Things That Come Out of Mommy's Mouth

Why are the toothbrushes and toothpaste in the bathtub (with you)?
You need to be calm to push your brother in the stroller. (said mid-tantrum)
Why did you color on your face?

If you ever want to hear what you sound like, forget a tape recorder, get a 4 year old. You will hear them say something and ask, do I really say that? On the plus side I found out that I say please and thank you regularly and I don't swear too much. Last night I heard the girl say 'good lord' after she spilled a glass of water. Oops. That one is on me too.

Note to self: be a little more careful of verbiage and no more Rolling Stones.

About Attachment Parenting

When my daughter was born 4.5 years ago, I didn't know attachment parenting from string theory. I probably could have guessed which one was which in a multiple choice exam but otherwise I was pretty clueless. A few twists of fate pushed me in the direction of attachment and natural parenting.

My choice in pediatrician. I chose someone who was pro-breastfeeding and not-so-much on the medical interventions, unless they were necessary of course. Since I have always been reluctant to take medications for minor matters, we clicked. I asked for a recommendation for a health care provider for my pregnancy and birth and I was referred to a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) who had been delivering babies for over 30 years. She was perfect for me BTW!

My location. I lived in Seattle at the time. Tends toward the crunchy side. Being born and raised there, I just thought it was "normal life" but moving around a little has shown me that normal life doesn't always resemble Seattle life. For example, I don't really stick out as a natural person in Seattle because there are people who are just so much more... In Texas though, I was the hippie freak that doesn't shave.

Switzerland is really pretty similar to Seattle. There are a bunch of beautiful people in one area and a lot of crunchy people in another. I don't really stand out. Our neighbor took her two kids on a 2 day bike ride when her youngest was 2 months old.

My parents. I won't elaborate on that.

Anyway. I tend to do things my own way and not really fit in anywhere but that is perfectly fine with me.

Proto-baby is making it difficult to concentrate so I am going to hit publish and make some food.

Moving to Two Kids

Welcome to the January Carnival of Natural Parenting: Parenting resolutions!

This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Code Name: Mama and Hobo Mama. This month we're writing about how we want to parent differently — or the same — in the New Year. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.

This new year, life will be changing at my house. Baby Bounce is due
to arrive January 13th but I am assuming he will be born a week late
like his big sister. That is the reason that 'estimated' usually
modifies due date anyway.

So what does this mean? I really don't know. I've been reading the
book, Siblings Without Rivalry, for some insight on how to introduce the baby to big sister S. I like the basic theme of the book where it is not my job to ensure S and her baby brother are bffs but rather set them up to be able to negotiate adult relationships. I am certainly far from bestest friends with my siblings and a lot of that has to do with our personalities but some of that has to do with our unable to resolve conflicts between each other.

I would love for my kids to be good friends but I don't have a map on
how to make that happen, hence the book. S is very excited to have a
baby brother coming and I hope that sentiment will continue after he
is born. I tend to set a lot of the tone for the house and I hope that
2010 will prove to be a successful year for me as mama.

Wish me luck!

******

Visit Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama to find out how you can participate in the next Carnival of Natural Parenting!

Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:

(All the links should be active by noon on Jan. 12. Go to Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama for the most recently updated list.)

• To Yell or Not to Yell — The Adventures of Lactating Girl
• It Is All About Empathy: Nurturing a Toddler's Compassion Potential — Baby Dust Diaries
• To my babies: this year… — BluebirdMama
• Mindfully Loving My Children — Breastfeeding Moms Unite!
• January Carnival of Natural Parenting: Resolutions — Code Name: Mama
• Imperfect Mother — Consider Eden
• Resolutions — Craphead (aka Mommy)
• FC Mom's Parenting Resolutions 2010 — FC Mom
• What’s in a Resolution? — Happy Mothering
• January Carnival of Natural Parenting: Parenting resolutions — Hobo Mama
• Natural Parenting Resolutions — Little Green Blog
• This year, I will mostly... — Look Left of the Pleiades
• Parenting Resolutions — The Mahogany Way
• I Resolve to Breastfeed In Public More Often — mama2mama tips
• Moving to Two Kids — Megna the Destroyer
• Use Love — Momopoly
• My parenting resolutions — Musings of a Milk Maker
• Talkin' 'bout My Resolutions — Navelgazing
• Parenting Resolutions — One Starry Night
• Invitations, not resolutions — Raising My Boychick
• No more multitasking during kid time — The Recovering Procrastinator
• I need to slow down, smell those roses AND the poopy diapers — Tales of a Kitchen Witch Momma
• Resolutely Parenting in 2010 — This Is Worthwhile

Kid is Asleep and I'm Exhausted

Such is the mommy life I guess but why can't I have some time to myself when I am not falling over from tiredness? I'd really like a weekend to myself. I'm sure in hour 2 of weekend to myself, I'd be bored and wondering when I will see kid + dad again. :)