School was like a zoo today...

We usually go to the Copenhagen Zoo about once a week. Having the chance to visit so often is wonderful because it means we can really take the time to get to know the animals at a slower pace, rather than just rushing through to see them all in one day. Its an amazing home school resource and I don't see anyone else using this here. (Please tell me about how you use your zoo!)

Yesterdays visit we spent in the tropical area, which is an entire building that is open air and set up to give you and the animals a feeling of walking in a rain forest. There is no cage or glass between you and the critter (expect the alligators), so if you sit still and quiet you are often approached by large jungle fowl and sloths.

Saule testing out her butterfly wings in butterfly room. We did a study on silk production when she got these.

There were very few people at the zoo yesterday, so we were able to spread out our picnic blanket, take off all our layers of clothes, and put on our butterfly wings. I did some yoga. Ursa (almost 9 months) enjoyed having the freedom to crawl/cruise around where she liked, touch some plants and  the waterfall.  We had lunch, read books, took a nap, and did some worksheets.  But mostly we enjoyed being in the nature, and being able to sit long enough and quiet enough to really absorb it. We

These are the books we brought with us- all of them are rainforest themed.

We read this one "Slowly, Slowly, Slowly," said the Sloth by Eric Carle      
to the sloths that were sitting just above us. Ursa had a little nap.

Gear List- An after trip review 

 My pack (Osprey Atmos 50) - Worked great again! Fits a pregnant body fine!

Our new Sherpani Rumba child carrier and backpack in one. It stinks! Its quality stinks. Our daughter weighed only 35lbs, which puts her well within the 70lbs weight limit for the pack, yet the waist straps clip continuously comes undone! This strap should bear the weight of the pack and yet it doesn't stay clipped at all! That means that the shoulder straps must bear the weight load, which is a major no-no for any framed pack or baby carrier! Aching backs and shoulders, this makes the pack useless! We would rather carry her in our arms at this point, and we do! The tiny magnetic clip is NOT the right clip for this bag, and I have never had this problem with any other waist strap on any other pack I have ever owned! 

The small detachable backpack/storage has begun to tear on both shoulder straps.
In addition to these 2 major flaws- which alone is enough to send me screaming into the woods after spending 140$ on a pack- its over all design is not at all what I would expect from such a pack. My daughters not comfortable in the pack and complains its poking her in her butt and chest. The shoulder straps are let out all the way and still don't sit correctly. The sunshade and rain cover would never work for an average 3 year old such as herself- its much to short, she can hardly see out or sit comfortably.  On a positive note they accepted the bag as a return, and refunded us.

Kelty Teton 4 person Tent Worked great! Kept us dry, cool(ish) and had plenty of room

Nook Color was great for reading in the dark tent, not any good for the guide books- I still prefer real guidebooks. But we were really going for light weight so this helped. 

Mostly we had to much stuff, again. Even though we had almost nothing. Always bring less then you think you need. 

So here we are..

So here we are. Its the dead of winter, in the middle of the night, in the far north. We get just about 4 hours of daylight each day, although it can hardly be referred to as "day" light, its more like "twilight". Its times like these when you may have to squint to see the light. And some times its good to look at old photos to remember how bright it can be....if you can just hold out until springtime....


Besides going to the pool 2-3 times a week, and the zoo once a week, we spend lots of time at home. Playing is very important to children this age (and my age...) or so they say....

Ursa is growing bigger everyday. At almost 9 months she is cruising around, and has taken a few tiny steps. She loves food, and just about anything her sister does.

Saule's mealworm project has provided us with lots of entertainment. She also has a very large garden growing (all be it slowly) near our windows. We have started more and more unschooling type activities, gearing up for next year. We is a constant wonder, with a truly amazing mind.

This is Saule talking about her meal worm project

Baby massage

Indoor climbing

Time flys when you're having fun

What happened! They grew up! Ursa was born and suddenly we were no longer 3, but 4. Summer came and we spent it out doors, in Upstate NY, with hummingbirds buzzing, cool nights and hot days. We wallowed in our little stream and played trucks, until it dried up in late summer and the surrounding raspberry bushes provided ample distraction. It was one of those blissfully perfect times when the thought of spending time doing anything inside (blogging...) is almost sinful.
As summer drew to a close we had visits with family, In NY and Lithuania. We ate home cooked meals, and laughed. And then, like all good things, summer came to an end. For everything must have its season.

