During the pushing phase of my 58 hours of labor with Violet (over five months ago...where does the time go?), I strained something in my left hip/glute area. When I received clearance 6 weeks postpartum and started working out again, I attempted to address this problem area via yoga. I also resumed running, and that, my friends, has been pretty torturous. I'm not a natural runner to begin with, and whatever was going on in my left hip/glute made for not so nimble runs followed by immense discomfort, including a searing pain that seemed buried deep in the bone on my left back side. So I slowed down on running and continued yoga, but felt pretty discouraged to feel no improvement over the course of a couple of months. I know these things take time, but still.During the pushing phase of my 58 hours of labor with Violet (over five months ago...where does the time go?), I strained something in my left hip/glute area. When I received clearance 6 weeks postpartum and started working out again, I attempted to address this problem area via yoga. I also resumed running, and that, my friends, has been pretty torturous. I'm not a natural runner to begin with, and whatever was going on in my left hip/glute made for not so nimble runs followed by immense discomfort, including a searing pain that seemed buried deep in the bone on my left back side. So I slowed down on running and continued yoga, but felt pretty discouraged to feel no improvement over the course of a couple of months. I know these things take time, but still.
My friend Amy recently sent me a teething toy that perfectly marries Violet's insatiable oral fixation with our love for simple, eco-friendly toys and musical merriment. Handmade of locally sourced hardwood and crafted with a smooth, sweet silhouette, Little Alouette's wee guitar teething toy is perfectly constructed for little hands and busy mouths. And when Jon, Laurel, and I are rocking out together on guitar, mandolin, and keyboard (Laurel is teaching herself Beatles songs!), Violet really seems like part of the action while munching on her wee guitar. There's so much cute stuff at Little Alouette; definitely check out the collection when you're next gifting expecting loved ones.
Today, Kate shares an oldie that, nearly 40 years later, remains a (sociologically oriented) goodie:
If you grew up in the 1970s, as I did, chances are that you owned (and loved) the album Free to Be You & Me. Conceived and produced by Marlo Thomas, the album -- and eventual book and television special -- grew out of a project of the Ms. Foundation and was an effort to provide children with positive messages about gender roles.
I've known about Tea Collection for a while (I still regret that I never got around to purchasing from their Korea collection a while back), but it wasn't until recently that I had a chance to see their products. And while the clothes are really lovely out of the box, they move to the realm of tremendously awesome once placed on real little bodies. I recently had the opportunity to style some pieces from Tea's fall collection and was struck not only by the quality and design, but by the ability to create really cute coordinated (but not overly matchy match) sibling outfits (read: perfect for family photos or general everyday cuteness). Read on to check out the coordinated outfits I assembled, as well as to learn how to be one of three winners to receive a $100 Tea gift certificate!
Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Renee via e-mail:
Dear Boston Mamas: Hello! I'm hoping to get some input/advice. I'm a mom to a 19 month old girl and I'm pregnant with twins. We do not yet know the genders. Several people have suggested to me that I should have a shower. I always thought of a shower for your 2nd+ kids as greedy and poor etiquette. However, given that we are expecting twins, there are quite a few things that we will need, especially if one or more of the babies is a boy. Do you think there is an exception to the etiquette if you are having twins?
Since Violet's birth, I've developed a bad habit of waiting until the last minute to restock on disposable diapers. So I've been thrilled with Diapers.com, which I've ordered from twice so far. The site offers many things other than diapers, but I've used them to replenish my Seventh Generation diapers and wipes. And since I'm keen on garnering online shopping discounts and free shipping: 1) via Retail Me Not I found a coupon code (FIVEAFF) for $10 off my first order; 2) Diapers.com has a loyalty program offering $5 off every case of diapers purchased; and 3) if you spend over $49 (not hard with diapers and wipes), shipping is free, which brings the SG diapers to a very competitive 25 cents/diaper. Both times I've ordered, the diapers have arrived the next day -- perfect for this procrastinator!
Today, Kate shares a sweet book that captures the sidekick dynamic:
When my daughter was born, she was gifted with a matching pair of plush toys, a yellow duck and a green hippo. She's never paid much attention to the hippo, but -- about the time she turned two -- she bonded with the duck with a love both passionate and lasting. The duck (now known as Duckie and occasionally Mr. The Duck) has long since turned a gray/green, and has traveled by her side throughout her adventures and experiences of the past three years. It has been fascinating to watch my daughter act out her own growth and evolution through her relationship with Duckie: he is her foil as she learns to navigate the world around her. He is her classmate as she plays school, her fellow student as she teaches him how to swim, and her baby as she swaddles him and gives him a bottle.
