February 08 - 1 Year Ago We Were All Knocked Up!! - Page 18

[eilonwy]

Originally Posted by slgt

Helen, your summary was beautiful! What I love about it is that it takes what seem like such dramas some days, and reminds us that we are all experiencing...what it is to be human. The struggles that we share, and that differentiate us. Some days are hell and despair; some days are beauty and joy.

: Thanks.

Oh - I've been meaning to ask - can someone tell me what "ETA" means when used in posts? I'm familiar with it when checking flight status...but this is clearly different. Thanks!

Edited To Add.

~~

I've got craziness surrounding birth. I could really go on all day about it. The upshot is this: Bear is the last baby, but if I was ever to have another, I'd want to UC. The whole MRSA thing left me thinking that damn near anything would have been better. : I won't interject the rest of my issues at this point; I've hashed and rehashed and I think I'm cool these days.

Lauren, I'm glad you and yours are home safe. It's a good deal.

So I blogged about Gaian Mind a bit. I'm looking forward to working future festivals and hanging out, but I still think I'll probably skip Gaian Mind. That said, I furthered my efforts on the "win friends and influence people" front, which was fan-freaking-tastic. I love getting out and socializing and not feeling like I have to hide aspects of my life. It's such a rare thing for me to be able to simultaneously be a mother, a pagan, a freak, a geek, a lover, a friend, a party animal, an insomniac... and not have people look at one aspect and just *freak* at the thought of another. That's what I love most, I think-- I can really be myself for the first time without hiding bits or worrying that I'm going to scare someone or lose credibility with someone. It's so nice.

[lovetobemama]

Rynna, Glad that it was such a worry-free experience!

Teeny, so glad to hear you are back and starting to digest the mountain of kind words here...this is quite a supportive bunch with so much collective knowledge and experience!

Jezzy, good luck with the moblie baby...personally, I hope Molly doesn't crawl for ages! I like her staying put with DS already running all around.

slgt: we go thought the restless sleeping phases too. Thankfully the past couple of nights have been pretty good.

Molly rolled over for the first time last week, but hasn't done it too much since then. But today, I am taking a mommy & baby yoga class with her, and she was laying on a blanket while I was doing all the crazy poses, and she just kept rolling over! It was so sweet! I think she really liked seeing the other babies and seeing all the mirrors. It was so fun!

[lincap]

Hi Ladies.

I have been MIA. Sorry. Things here are tough. Having a real hard time adjusting to two kids. DS1 (2.5 yrs old) is acting out trying to get my attention.

DS1 is hitting EVERYONE. Me and DS2 mostly. I hit him the other day out of a weird reflex that i didn't like. It was like a Mama bear... he hit DS2 andI jsut hit him. So we are not doing well. DH is some help but not much. He lately is waking at 8 and not going to work until 930, so he doesn't get home until after 6:00. And when he is with DS1 DH is jsut letting DS1 watch TV so he can work on his computer... ugh.

DS2 (Harrison 4 months) is needy. Not quite as needy as DS1 when he was little BUT will NOT sleep anywhere but in a baby carrier. So I am being driven crazy. He isn't a comfort nurser at all. The only way he naps is in the Ergo, moby, sling.. but I am trying to teach him to sleep in crib or pack in play so I can ahve a few minutes alone time with DS1. That is not going well. He wakes up as soon as a put him down. I am at a loss. I am almost ready to let him fuss/cry to see if he will go back to sleep.

So I think I need DS2 to take at least 1 nap laying somewhere and maybe from 730-1000pm, so I can play with DS1 and clean my horrifically messy house. I really need DS2 to sleep SOMEWHERE. I can see my life falling apart because I am carrying him hours and hours during the day like 6-8 hours. He is so sweet but need to teach him how to sleep in crib.... but I have no idea how. Not a clue. I held DS1 for EVERY nap, until 1 yr, then I laid down with him for EVERY nap until DS2 was born. I can't do that for DS2.

ok.. need to walk DS2 for a nap.

oh his 4 month appt is Wed, can't wait to see how much he weighs.

