Now that I’m “connected,” anytime, anywhere, I am rather disconnected from my kids. I suspect the novelty of always having access to a space to write and read will grow weak and I’ll start playing with my children again. I hope.

Meanwhile, Max is working on his puzzle skills.--read more >>

Saturday night I went out with friends to an art gallery then hung out at a local café. The art gallery threw me off, at first, causing me to feel like a fish out of water. Seeing people put together so nicely, having conversations with other adults that didn’t center around motherhood and holding little plastic cups of free wine was strangely foreign and refreshing. Can ya tell I'm a stay at home mom??? The first familiar face I ran into was an old acquaintance who helped me realize that I didn’t look as out of place as I was feeling.--read more >>

I received this e-mail this morning, and had to share it with all of you!

Dear Friends,

I came across this doing some research lately and wanted to make sure you all know about it. The website shows a very inspiring trailer. Seems like birth is again the subject on the table. Here in Montreal the paper has been running some stories about birth, the latest one spoke about Quebec wanting to set up more birth centers. My husband said that there are already numerous birth centers in Quebec, but people are unaware...it' s called the HOME!

Let's keep the conversation alive.--read more >>

OKAY, just so you know, dear person who I received for this swap... I'm not a hand-made/home-made kinda person, per-say. I did send you something hand-made, eh, just not by me! I think you will LOVE it anyway. Your gifts will be coming in the form of 3 different packages. I REALLY enjoyed this swap and can't wait for the next!!! This was as fun as shopping for myself!

I’m getting ready to volunteer my time at an event that I believe in. Event organizing is actually a fantasy job of mine. I love being behind the scenes orchestrating the gathering of like minds. I’ve done it before in great capacity, as the force that made it happen, and loved the entire process. This time around I played a very small, humble roll and still found fulfillment in the success of it.--read more >>

Do ya'll spend the money for those professional pictures? A part of me wants to do it, but they took Max's pic in 3 different outfits and you are required to buy each package separately. That would be $108.00! I'm torn because it is a sentimental thing, but its so f'ing expensive. Just wondering if anyone else struggled with this decision?

I’m sure by now some of you are tired of reading about my MIL woes. For those of you who are not, read on…

First of all, for those of you who may not know, we are vegetarian and are raising our children vegetarian. If you have a hard time understanding why we would want to do this or why it matters to us, ask me and I will try my best to explain it.--read more >>

We met up with friends in Venice yesterday for a little outing to the park. The kids had a blast and the conversation amongst us four adults flowed nicely. I always get a little nervous anytime I hang out with a sister-friend AND her partner. Hal is a pretty low key quiet guy by nature and while he is comfortable with long bouts of silence, it makes me feel a little anxious. I’m getting better at appreciating silence between friends who I don’t see very often but you know, sometimes I feel insecure about it.--read more >>

I’m getting ready for a day out with the whole family tomorrow, Hal, Max, Bella, & I. The excitement I feel is exhilarating. Growing up, family life was not treated as something to get excited about. Often, when I would start to get excited about something I would hear Mom say, “Don’t get your hopes up, Michelle Ann Hatfield, we may not be able to go.“ I learned very early on to not have high hopes. Its only in becoming a parent that I’ve been able to reclaim hope and excitement for life which has not yet happened.--read more >>

Hal and I have been doing a lot of mental planning and fantasizing about moving from the small town we live in. Realistically, we know that staying in the same county is good for us because of Hal's job. However, that doesn't prevent me from daydreaming about city life in Chicago. And who knows, once I start working again some new opportunities may arise. Have you used the Google map before?--read more >>

I was going to give a recap of our busy weekend but decided to keep the mundane to myself, this time. I have learned a lot about my son and myself in these past few days. Max has always had a limit to how much activity he can be expected to participate in civilly - as most of us do. Sometimes, however, when his seasons shift and grow, I fall in between the cracks of knowledge about my son. During those times when I am out-of-sync, he gives a lesson to update me.--read more >>

A mama I know has a four year old boy who has done this twice, so far. He wakes up, or rather seems to be awake, and is shaking, screaming, and actually responding to his parent's asking questions in the middle of it all. He is frightened and hallucinating. One doc told her it could be seizures and another blew it off as night terrors. Any mamas have experience with either one of these things?

--read more >>

Max is set up on the porch to paint and Bella is taking her afternoon nap. The afternoon nap is the only nap she takes, now. It’s a hard adjustment when they drop that morning nap. We’ve recently gone through the transition and have made ourselves a nice routine.--read more >>

okay mamas, lay it on me. what would you do...--read more >>

You can read about it here. Sorry for dragging ya'll to another site but it's quicker than cutting and pasting right now. Please go easy on me because I'm feeling vulnerable right now. I understand that I fucked up.

I sent it out as a mass e-mail. Then I sent a second one saying April fools. Then I got this e-mail from my midwife and friend:

...However, its not far from fiction. It is a satire of reality, meant to raise awareness of this policy trend.

C-section (even planned ones) make it twice as likely that the mother or infant will die in birth. http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=39604 ) And mortality rates are just an indicator, meaning many others will have complications and suffer other less severe complications than death.

But still....--read more >>

I do a load of laundry every day. Sometimes two. It never ends. Really.

Remember when I told you Bella’s skin cleared up? Well, that was true for about 8 days. She is not as itchy as she has been in the past, the antihistamines are working - a little - but she is also not 100%. And going back to my strict diet has proven to be as difficult as the first time around. Only, this time I know I can do it. Today is a new day.

Despite Bella’s itching, she is always happy and playful. There is that to be thankful for. Seriously.--read more >>

Thank you so much for the e-mails and comments of support regarding this ride called Bella's Eczema. I still want to talk to the mamas who sent me their number. It has been a busy two weeks for me, unusually busy. When things slow down we'll talk...

Last Monday, I took her to a dermatologist. Skeptical of his ability to help, the morning was spent numbly going through the motions of getting us to the office. Dr. Derm's solution was to put her on antihistamines for a month to help stop her skin from itching.--read more >>

i decided to give bella antihistamines starting this past monday. the dermatologist that i took her to convinced me that it would be safe. he took his time with my questions, was understanding of my concerns, and not once did he speak to me with a condescending tone. for the first time, i felt relieved while leaving a doctor's office for bella's skin issues. --read more >>

The 24 hour stomach flu has made its rounds in our home starting with Max last Saturday, ending with Hal today. What a week!

In other but not so new, news...--read more >>

anyone who has a child (or children) with severe food allergies causing severe eczema willing to let me call them and talk about it? i am picking up bella's results to her food allergy blood work tomorrow and have been informed she is allergic to MANY things.

i need a mama who has gone through this or is going through it. i have to make an appointment with an allergist/immunologist and dermatologist. my stomach is in knots!

pm me your number if you up for it. not sure when i'll call, but i'm sure i will.

Everybody Loves Papa!

--read more >>

Hey mamas, I've got a question that may need to be redirected to a different resource... please do if you know of another one! I had a message board-type resource that helped me come to the decision to not put bamboo flooring in my house, but for the life of me... I can't remember what site it was!!! --read more >>

I have only made, like, two of these lists so am thrilled to be making another one.

Yesterday was so jam-packed with goodness that I’m going to bullet point my day…--read more >>

• Had a lovely morning with the kids then got ready for C’s birthday party at 2 pm
• Needed to stop at the store for a present and was sooooo worried about having both kids with me in that environment, without help. However... Max fell asleep and slept the entire time I was shopping!
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