Down in Words

So I haven't really been around here as much as I used to. The publish button is looking mighty dusty and dingy, in fact.

Part of it is because I've started to turn off the computer during the day. I didn't want to be just home with my children; I wanted to be present with them as well. That means less time to read other blogs, tweet (my poor twitter account is neglected!) and write.

Part of it is because I've been busy. I'm trying to finish up my CBE Educator training, and really get started on my herbalist training. Add on to that the housework, the homeschooling, and the hanging out with my kids and there's not that much time left in the day.

And part of it is because I haven't really had much to say. I feel like our lives have settled into this wonderful routine. I'm peaceful. Happy. There's nothing really exciting going on right now in my life, and that's ok. I'm fine with the simple things, and there's only so much you can write about that.

I've thought about what form I want this blog to take in my life. I found myself wondering if I should stop posting in it. I haven't had the time or energy. But, I decided to keep it. I LOVE writing. I'm not good at it all all, and I don't try to make money from it, but I still love it. And seeing as I never filled out the baby books for any of my kids...well, this is their baby book. I write them their age letters here. I want them to one day be able to look back on this blog and get a glimpse of what things were like.

So, the blog stays. I can't promise it will always be interesting, or even updated. But I'm always here. Writing when I can.

Getting this fabulous life down in words.

Down in Words

Having Kids Makes Life Exciting

Chris Bojhalian. Jodi Picoult. Gail Tsukiyami.

What do these authors have in common?

The answer is simply that they are quickly becoming my favorite authors. And I would not have discovered them, or their books, if I did not have children.

I'm over at MassMoms today, talking about how children have made my life more exciting, even in small ways, like in the books I read. Head on over and let me know what you think.

Having Kids Makes Life Exciting

Romance In Marriage

The Knight celebrate our four year anniversary in two weeks. Four years later, and he is still my Knight in shinning armour.

Today I am over at my blog at Fix My Love, a really cool site on love, relationships, and dating. My blog is Keeping Romance After The Ring and my first post is about keeping romance alive when you've got no time and two kids.

Head on over and check it out.

Romance In Marriage

Homeschool and Blogging

Now that our family is getting closer to settling into our daily lives after moving, I'm going to start to get a little more "serious" about the girls' schooling. I know that a lot of bloggers who homeschool have a separate blog just for their homeschooling, but I'm not sure that would work for me. First, I have just enough time to keep up on this blog, never mind a second one. And secondly, at this stage homeschooling is so integrated into our daily lives that it would be difficult for me to separate it into different posts. We only sit down for about a half hour a day for "official" school time; other than that, we live in the moment.

So, even though I am leaning toward keeping it all on the same blog, I am interested in knowing your opinions. Please vote in the poll.

Should I Create A Separate Blog For Homeschooling?
	Yes, I'm not interested in posts about homeschooling
	No, I don't mind posts about homeschooling
	I don't care either way
pollcode.com free polls

Homeschool and Blogging

Inspiring Birth Stories: Birth of Baby S

When I meet with a birth client, I always tell them the same thing: avoid negative birth stories.

It seems that when a woman gets pregnant, every person she meets seems to have had, or know someone who has had, an awful and horrendous birth experience full of pain and danger. Why do we feel the need to scare a soon-to-be mom like that?

I usually give my clients a list of websites and books that contain positive birth stories for them to read and focus on.

Inspiring Birth Stories is such a website. Full of positive birth stories written by moms and doulas, it's a great site for all expectant moms to visit, or anyone who likes to be inspired by birth.

Recently, I was invited to become a contributing author at Inspiring Birth Stories. I'm over there today, talking about my September client's birth. Come on over and be inspired.

Inspiring Birth Stories: Birth of Baby S

New domain name

I've switched my domain over to www.adventuresofabreastfeedingmother.com. Since I'm not sure how it works, I thought I would point it out in case people need to update their bookmarks and subscriptions.

New domain name

Good Thing I Love Blogging....

Guess what? I am now a contributor over at Mommy Matter!

Mommy Matter offers parents a place to find helpful information on parenthood as provided by the premier experts in parenting today- other parents. From helpful articles found in our featured blogs to the everyday questions and answers on issues ranging from teething relief to changing the tire on a car discussed in our ever-growing forum, Mommy Matter provides a friendly and addicting place to rest your virtual head.

I'm so excited to be a part of such a great resource for parents!

Good Thing I Love Blogging....

I'm Famous

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

I'm Famous

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

Facing Reality

I'm finally facing reality. I changed my blog's header and About Me to reflect the girls' real ages. I officially no longer have a "baby" in the house. But that will change next year when the Knight and I begin to TTC ;o)

We already have the names picked out for our next baby :o)

Facing Reality

New Business Blog

A couple of times I have mentioned that I started a second home based business besides my upcoming Doula business. I've gotten a few emails asking what it is so I decided to start a blog about it. You can read about my journey here:

My Business Blog

Feel free to comment!

