I used to belong to local boards on thenest.com. I stopped posting a long time ago but it took me a long time to stop lurking. Because when I start caring about people, it's hard for me to stop. I finally forced myself away and that's been that.
Until today.
This weekend, one of the ladies became brain dead after suffering an amniotic fluid embolism and disseminated intravascular coagulation while delivering her beautiful, full-term, and healthy baby girl. Yesterday, she was taken off of life support.
I'm in shock about this. I wasn't close to her at all, but she was a beautiful, kind, good-natured, and loving woman. She deserved to become a mom so much, and I was so happy that she was going to get her happily-ever-after.
I'm going to link to other people's blogs and posts about this. They've set up a paypal account to accept donations. There's some talk of collecting donated breastmilk for Gaby if you're local to Southern California. They're also having an Inland Empire yard sale to raise some money, and Matt Logelin of the Liz Logelin Foundation is also offering support and advice.
http://elmwoodcourt.blogspot.com/2009/09/for-gabby.html
http://dishbaby.blogspot.com/2009/09/jewelyn.html
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Life is crazy.
Lukas is crawling and cruising everywhere. 8 months old and has 8 teeth. Solids still aren't a huge hit but he's slowly getting there. Loves the boob so much.
He helps me with dishes, laundry, and sweeping! He also helps feed the dogs/cats and thought playing in the water dish the other day was great fun!
We took Lukas to the LA County fair recently, and he had so much fun. He loved watching everything, but especially liked it when we let him practice-walk and when it got dark so he could see all the lights! I can't wait until next year when he's old enough to enjoy it a little bit more! :) Unfortunately, I decided to carry the kidlet all day so my shoulders/neck are pretty sore. Still, it was awesome.
Oh, and my husband wants a divorce.
He helps me with dishes, laundry, and sweeping! He also helps feed the dogs/cats and thought playing in the water dish the other day was great fun!
We took Lukas to the LA County fair recently, and he had so much fun. He loved watching everything, but especially liked it when we let him practice-walk and when it got dark so he could see all the lights! I can't wait until next year when he's old enough to enjoy it a little bit more! :) Unfortunately, I decided to carry the kidlet all day so my shoulders/neck are pretty sore. Still, it was awesome.
Oh, and my husband wants a divorce.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Solids
We started offering Lukas solids a month ago.
I believe in delaying solids until six months at least. We chose to start a little earlier based on how long Lukas had been meeting other developmental milestones that indicate a readiness for solids, and because he was a late baby - born two and a half weeks past his due date!
Lukas is more into solids now than a month ago, but I don't offer every meal - or even every day. And when he eats, it's less than a teaspoon combined. It's fine- solids are for fun and to experience tastes and textures. His nutrition comes from nursing, and the majority of it needs to continue to come from nursing until he hits a year.
So far, Lukas likes: cucumber, sweet potato, white potato, waffles, french toast sticks, homemade bread sticks, pasta, broccoli, chicken, apples, avocado, and carrots.
He does not like: bananas, watermelon, peaches, and white apricots.
We learned that plates and bowls are toys and not meant to hold food. We also learned that not all babies make a huge mess with food. Sure, there's some food smeared on the table and his chest when he's done - but it's not a gigantic mess by any means.
And if you can't tell, we're not offering jarred baby food, nor am I making homemade purees. Lukas is eating finger food. So if we're eating food that's appropriate for him, he gets to eat some, too. Sometimes I put the food I'm okay with him eating to one side of my plate and let him take his own food; sometimes I hand him something to try; and sometimes I put food down on his high chair or the table for him.
I believe in delaying solids until six months at least. We chose to start a little earlier based on how long Lukas had been meeting other developmental milestones that indicate a readiness for solids, and because he was a late baby - born two and a half weeks past his due date!
Lukas is more into solids now than a month ago, but I don't offer every meal - or even every day. And when he eats, it's less than a teaspoon combined. It's fine- solids are for fun and to experience tastes and textures. His nutrition comes from nursing, and the majority of it needs to continue to come from nursing until he hits a year.
So far, Lukas likes: cucumber, sweet potato, white potato, waffles, french toast sticks, homemade bread sticks, pasta, broccoli, chicken, apples, avocado, and carrots.
He does not like: bananas, watermelon, peaches, and white apricots.
We learned that plates and bowls are toys and not meant to hold food. We also learned that not all babies make a huge mess with food. Sure, there's some food smeared on the table and his chest when he's done - but it's not a gigantic mess by any means.
And if you can't tell, we're not offering jarred baby food, nor am I making homemade purees. Lukas is eating finger food. So if we're eating food that's appropriate for him, he gets to eat some, too. Sometimes I put the food I'm okay with him eating to one side of my plate and let him take his own food; sometimes I hand him something to try; and sometimes I put food down on his high chair or the table for him.
Monday, June 1, 2009
It's official. I'm a boobnazi.
I now believe so strongly in natural and attached parenting. I have become an advocate for natural family planning, natural birth, breastfeeding, cosleeping, baby wearing, not circ'ing, etc.
