Welcome Baby Andrew!

Mark, Kate, and I are overjoyed to welcome Andrew Brown Bumgarner into the world and into our hearts. He arrived at 10:57 a.m. on Friday, November 26, 2010. I look forward to sharing our birth story soon! We are truly filled with the spirit of gratitude and thankfulness this holiday weekend.

Gigging......The Early Years

Mark has a hot, new harmonica player. She rocks.

Waiting.....

For the first time since Kate was born, time seems to be slowing down. One of the things that amazed me most about parenthood was the sheer swiftness with which those first weeks, months, and, yes, now I can even say years, flew by. This is obviously not a unique or in any way astounding revelation. It's the sort of thing you always hear people say, but for me, the concept of time whirling by at the speed of light didn't really have any real world relevance until I became a mother myself. But oh boy, does it ever. In the blink of an eye, my tiny, helpless newborn transformed into a sweet, energetic, opinionated toddler with boundless energy and an extensive vocabulary. Whew. Well, now, as I wait for the birth of our second child, I find that the hours have slowed down almost to pre-baby speed. The days creep by, ever so slowly. It's a strange sensation, but I sort of like it. And knowing now how short lived it will be, I'm in a far better position to appreciate this time for the mindful meditation and reflection it offers.

The grouchiness I mentioned last week has passed, thank goodness. I think that probably had far more to do with being sick than with being pregnant. I'm still pretty uncomfortable (which goes without saying, at this point). But thankfully, the worst of the cold/flu ickiness seems to have passed. Giving birth is daunting enough without having to wonder if you'll be coughing and constantly blowing your nose between contractions. I'm not quite 100 %, but much, much better. And in a much better mood too.

Although my due date is technically December 11th, Saturday will mark 37 weeks, and thus, full term. Because Kate sort of snuck up on me at 36 weeks and 6 days, I never found myself in the throes of anticipation with her. I worked, came home, my water broke, I went to the hospital, and she was born the next day. So I'm sort of wondering how these next few weeks will play out. The fact that I have my bag packed and everything is in a far greater state of readiness makes me think I might have to wait a bit this go around, because that's just how things go. We shall see.

In the meantime, I spend my days playing with Kate (cherishing these last moments of one on one time with her), sipping raspberry leaf tea, taking long, slow walks with Sally Rose, reading my childbirth books...again (Birthing From Within is my favorite), watching old movies, knitting (badly I might add, but it's still calming), praying, and of course, waiting......

Dairy Farmer Bling

Finally, a rap video for those of us with more agrarian sensibilities. This made me smile. :)

via Cold Antler Farm

Listening To.......Nora Jane Struthers and the Bootleggers

Mark and Kate have gone to Boone for the day to visit Mark's folks. Due to being so hugely pregnant, plus a little bout with a cold this week (yes indeed, I did jinx myself a few days ago by claiming to have avoided the germfest....sigh) I'm staying home. It's funny how I'll look forward to these rare pockets of solitude, and then, once I find myself actually in them I'm sort of all at odds, not quite knowing what to do with so much free time. Oh, there's plenty to do of course: vacuum, dust, clean out the refrigerator, and all those fun, domestic duties that are much easier to do without the "help" of a two year old. Maybe later.....

Right now, I'm pretty busy, listening to the music of Nora Jane Struthers, an artist I discovered just this morning. Mark brought in a copy of what I thought was this week's Take Five (the entertainment guide in our local paper), and as I leafed through it, an announcement for a Nora Jane Struthers show caught my attention. I think it was her pretty vintage dress and 40s style hair that made me stop and check it out. Anyway, the announcement said, show tonight at the Madison County Arts Council. Hmm. I haven't been out anywhere lately, much less to a concert. By myself. I've never had a problem going to movies and shows by myself, but something about being 36 weeks pregnant leaves you feeling a bit vulnerable and well, it's hard to blend into the crowd, and people fuss over you, which is sometimes downright embarassing, however well intentioned. Still, I had made up my mind that I was going to go anyway. Then I checked the venue website, and it turns out the show was last Saturday. Mark had given me an old paper. What a dirty trick.

Ah well. It's probably better to stay home and curl up with a good book and a cup of tea tonight anyway. And the upside of it is, I've discovered a talented new artist whose music and style I'm absolutely loving. This is Americana music at its best: a rootsy fusion of bluegrass, old time, and folk that is simultaneously all of these things and yet still fresh and unique. Her lyrics weave together the past and the present with a grace and elegance comparable to Gillian Welch. The album is pretty amazing, featuring stellar musicians like Tim O'Brien and Stuart Duncan. Next time she comes to town, I hope I have the current paper! Definitely an artist worth checking out.

