Monday, August 30, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
The Lake
After a walk through the Lincoln Park Lily Pond with our nature group, Tye and I went for a run along the lake front. Perfect time for a nap for Tye. (Look at those cheeks!)
As we finished the run, Tye woke up and we pulled off into a shady grove of trees along the lake. Tye was super excited to see the lake, complete with squeals, waving arms, and wiggling fingers. She sat and watched the waves.
After a walk to the shore line for a closer view of the water (and more squeals and arm waving), we reclined and nursed, letting the lake breeze wash over us.
What a beautiful way to spend the afternoon.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
So, does this make me Scrooge?
Have you ever felt like someone was trying to send you a message? I've had one of those days.
This morning at Mommy Cafe, hosted by Be By Baby, my friend Melissa let me hold her 3 week old baby, Avery. She's a beautiful little bundle with dark brown wisps of hair, blue eyes, and that serious, slightly wrinkled newborn face that melts a mother's heart. Holding her tiny frame on my chest, my first thought was, This is the size a baby is when she comes out of you. She's so tiny- now I get how it's possible. I know, it's a crazy thing to think when you're holding someone else's baby, but it was as if I was instantly transported back to Tye's birth. The memories of her moving from being inside of me to suddenly outside of me came flooding back. It was an overwhelming experience to hold a newborn again for the first time since Tye was one herself.
On the way home from Mommy Cafe, Tye and I stopped at Trader Joe's for groceries. As we were waiting to check out, Tye starting giggling at the woman in line next to us. We chatted briefly and then she looked me in the eyes and said to me, "My baby just left for college this weekend. Enjoy this time." When I thought of Tye leaving me to go to school, my eyes welled up with tears and I almost broke down crying in TJ's. Thank God I have time to prepare myself before then, even if that time is going to fly by.
When we got home, I read a new posting on a blog I started following recently. A Holistic Mom's Network member sent a message to the group on behalf of another mom who was seeking breastmilk. Her toddler-aged daughter, who was only nursing once a day, was admitted to the ICU and was receiving IV nutrition. When able, she wanted her daughter to receive breastmilk as her first real nutrition because of its healing benefits, and she needed more until she could increase her own supply. Of course, I read her blog, sobbed at the pictures of a beautiful little girl hooked up to machines, and have been checking in on her recovery ever since. Each time I do, I'm reminded to say a prayer of thanks for Tye's health, something so critical that can be so easy to take for granted when it's good.
As I nursed Tye to sleep tonight, I realized a pattern in my day. It was as if I had been visited by the Ghosts of Babies Past, Future, and Present. The lesson in each visit is clear- to treasure my precious time with Tye and appreciate every moment I have with her. She is growing up so fast. Already, I have a hard time remembering what she was like as a newborn, and that was just nine months ago. Before I know it, it will be nine years, then nineteen years. Although I can't stop time- and really, I don't want to- I can conscientiously appreciate the present while it's here. Tomorrow comes in the blink of an eye.
This morning at Mommy Cafe, hosted by Be By Baby, my friend Melissa let me hold her 3 week old baby, Avery. She's a beautiful little bundle with dark brown wisps of hair, blue eyes, and that serious, slightly wrinkled newborn face that melts a mother's heart. Holding her tiny frame on my chest, my first thought was, This is the size a baby is when she comes out of you. She's so tiny- now I get how it's possible. I know, it's a crazy thing to think when you're holding someone else's baby, but it was as if I was instantly transported back to Tye's birth. The memories of her moving from being inside of me to suddenly outside of me came flooding back. It was an overwhelming experience to hold a newborn again for the first time since Tye was one herself.
On the way home from Mommy Cafe, Tye and I stopped at Trader Joe's for groceries. As we were waiting to check out, Tye starting giggling at the woman in line next to us. We chatted briefly and then she looked me in the eyes and said to me, "My baby just left for college this weekend. Enjoy this time." When I thought of Tye leaving me to go to school, my eyes welled up with tears and I almost broke down crying in TJ's. Thank God I have time to prepare myself before then, even if that time is going to fly by.
When we got home, I read a new posting on a blog I started following recently. A Holistic Mom's Network member sent a message to the group on behalf of another mom who was seeking breastmilk. Her toddler-aged daughter, who was only nursing once a day, was admitted to the ICU and was receiving IV nutrition. When able, she wanted her daughter to receive breastmilk as her first real nutrition because of its healing benefits, and she needed more until she could increase her own supply. Of course, I read her blog, sobbed at the pictures of a beautiful little girl hooked up to machines, and have been checking in on her recovery ever since. Each time I do, I'm reminded to say a prayer of thanks for Tye's health, something so critical that can be so easy to take for granted when it's good.
