La Moms ~2003!

[Pom]

2003....

I'm sending prosperous, joyous, loving, abundant and healthy mojo out to all of you and yours....~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~~**~**~**~*~*~*~*~*:h eartbeat

(This year may my spirit and actions reflect a mother, daughter, sister, friend, wife and person filled with more patience, lovingkindness and empathy.)

[lunarmomma]

Sounds good to me...
Happy New Year everybody!!:balloons :balloons :balloons :balloons :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana

[rubelin]

I'll third that sentiment :D :D :D

This is gonna be a fabulous year!!

Namaste to all of you amazing mommas!

Robin~
wife to Dan, momma to Ben, kitty momma to Max&Musette

[moongloe]

hey howdy hey!

ma...i had fries with dinner.

rube...what was the name of the wine you brought that was your special bottle? i saved the corks, and would be happy to give that one to you if you'd like.

pom...did dh tell you her word du jour? she was pulling things out of the dress-up basket, found the dalmation 'fur', gasped and said with awe "peh tee"!!!!!

where are the rest of you!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
~peace in 2003, mg :love

[Pom]

OMG - I have the cutest child ever!!!:love (OK, well, not the cutest ever, and y'all have cute lil cabbages, too. :love )

Today I was unbelievably cranky. Like, really. And it was not made any better by our new infestation of flying freakin' ANTS. ARGHHHHHH!!!!! I am way wigged out. Not usually such a wus about such things, but these guys really oog me out. They're HUGE. And they're MATING.

MA - Don't want this to spiral into group dysfunction, but as far as pre preg pants go...is it that you're not back to them yet? Cuz I tell ya, Miss Little Legs, you ain't got nuthin to be jealous of!

Speaking of dysfunction, did I mention that dd has learned to make her self gag and vomit by stuffing her fingers down her throat (all over our neighbor's new couch)? Is this what I get for raising a girl in LA???? On second thought, maybe she's not so cute after all....

g'nite all!

[2boobs]

I've been away for Christmas and we are recovering from a nasty cold, so I've not posted for ages sorry. Haven't lurked much either though!

We are to fly out to Boston on the 12th Jan and then on to LA onthe 19th. We are all really excited, even Arthur who seems to love airoplanes all of a sudden.

I'm not sure on how much I'll be able to get up to your neck of the woods while we're over, but hopefully the kids will travel ok. (They're not used to cars)

Anyway, Perhaps I could meet up with you all at a meeting (duh).
Is there anything small and light and British eg. biscuits that I could provide as a thankyou to you for all your pre-trip advice?

Must dash as ds is waking.

[moongloe]

hi girls~

2boo...yay! i hope your move, and the flight over goes smoothly!

nothing thrilling to report. ds and i goofed off today, and i scrubbed the bathroom. then while the menfolk were having fun, i made pizzas. i think i will use a stool next time, cuz i'm too short to knead at my kitchen counter.

i need everyone to give me their birthdays (dh and kids too), and anniversaries please. (for my calendar, nothing untoward)

does anyone have a topic they're itching to discuss?

~peace, mg :love

[rubelin]

ooh, homemade pizza sounds yummy :yum

I am dealing with my new-to-me sewing machine that arrived yesterday, more than a week late and in many little bits due to horrid packing, so I am decidely grumpy this weekend :angry Luckily it's not the one I raved about before, that one arrived intact and cleaned up quite purty and sews lovely. This one was a cheapo to replace my other cheapo that I sold before Xmas, but it seems to be costing me much more than it's worth in headaches and angst :( And the worst part is that is really was a nice machine with pristine attachment boxes that are all mangled now. I'm heartbroken :crying

OK, gotta get off the machine now, almost bedtime. Hope you are all having a loverly weekend!

Robin~

[Pom]

Hello 2boobs - Good luck on the move!!! It's been in the 80's here -- I am sure very very different from your current climate. Hopefully, we'll see you soon!

Went over the valley this morning and was so proud of myself that I did not get lost -- coming or going -- yay me!

Sorry, Rube, about your purty machine. Hopefully it will all end up worth the hassle!

Met a woman today who will be delivering at St Johns -- anyone know anything about it?

MG - Pizza...yummm...I don't have anything I'm itching to discuss, but I am hoping to get a bit deeper on my new book -- The Corrections. I'm only a few pages into it, and already I'm tense (it's about a dysfunctional family) and very hooked. However, tonight, I'll probably veg at the tv and watch some old Mr Show episodes that DH rented.

Did I mention, DD said "blanket" yesterday morning? SO weird...first thing in the am before we are even awake she puts her blanket in my face and says it clear as day. What is it with babies and the early am?? It's like the vocabulary part of their brain is working overtime....

Later gators...

[rubelin]

Pom, I delivered Ben at St. John's. They're a hospital, that's about all I can say. I did have one awesome L&D nurse who really stood up for me with my horrible OB, but I don't believe childbirth to be a medical condition so I don't believe hospitals are the proper place for them. just my not so humble opinion :)

I really have to get to bed, tomorrow is the last day of Dan's vacation :( Boo-hoo, I actually haven't gotten too sick of him :wink

Night all!!

[mary ann]

rube, maybe you're not sick of dh on account of the reminiscing? :wink

pom, i've heard both horrible and really good things about st.john's. seems like a toss up, depending on what day you're there, who's working, etc.... SIL delivered there and liked it fine... so did a friend at work... but my childbirth class teacher worked there for a long time and definitely does not recommend it... go figure.

MG i lust after your fries!! although i must confess that on friday i had sweet potato fries at venus of venice... however they don't REALLY count as fries... being kinda strange and all.....

2boobs--hope to meet you! happy travels!

LM can you email/PM me that info on that sports doc please? also can you recommend any homeopathic remedy for dd, who seems to have a tiny bit of a cold? (coughing, not wanting to sleep, fever)

WHERE IS CHRISTIN???? if we don't see that lurker soon i just might have to call her up directly and pester!! (the thing is, i only have her cell number) oh well... if you're lurking out there, missy, consider yourself forewarned!!! impending pestering!!!! :p

as for me/us... having a rather nasty weekend so far.... started off yesterday morning with dd having a MAJORLY impacted poo, so bad we called her doc.... poor thing. finally got most of it out, i think the rest went this a.m. somebody has a sore butt! :( on top of that teething, and on top of that (we think) a bit of a cold, although not sure how that is possible, as the last cold DH and i had was 3 weeks ago and no way she coudl have been incubating the virus this long.... ugh. we had a bad, bad night--no sleeping for anyone... took turns bouncing/rocking most of the night... dd slept for no more than 45 minutes at a stretch and we were up bouncing again.... AND, happy new year to me, AF is back!! with a vengeance!! i think i will need a blood transfusion soon.... :(

hopefully when dd wakes up from her morning nap she'll be a new baby!!
happy sunday ladies!

[Lisanaaron]

happy new year:)

my fil is in town. he and dh have gone for some sightseeing. ds is taking a nap in the sling. we had a rough night last night, lots of cring:(

i wrote christin. she is doing great but been busy and hven't had much computer time. her dd is now walking. she said things have calmed down a bit so she'll be on the board again very soon.

later.

[lunarmomma]

ma, I just pm'd you the info. hope dd is feeling better...

Hey everyone... been a bit absentee... my dad (and we the family) had a bit of a scare on Sat pm but he is ok now... guess he got low blood sugar and/or was dehydrated (hadn't eaten enough), he almost passed out and my mom called 911. They broght him to the hospital. I got pretty scared. He has a bit of a history with heart stuff... He is supposed to have a hip replaced the end of the month. Yikes. Getting old is not fun, truly.
Unfortunately there is only ONE ER open all night in the valley. WTF is that??? Guess it is more important to go and perpetuate active murder in the middle east and slow death from neglect of our health care system due to lack of funding. I wonder how many people with emergencies don't make it because the hospital was too far away....

On a lighter note....
moongloe: ds is jonesing for a silver PT cruiser like you guys have. Where in the heck did you get yours??? Dh has tried Ebay, and we have looked in about three toy stores an no luck....He keeps asking..."want to have a silver toy car like grandma's new car...
Can you tell me your secret please??? SOON??? WHERE did you get it???
Thank you!!!

[moongloe]

hey where is my post from yesterday?????

lunar...i think we got it at the 99cent store, but i've seen them all over. try toysrus, they have the largest selection of matchbox and others. i'll keep my eye out for another.

ma...i found flax in a veg pill today. i recall you and i discussing it on new years eve. anyway...rainbow, over on washington has it. 'health from the sun' brand.

i forgot all the stuff i wrote yesterday...sorry.

friday (after 3), i'm gonna go hang out at a book store, drink coffee, look at books, and read european magazines....if anyone wants to join me, just let me know.

for those of you taking flax...what form do you take it, how much do you take, and do the kids take it as well?

~peace and love, mg :love
edited cuz i forgot to say...lunar how scary! i'm glad he's ok.

[Lisanaaron]

lunarmomma, all the best to your dad. That must have been scary.

MG, I take flax seed oil. I take 1 1/2 to 2 table spoon each day and mix it with my food. I've tried several brands and so far the best (one with least amount of aftertaste) is Jarrow brand from Wild Oats. Wholefood does not carry this brand. I think it's organic as well. I also eat a cereal with flax Trader Joes brand. No, I have not given any flax to ds.

Today for the first time we gave lentils to ds and he loves it. He just loves to eat!!!

Anywho, g'night everyone!

[Lisanaaron]

Forgot to add, there is Shalom Time tomorrow (Tuesday) at borders Bookstore on Westwood. It's a 40 min of songs and rhymes and it's supposed to be fun. It starts at 4pm for anyone who's interested.

[Pom]

Lunar - How horrible for your family! *~*~*~*~* healthy heart and hip vibes for your dad.

MG - We used to give dd flax oil daily -- mixed it up in her porridge. Then she went on prridge boycott. Now just in her oatmeal if we remember. It seemed to help her eczema. We eat that TJ's flax cereal pretty regularly -- damn, it's good, but so sweet! Not sure if the flax outweighs the sugar, LOL.

Whaddya post?

OK ladies, fingers crossed ...DH has 2 interviews this week. Tide has GOT to turn!! Send him some job huntin' mojo PLEASE!!!

I'm too exhausted to think or post. Love you all...(even you, MIA Christin! ;))

We're out of holiday chocolate. Is it bad to eat jam for dessert?:eek

[rubelin]

Pom, lol on the jam dessert! We have a couple of those pecan tarts left, want them?? I'm sending your Dh super strength job mojo ~*~*~*~*~*~*~

oooh, MG, that sounds good. If we go to Borders, I could tag along, I have a gift card for there. Otherwise, I'm too broke this month :(

(((Lunar's Dad))) Hope he's mended soon and feeling all better and that you're over the fright!

I got my last orders finally sent out tonight!! Hurrah!! They're only about a month late :p I have so much to do now, redoing my website and sewing up inventory. oh, I have to find another machine to replace this broken one that came last week, too! :angry Ah, well, it's all gonna be fine, no stressing, it's a new year with new freedom and I am NOT getting stressed out! (seriously, I'm not :D )

Christin, no joking, say anything so we know you're really alive :)

2boobs, good journey to you! I really hope you can make it up here for at least one meet!