I know many, many moms who have experienced breastfeeding woes, so I feel gratitude every day that nursing has worked out so easily and so well for me and my girls. In honor of tomorrow's kick off of World Breastfeeding Week, I wanted to share a roundup of 14 helpful posts (including one that's actually handy post-nursing) for breastfeeding moms; most are from my feeding and nursing archive, of which there are many more articles if you wish to peruse! Whether you've nursed your baby for one day or one or more years, you've given your baby a great gift. Go mamas!
Today, Jennifer shares two book recommendations from local neuroscientist turned author Lisa Genova:
At first "back-of-the-book-jacket" glance, the topics of local author Lisa Genova's first two novels may seem on the heavy side for beachside reading, but trust me, you won't be able to put them down. Lisa -- who happens to have a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Harvard -- does an amazing job of literally getting inside the heads of her characters to tell their compelling stories.
Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Janelle via Twitter. Janelle asked me for some ideas for unique baby shower gifts. Having enjoyed a baby shower for Violet earlier this year and given my minimalist tendencies, my preference definitely leans towards practical, but sometimes practical also equals unique! Here are some of my favorite ideas -- spanning practical and pretty.
Through the Mom's the Word on Dinner conversation series I'm part of via Momversation, it's become clear that dinnertime often involves either battles or bonding for families; to that effect, you can check out a recent video and conversation on how dinner is best characterized in your house. Meanwhile, this conversation thread got me thinking and I wanted to share 5 ways to diffuse mealtime battles. These strategies have been really effective for us and I hope they are helpful to you! If you have other tips, feel free to share in the comments here or over at the video post.
Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Jen via Facebook:
Hi Christine, I just had my third little boy. He is a joy. Although I successfully breast-fed my first two sons, I was not successful in getting my second son to use a bottle (which led me to be resentful towards the end), so I have taken your advice and started my baby on a bottle at three weeks. I was wondering about how often you pump and provide bottles to keep up your supply and still be able to nurse? I've forgotten how I managed with my first son.
Following a query on animal education birthday parties, reader Melinda wrote in to share feedback on Lil' Folk Farm in Holliston. Thanks, Melinda!
"Lil' Folk Farm was AMAZING. We arrived to real horseshoes that the kids painted. Once everyone was there, we went downstairs to their barn and the kids ran around with bunnies, goats, chickens and sheep. They were very tame and allowed the kids to pet, feed and brush them. The kids went wild. Then we went outside for pony rides, and finally we had cake and a pinata, all in two hours. It was great and the kids loved it."
As social an animal as I am, I have to admit that I get a little squirrely when faced with the prospect of the "first date" parental chit chat associated with Laurel's playdates with new friends. This week I shared thoughts about playdate drop offs when you don't know the parents. The video is embedded below (it's just over one minute) and I'd love to hear your thoughts on the topic...whether you agree or disagree with my approach, what age feels right to you for drop offs, etc. Hop on over and share your thoughts at Momversation or feel free to comment in below!
Today, Lindsey shares a favorite chapter book -- a great pick to encourage summer reading and inspire thinking about relationships and kindness before the school year starts:
The Hundred Dresses, by Eleanor Estes, might be my favorite early chapter book. Ever. And that is saying something. Estes' book, written 65 years ago, remains salient and touching, her messages of friendship, kindness, and standing up for yourself as important as ever.
Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from a friend -- I know lots of new moms have the same question so I'm sharing here:
Dear Christine, I am asking all my friends who have had (or currently have again) newborns: what do you do with them all day? Sometimes I get really bored during the day; is that normal? Does he have to be learning all the time? Is it ok if he just sits there in his bouncer? Going out with a newborn in [my city] is tough! We go out once a day, but nothing too complicated that requires public transportation, not yet. I find myself saying...ok, what are we going to do next? [My son] is amazing...he has such a gentle and sweet demeanor. In the morning when he first gets up we spend about 20 minutes "talking" to each other, then he naps and I shower and we take it from there. Tuesdays are awesome because I go to this fantastic moms group -- just a few, quirky, non-judgmental, amazing women and our babies. We rotate houses and literally stay all day. It rocks.
Though it's been in operation since 1954, Story Land was not on my radar until a few years ago (probably because growing up, our immediate family of 9 didn't do vacations). And then it wasn't until a few weeks ago that we visited with Laurel. But we finally made it, and I'm thrilled to report that Story Land is a really sweet spot for families to enjoy together. Here are some thoughts about our trip, and why I recommend it for families in striking distance of the property:
Though I typically am a fan of bikinis, given that I'm hitting swimsuit season about three months postpartum, I wanted a little more coverage this season. Just the other week I was looking remorsefully at my bikini collection (which includes a couple of cute bikinis I bought at Lands' End last year) when Lands' End reached out and asked if I'd like to try out some swimsuits for editorial consideration. And I'm thrilled to report that there's just as much cuteness in the full coverage suits as there are in the bikinis. Here are two great picks to consider: