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Sunday, December 20, 2009
Merry Christmas
Well, everyone else was doing it... Now my only problem is that Noah wants to watch it over and over.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Visit from Doris, Sparrow, and Golden
We had a joyful visit from Doris, Sparrow and Golden today! We played next door with the Reeves and at our house and the girls dressed up, danced, jumped, and had a silly time :)
Friday, November 13, 2009
Cooing Joshua
Oh, so cute :) And yes, babies make you utter really silly sounds. You try sounding normal while talking to that jolly little man.
Happy 5th Anniversary!
We celebrated our 5th Anniversary on November 7th. Wow! Five years flies by... yet it seems like we've always been married. Mike and his mom surprised me with tickets to a live production of the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe from the Chronicles of Narnia (which, as you may know, are my favorites of all time!). It was an outstanding performance and set. Best anniversary yet! ... well, Tahiti was pretty high on the "best" scale too...
Quote of the Day
Noah's quotes of the day (yesterday):
"I want to go to the farm to get a unicorn so it can say 'Neigh' real
quiet so she can sleep in my bed. And so I can sleep. And they eat hay."
Afterward, she went to the door to get an imaginary "tiny rat" off the door frame,
which she ever so carefully placed on the dining room table. He "ran
around and ran and ran," finally settling next to her bowl to share a
cereal flake. Apparently that was what Chaucer was barking at outside.
"I want to go to the farm to get a unicorn so it can say 'Neigh' real
quiet so she can sleep in my bed. And so I can sleep. And they eat hay."
Afterward, she went to the door to get an imaginary "tiny rat" off the door frame,
which she ever so carefully placed on the dining room table. He "ran
around and ran and ran," finally settling next to her bowl to share a
cereal flake. Apparently that was what Chaucer was barking at outside.
Friday, October 30, 2009
McGrath Family Farms - PUMPKINS! Yay :)
We LOVED our visit to McGrath Family Farms. I wanted to set up a yurt and live in the field. I'm not joking :) Organic, lovely, smart growing practices, and they've been working the land in Oxnard since 1868! Talk about legacy.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Finally caught a smile!
I finally caught a smile on my cell phone camera from the jolly babe! He's now cooing and flashing charming smiles.
Photoshoot by Danielle Honea
I love, love the shots Danielle took of Joshua and the doggies.
Wow, is Danielle talented or what? :) Here is her blog: http://dhonea.blogspot.com/
If you're in the area, don't pass up a photo session!
Wow, is Danielle talented or what? :) Here is her blog: http://dhonea.blogspot.com/
If you're in the area, don't pass up a photo session!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Just a day in the backyard
Noah, Ellie and Chaucer (look at his tongue!) in the backyard. Doesn't she look like a California surfer girl? :) A little inspiration from my lovely photographer/friend Danielle and even concrete can look awesome as a backdrop.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
The Birth Story
You can tune out this post if the whole labor thing freaks you out :)
The (absolutely AMAZING) midwife team down here (Sue and Dawn at the Ventura Birth Center) does both birth center births and home births. We opted for a home birth and had Joshua in our kitchen on our couch, haha. Of course, in the kitchen! That's where I love to spend all my time anyway.
I had been in pre-labor for a couple of days (starting Wed or Thurs early AM), having decent contractions every 15-20 minutes apart; just like last time, except the fact that I could still get some rest. The midwives taught Mike to check me, so all that pre-labor got me to about two centimeters dilated. Not bad! Mike's mom had come down from Mammoth and we went shopping for groceries, visited Mike at work, and cleaned the house. By the end of Friday, my contractions were getting pretty intense and a little more regular and I would have to stop during shopping and breathe to get through a contraction (Cathy was getting pretty nervous at that point, haha - no Trader Joes births, please!). We got back home and Mike switched his shift with a coworker so he could come home at 9 instead of midnight. And good thing!
