Your Birth, Abbreviated.

Doulicia has a very inspiring and fun activity going on over at her blog that I thought I would try.

Basically, sum up your child's birth in six words. Try to be as specific as possible.

Here are mine:

The Mermaid: She's here, I'm drugged, don't notice
The Guppy: In water, glorious birth, Hello Baby!

I would love to hear yours!

Your Birth, Abbreviated.

Wordless Wednesday: My Daughter The Photographer

Wordless Wednesday: My Daughter The Photographer

A Bad Mommy Kind of Day...

So Saturday I had one of those days....when the Bad Mommy is right underneath the surface, threatening to come out and snap the heads off the little children who were apparently glued to my legs.

I hate the Bad Mommy. I hate that she lives in me, always there, always lurking. I hate that she always seems to be strongest during a certain week each month, and how my girls sometimes feel as though they need to run and hide because they too, do not like the Bad Mommy.

The Bad Mommy does not communicate well. The Bad Mommy has never read How to Talk so Kids Will Listen and Listen so Kids Will Talk. She has never read Attachment Parenting. In fact, I bet the only thing the Bad Mommy has read is anything by Stephen King. Her form of loving discipline is yelling. Loudly. And the kids run away....

But, on Saturday I managed to keep the Bad Mommy buried. I figured out my secret weapon. See, I'm really not into trying to be the perfect mommy; I only try to be the best mommy I can. But when I felt the Bad Mommy's strong presence within me, I ditched trying to be even the best mommy I can. Instead, I focused on just being a mommy who doesn't scare her kids. And it worked. Observe:

As you can see, my children are having cereal for dinner. No fancy home cooked meal tonight, that effort just opens the door for the Bad Mommy. You can see my kids know something is up by the look of fear on the Mermaid's face, and the look of suspicion on the Guppy's. And that glass in the foreground? Full of wine.

This picture was taken at about 10pm. My kids are not in bed, they are not even in their pj's. I have no idea where the Mermaid was when I took this picture, but as you can see, the Guppy is watching Mary Poppins like a zombie. No limited TV for these children today! And yes, I was still sitting at the table with a wine glass when I took this. I was actually playing cards with the Knight. Who, by the way, found this whole incident insanely funny. (I think he was just relieved. He doesn't want to admit it, but he's afraid of the Bad Mommy too).

So, we escaped the clutches of the Bad Mommy this time. Hopefully she won't come back with a vengeance.

A Bad Mommy Kind of Day...

Family Reunion

Last weekend we went over the IL's for their annual family reunion. About 50-60 people showed up, including lots of children, so the girls had a great time. Some pics:
Afterwards we took the girls to a local picnic area where there is a wooden train for kids to play on.

Family Reunion

A Little Bit of Everything...

A little bit of everything in our life lately....




~ The Knight and I viwed three houses on Thursday. None were to our liking, but we are viewing another 8 in the upcoming week.



~ Both girls have outgrown their summer sandals. The ones that we bought them about two months ago. I cannot believe how quickly they are growing up!



~ The Guppy is talking pretty well now. I can't get over the fact that she is learning about ten new words each day. She's also started to become very attached to baby dolls. I am encouraging that: I'm hoping it will lead to less nursing during the day and an easier transition when I decide to night wean her.

~ I've been experimenting with different ways to style my hair and I've discovered that I really like headbands. I got some great headbands from Bargain Headbands and I love them!

Well that's it for random updates! Today we are taking the girls to the EcoTarium. It should be a great time!

A Little Bit of Everything...

Precious Moments's Precious Moms Party Package Giveaway!

I personally love Precious Moments figurines. In fact, when I got pregnant with the Mermaid, Precious Moments was the nursery theme. Both girls have quite an impressive collection of figurines that they have received as gifts over the past few years.

So, I was really excited when I learned about Precious Moms. This website has great resources on everything from craft ideas, tips for traveling with toddlers, and ideas for summer activities. The site also has great inspirational content, and you can connect with other moms through their message boards.