Hope you're all having a great week!

Robin~

Hope you're all having a lovely week!

[lunarmomma]

Hey everyone...
thanks for the good wishes for my dad. he seems to be fine now. Had more tests today and nothing turned up strange... guess it was dehydration and not enough to eat... he doesn't think he needs to do anything different at 84 than he did at 40, I guess!!! May I have the same attitude if I get that old!!
mg, I tried toys r us. no success. I have found a couple online and will follow them up. thanks!!
pom. jam will do, but you should come by here. Dh's mom sent a pile of naughty stuff from Italy... I am trying to get rid of it by eating it all but i could stand with some help!! I burned my last s'more in the toaster oven a few days ago. should have just eaten it as it was.
rube, good luck on the new machine. and congrats on the orders too!!
2boobs, glad you are coming out soon!! don't worry about the biscuits though thanks for the offer. I have a friend coming out the first of Feb and i will give her a large order. So you can keep your bags light!
Do hope we'll get to meet somehow.

Man these fires are bumming me out. I have several friends who live out that way. AND we went to malibu on Sunday. You couldn't have asked for a more beautiful, perfect day. Now this. It doesn't matter how much money you have, nature rules this one. Man.... that sucks. And it happens often.
well,
guess I should try to sleep.
hasta pasta everybody....

[mary ann]

mmmmmmmmmm italian candy.... :yum are you by any chance referring to CHOCOLATE???? :eek ah well i have certainly had my share... my sis sent me a box from holland, the nanny got us some, dh got some from work... the fridge is still full of the stuff. how can i stop when there is so much there?! :rolleyes:

POM--sending you the best best best dh job havin' vibes!!!!!!!!!! best of luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (you skinny wench!) :p tee hee

LM scary about your dad! glad he is better!!

MG i'll get that kind of flax when i run out. thanks for the info! i'd love to hang out on friday, but i already have plans.... you go, girlfriend! live it up!!

rube, i hate to ask cause i know how busy you are, but can i have my pants please? if you think you're not going to have time, then i'll just take them back as is. i discovered a tailor near my work so i can always take them there. :)

lisa, your ds is getting to be quite the food hound! does he ever get constipated?

well gals, you're not going to believe what i'm up to lately.... almost hate to even mention it, but then again, my craziness is no secret from you ladies... i am now trying to relactate! ever since i quit pumping (day before xmas) i have been having increasing guilt... had a major panic attack about it about 5 days after the last time i pumped... started pumping again but now it just dribbles out... if i pump and pump i only get an ounce or less from both sides total! so i am back on the herbs and back to pumping every 2 hours to try and get it back.... LM got any ideas for a homeopathic remedy to counteract the last one i took to DRY up the milk? :rolleyes: this is probably totally crazy of me... i wonder if i had some kind of hormonal crash that precipitated this... anyway it may not work... i've been at it a few days now, i'll give it till the end of this week and if my milk's not back i guess i will give up for good. ugh. feel free to tell me i'm loony! i haven't told my sisters what i'm up to because i know they would think i am nuts, since they kept telling me to quit when i was having so many problems, and they all think dd is old enough to be off b-milk without getting health problems from it (she'll be 8 months old next week). the craziest thing of all that i have been fantasizing about is getting dd back on the boob--which even dh thinks i am crazy for thinking, since dd has been off boob for nearly 5 months now... she used to nurse occasionally in her sleep but even quit that about 2 months ago. maybe this whole thing really is some awful hormonal crash.... :(

[mary ann]

LM can you let me know if you got my response to your PM? something weird happened when i tried to send it....

[2boobs]

Thanks for all your replies. It is quite good that I don't have to buy chocolate as I'm being super good at the moment and doing a dairy free low sugar diet as ds (and I) had a nasty virus and it has lowered our immune systems.

Anyway, to Mary Ann. It is totally normal to feel sad about the end of breastfeeding I think. It is true that lots of people would think you are being strange trying to relactate but donn't you think that is because of breastfeeding being under-valued by the majority? Whether you are successful or not you have to go through the process and it will probably make you feel better. If you never tried you would probably always wonder!
Could you co-sleep (topless) with dd for a while? That is good for physical closeness isn't it?

It must be hard for you working and going through all this. Perhaps you may be succuessful in re-establishing night-time feeds (especially if you got up in the night to pump fo a week or so). Maybe you would have to take away any pacifier/limit bottles too so she couldn't get sucking comfort much elsewhere. Could she sip her formula in the meantime?

Babies are very clever and if you persist in offering the boob and try to limit other sucking she would probably get the message of what you are trying to do and make up har own mind. Perhaps if she saw other babies/toddlers breastfeeding this would help.

My advice is (if you want it - I am quite pro-breast and don't wish to offend) to take your time. Make sure you know what you want as if you did do this it would seem a good idea to then let dd wean in her own time if possible.

Also the pump is artificial - there is no love for the pump so whatever you produce for that - you would make more for baby. I have never been successful with breast pumps but have fed both my toddlers successfully! Just my humble opinions.

There are other just as good ways to feel close to your baby though aren't there?

:)

[moongloe]

hey girls~

ma...good luck with the remilking. i don't know anyone who's done it, so i have no advice to offer. i hope it works for you though.

rube...i was thinking of borders actually. just so you know, i'm not bringing my bairn.

lunar...yeah i saw on the news last night. it made me think of that huge fire years ago. i lived in los virgenes at the time, and was a wreck. i hope this fire doesn't take much more wildlife. i forgot to ask...does the pt need to be silver?

pom...many good luck vibes to your dh. i wished him well this am too. oooh minipom just sneezed in her sleep! she must've known i was writing to maman.

mer...how are the gigs going?

baes...don't ditch us totally for your valley pals!

piran...i do plan on doing the knitting thang, i've just been swamped of late. didn't want you to think i'd forgotten.

c...you just don't love us anymore.

lisa...your ds does have a good appetite. mine is the same way.

2boo...how's the packing?

did i get everyone? probably not, i've a terrible memory.
~peace, mg :love

[lunarmomma]

hi
mg. yes, the pt must be silver. i've found two online but am going to check gasp, walgreens... a hint from the internet.
minipom, hee hee!!

ma, my book says agnus castus 6c (chasteberry) as remedy of first resort if milk production stops. Another option is Pulsatilla which also might help with the changeability of emotions.... 6c as well.
Pulstatilla is probably the one I'd go for in your case... try about 4 times daily for up to 3 days, according to this one source. I'll keep looking.
And no, I didn't get any PM from you.

2boobs, my friend in the UK just wrote and asked for my shopping request list... you are SO off the hook!! Be very VERY thankful!!!
really, I wouldn't impose my list of requests on you.... but someday....maybe!!

[Pom]

MA _ You're not crazy!!! Well --- not about re-milking...;) OJ and oatmeal baby...eat up! Also, I second what 2B says about no love for the pump...I give way more to dd then to the pump/bottle. Actually, I think I am beginning to understand the longing for return -- after all my bigtalk about wanting dd to self-wean, suddenly the last few days she seems less interested -- has fallen asleep at night 2x without boobs and could barely show interest the other day after a whole day away from me. DH warned me I'd be sad when she wants no more boobielove and I thought I'd be all cool and zenlike about it, but it's totally feeling like a small rejection. Even though I know that's silly. And although I understood intellectually what you've been going through, it's helped me to really "get" it a bit more -- you've been such a valiant trooper -- I'm even more impressed with how you have consistently tried to get dd to drink from you and have not rejected her, or given up. YOU ROCK, SISTER.

Gotta go finish work. Ugh. I am so bitter about it today.

Rube - sorry about the busted machine!

Thanks for the good job mojo, all!!!

[lunarmomma]

yes, about the pump. I was never able to let down for it. Once I pumped for 2 hours and got about 1/4 oz. or am I reapeating myself... I was trying to clear a plugged duct, to no avail. ditto on all of the abouve for boobie vs machine.... but it's true, you have been a valient, awesome not give up mama who wants what's best for her beautiful dd. you do rock, ma!!!

[lunarmomma]

hey rube, BTW, there is lots of chatting going on over at the dipes board about EC... it doesn't seem to be a banned subject to me, or maybe you just meant the mag????

[rubelin]

Lunar, it's just a mag thing, though we aren't allowed to talk on the boards about why it isn't in the mag.

[Lisanaaron]

MA, I don't think you're crazy. If you have a desire, just do it, if it doesn't work out, at least you know you've tried and be more satisfied that way.

Went to Borders for Shalom Time today and ds really really enjoyed the puppet show. He actually sat on my lap for 10 minutes. I really like the fact that there are a lot of neat traditions and yet not religious so we'll go again next month. People were probably wondered why I was there, but it's open to the public and ds does have Jewish background.

Pom, I agree the flax seed cereal from tjs is sweet, but it's good:p

MA, ds has been eating a ton but so far so good and no constipation. I should say that he poops even more sometimes right after a meal. But I have to say that it looks funky:eek

I'd like to Govindas next Friday, anyone up for it?

Later,

[Trey's mommy]

Hey L.A. mama's :hippie There couldn't be a better place than here to ask...... I am in search of an AP friendly mommy group. I belong to another group, but have found myself slowly fading out since I really do not have much in common with them other than being a mommy. I'm in the South Bay area (Torrance, Redondo Beach) and haven't really found anything. Any suggestions?

I guess I should tell you all a bit about myself since I'm here :D I am a 24 year old SAHmommy of a vibrant 16 month old lil boy and one lil bun in the oven due to arrive in July. We are a co-sleeping, breastfeeding, no CIO, baby wearing, gentle discipline giving, delayed vax'ing family :thumb

I look forward to getting to know you all :wave

[Pom]

Welcome TM!! I'm suyre we can come up with something! I'd write more but am home with sick 17 mo dd and have just a sec to sneak on....Looking forward to meeting you! If you want to learn more about us there's an LA MOMS FIRST STOP thread where we all described ourselves...http://mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13199...see you soon!

[moongloe]

hey girls~

ma...i do think you're insane btw...not for the nursing thing, just in general heehee

lunar...darn. oh well, i haven't seen a silver pt in ages, but i'll still be on the look out for it. good luck.

tm...welcome to the boards!

pom...i hope dd is feeling better. just to warn you, i have a raging, burning sore throat.

target...in the aisle that houses the kids' room decor (right in front of toy aisles). they have these wooden tool workbenches for kids. they were originally really expensive, then marked down to 30 a few days ago. anyway, went today, and they are now selling them for $12. more than worth it at that price. i'd hurry if interested, there were only a few left.

~peace, mg :love

[mary ann]

MG--it is true that i AM totally crazy!! i am just a raging hormonal mess--i don't know what is wrong with me. i want to cry all the time. i think it must be some kind of hormonal crash from not lactating anymore? also the fact that i just got AF for the first time... what a whiner i am! you'd think i never had a cramp in my life. ugh! :(

2boobs--if i ever by some miracle got dd back on the boob, i wouldn't wean her until she left home for college!!! i swear!! i'd be like, nursing a 15 yr old on jerry springer!! :eek certainly you give good advice... stuff i did try back when dd went on permanent strike..also at that time saw 3 different lactation consultants and spent a buttload of cash doing so, just to be told that dd is incredibly strong willed and the only way to get her back on the boob and keep her there would be to never give her a bottle again, which at the time wasn't feasible as i was going back to work. looking back now, i wish i would have just quit my job and stuck it out with dd... even though trying to get her to nurse made her so miserable and fussy.

