Stupid third trimester, with its stupid squished bladder, which unfailingly wakes me after four to five hours of sleep. I was lying in bed this morning, watching the light around the blackout curtains shift to dawn, trying trying trying to get back to sleep, amid my husband's occasional snores (kick kick) and my son's elbow in my skull (push push), when I decided to try something new: Why not give my whirling brain something to do? Oh, sure, I'll crash again in an few hours, or at least need a nap later, but it's better than lying down, ticking through the to-do list in my head.
So here I am, mes amis, sharing some links before the newly awakened drowsiness takes over. (Can drowsiness be awakened? See, I am tired.)
- "Idea List for Toddler & Preschooler Activity Bags" from Intrepid Murmurings: Have you heard of activity bags yet? Watch out — you get started on them, and they're like craft-crack. I have heaps of supplies at my feet right at this moment. Kristin organized an activity bag swap with a local AP group, and I made this hide-and-seek memory game as my contribution (speaking of which — the Families, Create! links are live now on that post) and walked away with eleven other swell activities to keep Mikko happily occupied in those moments when such is necessary (nursing a new sibling, waiting in a restaurant, simply needing a break from the preschooler whirlwind, etc.). Another idea I want to try right away is "Craft foam bath murals" from Filth Wizardry (anything to convince Mikko baths are FUN!), and I just sewed up a "Marble Travel Game" from Serving Pink Lemonade.
Mikko combining Kristin's log animals and another swap participant's flubber into an unholy masterpiece.- Hey, know how I was recently talking about postpartum sex? Well, so were these fine ladies:
- "Post-Partum Sex" from Food Good, Laundry Bad: Here's a positive perspective, to balance my downer post.
- "The 6 weeks post partum elephant in the room." from The Rockin' Momma Blog: And another perspective, after two different birth/postpartum experiences.
- "Tandem Breastfeeding Update: 18 Months and Going Strong!" from Child of the Nature Isle: Love this 18-month update on tandem nursing!
- "Really, My Breastmilk is Turning to Water!?" from The ArtsyMama: Solid information and resources about the continuing value of breastmilk after infancy.
- Speaking of which, this month's Carnival of Breastfeeding hosted by The Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog and Blacktating is a theme where I have a lot to talk about: Extended breastfeeding. Submissions are due April 11.
- "Ici, On Parle Francais" from The Accidental Natural Mama: Another non-native-speaker tackling raising kids bilingually! What I like is the thought that you can make it as non-stressful (and non-classroomy) as you want, if your language goals are simply to introduce some exposure to a different language. Dust off your high school language skills this week and see if it's fun for you.
- "The Natural Trend: Is Breastfeeding Next?" from Blacktating: Really liked this exploration of natural hair and how it might extend to increased acceptance of breastfeeding.
- "My Son Was Born 'Imperfect' - What Would You Do?" from Connected Mom: A thinking-through (from both mother & son) of what do about a cosmetic distinction, in this case a facial birthmark.
"When Styles was 4 I sat him down and had a serious talk with him about having it removed. I told him that the decision was his and that I would support him no matter what he decided to do. His response to me was, 'But Mom, if we get it taken off, I won’t be Styles anymore!' I choked back the tears as I laughed and gave him a huge hug. OK, baby, whatever you want."
- "Creating Rhythm: Dinnertime." from Clean.: Love the idea of including children in every aspect of the meal ritual. And I really need to sew us up some aprons!
Although Mikko seems well contented with his Home Depot one.
- "America's Moral Panic Over Obesity" from The Atlantic: An interview with Paul Campos, author of The Obesity Myth: Why America's Obsession with Weight Is Hazardous to Your Health.
"There is literally not a shred of evidence that turning fat people into thin people improves their health. And the reason there's no evidence is that there's no way to do it.
Via Kelly Hogaboom.
So saying 'let's improve health by turning fat people into thin people' is every bit as irrational as saying 'let's improve health by turning men into women or old people into young people'."
- "breastfeeding: not just ladybusiness" from Underbellie: Why supporting breastfeeding is important to everybody, from a social and feminist, health and humanity perspective.
"This is why it is key that those who are not at this moment stuffing a nipple into a baby's face - including men, including formula-feeders, and including those without children - support breastfeeding and stand up for families' rights and for mothers to young children. When the mainstream frames breastfeeding an issue that the individual mothers should be fighting, all on their own, it throws the game…."
- "The Downside of Recaptured Youth" from Too, Too Mama: Ha! I could have warned her, too! I once tried for auburn and it turned out plum…before fading to a tasty shade of burgundy.
- "Grandparents: Turns Out the Gift Was Really for Me" from KLZ at Taming Insanity over at BlogHer: Aw. Love happy grandparent stories. Reminds me of my dad carrying Mikko every time we visit, from newborn to now.
- "When Your Child is Invisible" from JustLinda over at BlogHer:
"Will you accept the challenge? Will you keep an eye out for the child hanging back biting her nails and notice her and choose her?"
I will try. It will be like going back in time and paying attention to myself.
- "My beautiful, peaceful birth space" from Babyfingers:
"I wish every mother could have her perfect safe, special birth space. I know every mother should have it--whatever it might be for her."