And, with the girls' birthdays coming up in September, I was really happy to find the perfect birthday party package: The Precious Party Package. This package includes Precious Moments invitations, Precious Moments thank you cards, a checklist for easy planning, and other tips and ideas to make planning your child's birthday party a breeze!

Giveaway: Precious Moms has generously donated a Precious Moments figurine to one lucky winner. If you would like your chance to win the adorable Birthday Wishes With Hugs and Kisses figurine, you can enter by:

1. Visit the Precious Moms website and check out The Precious Party Package and look around for something that catches your eye from each.

2. Come back here and comment on this post on whatever it is you saw that caught your eye or that you liked. Be sure to leave your email or some other way for me to contact you.

3. For an extra entry, link back to this giveaway from your blog or website. Please make a separate comment for your extra entry and don't forget to leave the link to your post.

A winner will be randomly drawn on Friday, August 8th. U.S addresses only, sorry gals in Canada.

Precious Moments's Precious Moms Party Package Giveaway!

Wordless Wednesday: Piggyback Story Time

Wordless Wednesday: Piggyback Story Time

Kung Fu Winner!

And the winner of the Kung Fu Panda Activity CD is.....

Alicia from Experiencing Each Moment! Congrats!

Also, be sure to be on the lookout for other giveaways that I am planning!

Kung Fu Winner!

I'm Famous

My interview is up over at 5 Minutes for Mom. Go check it out.

I'm Famous

Bits and Pieces

Some bits and pieces of our life...

~ The Mermaid is sick today. The Guppy was sick yesterday. When will this stomach bug just leave us alone?

~ The Mermaid has been encouraging the Guppy to talk. And it's working. Every day she says about ten new words. It makes me speechless.

~ I got hired by another great couple due in September. I'm really excited about their birth. So, I now have two clients due in September and one due in October.

~ I've been living some lazy days lately. I need to get my butt going and learn how to be more productive; starting with going to bed earlier so I can start my day at 5am with a little yoga or exercises.

Bits and Pieces

Monitoring in High Gear: What Happened to Evidence Based Practices?

Giving birth in the hospital? Afraid that the nurses might give you too much attention? Have no fear, the BirthTrack Labor Progress Monitor is here!Seriously, all joking aside, this device is ridiculous. According to the website:

BirthTrack continually tracks and displays the most important diagnostic variables. Currently, cervical dilatation and head station are assessed by the physician/midwife manually during vaginal examination. In the usual procedure vaginal examinations are performed numerous times during normal labor. In the case of labor arrest or other complications the number of vaginal examinations increases. The information available to the caregiver is inaccurate due to the objective nature of the measurement and intermittent. In the event of
non-progressive labor, the diagnosis may be delayed, thereby preventing the mother from obtaining the best medical care.

Yes, because it is absolutely essential to know exactly how many centimeters a woman is dilated!

The sensors are placed on your abdomen, two are attached to your cervix, and one is attached to the fetal scalp. Makes it kind of hard to get up and walk around, huh.

I love what they state about partner participation. From the site (emphasis mine):

You will have continuous information regarding the progress of labor and you will know the position of your baby every second. Your partner will be able to be an active participant in the labor process as he/she follows the progress of the partogram on the screen next to your bed.

Yes, because heaven forbid we take the time to focus on the woman and give the woman the attention and support she needs and deserves. Heaven forbid we use evidence based practices and let her get up and walk around; it is so much more convenient to just strap her in and watch the monitor!

What in the world is happening to our maternity system, and to our society as a whole, where the focus is shifting from people and support to technology and convenience? This is getting a little scary.....

But, hey, at least they have the machine that goes PING!

Monitoring in High Gear: What Happened to Evidence Based Practices?