Right after I tucked Noah in bed and Mike got home, they picked up considerably. I had prayed that I would go into full labor at 9pm and have the babe by morning - Noah sleeping all the way. And we did! The contractions were what I've heard some friends call "fast and furious." Mike called Sue (one of our midwives) and told her that they were about 5 minutes apart, but not to rush over since he expected a slower labor (like last time). Come to find out later that Sue had started packing her stuff to come over right then (she heard my moaning in the background and knew it was going fast, hehe). About 20 minutes later, my contractions were more like 3 minutes apart and really intense. I couldn't handle them unless Mike was giving me a lot of lower back pressure and I had a very cold wash cloth on my face/neck.
Sue arrived at around 12:30 and checked me. I was then at 4 cm. Davie (her awesome assistant) arrived with the cherished birth ball (like a work out ball) and they had me hop in the shower. I sat on the ball in the tub and worked through the crazy contractions. They were incredibly easier to deal with when I was in the shower. Amazingly the hot water lasted an hour and Sue had me out for another check. 6 cm dilated. I wanted in the birth tub, NOW. And there was the pivotal point. I was laying on the couch for the 6 cm check. WHOA! I needed to PUSH, NOW! I was thinking, "I can't be pushing, I'm only at 6?" Mike's staring at me, wondering what the heck is going on and why I'm making that noise. Sue casually strolls over to the phone and calls Dawn (my other lovely midwife), saying "Dia's making pushing noises, it's time to come on down..." Mike's in shock, "PUSHING noises? What?" Then, I'm freaking out when Davie leaves to make the compress cold again because I need her NOW (haha). I push for 6 minutes. Scream a couple of times (which Mike described as a very "respectable" scream - doesn't wake up Noah or Jacob and Kim, who's room is right above ours). Then he's catching Joshua and I have a baby on my belly. WHOA. Did that happen?
So, all told, active labor clocked in at about 4.5 hours. Noah woke up to a new baby brother. My mom arrived while we slept in the early (early!) am and took care of Noah and the house. Cathy came by later in the day and loved on the babe, us, and Noah (and found the placenta pan that was still full of my blood on the counter and almost lost it, poor thing).
All in all, it was an AMAZING experience. The midwives came and did a check up the next day. It was so much more peaceful. I didn't have to worry about when to leave for the hospital. No in-car contractions. No carefully bundling a day old baby for a car ride. Just home, sweet home :)
Highly recommended!
The (absolutely AMAZING) midwife team down here (Sue and Dawn at the Ventura Birth Center) does both birth center births and home births. We opted for a home birth and had Joshua in our kitchen on our couch, haha. Of course, in the kitchen! That's where I love to spend all my time anyway.
I had been in pre-labor for a couple of days (starting Wed or Thurs early AM), having decent contractions every 15-20 minutes apart; just like last time, except the fact that I could still get some rest. The midwives taught Mike to check me, so all that pre-labor got me to about two centimeters dilated. Not bad! Mike's mom had come down from Mammoth and we went shopping for groceries, visited Mike at work, and cleaned the house. By the end of Friday, my contractions were getting pretty intense and a little more regular and I would have to stop during shopping and breathe to get through a contraction (Cathy was getting pretty nervous at that point, haha - no Trader Joes births, please!). We got back home and Mike switched his shift with a coworker so he could come home at 9 instead of midnight. And good thing!
Right after I tucked Noah in bed and Mike got home, they picked up considerably. I had prayed that I would go into full labor at 9pm and have the babe by morning - Noah sleeping all the way. And we did! The contractions were what I've heard some friends call "fast and furious." Mike called Sue (one of our midwives) and told her that they were about 5 minutes apart, but not to rush over since he expected a slower labor (like last time). Come to find out later that Sue had started packing her stuff to come over right then (she heard my moaning in the background and knew it was going fast, hehe). About 20 minutes later, my contractions were more like 3 minutes apart and really intense. I couldn't handle them unless Mike was giving me a lot of lower back pressure and I had a very cold wash cloth on my face/neck.