Reading.......The Dogs of Bedlam Farm

One of the advantages of no longer being able to sleep at night (racing thoughts, cumbersome bellies that can't get comfortable, and innumerable trips to the bathroom - yes, this baby thinks my bladder is a trampoline!), is being able to indulge in a long overdue book binge. See, there's a silver lining to everything, right?

A few nights ago, I finished up Jon Katz's book, The Dogs of Bedlam Farm, and I loved it. I was thrilled to learn that there is a vast Katz library out there to be savored, page by page. Bring on those night time feedings baby boy! I might pass on the murder thrillers, but the dog books? Yes, please! I've always been a dog lover, but Katz elevates your average dog lover's adoration of our canine companions to a deep, almost spiritual level. The book is a simple memoir, a middle aged suburbanite spending the winter in a farmhouse in Washington County in upstate New York. The writing is clear and to the point, with incidences both bitingly funny and sometimes, deeply sad as well (although as Katz writes in the foreward, no dogs die in this book.....I would have kept reading it anyway, but that claim made me feel much safer in doing so). But the overarching promise of this book is found in the author's insights into how our relationship with dogs reveals so much about our relationship with our fellow humans, the rest of the natural world, and even ourselves. These revelations are so profound and thought provoking that, if you're like me, you'll have an entirely new respect and admiration for the precious pooch you already loved. And, again if you're like me, you'll be trying to convince your husband that it makes perfect sense to get a small herd of sheep and two border collies come spring. Negotiations are pending.

A Temporary Grouch

A little confession: I've turned into something of a grouch. Only a temporary grouch, but a grumpy, easily ruffled one just the same. This particular strain of grouchiness is typically observed in women who are 36 weeks pregnant or more. Easy to identify, this grouchiness is brought on by mental, emotional, and physical strain and manifests itself in fits of weepiness alternated with less frequent but equally intense fits of industry as she attempts to ready herself and her little nest for the soon to be born baby. Washing and folding tiny blue baby clothes will offer a brief reprieve from aforementioned grouchiness and bring a wistful smile to her face and flutters of eager anticipation to her chest. Cherish these moments, as they are likely to be short lived and will abruptly end as her throbbing back brings her back down to the very uncomfortable reality of the present. And then she'll have to go pee. For the 52nd time that day.

Oh dear, what a rant! I don't really mean it of course, just letting off steam. I am getting rather big and cumbersome, but even more than that, I'm just so very eager to meet this little fellow, my patience is running out. All in good time, I'm sure, and I'm trying to remember to breathe deeply and be fully present in these oh so precious moments. Nothing is ever certain of course, but I'd say there's a fair chance this might be our last baby (we both come from two kid households, so it feels normal), and thus this could very well be the last time I'll feel these precious (and powerful!) little jabs and punches that accompany pregnancy. So, rather than whine and carry on, I'm going to make a concentrated effort to enjoy this time of waiting. I will try.

From the Cabin Kitchen.....Old Fashioned Blueberry Molasses Cake

Okay, so it doesn't look like much. Fair enough. You could chalk it up to my lack of skill at culinary photography, but honestly, it's not just the picture. Even in real life, this little cake is not going to be winning any beauty contests, bless her heart. But remember, appearances can be deceiving, and this cake is like the homecoming queen's funnier, smarter best friend. Not beautiful, by any means, but so full of other virtues that this lack of beauty becomes a complete non-issue.

This is another 101 Cookbooks recipe. Yes, I realize that makes the last two of my From the Cabin Kitchen posts direct Heidi knockoffs, so perhaps I should explain why I'm so enthralled with her recipes right now. Well, of course there's the obvious: sharp writing, eclectic recipes, and gorgeous photography. But that can be found elsewhere. What really sets this website apart is the focus on whole foods and natural ingredients, and that has recently become of paramount importance to me. I haven't mentioned this here yet, but a little over a month ago, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I was completely caught off guard, having had no problems at all during my pregnancy with Kate (who had more than her fair share of Nutella, chocolate cake, and peanut butter in utero), but as it sank in, I realized that really, this shouldn't have been so shocking after all. Like most young(ish) folks, I've always taken my good health for granted. However, in the back of my mind, I've always known that Type II Diabetes is rampant on both sides of my family, although it usually doesn't show up until the age of 50 or older (which, until recently, seemed almost as old as 30 seems to a teenager). So, despite the fact that I wasn't considered overweight and actually could get on quite the high horse about the perils and pitfalls of industrialized junk food, it turns out that all those processed/refined flours and sugars found in my "from scratch" cooking and baking routines could do me (and my baby) plenty of harm.