HUGS

[flapjack]

Rynna, that's a major understatement I'm pretty thankful that you still breathe in and out, you know?
Tell me, how do you feel about Glastonbury 2010? It's gone a bit commercial, but I'm FAR too cool to care

Lincap It's always nice when you post, I'm so sorry you're having such a hard time. FWIW, Skye is being pretty horrid these days too- I think it's a 2 thing.

[cwoodard]

Hi,

I just joined Mothering.com a few days ago and happened to come across this thread today. Looks like a great group of people!

My first child, a boy, was born on Feb 8. His name is Alexander. We're doing pretty well. I noticed a lot of people mentioning that their hair started falling out this month - mine too It's EVERYWHERE! Alex is doing really well at night - down to one nursing session. We're still having trouble with naps, he will take 20-30 minute naps in his crib, on my lap, or in his swing every once in a blue moon, but I usually have to take him into bed and nap with him to get him more sleep during the day. Not always a bad thing, since he gets up at 5:30, but I'm starting to wish for a little more free time during the day!

He's cutting his two bottom teeth already. The first one started coming through on Father's Day, the second one a few days later. So he's been kind of like a yo-yo lately. One second laughing, the next fussy. Still working on finding "things" to make him feel better. He rolled over from tummy to back exactly at 3 months, but still doesn't do it all the time. Not sitting up on his own yet, but looking like he's getting close!

Teeny and others; I'm sorry to hear you didn't experience the births you were hoping for. I didn't either. It took us four years and in vitro to conceive, and I was sooo excited to experience the full cycle of pregnancy and birth. I wanted to give birth (ok with the help of a little bit of meds, I was too much of a chicken to want to go totally natural), have him on my stomach right afterwards, nurse him, HOLD the child it took us so long to get. But Alex was 1 week and 5 days late without any sign of labor starting. Since I had gestational diabetes there was concern over his size and uterus conditions, so I went in on the 8th to be induced. As soon as the tiniest little contractions started, Alex's heart rate dropped off the charts completely. It happened again, and on the third time we were rushed into the OR for an emergency C-section. I got to see him for about 20 seconds when a nurse held him in front of me, before they rushed him off to the nursery and then to the NICU - the conditions in my uterus had been horrible. Apparently the doctor likened it to pea soup. Alex had aspirated meconium and was having trouble breathing. I didn't get to see him again or hold him for 12 hours. I had to wait for the meds to wear off and then another baby in the NICU was having cardiac trouble and ended up being airlifted out to Boston. I fretted the entire time about him crying and me not being there for him, and I STILL feel guilty and horrible about it whenever I think about him being in the NICU without me. The baby having the cardiac trouble helped put it into perspective though, a bit. It really COULD have been worse. He was only in the NICU for two days and then came to room in with us.

I've been enjoying reading through some of the posts in this thread and hope to get to know you all!

Picture of Alex at 6 days

Picture of Alex the day after he turned 4 months

[eilonwy]

Yeah, there was intense craziness. It's. . . something.

I so don't feel like cooking tonight. Like, enough that I'm considering digging for change and going to taco bell. It won't kill them, right? : Ugh, talk about your bad mommy moments... I just want to pass out.

So... tellme about Glastonbury 2010.

Welcome, cwoodard.

The cooler than cool chick who runs the kitchen at 4QF does tattoos. I so need to talk to her.

Yeah. Is it worth the trouble of digging for change and shoving them all into the car? Yes. Yes, I think it is. I'm off to be a bad, bad mommy... though it could be worse.

[lovetobemama]

Originally Posted by eilonwy

I so don't feel like cooking tonight. Like, enough that I'm considering digging for change and going to taco bell.

We're making a run for the border here tonight, as well! Though it was DH and not me who wanted it. I even had water boiling for rice, and chicken thawing when he announced that he had chicken and rice for lunch, could we please just get Taco Bell? The in-laws just left after an exhausting weekend, so I am not upset at all about not cooking...just upset about eating another unhealthy meal. Oh well, there's always tomorrow.