Oh! I long. This piece inspired me to start talking seriously with Sam about what I (we) need to do to get our place ready for me to give birth here peacefully. I am working toward it now, spending last evening going through college detritus and ridding myself of 90% of what I sorted. I only hope I can get it all done in time. Well — insomnia will help, won't it?
- Did you hear about Bravado and Medela? Sigh. If not:
- "Bravado Sells Out for the Big Bucks" from Just West of Crunchy: A succinct summing-up of this WHO Code-violating sadness.
- "What’s A Girl To Do?" from Mommy News and Views Blog: Interesting perspective on the matter, from an online boutique owner who loved selling Bravado bras.
- "Locking horns with a 3 year old: Are there winners?" from This is Worthwhile: Love the humanness of this post — and the grace and forgiveness, on both sides.
- Do you like writing? Do you heart National Poetry Month? The Poem-a-Day Challenge for April has started, and it's not too late to join in. Poetic Asides posts a prompt each day — today's is to imagine the world without you. I hope to write lots of poems this month inspired by this newest phase of parenting, pregnancy and preschooler, and that I'll carry it on into the newborn days.
Read the collection of my first three years at Poetry of a Hobo Mama.
- It's time for the April Carnival of Natural Parenting! Tell us how you advocate for healthy, gentle parenting choices compassionately. Submissions are due this Tuesday, April 5.
- A warmhearted week at Natural Parents Network about Nurturing Touch:
- "Skin to Skin Bonding: As Brothers Attach" by Jessica of Cloth Diapering Mama: Beautiful, beautiful story of a newly older sibling. And I'm sure I'm saying so not just because I'm pregnant and hope Mikko will feel the same attachment to his new baby sibling.
- "Nurturing Touches, Respectfully" from Maman A Droit: Fabulous advice on respecting our children's right to say no to even playful and affectionate touches:
"I sometimes announce that I’m going to kiss him, but more often I make a ridiculous 'mmm' sound. … If he wants to be kissed, he opens his mouth wide, leans in, and/or says 'mmmm' right back at me. He gets lots of kisses, and I like them all the better for knowing they're wanted."
- Send in your submissions for the Natural Parents Network cloth diapering book: The Natural Parent’s Guide to Cloth Diapering!
We want you to write a chapter (or more), submit photographs of cloth diapering, and tell us your favorite cloth diaper resources — with everything due April 30.
I am so so so excited about this project! Have fun and get submitting. Details are at the post.
- Giveaway time!
- Spoonful of Comfort Soup Care Package $46 {4.14; US}: Spoonful of Comfort is offering NPN
readers a giveaway of a care package perfect for households with a new baby or recovering from illness, containing 64 oz. of award winning, all-natural chicken noodle soup (serves 4-6) along with 6 made-from-scratch rolls and 6 oatmeal raisin cookies, delivered fresh to your loved ones' doorstep.
- GREEN YOUR PERIOD: Knickernappies Stackable Menstrual Pad Set from Fluff Envy $11 {4.19; Worldwide} — The Knickernappies system is so innovative, because you can reuse the shell and simply snap in extra pads as needed! This giveaway is open worldwide — bonus.
- Spoonful of Comfort Soup Care Package $46 {4.14; US}: Spoonful of Comfort is offering NPN
All right, that was plenty. I'm heading back to bed till Mikko wakes me up…
You can find more shared items during the week at my public Google Reader recommendations feed.
Check out Authentic Parenting, Baby Dust Diaries, Navelgazing, Momma Jorje, I Thought I Knew Mama, Enjoy Birth, A Domesticated Woman's Adventures (various), Fabulous Mama Chronicles, Kelly Hogaboom (Fridays), The Parent Vortex (weekends), Ichigo Means Strawberry, Hippie Housewife (Saturdays), Multiple Musings, Motherhood Moments, Mama and Baby Love, and A Little Bit of All of It for more Sunday Surfing! (If you also participate in a regular link list, whether on Sunday or not, let me know and I'll add your link.)
Feel free to add your recommendations in the comments. Happy reading!
I'm Lauren Wayne, writer and natural parent. I embrace attached parenting with an emphasis toward green living. 
7 comments:
Those legwarmers have stolen my heart
I always love your Sunday surfs, so I finally got my act together and posted a Sunday Surf on my blog. It's here.
Aww, being in the Sunday Surf always makes me feel so special :-)
About the birth space--if it makes you feel better, there was a giant pile of miscellaneous junk right where my birth tub is now just a few months ago. And the dresser was covered, and the rest of the room was nothing to brag on either. We could barely walk through it. It only took a couple of days to get most of it in order, and then I just did the little stuff here and there when I had time. Once I got it all fixed, I made sure it stayed ready for the birth even if the rest of the house was a big mess. I bet your birth space will be wonderful when you finish!
I am so sad about this Bravado mess. Those essential nursing tanks were my favorite, and now I don't think I want to buy another one. I wrote a long, gushy review of them too a while back and now I'm about to go delete it. I wonder if Medela bought Bravado mostly to squash them as competition. I'm sorry but Medela's bras are just not pretty.
Honored to have my NPN piece on your site!!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Can't wait to check out the other sites ;)
have you seen my cloth diaper options post over at good goog? you could use that
Thanks so much for the link up in the Sunday Surf...there are so many great reads in this post I'm honoured to be one of them. :-)
Thanks for the tip! I submitted a recent post I wrote about continued breastfeeding.
Steph
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