HOWEVER i am wondering now if it would be worth a try to go again and try to get her back on, if i did quit my job (which i might be able to do soon)... i am toying with the idea of taking her back to dr. fleiss to see if he can do it... i don't know, i think i'll call him.

so far all total today i've been able to pump 2 ounces, which is more than yesterday, so maybe the herbs are working. i'm going to keep at it through the weekend to see if it's going to work. if it looks like it can happen, i'm back to the pumpstation to rent super pump again!!

trey's mommy--welcome! sorry i can't help you with south bay info....

MG and POM sorry you people are dealing with sickness yet AGAIN!!! what's up with that?! hope you are all better soon!!! :love

well i was gonna write more, but i've already been long winded enough and it's time for me to go home so gotta shut down this computer!! talk to you gals tomorrow.

[MerikaR]

Hi all! :)

((Lunar)) sorry about your dad's scare! FWIW, this exact same thing happened to my college roommate when she was 18. Not enough to drink, eat, passed out, er visit, all was fine. Nothing to do with being 84. Tell your dad he's just like a teenager :)

Rube - must talk with you soon about Poquitos!

MA - I don't know if you're crazy.... :) but if you're truly motivated I suspect it can be done. Did you know that any woman can produce breastmilk? Even menopausal women? Even women with adopted kids? I make no guarantees about quantity, I just don't know the super details, but relactating after just a few days or weeks is probably easier to jump-start than the above scenarios. It may take you a while, but I believe in you!! Good luck :love

Tm - welcome! I don't know a thing about the south bay.

Lisa - how ARE you? It's been ages since ds and I saw you! Hope you had merry holidays.

Pom- Hope dd is well soon!

MG- Thanks for asking, gigs were going really well last month. Even New Year's Eve! Sorry I totally missed your party, rube, I was recovering from the night before (working, girls, not partying!)

2boo - looking forward to meeting you!

Ciao! I am off to Day 2 of trying to install car stereo into hubby's car. Must get it fixed soon.:eek

Merika

[2boobs]

We're leaving here on Saturday soo I quite need to pack a lot tonight if I want to have a calm day with kids tomorrow, so I'll be brief.

Lunar- I'm sorry about your dad too. I worry about my granny and step-grandad as they both keep having scares too. Old age is nasty. I'm going to be an old dear though I've decided.

MA - Do you know that a load of South African grannies relacted when there was an hiv problem with the daughters (sad but true). I think there is a website about breastfeeding adopted children which might be usefull for you. I don't know the url though. You did do really great expressing for so long so don't be too hard on yourself!

Anyway next time I do this I'll be in Boston probably. We fly in to la on 19th. Just thought we'd feeze for a week first!! My husband is giving a paper at MIT.

[mary ann]

2boobs--happy travels! hope you don't freeze your butt off in boston! :eek

merika--nice to see you! glad you have been getting plenty of gigs and that they have gone well. :)

LM thanks for the homeopathic advice--i went and bought that remedy right away. if it is goign to work, how long do you think before i will know/feel better?

re: my craziness... well, after talking to the pump station today and to my sis who is a psych. i have realized i am having PPD, late onset (brought on by the sudden drop in hormones). my sis says she got it too, when she weaned her dd. this morning i started crying as soon as i woke up, and barely crawled to work (late, as usual). anyway i got a rx for an antidepressant and i am going to start taking that today.
and no, i don't think i am going to relactate. i think my problem is depression... i took a self evaluation thing on the PPD website, and my score was "get thee to a dr. RIGHT NOW!"
i am just wondering if i should say anything to my boss, by way of explanation, for my crappy attitude this week, lateness, etc... especially since reviews are coming up next week, i am afraid i might get screwed (like i did last year, when they mentioned lack of motivation, which was because i was in my first trimester and EXHAUSTED but hadn't told them i was preggo).
oh boy, i want to fling poo like never before.
:(

[piranhabb]

MA- On relactating- I could lend you my constantly nursing son to assist... I can't even sit down without being asked, "Abooooo, pleeeeeeeeaaaaaasssssseeee?" Who could turn that down. He even wants to nurse while in the shopping cart. There's a drug out there that will help milk production- it's called Domperidone/motillum. I know you asked about the homeopatic route, but it's what I used when supply was an issue with me and fenugreek/oatmeal/h20 wasn't cutting it (I had reduction surgery at age 20, if you don't remember.) (Just read your latest post- how great that you figured out the PPD thing....)

Rube- I have an Elna 1010 that's not being used. You could borrow it as you need it. Only caveat is that if my machine goes down, I'd want it back. It was my grandmothers, and I don't think it's ever been used.

MG- I have some lovely yarn that's waiting to be knitted... seems I've forgotten how to cast on. Duh.

2Boobs- have a safe and easy trip out west.

All- BTW- Slinky kitty ended up not being pregnant, and we had her spayed on Dec. 31. Here's to a prosperous and happy new year for all!

[lunarmomma]

ma- you should notice something, anything pretty soon after taking the remedy, though it might be more subtle than you are wanting...It should hopefully bring things to a more even keel.

2boobs, safe journey to you!!
We'll be waiting online for your next contact

Trey's mommy, welcome !! I also don't know of anything in the south bay, but 2boobs is heading out that way from England for some months... Maybe you guys can hook up. And of course you are welcome up this way to any gatherings we do

To all those with sick kiddos/mommas... I'm joining you. Ds got croup (again) Tuesday night. damn that illness. Sends me into active PTSD. Hate that!!
I think that warm windy weather did it. He is better now, but not 100%. Didin't we just go throught this right before Xmas???
Hoping yours are all feeling better, you too, mg.

[lunarmomma]

Tomorrow (Saturday) the 11th there will be a big rally against the war and for immigrant rights... March begins at Olympic and Wilshire and march to the Federal building... in downtown LA.
We'll be there.
If anyone wants any more info, let me know and I'll link you up...

[Pom]

Croup! Poor DS! Hope he's feeling better.

So here's the thing -- we do the homeopathic stuff and it makes ME feel good, but then, come nighttime, poor dd is miserable -- tossing and turning, coughing, wheezing, waking up -- the next morning ALL of us are miserable and then WE get sick, too...I guess what I'm wondering is - how do you deal homeopathically with that sort of thing? We've had to "cave" and get regular ol' Tylenol and dimetapp so dd (and the rest of us) some sleep - the other night I slept a total of 2.5 hours -- sitting up! :(

But then I wonder, if I'm giving her allopathic meds at night, what good does it do to continue the homeopathic stuff the next day?

Anyway, I am really wondering what all you momma's do. How you compromise, or don't, to ensure baby -- and the rest of the family -- makes it through a bout of illness.

MA - glad you've gotten some help! hope the meds work out for you. What's with the late drop in hormones? Is that what happens when you stop breastfeeding? No one has ever warned me about that.

Speaking of bf-ing, weaning: Rube, I got that nursing your toddler LLL book, but didn't find much of it very helpful. Probably cuz I am lucky to already have so much EBF support here. It's got a lot of good info, but I think I should've ordered How Weaning happens, or one of those.

Oh, and dd is starting to say "boobie." uh oh. I am desperately trying to get her to say "milk" instead. Dh is like "Tooooo laaaaate!'

Wow I'm chatty today...must be all the coffee I've had to fight this headcold. who'd I miss?

Merika, welcome back! Hope the stereo system is working ok!

2B -- see you soon. Don't get lost in a snowbank!

Piran - Hey, there you are! YAY kitty!

[moongloe]

hey girfriends~

sorry i've been gone a few days. ds and i are sick, and this am is the first time i could handle being upright.

lunar...i heard about the walk, and want to go very badly! we are still sick though. i'm sending my peace vibes with you. i hope your ds is better soon.

boo....safe journey!

mer...you're installing his car stereo? sounds like my house. i own the tools, and i do all the installing. dh is just eye candy. i'm glad the gigs are going well.

pom...i don't think you have to look at it like caving or comprimising. you take care of yourself and your child the best you can. if sometimes it means using mainstream meds, then so be it. i look at it differently i suppose. modern medicine saved my life, and i have to rely on a synthetic pill everyday to keep myself alive and well. still, if you feel so upset after giving her something, then you should factor that in to your decision as well. how is she btw? (lol boobies)

ma...oh honey, i'm sorry about the ppd. i am glad that you found what was really going on though. i'm here for a fry run should you need one.

c...ds got a classical music book for his leappad. right now he is on the page of instruments and just told me 'mama this is what your friend at the library was playing for us'.

piran...my bestfriend took pity on my knitting attempt, and is having one of her friends make ds the harry potter scarf. i'm pathetic lol.

everyone...when shall we hook up for our january bash?
~peace dammit, mg :love

[christinla]

hi hi hi hi!

I just sorta caught up, and now dd has WALKED in to say hi and try to type for me.....how does she (and dh!) know when I am NOT ready yet?? :)

Anyway, I miss you guys terribly! I just haven't been on the computer long enough post or anything.....and then the more time went by, the farther behind I fell. Anyway, hopefully I'm back now!

Had a great holiday with ALL the family here. And now I'm having a great time with ALL the family gone!! All is well.

MG -- very proud of your ds recognizing the bassoon!!! yay

Are you guys all still sick!? Get better soon! Pom -- I go back and forth between tylenol/advil and homeopathic stuff. I just try to use the least amount to get the most effect. I recently found that the First Defense for children (in wholefoods, not sure of the brandname off the top of my head) really really helped Natalie not get sick when half of our family was coughing and sneezing on her for weeks. But if she's sick and in pain and isn't sleeping, I use the other stuff.

better go now. I'll be back == promise!!

c

[rubelin]

OH MY GOODNESS!! HEY, LOOK EVERYBODY, IT'S CHRISTIN!!!! :bgbounce YEA!!!! Welcome back!! I remember those first months of walking, really keeps you on your toes, huh? :wink

Gotta post a quickie, Dan & I are having a movie night, but I wanted to say hi and send hugs to all who need them and kleenex to all the sickies!

Let's be quick about planning our meet this month, the weeks are sure to fly by quick and I don't want to miss seeing everyone! My favorite part of the New Year's parties was being able to sit in one room and know where the kids were and actually have conversations! Let's definitely do something like that again!! Who offers their house for this month?? :D

Ok, gotta run, Hope everybody is having a wonderful weekend!!

[piranhabb]

Robin- I read your message as, "I've gotta post a movie, Dan & I are about to have a quickie...." ::still laughing::

[rubelin]

Pirahn!!! LOL! Yeah, Dan wishes :D We're old married people, too tired and lazy for any of that sort of thing :wink

[moongloe]

hey girls~

piran...lol you beat me to it! i was gonna say the same thing.

c...what a sight for sore eyes! welcome back wayward sister! i told ds what you said, and he was quite proud of himself.

rube...what movie did you watch? my pad is always open for gatherings if noone else can host a january meet. it would have to be a potluck, or bring your own food though, cuz i'm saving for ds' bday party in feb.

lisan...do you get 'vegetarian times' magazine? i used to get it years ago, and just picked up a new issue. anyway, there are some yummy looking vegan recipes.

well dh is sick now. and of course he was so ill that he had to miss work today. so now i'm taking care of all three of us while coughing up my lungs. he is such a baby.

