A Goal I Am Proud Of.

I've been breastfeeding the Guppy for two years.

The World Health Organization states that children should be nursed up to two years and beyond. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children be breastfed at least up to a year, and beyond as long as it is mutually desired by the child and mother.

When the Mermaid was born, I promised myself that I would breastfeed her for six months. Six months turned into a year without me noticing, and on her first birthday I moved my goal up to two years. However, when she was 15 months old, I became pregnant with the Guppy and by the time she was 21 months she was fully weaned due to my decreasing supply.

When the Guppy was born, I vowed to make it to at least two years, unless she decided otherwise. Through an improper latch that made my nipples resemble raw hamburger, to pumping in a bathroom at my old part-time job, I'm proud to say that I stuck to my goal: I've been officially nursing her for two years.

The funny thing is, like with the Mermaid, I didn't even notice really that I reached that goal. I look at my beautiful child, in her funny stage of toddlerhood, and I think, "Of course I'm still nursing her. Why wouldn't I be?"

Nursing is a natural part of our lives. It's part of our daily life, like eating or sleeping or brushing our teeth. I give my daughter kisses when she bumps her head, and I give her Na Na's. It's how I comfort her, how I give her nourishment when she is ill and isn't eating, how I calm her when she gets upset, how I tell her I love her. Really, when I am nursing her, no more thought goes into it than when I give her a hug, or tuck her in, or change her diaper. We just do it, and it works for us. It's so natural to us, it requires no thought.

I can't imagine weaning her right now. Maybe in a little while, I'll approach night-weaning, but not right before a move. And since the Knight and I are trying for our third baby, who knows what will happen when I get pregnant. But right now, I know that she is still in a stage in her life where she needs her "nanas", and I am still in a stage in my life where I am fine with giving them to her.

Besides, on top of all the benefits of nursing her that I've mentioned above, it's been proving that nursing a toddler is beneficial to her health. And that's enough reason for me.

To nursing moms out there: how long do you plan on nursing? Have you nursed children past the first year? Past the second? I'm interested in hearing your stories.

A Goal I Am Proud Of.

Precious Girls Club Giveaway Winners

The Mermaid drew the two winning names this morning and the lucky winners are:

Jen from Immaculate Election

and

Stacy from Satcy Girl.

Congrats to the winner and thanks for entering!

Precious Girls Club Giveaway Winners

Dangers of Plastic Bags

The Knight and I have been making an effort to live a more eco-friendly life, and to teach our children to tread lightly. Part of our efforts include cutting back on our use of disposable products, including plastic bags. After watching this slide show, we are going to increase our stock of reusable shopping bags and cut plastic bags out of our lives once and for all.

Dangers of Plastic Bags

Two Too Soon

My dearest Guppy,

This morning started out like any other day: you woke up and we lay in bed together, you nursing contently and me looking at the clock, impatiently wondering how soon you would be done so I could get up and start my busy day.

That's when it hit me: today is Friday, September 26th: your birthday.

Still nursing and only half awake, you rolled onto your side, kicked your leg up onto my waist, and grabbed a handful of my hair. Your favorite nursing position. I stopped looking at the clock and bent down to kiss your forehead and breathe in your sweet scent. Your light colored hair, thick and curly, tickled my nose. Your face so sweet and clean, your eyelids fluttering with sleep, your delicate nose showing signs of both baby and toddlerhood. Your hand clutched my hair, not tiny like a newborn's, but still small and precious.

What an odd stage this is, this period of in-between baby and child. You still need me to nurse you, cuddle you, change you, help you climb, help you do so many things that you've always needed me to do. But now this new aspect of independence is thrown into the mix: you've discovered that you are your own independent person with your own likes and dislikes, wants and desires, and you try to assert that independence as much as possible.

