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[MadiMamacita]

getting so close now! What is the thing you miss most that you aren't allowed to do while pregnant?

[Carlin]

Yay! How bad is it that I didn't even notice I'd missed my scheduled turn?

What is the thing you miss most that you aren't allowed to do while pregnant?

There's actually not that much that I don't do while pregnant. I pretty much eat what I want, drink what I want. I don't worry about soft cheeses, meats or any of that stuff. I don't drink while pregnant but I'm not much of a drinker anyways. I will admit there's been a couple really hot days where a pint of Brewsters Raspberry Beer would have gone down really nicely, but the cravings have been few and far between.

I guess what I really miss most, although it's not necessary something I'm not allowed to do, is running and playing soccer. My hips and back made it clear pretty early that I would not be doing much heavy duty cardio this pregnancy and I'm just not 100% comfortable playing soccer once I'm out of the first trimester, partly for safety reasons and partly because I've always thought it's not really fair to the other team to play pregnant. I'm really looking forward to getting back in shape after this baby is born. I've gained a lot of weight again, and while it's more about health and fitness than appearance, I'd sure like to get some of those pounds off more quickly than I did last time! 

[mamalovex3]

What other hobbies do you enjoy, besides running and soccer?

Do you like to cook?  What's your "specialty"?

[Carlin]

What other hobbies do you enjoy, besides running and soccer?

Let's see, I like to read, I'm somewhat involved in a number of social justice and environmental issues, although not as much as I'd like to be, and of course trying to evolve as a natural / attached parent takes up a lot of time. I also have to admit to having a babywearing habit, especially a bit of an addiction to woven wraps.

Other than that, I garden as much as I can on a very small city lot, and I'd love to do more. I think next summer I may get a community garden plot so I can expand, and if I do, I'd love to get more into canning and preserving food.

I used to ride horses, but haven't quite figured out how to fit it into our current, urban lifestyle. Someday, I'll get back into it though, as it's one of the few things I really miss.

I also love to travel, but that's really gone on the back burner since becoming parents. I'm starting to get itchy feet again though, and I'd love to go somewhere interesting next summer once we've had some time to settle into being a family of 4.

Do you like to cook? What's your "specialty"?

I do like to cook. I'm not sure I have a specialty exactly. I tend to like to experiment, try new recipes, adapt them to healthier or locally available food. Luckily I have a husband who happily eats whatever is put in front of him, and a toddler with an amazingly adventurous pallet for a 3 year old. I've recently started baking more, and do enjoy it, but with a household of 3, I try to limit it to times when we have company or I can take things somewhere and have someone else eat them!

[MadiMamacita]

Originally Posted by Carlin 



I used to ride horses, but haven't quite figured out how to fit it into our current, urban lifestyle. Someday, I'll get back into it though, as it's one of the few things I really miss.

My mom found a ranch near her house that has an "equishare" program- basically you rent a horse from them- they take care of the boarding, feed, grooming etc and you get to come ride! it is a great alternative to having your own! This ranch has different price levels depending on how much you plan to ride per month, and you can either keep the same horse all the time or switch it up.



do you live near your childhood home?

[Carlin]

Originally Posted by MadiMamacita 


My mom found a ranch near her house that has an "equishare" program- basically you rent a horse from them- they take care of the boarding, feed, grooming etc and you get to come ride! it is a great alternative to having your own! This ranch has different price levels depending on how much you plan to ride per month, and you can either keep the same horse all the time or switch it up.
 

 Strangely, the horse isn't the issue. I actually still have one, but he's staying quite far away. Really what it comes down to is that when I'm working, I don't have time to ride, and when I'm not, I can't afford it. I actually trained horses semi-professionally for a couple years during and after University, so I also find it somewhat frustrating to ride at a lower level than I'm used to. I think once the kids are a couple years older, I'll figure out how to incorporate it back into my life. For now, I'm content to occassionally visit my boy and let him enjoy a well deserved retirement. :)

do you live near your childhood home?

I'm pretty close. I mostly grew up on an acreage about 30 min outside of the city I now live in. My parents, sister and a bunch of extended family still live here too, so while I've toyed with the idea of living elsewhere, my roots are pretty deep in this area and I think it would take a lot to actually convince me to move very far away.

[crystal_buffaloe]

I have a Moby, Ergo, and ring sling, but I haven't (yet?) ventured into the world of the woven wrap. What's its advantage? Is that what you're wearing in your profile pic?

What did you study at University?

[Carlin]

I have a Moby, Ergo, and ring sling, but I haven't (yet?) ventured into the world of the woven wrap. What's its advantage? Is that what you're wearing in your profile pic?

Yep, the wrap in my profile pic is a size 4 Cranberry Indio made by Didymos. I'd say the biggest advantage of wraps over any other kind of carrier is their flexibility. I can use the same wrap and get exactly the right seat, straps, waist etc for me and my wrappee, whether I'm carrying a newborn or my 3 year old (not that that happens much anymore, but if need be, I can still wrap her comfortably.) It also allows for front carries, back carries, hip carries, and dozens of different options for as many different situations. Theoretically, you could easily get from newborn to pre-schooler with one wrap. I think the 2 biggest advantages of a woven wrap over a stretchy wrap such as the moby is the ability to safely do back carries, and the ability to carry your babe at a much  higher weight and age. In my experience mobies get saggy between 15 and 20 lbs, whereas woven wraps can easily last you to 30 lbs plus. They are also much cooler which won't be such a big deal over the winter, but I can't imagine being wrapped in yards of knit fabric during a summer like this!

Wovens also have a huge variety of fabric and pattern options, which may be an advantage or disaadvantage depending on how you look at it. My DH would probably say it's a disadvantage, based on the number I have in my closet. 

What did you study at University?

I have a BSc, majoring in Biology and minoring in Anthropology. If I go back to do a masters, which I've been toying with for awhile, I'll probably take something more in the environmental field, possibily focussing on local food systems and environmental education and communication.

Edited by Carlin - 7/24/12 at 6:10pm