~PEACE NOW, mg :love

[Pom]

Weclome back, Christin!

Sorry I've just been lurking --- dd's cold although not too bad -- has made her super clingy, and now that dh has picked up some contract work (just pt, night shift kind of stuff) I can't sneak on at night to chat.

I get the whole swap out homeopathic and allopathic remedies, but it's been my understanding that doing so can actually hinder/thwart the homeopathic stuff from doing it's job. But maybe that's only for chronic things, and not acute ones like colds.

MG - Hope your fam is feeling better. Sounds like you have something else -- and worse! Than this family does.

Rube - LOL, I read your post the same way. Thanks for the seamstress info - although I think I'm too lazy to go that far!

A pot luck would be nice this month -- I'm happy to make a vegan cassserole....

[moongloe]

hey girls~

pom...mmmm casserole; that one you made for us was yum! cool for dh, what kind of gig is it? how is the bean doing?

ma...i'm craving thick fries today, with cajun seasoning.

i have a stack of old issues of 'vegetarian times' i no longer need. does anyone want them?

my husband is annoying me today.
~peace and love, mg :love

[Pom]

Yeah, the one we made for you is always good! But so is Dh's sweetredpepper hummus. Bean is better, ty. But she needs her boyfriend, BAD. Think he'll be able to play tomorrow?

Dh has a second interview at a place that does subtitles tomorrow -- he'd work the night shift as a contractor. Looks like it could be a good solution to a few issues and still allow him to do some writing and make his deadlines / goals for May. But they've hired him to do some transcription in the meantime. He's pretty excited cuz the first movie they sent him is a Monty Python script. He's a huge fan (aka Dork) and so is just typing and laughing and recalling all the lines from when he was a kid. But the poor guy is sort of sad, cuz really he wants a job that will get him the hell out of the house for a few hours a day. He's so stir crazy, poor dear.

He didn't get the other job he interviewed for, although we are all so impressed cuz at least they called him back to let him know he didn't get it. How sad is that when common courtesy is something to get overjoyed about? LA is weird.

We are totally getting on eachother's nerves over here. Everyone antsy. Everyone tired of being sick and in eachother's faces....

[mary ann]

pom, sorry you all are sick or else we would walk over and visit for awhile... home with dd today because nanny called in... after assuring me months ago that she had TWO PEOPLE who would replace her on a moment's notice if she was ever sick.... :angry she didn't even bother to try these options, just left a message saying she couldn't come. so i had to call in from work, and my boss is PO'd royally, AND i have my review tomorrow!! great timing. oh well, FIRE ME if you don't like it, is what i say!!! :eek
cool your dh is getting work! any work!! that rocks! should help ease the pressure a bit.... but i am still sending him good fulltime vibes!!!

MG i like cajun seasoning, but not thick fries.... what you need is to go to bourbon street on pico and veteran. they have GREAT fries, and good beer on tap! their fries are skinny though, but have cajun seasoning.... not much else veggie there but dh and i used to go sit at the bar and drink beer and eat fries (he would eat the sweet cornbread). yummmmmmmm

CHRISTIN I AM GLAD TO SEE YOU!!!!!! :banana :banana don't disappear no mo'!!!!

PH, how's it going? missed ya at new year's.

rube, go on and have your quickie already!!!! :p hee heee hee
well, at least ONE of us gals ought to be getting some! i know i'm not!!! :(

MG--annoying husband? oh my i would have NO EXPERIENCE with THAT!!!!! :bang

[rubelin]

Well, I'm actually liking my hubby right now, that's a change!!

I'm a little brain dead lately, feeling overwhelmed about work and such. It's hard getting back into a groove after insane December. I'm redoing my website and it's so time consuming and I keep remembering pages I've forgotten and have to go back and add links to every single page :p It's so tedious!

hugs and healing vibes to all the sickies, those with fevers viral and of the cabin sort :) ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I'll try to be more chatty tonight, if my brain has woken up by then :confused:

TTYL! Robin~

ps - I have baby lust BADDDD, someone smack me!!

[Lisanaaron]

Pom, glad for your dh's gig:)

Chistinla, welcome back! I went to wholefoods to get that First Defense, boy it's soooo expensive!!!

MerikaR, you haven't been around much?

MG, I'll take the vegetarian times past issues. Thanks.

I guess I don't understand why you gals love chilli cheese fries so much, the fries are soooo soggy!

Later,

[mary ann]

oh lisa, you know i love you dearly, but SMITE yourself for saying that about my beloved fries!!! :p soggy??!! no way! maybe you let yours sit too long??? :wink

rube, you gotta be crazy!!! :wink actually, i have it too, believe it or not!! although no way will i have #2 until dd is 3.... but i do hanker for a little tiny baby... if only to get the b-feeding right!!

oooooooooooooh boy am i annoyed!!!! dh is letting his parents meddle in our financial affairs AGAIN!!!! and not taking my side!!! boy am i pissed off!!!!!!! oh boy oh boy oh boy am i hoppin' mad!!!!!! fling poo on men!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (now is the time for you all to step up and say, oh, i always KNEW your dh was a dirty rotten bastard, first time i laid eyes on him!!!!!) :rolleyes:

[mary ann]

and say it like you really mean it!!!!

[Pom]

MA-- oh, i always KNEW your dh was a dirty rotten bastard, first time i laid eyes on him!!!!!

How's that???:wink

THERE WILL BE NO DISSIN FRIES ON THIS BOARD. PERIOD. :wink

I have babylust too, but last week thought I might be pregnant and was sooooo afraid to take a test. Thought I'd lose it if I was. I mean, I cannot imagine DD willing to share just yet. And, MA, talk about parents meddling in financial affairs, MY mother tries to meddle in our reproductive ones!!! Tells me we CAN'T have another now. If I was just a wee bit more rebellious and far more stupid maybe I'd do it just to spite her!!!

Have to go back to work. And brush my teeth. Ciao!

MG - Glad you are feeling well enought to let dd play over there -- we need it so!!!!

[Pom]

Oh hey - has anyone gotten a library card at the Rancho Park library on Overland? Or has attended any storytimes etc there? DH stopped off yesterday to check it -- and the new playground -- out, and said he got weird bad vibes from the librarian....just wondering....

Hey Christin - did you know the different characters in Winnie The Pooh were assigned their own instruments ala Peter in The Wolf? Bassoon = eyeore (or "Eee -oh" as Dd calls him), etc etc.

[moongloe]

hellooooooo!

ma...i knew your dh was a bastard cuz i saw him when i went to pick my dh up from the bastard club meeting. please don't say that you didn't do breastfeeding right...you did well.

lisan...the mags are yours. i'll give them to you at the january gathering.

pom...why didn't you tell me monty python on the phone! i am a dork too! british humor cracks me up like nothing else does.

rube...what exactly are you doing to the website?

fries...i like all thicknesses and shapes of them. i prefer them to not be crispy though. fries and beer sounds goooooood.

babylust...i have adoption lust, does that count?

libraries...i've not been to that one. is that just at the fwy offramp?

dang i ate all my spagetti before my bread and now i'm too full for the bread!
~peace and love, mg :love

[rubelin]

Pom, Dan's a big dork too, loves Monty Python! He even has MP3s of outtakes as sounds on his computer, I made him take them off of here, though, they'd freak me out!

MA - Definitely a stinking bastard! I can't believe your IL's are getting into your financial stuff. NOBODY messes with my families money issues without an invitation, that is SOOO off-limits for me!! T'would be such a flinging poo and a "serious conversation with spouse" time!

MG, I think babylust is the same no matter how you plan to obtain said baby (well, except kidnapping, that's just disturbed!) I'm changing the look of my site; I've made a new layout, I'm rewriting some descriptions, changing font sizes, and adding some new pages like the shopping cart. I love doing it, it's just very time consuming and Ben hates me working at the 'puter, so I only get tiny bits of time to work on it.

Speaking of which, Mr. Man is screaming up to me that Buzz & Woody are doing something fabulous, so I'd better get back down there :wink

Hope you're all having a lovely week!!

[rubelin]

Hey, are our sigs back!?!?

Coolness!! I should change it to something interesting :)

[Pom]

MG - Yeah, I think it is just off the ramp, North of National. Speaking of, I think dd outdid herself today - she fell asleep at 7:15!!!

Rube - Hope your site is going well.

Next gathering y'all can sit around and be dorks together. ;) I just don't get it. How is it that I've ended up in this group, LOL?

Did y'all see the article on cosleeping in the NYTimes today? Had some pigheaded stuff about drunks rolling over and smothering babies, but also had a fair representation of the other side, citing cultural mores and the increase of breastfeeding as causes for the increase. Almost 50% said they at least part time co-sleep --- I love not feeling so on the fringe! Quote below and link:

"The survey, by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, found that the percentage of infants under 8 months old who usually shared an adult bed more than doubled in just seven years, to 12.8 percent in 2000 from 5.5 percent in 1993. When respondents were asked if their infants had spent at least some time sleeping in an adult bed in the previous two weeks, the percentage rose to nearly 50 percent. "

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/14/health/14BED.html

[moongloe]

me again~

rube...wow that is a bit of work, you're doing all that and creating stock?

pom...uppity

hey does anyone know where to buy italian charms? my bf just got one for her bday and i want to buy her a charm that will remind her of me (she's moving to texas in march)

ok logging off now before my arse sets down roots.

~peace and love to everyone except ms uppity, mg :love

[Pom]

Hey !!! I meant the other way 'round -- like, what y'all doing hanging out with ME. Sheesh! I never have any clue what my friends are talking about anyway -- same as in Chicago. ...ok dh made me dinner...gotta run!

[Pom]

Oh and I forgot to mention - dd has figured out the second syllable and consonants!! man, it's so cool to watch them learn, isn't it? Suddenly "ball" is not just "ba"; There's "Eee-oh" (Eeyore), and "poop!" and "buh bye" and "buh bye moo" and "Maibee" (Maisy the Mouse) and I am just so proud of my smart lil' chou chou!:love

MG - Do they make French Fry charms????

[mary ann]

for some reason my post came up twice and now won't let me delete...

[mary ann]

french fry charms--hahahahahah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! perfect!!!!!!! MG you gotta find one of those!!! :rolfmao
hey MG speaking of fries.... i am so disappointed that you don't like them crispy! that's the only way i like them!! :( and i thought we had a spiritual connection.... :crying
oh, the disappointment is so bitter....

well, turns out the only person who is a bigger rat bastard than my dh is my boss!! i got a good review, was asked to take on more responsibility, with NO raise!!! (well, 2% cost of living that everyone got) this is the SECOND year in a row!! how can they expect me to stay here and continue working so hard and doing such a good job if they make ZERO investment in me and give ZERO financial incentive???? :bang i am so royally pissed off, it was like pulling teeth when i was driving to work this a.m. i am absolutely out of here at the first available chance!!!

oh, and to top it off, dh had NO TIME to talk to me when i got home last night... he started doing work and stayed up working until 4 a.m.!! so nice to feel supported. :(

whoops, in my haste to rant i forgot to mention anyone else! :(
pom, your dd is not only smart but super cute!!! she's gonna have it all!!! :)

rube, cool to have a new look on your site! dh says it's better for business to constantly update your look... internet shoppers expect it.

hope everyone will have a better day than me!!!