As I nursed Tye to sleep tonight, I realized a pattern in my day. It was as if I had been visited by the Ghosts of Babies Past, Future, and Present. The lesson in each visit is clear- to treasure my precious time with Tye and appreciate every moment I have with her. She is growing up so fast. Already, I have a hard time remembering what she was like as a newborn, and that was just nine months ago. Before I know it, it will be nine years, then nineteen years. Although I can't stop time- and really, I don't want to- I can conscientiously appreciate the present while it's here. Tomorrow comes in the blink of an eye.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Friday Favorite- Holistic Moms Network
When I became pregnant, I may as well have started the hugest research project ever undertaken. Suddenly, every single decision I made had significant repercussions, from the way I spent my time to what and how I drank. I knew other women with families must have traveled these same paths searching for answers, but I didn't know any of them. So, I spent hours online researching and hours offline worrying that maybe I still didn't have the best information available.
When my mom told me about a group she had found called Holistic Moms Network with a local Chicago chapter, I knew immediately I had found a priceless resource. Our chapter meets monthly at Whole Foods (as if I wasn't there often enough already!), in addition to other gatherings and get-togethers like Moms Night Out and a Beach Breakfast Playgroup. Expectant moms have come to ask others about midwife and doula recommendations, moms share experiences with various practitioners, and everyone shares local resources for food, remedies, and entertainment.
HMN has a strong national online community that pools together thousands of like-minded women to answer questions and provide support on topics ranging from food sensitivities to safe play sand to homeopathy. The online community has been an amazing resource for me, where I've searched treatments for stuffy noses when Tye was sick and safe acne remedies while breastfeeding. Because the national community includes women who are experts in such a variety of areas, all with a similar holistically-minded background, answers can be found for any question imaginable. I've even been able to offer my two cents on some Early Childhood and educational questions.
What brings me back to HMN each month is the women in our local chapter. This past month, one mentioned that her friends think she's crazy for some of the lifestyle choices she makes, and I can completely relate. But one night each month, we can all gather with other like-minded mamas and shamelessly ask about making our own beet kvass or kombucha, or exchange recipes for deodorant or laundry detergent. These are all very intelligent women seeking out even more information, continuing their own holistic journeys.
Now when I have questions, I can seek advice from other moms who have experience rather than reinventing the holistic parenting wheel. Even more important, I've found a support network of women who understand why I do some of the things I do. To be surrounded by such a group is not just encouraging, but inspiring.
When my mom told me about a group she had found called Holistic Moms Network with a local Chicago chapter, I knew immediately I had found a priceless resource. Our chapter meets monthly at Whole Foods (as if I wasn't there often enough already!), in addition to other gatherings and get-togethers like Moms Night Out and a Beach Breakfast Playgroup. Expectant moms have come to ask others about midwife and doula recommendations, moms share experiences with various practitioners, and everyone shares local resources for food, remedies, and entertainment.
HMN has a strong national online community that pools together thousands of like-minded women to answer questions and provide support on topics ranging from food sensitivities to safe play sand to homeopathy. The online community has been an amazing resource for me, where I've searched treatments for stuffy noses when Tye was sick and safe acne remedies while breastfeeding. Because the national community includes women who are experts in such a variety of areas, all with a similar holistically-minded background, answers can be found for any question imaginable. I've even been able to offer my two cents on some Early Childhood and educational questions.
What brings me back to HMN each month is the women in our local chapter. This past month, one mentioned that her friends think she's crazy for some of the lifestyle choices she makes, and I can completely relate. But one night each month, we can all gather with other like-minded mamas and shamelessly ask about making our own beet kvass or kombucha, or exchange recipes for deodorant or laundry detergent. These are all very intelligent women seeking out even more information, continuing their own holistic journeys.
Now when I have questions, I can seek advice from other moms who have experience rather than reinventing the holistic parenting wheel. Even more important, I've found a support network of women who understand why I do some of the things I do. To be surrounded by such a group is not just encouraging, but inspiring.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Koala Carry Shirts
I think the idea behind these Koala Carry shirts is brilliant! Each one is a baby carrier built into a shirt, which can be worn with or without the child, and has hidden nursing openings. I think I would have loved the wrap shirt when Tye was younger.
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