Summer fun...

We love to go on "Family Adventures" during the summers. One typical adventure in the summer includes waking up on Sunday, and jumping in the car to go to the lakefront. We'll have breakfast outside at our favorite pancake place on Bellevue in the Gold Coast and then we walk down two blocks to Oak Street beach. I like this beach because it's small and has little traffic.

Last summer, Garcon was an absolute blast at just over a year old. He loved running into the water, and then squealing as the waves chased him out. We'd make sand castles and ponds to collect water. DH especially loves the "civil engineering" of aqueducts and reservoirs.

Now that he's over two, we should probably think about using Little Swimmers. I already use them for school waterplay days - though when we visit Omi and Opa's private pool, we typically let the little guy go commando. It's just so fun to watch him trotting around in his birthday suit.















Speaking of, yesterday DH had him "streaking" around the house. I couldn't stop laughing - DH leading the way, running (clothed) and yelling, with Garcon squealing (nude) right behind him. Those two have become such a pair in the last few months. It's really helped alleviate my concerns about Garcon not getting enough attention once new baby arrives.

Lost Kim Family - Amazing Breastfeeding!

** Updated **

I just learned an amazing detail from bokumbop: Affected about the Kim family, stranded in Oregon. The mother, Kati and her two daughters, a four-year-old and a seven-month-old were found two days ago. While stranded for 10 days, Kati Kim was able to breastfeed the girls to keep them alive.

This really got me thinking.

I can't imagine what kind of distress, panic even, she must have felt as a mother to know that the family was stranded. To know that her children were at risk and to feel completely unclear about the outcome. What kind of emotional level did she have to sustain to keep her older daughter from worrying?

Even with the freezing weather, the need to burn tires for warmth, the despair when she and her husband decided after seven days that he would set out for help - there was always a little glimmer of hope, I imagine.

There was hope because of the small comfort of being able to breastfeed. Knowing that the primal ability to give food to a child through your body would sustain them until help arrived. How did she explain breastfeeding to her older daughter? As a four-year-old, no doubt she had been curious, previously watching this newborn nursing from her mother. Maybe she even asked to try. What did Kati tell her daughter in the beginning? And what did she tell her daughter when it was clear that both girls would need to drink to keep nourished? Did she explain that while it wasn't for four-year-old big girls to nurse before, it is now? Surely the four-year-old knew something was wrong. Did James and Kati explain that this was an adventure, that they were camping, to keep from upsetting her?

In the meantime, did they have food? I'm sure her milk supply increased - did she eat snow to keep hydrated? Did she ration the snacks? Did she eat knowing the children would receive nutrients from the milk, or did she fast, to save the snacks for the girl?

On the second Monday after being lost on a Saturday - the help did arrive. A helicopter spotted a woman waving an umbrella. What a survivor! It's an amazing story. Now we just need James Kim to be found.

* * Updated * *

Sadly, reports have come out that James Kim did not survive. Go here for more information.

Anger management?

There's a couple-friend of ours who kind of gets under my skin. We haven't seen him and her in a few years, but we still exchange Christmas cards. Theirs came last night. I was surprised at how annoyed it made me. As usual, it was a top ten list of accomplishments and accolades. Mister is on the church committee for this, and volunteers with high school students for that. He's performing well at the law firm of Blah-blah-blah and surprised Missus with a wonderful 30th birthday party. Missus continues to do well with her exploits of this and that, is starting a counseling business, in addition to her communications business, and finds time to knit for the shelter. They enjoyed 10 days across the pond traveling through the UK and also enjoyed trips to Here, There, and Everywhere in 2006. How blessed they are and how they couldn't be happier.

It's so saccharine, it almost makes me sick to read. I opened it up last night, and put it down after Accomplishment #3. I was beginning to be annoyed. No one can be that happy, right? It's a sign of something wrong. I put it back in the envelope and set it aside. A few hours later, as I dealt with the mail, I opened it and read it in full. Sigh, it did annoy me, as I suspected it would.

This morning, I mentioned it to DH. He looked at me, put both hands on my shoulders and said, You need to work on not being angry.

Gulp.

Who cares what they're doing, he continued. Throw it away. Stop reading. Who cares? Why so much anger?

The truth is, I don't know why I'm angry. I shouldn't be. I have a perfectly good life. A full life. A lovely baby. A too-patient husband. A good job. A nice house. Working cars. There's really nothing I should be concerned about. And certainly no reason to be angry about someone else's happiness.

But clearly something is bothering me. I wish I knew what it was...

Little lost baby

A pregnant co-worker lost her baby last week, at 4 months. I didn't know her that well - mostly just from quick chats in the elevator or a conversation at the company picnic. She told her boss to tell everyone because she didn't to have to explain when she comes back to work, to endure a question like "How's the baby?" from someone who didn't konw.

I really feel for her loss. Especially because I love, LOVE Garcon so much. I remember feeling overwhelmed when I first found out I was having Garcon. In the beginning, I wondered if he would "stick" or if he'd be lost. Perversely, as you're trying to imagine your life with a baby, you wonder if it wouldn't be better to not have a baby. But by the time four months rolled around, I was almost used to the idea of being pregnant. By six months, I loved being pregnant. So I can't imagine her pain.

