Well, just like that, the sun came out on solstice morning- the first sunny day in a long while, and we were out with it. I didn't know how much we would manage as far as our traditions for this day- Perry was at work, and Willa and I have been taking things pretty slow, but Ari and Dori knew what to do to make  things happen. They set to work, scissors in hand, gathering up flowers and grass, and with Willa in the sling, I joined them. Soon we were making our wreath, sipping raspberry lemonade and singing little summer songs to the baby.  

And while I was upstairs later in the morning, tending to the baby, the boys were busy downstairs with yellow paper and a whole lot of staples, making crowns for the family, including a tiny one for Willa Rose, which was Dori's idea- he came up and placed in on her little sleeping head so proudly.

 Now if that isn't the cutest thing...

He came back to decorate it, adding suns, and then back it went on her little baby head. I thought it would be too scratchy, but she was unfazed.

Unfazed and totally adorable. I took about a million pictures of her sweet sleeping self.
Crowns and a wreath are what we manged- that and a picnic of sandwiches and ice cream outside with Papa when he got home. A lovely simple solstice, the first one with our family of five.
Happy Summer everyone! 

Oh, these days. These rainy, sleepy, milky days, these days of falling asleep in the afternoon with my baby girl on my chest, the sound of her soft breathing, her little legs curled up under her, the rain on the roof, the smell of her sweet baby head.  Of singing her little made up songs about diaper changes and mama's milk, of watching her as she listens to the birdsong out the window, of that sweet little tiger growl she makes as she latches on and her little wandering hands that get in her way, of her tiny feet and her tiny pink socks and her too-big soft wool shirt I can't bring myself to take off her, of those precious awake moments when I can catch glimpses of who she might be. And if I am at risk of floating away on the dreamy cloud of new baby-ness, there is always a little boy or two here to ground me, to make me laugh, to help me remember how sweet it all is- circus tricks and silly costumes and whoopee cushions and all. 

Introducing:

 Willa Rose

Born at home in the water after a wild and wonderful three and a half hour labour. We are madly in love. We were so surprised to have a baby girl in our arms (though the boys were always certain they were having a baby sister!) and we are loving every minute of her sweet tiny goodness.

She is adored by her brothers and is getting kissed up and loved every minute. 

 We are so thrilled you are here sweet Willa. Welcome, baby girl.

The Summer edition Rhythm of the Home Magazine is out and it looks lovely!

I was lucky enough to take part in this beautiful publication with an article about how our family celebrates the Summer Solstice over here. Take a look at all the lovely articles, it is a good treat.

I thought I'd post a couple baby knits I've recently finished up for Ginny's yarn along. These little longies have been sitting in my knitting basket forever, with just cuffs to finish. I can't remember much about them now, what wool I used, or the pattern even, or why there are two matching pairs (I know I knit one as a gift and wasn't happy with it, but I can't remember why now,) but they will come in handy I'm sure. One looks newborn sized and the other is maybe 3-6 months? Luckily there was also a little ball of this super soft pretty brown yarn in the bottom of the basket too, so I could finish these off and put them in the finished basket (which is growing every day!)

There are two of these LTK pilot hats too, though the other tinier one is in the homebirth bin awaiting a tiny head to keep warm. I knit these by the pool in Mexico, so they are full of sunshine and love. I had lots of this lovely organic merino in my stash, which is a finer wool than the pattern calls for, so I knit this one a size up hoping for newborn size, but it was still a bit big.  I decided to knit the newborn size too, and it is perfectly teeny. I know these tiny knitted things wont fit for long, but I just can't resist their amazing smallness!

As far as reading goes I have been pulling easy reads off the shelf the last little while. I have been retiring early,  and reading a little before I fall asleep- up in the bedroom with the window flung open and the evening light streaming in. Such a lovely time of the day. I am reading Emily of New Moon, which I remember adoring when I was about 9 or so when I was making my way through every LM Montgomery book I could get my hands on, and it is still a sweet read. I need light and heartwarming books right now, so vintage young adult fiction it is!

I've also been sewing a bit- I made this new diaper bag from some pretty fabric my sister gave me some time ago. It is nice and deep and even has lined pockets! (I am proud of myself whenever I do things the "right" way when it comes to sewing, as I am more inclined to cut corners and throw things together quickly. Lined pockets is the kind of thing I usually would skip.) I also made a small zippered bag from the scraps to put things like baby toys etc that I don't want to get dirty in to bottom of the bag. I'm enjoying this nesting energy! I also worked on a couple gifts that I wont post about until they reach their recipients.

The boys have been busy too- this is their bread oven for play dough using wood off-cuts and the kitchen chairs,

and they spent most of a day pricing items in our house with very expensive price tags and demanding payment. They loved it when I would act outraged at having to pay, and gleefully continued this game for a very long time. It costs 125$ to use the stairs around here, and $2900 to look out the front window. It also costs to lay in our bed, open the fridge and use the toilet. Luckily they take (scrap-paper) cheques.

And today the sun peeked out a little in the afternoon and we were able to spend some time at the lake playing in the crazy cold water with friends. I am seeing my midwife weekly now, and everything is looking good- baby is growing and happy and all is well. Any day, or another month? We'll see!