Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Colbert wishes us a happy Halloween!

I was happy to see Stephen Colbert of The Colbert Report recognize our delightful hobo upbringing. Quote from tonight's show:

"You know what I call trick-or-treaters? Pre-hobos."

Friday, October 26, 2007

How to make new parents happy

Having had a baby recently, I had the chance to experience what was and was not helpful in supporting new parents.

Instead of spiking my thank-you notes with spite (though it was tempting), I decided to be positive and instead be inspired to treat my own friends and family well when it's their turn to be overwhelmed by a newborn.

So, I thought I should write these ideas down before memories of the sleep-deprived-fog days have disappeared into the ether.

These tips will help first-time parents for sure, and -- I would assume though I have no experience -- parents of a newborn who also have older children.

I'll add to this list as I come up with other ideas, and please do leave your own suggestions in the comments.

  • Having a baby is all about learning to get by with no hands. Be a pal and bring over foods that can be eaten (a) cold and (b) with one sporadically free hand. Ideas: cut-up veggies and dip, cut-up fruit such as melon or apples, pico de gallo and chips (for all of the above: mixed and single veggie & fruit containers and platters can be found pre-made at the supermarket in the produce section), cheese slices (gourmet or otherwise) and crackers, ready-made sandwiches and wraps, hummus and pita slices. Remember, think "Would this taste good at room temperature?" (which is what it will be by the time they finally get around to settling the baby long enough to eat it) and "Can they eat this without silverware?" (because juggling a newborn is hard enough without throwing cutlery into the mix).

Saturday, October 20, 2007

I need a better village

If it takes a village to raise a child, what do you do when your village is incompetent?

Sam & I have had the opportunity lately to travel to visit our families. I enjoyed giving Mikko into the care of others while I could stay nearby (as his sole food source). I somehow thought, though, that our relatives, several of whom have raised children themselves, would be capable of holding him longer than 10 minutes a spell, which is as long as he was content to sit quietly in their laps.

As soon as he fussed in any way, it was up to me to determine what was wrong: wet diaper (which Sam or I changed, every time), sleepy, wanting to be bounced, wanting a finger to chew, bored, overstimulated, hungry.

Now, for the last item, I wholeheartedly accept responsibility to fulfill the need. But it seems like every other need could be met or at least attempted by other people, even the diagnosing of the need.

I don't even blame our relatives, because they were actually all very sweet, and excited to visit with our baby. And if Mikko did need walking or bouncing, several of them were willing to give our arms and legs a rest and do their duty.

But it brought me face to face with my desires and dreams of village living vs. the reality of modern, independent life.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Practice, practice, practice...breastfeeding

"I certainly have not the talent which some people possess," said Darcy, "of conversing easily with those I have never seen before. ..."

"My fingers," said Elizabeth, "do not move over this instrument in the masterly manner which I see so many women's do. They have not the same force or rapidity, and do not produce the same expression. But then I have always supposed it to be my own fault--because I will not take the trouble of practising. It is not that I do not believe MY fingers as capable as any other woman's of superior execution."

-- Pride and Prejudice; thank you, Miss Austen

I cannot for the life of me figure out how to breastfeed in a ring sling or wrap. I can do it in a mei tai, though somewhat uncomfortably in a psychological sense, but my baby protests like nobody's business when I try to lay him down, strap him on, cover his head, and walk around.

Still, I assume it's my own fault that I haven't accomplished this feat. If I never get around to it with Mikko, I figure I'll manage with any future kidlets.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Me & you against the world

A wise woman (my mom) once said to me that a good marriage is when you and your spouse are on the same team. I keep noticing this when Sam & I are around other couples.

There's the couple who keep verbally and physically picking at each other.

There's the duo who tell stories wherein the other person looks stupid.

There's the husband who thinks he's a stand-up comic, with every bit the same theme -- "Did I tell you about my crazy wife?"

I like all these people, and I even enjoy hanging out with them. But I'm glad to go home with my teammate and feel like I haven't betrayed him during our time with others by belittling him, berating him, or something else with a b. (Ha ha!) He does the same for me.

We have plenty to pick apart and complain about in other people without throwing each other into the mix. :)

And that's my marriage counseling for the day: Complain about other people.

Me & you against the world

A wise woman (my mom) once said to me that a good marriage is when you and your spouse are on the same team. I keep noticing this when Sam & I are around other couples.

There's the couple who keep verbally and physically picking at each other.

There's the duo who tell stories wherein the other person looks stupid.

There's the husband who thinks he's a stand-up comic, with every bit the same theme -- "Did I tell you about my crazy wife?"

I like all these people, and I even enjoy hanging out with them. But I'm glad to go home with my teammate and feel like I haven't betrayed him during our time with others by belittling him, berating him, or something else with a b. (Ha ha!) He does the same for me.

We have plenty to pick apart and complain about in other people without throwing each other into the mix. :)

And that's my marriage counseling for the day: Complain about other people.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Simple housecleaning: mirrors

I have a duh housekeeping tip for the day: I was too lazy to walk from the bathroom to the supply cupboard to get out the window cleaner and instead wet my paper towel with a little water to clean the bathroom mirrors.

Ta da! Streak-free shine.

I wonder when Windex will start marketing its own brand of bottled water with a spray cap.

P.S. I don't plan to post housecleaning tips often, if only because I don't houseclean often.