(Late) Wordless Wednesday: Discovering Tree Climbing

(Late) Wordless Wednesday: Discovering Tree Climbing

Rediscovery...

My Dearest Mermaid,

Lately, in order to deal with the Guppy's understandable clinginess and demand for constant attention, I have slipped into a frame of mind that I am not proud of. You see, I have forgotten that you are your own little person and I began to think of you only in terms relating to your little sister.

I wince now, hearing the things that I've been saying about you lately. People compliment you on your sweet personality, and I say "Yes, she's so sweet, she always shares and looks after her sister!" They would compliment you on your good behavior and I would say "Yes, it's like she is trying to be a good model for her sister!" They would even talk about how tall you are for your age and I would say, "Yes, and her sister is tall too!" Basically, the Guppy has been so demanding of my time and attention lately that I've started to forget out how you must feel as an individual, as your own person, and not as the Guppy's big sister. I am so sorry.

You are incredibly sweet, and you always have been. You've been sharing with kids since you were able to crawl.

You really are well behaved, and you always have been. I'm so incredibly lucky that when we leave the park/zoo/playdate, I don't have to deal with a tantrum. You don't hit, yell, steal, etc. Sometimes I think you are wise beyond your years.

You are also smart, kind, funny, adventurous, brave, independent, artistic, musical, active, energetic, cuddly, and beautiful.

And since you are your own little person, you have your own little quirks and likes and dislikes. I have been so overjoyed lately to have rediscovered all these quirks and such, now that I remember to view you as your own person.

Like how you love to stand on your head....
Or how you love "learning time"....
Or how you love to tell time...
Or how you love Curious George...and in fact, everything you do, you do "just like Curious George!"
Or how you are so brave to the point where you do things that scare me...
Or how you are so easygoing and flexible and relaxed...
Or how you love window shopping just as much as I do...
The list goes on and on.

I promise to you that I will no longer think of you only in terms relating to the Guppy. I also promise to make a much greater effort to spend time with you alone, just the two of us. You have been so incredibly patient and understanding as the Guppy has occupied my attention; I don't think I would have been as patient as you have been.

I will have your father watch the Guppy and you and I will go out window shopping. On the way home we will stop for ice cream and eat it in the park, and then we will see who can stand on their heads the longest, "Just like Curious George!" And I will listen, really listen, as you talk to me about whatever you want to talk about.

I love you so much, and I always will. You were my first baby and will always be my first baby; and that makes you special.

Love,
Mommy

Rediscovery...

Swings and Bats and Stories by Firelight...

This weekend the Knight and I took the girls to the park and then we went to a cookout at my Aunts. Then, Saturday night the Knight set up a tent in the backyard and we took the girls on their first "camping" trip.

The girls loved camping out in the tent. The delight and surprise on their faces was incredible. We told stories by firelight (and not by tv light) and just talked and laughed and tickled. With no electronic gadgets around to distract us, we were able to really connect with each other and enjoy each other's company.

The Mermaid loved the sound of the frogs and crickets. When we went to lay down in the tent, I positioned myself next to the Mermaid while the Knight lay down next to the Guppy. Usually, the Mermaid sleeps on her little mattress next to our bed and I spend the night nursing the Guppy back to sleep. But for some reason, the Guppy did not ask to nurse to sleep. Instead, she cuddled with the Knight and I smiled to hear them laughing and giggling and making silly faces at each other.

Meanwhile, it was so incredibly peaceful and delightful to be able to cuddle with my little girl. She isn't used to having someone to cuddle with anymore, and it was a delight for her as well. We listened to the frogs and screeched and then laughed when we saw a bat land on the tent, right above us. We whispered in the dark, talking about the sounds of nature that we were hearing, talking about what her toy dog likes to eat and how he hates to have the blankets over his head, and most importantly, just talking. It was just the two of us, without the Guppy clamoring for attention or for na nas.