New Business Blog

Blog Rush

I recently joined Blog Rush. It's a great way to increase traffic to your blog. If you would like to add your blog, you can join here.

Blog Rush

Breastfeeding is Offensive?

Mojo of a Mama has an excellent post on her blog that really reiterates the absurdness of people believing that breastfeeding is offensive. Especially in our culture, where breasts are thrown up on every billboard and advertisement space there is. Head on over and take a peek at what she's got, it's great.

Breastfeeding is Offensive?

Babies in the Workplace

What a great idea.

I was recently given the heads up for a fantastic project that is underway. It's called Babies in the Workplace and it is a proposal to businesses to allow parents to bring their babies with them to work for the early months.

The project is being headed by Carla Moquin, a mom from MA. Moquin's goal is to spread the word about Babies in the Workplace and to encourage businesses to initiate their own Babies in the Workplace policies.

The web site is a wealth of information. You can find a list of businesses that already allow babies in the work place (Mothering Magazine is mentioned with 24 babies!); benefits of such a program to the family, business, and society as a whole; tips for implementing such a program at your workplace; and other tips and quotes as well. You can also request a kit to help implement the program where you work.

Moquin is always looking to speak to parents about their working situation, whether they are allowed to bring their babies to work or whether they would like to try to implement the program at their workplace. She is also available for speaking engagements and consultations about the program. And be sure to stop by and read her fantastic blog, Working With Kids.

Babies in the Workplace

Speechless

Amazing. Powerful. Beautiful.

What am I describing? A hospital birth.

Read the birth yourself over at Navelgazing Midwife. It's just one of those things that everyone should read.

This amazing and beautiful hospital birth is what every hospital birth should be like.

Speechless

Being in Labor Really Can Be Fun

Thanks to Stephanie over at Adventures in Babywearing for this sweet and hilarious video of a woman in labor.

Being in Labor Really Can Be Fun

Massachusetts Need to Step Up to the Plate

Massachusetts is usually pretty forward thinking with its policies and laws. But not so with breastfeeding. In fact, Massachusetts is one of the only five states that have no legislation at all designed to protect the rights of the nursing mom. You can find more information about the current situation in MA here.

The Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition is working hard to get breastfeeding friendly legislation passed in 2007. However, they need your help. If you reside in MA, give your Congressperson a call and tell them that you want to see these breastfeeding friendly bills passed. To learn more about the different bills in legislation right now, and to learn more about other ways you can help, be sure to visit the MBC's advocacy page. You can also join their mailing list/yahoo group for updates.

Many thanks to Tanya over at the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog for the heads up on the article and on the situation in MA.

Massachusetts Need to Step Up to the Plate

Men and Babywearing

It's not too often you see a man wearing his baby, especially in one of the more traditional baby carriers, such as a wrap. So Stephanie's post Real Men Wear Babies was quite refreshing in that it pointed out the benefits of babywearing for Dads, too. The Knight will wear the Guppy, but only if he has to (as in, it's the only thing that will make her happy) and only if it's just in the house. He says that if I make a Red Sox or Patriots MT then he would consider wearing her more. Guess I better get sewing ;o)

Stephanie also gave her readers a heads up on this great video showing a dad putting his newborn daughter into a MT. Because the only thing sexier than a man who changes diapers is a man who wears his baby.

Men and Babywearing

Post Secret Mini Movie

Every Sunday I look forward to seeing the new Sunday secrets over at PostSecret.
Reading these secrets makes me feel connected to hundreds of strangers who are courageous enough to expose their secrets in such a way. Some secrets make me laugh, some make me cry. Some make me angry. Some even make me say "OMG me too!!!"
I think PostSecret is a great reminder that people are not as different from one another as we believe, that no one is perfect, and that we are united in our imperfection.

This week the PostSecret mini-movie made its debut. Take a look, it's very intriguing. Maybe you'll find that you would like to send in some secrets of your own.

Post Secret Mini Movie

They Make You Think...

I love reading blogs, especially blogs that are written in such a powerful and thought provoking way that it makes you say "wow".

Some recent posts on other blogs that I love and that have made me smile or say "Wow!"

Mama Joy over at Breasts and Belly wrote a very powerful post on informed consent concerning ALL aspects of pregnancy and birth (breastfeeding, circumcision, method of birth, etc.) Take a look at this great post, it will definitely provide you with some food for thought. While you are at it, add Mama Joy to your blog roll: writing powerful posts like this one is easy for her and her blog is a great read overall.

Paxye over at A Hippie With A MiniVan also recently wrote a powerful post on the rights of children. I agree with every word she wrote. When are parents going to realize that children are not accessories, or status symbols, or "pets" that need to be trained to adapt to the parent's lives instead of the other way around? Definitely worth a look.

Finally, Colleen over at My Baby and More shares an excellent breastfeeding resource with her readers: a website that provides breastfeeding games and activities for children. Head on over and be sure to thank Colleen for the heads up!

They Make You Think...