Ring of Fire

Yesterday was May 20th. Yes it was our baby's due date, but it was also the date of the solar eclipse. We were hoping Lucy would come on such a day... But I guess she has stage fright. Maybe she knew she would take all the attention away. How thoughtful....

Ring of Fire Solar Eclipse

Map showing zone to see the full Ring of Fire

We were lucky enough to be in the zone to view the eclipse. Although, to see the full event we needed to be about an hour north. The full event being "The Ring of Fire", where the moon passes in front of the sun creating a perfect ring of light. Instead we settled for about 95% viewing. Regardless we had a perfect view right in our own backyard. Almost saw the full ring. What we thought cool was the eerie light in the sky. Kind of felt like a major storm was about to pounce on us. This could have been the reason I thought my water would break at that exact moment. Possibly a good sign that it didn't!!!

Since direct eye contact with the sun could cause eye damage Patrick came through with a couple of solutions for viewing. One, we took an old floppy disk and pulled back the metal thingy in the middle. If you squinted with one eye, you could see the eclipse glow through the film. Unfortunately we couldn't get a good photo of this. The second thing he did was cut a small hole in a piece of paper. By doing this we could see the eclipse in its shadow. Pretty cool how that worked. Got a good view of Lucy on her due date!! A day we will always remember!

Viewing through floppy disk

Patrick and his Shadow

Louie and her Shadow - with Lucy included

Margarita or Mint Julep?

None! I'm Pregnant remember?!  May 5, 2012...Never thought so much would be going on.  Obviously, today is Cinco de Mayo!  That's the party I want to be at.  Although, this year not being able to drink refreshing margaritas and Dos Equis is a little depressing.  Not to mention that it was those that allowed me to think I can salsa dance.

Today also marks the 138th Kentucky Derby.  Okay - So I don't have much to say about this... I don't wear silly hats, nor have I ever tried a mint julep.  But hey, they all look like they are having a great time!  Not sure if they even are aware of horses racing with their hats in the way and the buzz they've got going on.  The race seems like it would be more of a flash going by before them.  Not enough time to focus!

An event that I can not only take part of, but maybe will actually be a victim of is also happening today.  The Full Moon!  My sister-in-law sent me an article about it this morning and I thought it was too funny, I had to share.  Today is not just any full moon, it is the SUPERMOON!  Which means that this month's full moon is 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than any other full moons this year.  So yes! I can take part in this! I can enjoy the breathtaking views with a water in my hand!

 What's so funny about this?  The article that I was sent:

Fox News: Dr. Manny: Will there be a Supermoon Baby Boom?

He speculates that the moon’s gravity is associated with setting women into labor by rupturing the amniotic sac.  The low barometric pressure causes birth rates to spike.  So just short of 38 weeks....I have my bags packed just in case!

 Although, I'm not sure if it the SUPERMOON this year causing the increase in induced labors.  The article also mentions that uncontrolled stresses may cause this.  Duh!  Remember, I'm sitting here on Cinco de Mayo with no drink in my hand!!!  Talk about mouth watering stress!

Happy May Day!

Hello blogging world! As the common greeting goes, Happy May Day! The coming of May has been much anticipated this year as this month my husband, Patrick, and I are expecting our first little munchkin. Currently I am 37 weeks playing the waiting game, more impatiently than not, for our Lucy to arrive.

Yesterday when I went to work, I wondered what May Day was all about. Seeing as people don't generally say, Happy March Day or Happy November Day!! I assumed it must have something to do with the armed forces, air force, or navy. Reason for my conclusion... The good old distress call, "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday"! And Of course, I was wrong.

May day actually originated before the days of Christ. Pagans celebrated May 1st as the half year mark opposite of November 1st. A festival that the Pagans held in the springtime celebrating Flora, the godess of flowers. May 1st also was the day farm laborers had off after the completion of their seeding (May Day can also be referred to as Labor or Workers Day). Everyone in the community would gather to dance around the maypole with vines wrapped of flowers.

Pagan Springtime Festival ; May 1st

As Europe became Christianized, Pagan traditions began to fade away being pushed aside or merged with our common celebrations of Easter and Christmas. Today, not many people celebrate May day in America. Although, if you get a basket of flowers hanging from your door by anonymous, you then will be part of an old European tradition.

So the arrival of our little Lucy, in hopes will come as we celebrate May flowers and the new spring season vs. the distress call of Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!!!