Sunday Surf

I've spent the entire week either resting because I couldn't catch my breath or trying to unpack... also cleaning the old apartment (supervising, at least). We have now turned in the keys. Hopefully it won't take two full months to settle into this new place so I can spend some more time preparing for Spencer's arrival, too!

On to the links!

• Respect the Alone Hat is such an amazingly cool idea! Check it out - it might be just what YOUR household needs!
  
  
• Have you ever, truly done absolutely nothing? I mean not even make mental lists?? Check out Much Ado About the Pink Elephant in the Room, all about taking some time to do absolutely nothing.
  
  
• Let's Take the Metro has issued one of the coolest bloggy challenges yet! Click over and read The Gratitude Challenge.
  
  
• Have you ever wondered if a Zombie Invasion could really happen?? Check out Invasion Of The Mind-Controlling Zombie Parasites from NPR!
  
  
• And finally, one of the coolest new blogs around! If you dig Post Secret and enjoy reading blogs, you will love The Honesty Conspiracy! Read "Voices, telling how it really is to be human."

What web pages have caught your eye lately?

Down Syndrome Awareness Month ~ Confidence

This year / month marks 30 Years of Down Syndrome Awareness Month! Before we received Spencer's diagnosis, I knew very little about Down syndrome. So I'm taking the opportunity of my blog and this month to give you some little snippets of information.






So yeah... 30 weeks pregnant now. We were (and are?) confident in our decision to keep Spencer. Sometimes I wonder and worry, though. Am I really up to the challenge? Can I provide all that he needs? Can I balance his needs with the needs of my other children?

Surprise Shower

As you may recall from my recent Vacation Weekend with Volunteers post, I mentioned that there was a Surprise Cloth Diaper Shower for me. I could not believe the outpouring of love and support I received that day! As I said, I have really wanted to switch to cloth diapers, but the start up cost has been prohibitive. I have, at least, gotten Sasha completely out of diapers.

Surprise Cloth Diaper Baby Shower

Wordless Wednesday: Sasha's Halloween History

One of Sasha's first costumes. She was 1 month old.
Click over to Natural Parents Network to see her in the black version.

Sasha in her pillowcase ghost costume for her 2nd Halloween. My brother sent the bag (with goodies) for her.

Monday Minimalist: Moving

Moving seems to be the one time that most people become minimalist. I think it is easier to be heartless about getting rid of stuff when you're faced with a decision: Toss it or carry it? And not just carry it, but once you get there you have to unpack it again and find a place for it all!

Packed up and ready to go!
Sasha ~ August 2011

We tend to get rid of furniture during moves, too! Part of that is definitely because of all the downsizing we've done. We just have NOT had room for all of our furniture! With this move, we've gotten rid of the last couch piece. We're still trying to find room for the ottoman because we've honestly gotten more use out of it than any other piece of furniture. I'm a bit nervous, though, about the final weeks of pregnancy... I've slept on this old couch many times during pregnancy and with a restless newborn!

Sunday Surf

Moving this weekend, so had to plan ahead again. I did find some goodies for you, though!

• Sasha is 2 years old and has been able (at least occasionally) to count to 10 completely on her own. She has always loved to hear me count or even count backwards. So... do you think she is genius material? Check out How to Spot a Gifted Toddler. It isn't what you think, I promise.
  
  
• And speaking of being advanced in math, check out Education & Wage Slavery: Hand In Hand? I don't want to raise my kids to blindly follow authority, which is what I feel public school teaches. This article goes into other reasons the system doesn't really work for the people.
  
  

  Photo Credit

  
  
• Did you know that 16 states plus DC have legalized marijuana for medical use? It seems ironic to me that even Washington, DC has it, but so many states don't. Looking to relocate? See the list and laws in each state.
  
  
• Do you remember the show Sister Sister about the twins separated at birth and then they found each other? They wind up living together, even though their parents (a single father and a single mother) don't get along. Anyway, those twins now have a reality show and in case you hadn't heard, they caught the breastfeeding world's eye recently! Check out the details here.

I hope you're having a less eventful (or at least more relaxed) Sunday than I am! What interesting web pages have you read this week?

Down Syndrome Awareness Month ~ Etiquette

This year / month marks 30 Years of Down Syndrome Awareness Month! Before we received Spencer's diagnosis, I knew very little about Down syndrome. So I'm taking the opportunity of my blog and this month to give you some little snippets of information.

What's in a word? I've raised my teenager (and am raising my toddler) with the understanding that words are only words. So long as they use words in the proper context (yes, even curse words), I have not had a problem with their usage. I have explained that some people find certain words offensive. If you use those words around friends, their parents might not want you around anymore. That said, I have certainly discouraged the use of words like "stupid." Calling someone stupid is rude, to say the least.