[christinla]

hi!

MA -- rat bastards EVERYWHERE! Either leave, or just do what they pay you to do -- the bare minimum! Be lazy, have a bad attitude. It could be fun!

I want to see EVERYONE's cute babies again! Is there a January date set yet??

So last night I was so happy because we finally have a set up where the crib is next to the bed with no rail in between, and dd was sleeping there fine and I finally had loads of room. yay! (don't ask me why it's taken so long for us to figure this one out -- oh, wait -- go ahead and ask.....I was waiting for Matt to get around to doing it!!!) Then she woke up all miserable, and I couldn't figure out what was going on, then I saw that her face was all puffy and she was itching her eyes and ear (this took a while to figure out in the dark with no contacts) and then remembered that I -- like the FOOLISH HORRIBLE MOTHER I AM -- fed her peanut butter instead of almond butter at dinner. And this was the reaction. Called the dr., he prescribed Benadryl, and it did the trick. She was fine in an hour or so, and she's fine today. But what about the guilt? And is she going to be deathly allergic to peanuts now?????? Could not feel worse or more stupid.

:guilty

Other than that, everything is fine!

Better go before missy miss wakes up...
c

[roni]

(Thanks Mary Ann for the suggestion to repost)
Hi LA Mommies-

Moving back to the area this summer after 2 years in Israel. SAHM to Zoe, almost 2 - still BFing, still co-sleeping.

Starting to think about preschools, not sure if we want to send her or keep her home another year, maybe a 2 or 3 day a week option.

Looking for preschool recommendations, not sure where to start, I'm a bit overwhelmed. Thought about Waldorf, but it seems like anthroposophy doesn't jive with our religious beliefs. Would like to find something just as wonderful and special - any suggestions? Any info you could give would be very much appreciated.

Thanks, Looking forward to joining the tribe (you all seem very cool)

Roni:grouphug

[Pom]

Welcome Roni! Wow - what a change to be back here, no? Do you know where you'll be living yet?

Lisa is our resident pre-school expert here - -she's been looking into it a lot -- and Lunar takes her ds to Waldorf, MG homeschools, so you should get lots of answers!!

Meanwhile -- are you Jewish? I am, dh is not, and we are looking for a synagogue that will work for us -- we just moved from Chicago where it took me 12 yrs to find one I liked. I have some issues, LOL. If this is something you know about, I'd love to hear your (or anyone's) thoughts on the matter here. Although I grew up Conservative, we are looking for Reform to help DH feel more comfortable - he's actually very good about going when I ask, but I try to be considerate. If it's all Hebrew he's lost -- as am I!!

Christin -- OH NOOOOO!!! Poor Natters!!! Hope she - and you - are ok!!! But yayayayayaya on the bed situation! Isn't space nice???

MA - Oh Honey, I feel your pain. With all the layoffs and the market, I have not had a raise -- or bonus -- in almost 2 yrs, and my last raise was like 1.5%. It sucks big time. But, they did try to compensate by giving me lots of options....BAHAHAHAHAHHAAH. Like that helps??

Sigh...have to run to a meeting...

PS Lunar -- forgot to mention...after the NewYear's party I told DH about the Canada link...and he was, like, Canada? Why would we go there? Looking at me like I was CRAZY and I KNOW we were talking about it last year!!!!! DOH!!! A friend of mine just relocated to Ottowa...lucky lucky her!!!

[roni]

Hi Pom,

Nice to meet you, thanks for the reply. We're thinking about moving to Santa Monica. After spending the last 2 years in crazy Jerusalem, we could use some sun, sand and quiet!

Yes, I am Jewish and grew up in the Reform movement in LA, so I have a few suggestions for you and your dh. I hear that Temple Emmanuel in Beverly Hills has a nice saturday morning service called "The New Emmanuel Minyan" I think it's heavy on the singing and spirtuality and light on the Hebrew and traditional prayers - might be a nice way for you to reconnect and an enjoyable experience for dh as well (I'm not sure if it's every saturday so you should call and check first) The rabbi there is also a progressive liberal feminist named Laura Gellar (who nursed her son until 18 mo, by the way)

My other suggestion is Congregation Ohr HaTorah, which meets in a Baptist church in W. LA for shabbat services. The rabbi, Mordechai Finley, is very bright and gives fascinating sermons which anyone can enjoy and our dear friend is the assistant Rabbi there. However, they are not so child-friendly there and insist that young children stay in the playroom or outside during most of the service (the children are paraded in singing for the Torah service) Not our cup of tea, but you can check it out for yourselves.

If I think of anything else, I'll let you know.

Looking forward to hearing from Lisa or anyone else with advice (although Waldorf is out and I don't have the energy to homeschool)

Hopefully we'll come to the area in March to start looking for apartments and schools.

Thanks again, Roni:grouphug

[lunarmomma]

Hi everyone...

Welcome back Christin... sorry about the peanut butter... you are NOT a bad mommy, it's called learning by experience!!

Ma... sorry, maybe this will propel you into moving toward what you really want.... find the gift in the crap, ya know... it's there somewhere!! How are you feeling??

Pom, well, re: Canada, try again in a few months, maybe DH will be enthusiastic, as though hearing it for the first time!!

Roni,
Hi and welcome!! We live in Santa Monica, went to Waldorf for parent toddler but on the fence about the preschool. There are some groovy schools in SM,
I grew up in the valley, reform Jewish, DH is not... I am one of the bad, non practicing ones, for the most part. I am more Buddhist in practice now than Jewish, though we expose Ds to everything, so he knows he is multi- whatever...

Re: Schools,
-Play Mountain Place in Culver City based on Summerhill in England- very humanistic, with the focus on socialization/interaction/problem solving/emotional life. A big parent support network there too. www.playmountain.org

-Seven Arrows in the Palisades, in Temescal Cyn... We have some friends with kids going there and they LOVE it. Big on the arts etc... very multi cultural.

-I have heard of a school in Venice that might be good if you want the Jewish componant, Susan Sims Bodenstein Preschool part of the congregation of Mishkon Tephilo. Shabbat and Jewish holiday's are celebrated.

-There is also a place called Hedgerow, in Santa Monica, that an ex Waldorf teacher has in her home... 12 kids max on any given day... wooden toys etc... try to keep media influence out... lots of waldorf influence but without the anthroposophy in there. A nice space with a great yard...
if you want any numbers or anything, let me know and I will PM you with them.

I have heard of Mordachi Finley, he is supposed to be great. Very PC, very all inclusive, etc... my folks have heard him speak.
Anyway, I can't imagine what life must be like in Israel, though I have a friend there. It's hard to leave, I would imagine, but maybe a place where there is not active warfare going on is a good idea for raising a little one... I know passions run high on the subject but phew, I'm glad I live here!! Though we are trying to emigrate to Canada, It's too much for me even here in LA!!
Let us know if you need any more info or whatever...
Take care.
Laura

[moongloe]

hey gals~

roni...welcome to the tribe!

c...you aren't a bad mama! why don't you pick a january date?

ma...your boss is a rat to be sure. don't be sad about the crispy thang! the spiritual connection is all in the fry itself, not the length of time in cooking.

pom...i bet there are fry charms

lunar...you seem to have all the answers! i feel like the result of sibling mating next to you!

i'm searching for some books, and cannot multitask, so have to cut this short.
~peace, mg :love

[roni]

Wow, can't wait meet ya'll!

Laura, thanks for your great information! We are actually thinking of joining Mishkon Tephilo, we've heard nice things about it as a synagogue, so it's good to know that their preschool is decent. If you could put me in touch with anyone who sends their kid there, I would really appreciate it.

Also, I'd love the contact info for the school in the Palisades and the ex-Waldorfer.

How is life in Santa Monica with a kid? Is it as child-friendly as I imagine it is? Could we swing a decent 2 bedroom for around $1,500? We'd need something within walking distance of the synagogue since we don't drive on Shabbat. What do you think?

Anyway, sorry to get cheesy, but please don't call yourself a bad jew. As my understanding goes, Judaism and Buddhism go quite well together. Every read the book "The Jew in the Lotus"? (I feel like we're playing "Jewish connect the dots")

Well, thanks again and I'd still love to hear other opinions,

Roni:grouphug

[Pom]

Oh wow - I can't believe I'm having this conversation, but if anyone would like to check out some services I'd be interested...hopefully it will be less awkward and I'll be more willing to go...

I really want to raise dd Jewish (with a similar Buddhist bent, LOL) but have many of those "bad Jew" issues myself,as well as organized religion skepticism, but I can't raise her in a vacuum -- I get so emabarrassed when I don't know the words to things, etc., plus I want a temple that will be welcoming of dh and have some interaccial/artsy people...then again, I get a bit embarrassed and self conscious in many spiritual settings...ugh, neuroses!!! I just checked out the temple's website and the rabbi sounds groovy as does the congregation but the Conservative thing makes me wonder...then again, we really liked our Reform temple in Chicago, but while they would do same-sex marriage ceremonies found they would not have married dh and I.

I also very much want a place that welcomes toddlers in the services (family services at least) and has Tot Shabbat kind of things-- that way I can learn, too!

I just sent an email to the Playmountain place -- Lunar, they seem groovy -- so many trees!! I just wonder how much do kids learn when left up to their own interests? I get oddly conservative and wonder stupid things like "will they learn to read?" Of course they will, I mean,we read all the time here and dd already "tries"...but all this alternative education stuff is so foreign to me. The only personal experience I have had with it is that my grade school was an open classroom of 1st - 3rd graders. But everything else about it was pretty normal, I think.

So many decisions to make!!!!!!

Sorry for the long ramble....

[christinla]

Welcome, Roni! I'll be eavesdropping on the responses about pre-schools....curious myself!

Shall I pick a date? Not much of January left -- how about the 26th? And if you need a house, mine is always an option, if you feel like trekking to the Valley. But I'd love a day on the Westside, too. Matt is out of town that weekend, so I'll be happy to have something to do.

Dd is officially a toddler -- she's eating her crayons. hooray!?

mmm fries.

Gps are babysitting tonight -- hot date!!yahoooo!

later!
c

[mary ann]

christin, oh christin, what can you be thinking? the 26th is stupidbowl sunday!! i hope i am not the only one who will not be able to pry their dh from in front of the TV.... :( fling poo on the stupidbowl, i say!! i like to rebel that day and do something ultra-feminine, like get my girlfriends together for pedicures and shopping for unecessary items.... that being said, however, there just isn't much time left in january!! how would everyone feel about the first weekend of feb? (1 & 2nd)

roni--LOVE to have you here, but you gotta be DREAMING if you think you might get a 2 bed in SM for $1500!! sorry to be the one to burst your bubble.... fling poo on the high rents here!! an unfortunate fact of westside life... :( sorry i can't contribute to the preschool conversation, but i am eagerly lurking... it will be a few years before i have to make that decision for dd but i am certainly gathering information...

