Holden Shows Off His Yoga Moves

Holden and I joined Heather Jones (fellow We Are Yoga instructor) and her daughters for a segment on FOX13 Sunday morning about the benefits of Yoga for the whole family. Check out his moves at FOX's website by clicking the hyperlink above.

Before the Camera's went live...

Down Doggies

Celebratory Poses Apres Our Big Debut

I think Holden KICKED ASANA! What do you think? 

Zoë is 18 Months Old! A few things we love about her...

OK Zoe-bug. It's your time. I tweeted and posted on fb about you, but never did an official round up for your 1st birthday! Our Christmas Letter was the closest I came, but most of it is dedicated to your brother's musings (sorry sweet child).

The first things that come to mind when I think about you:

• climber - the other day you did multiple rounds of chair, to table to kitchen counter top. Oi vey. 
• Nursling (who knows how long we'll last?)
• awesome laugh
• loves dresses
• obsesses about EVERYONE's shoes (and wants to put them on) 
• Loves the water: you'd take three baths/showers a day if we'd let you.  
• Swims with your 'floatie' life jacket - and you can jump off the diving board by yourself. (Boating this summer is going to be epic with the kids)
• Good listener... and you even know how to mind. 
• You likes CLEAN PANTS - and are pretty good at using the potty when given the opportunity but are not diaper free (yet). 
• You're Our Little Yogi: love to down dog on anyone's yoga mat. 
• Love to Dance. 
• Love your big brother -- officially started sharing a room with him last week, and you even sleep in bed with him (well, you start out the night sleeping with him...)
• ORAL FIXATIONS: Play Dough, Chalk, pennies, legos... pretty much anything that's a choking hazard you STILL like to put in your mouth. 
• Digs Tutu's and Handbags
• Great eater: from onions in pasta sauce to green chilies in dips: not much for animals though (I don't blame you!)
• Like to be cuddled and held
• Will go  anywhere in "the pack." (Technically the Ergo, and primarily on my back but you're also a big fan of the stroller). 
• Learning to "jump" and can balance on one foot. (Makes sense since you've been walking since you were 10 months old!)
• Love your Daddy - snuggles, games and are (more often than not) devastated when he leaves for work (or at least you acts that way). 
• Favorite word is "yeah." 
• You love your Grandparents...and you have a special relationship with each of them. It's pretty awesome to watch. 
• Favorite Foods: Blackberries, blueberrries and strawberries (pretty much any kind of fruit really). Grilled cheese sandwhiches. Pasta with home made marinara... black beans and rice, oh and you TEAR UP pizza.

Things Zoe Bug is not into: 

• Sleeping 10 hours straight... {due to my recurring breast issues (engorgement and multiple rounds of mastitis) from Z sleeping through the night at a very early age (6-8 hours at 2 weeks!); I started waking her to nurse at night more often. I then became the human nighttime pacifier, and have yet to wean her from her quick few 'sucks' at night and then back to sleep. Since we are a co-sleeping family, it was just easier than getting up at night to pump or having to take antibiotics because I have soooo much milk. (yes I'm a cow... In a past life, I'm pretty sure I was a Wet Nurse).}
• Potatoes: maybe if you sneak a french fry from your brother or someone's plate, (but out side of that neither of my kids are into pommes de terre... doesn't matter if they're baked, boiled or mashed.) You don't want them. 
• Keeping darling head bands and bows in your hair -- but with amazing curls like yours, they're not really necessary. 
• Your 'size' of clothes. {Zoe is currently sporting 3T tops and bottoms with primarily 4T pajamas. She's been 97 - 100 percentile since she was about a month old. Her check up is in a couple of weeks... should be fun to see where she is.}

A few other words about my darling girl:

 Everyone thinks she's older than a year and a half; and not just because of her size (though she is starting to 'thin out' a little bit.) She's got a maturity to her that is so different from her brother. I've signed her up for a gymnastics class 20mo - 36mo starting in a week (I figure she's old enough since she turns 20 months during the session... albeit she turns 20 months the last week of the session, but still.)  She seems more ready to me for this class than Holden was at 36 months! In fact, I kept him in the mommy and me portion until he had started preschool. She just 'gets' things... she eats with utensils and prefers to drink out of a cup (not a sippy cup mind you, a cup... even if she's not great at it). 

She's definitely got more of my coloring (even if her hair is getting blonder by the day). Her tan lines are as adorable as the Coppertone Baby. 