You see things that your older sister does and you want to do them too; but only with my help. We both know you can walk up and down stairs, but you cry until someone carries you down. You get frustrated when I won't let you walk around in stores, but you insist I carry you when we walk outside. You insist on nursing many, many times during the day, but you only nurse for short periods of time. You love to dance, but only when you think no one is looking. You love to sign, but only when you decide to do it, not when someone asks you to.

You love babies, Mickey Mouse (and you really love Mickey Mouse), coloring, reading, running, nursing, and now, talking. Your vocabulary has increased dramatically in the past two months; you are now talking in complete sentences. My favorite sentence? "I love you, Mommy".

You've only been in my life for two years, but it feels like you've always been here. When you came into our world, sweetly and gently into the water and into my heart, you fit so perfectly into our life and our dreams that it was like nothing had changed; you were just there. I can no longer remember what life was like before you; before your soft, sweet weight on my hip; before your smile that beams in my face and makes me laugh; before your sweet gentle voice dancing in my ear like fairies.

I'm sorry I get so impatient with you sometimes. I'm sorry when I annoyingly tell you to "go play" when you are following me around the house, trying to get my attention. I'm sorry I push you to be independent sometimes when I know deep down you are not ready, like with sleeping through the night and nursing less often. Don't listen to me; keep insisting that you want to take your time. I'll try to remember to let you set the pace, to remind myself that I am going to sincerely miss the bed-time nursings and your constant presence following me, reminding me to sit down and relax, to take a break during the day.

The moment you came into this world, you latched on beautifully and began to nurse. A partnership was born between you and I. Our bond came on so quickly and powerfully that it was almost scary how overwhelmed with love I was towards you. That partnership has changed, but the essence remains the same; we need and love one another. Our relationship will continue to evolve and change, but just remember that I am always here for you, no matter what.

By now you have fallen back asleep, but your lips are still moving as though you are nursing in your dreams. I should get up and start my day, but I don't. Instead, I pull the blankets more soundly over the two of us and settle in for a nice long snuggle. Your breathe smells milky and sweet, and my eyes tear up with love. What a pair we make.

Small hand grasps my hair

Nursing while touched by dawn's light

What a pair we make.

Sun lights up your hair

Sweet kisses to your tummy

My first gift to you.

I love you, my little Guppy.

Two Too Soon

Wordless Wednesday: She Looks Great In Orange (a.k.a First Soccer Game).

Wordless Wednesday: She Looks Great In Orange (a.k.a First Soccer Game).

Tackle It Tuesday

My camera's batteries died and I don't have any more at the moment, so I don't have pictures.

This week I'm going to tackle the long list of errands and to-do-items that I have been putting off. The ones that are highlighted are the ones I have to get done today.

Here goes:

1. Appointment with a friend at 1PM
2. Return books to library and check out new ones
3. Prepare next week's lessons for the Mermaid.
4. Stop at craft store and buy belly casting supplies and supplies to make a nursing necklace.
5. Call my MIL
6. Call my doctor
7. Call my hair dresser
8. Pay weird, random bills that have been piling up.
9. LLL publishing
10. Call my dentist.
11. Call the auto repair shop about the van.
12. Call postpartum client.
13. Order stuff for Arbonne.
14. Get canvas tent out of storage.
15. Product Reviews
16.Make calls for WomenAid:
~ Farm owner
~ Women's club
17. Write thank you card.
18. CAPPA email.

Think I can get it all done, and homeschool, and do office hours, and attend clients, and everything else? I'm hopeful. But, also naive.

For more Tackle It Tuesday projects, visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

Tackle It Tuesday

Bits and Pieces

~ The Mermaid had her first soccer game on Thursday. She scored the first two goals of the game: one for her team and one for the other team. ;o)

~ On Saturday I attended the Blessingway for my October client, who is going to go any day. I made her a scrapbook page (with lots of help from a friend) and we did henna, beading, etc. It was great.

~ My September client is due next week but I have a strong feeling she will be late and go into October still pregnant. Which is good, since my October client is probably not going to make it to October.