MG i'm glad we can still commune on the fry thing.... :)

LM thanks for asking--not so great, esp. with dh's disappointing lack of support lately... poo. just hope his company makes it so i can quit working altogether.

pom--got headhunted by neutrogena, would make $15-20K more than i make now, but DAMN THEM--they test on animals!! i just can't do it. :( it breaks my heart because i want out of here SO BADLY and actually the hours at neutro. would be so much better, and i'd be working for someone really nice! damn damn damn!!! :bang well maybe this headhunter will come up with something else for me... one can always hope....

gotta run--almost time to go home!! :banana

[christinla]

oh, right. Superbowl. oops! :o Guess who just got rid of cable and currently lives in a cave.....

I think the first weekend of Feb is alright.

MA that's great that you're getting head hunted, tho!!! Very good sign!!!

Speaking of Jewish things -- has anyone read "The Blessing of the Skinned Knee"? by Wendy Mogel? I heard her speak at my parents temple (my step dad is Jewish) and bought her book and just think it's great. About using Jewish teachings to raise compassionate, ethical, non-overscheduled and not spoiled children. I'd love to chat about it with anyone who has read it. Or someone can borrow mine if they'd like.

It's really nice being able to chat with you guys again -- I missed you!

Dd is at gps. My stuff is done. house is clean.


:thumb

Now all I have to do is pump (and watch a simpsons dvd -- excited!), gussy myself up, and go pick up my hubby for our hot date. What movie to see!?????

yayayayayay

byeeee!
c

[Pom]

Christin - Id love to borrow the book and chat!!! We've recently seen Far From Heaven, Adaptation, and Catch Me if you Can -- liked them all, both of us!!! Have fun!!!!

Ooops thought I could post, but gotta run..

I can't do first Sat in Feb...but Sun ok.

I am sure more jobs coming, MA -- fingers crossed!

[Lisanaaron]

Hi Roni, welcome! I can't type much, ds is playing next to me. As for preschools, I vote for coops where parents participate in 1 day a week. The youngest groups usually goes 2 to 3 days a week. Most coops have developmental curriculum, or non academic. I haven't visited all, but ds is on the waitlist at Manhattan Beach Nursery School Been around for 50 years, totally attachment parenting, organic food served, health conscious, healthy snacks, no talking down to kids, just great in all ways. Coops are good if you don't mind working, have the time, or want to get involved, but it's a lot of work. and it's much cheaper than regular preschools. coops for 2 days a week $100 to $150 a week, this is a 3 hour program.

if you like jewish schools, i've been recommended to Temple Akiba in Culver City, Bnai Tikva in Westchester, and Temple Isaiah on Pico Blvd. I know Bnai Tikva and Akiba is about $400 a month for non members.

You should get LA Parent magazine, it's free and it always advertises neighborhood preschools so you can check them out.

The website for coops is www.ccppns.org

Pom, why don't you and dd go Shalom Time at Borders next month on the 11th? We went this month and it's great. I want ds to get exposed to Jewish culture, this program is musical and not religious. They sing Itsy Bitsy Spider with Hebrew words, it's the cutest!!!

Later,

[moongloe]

evenin' chicklettes~

why can't we do superbowl sunday? (asks the mama whose dh won't be there anyway) couldn't we have a mama/bebe thing that day? i don't wanna wait till february. mamabowl sunday.

c....yum crayons lol. i hope you're having a great date night!

roni...there are some 2bdrm apts to be found on the westside for what you posted. we have a 1+den for just under 12, and i think it is a cute place.

ma...cool to be hunted, but sucky that is was from a blech firm. sorry love.

~peace and love, mg :love

[lunarmomma]

Crikey, aren't we all just so chatty!!!:D :D :D
I have friends coming in from England Feb 1 and staying for 3 weeks, less one week when they will go north travelling. So i may be out of the picture.. Feb 1 for sure. Proudly, my dh will be nowhere near the television on stupor bowl sunday. He barely knows which sport they will play on that day!! I will not be a sports widow on that day. but I will be doing something else...
Saturday the 26th is a meditation retreat at Temescal Cyn with Sharon Salzberg, and another woman. 9-5, and it is only $40, I'm so there!! It will be walking, sitting meditation, some teaching and they provide bagels!!
Any of you want info I'll give you the contact number.
I am going to do a lactation educator course through UCLA extension the second week of Feb... Been wanting to do that for a couple of years, looks like now is the time.

Roni- I do know of The Jew in the Lotus, haven't read it though, in full but in part... most of the Buddhist teachers I know are Jewish... It does go well together. I have just discovered Naomi Ragen, and read 3 of her books in the last couple of weeks. It is very interesting. I find it hard to reconcile the patriarchal aspect of Judaism, and cannot accept some of the reasons that women and men are separated... unclean etc, making women to be unattractive and hiding her hair, unfit to study, only suited to raise children and support her husband etc while the man becomes a great scholar to help him in the next world...way oversimplifying, sorry,... I know that there is great variety among orthodox and hasidic philosophy but some of what I read really irks me. Mind you I am no great feminist... but all that stuff that appears to oppress women under the guise of her being an untouchable... I don't dig it... maybe you can shed more light. I see that Naomi Ragen is showing the wide variation and degrees of oppression that women experience. And I like her books a lot.
For me I feel I am more a cultural Jew than a religious one... there are too many other things I connect with that open my heart and feel connected with... Paganism and earth religion, I have too many yucky buttons from my childhood about going to synagogue and saturday school and all that...and feeling nothing, just being forced to be there. Guess you caould say I have "sermon phobia", pom you aren't alone!
I just feel that any religion that says they are the right way and the only way has not got it and it is the wrong thing for me. I 'm not saying that Judaism says this, but too am a phobic to organized religion... anyway better saved for another conversation!
I actually don't know anyone that goes to the Mishkon preschool, but I know of it from several years ago when they were looking for a preschool director and the person who called me was a friend of my mothers... I was in the field some time ago... I will ask around though.
I will get you the nubers of the other places.
Yes, rents in Santa Monica are simply atrocious. If you wanted to live in Venice you could do better, though be specific about where there because there is the "hood" a higher crime/drug area... Mar Vista is less expensive.
I would say that rents in Santa Monica probably don't start under $2K, but then again you never know... I will keep my ears open too.
The Miskon Tephilo is on the edge of SM and Venice, off of Main Street just north of Rose Ave. (the beginning of Venice).
OK, gotta sign off...
g'night everybody.

[roni]

Let me start by apologizing to all the non-Jews for turning this forum into a re-connecting with our mother religion discussion! I hope you at least find it interesting.

OK, where do I start? Laura, I'm not the most qualified person to be having this discussion, but it sounds like you've definitely got a case of the "bad Reform education, forced to go to lame Hebrew school blues"! While those patriarchal, misogynistic elements you discussed definitely exist in Judaism, they are only practiced among the ultra-orthodox, which is only one small part of our multi-faceted religion. The new trends in Judaism are to embrace a much more open, humane and feminist approach to Jewish laws and customs. Even in the orthodox movement, the latest thing is all-women prayer gatherings or mixed-gender services where the women and men sit seperately, but women participate in leading the services including Torah reading and sermons. And soon, the first orthodox female rabbi will be ordained, changing modern-orthodoxy as we know it (I happen to go to a Mommy & Me music class at her house in Jerusalem, so I know) Israel and the States are filled with women's places of study, where womem are catching up quickly to men in terms of Jewish knowledge and ability to read and interepret ancient Jewish texts for themselves.

And that's just in orthodoxy! In liberal Jewish circles, gender is not even an issue, let alone sexual orientation in many cases. While I admit that some liberal rabbis still have problems performing inter-marriage (sorry Pom) most of them will welcome mixed couples into their congregation.

DH and I are feminist (yes, he is the one who taught me the true meaning of feminism after studying with Carol Gilligan, major feminist thinker and author), and also like to combine elements of Eastern philosophy and spirituality into our lives (yoga, meditation) and we do all this while keeping a traditional Jewish household (keeping Kosher, observing Shabbat) And there are many people like us! (especially in LA)

The key to finding harmony with such a huge and dense religion is to re-interpret the laws and customs into a language that is meaningful to you. Take Shabbat for example: 1 day, every week, of not using any money, not driving your car, not watching TV. Just a day to be with yourself and your family, to concentrate on your emotional and spiritual needs with your community in synagogue. It's environmentally-friendly, it's non-consumerism, it's spiritually healthy . . . even the most liberal, non-religious person can find beauty in that!

I don't know Naomi Reagan's books at all, but it seems as if she writes about the Judaism that you see in movies like "Fiddler on the Roof", which is fine, but do not confuse it with the Judaism of today.

I really encourage you to re-examine your Jewish connections under the guidance of a more enlightened teacher. If you are interested, I will think about it and give you some recommendations for books and/or rabbis in the area to start your journey. It's not that I have any great need to see you become a practicing Jew again. It's just that I hate to see people turned off to Judaism for the wrong, antiquated reasons.

And one more note . . . any time a religious leader, of ANY faith, tells me that THEIR way is the only "right" way, I look for the exit door . . .

Sorry again about the length and intensity of this discussion to those of you not interested. And thanks for all the preschool homework. I will start looking into them next week.

Roni:grouphug

[gabesmama]

HI Everyone,

I was in the SFV thread but it is o lonely there :(

My name is Lori nd I have an 18 month old DS.

Lunarmama, do you know of any good schools in the SFV? i found a co-op pre-school that I like but I am looking for kindergarten--elementry school as well. I like the Waldorf the most but am a little weirded out about the anthroposophy as well.

I am also Jewish and looking for a synagogue. A friend told me that Stephen S Wise has toddler Shabbat services. Suppose I should call and find out more about them.

Welcome Roni, Female Orthodox Rabbis????????????? Wow!

I lived in Israel for a year. I loved it and miss it there. I am saddened about the situation.

Do any of you do mommy and me classes? Any recommendations?

Nice to meet you all.

Lori

[Pom]

Hi Lori! I have a 17 mo dd...she could use a new boyfriend, as she seems to be collecting them...she hardly has any girlfriends in the same age range (although she is quite fond of Christin and MA's dds...)

Who is Steven Wise?

Roni - Forgot to add we have a decent 2BR in West LA for under 1500, but it's not santa monica (close, though) and we seem to have the lowest rent on the street. Frustrating cuz the rents seem to have gone up dramatically in the last 3 years...we have neighbors who pay soooo much less!!! Although when DH was out here looking he did say several times that for 1500 you could have a wide range of choices across LA (even on the Westside, and that was only 9 months ago).

Lisa - thanks for the plug, but those Sholom times are during the workweek :(

Today I am at the office ALL darn day and planning my career with my new boss....sigh....I'd rather be at the beach with my babe!!! It's so frustrating, but maybe it's good that I'm not overjoyed with my job -- less distraction from my dd...I suppose, if I was caught up in what I do, I'd be more likely to stay late, and travel and what not...?

PS MA , MG -- I had fries at lunch (just a few, off my coworker's plate!!!!!)

[Lisanaaron]

Pom, Shalom Times is at 4 pm, maybe your dd's "babysitter" would be nice enough to take her there sometimes. I wish I had a bigger car and 2 carseats, don't mind stealing your sweet dd for a couple of hours:)

Gabesmama, don't know any mommy and me in SFV, but what about Emerson Adult School? It's cool and cheap, only $15 per semester. We do a lot of crafts with the babes.