So final words for you my sweet darling:

I wanted you so bad. I told everyone I didn't care if you were a boy or a girl, but secretly, I ached for you to come and be a part of our family. I wanted you to be a girl so bad! My mother is one of my best friends in the entire world and I hope we have a relationship as amazing as mine is with Mama Suite. I love how you surprise me with some new trick each day... I love how you explore and the world is so magical. I am torn between wanting time to freeze you in this amazing stage, trying to live in the moment and thinking about how things get more fun with you each day. (Consequesntly, this is also why I have cleaning ladies... life is too short for me to be cleaning all the time. And I would be, because let's face it... you and your brother are kind of like Tazmanien Devils when it comes to the house.) 

I love you so much Zoe. Your birth was a miracle and one of the single most spiritually astounding experiences I've ever had. Your life is a gift to our family and we're so glad to have you here! 

TV Appearance and Yoga...lots of it.

I'm thrilled to be making another appearance on FOX13 this weekend. If you're in Utah, I invite you to tune in Sunday morning at 8:45 for a couple of minutes (it never lasts more than 5)... And you can be in your way to church before the 9am session begins!!!

I'll be playing more of a supportive role as a yoga model, accompanying We Are Yoga studio owner and director Jami Larson.

(Who said a 5'6" 140 pound women can't model!?!? Well most people, but the universe is making an exception for me this weekend.)

And yes, I shared my weight. I'm almost as shocked as you are.

In other Yoga News: I'm picking up some additional 6am classes at the studio. I think I've mentioned the YogaPlaydate class I've been teaching for a few months (which has grown into so much more than "mommy & me" or even just kids yoga. I invite you to check it out if you're in that unique phase of life.) We also kicked off the return of Mondays @6am at WAY (We Are Yoga) this week. And for the next few weeks I'll also be subbing the 6am Wednesday and Friday morning classes while the regular instructor is finishing up her 'AcroYoga' teacher training.

If you haven't tried out the studio, or Yoga at all, and are interested in checking it out, first class is always FREE if you're new to WAY... And I must add that the 6am classes are so small. Typically under 5 people - often its like a semi-private!!!

see what i've marked on the calendar?
You should mark it on yours too!

When you consider I charge my students $80 for a semi-private --typically $65 an hour, $15 each additional person - or $100 an hour flat rate for corporations etc--Suddenly FREE seems really cost effective, eh? Also the studio's also got great starter monthly pricing if you're new to WAY as well as punch passes that make it all more affordable.

I hope you'll join me. Yoga has been life changing for me. I threw out the Paxil, Xanax and the other mood-stabilizers years ago and opted for something to help heal and nurture my body, mind and spirit, instead. I hope you'll come join you and I can help you discover how it can bless your own life!!!

What's working for us: Money Mantra

So parenting does not come easy for me. I feel like I work really hard at trying to be a good one (whatever that means). But Passion --not patience --has always been much easier for me... So right off the block I feel like I've got to work doubly hard to be successful in this area.While motherhood may be my divine calling, it seems my disposition is much more geared to the corporate world. So to compensate for my lack of skill set, I read.... A LOT.

I know plenty of child-rearing adults who are super anti-parenting book. I get that - no judgements. Some may think: "Who are they to tell me how to raise my child?' And I get that. Each child is after all an individual, and I can already see that somethings that worked for Holden (e.g. "OM-ing him to sleep") does not work with Zoe.

However, I read anyway.

I read textbooks, and handbooks, the Internet and pamphlets. I'm constantly researching and keeping my ears peeled for what the experts say "I'm supposed to be doing." I look for different approaches and new ideas. (For example, I read the Dr. Sears Sleep Book AND Babywise. The former works better in our house than the latter.)

I read what science and the research has to say. I take into account the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization's recommendations. And after combing through all this and more, I check with my head, my heart and my husband and try to feel out what's best for us.

Setting up Epic Battles are a Favorite

As you may have heard, we lean way more to the Attachment Parent side of the spectrum. Things that work for us include co-sleeping, baby wearing, breastfeeding and some part-time EC-ing and cloth diapering.  (I'm sure I'll touch base on those again sometime). Those are particularly helpful with Zoë -- now almost 16 months old.

Something that has really worked for us with Holden has to do with money - particularly his money and letting him spend it on whatever he wants (assuming it doesn't have a gun, is violent or has high fructose corn syrup). :)



When Holden asks me if he can have a toy 99.7% of the time I say "Yes!"