Ursa Luna's UC Birth Story, A little late :)

At about 10am on the 21st of April I knew it was going to be the big day. We went out for a nice walk and Saule rode her pink bike. It was a beautiful day so we spent it outdoors, playing in the yard. We blew bubbles and played castle and dolls and played in the lake with our nets. I made sure to eat well all day, did yoga on the dock, and we all had another nice sunset walk after dinner. Saule didn't want to go, but when I told her it was important to help the baby come, she was excited. She brought along a bunch of guidebooks and identified Periwinkle on her own in the stroller as we walked. When we got home we made popcorn and joked it was for the birthing show. Saule was so excited se ran around the room throwhing papers in the air yelling "Yipppie! I'm throwing papers!"

Around 9:30 i was having some light contractions and wanted to get Saule to sleep so I could focus more. I lay down and tried to nurse her, but that really got things going. After about 10-15 minutes I called Pollo in to be with her, and started filling the pool in the living room. By this point contractions were strong enough I had to focus when they came and I started using the birthing ball. Saule couldn't sleep so she and Pollo joined me again in the living room. Pollo had set the camera on a tripod and Saule had the remote, she was taking pictures and counting them like the count from sesame street. 

Contractions were close and strong by this point so as soon as the pool was ready I climbed in. I was having some back labor and the pool helped allot as did Pollo putting pressure on my lower back. Saule caressed my arm and told me she loved me. The room was lit by candles and was so peaceful and quiet. To be surrounded by just people I love, in my birth space, just how I wanted and had envisioned was a wonderfully relaxing feeling. Outside it was raining for the first time in weeks. I felt like a mother bear in her den, no one but my family knew we were there or what we were doing- my secret, undisturbed.

At 12:30 I felt the babies head moving down and started my body started pushing. I followed my bodies cues and didn't add any extra power to the surges, I wanted to be as gentle to my body and the baby as possible. Saule and Pollo joined me in the pool and after 10 minutes and about 4 more contractions I felt her head being born. As her head was born my bag of waters broke, just the same way it had  with Saule. 

I asked Saule if she could see the baby she said she could. "Look at all the hair!" Pollo exclaimed. I could feel the baby turning her head back and forth, rotating her shoulders, and finally with another contraction she pushed upwards with her legs- our bodies working in perfect concert- she was born smoothly into the water. Saule and Pollo caught her little squiggly body and handed her to me. What an amazing rush of love and excitement! Saule told me it was a girl, we all kissed and hugged, heaven! Ursa Luna was with, earth side at last at 12:44am on April 22, 2012.

We all got out of the pool and moved to the couch. We snuggled and watched as she looked back at us. These moments were magic. Saule kissed her, and spoke soft words in her ear. We were all just in awe, holding her and looking at each other, kissing and smiling. 

After half an hour my placenta delivered, and a half hour later Saule cut the cord. She had been excitedly waiting for this moment for months- and she put on her big sister shirt right after which reads "I caught the baby, I cut the cord".

Saule and Ursa are both nursing great, my milk has come in and there is more than enough for them both (and then some!) It seems like the transition to two nurslings was happening the entire nine months, they long ago learned how to share my lap and snuggle together. 

This was truly the perfect birth, exactly what I had hoped for. I had no soreness or tearing, the baby was born alert and healthy, happy and into loving the loving arms of her family. Saule was able to participate as much as she liked in the comfort of our home. Pollo was my support and love, like a strong tree rooted and grounded and keeping me there too. Another wonderful beginning. 


But what about the name? 

Saule knew for my entire pregnancy that this was going to be a girl baby. She also insisted that this baby was going to be a "moon bear" baby.  We trusted her, as she had very strong feeling about this, and she was correct. Ursa had a visitor come shortly after her birth, and look in our wide open front door- a young black bear. 

Now I have my Sun and Moon. 

Our time in Costa Rica and Nicaragua

A picture is worth a thousand words as they say. So here are a few. Our time in Central America makes  some of the best memories of my life. We were all so happy. In love. Bonded. I would trade that time for anything. I am so happy we went. I am so happy to have carried Ursa and my big belly all around in the heat, and to have camped and hiked and swam through my pregnancy. To have enjoyed the food-lots of it. To sit and hold Saule in my lap, and look up at the monkey in the trees. To do yoga in the rain forest and feel one with the world and all the nature in it.  I am so happy no to remember- Its enough to get me through another cold Danish winter.

Ometepe Island, Nicaragua

Granada, Nicaragua

Belly Painting

Sloth

"...today was another fantastic day at the beach- we spent the day rolling around in the waves and enjoying the sun. we saw a sloth in a very low branch and got a good look at him and he got a good look at us with lazy eyes. we love this town, camping here, and saules is as happy as a flea (expect for her 39 bug bites that are driving her crazy today...)"

Our last day in Costa Rica

Saule learned how to swim while we were there!

