New here

[tls]

I posted recently about a gift for my doula, but I thought since I'm new I'd introduce myself officially. DH and I have a 2 year old daughter and are expecting our 2nd child in the beginning of August. We live on the East Side of St. Paul. I work 4 days a week in downtown MPLS, would rather be at home but, long story, am unable to.

Doula Sarah, I noticed in a recent post you got married at the Ren Fest. Do you “work” there or just love going? I worked there for 9 years before having DD and really miss it.

I’d like to get to know you all better. I currently read another board but just don’t fit in very well over there. It seems like this is a much better place for me to be. You all seem so nice, open and of the same mindset.

Tracy

[DoulaSarah]

Welcome Tracey!! I never worked out at the Ren Fest, but love going there. The first time I went in 1992, I was 14 or 15 years old. I walked in, stppoed, turned to my mother and told her this is where I was going to be married someday. And I was!! I actually did a handfasting, it was wonderful. We rented out the grounds on a Thursday, so there was no-one out there but us. We also had people that worked out there help with the food and stuff. Everyone dressed up. It was so fun!!
I have a 2 and a half year old daughter and a 16 month old daughter. First one born at Saint Johns and the second born at home in the water. I used to live on 6th street in east saint paul. Right next to Harding. That is where I graduated. I live in West Saint Paul now, not too far away from you! Let me know if you ever want to get together and let the kids play. There are lots of pregnant mamas here on the boards! Also, please post on the Twin Cities tribal thread!! Sarah

[tls]

Sarah, I live on Conway and can see Harding through my back yard!!! My BIL and SIL live on the West side on Wyoming. Small world.

DD was born at St. Joe's and I wish I could go there again but my midwife is at St. John's. Did you like St. John's?

I loved working at the Ren Fest. I was a character and got to dress up in a fancy dress and just talk to people. It was so much fun but a lot of work with kids.

[DoulaSarah]

I know right where you live! All I look forward to at the turn of the season is the Ren Fest. We go twice, always! Usually the last two weeks.

Are you at the Kendall Center for Women? You don't have to answer that, BTW! I didn't mind, and don't mind Saint Johns as a hospital. They are nice big rooms and you can walk around. The nurses are friendly. It depends on how you are planning to give birth and who your midwifery group is. I have had (besides my own birth there...) a great birth and a terrible birth. It was all about the midwife! and how strong you are in saying what you want. I think that it is a good place to give birth, but there are things that you can do to improve a hospital birth experience!
www.motherfriendly.org
Ask good questions!

[cattrane]

hi there :)

i have a 5-yr old ds and more than one cat, we live practically downtown minneapolis and i work in a 'burb (backwards, yes, but easy on traffic!)

sarah i didn't know you were married at renfest! cool! sadly, i have yet to go here (um yeah three years, slacking a bit in figuring out the local traditions!!)

welcome tls!

[kaje62]

I worked at the REN Fest for 7 years with Cherylynn. I miss it. Autumn R. a semi tribe member has worked out there about that long too. I have yet to ride the elephant though and did not get married there. Got married in the St. Kate's chapel. But we all wore renaissance dresses and our toated goblets had hanging grapes.

I also worked on the West Side for three years, love that area. Will always be special to me and I am a usual at Cinco de Mayo each year.

Hey you should check out the August mamas thread.

http://mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?s=&threadid=65406

We have five local mamas counting you due in Augugst, Smeta, Nostrow, Seagan and me that need to get together before our babes arrive!!!

[battymomma]

welcome momma!
glad to see another new local momma!
i am momma to DS 4 1/2 yrs old and DD 2 1/2 yrs old, from the East Coast but here almost 2 yrs.
have never been to the Ren Fest either (hint hint cattrane!!)
do you know about our weekly Sat AM mtgs at a local coffeeshop? PM someone if you are interested in stopping by and chatting and watching the kids enjoy themselves. the shop is very kid friendly!
~paula

[mamarsupial]

welcome!

[Snow]

welcome mama, glad you are here.
Renfest, huh? I go every yr, free tix from work (a theatre very near) and several of my employees are also Renfest employees.

I live in Mpls and like Cattrane, commute to a far off burb for work. 2 dds, one aged 14 and the other aged 4. not a typo - heh!

hope to see you around

[tls]

Thanks for the welcome.

DoulaSarah I do go to the Kendall Ctr and see Rebeca and Mary. Rebeca is a friend of my SIL and her family so I hope she'll be on call when the baby is born.

kaje62 what area at Fest did you work? We may have seen each other out there :).

Snow and cattrane I am extremely jealous about your commutes. I have to take hwy 94 from the other side of St. Paul to downtown MPLS. It is not a pretty drive!!

[kaje62]

booth 727