"Can I have this pirate ship?" - yes!
"Mom can I have Lego transofrmers?" -yes!
"Can I have this doll with the bicycle?" Yes!
"Can I have these superhero villains?" YES!

Holden and Zoë: Busy Bees

"Mom can I have play dough doggie doctor?" YES YES YES!
(Actually, he technically can't have the playdough doggie doctor because it hasn't been made since the 90s).

But the answer is pretty much almost always "yes."

We go to the Disney Store: a kid's orgy for consumption. Yes, yes yes... yes to all of it. Pretty much anything you want.

So you may be thinking: 'You can't be serious Sabrena... what about the plastics, and the batteries, and the Made in China-ready for a landfill mentality... what about the environment Sabrena? And isn't your child becoming a spoiled brat if you say YES to everything?!?!'

Well actually, no. Because after the Yes, there's an implied add on; sometimes I say it, but most of the time I don't have to. The magic phrase is:

"Yes, if that's what you want to spend your money on."

Hey Johnny Cash, love your creation but
This playroom will need to be picked up before
we'll be able to watch any Backyardigans

Thanks to an awesome chapter in "Love & Logic" I realized that there really was freedom in letting Holden have what he wanted. And he absolutely can have pretty much anything he wants, but that doesn't mean I have to buy it for him.

He knows if we're going to Kid to Kid that he'll want to bring his money. And if we go to the Disney Store and he doesn't have his money, we can take a picture of it to remind us what he's saving up for.

I don't actually have to say No.

If he asks for something and wants it on the spot (and if I expect a little pushback), the conversation usually goes like this:

The Tower of Babel... ok, not really. 

"Mom, can I have XY or Z?"
"Sure, did you bring you money?"
"No..." And either he puts it back, or the conversation continues and he says:
"But I want it..."
And then I say, "Awesome, let's take a picture so we can remember you want it and we can get it later/next time."

It may sound crazy but it totally works in our house.

We don't give Holden an allowance yet. Right now, he just saves money he gets for birthdays, Christmas presents or loose change he finds lying around the house. He doesn't get paid for his daily jobs (bed made, teeth brushed, showered, dressed and play room straightened... NOT coincidentally all the things that need to be done before he can have ANY kind of screen-time); but he can earn extra money with a few odd jobs like rolling in the garbage cans, unloading the silverware from the dishwasher (thanks for the suggestion MDSoffe) or, on occasion, keeping his sister entertained (and alive) while I work on a project for 15 minutes or so.

I feel like we're not only avoiding meltdowns in public, but I think we're helping him to learn responsibility and to start gaining some understanding of how much things costs. He's constantly asking me the price of toys and if he has enough money...

Like I said, it's working for us.

A week in pictures...

So this past week I've been enjoying a little of this:

Got a new tank top from Lululemon and did this:

Had my teacher over for lunch, ate vegan peanut
noodles with cabbage and she held these:

Found this Mac Daddy cozied up and snoring here:

Let this little one FINALLY experience the snow on her own. 

Got a surprise text from my husband who said
I ought to get a babysitter and join him here:

Realized it was a beautiful Monday... and I better start a running program
if I'm doing a 5k in a month.  So I got to enjoy this view (top)
while the kids got squished into that (bottom). 

Recognizing the oil is in fact ALWAYS the tricky part,
spent time baking with this pastry chef:

And also enjoyed plenty of epic battles. 

Yes, it's been a good seven days. 

#14: Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

Sometimes being a Mom is hard, and somewhat thankless...

and nursing sometimes feels the same way to me. 

But then again, sometimes if feels like this:

From the Blog OhBaby

Thankful Zoë's a good nurser, and even though we've had our share of troubles (a couple of bouts of mastitis, plenty of plugged ducts, a nursing strike, etc)... we keep figuring things out and making it work. 11 months and going strong. Yep, sometimes motherhood makes me feel like WonderWoman.

#5:thirty days of thanksgiving

BEDTIME ROUTINE:

So here's a sample of the text message antics Danny and I were dealing with this evening. The drill at our house in the evenings is that I pretty much handle Z for bed and Danny takes care of Holden. For the better part of a year, Holden has been so easy to get to sleep -- a story (or two) and then the promise: "be back to check on you." 

Zoë is still nursing to sleep so Danny is usually done with his parental bed time duties WAY before me. 

However, just this past week or so he's suddenly requiring a little bit more hands on attention... and so thus this message between the two of us as Zoë was crawling in and out of the master bed (our mattress currently on the floor for safe co-sleeping). 

