DA DA, COO COO

I know it’s cruel, but I taught my daughter to say, “coo, coo” after, “da, da.” It’s hilarious of course. My husband pretends to not like it, but I think, secretly, he appreciates it for the good joke that it is, even at his expense. The best thing about it is that my daughter and I have an inside joke. Even at the small age of 18 months, we already can share in some private humor. Plus, she is learning to apply the new vocab to other situations. Today the neighbor dog, Ginger, who she calls, “Nay, Nay” was rolling in the grass. My daughter pointed and said, “Nay Nay, Coo Coo.”
“Yep,” I said, “Nay Nay, Coo Coo.”

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Love: The Baby Book

Every new mom needs one of these, an instructional guide on what the hell to do with that brand new creature only days in the oxygen. From bathing to dressing to nursing to sleeping, there is so much you want to get right. As you may know, I don’t exactly believe in a “right” way. We all have to just do our best and follow our values, but there is a way to do it so that you don’t drown or suffocate your child. I rely on The Baby Book by Dr. Sears. Read more »

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Alert: Baby Beauty Products!

I try my best (as in, most of the time, whenever possible) to feed my daughter organic food, provide her with non-toxic toys and clean my house with natural ingredients, so it would be reasonable that I would also make sure that all her soaps and shampoos and lotions were also safe. Many years back, my good friend, Rachel, told me not to put anything on my skin that I wouldn’t eat. This made instant sense to me as our skin is our biggest organ, and everything on it eventually enters the bloodstream and other vital organs. However, I always thought it was enough to buy my products at natural food stores and never took the time to check the labels. You can imagine my shock when I read the April 2009 issue of Taste For Life; you know, the free magazine that they put in your grocery bag at the co-op., and learned how many chemical are in my favorite “natural” products. Read more »

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From Parties to Puppets

Before I had a child, for entertainment, my husband and I liked to go to bars, rock concerts, the occasional karaoke night, action thriller movies and parties. When I became pregnant, it was clear to me that none of the things we liked to do involved children. I grew concerned that my lifestyle would have to change drastically and I wasn’t sure I was ready for it. I was still of the mindset that “family fun” was dorky. But, no longer. Read more »

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Grandmas are Great

Why grandmas are great:

1. They are like a second mom. They will come over and change diapers, feed the baby, read books to baby, play with baby, bathe baby and most everything short of nursing. Sometimes they even cook a meal and do the dishes.

2. They always have good tips and new ideas. My mom basically taught me how to dress my daughter. She also decorated and got her room ready for her when she transitioned into sleeping in her own room. My mother-in-law helps to introduce new foods and new games to play.

3. They tell you you’re doing a good job even if you don’t think you are. And when you mess up, they don’t judge you.

4. They babysit, for free. Plus, you know that they are doing it out of total adoration for your child and you never worry when they are on the job.

5. Even mommies sometimes need their mommies.

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Learning to Relax

Today, someone else took care of my daughter, her grandmother. I was even left alone for four hours, the whole house to myself. There was a moment when I thought I heard the baby waking up from her nap. I was relieved to realize that no such thing was happening, but instead, I could relax knowing that she was taken care of and I didn’t have to do a thing. I’m not going to lie and say that I used my time productively. In fact, when they returned, I remembered all the things I wanted to get done, but had forgotten while leafing through that gardening catalog. Yet, that’s not the point. And here is why. Read more »

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Ultrasound

You are curled up and potential
like a Firebelly Toad beneath
a root covered in moist morning
leaves, waiting to leap to life.

Made visible, you wave little
limbs as if a bright light disturbs
your new sleep. We are in well-lit
waiting rooms or sprawled on metal Read more »

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Spring Break Road Trip ’09: Day 5

Today we had something very special planned for our daughter, the Albuquerque Zoo. Our daughter absolutely loves animals, can’t get enough. And, I can’t deny, we were pretty excited too. Unfortunately, we got off to a rough start. The accumulation of days on the road with poor sleep and a low fever from teething, had put her in a terrible mood and she ended up crying all the way there. Even when she drifted into a nap, she would awaken crying and calling, “MaaaMaaa,” every fifteen minutes or so making her very grumpy.

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Spring Break Road Trip ’09: Day 4

Waking up in Cloudcroft was a pleasure. At 9,000 feet, the air was cool, just like we were used to at home. While vacationing, especially with kids,  it is great to stay at a locally owned hotel in the middle of town and be able to walk everywhere. This is particularly appreciated when you have been road tripping around and want a break from the car for a while. We easily found a coffee shop and were grateful to discover a basket of toys and books for our daughter to occupy herself with as we fed her fruit from the couch while sipping on our tea and nibbling quiche and egg sandwiches. Ah, luxury. Read more »

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Toxic Toys Suck!

I’m not a completely neurotic mother. I let my daughter climb, unassisted, the cement steps to the wood bridge over our acequia which she walks back and forth on before descending the same cement steps. Sometimes, I let her walk around while nibbling on a bagel or apple. I even let her outside without a hat on, but rarely. I’m crazy, I know. Yet, what really scares me, are her toys. Yes, the seemingly innocent play items that fill her day with joy. It seems like everyday, another one is being recalled for choking hazards or lead content. Not to mention, the one’s that are not being recalled, those that the Government Consumer Product Safety Commission only “suggests” might be unsafe, such as BPA, PVC, phthalates, and other big words. Read more »

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