And honestly, I believe that at least half the people who "couldn't" breastfeed, really could have if they'd sought out or accepted support and been willing to stick with it even when it was hard. And I was there. I wanted to quit so badly at three weeks because it hurt. I screamed every time I nursed my newborn. I was a hormonal mess. I promised to give it another three weeks before I considered quitting, because I knew I didn't want to. And by six weeks? It was easy. It wasn't painful anymore. It wasn't awkward. It was normal and right.
I think that being able to provide the best possible nutrition to your newborn is your responsibility as a mom. There are so many resources available to help new nursing moms develop a positive breastfeeding relationship. There's an endless amount of support and help available on the internet, and there's your local La Leche League plus lactation consultants or the hospital you birthed at. Unfortunately, there's still a lot of bad advice out there - but if you're committed to it, you can do it.
I don't think people who didn't breastfeed are bad moms, but I don't understand justifying why you didn't breastfeed if you're so pro-formula.
And honestly, I believe that at least half the people who "couldn't" breastfeed, really could have if they'd sought out or accepted support and been willing to stick with it even when it was hard. And I was there. I wanted to quit so badly at three weeks because it hurt. I screamed every time I nursed my newborn. I was a hormonal mess. I promised to give it another three weeks before I considered quitting, because I knew I didn't want to. And by six weeks? It was easy. It wasn't painful anymore. It wasn't awkward. It was normal and right.
I think that being able to provide the best possible nutrition to your newborn is your responsibility as a mom. There are so many resources available to help new nursing moms develop a positive breastfeeding relationship. There's an endless amount of support and help available on the internet, and there's your local La Leche League plus lactation consultants or the hospital you birthed at. Unfortunately, there's still a lot of bad advice out there - but if you're committed to it, you can do it.
I don't think people who didn't breastfeed are bad moms, but I don't understand justifying why you didn't breastfeed if you're so pro-formula.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Happy Cheeks.
One of my absolute favorite one-size pocket diapers is made by Happy Cheeks.
I love this diaper. I reach for it first after washing the diapers. It's trim. It's well-made. It launders beautifully. I've never had a leak. I typically stuff it with a couple of thin hemp inserts and that does the trick for us and my heavy wetter.
The only two "cons" about this diaper are:
1. It says it's one size, but I don't think it would come anywhere close to fitting a thirty pound kid. I'll have to reevaluate this when/if L outgrows it, but it seems to be more like a "medium" than a small or a large.
2. The maker has decided to take a permanent internet/diaper making break. So you won't find this diaper for sale new anywhere. If you're interested, look for it in good or excellent used condition and go ahead and pick it up if you get the chance.
I paid $12 PPD for this diaper.
Lukas is three and a half months old and about sixteen pounds in this photo.
I love this diaper. I reach for it first after washing the diapers. It's trim. It's well-made. It launders beautifully. I've never had a leak. I typically stuff it with a couple of thin hemp inserts and that does the trick for us and my heavy wetter.
The only two "cons" about this diaper are:
1. It says it's one size, but I don't think it would come anywhere close to fitting a thirty pound kid. I'll have to reevaluate this when/if L outgrows it, but it seems to be more like a "medium" than a small or a large.
2. The maker has decided to take a permanent internet/diaper making break. So you won't find this diaper for sale new anywhere. If you're interested, look for it in good or excellent used condition and go ahead and pick it up if you get the chance.
I paid $12 PPD for this diaper.
Lukas is three and a half months old and about sixteen pounds in this photo.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Prefolds, Snappis, and Covers.
So we found the prefold love. I don't know why I didn't start with prefolds. They are easier than you're led to believe. Snappis are easy to use. Covers can be re-used several times before washing. They're cheap. It's wonderful. They wash easily.
The only problem with prefolds is that moisture doesn't wick away from baby's skin. I'm told this is easily remedied by laying a scrap of fleece in-between the diaper and the skin.
The only problem with prefolds is that moisture doesn't wick away from baby's skin. I'm told this is easily remedied by laying a scrap of fleece in-between the diaper and the skin.
Monkey Butt Soap Bits
I was the lucky winner of a sample package of Monkey Butt Soap Bits in a raffle on a journaling website I belong to. I'd been trying to navigate the world of cloth wipes and solutions at the time, and as luck would have it - I got to try this for free. (Well, almost. I paid shipping.)
First, these smell so good.
It took us a while to try these out. I have 13 yards of bamboo fleece to turn into wipes, among other things, and I haven't made a single thing. I finally gave up because using disposable wipes with cloth diapers doesn't work. I threw a dozen baby wash cloths into the wipes warmer and poured some solution over them.
My son's sensitive bum doesn't react to this solution. It does a good job and doesn't leave him feeling sticky (like throw-a-way wipes do). I'm happy that it's a natural product.
I would buy these in a heartbeat, and I plan to when I run out. :)
First, these smell so good.
It took us a while to try these out. I have 13 yards of bamboo fleece to turn into wipes, among other things, and I haven't made a single thing. I finally gave up because using disposable wipes with cloth diapers doesn't work. I threw a dozen baby wash cloths into the wipes warmer and poured some solution over them.
My son's sensitive bum doesn't react to this solution. It does a good job and doesn't leave him feeling sticky (like throw-a-way wipes do). I'm happy that it's a natural product.
I would buy these in a heartbeat, and I plan to when I run out. :)
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