Lincap, so sorry to hear about the sleep issues. Sounds terrible. Will he transfer to a swing or something once he falls asleep so you can sneak away from him? Can you guys splurge and pay a nighbor kid a few bucks to come over for an hour here or there and hold the baby so you can play with DS1 or get some housework done? Hang in there!

Welcome CWoodard! Sounds like a rough first few days. glad that things are good now! He's a cute little guy!!

[PlayaMama]

okay, so i've been wondering... what does ITA mean?

linnaea has been grabbing for my tea lately so i gave her some chamomile yesterday morning. today i gave her some spearmint spice. she just sticks her little tongue into it but when i tried to pull it away she started crying and grabbed for it.

her motor control isn't all that great but she eally wants it. i want to wait until she can do these things herself but it just seems to frustrate her so much.

i realized why i have such issues with her development being slower than lazlo. it's because for a long time in my life i based my identity on being "smart". i was that annoying kid in school who always had her hand up saying, "pick me! pick me!" i could go on but it was a pretty big part of my self-worth. "i may not be popular but at least i'm not dumb!"

so, i have issues about not wanting my kids to be "not smart". lazlo is pretty darn quick and people are always commenting on how smart he is. i wish i didn't take such pleasure in this... i didn't do anything to make him smart he just is.

so, with linnaea i'm surprised how much i'm focusing on the milestones. i thought i'd take it easier with the second but instead i'm anxiously watching to make sure that she's doing things ahead on the pack. except that she's not.

i guess my fear is that she'll be dumb. i'm so crazy! i keep telling myself that maybe she'll be good at other things, or maybe she'll be an artist, or maybe... but what if she is dumb? i don't know. i guess it just feels better to say it out loud (or type it at least )

[Writerbird]

Welcome back, Linda, and welcome, Cynthia

I have sibling drama - I know I've mentioned my crazy sister, and how we don't speak because she creates memories from whole cloth. She also resents me because I went to college before she did. Never mind that I'm older and can't HELP having done a number of things before she did.

Including having a baby. Hers was born at the end of April.

As a peace offering, I sent a box of EG's newborn things. You know how newborn stuff is, it's barely worn and in some cases not worn at all. I also threw in a package of diapers - my kid wore two of them and then got too fat. And I put in a nice note.

She has not thanked me. Or called. She claims (when speaking to my parents) that there was no note, and that I gave her tattered, dirty things.

I gather she is having trouble breastfeeding, and is extremely depressed about having to go back to work. She is also apparently not bonding well with the baby.

Everything I've ever done is thrown in my face. She's the sort of person who invents abuse allegations, IYKWIM. Basically, she is mentally ill, AND mean as a snake.

But there's a baby, here. My nephew, my son's cousin. He's a handsome little thing, too. What can I do from a thousand miles away? I need ideas, since the care package failed!

PlayaMama - Editing to add that ITA with your post, vis a vis an identity as a smart person, worrying about a baby who might not be, and trying to be okay with that. In other words, "I totally agree."

[eilonwy]

Ah, sisters. I get along best with mine when I don't have to see them.

Originally Posted by PlayaMama

i realized why i have such issues with her development being slower than lazlo. it's because for a long time in my life i based my identity on being "smart". i was that annoying kid in school who always had her hand up saying, "pick me! pick me!" i could go on but it was a pretty big part of my self-worth. "i may not be popular but at least i'm not dumb!"

so, i have issues about not wanting my kids to be "not smart". lazlo is pretty darn quick and people are always commenting on how smart he is. i wish i didn't take such pleasure in this... i didn't do anything to make him smart he just is.

so, with linnaea i'm surprised how much i'm focusing on the milestones. i thought i'd take it easier with the second but instead i'm anxiously watching to make sure that she's doing things ahead on the pack. except that she's not.

i guess my fear is that she'll be dumb. i'm so crazy! i keep telling myself that maybe she'll be good at other things, or maybe she'll be an artist, or maybe... but what if she is dumb? i don't know. i guess it just feels better to say it out loud (or type it at least )