~ Yesterday I had an interview with a woman who is in her second trimester and is going for a VBAC. My wish for her to get her VBAC is so strong I can feel it in my pulse.

~ I attended my first fair as a doula: an East Meets West Health Fair. Although I didn't meet any pregnant women there, I met a lot of people who know pregnant women and were excited to learn about what I do. In fact, when I woke up in the morning I had two emails from women asking about my services; I am thinking that it could not be a coincidence. I'm excited about the second fair I am doing this weekend.

~ I finally got around to ordering a homeopathic kit for the house. The vials are smaller than what I thought they would be, but so far it's come in very handy with treating the Mermaid's hives and the Guppy's cold.

~ I'm tired. And overwhelmed. I truly bit off more than I can chew this month. At this point, I am (somewhat happily) trudging through to the end of the month, and then I have to concentrate on really packing up and getting ready for the move. Please, Lord, just help me get to November. Then I can take a breather.

Bits and Pieces

Yes, I Really Am That Much Of A Dork...

I think a lot of people know how dorky I can be, but here is proof....

Yesterday I got my package from Mountain Rose Herbs. I adore this store, love it love it love it. Anyway, I was so excited to get this package that I was jumping up and down and frantically trying to call my lovely SIL, who I knew would be just about the only person who understood. Unfortunately, she didn't answer, so I grabbed my camera and took pictures, shouting "I am sooooo blogging this!"

I ordered three bags of loose leaf tea, a facial scrub, and four unbleached cotton infuser net thingies. One of the teas is for children, one is for the morning, and one is for at night. And they sent me thing handy guide to explain just how to prepare my teas and care for them, which is great, as this is the first time I bought loose leaf tea and I was pretty clueless.

I decided to try the morning tea first, Dawn Chorus.

Isn't it sooo much prettier than the tea in tea bags?

Infusing. Love the cotton tea net thingies (I don't even know their official name).

The only thing I didn't like about the cotton bags was that I had to empty the tea into the garbage and it was a little messy. However, the bag itself was very easy to clean.

The tea? Delicious. Sooo much better than tea bags!!

In fact, I am so much of a dork that I took a picture of the tea sitting in my cabinet. 'Cause it looks so pretty sitting in there!!!!

Anyways, I really love the tea because it's organic and healthier for you. And tastes great. Plus, Mountain Rose Herbs is not only certified organic, but it is also a Fair Trade company and Kosher certified. Plus, their prices are fantastic and their customer service is great: all teas are made fresh to order! I've bought some of my essential oils for my doula bag from them and they are great as well, so I highly recommend them!

And if you've gotten this far into this post, then congrats: now you know I am a true dork. At least I didn't blog about how I got so excited about washing cloth diapers that I took pictures of them hanging on the line.....that would be truly dorkish....

Yes, I Really Am That Much Of A Dork...

Wordless Wednesday: Something Tells Me She Can't Wait For Winter

Wordless Wednesday: Something Tells Me She Can't Wait For Winter

I Can't Imagine...

I haven't written about politics on this blog yet, simply because I feel that my political views are a little personal and I wasn't sure if I wanted to share them. But, recently I've had some thoughts on something I have strong opinions on: health care.

The Knight and I have big dreams that involve him leaving his current job for a job that allows him to work from home. He is not crazy about his job right now, but we often talk about how thankful we are that his company is very family-friendly and we have great benefits. My vision care is covered and my new glasses were inexpensive after the discount we got with our vision plan. My dental care and the Mermaid's dental care was completely covered without even a required co pay. And so forth...

However, never was I more thankful than when I recently opened up the bill from the Guppy's hospital stay. The trip to the ER, the overnight room, the tests and medication came to over $5,000.00. Out of that, we only pay $75.00. We have yet to see the bill for the ambulance and the first ER that we visited before they transferred her to the second hospital, but I know we only have to pay a small amount.

