When thinking about holidays and traditions that I would like to celebrate with Juniper and Andrew, Dia De Los Muertos definitely makes the cut. I like the whole holiday and everything that goes with it from the sugar skulls to the altars for deceased loved ones and friends. I think it's important to remember those who aren't with us anymore and the Mexican tradition of sharing stories and especially cooking and eating the favorite foods of our deceased loved ones brings such a tangible and three dimensional aspect to remembering those that we've loved and lost. Sure our loved ones who have passed on are never far from our thoughts, but to celebrate them and share stories over food with other friends and family is even better!
You know what else I like about it? I like the macabre aspect. Mexicans don't hold much back when it comes to the realities of life and death and the sugar skulls and bones made of bread illustrate this. They remind me that while it is to death that we all ultimately turn, right now we should eat, drink and share in our history that is entwined inextricably with our ancestors and each other. I wish we would have celebrated this holiday when I was a kid. I wouldn't now be prodding my mom into writing her memoirs complete with addendums for all of the other relatives that she tells stories about. It's always been one of my favorite things that she has shared with me. I have always loved hearing her stories and as a little girl I remember saying, "Mom tell me stories about when you were a little girl!" I guess I'm glad that I'm prodding my mom still for stories!
Halloween shares some of the same traditions as Dia De Los Muertos in that historically ancestors were honored, but you wouldn't really know it based on how the holiday is celebrated now.
That's ok! We'll celebrate both!
Right little Gnome?
Beam of sunshine gnome...
Reggae fist pound gnome...
Mom and baby gnome...I made June's gnome costume from a bunch of Andrew's old clothes and a red sweatshirt that my friend Leslie used as packing material for a gift that she sent. I had a blast making her outfit and made a beard out of sheep wool that wound up not working in the end as the hairs were getting in her mouth, nose, eyes...If I had given it much thought I would have made her a bib in the shape of a beard and called it a day. She's drooling a lot now and could have used it. If I would have had any brain I would have dressed up as a mushroom. Don't little baby gnomes like to sit atop a mushroom? I think so.
Oh! We went to our new family doctor today over in Rosendale which is about 40 minutes away from where we live upstate. It was a beautiful day for a drive (even though I somehow only got 4 hours sleep) and we all really like our doctor! He was very respectful and had a very calming presence. He didn't balk when we said that we didn't want to vaccinate or that we co-sleep. Quite the inverse actually. Phew! You never know how the medical establishment will react to the way that you've chosen to raise your child. I prefer to not have to defend my instincts! Even Andrew liked him. We are pleasantly surprised and relieved.
Juniper weighed in at 14 pounds and is 24 1/2 inches long. Yay!
Here she is...chunk of baby...baby nugget...
Juni Bear...
This photo above makes me laugh! It's as if she's some Brooklyn tough who's gonna rough you up!
"I'll tear ya limb from limb! I'll rub ya eyes out with my thumb!"
So unbelievably cute!
Here are a few more of her "working out" at her handmade baby gym.
She looks a little sleepy here huh?
No no! Totally awake!
Everyday I give thanks for the amazingly healthy, beautiful, sweeter than sweet baby that is my sweeter than sweet daughter.
I like to say that...my daughter. mmmmm
LOVE
I love watching her grow.
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