Better late than never....

... for a blog post, and more importantly to introduce out newest Hunter!

Freya Lily Hunter

finally joined us at 42 weeks and 1 day...

born gently at home

on Saturday 22nd May

at 8.03am

weighing 3.4 kilos

at measuring 55cm long

and our little family is complete.....

My Blessingway Celebration...

Last Saturday I joined together with an amazing group of women friends for my Blessingway. I was totally blown away by the generosity of my midwife Sal for suggesting her gorgeous Fremantle home as a venue, and Merrin, Lynne and Sophie's organisation of the perfect afternoon of pampering, relaxation, chatting and great food. It was the perfect way for me to get into my "zone" after a tough few days the week before.

A few pics....

Amazing goose-bumpy drumming welcome by Jo, Donna and Sophie...Binding our wrists with twine. To be cut when my baby arrives earthside.Mel henna-ing my bellyA beautiful birth affirmation for my birthing space...The finished Henna...My wonderful midwife Sally saying a few words, and making me cry...

The amazing group of women who I am totally honoured to know and love...Me trying to put into words how thankful I was for the celebration...

A Baby is coming...

Getting ready for the new arrival....

Belly @ 37 weeks...

Taken by my friend Lynne. Also showing henna on wrist from Merrin's blessingway....

4 days after the Blessingway (see below).... he arrived....

Our lovely friends Merrin and Mark welcomed baby Jakob Peter into the world on 21st April, 2010 at 11.20pm, weighing a reasonable 4.6 kilos.

Born into water at home with just family and midwives in attendence.

CONGRATULATIONS to you all!

A special afternoon, for a special mama-to-be...

Last Saturday, I had great pleasure in being involved in a beautiful Blessingway ceremony for my wonderful friend Merrin.

A Blessingway is a lovely alternative to a traditional baby shower, where the mother is supported and pampered by her closest friends in celebration of the impending birth. Here is a link if you want to read more about the tradition:
http://www.natureschild.com.au/flex/blessing_way/68/1

And here is the glowing mama-to-be, Merrin (2 days shy of her due date)...

Mel and I comparing our bumps.... I think Mel's was kicking her in this pic...and then hers kicked mine....My beautiful friend Eefje...Preparing to be pampered, with some Henna on the belly...Whilst the Henna was applied, we went around the circle and each of us presented Merrin with a bead for her blessingway necklace and a blessing flag we had created to be displayed in her birthing space. Here is me presenting Merrin with one Charlotte had created for her...

Belly henna applied... time to sit back, relax, eat chocolate and chat... The most amazing group of women... many of whom keep me centred and sane...Merrin and I both have two wonderful midwives attending our births. Clare (left) and Sal (right)...Feeling squeezy...Lighting candles from Merrin's purple birthing candle, that we would then re-light at home when we knew Merrin was in labour...Showing our support of the mama-to-be... And the sun sets on a beautiful afternoon....

Fairbridge Festival 2010...

Charlotte begged me to "paint a brolly"

Waiting for the "Play it again Sam(ba)" parade to start...Awesome band "Double Entendre"...