I felt like I was rediscovering who the Mermaid was; rediscovering that she is her own little person with her own little personality. As I lay there with her and listened to her talk about the stars and moon, feelings of awe and love for her just hit me and it was so incredibly overwhelming. Here is this sweet, beautiful, smart little girl and she is my daughter. I carried her in me for nine months, and now I carry her in my heart and in my arms. She is my daughter, and I could not be prouder, or more blessed.

Swings and Bats and Stories by Firelight...

Great Giveaway

An Island Life is having a great giveaway for a Baby Girl lil' Princess Bracelet by My Mommy's Bracelets.

Head on over to enter!

Great Giveaway

Great Tour Around the Blog World

I have been listed along with other excellent blogs at Five Minutes Around the Blogosphere.

Five Minutes for Mom is a great site run by two moms who also run their own online stores, A Rocking Horse to Love and Pedal Cars and Retro Collectibles.

Head on over the check it out!

Great Tour Around the Blog World

There's a Vulva Under My Coffee Cup

I got my coffee mug back from my girls night out at Clay Time Studio. Since I am no where near being an artist, I'll have to explain what everything is.

That's a preggo belly. With a moon and heart in it.

Hey, I was trying to be creative. There's a baby footprint

near it as well.

"Every Woman Deserves a Doula". With a spiral next to it. On the base of the cup you can see hearts and "Maternal Goddess Doula Services."

Two spirals and some hearts on the inside.

And the best part, at least in my opinion.

The vulva on the bottom of the base.

There's a Vulva Under My Coffee Cup

Pregnant Women Get Morning Sickness to Protect Fetus

Pregnant Women Get Morning Sickness to Protect Fetus

From the article:

Morning sickness. It's the bane of many of a pregnancy. And many a future mother wonders at the apparently unnecessary suffering. But, it turns out, there's meaning to the misery. Two evolutionary biologists report that morning sickness protects both the pregnant woman and the developing embryo just when
the fetus is most vulnerable.

After testing the two dominant theories (one adaptive and the other non-adaptive) for why two-thirds of women around the world -- but seemingly no other mammals -- experience nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, only one holds water, says Paul Sherman, Cornell professor of neurobiology and behavior and a
Weiss Presidential Fellow.

"Our study, which tested theories and predictions about the nature of parent-offspring conflict in human pregnancy, shows that nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is beneficial by expelling such foods as meat and strong-tasting vegetables that historically and still may contain harmful toxins and microorganisms that could potentially sicken the woman and damage her fetus just when its organs are developing and are most vulnerable to chemicals," said Sherman, who is an expert in Darwinian medicine -- viewing diseases from an evolutionary perspective.

Well, at the rate that I was getting sick with both my pregnancies, my body must work really hard to protect the fetus!

Pregnant Women Get Morning Sickness to Protect Fetus

It's Like YouTube....For Moms

There's a great new site out there called Newbaby.com. It's like YouTube, but for moms. A great place to share your videos, Newbaby.com features thousands of mom generated videos, product Vcasts, and Expert solution segments. All in a safe and free environment. They are also have a 30 day giveaway, so head on over and check it out!

It's Like YouTube....For Moms

Panda-Monium! Kung Fu Panda Activity CD Giveaway!

Last week the Knight and I had taken the girls to their very first movie, Kung Fu Panda. While the girls had a great time, I must say the Knight and I enjoyed the movie as well. Now I am having my first giveaway: A Panda-Monium Kung Fu Panda Activity CD. This CD is packed with Kung Furrific activities like:

~ "The Panda" Dance Video with video instructions for you and your children to learn the dance

~ Customizable Kung Fu Panda photo and print projects

~ Frames and Cards

~ Labels and stickers

~ Ringtones, screensavers, and more!

I put the CD on for the girls yesterday and the Mermaid especially loved learning the dance!

If you would like to enter to win your own Kung Fu Panda activity CD, all you have to do is comment on this post and link back to the giveaway on your blog. I'll have the Mermaid pick a winner on Monday, July 21st.