He had just texted Nate Silver's FiveThirtyEight update about the President's chances for tomorrow:  

How did husband's and wives communicate before text messaging? 

Diaper-Free to be Me...

Before we get into the thick of it, can I just say that I love this girl. She has a delightfully awesome giggle when you eat the side of her ribs--in fact, sometimes she laughs so hard it sounds like she wants to explode... as if she's almost in pain from the joy. 

5 months and 3 weeks of Perfection

Her wrists look like they've been screwed on each morning because she's so chubby... and her legs and bum! Oh they are juicy and meaty and glorious -- as if she were the poster-child for breastfed wellness. 

I love it. 

I love her. 

Despite the kerfuffle a couple of weeks back with the whole TIME magazine cover and the AP mom feeding her 3 (almost 4) year old, I must say that we're rather enjoying the benefits of Attachment Parenting with our little Zoe-bug. The principles of breastfeeding, co-sleeping, baby wearing and even EC-ing have been such a blessing in this house. 

Yes, I said EC-ing... we're back to trying out the Elimination Communication thing again. And like Mayim Bailik, Phd (better know as Blossom), I reaffirm what she writes in "Beyond the Sling" where she says: 

"I know EC is not for everyone. It's actually not for most people, and that's fine." 

But for us it has been a sort of odd joy and an easy solution to a problem many a parent has faced before: diaper rash. 

But first, a little background...

We started ECing Holden at six-months very part time for a variety of reasons:

• It's better for the environment (less disposable diapers=lest waste, less cloth diapers to wash =less resources used to clean them)
• To clean up less poop (a serious plus when you cloth diaper at home)
• More diaper-free time to prevent diaper rash 
• One more way to better connect with and listen to our child's needs (as I've mentioned on numerous occasions, breastfeeding did not "work out" for us, so he was bottle-fed expressed milk for his first year and EC seemed to be another way to bond and connect)
• To put into practice the basic belief that no-one (adult or child) should have to sit in their own crap 

Holden at approx 10 months old, doing his business

Of course, there was that hidden gem that spoke to my ego: apparently most ECers are diaper free between 18 - 24 months. Though all the books on the subject and advocates for the "movement" will repeatedly tell you EC is NOT about being potty trained early, and that one should detach from an outcome either positive or negative... but I would still cheer at 6 months (or later) when Holden would "go #2" in a toilet and secretly pat myself on the back, convinced the naysayers would see how awesome I was when my 18 mo old was toddling around in big boy pants!!!!

Except it didn't happen that way.

Holden was not diaper-free until a couple of weeks after his third birthday (and more times than not we'll stick him in a pull-up at night to avoid the risk of a night-time accident...though rare, it does still happen). After 2 1/2 years of "gentle-pottying" (another hippie-dippie term for EC) he really did just have to decide that he wanted to be finished wearing diapers... because no matter how many cool pairs of underoo's we bought him, he'd prefer to just get them out and look at them (not wear them, mind you) until he deicided.

So we didn't get the year (or-two) early diaper-free bonus I was hoping for (they warned me not to get attached). But I am still glad we did it -- for all the reasons listed above and then some. And that's why we're doing it with Z too. Even if we just get a few "catches" a day, it saves a diaper each time so I feel great about it... but even more so, it's been a necessity for her diaper rash... (and we've even learned about her nighttime "habits," if you will.) 

But back to the pragmatics: oddly enough, even though Zoë's pigmentation has a lot more olive tones in it that her brother, her skin is WAY more sensitive -- and as such, she's way more prone to diaper rash that her brother. I'm a firm believer in letting my kid's skin "breathe"... so I try to limit the use of barrier creams (especially ones with mineral oil -eek!)

This has meant letting her go diaper-free on a few nights -- ok five so far. And before you think I'm absolutely crazy (I prefer to just keep it at partially insane, right now), it's been a pretty tender experience. 

Yes, I said tender. 

Because I learned that when my daughter wakes up at night to nurse, it's actually because she needs to go to the bathroom. 

Seriously?!?

Seriously - the nursing is just an afterthought to get herself back to sleep. And so by listening to her:   she'd start making noises and move around in the bed a lot (and I knew she wasn't wet because of the whole diaper-free thing), I learned she just needed to drain her little bladder (like so many of us need to do at night), and then she'd sleep soundly... maybe a few minutes to nurse and she was out. 