Oh, don't say that. You're not even allowed to say, "I'm not sure how I'd relate to an average child, as I've never actually known one." Seriously, I've had my head bitten off for that more than once. Not that I've ever been in the "OMG, if my kid isn't gifted I'll just be so depressed" camp, but I have occasionally wondered if I'd know how to relate. I've also asked questions that are absolutely ridiculous, because I have really warped ideas about what average children do. For example: BeanBean rolled over at three months, and I was sure that was absolutely typical. BooBah rolled earlier, but when Bella didn't do it I was SO confused-- What was wrong with her?! Likewise, BeanBean spoke his first word at a month, and by three months had several short sentences and phrases in his repertoire; When BooBah didn't speak perfectly clearly at 18 months, like a mini-adult, I was honestly concerned about her development. : I got SO much crap for that here. So much. There's plenty more; Apparently all the reasons to despise me as a human being and a parent are periodically rehashed on other websites.

I'm so glad that you felt confident enough to get it out here. Check out Parenting the Gifted Child-- there are loads of us out there who have no idea what normal development is, and who have issues of all sorts surrounding their own giftedness. I can't tell you how many posts I've read there which start along the lines of "I'm not all that gifted, my IQ is only 140-something..." or "I'm concerned that I/others are trying to make my child something they're not..."

Gosh, I could go on for daaaaays about my giftedness issues. I have, on several occasions.

[Theia]

Originally Posted by eilonwy

I love getting out and socializing and not feeling like I have to hide aspects of my life. It's such a rare thing for me to be able to simultaneously be a mother, a pagan, a freak, a geek, a lover, a friend, a party animal, an insomniac... and not have people look at one aspect and just *freak* at the thought of another. That's what I love most, I think-- I can really be myself for the first time without hiding bits or worrying that I'm going to scare someone or lose credibility with someone. It's so nice.

eilonwy, this is me too. I need to still be all these things I was before, the eclectic mix that is me. So many parts don't 'jive' with mainstream society and then you throw being a mother in on top of all those things..... it's like walking on eggshells all the time! How can you be a mother and...? So I am learning and looking for opportunities and like minded women. I've had so many years of being just me, so the time needed for me to learn the mother role is fine, but that freak side of me is lonely.

Originally Posted by lincap

Hi Ladies.

I have been MIA. Sorry. Things here are tough. Having a real hard time adjusting to two kids. DS1 (2.5 yrs old) is acting out trying to get my attention.

DS1 is hitting EVERYONE. Me and DS2 mostly. I hit him the other day out of a weird reflex that i didn't like. It was like a Mama bear... he hit DS2 andI jsut hit him. So we are not doing well. DH is some help but not much. He lately is waking at 8 and not going to work until 930, so he doesn't get home until after 6:00. And when he is with DS1 DH is jsut letting DS1 watch TV so he can work on his computer... ugh.

HUGS

So sorry to hear about your DS1 acting out. I've no advice but wishing that things will sort out for you. And maybe you can find a way to get DH engaged. Or maybe when he is on the computer you can have him be with DS2 so you can have some quality time with DS1.

Originally Posted by cwoodard

Hi,

I just joined Mothering.com a few days ago and happened to come across this thread today. Looks like a great group of people!

Welcome cwoodword and Alexander!

Originally Posted by PlayaMama

i realized why i have such issues with her development being slower than lazlo. it's because for a long time in my life i based my identity on being "smart". i was that annoying kid in school who always had her hand up saying, "pick me! pick me!" i could go on but it was a pretty big part of my self-worth. "i may not be popular but at least i'm not dumb!"

so, i have issues about not wanting my kids to be "not smart". lazlo is pretty darn quick and people are always commenting on how smart he is. i wish i didn't take such pleasure in this... i didn't do anything to make him smart he just is.

so, with linnaea i'm surprised how much i'm focusing on the milestones. i thought i'd take it easier with the second but instead i'm anxiously watching to make sure that she's doing things ahead on the pack. except that she's not.