Our tent set up

Our plans and gear review for Pregnant Backpacking

Today its rainy and cold in Copenhagen, but only another 10 days and we fly out to NY for a week and then onwards to Central America until April! We will return to NY at my 37 weeks mark and are planning a home birth in NY. Its a very exciting and happy time here these days and we are spending lots of time planning our moves and gear. 

As I found out with my pregnancy with Saule, pregnant backpacking and camping can be fantastic fun and doesn't have to be uncomfortable. We camped and hiked with her right up until the day of her birth. This time it will be Pollo carrying Saule, and we will split our gear. 

Our plans are roughly that we fly into Liberia, Costa Rica and will head north towards Ometepe, Nicaragua where we will camp and hike around the volcano's we loved last time. After that we will head to Granada and then Managua to catch the bus and then river boat from Rama, and then East to explore Bluefields and the Corn Islands. Beyond that we are unsure where we will end up- but its likely most of the trip we be spent in our tent. 

As I am unable to find camping and backpacking gear reviews for pregnant women, and almost none for families, I am including here our gear list and a review. The right stuff, and ability NOT to over pack really makes a huge difference. Its allot of trial and error- figuring out the balance for what you really need vrs. weight. 

Gear List

 My pack (Osprey Atmos 50)  which served me very well on my last pregnant trip as well as on my India trip. It has 2800 cu in which is more than enough space for this kind of adventure, yet its hardly any bulkier than a day pack. Packed full its still comfortable without the hip strap due to its shape, for long distances at full term pregnancy. It fits my basics and then some inside, and the tent straps the outside with ease. 

Pollo will be caring our new Sherpani Rumba child carrier and backpack in one. It has 2800 cu in of storage space, the same as my pack, but it also has space to carry Saule, who is 3.5 years now and weighs 17kgs (37lbs).  This is probably going to end up being a heavy load when fully packed (the pack its self is 7.8lbs) , but she wont ride all the time. It has a detachable day pack where we will keep our passports, snacks, and other immediate needs, and the rest of the pack can go on top of a bus or in the cargo of the flight if needed. We will make sure to review this pack after the trip.

Our tent this time won't be my super light 2 man like last time, we are moving up to our Kelty Teton 4 person  (since we really are more like 4 people now...). This is the tent we took to Maine and N.H. last summer and we were generally pleased with it. Its light weight for its size (7lbs 8oz), and is a really good sturdy design with plenty of room inside. On the downside I was disappointed to find the fly does not extend fully to the ground on all sides, and for the reason I would not recommend this tent in case of rain. Lucky we are going in the "dry" season this time, and that does allow additional ventilation inside. 

We are packing a bare bones collection of stuff - we wont be bringing a stove, as the fruits and vegetables are so nice raw and the weather is so hot, we never feel like cooking anyway. We will be bringing 3 sets of lightweight plastic camp utensils, a Swiss army knife, and Tupperwares which we found worked great for both eating out of and saving leftovers (since Saule eats lots of small meals and snacks).

On our last trip I found that a full size pillow was absolutely necessary. Actually I ended up buying 2! On the sleeping pad with a pillow under my head and another for my legs I was able to sleep normally (or as normally as any pregnant women does!). This trip I plan on again bringing my sleeping pad (a thermarest inflatable pad) plus 2 smaller pillows that are less bulky to carry, but still puffy enough to get the job done. I'll bungee them to the outside of my pack in a plastic bag in case of rain. For me this is one of those items that is 100% worth the added hastle. To wake up feeling rested is the only way for me to enjoy the rest of the day and normal pillows really made that happen. 

We will have lots of other traditional backpacking bits and bobs split between our 2 packs. A basic first aid kit with a young child slant on it- we will be bringing liquid Tylenol, Umcka, bee sting remedy, and band aids. Hand sanitizer will also be there. 

Other non-traditional kid packing list items include 2 pairs of arm floats so Saule can join us in the water, and a small inflatable raft for her that has a window in it for when we go snorkeling. We plan to tow her around above the reefs so she can "peek down and see Nemo"- she isn't ready yet to put her face down in the water with a mask. She will also be using this as a sleeping pad if needed. 

Other than a few select toys (one small doll, a set of travel markers and a coloring book) the only other child oriented thing we are bringing is our Nook Color.  Pollo has installed an android operating system on it and we are able to have all kinds of kids books, applications (homeschool related), and games, which we plan to let her use on long bus rides. It also has wifi and lots of adult functions too- like maps, guidebooks we were able to download for free, and our own books. Pollo was able to find a key board and case that makes the Nook really user friendly and the whole thing (Nook, keyboard, and cover) weighs in at 1.8lbs- which isn't much when you consider all the guide books we can leave behind!