Someone in the media department organized a card and a gift, which we all contributed to. The group card had many signatures, but they all said the same things:

I'm sorry for your loss
My thoughts are with you
Take care

I wrote something similarly bland. When she comes back, I want to give her space, but still know I'm thinking of her. The word equivalent to a hug & I'm here for you - but for an aquaintence. I haven't the right words to say - but I'm sure I'll come up with something.


* * * * *
Ultimately, I decided less is more. I stopped by her office, gave her a hug and said welcome back. I asked her to let me know if I can do anything. She gasped back tears, and said thank you. And I left.

Since it's easy to just leave it at that - "Oh, I offered her help...I've done my part now" - but I know no one ever asks for help. So I think I'm going to check in on her again in a week. Just the same amt of "I'm here" as before.

Toys'R'Our House

Other moms are writing about first-time grandparents gone mad at the holidays.

Ah, we're bracing for the holiday crush of toys, too. Our 8-month Garcon is about to enjoy his first Christmas.

Knowing my parents' enthusiasm can run rampant when it comes to affaires-Garcon, I tried to have a pre-emptive conversation the other day. It went like this:

Me: Dad, you know you and Mom don't have to go crazy this year for Garcon. He's only 8 months and will probably enjoy a cardboard box as much as a bunch of new (plastic) toys.

Dad: [pausing] We were just looking at the Toys'R'Us flyer last night. And, um...

[long pause]

Me: It's too late, isn't it? Mom's already gone crazy. You too?

Dad: I'm afraid so.

- - - - -

I see a Toys For Tots donation in our future.

Alpha Mommy

We're pretty good parents, DH and I. I'm not saying that to be cocky or self-important - we have much, MUCH to learn. But I do know one thing for sure - I am certain we're the best parents for Garcon.

We're both hard workers and achievers, but we sit down, relax and play with Garcon as often as we can. We provide eye-to-eye play and help him discover new things, like textures and sounds. We also work to provide learning opportunities without overstimulation. No matter what we bring home, his favorite toys are the ones on the bottom of the kitchen island - tupperware, mini frypans, a measuring cup. In that regard, we're pretty low-tech. I'm confident he'll learn through life experiences and through the opportunities to explore that we provide. And I'm not too aggressive about it - if he's supposed to walk at a year, talk at 15 months, he will. It's going to happen a certain way, I'll encourage development, but I'm not going to shove it down his throat. So when I read about Alpha Mom and the Alpha Mom TV network, I was pretty astonished.

Here is a woman who seems to view having a child as a checkbox to mark off, quite literally, as she says, a "job to do."

I accept that there are people who come to caring for a child more naturally than others. I have a cousin who is truly a magnificent caregiver. She has gravitated to caring for kids since she was old enough to babysit - and has been a sought-after nanny and now is studying to work with children in a hospital setting. Kids gravitate to her in return. She is really, really good at what she does. She has a special gift.

There are other people who seem to struggle with relating to a child, like the woman in the article. I think she's having a difficult time in knowing what to do. She lacks confidence that could be gained by relating and listening to her child. And as I stated above, I don't know much about parenting but trial and error to find what works for my Garcon. So I wonder what would happen if the woman in the article spent time absorbed in her son? If instead of researching the best ways to mother, she used her research time to watch her child and respond to his needs?

Bloglebrity

http://www.kineda.com/are-you-an-a-list-bloglebrity/

I'm a D-lister. And I embrace it. I'm still way new. Just wait World, here I come!

Breastfeeding - so controversial

I'm always amazed at the press that breastfeeding receives.

Woman kicked off plane for breast-feeding - Travel News - MSNBC.com

I don't think people in other countries are as high-strung about breastfeeding as we are in the U.S. I'm still nursing my son at 7 1/2 months, which makes me unusual...most American babies are breastfed less than six months. I don't breastfeed in public - and since I'm back to work it's usually an early a.m. and bedtime event. While he's at daycare, he's on formula. That said, part of the reason I don't do it in public is because manuevering 7 1/2 month Garcon at 29 inches and about 19 lbs is getting a bit unwieldy. I'm wondering how large her 22 month old is, and how he appears when nursing? I have a hunch the toddler's size is the controversial part of the woman nursing on the Delta flight. 22 months is practically two, which in our world, is practially verboten to have a child THAT! OLD! on the tit.

I certainly support the mother's right to nurse and right to fly. However, if I was being threatened wtih removal from the plane, I'd probably say FINE - gimme the damn blanket. And start mentally writing my complaint letter immediately en route. Call it part of my instinct to pick my battles. The upside is, this way we get to debate the issue, the mother has helped us draw attention to the issue, and some day we might be less puritannical. Maybe.

Social Graces

Now that DH and I are parents, we're socializing with other parents. And these are mostly new friends, as our own don't have children yet. We are truly the first among our friends to have kids, and as a result, total newbies to the child-centered social event.

Take this weekend. We attended Bokumbop's first birthday party for Lil' T. Thanks again for inviting us, C. It was really lovely - an abundance of great food, plenty of nice parents and of course, new toys for Garcon to inspect. This was our first 1st birthday party, so she's set the bar for all others!

But Garcon got off to a rough start...set down to crawl and slipped, taking a bump to the head and cried hard. I didn't know anyone, so I was a little quieter than normal, too - and I'm sure he noticed that. However, we all warmed up and had a nice time. It was good to see two other moms from the Mom's Group. That's a part of my life that I really enjoyed, during the brief time I participated.

Barbie's Hot Sex Party Bus

*Updated below

This is the funniest thing I've read all day.

Check out WTF Wednesday Holiday Edition by IzzyMom.

I saw the ad for this toy over the weekend. It looks just as bad as it sounds, yes, indeedy. I previously thought the Bratz dolls were the nadir of children's toys gone wrong - no longer. It's the Barbie Hot Sex Party Bus.

As a marketer, I cringe imagining the product brainstorm. "Ok, so take the Bratz dolls, and put them on a road trip. Kind of like a spring break trip. And then give them a mobile hot tub. Yeah, so they can invite people they meet on the road, back to their hip ride for a little dip. Yeah, and then let's add a few bunks for "friends" who decide to "crash." It's perfect!! Can we get it out by 4Q '06?"

Sad thing is, knowing the lead time and product development manager turnover, the creep(s) who came up with this have already moved on.

Group hug.

So I've been especially glad lately in my real life. I might even say I'm filled with Joy. And Peace. Which for me, is kind of unusual. Not that I'm an unhappy person, but usually I'm pretty angsty when I open up. Even in high school, I was a worrier, a bit self-conscious. I was generally happy in college, a bit angsty in the first few years post-college and first few years of marriage. I definitely still worry. Too Much. But lately, less angst!

I can't put my finger on exactly why. It could be one thing. It could be a number of things all taken together. Here's a few of the things that I've been happy about recently:
- A good marriage that became great when we had a baby and really/truly had to team up to survive.
- A beautiful, curious, fast on his knees, well-developing baby.
- A new position at the old company, a great new team and the end to the job search.
- A growing friendship with my sister-in-law Honig, more proof that females grow stronger together when we support each other.
- An improving relationship with my mom, who I understand a little more each day that I'm a mother. Not to say she doesn't frustrate me immensely at times.
- And here's the one that I think makes the most difference: I'm writing about my worries here, rather than acting them out in real life. I think my outlook began improving at about the time I began blogging regularly, began reading the accounts of other new moms, began realizing that the things that bother me are more universal and not isolating.

Her Bad Mother wrote about it here and inspired this blog - as did one of HBM's readers, who commented about the Power of Negative Thinking. Getting it out on page here, helps me get it together in real life. Amazing. Is it overstating to say it's a life-saver?

P.S. I have to give credit where due - if not for the inspiration of Bokumbop, I might not have started blogging.

Tighty Whities in Public? Risky, indeed!

DH's brother is in college after working for a few years. And boy, is he enjoying himself! And, credit where due, he's getting pretty good grades. And he's at my alma mater pursuing the same degree program I did. It's not easy and I'm really, really proud of him.

But there's still time to have fun - here's his best "Tom Cruise in Risky Business" impression.


Halloween 2006. Nicely done.

Metro Mama: Tell All

Sometimes, I forget to write about how happy I am to have Garcon in my life. He's a superstar baby, and fits DH and I in a magical way. It's easy to get caught up in the trials and tribulations of mommyhood, when I start to use this forum as a venting outlet. But on the whole, it's more positive than not.

Apparently, I'm not the only one thinking about this. Metro Mama wrote about it here and I think she's right.

Meeting of the Minis

Garcon (left) met his second cousin, Logan, this weekend. The boys are just 10 days apart, so it was cool to get together for a visit. Logan and his parents (my cousin and her husband) live in Colorado.

Alpen Baby

We are very fortunate that Garcon has three great-grandmothers living. All are in their 80's, alive and kicking. Coincidentally, each are sassy in their own way: does speaking one's mind help you live longer? I'm all for that.

Over the weekend, we had a mini-fashion show of a few items knit by Grose Omi (German for great grandma). These are traditional Austrian children's outfits that she learned to knit growing up in Austria. Here's a couple snapshots of Garcon with Omi, DH's mom, who emigrated from Austria as a toddler.

Teef!

Garcon now has two very visible little teeth. They've not been without effort, nay, these teeth were earned.

Halloween!

We had a great halloween. Garcon was in fine form. Here are a few pics. DH reprised the role of Dad. I even got into the celestial act.

Sleep in heavenly peace

I take the photos in our family, so I asked DH to snap one of me with Garcon, for a change.

I like the peaceful feeling of this shot.

Just Like His Momma, Garcon Loves Shiny Things

And one is Bruno's water bowl. Every time he's in the kitchen, he makes a beeline for it. I swear, it's magnetism.


Reaching....


Almost there...


Got the edge...


Waterfall!!