Baby Dahlia's Blessing Day

Dahlia is a joy!

*Thanks Grandma Pat for the lovely dress.

I've decide I love gray. I love my life. I'm grateful. I just read something that made me embrace what is around me and be thankful for what I have.

Gray Times and Go Bridget!

Gray is all around us having the potential to make me feel gray. A few days ago I embraced it's beauty and their was a mistiness that was even warming. Dahlia was fussy and hadn't taken a decent nap all day so just before 4pm I got the kids ready (Dahlia in the snugly pack) and we walked to the park. I was determined to have her sleep and she did. Soren and I played like old times searching for the Grufalo home and exploring the gardens. We needed that time together and it's a sweet memory. Darkness comes early and sometimes with clearer skies we can see the moon all day. I often marvel at the fact that I'm here and sometimes I get frustrated and angry and dream of sunshine and living in Hawaii (like a 13 year old). But there's really no way of getting around the fact that I live in a gorgeously green country where moms have to bundle their babes up and be ready for rain. I'm going inward and see the beauty in a land that is opposite from the climate where I was raised. Kids aren't free to play outside in the sun all year. So. . . colorful scarves make me happy. Coffee shops are a refuge and good friends and family keep me sane. . . and looking out the window on the train at all the pastures and lochs-- stunning.

My sister Bridget just called to tell me she passed her first exam in law school at the university of Glasgow. She's been stressed to say the least and I'm so incredibly happy for her. In December she had a get-together at her house for her son Atlas' Birthday and invited a fellow student from her program. The girl was a truly nice person and told me how hard the program is. She said if she new how hard it was going to be she didn't think she would have gone into law school! . . which brings me to my sister, who is in this program, with 4 kids!! She's HARDCORE. She always has been. I love her. Go Bridget!!

I haven't posted in a while and I have so much to bloggy blog about. First things first: Charla, Peter and Dries came to town for Christmas! Charla's family is so beautiful. Her little boy Dries is a dream and loves to cuddle. He's a friendly little chap and Soren loved being followed around by him. It made me happy to see them playing together because Dahlia will be crawling around in no time and now I know that Soren will play with her as well.




Unfortunately, we all got sick for the holidays. Jason started it out with bronchitis and then Soren got a cough and a fever for a few days. I held out until after Christmas and then came down with the flu and it was a bad one. These past two weeks were such a rough time for our family as we all tried to get rest but never really felt like we were getting enough. Luckily, Dahlia didn't get sick and stayed happy and healthy. We are all on the mend and I'm so grateful for health! Oh how I love to be healthy.

Here's my little dancing darling. (Matisse, if you see this, don't you just love that arm?)



I asked soren to put his shoes on so he could come with me to take out the trash and he took me literally and only put his shoes on. Then he started break dancing and it was pretty awesome.



This next photos are of Atlas with Dahlia. They are the oldest and youngest of the Ausman family grandchildren. Atlas is so handsome and he's such a good boy--so helpful and kind with all the kids.



And. . .drum roll please. . . Soren went to primary for the first time today! It hit me last week and I started to cry. Soren saw that I was crying and asked "sometimes moms cry when they're happy?" He's starting to understand his mum.

PS. I just finished Siddhartha by Herman Hesse and it was wonderful. It's going on my favorite books list and I was sad it ended. Since there is no way to read these days I listened to it as an audiobook. Friends and fellow countrywomen, it is an awesome book. It made me cry and learn and love. There were many themes and places introduced and then revisited with a fresh and enlightened clarity that I loved. It moved me and made appreciate our interconnectedness. Read it!! If you have already-- did you love it too?

I know. . .

I just did a "Deep Thoughts" but this is really funny. . .

Soren and I were making a banana peanut butter smoothie and Soren took a big bite of peanut butter. Then he said, "now I'll have to brush my teeth this year." He hasn't quite grasped the time frame thingy with yesterdays, last weeks and time in general.

Deep Thoughts by Soren

"Where is the heck of Dad?"

There's a fantastic new dance blog that was started by dancer and dance advocate Nichelle Strzepek. To check out her articles and discussions go here.

There are interesting and informative reads on all dance related topics-- boys in dance, refugee dance performers, politics, studio issues, professional performers and performances and much much more. Her latest post is titled Pregnancy and Parenthood in Dance. So, all you dancers and dancer moms out there check it out!

Dahlia is our little darling who loves to nurse--I forgot how much work it is. She sleeps well at night for which I am very grateful and smiles randomly. I can tell her eyes are starting to focus more and more.

2 kids are a lot more work than one. Who would have thought? Soren is adjusting well most of the time but we've had some hard moments. . . I've had mommy guilt that I can't be there for him like I was able to before. Moms with more than one child--Did you feel guilty as well? And, let me just say that I have ample respect for you moms with 3 plus kids! I think my blogging is going to slow down drastically until I get into a routine.

Our sleeping flower

Dad this morning

Family photo shoot

This is the vacuum decorated by Soren for Christmas. He told me we had a new vacuum and showed me his lovely creation.

Dahlia Ann with Grandma DD (Darla Ann)

Emilia and Soren in the rain and hail

Dahlia smiles

My mom has been here helping out and it's been so wonderful. She adores Dahlia and all her grandchildren. She has recently returned from Rotterdam where she stayed and helped out with Charla and she's been helping Bridget with her kids as well. She made it home just in time for Dahlia's birth (the day before)! It's been a vacation of sorts for her but not a luxurious, relaxing, kick your heals up in the sun vacation. . . I think she misses the the sun too much to settle down here. I think I do too! Thanks mom for all your help!

I've got some cute videos coming. . .

My due date was today. . .

. . . but I decided to come a week early (11-11 at 11pm)! My mom was so excited she lost 7 pounds 13 ounces. We're all doing well and Soren loves me dearly. He calls me "Baby Sweet Cakes" and gives me kisses galore. Dad's so happy to have a little girl but I think he's more tired than my mom!

I was born at home and welcomed into my new surroundings by my mom, my dad, my Grandma DD, my aunt Bridget and some wonderful midwives. The midwives gave me to my mom right away and she was so happy she cried. There were times when my mom thought she couldn't go on but I was determined and finally entered this world beautiful and healthy. My first cry was welcomed by all in the room--my first song in this life.

Lots of love,

Dahlia

Soren's in the other room playing with play dough and having little conversations with the characters he makes. I heard him say "you created me and now you're scared of me." I love it when he gets in the zone and is completely in his own world.

We've gone pumpkin crazy here in Scotland with pumpkin boy (for the 3rd year), pumpkin muffins, pumpkin painting, roasted pumpkin seeds and more! Canned pumpkin isn't that easy to come by (and doing it yourself is more my style) so we baked our pumpkin and pureed it and made muffins yesterday. Jason roasted the seeds and they were good and salty. I have some more puree in the fridge for pumpkin pancakes tomorrow. Our friends who has us over for Halloween made pumpkin pie that was delicious so that will the next thing we're including in our pumpkin extravaganza!

My friend Sarra posted a great recipe as well. I just didn't have all of the ingredients in the house to try it out. . . but I will soon. And you're right Sarra, pumpkins are underrated!

Here are some photos of our recent happenings-- Halloween piñata and all! Oh, and the yellow ribbon around his neck is another Sorenism. He got the ribbon from a package we received and really enjoyed wearing it. I think it adds to the costume for sure. What do you think?