i guess my fear is that she'll be dumb. i'm so crazy! i keep telling myself that maybe she'll be good at other things, or maybe she'll be an artist, or maybe... but what if she is dumb? i don't know. i guess it just feels better to say it out loud (or type it at least )

I know you don't need to be told this..... but just let go of those worrisome thoughts. She is who she is and I am sure that it is wonderful and perfect. Love her and let go. In this she is your teacher and you the student. Besides, does it really matter later if you learned to roll over at 3 months or 5 in the length of your lifetime? How long does it take for a watched pot to boil?

Originally Posted by Writerbird

I have sibling drama - I know I've mentioned my crazy sister, and how we don't speak because she creates memories from whole cloth. She also resents me because I went to college before she did. Never mind that I'm older and can't HELP having done a number of things before she did.

I'd do the best you can do, but don't go overboard for her. Also, expect nothing. Be kind in ways that you think you can without straining yourself. I imagine that your family knows about her issues and don't believe her when she says you sent her a box of rags because they know who you are too. Maybe someday..... but in the mean time, there are two little children that are cousins and keeping the lines open so they can know each other is a good thing, jmho. Even if you are the only one trying.


DD has her 4 month WBV tomorrow. I'm a little anxious cuz I've never taken her to one and don't know what to expect. The Dr is supposed to be OK with delayed or no vax. Other than measurements, what else do they do at these things? We live in a county with one of the highest rates of non-vax'd kids, so I think that it won't be a major thing when I say that I'm not going to vax at this time. (I haven't made up my mind if I am no-vax or not cuz DD (eventually) will be traveling to developing countries where the risk is higher.) I am for sure delaying and if I do decide to vax, it will be a much less aggressive schedule that was the US currently recommends.

And tomorrow is my anniversary for finding out I was preggers. I am thinking it happened around 7AM when I suddenly woke from a comfortable sleep with the realization that I needed to throw-up immediately. I'm sure it was a sight to be seen, frantically unzipping the tent door and leaning out with only a second to spare before I vomited in the dirt. Ahhh... the memories. Then 8 months later, to the day labor began.

[cwoodard]

Writerbird, I'm sorry you have to deal with that. I think the ball is in her court. You've made an overture. She's the one with the problems. Only she can decide to get over it. Maybe you could keep sending an occasional gift for your nephew to keep the lines open.

[eilonwy]

Originally Posted by peace_laughing

eilonwy, this is me too. I need to still be all these things I was before, the eclectic mix that is me. So many parts don't 'jive' with mainstream society and then you throw being a mother in on top of all those things..... it's like walking on eggshells all the time! How can you be a mother and...? So I am learning and looking for opportunities and like minded women. I've had so many years of being just me, so the time needed for me to learn the mother role is fine, but that freak side of me is lonely.

[chanting] One of us, one of us, one of us...[/chanting]

Seriously, though... where are you? You'd probably get a real kick out of the Farm, even if you're not a practitioner of an Earth religion. It's beautiful on so many levels.

Did I mention that Bear had his four-month appointment? I'm guessing not, as it was the morning before I left for GM. Bear is 27" tall (95th+ percentile) and weighs 15 pounds (45th percentile). In other words he's just as I described-- long and skinny. He's my beautiful baby boy. I just love squishing and kissing him. So cute, so mini! My niece is always telling me that he's "too light" because he's not built like her baby sister (who is a substantial chunk of baby). She says that when she holds him, she's not sure that she *is* holding a baby. ChunkityButt doesn't have that problem-- you KNOW when you're holding her.

[applecore]

Oh, man, I wish we could get a bunch of us together to let our inner freaks play! I'm gonna let mine out at Weed Dance Weekend. It's a gathering of women where we learn about herbs, power tools, do some drumming and African dance, play with henna, eat wild foods, drink herbal ales- the whole she-bang! It's such a riot! One of my best friends hosts/runs it, and I'm going to lead a bellydance class for her. I'm so stoked! So if anyone wants to come to MI this August, let me know!