Sue arrived at around 12:30 and checked me. I was then at 4 cm. Davie (her awesome assistant) arrived with the cherished birth ball (like a work out ball) and they had me hop in the shower. I sat on the ball in the tub and worked through the crazy contractions. They were incredibly easier to deal with when I was in the shower. Amazingly the hot water lasted an hour and Sue had me out for another check. 6 cm dilated. I wanted in the birth tub, NOW. And there was the pivotal point. I was laying on the couch for the 6 cm check. WHOA! I needed to PUSH, NOW! I was thinking, "I can't be pushing, I'm only at 6?" Mike's staring at me, wondering what the heck is going on and why I'm making that noise. Sue casually strolls over to the phone and calls Dawn (my other lovely midwife), saying "Dia's making pushing noises, it's time to come on down..." Mike's in shock, "PUSHING noises? What?" Then, I'm freaking out when Davie leaves to make the compress cold again because I need her NOW (haha). I push for 6 minutes. Scream a couple of times (which Mike described as a very "respectable" scream - doesn't wake up Noah or Jacob and Kim, who's room is right above ours). Then he's catching Joshua and I have a baby on my belly. WHOA. Did that happen?
So, all told, active labor clocked in at about 4.5 hours. Noah woke up to a new baby brother. My mom arrived while we slept in the early (early!) am and took care of Noah and the house. Cathy came by later in the day and loved on the babe, us, and Noah (and found the placenta pan that was still full of my blood on the counter and almost lost it, poor thing).
All in all, it was an AMAZING experience. The midwives came and did a check up the next day. It was so much more peaceful. I didn't have to worry about when to leave for the hospital. No in-car contractions. No carefully bundling a day old baby for a car ride. Just home, sweet home :)
Highly recommended!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
More Joshua...
My mom made this awesome hat - haha, he looks like a little warrior!
Just some cute sleepy shots:
Noah, all grown up...
Noah just said as she and Mike were leaving to the store, "Call me if you need stuff." Presumably just in case I remembered something while they were out... :)
Monday, September 7, 2009
We have a son!!
Wahoo! Baby Joshua Courage Becchio was born on September 6 at 2:17am. More details to come.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Boy or girl votes?
Just some short notes to keep you all posted! And yes, some pictures, finally. Sorry for the uber poor lighting - I never remember to take pictures until after Noah is asleep :)
I'm loving this pregnancy. It's actually been pleasant and a joy. I don't feel rushed with expectancy or "what if's..." I'm happy to wait for the perfect timing. I have felt God's peace and closeness. I am thankful :) I think a large part of that is A) having an amazing husband who loves me and supports me each day (even though he has called me "Grump-zilla" a few times in the last couple of months), B) A super sweet and helpful miss Noah who is willing and able to pick up all the things at ground level that I can't reach, and C) A truly wonderful team of midwives, Dawn and Sue (Ventura Birth Center). I can't even begin to describe how they bring such a mix of experience and gentleness; I am completely confident in their help and in my ability to squish a baby out of my body.
Our little home is so cozy and safe - and Jacob and Kim are just over the fence. Kim was a tremendous help in my labor with Noah. It's good to know that she is nearby and always willing to help. I feel so covered and supported. So good!
As of the night before last, I'm about 2 cm dilated. Still having very mellow and irregular contractions - but they are increasing in intensity ever so slightly. I was 1 cm on Tuesday, so we're making progress.
Haha, you can ignore my blog updates for the next few days if you have a sensitivity to the "details" of birth and body parts :) No graphic descriptions, I promise.
Oh, any votes on the boy v.s. girl debate?
I'm loving this pregnancy. It's actually been pleasant and a joy. I don't feel rushed with expectancy or "what if's..." I'm happy to wait for the perfect timing. I have felt God's peace and closeness. I am thankful :) I think a large part of that is A) having an amazing husband who loves me and supports me each day (even though he has called me "Grump-zilla" a few times in the last couple of months), B) A super sweet and helpful miss Noah who is willing and able to pick up all the things at ground level that I can't reach, and C) A truly wonderful team of midwives, Dawn and Sue (Ventura Birth Center). I can't even begin to describe how they bring such a mix of experience and gentleness; I am completely confident in their help and in my ability to squish a baby out of my body.
Our little home is so cozy and safe - and Jacob and Kim are just over the fence. Kim was a tremendous help in my labor with Noah. It's good to know that she is nearby and always willing to help. I feel so covered and supported. So good!
As of the night before last, I'm about 2 cm dilated. Still having very mellow and irregular contractions - but they are increasing in intensity ever so slightly. I was 1 cm on Tuesday, so we're making progress.