We are blessed. We are grateful. And we are also dumbfounded at how other families have no health insurance. We know people, family and friends, who have no insurance and they suffer because of it. One person we know has a lump and refuses to have a doctor see it because he can't afford the visit. One needs glasses but can't afford the lenses and frames. One friend's wife died recently from cancer, and he had to foreclose on his house because he couldn't afford to pay both the mortgage and the medical bills that accumulated. And so on, and so on....

I was rooting for Hillary for a lot of reasons, but one major reason was because of her view on health care. Now that she is out of the running, I wonder what Obama's action will be in terms of health care. So far, I like what I'm reading. For that reason, and others (ex: like how the thought of Palin being a heartbeat away from the White House terrifies me, but that's a whole 'nother post.), I am voting Obama.

I Can't Imagine...

Giveaway: Precious Girls Club

I love Precious Moments. Not only do they create fantastic and adorable figurines, but now they keep coming out with great tools for moms and little girls.

These days, letting your child explore the Internet can be a little nerve wracking. Now, thanks to Precious Moments, there is a safe place for your child to go online and have fun: the Precious Girls Club. At the Precious Girls club, your child can create her own profile, meet new friends, play games, and get ideas for crafts and other fun activities.

Not only is the Precious Girls Club a great place for your child to connect with other children online, but it also helps mothers to communicate and connect more with their daughters.

The Precious Girls Club is set to launch in a few days. Right now, if your child pre-registers, she can get two free gifts! So head on over and watch the introductory video and learn how the Precious Girls Club can be your child's favorite online hangout.

The Precious Girls Club also has a great series of books for girls that celebrates what makes each little girl unique and precious. The first book, A little Bit of Faith, tells the story of a girl who moves to a new town and overcomes the challenges of being a newcomer. The Mermaid and I loved reading this book together; the story line is great and the pictures are adorable.

GIVEAWAY: Two lucky winners will receive their own copy of A Little Bit of Faith, plus a FREE premium Rainbow Membership trial to the Precious Girls Club. To enter, just browse the Precious Girls Club website and come back and let me know what your favorite part of the site is. Easy Peasy. For extra entries, you can link back to this giveaway on your blog and/or subscribe to my feed. Please leave a separate comment for extra entries. This contest is open to US residents only (sorry Canadian moms!) and I will announce the winners on September 30th.

Giveaway: Precious Girls Club

So Blessed With My Job

I love my jobs. All of them. But what I love most about them? I get to work from home.

I am so blessed to have a job I love as a doula that allows me to stay home with my children. I am so blessed to have a business that I am working to build to help us establish a financially secure future. And finally, I also work as a part-time editor for some local court reporters: how blessed am I to have this job that lets me work from home while earning some "now" money?

These jobs don't pay all the bills, but they pay some. And I am there for my children: when they wake up, when they are learning, when they are sick, when they need me. Often I work with a nursing child on my lap and another child coloring nearby. It's a perfect fit for us.

Sometimes, between working and homeschooling and having two little ones in general, I feel very overwhelmed. Working from home definitely does have its unique challenges.

Today I am over at Mommy Matter writing about tips for working from home. Head on over and join me if you wish. You might learn a thing or two that will help you balance your work life and family life.

So Blessed With My Job

Proof That I Am Truly Crazy

Saturday we held the girls' birthday party. Since the Mermaid's birthday is Sept. 3rd and the Guppy's birthday is Sept. 26th, we decided to have a joint party. We also decided that since we are in the process of moving, it would be very small. Cake and Ice Cream with friends and family, then Chuck E Cheese's.

That's right, Chuck E Cheese's. On a Saturday night. When it was raining.

It was an absolute mob scene. But, the girls had lots of fun :o)

Here are some pics from the cake and ice cream part of the night. The girls TONS of arts and craft supplies (love it!), some books, and some clothes. They also each got a doll with a carrier and stroller. So, minimal plastic junk and great tools for homeschooling. Love it.