Okay, so catching up. I went to Chicago this weekend to see Drive-By Truckers at a free festival. I only saw four songs before the littlest two got too tired, so we retired to the van to watch Men In Black. But we went to Lincoln Park Zoo earlier, so I was pretty pooped as well.

Teeny, I'm sorry you're having birth issues. I know there's alot of help to be found here, but I wouldn't totally discount therapy. I'm sure there are some therapists out there who would understand your feelings. I hope things will start looking up.

Sharun, that video was great! Holy crap!

Writerbird, ITA that the ball is in her court. You did something kind to reach out to her, she and chose not to reply, so she must not be ready to engage in a positive relationship with you. I'm so sorry- that really sucks.

Welcome, Cynthia!

Lauren, I'm so relieved to hear you're home and safe.

Sorry if I missed anyone dealing with big stuff!

[PlayaMama]

Originally Posted by Writerbird

I gather she is having trouble breastfeeding, and is extremely depressed about having to go back to work. She is also apparently not bonding well with the baby.

PlayaMama - Editing to add that ITA with your post, vis a vis an identity as a smart person, worrying about a baby who might not be, and trying to be okay
with that. In other words, "I totally agree."

ha! the best i could come up with was "I think also" which is sorta the same but didn't quite sound right.

as for your sister... i dunno. it seems odd to me that she wouldn't say thank you for the clothes. that must hurt not to be able to share something as cool having kids together in a positive way. it seems like she feels like she is competing with you...maybe just feel sorry for her and keep being a good person?

[PlayaMama]

Originally Posted by eilonwy

There's plenty more; Apparently all the reasons to despise me as a human being and a parent are periodically rehashed on other websites.

I'm so glad that you felt confident enough to get it out here. Check out Parenting the Gifted Child-- there are loads of us out there who have no idea what normal development is, and who have issues of all sorts surrounding their own giftedness.

thanks for the suggestion. i've always been a bit afraid to venture into that forum thanks for the re-cap on your kiddos too. it really helps to remind myself that ALL kids are different. really, they are ALL different.

and don't even trip about what people are saying on any other website...we love you here!!

Originally Posted by peace_laughing

I need to still be all these things I was before, the eclectic mix that is me.

Love her and let go. In this she is your teacher and you the student.

I'm sure it was a sight to be seen, frantically unzipping the tent door and leaning out with only a second to spare before I vomited in the dirt. Ahhh... the memories. Then 8 months later, to the day labor began.

ditto to the eclectic mix though if i'm honest a LOT of the stuff i did before becoming is mother is probably best left VERY securely in the past. ahem.

she is totally the teacher. it's bringing up a lot of ego issues for me that i didn't even know i had. like, how i think people will think less of *me* if i have a not-so-smart child. of course, i work in a school and i totally don't think less of the parents with not-so-bright kids. or do i? i've never examined that either oh jeez... i'm becoming one of those parents who sees their children as a reflection of themselves. i never thought i'd understand *that* idea... i truly thought i was over all this weird stuff.

Originally Posted by eilonwy

Did I mention that Bear had his four-month appointment? I'm guessing not, as it was the morning before I left for GM. Bear is 27" tall (95th+ percentile) and weighs 15 pounds (45th percentile).

onto other not so embarrassing topics. linnaea is the chunkity butt you speak of i measured her a few days ago 24" (50th percentile) and about three weeks ago she was 16-1/2 pounds so she must be like 17 by now (95th+ percentile). my friend elizabeth had a long lean baby and i remember holding him i was afraid all the parts of him were going to flop around because he was so big and long. linnaea and lazlo are totally little bricks (i always laugh at that diaper commercial with the lady and the brick baby).

my great-grandma just died the other day at 94. no big surprise but mostly sad for my grandma and mom. and it got me thinking.... do you all have someone that will come on here and post if something happens to you? i made my mate promise that he will come let you all know so i don't just disappear without a word. feel free to ignore me if that's too creepy and morbid.