Haha, you can ignore my blog updates for the next few days if you have a sensitivity to the "details" of birth and body parts :) No graphic descriptions, I promise.
Oh, any votes on the boy v.s. girl debate?
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Baby Update
Just had a check-up today with our wonderful midwives and we're at 1 cm dilated, 50% effaced. Ha, still means that the baby could come in two weeks - or two days. Mike got to feel the top of the baby's head. Cool! ...and weird. :)
Thursday, August 13, 2009
July with the Harveys
Okay, SO behind on blog posts!
We had such a wonderful time visiting with Tristan, Kim, Dallas and baby Sydney in the middle of July - perfect timing for Tristan to help Mike move a piano and a couple of couches... just barely missed move day! Talk about friends 'till the end :) Love you guys!
Here are some shots from our visit to Avila Barn Market's petting zoo.
We had such a wonderful time visiting with Tristan, Kim, Dallas and baby Sydney in the middle of July - perfect timing for Tristan to help Mike move a piano and a couple of couches... just barely missed move day! Talk about friends 'till the end :) Love you guys!
Here are some shots from our visit to Avila Barn Market's petting zoo.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
The baby is getting bigger!
Now officially head down (thanks to some wonderfully effective prayer from Derika!), we're getting bigger and more moody :) Well, at least I'm getting moody. I'm now convinced the baby is a girl and can't wait to find out!
We're loading up the moving truck in 7 days. We will then have a few weeks to settle in and then a new baby! Phew :) Official due date: September 9 (9/9/09).
We're loading up the moving truck in 7 days. We will then have a few weeks to settle in and then a new baby! Phew :) Official due date: September 9 (9/9/09).
Saturday, June 27, 2009
We're Moving!! Again :)
Update!
We're moving! Haha, I feel like I've written that a few times before - wait, I have! :)
Jacob and Kim Reeve and their family have a lovely little apartment that we will be renting out in the Camarillo/Oxnard area. We're so excited to be near to them and get involved with the community down there. We will miss our little place; it's been great here and Lompoc has been so nice and small - never thought I'd say that growing up! Official move date: 07/31/09. Yes, that's next month, and yes, I'll be 8 months pregnant, haha. (See "how you can help" below.)
The baby:
I will be switching to the Ventura Birth Center. Here's a funny anecdote on that one: When Mike and I usually pray together, we sit down with separate journals and ask God our questions. We then compare. Our answers almost always confirm each other's notes. His "words" are usually for the near future; mine for the more distant future. Well, when we prayed a few months back, he got "Santa Barbara Midwives" and I got "Ventura Birth Center." Confused then as to why we got seemingly contradictory directions, it all makes sense now. Both! I'll miss the Santa Barbara team (they're great!) but I'm excited to stay at our new home for this one with Sue and Dawn. Yay! We still need a lot of help with the fees. Having a baby is quite expensive, with insurance or without! :)
The baby is getting quite large in my belly (and currently has hiccups). This one really likes to push at my ribs with little stubborn feet. :) Such a neat (and weird!) experience to have a tiny person inside of you.
Due date: September 7th (ish - we all know it could come a couple weeks on either side of that, ha). Noah was pretty timely, born just a few hours past her official due date.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
* I pledge to make tea and cookies for anyone able to come help us pack and/or move and/or clean during the last week of July! I can't lift a single box, so Mike has a pretty big burden between work and the move.
* We need some hefty financial "love gifts" to afford the midwife fees ($3,800) and the move - more cookie offers! :)
* Mike may transfer to a Home Depot in Ventura county, but he is also looking for a new job. If you know of one, please let me send you his resume.
* And, of course, prayer! Prayer/words of encouragment for all the exciting but taxing changes: moving, baby, jobs, etc.
Thanks friends and family, we love you!
We're moving! Haha, I feel like I've written that a few times before - wait, I have! :)
Jacob and Kim Reeve and their family have a lovely little apartment that we will be renting out in the Camarillo/Oxnard area. We're so excited to be near to them and get involved with the community down there. We will miss our little place; it's been great here and Lompoc has been so nice and small - never thought I'd say that growing up! Official move date: 07/31/09. Yes, that's next month, and yes, I'll be 8 months pregnant, haha. (See "how you can help" below.)