Panda-Monium! Kung Fu Panda Activity CD Giveaway!

Wordless Wednesday: Best Friends

Wordless Wednesday: Best Friends

Tackle It Tuesday: Putting Out The Fire

Today for Tackle it Tuesday I chose to tackle the problem area that I think everyone has in their house. You know that area: where everyone just dumps their stuff down and leaves it there to deal with later. Only it is never dealt with, and pretty soon stuff starts to pile up.



FlyLady calls those spots Hot Spots. Thanks to her system, I've been pretty good at putting out the fires at my hot spots. But over the holiday weekend, one of my Hot Spots got out of control, so I decided to tackle it today.

Before: See what I mean about out of control?

During: Looks a little better

After: The fire is extinguished!

Head on over to participate in your own project at Tackle It Tuesday!

Tackle It Tuesday: Putting Out The Fire

Be Warned of Gardasil

My girls will not be getting the Gardasil shot. The Knight and I decided this when it first came out on the market, and the more I hear about what is happening to the girls who are given the shot, the more I stand by my decision.

Nicole has written a great post on the dangers of Gardasil. Head on over to check it out.

Be Warned of Gardasil

Gestational Diabetes

Thanks to Nicole over at Babies and Bellies for the heads up on this one.

Guidelines Issued About Lack of Evidence for Screening for Gestational Diabetes.

According to the article:

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has issued a recommendation statement and systematic review about lack of evidence to recommend screening for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and has published them in the May 20 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.

"In 2003, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force concluded that evidence was insufficient to advise for or against routinely screening all pregnant women for [GDM]," write Teresa A. Hillier, MD, MS, from Kaiser Permanente Northwest in Portland, Oregon, and colleagues from the USPSTF who coauthored the systematic review of evidence about the benefits and harms of screening for gestational diabetes.

Read the full text here.

Gestational Diabetes

The Girl Effect

It doesn't take much to change the world. One kind deed or act sets off a chain of events that can change lives forever. I think The Girl Effect is a great example of how a little act of kindness can lead to change. Watch the video and visit the website to learn how you can support The Girl Effect.

The Girl Effect

Back to Monday

It's always hard to "get back into the groove" on Mondays, but it is especially hard when it is the Monday after a holiday weekend.

I think the Knight and I may have overdone it a little for the fourth of July weekend, but everything that had been going on lately, we needed some fun time.

Thursday we did a little shopping and went out to eat with the girls. Friday, we went nuts. First, we took the girls to their very first movie, Kung Fu Panda. They actually did really well. The Mermaid loved it and sat through the entire movie, laughing. The Guppy sat through most of it, and then decided that she wanted to walk around the theatre for the last 15 minutes. The movie was very cute and very funny.

After the movies we took the girls to McDonald's *gasp*. We rarely go there, but it was hot outside and the McDonald's has air conditioning and a place for them to play. They got to eat junk food and play as we killed time until the fireworks.

Finally, we went to see the fireworks. We walked around the town center as we waited for them to start, with the Mermaid walking with the Knight and the Guppy on my back in the MT. We got some ice cream and sat on our blanket, enjoying the yummy summer weather and atmosphere. The fireworks were perfect, just long enough to keep the girls enthralled with the noise and colors.

Saturday the Knight and I decided that we needed a date night. We dropped the girls off at the IL's and went to Providence, RI for a night out on the town. We shopped at Providence Place (I bought some great eco-friendly jewelry) and ate dinner at Fire and Ice.

Sunday we took the girls back to the IL's for a late lunch and to play in the yard.

Now it's Monday, I've got loads of laundry and tons of cleaning to do, and I'm just trying to get back into the groove.

Back to Monday

Dealing With the Guilt

On my journey to find my faith, I think my biggest obstacle that I face is something that I, and other Catholics that I have spoken to, call the Catholic Guilt.

