Merry Christmas

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a great 2011.



All our love,
Abe, Josie, Leo and Nico

She has a penis

Now that I'm in my 20th week of pregnancy, we decided to go and have another ultrasound.

Everything looks great. All normal and healthy. Just one small issue - our little girl has a penis! Yep, that's right, another boy. And before any of you start in with stories of someone you know who thought their baby was a boy, but turned out to be a girl, our little guy was very accommodating in the view he gave us of his junk. Even Leo, who was calling out the body parts he could see, cried "Nicky's wee wee".

Of course at the end of the day, it doesn't much matter either way. But it will take some readjustment. We had always assumed it would be a she, a little sister, etc. Well, Nicola Tess is no more, little Nico took her place!

And he is a very active little guy. I am now feeling him regularly. Thankfully, I have no discomfort or bad side effects of the pregnancy so far, although the BIG months are about to begin! Keep you posted next year.

As for Leo, I realize that I am long overdue for an update. I promise I will do a post on him in January. For the time being, suffice it to say that he's doing great, growing like a weed, in constant trouble, chatting up a storm and excited about Christmas.

Christmas Tree

We had figured that we would have one more year before Christmas really kicked in at our place. We were wrong. Two and a half is old enough, I guess.

We went to the city and Leo met Santa, shook his hand even, and he has been talking about him ever since. He also loves the lights, especially on trees.

So, given his general excitement about Christmas (even if full comprehension is still lacking), we have entered into the spirit. And I'm really glad we did, as the eagerness of children is completely infectious.

We cut down a small juniper tree from our property, and decorated it. It makes a really nice little tree, and Leo loves it when it gets dark and we can turn the lights on.

We also got him a Christmas stocking, seeing as Santa now knows where he lives.

Articles

Since finishing the bathroom and sealing the floors, we have been concentrating mainly on other types of work - you know, the kind that earns you money. One of our revenues is writing articles. Here are some links to a few of the most recent that have been published by Make magazine; the ones that are not yet published will be coming soon, but the photos will give you an idea.

Toddler Swing:
How-to article - coming soon
Photos
Leo testing the prototype

Solar Food Dryer:
How-to article - coming soon
Photos

Fabric-formed posts:
How-to article - coming soon
Photos - here and here

Top bar beehive:
How-to article - coming soon
Photos

Soilblocks:
How-to article
Version printed in Make
Photos

CEB Floors:
How-to article
Version printed in Make
Photos - here and here

Tool Bucket:
How-to article
Version printed in Make
Photos

Jar Organiser:
How-to article
Version printed in Make
photos