A get together on the 1st week of Feb would be nice. January is so hectic. In just a few months, I'd be able to offer our place.

Later

[lunarmomma]

Hi Lori,
I know a couple of moms whose kids go to Children's Circle preschool in NH or SC, I think... They are very developmentally oriented and have a great director/teacher folks. Long ago I worked as a therapeutic companion with a child who went there and the staff is right on, as far as I know,,, they are still there. the moms I know whose kids go there LOVE IT. I don't know of a single place that continues on... except that is, for Pacific Oaks in Pasadena that is heaven for a child, in both physical setting and in developmental/emotional support of children. They continue on into the grades, I THINK. It's been a while since my Child Development days, so best to call and go see for yourself. The other place I know of is Oakwood school which is private, groovy and probably rather pricey, it's where all the cool people went (whose families could afford to send them). How it is these days, I don't know, probably has a substance abuse problem among older young people, as do most private, priviledged arenas in this town... but again, I don't know!!!

Roni,
Thanks for your input, I appreciate it. Yes, naomi ragen does write from the perspective of the hasidic clan, though I'm not sure she is.... she also has a column or writes for one of the major Israeli newspapers... you could do a search on her if you like, the last name is ragen, not like our president of past times.... insert barf icon... sorry.
It is nice to hear that things have become progressive in many aspects... I like the idea of retreat and rest etc... it would be great if I could get my butt on my zafu even for five minutes a day, but that is somewhat out of reach. I can't see me beccoming kosher, I eat shellfish, have married a person who grew up Catholic (though his mother's grandmother was Jewish- we know what that means...) We have a christmas tree and a menorah and celebrate both holidays with ds...and the solstices.. I can't see NOT doing that, and to observe the sabbath and go to synagogue would seem a bit hypocritical... plus, the idea of going to sit somewhere to "pray" makes me nauseous, I want to think that evrywhere is holy, and that it is within myself, or around me in the trees and the sky, etc... I get the same way in churches or cathedrals... They were built to make man worship outside of himself... and give their power away... i really get agitated when I go to these places, that I know had taken the most holy oak groves or land where people honored the interconnectedness with themselves and nature... and built there churchs atop that space... making man worship their god, usually the white one with a long gray beard....
I think I had some bad experiences in past lives. I am really sensitive to this...
anyway I like to be a good human being and be giving and compassionate etc... and i think i can do this without a "house of god" over my head... I hope so anyway!!
Please don't think me sarcastic or making light of what is important to you... I am just making a lame attempt to explain why i feel the way I do. Eastern philosophy also sits well with me...
Hoping I haven't put my foot in my mouth...I think it is great that each of us can find what feels right... and know what doesn't too.
Peace.
Laura

[moongloe]

hey~

dh wasn't paying attention; while in charge of watching ds; and ended up bringing his barbell down on ds' head. ds is ok, but i would really appreciate good thoughts for him...head bonks scare the bejeebers out of me.

lori...hi! welcome to the thread!

lunar...so cool about the lactation educator course!! will you check in with us while you have visitors?

lisan...minipom's nanny would rather not take her own ds to shalom time; for reasons she doesn't know how to properly explain.

pom...wow a fry theif? are ma and i rubbing off on you? how did the day with your new boss go?

roni...no apologies needed. while we love chitchat, we also enjoy a good discussion.

seriously, can't we do a no daddy thing on the 26th? don't you mamas get all sissy on me!

ok i'm in need of junk food, so i'll sign off for the night.
~peace and love, mg :love

[moongloe]

crossposted with ya lunar. i don't think you put your foot in your mouth.
i forgot to say that i got a datebook today that shows all the planetary retrogrades, full moons, sabbat dates, moon void-of-course dates, etc for 2003. if anyone is interested in the above, it was at barnes and noble, on 75% clearance (as are all their calendars and date books). the book is titled 'llewellyn's witches' datebook 2003'. (anyone weirded by that can always make a cute book cover for it) :D
~peace, mg :love

[lunarmomma]

it's ok, mg, i like witches... good ones especially. i hope i am one:p

[gabesmama]

Thank you everyone for the welcome.

Hi POM

Gabriel would love another girlfriend. Stephen S. Wie is a temple located off of the 405 at Mulholland.

Laura,

Thank you for all of your helpful information. I really appreciate it.

Have a good weekend, What are you doing this weekend? Do any of you go to the Hollywood Farmer market?

Lori

[mary ann]

i vote for a mommy and baby (or kid!) day on stupid bowl sunday!! i think that would be SUPERfun!!! hee hee :D
who's up for it??!! christin, are you still offering your place? LOVE your place!!!!
maybe we could even kinda restrict it to just gals and babes--that way we could have more girl talk!!
whaddya think? we could each bring one munchie thing and snack and yap all afternoon!

welcome newbies! welcome all kinds of discussions! :)

POM IS A FRY THIEF--BEWARE!!!! stay away from my fries, woman!!!! :eek

rube--where are you? sorry i was running around like a madwoman today and never came by to get pants... i'll call ya sometimes this weekend and see if i can stop by...

[Pom]

Just a quick hello -- the thrid night of little to no sleep and dd has a rash again -- ? MG - good thoughts to ds...poor sweetie! As far as Superbowl -- we could maybe slip over to say hi if it's somewhere close, but I don't mind it so much anymore, espec if we're hanging out with friends - and I actually like seeing the commercials (as it used to be part of my job, really, I'm kinda conditioned to them). No worries about Shalomtime...4 pm, I could maybe take her sometime...Gabesmomma thanks for the clarification on the temple...I think I'm missing others...yes, MA I have always been a fry thief...just ask DH!! MG thanks for asking the New Boss is very very nice and very very slender and lovely and hard not to like, she's also dating an old friend/coworker of mine it turns out, small world...but she is totally fine with me working from home, which is nice - GREAT, actually--- yesterday was the first time in probably 9 months that I spent a full 10 hours away from dd and I HATED it and was so exhausted when I got home...4/5 hours fun...10 hours ICKY. Have alovely day, all! PS - Lunar, I think your explanation is fine and obviously sincere...while I think I fall somewhere more in the gray area, I totally get where you're coming from!

[2boobs]

I have never been so cold in my life!!
Outside in Boston it is freezing!!! As you can guess. We've had a great week in the hotel though. Spent lots of time in the pool, and went to the aquarium one day.

We fly out tomorrow and can't wait!!

The kids have been good with the jet lag - I expect it'll be hard second time though.

We're thinking about getting a cheap 2nd hand car now, then we can sell it on when we leave. Seems silly to through it all away on hire.

MA- How are you doing?

This talk of meeting up, will it be soon? i can't wait to meet you all.

[rubelin]

Hey everyone! Sorry to be MIA, it's been a bad week :( I've been reading along, just wasn't up to posting.

MA - your pants are sitting by the front door, we're going to a party in an hour or so, but we'll be back around 4 or you can come by tomorrow. LMK :)

Could we please do Sunday the 2nd for our meet??? The 26th would be fine, but I'm not interested in just a mommy/baby thing, since our weekends are for family time. It seems that most everyone said they could do the 2nd and the point was to have as many of us there as possible.

I have to go, I keep getting interupted. Hope you're all having a good weekend!

[mary ann]

let's do sunday the 2nd, then. everyone on board?

2boobs can't wait to meet you! i AM feeling a bit better, thanks! meds are starting to work. no more crying fits, anyway...

rube, after 4 sounds good today. i'll walk over with dd late this afternoon.

pom--fling poo at work!!!!! taking us away from our dd's!!! who do they think they are???!!

[Pom]

2Boobs -- welcome to the states! Yes, it is cold there -- especially this year -- the winter has been brutal!! Did you see Andre the seal at the Boston Aquarium? He's quite famous. Good luck with thte rest of your trip and look forward to meeting you! It's so funny, all my life in the middle of winter when the weather report came on tv, I'd look at the map and wander to the West Coast and wish I was in one of those states where is said 75 degrees --- and now I am!! I was a little home sick for snow and cold today, though. I've always loved winter, and miss my cozy down parka, the brisk air hitting your face, keeping you cool while you're toasty everywhere else.

MA - Am glad you are feeling better -- hooray!

All - the 2nd is fine with me.

The airconditioner in our wagon died today on the way to Griffith Park. :( Now, I can handle driving a sad ol' uncool car around town, but no airconditioning?? NO WAY. That's just too depressing! Of course, if we were back in Chicago or NY, we'd let it wait, and suffer the maybe one or tow brutally hot days, but not here! Alack alas, we were going to use our Christmas money to buy a digital camera, and now it's all gone to car problems and dental work. How not fun is THAT?

DD got a pinwheel today and destroyed it in about 5 seconds, but she loved the stick, LOL.

[lunarmomma]

hi everyone.
Sorry we probably won't be able to make the 2nd... it'll be my friend's first real day here and we'll probably be haning out and watching them get over jet lag.

Gabes mom, someone reminded me of another great school in the valley. Maggie Haves school.. North Hollywood, I think. she is another great old time child development person who knows what is going on wtih kids.
Dh got some work, finally, next couple of weeks we won't see so much of him but I am NOT complaining!!! We need him to be working!!

2 boobs, welcome. soon you will have summer weather.. the blossoms are fragrant and blooming, the critters and trees are confused. But I guess they are used to summer in winter, this is California!!! The days are amazingly warm, but the nights are cooler. looking forward to meeting you.

Thinking more about my religious intolerance.... these discussions have kindled some interesting food for thought in me about what I connect with, or find disgusting. I hate what the missionary folk have done to indigenous peoples over time... I always look back on the roots of things and from where they came... Christian and Catholic arrogance and attempt to convert anything that breathed... I don't think the Jewish religion has that same kind of history of trying to get others to be like them, I don't think so anyway... maybe they were too busy being persecuted... who knows. I probably lump all organized religion together even though it is not all the same. I speak so ignorantly, I wish i had the time and leisure to attempt real philosophical eloquence on this board but alas... only smatterings of feelings and shards of rememberings and things.
OK, a sharing of my existental quandry in less than a minute.
See you soon maybe.
Laura

[moongloe]

happy sunday~

2boo...welcome to america! i hope the rest of your trip is as safe. dress in layers on your way here, cuz it is so nice out, we're going swimming today.

pom...i'm having mn winter withdrawls myself. everytime i open the coat closet, all my jackets and coats start crying out to me. i'm glad the new boss is cool with your work arrangement. sticks are good.

lunar...before me, dh's experiences with religions were all very negative. he is trying to let go of his intolerance, but has difficulty doing so. he doesn't have anything against people's religions, just religion in general (thought i should clarify). it is hard though, when you look at all that people do/have done in the name of their beliefs. so sad.

rube...bad week? what's wrong?

gathering....the 2nd is fine. can ds and i be 'maybes'? his birthday party is the next weekend, and i don't yet know how much i'll have done (already characteristically way behind). where are we meeting up?

had a nice day yesterday. after lunch ds and i hung out down by the pool, blowing bubbles and talking with neighbors. then we played a few hands of 'wizards fish'...go fish wearing wizard hats, and had some cookies. after he went to bed, dh and i played scrabble...i won!! i wish there were more days like that. hopefully gonna go swimming today...warning to all onlookers lol. (if anyone wants to swim, give me a call)
~peace and love, mg :love

[roni]

Hey Laura,

Sorry it's taken me so long to respond (been dealing with dd's food allergies and stuff - so hard to figure out)

Sounds like you have found a way to live your life in harmony with yourself and the world around you. I wish you continued peace and insightfulness.

