I’ve been meaning to write a new post for a while now, this blog has been so neglected lately. My days have been full now in a whole new way than before, and I’ve been adjusting to my new life as a mother. I’m continually surprised by how quickly my days fly by, and by how quickly my son grows and transforms before my eyes! At first a fresh and tiny human with mostly closed eyes, new to such a bright, dry, sensation filled world. And now a huge, squirming, laughing, rolling, “talking”, snuggling four month old boy!
My son was born on the last day of August, just before the sunrise. Born downstairs, right at the foot of the ladder. And then immediately into my arms for an hour of uninterrupted snuggling and staring into each others’ eyes. I’ve never worked harder in my life than I did that night! So many people seem impressed by all the hard work and physical labor that goes into building your own home with natural materials. But I’m impressed by all these mothers out there! If you can give birth, and make a new person from your very own body, I’m convinced you can create your own shelter. We are stronger than we know!
Leo the day he was born!
After the sun came out and in through the southern windows, allowing me to fully see and study every part of my perfect little boy, I also had an appreciation for my environment at that moment. The first face my son saw was my own, and the first place he knew was the house that I, along with many other people, had sculpted by hand. When Leo was born he cried, but only for just seconds. After that he was calm and alert, quietly taking in his new world. What a special place to be born, in a home whose walls radiate out all the love with which they were built.
Leo and I hardly left the house for a couple magical weeks as we got to know each other more deeply. Sadly, for the most part we have now been living about an hour away from our sweet cob house, to live where my partner is currently working on a building project. I miss my house, and look forward to spending more time there some day soon. And I have plans to finally complete all the unfinished tidbits come spring – finish the exterior plaster, the final layers of roofing for the small eastern roof…install a front door! I’m definitely craving some creative time spent building, and have even been dreaming lately about some additions to the house. A bedroom to the east? Small kitchen to the north? Oooh, the possibilities are endless. But right now my time is not! Soon enough, soon enough…
My son Leopold, born at home August 31st, 8 pounds, 4 ounces and oh so perfect:
4 months old!
I have been wondering about this little person! Thanks for sharing-he looks beautiful and healthy and so do you!
congratulations! i know the feeling of missing your house – i am away in town for the winter and miss my land and my little shack. what a lucky baby. best wishes to you for many happy years with him in your lovely home.
Congratulations, Danielle! You both look beautiful and healthy! Leo’s little dimples are absolutely slaying me! It’s so magical that you had him in the home that you built with your own hands… what an amazing transition and introduction to the world. I have some questions about your homebirth, would it be ok if I emailed you? Also, can we come help you plaster or something this spring? We’ve been wanting to get down there and lend a hand! Please let me know if we can help!!!!! Much love to you and your little one!
Thanks Lizzie! His dimples melt my heart too! Totally email me to talk about home birth if you want – I love talking about birth and babies. It takes me a long time to respond to emails lately though, just a warning.
I’ll let you know when I’m planning on doing some plastering, it would be nice to finally have you over!
Hey Gorgeous! You look like you are doing incredibly well! I would love to see you, Greg, and Leo! He is the cutest! Alexor and I are in New Mexico for the winter and will be driving back. Maybe we could stop by on our way back? It wouldn’t be until after April. Congratulations!!! I am so happy to see that everything is going well! I miss you soooo much!
New Mexico!!! I hope you and Alexor are having a good winter, I miss you guys, and would be so excited if you stopped by on your drive back!
I’m dying to visit you, too, and see your cob house!!! So if you guys can’t make it here then we’ll just have to come visit you…
Miss you!
Congrats, he’s beautiful. Glad you are all doing fine.
Congratulations on your new son. It is always nice to have another Virgo person around. (I am 8/28/1946.) He has a beautiful face, and his calm personality shows in his eyes. I have very much enjoyed following your progress on your cob house. Will there come a time when you will live in it full time? I am jealous. When I was young I didn’t have the same values that you have as far as nature and self sufficiency. Now I am old and disabled and would never be able to do something like you have done, or live in a cob house. You are special and you have a special life, and now a very special son. Again, congratulations. sjbmouse
Thank you so much for your kind words. It’s funny, I thought Leo was going to be a Leo, but he was 6 days late so he’s a virgo! As far as living in my cob house full time… who knows? I hope I will be able to spend lots more time there soon. But it’s on land I co-own with my ex-partner, so sometimes its a sad place for me to be. But in time I’m trusting that everything works out for the best and my relationship with my cob house becomes more clear. I definitely want my son to spend lots of time there, because it is a special place!