How can it be a large career to tell other people’s children about the rule of three, and a small career to tell one’s own children about the universe? How can it be broad to be the same thing to everyone, and narrow to be everything to someone? No. A woman’s function is laborious, but because it is gigantic, not because it is minute. I will pity Mrs. Jones for the hugeness of her task; I will never pity her for its smallness.

G.K Chesterton

I Will Carry You

I love that I can kiss your head

Just inches away from my lips

Our hearts beat together as I carry you

Perched up high you see my world

Then turn your head in and sleep

Resting on me you are safe

Your body next to mine you are secure

We are in tune in this external womb

In my arms you will be

Until you are ready to venture out

But until then, I promise,

I will carry you.

~ Michelle Abernathy 

via Peaceful Parenting

The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow... but the rainbow won’t wait while you finish the work.

~ Pat Clifford

But even better.... is when you homeschool and can incorporate the rainbow into the work... ;-) 

Washday - n. - the opportunity to learn colors & develop sorting skills! ;-)

Clockwise from bottom left corner: 

Brown/khakis, blues, greens, pink/reds (behind her), black/greys (in basket), and purple

A chapter has closed....

A chapter has closed... it has now been 3 weeks since KB last nursed. The requests are lessening, almost nonexistent anymore... and though I know everything happens for reason, it still makes me sad it had to be this way. I am just so.grateful she's 3yrs and not younger (more dependant) and for the amazing grace, maturity & understanding she has demonstrated, despite it all. I love u baby girl! ♥

I took his hand and followed...

Comic: "Buttinsky!"

This is SO the mood I am in right now!! 

[rant] As long as I am discreet, and not purposefully flashing boob @ you... THE IS NOTHING WRONG with me breastfeeding my baby!! It is not disgusting.. and there is no reason why - by merely knowing (not actually seeing) that I am performing the act - you should be offended!  It's a very natural thing to do...  to give my baby the the most perfect food... using the tools GOD created & gave to me FOR THAT PURPOSE!!  So NO... I WILL NOT go hide in a bathroom, changing room or the like.... My baby is breastfed... and if you don't like  it, then please do us both a favor and DON'T LOOK!! [/rant]

Amazing Song!

****WARNING! Song lyrics & story which speak of infant loss!! ***

OMW! Has anyone ever heard this song?? I heard it for the first time recently, and started bawling!!

Dr. Seuss for Nursing Moms

One of the ladies from our concious parenting posted this poem yesterday, and I just had to share! It's a poem for nursing moms  - written in the style of Dr. Seuss. 

"What's Your Parenting Style?"

Ok, so for kicks, I decided to take one of those Facebook quizes this afternoon. This one was called "What's Your Parenting Style?" It asked questions like: Where is your baby most seen? a) stroller, B) often in a sling or wrap, but sometimes in a stroller or C) always in a sling or wrap.....

Anyways, here is my result. As usual, there were a few things I disagreed on (duly noted) but overall found it to be quite true, and also semi-comical. What a long way I've come...

Result: Extreme Granola Parenting.

You believe in going back to cave-mom parenting styles. You tend to be untrusting of doctors (They have their place in major medical emergencies.... but in general, are followed way too blindly. I don't think they have all the answers, and definitely are swayed by the influence of the Pharmaceutical companies!) and hostile toward mainstream parenting. (not hostile, but I they do have my condolonces!) You believe cribs and playpens are prisons (lol) pacifiers are evil (not necessarily. I always offered the breast first... but as much as I hated introducing the paci... KB was one of those babes who needed to suck to soothe, and did NOT want milk to always come with it!!) and swings and bouncers are "neglect-o-matics". (they definitely can be (and usually are)... but can be useful when used in very strict moderation!) You gave birth to your kids in your own bed (Actually my own kitchen... lol!) and think hospitals are too interfering. (Amen! Hospitals are for sick people. Birth is not a illness, it's a fact of life... and other than extreme & rare cases, birth doesn't belong in a sterile hospital!) People see you as a tree hugging granola mom and might raise their eyebrows when your 5 year old asks to breastfeed. (I hope so!) But that doesn't bother you! You feel strongly about the way you're raising your kids. (Amen!) Saving the earth is one of your main priorities. You grow your own food and make your own slings, cloth diapers (if you're not doing elimination communication) and wipes. (I believe we should be good steward of the place God has given us to live. I don't make/grow *yet*... but would love to!!! However, we do use cloth diapers & wipes, eat as healthy as possible, and EC.) When people see you with your baby you're always wearing her in a sling or wrap. Your kids don't have beds because they always sleep with you and you wouldn't have it any other way. You're wary of the public school system and believe that the only way to educate your kids is to do it yourself so you can instill in them the same principles you feel strongly about. (The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!!)