So yes, I'm typing this, and I'm reading it... and logically, I know it sounds a little crazy. But it's worked for us, and it's worked for Zoë. In the interest of full disclosure, I will say that sleep even less soundly than my already-light-sleeper-status, when she's diaper free in bed. But you would too if you feared you'd get pee'd on at any moment. 

But thankfully, like I said, she gives plenty of fair warning. And as such, I'm happy to say, I haven't been showered in bed yet... 

Yes, I realized I just jinxed myself...she's in a diaper tonight, I can relax a little.

Here's to the journey.

Love & Logic & Nudity

So a couple of months ago I had basically had it with myself (while on some level this happens more than I'd like to admit, it's usually just my lovehandles that I curse). While Holden has been very nurturing towards his baby-sitster, it seemed like there was some sort of shift -- a disturbance in the force if you will. I'm not sure if it was his age, the new baby, my lack of sleep, a not-so clean home, too many cinnamon rolls or most likely a combination of everything; but I was not being the kind of parent I wanted to be.

I could feel myself being frustrated. I want Holden to have boundaries; but at the same time support him in his inquisitive nature and warrior spirit. I was failing miserably.

I had tried to incorporate the Attachment Parenting principles of "gentle discipline" in our home -- but felt like I was failing miserably. We've never used corporal punishment, and "time-outs" are something I reserve for toys (although I have given Holden plenty of opportunities for "quiet time" when emotions are a bit too elevated)... but I felt like there had to be some sort of discipline/teaching tool/etc that I felt good about and help my relationship with Holden thrive...I wanted more of a how-to to try. But I felt like I just hadn't found it, or if I had, sure as hell hadn't figured out the practical application for our home. I had heard a few friends talk about the book, the concepts and my sisters were familiar with it -- some of the techniques I had seem them successfully integrate in their families - so I ordered the book and tried it out. (Because what is being a parent if not a journey of trial and error -- oh my poor little guinea pigs!

While "Love & Logic" is not technically AP, two areas that I think are working in our home are "natural consequences" and "choices."

-- "Do you want toast or pancakes for breakfast?"
-- "Would you like me to lay down with you or would you like to do it yourself?"
-- "Do you want to wear your coat or carry it?" (Usually he says "you carry it mom.")
"Do you want to bring your lovey into the grocery store and risk losing it or leave it in the car?" Maybe this last one is a bit more manipulation than choice, but I have learned if I tell Holden to leave a toy, a lovey, etc in the car, he'll do a mini freak out and insist on bringing it. If he decides, 99.8% of the time he'll opt for leaving it in the car "so the other kids won't take it."

I don't apply all of the Love & Logic principles perfectly (there is not a single parenting book/philosophy I follow to perfection)...but the other day we had an awesome "love & logic" moment:

We were all in the car on our way home from church. Somehow the entire family made it through all three meetings. We were due at Danny's parents for Sunday dinner at 4pm. Church gets out a 3... basically our meeting schedule is 3 hours right smack-dab EXACTLY lined up with both my kids naps. I knew they were exhausted and I could either let them come inside, nurse Zoe, have her fall asleep only to be woken-up (waked?) 15 minutes later to leave...or we could dash inside, grab a change of clothes and head to the grandparents early and let kids relax there before dinner. So I had the kids stay in the car.

I ran inside, changed clothes, grabbed more diaper bag supplies and dashed out to the car. Danny ran in changed clothes...
Then Holden decided he needed his lovey ...and to go potty.

I rushed him inside, sat him on the toilet and ran upstairs to grab his lovey. I ran back down the stairs, out into the car, slammed the door, turned around to hand little bits his lovey to discover he was not in his car seat, but inside...on the potty, exactly where I had left him.

When I made it back inside, I discovered that he had discovered that without an elmo-insert, if he dipped his bottom down far enough he had his own "make-shift" bidet. Gross, I know.

And since he had dipped himself so awesome-ly in the toilet, the back of his shirt got wet... which when he stood up dripped onto his pants and voila! Now every piece of clothing he had on, had to be changed... minus his socks (which is odd, because that kid hardly ever wears socks.)

So we get his clothes off (Danny and Zoe are waiting paitently in the car) and he darts into the family room. Naked. And I can feel my vital signs getting elevated.

There's a part of me that wants to say, "We're going to leave without you." But I know we won't; and of course he knows we won't. I tell him he needs to get in the car fast. I ask him to please get some clothes on. He giggles at me and runs around the room in circles... chasing himself apparently.

