The Simple Year Six Baby

That’s right lovely readers, The Simple Year blog is officially having a baby!

When I originally took on this project I didn’t know that Baby M would be making an appearance this year.  Also, as someone who has never had children before, I had no idea what to expect going into this journey to parenthood. I am one of those wonderful, lucky people who suffers from extensive morning sickness (more like all day sickness) and I’ve been so fatigued that doing even simple tasks like the dishes or going to work has been almost more than I can handle. Luckily, I have a great husband who has been helpful through this adventure. It also helps that we are both so dang excited that everything is very shiny and special for us right now, sickness and all. Our hearts have been nearly bursting with this news since we found out.

While having a baby may not seem on the surface to have a ton to do with my time on this blog, it has actually been impacting many of my goals. I’ve already been seeing how some of my goals and plans have been either thrown out completely or readjusted. One of my big goals for the year was to reduce the amount of clothing I bought. However, upon finding out we were expecting, I suddenly found myself in need of a few new wardrobe items to accommodate my changing body. Thankfully, up to this point, my older sisters have been able to supply me with maternity clothing. I am still hoping to do a modified version of Project 333, but I am kind of waiting for a few more items to arrive from my sisters (mostly pants, I had no clue I’d grow out of my skinny jeans so quickly!). I also know that soon we will be shopping for baby clothes too, which will add a whole new aspect onto this goal. I’m hoping that second hand shops can be of some assistance with this transition.

My goal of providing more sustainable foods for us has also been difficult. Yes, I made jelly out of local plants. Yes, my husband has been stocking our freezer with ducks and geese. One of our main food sources has been seriously impacted though – fish. Cody and I put away over 100 fillets of wild caught salmon last year. This year, we probably have less than 20 fillets. Fishing for salmon here is just a whole different ballgame. It takes two of us to set the net and pull it, and then someone has to be filleting and prepping the meat too. I was so sick during fishing season though that I could barely help. And it didn’t help that the mere sight of fish sent my stomach churning.

Some of our goals will definitely look different this year, as will life in general. I am flying to Anchorage every 4-6 weeks, and in March I will have to leave my village until the baby is born. Doctors will not allow women to remain in bush villages past 36-37 weeks because of the lack of medical care, so I’ll be moving to Anchorage (currently on the hunt for a short-term apartment rental!) for the months of March, April, and possibly May. Cody will be joining me closer to the due date with the dogs. This year is going to be one crazy, crazy ride. I am super excited to get the opportunity to continue working on my simple living goals during this transitional time though, as it is important to me to bring a child into a simple and mindful environment.


17 Responses to The Simple Year Six Baby

  1. So very excited for you and your husband….what absolutely wonderful news! Morning sickness can be so overwhelming….be kind and gentle with yourself….your body is adjusting and growing an awesome little one inside you! I am looking forward to following this journey with you. And what a great new way to share “simpleness” with your readers. Congratulations!

    • Thank you! I’ve definitely been trying to take it easy, although as a teacher at the beginning of a new school year it has been hard. Now that my students know they are being very helpful though.

  2. Congratulations to you both! Enjoy your 1st time alone with your baba. It goes so quickly. In case you are travelling while pregnant my gynae told me to make sure I didn’t stay sitting for longer than an hour. In other words if flying just stand up for a few minutes as the supply to baby can get cut off. This was 30 odd years ago so check with you doc. Best wishes Eleanor

    • Thanks for the advice! I am definitely traveling a lot while pregnant. I have to fly to Anchorage every 4(wish) weeks. Unfortunately, it’s all on teeny airplanes with no option to stand 🙁 I’ll have to make sure I try to get off the plane whenever we land to refuel/pick up new passengers though.

  3. Congratulations! I’m sorry that you are dealing with severe morning sickness, though. I did too, and it’s the worst. I hope you feel better soon!

  4. Congratulations! Sorry to hear about the morning sickness. I found that eating protein all day kept the morning sickness away (I just kept some cheese on a cutting board all day!) but that increased my need for maternity clothes.

    Having a baby while trying to simplify will be interesting, but at the same time really beneficial to your family in the long run!

    • I have been craving cheese so much! So far nothing has helped me keep food down though, so I’m hoping my doctor will prescribe me something at my next appointment (Friday). I need to start packing on a few lbs for baby! 🙂

  5. How exciting and definitely a first for the Simple Year. Quick question, Do the native women from your village have to live in Anchorage for the last few weeks of their pregnancy also? Congrats, excited to hear more.

    • Hi, Kerry! Yes, all women (native and non-native) leave the village at the end of their pregnancy. It’s kind of an odd thing, but there is no health care in the villages, with the exception of a Health Aide, so it would be dangerous for mom and baby to stay here without anyone to help safely deliver. I think there are housing options for native women through the Alaska Native Hospital in ANC though, which is awesome! For us, we just have to hope that someone is willing to rent to us for a short time. Fingers crossed!

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