As it turns out, health (and even more so, the health of your baby), as a motivational tool is about a million times more powerful than vanity alone. The desire to wear a size 4 was never strong enough to force me to give up chocolate. But when we're talking about health (and I've witnessed the ravages of diabetes in more than one family member), all of a sudden, that brownie just isn't worth it. I'll admit that the abrupt removal of sugar from my diet was something of a shock. Especially given the kibbutz it put on my autumn baking regimen. No creamy, peanut buttery fudge. No raw apple cake with homemade cinnamon ice cream. No pumpkin bread. No hot chocolate. And yet, I found that after the immediate shock and initial feelings of deprivation, the cravings for sugary sweets gradually went away. Which is not to say that I could pass by a bakery counter with complete nonchalance, but the desire for sweets, unsated, moved to the recesses of my brain, no longer kicking up such a constan ruckus.

As many well-meaning friends and family have reminded me, gestational diabetes typically goes away after the baby is born. But this whole experience has made very clear to me that I can't view this as a "temporary" problem. For one thing, more than 60% of women who have gestational diabetes will go on to develop Type 2 diabetes within the next ten years. Given the genetic factors I already carry, I think it's clear that the lifestyle changes I've made over the past month are far from temporary. And, for that, I'm truly thankful. This has been a dramatic wake up call, but the unexpected silver lining is the realization that I can no longer take my good health for granted. Right now, with a baby inside me completely dependent on the decisions I make, these changes have come relatively easily. But after the baby is born, regardless of what diagnostic tests and blood sugar level numbers say, I know that refined sugar has no place in my diet if I want to be healthy. At one time, that last sentence would have sent me reeling into a deep dark depression, but not anymore. Gestational diabetes has led me to explore the world of natural, whole foods, and, more specifically, natural sweeteners, on a much deeper level than I ever bothered to before. And in all honesty, rather than being depressed, I'm finding myself so excited about all the natural options out there that, frankly, make white sugar just seem plain boring by comparison.

Which brings me back to this cake (whew.....that post grew much longer than I anticipated!) The past few days have kept Kate and I mostly indoors. She's getting over a cold (which so far I've managed to avoid catching....knock on wood), and outside it's a gray, blustery, very November-y sort of day. The old Aimee would have declared this the perfect day to whip up a batch of fudge, but obviously, that is out of the question. Still, I had an overwhelming urge to bake, and I vaguely recalled seeing this recipe several months ago. At the time, I dismissed it, with it's complete lack of sugar and appallingly scant use of butter as "hippie/health freak food likely to taste like syrupy cardboard." Amazing how one's mindset can change in just a few short months, huh? Well, I still had my doubts about it being edible, but decided we might as well give it a whirl. Besides, we're blessed with an abundance of molasses making friends so I've got molasses coming out my ears and relatively few recipes in which to use it. So we donned our aprons and got to work.

This recipe forced me out of my comfort zone on so many levels. Apple cider vinegar? In a cake? Seriously? I'm still not really sure what the purpose of that step was (some sort of buttermilk substitution trick?), but the end result removed any remaining worries. Perhaps it's due to the fact that I haven't had anything overtly sweet in over a month, but I fell head over heels in love with this cake. If it counts for anything, Miss Kate (who has not been abstaining from sugar like her mother.....Halloween sugar bonanza, for starters, ahem) was a big fan as well, quickly demanding a second piece after our first one was gone.

I indulged her, although for me, I limited myself to sharing a few bites of the first piece with her. Right now, even natural sweeteners have to be strictly monitored, because despite their other health benefits, honey and molasses will still cause a spike in blood sugar levels. So portion control is still key, and I told myself that slowly savoring those few precious bites was the very sophisticated, French thing to do. Truth be told, my savage American self would have had no trouble polishing off the entire cake in one sitting.

Rich and dense, infused with both the signature earthy tang of molasses and the sunny bursts of blueberry sweetness, this cake is sort of a love child of early summer and late fall. Rustic, simple, and, yes, even a bit homely, this is the ultimate "everyday cake," which begs no excuse more festive than to brighten up a gray November day. Which is exactly what it did.

*Since I didn't make any real modifications to Heidi's original recipe (I did use half white whole wheat flour and half all purpose flour per her notes), I'm going to direct you over there rather than type the recipe out here. And yes, by all means, if you are not diabetic, please sprinkle some powdered sugar on top! I think I'm going to make my own version of this cake for Thanksgiving dinner (assuming I'm not giving birth at the time) substituting cranberries for the blueberries, adding a pinch of cinnamon, and perhaps even tossing in a few toasted walnuts or pecans for good measure. I'll let you know how it goes.