I take a deep breath, "Okay!" I say, sighing but with enthusiasm. "Holden, the car is leaving in five minutes to Grandmas." And walk out to the car with his clothes in my hand. I open the car door, set them on my seat and say to Danny, "I'm about to be the awesomest mom in the world."

I walk back inside and say, "It's time to go to Grandmas. You can go with clothes on or not, but it's time to go." And he stopped running, looked at me and made his way to the car -- naked.

At this point, I wasn't really sure where to go from here - but thankfully, I had a whole car ride (5 minutes maybe?) to figure out step 2 of my game plane. But one thing I did know is that my child wasn't screaming, my vitals were not elevated, and Danny and I were doing our best not to laugh at the pre-schooler in the back of our car who's seatbelt seemed to be chaffing his privates a bit.

"Oh, I know," I said, responding to his complaint. "I've found when I don't wear clothes the seatbelt can be itchy." To which Danny looked at me inquiring about how often it is that I drive in my birthday suit...

We pulled into Danny's parents driveway, with shoeless-Joe-Jackson wearing the Emperor's New Clothes apres socks and I offered Holden yet another choice.

"Holden," I said. "You can either stay in the car and be naked or put on clothes and go into Grandma's to play with toys. Your Dad or I will stay with you in the car if you don't want to get dressed, but you can't walk around outside naked because people can see your private parts. Either is fine with us," and I really was preared to sit, but you know what I was hoping. "What would you like to do?"

And with great enthusiasm (and to my relief) he declared: "Get dressed and pay wiff toys!"

Which happens to be exactly what we did. 

A Valentines Song for You

Since both my babes were born (and even when I was a baby), my Mom has sung this song to us and her Grandkids. My Grandma would sing it as well.

The other night Holden and I were laying in bed (thus why it's video but only sound available -- we're in the dark). Anyway, he started singing it...

I love you, my puchen

My little tiny puchen

I dream of you

The whole night through

My puchen I love you

I don't know what a "puchen" is, or how one would even spell it...perhaps some Russian or Slavic term of endearment? Feel free to shed some light if you know. But it melts my heart every time he sings this song... also, sometimes he replaces Zoë's name or "transformer" for puchen. If he sees his sis and Optimus Prime as equals I am convinced more than ever he adores her.

Happy Valentines from the Mangums.

The BREAST Kind of Protest

So it's no secret that I heart boobs (no wait, that's my husband.) But I heart breastfeeding...

Not that Holden and I were any good at it. We tried and tried and cried and cried and tried some more. I've mentioned on numerous occasions that even with lactation consultants (yes, that's plural), LeLeche League meetings, nurses, doctors, nipple shields, SNS system and everything short of trying a wet nurse, Holden and I gave it our best shot BUT he refused to latch completely at four months. As such, I was left to pump for the remainder (and a little beyond) his first year of life. Granted, my milk production levels were a bit 'abnormal.' I was producing so much milk Winder Farms was worried I'd start my own dairy operation.

But pumping is not my favorite thing.

Of course I would've preferred to nurse him...in the home, on the phone, at the store or on the floor. I would've preferred to nurse him here or there or anywhere...Instead, I was pumping on airplanes, in lavatories, in the the handicapped stall of Delta's Crown Room, at church, once of the floor of a Massage Envy shop after a flat tire, and the list goes on, and on, and on.

That's why it makes me sad when things like this happen:

"On January 30, Norika Aita was nursing her 11-month-old daughter, Elaine, on a bench near an escalator in the [Hirshhorn Smithsonian] museum when a security guard told her to move to a restroom to breastfeed. When Aita found no seat other than a toilet in the restroom, she returned to sit on another bench and resumed nursing. Another security guard then approached her and said, 'Mom, you cannot do that.'"

Obviously these security guards didn't know about the governments Right to Breastfeed act.

When Holden was nursing, he refused to latch if there was anything covering his face -- blanket, hooter hider (you get the point). I couldn't 'cover up' or my son wouldn't latch. So I guess to keep people from feeling uncomfortable, I was just supposed to let my kid starve...no wait, whip out a bottle because that wasn't weird? Except it is...if you really think about it. Nursing is one of the most natural things a mother can do for her child (granted, it wasn't easy for us, but it's still natural).

Plastic nipples, pumps, glass and bottles... they're about as un-natural as you can come by for feeding a baby. And before you think I'm passing judgement, let me remind you I've been there -- I get it. It's not available for everyone. Those 'un-natural' things made it possible for me to feed my child.

