Big Sister

this is Giselle's big sister bike.
she LOVES it and rides as often as she can.

Giselle in the 4th of July Parade - she is a yankee!

giselle's got her!

summer visitors

what would summer be without guests?

Bernie and Diane...

Bernie and Diane came at the end of June and they are scheduled back on August 2nd. I am sure they will find that Neomi has grown so much since their last visit. I will get some pictures of Diane and Neomi next visit since she is only on video...

Early morning cuddles - i went back to sleep ...thanks Bernie

Bernie and Neomi (the first hold - took a week)

Marielle and Mateo...

Giselle LOVES Mateo. she dug pushing him around in the buggy. I think she even changed a diaper... They became great pals and it was so good for them to get to know each other as cousins.
Marielle and Mateo came on July 5th and stayed a week here and a week at Renee's. It was hot but we managed to stay cool.
We hope they come to visit at least once a year. thank you so much for coming all the way from Windsor Marielle. we really appreciated it. We love you.

Shevlin Park, Bend Oregon

Marielle and Mateo, OCF, Veneta, Oregon

Neomi's 5th week of life

Giselle took this beautiful picture of her sister.

A birthday weekend

Over the weekend we attended 2 birthday parties...
Benjamin turned 5 and Trance turned 1.
It was also Renee's 33rd birthday and Mayan's 5th birthday on Saturday as well.

Benjamin's Robin Hood Birthday

Trance's 1 Year Celebration
(yes that is Silly Lily the Clown)

Oregon Country Faire

It was family time at the Oregon Country Faire this year.
Marielle and Mateo faired well for their first time! Mateo was a champ.
We ate Coconut Bliss Ice Cream every day and we ate organic vegan cupcakes!
Renee had a crazy bout of poison oak but we were fortunate that she could join us on Sunday.
The weather was gentle and we all had a good time.
We brought Neomi at four weeks old and she came with us for all 4 days. She slept in the sling the whole time and when she was awake she loved the sounds and the energy.
It was Neomi's first faire and Giselle's 5th faire. It was my 15th faire.

Faire Family

Renee, Jillette, Helene (Neomi in the Sling) and Dana at the Faire

Emma and Gigi watching a performance


all eyes are on the drummers

Welcome Neomi Jade Prema

Welcome Neomi Jade Prema.
June 12th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
7 pounds 2 oz, 20 3/4 inches
Born at Home!!!

I am so grateful for my pregnancy, for my labor and for my baby.
I am so grateful for the support that I received from my family, friends and co-workers.
I am so grateful that Giselle was at the birth and that she was a part of her sister's beginning.
I am so blessed to have enjoyed the pregnancy and the labor.

The labor was a passage for our whole family. For me it was a renewal in the faith that birth is beautiful, natural and nothing to be feared. It was the most magical experience I have experienced. For Giselle it was her transition to being a big sister and to being part of something bigger than herself.

Neomi's birth was my rebirth. I feel refreshed and new again. Seeing things from a different perspective. Her labor started with a walk in the trees and ended surrounded in warm water.
Her birth was a true meditation on the breath. It was gentle and rythmic.

Thank you Renee for your love, nurturing and devotion. you are a true midwife.