The baby:
I will be switching to the Ventura Birth Center. Here's a funny anecdote on that one: When Mike and I usually pray together, we sit down with separate journals and ask God our questions. We then compare. Our answers almost always confirm each other's notes. His "words" are usually for the near future; mine for the more distant future. Well, when we prayed a few months back, he got "Santa Barbara Midwives" and I got "Ventura Birth Center." Confused then as to why we got seemingly contradictory directions, it all makes sense now. Both! I'll miss the Santa Barbara team (they're great!) but I'm excited to stay at our new home for this one with Sue and Dawn. Yay! We still need a lot of help with the fees. Having a baby is quite expensive, with insurance or without! :)
The baby is getting quite large in my belly (and currently has hiccups). This one really likes to push at my ribs with little stubborn feet. :) Such a neat (and weird!) experience to have a tiny person inside of you.
Due date: September 7th (ish - we all know it could come a couple weeks on either side of that, ha). Noah was pretty timely, born just a few hours past her official due date.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
* I pledge to make tea and cookies for anyone able to come help us pack and/or move and/or clean during the last week of July! I can't lift a single box, so Mike has a pretty big burden between work and the move.
* We need some hefty financial "love gifts" to afford the midwife fees ($3,800) and the move - more cookie offers! :)
* Mike may transfer to a Home Depot in Ventura county, but he is also looking for a new job. If you know of one, please let me send you his resume.
* And, of course, prayer! Prayer/words of encouragment for all the exciting but taxing changes: moving, baby, jobs, etc.
Thanks friends and family, we love you!
Noah and her baby
Noah has been super cute with this baby doll that Auntie Solena gave her. She's really good about putting it down for a "nap" and wrapping it in a blanket. Here she is, getting comfy for her baby's "nap."
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Home-baked Bread
Alright, this is the easiest recipe for home-baked bread! Those photos are of my little loaves on Saturday. And, you can shape it into rolls, french loaves, boules, or even smush it into a cast-iron skillet for an amazing deep dish pizza. Seriously guys, you have to try this one.
I first found it in my Mother Earth News Magazine:
"The Master Recipe: Boule
(Artisan Free-Form Loaf)
Makes 4 1-pound loaves
3 cups lukewarm water [I do an extra 1/4 cup water - Dia]
1 1⁄2 tbsp granulated yeast (1 1⁄2 packets)
1 1⁄2 tbsp coarse kosher or sea salt
6 1⁄2 cups unsifted, unbleached, all-purpose white flour [I use white whole wheat - Dia]"
My steps:
Roughly mix dough in a large mixing bowl - no kneading! Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise 2-5 hours. With slightly wet hands, shape into whatever fits my mood. Dust with flour and slice. Bake at 425 for 20-35 minutes or until the bottom is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped. EASY!!!
I first found it in my Mother Earth News Magazine:
"The Master Recipe: Boule
(Artisan Free-Form Loaf)
Makes 4 1-pound loaves
3 cups lukewarm water [I do an extra 1/4 cup water - Dia]
1 1⁄2 tbsp granulated yeast (1 1⁄2 packets)
1 1⁄2 tbsp coarse kosher or sea salt
6 1⁄2 cups unsifted, unbleached, all-purpose white flour [I use white whole wheat - Dia]"
My steps:
Roughly mix dough in a large mixing bowl - no kneading! Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise 2-5 hours. With slightly wet hands, shape into whatever fits my mood. Dust with flour and slice. Bake at 425 for 20-35 minutes or until the bottom is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped. EASY!!!
My baby-sized garden
Thanks to a lovely housewarming gift from Cathy and a birthday gift from my dad, I have some promising tomatoes and peppers on our tiny patio. The larger tomatoes are hanging from a Topsy Turvy and the sweet cherries are in a pot (which Chaucer, Ellie, and Noah are continually threatening). A heavenly hand stayed the large screen from smushing them by a mere 6 inches today! I hope they make it until harvest :) I couldn't get a good shot of the neat banana peppers from my dad - I'll need Mike's help to reach up to the lovely hanging basket for that one.
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