But that's not my point. My point is tolerance for those who are nursing.

We live in a pretty jacked up society... where women can parade around scantily clad with hardly anything on top, or wear swimsuits that may only cover a small portion of their bosoms; and their bodies (for the most part) are celebrated. (If you don't believe me, just look at any summer issue of US Weekly.) But a mother sits on bench to feed her child how-nature-intended and people start to squirm.

Bless you Western Civilization... but this is not progress by my standards.

Fortunately, the story from the museum has a positive outcome. Volunteers, boob-activists and the museum all got together for a nurse-in (yes, it's how you imagine, minus the signs that say "Save the Ta-Ta's"):

"The tone of the nurse-in was celebratory and communal, with mothers, fathers, babies and children of all ages happily chatting, nursing, and enjoying the art. Museum staffers were supportive and enthusiastic about drawing such a crowd. 'We’re glad you’re here,' beamed Hirshhorn Director of Administration and Finance Anthony (Chris) Walloo, who is expecting his first child in April and chatted with mothers about the best options for baby carriers."

Art and breasts? Sounds like there was a little something for everyone.

You can check out the full story on Mothering.com HERE.

Why You Should Listen to Me

Actually, you shouldn't.

I'm not qualified to give advice about ANYTHING.

I'm not crafty.

My house isn't feng shui'd (I don't even know how to make that word a verb).

I write with way to many typos.

My blog isn't even a REAL one (you know what I mean).

I don't have a degree in early childhood education. If memory serves, I got a C+ in my "Child Development Class" at UVU, at barely passed "Family Relations." However, I did ace "Survey of International Terrorism," and quickly changed my major to Political Science.

I eat way to many treats (so I can't dole out nutrition advice).

I haven't renewed my Sierra Club membership in years so the GREEN movement won't call me their own.

I only made it four months nursing and then had to pump the remaining eight months. (A failure of a breastfeeding mother I was...)

My kid has been EC-ing for over 18 months and he's still not diaper free.

The most I've ever run barefoot-barefoot is five miles... everything else is with socks, or vibrams... or some other form of barefoot-cheating.

I've never even been to India or lived in an ashram. So am I really even a yogi?

Actually, yes...I am. And I still wouldn't consider me an expert about anything; but I will say that I do love yoga. And I love Holden practicing yoga. And I'm going to talk about Kids Yoga and the things I love about it tomorrow on FOX 13 news at 8:30am (give or take a few minutes).

So you don't need to listen me; but I do invite you to watch. . .

Just another Manic Monday

Are you singing the Bangles in your head right now?
Wish it was Sunday.
Just wondering.
Cause that's my fun-day.
I was trying to come up with a catchy title to say "more randoms,"
It's an 'I don't have to run day.'
But I lacked the creative fortitude to do it.

So let's just get to the matter at hand:

Way to go Kim Kardashian and the entire city of New Orleans. Superbowl Champs. I thought God would be on your side because you know: "Saints" and all. Which makes me wonder, if Utah ever gets a NFL team, do you think we'd be the Latter-Day-Saints?

My heart goes out to Peyton Manning, because I adore him. (His rookie season coincided with my time in Indiana.) So I was pretty much cheering for whomever was on offense. But I do think it's a great win for Who Dat Nation.

Next:
Last night I had a dream I was trying out for a volleyball team, but we had to 'do' yoga. So I got into this really juicy Vashistansa, and I felt like I was going to float off of my grounded left-hand... I mean, I felt so light. It seems counter intuitive right? Don't get me... ok, try to do it, right now, on your living room floor. Who ever feels like floating in this pose?


Also:
I felt so nasty this morning after last night's cookie-fest and sugar-splurge, that all my system could tolerate for breakfast was a spot of cheese and peppermint tea (I had one bite of of Holden's fuit this morning, but it was way to sweet). I feel like I'm back on the wagon...for today at least.


Furthermore:
Holden and I went for a jog this morning... yes I put my son in a stroller, he did fine. He actually seemed to enjoy banging his feet against the back panel of the push chair. But our little 25 minute jaunt, seemed much more tiresome than that 5k from last month. Maybe it was the extra 23 lbs I was pushing. Maybe it's that you can't walk a block in my neighborhood without finding a hill, or 20! Maybe it's the elevation? Maybe I lacked the endorphin rush that comes with an actual race..I just know I didn't plod as far or as long today and it seemed a lot harder than the 5k. I don't know why I'm telling you (maybe just so my friend Em knows I've 'started'... sort of.)


