have a few kids you know what I mean... if you don't, you don't want to.

And then there is this lovely new space where I have carved out a little spot to sit and be productive and I find myself day dreaming a bit. I know it is a little messy- but you should see the house- you do know I have 3 kids and I'm pregnant, right? This is a little slice of heaven, no indigestion attached!

Anyway back to my reverie...hearing a neighbors distant hammer taps, the buzz of our lawn mower in the front yard, the drone of a jet plane overheard- it all pulls me back to my childhood when all I wanted to do was play outside all day. And I then I feel sleepy all the sudden.

But then again that is probably because of the little middle of the night monsters that inhabit my bed- there is even one in my actual body- who roll about kicking whomever they please!

So I stand up to stretch a bit, because I am a bit sore- even though I wisely listened to the lovely yogini who reminded us to
choose peace over pride 
as we adjusted our hips to become aligned with the center of the universe- or in my case to provide a little more room for her!

Then I decide to pull up the prenatel yoga ebook I downloaded - Simple Everyday Prenatel Radiance,  (love the Kindle Cloud)... but I end up getting distracted and downloading a new ebook instead- and then I notice they both have someone sitting "criss-cross applesauce" on the cover...  I hear giggling as little bare feet scamper past my window- talking about mommy being at "work". And I see that it is 5:06. My work is done for the day- time to go outside and play! 

But first I have to pee... again.

  

community, one of my favorite things...

Yoga has become a place for me to find my sanity. Time after time I find it laying right there on my mat- and I think, "ah just where I left you..."

How I keep losing my mind, I just don't know. Maybe I spend too much time in thinking and it gets heavy with stress and falls out when I bend over to pick up yet another toy I have stepped on. Or maybe I lose my marbles when I dash across the playground to save my fearless toddler from learning about gravity the hard way. Perhaps my inability to remain sane comes from sorting through the dramas of the 10 year old girl world. Maybe the baby in my belly is sucking out all my brains through the umbilical cord.

However it keeps escaping me, it seems to find its way quietly, calmly to the Yoga Stone and it slowly creeps back into my body as I lie in shavasana or hold fast to my inner warrior, my limbs stretching out in all the right angles, my breath drawing me through a practice that is always just what I needed.

Another entirely effective remedy I have recently discovered is delivered directly to my muscles by the skillful hands of a warm and welcoming woman who invites me to relax as she helps increase my "range of motion and flexibility... improving my blood lymph circulation and promoting healthy tissues and a more balanced immune system... massage is often used for relaxation, an important step in reducing the physical and emotional effects of stress."

The journey back to my me-ness begins when I see the tall lighted "community" sign as I travel down Brookhurst. The gated, arched entrance is as effective as a worry tree- and I leave all my stresses outside. I spend a moment connecting to the baby girl who is growing inside me as I glance over Rosie Posie Baby's sweet natural baby gear, and always peer in to envision RSSA Vintage's pink fridge leading to domestic bliss as I imagine it would if I could take it home... and I enter the long open area, adorned with prayer flags above, reminding me of the luck, happiness, longevity and prosperity I have been covered with. Twinkle lights, and other luminescent lanterns create a visual dance in the dusk and the live plants lining the tables covered in linen provide a connection to living, growing and green grounded-ness in such a simple way.

The huge windows showcasing the other shops' hand-made, unique, fashionable and often locally sourced goods and gifts (one of the aprons at the Nest is on my birthday wish list, in case you are curious) allow me to indulge in a little retail therapy to prepare my head for surrendering on my yoga mat for just one delightful hour. Afterwards I marvel at the art amidst the "zines, records, wears" of Ceremony, dream of dressing my post-pregnancy self up the trendy fashions of Switchroom, and have lately been wondering if I am adventurous enough to try out a little fiery & fun dancing at the newest of the shops- Naranjita Flamenco.

Last night (while the beats of the Zumba dance party at the Yoga Stone invigorated us) I had the wonderful experience of sitting in a planning meeting with these locally minded shopkeepers and hearing more about their vision for the community they are building. There is more to come on the hearts and heads behind this "destination for the design, environmental, and socially conscious consumer"... I will be featuring the young entrepreneurs who are creating a place that fuels "the continual exchange of knowledge and inspiration that goes on." Subscribe to my blog to learn more...

Of course the best way to experience the community is to join it (visit their Facebook page) or head on over the first Wednesday of any month (and I can tell you the Valentines plans these people are making will melt any heart)- so bring your sweetie and enjoy some good old fashioned social networking- the kind where friends make eye contact as often as they make witty comments, where you can see their smile and know that they Like your status update, and you connect to a wireless energy source that has nothing to do with the free WiFi you can also hook into while you are there- (so you can check in on Foursquare and let everyone know where they can find you!)

posted in conjunction with Favorite Things Thursday

which appropriately enough is being co-hosted by Etsy shop owner and blogger

 Embellishments by SLR 

It has become a quest of sorts...

Well this baby girl that I am cooking up in my offspring oven seems to want more pig flesh. Such comfort food for a former Texas girl, and today I was in need of comfort. After twisting my ankle and busting my back on a tiny toy I have been alternating ice, heat and movement to see if I can regain mobility that is a little less wobbly, waddling and woeful! I searched Yelp and after a stop at a place I limped right out of... I brought home the bacon. Well, carnitas, actually...