Growing up, I heard the same things over and over again. If you don't go to church, you go to Hell. If you don't confess your sins, you go to Hell. If you aren't baptized, you go to Hell.

Those are the things I heard in the church and in my catholic school. However, my mother added on a few of her own: Don't use the Ouija board; you'll go to Hell. Don't buy that statue of Buddha, that's blasphemy and you'll go to Hell. Don't have anything to do with witchcraft, you'll go to Hell.

Do I really believe that doing those things will automatically slot a space for me in Hell? No. I only went to church through the school. I never went to confession: I hated the thought of having to confess my sins to a priest when I felt I could talk to God myself. I used a Ouija board, and I even bought that statue of Buddha. While the Mermaid is baptized, the Guppy is not, and I don't believe that she is going to go to Hell.

However, there is always that lingering thought in the back of my mind called Just in Case. Should I get the Guppy baptized, Just in Case? Should I ditch the Buddha statue, Just in Case? Should we start to attend church again, Just in Case?

One other message that I grew up with was that the Catholic Church is The Way. No other church is accepted as The Way, so if you wanted salvation and you wanted to go to Heaven, going Catholic is The Way. And if you converted to another religion, well, you lost your ticket and your seat on The Way and you were most likely going to Hell.

Now, I know that there are a lot of Catholic churches and Catholic families out there that go through life without sending/receiving these messages, but this was my personal experience as I was growing up and it instilled in me The Catholic Guilt and the permanent presence of Just in Case.

It's the presence of these two feelings and thoughts in me that keeps me from fully exploring my spirituality. For example, I would really love to further explore Buddhism and Wiccan. From what I know of these two faiths, they really speak to the values I hold as a person. But whenever I go to research it further, or I feel a pull inside of me that makes me think one of these faiths is right for me, The Catholic Guilt and Just in Case pops up and keeps me from completely diving in.

Catholic Guilt: OMGoodness, you want to look into another religion? That's Blasphemy and you could go to Hell!
Just in Case: I agree! Maybe you should stick to the Catholic church, just in case.

And so, it seems that if I want to continue on my journey of faith, then I must first deal with my guilt, and my self-doubt.

Dealing With the Guilt

Healthy Baby: Now That's Better

Healthy Baby: Now That's Better

More Thoughts On God

A little over a year ago I wrote a post describing my religious background and how I am struggling to regain my faith.

I am sad to say that I am no closer to finding God than I was one year ago.

One reason I started this blog was because it is incredibly helpful for me to sort my thoughts out by typing them out. I did keep diaries when I was younger, but to me there was nothing special about writing down your thoughts only to close the cover and keep them secret from everyone. I find it so enlightening and inspiring when I share my thoughts through a blog, when I know that someone is out there reading what I write and really getting to know who I am. Some readers might not like what I write, some might be nodding their heads in agreement, it doesn't matter. Writing to an audience really helps me to say what I am really thinking and feeling before I even know myself what I am thinking and feeling.

So, I've decided to bring my search for God into my blog here and there. I think that by blogging my journey, not only will it help me realize how I am really feeling or really thinking, but it will help keep me focused and on track. So, I hope you don't mind coming along for the occasional ride in my journey towards faith. As always, comments, suggestions, and encouragement is welcomed.

More Thoughts On God

TidBits from Our Life

~ This morning I took the girls to see a magic show at the local library. I think it was a little overwhelming for them, but they still had fun.

~ I'm pretty much caught up with all the housework that we fell behind in due to last week's craziness. I can focus so much better and I am much more calmer when the house is not in chaos.

~ The Guppy has really been impressing me with her increasing vocabulary skills. She says so many new words now and is coming out with more every day.

~ I haven't been able to work towards my CBE certification or my other project lately and it's stressing me out. Hopefully soon I will be able to buckle down and get lots of work out of the way.

Those are my random thoughts of the day!

TidBits from Our Life