Additionally:
I never learned the proper or correct way to type. That is why so many of my entries that are suppose to include apostrophes (') have semicolons (;) instead. They're right next to each other on the key board, and I am usually using my middle finger to hit the key (and my middle finger usually doesn't make it over.) I just thought you should know why that's my number one typo.


Finally:
Besides the aforementioned breakfast, today's victuals included...
Snacks: grated colby jack cheese, 1 spoonful of yogurt I did not enjoy, bits of avocado and a taste of peppers as I was preparing dinner.
Dinner was actually quite a delight-
Spinach salad with grapefruit, avocado, yellow bell peppers, a hint of shredded colby jack cheese, blush wine vinaigrette dressing and fresh mushrooms.
-Then-
"Meat"loaf Peppers: Red peppers stuffed with ground turkey (hormone free, of course!) and fresh onions, garlic, peppers, mushrooms and tomatoes. It was pretty good...would've been better with homemade chili sauce, but I have used up the last of our canned deliciousness, and it's probably better for us to do without the extra sugar, anyway. Also, I ate just over 1/2 of mine, so now I have something easy for lunch tomorrow. Holden even enjoyed his (sans pepper shell, of course.)
Oh, and I made white grape juice to go with dinner. I had some green grapes (from the co-op) that were about to call it quits --some already had-- so I found a recipe and improvised. Better than Welch;s if you ask me... curse you semi-colon!


Almost Forgot:
And if you're interested, my friend Christie took these of our front yard the other night. On a separate but similar note, we always get hunters parking in front of our home scoping out their prey. Apparently we've got a great view of the ridge line so they can track the deer's movements or something. I'm thinking of posting a sign out front because they all give me the willies:

Thank you for not stalking Bambi or his mom from our front yard. -Management

Thoughts?

My new favorite find..

Just discovered this website on recommendation from a 'Yahoo! Groups' mom: 'Continuum Family: Your Source for Natural Parenting Essentials' (and if that floats your boat, check out the Mormon version at the Progressive Pioneer.)

I also heart kellymom.com -- a recommendation from my Midwife, but certain to cause some quizzical looks from (the comment King) Darth Spencer ... and I do LOVE his comments. Especial the one about being green...

Speaking of web heroes: I want to invite that Progressive Pioneer (PP) over to my house for lunch. I would try to look cool by showing her all the things we have in common... like my awesome collection of canned goods, our love for yoga, home-made organic baby food... and we could swap stories about Infant Hygiene (EC), co-sleeping, baby wearing a 20-plus pound child and the benefits of breastmilk (I would try not to feel to sheepish about pumping full time since Holden refused to latch at 4 months)... and I would hide my Burberry and Coach handbags (as to not look too materialistic)... and turn the "organic" labels in my pantry facing out, and hide anything with HFCS or preservatives in the back of the cupboard...

Maybe she has some crafty all-natural ideas about how to re-purpose two pair of True Religion jeans that don't fit anymore (and by the time they do, most likely are NOT going to be in style).

Crap, what am I going to do with the Holiday candy?

I am not quite the bohemian attachment parent I aspire to be. That said, I think for the time being, I'll just be on stand-by jealousy of the PP and blogstalk her like a normal human being.

Happy Birth Day to Me...

There's a weird sense of nostalgia -- looking back at where you were a year ago. (Granted, this blog makes it especially easy for moi).. I laugh that I was so worried about what we'd need for Mr. Holden -- crib? changing table? pack and play? car seat, swing, high chair, rocker, fluffy chair, diaper genie, swaddle me suits, exesaucer (sp?)?!?!? (I didn't even know what that was), etc etc etc.

Granted, if I had known I was going to embrace this whole "Attachment Parenting" thing so easily, I would've just invested in a sling, a car seat (safety first!) and a breast pump up front and called it good. :)

My dear friend Erin (yes mother to Baby Jonah, you) basically told me that all they (the babies) really need is you -- and I didn't think she was serious. But it's true. If Holden and I were stranded on an island together (hopefully Danny would be with us); we'd find a way to make it with out all the baby 'stuff.'

Hopefully they'd have mangoes and honeydew on that island. Holden likes the green melon. . .

But back to my point -- if there is one. The more I try to pay attention to Holden's cues and signals and what he's communicating to me (and trusting my instincts), it seems like the more flow we find... and finding a groove as a mother is the greatest birthday present I can think of.

(Though, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for more cloth diapers and an Ergo Baby!)