I also kinda like the "Kind Of Crunchy" answer, too.. again with a few slight modifications....

"You lean more toward Attachment Parenting, natural births, homepathic remedies, and living green! You tend to question modern medicine and mainstream parenting. (explained above) You tend to delay vaccines or use an alternate schedule. (yup... like, none at all!) You aren't bothered by the fact that people tend to question your parenting style. (heeehee! - I thrive on it!). You feel strongly about the way you're raising your kids. (Amen! If I didn't I wouldn't be doing it this way!) You believe that it's our duty to make the earth a better place for our children by being more eco-friendly. (Good stewardship!) You buy organic foods whenever you can (it's all a balance!) and you use cloth diapers or seriously considered it. (I seriously do!) You've also considered homeschooling. (Planning on it!) When people see you with your baby you're usually wearing her in a sling or wrap. You tell new moms who complain about lack of sleep to try co-sleeping with baby and let them know how much you loved co-sleeping (it's awesome!!!). You believe in breastfeeding and baby led weaning, (Breast is best!) but to a point. And you'll nurse in public but modesty is important to you. (I am not going to purposely flash you... but I am not going to hide, either!) You aren't afraid to disagree with your Dr about delaying solids or vaccines. (Amen!! Solids not till after 6mos - at the earliest!!) You don't like to let your baby cry and cry-it-out methods make you cringe. (eek! ::cringe::) However, if nothing else is working you are willing to try it once the baby reaches a certain age. (A huge, No way!!) You read different books about parenting and take what you feel will work for you and your family. (everyone is at different parts of their journey... as long as you do you research, that's what's important!!) You tend to believe in trusting your instincts when it comes to raising your kids. (there is nothing like it!)"

A Pacifier... Good, Bad or Ugly?

When KB was first born, I had people try to tell me things like .... "pacifiers aren't good," "They will cause her to not nurse properly"... "They make it hard to establish a good milk supply"... "just use the boob when the need comfort"... yada, yada, yada.  But, while I can see how they may be true for some.... it's not straight across the board, best for all. For me, it boiled down to following my heart as the mommy - you really do know best for your baby!!
I will admit, I too hesitated giving KB a paci at first.... but when I finally (after a restless night's sleep, and much encouragement from my mom) broke down & gave it to her, I could believe the difference it made! She didn't want something to always come out when she sucked (made her mad!).... lol.... but she did want to suck, to be soothed. Now, she has weaned herself from the paci... and there are times (going to sleep, sitting in church, etc) that I really miss it!

-----------------------------

Just a random bit of info: the Greek word for pacifier is πιπιλα :: said "peh-PEE-lah "

Oh January mornings... how I do love thee!

Despite some unusually quite cold days.... this month has also held it's share of some of the most beautiful days! Almost spring-like weather, that only Florida can offer during the otherwise bitterly cold month of January...

Hathor the Cowgoddess...

I occasionally read this pretty awesome [most of the time] pro-AP comic called "Hathor the Cowgoddess"... some of which are not only inspirational, but *hilariously* funny! Hathor is a character created by an artist in LA. She is a superhero who wants to save humanity through the combination of nurture, sustainability and bonding inherent in the practice of attachment parenting. Her movement is called the Evolution Revolution, her breasts are her superpower and her sidekick is her baby, always carried in a sling and prominently (politically) suckling at her exposed breast.

Anyway, recently I read this one, and it just about made me fall out of my chair I was laughing so hard. As any avid breastfeeding mommy, I can so relate!!

(Don't think it's that funny? - you obviously haven't been there.... LoL!)

Still LOVE it!!

Still love the Mai Tei!! KB was getting fussy earlier, and I wasn't a place where I could stop to tend to her... so I put her in the Mai Tei.... and as you can see, we were BOTH happy campers...