Acupuncture after Pregnancy

I started seeing an acupuncturist for my shoulder. I don’t know what is wrong with it, but it hurts. I can imagine straining it while lifting a baby several times a day, carrying a baby on my back or simply nursing hunched over. While I thought I was getting treatments solely for my shoulder, I actually learned that I needed much more as a woman recovering from childbirth and pregnancy. Read more »

Love: From Caterpillar to Butterfly

A librarian friend gave this to me, so that is the first clue that this is a good book. Unfortunately, I gave it to my daughter a little too young and she tore out the super special pop-out surprise in the end. I don’t want to give it away, but you can figure it out. Anyway, this is a great book for spring and a great book for a little one learning their colors. Read more »

Love: The Ergo Baby Carrier

The Ergo Baby Carrier

There are plenty of baby carriers on the market, but my favorite is the Ergo. Although a big fan of the sling, especially when my daughter was a newborn, I still used the Ergo for when we went out hiking, wearing her on my front and using the newborn insert that you can buy separately. Read more »

First Mother’s Day

Nine Months

They were everywhere,
dancing with clowns,
dueling with foam swords,
bopping each other
on the head with red, Read more »

Co-sleeping: Safe or Dangerous?

Our Co-sleeping Set-up

According to the BBC World News, the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) just released a study that says co-sleeping or bed sharing with your child, has been implicated in about half of SIDS cases. According to this study, the risk is greatest if either parent smokes, has been drinking, has taken sedatives or is “very tired,” and that small babies, such as preemies are particularly at risk.

According to Dr. Sears, attachment parenting guru who has written two books on the topic and done extensive research on the risks of SIDS when co-sleeping, there is nothing to worry about. In fact, he believes that co-sleeping can actually reduce the risk of SIDS.

The best advice is to do as you would with all things parenting and follow your instincts. As for my husband and I, we knew we wanted to co-sleep, but did not think we would be comfortable with a baby in bed with us. Read more »

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.”

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.

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 »

Realization: My World Revolves Around My Child

You may be surprised to learn this, but today I realized that my life revolves around my child. Yes, it took me 18 months to fully come to terms with this idea. I’m still unsure why I hadn’t clued into it earlier. What was the moment that made this epiphany clear? Nothing monumental in the least. Read more »

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 »