Proof That I Am Truly Crazy

Soccer

On Wednesday the Mermaid had her first official soccer practice. She was so adorable in her cleats, shin guards, and socks! Most importantly, she LOVED it and can't wait to play again.

Her first game was scheduled for Saturday, but was cancelled because of rain. Here are pics from the practice (don't you love the pink socks?):

Soccer

Still Cheering You On

It's this morning. You and I are in the van, just the two of us. I'm taking you out for breakfast for your birthday. I already promised you that you can have the pancakes with the M&M's.

We pull into the parking lot and I glance down just in time to see the clock turn to 7:33 AM. The exact time you were born, four years ago. The first glimpse of your precious newborn face flashes through my mind, and then I glance into the rearview mirror to observe you quietly for a moment. You are excited, talking about how many pancakes you are going to order, your face lit up in delight, one pigtail slightly higher than the other, a smudge of toothpaste still on the corner of your mouth. You are beautiful.

We sit down at the table and order our juice, and then you announce that you have to use the potty. We head towards the single-stall restroom, but when we reach the door you spin around, put out your hand, and say, "No Mommy, you stay here. I can do it myself." I shouldn't be surprised. You were always the independent one, you always knew what you wanted and that was that. You chose when to wean, you chose when to potty train, and now, you are choosing to grow up and become even more independent, whether I am ready for it or not.

As much as I hate to admit it, I am not ready.

How did this happen? Did I really, truly think that you would stay little forever? That I would have all the time in the world to make up for our rocky newborn days, when I suffered from postpartum depression and did little but the basics to meet your needs? I yearn so much to be able to turn back the clock and go back to those newborn days, to change my actions, to do more than change your diapers and nurse you, to actually hold you and cuddle with you and take in your sweet, newborn scent. Now, when I ask to snuggle with you, you manage to sit still next to me for about five minutes before you bounce off to continue to play.

You exit the restroom and we return to the table and order our food. We talk and color, you write out your name and we count to 20. When the waitress brings our food, you announce to her that you are now four years old, your face proud and overjoyed.

I take a deep breathe, and let out all my feelings of regret. You are independent. You have outgrown so many needs that you received from me. You no longer need nursies, you no longer need me to help you go potty, and most of the time, you no longer need me to cuddle with you. But, that does not make me insignificant in your life. You still need me to teach you, to hold your hand in parking lots, and to help you pick out your outfits. You and I still have a special bond that I will always cherish; the bond of a mother and daughter. I will always be here for you, no matter how independent you become, no matter how many times you tell me, "No Mommy, I can do it myself."

When we exit the restaurant and head for the van, you automatically slip your hand into mine and I smile. I give it three quick squeezes: our silent code for "I love you." You turn your still-little face up to mine and say, "I love you too, Mommy" and my heart melts.

Tonight you have your very first soccer practice. The days of playdates are slowly transitioning into organized sports and homeschooling activities, and now I am okay with it. Now, instead of sitting in my lap nursing while I chat with other moms at a playgroup, you will be on the field, by yourself, learning and laughing without me by your side. But, if you stop for a second and listen closely, you will hear me cheering you on from the sidelines. Always.

Happy Birthday, my precious Mermaid. I love you so much.

Still Cheering You On

Wordless Wednesday: The Sweet Taste of Summer

Wordless Wednesday: The Sweet Taste of Summer

My Favorite Part of Summer

My favorite part of summer is going to all the local fairs. To me, a fair is the essence of summer; spending time outside, animals, games, and food. Spending time with family. Love it.

This past weekend we went to the local Woodstock Fair.

Getting lost in the kid's maze.The Guppy was more interested in the stuffed chickens.Standing next to the 1,000 lb pumpkin.Learning about baby chicks.The Mermaid went on a ton of rides, she loved it!The best ride of all: the Ferris Wheel

The Mermaid was fearless.
So was the Guppy.The View

Which brings me to #5 on my List of One Thousand Gifts......

#4. Summertime at the fairs.

My Favorite Part of Summer