[eilonwy]

Carrie, that *is* morbid. That's why I'm so glad I'm not the only one who thinks such things.

I've decided that I'll make my friend do it. I think I'll send him an email with detailed instructions-- in the event of my untimely demise, please post to the following threads on MDC.

Morbid indeed.

[Theia]

Originally Posted by applecore

Oh, man, I wish we could get a bunch of us together to let our inner freaks play! I'm gonna let mine out at Weed Dance Weekend. It's a gathering of women where we learn about herbs, power tools, do some drumming and African dance, play with henna, eat wild foods, drink herbal ales- the whole she-bang! It's such a riot! One of my best friends hosts/runs it, and I'm going to lead a bellydance class for her. I'm so stoked! So if anyone wants to come to MI this August, let me know!

That sounds like a good time, and I would love for a bunch of us to really meet and play. I'm a little far from MI now, but have a great time and tell us stories when its done. The bellydance class would be awesome. I wanna learn that some day too. I like the 'milk a goat class'. Yummy, : I grew up milking and drinking goats milk on a small family farm, and playing with the kids is so much fun.... I mean the furry ones.

Originally Posted by eilonwy

[chanting] One of us, one of us, one of us...[/chanting]

Seriously, though... where are you? You'd probably get a real kick out of the Farm, even if you're not a practitioner of an Earth religion. It's beautiful on so many levels.

Yeah, chant on.... it takes awhile for me to let my inner freak out around ppl cuz I'm never sure how it'll be received.... but it's always there. I grew up around a bunch of conservative sheep and lions were pushed to convert.
I live in SW Oregon, but not on the coast cuz that's too cold. I know there is lots of stuff like that in this area, it was part of my attraction to moving here. But I only moved here last year and immediately became pregnant so I didn't get a chance to meet anyone while I could still have fun. So I'm here in this really cool place and I know there are tons of cool women around me, but I know more "regular Moms" than anything IRL here. They are progressive, but not freaky. I'm branching out some, but its slow.

I've never been to the Farm, if you mean the one in Tenn. I spent most of my life in the midwest and the southeast (MO,KS,IA,NC,GA,MS), but I only learned about the Farm when I read Ina May Gaskin's Spiritual Midwifery last year. I don't practice any single religion, but parts of many from earth/pagan to hinduism and lots of stuff in between. I like to play with the earth and all of it's gifts; plants, crystals, animals...... So if anyone is in my area, please come out to play. Thanks Rynna for getting me to be a little freaky on MDC.

Playa.... I missed you on multi-quote.... Sorry to hear about your GGMa.
ITA that somethings should be left behind. I've done some stuff that I won't do now as a mother :... those are now memories that I'll share with DD when the time comes. But there are still things that I want to resume and have conflicts within because of old societal views I was raised with and I haven't figured it out yet for myself. I want to do whats best for DD, yet I know I can't neglect (what is neglect of self anyway?) myself cuz that doesn't serve DD either. And I am of belief that DD chose me and is/was aware of all of me before becoming my daughter so does that mean it's all OK really? <sigh>

And to the morbidity..... I love it, but never thought about it. Not sure who I could have do that for me. Hmm.... something to think about as I'd hate to just disappear from you all one day.

Also, NOS, I hope you are well. You haven't been around lately and I know you are missing DS1. Please be well and come back for some love.

Going to bed now but you all rock! The best group of women on the web is right here!

[flapjack]

I like the sound of Oregon- some of my November05 mamas are there.

Carrie, you deal because you have to. None of mine show any signs of being as bright as Alex- he's gifted in the sense that it's actually a mixed blessing because it gets in the way of his social relationships. Isaac is average academically, but goes deep, and I'm guessing that Skye is more able : It doesn't matter too much to me, really (which is why I don't hang in the Gifted kids forum/thread.)

Writerbird, I'm sorry I wish your sister was different.

[Jezzy]

cwoodard welcome!

Writerbirdsorry about your sis : hug

Playa Sorry about your grandma!