To everyone else - you all seem like a cool bunch of cats! Can't wait to meet you and have you all over for a nice inter-faith Shabbat dinner! We plan on coming to the area some time in July.

Until then, thanks again for the preschool info. I'll let you know if I have any other questions.

Signing off for now, Roni:grouphug

[rubelin]

wow, my house is quiet; both my guys napping, cats finally stopped ripping around the place. I might be able to write a coherent post :)

Laura, I totally get where you are coming from. I have very little tolerance for the intolerance of most organized religion and am pretty disgusted with what many human beings have done in the name of their god. I am very at peace with my personal lack of religion, and yet always struggling to expand my tolerance of others beliefs. We all have to find our own way up the mountain and for me, it ultimately comes down to following what rings true in my soul. I've found so many bits of truth in different spiritual paths and it's made it clear that just one is not good enough for me =)

Roni, Welcome to the tribe! Sorry for not saying hi earlier. I've loved the conversation, and would enjoy sharing a sabbath dinner with you :)

MG - swimming! How cool!! We'll definitely have to join you at the pool sometime! The bad week was a stupid thing, just an ugly misunderstanding with Dan that took several days to straighten out - it's all good now, actually better than it's been in a long time :D

MA, would it be easier if I dropped your pants off with the nanny?? BTW, I have another pair of Gap khakis in the same size that I bought too long and grew out of before I got around to fixing them. They're your's if you want them, but you'll have to take them to the tailor to be shortened. LMK!

OK, babe's waking up, better post this while the posting's good :wink

[mary ann]

2nd fine here, however, i say that whoever wants to skip the stupidbowl and get together that sunday (26th) should still do so. i'd be happy to make a trek out to the valley to see christin's dd walking! :)

rube, umm.... as you can see, i never got it together this weekend. so yes, if you happen to be going by my place this week, i'd very much appreciate it if you would drop off the pants, and i'd love to take that other pair too! never too many khakis for this working girl... :) you can always just leave them on the porch if you don't want to deal with the nanny (that didn't sound very nice.... what i mean is that her english is very limited so it might be easier to just run up and drop them on the porch...)

MG can i trade your happy wizards and swimming day for one of my hellish up every hour with dd nights??? :rolleyes: i'll give ya lots and lots of fries...... :p

LM you have hit on exactly why, as an onlooker, i have always kinda dug the jewish religion and have lots of jewish friends--because they never try to convert you! having grown up catholic (in a very mormon area), i am sick of that behavior. my friends who are jewish have a more "live and let live" mentality than my obnoxiously catholic parents....

gotta go eat dinner--dh finally got dd to sleep!!

[2boobs]

We got here! Hurray! It's so hot. I've had a migraine and threw up at 5 am. I think I was a little stressed out cos Ihaven't done anything like that since before babies. Anyway we've got quite settled in a couple of days. Arthur is very tired but Susan is loving it. She has already asked if we could not go home for a long time!!

We are staying with Lee and Jim and their lodger ohn. They are all over 75. Lee was my grandad's sweetheart for five years before he passed away 8 years ago. My grandad and mum were pretty much astranged. My granny divorced him and took her four kid back to England in the late fifties- a long story, but he was an alcoholic and she was homesick. He was catholic and she was protestant. Their differences in religion pretty much wrecked their marriage I believe. Anyway Lee says he was a real old softie when she knew him and the few times I met him he was always kind.

Lee has since found herself a new guy and we seem to be hitting it off. They are pretty easy going. We feel really pleased to be welcome here.

I have joined an AP playgroup here and will go to a park day tomorrow. I found it on the Orange county board here which was lucky.

We haven't got a car yet. But I am about to look into it.

The 2nd sounds great to meet up. Back soon!

[moongloe]

hey gals~

2boo...welcome sister!!!!!!!!!! i'm glad you arrived safe and sound.

rube...glad you and the man worked it out... he was wrong of course ;-)

ma...i'd love to get less sleep because of a cute little baby girl! do i get to keep her if i give you the wizard hat?

crud i have to go. i hadn't realized the time, and i've got more email to get to.

~peace and love, mg :love

[Lisanaaron]

Hi everyone!

2boobs, welcome! Look forward to meeting you soon:)

Rubelin and anyone else interested, the La Playa Coop School at Lindberg park is holding an open house on Friday. Arrive between 9 and 9:15 am and it should lasts 1 hour.

I hope everyone is having a good day!

Later

[mary ann]

uh oh, has christin gone back into lurker mode?? :eek

2boobs--welcome!!! looking forward to meeting you!

where are we meeting on the 2nd? we have people coming from far places.. orange county and the valley... shall we do a potluck and make it a regular party? i think that would be fun.... anyway let's not slack off... cast your votes for location because the 2nd is a week from this sunday!

MG i will trade her for the hat NIGHTLY and you can have your hat in the DAYTIME. deal??

[moongloe]

hey everyone~

for the 2nd i will let you gals pick the local, since i won't know till the day before if i can make it. potluck sounds good to me!

ma...ok, but if you will be sleeping in the hat, don't let it get all squished.

rube...we forgot the sewing switch yesterday!!! i have to run errands after minipom goes home, if you aren't gonna be home, give me a call so i don't stop by.

where is everyone? hey is anyone else getting really freaked with war on the horizon? is there anyway we can use our military to oust bush instead?
~peace, mg :love

[Pom]

I am lurking when I can. Just trying to get out from under DD and DH having a vomitfest, lack of sleep, overwhelmed with work, and I smashed our car into a cement pillar in a parking garage. I will come up for air as soon as I'm out of the litlle land of all me.Now that Merc is out fo retro, I am praying it will be soon. Love to you all...

[christinla]

hi!

haven't been getting any notifications.....hardly on the comp....same old story! And here MA has been trying to get me to invite her over!!! PLEASE COME VISIT ME! :)

I am meeting a friend on the 2nd, but I may be able to swing by and see you girlies, too, I hope!

pom -- poor thing! Hang in there!!

I've enjoyed skimming through the religion discussion. What a bunch of intelligent ladies.

Must find co-op pre-schools in the valley! They sound great. The only one I know of off the top of my head is the Topanga Co-op.

Dh is out of town for the weekend, so it's just the girls. Dd is actually sleeping, and instead of practicing I'm writing you all. hee hee :D

I'll try to be back more often!
love
c

[moongloe]

hey gals~

pom...oh no your car?! no engine damage i hope. how are the vomiteers?

c...selfishly glad that you posted instead of practicing!

i suppose everyone is outside enjoying this weather? we did the fresh air/sunshine thing earlier, and are now back in our attic (pom likened us to flowers in the attic of late). don't know if they're still out there, but if you are in my area, there's a cool yard sale on my street. hip clothes and shoes, and a box of fabric (rube?). does anyone want to plan a group yardsale one of these days?

~may there be peace, mg :love

[rubelin]

LOL at the yard sale, MG, cause what I really need is more fabric!!

Having a lazy weekend, well, a lazy week. Been sewing a lot & got my website mostly done, just have to take some new pics of my sewing room and the store is currently empty, but otherwise it's all done and uploaded. I don't know if it's ok to give you a link anymore, but there's nothing for sale there right now, and I can edit it out of this post if it's not kosher Click here to see the new look... (http://www.wonderbabydesigns.com) Let me know what you think, but only if you love it, lol!

Who offers their place for the 2nd?? We could do it here but have lousy parking and cats so it might not work for everyone. MA, what about your yard?? We could bring our canopy and extra outside chairs.

Well, gotta go redo the taxes one last time... It's going well, I just keep forgetting stuff :)

Hope nobody's melted :wink Talk to ya later!

[mary ann]

unfortunately, can't offer my place, as i have a very bitey dog who is NOT safe around small running kids. :( we do have an indoor kennel we can put him in, but with that much action going on, he will bark his head off the whole time. oh, boy, don't get me started on the dog.... :angry

having a bad, bad time with the sleep thing. last night out of desperation, dh and i let dd CIO for a few minutes... we're still feeling guilty. somehow, this kid has GOT to sleep. i just can't do it anymore. :crying

want to go to a park on the 2nd? you people with mobile kids have to chose, though, to me it's all the same. :)

christin--sorry we didn't get in touch earlier! i made other plans for stupidbowl sunday.... you gotta lurk more often! :) really, really want to see you!! and gotta see that walkin' talkin' dd of yours!!!!

[lunarmomma]

hi all.
-welcome 2 boobs!
-pom hope your barfers are all better.
-ma. sorry about the lack of sleep. it is so normal... we didn't sleep for 3 years. I probably shouldn't tell you that. CIO only makes it worse... if it worked there'd be more of us doing it!! Remember, each day is different...
and this too shall pass. boy am i full of cliches' or what???

We aren't going to be able to make it on the 2nd... I would offer my place, though not this time because we can't be there...my friends from England will be here... their first real day so we're gonna start touring around ... SM farmers market, go hiking in Temescal maybe. they are nature lovers so we probably won't be doing much shopping.
I went to an all day meditation retreat in Temescal today... sitting, walking sitting walking, more sitting and more sitting. With Sharon Salzberg and Trudy Goodman. It was intense, but it was good to clear a bit of space and do it. And dh has been working 12-14 hour days so I took this day for myself and he will work tomorrow instead of today so he could be with ds so i could go... lucky me.
from famine to feast with the work days/nights... glad it isn't like this all the time. ds isn't used to not having him around... nor me...
anyway hoping you are all having a good weekend... or sort of....

[moongloe]

hey now~

lunar...sounds like you had a great day!

rube...can one have too much fabric?

2nd...can't offer my pad, since i'm a maybe that day.

i've noticed a few mamas haven't been posting lately (and a few haven't posted in ages). you girls ok? post a grunt or two every now and again, so we know you're still with us.

hope everyone has a nice sunday.
~peace, peace, and more peace, mg :love

[christinla]

hi

Rube -- I just checked out your site! Looks great!!

MA -- I completely sympathize about the sleep thing. Every time I think I have it figured out, I don't. Very frustrating. Hang in there. Remembering that every baby is unique helps me alot when all the voices from other moms and books I've read start haunting me telling me that whatever I'm doing is wrong. Do what feels right.

I'm not the only one with voices in my head, right?

LM -- what a nice day!!! Having dh gone all day working must be rough....you deserve a break.

I'm celebrating SBSunday by going SHOPPING with my mom and sis!! :thumb I just gave away MOST of my clothes, so hopefully I'll find a few things that I'll actually like and wear. Are any of you new mommies having issues wearing jeans? It's not even that I feel that fat, but this poochy tummy of mine can't handle jeans anymore. :( Maybe I'll find INTERESTING clothes....break away from my jeans/t-shirt phase (that's lasted about 30 years). Or not.

Hope you're all enjoying this winter's day!
c

[Lisanaaron]

Hi ladies,

Okay, here is the scoop. The meet next Sunday on the 2nd will be at my place. We will be outdoors so please bring blankets. Shall we do bring your own snacks this time? I sure hope next Sunday will be just as nice as today. Let's meet there at 10:30 ish, is that good