Recently I have been scouring North Orange County for the yummiest carnitas (see today's review on Yelp!) after being accosted by the smell emanating from a tiny taqueria next door to the Cherry on Top where G-pie enjoy monthly mommy/daughter dates. She happily ate her cold colorful concoction, but I was not satisfied with the creamy chocolate in my cup. I went next door where the smell was originating and discovered deliciousness (see that review here). Unfortunately we found that they weren't very consistent in delivering that delightful dish. And so began my quest.

Since I can't literally hop right now... I will blog hop!

Simple Everyday Prenatal Radiance

How do I stay so radiant? How to I maintain my sanity and keep chaos at bay? I have said it before and I must reiterate. Yoga. If it weren't for yoga, my children would need far more therapy in their future. =)

The practice of yoga goes beyond breathing and balance, stretching and strengthening - during pregnancy it provides a valuable time to connect with your hard working body, honoring it's miraculous transformation, holding space for the sweet little spirit within, connecting to your maternal instincts, building stamina- and so much more.

A new way of seeing yoga has been appearing to me, the psychological impact of focusing mentally on physical aspects is becoming symbolic of the work I am doing emotionally. (Not sure why I call it work, really it is just exercising my emotional "muscles"... playing with my ego, in a way.)  When I explore the parts of my thinking that block, limit, or become uncomfortable- yoga gives me a way "do something", even if it is only a physical representation of an emotional growth. The spirit follows when the flesh is strong.

Sort of like having a baby. Waves of unexpected, unimaginable pain, coming out of nowhere, lasting for who knows how long. Life is like labor, and yoga, childbirth- breathing, focusing, and performing phenomenal physical feats. Once it is time to push, once I can "do something", I am a warrior- a proud warrior. And yoga prepares me for the big performance.

For those who have practiced yoga- Simple Everyday Prenatel Radiance is an excellect resource. If you are comfortable following a flowing routine and need a simple solution that you can access on the go and do almost anywhere, this ebook is essential! I downloaded it to my Incredible Android using the free Kindle app and the inviting instructions, paired with stunning images is inspiring, invigorating and stabilizing.

My hips love me (after doing it 3 1/2 times this past week) and the sweeties all agree that my mood is much improved on those days when I follow the beautiful blonde on my phone! Simple Everyday Prenatel Radiance by the always amazing, zen mama, Laura Jane makes a great way to say congratulations to the newly expecting and is equally suitable and even more useful for the about to burst!

Even if you don't get through all the poses as your offspring join you (invariably they do- because they want to do all the fun things their mama does- and besides I think I must look like some sort of slow moving jungle gym to them!) - anyway- DO the affirmations, even if you feel silly- words are powerful. Namaste.


Perfect for every pregnant woman you know- and it is on sale over at Amazon, where you can send it to anyone who has a digital portal of pretty much any sort.

Sleepless in the OC

It's the last day of 2011. 4:20 in the morning and I am once again sleepless. Why do all my pregnancies include insomnia? Lack of sleep makes mama do silly things, unthinking things, short tempered things.

How is a peaceful pregnant parent supposed to prepare when she is so sleepy? Well, I do have some tips... having done this a few times before!

#1 Do yoga daily- really it helps a lot. Need an inexpensive, easy to use resource? Simple Everyday Prenatal Radiance There now you have no excuse!

#2 Go to bed early, it's ok you won't miss anything really important. Sugar Daddy has made a few jokes about how out 10 year old stays up later than me- but really, they have enjoyed some special bonding.

#3 Watch what you eat. I'm one of those, "Hey I am pregnant- give me my banana split" type ladies- but with age (and apparently mine is an "advanced maternal age" this go around) comes wisdom.

#4 Give in and get up. Make yourself useful, it is quiet in these early pre-dawn hours, and I can get lots of writing, reading, or just gazing at the Christmas tree lights done without the usual gaggle of giggling wiggle-bots.

#5 Write a blog post- and try not to use it to sort through all the things you wish you hadn't said or done out of sheer exhaustion that week.

#6 Be kind to yourself- knowing your limitations and boundaries is what makes you a super mom, not being able to "do it all".

#7 Stay hydrated during the day, I wake up thirsty so often- and then if I quench that thirst I wake up to pee repeatedly, so I try to get my water in all day.

#8 "...think about that tomorrow." Embrace your southern belle and be like Scarlett, don't let your mental machinations make you mopey.

#9 Start your own "night night routine"- this is sorta silly but I believe the little child in all of us still wants a story, a little song and to be tucked in by someone who loves us.

#10 Remember that in no time at all these middle of the night moments will include a sweet little soul- make space in your heart for him or her with affirmations. (See #1, Simple Everyday Prenatal Radiance includes a great list, and right now it's on sale for about a buck- download to your PC, Kindle, Nook and do that yoga- your body will thank you!)

Well half an hour later- still before dawn, do I roll off the couch and do my asanas, go to the kitchen and grab a cookie, or try to crawl back in my bed without waking any of it's occupants? Guess I should practice what I preach... I can always have the cookie with my morning coffee. Yes I still drink a cup of coffee in the morning, I do have 3 other kids who need me whether I got any sleep or not.